hemingway

Nev calls him Jeffy is good enough for me. These days almost everyone calls him Jeffy, so the horse has well and truly bolted. Doesn't stop others calling him Jeff or Garlo. I just want him playing good footy on a regular basis.

Sorry Earl, I was thinking of another fictional character when I read your post. Apologies to you and Milo. Just make sure you observe the Royal Protocols, no touching or hugging the Queen, excluding Elton and Meghan (because Americans hug). Just hope the cucumber sandwiches that you are supplying from China are suitable for the Royal tastebuds.

Just jousting bing. We are a figment of our imagination.

Milo, the entrepreneur that you are, I had forgotten about your role in The Wedding. Of course, the old Country and indeed the Royals do not have the budget they once had, which is where you no doubt fit in. A quick visit to China, a lick of paint, and I'm sure the imitations look like the real thing!

Red, apart from your good self and a few other stalwarts, the posts on this thread seem to have dropped off lately. Many of the old characters with their peccadillo's seemed to have disappeared into the ether, with the result that the only thing to talk about is football. What's happened to all the chameleons, the perverts, the eccentrics, the boasters, the liars, the weirdos, the freaks, the nuts, the sad and lonely, the non conformists, the entrepreneurs, the drug peddlers, the pretenders, the psychotic, the delusional, the washed-up lawyers and academics and writers, the homeless, and the bizarre characters that used to come and go in the night on this thread. I think I have covered everyone. Oops, I forgot the dead. After 7 years, perhaps its time to close this thread. Let's face it, this is not a thread for mundane, boring or repetitious comments about football.

I don"t need to read this Frog. With our recent wins, I was just emerging from my MFC induced depression to some semblance of balanced mood state. I was even planning to go on Sunday, with a feeling of quite optimism tempered by the ever present trepidation. However,""there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.""

I only know two umpires both of whom are now retired (2013/2017), and one had a part time job and the other had his own business. .

Tend to agree. I'm one of those old fashioned types that prefer to see our players as footballers not entertainers.

Fair comment. Looking at the video of the Casey goals was very encouraging. Like watching the Demons. There was flair, intensity and lots of confidence. Hunt clearly has deficiencies, disposal being the biggest. And to use an old phrase, he tends to have "a rush of blood" too often. However, he has pace to burn, dash, is a beautiful long kick when necessary and has a boyish enthusiasm and cheek that is infectious and team lifting. He has the X factor. I would hate to see him leave for another club.

These comparisons between players is all a bit pointless. Players have different physical and mental attributes. In the old days, no-one compared Barassi with Dixon or any of the other Demon stars of the time. Barassi was Barassi, Dixon was Dixon. However, they made up a champion team. In the 80s, we did not compare Lyon with Viney etc. Lets hope we play in a Grand Final and Brayshaw dominates in the midfield all day and Petracca pops up in the last quarter and kicks 3 quick goals to win the match. They have different attributes, skills sets and different on-ground behaviours. Its about molding those individual attributes into a champion team.

Depends on individual memories hence age. For baby boomers, I still think 31 resonates. Perhaps given new life by young Bayley F. Post 1970, probably 2. For the very recent fan base, probably 11 and until end of 2017, 4.

Like so many others, I am so heartily sick of the AFL constantly tampering with the game. It's as if the media managers of the AFL insist on having a news grab every week or two to maintain the public profile of its leader and his organisation. With rule changes and changes to rules interpretation every second week, we are simply seeing more uncertainly for umpires, coaches, players and spectators. The biggest frustration of the game involves the different and changing interpretation of the rules by the umpires leading to unfair free kicks that directly influence the outcome of matches. Just leave the bloody game alone for a season. By all means review the rules at the end or beginning of each season, but not during the course of the season or from one game to the next.

Given his importance to the team and the history of his injury, I would err on the side of caution. It could be said that the club has been cautious by delaying his return for as long as it has, but it would surely give both the player and also all those involved in his rehab, more confidence if he was eased back with a few more games at Casey. Viney's importance to the Club cannot be measured by one game or a handful of games, but the next 5-10 years.

It seems to me that Bartlett is probably an ideal person for the job as President. He comes with a footy background having played at the highest level in WA. So he understands and knows footy and footy clubs. He would also understand how to manage the range of personalities that are part of any club. He comes with a professional background in industrial law/relations. You cannot be effective in this field unless you are firm but fair. You need to be able to understand the views of the other person or the other side, deal with confrontation, rebut absurd opinions, and to be able to reason and also compromise to ensure that agreement can be reached over key issues. Confrontation and total rejection of opposing points of view are rarely an effective "modus operandi", other than in exceptional circumstances. Most importantly, you need to be a good negotiator and be able to influence people, in particular, those with different views. You need to work in harmony with your Board or Committee. You need to balance both principles (the law or governing rules of a club) and practice. I suspect that he and Jackson have a very clear view over their job roles and responsibilities, and are in full agreement so that both can do their job effectively. Importantly, unlike some other Presidents, Bartlett is not a person that hogs the limelight. This would suggest that his ego does not get in the way of his role within the club or with the AFL and external parties. An important, if not the most important role of the President, is to work with the Board or Committee. To oversee the Board and to assist in achieving common goals for the benefit of the club. A good President does this. A poor President tries to take over the role of the Board or will intervene inappropriately when it is not required. The latter will more often than not, exercise power and authority because ""He is the President." Clearly, Bartlett is not a President driven by his own self importance or ego. He is not a media person which is a big plus. In accordance with his professional background, he works behind the scenes to achieve the best outcome for his client (in this case, the Club) Bartlett is a conciliator that attempts to influence the decision making process and only intervene when required. Usually a good President works in harmony with others. In particular, with his or her Chief Operating Officer. The effectiveness of both individuals is influenced by their working relationship and cooperation. One can only undertake his/her role effectively with the help of the other. Having an outstanding CEO such as Jackson must make life much easier for Bartlett, and, at the same time, Jackson's effectiveness has been enhanced by being allowed to undertake his role freely without intervention from Bartlett. If you think of the Norm Smith days, Norm was an effective coach whilst he had the support of the President and Board. The relationship between coach and Board or Committee was always difficult due to Norm's personality and his attitude of ""my way or the highway."" That was effective for a time due to the success of the Club, but could not be sustained Having an effective President and CEO means there is less friction and disharmony at Board level. In conclusion, I think the Club has been very fortunate to have Bartlett during this period of its history. To some extent, opinion will always be influenced by the fortunes of the team on the field. However, whether the Demons win a flag or not in the next few years, Bartlett and Jackson have together helped to establish the foundations for future success.

Another example of commentary that gets sidetracked by personal sledging and bickering. Diminishes the standard of the site and makes many turn away from the place. I know, I can just ignore but gee its annoying. Seems so pointless.

Yeah, I think most of the time we are dealing with our expectations or at least our disappointment. Well may not be everyone but it is certainly the case for me. We will lose games due to the nature of the competition. However, recent matches restore faith in our players and our game plan. And our coach. We are improving and developing as a team. Wasted opportunities and skills are a problem at times, but we are improving. As confidence increases with winning games, you can see players suddenly believing in themselves and their teammates. I do get concerned at times with Goodwin's apparent inaction in the coaching box, but perhaps this is okay as results suggest. I am tremendously encouraged by our turnaround and the fact that there seems still a lot to work on, in short, still a lot of improvement to be made.

Let's not talk about Mark Neeld. Let's talk about the present and the future. It makes you feel much better.

Thanks Deever, but you didn't need to be Einstein, let alone Hemingway. The kid has runs on the board. Bit like doubting a Hibberd. We also forget at times when we comment about individual players that it is a team game and that the fortunes of the team have direct influence on the individual player.

Guru is even better than Magician.

your right, no we don't.

Agreed. However, Oscar is one of those players whose improvement and development has been hastened by regular selection. Sure it does not suit everyone, but you cannot underestimate the confidence that flows to a young player who is selected each week without the Sword of Damocles over his head. Alternatively, you cannot underestimate the damage to the confidence of a young player who is selected one or two weeks then dropped, particularly when it happens time after time. It is matter of judgement based on the perceived potential of a player and what he can bring to the team in the longer term. However, as a fan it is often difficult to discern the difference between one player and the next. Some go on to have great careers, others are sacrificed on the altar of expediency or the judgement of a coach. Anyway, Oscar has benefited from having the confidence of the coach and selection panel and is repaying that faith in spades this year. Others will be unlucky and will end up playing elsewhere or in a lower league. I often feel sorry for the latter. Its a little like the older player that loses the confidence of the coach, does not fit into the game plan or is not seen as part of the future yet goes on to play good footy at another club.

Like the term ""The Magician" to describe this young football genius. Could be the most valuable footballer in the competition in a few years.

It is a troubled issue with lots of differing opinions. No matter how fit you are, coming up to play every week is a huge ask on the body. Players are now expected to run all day and yet compete for the footy and tackle in a manic and intensive way, unlike past generations of footballers. With interstate matches, you also have travel and adjusting to different ground surfaces, different temperatures and humidity. Also varying gaps or rest between each match. Sure there are a couple of byes, but nevertheless the season is incredibly demanding on players bodies. Players walk a tightrope between maintaining fitness and remaining injury free. In a sense, as every game passes, the risk of injury and the risk of illness increases. Just running down the body energy reserves. In addition, you have the challenges of the relentless pressure on the mind. Ultimately, the stress of playing each week is going to end with injury, illness or the falling off of performance.. There are players who are less prone than others but players like Big Maxy, Oliver and Viney are at greater risk. Every match is important, so you want your best team out there every week. However, I would rather rest a player like Max before exhaustion or injury occurs that result in being sidelined for a longer period. The goal is to make the finals and have your best 22 fit and firing on all cylinders come finals time. Accordingly, I feel that some players should be selectively rested during the season.

There were many doubters who have admitted that they were wrong. There are those that still have some doubts or concerns about aspects of Oscar's game and that is probably fair enough. However, for the minority who repeatedly criticized or were unduly negative about Oscar (the word Spud comes to mind), I doubt that there will be any embarrassment. That is the nature of the beast. Just like the workplace there are the whingers and critics who have little capacity for self reflection or humility. I think there are a lot of our guys at the moment, who are beginning to emerge and silence their critics.

Outstanding job. Came with a great reputation but over 5 years has exceeded all expectations. Its called leadership. Real leadership. Along with Paul Roo's he gave the club credibility, respect, and a new found confidence in its future. As a result, after a long hiatus, the MFC has become a serious footy club. Probably the true measure of his impact may not be known for another 5 to 10 years, but there is good reason to think that he will be judged well by posterity.