Harvey Wallbanger

Maeve will be a close watch tomorrow at the Open training session....

I'm backing in Cumming and Dovaston.

There were lots of consoling hugs going Maeve's way - I would be surprised if she plays on Sunday.

Chatham House Rules applied to a "meet Stephen King" event for the great and the good at the MCG tonight, but one tangible matter to emerge that all Demonlanders should be aware of is that the first men's training session (for the Years 1 to 4) will be on Monday 10 November at Gosch's at 10 am. King expects that to be 15 players, plus any of the "old guys" who want to have a kick. Hopefully this is confirmed on the MFC website soonish.

It seemed to be early in training - maybe Kate did the presser before training?

Yes, Goldie supposed to be one week away - a bit of shuffling might be required. Not sure that we can play Tahlia, Saraid and Gabby in the same backline....?

All 30 players were in attenance, plus Jacinta. Unfortunately it seems that Maeve Chaplin has injured her hamstring and did not take part in the main part of training. And although Molly O'Hehir was listed as a "test" to our eyes it did not look likely that she would be available. In better news both Gabby Colvin and Grace Beasley trained fully and well - would be a big call to select GB this week, but we think it's worth the risk to boost our mid-field. Nice touch when Steven King, Jared Rivers, Nathan Jones, Troy Chaplin and a bunch of others (including Alan Richardson) joined the group for a quick "Kumbuya" moment. Sunday 1.05 pm at Ikon Park a nice time and a convenient location to support our women!

See you Wednesday Ghosty...

The nominee doesn't get over it....

Indeed Bing an "open election" would "throw up" a bunch of candidates that the members could then vote upon. The members might even have their own view on what skills are needed - maybe someone who lives in Melbourne and has time to devote to the Club? And the "skills we need"? Who determines that? - the same Board members that this thread is suggesting has failed us. See DFF's post - a nominee is identified by the Board and then the skill set they deem is required mysteriously appears as the skill set that the Board define as being required. Whatever that is, it is not an "open election".

If we get Sharp and Josh Lindsay we will have two Sharps and two Lindsays on the list - awkward!

That 2019 was that rare draft with 3 gun small forwards. We liked all 3 but took Pickett at 12, with Liam Henry going to Fremantle at 9 amd Weightman 15.

Or just Pft...?

With bells on!

It's Slartibartfast and he's not that smelly......

Interesting that you mention "death" Ghosty - had to go to a funeral today. Sorry I couldn't provide you shelter.

And yet look at the Richmond, West Coast and North Melbourne numbers - there's got to be more to it than just the way we play footy, and the wins and losses..... St Kilda 65,500 - Melb 58,500......

And to think when we saw him doing that trial at Gosch's we assumed he was Irish!

Not sure cost of living, or even winning games, explains our member numbers. See below (AFL official numbers) - West Coast and Richmond didn't win many matches and even North increased membership by 6,000, and are just 2300 behind us: 1. Collingwood* – 112,491 (2024 tally: 110,628) 2. West Coast* – 107,079 (2024 tally: 103,498) 3. Carlton – 100,743 (2024 tally: 106,345) 4. Richmond – 92,531 (2024 tally: 98,489) 5. Geelong* – 92,379 (2024 tally: 90,798) 6. Hawthorn* – 87,204 (2024 tally: 83,823) 7. Essendon – 85,568 (2024 tally: 83,664) 8. Adelaide* – 81,067 (2024 tally: 75,477) 9. Sydney* – 76,674 (2024 tally: 73,757) 10. Brisbane* – 75,115 (2024 tally: 63,268) 11. Port Adelaide* – 72,656 (2024 tally: 66,015) 12. Fremantle* – 66,179 (2024 tally: 62,237) 13. Western Bulldogs* – 65,584 (2024 tally: 62,328) 14. St Kilda* – 65,509 (2024 tally: 60,467) 15. Melbourne – 58,563 (2024 tally: 65,479 16. North Melbourne* – 56,283 (2024 tally: 50,628) 17. GWS Giants* – 37,705 (2024 tally: 36,629) 18. Gold Coast Suns* – 30,107 (2024 tally: 26,157)

I am worried on Jack Viney's behalf - Jack is an expert "shrugger" to get out of tackles....

Indeed - you have to have experience as a CEO. Marketing and branding, digital marketing. More like 99.9% of members out Fritta. No need to apply.

"Bunch of randoms". We're talking about one vacancy. That experience, drive initiative, skill and co-ordination (perhaps Groupthink) you talk of leads to 14th, 14th and membership down 12,000. Cobblers are cobbling. I am sure the compliance boxes are bing ticked.

I'm worried that we will kicked off to the Barossa valley for Gather Round.....having had all Adelaide Oval matches so far.

"The buck stops with the board." Speaking of which a letter from the incoming President.....

Fantastic!