Hassa Mann

I watched the service this morning, and thought it a wonderful tribute to the great man in exactly the right location. Amazing how many lives RDB touched in his lifetime. Some good speeches, particularly RB3 and Brent Croswell. Once the initial shock of Ed as MC passed, I think he did a good job. One of the challenges at funeral is trying to recognise older attendees!

I have been mulling over this since the finals losses. The reality is we are not as good as we thought we were, and that goes for the board, team and supporters. It’s great to pat ourselves on the back, only side to finish top four in the last three years, but we have proven that it can mean nothing in terms of winning the flag, but let’s give the coach an extension. We are an undisciplined, poor kicking side. The best thing about top four is not being in the Neeld era. If MFC wants to be a big club, we have to beat the Pies/Blues in a final at our “home” ground when 2/3 crowd are baying for blood, while we clap politely, The 2021 flag was won in isolation in front of a “pleasant” crowd. I’m sure the MCG crowds have influenced the umpiring committee of four. Another issue is Captain Gawn. The club recruits Grundy to replace Jackson, yet when fit, Gawn says I have to ruck by myself, except when the ball is in the arcs, so we have no ruck or use Petracca or JVR. With this attitude Gawn has to execute perfectly, and when he can’t the team pays the price. What happened to team before any individual? Then somehow we end up with Schache as sub, who is not used? Tail wagging dog? So I think it’s yes have an internal review (I’m sure Pert is very annoyed), but not just the football department, the board and the supporters need to stop drinking our own bath water, unless we are happy to finish top four every year, and watch other teams play off for a flag on our “home” ground.

I feel very sorry for Harrison, and those close to him. Having recovered from injury, being “found” as our full forward by kicking a six-bagger, he again is struck down by injury and his season finished. I’m sure the club, his teammates and Demonlanders will support him in his recovery and look forward to the 2024 season.

I hate going in to the MCC when playing Collingwood, the tone of the whole place is just. Sure a fight in the Blazer bar, a difference of opinion being argued in the traditional Pies manner. Police in attendance. I have never seen fisticuffs in the Members. I should have retreated to the Long Room!

I agree, as a general rule club presidents shouldn’t kiss their coaches for many reasons

For those old enough to remember, Royce Hart at 17 years was 69kg when he arrived at Richmond, worked out at Frank Sedgman’s gym (no club facilities at Punt Road or high performance manager) and built himself up, and as they say, the rest is history, best centre-half forward in living memory

Don’t know why, but when I listened to Kate Roffey talk at the B&F about the Committee room dinner and presentation of the rings, I didn’t like it. Whether it’s the timing (it’s last seasons win), the exclusiveness, or the American thing, I can’t put my finger on it.

Tami Roos worked with the Swans on this practice. Like anything else works for some and not for others. If can help to focus on the job in hand - great. As mentioned so much training goes on skills and the physical, and so little on the mind. Sportspeople today have so many “invasions” and distractions with internet & social media it would make it hard to stay focussed. All good stuff I reckon, know let’s just get back the breath.

It was interesting place Canberra in those days, moving from Melbourne for work - I knew no one. But like a country town if you played sport, it took no time at all to get involved and meet people.

I also live in Sydney and agree with these comments. I lived in Canberra in the early-mid 80’s, and AFL was pretty strong (a lot of the residents came from elsewhere), and then Raiders came along and League became very strong, along with Union. It seems that with GWS numbers, there is still strong Canberra interest in AFL. I think GWS in Sydney is a lost (and expensive ) cause.

Rod Carter - toughest guy at Macleod High School

Makes a nonsense of the Sorrento meeting which agreed that trash talk would be stopped between the players on the back of Vander’s comment, ie respect your teammates. Hogan, Watts, Sylvia were talented players who got moved on supposedly due to the “new” standards/culture. Maysy will need to be very careful, as no matter how good he is as a player, he doesn’t meet the new standards, just listen to Kate Roffey et al, and particularly after the Narrn round, say no more….

Love that film

Impressive interview with ANB. He won me over last year (aside from his on-field performances), when asked what would he like to be his legacy from his time at the MFC? His response was “to try and ensure that club was in a better place than it was when he joined” I loved that selfless response

If you listen to the Bruckner/Burgess podcast there was a change of strategy with Darren Burgess as high performance manager, including no more “resting”

But they didn’t. The previous week we beat Gold Coast by 93 points after we flew to Queensland and back - 10 hours on the plane. After the Perth trip that’s when I thought “we can this flag” because of the fortitude shown by the team to win both games. Years gone by there might have been valid excuses for a loss

I reckon that GWS should appoint an experienced senior coach, rather than a first timer. The list might be ok (although perhaps some tensions between the players), but it would be a lonely job as GWS well and truly flys under the radar here in Sydney. Very few care, and the initial hype of Sheedy etc has dissipated. Sydney does enjoy AFL - see Swans, Buddy etc, but not too much love for GWS, and the support for a first timer would be minimal.

I agree with the surreal feeling. The way the MFC goes about it’s business on and off the field, media reaction and the Dees being the benchmark. It all feels very odd, but in a nice kind of way. Feeling serene on a Monday morning, not despairing when we fall behind, trusting in Goody and the players. I have not had this sense of well being for 57 years, and only Demons supporters will understand!

Or the fact that we actually won the game

Interesting that as one of the older players Gus recognising that Peter Jackson’s appointment ( at Demetriou’s request), and Peter recruiting Paul Roos started the Dees turnaround. Nice of him to recognise this

Easily the best interview on Gus & Gawny - Choco very entertaining and obviously has many connections in sport to draw on for stories - a great asset for the MFC

Thanks Matt Demon for posting, I wasn’t aware of the podcast. Very interesting episode - Gawn and Fritsch 100% training attendance, which I’m sure was reflected in their performances. Great when the Captain leads, setting the example taking on higher, more intense training/match simulation sessions. So, no “fluke” that we were the fittest team, with the best second halves over the whole season.

My partner recorded the GF ABC Offsiders program and made me watch it (I don’t watch ABC), and in the interview with Kate Roffey, she mentioned that following the Premiership win, the Demons could be a “challenger for the next decade”, and be “back in the epicentre of the football world”. While it’s hard to dream of back to backs or a dynasty I hope she is right. As for being in the epicentre, while the Pies and Blues are on their knees, I think the club has a great opportunity to regain the respect in the AFL that it once had in the VFL. In the Gary Pert interview with Andy & Co, he mentioned having finished the season on top, the AFL says “where do you want to play the finals?” Thanks for asking, we’ll take Adelaide, then Perth. This means for the 2022 season that we should get a decent fixture and TV slots which should reward our current loyal sponsors and attract new ones. Together with the asset sale, and strong membership growth from younger fans who can now be proud of being a Dees supporter, the future looks very promising. I say this without any hubris, just consider that it is the future the club can now work with, for the first time since I started supporting the club in ‘64.

Loved watching him grabbing clunkers, maybe get him down to Casey to coach Sam?

Correct, I seem to recall it was a pretty miserable day all round at Waverley. Opportunity missed as we could have snatched a flag as I thought the Magpies were a pretty ordinary premiership side. So maybe we were thinking a week ahead against WC