DemonDave

4. Agreed, but I think the club would be 'saving' our other club icons for the big ticket gala events where they can try and sting people $500 for a chance to meet them. 8. We got the chance to chat to Cale Morton who was sitting around in the Reebok tent, which was fantastic, but the other rookies I couldnt really recognise either. 11. to me the whole day was an excuse to foist all the sponsors products on us. Volvos parked everywhere, a Cabs company promo display, a reebok shoes stall, etc etc. It was just a big commercial for our sponsors. Once the jumper presentation was over, we left.

Is McNamee not under contract with Golf Australia still? How much will it cost us to buy him out of that contract, given he was poached from Tennis Australia to take that post up? And whats to stop another bigger organisation in 9 months time liking what he’s done poaching him from us, given his apparent scant regard for a binding contract. Having said that, I’d love to get him as he’s been very aggressive and progressive and most of all successful at both of the aforementioned gigs..

I received my THIRD pack in the mail last night, so I have pens and lanyards lying around everywhere. There was nothing else apart from a mysterious reply-paid envelope along with these items, so I wonder what I was supposed to do with that? Mail them back with thanks for the number and regularity with which they're sending these packs to me? Hopeless, absolute amateurs, Every year they manage to stuff my membership in some way. I work with membership databases for a living, and I know its not as hard as they're seemingly making it!

* We would have 41 out of 43 going round in some capacity this weekend Does that mean only Bruce and Grimes will be sidelined? Good News!

Would a bus not be uncomfortable for some of the taller players? The big coaches I would expect they would take (similar to the old school excursion buses) were not exactly made wiht an abundance of legroom (no problems for a shortie like me though).... As for Brocks dramas, its time he pulled his head in, does he have a mentor of any sort? Do we still do that?

So do we get a grace period for the spelling of Austin Wonaeamirri ?? <_<

So who were they supposed to play in the ruck on the weekend then Haydo, you seem to have all the answers. Tom McNamara? Ezra Poyas? Tommi Johnston? Fact is he'll play the role he's needed for when at Sandy. Last year he played a mixture of key forward and ruckman. He seems quite adaptable, the more footy he plays at this developing stage of his career the better, position for mine is not that important, as he's still very much learning the game. Get him close to the action so he can get as much of the footy as he can, to build the skills and confidence up. No point playing Centre-Half Back if we're kicking with a 10 goal win, the ball would hardly come down there...

Thanks Diablo, missed the last para of that story first time I read it about our returning players! In todays paper, a story on Brisbane Bears injury list, which is apparently the worst in the League right now. Leigh matthews has been disappointed with their conditioning, and says that he likes to get 200 minutes of practice match time into every one of his players before round 1 ideally, and admits many wont get that. I wonder how many of our players would fall short of that yardstick? Probably most of the above...

How about all these injured players?: Clint Bartram (Melb-Unknown), Cameron Bruce (Melb-Unknown), Lynden Dunn (Melb-Unknown), James Frawley (Melb-Unknown), Jack Grimes (Melb-Unknown), Chris Johnson (Melb-Unknown), Brock McLean (Melb-Unknown), David Neitz (Melb-Unknown), Jared Rivers (Melb-Unknown), Paul Wheatley (Melb-Unknown), Matthew Whelan (Melb-Unknown) I know its only pre-season, but could the club give us any indication what these guys are carrying or when they're due back to match practice? Please?

I got a second lot of that pack on Friday, although to be fair it is because I requested they fix my records for number of years as being a member, and send me a gold membership (as I have a common name, they've clearly mixed me up with the other person of the same name, I even got his redlegs membership card for a couple of years!). Regardless, every single year for goodness knows how many in a row now there's been widespread issues with at least one portion of the membership phase (be it stickers, cards etc). Simply not good enough!

Well I figured it was highly unlikely, but the Herald Sun box score credited him as one of the goalkickers.. Goals: Newton 2, Bartram, Petterd, Green, Maric, Weetra, Davey So it seems they didnt recognise Zomer obviously!

Anyone else notice Clint Bartram amongst the goalkickers last night? Is that correct? If so thats great news that he's got some game time into him. On the other hand could be just a clueless match reporter, here's hoping its the former!

Anyone else notice Clint Bartram amongst the goalkickers last night? Is that correct? If so thats great news that he's got some game time into him. On the other hand could be just a clueless match reporter, here's hoping its the former!

I've never seen a 'NAB Challenge' (what happened to the good old term practice game, does everything have to be sponsored nowdays?) on TV before, its highlyt unlikely...

I disagree, last year we carried many of our so-called 'best 22' when they were clearly carrying injuries. Robertson, Davey, Neitz, Yze, Moloney just to name a few. We had many fit young enthusiastic kids that couldnt get a look in because of this. This is what killed us last year, while the side looked OK on paper, the players werent able to give 100%

Why would you be resting a developing, young guy like Frawley? Surely he has to play every senior game possible this pre-season to further his development. I can't buy any excuse about him not playing other than he's injured. Same goes for Lynden Dunn and Morton. If they're willing to risk skinny guys like McNamara (who was easily the most impressive of the draftees) and Cheney, then why not Morton? Dunn is also still learning the craft really. The selected team was puzzling, 4 ruckmen (White, Jamar, P Johnson, Meesen) and a whole swag of talls (Holland, Martin, Warnock, Zomer etc etc). The team balance was all wrong, and we were always going to get slaughtered out of the midfield...

i think the whole point of it is to try and portray what would probably be a considerably more accurate view on our injury concerns than the daily papers 'injury lists' provide. I think Rivers was listed as 1-2 weeks most of last year. Those lists are a bit of a joke. The MFC websites injury page is usually relevant for June of the previous year, and usually if a staff member of the club gets interviewed on radio/tv/print about the state of players injuries, they usually put a bit of new age spin on the question and never really answer it in true politicians style. I really cant see the likes of Matthew Whelan being anywhere near fully match fit for at least the first half of this year. Even at this early stage we clearly have the biggest injury list of any of the other clubs already, its quite alarming. But getting information on these injuries from the club is like pulling teeth.

I’d love to see Brock McLean as captain of the Melbourne Football Club. But it still boils down to the fact that he’s not ready for it. He still has not yet played enough consistent football over a sustained period of time for his selection to be justified. Sure he had a great 2006, but Brad Miller had an outstanding year in his 2nd or 3rd year too, it doesn’t mean you’ll go on to be a superstar at such a young age. Showing leadership qualities is one thing, but we’re not about to give Jack Grimes the captaincy now are we? It has to be earned, invariably the best side at each club is their captain (with the exception of St Kilda who’ve given it to all bar the boot-studder). Brock McLean is not yet our best player. If he puts in two solid seasons, and either wins or places in the B&F, then I think he’ll be ready. But for now, comments from this article such as: "He can say whatever he likes about me. It's water off a duck's back. I don't really care what he thinks about me," McLean said of the curator. And "What's the point of bringing it up? If he wants to ring up and lag me to the papers, let him do it." still do not reek of maturity. Add to this the burnout incident after his overseas escapades, and I think Brock still has some way to go to reach his destiny, that of captain.

Anyone seen the profile photo of Shane Valenti on the Herald Suns revamped footy website? He looks suspiciously like Austin Wonaeamirri to me! http://superstats.heraldsun.com.au/profile/240388.html

http://news.realfooty.com.au/schwab-rules-...80205-1qa5.html ""I am very happy with what I am doing, and really positive about where we are as a footy club - and also contracted for another two years," Schwab said. "So it is not an option for me at all. We have really enjoyed Perth, really enjoyed what we are doing at Fremantle." So there you, that rules out his return......

Have we ever once, once, heard Steve Harris come out and speak passionately about the club he is CEO of on radio or TV?

Rubbish. I'm a member of Storm as well, and they have one of the best memberships in the NRL, and their crowd figures while in the lower percentile are hampered by a 3rd world home ground. Just look at the surge in crowd numbers at Victory games once they moved from Olympic Park to Telstra Dome. Once the Storm move into their new facilities next year you'll see a marked increase in crowds. Waldron has been instrumental in a lot of these things happening. He's passionate and has made a huge difference since he's taken over. (unless you can claim to have been at some of the Storm info days like I have and can tell me otherwise). You cant just say its the recruiter and coach, thats a naive approach to what makes a modern day sporting organisation succcessful. And do you seriously expect to hear the CEO of Richmond or Carlton or anyone coming out and singing the NRLs praises on radio once a week? Of course not, their competing for the same recreational dollar on the weekends. I for one am quite happy for Waldron to stay where he is, and for the club to seek out 'the best and most qualified person for the job' now that Harris has officially left.

Well this was in todays Members newsletter which was received today: 2008 Membership The Club’s membership drive has started strongly, and a big thanks to the 13,636 members who have already signed up for 2008, which is on track to achieve our record membership target of 30,000 members in our 150 year. For those yet to renew, do so now to beat the pre-season rush.

It was within another news item: WEST ADELAIDE LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS The West Adelaide Football Club is pleased to announce Nathan Brown is the club's new Captain. Nathan has returned to the club after a successful 10 year AFL career which saw him play 145 games. A passionate West Adelaide person, Nathan has had an immediate impact on the training track and throughout the playing group. Full of energy and enthusiasm he is looking forward to leading the club into a successful era. Nathan will receive support from vice captains Peter Walsh and 2007 Steve Hamra Medallist (Best and Fairest) Simon McCormick. The West Adelaide Football Club would like to acknowledge the efforts of David Piasente, who stood down as captain after two seasons. David led the club with determination through a very tough period and did so with distinction. David will be working on ensuring he gets his own football back to his usual high standards after a couple of frustrating years with injury. He will also work closely in a mentoring role with some up and coming young players at the club. Andrew Collins, Senior Coach, said these 3 players have been empowered with the on field leadership of the West Adelaide FC and the enormous responsibility along with the great honour that is leadership, sits naturally with all of them. All have a strong desire to be the best they can be and an extreme hate of losing. They are demanding of their team mates in regards to on and off field actions and lead by example and are courageous role models. Nathan with the support of Peter and Simon are steadfast on making this club great again and are looking forward to sharing a great season with their team mates. Nathan, Peter and Simon will assist with coaching duties throughout the season.

Well done to Brown Dog on his 3 year deal, and being made Captain of his old side: http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/page_3/130/ And Ferguson and Neaves are announced in this press release: http://www.westadelaidefc.com.au/files/Med...2011%202007.pdf Oh and also Peter Walsh is a playing Assistant Coach..