TonyMelb

Whilst Andrew Leonchelli was appointed to the MFC Board because of his playing background he was not "the football Director" in any formal sense like Dunstall is at the Dorks for instance. My understanding is that has always been the case. Other examples are Gary Hardeman and Stephen Smith. Perhaps that is one of aspects the consultant has reviewed or made recommendations about. AL not seeking re-elaction to the Board not related to anything re the Football Department. Jimmy "filling in" for the short term will hopefully help DB and the players. As long as the focus is no playing footy a hell of a lot better! May also reduce the involvement of CS in the footy department and as noted there is a big question re the apparently 'reluctant to talk' CC???

Why you little. For those of us old enough to remember (I was 11)it is still as you say haunting. I also still remember NS walking passed the members at the G that weekend vividly. So dont need to look at the vision again! RR sorry that you dont appreciate the point. Norm's sacking went right to the core of the character and fabric of what made the MFC great. it was relevant in that case because the players loved and respected the coach and played their guts out accordingly. Only the sides under Swooper have come close to that level since. Only comparable coaching departures would be Bobby Rose and Tom Hafey probably. You are correct however in stating we need to focus on the current coaching situation as this is now looming as a threat to any improvement in the 2011 season! As DB term is up at the end of the year and is a first time coach NO comparsion with the NS situation although is vital challenge for the JS board to get it right!

Congrats Big Russian. Well deserved. Also a nice article in the Age today on the big guy. Pity not at the G tho'.

Valenti was good! Brock has not increased pace since he left

Talk of replacing DB this early in 2011 is premature. he and the team need time to show their best form which clearly have not so far. But Melbourne is not winless! Maybe Roos' keen interest in the MFC may only indicate he has a soft spot for the MFC. He almost bcame a MFC player and probably would have been captain if the Melbourne - Fitzroy merger had gone ahead in early 80s. I think Mike's more critical view reflacts his strong desire for more from our players and success for the MFC, like all other keen Demon supporters. The last premiership coach appointed to the MFC was RDB, so that was shown not to be a great criteria onn its own! (Not a) Wellman has absolutely no chance of being appointed to coach MFC in 2012! He has just dumped us after having signed up with thhe MFC for 2011 for the Hird extravaganza. Hardly going to reward him with a promotion! As for Gazza, there is not much logic dumping a first time coach who will have 4 years experience by the end of 2011 for a coach wih no experience to hold the job during the window of opportunity coming in the next 2 to 5 years. Must only go for someone with more senior experience if there is to be a change. Also, MFC does not have the financial resources to appoint Garry as senior coach supported by an experienced person like Malthouse or Roos (ala Hird/Thomson or Buckley/Malthouse)

RR Your comments are spot on. Whilst the loan has been disclosed and is all above board it is not good corporate governance practice (which I have some involvement in)for public companies to be giving personal loans to senior management. The potential for conflict if performance issues arise is great and it is not good from a perception point of view for a footy club with the financial issues MFC has had during the past 10 years. For $140k would have thought Cam would have bbeen better borrowing off a third party. Given all AFL clubs (and lower levels for that matter) rely on membership fees and othercontributions from general supporters the convention should be that club executives do not mixe their personal financial interests with those of their clubs

Cam Bruce - was not missed James Frawley - come back soon - (was missed) Jack Watts did some good 1 percenters in close and in marking contests. Was not worst by a fair margin. Some bad kicking errors from defence and poor decisions (Rivers and Grimes made a couple of real clangers)

Wonder if the 'penny' has dropped at casey yet??? Little chance it will with Fev! MFC and our young guys dont need this distraction! Perhaps we could donate to a "Fev to Frankston" appeal. We'd give $200

Agree the stickers are too small. Fingers crossed wont fade like last few years. MFC has had to replace all stickers several times in last 4 or 5 years. From memory the Melbourne sticker in the HUN will be this Sunday, 27th in time for the game!

Totally agree! Can not see any benefit in having delayed this for so long and the long period of speculation will have been a distraction for the contenders! Sooner Brad or Aaron announced the better!! So Finally lets get on with it now!!!

WET!!!!! predict will get wetter.

As a BGS player he was always trying to sit on other shoulders and take species! Got up a lot higher then!(teammates for several years)

whether Cam would be in best 22 for next 2 years or be offered another year can be debated. However is now decided. The real issue for MFC going forward is a concern in regard to the list management. From what DB said in the media last week they expected Cam Bruce would turn up for training today. Clearly no deal was done so appears they have misread his position significantly. Also brings into question the decision to push Junior out the door when they did not have Bruce looked in for 2011. If Cam's dissatisfaction was known the the FD back in August it is a bit puzzling to have engineered both of them and Brad Miller all out at once

Wonna. Tangles always has been supportive since he finished playing for the MFC. Was great for the current young players that former greats such as Max, The Ox and Gary Hardeman were involved. A great post and thanks for the photos. Clearly a great time for all those lucky to have gone

Surprise surprise! guess who top scored for the Aussie International Rules warm up game??? One Brad Green scored 22 of the 105 total score! given his soccer background in junior days is a natural. Reackin he will star! Chip is also the back up goalie to inspector gadget from the bummers. So will be good for him too. His only probelm is that although they have an irish heritage none of the previous potatoes (chip's dad or spud) have any idea where in Ireland the frawleys are from. Better not latch on to any of the local lasses just in case then!

Another sound step for MFC. Certaintly cant do any harm re young Jack either! Need to now make a good appointment of backline coash also to get goinf for 2011!

Think back to Balme's coaching of MFC. Never had plan B then either!!

Our congratulations to LJ also. It is really amazing to see how far he has travelled personally in only 2 years. He was naturally nervous on stage (as were a few others esp Jack Riewolt) but responded well and with good humour to Barge's questions. Loved his response when asked whether he could produce an even better mark by saying "yes. in a year or two'. Surely there must be odds already for him getting the GOTY and MOTY double!!

Totally agree!! Both guys deserve their selection. In particular the Russian has struggled for several seasons and had injuries along the way but been sensational with a really heavy workload all year. Great for him! Chip may well be AA for a few more years!

Excellent news as all 5 deserve new contracts and further solidifying of MFC playing group. Agree Jonesey is next priority and presumably delay with him and Cam Bruce signing will be related to term and whether GC chasing them. Maybe issue re vetrans list re Bruce but that was supposed to be part of reason for pushing Junior to retire. Also agree Blease is an absolute must to lock up!

spot on!

Just a note of thanks to the MFC for the way in which they arranged to send off Junior in style yesterday. My 3 boys were in the 251 kids who formed the guard of honour for Junior and it was also a mark of respect for him that a significant number of former MFC players were also there including the likes of Jamie Shannahan, Wheaters, Grinter, Doggy, Shaun Smith, Robbo as well as those currently involved in the club. Also, all class by both MFC and NMFC after the game including Junior trying to drag Corey Jones off with him at the end. The kids were all very happy to be invloved and very well done by the MFC staff in organising this. In particular special mention to Jennifer Watt for playing aunty afterwards to make sure no little demons went astray before their parents came back for them.

Will not be either Bruce or Green as they were with others the candidates when Neitz retired who were judged not good enough. So MFC will not go backwards. Prime candidates are Beemer and Flash unless BD decides that another has some outstanding qualities to overtake them. Jack Grimes most likely alternative as already noted. Only concern is he has suffered some injuries and priority is to be on the field. Injury proneness is what excludes Rivers. Hopefully the Football Department has thought this through already before not offering Junior an extention for 2011. Junior has conducted himself very well in the media today - clearly not his decision but he has chosen not to challenge it. Quality effort today and we can end him off in style on 29 August at the G. Listening to the media grabs just replayed on SEN Big Jimmy had a bit of difficulty explaining the decision. Agree is probably the right call given the progress expected of the younger brigade in 2011 and beyond. Will only be regarded as resonable if the MFC discards Miller as noted above. Given Meesan and Newton at least automatic delistings presume that means only 2 more spaces need to be vacated?

Agreed also. Our thoughts also with his family.

There a several former players who regularly attend but not all perhaps well known faces, espcially the older ones. I caught up with a former head of the former players at Etihad aafter StKilda game and guys like Gary Hardeman and a bloke who wore no 2 and played on the wing a bit up until 1987 have been regulars since their playing days at games at the G. guys older than them like Noel McMahon and his vintage also attend most home games still.