Lord Nev

I don't disagree mate, but I don't recall seeing any predictions in "To Hell And Back"? I think a lot of people got a bit caught up in the title, whereas the actual content was more factual and documentary style, rather than a promotional piece full of promises.

Agree. I mean really, the thing people are complaining about is just the name. The actual production itself was fantastic. Likely the same people that complained about it are the same ones we see hear complaining that the club's media department don't do enough and our website sucks and there's never enough marketing/communication...

Chandler the 'big' story for mine. If today is a sign of things to come it really adds a lot to our small forward mix from a potency point of view. Also thought Sparrow (who I'll admit I'm a fan of) showed he's a few steps ahead of Harmes if it comes down to choosing between the two at team selection. Lever fantastic as well. As mentioned on the broadcast, we forget sometimes how young he is. About to start hitting his peak.

Fair enough mate, I won't come back about the same topics again, we'll just go in circles. We just have different perspectives on it all, which is totally fine of course. Can see your points on a lot of this. From what I heard, Dew just turned us down. Goodwin was an assistant too, so I don't think it was about that. There's a clause in assistant coach contracts where they can break contract for a promotion, and coach in waiting would be that I would think. I'm a fan of Ratten, but at the time I don't think he was seen as a viable option for us, things have changed with time. Definitely agree Jackson wasn't happy with the process of the CEO selection, I've just never heard anything about him trying to force things his way. For me, this was the beginning of Bartlett wanting to take centre stage, and I don't think that has been a good thing for us. I'll just say, this year is as big for Bartlett as it is for Goodwin.

He "announced" it was one of the options. My point is you're editorializing a fair bit with your reflections on Jackson's time. Perhaps "sudden" to you, but clearly given Jackson's actual comments it wasn't a 'sudden' decision, nor was it without thought. They didn't 'stop the pokies cold'. Did you notice the new sponsor that came on board once we exited pokies? That was obviously part of the plan, as for the rest of the plans, as mentioned, you'd have to ask Pert and Bartlett what happened there as Jackson didn't announce what they were. I take him at his words that there were plans there though. You said Jackson was responsible for setting up the 'flawed' succession plan, but now you're saying it was a compromise he accepted to get Roos on board? Given Roos was great for us and you have said yourself you haven't judged Goodwin yet, how exactly is it a failure? There was lots of talk about how Jackson had seemingly groomed Mahoney to be his successor, but I'm yet to see your evidence that he was 'trying to force the club' into choosing Mahoney. The duty of providing evidence for that is on you given you're the one making the claim. That's fair enough. I'm not sure then why you're re-framing so many things from Jackson's time. I think you might find some posters here do hear things from reasonable sources, including those inside the club, so I would keep an eye on the inferences being made about Bartlett. Obviously be sceptical, it's the internet after all, but in time things will come out about Bartlett, in fact some have already started noticing given his actions around the board election, so let's wait and see how the rest of his tenure goes, however long that may be.

Jackson: “The club is looking at a number of options for its ­future training and administration facilities, and this is one of them.” "Sudden"? It doesn't even completely happen until next year. "Totally unthought through"? Jackson: “This is an important day for the club and there has been a substantial amount of work to achieve this result.” "Without having a plan"? Jackson: “If you take the gaming revenue out of the equation, we need to make up 10 per cent of our overall revenue,” “Over a two to three year period, we will be able to readjust and grow, and we have several ideas on how to do that.” Perhaps you should take it up with Pert and Bartlett on what happened there? When did the CEO become solely responsible for the appointment and performance of the coach? What exactly is your evidence that Jackson 'tried to force' the club into that? Personally, I think leaving us with an (at the time) finals quality team, a totally revamped brand, an exit from gambling, the Santa Teresa Oval Project, a new role of Indigenous Project Officer, 5 straight years of operating profit and mroe is a pretty decent legacy when you look at where we were when he first came in.

Absolutely guessing, but could it be just a quick sneaky captain's run before the praccy match and perhaps the women's team have Casey today?

An intraclub the day before a practice match? (Or just a captain's run in new gear...?)

Bartlett was able to hide behind (or perhaps 'bask in') the success PJ had with the club, then our finals run in 2018. He has actively sought the spotlight since, he may end up wishing he hadn't.

Surprise Packet I'm a +1 for Spargo, but not sure I'd say technically 'surprise packet' as such. I've come around to him a bit as I think he's actually a fairly effective player, especially in the forward half, but he gets harshly judged, even incorrectly judged, due to his height and him not being an 'attractive' footballer. He's not a smooth mover, he doesn't do anything flashy, he's not super quick, but he just manages to get things done. I think this could be the year all of us fans start to genuinely notice him properly. Whipping Boy(s) There's always a ton for us. I can see it happening to Oliver if he doesn't re-sign by mid-year. Kozzy if he doesn't kick more goals. Jones if he gets picked to play. Viney if he keeps just being Viney. But I think the most unfair one is ANB. Not a great player obviously, but I think he's often more effective (particularly within the confines of our game style) than he gets credit for. Bloke was even dropped after having 2 goals and 5 score involvements in a low scoring win against the Blues. Has his obvious weaknesses, but think they get over emphasized, particularly when you compare him to players like vandenBerg.

Well, Glen old mate, you've only got a couple of years left to... - Win an AFL flag - Win an AFLW flag - Find another 32,000 members - Double the average home crowd attendance - Start building the new home base We missed finals in 2020, so you've already failed one of the key targets in your strategic plan. Of course, there's also seemingly the Bartlett personal growth plan which has seen him get rid of any kind of opposing voices, make it harder to have any opposing voices, 'promote' himself to President, and get a fair bit of 'me time' (which was the talk of what would happen when PJ left). If Goodwin ends up getting shown the door this year I don't think old mate will be far behind him. "And we start again...."

And still pretty much in his peak age for performance. Not sure what happened last year, but fingers crossed they get his role more settle in the forward half and get his head back in the game.

For sure, been overall a great pick, but his 2020 was very underwhelming and his refusal to pressure to the required standard and his selfishness in front of goals were a bit unlike him. Needs to lift in 2021 from that. Melksham in 2020 (averages): Goal assists - 6th Score involvements - 8th Goals - 6th Marks inside 50 - 5th Tackles - 21st Tackles inside 50 - 13th For reference, Neal-Bullen was ahead of him in EVERY category except for goal assists (where he was 0.16 behind him) and marks inside 50 (not surprising given their usual ground positioning).

You wouldn't think so hey? I think it's only 'closed' due to being extra cautious with COVID, so if people are far enough away it should be ok. (Guessing though) Hopefully a live stream available like last year, even if it ends up being a Richmond one.

Have it on good authority it will be Friday at Casey. Closed session.

Yeah, Pies are in a bit of a different financial position to us though. I might be on my own, but I've never really cared about getting some token free stuff with my membership. The badges for the years of membership are probably the only one I'm really in to. I've always found the kids packs great from MFC, but don't really know how they compare to other clubs. I'd be telling your mate he shouldn't be throwing shade at other clubs given Collingwood's last few months though...

Few years back I was chatting with the (at the time) graphic designer at the club and she mentioned that their hands are a bit tied with merch as they tend to find the 'uglier' stuff just sells better. There's also some restrictions from AFL licensing and apparel manufacturers, but yeah apparently the uglier the better.

Have vague memories of us not manning marks as a tactic under Daniher for a while back in the day. Am I imagining that?

Might have already been canvassed here, so apologies if so, but does that player have to stand the mark? In particular, I'm thinking of the circumstance where there is a 2 on 1, a forward takes a mark 50m out and his team mate runs towards goal with no one on him. The man on the mark wouldn't be allowed to defend properly and the attacking player running in would get basically a 'free shot'.

If we were to lose Clarry to Carlton, it would be because he's chasing money and because the coaches had decided his down sides had not progressed. So while it would initially seem traumatic for us fans, it wouldn't be the end of the world (especially given the trade currency it would open up). I'd be shattered to lose him, I don't want to lose him, but I think it would tell us a lot about him if we did.

6'9" 20 year old who has been with us just over 2 years. Not exactly panicking yet.

Richo this morning: "‘Browny’ with a cartilage. We’re hoping that he’d be back between Round 4 and Round 6. It will depend a little bit on how he responds to his program."

Sorry for interrupting your blog then. Proceed.

Mate, I get where you're coming from, I don't think anyone is legitimately excited by the prospect, but I don't know how else to put it to you other than that's just the complexities for balancing a list IMO. He's clearly 'capable' of playing AFL footy given he's played 11 seasons. Not that I think there's a high chance of him being called upon often should he get a list spot though.