I'va Worn Smith

I cannot think of any organisation, sporting club, place of employment or even family, where there will some form of dissent, disagreement, disgruntlement, debate or even downright hostility from time to time. Such is the way of the 'body corporate' and the human condition. In fact, some organisational behavior specialists will tell you conflict, if handled constructively, can end up being beneficial to a group. Clearly, Trac has had a traumatic experience, which understandably, has had a significant affect on both his physical and psychological well being. It would appear - at least from the outside - that he has expressed his concerns after suffering such trauma. Surely, no surprise there. However, no one will convince me that similar discontent does not exist within every AFL club from time to time. But generally, such disputes remain in-house and are not subject to the media's glare and editorial licence. The difference in this case is that it seems clear to me that Trac's issue, along with other issues, which according to some, exist within the MFC, have been systematically leaked from within. To me, this is of even greater concern, as the party or parties who may be involved are being destructive, for what would seem to be for their own vested self interest/s. This is what is toxic and needs to be weeded out and therefore, in my view an external review, which is comprehensive, should be undertaken. Any good 'business' would do so, for the sake of their shareholders (us), if for no other reason.

You clearly have no idea about club, internal mateship and culture.

So well said................ your letter brought tears to my eyes. And guess what? He is staying. Like you, Trac remains a Demon through and through. Also, thinking about just how Max might have played a part. What a leader, what a man, what a legend.

McClure and Morris can only thank the INTERNAL leaks for their so-called 'news'. This is what the club really needs to sort out.

You may well be spot on. What concerns me most, regardless of whether the media is beating this stuff up, or not, it is doing damage to our band. Membership attraction and retention, sponsor attraction and retention and players wanting to come to this club. Even more importantly to me is that this bile is being leaked from WITHIN the club. Why? BTW, Trac's partner is a Lawyer and already taken over a substantial slab of his business dealings, away from Connors Sports Management Team, to set up their own brand. At the very least, the head of our club needs to deal with this head on. Seems to me, Max has been the only one to be brave, front the media and be upfront. In such cases, it should not fall entirely to him. Our President, in particular and the CEO, need to jump on internal leaks as soon as possible and be assertive. They need to find out the source of these leaks and deal with the perpetrator/s. ASAP.

Also, maybe I am totally off target, but it seems to me that a source or sources, within the club are intent on leaking to the media. That, in and of itself suggests disunity and disconnection.

Given the Petracca issue, as well as a number of others, for a considerable period, any "leader" would have known what the agenda would be during an interview, to which she was invited to and clearly accepted. I can think of no other club president, which would handle an interview in such a shocking way. Roffey should not have been surprised at the questions asked of her and for a senior person, she should have been far better prepared.

In the week preceding round 24, we knew we had Riv's 100th. We knew there would be a celebration for the surviving members of the '64 flag. We knew that Nibbler was leaving and BBB was retiring. ..... And the club told us that the week was to thank the 'fans" for their loyalty. So, accepting those scenarios, what did our boys do? In my view, they didn't come to play. On top of that we have - whether manufactured or not - the issues surrounding Trac. With 2025 in mind and as with any AFL footy club, we need to be mindful of keeping/attracting sponsors, shoring up and hopefully increasing our membership base and providing that constituency with a clear and realisable vision. Let's be realistic, we were deplorable on Friday night and we need to be upfront about that, on all levels.

Also on my way into the 'G after a couple at the Cricketers. Sadly, I fear the turn in the weather will see many a MFC supporter not front.

Such sad news. One of the few great sports journos going around. Sympathies and condolences go out to his family and friends. RIP.

Not about Trac. Or is it just coincidence?

Reports this morning that ANB's 'request' was leaked to the media and Nibbler is not happy about it. The intention was to announce this at season's end. Similar to the dubious sources, cited by Morris on the supposed issue with Trac, it would seem this may have been leaked as well. So the question is. Is someone within the club leaking and if so, why?

100% agree. Let's not waste any draft picks we may get, in what is supposed to be a very deep draft this year, for the sake of trading to get one player, who may not be the answer anyway. Bolster our running mid stocks first, IMO.

Looks like the boys have put the cue in the rack and are looking forward to the end of season trip to..............?

Can I just say, the commercial reality is self evident, between free to air and pay for view. My main point is, the AFL relies, substantially, on TV rights income for its virtual survival. At the moment, the money the AFL is asking for, in terms of TV rights, is more than what the individual TV free to air stations are worth. So if attrition becomes the reality, will the pay for view businesses pay the money, at least to the level the current rights have been paid, or will there be a shortfall and therefore the AFL business, as we know it, will be seriously affected, in its entirety?

OK. Very sorry I posted the topic. Move on then.

Given the AFL receives the bulk of its revenue from TV rights money, we now see free to air channels laying people off, due to diminishing advertising revenue. If this trend continues, I would be interested to learn of Demonlanders' thoughts as to what this might mean to the game we love so much

Can someone please explain to me, how Maynard was not cited for his sling tackle yesterday?

To some extent, I agree with you, but my concern is that I can not really see much at Casey, to suggest some are 'knocking down the door' for a chance at senior level. Casey's results so far this year, is testimony to that. To me and while our drafting opportunities have been limited, due to recent ladder position, our trading has been woeful and as a result, our list depth is very worrying.

We have kicked 4 goals, in over 3 quarters of AFL football. I don't know what it is, but there is something seriously wrong in this football club right now and it needs to be addressed ASAP. Today, we have played an injury depleted Collingwood, yet their pride stands up. Can you imagine for a second, how we would go, right now, with a similar injury list. We cannot hit targets, we cannot isolate targets and we allow opposition to hit unmarked players, coming out of their backline, while we hit opposition players on the chest. I reckon G. Lyon knows something, but he can't say Season over.

MFC -Have no depth.

Guys, it was clear a couple of our players copped knocks tonight and were sore. They were 'managed' in the latter part of the game. In that context and after last week, this was a good win. It would have been nice to have smashed them by 10 goals, but under the circumstances, we did what we were required to do. It is a long season. Let's hope we retain a full list and be ready, fit and raring to go come finals time.. Go Dees!!!!

Van Rooyen is still a kid. We have thrown him to the wolves and he is monstered most weeks. He needs more forward line support and I fear if he does not get more support, we will ruin his confidence.

Of course, not all men are violent. But too many women have been murdered by men. FACT.

Are Trac, Viney and Nibbler OK? Few possessions and when they have, never clean possessions.