rpfc

Yes, the worst thing he could have done is say he isn't interested in the job or for Jackson to tell him he has no chance. To me, he is the coach until we advise him otherwise, I hope the players see it that way too.

During the standard post-match Press Conference, the hot question of Jack Watts was whether he wants to stay at the battling club and the young man answered in the affirmative, pointing out that after being apart of the poor form the club has produced he wants to be around his mates when it all turns around - hopefully sooner rather than later. The source of that question attempted to ask a rejoinder, and interim Head Coach Neil Craig interjected: "It is up to the Melbourne Footy Club to provide an environment for players like Jack who are coming out of contract to want to stay. That's part of our responsibility," said Craig in a matter of fact way that is a departure from the usual spiel about 'hoping' players stay for they are good players, and resting the world on their shoulders by intimating the club's future is tied to their presence. "It's the responsibility of the Melbourne Footy Club to get its act in order, to provide an environment, so that when people come to the MFC, whether it be a player or an employee, they have an absolute belief they will be able to be the best they can possibly be," Craig stated with thundering authority. Craig concluded his remarks by saying "that's just part of our responsibility, so that when it comes (players) signing or re-signing - it just becomes a no-brainer. We need to accept that responsibility." Whether the club embraces this notion is to be seen. It has long put its faith and hope into young players and placed the denouement of whichever rebuild - the first, second, or third - over the last few years in the hands of boys full of potential and promise - deposed President claimed the 18 year old prodigy Jesse Hogan, playing VFL currently, as the salvation from the despairs of earlier this season. Hopefully, the club listens to The Craig Principle and stops looking for salvation in its players, but looks to offer them an environment they know will get the most Demonic performance out of them. Then that hot question will never have to be asked. rpfc (Thought I would do some journalism; lots of journalist these days but not much journalism.)

Someone get the stake ready! We are going to need fire, and lots of it!

If Terlich and Clisby can be Ward and Wheatley we have spent the investment incredibly well. We keep turning over the list looking for teenage stars in the making and we get two 23 year olds (in the Rookie Draft and Pick 68 in the ND) who look capable of playing the other 15 spots you need to fill every week.

Then how do you even up the league when a team consistently picks the wrong teenagers. Which, at the heart of it, is why we are at, where we are at. This is a socialised league in which teams down the bottom are given priority on OOC players and the best teenagers through the draft and now that there is a team that has been perineally terrible and we are abandoned because we have picked the wrong teenagers? That's a nonsense argument that laughs in the face of reason. We will get draft assistance.

Essentially, if you don't think the MFC should get any draft assistance - you don't believe anyone should get any draft assistance ever again.

One thing to remember: ironically due to us poaching Neeld on the eve of a GF the AFL now has a rule where contracted people can't have interviews with other clubs. Mentioned by Whateley to Jackson in an interview on the weekend. Jackson didn't seem aware of the stipulation which doesn't surprise me as I didn't know and I live for stipulations. Essentially it gives a great deal of time to 'work on' Roos if Jackson so wishes.

It looks like Nathan Stark has possibly torn a few ligaments in his ankle from the Dev game today. Had to have his billet family help him get his car home. A real shame, as he was getting 20-odd touches a game and looking ready to go into the 1sts.

It's a good problem to have IF you are willing to make the hard decision. Dawes, Clark, Hogan, Watts, Gawn/Jamar, and Howe will not be able to play in the same forward line. Gawn will have to be 1st ruck as Clark will be back up ruck (or the other way around but Clark wants to be a forward). Spencer will have to get 1st ruck to be in the team - he gives little in the forward line. Dawes is a lead up forward. He is crash and bash and that is fantastic for the development of our new HFF... Hogan. Just let him have a flank and see how he goes. Don't burden him and never talk about him being anyone's 'hope' or 'saviour' - we are his employers and we will keep him around by getting the most out of him and offering him a good life in Melbourne. Watts is going to struggle to be in a forward line that has: Clark/Gawn, Dawes, and Hogan as tall targets. If Clark is CHF and Gawn and Spencer are playing Watts has zero chance of playing. For him to do that Howe will have to stop teasing and turn into the Ryan O'Keefe clone I want him to be, and Watts is going to have to show something up the ground - an ability to find the ball in space across the wing. Personally, I would be looking at re-signing Watts but if an offer for a desirable mid in a trade for Watts came in I would consider it and do it. Footy is a brutal game and emotions are important but sometimes the right thing to do is to be ruthless at the right times and this could be one.

The key is that Craig doesn't have to prove anything to anyone - he has been a good AFL coach. He has proven that. The players don't need to wonder whether he can be a good coach - and what he says comes from a place of personal knowledge and experience.

He said in his first presser as coach that he doesn't want to do that. It's more of an administrative role and the one we promised him was not that. If Roos or Williams come in I am not going to be happy if we simply pay him out. Make him a Development coach (he would be great) and if he doesn't want to do it - he doesn't want to do it.

For me - Roos, then Williams, then Eade and Craig about as attractive as each other. Roos we may not get but Williams is very gettable and he has shown with his career path after PA that he loves to throw himself around and into challenges and the GWS were very impressed with his ability (crazy Sheedy is hard to work with however). Coached a flag, has dealt with an incredibly young list for a few years at GWS, and is currently a development coach with another young team in the Tigers. He would be ideal if Roos doesn't want to come.

He just looks more comfortable as a leader this year. I really think it helps your footy when you come to terms with the fact that you are the one you didn't think you would ever have to be - in all levels of footy. Excellent game and year. This is the type of player we have got to keep around the place.

I understand and I am frustrated about how the media remember that time - but for slightly different reasons. Unfortunately, you can't change hard perception of others that simply want to look down on you. And that's what it is - we 'voted' to end ourselves. I know it is BS because we actually tried to eat Hawthorn like a snake and you know it because of some subterfuge, deliberate confusion, and dirty tactics. But does it matter anymore? It only matters if we let it - some still harbour ill-feeling towards those in the pro-merger camp. That is something that is getting in the way of the club moving forward. We can't change media perception but we can move on internally and we just have to.

De La Rue was not happy with how he was treated. That is something I can confirm personally. But as CB said - this is old news. Frustrating and worrisome but old. With that said - I hope that we can maintain what we have. Some stability would be good...

I was 11 at the time, mate. And don't sow what you don't know. The MFC had loyal Demons working for the merger and they were working to fark over the Hawks. They thought they were doing the best thing for the MFC. It has been 17 years and when do we understand and forgive? WHEN?

Don't think that because I am young I didn't have family in that sh!tfight. I had family and friends working for the merger for the club - how about that? I am supposed to see them as traitors? Mike Sheahan wrote a couple years back that the MFC tried to "eat the HFC whole." That's what these pro-merger Demons were trying to do, they were as nefarious as you would hope them to be. They wanted "Crawford, Waverley, 10k members and be back to the Demons in 5 years" - that is a direct quote. I don't need you to tell me whether I have to see anyone in a different light because of what happened so long ago. Myth has been wrapped up in truth and we are stuck in the history again. In a week where Demonland has embraced the future without being so wrapped in its glorious past, we should be able to move on from our inglorious past.

Oh, you need to move on. You need to let it go. It was 17 years ago. You want to punish traitors after all this time? Traitors?

And I would like to remind them that as a respected poster on this fan site - I can be helpful in the rounding up of others to repeat their talking points.

Nor can I. We tried to eat Hawthorn whole - it didn't happen. Hawthorn have moved on - we should do the same. In the spirit of our new banner - let's look forward.

It is fortuitous. Craig is under contract but surely that isn't the bullet in the head that some seem to imply it is.

Depends how far he turns it around. I just don't see it happening.

lol at Craig! Demonland - did you just do that as a head fake? Get young Jack on there! It's his body!

All those who wanted the AFL to step in - this is what it looks like. But look at the bigger picture and The End Game; a AFL-endorsed Board, a industry standard FD, guaranteed funding, and Roos/Williams/Eade as coach. I don't have many issues with what is happening. The club is in flux - AFLackson is running it.

lol