No. 31

I am not really critical of the speed, its always going to take time with a location like that, interests of MRC, the Trust, local government, State government and assorted community groups.

Well we did have two PMs who were passionate Carlton fans, Menzies & Fraser. But CFC was always a broad church that attracted quite disparate folk, from Prime Ministers, judges, academics to local tradesmen to assorted immigrant groups that passed through Carlton to the residents in the local Housing Commission blocks on upper Lygon etc ... Anyways, I am detracting from this thread. I am a big fan of this Caulfield RC push and MFC should persist with it as better sites won't easily come up again. Just look at how the Hawks are planning on Dingley and the Bombers are now in Tullamarine. Caulfield is prime real estate in comparison.

Passing through Caulfield on the train now, the Dees really have to make this work. Such a great location for many reasons. The alternative will be Casey as a permanent home!

The 70s to 90s of the last century, most definitely. Last 20 odd years, not really.

Most definitely.

Even worse than the worst toilet in Scotland!

Ah yes indeed it is 16. Getting ahead of myself. A common 'Bagger trait 🤦‍♂️😁

17 Carlton Premiership trophies: 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995. They are on display in the foyer of the club at Princes Park. Also has some displays of club history, old guernseys from different eras etc. There is a cafe there as well (1864 Cafe). It is quite well done 👌

If you are talking about the salary cap, that was first introduced in 1987.

8 of them in between the Dees penultimate Premiership and 2021 mind you 😉

You saw for yourself, it is a nice set up at Parc de Princes. I look my son there for an open training session the Saturday before last, eating almond croissants, sipping on a capuccino, the sunshine rays reflecting from 17 Premiership cups in the foyer ... from the window you can watch the players training in the gym and on the oval doing drills ... 💙😁 Seriously, this is something the Dees should aspire to, a real home where all parts of the club can live under one roof and fans can visit to help deepen the connection with their club.

Don't think we went fishing for the Tracc Trout, seemed like that fish was trying to jump out of the water and into our boat 😁 Like we share Navy Blue, we have strange Match Committe decisions, odd in-game substitutions, like to hoof the footy along the boundary line instead of lowering the eyes and looking for options with separation and in good positions to score. When things go wrong, we don't have "learnings" but we do "find things out about ourselves" ... 😁

Sir Willian Fry Reserve, Cheltenham, plenty of room and next to SRL .... call it SRL Arena ... I will waive my consultancy fee, gratis for the Dees 😁

Well Newman did not go out and seek to make contact. Neale charged towards him and he then put his arm up (at least that is what saw from the camera view). It was reactive, maybe even instinctive.

I think it has already been covered in detail earlier in this thread but it is hard to see Port Melbourne as a feasible alternative. Altona/Williamstown is quite removed from traditional Dees supporter territory in Melbourne. Royal Park admittedly could be explored even though its in the backyard of another club. It is in the City of Melbourne and relatively close to the CBD. Why is the State Government the only source of potential government funding? Numerous community sporting projects are partially funded by a mixture of the local municipality, State Government and Federal Governmnent.

My quick review of the teams: Sydney - back into their groove, I still have question marks if they can do it at the MCG on the big day. GWS - despite losing to the Swans, think they might be actually more of a threat at the MCG at the big dance if they make it. Hawks - flying high and playing great, attacking footy. Not sure if it can last all the way. Will be interesting to see. Doggies - blew a great opportunity, still are the flakey team with a great list. Some poor decisions by Bevo. Carlton - a botched season and a botched elimination final. Too many injuries, players underdone returning from injuries. Some poor selections by Vossy that left me scratching my head. Brisbane - can't see them at the big dance at the MCG. Poor kicking for goal and late fade outs. Geelong - had my doubts about them during the season yet here they are in a Prelim after thumping Port away. An injury to Dangerfield or Cameron would sink them. Port - woeful game against Geelong. Can't see them picking themselves up after that. I am on the GWS orange freight train now 😁

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-demons-bring-in-former-all-blacks-manager-darren-shand-to-play-key-role-in-external-review-c-15985064

Agreed. Sometimes the B-graders revert back to their level. Sometimes we find out they actually are A-graders. The Hawks are flying right now, we will get a better handle on the players and the team overall next season I suspect.

Turning into a drubbing. Port always choking in finals (at home as well)!

True. That is why it is important clubs get the members on an auto renewal direct debit 😁

Robbie Flower taught me how to handball at primary school footy clinic (which were always run by the Dees).

He had a good debut season and looks to have genuine potential. He will have some ups and downs in his second season. Don't be too harsh on him when he has a few down games in 2025, its all part of the learning process.

Would not surprise me. That peak in his contract would be tough for any potential suitors to digest. There seems to have been leaking/backgrounding from both ends so there it feels there is a splash of acrimony in the air. If Trac came out in a press conference I would be more confident that issues have genuinely been resolved, as it stands at the moment it just looks like a carefully worded press release designed to cool things down for now. But hey, maybe the Dees pick up someone to add to the foward line, a big pre-season and a good start next year and dynamics can easily shift and MFC get their mojo back ...

Wouldn't surprise me, a possibility.

Does this mean I can't bring to Ringwood tomorrow, my No.5 Navy Blue guernsey (for a Tracc autograph) I bought at the Carlton Fan Shop at Princes Park this morning? 😁 Great news for MFC, now they need to push really hard for a key position forward, say Max King, I don't think he is a happy chappy under Ross at Linton Street and could really flourish in a new environment. This whole episode has shown there are some real issues at the Dees, they need to be tackled otherwise quality potential transfer signings will give the Dees a wide berth. Time to start looking for a new CEO and President, they haven't exactly covered themselves in glory over the last year or so ...