No. 31

Pert & MFC most definitely would have known about the incoming Scopus deal.

Melb Victory don't have the history, clout, support and connections of MFC. Footscray Park is an actual established park used by local people. If I was a Footscray resident I wouldn't be happy about MV encroaching on public park land and I am certainly no NIMBY. Caulfield Racecourse is an underutilised barren waste land that most Glen Eira residents don't even know exist. Not really comparable IMHO.

Don't Collingwood still play some VFL and AFLW games at Victoria Park?

Scopus produced Harry or was it AJAX and Sandringham Dragons? It is like saying McKinnon Secondary College produced the greatest ruckman of modern times. Love Max's (and my) high school alma mater but a sporting school it never was. I think Ormond FC and Sandringham Dragons had more to do with Max's footballing development than his high school.

I don't think Scopus has a prominent sports program, it was always a more academically oriented school. If it was a Haileybury or Xavier moving in next door, the concern that they might try to muscle in on the two ovals to be used by MFC could be more realistic. In any event, I would expect MFC to have a very detailed agreement set in concrete concerning access and use of the two ovals.

The Scopus purchase rather than property developers doesn't really effect what the Demons are trying to do at the Caulfield RC. One possible impact is Scopus pushing for use of one or both of the ovals. There is also the Glen Huntly public oval that can play a role too. A regime of use to satisfy all could be still feasible given that the Dees still intend on using Casey into the future as well. Caulfield Bears now play at Koornang Park in Carnegie (near where the 67 tram terminates).

I appeared before Justice Pagone once or twice, does that mean I qualify? I will wear my favourite navy blue tie 😁

I like this draft pick. Sure it is speculative, but so is any pic at #68. At least you know he won't flinch in a contest. If he can get solid senior game time and make a contribution, could become a cult hero.

💪

Looks like he has some skills and footy IQ. I think he will be a good pickup. The Dees did well in this year's draft 👍

A good spot of drafting by the Dees. Langford is a big, strong lad, not being a sprinter should not be a major concern, this kid will be breaking tackles.

Cody Walker will be a Carlton father-son pick and a potential #1 pick next year.

Hola old55, yes an interesting draft play by the Blues, was a surprise and well executed. I think it is because the top 5-6 in these year's reputedly deep draft are all highly regarded so it is hoped you can't go wrong and you will pick up a future star. Only time will tell though. Am liking this approach compared to Collingwood who are going all out on trade veterans ... a cliff fall is coming ... I think Finn O'Sullivan has a bit of X factor about him and in terms of a very well rounded mid that is ready to go straight away, that would be Sid Draper, the highest rated South Australian (that the Adelaide Crows are keen on). BTW, the Durdin we delisted was tall backup defender Sam Durdin. We still have the small forward, Corey Durdin (they are cousins apparently). In terms of small forwards, we will persist with Motlop & Durdin (both had season heavily disrupted with injury), the Zac Williams experiment and Fantasia as depth. Also youngster Ashton Moir will probably replace Jack Martin as a third hybrid forward on occasions (and we may see Elijah Holland in that role sometimes as well). Moir only came on as a last quarter substitute twice in the tail end of the season but showed a real instinctive nose to kick two quality goals. He was once touted as a top 3 draft pick but injury derailed him in his last junior year. Lets see what he can do with another full pre-season in him. The Blues will also be picking up the Camporeale Twins as father-son pick ups and will still have pick 38 as well. So looking forward to an injection of young talent hopefully.

Cheers, I very much associate with the Navy Blue in the Demons colours 😁 RDB helped set up a the Blues to be a force again in football in the late 1960s and it was the start of an era that saw 8 Flags in less than 3 decades [reverent bowing emoticon] 😎

I just have a general admission Carlton membership so I don't know. Might look into upgrading to a reserved seat package as two of my Carlton supporting cousins have reserved seats and it would be nice to sit with them. Will keep you posted.

Ian Collins was the Chief Executive of Colonial Stadium (as it was known then) at that. Quite clearly a conflict of interest.

I have a broken windshield wiper face tatt, Mara Salvatrucha style ... I see what you did there with 'The Offspring' reference 😄 Don't do tatts ... only thing I would possibly even remotely consider is a small and discrerte Navy Blue CFC monogram when the flags come. Something like CFC 2025-2027 😁

I think Ed had a really good season. He definitely dropped off in 2022 & 2023 though. I think he has at least 3 or 4 years of very good football in him.

I like wearing MFC polo tops as casual wear when on holidays abroad. Some people like to wear say NY Yankees or Real Madrid apparel. I like Demons polo tops, authentically Melbourne, my home town.

Cheers. FWIW, I even dropped $100 on merch at the Demons online store today. My Carlton barracking cousins accuse me of being a closet Dees fan 😁

Yes, I post about the Dees there 😈 😁 Anyways, back to fixturing 2025 ... pretty happy with it for both CFC & MFC.

Carlton was an MCG tenant from 1885 to 1890 and the most popular club in Melbourne at the time. MFC played nearby at the Friendlies Societies Ground (where Olympic Park/AIA Centre is now) and became a regular tenant at the MCG in 1890 with the MCC link up.

AFL, Ian Collins, financial situation funding Princes Park redevelopments .. a confluence of events. Sad times but probably unavoidable in those circumstances and to some degree self-inflicted.

Essendon got a sweetheart deal there. Carlton was railroaded to go to Docklands.