sylvinator

Or.... it takes that long to get enough quality players to execute his plan

Gawn probably won't debut for the demons until 2012. This year has been ruined in terms of developed at VFL level. a 206cm, 18-year old kid, coming off a knee reco, will take years to develop fully. He will need a full season at VFL to develop his game. Does anyone really expect to see him play this season. Ruckman often only fully develop by the age of 25 at least! You only need to look at Jamar and Sandilands as examples who were labeled duds in their teenage years (i know Kruiser has gone bang straight away but he is a freak of nature)

No, CS whiteboard wednesday definitely confirmed we are paying 100% of the cap this season. There is no doubt on that issue! However, we are only paying 100% of the cap because of HUGE amounts of forward payments spread across many players. The front loaded contracts are a win-win for both club and player. If a player is going to get $1.5m over 3 years, obviously getting $1m in the first season and 250k in the second and third season, is better than getting 500k each season. Even the most non-finance person understands that it is better to get money early rather than later because the money can be reinvested and earn even more money. Obviously from the clubs perspective, we have to pay the salary cap each season regardless, so we may as well pay as much as we can this season while our youngsters are still on base salaries, leaving huge amount of space to sign up those youngsters when/if they become stars. I'm pretty sure Aaron Davey, who signed a 3 or 4 years deal recently, is having most of his contract paid this season. I would image that is 'real' terms, we are probably only paying 85% of the cap.

I think people should remember that is 4 out of 5 of Ports wins this year, they have been trailing at 3/4 time. They have steamrolled far better and more developed teams than ourselves. Yet we were able to hang on and win despite trailing mid way through the last with all the momentum with Port.

18 months out of the game... he needs to keep playing footy and he'll get better. His 60m pass off one step to Miller 20m out from goal was great. Look very rusty though, but should be given a lot of latitude considering the time he's had out. Wouldn't mind seeing him play 3-4 more games at VFL level, but imo he is in our best 22 and part of our future

Not sure if I can agree with that. He was drafted in case Garland never recovered from his foot injury. For now, he adds strength, hardness and experience to the line up, but is still a very flawed player with his decision making and skill level. (just see the north game as an example). I don't mind him in the team this year, or next, but I don't doubt that he'll eventually get squeezed out as the more talented and skilled young players gain strength and experience. And regarding Garland, he had 12 months off from footy, which mean he probably won't get back to his best until 2011. Considering 12 months off I think he is doing a very good job. He height, spoiling ability, reading of the play and pace are all valuable. He was lining up on Hitchcock during the 2nd and 3rd quater. For a guy 192cm, that is invaluable to the team to have such amazing flexibility.

If you saw his 4 goal game against freo, that was some awesome crumbing. But yes, I agree he is more a small lead up guy in the Medhurst mould. Always good to have a few strings to your bow though

Wona is in our long term plans if fully fit. Is young and exciting. He's got genuine goal sense, he's a good mark and crumber and importantly he's an accurate kick for goal (always important as a forward). He's also got good forward line pressure which is crucial these days.

Gysberts will play this year... but i don't see the rush. He is still a developing player. He needs to get stronger and fitter. If he keeps playing at a level above VFL, no doubting he'll push his way into the team soon

There is no way sylvia is out of the team. rediculous people are suggesting it. yes he's had 3 ordinary games, but he had 2 rippers before that. We need to get these guys playing games together. The more they play together the better the group will be for the future. and sylvia is defintely a big part of our future. Sure if he is horribly out of form then drop him, but i dont' believe that is the case atm. His tackling and chasing is still good

We've got enough developing forwards that we've drafted from within. Getting a second rate forward from another team who isn't quite making it for them (i.e. McKinley, Westoff or Thorp) is a poor trade. Getting a budding super star or very promising young up n comer from another team would be good (i.e. Dawes), but would cost wayyy too much. Good young key position forwards are like gold, and believe it or not, opposition teams need them also. Considering there is no possibility of PSD picks this year b/c of GoldCoast, we would have to give up BIG TIME to trade for a good player. Not worth it.

I think Matthews is the only person in Australia who saw Jack Watts last weekend and couldn't see he had immense talent and enourmous upside/potential. His logic is so rediculous and counter intuitive

Our forward line, it is clearly a work in progress and will not be at its potent best until 2012, once they have played 30 more games together as a unit. But I think we all can agree the talent is there... Bate- a really good forward imo. Played injured yesterday, but is the mobile CHF perfectly suited to modern footy Green- As our midfield strengthens with all the midfield talent we've drafted (Morton, Strauss, Blease, Gysberts, Tapscott, Bail etc) Green will play more as a half forward. Strong in the air and accurate kick for goal. He is a genuine asset as a forward. Watts- his marking and clean use of the footy will clearly be a weapon in 2 years time once he has 40 games under his belt Pettard- has proven to be a very dangerous mid sized forward, who can take strong over head marks and apply forward pressure as well Jurrah- has proven he can be a weapon with freakish marks and just as capable on the ground Sylvia- is definitely a bit of a front runner atm, but we all hope that changes. No doubting his overhead marking and goal sense are going to be a weapon for us when we compete for finals Wona- in 2008 he proved to be a very good small forward. X factor and genuine crumbing, forward pressure ability. Hope he can come good Bennel- has proven to me he can be a really dangerous X factor type as a high half forward. Has some really A-grade attributes, which suggests he will be a weapon once he irons out his flaws That's 8 genuinely talented options. 3 of those didn't play yesterday (Pettard, Jurrah, Wona). 2 have played less than 20 games (Bennell, Watts), 1 was injured in the first quater (Bate) and 1 had a shocker (Sylvia). Plus our midfield gave SHOCKING delivery! Can anyone honestly say they aren't excited by those 8 names. Plus, I personally hope Morton can develop as more of a forward as his body fills out. Jetta and Maric could still potentially play roles in the forward line. Who knows about Fitzpatrick. Dunn has shown he can play a role as a high half forward. Martin is still developing. Davey can even play stints at half forward. That's potentially another 7 options. I think our forward line will develop very nicely over the next 2 years. It was always obvious we would struggle up forward this year due to inexperience. Injured to Pettard and Jurrah haven't helped. We'll be fine. Imo, the bigger issue is ensuring our midfield develops properly. Winning the midfield and kicking the ball properly to our forward is paramount to winning games. That's why i'm happy we drafted 4 first round midfielders last year.

Wona and Morton are certainties to come in this week. Morton because he is in our top 10 players and needs to continue to develop his game at AFL level for the rest of the year. Wona because it is the Darwin game, the clubs wants him to play in this one. Plus we desparately need a crumber with goo forward pressure, he will definitely add to the team atm. Would love to see Gysberts get a run. Have a feeling one of Dunn or Miller might play because PJ was so [censored] when up forward. IN: Wona, Morton, Gysberts OUT: Hughes, PJ, Bartram

Morton 3 goals- a certainty to play. Wona a certainty if he got through for the Darwin game. The club wants him to play in this game. Plus, he needs to get back in the team eventually, we desprately need some good forward pressure. Miller or Dunn or Newton >>>> PJ up forward. Surely one of these guys come in. Gysberts could also get a game if he played well

keeping things in perspective guys. This is gonna be a frustrating year. we are probably still going to finish 10th-13th. This year IS still about development. And if we keep developing our list, and getting games into our super talented youngsters will inevitably lead to natural improvement! I have said it before and I'll say it again... our real rise up the latter will come in 2012 once these boys have had an extra 44 games playing together, and an extra 2-3 pre seasons to build their bodies. If anyone wants evidence on the importance of getting games into players, just look at how James Frawley improved after 40 games of afl. Can't wait for Watts, Scully, Trengove, Strauss, Bennel, McKenzie, Jurrah, Wona, Bail to have played 50 AFL games. Garland, Morton, Grimes, Pettard, Bate, Frawley to have played 70-90 games. Gysberts, Tapscott, Blease 25 games. That's when we'll start to dominate. Look at the moment- Watts, Scully, Trengove, McKenzie, Jurrah, Bail, Gysberts, Tapscott, Blease etc all played less than 10 afl games!!! they are babies to AFL. To have too high expectations would be silly

I don't see anything wrong with Watts getting drunk every now n then. He's 19 years old. What kind of teenager would he be if he wouldn't occasionally go out n have drinks with mates. Not everyone is like Scully who has been training like a professional since 14 years old. The extreme end of the spectrum is Colin Sylvia, who was well-known for having large amounts of coke/booze regularly on weekends throughout his first couple of seasons. And even in that extreme case, he has now managed to sort himself out and is playing good footy and turned his life around. Watts is no way like Colin was. To me he appears to be a really mature young guy who knows he's bloody talented and is coming to terms with being a household name at the age of 19! I honestly don't know what Watts does on his nights off, and honestly i'm not too worried about it. He's not missing training sessions, he's playing good footy at Casey (now hopefully translate that to AFL level). People should just relax n let him show us what he can do

Honestly, they great thing is that every demons player knows we are building towards something special. They see Morton, Strauss, Blease, Tapscott, Gysberts training and not making the team just yet. They know we'll be a force. Any of our players would be crazy to leave to another club. We're the team that will be dominating this upcoming decade. That's the reason why I actually feel happy knowning Mclean is at Carlton. He couldn't see us developing, and he wanted out. good! see ya later mclean and never come back. We don't need ya, and we'll wave at you on the way past as we climb over carlton next year.

DONE

Sorry for the negative wording guys, didn't mean it. Cancer that has spread to the brain can sometimes be a death sentence, but we're not talking about any normal person here. This is Jimmy Stynes. I'm definitely hoping for a miracle and see him pull through! What an inspirational guy. (and, of course, I would send the same good wishes upon anyone struggling with any kind of illness or disease) Didn't mean any offence. Maybe this thread can go back to its original objective--- basking in the sun of MFC's accomplishments over the past 12 months.

With all the positivity surrounding the demons over the past 12 months, I feel it is necessary to reflect on all the changes that have happened, because let's be honest, MFC was a basket case even very recently. As little as 2 years ago the common line was- 'no money, no supporters, no home, no facilities, no team' - MFC $5m in debt, relying on AFL funding, and did not have a profitable business model (making losses every year). - small sponsorship deal - training at junction oval, with possums in the admin roof, no goal posts or nets, and a cricket pitch through the middle. - Daniher had not planned ahead and out list looked destined for spend 10 years at the bottom Now - We finally have a home; 2 in fact. We have 'bubble dome' as an elite training centre (including full sized field with goal posts, pool, gym etc) with our Administration also at 'bubble dome'. We also have Casey fields (including a full size-oval, gym, pavilian) to train in over the summer and once a week during the season proper - We still have only $1m of debt, but we are continuing to cut away at it. Extra money coming in now includes $100k extra per game b/c of new stadium deal, $1m p.a. from MCC relationship, recently purchased pokie machines etc. - We have one of the higher sponsorship agreement in the AFL - Our membership has continued to increase by 5% each year, now up to $32000. - Our crowd numbers at the MCG are quite strong, no longer should we see crowds of $15,000 at the MCG - We have an inspirational President who is bringing passionate people back to our club - And most importantly, our playing list is completely rejuvenated. We are always climbing our way up the ladder, w/o 7 first rounds picks (including 2 top 5 picks) not having played yet. I feel like I finally have an answer to all my friends jibes at the mighty demons: I just hope that we can sustain this positive momentum into the future! Can't wait for Stynesy, for all he's done to turn our club around, to witness out first premiership in 45 years in 2012!

This seems like a bloody good money maker. Why did we only buy 92... why not 192. The return on each machine appears to be amazing

I think Schwab was on the money- he says our small supporter base is partly because we grew out of a stadium and not out of a suburb. We therefore never had a community behind us, like most clubs had. 46 years without any kind of success doesn't help either. 2 things will increase our supporter base 1. a period of sustained success- however Kangaroos (dominated the 90s) have shown that success does not guerantee supporters 2. developing our community relationship with Casey fields. I assume that was the reason for the 30 year commitment to that region. Lots of young families moving into that region. Lots of clinics and school visits by afl players. training there once a week and all during the summer. Surely a few of the young kids will jump on the demons.

Yep. What has me excited so much is exactly this--- the huge talent that ISN'T playing in the team atm. Morton, Watts, Jurrah, Pettard, Blease, Strauss, Gysberts, Tapscott... all extremely highly rated. that's 8 players!!! + Wona, Maric, cheney, Jetta, Gawn, Bail... all could be players! + undoubtably the talent we'll get from the first round picks we get in the next 2 years + Jack Viney the year after. We are going to be the envy of the competition Get used to the 'tanking talk'. It comes out of pure jealousy. Jeez is Watts becomes the player we hope he can become, we will be scary

Agreed. There is definitely a balance going on between being picked for form, and still recognising that we are a developing team that needs our youngsters playing games together. I think they are getting the balance right for now. I'd still like to see a greater emphasis on development later in the season. At best we will come 8th-10th this year, and won't be seriously pushing for top 4, so we may as well take advantage and use this year to develop the boys. I'd like to see Watts brought in ASAP and play the rest of the year. Also, Gysberts, Wona, Blease, Jetta and Bail should all be given plenty of opportunities at senior level