Whispering_Jack

Thanks everybody for your comments, especially DeePick's report and Die Hard Demons girlfriend's photos. I also managed to take in Proper Gander's partly completed and somewhat esoteric report on Bigfooty. Dazzle, I know it wasn't up to your expectations but there's a bit to read between the lines and apparently more to come. The good news is that Tasmanlvr hasn't left the scene entirely; rather, he's doing summer school at uni (I did that myself one year and it was fascinating) and will probably be back in action after the Aussie Open. My observation is that we've come a long way from pre season training in the last 50 years (in those days it started in late February) since the late, great Norm Smith ordered full back Bernie Massey to shave off his mustache. If he were still coach today and given that he would be the oldest coach in the competition at 100 that's unlikely, the old disciplinarian would surely be bewildered at the amount of facial hair young Roos is permitting his players to get away with (and I mean you in particular Gawny). Not long ago when I wrote that piece on the Weidemans, I checked out some stats and I was amazed that key forwards like Murray Weideman and Norm Smith were barely taller than 6 foot in the old scale and shorter than many of the midfielders running out there at Casey yesterday morning. Blokes of that height never had to do so much running in an entire season, let alone what they have to in January these days. And on top of the running, there's a lot of strength work to be done as well which was demonstrated by some pictures I saw from earlier in the week of young Sam contesting a mark against 20 year old Jesse Hogan. Smithy's teams were always imposing in terms of height and size, not to mention skills and discipline so it was good reading that part of DeePick's report. I did make it down to Casey Fields at this time two years ago with my grandson on a very hot summer's morning (the only other people there were from the Salem family) and I don't remember as much evidence of the height and size factor then, yet I came away wearing the same rose coloured glasses that I have at this point in every season. Perhaps, it might be justified this time around.

I would have gone to Casey Fields today but for the fact that I've come back from overseas with a cold so I gave it a miss. I prefer to be fit and ready for the season proper than to dally around with pre season training. Anyhow, would appreciate reports. I think some of our best training reports have come from Casey locals in the past so here's hoping for high standards again n 2016.

I've returned home from overseas and there waiting for me with my mail was my copy of the book. Problem is that I've just started reading Emma Quayle's "The Draftees" which is a sequel to an earlier book about five draft prospects from six or seven years ago. That book has some interesting insights into what players in their draft year have to go through. None of the 5 players were drafted by Melbourne but there is the odd mention here and there of players we drafted. I'll continue reading that and get on to Breakfast with Bails afterwards. I recommend to you that you get on to the website and place an order. Proceeds go to his wife and family.

The problem is not so much what it is right now, the worry is what it will be in 4 to 6 weeks' time.

The game you're thinking of was round 6 and we actually won the next three games to go 8/1 after nine rounds. After that, we hit the wall and won only three more games (and drew with North) out of 13. We had to wait another 16 seasons before we got another crack at making the finals.

Are you suggesting that we didn't know the risk involved in choosing an Essendon player who was among the 34 players facing charges? Is that not the truth Mr Frog?

Oliver might just have nudged level with Petracca now.

Since we knew there was a risk of sanctions in the event of players being found guilty, it's fair to say that we assumed the risk. We would be lucky to get a single dollar.

Training - Monday, 4th January, 2016 (according to the MFC website) Goschs Paddock @ 1:45pm It seems like forever since I last read one so I'm looking forward to the training reports from the regular crowd and anyone else taking the opportunity to get down to the paddock to watch the boys go round.

And here's a season preview I found somewhere with some interesting views on where we're going.

2015: THE YEAR THAT WAS by Whispering Jack For the most part of the past decade, Melbourne has gone through cycles of constant defeat, times of failure, setbacks and an inability to deal with its own demons but there were signs during 2015 that the time is ripe for the club to rise and reclaim a position among the better clubs in the AFL community. Melbourne's progression might have been slow in 2015 but it certainly went in the right direction. However, while the final outcome saw it rise on the ladder of four places to 13th with seven wins against four in 2014 and two in 2013, most supporters would still have come out of the season with an empty feeling about the overall result. There were some great moments but it was the team's wildly erratic form over the year that took the gloss off the highs. The lows were devastating not only because they often were so dreadful but also because they came upon the heels of the highs. In addition, there were the dramatic turnarounds from the good to the very bad within the course of single games. It was a pattern that delivered the fans many moments of frustration, the worst often coming against teams which finished below them on the ladder. Of six games against such sides, Melbourne won only two - the opening game against Gold Coast and a dreary defensive slog against Brisbane. It went down twice to St Kilda with one defeat coming after meekly conceding a goal in the dying moments that could have been saved with better organisation and numbers behind the ball in defence. The other losses against Essendon (who were at their lowest ebb), St Kilda (the return game) and an absolute shocker against wooden spooner Carlton when the team capitulated in the first half were appalling. Five of those six games were played on the MCG and most of them came in the second half of the season. Then there were the times when the Demons started games like a house on fire and not only failed to go on with the task of winning, but ended up conceding by wide margins. They dominated most of the first halves of football against GWS (the earlier game), Adelaide and Port Adelaide and then stopped almost to a walk after seemingly being so much in control. And then there were the horror matches against Hawthorn, the second Bulldogs game and the two against Fremantle to go with the loss at the hands of lowly Carlton. The angst was not confined to concerns about the team's form but also to the level of injuries which have been running on high over the long period during which the club has been conducting its well-documented sets of rebuilds. The toughest break came in the preseason when the club's top draft selection from 2014 Christian Petracca damaged his ACL and joined former captain Jack Trengove (foot) on the sidelines for the entire season. Soon after, the club lost key defender Sam Frost (broken toe) who had been traded from the Giants to cover for the loss of James Frawley and then improver Dean Kent to a hamstring injury. Important players such as Jack Viney, Dom Tyson, Heritier Lumumba and skipper Nathan Jones were all hampered by injuries that limited their output during the season. Of course, there were the standard injuries that affect every team as well but at a young struggling club, the impact is felt more because of the effect on team depth. On the other side of the ledger were the wins which included victories over five teams that finished higher on the ladder, mostly mid ladder sides. One of those wins was against eventual finalist Richmond (by 32 points) when Jesse Hogan underlined his huge potential by blanketing and overpowering All Australian defender Alex Rance. At that stage, the record of two wins and two defeats was a barely acceptable one but you would take it. A bad stretch against three strong teams left the team somewhat battered but they came back with a 39 point win over the Bulldogs and yet a week later blew a six goal lead in the middle of the second term to go down by ten at Treagar Park to a struggling Port Adelaide. It was the story of the team's year. From rags to riches and back to rags again in the blink of an eye. Without doubt, the pinnacle of the season was the win against Geelong at the Cattery without Jesse Hogan in Corey Enright's 300th game, closely followed by the victory over Collingwood when the teams met in Round 18. In both instances, the Demons broke long-running hoodoos which was something they were becoming accustomed to having broken the drought of wins for season openers against Gold Coast and then breaking through for a win at Etihad Stadium in the final round against the GWS Giants after 23 straight losses there. The great challenges remaining are to come up with consecutive wins, to win games in the west and to reward the NT government and the faithful by picking up premiership points in places where the club has sold home matches to enable the books to be balanced. The improvement of the club in terms of wins and ladder position was in a large part due to the continued improvement of the quality of on field personnel being brought into the club. The highlights from a long term perspective were the youngsters introduced to the team with NAB Rising Star award winner, Jesse Hogan, being the stand out and midfielder Angus Brayshaw not that far behind him. When you add the likes of Aaron vandenBerg (a revelation given his initial recruitment as a rookie), Alex Neal-Bullen, Billy Stretch, James Harmes, Oscar McDonald and Mitchell White who all debuted for the club in 2015 and Christian Petracca who will do so (body permitting) early next season, the future looks very promising especially in terms of the quest to lift the club's midfield from third world to top shelf status. The club also recruited some handy mature age recruits from other clubs in Heritier Lumumba and Jeff Garlett along with the lesser known Frost and Ben Newton. Lumumba looked exciting in the pre season but was not the force in defence that was anticipated when recruited, perhaps as a result of injury but Garlett proved to be a value selection kicking forty goals for the year. Newton showed enough to suggest that he can help make the team's midfield more competitive. We didn't really see enough of Frost to draw any conclusions but he does look adaptable and capable of adding to the key position depth when fit. Bernie Vince was outstanding throughout the year and his club champion honours were well deserved. It was no coincidence that the club's worst moments came on the rare occasions when he was down on form. When he was on song he often made the difference winning the football and often succeeding when called upon to blanket some of the game's biggest names. Jack Viney's name crept up high onto the honour board and he could easily have joined father Todd among the list of tough nuts to have won a Bluey - there's a lot more to come from this young man. Tom McDonald was living up to his potential and on his way to All Australian honours until he ran into Travis Cloke in rare form in front of the sticks. He shrugged off a mid season trough and finished the season strongly. Then there was the skipper Nathan Jones. We all knew how good he is but although not as dominant as he has been in recent years and he carried an injury for most of the second half of the season, he continued to feature strongly. Daniel Cross was solid throughout and it was a pity he could not be afforded another contract but he will not be lost entirely as he has a position in 2016 as a senior assistant coach. Two other players at the club whose seasons were affected by injuries and recovery from them could make significant inroads in the quest to improve its midfield stocks with a full season in 2016. It took Max Gawn almost half a season to gain senior selection after recovering from the setback he suffered with the knee injury incurred at the end of 2014. His first game back was a triumph in the game at Simonds Stadium where he dominated in Melbourne's win and he threatens to move into the highest echelon of ruckmen in the competition. Christian Salem lost a large slab of the middle part of the year due to hamstring issues. His immaculate kicking and fearless attitude was a bonus in defence but he might be destined for the midfield where those assets would prove invaluable. There are of course, the newcomers traded and drafted in the post season which was an interesting period for the club. It's said at this time every year but we can only wait in hope that this time the club's recruiters reap the rewards of their labours over the past few seasons. The main hope is in the view that the characteristics displayed by Melbourne this year is common to all emerging clubs and a breakthrough is not far away. The Western Bulldogs won seven matches in 2014 and doubled that number in 2015. While we bandy about expressions such as third world midfield and lack of experience, leadership and maturity to explain the club's on field woes, it's abundantly clear that the problems at Melbourne have largely persisted as a result of its off field weaknesses. The truth is that the club has been in many respects a third world power in AFL circles for far too long. There have been far too many power struggles; too many boards have assumed the reins with good intentions and failed to produce, leaving too many jobs undone. The present set up which sees the club still under a form of patronage from the AFL above seems to be working well but Glenn Bartlett, Peter Jackson and co are expected to ultimately produce results on the field in terms of finals appearances at some time in the near future. As we enter 2016 it remains to be seen whether the stability they have brought to the club can translate into an escalation of the improvement and gains of the past couple of seasons and in that regard much will depend on how the young Demons mature and how smoothly the transition of the coaching role from Paul Roos to Simon Goodwin can be carried out. http://www.youtube.-com/watch?v=N527o-BKIPMc&sns=em

Hi Goodvibes. I think your idea is great and I'm all for it. I'm currently on my way to Rio de Janeiro but when I come back I will speak with Andy (Demonland) about it. Just one question for you GV and that is where did you get your interest in the women's game? ... also, a happy new year to all and let's hope we hear the tune to Old Lang Syne far more often than just tonight over 2016 and well into September thanks!

Tomorrow, December 26, 2015 is the 11th anniversary of the tsunami which hit the shores abutting the Indian Ocean and took the lives of a quarter of a million people. One of its victims was Melbourne defender Troy Broadbridge, a much loved figure at the club, who perished while on his honeymoon in Thailand. Tomorrow, we celebrate his life and his memory ...

A camp that's rough, tough, gruesome involving sleep deprivation and a harsh regimen that only the strong can survive. They want to teach the players what it's been like to be a supporter of the club for the past ten years!

Perhaps it's nothing more than a shameless promotion for the new James Bond movie Spectre? ?

Landing in Devil's Island tomorrow. With a bit of luck, I might be able to import the entire banana crop to send to Demonlanders.

Quiet time of year for football news ...

Pretty much right Bob although supporters of Joe would maintain that the practice of rorting the salary cap was widespread and began before Gutnick and Schwab took up their positions and that Joe did a deal which saved us a heftier sanction because we'd been caught with our hands in the cookie jar. I share your confidence about the future. Hopefully, our Chairpersons, Boards and CEOs turn out to be largely anonymous in the future and let our footballers do the talking on the field.

Too true. It's very sad for our game that most of the AFL football world has far too much sympathy for the players and would rather see them get off lightly or completely while the game itself falls into disrepute at their expense. Throughout the world, it's understood that athletes are responsible for what they ingest into their bodies but in Australia that doesn't seem to apply so that while we might snigger at muscle bound Chinese women swimmers and cyclists on the gear, our boys and girls are clean as white, driven snow.

Never had the midfield support that most of the others have had but Christian Salem reckons the young cavalry is coming.

Always George but in cases of that size (and lesser ones) lawyers like to ask for money up front (or security to cover the costs) and given the weakness of the cases Hirdy was presenting his own lawyers would have made sure they covered all bases. I think Hird would be hoping for an out of court offer of settlement but I don't think the insurer will bite.

Am I right that it turns out this saga has to date cost James a cool $1¾m in legals to get where he is today and now he's having a shot at the club's insurer to recover some or all of it back? He might no longer be a hero in the world of football but to many in the legal profession, he still rocks!!!

All three deserved their life membership. It's for ten years of service and it would be churlish of the club to decline giving the award because players left to play elsewhere. Fittingly, Rivers and Sylvia get their awards when they've retired from the game. In addition, if anyone has a problem with either of the two who finished elsewhere then consider that they were products of our club and, as a result, we might have contributed to their failings or perceived failings in some way.

This was going to be a review of "Breakfast with Bails" but it will have to wait for the full on version. This is just part one. Contrary to the original title of the thread, the book has not been sold out. I know this because I was able to purchase it in hard copy (to be delivered in about a week) along with what turned out to be a preview of the first few chapters through Kindle so I barely got past the "warm up" when the readable part on line came to an end. If I'm allowed to provide some background, I'll start with the author Pat Steinfort who was drafted by Richmond at 18 and left the game five years later with an unenviable record: "the player who spent the longest time with a single team without ever playing a game. Injuries were not kind." He was one of a rare breed who left the game with scientific qualifications, experience in international sports and thousands of hours of leadership training. He gravitated towards coaching becoming an assistant at Adelaide at the end of 2011 just after Bailey's arrival. They roomed together when he came to the Crows and struck up a friendship. From early in the book we're left with no doubt that Steinfort was an admirer of his fellow coach's abilities. Of course, the reader is also informed early on of Bailey's illness and his lung cancer diagnosis. Inspired by the book "Tuesdays With Morrie” which chronicles the story of an old man dying of motor neurone disease* based on a series of bedside interviews, Steinfort hesitantly broaches the subject of a similar book with Bailey who agrees. His wry sense of humour is his hallmark but he also comes across as straightforward, honest and often cutting. When Bailey agreed, he insisted the interviews had to be brief because the treatment was taking a lot out of him. "I’m already losing my hair," said Bailey who had been bald for years. That's about where I finished but there's sure to be a lot about Melbourne in the chapters to come. Bailey told the author that one headline stuck in his mind from the stormy days that preceded his sacking - “Dead Man Coaching”. And this gem: “I had to deal with a lot of wankers back at Melbourne,” he said loudly enough to startle at least one eavesdropper. “Know-it-alls who questioned something that they initially supported, just ‘cos other people started asking questions. plan hadn’t changed. Only thing that had changed was people’s opinions.” My reflection on what I've read to date is that this is going to be a great read. * ironically, Neale Daniher is fighting a battle with the same affliction.

Try http://www.breakfastwithbails.com I think the book can still be purchased. I bought a copy a few days ago (see my review part 1 below)