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Everything posted by Whispering_Jack
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Phil Scully offered GWS gig in November 2010!
Whispering_Jack replied to bing181's topic in Melbourne Demons
A couple of words of warning: the mods have made it clear that no fat jokes about Phil Scully are allowed as they are in bad taste (pity because I heard a beauty and I have to respect the majority ruling on this); this thread might be locked once the new revelations from Michael Warner are published this evening (the no fat jokes about Phil Scully rule will continue to apply until the mods rule otherwise or he loses 25kg, whichever shall be the sooner). -
Phil Scully offered GWS gig in November 2010!
Whispering_Jack replied to bing181's topic in Melbourne Demons
I don't want to sound like a preacher here but I have to disagree with your second point. A person makes their name by the deeds they do and once the integrity that person is shattered, it can't be fixed by brilliant exploits on the football field but rather, by the way their conduct in their everyday lives. Winning a Brownlow won't make Tom Scully a better human being in my eyes. On the point about the compensation, we were shafted before we knew it ... the AFL could have stepped in to assist us and replace like for like when we lost Scully but they are conflicted. To properly compensate Melbourne would have involved taking away a first pick from GWS which they're trying to prop up with football money (i.e. yours and ours in the case of club members who have kicked into the coffers for years). In other words, the compensation should have been determined by people independent of the AFL to maintain the integrity of the draft system if the AFL really cared about "integrity". -
I've lost some close friends to cancer over the years and others have survived. Roll of the dice, I suppose. I don't know. On Sunday, I visited a cousin who is the same age as me. He had just gone through chemo and had no hair. It was a difficult meeting but e was in fantastic spirits and very optimistic. The people around those who suffer cancer also go through much pain and to Two Sheds family my deepest sympathy.
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It appears that Brendan Fevola was never going to play for Casey Scorpions in 2012. Casey's Matthew Young tweeted as follows today:- "Another media beat up about Fev!! Training with us until Xmas for AFL draft, if not listed he's off to try NFL for 2012." Fev has previously mentioned his intention to try for the NFL if he is not drafted in November or December and it's only proper in view of the service he gave to the club in 2011 for him to be able to train there till the end of the year. He's kicking bags in the NTFL so it's not as if he's going to be a problem.
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Phil Scully offered GWS gig in November 2010!
Whispering_Jack replied to bing181's topic in Melbourne Demons
No surprise here except for the fact that the GWS offer was made in November 2010 and not October 2010 which was when the AFL's window allowing contact with uncontracted players was still open. The AFL has already connected Phil Scully's employment at GWS with son Tom's playing contract. The fact that the offer was made outside the allowable window suggests to me that GWS breached the AFL's rules. Contact could be made in October - this offer was made in November. The AFL claims that integrity plays an important role in how it and it's member clubs operate. It should at least investigate this latest revelation and, if GWS breached its rules, apply appropriate sanctions. In 2002, the AFL investigated Carlton for committing salary cap breaches on the eve of the national draft and imposed heavy sanctions which included removal of the club's high draft picks. Earlier, in the wake of the breach of salary cap rules by Melbourne, the AFL awarded Fremantle an early first round selection supposedly to compensate the Dockers for losing Jeff White. I think an appropriate sanction here would be to strip GWS of one of its top three draft picks and award it to Melbourne to compensate it for the obvious subterfuge and lies that went on in the 12 months after the GWS approach was first made to the Scully camp. Of course it's not likely to happen because, as I've indicated many times, the AFL is heavily conflicted on this issue. -
I assume that there would be a sports doctor at every training session and would be surprised if this was not the case ATM.
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How many days are there to go to this national draft Redleg?
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Not a savoury end to his life - Writer questioned then fell to his death
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The Waylen (aka Zyrus) Manson Thread
Whispering_Jack replied to Whispering_Jack's topic in Melbourne Demons
I'm fairly positive that Brendan Fevola is going to be available at our first pick. Would you select him? BTW, the Fev kicked nine goals today in Waratah's 24.15.159 win over Palmerston 9.13.67 bringing his tally in two games so far to 17. Teammate Kayne Pettifer booted 7 but Zyrus Manson was kept goalless. Not taking anything away from Fev (and I really believe GWS should pick him up in one of the drafts) but all this suggests that the standard of the NTFL competition is around bottom 2 of the VFL. I also heard a whisper that Sheeds was keen to draft Andrew Lovett and I'd really like to see that too. Imagine the interview the HUN could do with prize recruits Fev, Lovett and Scully in the bar at the Rooty Hill RSL? -
I think Junior would certainly have gotten his fair share of games at Melbourne in 2011 and possibly even into next year so it doesn't come as a surprise that he's a chance to play at GWS next year. I think on balance it was Junior's time to go at the end of 2010 (the departure like a few others in recent times was poorly handled) but given the circumstances in Sydney, I believe he'll be a valuable acquisition as both a player and a coach and I certainly wish him well in those roles.
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I think it says a lot for all of us after so many years of frustration and failure that we can still be optimistic about the future and I share that optimism. However, part of my optimism stems from the role Neeld played in convincing Mitch Clark to come to the club. I think you've underplayed his role in the recruiting coup of the trade period. Apart from the fact that it was such a good story, it demonstrated something about Neeld to the club, the players, the supporters and to the football world as a whole - his determination to succeed at getting his man. I accept that the credit for the legwork might deservedly go to Tim Harrington but Neeld the coach also took the flight to Brisbane and fronted Clark along with CEO Cameron Schwab. I call that a team effort. I'm not sure that many newly appointed coaches would have done that and I think it's fair to say that the player would have been impressed with such a high powered delegation seeking to persuade him (against the odds I might add) to come to Melbourne rather than to his publicly declared destination of preference, Fremantle. That achievement alone suggests to me that Mark Neeld is about much more than cheap talk.
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The Footy Tragic has come out with its own Phantom Draft 2011 These are the FT's MFC picks:- #36 JOSH WALDHUTER Height: 184cms Weight: 83kgs DOB: 15.03.93 Recruited from: Central Districts Position: Midfielder Reason: Best Available With the loss of Scully we really need to bolster our midfield stocks. Josh is the hard at, hard bodied midfielder we need. Hasn’t been the greatest accumulator at junior level but we see him as developing into a power midfielder because of his crazy attack on the ball and acceleration away from the stoppages. Similar to Patrick Dangerfield, Josh should compliment our midfield nicely, especially Jack Trengove with the two Croweaters set to become two of the most mispronounced and mis-spelt names in the competition. Waldhuter should be ready to go next year and a round 1 spot in the side is his to lose after Colin Sylvia’s internal suspension. #52 MARLEY WILLIAMS (MID/FWD) H: 181cms W: 85kgs DOB: 22/07/1993 Recruited from: Claremont Was hoping Murray Newman might slip to this selection and was also considering Josh Tynan and Haiden Schloithe. However, am rapt to select Marley Williams who is a thumping kick of the footy and has a bit of the proverbial about him. As previously stated the loss of Scully has diminished our already struggling midfield and with a couple of preseasons under his belt “Bob” could become a more permanent fixture there if he works on his endurance. We see him mainly as a small forward in 2012, with his strong build, decent pace and passion for defensive pressure which will fill a gaping hole left on the list by Wonaeamirri and Maric’s (presence and subsequent) axings. Will be a bit of soul brother for Luke Tapscott and Dees fans should look forward to seeing both filling posts at either end of the ground and making cameo appearances in the centre in 2012. #54 JORDAN KELLY (DEFENDER) H: 191cms W: 81kgs DOB: 27/06/93 Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays We were hoping for another tall with this pick but with Bussey and Curran gone and the opportunity to pick up another project key forward as a rookie, we felt Jordan Kelly would be the best fit with an eye to the future. Rivers will probably be gone in the next 2-3 years, ditto Joel Macdonald, Warnock has already departed and James Strauss will take a while to recover from a horrific leg break. Jordan can fill a role as another versatile defender on our list, with good pace and skill he can play shutdown and rebounding roles from the backline. We will be hoping to develop him in a similar mould to Colin Garland.
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Long time fans of the Melbourne Football Club will remember fondly Geoff Tunbridge who was recruited to the club relatively late at age 25 in 1957. A half forward flanker, Tunbridge played in three premiership teams in his 117 games over six seasons as a Demon. He was a colourful character and he was never paid a penny for his services. Tunbridge refused on ideological grounds to accept payment from Melbourne Football Club, as he believed that players should play for the love of the game (the only money he did accept was compensation for the cost of petrol, given the long drive between Ballarat and Melbourne - eight pence/year in his Volkswagen). Now there's a player in this coming draft who carries the same surname (but apparently not related) who walked out of GWS a couple of weeks ago citing homesickness. He wants to play for Fremantle or West Coast. I don't raise his name as a prospective Demon but rather to suggest that wherever he ends up his first pay cheque will be closer to that of his namesake than that of a certain player who recently joined the outfit he's just left Tunbridge back in the mix
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I'm not sure that it's right to go into all the detail but it's fair to say that he thinks he can improve on 2010/11 and needs to settle into a role at the club. I think it should also be stressed (and I'm referring to the group and not any particular individual) that while the emphasis at this early stage of pre season training would appear to be on physical conditioning - and we know the new regime feels that the group is way behind the leading clubs in this area - that is only the tip of the iceberg. Neeld has to work out how a team that can win three games by 15/16 goals can also capitulate by 31 goals to Geelong in the same season. Politics of the time aside, there's the mental factor that allows such results that needs to be tackled head on as well and that will be part of the challenge for every member of the list from our first round picks right through to the rookies.
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Yes, we know that's Jim's opinion and one that's now shared by most of the football world. However, the question put was whether Scully's only option at the time was to deceive the club and its supporters. I don't believe that it was and that Scully has to live with that for the rest of his career. He received very poor advice at the time and he would be well advised to now concentrate on preparing himself for the future at his new club rather than reflecting on how he left his old one because reflecting on how he left his old one because that is something which does not reflect well on him as a person.
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The four players who came to dinner that night were all impressive characters in their own way but it was the refreshingly honest way that Cale was able to discuss where he was at this stage of his career that impressed me the most. I'm glad that Mark Neeld has publicly thrown the challenge to him. It suggests that if Cale is up to it then he has a role to play in his future plans for the team and a 194cm player with a big tank can be invaluable.
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What was the first VFL/AFL Melbourne game you attended?
Whispering_Jack replied to Wilson7's topic in Melbourne Demons
Exact date was Queens Birthday 14 June 1965 and it was the day that marked the end of an era for Melbourne. Cooper's mark was easily the best I've seen. -
PERMISSION TO TRAIN LIST (updated 11.11.11) Adelaide - James Craig, Will Young. Collingwood - Daniel Farmer, Trent Stubbs, Brad Dick, Scott Reid. Essendon Matt Little. Fremantle - Clancee Pearce. North Melbourne - Gavin Urquhart. Richmond - Pat Contin, David Fahey, Glen Grgic, Ben Jakobi, Addam Maric, John McCarthy Leigh Masters, William Wheeler. St Kilda - Ben Casley, Beau Dowler, James Hallahan, Danny Hughes, Michael Lourey, James Magner, Marcus Marigliani. Sydney Swans - Campbell Heath, Jackson Potter, Mitch Thompson.
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The Waylen (aka Zyrus) Manson Thread
Whispering_Jack replied to Whispering_Jack's topic in Melbourne Demons
According to the afl.com.au site he's had a slight name change (apparently C & W singers are held in less esteem than mass murderers, but who am I to judge?) Zyrus Manson From: (Claremont, WA) DOB: 24/04/93 Height: 193cm Weight: 79Kg KEVIN SHEEHAN SAYS "High-leaping and lightly built player who is dangerous near goal. From the Kimberley region of WA. From Waratah FC (NT)." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-10/promising-footballer-tipped-for-afl-future/3659310 -
I too think that there is a major problem with GWS not having players in that middle bracket, not because they would necessarily play in their finals side (if they were ever to make it) but because the young players need leadership and mentoring from that very age group which is vital in setting examples for the young kids to follow. RS is right. GWS has nobody and I believe it's not for want of trying but rather the players they made overtures to in this age group could not be tempted e.g. Kreuzer, Murphy, Swallow. They now say they targeted only the young but I don't believe it. At the other end of the spectrum they have old players whose bodies won't allow them to perform the role that's needed. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been dropped by their original clubs. I'm not bagging them. I simply don't have much faith in the direction they're taking in trying to build a team and what concerns me is that the AFL will keep pumping money and concessions into them until they're competitive. I think that's wrong if the club itself doesn't comply with the most basic of standards.
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The latest story seems to confirm Dr. Larkins' analysis of Scully's knee issues i.e he will need to manage the stress and load of his work to avoid serious problems flaring up. He's following precisely the required formula to control the situation - which is exactly what one would expect from Scully who is known for the meticulous way he prepares himself.
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The secret to success in sport.
Whispering_Jack replied to Whispering_Jack's topic in Melbourne Demons
Clarke, Shmarke, perhaps I went a bit early or I wasn't referring to the cricket team? -
"I was a second-year player and I couldn't work out why everyone was constantly talking about me, instead of other players." Really? Forget the knee. It's keeping his foot out of his mouth that's going to be the main problem.
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You need to have a player in your side called M. Clark.
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My worst nightmare. We had visitors tonight - the type who hang around, well and truly overstay their welcome and aren't the least bit interested in the cricket. Arrived just after Clark was last man out in Australia's first innings and left when the second dig was about to start. I didn't even tape the SA innings. Damn.