Redleg

As you said LS, about those who moan about the "exclusivity" of the Foundation members, let me assure those moaners that it is not an exclusive club. It is open to everyone. I understand that many can't afford to become members, but there are many others who can and choose not to. That of course is their prerogative. While ambitious, the club is hoping to swell the number eventually to 1000 members. It started on the first night at 140 and has now reached 430. That of itself has involved a fair deal of work. The entry level is $5000.00 which of course is not cheap, but they have now sought younger members and offered those under 30 who can afford it, to become members and pay over 4 years, $1250.00 a year. That amount of course is still a significant amount of money. Just so everyone understands, every AFL club has these sorts of groups and fundraisers. We just seem to get publicity for everything that we do or that is done to us. In summary this group has wiped out a $5million debt, continues to supply funds and is being led by the club Board, whose members have actually donated large amounts to the club and also continue to do so as they did last night. In other words the Board members are leading by example.

That's funny.

Just got back from the night. Two captains spoke well and promised as usual that players would give their all. As you know announced that Sam Blease had signed for 2 years. A moving tribute to Jimmy was given by Trisha Silvers, Troy Broadbridge's wife. Looks like about $750000.00 might be raised. Hopefully more. Lot of ex players there like Robbie, Ox, Neita, Dicko, Hoppy, Ingo, Riggers, Smithy, etc. Good function but not over the top. Sat with my sponsored player Jack Grimes and Rory Taggert. Rory on way back and I predict he will be a good player and he is an elite kick. Mitch Clark on the way back. Coach said there would be some changes to the list but that is the same at every club. Said we are improving in certain areas and will continue improving. Garry revved up crowd. Good vibe and everyone feeling positive.

There was no U18 in front of my pick. That's AA in the AFL.

It works for Selwood.

She is one hell of a woman. Jimmy met his match when he married her. Just saw her on A Current Affair. She is intelligent, articulate, self effacing, brutally honest and attractive to boot. She is naturally doing it tough as are the children and I personally wish them all the best from all of us. She shared her husband's last months with the MFC and deserves our thanks for that.

Is Melbourne FC bashing, waning as an exciting topic?

Our late President says we didn't tank and that no instruction to tank was ever given, but that rather we took advantage of a system, that he didn't agree with anyway. His captain concurs and said the MFC didn't tank while he was there, which was during the relevant period. We have heard another player PJ, say that we didn't tank. Our coach has previously said that he coached to assist the development of the club and in the interests of the club. He never said we tanked. The club was investigated then and cleared. Brock McLean never said we tanked but rather experimented. The AFL don't believe tanking exists. Surely this will end positively for us soon.

Good get. As bad as I have ever seen it.

I do understand. All I am saying is that people have the right to evaluate our list and if it is poor, part of the blame must fall on the recruiters. Do you understand that?

No it is not the simple option, it is THE ONLY option. How can you evaluate something before you know the result? You have to use hindsight to look back and see what were the options and what were the results. How do you evaluate your list with out looking at it and comparing it with others and comparing it with the opportunity picks that you both had. If we had only low picks there would be more acceptance of a poor list, but that was not the case. We had several high picks and in the best vernacular I can find "fu-ked up." PS. Hopefully our next selections and development, are better.

You would expect so.

Has shaved off the mo so he stays. He is not a great player, but who is in our side. He can do a job, kick a goal, shut a player down and is not our worst. He also has experience. I would give him another year. There are plenty to go before him.

I think we can get ourselves sidetracked. It is not about this bloke or that bloke even though they are examples, it is about looking at our list and comparing it to the picks we had and deciding do we have a good list and did we draft well. I still say we drafted poorly, given our picks and I will not accept that every player who didn't make it, was the fault of poor development. Obviously some players like McDonald and Howe haven't suffered with development. Some have to have been poor choices. I admit I know nothing compared to the recruiters, but if I was the MFC recruiter we would have an AA CHB, Talia, on our list.

Problem is that Saints are considering putting Reiwoldt out for the year. That is a sign to the team that they have conceded and then the hunger goes for the players. Don't think they could beat Blues in that situation. Also Blues % will be so much higher than Freo next week after they smash GC. Only hope seems to be Freo beating North and then us.

Thought you said we couldn't win the last two.

A Freo win today and loss to North next week could see them tied with the Blues going into the last round. If the Blues have a big win next week against GC, it might come down to us losing by a big margin to Freo in Perth as to whether the Blues make the 8. I would be praying for a Saints win over the Blues and if that didn't happen I would be happy to see us have a big loss to Freo, if it kept the Blues out. Freo still need to get the job done today of course. Could be an interesting weekend in the final round.

Sums up the Dees game today perfectly.

I don't think that is being suggested. Rather, that he can provide some additional information.

According to some on here it is not his fault, or lack of ability, it is development. He is obviously a great footballer who is being hampered by MFC development. When he takes his eyes off the ball again it is the club's fault. I hope he makes it, but agree it is starting to get worrying.

Actually it has been a lot longer than a decade and it will continue long after the PP's have gone. Teams that are out of the finals race will experiment to find out who can play and where and who can't and should go. That will continue as long as we have salary caps and limited lists.

He didn't fall off. She will be better for the run.

Iconic Princess running at Geelong 3.15. May need the run. Coming back from injury. We will see. Ridden by, wait for it, Danny Nikolic. Sunset Prince first start in the first at Tatura saturday.

And in pre season we don't lose too many games.

This season drags on and we just can't escape the negativity about the club. Brad Miller retires and says MFC were good to him, but the Tigers were really great. 2 seasons with the Tiges and he says they were the great club. Jurrah heads off to spend time with his family in Adelaide and the media suggest we have seen his last game. If true another exciting Melbourne player cut down way too early. Then on the Footy Show, Barrett says the tanking investigation is widening and a result could come late next week and it might not be good. Robbo on 360 says more of the same and says the Hun tomorrow will have a 3 page spread on the issue. I can safely assume it will not be helpful to us. Most of what I hear and see about the club is negative.