george_on_the_outer

If ( as I suspect) we are still in the bottom quartile at year end, we will not be able to attract any big fish. Fortunately we have a smart recruiting team at the club today, who have sifted through the chaff and found some real gems. So expect to see a similar sort of approach again this year. Listening to the OX on SEN today he highlighted one of those that might be prised loose...Mark Bliclavs from Geelong. Geelong have Hamish McIntosh, Dawson Simpson, Rhys Stanley and Mitch Clark all in rucking roles. IF they attract Dangerfield back they will be absolutely up against the salary cap, if they aren't there already, and probably needing to move someone out to create space. And the one thing we DO need is a mobile, young ruck type, who can actually play football. OX said he would throw a bucketload of money at him, and I would have to agree.....

I think there is something else going on with the umpiring. The AFL is giving the free to air games the best umpires. So we see Roseberry and Nichols umpiring this week on Friday and Saturday night. The "left-over" games get the left-over umpires. So we keep getting the likes of Farmer and Schmitt.

There is a VERY easy way for Jack to get everyone off his back.......and he won't or can't do it. 7 possessions in your 100th game. It's a pity we don't have anyone pushing up from Casey to take his place, because we will get served up the same rubbish until we do.

.....and if you look at the list of 2015 sponsors, he has quietly added a few more since last year. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/the-club/sponsorship/2015-sponsors I just love the way he is building our off-field capabilities and results. A brilliant business man.

Totally agree. After just falling into the finals and then being kicked out 1 week later, one would think that they needed "something" to add to the list to take the next step. But they did nothing, and their first pick in the draft was number 12! I fail to see how adding 1 probably average player was going to improve their lot. The other team that did nothing was the Eagles, and they too have been found out at this early stage. The Blues were always going to get thumped this year. They didn't have a recruiting department of any merit until Silvani arrived back this year. ( Broekhurst as first pick at 19 ?) Their only modus operandi for the past 25 years has been with a cheque-book. And they will use it again at the end of this year, as Judd is sure to retire. The truth is they need a complete overhaul of their list and that will take many, many years.

Definitely WILL need 2 ruckmen. Jamar cannot take on both Zac Clarke and Sandilands. Richmond only had Maric as a recognised ruckman. And not only that, they rest in the forward line, so you need to match them with (almost) equally tall players. Fitzpatrick and Pedersen might have their chance this week.....

James Tomkins supporting both Hawthorn and Melbourne?

Beautiful piece Jack. Umpire Farmer should never grace an AFL ground again. We have suffered his incompetence more than once this year, and it needs to be nipped in the bud!

I couldn't believe how poorly coached Richmond are: 2 things stood out during the match. 1. Maric rucked unchanged for the whole 3rd quarter. In wet conditions, and playing against a team that has thrown away leads in the second half of games, surely you would give him 5 minutes off the ground. I'm not positive, but I think he may have rucked the whole final quarter as well. No surprise that in the second half Jamar was punching the ball clear in numerous ruck contests. Far away from Cotchin and Edwards. 2. Drummond taken off the ground on a stretcher 5 minutes before half time with a knee injury. So instead of having the subsitute warming up in the rooms, listening to the coaches instructions for the second half of the game, he is out on the ground, among the little-leagers, doing kick to kick with a trainer! Blind Freddy could see he would be taking off the vest straight away. If this is the way he coaches, then Hardwick must be heading for the scrap heap in the near future....

When Watts runs flat out to create a contest then he you can say he presents....He doesn't. He runs half pace, dragging his opponent into contests. The only thing keeping him in the side is that there are no better options ( at the moment) Come year end he won't be in the side, and come year end he won't be in team.

A Kilo of extra muscle on each leg following the rehab!!!!!!

Viv was emergency for Adelaide last week, so you would think him closer to selection.

There is absolutely NOTHING that needs to be altered with Hogans kicking style. It produces results that any forward would be proud of. The fact that it is something different to others is no cause to worry. His ball drop and straight follow through is perfect. It doesn't matter one iota what he does before that. If you had watched him at Casey previously, you would know how accurate he is.

What makes anybody think Watts will be tradeable come year end? Other sides see exactly what we see, and have been watching for 6 years now. He has no value.

If GM can explain how a bottom side with a solitary pick which is ahead of the reigning premiers pick by 17 places can lift them from cellar dweller status....then do it. But to achieve the desired result you need to stop the wholesale exploitation of bottom clubs by the free agent process, not by changing the draft age. All we will see is even more developed and capable players heading to the top clubs.

If you want to feel really sick....I was passing the Essendope training base yesterday. "Graffitied" onto a concrete wall overlooking the ovals is in 6foot high letters " Not Guilty". The public really needs some socially conscious taggers to head out to Tullamarine and perform their civic duty and remove/cover this blight......

I have booked tickets with 2 other mad Demon supporters, as Manuka is a small ground for numbers. And as a regular visitor to Canberra, there is not much else to do there on the weekends, so if the weather is good a reasonable crowd will turn up. I got an email from ticketek with the following information, which may be helpful to BBO and Frosty and anyone else driving.....there are road closures and parking limitations around CB and the ground: COLLECT YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE AND AVOID THE QUEUES We recommend picking up your tickets before you head to StarTrack Oval. See the list below for the Ticketek outlet closest to you. If you do decide to collect your tickets at the venue, be sure to arrive early. All bags will be searched upon entry, so arrive early to avoid delays. ACTION buses are providing free shuttle services to and from Civic and Woden for ticket holders for the GIANTS Vs. Melbourne Demons game on Saturday 11 April 2015. In addition, ticket holders can travel on any ACTION bus across the entire network on the day for free. For more details go to www.action.act.gov.au<http://www.action.act.gov.au If you are driving, some general road closures and managed access arrangements for residents will apply in the StarTrack Oval precinct on the day. Parking officers will be active in the area during the event and drivers are reminded to park legally. To view parking maps, road closure and event information visit www.manukaoval.com.au<http://www.manukaoval.com.au Due to the 2015 Australian Running Festival there will be additional road closures in the StarTrack Oval area. Please visit the following link for more information: TAMS These closures should be disbanded by 10:30am. Accessible Parking Patrons are reminded that StarTrack Oval has no formal car parking; however, the venue makes accessible parking available at the adjacent Manuka Pool. In addition, all ACTION shuttle services to Manuka Oval for the GIANTS vs. Melbourne Demons game are wheelchair accessible. Gates open 12:30 and match commences at 2:10pm Finally I contacted the Canberra Demons.....there is no official or unofficial get together after the match, but most local supporters head to the Eastlake Footy club for drinkies etc. Is about 300m from the ground and is at 3 Oxley st Griffith...... hope to see you there.....

...got to love "The Beast". I can't remember the last time the club had a player who is built like the proverbial brick....and has a football brain....and knows how to play the game. Remarkable he is a Rookie list elevation....what a steal!

32001....1/4/2015

Yesterday I helped out at the club to prepare for the Breast Cancer Network breakfast/brunch. I must admit I didn't know it was happening, but after pumping up 350 footballs, I knew we were on to something rather big....... What was truly remarkable was the quiet achievement going on and around the club to support and foster this great initiative. The ladies and the staff nvolved who gave generously of their time, to make the preparations, getting tables decorated, gifts distributed, seat allocations, meeting sponsor needs and requirements......it was all happening behind the scenes and during the week when the Club is building up to the first game of the season! Let no-one think that working at a Footy club is an idle proposition, the staff were looking at some long hours just to get this all up and happening. But on reflection there is also a big positive for the club, not just for supporting this, but that with our round 6 game against the Swannies being telecast live on a Saturday night, it showcases both the BCNA to the general population and the Club who are supporting this venture. Some really smart thinking by our management,utilising one of the few opportunities we have to display our wares on live TV. For those who missed the news reports this evening it was refreshing to learn of some good coming from the football community, instead of the stories of the drug cheats invading our game. Jack Trengove acquitted himself well on the clubs behalf, and hopefully the team will acquit themselves equally on the night in question.... http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-03-31/trengove-lauds-pink-lady-match

Bossdog, you are absolutely correct. Enjoyable, watchable football was a highlight of the past and it was so because the game WASN'T congested like it is today. Goals flowed freely, high marks were a highlight, running into space was a delight to watch. The game will NOT evolve as some suggest. It has already evolved into the mess we see today. The Rules must change to stop the Rugby scrum, or U10's game that we see today. Deanox is correct in that the only solution to crowding is to stop players/coaches doing it. Solution: zones For those who aren't old enough to remember...the centre square was introduced to stop crowding at ball-ups. The result: invariably someone gets the ball out into the open and play continues. A simple line down the centre of the ground with a stipulation that a minimum number of players be on either side solves the problem. There is an emergency umpire sitting on his bum who can monitor it. The impediment to the solution has been the likes of Kevin Bartlett who "doesn't want to turn the game into soccer or netball". Trouble is it has turned into rugby instead.

This is the best news I have heard for......since I can't remember. The week before round 1 and we have only 3 players missing, two of whom are out for the season. What a simply amazing outcome from the fitness and conditioning staff, it puts us in the best possible position in terms of available manpower for the coming season! Misson said he needed 3 years to get the fitness levels up to the required standard, and it looks like he might have done it without breaking the players along the way.

Nice measured review watchtheeyes. Still the result was disappointing....again! While I would have a list of really sub-standard efforts at critical points of the game, and a couple of performers who simply aren't up to it, we know who they are and for the first time in donkeys years we have players to replace them! A couple of insights which a lot would have missed: Cross took Goddard apart in the last quarter. Prior to that he was running riot all over the ground, and it is this unseen work that makes Cross such a valuable player. Really really disappointed with Gawn. A huge height advantage, comes on having to play only the final quarter and got thoroughly pantsed by McKernan of all people. I simply don't know why Pedersen wasn't playing. Reports of a BOG performance at Casey last week, and Dawes unavailable for the first round, and Gawn with the vest on for the first 3 quarters??? Result no backup ruckman for 3/4's with Frost forced to pinch hit to give Jamar a rest. Once Mark went off so did our clearance rate, so let's hope he can hold up during season proper. HL plays a different game to the rest of our players. Confident, daring, dashing and constructive. Hopefully, he can show a few others the way to play top level AFL football. Garlett was another first class pickup. Without his vision and skill around goal tonight the result would have been truly, truly ugly. Lock Vandenberg in for a rookie raise from round 1. Another great pick-up and a ready made footballer with the body and toughness and skill required at this level. How was he overlooked?

It's not a cup anymore so let's call it practice matches. What have we seen so far?.....Well the truth is very little from any side, until last night when Hawthorn unleashed their full strength side in a serious hit-out. The poor old Sainters were on the receiving end, and it has convinced their fans over at Saintsational that they have pick 1 sewn up for the 2015 draft: http://www.saintsational.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=88281 The result certainly shows the real gulf that we face as well, if we think we are to be finalists in 2016. However, given the more than respectable performance against Fremantle a couple of weeks ago, it does show that we are within striking range. But then Hawthorn might be another "bridge too far" You have to admire the resilience of the Saints fans though with a couple of comments about the game and their clubs situation really hitting the "funny button": "Good luck playing in our forward line this year. I feel sorry for Paddy and Tim. I've seen better kicks on angora goats". or this one: " The Lyon gameplan was like trying to shove a watermelon up your arse " Then Watters tried to make us eat the watermelon. Then Pelchen tried to sell us the seeds." But the real telling one was this: "we're melbourne back in 09"......so at least they can see that either we have progressed, or they have dropped to the same awful situation we once found ourselves in. What is it?

Two things......both which require reading the article: 1. It was written in April 2013. 2. "None of these substances are specifically banned by ASADA," There is no connection between the EFC and Reid circumstances or apologies, to Melbourne's situation.