george_on_the_outer

Benno, get a grip. This requires good planning. And as others have noted only worthwhile if she is the marrying kind. 1. If the party is on Saturday night, then there is no chance that the game will be played then. 2. If we are there, we could be playing interstate 3. Build up brownie points all through the year and claim them back at the most appropriate time, and let her suggest it ( ...I've been to every Demons game in the past ...years, and this is our first final that I could see....get the drift) 4. We might do better and win the first final..ergo another game the week after. 5. If all else fails, remember that we are unlikely to be playing in a GF next year. Save the brownie points for the big event when it comes. Finally, remember the adage: Happy wife = happy life.

Youngest list = statistics mean nothing Take away Fletcher from the Essendon list and they would be pushing for the title. Where are the Gold Coast Suns in the table?......bugger, they probably have the youngest list. If the table had any meaning, we should be seeking OLD players to recruit....Collingwood won a Premiership with Geelong and the Saints vying for the honour. That's what the stats would tell you. Football is about talent not age, or I would kicking a ball for the Demons this year.

Got rid of the AFL membership a couple of years ago. Along with a lot of MFC supporters. AFL contributes only the cost of an adult membership to the MFC, not the AFL membership fee. Once the medallion club got guaranteed access to AFL seats at the GF, the AFL members lost that privelege. Solution: off to the Tridents/Redlegs with all the other fanatics and a guarantee seat at the GF if Melbourne make it, and the full price of membership goes to the MFC. Rather easy really.

You know all those players that signed up in 2010 for 2 years? Well they all become available in 2012...... All those ones who sign 2 year deals in 2011....they're all available the year after This means that ( on average ) half the AFL team lists are open to raid by GWS. And the other half the year after. Ablett to the GC was a good example to everyone of what can happen. It WILL happen again, especially with Sheedy running the show at GWS. WORSE STILL: GC have "regained" a series of their priority compensatory picks during the trading period. GWS have a bucketload to use yet, and expect them to do the same as GC. The next 4 drafts are going to be so compromised that our clubs decision to do everything to get Scully and Trengove last year can be seen as a stroke of genius. If Geelong couldn't keep Ablett with 2 Premiership medallions and a Brownlow hanging around his neck, then ........

Fitzroy won the Premiership in 1916....the same year they won the wooden spoon: http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/23729/default.aspx

Nice analysis, and certainly confirms what we already know. Was interesting, and surprising, the absolute gulf between Green-Bruce and then Davey-Moloney-Rivers. i.e about 100 games. That equates to 5 years!. Certainly shows why we have been floundering at the bottom for the past couple. At least we have now built and are building a proper foundations as demonstrated by Bails.

I reckon Aaron Davey would have struggled to demonstrate or use his pace in the TEAC oval quagmire........

I hope not, because we are aiming for something better than mid-table. North have now put themselves in the dangerous position that Richmond have occupied for 20 years. Never good enough to win a flag. Too good to finish bottom. Trouble is that the draft rewards those who go to the bottom. Will we be in a better position than them in the future? The answer to that is: will Scully, Trengove, Gysberts and Tapscott be better than Bastinac and Cunnington? Will Watts, Blease and Strauss be better than Ziebell and Wright? And would Joel McDonald and Liam Jurrah be in THEIR best 22? Who knows at this stage, but because we have been amassing quality ( in terms of high picks) in greater numbers than North in recent times, then we have a better chance than them of improving. Regardless of the subjective arguments, North is the benchmark for finals....beat them and you WILL play in September. It is one of the targets for 2011.

If we can trust Barry Prendergast, the solution may have been provided this week by the AFL, when they changed the mature rookie list rules. Basically, there is now no age limit. So IF ( and that is the qualifier) a player who can fit this criteria playing in the WAFL,VFL, SANFL today, he can cheaply be put into the mix. We don't have to trade or give up draft picks.... Now that the silly season is about to start, it is Annually impossible to get most football supporters to understand that there are 17 ( 18?) sides out there looking for just one more <insert here> ( forward, ruck, backman, mid, line-breaker etc). If that was all that was required then every side would create a Premiership team overnight. But supply doesn't equal demand, and these glib statements are nothing more than Internet dreaming. Given the 2010 success of Barlow and Podsiadly, there will be more time devoted by Recruiting Departments to scouring the wider talent pool. We have to have faith in BP and his team to be better than most at the task.

AFL smoke and mirrors I suspect. Adelaide and West Coast had good attendances....so it doesn't make sense. And the circular argument is good game times get good attendances etc.... should not be financially rewarded. Most clubs would like 18 games in their home city. But only some get it year after year. Also shows how important the Debt demolition will be into the future. Clubs like North, Footscray and Richmond would disappear overnight if the AFL turns the tap off. As others have predicted...a Tassie relocation is inevitable, no need for the AFl to set up a team there.

One of the great myths perpetrated by the likes of Eddie and co is how they support the competition... Here is a cut from the AFL annual report showing how much each club was distributed in 2009. Despite the AFL telling all and sundry how they are contributing $1M to us to help us out, we could do with as much help as Collingwood or Carlton received financially!! Also shows how bad shape the Bulldogs & North are in. 2009 PAYMENTS TO CLUBS Club Base Other Total Adelaide 5,673,252 1,733,453 7,406,705 Brisbane Lions 5,673,252 1,879,367 7,552,619 Carlton 5,673,252 3,528,088 9,201,340 Collingwood 5,673,252 3,395,688 9,068,940 Essendon 5,673,252 2,876,238 8,549,490 Fremantle 5,673,252 1,822,684 7,495,936 Geelong Cats 5,673,252 3,348,326 9,021,578 Hawthorn 5,673,252 2,534,122 8,207,374 Melbourne 5,673,252 3,136,364 8,809,616 North Melbourne 5,673,252 3,737,825 9,411,077 Port Adelaide 5,673,252 1,919,679 7,592,931 Richmond 5,673,252 2,730,944 8,404,196 St Kilda 5,673,252 3,077,173 8,750,425 Sydney Swans 5,673,252 2,709,795 8,383,047 West Coast Eagles 5,673,252 1,872,318 7,545,570 Western Bulldogs 5,673,252 4,733,426 10,406,678

Richmond have 1 forward. We have 3 backmen all capable of taking him on, and will work together as a team to do that. Ninthmond have 1 tactic...kick it long to Richo...er...Riewoldt.

Analysing the information provided, it shows that the MFC is now thinking strategically, instead of fighting to stay afloat in the short term. They have identified the problems with the Bentleigh club, particularly location and demographic base and ongoing profitability. Even with a capital injection it would not provide long-term return on investment. Relocation to a commercially viable location is the obvious answer, but in order to do that would require even short term borrowings....buy a site, sell Bentleigh club. I think it was the Beaumaris hotel which would have fitted this criteria recently, but how do you do it financially? On its own the Bentleigh club couldn't do that, so the MFC is the logical "banker of last resort". Transferring to Casey would not be an option per se, because poker machines have limits in each area. To keep the licences they stay in the zone for which they are allocated. Good to see that the club in all aspects is thinking about the future.....

There probably aren't any reports because of the sore heads that would have resulted this morning. So from a non-drinker... The place was absolutely jumping. One couldn't move inside as it was packed wall to wall. Lost track of the number of times the club song was sung, but that only followed on from the singing at the ground and on the streets outside. This was as huge as I have seen in 6 years of travelling to Brisbane. Could not believe the number of Melbourne supporters there! Anyhow back to the Pineapple....Demondeb and her crew excelled themselves again, the crowd would have drunk the bar dry, and then the ALL players and coaches arrived!!! Fantastic as they spread among the crowd for photos, back slapping and man-handling by multiple attractive ladies!! Every one of them had the time and patience for the fans, even though they had just been through a fairly hard slog in wet conditions. Chris Connolly assumed MC and got the crowd even more fired up. Chip was sponsored by the Queensland Demons, so had donated a couple of signed jumpers for the raffle. Don McLardy stood up to tell how the DebtDemolition was going....$150K so far and expects it to be cleaned out this Wednesday following the Demolition dinner. Another 2 Foundation heroes signed up on the night for $5K! Then told us that Jimmy wished he could be there and would have been if he could. Crowd finally thinned out at checked the watch....well past midnight!! A great night.

Given that we have drafted to create a Premiership side in the past couple of years, I hope the club continues with that strategy again this year. McNamare, Cheney and Maric have not shown sufficient to be part of that strategy. All 3 should go as well as those others named. We need to maximise the talent, not hang on to mediocre. And hopefully we should have a complete list of new rookies as well. Let's see if we can find another Jordie McKenzie type who will rise to the challenge rather than list cloggers who are currently enjoying Rookie status.

Hamstring. Expect 3-4. Reported that Juniors is worse than previously thought. Happened in the area where he had a graft taken for the ACL replacement years ago. Expect longer than normal.

We are 1/2 a game and 14% ahead of where we finished last year. And the season hasn't finished..... The percentage is the critical measure, showing how much better we are both defensively and offensively together. No 100 point losses. Just not getting those wins which were within grasp. 8+ wins this year would be the benchmark....but the disappointing thing will be when we see just how little extra was required to get a finals berth!

The Umpiring fraternity are causing the problem because they are not implementing the RULES of the game...not interpreting incorrectly...incorrect application of the rules!! 15.2.2 Remaining in Possession and Bouncing the Football (a) A Player may remain in possession of the football for any length of time: (i) unless the Player is Correctly Tackled by an opponent; or (ii) unless directed to dispose of the football by a field Umpire; or (iii) provided the Player complies with Law 15.2.2(B). (B) Where a Player is moving whilst in possession of the football, he or she must bounce or touch the football on the ground at least once every 15 metres, irrespective of whether such Player is running in a straight line or otherwise. For the purposes of this Law, a Player shall be deemed to be in possession of the football during the period when the Player handballs the football to himself or herself and regains possession without the football touching the ground. © A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player if he or she is of the opinion that a Player has contravened Law 15.2.2(B). 15.2.3 Holding the Football — Prior Opportunity/No Prior Opportunity Where the field Umpire is satisfied that a Player in possession of the football: (a) has had a prior opportunity to dispose of the football, the field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against that Player if the Player does not Kick or Handball the football immediately when he or she is Correctly Tackled; or (B) has not had a prior opportunity to dispose of the football, the field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against that Player if, upon being Correctly Tackled, the Player does not Correctly Dispose or attempt to Correctly Dispose of the football after being given a reasonable opportunity to do so. © Except in the instance of a poor bounce or throw, a Player who takes possession of the football while contesting a bounce or throw by a field Umpire or a boundary throw in, shall be regarded as having had prior opportunity. 15.2.4 Application — Specific Instances where Play shall Continue For the avoidance of doubt, the field Umpire shall allow play to continue when: (a) a Player is bumped and the football falls from the Player’s hands; (B) a Player’s arm is knocked which causes the Player to lose possession of the football; © a Player’s arms are pinned to his or her side by an opponent which causes the Player to drop the football, unless the Player has had a prior opportunity to Correctly Dispose of the football, in which case Law 15.2.3 (a) shall apply; (d) a Player, whilst in the act of Kicking or Handballing, is swung off-balance and does not make contact with the football by either foot or hand, unless the Player has had a prior opportunity to Correctly Dispose of the football, in which case Law 15.2.3 (a) shall apply; or (e) a Player is pulled or swung by one arm which causes the football to fall from the Player’s hands, unless the Player has had a prior opportunity to Correctly Dispose of the football, in which case Law 15.2.3 (a) shall apply Simply with Prior opportunity ( and that argument can go on forever..) a player must dispose of the ball correctly when TACKLED according to 15.2.2.i. The Umpires are incorrectly applying 15.2.4 (a) by allowing players who have HAD prior opportunity and have been TACKLED ( not bumped )to dispose of the ball incorrectly. According to the RULES, if you have been tackled you must kick or handball the ball. If it spills free it is NOT correct disposal and a free kick should result. It is not happening today.

The only real comparison that should be made between Watts and Hawkins is that it has taken the Tomahawk 4 years to get to even a semblance of consistency. Even then he is no world-beater, but his size means he is able to impose himself a couple of times in a game when it seems to suit him. The expectations of the Geelong fans were rightly high when he first appeared. He should have become something bigger and better. But it has taken 4 years to get to be something useful to the team. Our expectations of Watts are similar.....we are yet to find out how good he can be, but it WILL take a similar time-frame.

Bravo Cameron and Tim.... the bleating that is coming from March indicates Richmond have stuffed up yet again. Did they offer Martin a longer contract when signed? Have they got room to pay him under the salary cap in the coming years? Or have they spent money on Simmons, Cousins etc this year, and have offered Deledio, Tambling, Cotchin etc more next year in lieu,so leaving them with no room for anyone else? As Cameron implied....we know the rules, and have worked, planned and managed our contracts accordingly.

If you put the cash inside a folded piece of paper it is perfectly safe. Aussie post are covering themselves only for losses. We are not setting up a bank account for this, it comes at too much time and expense, and the MFC will take the Queens legal tender.

Yes, just post to the address with the cash....

Hope that happens because it means we will have won a flag in 2012! However, back to the argument. Meesen isn't a worthwhile ruckman or footballer even when he gets on the ground. For those who have forgotten, he had 2 years at Adelaide before us as well!!! Classic Tarzan-Jane analogy. Wouldn't be at the club if he wasn't contracted. Jamar in contrast was always a footballer. It was a question of whether he could perform as a ruck.

Facts: 1. We share the gym,pool, meeting room facilities with Victory and Storm. Victory don't play in winter... 2. The new oval next to Swan street is ours alone. Collingwood will continue to use Gosch's paddock until their oval is built next to Lexus centre nest year...Eddie having sold out the Victorian Athletics association. 3. Having players available in the centre of Melbourne is vital in season. Every wondered why Collingwood is always in the news? Because Journo's are lazy and would prefer a 5 minute drive down the road instead of heading to Frankston ( St.Kilda) Waverley ( Hawthorn) etc. 4. Casey can accomodate closed sessions. Vital during the summer period when team tactics are being planned. Collingwood go to Arizona! The oval has one of the best surfaces ever seen for a football ground. It has 1st class facilities within a short distance or on site. Solid Gym sessions can still be held at AAMI, lighter ones at Casey or during training. 5. Football department and Museum will be based at AAMI. 6. AAMI is across the road from MCG. When in season, post match, players can start their rehab straight away. No more sessions at St.Kilda beach or MSAC etc.the day after. These facilities will give our players 24hours more recovery time than they currently enjoy. 7. The gym at AAMI is shared among the 3 tenants. I think it measures 1000 sq metres! We only have to pay to fit out 1/3rd of it, but get to use 100%. 8. Casey is about the future. 5,000 kids start school there every year. 7,500 families move in each and every year. Which club has a school visit programme exclusively? It is our summer base

The car park was partially closed due to rain during the day. Always happens.