pitmaster

https://www.theage.com.au/national/afl-clubs-implicated-with-security-firm-linked-to-finks-bikie-gang-20251127-p5niuz.html

This looks like an early challenge for Paul Guerra to deal with since this revelation that a bikie-linked security firm has a gig with us and is a kind of contra-deal sponsor. Three other clubs involved but I reckon Paul and S Smith's phones are running hot this morning since the article included a shot of the back of our guernsey with offending bikie-firm logo.

Trying to constrain a big smile at the start. This kid is so rapt to be there. Good signs.

That forecast is nonsense. Saints are no certainty against us whatever they want to think.

We were far better that the Saints in 25. Kick straight we win first one. Freak finish - kick any of five chances in the last we stall their momentum- we win the second after being 8 goals better af 3/4 time.

When we face them round one half their side will still be introducing themselves to one another.

Dees to go 1:0.

Sorry for all the confusion, folks. I was making a light hearted reference to the extreme religiosity of traditional Ireland. At least Demonstone was on the wavelength.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Saints tend to have strong appeal to the Irish.

22 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I made some enquiries with a contact in Ireland who says he’s a promising player, midsized at around 178cm. I still am amazed that the MFC which pioneered the recruitment of Gaelic footballers and had such great early success with Jim Stynes and Sean Wight subsequently completely abandoned the project.

I agree Jack but the reason we pioneered it was because, as Dick Seddon explained, it was a cheap recruitment option. Unlike interstate or inter club recruiting, we had no opposition and there were no transfer fees to be paid. Perfect for a club with no dough!

But I agree, it's disappointing to see how much other clubs have benefitted and how far we have dropped off the pace.

On 29/10/2025 at 10:13, stinga said:

No doubt someone will get their noses out of joint and there'll be another court case. Typical of previous fights over boards and the egos involved.

Yean nah. That was the work of an individual with no real ties to the club prior to being tapped for a figurehead role.

On 17/10/2025 at 20:50, GawnOfTheDead said:

Mind blowing the oldest club in the AFL doesn’t have a home and doesn’t appear to be close.

Not good enough.

I haven't missed the facepalm emoji but this screams out for its restoration.

On 18/10/2025 at 13:01, Dee Dee said:

A quiet tip (but keep it to yourself)!

If you want to read articles that appear in the HUN and don’t want to purchase the rag get an app called PressReader. Link it to your local library* and bingo lots and lots of publications at your fingertips (not just local and international newspapers but magazines as well from all over the world)!

*If your local library isn’t signed up to PressReader then tell them to or, join a library that is!

This is how journalism was ruined. People stealing stuff.

Now we complain about lack of competition, lack of depth and anything else you can think of, like 'The Age is now the Harvey Norman Tribune'.

Be careful what you wish for.

On 15/10/2025 at 19:56, cstyles99 said:

We’ve also used first round picks on Bowey, Windsor, Langford and Lindsay. Not every pick works out but we have one of the best talent ID teams in the league.

And Laurie has not been given a chance. Like all coaches, SimonG had his favourites and some blokes, Laurie among them, were never given a real go to show what they can do. Toby Bedford is another outstanding example. So if King doesn't see much in Laurie then we'll need to concede his pick was a bust but I hope the kid can make it under the new regime.

Ditto JVR, although he showed promise and appears to have stalled, might progress as a forward with a better support structure which is what (gulp) Mihocek is there to provide.

Very happy with this. A good substitute on field for Clarry and a solid citizen to boot. Good for the kids and good for the kulcha.

I look forward to his tell-all, if it ever comes. I'm also interested to know of his regard among his team mates over the past 12 months. He has come across as a malcontent and unduly arrogant but that might just be my ignorance showing through. If the accounts of the players' response to his B&F speech are accurate it's for the best he has gone. Still, I think I'll rewatch the '21 finals series to see what he gave us in his prime.

That post game speech round 24 of 2021 rings so hollow now...and it irked me a little at the time since I've never been embarrassed to wear our colours. So glad he did not go to the Pies. They've done us enough harm these past two seasons.

Our compensation looks fair. It's up to the club to make the best of it. We have the chance for a genuine re-set, and I like Steele as a stop-gap, experienced mid. Looking forward to see what King can do with them.

why do headless chooks come to mind?

Tell me it ain't so.

On 09/10/2025 at 06:28, Earl Hood said:

I think Hird mentioned this saga is a strong message for a team out at Tullamarine. Hird is correct, this is a train wreck, losing 2 decorated, experienced players who in theory should be playing close to their best football, for massive unders. As I have posted before moving on one or the other for a fair price makes sense, moving on both in what the other AFL clubs know is a fire sale is crazy stuff.

As Hird & Co point out there was a first round pick on offer last year for Oliver but we said no. After a year in which he showed signs of getting back to his old form and importantly had no off field issues, he suddenly is not required, as the game has passed him by, we have said as much and let it be known we will pay half his wage to boot! Fingers crossed we get a fair return for Tracc.

Really? A first round draft pick? Geelong was offering a second rounder and the opportunity to dump some salary. So who, according to Hird was offering a first rounder?

(Hint: I think James is gilding the lily for the sake of making an argument.)

My first thought is this could be good for us. Kanga strikes me as a volatile and unpredictable piece of work, bloody minded and hard to work with.

I know the Saints are supposed to be Bambi and we'e all supposed to be ready to celebrate their second premiership, but this stinks. I truly hope they have cruelled their credibility within the AFL for years to come. Four days ago Gubby Allen was saying we're just going to get this done and now they find they have bungled their numbers or whatever, and they cut Aleer loose having promised him the world.

What a bunch of donkeys. Long may their flounder. I mean, what have they really imported for all their spending? Silvagni is the definition of a banged up hack. TdK is a wannabe or a maybe, let's see. Keep spending you clowns. Meanwhile we might just pick up the kid you conned into looking to buy a house in Melbourne.

17 hours ago, Cossie_84 said:

You cannot compare the Neeld era to the current one, mark neeld was a terrible club decision which followed another in Dean Bailey, but if you want comparisons in Neelds draft years as coach we drafted Jesse Hogan and Jack Viney, in 2011 and 2012 respectively, and Dean Bailey's era gave us Max Gawn, Tmac and Nev Jetta coming on the back off 24 wins in 5 and a half years between the 2 darkest coaching times in Melbourne's history, but if King can draft in 5 players of the above qualities then I'd say we would be sitting not too bad.

Our list does not need a full rebuild, a somewhat reset yes. But losing the 3 players in question is not the end of the road, as I said they aren't the first and won't be the last champions.

8 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

We won't get 12 for Clarry we might have last year but Goodwin stupidly kept him. 32 at best.

Geelong was offering their second round last year so something around 32, actually.

On 03/10/2025 at 20:07, KozzyCan said:

Grow up.

Well, he calls himself Young Angus so let him have his fun. I for one enjoyed his rant. A little irrationality can be good for mental health at times.

Bugger.

I remember when he was first drafted thinking that he would be - my words - "our next Barassi". Well, RDB turned away as well.

If a satisfactory deal cannot be negotiated I would welcome Trac back. If he goes, then I will console myself with "good riddance to a malcontent" because that is what he seems to have become post KB 2024, and if that's right then the playing group would be better off without him.

Hopefully today's and yesterday's events are designed to scare off Mihocek.

Many thanks for giving the Demon community this vehicle for venting, raging and celebrating. A crucial part of the footy season.

On 02/09/2025 at 11:49, poita said:

Don't all MCG tenants share the rooms? I don't think any club has designated rooms, so I would be very surprised if there were honour boards there. I agree that these are most likely cricket related.

That said, it would be great to have a place that members can access to see all of this kind of memorabilia.

Having toured the MCG I can tell you that the rooms are characterless, uniform and dull - how exciting can it be inspecting an empty, tiled ice bath? Anything installed there is done on the day for the benefit of TV viewers and sponsors. Even the (removable) team names installed over the door are boring.