pitmaster

On 6/3/2023 at 9:40 AM, rumpole said:

Going early but I think we might have one this week.

Just can’t decide if it’s going to be Judd McVee or Jacob van Rooyen.

One of them will win Best First Year Player at our AGM, but which one?

Right now, my money is on Judd. Less spectacular and less noticeable but consistently effective and brings a line breaking attribute we lack.

11 hours ago, monoccular said:

WWS - JVR isn’t JW. 

Neither in terms of his physical development nor in his mental approach to physical contests.

35 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

I tnink the late starts need a discussion. You want kids at the game? Start it at 7.15-7.20. It’s way, way too late. 

It's determined by what suits the Seven Network.

22 hours ago, binman said:

Third week in a row where the umpiring was appalling.

But zero push back from the media. It's pathetic.

The media are completely compliant with an afl shadow ban of legitimate critique or one of the most critical elements of the game.

 

I know it's pointless but go to the replay and consider the high tackle on Kossie (City end) where he is clearly taken around the neck and is running at almost at full height. Then, same end, take a look at the free paid to (some random) Carlton player  in front of goal when the player clearly drops his knees. Utterly inconsistent although Hodge in the commentary claims Kossie lowered himself ([censored] ex-Hawk).

Then take at look at Docherty, head down, try to bullock his way through a pack. Instead of a free in front of goal against Docherty it goes the Blues' way. A novel interpretation.

The umpiring is rubbish. They should be made full time professionals and held accountable but we don't need four of them.

For me the best sign in this game was that we were trying to return to the system that was evident early in the season. Strong defence with a willingness to play on and cop the risks while up forward trying to find targets on short. Had a few usually reliable goal kickers - Fritsch and Chandler - been on target we'd have had scoreboard control throughout.

As it was we had control of the contest and while the margin never appeared secure, we never looked like losing. Having said that had Mackay taken a conventional kick in the last quarter and run the margin down to five points it would have been a challenge. As it was, we always found something to hold them at bay.

We have several new and newish players this year in McVee, JVR and Chandler who are having a positive impact. Another positive out of the game was how cool and steady we looked in defence with Salem providing the exits and rebound. 

This was a step forward. 

17 minutes ago, layzie said:

I love the phrase monkey's uncle. Is that a Lion King one?

You must be a kid. Common in old Hollywood movies and early American TV.

5 hours ago, Gawndy the Great said:

I dont think Russell Jackson (The reporter ) was the main issue - it was the individuals within the footy club (presumably) that leaked the details that are to blame here. Russell was just doing his job as a journo. One could question his ethics though as he would have presumably been made aware that the alleged had not been afforded the opportunity to provide their responses to the allegations within the review process and not have that play out in the media as it is not a thorough and fair process.

 

 

Very pertinent point. Hard to see how he comes back from that.

The AFL is a farce: How can it investigate Hawthorn for "bringing the game into disrepute" when its own racism investigation made no findings of any sort.?

It’s a legitimate and sad news story. It seems the kid could have been anything but his life in every sense, not just  football, was derailed allegedly due to abuse suffered before he was drafted.

I hope folks on here upset about the way we get cited in contrast to other clubs send a message of support to the football department for appealing (as I have done).

Rapt the challenge is on. Hopefully we incinerate Christian’s [censored]…and give it back to Jay Clark as well.

41 minutes ago, Sydney_Demon said:

Just watched the Round So Far on the AFL website. Riley Beveridge makes an outrageous comment that JVR doesn't have his eyes on the ball and that theAFL would be looking to refer this straight to the tribunal. It was a clumsy spoiling attempt and clearly he was trying to spoil the ball:

https://www.afl.com.au/video/920710/trsf-exclusive-vision-sheds-light-on-dees-free-kane-responds-to-dimma?videoId=920710&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1683383083001

And then they highlight the Ben King push that led to a Melbourne goal kick from thre square. Blurry vision from 100m away but they were very happy to make the call it wasn't deserving of a free kick!  

And Jay Clark urging a. jVR suspension as well.

since when is it the media’s role to talk up this stuff? How about letting the (albeit flakey) MRP do its job.

17 hours ago, Stiff Arm said:

Kossie is the main worry. The introduction of Tassie will certainly push his price up wherever he plays. I don't believe the chill of Tasmania will affect his decision, he'd move to Brisbane or GC if that were the case

The father son/daughter rule might sting us. Russell Robertson, David Neitz, Brad Green, Col Garland and Jeremy Howe all played 100 games for MFC and are from Tassie

Unless my memory is shot Neita was from Edithvale-Aspendale…you know, just beyond Mordialloc.

15 minutes ago, Gouga said:

Bloke held onto an 18 year old brad green while dean wallis punched him in the throat during the first quarter of the 2000 grand final. What else you need to know? 

Yes well I do remember that. 

Take a look at Hardwick’s reaction to speculation his time with the Tiges is done: no eye contact with his questioner, head weaving side to side like a boxer on the ropes, sour comments about ‘say that to my face’.

It’s ever so with him after a defeat. Remember his “we know what it takes to beat Melbourne” a couple of weeks ago. (Sadly no journo responded “then how come you’ve lost  the last three on the trot?)

For a proclaimed hard man he’s very prone to sook. 
 

Other’s thoughts?

On 4/30/2023 at 7:04 PM, Gawndy the Great said:

Those throwing up their hands at the consulting fees spent, don't really understand the machinery of corporate Australia or even the world. Even if Andrew was best placed and the preferred candidate at the beginning of the process you cannot make an appointment of that significance without due diligence. 

I also chuckle at the 'old boys club' references. The AFL commission have already sanctioned a vision and strategy, which has been very successful and will set the parameters of what the candidate must bring to the table. This is why most appointments for a CEO role are done through internal promotion, as they are already onboard for what must be done to achieve their long term vision. They are also a known quantity, with an understood management and leadership style. The external appointments are more common when a company is failing to achieve and need a fundamental change in strategy and direction. 

 

 

Yes but can someone explain the machinery of the corporate world that landed Scott Morrison a job?

I assume a million pound sterling was squandered on a head hunting exercise when they could have asked any one of 11,000,000 Aussies about his skill set and saved the dough.

9 hours ago, monoccular said:

Some guy on talkback SEN complaining about the last 5 minutes - we did have a 5 day break FFS.  Tracc at interview said that they were all absolutely buggered.  

Funny that- Goodwin made a similar slightly offhand comment in the same vein of disappointment.

 I remember the times we could not be relied on to win the obvious ones so happy to have the win but giving up a 100-point marker takes the edge off.

53 minutes ago, Glorious Day said:

Other teams up the top of the ladder like Collingwood and St Kilda have already put all of their cards on the table. We haven't. We are experimenting and will continue to do so until the 2nd half of the season. We have more upside than these other contenders. Still confident we will ultimately be the team to beat.

Cannot agree. Saints have so many injured their efforts so far have been surprising. It might be that their wins are about their system and personnel matters less, but if I were a Saints fan I’d be upbeat, surprised and looking forward to the rest of the season (for the first time in a loooong time.

7 hours ago, rpfc said:

Give out $1 memberships

That should do it

Kate claimed 60k today at training. Possibly gilding the lily. Who knows?

The most interesting thing Richo said was that the players and Simon were doing the review as he spoke and no, they would not be talking about energy levels. He went on to say they would only talk about things they could control.

It seemed to be a veiled reference to the travel load (3 interstaters in 4 weeks) and prompted a question from the crowd about the wisdom of bringing the players home on a red-eye special rather than allowing recovery post match on a 6-day turnaround. Richo said that was how the players wanted it - getting back to family asap and so on. 

Richo went on to say the review would be focusing on defence and  clearances which were lacking last week.

Spoke to TMac who is still sore from the knee in the back he copped. Brown moved well, got down low several times to gather marks; Max looked good and seemed untroubled; Lever, too, although said to be in doubt by Richo showed no signs of discomfort running, kicking and walking.

TMac and May did not do much - a bit of kick to kick and uncontested marking while I was watching.  Trac looked good in some handball exercises moving the ball fast and low and Riv finished off a drill with a nice running goal that caused a few players to make some noise. Expect they will get up to some serious stuff later this week. This was just a loosener. 

On 4/15/2023 at 7:46 PM, Bates Mate said:

If we loose to the tigers, I'm going to be feeling worst than Neeld era

Be even worse if we lose.

If contemporary ground staff can handle six games on a wet weekend why can't we train on the MCG?

Rain forecast Friday through to Sunday with six games over four days at the Adelaide Oval should test the ground staff. Pleased to see that ours is only the third match and the first of a double header. It will be interesting to see the state of the surface by the time the Pies and Saints go to work on Sunday arvo.

On 4/5/2023 at 12:02 PM, No. 31 said:

When the new metro tunnel is completed in the the next 18 months or so, you will be able to do Arden Street Station or Parkville Station to Caulfield in about 20 minutes or less (direct).

For those that say Caulfield is not central, the current demographic centre of Melbourne is located just a few kms north of Caulfield in neighbouring Malvern.

https://blog.id.com.au/2018/population-forecasting/is-the-demographic-centre-of-melbourne-shifting/

 

Yeah...the old VFL said that about Waverley so I'll treat this news of Caulfield as of about as much importance.

36 minutes ago, Bendigo_Demon said:

You’re right, he was good, but a couple of times he had the opportunity to hurt us today and his foot skills let him down.  He did this too often with us. I wish him well, but not too sad he’s gone. McVee a much better option moving forward. 

Was telling though that he bustled past Hunter to make that chest mark and goal. Was making a point I guess. Good luck to him.