iv'a worn smith

Well said CB. AFL footy is a business, not a finishing school. No doubt, Bailey has proved his worth as a development coach, now it is time to begin the climb. DB now needs to put is absolute imprimatur on this group. It would be, in the current footy climate, ludicrous to give any coach an extension on their contract now, bar winning a Granny.

The main thing is that Flash has re-signed now. Great news!!! Let's concentrate on that.

It may just say something about the nature of the relationship the player concerned had with the coach. At the end of the day, it is the Coach that carries the can for morale of his players. Like I said, my mail is the club had the expectation that Brock was coming to the meeting to sign a contract and were shocked at what transpired

Sorry for asking the question on a forum. I am not suggesting this was done by design, by the club. It was more a question about Brock's timing of the announcement. My understanding is that the expectation of the club last Monday was that he was coming in to sign the contract. They were shocked at what he (or should I say his manager) actually told them. What about Flash?

I noted in todays Herald Hun, that the vox pop, asking the non participating coaches for their tips as to who they think will win the GF. Dean Bailey is listed as being "overseas". With the departure of Brock, is it just coincidence that this occurred while DB was away? Also, I have heard a whisper from a reliable source, that Flash has re-signed with the Dees. If this is true, I hope the club announces it soon. This will dampen the embers of Brock's departure. Let's hope we hear something soon from the club on this one.

Circumstances were kind to Armstrong. He played in a flag due to injuries and from memory suspension. He did little after that and in fact was delisted shortly after.

Not to mention the influence of his manager.

Brock McLean. 94 games for the Melbourne FC, which is just 6 short of the Father/Son criteria. A pity he could not have at least reached the ton with the Dees.

We now have picks: priority, 2, 11 and 18, plus number 1 in the PSD. Not bad eh? It may be with Chook's departure we have more room in the salary cap and can have a red hot go at Burgoyne in the trade period. However, while I'm realistic enough not to expect miracles in 2010, Bailey now has to ensure his stamp is evident for all to see next year. While I respect Junior, have a man crush on Greeny and believe Bruce has been admirable in his endeavours, I still worry about the lack of senior leadership in and around the club. To me, this will be Bailey's biggest challenge next year and he has to rise to it. I have said this before, anybody who believes that top draft picks are going to be the panacea for all our ills is kidding themselves. The intangibles of culture and spirit within a team are just as important. As a footnote, there are some reports this morning that another reason Brock wanted out was the amount of travel from Moonee Ponds, where he lives, to Casey Fields, was just too much. I spoke to Brock in the pre-season and he loved the place, thought it was second to none, in terms of the facility and was excited about Casey, in terms if the club's long-term future. So those reports are crap. Like some of the 2 to 3 year players, Bailey also has to take the next step in 2010.

Keep your eye on Jack Grimes in the next 3 years.

Well done KC. The future of the alignment looks bright and I intend to get down to Casey Fields more often next season.

This is a joke thread......right? RIGHT!!!!!!!!!

Careful B59, Rhino will want you to articulate a "window' and a "measure". Having said that, I agree with you. "old man, look at my life, I'm a lot like you were"

Totally agree. LJ is a great ambassador for his people. This was one of those stories that puts a lump in your throat. Proud to be a Demon. I loved the bit where the elders would put him on a plane and send him back to Melbourne if he tried to go back. It would seem, as a Warrior Elder, LJ has some unfinished business to do down here. And aren't we glad he has!!!!!!

Buddy (and some of his team mates) looked like he was well and truly over the incident, at a certain pub in Hawthorn on Monday night

I see no analogy with Richmond in what I have said, in fact quite the opposite. They contracted a media tart in Wallace for 5 years, as his first contract and despite their early draft picks, they spun out of control over Wallace's tenure and their culture became perhaps the most toxic in the AFL. I would much rather be in the position of the MFC than the Toigs, given they will surely have to begin what we started 2 years ago and deal in a compromised draft from next year. Again, accepting the issues of age and inexperience, I expect more in 2010 and as I can't seem to get you to understand my point, I will let you know as soon as soon I see it. The "science" of drafting has come a long way in the last 5 years and certainly it is a quantum leap from 10 years ago. Are you ever wrong RR? I thought I was wrong once, but I realised I made a mistake with that thinking. Actually, it's not about who's wrong or right, it is about sharing perception on a bloody forum for goodness sake. Let's just bounce the pill and play on shall we.

This is a discussion forum. DB's current contract is due to expire at the end of next season. As to whether he goes on beyond that point, or leaves surely is a legitimate question for debate

RR, I don't think I said that at all. What I said was that, from my point of view, there would need to be a discernible improvement that goes beyond managing kids and their development, to motivation, application and improved skill levels. Even if that does not translate to a marked improvement on the ladder, as long as I see improvement in those areas, then I am happy. The intangible is to perceive a new steel and resolve within this group and the new "gun" recruits which we will get this coming draft. I accept the limitations that come with age and lack of experience. I believe that supporters will back DB, if they see real signs of improvement in mental application, which go beyond a simple expectation that the kids we have come with a heap of credentials. As for what the media have to say, well "let them eat cake". They have a job to do which is to sell newspapers and achieving ratings. They will do what they will do. In this case, keeping the supporters onside is what is paramount here.

RR, I accept your points. Inconsistency of young players/bodies and injuries will be the unknown factor next year and I am more than happy to cut some slack to DB in those areas, but we need to show some real steel in our approach next year. In terms of the "window" and taking into account the unknown factors which you point out, I think DB deserves to serve the year out, even though that won't stop the jungle drums from beating beforehand, if the worse case scenario occurs. However, I think a discernible improvement needs to be realised, even if it is in the intangibles. RI, again points well made. I would not like to see DB "sacked" mid-year, but he needs to show he is more than just a manager and developer of young guys. He would, imo, need to demonstrate he is a genuine tactician and motivator. As I said above, in response to Rhino, I believe DB, all things being equal, needs to serve out the full term of his contract. However, if their is no discernible improvement in skill and application, then he equally deserves to be put under the microscope. While we don't need to re-visit the destabilsing days of the past and again become a "rabble", it would be equally bad to let a problem fester, lest we upset the status quo. In terms of G Lyon, if anybody has seen the DVD put out following last year's inaugural Debt Demolition night, Lyon's opening address to the players had "coach" written all over it. He had the players and the audience in general, in the palm of his hand. He was inspiring. If you can get hold of it, I highly recommend it be viewed. I was not at the more recent event, but I understand he was equally passionate and inspiring when addressing the group at the 'G, albeit with Jimmy as his main motivation. In short, if there is not a marked improvement next year, accepting the points that both you and RR raised above, then the Club has a duty to examine the options for 2011.

The reality suggests that next year we will be in stage 2 of the re-building process. I have been bagged on this forum before for saying we need to display a new "culture" on the footy field. 6 to 8 wins should be and is a realistic target, but to me, more importantly, what I would like to see next year is improvement in these areas. I think, even with our depleted list in the second half of the year, the signs are already there. 1. More on-field leadership shown by players who have a year or 2 under their belts. 2. An evident improvement in disposal skills 3. A forward structure that is multi-dimensional. While the list is young, the calibre of recent and new recruits that we will have suggests that Dean Bailey will have perhaps one of the best young lists to work with than the majority of AFL lists. If there is a discernible improvement in these areas, then DB deserves to have his contract extended for another 2 years. If not, it will be time to look elsewhere.

This was a great result. No-one should underestimate the job Peter German has done. He is involved with senior list management as much as anybody and to get these boys up against a side like Willy is a great effort. You have to wonder why he has not figured in the senior coaching vacancies.

Not forgetting that Scully's nose was busted in that game. Not bad for a kid eh?

Colin Sylvia offered 3 weeks. Bloody disgraceful. If he were a filth player he would not even had been cited. On a good note, A Davey's report has been thrown out and so it should be.

Can't remember who it was against, but the WC forward clearly put his hands in the back of his Demon defender opponent, was paid the mark and a goal was scored. I thought the hands in the back in a marking contest was an absolute no, no these days. As an old fart, I can remember when the umps at least had a "feel" for the game. This present day crop are prima donnas, who think they are media stars.

No doubt Jones was brave, but HT is right, he did take his eyes off the ball. However, the kick did set him up and Wirrapunda was already in the air, when Jones ran into him.