beelzebub

On 29/01/2026 at 20:22, Its Time Again said:

"Lots of good stuff my thumbs accidentally erased 🙄🙄"

+

Don't get me wrong. I loved Trac and think he is the most dynamic player I have ever seen play for MFC and I choke on my weeties to say this but including Robbie who I saw play his first and last games and most inbetween. Robbie was pure poetry in motion but he wasn't an explosive contested beast with so many tricks and Trac will always have one of the greatest GF performances of all time. However Trac won't go down as one of the most elite players of all time because of his lack of effectiveness. Think Robert Harvey. I'm guessing he will end up with another Premiership and if he starts hitting targets i50 and kicking goals accurately I'll agree with you. But he hasn't done that for us for 5 years. Not to mention the off field issues.

Someone else is going to take his place in the team and I am very confident at the end of the year they will have delivered more i50 kicks marked and retained than the star they are replacing. Same goes for Steele replacing Clarry. Have a look at Langford's retention stats i50 they are incredible. His percentage retention was 42.9% compared to Trac's 37.8%. Wheelo supplied an interesting stat on average equity gained from kick i50 which is more nuanced because it includes things like

. how the kicker won possession (i.e. proxy for pressure);

• the location where the kick was taken;

• the location where the kick ended up; and

• who took next possession and how.

Langford ranked first in the team, Petracca ranked 17th.

I'm sure Langford will play more in the guts but there are plenty of candidates for that kick i50 who I am sure will do better than Petracca.

I couldn't watch a lot of games last season mainly because of how Petracca and Oliver were delivering the ball i50. Our key issue. We're not going to be worse for their departures we're going to be better. Virtually no one in the fourth estate has worked this out.

Thank you to Wheelo for all these great stats. If you want to see them in more detail go over to the Stats Files. He compiled a list of them on Petracca and Oliver and how they compare to other MFC players and other players in the league. It would have been sobering reading if they were still here.

Onwards and Upwards

Go Dees

I'm inclined to 2nd most of this especially the idea that we may actually be better off without Trac and Ollie. Have no doubt this will be a bitter pill for many.

But just for a moment I invite people to look at our games, remove the emotion, remove, the bias and just critique the games via effort and effectiveness. ( because thats really all you ever really should do ) .

There were any number of reasons we failed over the last few seasons.

They pivot about thee two metrics ( above ) and then they're either tempered or expanded by a third. Cohesion.

Tbh.... saw sfa of that last one for quite a long time.

What I've been gladdened to see is its creeping back in ( if training is any guide )

This will be what brings us back... cohesion.

Not about playing one particular style of footy..... but playing with one shared mindset.

Go Dees

16 minutes ago, Demonsone said:

Not a great gambling man but you can see this road leading to a dead end

Or in the vernacular of the location......'scratched'

Im not trying to be in the slightest revisionist or sensationally argumentative for the sake of it. I detest statistics as invariably flawed in concept and deprived of reasoned context.

Classically only the scoreboard matters and in reality thats the one that dictates my perceptions.

I, and a number of other punters here watch and look. We track (npi...well... ) what players do and note all the little things ( as many as can )

Where this goes is .... what effectiveness does any player have ?? I'll stand by my impression that neither of Trac or Ollie are nearly as much of a loss as some suspect. Maybe if this were the start of 22 and not 26 that view might be different, but it's not and that's the crux of it. They are both very handy players on their day and I have no doubt will be good pick-ups for their new clubs.... but are we left with gaping holes?? Far from it. Im actually going to go as far to say had we retained them it may have proved an impediment to developing the team. Neither were what anyone would call ball delivers of excellence. They fit an older mould. Ollie is really the enigma of the discussion. His ability to read the ball and play was amazing...but in recent times the follow up of putting it to our advantage had all but deserted him.

Trac... at the risk of arrows I will say his efforts post injury were not the same as before. I get that. But his effectiveness is his role as he'd become accustomed had slid... markedly in my book... a just 'is'. Happy for others to different.

With the 2 players as was we played a particular way.. with almost (lamentably ) predictable outcomes.. This prevented other players progressing and developing craft .

Now this would be fine if we were thumping teams and playing finals. But we weren't. We were God awful plain.

Sometimes to improve you need to prune hard. This is what we've done and Im very optimistic of the results ( eventual ) going forward.

In short we wont miss them as we'll play a better style of football with others bringing their abilities to the table.

30 minutes ago, george_on_the_outer said:

It is just incredible that after a "feasibility case" run for 12 months, and a "business case" for another 12 months, that we don't even know where the foundations are going to be laid (if at all)!

We are being treated like mushrooms...kept in the dark and fed BS.

🤔Almost like the place is run by Amateurs 🙄

11 hours ago, monoccular said:

A question for track watchers

I realise this is only preseason, dancing with your sister, but is there any impression especially compared with last season or two, that they know a bit more about where their team mates will be, and are they moving in anticipation and perhaps shepherding more than before.

The static nature of those ahead of the ball particularly deep forward, and the lack of second efforts and shepherding after disposal, and lack of “dummy leading” drawing defenders wide from the forward line has done my head in 2023-25. A bit more of that and we would have won a lot more games, especially finals

Your thoughts? I realise nothing means much before the true action.

Thanks

Short answer YES

On 29/01/2026 at 08:33, dazzledavey36 said:

I have tipped us to finish bottom 3.

In fact i see us significantly dropping similar to how West Coast did whdn they had those aging stars still flopping around. Though i dont think we will be at the point of being barely VFL standard snd completely uncompetitive like they were.

We have had too many of our main senior players sitting in the sidelines all pre season which if anyone on here have played footy previously at a fairly strong standard, will know that not having a good base under your belt will completely hinder your preparation all year. You cannot simply make up for lost time. Sports science will say the same thing.

Development year with some pain along the way this year. All about getting as much games into the kids as we can.

I'd happily put a slab on us not !!

We'll play like a TEAMthis year. Huge difference.. more likely to be a chance to knock on the door than bottom 3.

5 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Jake Lever isn’t interested in sugar coating the pain of being dropped last season for the first time in his AFL career.

It was round 16 in a season going nowhere for Melbourne and coach Simon Goodwin was desperately trying to find a circuit-breaker.

Lever had a long list of injuries he was carrying – ankle, knee, shoulder and foot.

But when coach Goodwin called him into a meeting, there was no equivocation.

Lever wasn’t being managed or rested.

He was being dropped to Casey.

Seven months on, the Demons All Australian believes the pain of being dropped has spurred him to a faultless pre-season that should set him up for a strong bounce-back year.

Speaking about the episode for the first time, he believes he handled the demotion in the only way he knows how.

Take it on the chin, agree to disagree, make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“On reflection, that was something I was really disappointed in as a senior player,” Lever told the Herald Sun in an exclusive interview from Callaway Golf’s Quantum launch event this week.

“In the end I guess it sort of drove me this off-season to train really hard and make sure that I don’t put myself in that position again this year. It was just the first time it’s ever happened in my career.

“So I’ve had an 11-year career where I had my spot every week and then to lose it, it was bloody tough. I was disappointed but I felt like I handled it pretty well. Went and played really well in the VFL and they got back in the next week and the rest is history. So, yeah, hopefully it’s the only time in my career.

“I guess it was tough at the time, and then you get your mates texting and everything like that. But in the end, it was good that it was sort of out there, because then it sort of ripped the band aid off and moved on pretty quickly.”

If Lever’s jaw dropped when he was told of the decision by the Demons football department, he is thankful he didn’t choose anger as the response.

Even if he was a little bit tempted.

“I don’t think I went aggressive. I was pretty short and sharp. We had a pretty good discussion the next day. I still sit here to this day and I don’t agree with it but that’s (Goodwin’s) opinion and match committee’s decision and so for me it’s kind of over now and hopefully it doesn’t happen again.”

The new broom that swept through Melbourne with Steven King’s appointment saw Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver traded, with contracted key back Steven May remaining only when rivals decided against trade bids.

If the reporting that Lever was “blindsided” by his omission was correct, he says any trade speculation was always wide of the mark.

“It was definitely not ever there. It’s funny. Going back two trade speculations, one was true and one wasn’t,” the ex-Adelaide defender says.

“You have to sit back and laugh. For me it was a bit of a shock at the start.

You have to do your due diligence. And I rang the club and said, ‘Is this from you?’ And it was definitely not from them. So I said, ‘Well, I don’t want to go anywhere’.

“So yeah, I’m really happy with where I’m at now, and I’m really excited about this year.

“It was a big list of injuries I had last year and not doing any pre-season was hard so I haven’t missed a session, touch wood. I just love being out there. It’s what I love doing and it’s what I noticed missing so much last year, just being out there. It’s been great to do the whole pre-season.”

May was told in no uncertain terms he would likely be moved on when his contract finished in 2027 but after his aborted trade dealings is in no hurry to give up his spot despite the selection crunch.

“He’s been great. We live right near each other, so we did a few off-season and Christmas break sessions together, and he’s moving really well,” Lever said.

“He’s done some things at training, the typical Steven May things he does. And I think the best thing for him was sort of a little bit the same as me. Kick in the [censored] and rip the bandaid off and get back on day one. And it was all smiles. He’s just part of the Melbourne footy club for this year, and that’s just what it is.

The Demons might be unrecognisable in many ways this year under King.

Changkuoth Jiath has slotted in seamlessly across half back to replace Jake Bowey, out with a navicular fracture and also recently having cut off a small slice of a finger in an accident fixing his bike.

The game plan is up tempo and aggressive, with defenders asked to buy into the rebounding game.

Kozzie Pickett has the keys to the midfield and will work in concert with cousin Latrelle, taken at pick 12 behind No.11 selection Xavier Taylor in last year’s national draft.

“Don’t go anywhere near him. He is as quick as anyone,” Lever said of Latrelle.

“And Kozzie has had a great pre-season so that;s been really exciting. He’s a 24-year-old guy who has signed a big contract but he’s doing some things now which are really special. He has Latrelle at the club and they are living together. It’s been amazing. Latrelle can do some pretty special things too.

“So it’s exciting. We have obviously had some really good drafts in the last three years. We ave had two early picks in all three years. Harvey Langford, Xavier Lindsay, Caleb Windsor, Koltyn Tholstrup, and they are all doing well so we are excited.”

I like Jake. Very interesting to talk to. . A very different cat 👍

46 minutes ago, Grr-owl said:

South side has its own vehicle access. Tons of parking, close to Glen Huntly station which also has quite a bit of parking. Nth side has a carpark that will (mostly) be built over for our and others' buildings. Very close to Caulfield Station.

Having cause to park in that northern area recently and take it all in as a location.... well... the South is by far the better outcome.... should it come to be.

I seem to remember some mention of them coming on board.

Does it really matter 🤔🤷

16 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

I might be in the minority, but I think the Penrite appearance ain’t too bad compared to the driver depot one. Surely they could superimpose their logo on the jumper in white, so too Zurich (or at least have the background matching the blue of our jumper).

They're not their respective corporate colours.

Those logos are worth mint to them.

Thats what the $$$$ are for.

So when was the last time anyone watching Bang...bang bang bang ever considered the logos on the jumpers..

That's right....

Some need to get over themselves.... just saying.

All those complaining.... either ante up.... or stfu

Penrite is a worthy Australian Company with a proud world beating history.

Bloody hell... this is hardly a problem.

Losing games is

1 hour ago, Demons11 said:

In fairness there is no point giving updates until it’s confirmed.

I disagree...

There's undoubtedly ( hopefully) a process in place. This will have milestones.....

Currently we have only ...... millstones

3 minutes ago, bluey said:

Anybody heard a whisper about the proposed Caulfield Training facility.

There's to be an announcement about an announcement very soon or maybe a bit later, but soon ; sometime before Easter/KBW/GF/Christmas ( insert year of choice ) ......

11 hours ago, bing181 said:

I'd be surprised if CJ can match McVee of 2024 as a lockdown/stopper defender, also very different players. It's not for nothing that Hawthorn let him go. And AMW is still unproven, he's miles off what Bowey brings - Bowey was/is emerging as an elite half-back.

Not to say that both those players can't play a role and in the longer term nail down a position, but we shouldn't underestimate the quality of McVee (at his best) and in particular, Bowey.

My take... CJ is a line breaker.... wont be his job to hold down anyone... he can take a mark... he'll be the first 'explosion' off the backline.

One thing in particular I've been noticing as a major point of difference to how we USED to play... we used to 'stop'... maybe only a second or a handful, uncertain of where the next kick or play went. We seemed to want to 'know' it was safe before proceeding. This gave all opponents that extra time to setup and/or cover.

That's gone. We move quickly now with a kind of if " if you move it, it will come" approach.... IT being the next link. The players are being shown to believe and trust that the next play is there, whether it be an actual player or possibly just space. Conversely players are expected to BE that next link or get to that space.

All this starts somewhere and I can see a lot starting from the likes of CJ.

McVee was very over rated imho.

Bowey comes in and out of 'very good'

We played apples, we're moving to oranges.

Well look and play like a very different this year.... it might take a few games to mesh .

14 hours ago, darkhorse72 said:

The big question I have is how we are going to refresh our Mid after going with essentially the same combinations since 2020. Looking forward to finding the next batch of elite mids for us :)

You're almost answering your own query... almost.

Part of the quality to any reply I think.firstly needs to revisit what our midfield was really like. Not the mythical invention... not once was etc... but just how good and effective we were.

I deliberately left out 'efficient'.. this is where a lot of 'data' gets recycled....and for mine its often only represents SISO.

Much is made of the 'loss' of Tracc and Ollie. Tbh in their recent guise and form for us I see no real loss at all. Sure a lot of 'numbers' there... I hate number's. I watch the ball.. and that ball got murdered more times than not. Our ability to bring the ball out effectively and deliver was atrocious .

So back to where you were heading... the new midfield. Expect more from the likes of Windsor, Kozzie.. maybe Bill ( maybe not... interesting one that lad ) . Steele will be there and dare I sat less wasteful than Viney ( though tbh he has improved... [censored] he's had to ) I think well utilise a hybrid swarm . Look to see some bigger players with explosive abilities coming through the guts.

In reality the only time the 'traditional' midfield concept really is used is at centre ball ups... so our real 'midfield ' ability brings in the runner on the respective wings.. and extractors ball users off/on the hf/hb lines.

Im not the least concerned about the 'midfield' .. it'll be how EVERYONE runs and connects. This requires a team of 'lieutenants' out there directing traffic.

I think we have a few.

Interesting year ahead

Go US !! 👍

3 hours ago, Redleg said:

Back to more interesting matters, I see that bananas are now being added to various juices.

Have tasted a few and as expected they are great.

Mango, Watermelon and Banana smoothie !!!

Elixir of the Gods..

(Oh apparently good for you too if you care about such things )

Kind of rehydrating meal with anti inflammatory qualities

50 minutes ago, Six6Six said:

Since 2013 I have been chronicling the Demons preseason training through images and have a large archive of those images.

I'm spending a bit of time revisiting those years leading up to the flag in 2021.

2021 I had no original footage, so I had to get a bit inventive

Enjoy.

A Demon Disciples Diary - Road to the grail

Part one

Chapter 1. 2013 - Never want to go back ==> https://youtu.be/2K6fFJCNzTY

Chapter 2. 2014 - Hope ==> https://youtu.be/92sKUUxmMoU

Part two

Chapter 3. 2015 - Foundation ==> https://youtu.be/w5BSsduhFHw

Chapter 4. 2016 - Starman ==> https://youtu.be/ZhTY5vX9T64

Part three

Chapter 5. 2017 - Simon says ==> https://youtu.be/dRdKqBuFnIs

Chapter 6. 2018 - The force awakens ==> https://youtu.be/8XGN-dRWUVo

Part four

Chapter 7. 2019 - Armageddon ==> https://youtu.be/NGUBR3zbXkk

Chapter 8. 2020 - Contagion ==> https://youtu.be/rJtPz9YyT8M

Chapter 9. 2021 - Glory, glory ==> https://youtu.be/d8YCCLhJopk

Hallelujah !!!

Outdone yourself ...

Take a bow 👏👏👏

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

Perjury, an offence under Section 314 of the Crimes Act and Perverting the Course of Justice, a Common Law offence, are still offences open to be prosecuted without any statutory time limit and can carry serious jail time.

The smell of rotting fish is all around this incident and its aftermath.

Very much so... Undoubtedly a certain someone was hoping the clock would run out as it will ( most likely ) on specific offences .... but as you rightly highlighted.. not all 😉

4 hours ago, Redleg said:

If you all get a chance, listen to the Bike Boy podcast, it’s mind blowing.

Certainly is.

Only 🙄 35 oversights....

And the 'compromised ' copper is still there....an Assistant Commissioner no less.

They got Capone on Tax...

Perhaps someone's comeuppance will be Purgery..... then they can go to Purgatory ...and take his wife 😉

I wonder if the memory of the Bomberblitz poster goes back as far as 93 ?? 🤔🤔🤔🤔

I reckon if you were to ask any trackwatcher for an opinion as to whether King seems to know what he's doing... I'm going to suggest nearly all,if not all would give a resounding ...YES.

Whether that translates to the scoreboard is obviously yet to be seen but there's 'buy-in' out there. There's excitement.. As opposed to going out there and Doing this or doing that.. dont do etc etc I sense and got to see ( little bit ) ... go out and PLAY Footy ... but when you are...keep these things in mind and remember what was practiced. ... but play footy...trust your team mates... They're trusting you.

Just watch... 😉

9 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Our midfield will clearly be a question mark this year but our midfield hasn't been firing for some time. Steele is a solid choice and will at least be a replacement for a 2025 Oliver

What's different for me is that we now have a lot of alternatives to our defensive structure added to good 2 way running wingmen. The defence should go back to being very solid.

How we bring the ball out of our backline will largely determine how the ball goes fwd.

If we change our ball movement to a similar style to Geelong - where you'd think King has all the IP - then we will look a lot more dangerous up front.

If we bomb the ball to Mihocek we'll be the same as we have been in the past 4 years. Nowhere.

Mihocek's goals in 2025 were about 80% lead to the ball carrier and mark. If we don't change then recruiting Mihocek will be a fail.

Creative fwd entries will be the key for us. The Jeff White analysis of Melb v Geelong was enlightening and small improvements to our fwd entries will see way better scoring. That's how we will get to 12+ wins.

They are definitely working on a different, much improved delivery . Not just the physical aspect but the mindset governing it.

Well... my take.... far too many 'narratives' based upon 'ruling' perceptions.

Reads to me more like 'tell me you dont really understand the change without directly saying such '

There's a lot of subtlety in what we're changing that slips straight through to the keeper if you're not nuanced in the real nature of Melbourne.

It's not that it's another team's pundit that's spruiking it's more because its simply someone not overly observant.

38 minutes ago, Great Sage said:

.....

• Jeffo: Hot and cold. Has nice soft hands.

  .......

🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤷