Dappa Dan

FINALLY!!!!!!!!! This should have happened some time ago. I've been wondering when they'd finally do him the justice he so richly deserves. He's a monument to our club, one of the most defining individuals in MFC's history, and is almost without peer in the history of Australian Rules Football... Congratulations Norm.

Spot on GTB... My model for how to approach this coming draft includes the delisting, trading or retiring of at least 8 players. 4-6 selections in the draft, 1-2 rookie promotions, 1-2 in the pre-season and I'm not including rookies. The problem here is that later selections will REALLY test CAC's recruiting nous. He likes his speculative picks (Bate, Newton, Bruce, Weetra). Perhaps you could say we have an experienced "prospector." Maybe this tips the scales for luck in later selections in our favour? In all likelihood however, the odds are against us somewhat, as you said. Given CAC's track record, I'll probably grudgingly accept that now is not the time to clean house with our list, if he just persists with some of those elder statesmen at the club.

- No... Davey's behaviour in his breakout year and subsequent year was exemplary. His attitude was nigh-on the most adrenalised and focussed at the club. He never got in fights, and never caused them early on in his career. His surprise at his own behaviour in the Saints final cropped up because it was just about the first time someone had gotten under his skin. His petulant behaviour has only been a factor within the last 12 months. He did not come back and perform when the game was already won. His drive and focus to baulk, fool, and outrun 3 Saints to deliver to Neita's chest in the square earned us the lead. He did not kick or set up goals in dead time. - Yes. At this stage, I'd say McLean, Rivers and Jones all show excellent capabilities at a VERY early age. Rivers is probably a standout for a leadership role, but not necessarily as captain. - My claims of scapegoating are not directed at you, and the small-mindedness... Why don't you enlighten me and tell me where I have appeared small-minded, RR, instead of taking a chance to throw in a feeble cheap-shot, as you so often do. As far as I can see, I've given a player a chance to redeem himself in my eyes. A chance that he has earned many times over BEFORE the last 12 months in which his behaviour has deteriorated. Maybe it's as simple as Aaron being too confident for his own good. When he first started out and could barely string a sentence together in front of a camera, he brought a modesty and humility to his game, that in turn made him a better team-player. What I'm saying is that he has not yet turned into Jeff Farmer. Will he head in that direction? If he does, then I'll bag him, and no longer support his leadership credentials. But until he does, he is STILL a future leader in my eyes. One bad year does not a terrible player make. Not if he can LEARN.

Wow. We're not the only team sans coach anymore... though that's debatable...

Whether or not you agree he was leadership material, he was certainly mooted as a potential captain or vice captain some time ago. His antics in the Saints final were more or less a first, and his subsequent interview suggested even he was surprised that he'd reacted the way he did. Add to that the fact that in both the Saints final, and on the weekend, he came back on and lifted his team. If Davey is not leadership material now, it's because perhaps he has something to learn. If EVERY player who misbehaved was disregarded as a future captain, we wouldn't have some of the skippers we have in the league now... Hall being a good example. Davey's leadership credentials have taken a beating, but he's still going to be in calculations in coming years. You think these 2 matches off aren't going to hurt him as the only player suspended? If you were to take a positive spin, there's even a chance that this may be the making of him. His team needs him now more than ever, and he's the only one to blame. If people think he's NEVER going to make a leader you're simply scapegoating... and you're small minded.

Gee that's a good post Godemons... Pretty much summed up my thoughts when I looked at the Age today and saw one journo suggest that the ladder will end this year with the top four being filled by teams from Victoria. It just hurts that we're not one of them. I agree with almost everything you said. With the exception of a couple of things. First, of the top four right now I hope the Cats win it. Any of the others would just be unbearable. Second, I reckon the signs were on the wall as early as the first round of the NAB cup. I said it at the start of the year... I thought we had less reason for enthusiasm at the start of '07 than we did at the start of '06. Yes, injuries were ALWAYS going to determine our success, I just knew we couldn't count on quite the level of improvement we got last year. When the NAB cup came round I got a little bit excited at how CJ and Buckley moved, and was pleased with Bate and Jones... but overall, I was VERY concerned that we lost in the way we did. When I saw that nothing was changing week in week out, I knew in my heart that Daniher's stubbornness would consign us to the gallows this year. Post round 1, I thought we HAVE to do what we did last year and win 10 of the next 11. And come round 3, I knew almost for a fact we were goners, since we weren't even close to winning, and all our best players were out for bulk time. And I have one more item for you to consider Godemons... Now, I dislike it when posters are needlessly and pointlessly negative, but.... If you're going to bottom out, make it a Gibbs, Gumbleton, Leuenberger, Selwood year.... Or a Hodge, Ball, Judd year. Early dispatches suggest this is a BAD year to finish last. From what I can glean, Cotchin and Kreuzer are the certainties, then after that it drops off significantly. To get third pick, which it looks like we will, would be almost cruel considering we may not get too much with it in comparison. I love a good silly season, and of course I'll get whipped up with excitement, but inside I'll have in the back of my mind that luck simply isn't on our side. But that may just be me...

Nope. Judd followed the dees. He even said so in his Brownlow acceptance interview. I prefer Davey...

I like the fact that he'll see enough footy this year to learn what's required of him in the future. Some players don't get ANY appreciation for AFL footy for YEARS. Even a 7 possession game is good news here I reckon.

Never seemed to bother Bruce or Green... And while I agree he doesn't need the extra pressure, it's a moot point. We're not out there to make finals. The more learning experiences we can get into him the better. And it's Brock, if in doubt, put him under pressure. With the exception of the last 2 weeks, he's thrived under pressure...

Double that now!!!

Good work d'ok....

DD36, I've been mulling over just such a thread myself for a while. There really isn't an easy answer to this. Neaves: Probably the most likely candidate. His form was ahead of schedule last season, and solid this season (don't think he's missed a game for the Sandy seniors yet). He's a ruckman, and with Jamar's injury and terrible form, Neaves really has had a hole to step into. The fact that he needs to fulfill such a specific role is both a help and a hinderance to him. As a young ruckman, he'll be looked at VERY cosely, and may be promoted simply because of the type of player he is. However, we now have our starting ruckman coming off a 44 hit-out game, our backup ruckman getting steadily better and more exciting as the weeks go by, and our 1st backup (at round 1 this year) returning from injury. If promoted, chances are Neaves won't get a game. Hughes: He's injured at the moment DD36. Relatively seriously too. He's been out a couple of weeks, and will be out for a few more I hear. If not for this, I think there'd be a place for him to come in to in the 22. He can play a few different positions, and while we have a strong forward line with options galore and ok rotations (Neitz returning, Robbo, Bate, Sylvia, Davey, Dunn, Newton, Bruce, CJ, PJ) it's ANYTHING but settled. Petterd was being used forward regularly, some of those tall, mid and small height forwards are spending whole games up the ground (Bruce, Davey, Dunn). We love our forwards at MFC, but some of them really are learning where to run to. Maybe it would be a good time to introduce Hughes in a few rounds. Make sure he doesn't miss the steep learning curve his mates are on. But then perhaps he'll just get in the way. In the end, I reckon over a month out, and with only 6 or so weeks remaining by the time he heals, it's going to be too late to give the guy a chance. If he's retained, he has to be promoted, and he's going to have to rely on his reputation he gained LAST year, as this one has not been as good. Bode: Exactly how much hope do we have for him? Personally I don't have a lot. I understand he lives with a couple of the listed players, and is a mate of a few of them, like Belly I think. There is, however, something else to consider. Brown and Ward are two guys who've been mainstays of the MFC defence for years now. If both are let go after round 22 (unlikely), or maybe let go in 12 months (likely), there'll be two GAPING holes that need to be filled by fast, hard at it, running defenders. Bode is this type of player. If he shows dedication, which from all accounts he has, then maybe the football gods will shine on him. The other rookies are, for one reason or another, unlikely to be promoted (Neaves - specific type of player, Hayes - Attitude, Hughes - Injured). Bode is the only defender in the group of rookies. Maybe with CJ, Buckley, Brown and Ward getting games he may not get his go. Hayes: You're kidding aren't you DD36? Just because he generated a little bit of excitement in the last few weeks doesn't mean he's right to just be upgraded straight away. First he has to play for Sandy seniors and dominate there. THEN he has to squeeze into a forward line that's rotating players like they're disposable. And what kind of message does it send when a guy who doesn't even turn up for half a season gets to play senior AFL footy when others have been waiting patiently, working hard and playing well for nearly 2 years? No. He can earn his spot for next year. Maybe with a good last 8 rounds, maybe with a good pre-season he can get a crack at the NAB cup early next year. But if he plays before then, it'll be criminal. So for me... Neaves first, then Hughes if he's proven fit and in form. This is unlikely to be the case, so we have nothing to lose by giving Bode a crack in his place. Hayes only gets a go if an unmitigated disaster strikes.

CB... Your best post ever.

I'm very disappointed in you BBP... What I want to know is, if Riley was such a clear candidate for a senior coaching job, why, in all the years he's been an assistant, hasn't he been mentioned when a coach has been sacked? Unlike Harvey, Sumich, Ratten... Surely if he's going to be a coach one day, people would have looked at him before... That said, if he wins games, shows what you want, I'm not going to get caught up in "reputation."

Because Neaves isn't listed... Jamar is MUCH further along. Despite not showing a WHOLE lot he has starred for whole seasons at VFL level... Neaves hasn't.

I've been thinking about him too. IMO though, he showed plenty early this season to retain his spot on the list for the next couple of years. But that's just my opinion.

The funny thing about that part where he celebrated BEFORE he kicked the goal was that he missed it! They showed it later on in the show.

(assuming I read that correctly) Flying his flag or not, and whether he had company or not... He has a point.

If the new coach decides to rebuild, in all likelihood the following COULD happen... They may wish to give CAC up to 6 cracks in the Draft... (round 1, priority pick, round 2, rounds 3-6) They may want to give him 2 picks in the PS draft. We may wish to promote Neaves and Hughes off the rookie list. That means that altogether we need to make room with 10 spots. That's 1/4 of our list. With that in mind, MANY players' positions on the list are under threat.

Y_M you come up with some interesting stuff sometimes... and this may be a prediction that holds some water for you... He's a dazzling player. And he's playing angry. I don't know if I agree with the assertion he'll eclipse Brock. But he certainly COULD... When you look at so many players on our list that have GREAT strengths, and crippling weaknesses, Sylvia just warms the cockles of my heart. I love looking at that draft year and seeing who other teams picked, and then looking at who they overlooked and we picked up

I think he has a place in the AFL... it could be on our list, but as far as I'm concerned he's not the kind of player that will be among those that win you a flag. But then a late pick in a shallowdraft probably won't either, and a late pick is all we'd get. There are HEAPS of players who won't be with the club next year. He could be one of them, but he probably won't be... and he's very unlikely to be delisted. I'm happy with that.

I saw him that day. He was awesome. I don't have much faith in him. So your point is? He should have done more with his time so far. Not giving up yet, but he's been trying my patience.

Who are you and what have you done with Jaded....

That's some of your finest Rogue... I think you actually might have changed my mind a little. Sylvia is a different player. Different size and has OP. These are variables. Also, he has class and abilities that out-strip CJ's finest work. Add to that the fact that he's a pick 3. This SHOULDN'T make a difference, but does I think. Anyway, back on topic, the 22... I'm pretty happy with the guys they went with out of the 25. Pickett was never going to play as we know, and Big Bad Bustling Benny was always a Fevola stopper only... if that... We ALL would have liked to see Dunn. For my part, I wanted to see him in a defensive role perhaps... but the selection makes sense. I kind of always thought Buckley, PJ and Miller were going to get selected... And from Dunn and Frawley I'd thought I'd be happy with either. Whichever one it was going to be, the other is going to play the following week you'd think.

Talk to "Before2long"... a member here at demonland... He lived there through the ENTIRE 2006 season. If anyone would know how to get by, it'd be him.