Tim

Having our administration at the MCG is one of the last tangible connections we have with the ground that used to be exclusively ours. I think it's good that we do so occupy real estate on the hallowed ground. AAMI Park is an excellent facility, and is geographically very close to the MFC administration offices. I think it's the best outcome we can get, given that the G is never going to be our training base again. I don't want us to be planted somewhere else that is ergonomically perfect, and away from the precint that we have inhabited for 150 or so years.

Oh yes they did, yes they did - if memory serves me correctly. And sadly, someone had lost the spoon in the mid 60's.

Two thumbs up for stopping after point 2. I take the view that I don't need to be told what's going on in front of my eyes. Especially when, as is usually the case while watching MFC on the box, we are getting pumped.

Evans finished training with the rest of the MFC group, and went back to AAMI; Blease and Kent then played in a game of mixed Casey and MFC, including Viney, Jordie McK, Harmes et al. My conclusion was that B & K not in the mix, while Pickles will take the emergency role. Were anything unexpected to happen, these two would still be able to saddle up, as it was hardly a killer hit out they took part in this morning.

Ditto, and thanks for comprehensive report, Saty. The best bit for me was seeing Col G out and about in main training. One thing that I did notice was that Michael Evans to my eye looked leaner than he did earlier in the season - at which time I thought that he looked that he had got to a point where he was significantly bulked up compared to his appearance in his earlier days. The first few times I saw him in action this morning I couldn't see his number, and couldn't work out who he was from his build. Maybe I've got this all wrong, but if he has fined down, it will be interesting to see how this plays out on the field in terms of what attributes he brings to the team.

Both well before my time, but I have always been impressed by the fact that SS won back to back B&F's in one of the great teams (1956 version recognised by Sport Australia Hall of Fame award), while also being club's chief goal kicker in one of those years, and missing the same award by one goal in the other year - as a rover! One thing that did surprise me when I looked at PB's record on the stats site is that in both of his first 2 years he came 5th in the Brownlow, although only playing 11 games in his first year. Undoubtedly a terrific player to whom the umpires took an early shine!

Of course I accept the proposition that Murdoch is responsible for everything evil in the world, but in this case what is "the Murdoch agenda"? Particularly when Smith and Robinson both have red and black beanies in their wardrobes, and seem to have been singing a different song all along.

Exactly.

Indeed - this was my main reaction when I read the OP. "Not a ground breaking thread" anyway, as the OP itself said, but message could have been communicated without big-noting and naming the player.

Dunno, but I seem to recall that we fielded 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47 at times during 2000, with all but the 45 (injured) in the GF. Fwiw…..

Another amateur view only, but I know that you see some of the top horse trainers stressing the idea that they need to give a horse the confidence of winning; e.g., I've heard Moody say that he might give a horse a soft kill in a slightly lower grade before a break to boost the horse's confidence, and get it into a winning habit (esp if it's a good young horse that has been competitive in a campaign without winning). Doesn't mean that you're teaching the horse to "accept mediocrity" , or give it lazy habits. Strewth, do we need some confidence boosting in an actual game!

Was happy with Michie, thought he was one of the best - got a bit of his own ball, and we could do with that. Thought that Strauss was OK, and in the mix for Rd 1. Not much comment here on Jordie, but he was in everything, and would expect Roos to like the way he goes about things.

Agree Jack. I would be tending to not cut back on opportunities for engagement with supporters given the predicament we are seeking to put behind us.

There were some saving graces to 1992. We did knock Collingwood off at Victoria Park late in the season, and a Maggie mate still reckons we cost them a real shot at the flag that year by turning a gimme game into a loss. And what a good win it was - Jakovich was dragged for indisciplined play early, to the great gloating of the home team crowd, but came back and finished with a cool 7.5. It's an enjoyable game to watch if you can get hold of it. A young, head-banded D. Schwarz snagged 3 Brownlow votes. Special highlight is seeing Daicos kick the "winning" goal late in the last, with the Collingwood members in ecstasy, only to look around to see G. Lyon taking a free kick at full back for a push in the back by a shepherding opponent. As for the title of the thread, probably true that the Northey approach had run its course, and Balme bought a more skill-focussed possession game that matured into a pretty good outfit by 1994, particularly with the addition of some players, and the maturing of some of the younger ones, such as the Ox. On a slightly different note, looking back at the stats on that period took me to a Melbourne/Carlton game in 1988 where we beat them at Waverley (6 wins all up that year against Carlton and Collingwood alone!), and S. Febey was given the 2 Brownlow votes for a 4-possession game. Wow, they must have been classy those 4 kicks. And the umpires didn't have the mistaken identity excuse, as his twin brother didn't play. Must be something about Melbourne/Carlton games, as a couple of years later the OPSM-sponsored contingent couldn't find a vote for G. Williams in a dominant 44-possession display at Princes Park, and that cost him a Brownlow.

You rate Dawesy's intelligence that low...?

Agree. Hopefully upper end bottom 4 though....

Unfortunately she seems to be the David Schwarz of horse racing.

Yes; indeed; and your wish is MFC's command!

Having trouble with our comprehension of the written word, are we...? New Zealand international who was given development time with the Casey second string team. Games CSFC DL 2013 11 Goals CSFC DL 2013 0

"You talking to me?"

Jack, I wasn't referring to the actual merits of the matter. I was agreeing with BB's summary of what the AFL's thinking is, and what the actual outcome will be, regardless of what the principles of transparency in decision-making would show.

Good summary of the Realpolitik of the situation.

While I agree with this, the aspect I find interesting here is that Demetriou seems to be putting the club reactions out there as a reason as to why we won't be getting a pick, or as indicator that we won't. I thought that the purpose of the independent Commission was to get away from decisions made purely in the parochial interests of the individual clubs, and to ensure decisions are made for the wider benefit of the competition.

....deserves her own thread. Looks VVS on return, as she was with her first 7 wins.

Agree 11/10, particularly with the highlighted bits. PJ is certainly talking a good book, but successful execution of these principles is essential; at least PJ's message is confronting, and not a soft sell. Also, it is at least a positive that we can still raise significant sums in such bleak circumstances.