Supreme_Demon

I just wanted to know if there are any new updates on the Melbourne Football Club's new training facility combined with the administration and a social club? I originally liked the Jolimont Station idea of having an new oval and headquarters built there. But it seems that the local community around East Melbourne sadly don't want it there. Nevertheless, I think Gosch's Paddock will be fine with an overhaul of Richmond Train Station as well as a training base, administration and social club for the Melbourne Football Club. The issue will be having enough space for everything we need. This plan for the new Melbourne Football Club headquarters will certainly cost a lot of money....but it would be a big project that would reinvigorate the sporting precinct and create a lots of jobs during the current economic climate. Anyway, I am looking forward to hearing more news soon.

Wow! That's a disgrace! I don't understand why the Melbourne Football Club board would be so underhanded do that to Norm Smith let alone why Melbourne members wouldn't vote for him?! It sounds like it was Norm's last gasp to save the football club he loved. After that he gave up and went to coach the South Melbourne Football Club and give Bobby Skilton his last taste of the finals. I would certainly like to know the names of those Melbourne Football Club board members at the time. Although, in the end, what's done is done and we cannot change what happened. Not that I believe in curses but that certainly would of put salt on the wound of Norm Smith's feelings of betrayal. The final slap in the face for a club he had done so much for. Thank you for letting me know about what happened. I have been meaning to read the Red Fox about Norm Smith and this gives me even more reason to do so. Anyway as much as it is a bit of a play on another bemusing acronym I believe in the phrase of MMGA (Make Melbourne Great Again). I want to see at least ONE Melbourne Demons Premiership before I die and I also want to share it with my Dad who is now in his early 70s as well as all the rest of the loyal long-suffering Demons supporters out there who deserve a bit of joy and happiness in their lives. After seeing the Bulldogs and Tigers win their Premierships it has made me more determined than ever to see us have Premiership success. By the way, does anyone remember the Demon Summit that we had quite a few years ago? What was the purpose of that event? What happened to the ideas that came from it all? I apologise for all the questions. I just want to know what needs to be done to not only reflect and learn from our past mistakes but also what we need to do for the Melbourne Football Club to be successful once again.

Thank you all for your insights. They are greatly appreciated. I never knew any of this information. Nevertheless, I apologise for bringing up unpleasant memories. It was not my intention to upset anybody or cause animosity. The lack of funds and lack of resources for such a long period of time really shocks me. You would think the MCC would of WANTED the MFC to be successful as it would be beneficial for bigger crowds and increased revenue!? Or they simply didn't care which club it was (e.g. Richmond) as long as they brought big crowds. I certainly agree with others here that the Melbourne Football Club definitely needs a proper home base as many others have mentioned. The big issue is funding and having the right location. I watched the Norm Smith interview. I can certainly understand Norm's frustration with the MFC board. They should have backed him......rightly or wrongly...at the very least privately and paid for the compensation payment that Norm Smith had to pay in an out of court settlement to that umpire Don Glew. At least paying the compensation would of showed Norm that the MFC board cared for him. An honourable man who played in 4 Premierships and coached 6 Premierships for the Melbourne Football Club. A simply amazing feat to be involved with 10 Premierships for the Demons! I think Norm felt betrayed by the MFC board and the club he loved so much and had given so much of his life to. Norm Smith was "Melbourne through and through" and basically didn't get the support he needed. This was a failure of all those on the MFC board at the time in the mid 1960s and why Norm Smith wanted the members to rise up and vote them out to bring about fresh changes. Finally, I would still like to know if it was true that Norm Smith ran in an election to join the Melbourne Football Club board in 1967-1968 though? Did he run in that election and did he not gain enough votes? Does anyone have that information?

Being born in the early 1980's meant I missed out on the Glory Days of the 1950's and early 1960's. We all know about the sacking of Norm Smith and Ron Barassi Jnr moving to Carlton. Two things that should never have happened. But I want to know what else happened? Why did the Melbourne Football Club fail so miserably and fall into decline from the late 1960's into the 1970s? Who was responsible for the missed opportunities of recruiting players or the development of players? Who is responsible for our lack of success during that time? I also want to know why the Melbourne Football Club board didn't support Norm Smith 100% (rightly or wrongly) when he allegedly called an umpire a "cheat" in 1963? Why didn't they back him? Why didn't they do more to support their Premiership coach? At least pay for his legal expenses and other costs and look after him? Additionally why didn't the Melbourne Football Club board do more to prevent Ron Barassi Jnr from leaving the club to go to Carlton in 1965? Who were the board members and football department people? That were part of the club during that time in the 1960's and 1970's? Why were so many of them totally inept? I would like to know why the board wasn't held accountable for their mistakes? I also heard that Norm Smith attempted to join the Melbourne Football Club board in either 1967 or 1968 but failed to obtain enough votes. Is this true? If so, why didn't the Melbourne Football Club members back him? Obviously these questions may open up some old wounds. But I want to get my head around what went wrong in those days. I would appreciate the thoughts of those who have any knowledge of these times.

Any photos from training today please? Frustratingly, I cannot get the training photos on the MFC phone app to work. If anyone could provide some links to photos it would be greatly appreciated.

I am hoping Harley Bennell gets some luck his way. He has a huge amount of talent and just needs to get through pre-season injury free. He can do this if he listens to the medical staff and doesn't over exert himself. Let his body slowly build up steadily. I like the suggestion of Harley Bennell trying out Yoga to help his posture. It's definitely worth a try at least. I genuinely wish Harley Bennell all the very best and hope he can get the chance to run out onto the MCG to play for the Demons.

Really like Steven May as a player. Tough, honest, passionate and has leadership qualities. Plays with a bit of mongrel. Hope he has an injury free year and repays the faith. Would love to see him become an All Australian player in 2020. But let's just get him fit and playing every match this coming season as a starting point. A few big "legal" hip and shoulders throughout the year would be nice to see too. Although would prefer all his agression focused on the ball and not the man in 2020.

Losing $1.5 million from cash reserves is a big blow. Winning is the core to success as others have mentioned. Sustainable success is critical. As Hawthorn, Geelong and Collingwood have proven. But you gotta have a good business plan too. I am not against the idea of having another Debt Demolition campaign. But it should be done after a successful season when members are happy to fork out extra funds. It would definitely be good to be completely debt free. However, that can change very quickly if we have consecutive poor seasons. Finally having a home training base of our own should be the priority objective besides the obvious of winning Premierships.

Now with Aaron Neitschke sadly reinjuring his ACL do we have another look at Sam Murray? I definitely like Sam Murray's pace and run and carry with the ball. Nevertheless, it's definitely worth re-opening the conversation. Another option could be the number 1# mid-season rookie draft pick Josh Deluca who was delisted from Carlton perhaps? Aaron Neitschke will probably be added to the LTI list for 2020 so it is worth looking at what other options are out there. Here is some highlights of Sam Murray. Highlights of Josh Deluca when he was originally drafted by Fremantle. Otherwise, we can simply wait until the mid-season rookie draft in the middle of 2020 I guess?

Would be happy if the Demons took at least one of the following... 1) Deven Robertson 2) Josh Worrell 3) Jeremy Sharp 4) Trent Bianco 5) Will Gould 6) Hugo Ralphsmith 7) Dylan Williams 8 ) Jay Rantall 9) Elijah Taylor 10) Trent Rivers 11) Mitch O'Neill 12) Jake Riccardi 13) Josh Honey 14) Harry Schoenberg 15) Brock Smith

I want to wish Jason Taylor all the best. I genuinely hope Jackson and Pickett become stars for the Demons. I will admit I was disappointed we didn't take Hayden Young at pick 3#, but it doesn't matter now. The raw talent of Jackson couldn't be denied. Some times you need to take a bit if a gamble when it comes to draft picks. However, having said that, if Jackson at pick 3# and Pickett at pick 12# don't turn out to be a success I will expect that Jason Taylor may indeed have his head on the chopping block. Anyway, I will reserve my judgement until 3 or 4 years down the track to see how both draftees develop. Time will tell....

Geelong are apparently offering pick 14 and pick 17 for a top 10 pick. Would we swap pick 10 and pick 28 for pick 14 and pick 17? Certainly worth considering unless we are worried Pickett or Weightman will go earlier than pick 14?

Bidding on Tom Green makes sense. We shouldn't let GWS get a free pass either. Let's force their hand to take him early. There is no way GWS will allow a bid to go unmatched.

He kind of reminds me of a young Jeff "the Wizard" Farmer with his raw talent he does this Kysaiah "Kozzy" Pickett. Football is in the blood with Uncle Byron Pickett too! This highlights package of 6 goals was impressive. Even if it was only a SANFL reserves game.

I am very conflicted...I do understand the "hype" around Luke Jackson. Big and strong and agile. But can he actually play AFL? Will he continue to grow beyond 200cms? Will his kicking improve? What if he wants to return to WA because of home sickness? These are all questions to be taken into account. Nevertheless, I still believe the best option is to put a sneaky bid on Tom Green so GWS have to take him early. Then go for the safe but guaranteed talent of Hayden Young with his sublime kicking skills and decision making. Something that the Demons have desperately lacked! It's about time the Demons have some more players that can actually kick well on the team. No more apple turn-over merchants! In the end, I will put my faith in Jason Taylor to make the right decision. It's his neck on the line if he stuffs up.

I would be happy with Ash, Serong or Stephens slipping through to number 10. Maybe Kemp...but I think Sydney or Carlton will snap him up.

I have had my heart set on the Demons taking Hayden Young for a few weeks now. I understand the "hype" around Luke Jackson. However, I think the go home factor risk is far too high. I don't want a repeat of a Jesse Hogan situation. I hope that Jason Taylor takes that into account when choosing who to pick at number 3# in the 2019 AFL National Draft. Hayden Young's elite kicking and decision making is far too valuable to ignore. Here's a reminder for those who need further convincing.

Pardon my ignorance but are there any highlight videos of Brodie Kemp? I am open to drafting him at pick 8 if he is still available. The ACL issue is a risk, but we had Petracca do his knee in his first year that we drafted him so you cannot predict anything like that. I actually think Sydney will take Brodie Kemp as a long-term replacement for Josh Kennedy.

Personally, I would like the Demons to take Hayden Young as we desperately need more players who are elite kicks and excellent decision makers. No more players who are "apple turnovers" and who constantly butcher the ball. I also found his highlights video package quite impressive.

Hope that all the assistant coaches are announced soon. Especially having a kicking and/or goal kicking coach. Would love to have David Neitz, David Schwarz, Jeff Farmer and Brad Green back at the club on a regular basis. I know Aaron Davey was doing an AFL coaching course and was involved with our pre-season training last year up at the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. As I have said many times, we need good quality football people at the club. I'll probably be pretty angry if we don't recruit Mark "Choco" Williams as a development coach. He is being wasted as just a VFL coach. But I will wait and see as to who fills the vacant coaching positions first. Happy with Alan Richardson coming to the Demons. So that's a positive step in the right direction at least.

Bit of a shame that we have lost Brendan McCartney. Think he is a quality football person. But some times you need a change if people get used to your message and it doesn't sink in any more. Hopefully we get another good quality football person to replace him. As I have harped on about I would love to get Mark "Choco" Williams as a development coach. But in the end, it doesn't matter who we get to the Demons as long as they are a good quality football person and help develop our players to reach their full potential.

I am keen on taking Hayden Young. Topping the agility test at the Draft Combine is a big tick.

Hayden Young from the Dandenong Stingrays apparently was number 1 in the agility tests at the 2019 Draft Combine. Hayden's agility score was 7.94 seconds. I am assuming that's good? Hopefully our National Recruiting Manager Jason Taylor takes note.

Would like to see Matthew Lloyd become our goal kicking coach. Besides throwing grass up in the air and diving for free kicks he was a pretty good kick at goal. If not him, then Brad Green or David Schwarz (who has offered to do it in the past but got rudely knocked back by Jesse Hogan I think?). Otherwise Wayne Carey (if he can behave himself) Matthew Richardson or Brian Taylor should be considered.

On ya Chunk! Selflessness personified. You are a legend Nathan Jones. Your commitment and loyalty to the Melbourne Football Club will never be forgotten. You have been a magnificent Captain and always been a tough blue-collar player who goes in and gets the job done. I hope this decision helps you extend your playing career. Would love you to play 300 games for the Demons and even break David Neitz's record. But as others have mentioned you have to continue to earn your spot in the team. Nobody should be gifted games. Personally I think Nathan Jones should play as a half forward flanker as I know he can be a handy goal kicker. His 3 goals against the Swans earlier in the year was an example of this. Nevertheless, I hope Nathan has a great pre-season and comes back the fittest he has ever been and proves the doubters wrong. All the best for 2020 with the Demons Nathan!