Theo

Mark Williams was an excellent coach at Sandy. He carries out a lot of the training sessions pre-season and during the year. While he may not have a high profile he was offered a a similar position at Carlton but turned it down because he signed on with the dees only days before. His cousin told me that he is very loyal and although he played for Carlton he couldn't break a contract that he had agreed to.with us.

Most people including me think that our list is developing nicely however, looking at the games at the weekend and even past grand finalists, I believe we still need another contested marking forward and another big bodied key backman and a ruckman that can play like another midfielder i.e Mitch Clark or an Adam Goodes type. Although our backline is good I don't think it matches up against the teams with power forwards such as St Kilda and Adelaide with Burton and Tippet. Rivers and Warnock are simply not strong enough when compared to Rutten and Bock for instance. Looking at the 2000 grand final again it was clear that Essendon were so much bigger and stronger. Our fullback was Steven Febey and he played most of the day against James Hird. He tried hard but really got murdered in one on ones. I think we need some big bodied players around the ball, up forward and back. They should be the backbone of the side with the likes of Davey, Wonna, Pettard, Scully, Morton etc feeding off them. I hope we draft Scully and Trengove but until we get some big bodied "Generals" I think we will struggle to have consistent wins and vie for the holy grail.

McLean was interviwed on radio before and after the game. He was asked if he was carrying an injury. He said NO. I got the impression that he was telling the truth. If this is the case it is a real worry. I believe he is only contracted to end 2009.

Not a happy chappy our Robbo. Says he was sacked. Mark Doran interview today: http://podsentral.com/the_good_oil.html Says second tier and young players haven't kicked on.

Full interview on KB's show: http://www.sportsentral.com/pro/main/Podcasts.aspx - Trying Martin in the foward line. Also may give Garland a go. - Morton is now 192cm. Has put on 2 Kilos. Needs to put on another 2-3 kilos next year - Has seen Scully play and footage of half a dozen others including Rohan, and Griffiths. - Trying Bate on a wing and midfield because he has such a penetrating kick into the forward 50. - 4 or 5 new players to be drafted -Having less rotations in the midfield to allow players to stay on the field and in different positions up forward or on a back flank.

Should also keep in mind that GC17 has the first 5 picks in this years (2009) rookie draft. This starts the concessions off with next year GC17 having 1,2,3,5,7,9,11,13, 15 in the National Draft. The existing 16 clubs can have 2 additional rookies in 2009 and 2010. 2009 & 2010 AFL Draft - Concessions , Team Nos & Wages 2009 - Gold Cost FC have 1st pick of 12 x 17 year old kids who are not eligible for the 2009 AFL Draft. They must be born between Jan 1 - April 30, 1992. 2009 Rookie Draft ( which is held at same time as pre-Season Draft ) - Gold Coast have picks : 1, 2 , 3 , 4, 5 2010 AFL Draft- Gold Coast FC to have following picks : Round 1 - 1, 2, 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 & then 1st pick in each subsequent round. 2010 Rookie Draft - Gold Coast to alternate Queensland priority selections with Brisbane Lions. Gold Coast to have 1st selection. ZONED ACCESS : Gold Coast to have zoned access to up to 5 Queensland players prior in each of 2010, 2011 & 2012 AFL Drafts. Gold Coast to also have zoned access to up to 3 Northern Territory players prior to the 2010 AFL Draft. 2010 POST -SEASON, AFL LISTED PLAYER ACCESS : Gold Coast to have capacity to pre-list 10 players who had previously nominated for the AFL Draft, or were previously listed with an AFL Club. Gold Coast to have the capacity to sign up to 16 un-contracted players. Gold Coast will also be allowed an expanded player list and higher salary cap for 1st 4 years ( 2011 - 2014 ) as follows: 2011 - 48 Senior List, 9 Rookies & extra $ 1 million Total Player Payments allowance. 2012 - 46 Senior players, 9 Rookies, & $ 800,000 extra TPPA 2013- 42 Senior Players , 9 Rookies & extra $ 600,000 TPPA 2014 - 40 Senior players, 9 Rookies & $ 400,000 extra TPPA 2015 - 38 Senior list, 9 rookies & normal TPPA AFL ROOKIE DRAFT : Each AFL club has a Senior List of 38 plus up to 6 Rookies, except Brisbane & Sydney who are allowed 3 extra Rookies if they have resided in Queensland ( for Brisbane ( or ACT & NSW for Sydney ) for a minimum of 3 years. You can only spend a maximum of 2 years on a Rookie List and can only be elevated to Senior List if a Senior List Player retires or is placed on the ' Long Term Injury List '. Once elevated during a season, you stay on the Senior List for the remainder of the season. Also, if a Club has LESS THAN 1 VETERAN listed player, they can nominate 2 Rookies to be available for Senior selection. A Rookie must be between 18 - 23 ( although 1 player over 23 has been allowed since 2006 as long as they have not been on a senior List or Rookie List previously ), must be registered with a Club affiliated with the AFL & nominate for the AFL Draft. 2009 DRAFT ONWARDS : To assist with players completing their VCE, players eligible for the Draft , must turn 18 by the 31st of December of the year they are drafted. PLAYER PAYMENTS: The base salary for draftees ( except below ) & excluding allowances if drafted by an interstate Club is as follows: 2009 - Base of $ 62,700 ( $ 1,205 pw ) which includes superannuation & pre-season games PLUS $ 2,700 per game. For example, Fremantle's Nick Suban ( Drafted from North Ballarat Rebels in 2008 ) has played in every game in 2009 so far ( 14 rounds ) and will have earned match payments of $ 37,800 on top of his base salary plus interstate living allowance. 2010 - Base of $ 64,700 pa PLUS $ 2,800 per game 2011 - Base of $ 66,900 pa PLUS $ 2,900 per game. Exceptions are: A first year Draft Pick ( eg Jack Watts ) A Second Year Player ( eg Rhys Palmer ) A rookie list player ( eg Zac Dawson A player promoted from the Rookie List ( eg Melbounre's Shane Valenti in 2008 )

More information on James Grinter. Plays in Camberwell Sharks Colts team Kicked 18 goals in last 3 games. Father Rod is the coach and Garry Lyon is the coach of the under 12's. Camberwell Sharks PDF is interesting reading. http://www.gws.com.au/camberwellsharks/pdf...knews022008.pdf

Heard on the rumour file this morning (3AW) that the MFC have earmarked a father/son selection. The inference was that they are assisting or paying his private school fees. Although no name was mentioned I believe the rumour may relate to James Grinter (son of Rod). Eligible for 2010 Draft Does anybody have any info on his football ability. From Bigfooty Re: SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2009 - Movers and shakers

If Jones wants to go all out (100%) to win. No Tanking Why the hell doesn't he learn to kick properly to a teammate instead of kicking the ball over their head or at their feet. You would also think that handpassing forward to a stationery teammate about to get clobbered is paramount to tanking.

To me following the MFC is not a social pastime it's about winning flags and more flags. I was 12 yrs when we won the last premiership and I still remember it to this day. Oh! What a feeling. I feel like I've just been marking time since then. Dissapointment, followed by dissapointment. Poor recruiting, lack of finances, poor facilities and second rate administrations. The journey has been long and the only thing that keeps me barracking for my beloved demons is another flag It's really not so much for me now, it's for my kids. I made them follow the demons or I would not take them to the footy. They now love Melbourne as much as I do and I want a flag for them. In the meantime, what keeps me going is seeing new players like Liam Jurrah, attending training at Casey and reading the supporter forums. I live for the MFC and the snippets of joy it sometimes gives. Bye the Bye, the MFC rang me yesterday wanting to sell raffle tickets as part of the debt demolition. I've financially supported the club for many years, however on this occassion I said that I would prefer to wait and see if the club gets a priority pick this year before I contibute more funds. Although a priority pick may not be a major ingredient in winning a premiership it MUST help and I am getting tired of waiting for our next flag. I'm becoming very impatient.

Agreed. All of the above. Plus Brock McLean's concrete boots and Nathan Jones - A first round draft pick (12) in 2005. His disposal and decision making is not up to AFL standard. He continually handpasses forward to a player already covered. His kicks are up and under and he has no real tricks as a midfielder. I can't question his desire just his skills. The only players I really feel comfortable with the ball in their hands are Davey, Jurrah, Bennell, Bate, Maric, Wonna and Green. I'm always expecting a turnover with anybody else.

Agreed. We will probably want at a minimum of 4 selections in the National draft plus the option of a PSD pick. The MFC must make a decision on Spencer and Valenti. They have 3 choices, either delist both, put them on the main list at the expense of an existing player or try and re-rookie them. Personally I don't think Spencer will ever make the grade as his disposal is poor and does not look like a natural footballer. So, for those that have the romantic notion of hanging on to senior players just because they can help the youngsters, think again. Give the youngsters some credit. If they are coached well and have some experienced players such as Davey, Rivers, Maloney, Green, McLean and I dare say even Bruce around them, they will be fine. Particulary, if they can see some exciting new players coming into the club. Remember, earlier this year it was reported that some of the younger players complained that some of the senior guys were not putting-in. Let them make their own destiny. The MFC have always had this habit of holding onto players for far too long. Nietz and White included. Those posters who want to keep senior players, tell me, WHO WOULD YOU DELIST TO MAKE SUFFICIENT SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR THE DRAFT(S). Given that we will probably want between 6 and 7 spots and that Newton and Bell and I believe Dunn are contracted next year. Who do you say goodbye to.

For the next 3 weeks we should play both PJ and Spencer. This leaves us one running player short (as Grimes is injured). Jurrah should be played on a wing for his development with Bartram taking the kick-ins Bruce, Green and Davey should be rotated off the bench with none of them having more than 60% playing time. Overall keep the rotations down so the players a totally knackered before they come off. I also think Robbo should be taught a lesson and be played in defence to help improve that side of his game.

Excellent comments. We do need to draft deep into the draft. I't's not just about Scully it's about the picks after that. For instance the following players were all rookie selection that are good/very good players. Danyle Pearce Aaron Sandilands Dean Cox Liam Picken Adam Varcoe Alan Toovey Jason Porplyza Brad Sewell Sure we did well with Aaron Davey and Robbo as rookies but have been so so with our overall recruitment over the last 40 years. We've had some great players over this time but have not had sufficient depth to compete when it really counts. Although the jury is out I think that we've recruited well in 2007 and 2008 and need to continue this in 2009. But we still have a fair way to go. A priority pick would certainly help and I would be annoyed if the club does not ensure that this happens. I want flags, not middle of the table finishes. St. Kilda, Hawthorn and Carlton have had plenty of early and priority picks and look where they are. Smart recruitment=Good players=success=members=money=blockbuster games=premierships. I'm tired of the club always appearing to do the "right thing" just to please the media and everyone else. We need to be a bit more ruthless particularly with list management. Recruitment is the life-blood of any club and this is where our resources should be put. Let's find another jurrahcane mark 11 For what it's worth West Coast WILL NOT win another game this year to ensure they get a priority pick. Put your money on Freo next week. I'm sure that if Freo are on 4 wins when they play us they will do a Carlton 2007 and not win that game.. Smart clubs look to the future and don't worry about winning meaningless games in the short term. We should do the same this year and plan for 2010 onwards with recruiting as the top priority.

Although we are on 3 wins you could say we are really on 4 wins because there is no way that Freo will want to win the round 20 game. They can get a priority pick (after the first round) if they don't win more than 4 games. I think they will beat WC in the derby because WC can't afford to win any more games. Therefore the only thing we can do is rest some of the play-makers for the North and Richmond games such as Bruce and Green, McDonald, Bate, Maloney and now Jurrah. It's time to give Bail, Hughes and Valenti some games for their development and bring back Newton at FF. Even then I think we will struggle not to win 5 games.

Frank "Bluey" Adams was special guest on SEN last night. At the end of the interview he was asked by Geoff Poulter what MFC need to become a top side. He said " we need two more players in the elite category". No specific types were mentioned. I love this club and my kids also barrack for them. I want them to see what a premiership feels like because I still remember vividly (as a twelve year old) what it felt like to win the 1964 GF. I can't remember what I did yesterday, but I can remember listening to the GF and crying after Neil Crompton won it for us. Oh! what a great feeling. I love winning football matches, but I am desperate for MFC to get a priority pick this year. This season is done and dusted so let's set ourselves up for the next 10 years. I'll be shattered if other teams let us win 5 matches because lets face fact Carlton let us win the last game in 2007. How dumb were we. I think we should play all the new kids i.e Hughes, Valenti, Zomer, Healey, McKenzie and Bail to give them some experience. Add in players with poor disposal such as Bartram and Spencer and hopefully we will achieve two things. Experience for the youngsters (long term planning) and honorable losses. I just have this awful feeling, that no matter what we do, we will win (or be allowed) to win 5 games. I can feel it in my water. We need to give away more 50 metre penalties, have interchange violations, have too many players in the centre square, play some injured players and put Bartram at full foward. Tell the players that the point posts are really the goals. Alas, even then we will probably win. I think I need a beer, a bex and a good lie down. Does anyone know a good psychiatrist.

Just got back from training. Spoke with Adam M who said that he will be operated on next week. Hurt the shoulder a couple of weeks ago playing for Casey. Didn't seem too concerned and can't wait to start playing again. Strauss was operated on this week.

Been to training 4 or 5 times at Casey. Went down on Monday and today. Without going into great detail DB said that players were generally fitter than last year. He doesn't seem to get too excited about anything, which is good as we have a long way to go. Training is very repetitive, as they seem to do the same drills each each session. They play touch football (handballing rather than throwing). They do a similar drill using tennis balls. The also do some set plays kicking and handballing. I spoke to Ricky Petterd when he had ice on his left hammy. He said it was just a bit tight. He went back out on the field and did some light training after about 20 minutes. I didn't see Colin Sylvia today. I overheard that Clint Bartram rolled his ankle (don't know when) and went to the pool. Tom Rockliff trained on Monday and today. Seemed a bit unsure of himself on Monday as he did not know anybody. He trained well today and looked confident in his ability. He did well and knows what to do in front of goal. Not particularly athletic, but a natural footballer. A non high-flying version of Robbo. All the recruits (except Watts) trained today. Watts had school commitments. Jetta looked really good in the touch football. Has a lot of flair about him. The player that has really impressed me in the last couple of weeks is big Jake Spencer. I saw him at Trinity last year and he seemed like a fish out of water. Now he looks supremely confident and has been super impressive in the drills. Good ball handling and athletic. I mentioned his name to an official of the club and he was very excited about his improvement. Trent Zomer has turned into a big bodied player and also seemed to do well in most of the drills. Of the invitees Danny Hughes and Sam O' Sullivan are impressive. Danny has overcome his injuries and like all the players is (training the house down). Jordie McKenzie also looks a likely type. Marcus White looks a clone of Clint Bartram but seems to have better ball skills. Last year we did not draft any of the invitees. Therefore, I guess we should not get too excited. However, going out on a limb my best guess is that next Tuesday I would not be surprised if we add the following players to our list:- Tom Rockliff, Danny Hughes, Sam O'Sullivan and a player training with another club. Theo

Sibosado was not at training. Just the three kids 3 that I mentioned plus the Sandy boys Danny Hughes and Tregear. Hughes trained very well and so did Valenti. Don't know what they've got in mind for the PSD. Am I right in saying that unless Sibosado is taken in the PSD, he is not eligible for a rookie selection as he is bottom age?. Zaharakis was bottom age in the National Draft last year and was not drafted. This year he came ahead in leaps and bounds and was picked up by Essendon. I really hope that they take a punt and pick Sibosado in the PSD because next year he may well be a first or second round pick. We could have both Siosado and Butcher and maybe even Scully if we win less than 5 games. I also think they will take Jordie McKenzie in the rookie draft. The Falcons were surprised that he was not drafted.

Went down to training at Casey Fields yesterday. Strauss and Blease had there first training session. They certainly look like young boys that need to do plenty of gym work. Frawley has bulked up a bit, Cheney and Maloney look very solid. Meesen and PJ finished the session doing ruck work together. Meesen certainly has a great physique and seemed to do well in most of the general drills. His marking was as good as anyone else; it's a shame that he doesn't seem to have the same confidence in a real match. Robbo was certainly favouring his injury and seemed fairly restricted, although he was kicking the ball (short kicks). McLean looked in pretty good shape and did most of the drills. Standing near the boys and kicking the balls back that went over the fence I must admit that the so-called angel of the team Cam Bruce has the foulest mouth even though it's all in good fun. Anyway, at the end of training I noticed some unfamiliar faces doing stretches so I asked Brent Maloney who they were. He said that they were invitees hoping to get a chance on the rookie list. I'm pretty certain the names he gave me were: Jordie McKenzie from Geelong Falcons (there is a video of him on you tube, guernsey No 46) Two boys from Oakleigh Chargers: Benjamin White and Samuel O'Sullvan. Ben played 8 matches this year and averaged 8 kicks a game, 8 handballs and 4 tackles. SOS played 2 matches and only had a total of 8 kicks, 5 Hballs and 6 tackles. Are they KPP types? Absolutely not. More of the same that we drafted last Saturday. I think Dean's plan is to play like the Irish - hard at it, good hands and foot skills and smother the opposition with our competitiveness. I spoke to him last week before the draft and couldn't help myself by mentioning that it would be great if we could improve our kick-in strategy as we seem very slow in clearing the ball compared to other teams. I also mentioned that we need more strength in the team as we seem like boys against men sometimes. He didn't comment on the kick-ins but mentioned that this year we will be a lot fitter and a number of the boys have bulked up. He said that last year we weren't fit enough and many of the boys did not complete a full pre-season. I said that if we picked Watts I hope we also draft another KPP forward to help him as the opposition will easily be able to cover him. He just gave me a wry smile. By the way Sibosado for Oakleigh Chargers played 7 matches. He kicked 14 goals, 2 times in the best, 43 kicks, 21 handballs 15 tackles,11 contested marks and 12 uncontested. I hope this information is of interest.