Grand New Flag

Big statements from Dawes & Watts in the early stages of this game will go along way phycologicaly.

Dry day!

So this is where Mitch is at. Since getting help his mental state has dramatically improved. This is clear for all to see. However, as others have pointed out clinical depression is a difficult beast that is not cured rather it is managed. We all hope Mitch learns to manage his depression so as he never falls to the depth of despair he did earlier this year. Getting professional help and reliving himself of the pressure of AFL football while he heals was the best thing he could have done. Mitch has let the MFC know that he still harbours the desire to play AFL football in fact he never ruled it out, but he is under no illusion of how far he must come to get back to an AFL level and that he may for both physical and mental reasons never make it. Mitch has asked Misson to put him on long term program to condition his body back for a possible return to football at some level. Mitch has begun this training. It is a slow conditioning 12 month program. If things are going well both physically and mentally Mitch will consider making himself available for a rookie list position at the end of the year. However, he may decide he would prefer no pressure and decide to play local football next season. He may be unable to condition his body, he may relapse into depression in which case his retirement is permanent. Only one thing is certain, if he does decide to pursue AFL ambitions again it will only be for the MFC. He will not be returning to WA, he does not want to play for any other club.

Mitch has left the door open with a decision to be made in Nov/Dec. I have not seen the interview. I may end up with egg on my face. I am just saying what I am told from my friends inside the club. I hope to get more info on this and other issues on Monday.

Ask me on Tuesday.

I am told the club views the possibility of a Clark comeback as a genuine possibility rather than a long shot. Say 50/50 or better. After all you would not go on the footy show and say its possible unless you were seriously considering it.

Fact: Clark will keep possibility of comeback as "ON" in tonight's interview. This has become compelling viewing for all Dee supporters.

Fact: Clark will keep possibility of comeback as "ON" in tonight's interview. This has become compelling viewing for all Dee supporters.

His first few games have reminded me of Adam Yze's first few games. Not getting ahead of myself, but boy does that excite me. Seems to be very similar. Pure clean class, ability to read the play and goal sense.

The footyshow appearance this Thursday is very interesting. Firstly and most importantly it is clear from this appearance that he is feeling much better and is over this bout of depression. He would not be appearing if he was feeling depressed in any manner. This is excellent news, lets hope this is permanent. As for his playing future, he will obviously be asked the question on the Footy Show and he will respond either No, Yes or possibly. If he does not completely and absolutely rule it out a return, the odds of him playing for the Dees next season skyrocket. I expect him not to rule it out, as this is what I am hearing from inside the club. Lets wait and see.

I am told he has not ruled out playing AFL next year, and if he does he is a delisted free agent and will nominate Melbourne. I am told he is not considering playing for any other team. Don't get excited this is still a long shot.

I was 17yo. I use to go to the footy every week with my Grandfather. Never saw my Grandfather cry except twice in the course of 4 weeks in 1987. The first where tears of joy when we beat the dogs at Western Oval to make the finals. This is still my most memorable game, I will never forget it, never forget everyone glued to the Hawks v Geelong game in the last quarter and the crowd cheering on each of the Hawks comeback goals. 4 weeks later the tears were flowing again when our great man Jimmy ran over the mark and Buck's kick truly from 40 meters. He was not going to make the distance when the siren went and he was lining up a torp from 55. Ironically it was a Buck's after the siren goal against Geelong that got us into the finals, as it was a Buck's goal after the siren that kicked us out. I have watched the preliminary final replay dozens of times, I am still not sure how we managed to lose.

For the record: The concerns are that Hogan will not play this year but his injury is NOT career threatening. As for the "he is likely to return to WA", this is just me reading between the lines. I have no insight on this and thought I made this clear.

OK, OK, on reflection I got a little carried away on "people getting stuck into me". I really could not care if people did. Anyway, I will blame it on the red wine making me want to unnecessarily big note myself. My apologies.

My understanding is that he would be a delisted free agent and able to go to the club of his choice. He would not be required to go through the draft. It is also my understanding that he retired knowing that this was an option. I understand he has never completely given up on playing AFL again for Melbourne if his mental health improved as such. I was told all this the week before he retired.

I mentioned this was what was happening on the Hogan thread last week and a couple of people on hear got stuck into me for making up rumours?!!??!?! Those people should apologise. I will say one more thing. Don't be surprised if Roos remains as coach beyond this contract........

I have not yet given up on Strauss or Bleese. I am looking forward to them been given an opportunity in the seniors in the 2nd half of the season. Roos will make them earn this spot.

Dunn has been one of our best for a few years now. I can't believe people are saying he was a potential to be delisted at the beginning of the season.

To be fair Dunn has been good for a few years now. Unfortunately half this site had it in for him and it took him along time to be recognised for his improvement. We must resign him.

Paul Roos to extend his contract!!!!

Sassy: No, however, the club is aware that Roos is looking at MFC as a long term commitment (assuming board and administration perform professionally). If all is good he will either continue as coach or as Director of Football long after his current contract expires..

Fair point Hardtrack, I am not always right. I only pass on what I am hearing from within the club and that info is sometimes an opinion and sometimes does not pan out. Other times I pass on my own opinions which are regularly wrong. However, when it came to the signing of Roos last season, that was an outcome that had already been confirmed before Neeld had even been dismissed. For all the reasons, this will always be denied by those inside the club and Roos, but mark my words Paul Roos had made his decision to coach us more than 1 year ago. The play with the media was an absolute charade.............. mind you a well played charade. Well done Paul Roos... .......... and for once, well played to the MFC board.

Totally agree Old Dee. All effort must go into resigning Dunn. He is now in our top 5. Considering how long we have waited for him to come good, it would be a tragedy to lose him.

Machby: true he is not a FA and he will provide a significant trade in return, but if he asks to be traded to Freo, MFC will trade him.

Word I am hearing from within the club is that the expectation is that Hogan is gone for the season. Anything better would be unexpected and a bonus. The only cure for his injury is rest, and no one knows how much rest is required so as there is no relapse. However, the medical advice is that given enough rest, he will make a full recovery. MFCs main concern is keeping Hogan beyond the end of next season. Footy department doing everything they can, however, my reading of it is that footy department think he is more likely to leave than stay. My view is our only hope is if this group can quickly improve on-field....... make the future look exciting. When you look at Freo, they have a massive issue coming in the tall forward department, their current tall forwards are in their twilight. Hogan would be a godsend for them, a massive back ended contract with the big coin kicking in after Pavs retirement is coming. Mark that down as a certainty. You could just imagine Hogan salivating at the prospect of playing one season next to his childhood hero before taking over from him at home, in front of his family and friends and for the club he grew up loving. I think we are in deep trouble on re Hogan.