DirtyDees DDC

Thanks to the club for a great day today. Free gifts, cheap MFC goods, great snags (especially the onions), and nice to see the players mixing with the fans after a top training session. Clarry is showing the benefit of a full and proper pre-season. He looks well (maybe another coaches award this year?) There were other add-on players today (as well as Noah Yze and Roy George). One was a stocky guy - often in a white top, and another was a slimmer taller long haired kid..in a cap. Anyone know them?

He had a poor pre-season last year due the foot injury against North in 2023. The good news - he completed the full session yesterday. We may have a very handy swingman in 2025.

He was doing some boundary runs with Tom Campbell, and at one stage was doubled over, sucking in air. But at least he's out there; and probably fitter than this time last year.

Clarry back to the rooms at 11.18. Not injured. Just looked cooked.

Is it true that Hogan wanted to be traded back to Melbourne after the 2020 season, but Goodwin said No?

Anyone know when the next training session is held at Gosch's? And did Barry Jones give the correct answer on Bob Dyer's 'Pick a Box' when he said that Earl Mountbattin was the Viceroy of India as at 1947?

We lost 12 of 24 last quarters this season, including the final quarter in all 8 defeats. Be easy to say it's due to a lack of fitness, but our game plan, based on moving the ball around the boundary line through repeat contested possessions, must take it's toll physically and mentally. We got beaten so often by teams that took the quick route...moving the ball quickly through the corridor. We didn't lose 8 games; we lost one game 8 times.

Nice to see JVR train with the senior group. I don't think he'll be picked for the finals, but he's got a good build for a 1st year lad.

Hibberd?

He was part of our terrific start to the season in 1971...when we won 8 of the first nine games. What a great pair of hands. We also lost Jon Lord and Bluey Adams recently too. A apart from Barass, Hassa and Dixon...are there any other survivors from the 1964 team?

Wonderful team. Wonderful club. They didn't choke (unlike this sad pathetic demons supporter who walked out of the TV room at half time. Too much MFCSS). Yesterday I was one of a very small group on this planet who remembered where they stood on that day we last won the flag. I was 8 years old, stuck in a kitchen in Surrey Hills, gutted when Gabelich put the dreaded Pies in front, then stunned when we hit the front and held on (thank you Neil Crompton). Today, I'm just one of millions around the world who have lived the dream. To misquote Kevin Costner from Field of Dreams...'This isn't Iowa. This is heaven.'

Sad but not surprised that the Packers lost, despite a 15-1 win loss record during the regular season. Their defence was poor for most of the season and they dropped crucial catches during their match against the Giants. The thing they need most is a good running back so they can chew up game time at crucial moments. The giants also carried good form into the finals. I still think the Patriots will win but this could be another close super bowl. Roll on Monday Feb 7.

What a comedy of errors from the Saints. 3 turnovers in the first quarter. The 49s are hitting them very hard.

According to the Big Blue Book, there were 2 hit versions of 'The Hucklebuck' in Melbourne in the '60s. Chubby Checker's version went to No 4 in the Summer of 60/61. The legendary Brendon Bowyer did a cover in 1965 that got to No 7. I'm too young to remember the Chubby Checker version.

He's only been at the club for 2 months, and already he hates our fitness levels. Jeeeeeees!! Wait till he sees our footy skills!!!!

It's one thing to support a coach when he says "we will have them physically fit and physically strong enough to play league footy", and he indicates he will be a very structured coach and expects his players to be the same. It looks like he has started with a clean slate 'no favourites' approach and that all sounds fine. I'm not surprised he queried our fitness levels. We seemed to stuggle at certain times this year (against Hawthorn after 1/2 time and against Collingwood in the last quarter). The crunch will come when certain crowd favourites fail to meet the new fitness levels, or don't adhere to the team structures. Will we still be happy if a player of lesser ability such as Bartram gets picked each week ahead of Tapscott or Jurrah? The article hints that Watts is sitting down with Dave Misson and learning about the game. I'm not sure it says the same good things about Davey and Sylvia. I have a feeling certain 'name' players will be out of the club by end of 2012 unless they can change their ways.

I taped that match, thinking 'oh this will be good - a replay of the superbowl of a couple of years ago'. Not quite. No Payton Manning - no colts. It seems that the offensive units are creaming the defences this year. There are too many good experienced quarterbacks, and too many rookies on the backline.

Here is a report from the Melbourne Leader dated 11 Aug 2010: 'Melbourne chief operations officer Matt Green told the meeting the Bentleigh Clubs profitability had fallen 92 per cent since 2000 and up to $3.7 million was needed for an upgrade. Mr Green said the venue had been unsuccessful in attracting new and younger members, and that its location on residential Yawla St was the biggest problem.' The MFC have now revised their offer to the members of the Bentleigh club. Here are exerpts from an open letter to Bentleigh Club members received today (10/2/11) from the Bentleigh Club subcommittee. FACT Club has lost money for last 3 years Has Debts of over $1.8m and bank seeking solution as no repayments are being made Has Gaming machines 2012 commitment of $1.3 mil Is faced with new legislation in regards to gaming machines and ATMs. Both are considerable risk to the club if it operated as a an independent Most gaming venues are now part of bigger groups to share costs and risks Given the potential personal risk it will be difficult to get board members/ management to be involved if it remains an independent club. MFC REVISED DEAL 1. Minimum 12 Year commitment to location unless original BC members vote to move 2. Never moves unless members vote to (all members included after 12 years) 2. First $100k of profit goes to capital upgrades every year 3. 2 positions on sub-committee to oversee management and financials 4. Commitment it will be run as a club going forward 5. MFC takes over debt of $1.8m and gaming machines liability. In summary, we are proposing to swallow up a poorly situated venue that is losing money and dropping in revenue. We are willing to cover the Bentleigh Clubs' debts to the tune of $1.8 million and the gaming machine expenses of $1.3 million, plus the venue needs another $3.7m in renovations. But what is the point of renovating a club that is regarded by Matt Green and every consultant as a dud venue? One option is the possibility of selling 2 blocks of Whitmuir Road end of the car park to reduce the debt by approximately $1.5m, but there are significant planning issues around selling the blocks. Another option is moving to a new venue. However the current Victorian Commission Gaming Regulations make it more difficult to transfer machines to other zones compared to a transfer within the current zone (Caulfield, Carnegie, St Kilda East, McKinnon, Bentleigh, Elsternwick, and Bentleigh East). So it seems a transfer to Casey Is unlikely. In the original proposal by the MFC last year, the club stated 'There is a clear incentive for MFC to relocate to a venue within the zone.' Yet here we are committing to at least 12 years at this venue, unless the original Bentleigh Club members vote to move. And what are the chances of that? We have finally paid off our debts and turned a small profit. We are now planning to sink our football clubs profits into 'Melbourne's hidden treasure' that is the Bentleigh Club. This could cost us more than Tom.

What a great team the 49ers had in the '80s. Joe Montana as QB, Jerry Rice as the best receiver in history, and rugged Ronnie Lotts as the safety. We they are struggling at the moment. i think they even sacked their coach at end of season.

THE PACKERS WIN THE SUPERBOWL!!!! IT'S AN OMEN!!! GO DEES IN 2011!!!!!!!!! What a match. Pittsburgh were far more experienced, but they threw 2 interceptions and tossed in a fumble, and that was the difference. Green Bay had 3 key players injured by 1/2 time yet they hung on against the powerhouse steelers. It was probably the proudest victory in their proud history. Lombardi would have loved 'em.

It's the mighty Green Bay Packers verses the Pittsburgh Steelers in this years Superbowl, to be played on Monday Morning feb 7 (our time). Both sides dominated their respective first halfs in the division championships, yet fell away in the second half. Pittsburgh will probably start as raging favourites - they won 3 years ago and were the second ranked team, whereas this is the Packers first Superbowl since 1997 and they came in to the playoffs as wildcards. The Steelers have a very good running game; a good defence; and seem to come up with big plays at the right time. The Packers have multiple options in attack and an excellent quarterback in Aaron Rogers. I think the Packers will be more desperate, but i'm concerned with their poor form in the second half. They looked a bit tired and they also have a poor special team. Now I'm not an expert, but I thought that if 'Team A' kicks off after a score, or punts the ball, then isn't 'Team B' supposed to catch the ball and return it?. Not the Packers. They run away from the ball and hope they get a nice bounce!! Good grief. I've barracked for the Packers for years. I believe they are the only club that is owned by the supporters (about 120,000 of them)rather than a multi-millionaire, and now they are in their grand final. I hope it's an omen for the Dees.

Rams out - Seattle thru to the playoffs with an amazing 7-9 win loss record - the worst in NFL playoff history. Go Packers!!!

Just watching the replay of the Eagles vs Minnesota game. Michael Vick - hit 4 times in the first 5 plays by the Vikings defence. He's a fabulous quarterback but please give him some protection Eagles.

Just watched Vick against Houston. Great athlete with a terrific arm, and he can run. Sometimes he doesn't make the right decisions, and he needs more protection from his offensive line. It seems like a very even season with no standout teams. I'm a packers fan but the steelers look strong again. I have a digital tv, 22 channels and a dual tuner dvd. Life is bliss.