DirtyDees DDC

The Board of the Bentleigh Club has received a proposal from the Melbourne Football Club for the Bentleigh Club to merge into its operation with the MFC.

Reasons include the Bentleigh Club’s spiralling downward profitability trend, the challenging post 2012 new gaming regulations and the future capital expenditure projections required to maintain an attractive and viable venue.

The proposals include relocating to an alternative commercially viable location, in close proximity to the existing site,

but in any case remaining at Yawla St until at least until 30 June 2012.

Key issues include:

· The substantial profitability decline of the Bentleigh club, over the past 5 years

· The ongoing and increasing reliance of gaming to fund our existing operations, and facilities.

· The ongoing reliance on The Melbourne Football Club for survival

· An ageing venue that will require extensive capital expenditure, to meet regulatory

requirements, and to try to maintain an attractive and competitive venue.

· The uncertainty but inevitability of ongoing and substantial changes in regulations and taxes of

clubs and gaming venues in the future.

· The certainty of an even greater substantial investment in other venues, which will create even

more competition and pressure on our finances. (This has already begun with the upgrade to

the Bentleigh RSL, and will escalate as 2012 approaches) and

· The ongoing difficulty and inability to attract new and young membership numbers.

The board approached many consultants who have all come to the conclusion that the current location is a

significant impediment to its commercial success.

The Board has reviewed the proposal in detail is giving an ‘In Principal’

recommendation to further investigate the proposal.

This proposal can be found and downloaded from the Bentleigh Club website front page from Friday 23 July after 12 noon, at www.thebentleighclub.com.au

Be interesting to see the affect of this merger proposal on the MFC's bottom line in 2012 and beyond.

Good to see that Strauss is not on the injury list. He's almost been the forgotten player this year along with Martin. I hope he gets a game this sunday with Casey.

Well done Maric. He's the 39th player on our senior/rookie list to play AFL football this year. Is this more than any other club? I have a hunch he may not be the last. McNamara and Tapscott could also get a call-up if they can show good form at Casey.

As for Bate - He had an interrupted pre-season and has played most matches on the flank. He's currently 91kgs. I'd like to see him lose about 4-5kgs. I'm not saying he's fat, but losing a little muscle may improve his pace off the mark and reduce his turning circle. I reckon he's at his best when he runs hard and bursts into space. The average weight of AFL players is 87kg. I don't think Bate needs an extra 4-5kgs to play his best game. Another option is to play him in midfield where he spent some last year.

I'd be surprised if he doesn't take Moloney's place this Sunday.

For the next 10 years, Jack will get the chance to train with one of the best defenders in the league in chip Frawley.

I hope they bring out the best in each other.

It's good to see from him isn't it? I also noticed that for such a lightly built who appears to be outside midfielder, he seemed more then comfortable in amongst the packs and stoppages which is good to see.

I'd like to think that by the start od 2012 he'd of made himself a permanant part of the demons team, a lot to like about his progression since the broken leg.

I wasn't a big fan of Damien Hardwick. He tended to try anything to gain a competitive advantage (EG; conning a free kick against Jonathon Brown in the 2004 GF), however I'll accept that his tough attitude made him a very important player in two premiership sides.

I was worried we'd picked up another lightly built outside player who may be brushed aside in contested situations, but you're right TD - Blease seemed to enjoy 'getting involved'. He's still listed as only 70kg and 184cm. I hope he can get to 80-85kg AND retain his pace.

Good to see Maric get a few goals. I don't think he got a lot of posessions in the first half but 3 goals from a small forward is a fair return. Maybe a chance of a call up next week.

I was at the coldest place on earth (Casey Fields) today and here's my take on the Melbourne listed players:

CASEY RESERVES:

Sam Blease: Only saw the last quarter of the two's and Blease looked allright; didn't get a heap of it but he looks really quick and had plenty of penetration in his kicking, seemed to be their designated kicker as they were trying to feed him the ball as much as possible.  Still needs another week at least with Casey two's probably before playing seniors IMO.

I noticed something else about our 70kg pick 18 draft selection - he may have a bit of the 'Damien Hardwick' about him.

There were 2 minutes left in the match. Casey had kicked a goal and Blease was lined up on the wing for the recommencement.

Just before the next bounce of the ball, Sam was busy trying to push his direct opponent across the line so he could con a free kick from the umps. He also hassled a couple of other opponents by restraining them on the ground. The Port fans were going off at him, calling him mongrel number 47. Luvved it. We could have something here.

They beat us 97 to 50 in the NAB cup earlier this year. We went into that match with high expectations and brand new recruits in Scully, Trengove and Fitzpatrick, and copped a first round thumping at Subiaco. I hope we get closer this time.

Was an improved game. Which is not saying much. He got to plenty of contests given a small amount of game time, just flubbed everything he got his hands to. He also got his hands to the ball in ruck contests more than I expected. He just doesn't know where to put it, or what to do once the ruck contest is finished. He just stands there watching the action unfold... and being so big he finds people pick him out with a relieving handball... at which time he's flat footed, and he gets tackled.

I feel like we may end up going into next week with the same 22, which I reckon is a healthy thing to do with a young developing list. Having said that, the Subi factor might come into it, and they may feel like they need the extra legs.

PJ did a good job at the G last year on Sandilands, so they may give him another crack on Sunday . Picking PJ will also help avoid the temptation to play Dunn in the ruck. Dunn did well against Pavlich last year and he's a good physical match for Freo's best player.

Diabolical that Bail is not an in.

He may get a guersey as a last minute change, but it shouldn't have come to that.

Very, very p*ssed off.

Don't worry mono. I have a feeling they were reluctant to bring two players back after a long injury (Jurrah and Bail).

If Bail has a good match against Frangers then he should be picked for round 16.

Jetta had to go. 10 possessions and 1 goal a match doesn't cut it for a small forward.

Bennell, Cheney, Bartram and MacDonald also have to do more this week.

Go Dees

We've got our new training rooms. Maybe we can also recruit Mrs Tapscott as our diet and conditioning coach.

I know he's built like one, but should we call him 'tank' tapscott?

We currently have 33,349 MFC members. If each member donates $23 dollars, we will wipe off the $767,000 debt.

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Pathetic. Let's ignore the fact that we played the top defensive team in the league and got within 18 points at 3/4 time.

We lost by 35 points. This round two sides got beaten by > 80 points. 2 years ago we lost 7 games by > 75 points. How quickly we forget those dark days.

Yes we have players on our list that may not be up to AFL standard, but I saw improvement in Watts, Trengove and McKenzie, and we converted 20 of our 33 entries into the forward 50. We tried hard at getting our running game going; they were just too tough with their tackling and pressure at the contest.

Any idea who won the Larke medal for best player?

Just namedhttp://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/97405/default.aspx

The 2010 NAB AFL All-Australian team is as follows:

Defenders: Ben Jacobs (VM), Matt Watson(VM), Dyson Heppell (VC), Shaun Atley (VC), Patrick McCarthy (SA), Brodie Smith (SA)

Midfield: Jared Polec (SA), Daniel Gorringe (SA), Andrew Gaff (VM), Mitch Hallahan (VC), Anthony Miles (NSW/ACT), Tom Liberatore (VM)

Forwards: Harley Bennell (WA), Lucas Cook (VC), Adam Treloar (VC), Jayden Pitt (VC), Steven May (NT), Josh Caddy (VM)

Interchange: Sam Day (SA), Josh Bruce (NSW/ACT), Josh Green (Tas), Sam Darley (TAS)

Coach: Robert Hyde (VC)

Assistant coach: Matt Armstrong (Tas)

Not surprised Jack Darling did not make it- but he will be up there when picks are taken.And Deeluded- May included.

Jcb31. why were you not surprised that Jack Darling was not selected? He has been rumoured to go in the top 3 draft picks this year.

Which team are werribee tigers affiliated with in the AFL?

Thanks WJ! I've spent 45 years trying to get over that match, and you brought back all the bad memories!!!

I remember Ian Cooper taking the mark of the season. The match was a turning point and changed St Kilda's fortunes too. They realised after thrashing us that they could be a genuine finals contender.

There's a tall kid at Geelong who hasn't played a game. Mitch Brown. 195cms. Slight build but good mark. He was a first round draft pick in 2008. played with Jack Watts at Sandringham Dragons.

Also, what about Matt Little for Williamstown? Looked v good today against the scorpions. He's a true forward who can kick a goal.

So very few rate Morton. Thank goodness you guys aren't picking the team

Is he purely an outside player? He does a great job as a tall wingman or linkman who can find space and set himself up as a free target for our defenders. I just don't see him win enough contested possessions at this stage.

Great video. Interesting that he was predominantly a right foot player (not a bad other foot either) but bounced the ball on his left. looks like opponents had trouble reading his change of direction. Can we still sign him up?

Morton certainly provides good value as an outside player, but how many contested possessions does he win? Understandable considering his slight frame, however there are times when you have to go in hard like Moloney and Jones and take the hits to get the ball to a better position.

3 - Moloney. he was everywhere. 38 possesions - his best game ever for the club. we were looking at a thrashing and he willed us back into the game. Proud of him.

2.5 - the big Russian - took on 2 opponents and beat them both without support.

2. Davey - 28 possessions but missed at least 4 targets coming out of the backline. He DOES get the hard ball.

1.5 - Garland - 24 possessions -and took the initiative to kick a goal in the second.

1. Jones. tireless - always working so hard at the coalface.

.5 Frawley - a rock in defence and good to see him drift down into the forward line.

Morton did well as an outside player. Hopefully next year he can put on some beef and start winning contested possessions.

Sam Blease was at training today - taking part in the kicking drills and the sprints. No signs of a limp but lots and LOTS of dry retching from Sam after the sprints. Looked like he was pushing himself to the max to get fit for some senior footy.

I hope he reads the article on Jack Grimes in today's Sunday Age, where Jack talks about overcoming his own injuries. Jack said it can be counterproductive to always push his body past the limits.

Not only Liam Jurrah - Luke Tapscott also looked good and moved well. Very sound technique on his right foot and no slouch on the other peg. He didn't train with the main group but worked with Jurrah in sprint drills.

They were doing this kicking drill where 3 players set up in a triangle. Tapscott and Jurrah were nailing passes and you felt sorry for Max Gawn who was the 3rd man up.

According to the injury list Tapscott is 4 weeks away from resuming with Casey so hopefully he'll be back against Frankston on July 11. I hope he doesn't play for scorpions reserves - he's already built like Karmichael Hunt so he might kill someone in the minor league. If he can make a full recovery then he must be a chance to play a senior game this year.

An assumption based on ignorance of the biggest differences between the 2 codes

Athletic Endurance

360 degree vision

Different skillset with hands and feet

Both Gridiron and Rugby League players would find it extremely difficult to change to AFL

Not saying it can't be done but this whole exercise is based on MARKETING the CODE

These Media fools trying to suggest Jim Stynes did it are not comparing apples with apples

as at least the irish game has far more similarities than any other football code on the planet

What Stynes did was amazing as we all know but his brother Bryan didnt make the grade shows you it isnt easy

I bet Kaka or Wayne Rooney wouldnt make it either not that they would want to drop 40 million to find out

It's certainly a marketing exercise but the right guy such a young Darren Lockyer could make the change.

If the AFL are really serious about picking an NRL star to switch codes, then they should look at at rugby league players born in places like Wagga, where both codes are played with equal prominence. Greg Brentnall was born in Wagga and played Aussie Rules in the 60s as a teenager. He reportedly turned down an offer to play VFL and became became a star in NRL, winning the Dally M medal and representing Australia. His ability to continually catch the high ball changed the game.

Dunno about his chances. He's got to take at least 4 inches off those thighs! And what was he doing with the ball when he had that set shot in the first quarter, that went out of bounds on the full? Looked like he was changing his grip as he ran in.

It's an interesting argument about the fitness of AFL verses NRL players. We tend to think AFL guys are fitter because of all the running (esp off the ball). However in the 90's there was a fitness competition b/w athletes from different sports. It wasn't like that mixed sport event that Billy Slater wins. It was simply a test of strength and aerobic capacity. AFL was represented by the former Blues player - Andrew McKay. The event was won by a NSW NRL player named Brett Rodwell. This doesn't mean that NRL players are fitter on average than AFL players, but a very fit guy in NRL should be able to reach the required level for AFL without too much difficulty.

There is one guy currently playing NRL who could have been a star in Aussie Rules. - Darryn Lockyer for the Broncos. Fast - fearless and a terrific left foot kick. Sadly he's the wrong side of 30.