bing181

This from Bigfooty: "What I have heard, and this is not from the media, is that there are two people who have stated that the club was actively tanking. No idea who they could be and I won't guess. Both were ex coaches who left the club under poor circumstances, everyone else was interviewed on multiple occasions to try to get an inconsistency in their replies. Threats were made, start/stop recordings, fist bangings on tables blah blah blah. No one else provided evidence confirming what these two said and the investigators knew they didn't have enough so that's why they looked into the matchday actions, things like the players fumbling in the final three minutes and Jack Watts only playing three games."

I don't know that our defense was our greatest shortcoming last year. We were mostly killed in clearances, and once you lose those, it puts the defense under the hammer.

i don't know that we'd be having this discussion if our Jack hadn't hurt his ankle and basically missed half a season, just when he was finding his feet. There were some more than respectable performances there. (e.g. 34 disposals and 11 marks against Sydney) With a more clearly-defined role, a full pre-season, improved fitness, a bit more experience around the club to lead the way, and some real competition for places, Jack should be due for another step up. And let's not forget, he's still only 21.

Not the place for a discussion of cycling, but this is at the very least, ill-informed. Firstly because in those tours, you don't ride up mountains for 3 weeks, and secondly we're talking about elite level athletes. Long before there was EPO, blood transfusions and steroids, people were racing up mountains, and at a fair clip as well. It's a bit like saying no-one can run 42 km, yet alone in just over 2 hours. I've ridden quite a few of those mountain stages myself, and they're not insurmountable - with a bit of (serious) training. And just to pick up on one of your comments re cycling and the olympics: the original comment was made by Dick Pound, ex-head of WADA, and if there's a bigger loose cannon in international sport, I've yet to see one. He's the Jeff Kennet and Greg Denham of the olympic movement all rolled into one self-serving bundle. His statement was subsequently dismissed by the IOC. Back to the tanking discussion.

"As part of the selection process, players were rated in the 10 most important categories of leadership, which included character, competence and competitiveness." Well, that's 3 out of 10. Wonder if "being most vocal" or "looking good in pre-season" are amongst the other 7?

And probably also have to question why he was fourth in the Bluey last year, and won the coaches award for 3 years in a row ... and under two different coaches. They obviously know nothing down at head office.

He'll be in the first 22 every week, whether you're convinced or not.

".... it smacks of indecision" Not judging?

... better still, who are good leaders. Which seems to be the case here.

You've been reading your John Cage again.

Big desks?

If that's what happened ....??? Every club, every organisation, every company has ex-staff with axes to grind ... regardless of how competent the management are.

So, you want to get rid of the board because Jimmy called Bailey instead of calling a taxi?

Clearly?

Connolly denies it all - as well he should/needs to: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/connolly-claims-conspiracy-20130114-2cpwu.html Not sure if "I don't remember any meetings" counts ...

In New York with the family it seems, due back sometime soon.

You seem sprightly enough to me, but if that's the case, perhaps you could consider becoming Very Old Dee?

Next training session, can someone simply not ask him? Becoming the question of the off-season.

But no premierships. Near enough good enough? In any case, much of what we've had to put up with of late is as a result of Danihers' "short term gain" policy. Play in a few finals, but leave the club in a sorry state as a consequence? No thanks. I'd take Neeld over both. Yes, already. Long-term culture-changer.

Speculation. Also, IMHO, simplistic. The Jurrah situation is, at the very least, complicated, and even if you're right, not sure what the point is or even how the club is to blame. In any case, Flack wasn't the only person to depart, pretty well the entire coaching and support staff had changed, which as we know, was difficult for many of the players.

Always great to be excited by a new player coming in. I know this has been mentioned before, but in case anyone missed his Combine results: "Adding to his top-three 3km ranking, Barry was equal ninth in the shuttle run (level 14.2), had a third-best score in the kicking test and was top-10 in the running vertical jump (84cm) and repeat sprints (25.19 seconds)." But can he put it all together when he's hot and hassled out on the MCG? Still 67 days for him to convince the selection committee.

Perhaps not worth starting a new thread for (mods?), but news from today's 3k Time Trial: Melbourne Football Club Christopher José Cincotta we like to keep the times in house but the top places, in order are: Dan Nicholson, Tom McDonald, Rohan Bail, Jordie McKenzie, Nathan Jones, Joel Macdonald and Dom Barry. And further ... Jay Clark ‏@ClarkyHeraldSun Dees time trail first home Dan Nicholson (9min22) and Tom McDonald. At Princes Park. Jay Clark ‏@ClarkyHeraldSun Young Dee Jack Viney in super nick. Finished 8th in about 10min15sec. All set for a big first year.

Think you're writing him off too soon. Still comparatively young, and has yet to complete a pre-season (touch wood that he'll make it through this one). Thought in a couple of games later last year he was starting to show something. Still too early to say for mine. As for who'll step up ... the two main contenders in Strauss and Jetta have already earned a couple of posts. I also wonder what Sellar might be able to do, with another year under his belt, and a bit more pressure for his place, and you would think that a year in the system and a full pre-season won't hurt Magner's chances either.

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Perhaps not .... Tank probe: Dozen witness statements could cook careers in Melbourne investigation "FIGURES connected to the Melbourne tanking investigation have been told up to a dozen people have "rolled over" about how the club has managed past lists. The statements potentially incriminate Demons administrators amid growing fears the club and individuals could face serious league sanctions."