Maldonboy38

Sorry to be a pebble in the Demonland shoe, but I have seen too many false dawns and rays of hope. I can't let myself believe this until I see Roos in a MFC tee shirt at a press conference with PJ. If this comes to pass, I will be the first to run down my street in the buff with a Dees scarf around my neck yelling "Rooooos". At the moment it is the classic carrot on a stick and after the last 5 years I just can't do the "this might be great" celebrations.

I don't see any failings in condition or fitness. Our players are mentally stuffed; low on confidence within a game plan that was boring, complicated and devoid of freedom and initiative. Even medicos will tell you that 90% of a person's recovery from illness, injury or surgery lies within their attitude. It is the same in life, sport, everything. Get them confident and watch how fit and fast they look.

Who notices how many interchanges there are in a game? I don't go to the MCG and then spend half my time watching who is coming on or off and how much game time they play. I watch ball movement by hand and foot, high marks, huge tackles, bone-bruising crashes, goals from 50. I see Rioli, Howe, J Selwood, Ablett. Let them have 200 interchanges if they like just let them play footy and let me watch!!!

Because internally, within the confines of their own club, they are not only good players but they are known as leaders, thinkers and communicators. Not every great player can coach - Bartlett and Skilton for example - but some make the jump very easily.

Ling, Voss, Hayes, Simpson, Bolton - these are the sort of recently retired players who we need around the club in some kind of role. Voss is the standout player among that list, but it is the dedicated, hard-working, gut-busting, bone crunching professionalism that these players exuded that we have so little of. Probably only N Jones, Clark and Viney on our current list display this attutude. Maybe Frawley also at his best. Which of them could influence others - probably Ling or Voss would be my choice, but I wouldn't knock back what Bolton had to offer.

Bartlett is playing a certain line and it has quietly but powerfully emerged in all his statements so far. He wants the running of the club and the administration to fade into the background and to pour all the attention and energy into the football department/players. In light of this, I reckon he is going to play his cards close to his chest on everything he does in preparation for 2014. Apart from the coaching announcement when it comes, the other board decisions and management reshuffles will be made public in small media releases, and short radio interviews. We have been so poor in so many ways he is gathering a new group of people around himself and PJ, and they will do a lot of foundational, culture changing work away from media, away from the players, and even away from us supporters. The only exception is the AGM which could be a bit fiery. I like this approach. Let the media focus on Essendon, the finals, Buddy going to GWS or Daisy Thomas etc... I am not buying in just yet - we haven't even seen who the coach will be for 2014 - but I like this strong but quiet approach to institutional change.

Wow, it looks like some unbelievably poor decisions. Pederson and Rodan again. I just don't get this. What is the point? No Taggert. It looks like he isn't going to get a chance to show his wares. Davis gets dropped. I have no emotional investment left, and now we get this. Bored and p****ed off.

Admire Col Garland greatly. I hope the Dees improve quickly and play finals soon to reward players like him who have endured so much strife. Congrats on 100 games and a wonderful 2013. On another point and a bit of a tangent, is he a smoky for captain in 2014? His media work is better than anyone else at the club, he is articulate and thought provoking, he has genuine passion for the club and the jumper, leads on the field even when we are losing by 100 points and has had to work hard to get to where he is. Thoughts?

Viney is the best footballer of the new crop. But don't discount Toumpas after a full preseason either. But the battle for best first year player is between Terlich and Matt Jones. I give it to Jones because - he has better awareness than Terlich who continually turns back into trouble - although I don't have stats to hand, Terlich's disposal efficiency feels like it would be hovering around 50% at best M Jones for best 1st year player.

Retired Davey, MacDonald Delist: Senior: Nicholson, Sellar, Jetta, Rodan, Gillies Rookie: Couch , Magner Trade Watts, Jamar This opens up 9 senior positions and 2 rookie places Senior: Upgrade Clisby Hogan Rookie : Stark Unsure I want Pederson out but we cannot afford it Sylvia UFA Jurrah as possible rookie

There are a lot of big "ifs" about getting him back at the Dees, and a lot of factors - both personal and professional - have to align, but to have him back doing what he does best would get my three kids who are members back to the footy. I would be stoked to see him in red and blue again. But with Davey retiring, is there a mentor available who can fully come alongside? Do we ask Goodes, O'Loughlin, Michael Long to take up a personal mentoring role? Oh no, do I detect a sense of impossible anticipation for 2014? Gods of football, please don't do this to me!?!?

I caught about 20 minutes of the Richmond v Carlton game today, and was really grieving watching McLean and Petterd play well. It got me thinking about Footscray in the 1970's and early 80's. They gave away/lost Dempsey, Quinlan, Templeton, Barry Round, and others whose names are lost so far back. The Doggies lost these great players (Dempsey is still the best tap ruckman I have ever see) because everything inside the club stank of a loser mentality with no hope in sight. At the moment we have Moloney, Martin, McLean, Scully, Petterd, and Rivers, who left us. They are all getting regular games for their new clubs and we are back rotting at the bottom the ladder. History repeating itself again. What is really interesting is that once Malthouse got toFootscray the club began to turn. Can one man make such a difference? Can this happen at the Dees after such a mass exodus?

Stable CEO - check. President - check. ( I think ) I know nothing about Bartlett, and am struggling to see his connection to the MFC as anything but a professional move. Ability, vision, leadership are the most vital ingredients but I don't see any emotional/support connection - does he barrack for the Dees? I also hope he is not only an AFL liaison officer, who comes with strings attached. CAn anyone out there inform me on this?

We have to start looking at the attributes he actually brings to a game, and not the things we expect him to bring but never delivers. Kicking / kicking for goal - possibly the best since Trav Johnstone, and on the same level as Davey Marking. Rather poor really, but has improved immensely under Neil Craig. Tackling. Very poor, even when he tries to tackle. Awareness/Vision. Amazing, a common trait from who players who come to AFL from basketball. Physical presence/power forward. Very poor. Mental toughness/application. Worst aspect of his game. Dreadful. Aerobic. Really, really good. Team player. The other players really like him, but after the Footy Show last night this looks tenuous at best. So, for a bloke 6'5", with the above traits, do we need that player or can we improve our list via trade? IS there someone else on our list with his strengths? I am a huge fan of Jack, and voted above for him to stay, but looking at the listed attributes I am unsure. One thing I will say is that each year he has improved, and that says a lot about his training and growth. Will he produce in 2014/2015 the mental and physical toughness that he currently lacks?

I also prefer Choco Williams but won't knock back Eade after our lst 5-6 years.

Voss for MFC midfield coach in 2014?

Really good topic to take our minds off the unbelievable amount of dung hanging around AFL at the moment. 1. New President and Senior Coach 2. Get Clark and Dawes fit, for crying out loud!!!! 3. With everything we have got, get one of Sewell, Del Santo and/or Daisy Thomas. (1 experienced A grade midfielder) 4. With everything we have got, land one of Adams, Swallow, Sloane (1 young rising, potential A grade midfielder) 5. Only trade Watts/Syvlia if we get better than we are giving. 6. Big preseason for Hogan, Barry, Evans, Toumpas, Viney, Clisby, Terlich, D Kent - for the first time in a long time this list of young'ns looks capable. 7. Time to go Davey, Nicholson, Gillies, Sellar, Jetta, Bail. 8. A proud major sponsor, not some flaky nut bag like Energy Watch, or fly-by-night Opel. A company willing to promote themselves while helping to grow MFC. Note: I hearby solemnly promise not to type the following phrases into the Demonland forum for the 2014 preseason: elite kick they looked really sharp a big change from the training of Neeld player "x" should get a game based on the training I have seen Trengove has an injury and will not train until February

I went to see the Dees play the Bombers in 1980 (I think) when Ditterich was coach - we flogged them and sung "bye bye bombers bye bye" to the tune of Come on Aussie come on.. A mate of mine's brother-in-law named Bluey Seaton was playing on the wing for the Dees and we got to go in the club rooms before and after the game. Ditterich was a very scary individual, Flower was playing, Hardeman... but we were still basically a poor, poor team. But 2013 has no Flower, Hardeman or Ditterich. No Ray Biffin or Rod Grinter to liven up boring moments.

1981 was a shocker, but there were many things that kept us interested: the hope (that never really arrived) of having Barrassi back a the club. Players like Flower and others mentioned above had some skill and flair. We kicked a few decent scores and ended up with 63% This year has lacked the vital ingredient of hope. This year no player has stepped up and played spectacular footy (Howe's marking, Clarke's presence, Blease's run etc...) I don't want to remain emotionally involved due to an absence of hope but I have supported the Dees for so long I just can't help it.

I just can't wait for AFL season 2013 to finish so I don't have to groan every time footy stuff comes across my computer, tv or radio. I am warn out. This GWS v MFC game attracts me about as much Ita Buttrose in a bikini. TO be honest, I really don't care. Happy for Davis, though. Should have happened weeks ago.

Wellman was an outstanding defensive coach and will remain so, but the way he left MFC when the Bombers boys club were called home, dropping us cold, left a foul taste in the mouth of many. I reckon we need a clean break from him, from the recent past, and from anything to do with the Bombers last three years that makes our mistakes look like premierships. Everything there is very tainted now. Would love Ratten back as midfield coach but he is well entrenched at Hawthorn and loving it from all reports. So aim for Ling instead or if not, what about Junior McDonald? His work ethic and communication skills are first class. What do you reckon abut Johnathon Brown as forward coach? Knows his craft, great leader, well respected - I just don't know what his communication skills are like.

Go after Nate Fyffe if he is up for contract renewal. If Fyffe not available, then offer Sewell big $ and don't let him say no. His is slipping out of favour at the Hawks and has 2 really good years left in him.

I lean towards the opinion of Satyriconhome above, and long for the days when what we are talking about is the 22 men who run out, fit, fed and inspired and give it their best shot at winning a game of football. I am getting soooooooo tired of footy politics, changing coaches, drugs in sport, which CEO agrees with the AFL on blah blah, equalisation strategy etc... But the MFC is an excellent choice for an academic study on the nature of change in a business organisation. The drive and motivation for change initiated by Jim Stynes was right on the money. If you looked at a rule book for organisational change, as Jimmy brought in Chris Connolly, Dean Bailey, Cam Schwab, etc... all the key change indicators were being followed and implemented. This organisational "revolution" had all the right factors but with one essential flaw - personnel. The people recruited were friends,colleagues, or those admired and respected but they were not agents of change - they were managers of a system. Schwab and Connolly could implement strategy but not drive change in culture. We failed in recruiting the right people.

It is a very touchy subject. Jim Stynes had leadership written all over him - he could inspire, motivate and bring people into his vision to make it happen. But he surrounded himself with red and blue devotees rather than capable managers and do-ers. Cam Schwab is a classic example.

One last highlight - a quote about the AFL: QUOTE: The AFL has offered support to address these issues, but this support is highly conditional. In this context, the implementation of the recommendations contained in this report should be seen as critical to: • satisfying the conditions of the AFL; • regaining the confidence of members, stakeholders; and • providing a stable environment that is essential in attracting key Football Department personnel, and retaining players. It is clear that over the next 6 - 12 months, the AFL will say jump and we will say "how high?". I know this sucks but considering the dysfunction of our previous Boards(s) it is probably essential. Anyone with half a brain about corporate governance structures can see that this report is a politically correct statement that is actually saying our Board were hopeless. No news there I suppose.