Demon Dynasty

1 minute ago, BDA said:

And I reckon he'll be a good influence around the club and the younger players.

100%. Great experience and on field leadership for the younger forwards along with Melk

6 hours ago, Ted Lasso said:

I would expect this will be announced today.

Nice work thanks Mr Lasso

Super happy with this provided we ain't getting a lemon. Wouldn't be the first time but fingers crossed.

The guy can play and gives super white line effort almost always.

Not sure the stats back up my gut feel but i had the impression he is pretty accurate anywhere within 40 - 45 and can even slot 50+ on occasions.

On the surface this is a great get and finally some good news happening on the trade front.

We have to fully back the club in from here, including SK.

Now for some better ball users by foot coming through the middle into 50.

Ashame Judd moved on as i thought he was one plausible answer if he ever made the transition into the middle or off a wing but not really his forte eh.

I still think we should seriously consider moving Bowsa into a defensive HHF role in order to utilise his poise under pressure and decent delivery skills by foot into the 50. Def wouldn't happen under SG but under SK who knows what he's going to tweak and ask from whoever's left from the old brigade.

We'll obviously need more kicking talent than just Bowsa regardless if we're to capitalise on the likes of Checker, Koz, Melk and any others on the lead.

6 hours ago, DEE fence said:

Thank you for this and it helped form a thought bubble that has been percolating for awhile. Trac has had a game plan built around him, no problem with that, but he represents a considerable amount of effort for others that fill in for his defensive running etc. While he has a license to roam and burst, it means others have extras to do. Now while I don’t mind that when it works, when it doesn’t work it is costing us flexibility with other game plans and I’m pretty sure every coach in the league has got the memo.

ANB says hello. Covered off a fair bit of some of the mids' defensive running & checking (Tracc included), especially on the fat side of stoppages to protect the corridor and offer the occasional offensive outlet prior to his departure.

Not sure Goody managed to cover this loss or adjust for it effectively thereafter.

I called Waverley as an option years ago and got shot down on here.

Is there any chance i get a 5c bag of lollies or a toffee apple if we end up going there?

Anyone!!??

7 hours ago, Trust The Process said:

I think what I feel most disappointed by is the fact that Clarry loves club. I don't know if I could say the same about Trac now. I think I'd prefer a heart n soul player than a player half in half out.

I do really just hope they challenged Oliver to add strings to his bow, and that he'll have a point to prove to the new coach. Or, he'll move clubs, then prove that point by tearing us a new one when we play him!

In summary:

• Trac not invested, wants to leave, we probably want to (and possibly will) keep him.

• Oliver loves club, doesn't want to leave, we want to shift him on.

• May/Judd...NFI what's the go there.

May's white line fever will be missed "on the field".

I wonder if he forget to tone that down sufficiently once the siren blew.

Then there was Entrecote and the B&F loose lips incident. Was the on-field calling out of Maxy possibly the third strike that broke the camel's back in the eyes of some?

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17RR7M1xev/

1 hour ago, Superunknown said:

Send the asteroid now.

45 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Make that a quadŕuple serve wih a serve of of Nuked plutonium as a chaser

Not to worry. Latest footage of 31 / Atlas heading for Casey Fields...

On 30/09/2025 at 09:32, Jaded No More said:

Look I'm not here to argue that our club hasn't had multiple challenges or poorly handled issues since 2021, and I am certainly not here to take away from Trac's trauma or the severity of his injury.

But lets be for real, we are one of a small handful of clubs to have won a flag this past decade. Not only that, we are one of only two 'small' clubs to have won one, without the benefits of academy picks, bottomless salary caps, home ground advantages, the love and support of the AFL with fixturing or the MRO etc etc.

There are star players at other clubs who would give up their spleen to win one. Merrett, Cripps, the list goes on. Trac has not only achieved team success, he also achieved individual success with the support of the club.

He is also not the first player to deal with serious injuries, or worse terrible off field issues relating to mental health, the loss of a child, a terminally ill parent or partner, cancer, the list goes on.

At the end of the day, if you are a real leader, you stick it out through bad times and good. If you have no extenuating family circumstances, and you are still choosing to jump ship when the going gets tough, then it says as much about you as the club you are departing. See also Merrett, except Merrett hasn't won a flag.

The reason why we all raised an eyebrow when Trac made the comment about this being 'his job', is because we all understand that being an AFL player, let alone a star player, is not a regular job that the average joe has.

Not only has Trac achieved the ultimate success, he was also able to set up his brand, and his and his wife's future beyond footy while wearing red and blue. I don't think we have done so badly by him, and in fact many of the changes that have taken place in the last 12 months were things he expressed he wanted to see happen.

So let's not pretend like Trac wanting out for the second year in a row, is all about the club, and not in fact, mostly about him.

This is a very balanced and succinct summary.

Through thick and thin. Real character is made by seeing out the bad times and sticking fat.

We only need to go back to chunk for one amazing example of what this looks like in reality and a career sense.

While i'm not suggesting every player in this league needs to stay loyal to his club and be a one club player regardless of circumstances, i also feel the general narrative from the AFL loyal media on this is pretty biased towards almost always painting this as an MFC culture problem.

No doubt that's been a contributing factor and to what extent most of us looking from the outside in will most likely never truly know. But is any club devoid of its pitfalls and faults? Highly unlikely.

But with the exception of poor culture being demonstrated over many decades from a few such as the Bombers and the Saints, and unsuccessful ones at that, we don't see to many other 'required' players that have generally been looked after, wanting to exit such as we see with Tracc.

I personally feel this says more about Tracc than it does about the MFC but that's just my opinion looking on as an observer.

Regardless he helped us to win our first silverware in 57 years. Something i will be forever grateful for regardless of his reasoning for looking at an exit door.

I hope he finds his new calling and wish him all the success in the world.

I also hope we don't cave on any sub-par deal and hold our nerve if that's all that's being offered. And if necessary / required, hold Tracc to his contract.

Very sad to see Juddy go.

Was a fine player and fabulous disposer of the pill by foot.

Something that's not easy to find in footy nowadays and certainly a trait that not many are all that good at on our list right now.

Good luck to him anyway.

Only hope we can bring in a replacement with similar finish and finesse by foot to counter this loss.

42 minutes ago, Demonsone said:

Watch this to see what players become vs playing their first game … very sad

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/317102/inside-access-roos-tells-petracca?videoId=317102&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1461738781001

Yep unfortunately this is what happens once the big $$ and long contracts take over.

I'm more than happy to pay the going market price for players based on their last season or two. But to sign players beyond two or three years max usually doesn't produce their best imv and instead makes their head explode.

in some cases they probably end up thinking they're bigger than the game / club.

Most likely other mitigating circumstances at play and Tracc isn't the first player to seek the exit door but these long contracts tend to backfire alot of the time.

22 hours ago, MurDoc516 said:

If we end up in the situation of getting Rachele (23 next year) and Flanders (25 next year) for Christian Petracca (30 next year), I think that's just good business.

Adelaides 1st and Rachele for Petracca and we on trade Adelaides 1st for Flanders.

Rachele was basically a 2 goal per game medium forward, who also wants to go through the middle (Wonder where he plays if Petracca comes in).

Flanders for a future 1st!?

He's ok but not worth a future 1st imho

3 hours ago, lorn said:

It's a myth that facilities help you get players. Players look at how good the contract is, chance of a premiership and sometimes the ability to play in their home state.

I don't believe it's a huge factor either and those points you've made no doubt carry the major bulk of weight in terms of decision making.

But there's no sure things in life Iorn.

If it did play a part, even a minor to moderate one, wouldn't you rather have this side ticked off as a neutral factor in the decision making process?

Or Caulfield goes go ahead and it happens to be leading edge vs all other clubs or say better than 70% - 80% of them.

Even if that edge only lasts 5 years or so.

Surely that could provide a minor advantage / tipping point on occasions if a player is weighing up coming to us vs one or more other clubs in the lessor (70% - 80%) facility clubs.

And if that one player (or more) ends up becoming a fairly big star of the game and helps us pull in another cup or two during his tenure?

Of course none of that might happen either but just putting it out there.

1 hour ago, KozzyCan said:

Bumping this thread without an update should be banworthy 😂

Absolutely.

Thanks for the updates everyone, especially Mr Leg, F&T and ATG among others.

Given my current state of over excitement on this after waiting 40 years with no outcome, any further updates along the lines of 'Thunderbirds are Go' being forwarded to room 31 Ward 6 F, would be greatly appreciated. Over and almost out...

Comes with a fabulous 'winning' background CV.

He made something out of not alot at Casey this season imho and had them playing a cohesive brand of high pressure, slick rebound, gut running (running in support and waves) overlap sling shot footy on the transition that gave forwards plenty of decent looks.

The results, mostly in the second half of the season, were there. The improvement from most, especially in a 'team' sense, was very evident.

Not many in the industry, including many commentators, expected Casey to make finals let alone win a final.

Most had Casey as a wild card at best.

While i'm not saying he's the messiah nor necessarily the ideal person for this particular role (as i would have no idea) he does come in with solid cred and hopefully those traits will also continue on in this role.

My only reservation here is that i felt that he was just starting to hum at Casey and it was potentially on the cusp of having a very special year in 2026. Possibly a GF and who knows from there.

We will never know now as he's lost to the AFL circus. No doubt a great outcome for him but maybe potentially a bit of a blow for Casey's prospects in the short term?

On 19/09/2025 at 23:20, Bring-Back-Powell said:

The minute he was appointed with the MFC job, he became a Melbourne man. The guy was so clearly elated and proud to have won the job. And then he goes back to enemy territory.

It’s just a bit weird.

You really think we sent Kingy back!

On 13/09/2025 at 09:41, Bombay Airconditioning said:

If we were in the finals race would we have sacked Goodwin?

This is true.... im just saying once the team you are transferring to drops out of finals contention it's less than likely that assistants need to be moved on if going for a spot that is not that of a 'head coach'.

Relating it to a head coach appointment makes no sense and may well end up being included in the top 5 dumbest DL posts of all time!

24 minutes ago, DemonOX said:

Brad Green gets a lot of negative comments on this site but credit where it’s due.

Well done. Time to give him some flowers D’landers.

You really wanna go back to being 'the fuschias' 😬

2 hours ago, Demons11 said:

I reckon he’ll be with us next week. Can’t see him riding out the season with the Cats

If we were in the finals race probably. I don't think so given we aren't

9 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Just another reason to wish failure upon Geelong

By the looks of that, more likely the end of the wee & pooh's finals campaign

11 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Just another reason to wish failure upon Geelong

By the looks of that doll, more likely the end of the pooh & wee's finals campaign!

Were all aspects of this appointment fully considered i wonder?

I mean for a start.... how the bloody hell is Ghost Writer supposed to get up that high to apply her mandatory hugs!!??

On a more serious note... welcome to the mighty demons your highness.

My only word of advice...for your own sake, don't ever lose the King's birthday game!

6 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

sestan was injured for a long period of time while pup brown is unfortunately one of the worst kicks of a football to be on an afl list

Yeh you have to feel a little for Ollie.

Brown dog i get. This was his year to step up and didn't get there unfortunately.

Meanwhile Sesto has a decent injury absence mid-season just when he appeared to be finding his feet down back.

No serious look in at senior level at any stage this season. Not that he was knocking the door down prior to this one either, but he was on the cusp in glimpses in 25 imv.

He also had multiple stints on the sidelines over his tenure with soft tissue leg problems from memory which may have impeded his development somewhat.

11 hours ago, Adam The God said:

The elongated hyphen is back @Ghostwriter 😂

Wow...

A thread that includes discussion on delistings, algebra and compound modifiers at the same time!

Only on ye olde D'land 😄

This is what keeps me comin' back!

50 minutes ago, ElDiablo14 said:

Tbh they were lucky to be a chance in the last quarter. GC outworked them all around the ground for 3 quarters.

I mean massive chance in general given they had the home ground advantage ED and on paper they had a pretty good line up with not many injury issues at all

Just now, Ted Lasso said:

Freo a chance to sack JL?

Absolutely. That was a massive chance blown. Home final, huge 19th man advantage and still managed to fluff it