Demon Dynasty

The raison d'etre for all the 'player' puff pieces from the club (and especially their timing) is now becoming apparent

Ty Mr Leg

SW has long tentacles that many are unaware of Mr T... His call yesterday was spot on

Even if there wasn't, and there would be few that would know outside the four walls, if it looks and feels like a conflict of interest it might have caused unrest amongst a few troops WB. Maybe more than a few. PJ clearly stated he was there to handle everything non-FD and he was leaving all calls regarding the FD/footy related to Roos. Either way however, the Viney connection was ticked off well before now. Having said that, has anyone that's played for a club/team here ever seen any conflict of interest when a player's dad/mum is involved at an official level? I certainly haven't!

Not saying we have to always follow other team sports LH but long hair is considered part of the uniform in NFL and up for pulling LH... not sure why we can't... ..."For years, the NFL refrained from making any rules about hair. But in 2003, it enacted the “Ricky Rule,” which deemed hair part of an athlete’s uniform. This gave players the green light to grab an opponent’s hair to pull him down. The rule’s namesake, Ricky Williams, is a former NFL tailback who has the dubious distinction of being tackled by his dreads twice in one game."...

Is Gys wearing socks in that pic!?? Looks like he slept in and then got the "hey where are you mate, we're all here waiting" wake up call!

What is wrong with being known as a slow plodding team with no speed, outside run or skills anyway? Most other clubs have got it all wrong. I for one am loving the fact that we are devoid of the above and any X factor. This is what defines us. Happy to stick with good old MFC traditions and buck the trend. There should be more Toumpas!

It has been that way since their inception 72. Margetts & Daglish say hi! Still running around unchecked.

Haha... Mercanti says "hello"!

Let's not forget his mate Gardiner who was in it up to his 'Coffin Cheater' colours!

No everyone sticks it up us constantly. Give it to the p@%@k$ they've earned it and most of their supporters wouldn't think twice before rubbing our face in the dirt. Particularly the scumsters.

McGrath is a cracking player

Ty for efforts Mr Rawlings & GL with the Roos. Welcome back...

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We can only hope LH. Every year is critical especially with a struggling club like ourselves. My gut feel tells me this off season might well be the most crucial since 1996. Much will depend on the trade period and how well the FD culls / refreshes a very vanilla list. A large part on chaos vs control footy. How Goody handles it. How we recruit for those changes or additional layers ...that's IF Goody is doing so. Speed, skills, a decent small or two, a KF and some serious X factor needed. Might need a few years to get what's needed though in order to go deep into finals. Plenty of incentive for everyone to take it to another level and, as you say, get back to some finals success as a minimum pass mark.

That is the one club i was hoping not to hear anything of.

My mail is that Tracc had the opportunity and was being pressured (somewhat) to move at his last contract negotiations but chose not to as he was happy with things at the MFC (at that point). If you recall, at that time he stated he wanted to be a one club player. Like any player worth his salt in the AFL trade circus though, Tracc staying on is not a fait accompli but i'm quietly confident he isn't going anywhere in 2020 and will at least see out his contract. However, the club we should be wary of and will likely come knocking if he has a very good 2020 is much closer to home and it's banners don't fly from dawn to dark. Another very important reason to make sure 2020 is a ball burster of a season accross the entire club. We can ill afford to lose the likes of Christian, assuming he finally has the year we have been hoping for in 2020.

Yeh i agree rjay. Not sure i would want to spend a packet on Bolton at this early stage though. A marginal step up on say a Spargo inside 50. General clearance receives and outside run he probably has him covered also even at this early stage. Early days and only a 'potential' quality small forward at this point. Might develop in to a cracker as long as we don't pay overs.

What's up with his emotional state D11?

He couldn't be that silly surely SW? The jungle drums and those around must surely have pushed back with some urgency and constructive criticism, especially at the mid season internal review? As for the last part i agree. Part of the issue again lies with a very suspect list that fails to place enough pressure on those up the line to maintain their spot. They might be looking at the bottom half of the list and feeling pretty safe/comfy that a reasonable output, even if it's just most game days, will see them keep their place. One of many dissappointing aspects of Goody's coaching this year for me was the fact that most players, including plenty of seniors, played so many ordinary matches but Goody backed them in. Ok i get that seniors are seniors for a reason and have some credits banked. A few have plenty! All fine IF you eventually see a bounce within a reasonable time. But for many, this went on for the entire season! I realise the extent of injuries impacted normal proceedings also, but for the sake of the player's confidence, learnings and a regain of form. And as a statement to the rest of the group, you have to eventually make a call and send a big name or two downstairs for a break, to reset and send a message to the group that enough is enough. Actions always speak louder. After the QB fail this should have happened with T-Mac and Gus as a bare minimum. Viney and Jones weren't far behind them on occasions either. This is where i disagree with co-captaincy as the coach must feel he is rusted on with another player vs one Captain only. Anyway we can talk and pontificate forever. The proof of the 'turn around pudding' will be in the eating and on show for all in the first half of 2020.

Where did he say that oli?

We needed to consolidate after 2018 and fell flat SW for a myriad of reasons, some reasoning and explanations already covered infinitum. The hierarchy have gone 'all in' on Goody and the fluff pieces coming from the club are all happy happy joy joy as you say. I suspect they will stick by their decision unless we get to a point in 2020 where there is obviously no significant bounce and there is no choice but to act. Until then we just need to put our faith in those up top that the hand they're holding is a ripper and not an ugly bluff. So far they're saying it's all steady as she goes, with only some adjustments needed. Of course very few clubs and their reps have been known to tell any porky pigs before so why would our lot be any different! In some ways you have to ask is there any other choice than to guild the lilly a little? After such a shocker this year we aren't exactly in a position of strength to trade our way up the ladder a few places had we finished the year off a little more respectably, say somewhere from 9th to 12th. We have truly shot ourselves in the foot with such a mega drop off and will have to again offer substantial overs to trade in anyone required that offers decent pedigree to help with a hopeful bounce. The appointment of Richo? Looks handy and hopefully two heads (alternate experienced brain/voice) will help with pre-game match ups, selections and possibly on game day if that's part of his gig. There is also a little kicker there that a caretaker option is available should we find ourselves in another cocoon of horror by Rnd 10 to 12 next season. Other than maybe Rawlings, that back up wasn't there prior. Outside of a major change up &/or an addition to the present chaos game style required across the FD, it goes without saying that a substantial clean up of this list (way beyond the minimal cull so far) is required and a serious injection of outside talent, skills, speed and X factor needed in the next two or three trade periods to turn the club into a serious contender. If we can score a few wins in the trade period to fill a few holes, Goody adjusts/adds to the style in the off season and Burgess can get some players to another level or back to thier previous best, who knows we might look back on 2019 as a blip. Either way we will have an indication by the final siren Rnd 1 and a much better idea by Rnd 6 to 8 as to which way things are headed.

Mostly at the beginning where he was asked about the exit and said he left on very good terms. Still best mates with Goody & still staying in touch with some players who he missed. Said the club had an off year and expects them to bounce back. Left on good terms purely to pursue a coaching career outside. After 15 years in the system he felt it was time even from around 6 months ago. No mention of what went down or wrong and how/why during the year in any sense.