Lucifers Hero

I wouldn't mind if one of our defenders gets into Naughton's path occasionally in a manner that he can't flop around 'begging' for a blocking free. Or May put a bit of side ways body contact on him before he takes his leap/takes a run. I'm expecting their staging exaggeration to be at an all time high, especially Hunter and Weightman. Both very good at throwing the head back for a 'high' free and leaning back into their opp as if being held, especially when they know they can't get to the ball! Not to mention others who drop the ball before being tackled and get a 'holding' free. They know all the tricks and will exploit them.

Injury free is the key. He has the work ethic but lacks confidence in his body. Get that and his overall game confidence will improve. By the end of his contract in 2023 both TMc and Brown will be 30 (albeit both contracted until 2024) and any injuries to them will see opportunities open up. No one wanted either TMc or ANB when on the trade table last year and look what happened. I suggest a few clubs would be lining up to take them now. If Sam follows their example and earns a spot in the 23 then at the end of 2023, his FA year, he will have more options.

Scott's coaching panel is getting thin. Matthew Knights has gone to Eagles, Corey Enright off to the Saints. Now Voss (if he gets the Carlton gig) has his eyes on Nigel Lapin. And there have been a few articles that Matthew Scarlett may be moving on. From an outside view the coaching panel has looked insular. Scarlett, Enright and Lapin have only known the 'Geelong way' for the entirety of their coaching careers. Scarlett and Engright were ex Cats players. And both Lappin and Scott come from the Leigh Matthews stable of players. So Scott will not only need to rebuild the playing list he will need to rebuild his coaching panel at a time when availability is low, having already found new homes. Not to mention he has to do something with his out dated game plan. He has had it fairly easy as a coach. Took over a multi premiership team. Had to do very little development of his player-turned-coaches. Is he ready to do the really hard work? I have my doubts. Based on this article, Scott won't be calling the shots: chris-scott-contract-offseason-changes-coaches-leaving-steve-hocking-new-ceo-age-of-playing-list

Hope the umpires are reading this can-t-allow-him-a-free-run-dogs-weigh-physical-approach-to-curb-gawn “I am sure it [getting physical] is an option. It is not something we have spoken about … but I am sure teams have tried lots of different things on him in the past to try and curb his influence, and being physical is, obviously, one of those,” Hunter said. That is probably why Martin is in the team. They are copying Port round 1 2018. The difference is Max will be ready and this time teammates will have his back. At worst Max takes a few for the team while others get free.

I think it was Hades stirring in the underworld declaring: Give 'em Hell, demons! Lucifer is very happy to have Hades on board the bandwagon!

He has a mixed record. He won a GF in his first season which appeared to be on the coattails of Thomson's work and a star studded list which virtually coached itself. But he was their coach so deserves credit. But in the 10 years since he is in the Ross Lyon category: regularly gets teams deep into the finals but can't win a premiership. And like Ross Scott would leave the club with an aging list lacking balance and talent. At least the Saints had a few FA's they got decent picks for: Dal Santo, Goddard. If he goes next year he will leave their list in a bit of a mess without a lot of draft or trade currency. .

In terms of recent form in Bulldogs games: Elim Final vs Ess: Frees 22/14. Umpires: Rosebury, Stevens, Williamson Second semi vs Lions: Frees: 28/19. Umpires: Stevic, Williamson, Findlay Prelim vs Port: Frees: 16/22. Umpires: Rosebury, Stevic, Findlay. The Port game is the odd one out as being a bit more balanced. Lost track of how many goals Bulldogs kicked from frees vs Ess which Rosebury officiated. At least 4 before half time. Didn't change the result but the goals gave the bulldogs the momentum/score board pressure at an important stage in the match. As others have mentioned Stevic was part of the gifted 2016 premiership to the bulldogs. Can't say any of the above gives me much joy.

When it was announced we would sell Leighoak and Bentleigh I recall PJ said the lost pokie profit would be covered by investments, more sponsorship, naming rights for our new facility, increased memberships, increased gate takings. By the sound of it the Bentleigh club was in need of refurbishment to make it an attractive venue, which would eat into pokie profits. It was quite a soulless place a few yeras ago. Factor in those refurbishment costs we won't spend and other revenue sources I'm pretty confident we come out in front. And if Evergrande becomes the new Lehman Brothers we may be in for quite a rocky economic ride in the next year or two. Good time to cash in imv.

Andy D may have deserved a lot of criticism but he always had our back. For years he deflected the mfc tanking talk. Then while he was overseas Anderson pulls this tanking investigation out of a hat and we were sunk. Sometimes I think our 'first football and oldest football club' history is overplayed. But It attracted PJ to want to drag us out of our abyss. Forever grateful to all who played a role in getting us back on track.

Amazing work. Well done!

Or it might get hit for six!

I thought you had everyone stumped!

Maybe another clue is needed or people might take their bat and ball and go home!

Great read about Petracca's rise based on interviews with people who have known him greatness-awaits-brand-petracca-explodes-into-superstardom From his under 18 coach: "He has that swagger and cheekiness but there's not many more determined young people than Christian with wanting to get to where they want. I just said to someone the other day, 'The Bull is back'. He was a bull when he was a kid and he's a bull now with the way he plays." One of my favourite parts of the prelim was when Petracca started at the back of the stoppage at CB, hit high speed almost immediately, collect edthe ball and bullocked his way forward.

I would think a chunk of the proceeds will go into our new facility. On a financial note, I'm optimistic about our operating profit/loss this year. It was mooted no QB and no Alice cost us $1.5m. We will recoup a fair chunk of it from: increased merchandising increased i/state memberships sponsor's bonuses for finals games AFL prize money. In 2019 premiers received $1.2m and runners up $0.660m. This was cut back last year due covid $ impact but don't have figures for what it was. Hopefully, having finals well attended will replenish the AFL coffers a bit. While it would have been great to have both the $1.5m and the finals 'windfall' at least our bottom line won't take a big hit this year. The 'windfall' could continue into next year with increased memberships, gate takings and another solid finals campaign. Hopefully, they can offset the lost pokies revenue until we can productively invest the Bentleigh proceeds.

10km radius isn't an issue; it is the 9pm curfew. Technically we can't even walk anywhere after half time

It is a premiership winning list. But they are so hard to win. With the exception of Laurie every player OOC after this year has been an entrenched or semi regular selected 23 this year. I can see a few obvious list reductions this year. But next year it will become very difficult to choose who goes. I guess players who aren't getting games will move on ala Melksham's interest in going elsewhere, if rumour is true.

While on mia culpa's (thank you @WalkingCivilWar), I'll walk back on my 'hoping he doesn't play in the GF' comment but I would have like some mention of the club supporters and awareness of our history etc. 2000 GF really makes me see red.

In the sen interview Pert said he was managing the marketing and communications. The club is running with a very tight script whenever anyone speaks to the media. It makes we wonder if Hibberd went 'off script' here as it strikes me as odd that the club would endorse his theme. Playing for his brother would certainly be endorsed. Not sure about the rest. I'd like to think that Jack Niall reported only part of the interview but he is a good reporter and not prone to 'click bait.

if-the-gourmet-cheeses-haven-t-yet-been-ordered-by-stadium-caterers-then IF ... the gourmet cheese platters with quince paste haven't yet been ordered by Optus Stadium caterers ... THEN ...they'd better be quick. There is a lot of navy blue and red wandering around Perth at the moment. The club being in Perth for a week or two before the bulldogs gave us a head start on winning over the locals. The club made a huge effort with their 'get aboard the Dees' bus, some free food vouchers, some free scarves etc. And, Max would have won over quite a few more all on his own in the PF. We will have most of the neutrals for the GF.

In his 'what if' column Purple has suggested that the Neale trade may be resuscitated late in the trade period. And Tom Mitchell (just won the Hawks bnf) may be on the move. if-the-gourmet-cheeses-haven-t-yet-been-ordered-by-stadium-caterers-then A few months ago Mitchell flagged he would be open to a move, to a Vic club.

Geelong are reportedly interested in Talia and someone on here said Melksham. Its one way to reduce their age profile, I guess. If they get them it looks like thy're going to have another shot at finals but again fall short. The combo of Scott, an 'old' team and control football haven't worked in recent finals series so no reason to think that won't continue.

The leadership we have now in Gawn, May, Lever, Viney, Petracca etc is excellent. They drive standards on and off the field. In the past we too often lacked on field leadership, reading the play, adjusting tempo etc. Our current crop of leaders are good at those things and keep team mates too team rules and team structures during games. Hence our more cohesive and consistent performances this year. It is a changing of the guard. Always sad to see stalwarts go but there is another lot itching to make their mark and make us even better.

They also need a planning permit. That could take years. As you are aware it is smack bang in the middle of a low rise residential area with mainly houses on medium to large blocks of land. I suspect the locals will want to keep it that way. With it being on a corner with three street frontages the locals will probably want a park with community facilities. The club has sold in a peak market. Good time to cash in and let someone else take on the locals and the bureaucracies.

Spargo. He is the coolest kid. Rarely gets overly excited with a goal and he has kicked some beauties. Rarely makes mistakes. Lowers his eyes and finds teammates. He is the off-broadway kid. Not as flashy as most around him but equally important.