Lucifers Hero

GCS d Carl Dees d Bulldogs Port d Hawks Ess ??? d Rich ??? because I don't want Tigers to make top 4 and have double chance Syd d Freo Crows d Cats Lions d Saints Eagles d Giants North d Pies Based on dislike of the other team or these winners help our finals chances

Demons to be free of debt and AFL control Key Points: Melbourne's surprising financial position included the following factors: The sale of the Leighoak gaming venue – following the 2018 decision of president Glen Bartlett's board to withdraw from gaming – had netted more than $10 million, which was used to create a $7.5 million investment portfolio that the club can draw down on. The club had the huge asset of the Bentleigh Club (gaming) venue freehold, which could be worth more than $20 million according to industry sources when revalued. This had been acquired in 2011, when the Bentleigh Club was indebted and was merged with the Melbourne Football Club (effectively a takeover) – a little-known transaction from the Jim Stynes board that has proven significant. The Bentleigh Club is slated to cease gaming operations in 2022, and the club had to decide what to do with what was now valuable land and their main asset. The Demons have saved close to $500,000 in rent at their AAMI Park base, according to Pert, having renegotiated that deal for this pandemic-hit season while forced to train at Casey. The club had launched its "Proud to belong, proud to give'' fundraising campaign, which Pert said would reap close to $1 million. The MCC's payments to MCG tenants, despite the loss games, would provide upwards of $400,000 to the club this year. The retention of the Alice Springs game – scheduled next weekend against St Kilda – would provide more than $600,000. Of their major sponsors, the Demons had lost only China Southern Airlines, which could no longer fly into Australia. They have retained key sponsors Zurich, Jaguar, Hertz, IG Investments and Furphy Beer. "They've also re-committed for next year,'' said Pert. The club had re-engaged a working party, which was backed by the AFL and state government, to look at the club's proposed new training/administrative base. For me the most important thing is the last line. So hopefully we can keep the asset revenue for that base. Well done to all.

For those that were thinking of 'trading' Viney ie letting him go as an FA, it isn't happening. Goodwin said in his press conf today that the club and Jack have been talking contracts for a while and he will be with the club for a long time to come. ?

Their mids taking a 'running start' at stoppages if the ball is tapped to the outside. Our ruckman needs to ensure the ball taps go to the inside by either getting the tap first or by body position. That will help stop their forward momentum. My guess is they will try this really early in the game to get a few quick goals and build scoreboard pressure from the get go. So we need to be switched on from the first bounce as early leads are proving hard to pin back with shorter quarters/games.

Personal insult to the Ox. Professional insult to fellow coach, Horse a few weeks ago. Leopards don't change their spots: once a thug, always a thug. He has simply changed his weapon.

He oozes integrity, leader and respect. Love that he didn't blink when de-listed then given a lifeline as a rookie by Roos who saw 'something' in him and he went on to become the player and the man he is today. Shows character. Went on to be in the AA squad in 2017. Repaid the faith in spades. I sometimes wonder how different things could have been for Jurrah and Wonaemirri if Jetta was the senior player and club man he is today when they came to the club. As it was he was also just starting out. If a career in football is what Jetta aspires to I hope mfc give him that opportunity when he hangs up his boots. Hope he gets a gig in the seniors again soon.

See 'Edits' in posts #223 and #225

We aren't the same team, jr. Feeling very positive about this game.

I reckon Ox will go ballistic when he hears the comments. It is a low insulting blow from Hardwick, to a player that was as tough as they come both physically and mentally to play thru his injuries. Edit: classy response by the Ox: “For Dimma to get personal, that’s his decision if he wants to do that... “I’m a big boy. I stand by what I said and I didn’t take it personally what Dimma said. He might have remembered the Grand Final differently because he was a winner. It’s a long time ago and I haven’t watched it back... https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2020-damien-hardwick-richmond-tom-lynch-david-schwarz-comments-melbourne-vs-essendon-2000-grand-final/news-story/89d4e2e642b5c2b0d4a356a872bf576

More players break the rules: covid-breach-port-stars-set-to-cop-bans-after-entertaining-visitors Should get the same suspension as young Elijah Taylor of the Swans: out for the season (plus solitary confinement in his room for 14 days to quarantine). Throw the book at them. If they miss playing in finals bad luck! Idiots for risking the competition.

Hardwick is taking over from C. Scott on the coaches whinging ladder. If its not ops free kicks, its offensive remarks about Syd ? defence tactics and now its shooting off because the media dares take his protected little darlings to task hardwick-lashes-out-at-lynch-critics-says-richmond-targeting-should-stop He takes quite a swipe at our Schwartz: "They should have a good, hard look at themselves as I guarantee a few guys making comments, and I'm looking at David Schwarz here – I played a grand final against this bloke and 20 minutes into the game he was crying, so he should have a look at himself at some stage." Nasty, Nasty, Mr Hadwick. I guess a leopard never changes its spots. Tbh, that is pretty stupid and pretty low for an AFL coach to shoot off at the mouth like that. They have become mighty smug and entitled at Tiger land. IHope they go out in the Elimination Final. Edit: Update: damien-hardwick-richmond-tom-lynch-david-schwarz-comments-melbourne-vs-essendon-2000-grand-final "But Schwarz told Foxfooty.com.au he wasn’t concerned with the comments, which were cut out of the press conference video clip on Richmond’s website". Club embarrased by their coaches comments.

What is even better is that pick 10-13 will be pushed back to 15-20 after all the top academy and aligned players are taken. Can't imagine we would get the likes of Kozzie with that sort of a pick this year. Kozzie is a bit of a bargain really. And we get a year of experience into him.

I hadn't heard the podcast interview so thanks for the tip. Further reinforces the impression of a top bloke and example setting, from his time at the club and the occasional media article. A very good speaker.

My thinking is that when other teams do well with Max owning the taps is because they 'shark' to him when the ball comes to ground. With TMac I see English tapping it over the top into the hands of a running bulldog so our mids have less opportunity to 'shark' the ball. Also, TMac is now very slow, no longer the speedy player he was 2 years ago. But as you say, hopefully Maxy will be fine.

The problem I have with TMac in the ruck is that he can no longer jump limiting his effectiveness at stoppages and for that matter around the ground. And not sure he has the strength to stop a ruckman jumping over him. So I'm seeing lots of easy taps over the midfielders heads to a running bulldog rather than the ball come to ground. I don't think we can take Sam away from FF. So I would go for Tomlinson as ruckman of last resort.

Think it was Taylor Adams doing the praising. demons-heartfelt-gesture Good to see no grudges by either side. As it was, I thought Reid pushed AvB while in mid air that made the knock on Brody more forceful. An amazing recovery by Brody to get up and play this wek. Aaron seems a top bloke as evidenced by his stoicism and hard work in 2017-2018 thru his injuries, his father's passing and running the family business (in NSW) from Victoria. It looked like he might leave the Dees for Sydney and who could blame him given his personal circumstances. Its a measure of the man that he chose to stay with us and still carry on his family affairs. I reckon it is not only his physicality on field that makes his teammates walk taller. Sets a great example on and off the field.

@ding That Salem and the man in my avatar are my faves shows my faves aren't necessarily our best players. Sorry for side setting your question but there is no logic to my choice of favourites. I like the way they play. Generally, I don't put expectations on them or our players. I love them all. They bring different skills to the team and I'm happy for them to achieve their potential and do their best. The reason for mentioning Salem was that by all accounts he is very highly regarded and that could be tested if another club tried to poach him has a pre-FA. Edit: Forgot to mention, Salem's after the siren goal to beat Ess in his first year, is right up their as one of my favourite mfc moments, along with the Watts goal to beat the Pies on QB, 2017 and the Hannan goal in the finals. Can't remember when Salem became a fave but I guess it was after that goal.

An earlier twitter post by Ayrton Woolley: Scans later today for Braydon Preuss. A “tweak” of hip/groin according to club. Not ruled out just yet, but he didn’t look happy. Dees positive on Gawn progress after big running session. @9NewsMelb Doesn't sound like it is wrist slashing time! If nothing else it will keep bulldogs guessing.

A test for us is if other clubs come calling on Salem. He is a 'pre-Free Agent' this year. Of late this is when clubs trade a player to get a better trade pick/deal than an AFL comp pick, if the player goes as an FA a year later eg GCS when trading May to us. He would add 'silk' to any number of teams. I'm in no way suggesting he would want to go or that we would let him go. He is my favourite player. But it would be surprising if the question isn't asked by other clubs. A question they will ask of other players but the pre-FA year is when poaching clubs fancy their chances especially if the player is at a team high up the ladder.

The ol' 'good cop, bad cop' routine... ?

True but I see our 1 game and very large %'age as a buffer to Carlton. Carlton need to win 4 of 6 and boost their % to make the 8. They may do that but I don't see it being at our expense (as long as we win at least 3/6 and keep %'age over 100). More likely Giants or Bulldogs make way for Carlton. Of course, if we lose 4 of 6 then its 'all over red rover' for us!

fyi, article today about finals and byes afl-moving-closer-to-grand-final-clarity Does McGowan have an ace up his sleeve? We will know by the end of the month. The AFL may try and keep both Qld and WA happy: offer Qld the Brownlow and at least the first two weeks of finals (6 games). Premlims could be either Qld or WA and the GF to WA. This keeps the door open with Qld to move the comp i/state next year if necessary and gets the big $ on offer from WA. The byes (if any) will fall out from that timetable. If the GF is on Oct 24 it increases the likelihood of a bye at some stage. Of course the ultimate irony would be WA get the GF but Eagles don't make it... In the meantime, keep winning Dees!

Sydney has put the cue in the rack. injury-crisis-sydney They play 3 top 4 sides but none of the sides competing with us for a finals berth so our competitors won't get an 'easy' win vs Syd. I know there are no 'easy' wins but if we exploit Syd's injury position their draw works in our favour.

Thanks for the summary. Nice of Max to show support for team mates. Anyone know what has become of Nev?