Lucifers Hero

Thankfully those days are over. Just today it was reported that recruits spent the first month living with a senior player, went to Alice on a camp together (again with club leaders) and will live together for 3 weeks in Kooyong as part of their induction to the club. They will learn early what is required of them and importantly given the internal relationships to support them now and as they develop.

I hope that club was not MFC as I hope we understand the importance of all aspects of player welfare. But above all I truly hope that club was not North Melbourne. A sad day today. A wake up call for all those in the industry that have these young men in their care. All the best to Majak.

@Flag Favourites 3019may have drawn a long bow to compare Hogan to Watts and Sylvia but he was merely noting that another talent may go begging and that we are better off for the Hogan/May trade. Remember this was is first post. He made some well expressed good points and praised the club for their work. Let's cut him some slack so that he feels free to post again without attracting harsh judgement or implication of NFI.

Interesting question but I hope they don't. Fishermen's Bend is rather soulless with zilch public transport. At Burnley, there is open space at the freeway end of Swan Street: Burnley Park bordered by Yarra Blvd which has an oval of sorts. And, The Bicentenial Park (not sure how big it is). Burnley station and Swan St tram are the only public transport options. Interestingly, there is a lot of space behind the Burnley Gardens campus (owned by Melb Uni). But that land effectively is Tiger territory as it is dominated by the Kevin Bartlett Reserve and Kevin Bartlet Sporting Complex (which the State Gov't recently promised nearly $.5mill to build a new pavillion). The precinct has two football ovals and is home to a range of sports including Richmond and Collingwood soccer clubs. Both AFL clubs are expanding their sports so I wouldn't be surprised if one or both have their eye on expanding into the aforementioned Burnley Park across the road. So I reckon we are too late to join the Burnley party! As Pert previously noted the importance of giving supporters a place to go before and after games neither F'Bend nor Burnely fit that bill. I get a sense we will push hard for Yarra Park.

Good point re giving residents direct access from Wellington Pde. Re last para. My recollection is that buildings were 'proposed' for the airspace over the railway line rather than in the park. If they build in the airspace they can keep the protective fence and give East Melb residents, the general public, MCG attendees etc direct access to Yarra Park via a 'ground level mall' type of set up. If I get really creative I can visualise that 'mall' as a retail and/or cafe area...

Based on this article Yarra Park is the one we will go hardest for Not a Pipe Dream It looks like we aim to generate a groundswell of community support (and thereby drown out the 'not-in-my-backyard' type objections of the Residents Group). Pert said: "Quite a few of the community groups and individuals are really excited by the possibilities. What they're saying is that this is an area where there's no flat ground." Amassing support of the broader community is a good strategy: get the numbers on-side and implicitly isolate the Residents Group. In that article there is a steely resolve by Bartlett and Pert that we will make it happen.

Extract from club tweet re AGM Goodwin: "I couldn't be happier with how the players have returned from their break. "Their intent, physical condition + training standard has been fantastic." This is the first time ever that players have come back in good nick. Shows it is a really committed group.

I believe details were sent to 'mailing house' this week so should be received next week, if aussie post has its act together. As an aside, based on the chat in this thread and the release of new Trident and Redleg memberships, lots of members have upgraded or added features (eg reserved seat, GFG). That is great news: not only have no. of members increased the average spend per membership is increasing. So a nice 'extra' impact on club revenues.

I had a Redlegs wait listed seating request which couldn't be accommodated but was offered seats in new membership categories. Those with existing wait list seating requests get first option on these and then they go on sale to the public. New releases: Trident Open Air – Bay P12 - Premium Reserved Seating on Level 2A of the Great Southern Stand on the wing. Redlegs Open Air - Bay P9 - Premium Reserved Seating on Level 2A of the Great Southern Stand in the pocket. You might try contacting the club and ask if you can still upgrade to one of these new categories . As an aside, Membership now 30,891

Pert was glowing in his comments on Goodwin and Mahoney. Pert Interview He sounded very genuine. On Goodwin: “This was a leader of the club, more than just the player group, this is someone who understands the influence that he has in a broader sense" On Mahoney: "Josh was there when Roosy (Paul Roos) come on board rolling into Simon, so he’s been the one that culturally has been a constant as our program has been developing. He’s going to play a bigger role down the track.” Pert flagged Josh would be more involved in commercial activities and oversee the Casey program. All good to broaden his experience to take the next step in his career: be it to AFL HQ or a Club CEO. I would daresay in a few years Josh will leave mfc to take that next career step. It will be an opportunity he has earnt and deserves. By then I hope we have a flag for him!

SEN interview yesterday, summarised here: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-12-04/a-great-time-to-be-a-melbourne-fan-pert “We need to build a facility where the club can get together and to create a meeting place for our members and supporters before and after games. That’s what great clubs are about." Full interview

I was delightfully surprised to hear Pert say that the new facilities would have social areas for members/supporters to go before/after games. Most of us had thought this was unlikely to be included. So it narrows down the options to be somewhere around the MCG. He was instrumental in getting the dedicated areas for Pie supporters at their MCG games so he has a good idea of what is required.

Gary Pert just said on SEN there are 22,000 MCC members who list MFC as their club but only 50% buy an MFC membership. If Pert is even semi successful in that quest we will exceed 50,000!

On face value an impressive interview. He has a clear view of his role and his priorities are to grow the club and get the new facilities in place. Seems to have worked hard to engage existing managers and stakeholders. Time will tell how it works out but if he achieves those goals, I won't get too hung up on the odd issue that might arise.

30,096 a 8% increase on Nov 30, 2017. I wouldn't be surprised to see this rise substantially before Christmas - we have already exceeded last year's Christmas Eve total. We are on the way to reach 50,000!

His job is backroom stuff and to state the obvious it is off-season. Anyway, not sure what could be said at this stage. Wait 12 months. If he takes a leaf from Jackson's songbook he will keep a low profile and let the football do the talking. So we probably won't here much at all about him or from him. Assume: no-news-is good-news.

28,663 Have been keenly awaiting an update! 1,053 (3.8%) up on same time last year: 27,610 on Nov 30, 2017. Thought we would have had a bigger leap on the back of the finals attendances but a good start, nonetheless.

No need to delete - its a good time to clarify the player's age shown is as at the end of their contract. Thanks to all for changes. I will do them when next I update the table, which probably won't be long since the club would want to sign up a few players soon rather than later.

Yes, I meant Median. Have gone back and edited post. Thanks.

The Roar has produced player list analysis: Team Profiles The Average isn't the best measure; I prefer The Mean Median. Nonetheless, the Roar tables are a good indicator of each team. I was a bit surprised to see Collingwood so high in the age profiles. The likes of Lewis and Jones are raising our age profile somewhat. For us to finish 4th in 2018 when on average age we were 9th and average experience we were 12th shows what a mighty effort it was by the club. An interesting comment from the article: "Overall the numbers hint at a few possible conclusions, one being that putting heavy 2019 expectations on the likes of Melbourne, Fremantle and Essendon because of their notable trade period recruits might be a little premature. Of these three sides, only one – Essendon – is in the top eight for age, and they are eighth. None is in the top eight for experience. That’s not to say that these lists aren’t capable of achieving great things in 2019, but instead that they are still some distance from hitting their high-water mark in terms of talent maturity". Nonetheless, the expectations on us will indeed be 'heavy' and we will rise to the occasion! Edit: change 'Mean' to 'Median'

The club has officially locked in our list: "The Demons will have 39 primary listed players and six rookies for the upcoming season" Demon List The updated player details are: I've assumed Corey Maynard and Kade Chandler contracts are for one year. If anyone has any other info or corrections to above please advise. Its great to see so many of our young guns reach the 50-100 game range. Bodes well for us as they can only improve with more games under their belt and cohesion from playing together. Mods, could you please unpin the 2018 thread and replace it with this. Thanks.

Sorry, I can't find written sources for the 9 contracted MCG games and the 2 'compulsory' Away games at Eithad. Based on memory of what I've read or heard. I'm not entirely sure how the Stadium deals work but each stadium tenant club (ie Home ground) is contracted to play X 'Home' games at said ground. eg I think Carlton is contracted to play 7 games at Eithad, Adelaide and Port have 11 each at Adelaide Oval etc. I recall reading somewhere that Victorian non Etihad clubs had to play two games there to ensure AFL fulfilled its committed no of games. This is relaxed for big clubs, when it suits the AFL or when joint memberships don't fit in the stadium. Whatever the contracts and policies, my post was directed to the assumption that if we give up NT games that they will revert to the G. As I noted there are a variety of reasons why this may not happen; they could be Eithad 'Home' games and we get extra 'Away' i/state games so we still travel a lot. You are right 9 games is the minimum. Nonetheless, with all clubs wanting to play more games at the G I am skeptical of our chances of getting more Home games there. But it is a moot point as we are committed to NT.

Its worth remembering we are contracted to play only 9 Home games at the G. So the extra two 'Home' games will almost certainly be at Marvel Stadium. Plus the two 'compulsory', 'Away' games there it totals 4. Not so good for members. Without NT members gain only if there are more (total) games in Vic but lose because we will no longer get the 2 NT substitute games at the G. It will be only the 9 contracted 'Home' MCG games. What could be worse, the AFL could change other aspects of the fixture: oh, gee whiz the Dees go i/state only 5 times lets even it up with other teams and give Dees extra 'Away' game(s) i/state'. Two annual trips to Perth, anyone? Lets be careful what we wish for.

Source: Champion Data Fixture Summary The Bulldogs have gone 'under the radar' in terms of media review of the fixture. They have an absolutely dream run re who they play twice, 5/6 day breaks, i/state trips etc. If someone ran an analysis of all the variables I reckon they could come out with the 'easiest' draw of the lot! The AFL is giving the Bulldogs every chance of be relevant again. Ditto Adelaide, they have a dream draw but travelling i/state makes it a bit harder. Both clubs have fared well given there recent successes in finals. Coll doesn't travel so much but lucks out with 8 six day breaks. Essendon is also up there with 7 six day breaks. Who is played twice is not a measure of how difficult 2019 becomes; some top teams slide, others come up. I expect Cats, Swans, Hawks to slide a bit. Question is who rises to take their spots - Crows? Bombers? Power? Our draw is very reasonable. I like that we play Sydney and Ess early in the season and if we win those we are off to a good start re potentially difficult teams. One thing is certain, it will be a very open season again.

Home games at the G vs Ess, Hawks, Tigers and Pies is huge for us financially. Also huge for fans to see us play some really big games at the G. Will be good for memberships. Lots of good value games to watch - a few may be sell out games! Edit: Not fussed that ANZAC and QB are 'Away' as we only miss out on hosting rights - the 'return' games will still get good crowds as fans come to the G to watch some damn good games.