Lucifers Hero

I do think Webster is a big out...that is why I suggested we rest Tom Mc...

Geary probably back in. Still leaves their defence down. With Webster out maybe we can rest Tom Mc to have more time to get his lung capacity back and rest up. Difficult run home coming up.

I hadn't picked on posts saying the lack of a Home Facility is the major reason we can't beat top sides. It looks like faulty logic... ...we all know there are lots of reasons we struggle to beat teams around us on the ladder.

Maybe, maybe not. I would propose that if we had had the facilities of some other clubs and the attractions of other clubs then there is every chance we would be in a better position on and off the field. At some stage we need to give our club a solid future foundation and a facility like Yarra Park/Jolimont rail is the way to go. Making it happen isn't distracting anyone from their day job.

Not at all, od. I hadn't even noticed you mention Petracca seemed a little overweight. I was reading Nasher's caution in response to someone else's comment that: "Trac doesnt seem like the kind of guy that would stick to a professional diet". Sorry if it sounded like my post was related to your gentle comment. More making the point about the role of social and mainstream media.

There are many benefits beyond marketing and branding: It is ineffective to have management in two separate locations (MCG and AAMI) which are themselves shared with other sports. Time wasting and inefficient communications result. More time wasting with FD staff to transport training gear to/from AAMI to Gosch's paddock Have decent player recovery, meeting room and training facilities to compete with Vic clubs to attract FA's and OOC players. Train on an MCG sized oval. It is no coincidence clubs have built or are building such training ovals at their facilities. Avoid being totally left behind by AFL clubs - look at Ess, Coll, and the future Hawthorn facilities. Bulldogs have upgraded Western Oval and have new grounds in Ballarat. Carlton will get mega $$ for Princes Park, Geelong has and will do more at Kardinia Park. StKilda is doing same at Moorabbin and North are now fund raising to upgrade Arden St. We don't even have a patch of dirt to dream of such things. In fact, even when we have a new facility in X years we still won't have what Vic clubs have now or are now building. Opportunity to consolidate our revenue base for decades into the future. Potentially easier access for fans to buy merchandise Club rooms to display our fine history and memorabilia. Some of these will directly affect our footballing abilities. Others will help the club's identity and standing in the AFL community. There is no real benefit to supporters nor should that be a motivator to mfc. For mine, walking past the Yellow and Black to get to the G will be a little bit more bearable if I know there is a mini Red and Blue version of it on the other side of Yarra Park.

I doubt the FD reads social media but I think others at the club do as DL reflects supporter mood and that interests the club. But, unless it was something as dramatic as the fallout from 2017 rnd 23 I can't imaging the club ever acting on anything posted here. But supporter mood also interests journo's. DL, fb etc are their 'sources' when they write about a club's fans. It doesn't take long for them to make a story out of something, or out of nothing. I would guess that journo's 'follow' players on social media platforms, so they know what is being said to players. Tellingly, Lever had to delete his twitter account. One way or another the message gets back to players so I'm with Nasher that complete fabrication should be avoided. It can grow legs and spread thru social media like wild fire and picked up by mainstream media dressed up in various cliches about 'sources'.

In the article he is quoted as saying: “I want to be someone who has an impact in every game. At the moment I’m probably not doing that". Even the very best players do not impact every game. Not Dusty, not Fyfe, not Dangerfield. Time Christian took some pressure off himself. Get fit, work hard and lay low for a while, out of the media spotlight. The more media he does the more the spotlight will be on him when he has a flat patch.

I didn't hear Roos' comments but imv the core problem is the strategy of 'flexible' mid/fwds. It means a player needs to learn many roles, many positional plays, and many game plan nuances. Its very difficult to follow structures when 8 players are rotating positions during a game. eg who and to where are the forwards leading patterns? Who are the crumbers? Where are their 'go-to-positions' - when we attack thru the middle...when we attack down the line? Who are the 'run-with-the-ball-carrier' mids for a particular play? etc So our forwards are often out of position, too many/not enough/wrong player go for a mark and too many go for the ground ball, leaving defenders free to clean up. It is no wonder our 'connection' with the midfield is poor and we can't convert the massive numbers of i50's. Also, if players aren't in their 'go-to-positions' when the ball comes in quickly the midfielder's kicks go to a defender or bombed to nowhere. That is what we see but often I think it is because our forward structures aren't being followed because forwards are confused by too much to think about in split seconds. It takes teams years to get cohesion in their forward line and this comes form the same players playing together for a long time, learning the structures, their role in that structure, each others playing styles, strengths etc. Even the very best teams play with a core of 4 forwards in the same position week in and week out for 80-90% of the game. For mine we are just not experienced or talented enough to play with 8 flexible players each week. So our structures break down. FWIW, I think that is part of the reason why Petracca is struggling - he doesn't have a set role that he can grow into and make his own. I reckon it is also why Jesse is struggling a bit. It is why Jeffy can't get a game. imv they should all be played as forwards, not some hybrid. Anyway, that is my theory. (Apologies for so much detail) Like you I hope it gets sorted out quickly - it would be good if we put players in the position they are best suited and build the structures around that, not the other way round.

Jonathon Brown said he playing like a 'Fish' but should be the 'Shark'. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/why-demons-need-star-forward-jesse-hogan-to-return-to-being-a-great-white-shark/news-story/1117606af1d368416a21f9cc0decbaac Brown suggests, his role as a mid/forward has him chasing possessions and scouting packs(fish) rather than going for pack marks or crashing packs and bring the ball to ground (shark). It certainly seems that way of late. For mine, Jesse is another example of the 'flexible players' game plan getting to the point where we have a forward group comprised of uniform players without clearly identified roles. This is the antithesis of cohesion and predictability in the forward half.

On AFL 360 last night they showed a chart how each team ranked for 'score against per opposition i50' (low score is good). Not surprisingly, 7 of the best teams for that stat are currently in the 8 on the ladder. The team in the 8 but not ranked highly on that stat is the Demons. We were in the bottom 4 for that stat. I guess our coaches work on the basis that if we convert our massive number of i50 it will negate a high conversion rate by opps. Unfortunately, we aren't converting our i50's to real advantage, which the better teams are very good at exploiting. And, our massive winning margins over poorer teams has given us a great % and to some extent may paper over the cracks regarding our defence, At the end of the day, a good team needs to be able to limit opp scoring and the AFL 360 chart shows we are still very easy to score against.

Tom Morris has 'leaked' quite a few things from mfc in recent months and he was dropped from hosting the club podcast. But in this case I doubt it was a leak. I think the club would be happy to have this out there to counterbalance the negative commentary around Pert's appointment. With all the staff involved, the meeting would not have stayed quiet for long. A good move by the club to get everyone together. And, Pert's comments about not coming in to change what Jackson, Roos and Mahoney have achieved would go some way towards soothing worried staff. I like that the club had the staff 'meet and greet' prior to any press conference. It would also be reassuring to staff that Jackson will see out his contract.

They are making sure they get full value for him if he leaves as an FA. A first round comp pick from the AFL will be around 16 to 20. A forced trade will net a much better result especially if he wins or comes close to winning the Brownlow. A six year deal will be quite an offer for other clubs to top. Hard to see him leaving. If he were to come to us he will be expensive in both contract and trade terms.

Thanks for the clarification. I don't read HS so was going on this thread...clearly, I missed something in the reading...

Thanks CBDees. When you say the 'site mooted' do you mean the area I mentioned earlier that is on the city side of the Jolimont station or another part of the rail? (So far most people have been talking about the area over the station itself). Agree, it would be a shame to do anything to the station and its charm.

Thanks dc. As I thought - it is effectively a subterranean station. I have checked the heritage listing and Jolimont station is not listed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_heritage_listed_buildings_in_Melbourne#Railway_stations I can see various options with subways and/or overpassess for cars, rail and pedestrians. But I guess it will be up to the engineers, architects and lobby groups. For now, I am simply rapt with the potential of this site.

True, I have no idea about engineering. I guess I took the dialogue so far to mean literally over the Jolimont station. Given the limitations you mention, is it feasible to build over the tracks to the city end of Jolimont station (and leave it intact)? Again, in a way that reduces a building's street mass and landscaped into its surrounds.

Jolimont tracks and station are already sunken well below street/park level. It is effectively underground as it runs under Wellington Pde to the East. With clever design (and maybe lowering tracks a bit further) only 3/4 stories of the proposed 6 would not be visible above ground level. Furthermore, with the increasingly popular 'green roofs' architecture the building could easily be camouflaged from the street and to blend into its parkland surrounds. And for those worried about losing trees, a replanting program should cover it. Lobby groups will lobby. But there is a lot more for the community to gain from this than to lose. Just needs to be worked through with them. A Red and Blue colour scheme on the externals of the building would work very well don't you think...

There is already a precedent for this. Esternwick station was redeveloped along these lines about 20 years ago.

Yarra Park is within the Melbourne City Council boundaries. But I believe Yarra Park is Crown Land so owned by the Vic Gov. Not sure if they need Council permits to change the use of Crown Land but the Gov would need to deal with managing public lobby groups etc.

What a sensational prospect. A real 'Home'. Can we ever thank Peter Jackson enough.

Don't think he is under any pressure but agree that it is good he addressed the talking points...sounds like he changed his tune a touch re 'fugazi' (ie external noise). Perhaps he ignores it when people talk us up and acknowledges it when they are having a dig. Either way, I like the plain speak without any 'mantras' or buzz words.

Thank you. Great of you to go training and giving us great insight. Cheers.

DeeZ, How about Petty? I like the idea of he debuting this week. Might be a good match up against their youngster, Todd Marshall who has played only a handful of games. Thoughts?

Agree 100%. He is too professional to crack the sads. I was referring to the external noise ('fugazi') about him being unhappy with the process than thinking he actually is.