Lucifers Hero

As an aside we went thru this little dance with Jesse with his last contract extension. It was announced on Oct 4 2016, a few days before the trade period started. I recall learned chat here on DL that he had been given an ultimatum: extend the contract now or we will trade you. The timing of that contract supports that chat. I suspect the same thing is happening now, except maybe a tougher stance on extension terms. Can't imagine the club wanting this little dance to happen every two years. For the club, for the team, for Jesse he needs to commit for the long haul or he goes. I really don't think there is a satisfactory middle road here.

That might suit Hogan but I can't imagine the club buying it. He gets the mega deal and we get pick 16-18 as AFL comp when he goes as an FA. He won't get a one year extension! Leaving mfc as an FA won't happen. The real heat is on Hogan - does he want a another year of media 'go home' speculation. With this mooted move to go home now the speculation will become stratospheric in 2019. He is a private guy, I reckon he will choose to go now and get on with his life.

Can't wait for ET's response! ?

The jumper must be some sort of prank - he barracks for Carlton (yes I know, not much better than Collingwood...)

This link shows info on the broad options for 2019 https://membership.melbournefc.com.au/packages There are a lot of options/packages so it is best to browse through them to see which suits you best. I think upgrades to reserved seat packages and the GFG option will sell out quickly.

Not sure of the final 2018 figure - we may need to wait til George brings up the Tally thread (he holds the key to the lock ? ).

Sorry, I don't know the answers ? I'm not even sure answers are available as the rules were written in 2015 and the AFL 'clarify' the rules as they go along eg Geelong . The guiding principle, as I understand it, is to ensure clubs don't trade away their future. As an aside, that didn't help Freo, Saints and GC as they made a right mess of their 2018 future pick trading at a time they have poor lists.

2019 Memberships renewals, changes and purchases now availalbe. Option details: https://membership.melbournefc.com.au/packages Current membership tally: 19,068. @george_on_the_outer Is it too early to pin the tally sheet?

Wingard (with tail between legs) has decided to stay at Port. No-one willing to pay the $1m pa he was asking. Re picks Hawthorn always seem to find a way of doing the deals they want done ala O'Meara and Mitchell (both of whom didn't go for big $$). From a salary cap point of view they have Rioli off their books and Roughy and 'Silk' off their books in a year. If Shiel chooses Hawks they will make it happen.

Examples of other players taking the big $$ to the two I mentioned are...? (Shiel has not yet accepted the big $$ being thrown at him by Carlton and StK. In fact he is said to be favouring the Hawks for $900k per season).

Gaff will be one of the few players to take the big $$ over staying or going to a club in a premiership window. Others I can think of to move on big $$ and end badly were: Ablett (the years at GCS do not reflect well on him, despite his Brownlow there), HW$NBN - forever to be the quintessential AFL Judas! But may still get his Premiership. Others who took the big $$ but at a Premiership contending club were Buddy and Tom Boyd. Gaff seems a really decent bloke who seemed emotionally invested in the Eagles. I hope for his sake he does not regret the extra $$ over what might have been at the Eagles or other Vic clubs because I doubt North can come close to winning a Premiership with Scott as coach.

Rule: Clubs must make at least two first-round selections in each four-year period. If they don't, they will face restrictions from trading any further first-round draft picks. Geelong may need to play catch up http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2018-07-19/cats-first-round-requirements With no first round picks in 2016, 2017, 2018 (might change) used, technically we need to trade in a first round pick this year or an extra one next year otherwise we won't have the required two picks (unless we get exemption) but like Geelong it eventually catches up with you. I can't find any reference to an mfc request to trade our 2019 pick. I would suggest if we had it would be public knowledge by now as the trade starts in a few days. As an aside, something that is untested with the AFL is the number of 1st round picks taken over a period ie would we get an allowance for traded in an extra pick in 2015? Edit: Just re-read the AFL article in the above link and found this line: "... the rest of the competition has already met its quota and is free to place 2018 and 2019 first-round picks on the table." So we don't need permission.

Do they? Port could chase the Saints pick 3 so they can trump Adelaide for SA players. Saints have no 2nd or 3rd round pick and need a decent pick for Hannebury, a less decent pick for Kent and picks for other targets. Saints might happily relieve Port of picks 9 and 10. Saints may then cash #10 for 2 low/middle second round picks. So far all we have heard is that Freo are trying to get Port's 9 and 10 (if they get it). Port may have other ideas...

Max seems keen to get Preuss to the Dees. Sounds like we would play two ruckmen. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/max-gawn-keen-for-braydon-preuss-support-20181002-p507bq.html Mahoney hinted at that in radio interview when he said there were others beside Preuss we are looking at for the role we had in mind (or words to that affect).

Yep a flag will be huge. In the meantime, the 90,000 crowd at each MCG finals shows we probably have 70,000 but about 25,000 of them are MCC members so don't count in our numbers. That the MCC had about 5,000 empty seats for the Pies/Tigers game shows how strong our support is within the MCC Those crowds also showed the latent support out there for the dees that as yet haven't joined as members. They may never do so but they are out there. Nonetheless, that turnout will prompt broadcasters and future sponsors to stand up and take notice. It will be huge for our exposure and the chance to capture the hearts of a younger generation and newcomers to aussie rules.

I thought his partner is a teacher at Corpus Christi College...

Presumably he would give a speech only if he featured in the awards. A very very outside chance of 5th in the Bluey so unlikely to hear from him.

Maybe our interest in Preuss is to help counter the impact of the longer goal square? The ball from a kick in will reach the fat part of the ground - far to wide to for one ruckman to defend. I can see Max patrolling one side of the ground and Preuss the other. This will allow us to keep our forward structures in place without dragging Tom Mc or Weideman up the field to defend the kick ins and get the ball forward.

Well, I'm in 2019 mode and using a crystal ball to see what it might look like, especially with the new rule changes. The 6x6x6 rule means there will be few obstacles to getting the ball quickly from the midfield to the very open forward line at centre bounces. And the longer goal square will do the same. In fact a kick in can reach the middle and another kick will get the ball deep into i50. Those really help our 'ballistic' forward half ball movement. Our midsized forwards - Petracca, Melksham and Fritsch are very good marks. Maybe the club has decided that with the rule changes we have less need for Jesse. It will be sad to see him go but I can see how our forward line will work well in the new AFL world.

It is worth remembering the 6x6x6 at the centre square rule change, when looking at what we need in defence. With that rule change there will be no players behind the sqaure, no +1 in defence and no time for the ruckman to drop back and help defend. Enormous additional pressure on the defence. May is being highly sort after for a reason.

As I recall it Roos switched Frawley fwd, to settle a new defence, as soon as he realised Frawley wasn't putting in the effort (see 2014, round 2 vs WCE) much like Clarkson did with Buddy(played him up the ground). I don't recall discussion of an mfc offer. I recall he went to WA to talk to Freo.

Jones talked about Hogan and a "fresh start" and doing what "is best for family, friends and his own performance". Anyone else get the sense from Jones' comments there may be more to it than just the go home factor? Enough respected posters on here have virtually said he is gone. That little dialogue from Jones confirms it for mine. While the club isn't saying anything, giving Lever and Jones the ok to say things like they "will support Jesse's decision, whatever he decides" is the club's way of preparing supporters for the departure of a fan favourite, as it is bound to upset many.

All that is true why are GCS happy to let him go? They need as much experience/talent as they can get. If they aren't offering him a contract he will be delisted and he can anywhere he likes with no pick back of any sort. It doesn't compute...

Interesting that in the last few years we have let go two 'gorilla' type defenders and an intercept defender in Frawley, Dunne and Howe. We are now replacing them with the likes of Lever and maybe May. In the meantime our 'rejects' have gone on to win a premiership, play in a grand final and if Dunne wasn't injured he would also be playing tomorrow. Not at all suggesting we should have kept the 3. They all needed a fresh start and we got fair value. Just reflecting on how ironic the AFL trade merry-go-round can be...

Post it in the 'Rumour' thread - no need to spill the beans, just a few clues will do... Include a few red herrings if necessary; even a riddle or two... ?