Lucifers Hero

1) Not in the eyes of the AFL and Ch7: membership/supporter numbers are the basis of their fixtures (despite their protestations to the contrary) for FTA premium time slots - Count the Thur, Fri and Sat night FTA slots for Ess, Coll, Rich, Carlt, Hawks even in their non-performing years. Simply, Ch 7 want numbers to sell adv time to their sponsors. Also, check out the venues those clubs play at - you rarely see them at low capacity grounds like Kardinia Park or Docklands when they play each other. They play at our home ground while we have to sell games interstate or play at Docklands. 2) Not in the eyes of sponsors: club sponsors want numbers to market their products to. The more the merrier. The profitability of the members is of little interest to them. We make a lot more more money from sponsors than members so they are critical to our financial well being. Again, look at the sponsorship revenue for the aforementioned clubs. It is big because they have a lot of members! 3) Not in the eyes of clubs: once they have you as a member, even as an Armchair, or 3 gamer they can work to make you a full member and get your family on board. (Without those membership options we may not have any country or interstate members). Also, members buy merchandise, adding revenue to the club and revenue and advertising to our sponsors- anyone buy New Balance gear recently? 4) The more members we have the more people at games and so gate revenue goes up. Looking at 'Net Profit' is a very limited view, especially as club costs are 'fixed' - effectively, any additional member is almost 100% profit (after allowing for making up and mailing membership packs). The club would be ecstatic to break last years record so early and grow our membership by over 30% in 4 years. We fans should share that excitement. So, I don't see the point of introducing 'Net Profit' to this thread. imv it simply isn't relevant to the thread nor to the value of increased membership numbers. Enjoy the ride on and off the field!

And none to soon - the way the team is going it looks like 'The Curse" will finally be lifted!!

Two things to watch out for this week: 1. It was reported here a month ago that we had set our sights on the Crows game - we delivered but did we burn up too much mental energy? 2. Short recovery time - Bulldogs can move the ball very fast with their not-too-legal 'flick' passes and double handed 'scoop' passes. Will we have the physical energy to run them down? I think we will win but am not expecting it to be huge. Possibly a tougher game than we had for a while but that is not a bad thing: my MFCSS makes me nervous cruising easily thru games.

Guilty! Still not sure - DV8's posts are intelligible whereas dee-luded's required mental gymnastics to decipher. Either way they are both entertaining.

No surprises here: From 31 games in his past two seasons, Joel Selwood has received 49 head-high free kicks – 23 more than the next highest, Brisbane's Rhys Mathieson. Selwood (95) and Patrick Dangerfield (88) top the league for free kicks for in that time. These guys have the umpires totally conned. Mathieson is an embarrassment to have so many such frees as he has not played every game. The kid learnt some bad habits copying his hero local J Selwood and now can't get a game.

A few might already know - Hang on a second, I'll call them ☺️ @Roost It@Grand New Flag@Pennant St Dee @Chook in Perth

Our first trade: "... picks 12 and 47 from the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos...for defender Jasmine Grierson, midfielder Emma Humphries and pick 54". http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-05-30/aflw-trade-two-selections Effectively pick 12 and a slight upgrade of pick 54. I guess if as we are not adequately compensated for the players that were poached getting North's end of first round pick is pretty good. Gives us pick #8, #12, #21 at the top end and then 3rd and 4th round picks.

Taylor has done a fantastic job, no doubt. In an interview a few years ago he said something like - list management is to build the list over the long term, within the context of the coach's game plan and short term list deficiencies. eg Roos said a a competitive, elite mid-field was a top priority so that is where Taylor put his best chips in the first few years: Salem, Tyson, Petracca, Brayshaw, Oliver, Vince, (Cross free as an UFA). Lesser chips on Harmes, ANB, Stretch, Garlett, Hunt, Vandenberg, Bugg. Lifeline to Jetta. With the midfield sorted they were able to add some KPP's - Weideman and Oscar. At this point we had the core list...we weren't able to get the chip for Lever (but eventually we got our man!). When Goodwin started inputting list requirements he was able to specify players to fill out the core list eg more forwards and backs: Melksham, Hibberd, Lewis and the 2017 recruits. So, like other successful clubs it is a team effort, when there is a cohesive plan. That cohesive plan is the key difference pre and post Taylor. Before that it was random recruiting based on power struggles between CEO, Football Manager, Recruiters and Coach. And we ended up with a dog's breakfast of a list. Jackson, Roos and Taylor all came from premiership clubs and they knew what success looks like. The cohesive plan that all bought into was the foundation for Taylor and co's successes.

You can't be 'dee-luded'! You seem a far more cheerful and well rounded character. Might I also say far more worldly and balanced in perspective... ...sorry to 'dee-luded', no offence intended, I always found your posts entertaining and 'colourful' in more ways than one...

No new news. I found their interviews on wanting to stay genuine and convincing. And there is no noise about engaging other offers. And as mentioned by @Blinkybill in another thread some players have made a pact to stick with the club. In that thread I noted that I had heard late last year that players are re signing for unders to be part of our (hoped for) success ala the Hawkes.. So, I just think there is a 95% chance the Mcd's will resign. Will eat massive humble pie if that isn't the case ?

I would agree with those comments. Even then we will still have 11 OOC players this year. Would be surprised if we let more than half a dozen go and the perpetually injured may be first in line: McKenna, Vand and possibly Kent. Also, we need to make calls on the rookies we have had on our books for a couple of years so some of them may be at risk. Then there are the players who have barely played in 2016/2017. Not to mention those that fail the NDH policy ie Jay KH and Kent (disciplined last year for drinking when told not to). The decisions on these may come down to list management and having 'too much depth' for some spots rather than ability and replaced with types we need more back up for. So there is a very good chance that Pedo, Vince, Bugg, Balic, Wagner, King continue.

Updated for the one year extensions to: Spargo, Fritsch and Petty Of the major 2018 OOC playres: The McD's have all but signed. After Gus' emotional post game comments on Sunday I would be staggered if he doesn't sign up. I hope the club gives Jetta a decent contract $ wise as he hasn't had the opportunity to earn good dollars having come back as a rookie just four years ago. He has earnt the right to shore up his family's financial future. Would hate to lose him. Edit: late update for Austin Bradtke - thanks to @red and blue forever

We can't win with some the media: If we continue to win by 10+ goals they will say the opposition were...(fill in the gap - undermanned, inexperienced, had an off day etc). If we win by a few goals they will say 'see they weren't so good after all'. If we have a bad loss well let the media scorn begin so best to ignore them. Tbh, I hope we continue to win with the ruthless tenacity we have shown in the last month be it by one point or 100 points. If we lose I want us to go down fighting. But I also hope we don't peak too early - we don't want to run out of puff and need to save our best till September. That is what got the Bulldogs and Tigers home and what Clarkson always managed his team for - it is all about how we play in September.

I recall reading that Lewis gave the team a pep talk early last year that if they want to stay together and have sustained success it won't happen if they push for top $. I think the pep talk worked because I heard late last year that players were taking less in their contracts than offered elsewhere. All OOC players of the last 12 months have signed up without hesitation and like you I would be surprised if any OOC player leaves.

I'm delighted about the signings but it is only one additional year to their existing two year contract. Even so, it is good for the club to have the continuity and to further assess them without being locked into longer term contracts and without worrying about poachers for a year or two. Draftees are usually paid the minimum amounts for the first two years. A new contract is a good way to give them a financial incentive in their third year. And, good for the players to give them time to develop without the pressure of worrying about when their next contract will be. In 2019/2020 they have the chance to earn themselves the following contract. Win/win by all.

Very true. Lots of credit to share. And, Roos is the first to share it around. On Triple M on Sunday, Roos credited Taylor and Viney for the list. Even tho he would have specified the type of player he wanted (eg competitive types) for the hard and tough game plan he was building and was an integral part of the list management strategy, he didn't take any credit for himself. A roll call of draftees from his recruiting years of 2013 to 2015 - Starting 22: Petracca, OMc, Brayshaw, Salem, ANB, Harmes, Oliver. Roos always said you build your midfield first and there it is right there. Can easily add Hunt, Weideman, Stretch, Tyson who on the edge of best 22. And, his mature age recruits: Cross, Vince, Garlett, lifeline to Jetta. Yep, much deserved credit to Viney and Taylor but Roos should also take quite a bit of credit for our list. (Credit for 2016 and 2017 recruits to Goodwin). Roos was also asked if Melbourne win the flag how much credit is his. He said 'I would be so happy, I don't care about that'. He meant it. He delivered us the elite midfield he promised, plus more. For mine he will go down as the architect of our list build and the tough competitive game style we are now seeing. Roos won't be front and center when we start having real success but he will proudly be cheering in the background.

Shows how little they know - perfect 10 from the coaches! 10 Angus Brayshaw (Melb) 4 Michael Hibberd (Melb) 4 Jesse Hogan (Melb) 4 Jack Viney (Melb) 3 Max Gawn (Melb) 3 Clayton Oliver (Melb) 1 Jake Lever (Melb) 1 Christian Salem (Melb) Interesting that other than Gus and one of Hibberd, Hogan and Viney (one of must have 2 + 2) the coaches saw it quite differently. Max is now 4th overall: 51 Nat Fyfe (Frem) 46 Patrick Cripps (Carl) 45 Trent Cotchin (Rich) 45 Max Gawn (Melb) How proud must Gus' family be after what he went thru and they went thru. Its the heartwarming side of footy. Terrific to see him up and about in every way.

I've noticed that when I receive a PM I don't receive a notification to my personal email address. Is this anything to do with the new server? Thanks

The whole article http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-05-28/we-can-compete-with-the-best-gawn "{the crows win}... was another example of the new-found killer instinct Simon Goodwin demanded after he sensed his players were happy to coast to wins". That is the most stunning part of our last five wins! This is the steely resolve we have been waiting for; no longer mentally weak. If the team keeps that 'killer instinct', changing the players' headspace may go down as Goodwin's major achievement this year as without it we wouldn't get the on-field results.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-28/initial-expectations-got-to-me-says-lever The article is about Lever but his comment about Jones made me laugh: "But I can see Nathan Jones – I hear he was a bit of a grumpy bastard before I came and now he's smiling every day. "I think this is the first time in his career he's won five in a row, so for him to be a part of that is fantastic and he's really driving the standards around the club."

...and they gave him SIX free kicks! I reckon the umpires were well aware of the tough talk in Adelaide media and the likes of Wallace stirring the pot, so were very watchful of Crows play on Lever. Goodwin said the only conversation with Lever pre game was to remind him 'to be aggressive at the ball'. Lever is a smart young man he knew what that meant. Credit to him for keeping his cool and didn't give away a single free. He let his actions do the talking, as did the whole team.

Not only have we won 18 consecutive quarters but no team has had a run of goals against us since the Rich game: 5 games ago! That was the big bogey last year and early this year - that bogey has been slain!! Also, we played it out to the very end and never let up - grit and determination right there. This was an outstanding win! Dare I say it: The day we announce ourselves to the footy world!

Carlton also did us a favour by denying Geelong a huge percentage boost. Vs Carlton, ours went up by 14% last week but Geelong's went up by just 3% last night. Could be very important for the final ladder positions.

He would be a terrible choice. Firstly, he got the sack from the AFL. Showed very poor judgement. A CEO needs to set standards and he would come with a bit of baggage. Apparently, he turned down the Bulldogs CEO job because they are a lowly club. He thought he would just walk into the Carlton job or the Collingwood CEO jobs but there Boards looked elsewhere. Eventually he took the lower job as Football Manager job at a 'lowly', St Kilda (Gil's club). Hopefully, our Board is strong enough to resist any overtures by Gil on behalf of his mate Lethlean. He probably sees us as potentially successful so wants to jump on the band wagon but he would come to the Demons for the wrong reasons - his status and ego. No thanks. A backward step. Keep him away from our club.

Yes atm we play ok at Marvel. But the MCG is our home. That should be our fortress. Carlton play 5 or 6 of their Home games at the G. Their Home ground is Marvel - send them back there.