Lucifers Hero

This has often been discussed on Demonland. It makes so much sense - the long haul flight, the humidity etc. At last that is being discussed by the club: “We need the AFL to address the fixture. At the moment it’s played at a time that doesn’t allow you to provide an adequate recovery period in the form of byes.” said Peter Jackson. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/demons-want-bye-after-darwin-game-20180525-p4zhla.html Jackson is even hinting that we may not play in Darwin beyond this year. But it would probably mean playing the Home game at Marvel stadium (Etihad) as we are contracted to play only nine games at the G. (I must admit the nine games was a surprise - we've been bumped out by Carlton and Essendon and i/state teams). If Jackson gets us out of Darwin as his parting 'gift' we will all be very happy!

...Wallace was bending the knees to milk a 'head high' free, ala Selwood...wasn't he ?

Having thought a bit more about mfc courting Alistair Nicholson to replace PJ, I feel a bit underwhelmed. If he gets the CEO gig, I hope it doesn't ruffle too many feathers with possible internal candidates. Also, a bit surprised that our moves have leaked to the media. Very unlike mfc of the Jackson era. Maybe it was from the cricket world which tends to leak like a sieve.

Not sure how I feel about this... "Fairfax Media understands Alistair Nicholson has been sounded out by the Demons to replace outgoing chief executive Peter Jackson, who announced earlier this month he would be stepping down at the end of the year". Bit of a homecoming, I guess. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-s-players-boss-in-line-to-be-demons-chief-20180523-p4zh22.html He has the football player experience and the sporting management experience, albeit on the player side. Not dissimilar background to Gale at Richmond and Finnis at St Kilda who both went into CEO Club roles from player Associations. If he is the club's choice then I'm behind him.

Funny how those most able to do something blame some else- A few weeks ago Hird blamed Ess for lack of support Thompson blames Evans for not stopping it all Now Jobe blames Ess - says the club were negligent, which is true. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/watson-whacks-bombers-over-supplements-saga-20180523-p4zh2f.html The more people that were involved go back over it (incl Fitzpatrick, Crameri recently) the more likely the truth will trickle out, especially when someone starts defending their patch.

Love listening to him talk about the Dees. He praises eagerly and is measured in criticisms. And, he is not shy to openly support players. In that article he talks of Tom Mc and Jesse. Numerous times, even when both were injured and most on here had doubts, he talked up Salem and Brayshaw, if played in position. (Both now are and we are seeing the benefits). I really like that every now and then he lets slip 'we' when talking about one of games. He genuinely wants to see us do well and is like a proud dad when players or the team perform.

Every chance that Garlett, if not selected will be the traveling emergency. I don't mind that outcome.

While we wouldn't want to lose Mahoney, it might be good for his career to work in a different role in the AFL world, be it at another club or in AFL House. Or even another sporting code. I mentioned in the earlier PJ thread that in my experience, to be really ready for a CEO role (in any type of organisation) the person needs a variety of experience in different parts of their industry and across disciplines (perhaps in the same or different industry). For mine, Mahoney does not yet have enough experience to move into a CEO role. I doubt missing out on our CEO role would be the catalyst for him to go. He doesn't seem the 'spit the dummy type'. But he may leave before too long to further his career. If/when he does, I would say: Great job, well done for the Demons and all the best for the future. Go with every Dees supporter's thanks and blessing.

Agree a person from within: George De Crespigny, currently our Chief Commercial Officer and I reckon he was brought in to understudy Jackson - no info, just my guess. The AFL aren't going to let go its oversight of mfc to quickly and GDeC is an ex AFL person. Re Lethlean - doesn't pass the NDH test, altho Gil would be very keen to see his 'great mate' in a CEO job. Re Trigg - doubt he would leave SA again. He has just taken a role with Adelaide 36er's I really hope it is De Crespigny. He has been with PJ thru all the major asset, financial and sponsorship decisions. He is on the same page as the Board in club direction. He would have his own ideas on how to take the club further and could weave them into our strategy. For mine, it is not a time to 'rock the boat' with a new outside person who would want to make 'their mark' and start reinventing stuff. Given that the club has preached 'stability' on and off the filed since PJ and Roos arrived I would be very surprised if we went outside the club - with the proviso of no meddling from the AFL.

42,218 15 to go! Tomorrow will be the day to break the record. More than two months ahead of last year...

All based on some flaky concept of "whether the loss of players would damage a club enough to compromise competitive balance". which could mean you loose your best player but if you are perceived to have a 'strong' team or a handful of other good players the loss won't damage the club so no compensation. 4th round is exactly that, no compensation. Explains why the AFL wanted to wait til the poaching was done to decide on compensation. Cranston alone was worth a decent comp pic, not to mention our marquis player/vice captain Hickey.

An article today about Tom Lynch (Adelaide variety) described Melbourne as being 'cashed up' ie have salary cap space. This is really no surprise as: The salary cap went up by $2.0m per annum last year. That is a lot of extra bikkies to spread around. More than half our list would be well below the average AFL contract of about $350K because they are new to AFL football or had considerable time out for injuries. And a fair few would not be that much higher. The club would have earmarked the money for these guys when their contracts expire. Our 3 players over 30 will free up a fair amount of cap space in a year or two as will players we lose at the end of the year. So I can see that we can pay Tom and get an FA. I am very, very confidant the club has salary cap management well under control. I'm not sure why people worry about what $$ we pay Tom, Oscar or anyone else. The club will strike fair deals with players they want to keep and who want to stay. That includes Tom and Oscar and hopefully Gus, Nev and a few others out of contract this year...and a future FA.

Similar thinking. While it was Tyson that was dropped to bring in Viney, I think it is Harmes who has ousted Tyson from the starting 22. In addition to the traits you mention Harmes is very good as a run-by and link up player, has a bit of aggro and as he says in the article above he is now being tackled and caught HTB less often. Tyson really has one string to his bow: in and under work, so he may find it very hard to get back into the team. Harmes has gone past him in the same role. I recall an interview with Harmes when he came off the rookie list onto the seniors and he said something like 'I know I'm a fringe player but I'm going to give it my best shot'. It would be true to say that now he is not a fringe player nor is he depth - he is a bona fide starting 22. Well done, he is doing it the hard way. His determination and hard work is paying dividends for him.

Yep, 48 to go! Definitely countdown time! At this time last year we had 40,549 members then added 1,684 in the following months to reach the 42,233 record by the end of July. Can we add a similar amount in the next months to get to around 44,000? Given how slow membership renewals were late last year, I reckon the club would be quite pleased with that. Edit: 45 to go with @pineapple dee3 membership renewals tomorrow?

Agreed. We are a flexible team now and can adapt to different ground shapes. It was always going to be and still is how much the players want finals and beyond. On that note, Viney seems to have taken last year's missed finals to heart more than any other player. In last week's interviews I noticed a serious and very steely resolve. He will make sure teammates want finals as badly as he does and he is desperate.

Our finals (and top 4 chances) took quite a leap this weekend. Not only from our own fine efforts but thanks to Ess and Lions taking care of Cats and Hawks (and some of their percentage) - two of our competitors for those slots. Of our remaining 13 games only 6 are against current top 8 teams: Crows * 2, Port, Cats, Syd, WCE. Obviously they are all 8 point games - there are some challenges but we will win some of them. Of the 7 games vs teams outside the 8, the main threat is GWS in the last round by which time they will have their injured and elite players back. Lesser threats are Bulldogs * 2 and Pies. We have stopped drinking our bath water, sorted out our defence, play out 4 quarters, and put teams to the sword so it is hard to see us not making the 8 and pushing for top 4. WCE don't play the G well and Richmond don't win away from the G. Final ladder positions and 'home ground' will be crucial to a teams chances of making it through to GF. So, it will be another wide open finals series. And to pinch the 2016 Bulldog's mantra: Why not us!

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-21/talks-ongoing-but-dee-happy-with-contract-status#/ Talks started early this year but stalled when he was injured and missed games so that he/the club could see how he performed as a forward week in and week out. He and the club would have set their ambits when talks started and the article quotes Tom "I don't think one game changes much. I've been playing football for Melbourne for seven years, this is my eighth year, it is what it is," McDonald said. The club has indicated we have salary cap room to attract a very, very good player. If that is the case we have enough salary cap to keep Tom. All indications are he wants to stay and it would be very hard to see the let him get away. In an earlier interview he said long-term tenure was important to him, so the negotiations could be around the length of contract. I'm confident he will stay a Demon (and that Oscar will).

Revenue is important to Clubs but Sponsors and TV Broadcasters care about the Numbers. The more members the better FTA broadcast time slots, more profitable opp at the G, more merchandising, more match attendances and more attractive to sponsors etc etc etc.

Thanks for those figures. We've come a long way since the PJ/Roos era started and added some 10,000 members. But disappointingly we are still at the bottom of the Vic teams. I suspect North is somewhere near the same level. Even, Carlton are now 51,860 Anyway, we are moving along slowly and today we are 42,057. Just 178 to go to beat last years record. But sadly I don't think we will reach any great heights this year. I'm at a loss to understand why our membership is not increasing rapidly. One wonders whether, even if we win a Premiership, we will reach the 'dizzy' heights of 50,000 members let alone the fantasy land 70,000 to 90,000 levels of the big clubs.

Clarrie will win a Brownlow first!?

The story that goes with the tweet: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-05-18/key-defensive-pillars-continue-to-build A simple membership of Oscars progress: “He’s probably gone from being a guy who halves contests to actually winning some now, so we’ve been really pleased with his progression... ...He’s had a fantastic year, but the challenge for him is to maintain it for the whole season and really start to put himself among the top defenders in the league.” Oscar isn't (yet) up with the top defenders like Talia, Hearn, Hurley, Rance but I reckon by the time he reaches their level of experience and age he will right up there. I just hope it is with us.

I agreee - one in all in. But why is the Tribunal not prepared to hand down each decision separately since they agreed to hear them separately. The cynic in me thinks it is so they can phrase their verdict so that it is acceptable to all parties...

Given that Gleeson QC requested the two be heard concurrently but Clark QC objected and the Tribunal chair agreed with him why is the Tribunal reserving its decision till after Ed's case has been heard? They are heard and decided separately or as one...seems a bit 50/50...

Especially since he acted for the AFL in the Hawkins case. Had he had it from the beginning, we would have had a consistent line of legal argument from one week to the next. Gleeson is very convincing! Charlie may have got off on Tues night but now if one bro goes down, both go down...

Finally, a thoughtful commentary on 'deliberately' 'touching an umpire: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/sense-of-proportion-needed-when-imposing-penalties-for-umpire-contact-20180516-p4zfqf.html Six umpire touching incidents in the last 3 weeks resulting in 3 fines for 'careless' and 3 'deliberate' referred to Tribunal: Hawkins suspended and the Curnow's downgraded to 'careless' and fined. I suspect had Hawkins not been suspended no-one would raise an eyebrow about the Curnow decisions. The issue for most people is 'consistency'. The AFL made a rod for its back by toughening the interpretation of 'careless' or 'deliberate' mid year with the Hawkins' decision. Like the Tribunal did this week, maybe Michael Christian should get some evidence from umpires before making the assessment.