Lucifers Hero

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-11/aflw-roos-cats-start-list-builds-ahead-of-debuts There may be compensation for 'poached' players after all: "No compensation terms have been announced by the AFL to clubs who have lost players to expansion sides, although the draft order will be released at the end of the expansion signing period...Some form of compensation may be worked into the draft order or the number of draft picks given to a club". Surely the AFL should have announced the compensation before the 'poaching' began! Too easy to favour some teams, after the event. Nonetheless, having lost 4 players including: Hickey (Vice captain, Marquee player) and a really good player in Cranston we should get some decent picks in the draft.? But don't think simply having extra picks in the draft is much good if they are at the back end. Fairer to give picks relative to the quality of the player lost. But then when are things fair at the AFL...?

I bet if PJ was at Ess in 2012 their experimental human laboratory on players would never have happened. They lost plenty when PJ left, not the least of which was their moral compass. Their loss was our gain.

Sam credits Jesse with his improved form http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-05-11/weideman “He took me under his wing early this pre-season and we’ve become a lot closer and are working a lot more together on different parts of my game. It’s been really good and beneficial...He came to my VFL games early on and spoke to me at each quarter. He gave me clear instructions and it was good to have someone to work with and look up to.” Nice work by Jesse!

I put this table in the Eithad thread Quite a bit of difference. I feel confident the coaches will modify our game plan so our defensive structures don't break down on the G.

I sense he/she won't be external (unless someone from AFL House or at another club ready to step up). And, we aren't solid/successful enough yet for the AFL to not want to have a big say in who succeeds PJ. They don't want to see us go backwards either. PJ talked of succession planning for himself last October. Highly suggestive of an internal person. Imhv our other senior managers don't have enough breadth of experience nor AFL House exposure to succeed Jackson. I recall PJ mentioning George de Crespigny had worked on the Sheioak sale so he would be on the same page as the club and the board on the big decisions before us. He is a known quantity, would have AFL's blessing and can continue in 'business as usual' mode and continue to build on what he and PJ have been doing in recent years. It would be a good thing for our sponsors, especially those that have recently signed up, to have a known quantity as CEO. As Commercial Manager, George de Crespigny would have been involved in those negotiations.

Ryan was promoted late last year and here is the club release http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-09-15/jackson-promotes-from-within-club Ryan has worked at MFC since he was 18 in marketing activites. He is now 30, highly regarded and clearly going places. From my experience, a CEO needs a breadth of experience in different aspects of a business and across business types. In our industry exposure to the vagaries and network at AFL house is essential. Of our current staff George de Crespigny would be the most likely to fit the bill as he has wide ranging experience http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-08-21/dees-appoint-chief-commercial-officer He has worked at the Bumbies in Canberra and spent 8 years in the AFL. I trust the club and PJ will make a good decision but if I had to guess an internal successor it would be de Crespigny.

Our aggressive press makes it easy for opp to get the ball wide on the wing, flick it over or around our press and run it forward. Our lack of leg speed makes it hard to catch the ball carrier. Richmond have a press but they defend 'in formation' as do Hawthorn and keep some players around their back 50 arc. Sydney play the MCG well but they have a more traditional man on man defence and always keep a sweeper deep (McVeigh). Those teams don't follow the opp forwards up the ground so when there is a turnover, they pick up their man or move their defence back 'in formation'. As our defenders are so high (around or forward of the centre) we loose our defensive structure so even if we have a 'formation' it falls apart. Simply put, the G is too wide for our current game style especially against the better sides. That Goodwin says Etihad suits our game style means he is also aware (I hope) why it doesn't succeed on the G. He has changed a few things since the Hawthorn game (eg more mileage from Max's clearances, fewer players in the packs and putting players in their 'best' position eg Brayshaw). If we are ever to get a 'Home Ground' advantage and go deep into the finals we need a game plan that succeeds it. So, I'm looking forward to see what changes are made to 'Conquer The G'.

I call conflict of interest by Hocking! Until recently he was Geelong's Football Operations Manager. I'm not disappointed Hickey has left and the lure of the family name in Geelong is strong. But not sure a senior AFL rep should be influencing players decisions toward or to favour their former club. In AFL speak the 'optics' don't look good.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-05-09/mcdonald-brothers-keen-to-stay- Oscar: “We’ve had talks [going] back and forth, and at the moment we’re still talking,” he said...“I’m pretty confident that can happen". Glad his contract is getting sorted. Oscar is rapt with his game and with Goodwin: “In saying that he trusts me to do that role, and he’s identified me as the reliable guy to do that, I take a lot of confidence from that,” Oscar said...I love it.” With Gus, Tom and Oscar in contract talks it leaves only Nev as the 'must sign'. Suspect discussions with him are also underway. EDIT (13/9):

??? Love PJ. Will be eternally grateful he came to the Dees.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/clayton-olivers-sensational-skill-shows-why-the-demons-arent-fazed-by-his-high-handball-numbers/news-story/41f7546b5f45374e26f18d22db0c98d8 "Oliver has averaged 28.1 disposals per game. He ranks elite in terms of average handballs (19.1), contested possessions (16.6), contested possession rate (58.9), ground ball gets (11.7), and score launches (2.1)...The thing is — he’s not a bad kick either. Oliver’s kicking efficiency of 65.1 per cent has him ranked above average, while he also ranks above average for effective disposals, with 20.3 per game. He also averages 4.1 inside-50s, 0.4 contested marks and 0.7 goal assists per game — all ranked above average". It is easy to forget how good he is in so many (every?) aspect of the game. Deservedly, in the conversation as one of the very best young players. Now regularly being compared to Cripps and he is right up there with other elite young players. We have a truly elite player (Ie one who consistently delivers at an elite level over an extended period of time) in our midst? Oops! Just noticed a new thread has been opened on this. Mods can transfer if they wish...

Has Jessie refused interviews, dc? Maybe the club (rightly) protected his privacy a bit last year and kept him away from the media and he is known to be very private. But gee, if media folk can't tell the difference between a private person and a difficult person then they are lower and dumber than I thought they were. I'm just glad we have Lewis and Gawn (our two vice captains) with regular media gigs who can speak up on mfc matters. Helps balance the scales a little bit.

Gawn has also come out and said Jesse was hurt by the accusation of 'staging'. Its good to see our players stick up for each other. I suspect the media will continue to besmirch players but perhaps this episode will make them think twice before making false accusations. Yes, I know - pigs will fly! Jesse is a proud young man who has shown a great deal of integrity and deserves better.

Sage advice from Max to JV: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-09/gawns-viney-warning-dont-rush-back-to-afl "But if I could give advice to Jack – I definitely regret not getting a couple of games in the VFL before I came into the AFL." If ever there was a time for a player to get match fitness at a VFL game (or two) this is it as the next next game(s) are vs GCS (and Carlton) which are very winnable without Jack. On the other hand his time could be managed in both those games and he play just 65% for example. An interesting team release tomorrow night. Wouldn't be surprised if Jack plays at Casey this week.

Its click bait, folks! The article makes it clear the Club wants to sign him up and Gus wants to stay. If feeling doubtful listen to him as a guest on the AFL Exchange podcast. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-08/podcast-how-a-demon-got-his-mojo-back around the 15 minute mark. He says something like: It is a romantic idea to play your career at one club and it definitely is attractive to him...hopefully what the club is building is worth more than money". Listen to his tone of voice - very genuine. After two years of setbacks he deserves a few months to establish his credentials for a decent contract - same as Tom Mc is doing to establish his credentials as a forward before re-signing. Gus is mature enough to block out the media noise and just focus on his game. As an aside, on Tom's contract, Gus says: “Everyone knows Tom is Melbourne thru and thru. No one at the club concerned that he will leave. He loves the club and they love him.” The podcast is worth listening to, especially the first half as there is a bit of chat about the Dees. Gus is an engaging and articulate young man. He is a real asset to our club on and off the field.

There is an article in The Mercury but I can't get behind the pay wall. A snippet says: "AFTER 10 years and 141 games at AFL club Melbourne, one of North Hobarts favourite sons, Colin Garland, could make his return for the Demons in the TSL against Lauderdale at North Hobart Oval on Saturday". My favourite Col moment was when he played forward and kicked a few goals which gave us a win against Ess and then jumped into Neeld's arms with joy when the siren went. 2012 was it? My favourite but poignant comment from him was when Frawley won a premiership medal and Col was asked what he thought. Col's response was something like 'it wouldn't mean much if it wasn't with Melbourne.' That says it all about the type of person he is. Sadly another player who gave his all but perhaps was too scarred from our abysmal years to make the transition when Roos joined. Glad the club gave him the chance to try coaching before leaving entirely. Wish him well and glad his local side is also a Demon outfit!

Any idea if the AFL ditched the 100 point assessment plan or those 4 players are </= 100? We get to keep Lily Mithen who elected to sign with the demons.☺️ I think Cranston is a big loss. She played some terrific games this year. But we were always going to lose some good players. For info: The draft/trade period is later this month and the Free Agency period is early June

Tbh, I would rather lose Hickey who is 33 and recovering from an ACL than Mithen. It sounds like Hickey has an off-field job lined up with them as well. Also, she would probably be rated @ 50 points by the AFL which means we wouldn't need to give up another good player to get to the 100 points. Hickey has been very good for us so hope she does well at Geelong.

Yes. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-10-26/mithen-name-lives-on-at-melbourne But she plays in a Geelong region club and last year won their B&F. Its very ordinary of Geelong (AFL club) to coerce her into playing with their VFL side. I think it is disrespectful. I wonder if she is thinking something like: '...is that the sort of club I really want to play for if that is how they treat me.... I applaud her good judgement and maturity in playing elsewhere this year and Darebin is the best VFLW team.

Some relevant things to 'poaching' and list management I've seen in recent months. 1. The draft/trade rules aren't released yet but I recall that existing Vic clubs have to give up 2 to 4 players whose AFL determined 'ratings' total 100 poionts (with no compensation to that club). 2. The AFL introduced new teams without any commitment from broadcasters on telecast rights. So they can't tell clubs the salary cap, nor the 'poaching' rules. This is shaping up as a merry-go-round between the AFL/Ch7/Foxtel with inevitable delays and clubs will have little time for list management or players to make career and life defining decisions. 3. With the AFL trying to control every aspect of AFLW they risk it backfiring. It has already lost the two best AFLW coaches. Players give up a lot to play this part-time sport for the love of it and some remuneration. The sport can't afford for them to become disillusioned by the back room manipulations. The risk is many people (players, support staff, spectators, broadcasters) will lose interest and it will relegated to a backwater. I truly hope not as I really enjoy watching the games and supporting Daisy and her troupe.

This article is about the AFL trying to control where players go: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflws-two-newest-clubs-and-league-on-a-war-path-over-afls-list-management-approach-described-as-dictatorship/news-story/db55f5c6edcd4ab2c4b3c952fd13db06 Re some Melbourne players - Geelong has a 'strong desire' to lure Mel Hickey and Lily Mithen. The Cats are starting to play 'dirty' re Mithen: "It’s understood the Cats have told her she can play VFLW for Geelong this season only if she agrees to join the AFLW team for the 2019 season". A tough call for a 20 year old to make. Lily is fairly smart and not being seduced by it at this stage: "{She} will reportedly join Darebin in the interim before making a call on her future once all the building blocks are in place regarding salary caps and payment structures". I heard an interview with Kate Sheehan where she said Melbourne is the club most AFLW players aspire to as it has the best culture just as @Macca has said in the op. Hope we can keep our core players together as they are just beginning to be a really cohesive unit.

I doubt he club/Goodwin are going to say anything: Goodwin in his press conf: “I would have liked him to kick the goal, but if there is commentary around it, I guess we will have a look at it during the week,” Goodwin said..“We want to be seen as a nice strong footy team.” The word 'nice' was probably a slip of the tongue by Goodwin, but can't see the club saying anything publicly. Altho' should he get suspended I would expect them to go all out get him off at the Tribunal. After all, he was on the other side of identical action last year and got two weeks. As I said yesterday, Carlisle should be the one being cited and in the media gun!

The AFL isn't putting it to public vote anymore. Ditto GOTY. Nonetheless, imagine what it does for Fritsch's confidence...not bad to be nominated twice in your first 6 AFL games - suspect there will be many more to come.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-05-07/fritsch-nominated-for-mark-of-the-year Great news for him - nomination number 2... ...move over Jeremy Howe!!

On Weideman's role - Goodwin in his press conf re three talls: “We wanted to really trial that ... having all those guys function together is really important for us,” Goodwin said...“Jesse can play not only as a tall, but a small and Tom is similar in his ability to move around the ground." So Weideman is being played as forward and ruck relief while Jesse and Tom rotate from forward to wing to wherever. That should keep defenders guessing! Roos gave Weideman some high praise yesterday. Said he plays in the same mould as Ben Brown - very good at leaping for the mark, taking it at its highest point. Doesn't get much better than that. Weideman playing like Ben Brown in a few years would be something to relish. Also, said Sam gets the benefit of getting the 3rd tall, if there is one, which helps his development.