Lucifers Hero

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

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.

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.

Just when Ess thought their season could not get any worse: "My point of view is that it was almost certainly performance enhancing," Fitzpatrick said of the injected substances" https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/retired-afl-chairman-adds-to-bombers-woes-20180515-p4zfb1.html Doesn't get any more damning than! Fitzpatrick would know! The doping saga will haunt them forever and a day!

My bad. I misread an article on FA's. Will go back and edit my post. Cheers,

Up to a point Steve. While Gaff may choose us, WCE can match the offer and force a trade ala Dangerfield from Adelaide. It would probably mean us trading out a top player to WCE (or to some else to get the required pick) as I don't think we can trade the 2019 1st round pick. WCE would make a call once they know where they finish on the ladder. The higher up the more likely to force a trade as their 1st round compensation pick would likely be in the mid to late teens. Saints are touted as being very keen altho can't imagine he would go there. As someone else mentioned Jackson flagged we have the salary cap space to go after an FA but finding the currency might get tricky if we are forced into a trade...who/what would we be prepared to give up? Edit: Reckon WCE would ask for Jesse as Kennedy will be 31 this year. To quote @daisycutter phrase: 'computer says no' on such a deal.

Interesting article. I wonder what Sheedy means with this cryptic comment: "I think the supplements saga at Essendon didn't help him [Thompson], it definitely didn't help James Hird so I think that's going to play out in the next five, six years, particularly with the players that got banned and also with Jobe losing his Brownlow Medal," he said on The Footy Show. "I reckon after 10 years it will be interesting to see what happens there." Law suits? Mental health issues? Medical issues? This has become such a mess of so many lives and it need not have been.

The items in the locked room are reported to have Bomber's DNA on them. The largest item seized during the raid was 839.7 grams of MDMA which reportedly was not in the locked room. Re this item: "Senior Constable Bourke said the 839.7 grams of MDMA was contaminated by the clandestine drug unit so DNA could not be found but police were still investigating a connection between these drugs and the 54-year-old". https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/bomb-tatts-and-bang-bang-police-allege-large-money-exchanges-between-thompson-and-drug-accused-20180502-p4zcwr.html It beggars belief that a specialised group of cops could contaminate evidence but somehow they did...

One of Hird's assistant coaches at the time is now our senior coach...just saying... In the Bigger Boardroom of our State the two highest public office bearers are die hard Essendon supporters. And I recall a shady character 'convincing' witnesses not to show up at the ASADA hearing. And another anonymous character paid Hird's very hefty legal bills/damages. So the tentacles of possible influence extend far and wide.

The Spargo family makes history https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/spargo-family-makes-history-in-charlie-s-impressive-demons-debut-20180430-p4zcfj.html "His debut meant the Spargo family was the first to produce four league footballers - in a direct line - through four successive generations". Terriffic achievement by the family. Liked his dad's advice on presenting Charlie with his demon jumper: play hard for your teammates, play hard for your jumper. He seems like a feisty puppy with a bit of bite, not unlike Jack Viney. I suspect it won't be long before we have a 'Spargo Made Me Cry' thread. ?

He was pushing his luck after the 'Goodwin/camp fiasco' and 'McCartney banished from the coach's box' stories. 'Leaking' the Petracca omission story yesterday was probably the final straw. Let's hope that whoever inside the club is feeding him stories, stops! Or he will still get stuff to write.

Didn't take long for other clubs to come sniffing - "Angus Brayshaw’s non-selection for the first three rounds of the season has also led to seven rival clubs showing various levels of interest in the out-of-contract ball-winner, whose brothers — Hamish and Andrew — live in Perth and play for West Coast and Fremantle respectively....The Dockers are believed to be one of these clubs keeping a close eye on the concussion-plagued Brayshaw. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/fremantle-poised-to-make-bigmoney-moves-for-jeremy-mcgovern-and-jesse-hogan-with-an-eye-on-angus-brayshaw/news-story/e1b90ef950ed62a9db2ee841a96000c4 The writer does add that "... there is no suggestion Brayshaw wants out but...the lure of consistent opportunities could prove to be a decisive factor in weighing up his future". It was good to see Gus play a really good first up game yesterday. Let's hope the coaches keep playing him to give him some consistency, which he hasn't had for several years for a variety of reasons. Note - I have ignored the speculation about Hogan in that article. It is a repeat of the same stuff year after year and Freo will continue to ask.

I was referring to past administrations. Bartlett, PJ et al have been the polar opposite of pipe dreams and wishy washy. They have made things happen and there are more on their 'To Do' list.

I suspect we have always had similar goals but they have been more like pipe dreams, with wishy washy thinking on how to get there. ie no idea! This feels like a smaller version of what Hawthorn did to set themselves up as a strong club. Different scale, different ideas but really solid planning and delivery of said plans. What we need now is for the coaches and players to deliver on field!!!

Somewhere in the interview PJ mentioned a new facility with a commercial return. That could be things like: naming rights for a facility sponsor, using the fitness facility to generate income. In practice pools, gyms etc are used for only a small % of the week so they lie idle for most of 24/7. Not a very efficient use of resources. the facility having other commercial functionality which might attract a paying public. What I really liked about the strategy is the club is getting back to our 'core business' ie football. This is a different direction some other AFL club's expanding into esport (Adel, Ess), other sporting codes (Coll), management of sporting facilities (Rich)etc. (They can afford to as they facilities in place and have huge incomes). All well and good but it is yet to be shown whether these add anything to the AFL clubs or just become a management distraction, as they are not 'core business'. On a side note, PJ's contract is up in Oct. I reckon he will stay until at least we have 'the spot' for the new facility wrapped up. In the interview he hinted we might have 'the spot' this year. I am confident he wouldn't move on without a person in place that he believes can build on his fantastic work. But I really hope he renews his contract for at least another year. Where would we be without this guy:

I'm not at all concerned about the loss of the $2.0m profit. We lose about $1.3m (2/3rds) when Leighoak is sold and $0.7m when we hand back the Bentleigh pokie licenses in a few years. As PJ said there is plenty of time to get that $2.0m profit back elsewhere (without using the $11.0m capital from the Leighoak sale to pay back our debt). He mentioned things like: grow the fan base, increased game attendances, earnings from reinvesting the $11.0m (I don't think he meant interest) We also have more sponsorship income now with Zurich and Infiniti on board. And potentially more sponsors in the pipeline. Sure, those revenues might happen anyway but this is part of a strategy to reposition our club 'for the next generation of fans' (Barlett's words). We have never, ever had any long-term thinking let alone planning as we are generally chasing our tail. It is refreshing to have the building blocks in place for a solid financial and football future. I'm rapt with this decision and the commercial thinking behind it. I applaud PJ, the management team and the Board. I am excited to see what they have in store as the strategy unfolds.

Is that an update or did I miss something - the article referred to Phase 2 testing before' it' being released to the general market in a few years ie not needing special permission to use. Nonetheless, I'm in full agreement with your original post that you/I hope MFC are not into it and that everyone especially the AFL, has there eyes wide open. Edit: there seems to be some inaccuracy in what has been reported. I just came across this https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-legend-malcolm-blight-concerned-footballers-are-being-used-as-lab-rats-for-trial-drugs/news-story/58aad17fbaa46917f7b60148e3e313d8 Quotes: Malcolm Blight has voiced his concern that footballers are being used as ‘lab rats’ for trial drugs following reports players are using a new ‘wonder drug’ to cure knee, hip and groin pain. [The CEO], Rennie told the Herald Sun that it was approved by the AFL’s chief medical officer Dr Peter Harcourt, with the report saying that the drug was being accessed by AFL players under the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s ‘special access scheme’. However, the AFL has since provided a statement saying “Dr Peter Harcourt did not approve this medication”. It has left the players allegedly using this drug in the lurch.. It wouldn't be the first time a company has made claims to keep their share price up. Anyway, very confusing. Suspect there is more to come.

I didn't connect it to anything at EFC and know it is not banned from an ASADA view. Nor is it illegal in a medical sense. But the players are still guinea pigs, as is anyone who participates in a trial for new pharmaceuticals. My point was that hopefully players know what potential risks the product holds as it as not yet been fully tested on humans. That is what their Phase 2 testing will be.

The thing I found odd from the article is that while they have the ok to use it, the product is still to be fully tested and is not on the market ye,t so the 40 to 50 AFL players are being used as guinea pigs. Clearly, the product is not illegal but hopefully club doctors have told those 40 to 50 players any potential side affects etc.

He is out of contract this year so if the club rates him they need to either give him games consistently or sign him up on a new contract. Otherwise, there will be a few suitors out there talking to his manager. We have re-contracted all the players who can be considered his peers so he is the only one still on the shelf. I really rate him, he is much more than depth and would hate for him to look elsewhere.

I cant get behind the paywall but the headline contradicts the quoted text which says: The AFL has joined ASADA in fighting a Freedom of Information request made by a member of the public seeking access to doping control forms Why would the AFL side with ASADA to fight release of info and at the same time threaten to spilt from ASADA if info is released. Is there something in the article that explains the apparent contradiction? If not pretty dumb of the HS to run with it. Anyway, who is the AFL supposedly threatening? It is up to the courts to decide what to released. A confused and not very logical person wrote that headline - Robbo perhaps?

I assume that is rather tongue-in-cheek. If not, I would expect Peter Jackson to shut the idea down quick smart. I could not support a team with him at the club. To me he is no better than the drug dealer on the street selling gear to young people. They do it for money. Hird selfishly used players, who were entrusted to his care, as guinea pigs for his own egotistical purposes. Unforgivable in my book. Anyway, he doesn't have much to offer - is in the 'great player/average coach' category. No thanks! Keep him away from my club.

Here is the clubs notice of Family Day next Sunday. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-02-27/2018-family-day-guide It seems all our sponsors will be there with fun activities for kids: Enjoy badge making and colouring in at our Arts and Craft station! iSelect Obstacle Course Zurich photo booth Handball “around the world” at the China Southern Airlines handball target station Visit the Sporting Globe virtual kicking booth Additional activations from club partners including Fernwood, Hertz, Chisholm, New Balance, Haymes and VGRF Face painting, balloon animals, posters, giveaways and more! Melbourne's AFL and AFLW teams will be presented on stage at the conclusion of the day I suspect there wasn't enough space at Luna Park to host all these activities. The MCG brings people closer to our spiritual home and gives sponsors the rare opportunity to interact directly with members/fans. Good weather forecast so should be fun for all!

There is nothing new in the article - just the HS re-hashing old news. Now, if he had re-signed that would be 'Great news!!!!' I do think it is only a matter of time before he does re-sign. If I recall correctly his manager, Paul Connors was quoted as saying he is going to make us pay top dollar for Christian's signature so it may take a while. But hopefully, it is sorted sooner rather than later - really don't want it to drag out.

You could well be right Js5. The Age article http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/mark-bomber-thompsons-port-melbourne-house-raided-20180108-h0f5th.html says the raids were conducted by the Geelong and Southern Metro Divisional Response Units. Re the multimillion dollar deal, The HS article in the 'biggestred' post says 'Last March Thompson pocketed $7 million after selling his stake in a farming property at Armstrong Creek' which is near Geelong. The Age article goes on to say 'Divisional Response Units investigate property crimes and illegal drug activity (including cultivate, manufacture and traffic), according to Victoria Police'. People can form their own theories but that line is certainly a leading piece of info.