Lucifers Hero

Last week WCE had 25 frees to Saints 12. On AFL 360 Richardson said the 'noise of affirmation' not only encouraged umpires to pay frees to WCE but the opposite also happened ie when an opp player eg StK should receive a free there is no noise at all so umpires son't call it. He said when the umpire's department comment during the week it is about the legitimacy of frees paid but apparently the 'non-calls' are not reviewed. It is this aspect of umpiring that has really deteriorated in recent years. I mean the bulldogs won a flag on the basis of being allowed to throw and not pinned for HTB in the prelim vs GWS and the GF vs Syd. Both the AFL and Bevo admitted such after the GF.

The AFL has lost the hearing to just have failed in their attempt to just have a 'preliminary hearing' (mini trial). It means that McLachlan and Fitzpatrick end up facing trial and could end up giving evidence in court. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/court-ruling-on-essendon-drugs-saga-edges-afl-boss-nearer-to-trial-20180606-p4zjr8.html They may finally learn that the AFL is not a law unto itself. But the cynic in me thinks they will wheel and deal their way out of it.

Have just updated the 2018 Contracts Thread for Tom McDonald re-signing. Here is the link

Updated for Tom McDonald contract till 2022! Re Tom McD. Lewis said last night he would have been silly to leave. That goes for all our players. Unfortunately, we will have to push some out.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/demons-open-talks-with-free-agent-jetta-20180605-p4zjm4.html His agent Ray Purcell of OMP Sports Management would not be drawn on the terms of a proposed deal, but confirmed talks had started. “We’ve commenced discussions. Melbourne are respectful of Neville and what we’ve put forward, and we’re working with them,” Purcell told Fairfax Media on Tuesday. Just a matter of time I suspect!

Foxfooty have updated their Squad of 40 somewhat, after Paul Roos rated Shaun Higgins in the top 10 players in the league. They added 12 players as 'Unlucky' to be omitted including three very worth Dees: Neville Jetta: Find a Demons supporter who doesn’t rate Neville Jetta. The small defender goes about his business every week and is one of the club’s walk up starters, such is his consistency and preparation. Rarely has his colours lowered. Tom McDonald: The reinvented forward is exceptionally stiff to miss out, with an interrupted start to the season to blame. McDonald has kicked 19 goals in six matches and has provided a perfect second foil for teammate Jesse Hogan. Jake Melksham: Ranked second in score assists and seventh in score involvements, Melksham has rebranded himself into one of the most reliable forwards in the AFL. The former Bomber kicked five goals from 21 touches against Carlton, which AFL player ratings labelled as the best individual game of the season. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/north-melbourne-superstar-shaun-higgins-leads-fox-footys-midyear-allaustralian-snubs/news-story/9f11fbb27c398e87b7aebe5ba5dbf94f That would give us 6 of their 52.

From the article in the op I noticed this: "Agreements have been made, it's going to alternate," the Pies president told AFL.com.au. Then, "McGuire said he had spoken to former Melbourne board member, and a driving force behind 'Fight MND', Bill Guest about the prospects of next year's fifth event being a Collingwood home game". Obviously the agreements haven't been made with Jackson/MFC so is it Bill Guest Eddie reached agreement with? Guest is Chairman of 'Freeze MND' but its decades since he was an MFC Board member. Eddies is super sharp and knows full well the fixture and financial results for them if this game alternates. But Eddie always has an angle... It sounds to me that Eddie wants a piece of the MND action. Good for their image and their 'Brand'. He can then take centre stage.

Fair comments. My objection is if the AFL override's MFC's first choice, which was the tone of the FC discussion last night.

On Footy Classified last night Caroline Wilson gave an update. She said the club is plugging for Josh Mahoney as CEO but because of our 'financial position' the AFL wants to call the shots. I reckon that is AFL speak to keep us on their leash. We may not like what she writes at times but she gets excellent inside info from the AFL. She played a weekend interview with Goodwin and he sounded strongly behind Mahoney and talked about our succession planning. I think she said we have engaged a 'head hunting' firm - not sure if that was to help get Mahoney over the line or to be able to demonstrate due process and good governance have been followed. At the end of the day, I would like us to control our own destiny and strongly feel our Board should be allowed to choose the best person for the job. I strongly support the idea of succession planning and promotion from within. I will be filthy if we end up with an AFL's 'job for the boys' appointment.

On a side note, in this article Tom says he is over his foot injury https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tom-mcdonald-commits-to-melbourne-20180605-p4zjie.html "...What also has McDonald happy is that he has found comfort with his footy boots, revealing the foot problem which had him in doubt for the clash against the Crows was a result of experimenting with the positioning of the studs on his boots......I got a bit sore with it. Since then, I have felt pretty good with it," he said. Good to hear he can play relatively pain free.

Great news! He was looking for a bit of tenure so this takes him till 30. Delighted for all. Reckon this makes us a 'Destination Club' - simply because of all the talent we have re-signed. Player Managers will be knocking on our door and we will be in the control seat and can say 'no thank you, no room at the inn!'. Unless it is someone we really want.

I note that your posts regularly include criticism of MFC supporters, usually with generalisations. It is getting tiresome. I for one, would appreciate it if you cease criticising us. Fine if you have something specific about a post but these generalisations are disrespectful to those of us that have patiently supported the Dees all our lives.

At last Rance fined for diving!! http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-04/match-review-full-statement-round-11

Looks like Melksham will probably be right for QB game: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-06-04/acl-diagnosis-a-shock-for-lever "The ankle's good. I had a scan before so there's a little bit of bruising, but moving forward, all good," Melksham said..."We've got a nine-day break. Yesterday (Sunday) I was hobbling around a little bit, but today I'm walking a lot more fluently, so I'm hoping by the weekend it's cherry ripe."

Our List: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-06-04/gay-radan-join-melbourne ARRIVALS Trade Period: Maddison Gay (Carlton), Talia Radan (Adelaide Crows) DEPARTURES Expansion Period: Erin Hoare (Geelong), Anna Teague (Geelong), Richelle Cranston (Geelong), Melissa Hickey (Geelong) Trade Period: Jasmine Grierson (North Melbourne Tasmania), Emma Humphries (North Melbourne Tasmania) Delisted: Laura Duryea, Alyssa Mifsud, Maddie Shevlin (rookie) DRAFT PICKS TBC A bit disappointed but not surprised about Mifsud. Her first year was terrific but last season she seemed quite overweight as if she hadn't worked hard over the pre-season. Edit: A bit more info https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-melbourne-sign-dynamic-duo-for-upcoming-season/news-story/d9663bd13639b24f981fd03a44e221a4 "MELBOURNE has pulled off a big signing coup on the final day of trade period before the third season of the AFL Women’s competition...The Demons have exchanged picks for Carlton’s Maddison Gay and Adelaide’s Talia Radan, in a complex deal that also involves Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney".

I don't rate Fox scribes so I am not surprised that only three Demons in their AA squad of 40 players: Oliver, Gawn and Hogan https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/west-coast-dominate-melbourne-snubbed-in-fox-footys-midyear-allaustralian-squad/news-story/bf33ceb30194de6c8ff5e146b61686c8 Because we have had very even performances from our team I can understand we don't dominate in selections. But amazed they would leave out all of Melksham, Tom Mc and Jetta.

I think it will be a week to week decision. Virtually all of Pies 21 goals yesterday were kicked by medium forwards so we don't necessarily need another tall, this week. Let Oscar mind Cox this week. Their forwards are not fast and don't defend very well so a defender with a bit of speed: Hunt, Frost. Or someone who can play on small and medium defenders will work best this week: eg Smith, Wagner. If we put Vince to stop Sidebottom it will slow the supply to their forwards. The following game, Port have a tall forward line so it will be different considerations. Wouldn't mind seeing Petty get a go after the Pies game to see what he can do. Received much praise from Taylor at draft time and has been doing well at Casey. Maybe against Port when we will need another tall.

Thank you - a quiet Monday morning happening here. Also very excited. And agree with your analysis of the Pies. If we win most of our next five games (Coll, Port, Saints, WB, Freo) the club can start managing players. I'm thinking resting/rotating newbies (eg Spargo, Fritsch), oldies ( eg Vince, Lewis) and anyone carrying injuries with those playing well at Casey - especially for the long haul games: Perth and Darwin. It may cost us a spot on the ladder but sets us up for Sept. So I think we can get to round 23 reasonably fresh (barring the unforeseen). With a bye after round 23 gives us a chance to recharge the batteries. I'm also quietly optimistic.

Obviously! Injuries come and go and there are only so many issues that could be factored in to an analysis. Also, I can only work with what is known or reasonably predictable. Beyond that, anybody's guess. If we don't make finals, I'm leaving town and ban myself from Demonland - there will be a bunch of 'Is Goodwin the Right Guy' type threads and it will be too much to bear.

What/where is a 'predictor'? To get the 'finals' ladder spot, I used my interpretation (maybe be flawed) of how teams have been performing and each one's upcoming challenges. Agree with other posters that there will be upsets and that it is a week by week thing but I think our team has the steely resolve to get us well within contention but agree it is hard to predict where we will end up.

Thought it might be interesting to look at the run home for the teams in finals contention: General Thoughts: Top 5 teams have won enough games and have the % to be there in Sept. Crows and GWS will be much stronger as injured players return Hawks have a dream run home. Lots and lots of 8 point games. Freo has already put the cue in the rack (declared they are playing youth) and it won't be long before others follow. Gives the above teams greater opportunity to boost percentages especially North, Hawks. *Port have played one less game Chances: No doubt about Eagles. Finish: 1 Little doubt about Richmond as have 8 games in Vic, 6 of which are at the G. Finish: 2. All of Swans games are either in NSW or Vic so easy travel schedule. Finish: 3 - 5 Geelong have a friendly travel schedule with only two games outside Vic (SA and NSW). Finish: 3 - 5 Magpies have some work to do especially if they don't play games out like yesterday. Finish: 7 to 11 Power have a dream run home. Should Finish 5 - 8 but very inconsistent so could be 9 - 11. The Roos have a breeze fixture and friendly travel schedule with three games outside Vic (Tas, SA and NSW). Finish: 5 - 8 Hawks will not waste their dream run home and will most likely be in finals. Finish: 6 - 8 Crows and Giants will be much better when injured players return. Finish: 6 - 11. Which brings me to the Mighty Demons: The most challenging travel schedule: Adelaide, Darwin, Perth.. 5 of last 6 games are against top eight contenders: Cats, Crows, Swans, Eagles and GWS. We meet Crows and GWS when their key injured players are back. Barring disasters we have done enough to be there in Sept. Finish: 3 - 6. We seem to have the toughest run home. So, Huge, Huge game vs Pies this week. Win and we have 9 wins - 2 wins and good % ahead of next weeks 6th, 7th, 8th and looking good for top 4 (with a double chance and at least one Home final at the G). Lose and we will be in the pack of 4/5 teams on 8 wins. I will take any win against the Pies this week, even by a point. In part to put some distance between us and other teams and in part because of rnd 23, 2017. Hope the players remember that pain.

Pies didn't play the game out at the end and the Dockers did a nice job of whittling back Pies %. GWS taking it right up to the Crows. If GWS win they boot Crows out of the 8. Even if GWS lose, a small loss helps our cause for finals. So, Huge, Huge game vs Pies next week. We win and we have 9 wins - 2 wins and good % ahead of next weeks 6th, 7th, 8th and looking good for top 4 (with a double chance and at least one Home final at the G). Lose and we will be in the pack of 4/5 teams on 8 wins. We owe the pies for rnd 23, 2017. Lets hope that still burns deep in our team and they wreak their revenge. Will be happy with any win!

Water. ps the game was yesterday...

Go Demons!!

Roos watched Jetta play in last few games of 2013. And, as they say in the classics: the rest is history. Just hope we sign Nev up asap.