Lucifers Hero

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

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."

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.

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.

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...

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?

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.

An article about the stars teams cannot afford to lose. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-16/aflw-players-your-team-cant-afford-to-lose "The star: Karen Paxman: The general of Melbourne's star-studded midfield and capable of hitting the scoreboard if required. The role-player: Meg Downie: Injury robbed her of a chance to play properly in the first season but she impressed on tall and small opponents. Even more important now, given the loss of Mel Hickey to Geelong. The young star: Katherine Smith: Emerging leader who is also an incredibly consistent lock-down defender". Obviously the author hasn't heard of Daisy Pearce... She is an out and out star. Fabulous captain and leader. Never gives up. Her teammates stand taller with Daisy in the lead. Love Paxman but instead I would name Daisy as 'The Star' of our show.

"Ebony Marinoff is weighing up a shock move to Melbourne" https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/melbourne-is-aggressively-pursuing-young-adelaide-aflw-star-ebony-marinoff-who-is-weighing-up-her-options/news-story/96785b39401a9249a0660d4404a1e743 She won the 2017 Rising Star and would be an excellent replacement in the midfield for Cranston and is reportedly good friends with Daisy and Paxman as she played with them in the Darebin premiership last year. Not sure when the Trade period officially opens/closes but it happens by the end of May.

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!

That is exactly my point. CHF seems his 'natural position' (with stints elsewhere) but we have about 6 players rotating thru those roles. Petracca looks a bit 'lost' roaming around like a high half forward/mid. I get what coaches are aiming for with 'flexibility'. Maybe 'flexibility' isn't for him. Some players are best suited to play a role, some players are best suited to play a position. I feel Petracca is the latter. I would really like to see him played as CHF for a few weeks, let him settle there and see how that works. He is so good we can build our whole forward line around him being our 'anchor' and have others rotate around him. I happen to think if we had a bit less 'flexibility' up forward there would be less i50's that ricochet straight back out as it would give the deliverers more certainty on who and where the forwards will be. So for a variety of reasons would really like to see Petracca settle at CHF for a while.

Not trying to be critical and not overly worried (altho 3 goals in 6 games is not a great return). To me he looks out of sorts and think it could be the position he is playing in (not playing in). Like Brayshaw and Salem - put them in their 'natural positions' and off they go! Just can't see what that position is for Petracca in our current line up. The four talls rotating forward take up his marking space and the small/mediums take up his crumbing space. Genuinely interested in folks thoughts of his position to get the best from him.

I noticed this article about our 'awesome foursome' forward line http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-05-12/melbournes-awesome-foursome-here-to-stay and immediately thought: Hogan, McDonald, Weideman and Petracca. But Petracca wasn't one of them - Max was the fourth. And the coach says the four are there to stay. Petracca's 'natural position' is forward often playing as the 'third' tall forward. Early this year he featured in an article about he, Hogan and Oliver rotating forward and midfield. With the return of Tom Mc and four talls rotating down forward that strategy has been turned on its head a bit (for the better). Not sure where it leaves Petracca... I never get overawed by stats so for Petracca they aren't a concern. But that he doesn't seem to impact his games this year on the scoreboard or around the field is worrying. So, With the four talls rotating forward and the bevy of small/medium forwards is it 'too crowded' down forward for him to excel? Is the blossoming of Brayshaw and Salem, brilliance of Oliver and pending return of Viney making the midfield space a bit 'too crowded'? By 'too crowded' I don't mean too many and I recognise we can never have too many terrific layers. I simple ask is he/the club struggling to find his best spot in our current line up. Or is it his work rate? Both? He has shown patches of brilliance and his potential is immense but something isn't working. Yesterday was one of his worst games for a long time. I've no doubt he will become a star and watch out when he does! But approaching 50 games he should be having a greater impact (ala Salem, Brayshaw, Oliver) in at least some games. My question is within our new line up what position is Christian's to own?

July 31, Saty

The tally was quietly sitting in the 'Membership' part of the website. I'm thinking it is now writ big on the Home page as the club are confident of breaking the 42,233 record. Perhaps some doubt earlier. Count is 41,803, so 430 to go. Time to start 'countdown' clock?

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):

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.

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.