Lucifers Hero

No one will be watching especially after Saints debacle last Friday. They should be showing the Syd vs GWS game. I know which I would prefer to watch tonight! I see the AFL is looking to give Good Friday to one of the big drawing clubs. As if Rich, Ess, Coll, Carl, don't have enough blockbuster or stand alone Thurs and Fri night games as it is! So the big get bigger and ... Having said that the game last week was appalling and something needs to change. But Good Friday shouldn't just default to big clubs. Perhaps, two of the prior years top 8 Vic sides to make it a bit fairer and a better chance of a decent spectacle.

In the pregame news it was good to see Clarkson come out and say the AFL needs to stop rewarding 'head high' free kicks, ala Selwood. His point is that if the AFL is serious about protecting the head it needs to minimise risk of head injury now or later in a players life. More on his thoughts in this article: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/alastair-clarkson-calls-for-umpires-to-crack-down-on-shrugging-tactics-to-avoid-concussion-issues/news-story/7c9549f992b1e6d33e1dd59c163dfe67 A new technique is where the player with the ball doesn't drop the knees but leans to one side and lays his head in the attacker's arms. Free kick! Many players do it and it is a blight on the game.

A bit late but here it is https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/red-flags-remain-over-the-crows-cultish-camp-20180406-p4z84b.html If the story of not letting Eddie contact his little kids and pregnant wife for a week is true, it seems quite cruel. Some of the other stuff sounds really out there... Bit of a witch hunt happening by the Crows to find out who leaked it - it seems they are blaming partners, wives and player managers. Hmmmm.... Crows don't look too flash at the end of a Caro pencil! I think mfc handled the fallout of our camp much better than the Crows are handling this.

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.

People are missing the importance of Jack in Port's structure yesterday! Having him forward enabled Hinkley to make the match winning move of Dixon to ruck the 2nd half, without leaving a gaping hole in forward 50. He also took a key defender which enabled a young kid (Todd Marshall) to kick 3 goals. And, Jack's hand pass to Boake for his first goal helped spark the turnaround to win the game. I'm sure people will get a lot of laughs this year from looking at Jack's stats and ridiculing him. But that just shows they probably haven't watched the game and don't understand the role Hinkley is asking of him. TBH, I just don't get the lingering antipathy towards him. We pushed him out. He is gone. You don't need to wish him well. But this petty ridicule just makes posters look mean spirited.

'Roost It', a poster with excellent and highly accurate club intel posted these in during last year's trade period: "spoke to my man today regarding Hogan. Was told he's not part of the untradeables but only leaving for absolute top dollar. His management are adamant he's happy in Melbourne and that he'll remain a Dee for quite some time". and "There's 6 players deemed untradeable by Goodwin and co". So 'Beetle's' info is very probably right about Hogan being available for trade - we just didn't get the 'offer we couldn't refuse' for Hogan. And I am very happy about that - love him and the way he is playing.

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.

38,609 1,584 ahead of where we were this time last year! March has been phenomenal - increased by 5,661 for the month. Great result of player phone-a-thon, Family Day and round one being at Home and at the G! Very good chance we will beat last year's record of 42,233. Final of 44,000 to 45,000 is on the cards!

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-03-27/viney-mcdonald-to-start-running-soon Looks like the 'deload' phase for Viney and Tom Mc will end soon as they are both expected to start running next Monday. Estimate is still 6-8 weeks away. Everyone came thru round 1 ok so all are available for selection vs Brisbane. Melbourne injury list: round two Pat McKenna (hamstring) – indefinite Tom McDonald (foot) – 6-8 weeks Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) – indefinite Bernie Vince (webbing) – available Jack Viney (foot) – 6-8 weeks

I think you missed something during the trade period... But I do like your optimism: Game 1 of 25!!

1. Fritsch's unbelievable 1st quarter contested mark. Just leapt up and plucked it out of the air. Should be in this week's contender for MOTR then MOTY. 2. At no stage did we drop our heads or put hands on hips. Stayed positive and confident. 3. Oliver remonstrating with Selwood for taking Salem out with a tunnelling manoeuvre.

Updated for the re-signing of Oliver. Looking at the names in the last column (years 2020 to 2022) - that is a star studded line up. Not only is the cream of our talent locked in , we have locked in our 'spine' for quite a few years. . Spine: Backs: Lever, Hibberd, Hunt Centre: Oliver, Petracca Fwds: Petracca, Hannan Followers: Gawn, Viney Suspect it is no coincidence the club has locked in the 'spine' first - the rest of the team can be built around them. While there are other young up and coming teams there isn't one that have locked in that critical goal to goal line up (...we just need to re-sign Jesse to complete the 'spine'). Excellent list management!

See other threads: Linked thread at top of Forum gives a comparison to prior years: http://demonland.com/forums/topic/43068-membership-tally-2018/ @tallstuey Mods have merged your thread with this (the general discussion) thread. http://demonland.com/forums/topic/43050-2018-membership-thread/

Remember Tom Mc had operations on both ankles post season. This would affect his loads, movement etc. Now he has had issues with his toe for about 8 weeks ie since mid/late January. But was allowed to play in Feb/March in the AFLX and 1st JLT. Something went wrong with managing his rehab and return to play - now we pay the price.

My thoughts exactly! Why, oh why do we take chances with foot issues. Thought we had learnt with Trengove and Viney to not let them play with delicate injuries that can only improve with rest! Risks are too high! Very short-sighted - may win a game or two but risk have our best players out for an extended period of time.

Thanks so much for all the info. It could be an offer to only interstate members so that would explain why Victorian members didn't hear about it. Delighted for you and your friends. And it is good to see the club doing something special and looking after interstate fans. We in Melbourne forget how lucky we are that we can get to so many games. Hope the team gets over the line for you. Go Dees!

Hey Ds56, I'm curious to know how the club let members know of offer. I haven't received an email nor an sms and I couldn't find offer on the website tab 'Match Day Information' - the only ticket referenceon there is via Ticketek. Edit: I'm not on twitter but just checked mfc twitter feed and didn't see anything.

Agreed. For some reason our customer service has been a bit lacking this year. Lots of anecdotes throughout this thread on issues re membership packs: cards, scarves etc. Add to that DL commentary in the last few days on our website: lacking training times for the last month/yesterday's work out at Casey, lacking twitter advice of those, lacking advice of today's VFL practice game times - fair contingent of AFL players selected for it, lack of Twitter feed on said practice game (People were posting from the BH site onto DL). Not to mention the 'Get your finals tickets' fiasco last year when we didn't make the finals. I'm with you, if we make communications with the club, using its website etc good experiences they can only help keep the members we have.

Some context needed. We are close to last years figure as at March 16. See dc's post below. Last years final tallly was approx 42,250, so there are still about 7,000 2017 members yet to renew. If there have been 'New' members then the 2017 members yet to renew is >than 7,000. TBH I'm surprised we haven't significantly exceeded last years tally and already pushing the 42,000 mark. The club (rightly) boasted record crowds at our games last year and for some reason we haven't converted those attendees to memberships in any significant number. On the back of last year's crowds I expected us to push close to 50,000 this year. While there is still time for that to happen, I no longer have that hope. I would imagine the club would be fairly disappointed with the conversion rate of attendees to members.