Lucifers Hero

Sorry if this is reported elsewhere, Mitch White will line up for Casey next year. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-12-27/mitch-to-make-most-of-new-opportunity It sounds like the pressure of being an AFL player got to him but at 21 he has every chance to get back to AFL as a mature age recruit. Casey will be the better for having him in the side next year.

Last year the Casey jumper and name was changed to Demons. Now, we have significantly beefed up the Casey staffing. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-12-26/exciting-times-at-casey-maynard This is a far cry from the pre Roos days. He recruited Plapp to start integrating Casey and Demons. Looking at MFC website the Casey staff are fully integrated into the MFC structure. It is no coincidence that most of the recent AFL premiers have very successful and integrated VFL teams. Bodes well for the future of both teams.

I worked in the industry for a long time so I understand the difference between Toyota and Lexus, their products and marketing strategies. (I have a slightly different view as to when their products are competing against each other but that isn't relevant to this thread). Nonetheless, your post is important for those that don't know how Toyota and Lexus are connected. My post was primarily to direct attention away from Lexus in case the attention given to it in this thread undermines the MFC's launch strategy (if it is Lexus). Hence my invitation to posters to suggest other Japanese brands with luxury cars.

Honda make some high spec SUV and Civics and a pretty neat sports car. But yes, Infiniti is a good guess - I believe owned by Nissan who don't sponsor an AFL team. Also Suzuki. Not sure how high their range goes. They do sponsor Melbourne Storm. Could leverage the 'Melbourne' name and that sort of stuff which suits the direction of our branding. Also, potential joint branding of Gosch's Paddock...?

Toyota are long term sponsors of the Crows so if Lexus sponsor Demons they may dilute each others marketing a bit ie both marketing to the same AFL watching audience. Perhaps it is Honda? They are one of the few car makers who don't sponsor an AFL club. Honda is a great brand and have very nice cars. Anyway, we should keep guessing as we don't want to steal the club's thunder of a big announcement and spoil their PR efforts or for some journo to read this and start pestering the club for a statement. On that note who are the other Japanese car makers with who don't sponsor an AFL team?

Indispensable - that covers 1 or 2 of the 4 players in Bali. I suspect you are right - we won't be hearing much more about it. If for no other reason than the girl doesn't want her name and picture splashed all over the place and become the subject of social media abuse. It takes a very brave, brave person to take on the might of the AFL especially if a big name player is involved. I think the broom and the carpet are waiting.

Exactly! And, they pay for the privilege. Check this out - Just like Etihad with the roof closed. Spectators wear their team colours, buy merchandise etc. Great for sponsors, especially those with international brands (ie most AFL clubs, MFC one of the exceptions)

People pay to go to stadiums to watch other people play video games on a big screen. Lots of fan fare and noise and pizazz! Exciting to some but meh to others. Mainly watched by under 35's. Others watch on their computers/apps. So it is, a mega version of watching your mates play X-box games. Lots and lots of scope for sponsors to put up big money to get exposure - hence the allure to the AFL and AFL clubs. Essendon will put their team in red and black and call them 'The Bombers'. Lots of leverage. Mega attractive to their sponsors. Essendon is swimming in $$ so they can afford the investment. So can other cashed up clubs like Coll. Geelong and Adelaide. AFL also keen as they can use Ethiad as the venue to host esport games and sell tickets for those events. For mine - I'll just stick to watching Aussie Rules.

Recently Essendon bought a team. Adelaide have a team. The AFL wants to play: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-12-21/understanding-esports-how-the-afl-is-involved And today Pies and Cats have started looking at getting involved. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/collingwood-and-geelong-exploring-esports-plans-for-etihad-stadium-facility-20171222-h094nb.html Excuse the cynicism but my eyebrows raised when I read: " Bastion Live – the owners of Avant Gaming – are a branch of Bastion Collective, a diverse communications firm whose board members include former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou. Former Western Bulldogs player Simon Garlick is CEO of Bastion's sponsorship arm while Hamish McLachlan, brother of AFL CEO Gillon, is a key shareholder in the business". Incestuous? Feathering nests? Boy's Club? I'm not a follower of esport but can see it could change the face of sponsorship and attendances (and $$$) of 'sport' as we know it. It could be really good for clubs (who know what they are getting into). But I really wouldn't like to see AFL/Club involvement to be 'controlled' by associated parties. Not good governance.

Totally agree. Players position is irrelevant. One rule for all. No exceptions. A genuine Question: What if the facts (which hopefully are not made public) show the club there is some truth to the allegation and her view is accepted as probable and the player is 'in real trouble'. She subsequently decides she does not wish to put herself thru the public trauma of a legal process so the player's legal guilt/innocence will not be tested in court. Do you think the club will sack/stand down the player?

I suggested the Integrity Unit/AFL as Peter Ryan (The Age) broke the story. Until April 2017 he was an AFL staff reporter. Of the 5 possible leak options, for me the AFL is the most likely the culprit. Maybe Ryan knew for a while and kept it quiet, maybe he picked it up at a Christmas party. But it came from one of his sources.

It was also posted in the Viney thread but it seems the instagram with the video embeddd in the post has been deleted from posts in both threads... If it doesn't come back in those threads google Rob Jackson instagram

Five possible sources for the leak to the media: The girl The player MFC The Police The AFL Integrity Unit I would be shattered if it was from withing MFC. I would have my money on the so called Integrity Unit. In my book, the leaking of a personal matter to the media is a sackable offence.

How am I selling him short? I said he has done a solid job. Not sure what you see to suggest it has been fantastic. Yes, stability is crucial and with adequate succession planning there is no reason why it shouldn't remain so. We had a succession plan for the coach. Jackson has talked about a successor for himself. We have a succession plan for our next captain. Can't see why succession planning can't apply for a President. Let me repeat I am not potting our President. In my view, as a club we need to take a significant leap in size and scope. That will require a different approach and skill set. And I haven't seen those signs from our President (or the Board). Maybe he will surprise. But then maybe 10 years is too long.

Posted this in the Training Thread but also relevant here: Viney is super human!! If his foot is ready there will be no stopping him next year.

He was asked what he thought of Hawthorn's policy of Presidents standing down after two terms ie 6 years. Our President said he thought 10 years is about right. So expect our vanilla flavoured President for another five years! While his style has suited a club rebuilding and establishing a solid stable base, there comes a time when we need to make a significant leap in size to just keep up with other clubs. And I don't think a vanilla style presidency is so effective for that. At some point we need someone who has some charisma, is innovative and sells our club. So for mine, I hope we get someone else in the role well before before the 10 years are up. Not potting Bartlett - he has done a solid job. But it is horses for courses.

Well training was on yesterday and it seems a lot of fun being had by all. Great video! Really like how the players were rapt for him. Crikey, if Viney's foot is fully healed he will be unstoppable next year - and beware anyone who gets in his way!

True but does it matter? Just shows how Viney can work Selwood over and over again. Bit of fun with pictures.

And just for the fun of it put Bernie onto Dangerfield

This one? ...And JV just strolls away leaving Selwood wondering what hit him!

29,053. Slowly creeping up to last year's pre Christmas number of 29,426. I would guess the club is disappointed to be behind last year after a seemingly improved 2017. But probably not surprised.

Was training not to continue as usual this week at The Paddock? No reports from anyone or on the club website. Perhaps it was all indoors. I wonder if @Satyriconhomeknows what happened to training? Or maybe @Drunkn167 might know.

Correct FD. The rule is 'last disposal' ie kick or handball, whether deliberate or not.

Drunken indicated some in our leadership voiced concerns about the camp. The leadership team is: Vince: 32 y.o Lewis: 31 y.o Gawn: Injured most of 2017. History of hamstring injuries. Working hard to get back to his best. Viney: carried foot injury all thru last preseason and 2017 season and has not yet recovered. Jones: reported calf issues a few weeks ago and will be 30 next month. Mcdonald: Recovering from double ankle surgery - set to join main training after Christmas. All are over 30 and/or have leg/foot injuries. And, we know of other players who have foot/back niggles/concerns. So, I can see why one or more leaders would have genuine concerns about player well being and injury risk. What does not make sense is the club wanting to take aging/injured/recovering players on a grueling camp. It makes me wonder if the club fully thought it through or handled player concerns properly. Add AFLPA to the mix and a leak to the media and we have a very bad look story. Unfortunately, it adds to the 'Demons are mentally weak' narrative and it will be milked, mercilessly next year. I'm not interested in knowing who the players were. Just want us to stop shooting ourselves in the foot. And, if there is an 'elephant in the room' over this, Goodwin and Co need to decamp it asap! Footnote: I believe Melbourne Storm (Comando style camp) and Hawthorn (Kakoda) take only new recruits these days.