Lucifers Hero

Begrudgingly admire Richmond's management last year: Added Naismith, Caddy, Prestia and a 2018 first round pick and the only real out was Delidio. And they have landed the trifecta: Brownlow, Norm Smith and Premiership. They did it with one of the youngest teams in the comp. They now have two 1st round draft picks with young Naish who was among the best in the U18 today (and touted as a top 10 draft pick) as a father/son for them in this draft. Hate to say it but they will be there abouts again next year. Unlike others on here I just don't see us being anywhere near close to a Premiership.

And Gus' little bro, Andrew is captain of one of the U18 teams. It seems we won't be in the top half of the draft this year so he is unlikely to join Gus at the Demons. What a great experience for all the young guys to play on the G. I'll be barracking for Andrew's team! http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-30/elite-young-guns-to-light-up-gf-curtainraiser Streamed live in about 15 minutes.

3 years into a 5 year contract and this is the 1st as senior coach. It is barely 12 months since Goodwin was involved in re signing Jack for 3 more years (Roos departed some 6 weeks later so input was limited, if any). Now, after his first year as a rookie coach he decides to move Jack on. I do not pretend to know what goes on behind the doors. But I feel it was reasonable to ask a question about Goodwin's willingness to take on the challenge of getting the best from Jack, which was the essence of my post.

I agree with the concept Macca, but it doesn't always happen. eg Howe was on his way to the GC when he decided to side step and go to the Pies. That left mfc in a pickle to do a trade quickly and get the best we could from the Pies, not the best we could on the market. That trade didn't turn out too well for us. From a Jack perspective he is managed by Paul Connors who will make sure the best outcome for Jack in albeit less than ideal circumstances. Neither Connors nor Watts have any obligation to do the 'right thing by the club'. I believe, if the club is getting rid of Jack then it has forfeited its right to influence where he goes. Like Howe, I do not hold out high hopes of us getting the best trade possible.

Maybe the media department is on holidays... ...gone missing after the round 23 communications debacle. Re communications around Watts: Beveridge had it right with Stringer. Do the deadly deed. Wear the backlash for a few days and everyone moves on. Instead we have a captain and coach dragging out a vague, negative narrative about Watts. Then the news he is being traded leaks and gains momentum, supporters raising petitions, ex club characters and team mates publicly support him, reports of conflict among FD decision makers. Unless someone at the club comes out and says something akin to Beveridge this will drag out for weeks. All very messy. So the question you imply is very valid: Where is the media department? Who is managing the public face of the club atm? Answer...? I was beginning to think mfc had become a well run and well disciplined club off the field: internal harmony, no leaks, consistent public messaging, strong leadership etc. Since round 23 that solidity off field does not seem as strong as I thought it was.

Hird is about to present the Norm Smith medal and the AFL are desperately hoping everyone has forgotten the saga and does not boo him. Dank just put the whole thing front and center. Let the booing begin...

On SEN this morning Tyson said he played golf a few days ago with Jack, Lewis and Roughy. Make of that what you will. I reckon Jack still has a few friends in the playing group.

Hope not. If the club don't like his comments they should not have allowed him on SEN. Or else ensure that he has a script to talk to and tows the company line which Jones so obviously does. I liked hearing Tyson stick up for his team mate.

Lets hope the umpires don't decide who wins this year. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/afl-grand-final-fair-go-for-all-from-the-umpires-at-the-mcg-please/news-story/dd26db5f59740617c8e4847d13e5294b The league were embarrassed to the point that then-acting AFL general manager of football operations Mark Evans rang Sydney chief executive Andrew Ireland on the Tuesday after the match to apologise for the umpires costing the Swans four goals. The winning margin blew out late to 22 points after the Bulldogs kicked the final two goals in time on of the final quarter. Kept quiet at the time but quite damning. The dynamics are the same this year: i/state club vs a Vic fairy tale story. I fear for the Crows' chances if the umpires fall for the fairy tale again.

That comment plus other posters saying key players want Watts out is sounding like Stringer Mark11! Not in the sense of the level of misdemeanour but more in the dynamics around how is being pushed out of the club. Goodwin is a Rookie coach. As @Ron Burgundyeloquently says in above post: The problem with most first year coaches is that they try too hard. They squeeze the grip too hard, they lack soft hands, they micro manage far too much. Let him breathe Simon. I would like to see Goodwin take up the challenge to get the best from Jack rather than turf him out and some other club reap the reward with a coach who treats each player as an individual and knows which buttons to press to achieve their best. At the moment it looks like he is washing his hands of 'a problem' that he seems unable, impatient or unwilling to try and 'fix'.

HaHa! A Trident membership is dearer than a Redlegs! And I'm sure the Romsey Manor is far more palatial than my Bayside digs

Who was the interview with Bbo and what was said.

If you go Redlegs do it quickly. I have had mine for nearly 20 years mainly to get the GFG (an eternal optimist). In July I wanted to add my niece and there were not many left Redleg memberships left. It seems a bit unfair of the club to increase the GFG by so much - they haven't increased the Redlegs membership by very much at all.

Because Jack is very popular. Kids love him. Adults love him. I don't think it is just losing Jack, per se. It is him being 'kicked out' that will irate and will spur people to vent their spleen. Wise, you have an incredibly favourable and forgiving view of people at the club and good on you. But I don't think that is typical.

The Ox on SEN is going ballistic at the news that Watts 'is gone'. It is quite funny hearing him try and contain his anger on air. Through gritted teeth is an understatement... ...if Jack goes, the mfc had better prepare its Communications staff for another sh..t storm to hit its phones and emails...

After 186 and HWSNBN defected the club was desperate to keep some positiveness around the club. Jack was one part of that. There were a few others. But for Jack, that lasted one contract term and not 'over the journey'. In reality no-one earnt their contract value between 2011-2013. Its not something to hang Jack over. The circumstances were not of his making.

That is not correct. It is a myth people make up to support their views.

Hey, L 36. I find your comment the most fascinating I've read about Jack. If I recall correctly you were the first to 'break the news' that Jack had 'not fulfilled expectations' in the pre season (something that Goodwin and Jones have used against him all season). Yet you clearly recognise his value to the club. Can no one see the impact on players, supporters, sponsors if he goes? Is anyone grilling the coach about the options before we shoot ourselves in the foot and get so many stakeholders off side? Would really like your thoughts on what is going on.

How long is this club going to unceremoniously oust its loyal players: Junior, Greene, Bruce, Grimes, Dunne, Trengove and now probably Watts. I'm not suggesting we keep under performing players. But I'm over rookie coaches, who have no affinity or historical connection or love of our club dumping much loved, loyal players because they want 'to make their mark' or 'make a statement'. Mfc motto - give us your youth, suffer the injuries and when we get a new coach he gets out his broom and sweeps you out the door. Not a good look for mfc.

Jack is immensely popular with sponsors and supporters so surely the decision can't be made by a rookie coach. Who makes the final call: List Management Committee? Mahoney? Jackson? The Board? At some clubs certain trades have to be approved by the Board. For Jack the decision may not go that high but the impact on the club overall requires a bit of due diligence to ensure he is being 'kicked out' for the right reasons. And, not just because a rookie coach is frustrated with him and wants to make an example of him.

That is a really good question. There is a formal link in the sense that Melbourne owns the license for both the AFLW and VFLW teams. But their seasons are not concurrent. AFLW play Feb/March and VFLW play alongside the AFL mens. eg Daisy and Daren Paxman and a few other Demons played in the VFLW GF last weekend. I'm thinking the Casey VFLW is to develop the game and our brand in that region.

I had a look at mfc's membership page and couldn't see any players listed or the option to pay $5 (?) for the to have a player on card. I may be looking in the wrong place... Or, is it now free? Do you know who is being offered?

The problem with Hartlett is he is on, mega $$ when Port went OTT in 2015 when North were chasing him big time. Port gave him a 5 year deal to go with the mega $$. They regretted it and last year tried to trade him for sal cap reasons and wanted a first round pick. His 2016 was average and there were no takers for his $600k pa contract. After meeting with a number of Melb clubs he stayed at Port. He had two good years 2014 and 2015, got his big contract and then very little. So, if one of the reasons for trading Jack is to make sal cap room for Lever then Hartlett won't help. I would rather keep Jack at least he kicks goals and relieves in the ruck!

Hehe, what if he kicks the winning goal after the siren in a GF, against us!!! Oh, the unbearable irony.

Maybe be some within the List Management Committee want to keep him and some don't. Then the 'rumour' as to whether he is going depends on who a source is talking to inside the club. There does seem to mixed messages in the rumours. Jack made it clear he does not want to leave the Dees so I agree the initiatives are certainly not coming from him. #letjackstay