Lucifers Hero

Anyone else wondering if North are tanking?

They have rested/dropped Zeibell/Goldstein.  Now Tarrant is 'injured' in the warm up and a debutante is coming in. 

I find the gifting a game to Ess nauseating.

A very nice Jack highlights video:  http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-07-21/jack-watts-150th

A bit surprised his goal earlier this year vs Geelong (@1.40 minute mark of video) wasn't nominated for GOTW.  He got the ball to spill free from danger, made a great second effort to get back behind the ball then made a very slick one handed pick up and goaled from about 70mts.

I still tear up at his superb goal on QB vs Pies a few months ago - that may become the defining image of his career. 

In every way have a great day , Jack!

17 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Geelong will almost certainly get a final at Kardinia Park if they are playing an interstate team.

And I don't think anyone has a problem with it if it is one of the smaller interstate team. 

The problem is the carte blanche Geelong want to play all their finals at SS regardless of who the opp is.  Supporters of Vic team and probably Adelaide/Sydney/Port, who have good sized memberships and members who will take an hour flight, will want to see their team in a final. 

Its at times like this I think it is great for Eddie to use his pulpit to protect the interests of all teams.

14 hours ago, beelzebub said:

On a side note Geelong desperate to get finals played in their kitty litter. They know they're poo elsewhere !!

Good call bb! 

You must have been eavesdropping!  https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/eddie-mcguire-disagrees-with-geelong-president-colin-carters-call-for-cats-finals-to-be-played-at-simonds-stadium/news-story/05592a370a55c24374419f0b53031e26

Thankfully, Eddie has slammed it. 

A few weeks ago, Scott went so far to say Clubs should decide where their in season Home games should be played.  That would be nice for all of us but then he added 'locking out fans should not be factored in!  Yeah, so he gets 11 games at SS with a 95% parochial crowd.

I just can't get over the sense of entitlement of some teams.  Geelong, Essendon and Carlton are the worst in the league.

Well, Danger should get a fine for staging! 

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/reverse-free-was-soft-but-patrick-dangerfield-didnt-dive-says-peter-bell/news-story/ca54fab2768bbf5ed74f4ebc7eacb199

So, when is 'diving' not 'diving'?  Saying it was cleaver tactics is skirting round the issue for a protected species. 

If the AFL want to stamp out staging and diving, then penalise the big names like Rance and Danger, instead of allowing kids like Oliver to be pilloried in the press for far less!

The latest:

This weeks changes: Stretch signed up for 2 more years. T Smith signed up for 1 more year.  Note:  Smith's contract extension is as a Rookie.

Of the 2017 OOC I would expect Vince, King, Van d, Frost (if he wants it) and ANB to be signed up before too long.  Just leaves Kennedy, Trengove, Pedersen, Spencer and Hulett as unsigned.  Then some decisions on the rookies who may all be kept for another year. 

Interesting trade period coming up.  If my predictions are right, we won't have OOC players with 'trade currency'.  So, unless we trade out recently signed players (which I doubt) we will be trading picks to get the players we have been linked with.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-07-20/viney-trains-with-main-group-set-to-play

Wonder if being 'greeted warmly by his teammates' when given the ok to join the main group at training is a sign Jack v will play. 

Edit: Some good side to side running in this video

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/fox-footy-podcast-jack-viney-could-be-one-of-melbournes-great-captains-says-cameron-mooney/news-story/5b3c23604822fc9e4e0c7f23c521ad4c

It seems he has a few more things to tick off tomorrow but gee he sounds confident...

Here's hoping!

14 minutes ago, praha said:

I don't disagree mate. And Jurrah was acquitted of using the machete so that's something I should have mentioned. I understand the situation is "culturally sensitive" as they say and it might be a matter of wrong place wrong time, maybe there is truth to the argument that people in his family tried to bring him down. Jurrah stood as an important figure in his culture and community and effectively took 1 step forward with his career and being a role model but then took 4 steps back. I am not one to say he shouldn't be given another chance but I'd have thought that for the fear and pain he put those women through, regardless of his rehabilitation, that using him in this capacity is not right. Carey has been heavily scrutinised, and his actions heavily publicised and recorded. We still hold it against him and yeah, his on field performance should be held separate from his private life, but it's still held against him. Jurrah is recognised as a "freak" of the game and there's no question how talented he was. He's respected in that capacity. But I still feel this is a strange oversight that clouds the cause. He stands out among a group of Davey and Jetta and even Wonna. It just makes me feel uneasy. I'm not against him working his way back in and he has paid the price for his actions, but considering his place and apparent standing in his community, I feel there should be greater scrutiny in place here for something that happened so recently. Perhaps subconsciously people are more forgiving considering his culture and background. I don't mean that with malice but it's weird that the club keeps going back to him, almost celebrating him. It's happened a few times in the past few years. I think it's great he's working to help his community but you could argue that his actions are part and parcel of the problem.  I haven't seen him come out against domestic violence or anything like that. Just because he's open and part of a reconciliation program doesn't mean all should be forgiven.

Very fair and insightful comments. 

1 hour ago, praha said:

I feel exactly the same. Jurrah has demonstrated that he is a very violent individual. You don't just attack someone with machete, or drink and then bash someone. That's a screw loose and it takes a lot to change someone like that. I am very uneasy about him being part of this.

Wayne Carey was charged in the USA for violence against his wife.  He has been forgiven and embraced by the AFL who has even nominated him for Legend status of the HOF. 

Other AFL footballers have had charges laid for similar offences and they are not shunned by their old clubs or the AFL.

For mine, including Jarrah in a community program is a reconciling gesture in itself and seems consistent with the plan.

16 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Rubbish tokenism.

I'll let others gush.

Hope you are enjoying the view from your 'high horse'.

If you can't contribute why bother posting...on second thoughts don't answer!

As a long time scribe on the Demons, our story and our indigenous players, I thought it very appropriate that Martin Flanagan was there and chaired the Q&A. 

On first reading this http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-07-19/club-reconciliation-action-plan-launched  I wasn't to sure what to make of it or what it really meant.

But when I read this http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/liam-jurrah-back-in-demon-fold-20170719-gxei8e.html about Liam Jurrah, I got it.  Its really good to hear Liam is getting his life back together again.

And, kudos to Peter Jackson, Neville Jetta et al for getting this program going.  It is substantive and not mere tokenism.  And how good is it to see "Jurrah, who hails from Yuendumu, a remote indigenous community in the Northern Territory, joined former teammates Austin Wonaeamirri and Aaron Davey at the RAP launch, with current indigenous players Neville Jetta and Dion Johnstone also in attendance". (I think Jeffy wasn't there because he was back in WA)

Those guys have given us so many exciting times and still more to come from Jet, Jeffy and Dion. 

Edit 1:  Melbourne will wear its Indigenous guernsey, designed by artist Mandy Nicholson, for the first time on the ‘G this weekend. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-07-19/jetta-a-man-for-all-people That article is a great tribute to Jetta.  Jetta the player, the family man, the leader, the much loved Demon Champ!

Edit 2:  Fab pics!  http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-07-19/gallery-reconciliation-action-plan-launch

Jack Watts plays his 150th game this weekend. In so many ways it has been a tough road. 

Jack, along with Jonesy and Maxy who have also done the hard yards for so long, you really deserve to be holding the premiership cup one day.

In the meantime, I just want to say:  'thanks for sticking with us through the tough times, enjoy your 150th and hope the team win it with you on Saturday'.

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

Misson made a specific point of saying that, above all, Gus is keen. Bridge crossed. His fitness should be fine and he's been in full-contact training for a few weeks. If all goes to plan, he'll be ready for selection as early as next week.

4 minutes ago, Skuit said:

I'm a Gus fan, but it must be remembered that he lost his spot prior to his troubles. ANB, Harmes and Bugg are all ahead at this stage, having shown the versatility to offer something at HF as well as through the middle. He'll come good, but there's a few hurdles before he's ready for automatic selection.

Do I detect a review of opinion on when Gus will be ready for selection...?

I agree he has a few hurdles to overcome hence my suggestion it would take 2-4 weeks for him to be back at AFL.  And as I said, he lost his spot for poor form but until then he was selected alongside ANB and ahead of Harmes and Bugg. 

I don't recall them adding much value in the middle.  Gus only had 2 games at HFF so its a bit hard to say he isn't versatile as he was injured early in the 2nd game so its not a great sample. 

They may be ahead at this stage but imho they won't be after Gus has 2-4 weeks at Casey.  His biggest asset over them is accurate passes to i50 (our major downfall last week and for many weeks before then) and the number of goals he sets up for other players, especially Jeffy!  Gus is one of our best at 'lowering' his eyes.  Of ANB, Harmes and Bugg I would have only ANB as a starting 22. 

Anyway, lets wait and see how he goes at Casey for a while.  Its one week at a time for him.  Wishing him all the best and that he enjoys himself and stays safe.  Then que sera sera.

17 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Misson made a specific point of saying that, above all, Gus is keen. Bridge crossed. His fitness should be fine and he's been in full-contact training for a few weeks. If all goes to plan, he'll be ready for selection as early as next week.

Totally agree.  Given that other players have come back in after long outs with one or no Casey games then when Gus is ready he will come straight in.  My guess is it may take 2-4 games for that but that still leaves 2+ AFL games this season.

An in form Gus would be selected before Harmes, ANB, Stretch, Kent, Bugg, Wagner etc etc.  So if we look like making finals Gus and the club would be really keen to give him the max number of AFL games possible before September.  

This year they played Gus in the forward pocket which didn't suit him, his form fell away and he was dropped.  Hopefully, they play him in the midfield altho finding a spot may be difficult given the number of good players we have there.  Otherwise, teach him to play forward pocket.  He is such a smart player and very good user of the ball - almost in the Salem/Watts category.  Our delivery to inside 50 will improve heaps with Gus in the middle.

Can't wait to see him confident and playing again.  A major achievement for the lad.

6 hours ago, Big Demon said:

Well Teamplayedfine69 that is extraordinarily insightful but do you have any thoughts on why a team leader would throw a team member under the bus?

Jones answered a question in an interview.  You prefer him to squib it?  That would look great! 

As to why Jones made the comments:  Because Bernie isn't following team rules.

Rule # 1:  Follow team rules

Rule # 2:  Follow coaches instructions

Not that hard surely.

Great to see the coaches sorting out his technique:  "Brayshaw was predisposed to leading with his head and they have been trying to alter his approach to ensure he leads more with his body to absorb the contact coming his way". http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-07-18/demon-angus-brayshaw-to-return-in-vfl-after-concussions

At times Gus has been too brave for his own good and getting his technique sorted would give him a lot more confidence and most importantly keep him safe.

We have had very few games where Gus (out for a lot of 2016 and 2017), Petracca (out all of 2015), Salem (out for most of 2016), Hunt and Hogan (out most of 2017) have been on the park at the same time. 5 or 6 games maybe, in nearly 3 years?

How awesome to see all those young guys fully fit in the same game.  A real treat coming our way at the G later this year .

12 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

If really couldn't give a rat's fart about ANYTHING either Jones , Goody or any this-weeks club spokesman utters .

Why...its all pc nicey nicey. Its sanitised clap trap in all honesty.

As far as footy goes, its the footy that does the talking.

The min they trot out anyone....i hit the BT button .

It's like pollies... there's talk, there's action.

No team won a Premiership at its presser.

bb, not everything a club rep says is bs or spin.  I doubt Jones is giving him a serve on radio then behind the scenes saying: '...yeah, go Bernie, knock his block off...'

I would be disappointed if the club and our leaders didn't read him the riot act, publicly and behind the scenes. 

Bernie knows how short we are of fit players.  He rolled the dice, he lost.  He has a rest and the team suffers.

52 minutes ago, Stingray said:

Interesting from Gary Lyon saying Goodwin would be so filthy with Vince for being undisciplined that even if he doesn't get rubbed out his spot could be in jeopardy. 

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-07-18/vince-needs-to-smarten-himself-up-jones

Our captain certainly isn't happy and gives Bernie a serve:  "He really does need to smarten himself up," Jones said..."It's happened far too often with him over the past 12-18 months, he's been (suspended) too many times..."It's frustrating for us because he's a very important player to us."

Can't argue with that.

If Lever decides to go it will be interesting to see what Adelaide want for him.

Their best offer for Gibbs was '2016 year's first-round pick (pick #15), a small slide of an early future draft pick and former rookie Jake Kelly'.

Lever and Gibbs are at different stages of their careers but it would be hard for Adelaide to demand more than they offered for Gibbs.  And technically they had to offer overs for Gibbs as he was under contract.

So on Adelaide's 2016 value system a good first round pick and steak knives should do it!

47 minutes ago, martin said:

Pretty much a disaster weekend for the Dee's. Apart from the loss,Richmond,Swans,Essendon, Eagles & Bulldogs all winners. This time next week will likely be out of the eight. Relaunch from then.

Don't see it that way.  Even if we lose to Port (which I think is 50/50) for us to fall out of the 8 requires StK to beat Sydney or Ess to beat North. 

12 minutes ago, martin said:

Losses for the Swans,Bulldogs,Eagles & Tigers would have made us four points better off. Simple. All were possible in the run.

Yes, it does!   But it isn't relevant if the other teams were already locks for the top 8 or aren't in contention.  Rich and Syd were already locks.  I am confident of of saying StK and Bulldogs won't make the 8. 

Spots 7 and 8 will be between us, Eagles and Ess.  Bottom line is we win games we make it.  We don't win games we are dependent on the other contenders knocking each other out.

31 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Todays games aren't going our way unfortunately.

24 minutes ago, martin said:

Pretty much a disaster weekend for the Dee's. Apart from the loss,Richmond,Swans,Essendon, Eagles & Bulldogs all winners. This time next week will likely be out of the eight. Relaunch from then.

I see it a bit differently.  Firstly, let me say making the top 4 wasn't realistic with all our injuries. 

In terms of spots 5th to 8th -

• Richmond and Sydney were locks for a spot before this weekend. 
• The Bulldogs can't make the 8 so beating Carlton is of no consequence. 
• The Eagles having a big win will drop StK out of the 8 and drop Ess to 10th.   
• On principle I would rather see Eagles in the finals than Ess!

I'm not sure what you were hoping.  If the finals were now it would be Rich, Syd, Melb and Eagles playing in Elim finals and there is a good chance that will be the result altho the positions may change.

For mine that is a good result for us especially if we get a Vic final and avoid it being vs Sydney.

When will the umpires start penalising the bulldogs for their throws.  It is so obvious - they swing both hands out the front and the ball flies out.  Its very rugby style.  Obvious!

This might be a bit easier to follow.

Frost has put off negotiations.  Would expect ANB to be next of the 2017 OOC.  Then early extensions on a batch of the 2018 OOC players as the club spends its $2m CBA bounty and spreads it around a bit.  Will help keep poachers at bay.

Being realistic the 2017 OOC players most at risk are Trengove, Spencer and despite his good work it may be Pedo as Weideman becomes more developed.

Another memorable moment by Hunt last night was his chase down of Charlie Cameron.  He caught up enough to make Cameron dribble the ball rather than have a clean kick.  It was fascinating to watch the two of them go flat out.  Cameron is also very fast, Hunt is just faster!