Lucifers Hero

I can't get behind the HS paywall to link or quote from the article so have no context but this appears on their site, as the first line: 'PAUL Roos is confident Melbourne will keep its promise to Jesse Hogan to become an elite club, believing he will sign on despite speculation about a return to Western Australia'. Sounds positive! Just hope we deliver. Doubt Roos would stick his neck out if he wasn't quite confident Jesse will sign. However, I would like at the club to stop talking about it to the media at every interview. Of course they will ask but its time to play with a straight bat and tell them there is nothing new to say so stop asking about it! No point feeding the frenzy and keeping it in the news every other day. Let the kid play, enjoy the year and help us win a few more games. Let the media speculate but time for the club, players and coaches to shut the conversation down from their end. It certainly seems Jesse's manager is keeping mum we should do the same.

Looks like he is going to get a soft tap on the wrist for his social media 'work': http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-confidential-demon-clayton-olivers-facebook-slam-kieran-collins-nickname-nab-challenge-ladder/news-story/a83c43d17b7a20c85d4d6fd8b4014e58 He has a good sense of humour! But "AFL Confidential hears the club may be putting a stop to his frequent comments in the near future. So enjoy them while they last." I guess the club has little choice...keep him out of the limelight and the headlines or it might backfire on him. No need to invite media criticisms of Dees players!

That is a good point. Many many other club players are also signing. While I am not worried about McDonald or Hogan waiting for the CBA I find it disconcerting that we seem to the only club whose players see it as an issue. It is also disconcerting that our captain and our current B&F holder have come out and stated they believe our players should wait...effectively encouraging teammates to not sign. No other club's leaders (or players for that matter) are saying anything like this. I would prefer our leaders didn't publicly encourage contract deferral. It would be terrible if all our OOC players wait for the CBA before signing while other clubs are shoring up their playing lists.

Discussed at length in the 'Bombers' thread, a few days ago. In summary, the benefit to mfc is likely to be around $200k.

Everyone is assuming that Hogan put off the talks. But I heard the Ox say mfc offered Hogan 3 years and then 5 years (to 2020 and 2022 respectively). And tbh I think this is responsible by the club - who knows his back problems may recur big time. At the minimum he will require managing. Maybe Hogan wanted a longer term, risk free deal? Also, who knows what else was on the table: Leadership role. B&F results. Performance criteria. Injury protection for the club. Marquis player payments (which have tax benefits), sponsorship opportunities. And on the CBA. There are a lot of potential changes to player conditions and benefits - any delay by players isn't necessarily about $. So tbh it is very simplistic to say delays with Hogan are about $ or making finals in 2 years. It ignores all the other factors that are part of contract negotiations. I am really wary of 'journos' looking for a headline. While I am also besotted with Hogan I still want the club to manage all the risks and do the right thing by all. So perhaps the delay was mutual, as reported.

I like Bernie's humour when talking about Hogan's contract: "He's contracted for next year still, so I think he'd be silly to sign now. He loves it around the place," Vince said...(He) might be able to squeeze a bit more money out of the club if he has another good year, so I can see why he's done it...Hopefully he doesn't take any money off me though. I haven't got much left at the moment." Typical Bernie! I like this as well: Vince wasn't afraid to mention September action as a possibility for the Dees. "We're not shying away from that (time for the Demons to get results). From last year to this year has been a massive step up," he said...If we can step up just as much as we did the year before – which I think we're in front of that – you only need to win a few more… and we'll be knocking on the finals door." I haven't heard this talk around our club for ever so long. I'm no longer hearing the platitudes and half-hearted but unfounded optimism of prior years. From every player interviewed I'm hearing belief and intent. And its significance that this is coming from players rather than coaches or football department - it means the players are taking ownership of results. Reminds me of the wise words from Barassi: If it is to be, it is up to me! 2016 might be a bumpy ride due to our young group but it sure will be worthwhile!

Ok I'll take the bait! - Many DL posters are pleased players found guilty of drug use are out of the game for a year, regardless who they play for. A victory for clean sport. - Many DL posters are unhappy with the AFL's kid gloves handling of EFC in the aftermath of the CAS decision. Its like rewarding cheats. - Very, very few DL posters are critical of the mfc decision to hire Goodwin. Those positions are not mutually exclusive. Nothing to reconcile. If is interesting to you there are other threads where you can read the discussion about Goodwin and EFC saga. Post your issues over there. Therefore, I'm signing out of the EFC/Godwin discussion on this thread.

From the young man himself: “We were down by five goals and then we really turned it on and then we just kept going,” he said. “I just loved it. I loved going in for the ball. I hunted it and loved the contest. It was my sort of game. “It was awesome.” Just have to love him, don't you.

Agreed! If anyone is still feeling nervous may this be reassuring: "Hogan hasn’t seen many victories in his three years at the club, but if it can continue on its current trajectory then he’ll sign for life....He wants to see the club achieve success as much as the most passionate Demons fan and is heavily invested in making that happen...It’s hard to see him walk out on the Demons just as they, including best mate James Harmes, are about make a return to finals for the first time in more than a decade". That is fairly strong! And among the tea leave reading by all the journos on this, there is zero indication that he may leave. It is actually good to be dealing with a sensible player manager. Remember the mess the respective manager's of Scully, Clarke and Howe made of negotiations and the merry dance they played with the club. This is different, the delay seems genuine and not gaming by the manager.

Such as this: “Jesse has already indicated his commitment to Melbourne in late 2014 when he extended his contract by an extra two more years without playing a game...Melbourne is where he wants to be and nothing has changed. He is heavily committed to the Melbourne footy club and nothing has changed.” from Jesse's manager. Sounds fine to me!

You are right there PG...some people are getting to far ahead. I feel that any extension is a good one. He is currently contracted to end 2017. So a 3 yr extension ends in 2020, 5 year in 2022 etc. You know, I would be happy for a 3-5 year extension because if we haven't been in a few GF's by 2020 or won one by 2022I wouldn't blame him for going elsewhere. Clearly he wants success and he seems prepared to make it happen. By 2020 or 2022 he will have earnt the right to leave (altho it would be shattering).

A few journos have reported this week that contract talks are up and running. (Really, they started last Oct and never really stooped) Either they are all jumping on the bandwagon or something is afoot. Just in case people can't get behind the paywall of the Denham article in the last post, here is some dialogue from Roos this week, who plays it with his usual straight bat: Earlier in the week Roos said Hogan’s tenure at Melbourne could depend on factors outside the control of the club, but said the Demons remained comfortable with their position and the future on offer for their younger players. One example Melbourne used this week was their beefed-up development program, including a massive increase in staff, something that had been largely overlooked before chief executive Peter Jackson secured Roos in his first year in the job. “We have delivered on things we have talked about,” Roos told the AFL website. “The next phase is probably for Jesse to feel part of this resurgence. “It is up to Jesse to believe (success will come) but also be comfortable in Victoria and Melbourne and with his friends and things like that, so some things we can control, some things we can’t.” Following a briefing with Melbourne late last year, Hogan said he was satisfied with the direction of the club, now in the final year of a coaching succession plan that will lead to Simon Goodwin taking over at the end of the season. The talk back at the time of the RS award was that Hogan would re-sign over the summer. His manager hosed it down which was fair enough. Could it be that talks have started in earnest and he will sign before the season starts? But as Roos said it is all up to Jesse. All looks very promising but with remnants of MFCSS still looming large in me I shall wait till we have his signature before getting too excited.

Dare we hope? http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/hogan-all-class-as-dees-reach-for-chequebook/news-story/4bfb8723db382eca3b357bc2c6e693b8 Denham says: "Family members have confirmed to The Weekend Australian that Hogan has no intention of returning home to Western Australia in the near future which appears certain to lead to a new deal with the Demons". Denham has for a long time treated mfc with great contempt so I am no fan of his. He sinks the boots in every chance he gets. But he is from WA and still has good contacts over there so I am inclined to believe him on this one!! Fingers crossed!

Like the HS, Stevens has embellished what happened. Jesse was gung-ho at the time he won RS (Oct) and sounded genuine but probably had a bit of post RS euphoria about it. Then his manager slowed things down as ProDee has described. Since last Oct, Jesse et al have seen some great drafting, what life will be like with Gooding as coach, a new sponsor come on board, etc. These are all things that give him and his management have greater confidence about the club an its future. Jesse may well sign over the off-season but I'm relaxed if he doesn't as I have no doubt the club is doing everything possible on and off the field for him to want to extend his contract. The club can do no more. Quietly, I reckon Jesse will extend long term

Agreed Saber. The HS are guessing and using old info to fluff out a story. We started discussions with him 5 months ago so no new news on that one. Then everyone decided to wait a while...Jesse had seemed gung-ho but his manager tempered things which was the right thing to do by Jesse. The $700K, who knows where they plucked that from! Not much incentive to sign a long-term deal for someone who is already getting $500K!!! The HS have no idea what is happening at mfc!!

I just read the comments below White's pics - some extracts to warm the heart of an ardent Dee's supporter: JW: I asked him what number he would wear and he said 34 haha Robbo: Son of a gun; JW: Love right there bro Fan: Sign him up now Dees, can't wait to see Jeff's 3 boys playing for the Dee's. Fan: Good boy jeffy, he'll have a premiership medal, something you deserve Great banter! Let's hope Kalani (and his brothers) choose AFL!

Great picks. That they came from Jeff's wife and he posted this message: My wife just sent me these of Kalani and I, what do you think Dees fans would suggest that if the kid wants an AFL career they want him to be a Demon!! Yes, another F/S on the way!!

Jones. My guess is an average of $750k p.a. annual amount over/under that according to front or back end loading. Lots of things would make his total contract. My guess contract is front loaded to leave salary cap for young talent as Jones gets to end of his contract in 2019

HAPPY 21st JESSE! May you long wear the RED and the BLUE

Looks like we may be joining the top-up party: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-02/demons-seek-topup-rookie-for-suspended-melksham?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News But we would upgrade a rookie to our senior list and top up the rookie list to maintain a full list. However, it seems we are not too fussed: "It is believed the Demons are in no rush to bring in a new player in place of Melksham, with the club under the impression the player would be inadequately prepared from a fitness point of view, as well as being behind in understanding the club's game plan". As Melksham was never really there, we are not going to miss him...its more a case of keeping the overall numbers topped up.

There is much media discussion about top up players, payment of salary etc for the non EFC, AFL clubplayers. The press seems to have forgotten that we have one - articles like this one don't even mention MFC or Jake: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/essendon-to-pay-carlisles-st-kilda-contract-this-year-20160131-gmi4ai.html" I really like the position MFC has taken: An early, clear statement that Jake was recruited for the long term...nothing to see here folks. No hue and cry about top-ups or salary payments, no whinging etc. (that is not to say our lawyers are not having discussions with the AFL) Nothing to distract players, coaches, admin or fans from getting on with football. No attention from the media. No spotlight on us. We are quietly going about our business like a really professional club. People say a club needs to be successful off the field first to be successful on the field. Well, MFC is kicking an abundance of goals in most areas off-field, it is only a matter of time before the on-field results follow. I've moved beyond being hopeful; I'm finally ready to believe.

I can't get behind the paywall so am responding just to your comment. Does the article say anything about CAS rules on player payments? Or have they found some backdoor way around the CAS rules? As I understand those rules players cannot be paid by an entity connected to the AFL, while suspended. Hence why the AFLPA was trying to get compensation claims against EFC and AFL settled out of court - players would get money sooner rather than later. Those 3 organisations have gone very quiet of late...not sure what they are hatching. I don't trust any of them! Maybe CAS suspension and appeal rules are so watertight that players will have to take their medicine

Does anyone else think our talented young men players have overstepped the mark with their outspokenness? Hewitt was brash, at times obnoxious but he always showed great respect for the game and usually for other players, especially the greats of the game. Kyrios and Tomic have potential galore but Kyrios' on court behaviour and the media comments of both, make me cringe. Their latest antics: Kyrios answers mobile on court: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2016-nick-kyrgios-in-hot-water-after-answering-his-phone-on-court-20160123-gmcphj.html Tomic puts down Federer (rightly or wrongly I don't know but not very smart): http://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2016-bernard-tomic-takes-aim-at-roger-federer-20160123-gmcptn.html Maybe they should let their racquets do the talking until they actually achieve something!

This is EFC bb! You know those guys that think themselves above the law and will bend the rules to suit themselves!. Any idea where to find the Code that talks to player payments while suspended?

Someone should pay him...Essendon are paying 'their' players - whether this is just those still on their list or not I don't know...I suspect it is. It would be wrong if all 34 players are not treated the same. The AFL said today any payments to players by Ess would be within their TPP. However, if we are 'morally' obliged by the AFL to pay Melksham it should NOT be in our TPP in my opinion. From a cash flow and profit perspective I think there is a strong case for the non-ess affected clubs to request the AFL to pay the salary. Port, Bulldogs, StK and us are the poorest clubs in the league and can least afford to throw away a few hundred thousands of dollars. Edit: "...Bombers chief executive Xavier Campbell confirmed the banned players would be paid during their suspensions. "They will be paid by the club. We'll have to work within the confines of the WADA code and we'll work closely with the AFL and we've had discussions to that effect," Campbell said. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-01-12/manifestly-unfair-bombers-hit-at-cas-verdict?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News