Lucifers Hero

One would think Collingwood, St Kilda, North, Carlton and even Geelong are crying out for a KPF. Whether he gets to Rich depends how generous Lions feel to get him to the club of his choice rather than just back to Victoria, as he is under contract. The kid did himself no favours by re-signing mid year. Feel for him - very poorly advised.

Re @Demonlandquestion in the opening post on whether Goodwin spoke about the Dees. I picked up two things: 1. That Gus is fine and long term will play as an inside mid-fielder. 2. When asked about Lever he played with a very straight bat and in Roos style said nothing. Am quoting this so people can read it again. As you say he is doing a job for RSN. His finals segments went for about 45 minutes. If people listen to it they will see there is no reason to criticise him for commenting on finals teams and games.

It wasn't leaked! It was deliberate and calculating. From the op's article link: PORT Adelaide chairman David Koch has put his AFL club’s players on notice — play for premierships or play somewhere else...The Power chairman spoke of his blunt warning at a supporters’ function after the Power’s heartbreaking extra-time elimination final loss to West Coast at Adelaide Oval. Koch has form on this: Last year he publicly chastised and embarrassed his captain and club leaders. He continually puts a bunsen burner under his coach. I have no problem with clubs turning up the heat on players (ours included) but his 'play for premiership or hit the road' motto doesn't need to shouted from the treetops. More likely to demotivate than otherwise. Unfortunately for Port he is as entrenched as President as Eddie is for the pies. The difference is, in public Eddie backs his players, his coach and his club to the death. (The only exceptions I can think of is if a player has lied to Eddie then he deals out appropriate punishment for that deed. Then he backs them in again). Koch can learn a lot from Eddie.

I didn't mean to say he 'only wants money' more that he may be 'bought' (ie attracted) by the best package - he has said: “It is not just about team success. And it is not just about money. It’s not just about your family. It is a combination of three or four things...“For me, when I make my decision, it is going to be about a whole range of things I need to think about.” So in addition to 'team success', 'money' and 'family' what are the other things. He is touted as a future Crows captain, so lets add 'club captain. He has a guest spot on Adelaide radio so perhaps 'public profile' can be added especially if future career ambitions are media related. And Premiership medal would certainly be on his list. If he wants finals he should stay with Adelaide. If he wants money any number of Vic clubs can give him that. A number of clubs can offer him captaincy (Carlton, Hawks, Pies, StK). Fewer clubs can offer him a public profile. I really hope we get him but I 'm trying not to get my hopes until the deal is done as he wouldn't be the first player in recent years (think Clarke, Tippett, Buddy) to do a list minute about face to a verbal deal, which at best is all mfc have right now.

With Pendlebury earnings potential near the end Collingwood would throw 'Marquis Player' type incentives into the deal. Lever has a spot on an Adelaide radio show - Eddie can offer him that and offer him TV spots as well. They would all be legit 3rd party deals. If young Jake still wants a public profile then that deal would be hard to beat. On a side note, last week I thought we might be outbid by another Vic club. Yesterday @Abe said the Crows were surprised at the $ we offered Lever. If he is coming to us for the big $ then Lever can be 'bought'. North, Coll, StK all have the potential to outbid us with $ to Lever and a trade package to Crows. We are better placed to progress than those clubs so there is every reason for him to chose us. But clearly there are other factors in his decision. I just hope we don't pay significant overs - we aren't a destination club if we have to do that. There is enough noise around to say that Lever is 'playing the trading game' so I'll wait for the announcement with him in a Dees jumper before believing he will be one of us.

I'm glad David Koch isn't our President! He has paid out big time on the players for losing last night. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/port-adelaide-chairman-david-koch-puts-power-players-on-notice-20170910-gyekx4.html This gives the tenor of his decree "If they're not prepared to win a premiership for this club, we basically don't want them. Let us know and we'll trade them”. Ouch! There are lots of reasons why they lost so a bit rough for players to hear that stuff straight after a heartbreaking game. Port take 'tough love' to a whole new level. Koch is making a habit of giving his coach, leaders and players a public dressing down but that stuff should stay private, in my book.

If you would like to watch more semi-finals the VFLW semi's are on today. We have the following players in the semi's. Meg Downie and Kate Hore (St Kilda Sharks) in the elimination final. Mel Hickey, Elise O’Dea, Karen Paxman, Daisy Pearce and Lauren Pearce (Darebin) and Laura Duryea (Diamond Creek) will play in the qualifying final. @Dees_In_Octoberhas posted a link to the live stream here:

2015 showed how good a footballer he will be. 2016 and 2017 have shown what a strong person he is. Has shown phenomenal resilience to overcome injuries, health issues and loss. Its now time to rest his young body and soul. Comeback in 2018 to take the Dees onward and upward.

Yes, Curnow will make most taken before him look 'inferior'. He should have gone higher but his indiscretion a few days before the draft saw him slide to pick 12. He was certainly on our radar for an earlier pick. As an aside it is worth noting that several clubs bypassed him as a tall forward/utillity. Essendon took Aaron Francis @ pick 6 who hasn't worked hard enough to be fit. Has played 5 games for 2 goals. Carlton took Harry McKay @ pick 10 (ie before Curnow). Has played 2 games for 2 goals. Brisbane took Josh Schache @ pick 2. Has played 27 games for 10 goals but is really struggling. Weideman compares very well to all three, especially in attitude and committment. Has played 10 games for 7 goals. He is showing the most progress and the best signs of succeeding. He may not become a star but I doubt he will be the dud of the talls in the top 10 of his year. I am confident we will look back on that draft and will be very happy with the players available at our picks: Oliver over Parish and Weideman over Francis and McKay.

Probably explains why Barrett says: 'not a happy camp...carnage on and off the field'... ...Those guys may be satisfied with their history making premiership and will know they will forever be immortalised in Bulldogs folklore... People assume they will rise from the ashes and become a dynasty as Hawkes did post 2009. But Beveridge will have his hands full getting that team back on track.

To add to that, here is a story on Bianca's move to the Dees. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/bianca-jakobsson-opens-up-on-her-move-from-carlton-to-melbourne-and-a-huge-first-year-of-aflw/news-story/2b948ccfb26eb255bf47463519f8d0ed She is going to be a terrific addition for us as last year our kicking for goal let us down in a few games causing us to miss the finals and we were the in form team at the end. We are an AA midfield so am expecting good things in 2018: “I’m really looking forward to playing with the likes of ‘Junior’ (Elise O’Dea), Daisy and Paxy (Karen Paxman) and even young Lily Mithen as well — she’s a young up and coming midfielder,” Jakobsson said. On a different note, the article says: "The Demons recently took over the licence of Jakobsson’s VFLW side, Cranbourne, with the team to be rebadged as the Casey Demons from 2018 onwards". Having both the men's and women's team in that region aligned to the Dees, wearing the red and blue and carrying the Demons moniker will really help solidify that area as mfc territory and develop a supporter base. It may take a decade but strong foundations are being put in place. Really good work by Jackson and Co.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-09-09/caseys-campaign-comes-to-an-end Angus Brayshaw left the ground after just five minutes of action with yet another injury concern, which landed him in hospital. “It was a neck injury,” Plapp said. “They took him to hospital just for precautionary reasons, but I haven’t heard yet. “I think a little bit around the head too … but he certainly had an issue wrong with his neck. Going to hospital explains why he didn't watch the game from the bench. Hope he has a long rest before putting the boots on again. And really hope he doesn't hang them up altho his well being comes first.

Here is an interesting article estimating how much some key players might benefit from the CBA windfall on their contract renewal. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/show-me-the-money-afl-players-seeking-pay-days-in-2018-20170907-gycjyw.html Summary: TOM LYNCH - $1.3 million BEN BROWN - worth more than $700,000 CHRISTIAN PETRACCA - between $550,000 to $600,000 TOBY GREENE - up to $700,000 SAM DOCHERTY - more than $600,000 PATRICK CRIPPS - $600,000 a year is within reach MAX GAWN - over $700,000 MARCUS BONTEMPELLI - around $800,000 OTHERS TO WATCH: Rory Sloane, Marc Murphy, Cam Guthrie, Lachie Whitfield, Jamie Elliott, Phil Davis, Oscar McDonald, Luke McDonald That suggests a player needs to be a potential match winner/champion to earn over $600,00. It makes me wonder if we on DL sometimes overestimate a targeted player's package. Having said that I'm sure clubs would pay a lot more to lure them away. If we get Lever and if reports of $800,000+ are correct I would imagine Maxy would be rather put out! Lever would become our second highest paid player behind Hogan. Won't be easy keeping all our talent if rumours on Lever's package are correct and if we get him.

How ordinary is Parish...11 disposals @ 45.5% eff'y. Overwhelmed by the occasion, perhaps. We certainly made the right call taking Oliver ahead of Parish! Nothing would overwhelm him.

Had we won rnd 23, we would be there instead of Ess...a scary thought...and we would not have Viney or Hogan. Not feeling so bad about our rnd 23 loss...sorry if that sounds sacrilegious but I don't think I could bear another annihilation at Sydney's hands. It was the loss to them that derailed our season...the infamous round 15! ...and, I'm certainly enjoying the bombers crash landing

I'd rather Ess were knocked out now! Let Cats or Crows take care of Sydney. There is more than enough smug arrogance about Ess with 'premierships are their destiny'! Couldn't bear it if they were to win a final after all the AFL benevolence in the last few years.

Thanks...it would help if I had the volume up...

I think he was supposed to be wearing #64 but I can't see him in that footage...did he take his helmet off? A later report on Gus: “(He) came off the ground with an innocuous neck injury. They were very keen to clarify it wasn’t a head injury, but he will take no further part in the game and wasn’t in the rooms at half time." Not being in the rooms at half time or on the bench to watch out the game is a worry. Lets just hope it was neck soreness rather than a knock and that not playing out the game was precautionary. Look forward to some good news for him. Good luck Gus.

Not specifically but , Damian Barrett who also has good sources says: 'If Jake Stringer is the only Bulldog seeking a new home ...then... we'd be very surprised. As we said here last week, not a happy camp. Carnage everywhere, on and off the playing list'. Add that to Denham's 'watch this space' comment and it sounds like a few doggies may be gettable. Other specific WB names thrown up have been: Cloak and Crameri (Bevo was ambivalent when asked about their contracts) and Stringer. Reports this year that Liberatore has lifestyle issues and his preparation isn't up to par makes one wonder about where he might be next year. T Boyd is also having a rough time and doesn't seem to be a coach or teammate fave but doubt they could offload him. Being contracted isn't going to be an obstacle to trades across the AFL this year. WB, Pies etc makes mfc look like the rock of Gibraltar for stability! Nice to see other clubs in the wars for a change.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/clubs-and-players-get-down-to-the-business-of-trading-places/news-story/895d6cefa09d52af59fe2cefd154559b For those who can't get behind the pay wall here is a summary of Denham's story: the only high-profile players Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop and Jackson Trengove left in the FA pool. UFA Daniel Menzel may also want to move after being shunned against Richmond Adelaide are almost certain to lose Lever. Melbourne leads Collingwood for him. Kelly must decide to accept a $10 million long-term deal to North or remain with the Giants for less money in the short term. Others: Carlton, St Kilda and Essendon, are now out of the equation. Devon Smith appears highly likely to play at another club next year Jake Stringer is out of favour at the Western Bulldogs and will play elsewhere next year - St Kilda and Collingwood are sniffing around and Richmond are poised Other premiership players on rocky ground at the Dogs, who will field interest from clubs on contracted players including Luke Dahlhaus. Watch this space on that front. Mason Cox appears on the move north, where Brisbane have offered a four-year deal. Ty ­Vickery for two years backfired and they would be willing to let him go, along with Duryea. Gold Coast will let go of Brandon ­Matera, who plans to head home to Western Australia. If West Coast want additional draft picks to rejuvenate an old list, they will need to trade out one of two contracted players. They would sacrifice Chris Masten, if there are any takers, but he is contracted for another two years. And that’s just the start. Denham has good sources so there is a good chance these will come to pass. From MFC point of view: Winning the race for Lever. Not in the race for Kelly or Stringer. No mention of Gaff. Some clubs and various commentators have said that this year will see a lot of contracted players change clubs. A few surprises ahead...

...and interestingly next week's Second Semi which should be their Home final is also at the 'G'. Haven't heard them whinging yet but am sure it will come. Friday, September 15. Second semi final: Geelong v Winner of Sydney v Essendon at the MCG, 7.50pm AEST Maybe the AFL is hoping for an Ess win... Bit of a two edged saw for Geelong. Sydney have beaten them the last 3 or 4 times at Kardinia Park and Ess beat them at the G earlier this year. Might be out in straight sets for Geelong! Maybe Scott isn't the coach people think he is. His one premiership, in his first year, came off the back of a well drilled premiership list. A list that was determined to prove that they could do without their coach (Bomber) and their best player (Ablett) who had just walked out on them. Their Home ground advantage gets them into the finals in most other years. But he has now lost 7 of his past 9 finals...not too flash. No wonder they are desperate to play finals at Kardinia Park! Could 2018 be the year when both twins crash Popcorn time?

Balme has been huge for them mainly in list management and game plan. Plus I believe Caracella has totally transformed their ball movement. Last year they were hand balling in circles in their back half until they turned it over. Last night we saw the difference he, almost single handedly has made. We don't have a ball movement coach and other than a couple of key players that is our biggest need, imho. We have about the worst conversion of i50 and not having such a coach is costing us games. I assume Troy Chaplin as 'Offensive Coordinator' is the nearest we have but his ideas haven't worked this year. We talk about having the right balance on the field but Goodwin may need to look at having the right balance off the field as well - they are a relatively inexperienced lot in key areas of the game.

Good news! Any idea what the trade might be?

Bad news: Viney and TMc will not start preseason till after Christmas Better news: Jesse will start normal preseason. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-09-08/viney-and-mcdonald-face-delayed-starts It seems Viney would not have played in finals if we had made it. Lets hope they have his foot problem under control and we haven't jeopardised his full recovery by bringing him back too early. If I recall it was a 4 to 6 and he came back after 2 weeks. He is a tough cookie but sometimes it shouldn't be the player's call. We have medicos and coaches to do that.

In his 'Sliding Doors' article, Barrett says: If Jake Stringer is the only Bulldog seeking a new home ...then... we'd be very surprised. As we said here last week, not a happy camp. Carnage everywhere, on and off the playing list. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-08/sliding-doors-finals-week-one Players that have had issues this year and seem to not have the coach's support: T Boyd, Crameri, Stringer, Cloke, Liberatore. Comments like preparation and lifestyle issues have been made regarding a couple of those players. Looks like the reigning premiers have derailed themselves.