Lucifers Hero

Shouldn't this be in the Lever thread as it revolves around getting Lever?

The 2018 FA list: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-06/2018-free-agents-lynch-gaff-headline-monster-list Quote: Of the players under 30, the midfield group includes Sloane, Andrew Gaff, Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis, while the key-position group includes Lynch, McGovern, Tom McDonald, Ben Reid and Dylan Grimes...Elite defenders Brodie Smith, Nick Smith and Neville Jetta are also on the list, along with ruckmen Gawn, Tom Nicholls, Tom Bellchambers and Scott Lycett. I suspect a lot will re-sign and be off the FA list before too long including our Jetta, Gawn and TMc. Likely players of interest to us (that are also gettable) are Lynch (GCS) and Gaff, with both having a lot of suitors. The AFL is planning to throw a few dollars out of its own pocket to Lynch if he signs with GCS long term. So I"m guessing that by this time next year it may be slim pickings.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-10-12/no25-lauren-pearce MFC's profile of Lauren doesn't suggest a family connection, so I assume they aren't but don't really know.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-09-07/vfl-womens-finals-set-to-start The players from our AFLW team well represtented: 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. Great finals experience for them for when the Dees feature in the 'Big League' finals. Think I will be barracking for The Sharks and Darebin Will be keenly watching how the Dees players/teams progress through the finals. Good luck to the three teams.

Agree he should have been tagged in round 23. Elliot did not play in the previous 3 games when we beat the pies and was a sub in the other game we won a few years back. When he plays, we lose. I haven't checked the details but they have won most of their games when he played this year. Its pretty obvious that he is their most dangerous player. I suggest more oversight than hindsight.

Not sure about them being jealous of our 'more affluent supporter base'. If anything the shoe is on the other foot. They have about 75,000 members and we have 42,000 and as a result they get priority fixtures (FTA slots, MCG games, big club opponents) and sponsors knocking their door down. All that equals 'Power Club'. How I would love that to be us. And as for they wanting us to be a 'dismal failure'...well what an I say... A few weeks ago I was delighted at Rich going out in straight sets but after round 23 I feel no joy in crowing about them if they fail, afterall they have played finals in 4 of the last 5 years and will play at least 2 finals this year while we wallow in our agony. I just want us to succeed and don't care about any other team or their supporters. No amount of failure by other teams will offset the pain of ours so will take no interest in these finals and finalists can all go jump!

I had a look at the 'Deebrief' Page and it said: Jack Watts. Rumours circulating about him potentially looking for a change of club. Discuss. Going by that and its other discussion threads 'Deebrief' appears to be someone who throws a line out there just to see what comes back. I suspect it was made up by 'Deebrief' and found its way to other forums and after a while people start to circulate it. Jack didn't leave when Roos' asked if he wanted to be traded at end of 2015. Can't see why he would want to now.

A pretty good idea of how the brain works. Hardly convincing. And it doesn't mean you know anything about mine so stop presuming that you! And taking things out of context with selective quotes or splitting hairs over a missing adjective is futile. If you have something to say on the subject of the thread do so. Otherwise I'm not interested if you just want to quibble. Bye!

Really, you know what is in my head and how my brain works? Good grief - how presumptuous! And I didn't profess to know the inner workings of the coaching department - don't know where that claim comes from. Back to what I actually said. I stand by it: I would be very surprised if anyone thought the coaches had not made any blunders and that they won't be doing their own soul searching. No, not a proven fact but they wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't reflect back and see what they did well and not so well and how they can improve. In my book that is soul searching. So, you might think all is perfect on the coaching front and no reflection is required. Fine. Then simply say so rather than take a line out of context of the chain of posts to which it relates and then needlessly criticise someone.

Note: Jack did not play rounds 14, 15, 16, 17 so its a bit rich to say he went missing in one of the most crucial periods for the MFC in the last 5 years. He wasn't there so find someone else to blame for the team's form lapse! He came back and played injured for rounds 18, 19, 20 and was then dropped. So some facts please... ...Maybe we lost form because Jack didn't play in that period and the team missed him.

Yes, it was so sad as he worked so hard to get us back into the game. His desperation was palpable. Despite the disappointment he intelligently went from player to player in the rooms to keep them upbeat which was really important in case we did make the finals. Sam Mitchell did similar on the ground after they lost the Qualifying Final last year. He literally lifted some players up off the ground....he knew the players needed to leave that day feeling positive. It wasn't over. We didn't live to fight another day but Petracca showed a lot of nous and was a champion in so many ways.

Of course it is obvious, Doc. But building a game plan for a flag doesn't mean it should not be modified when circumstances require especially when the coach knew at the beginning the team would struggle with it for the whole season. He expected them to run out of steam, not because the team is young per se, but because it is a demanding game style to sustain. Being flexible is what having plan A, B, C, D is all about. Especially, in finals. Anyway, I wasn't being critical - was making the point that the coach(es) missed a trick. There will be soul searching and they will learn from it and will be the better for it. Even Goodwin's greatest fan would acknowledge he made some significant blunders. But our coaches are relatively inexperienced. They will learn and grow from this year's experiences and disappointment.

Yes, an interesting comment. He said he knew it was a long year for the team to sustain our brand of football and from round 15 (vs Sydney) inconsistent performances increased (more losses and on average bigger losses). One wonders why, if he knew it was going to be difficult to sustain the game style for the whole year, he didn't amend aspects of it during the year or when it became obvious at round 15, especially with the level of injuries and a grueling fixture. I think he knows he missed a trick there somewhere. He has learnt a lot about himself this year and will be do a fair amount of soul searching. Will be the better for it.

That isn't how it works. When a player is delisted he becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent and can go to his club of choice without it giving anything to his prior club. That is how we got Daniel Cross. Hawthorn traded pick 84 for Fitzy because they wanted him to start training with them asap rather than wait until the AFL window opened to get him as an UFA. So Fitzy was not delisted.

I think they have been bombarded with emails asking to hear from the coach. I also sent one last week. So its great they reacted. What I think came from Demonland was for the club to email members and let them know the interview was on the website - something I haven't noticed before. And something they didn't do for the Jones press conf. This ensures all members will have the chance to see it. Kudos to Simon and the club for hearing and respecting the requests of members. Yes, I think closure has begun.

I just received an email to say there is an interview with Goodwin on the club website. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-09-05/missed-opportunity-simon-goodwin?camefrom=EMCL_1829220_73153980 Not sure I've ever seen an email form the club to tell me there is an article on the website. Usually club emails are about promotions. The club must read Demonland! Makes up for the club not letting members know that Jones had a press conf. Better late than never. As to the interview, I was very very impressed with him and what he said. He was genuine and heartfelt. He is still hurting just like the rest of us. Clearly he is heavily invested in the club. Players wanted to make their own history so are also shattered. Time for us all to move on.

A 2nd round pick is 'Band 3' in AFL compensation pick terms. I did say 'Band 2' ie end of first round about pick 20 would be possible from the AFL but not likely to be 'Band 1' ie 1st round pick. Anyway, as I stated earlier I see no reason to get him this year - wait till next year and WCE take what the AFL give them and we get him for nothing.

the top 5%. Quote from the Ouch! link: "To put that figure in perspective, a wage that ranks in the top five per cent of players aged 25-plus would put the free agent among the game's top 15 earners". Hard to imagine a future Gaff contract would be in the top 15, for WCE to get a 1st round pick (ie 'Band 1 Compensation'). Maybe 'Band 2' (end of first round pick) but they seem to be more in the lap of the AFL gods to determine. bidding war As an FA he can nominate his destination club so their would be no competition - unless WCE make a higher bid to keep him as Adelaide threatened to do with Danger. Not sure that non-FA trades (Prestia, Mitchell et) are a good basis to predict FA comp picks. They aren't comparable eg Hawthorn got pick 19 for Buddy and had Dusty left Richmond they would receive a similar compensation pick depending on where they finish.

We wait a year for Gaff when he is a free agent and we don't need to trade. We should make finals without him next year. Then he arrives in time for our premiership window. Nothing lost in waiting a year and we keep our 1st round pick and hopefully get a gun as well as Gaff. Or use that pick for someone like Whitfield...

Its a worry that our coaches saw fit to change our fundamental game plan midseason! And supporters want to blame the players! Fundamental game plan change is for the preseason and not when we are in contention for the top half of the 8! The coaches have a lot to answer for in our failed season!

WOW...Melbourne has exited the race...? IF, IF true it could only mean the club has found a bigger fish or Lever's price/trade deal got too high. Will be interesting to see how this pans out.

I'm delighted Sam has re-signed. ...I'm just wondering if he is really fast after the first 5 metres. I recall him being run down HTB quite a few times...Not knocking him just checking perceptions. His re-signing certainly ensures a lot of competition for spots in the back half!

We are more like investors: Vote in the Board, Go to AGM's, Buy shares (sort of) via memberships; Get Financial Statements and have a vested interest in their fortunes. Clients buy a service once or more and then walk away.

Crows probably will but I think it is bit of a myth to say that they have to. They can play hard ball like GCS did with O'Meara, forcing Hawkes to sell their 2018 1st pick cheaply to the Saints. Crows have shown they won't just play the game in past deals; they fight for what they want and don't fold lightly. And, Jake may be seduced by the $$$ North might offer...It wouldn't be the first time a player has been diverted to another club: Clarke, Tippett and to a lesser extent Buddy. My initial point was a deal isn't done until its done.

Agreed. Can't see why a player would go there. But my concern is North interest/effort will push up the contract price and/or the Crow's trade request.