Lucifers Hero

Oh, the irony! Apparently, shot clock countdown was removed for the last 2 minutes of a game when: "North Melbourne’s Mason Wood watched time expire until the final siren as his side held a one-point lead over St Kilda". He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword! Based on that I wouldn't like to see the shot clock come back for the last few minutes. Yesterday, it could have cost us the game!

We were lucky we didn't have the WB vs North umpires. They paid a similar block as an 'illegal shepherd' against Mason Wood and Brown's goal was disallowed in the dying seconds!

The umpires are back on the Bulldogs bandwagon: "LET’S clear this up straight away — the Western Bulldogs aren’t back, they’re just extremely lucky...The premier got the four points against North Melbourne, but also got the rub of the green from the umpires in a drama-packed night under the lights." http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/western-bulldogs/western-bulldogs-get-out-of-jail-with-onepoint-win-against-north-melbourne/news-story/696c77322f24a66e522c5f64e26c9c9b Frees WB 26- North 13, at one stage 15:3. Two of the WB frees directly cost North a goal and maybe a second. Higgins was penalised for not starting run up for goal within the allowed 30 seconds (by the non-officiating umpire no less) - problem is there was no shot clock for him to look at. Now, I loathe Higgins and North with a passion but fair is fair. This time I wouldn't blame Scott for squealing about the umpire - his problem is he is now like the 'boy who cried wolf' - no-one listens. When WB don't get the benefit of umpiring they struggle to play their run on game, very evident this year when free kicks have been more consistent as they had been in the last few weeks. Lots of vested interests want WB to back up in the finals again. Edit: insert not in 3rd para

I just can't rate Hardwick. The only top 8 teams they have beaten are WCE and an undermanned and injured Demons. But they have lost to other top 8 teams: Adel, WB, GWS, Freo (when they were in the 8), and an in inform Syd. That is their 5 losses right there - downhill skiers!! And lack of coaching has given them 3 losses in the dying seconds when their players didn't have a clue on how to win/defend. Nope, not a good coaching record for mine. Shock of shocks - 'Purple' Barrett just said on Ch 9 that Goodwin would have to be coach of the year so far. Must have choked him to say that

What is embarrassing is the media getting all excited and trying to blow it up as a big deal. They go after a 19yo kid but treat the Rance stage last week with kit gloves. In the ch7 post game interview by Darcy and Richo they appeared to bait him by asking if the hit connected or if it hurt. Terrible thing to do to a 19yo on national televison. They should be ashamed. To his credit Clarrie took it on the chin (no pun intended) and stood up for himself really well.

Two big things I've noticed in the last few weeks: - our players aren't all going for the ball at once so there is (nearly) always someone running past to receive. I was amazed at how much space we found last night, especially in the last quarter, when the ball seemed locked up and heading for a ball up. Caught eagles flat footed! - we don't seem to use the 'zone' defence quite so much. There is a lot more one-one-one. Also a player or two is staying back so there haven't been many 'out the back' goals. It seems we are getting better at knowing when to zone and when not to zone. I suspect Lewis has a lot to do with ensuring this happens. These show how we have refined the execution of our game plan from last year and earlier this year as our players mature and gain experience. And there is more maturing to happen. Exciting times.

After the game Darcy and Richo interviewed Oliver and asked if the hit connected or if it did, did it hurt. It sounded like they were trying to bait him into saying it was nothing, effectively that he was staging. (This was after their in game commentary where they said there was nothing in it). I thought it was unfair to put a 19 year old under that scrutiny on national tv. To his credit Oliver said he wasn't expecting it so it knocked him over and yes, the doctors did check him out at half time. Well done, Oliver!

Last week 'expert' commentators were saying it was Hardwick- go figure! Laughable. Hardwick is a long way behind a few others!

Looks like it was 'The heart beats true'. Going by these posts he sure lived up to his name! He is a brave man to weather the Weagles supporters. He did all of us proud. On a side note - Goodwin's reaction on the siren was also priceless - especially for a guy who oozes calm regardless of circumstances!

In his press conf Goodwin said Jesse won't play next week but will most probably play the week after! That will be round 16 vs Carlton game @ MCG. Remembering the game earlier this year when their doctor's dodgy medical reports that cost Jesse and Lewis extra weeks of suspensions! Our best revenge is to thrash them! How good will it be to see Jesse running around the G again!

Agreed re forwards. I think we will miss Watts more than most realise. He is our link man and sets up so many plays. He was also our only genuine tall forward. Very much a makeshift forward line this week and we will need a bit of Garlett and Petracca magic to kick a winning score.

Some damning stats for the pies supposedly 'elite ' midfield. Disposals: Pendlebury 32, Treloar 35, Sidebottom 32 and Adams 29. Not a solitary score between them and very few inside 50's. They are playing in circles! Terrible trading for Adams, Aish, Treloar (and Hoskin-Elliot) - used up lots of first and 2nd round picks. Took what looked like the easy road to finals and now its all falling part. Maybe Bugg can send his ex team mate, Adams a tweet on how it feels to play for a 'successful club'!!!

Paddy McCartin can't take a trick. Was knocked out again in a contest in their VFL game. That is about his 5th concussion since being drafted. He is too brave for his own good (reminds me a bit of our Gus). Feel for the lad. Never like to see a talented player continuously being set back. Hope Paddy takes the same option that Gus has and take some time out to fully recover.

No Nicholls! Umpires: 8. Rosebury from WA by far the most senior of the three with 331 games. 12. Stephens from Qld with 30 games 31. Mitchell from Vic. with 69 games. Hope Rosebury doesn't dominate or get carried away with crowd noise. I do think that local umpires should not be the senior guy for any game.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-06-24/posts-and-personality-a-buggs-life- Not sure if I'm misreading Bugg's comments but is he really taking notice of Goodwin's comments: “{The tweet} was all in good fun – a bit of playful stuff, but it was light hearted. I have a good relationship with Jason [Johannisen] but my conversation with Goody (Simon Goodwin) is that we don’t want it to be the topic of conversation...“We played a really good game and all of a sudden it becomes a three or four-day talking point. I’ll learn to do it at a more appropriate time, but I still want to show my character and I still want to portray things the way I am.” Also, does he have an inflated opinion of himself and his impact on the team and players? Last time I looked Watts didn't need Bugg to 'come out of himself'. Jack is a personality in his own right and its great that Bugg is also. But he may need to pay attention to Goodwin's comments about the club being humble! Finally, this comment: “We’re sitting fifth – everyone’s excited. The supporters are excited, the club’s excited, the players are excited and I’m excited. I’m all about embracing the position you’re in and we’ve done so much hard work to get where we are, so I think we should be celebrating the little wins,” he said. make me really, really nervous. Was it Lewis that said wins should be expected rather than celebrated?. Someone should remind Bugg about not getting ahead of ourselves. Hope Bugg and the team back up last week's win, tonight. Otherwise it is just hot air.

But no talk of him leaving: "Frost appears unlikely to seek a move to a third AFL home, especially when he seems established in a Melbourne team on the rise, but opposition clubs will monitor his contractual situation with interest". http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-20/demon-frost-keeps-cool-on-contract-resigning Frost appears unlikely to seek a move to a third AFL home, especially when he seems established in a Melbourne team on the rise, but opposition clubs will monitor his contractual situation with interest. Think he wants to consolidate his form to earn a better contract. Good on him for backing himself in. But as you say risky if he gets injured or form drops off. May he have many more milestones with the Dees and hope the team make this memorable for him with a win!

When the captain, Heppell thinks they have it in the bag and 'stop playing' then lose they get what they deserve! A 1 point, after the siren win is a great way to shut down that smug team and supporters; even better than seeing them thrashed! Its even better when their most experienced and arrogant player stuffs up to cost them the game.

Not too worried about meeting Sydney in the finals as neither team may yet make it and depending where teams finish we may not play them until the Prelim. 5 of our next 7 games are against current top 8 teams. All classic 8 point games. Plus a game vs our nemesis North, in Tassie. We need at least 3 or 4 wins from that lot to play finals. Then hope we don't relax or run out of puff in the last 3 rounds when we play currently lower placed teams. I'm confident we will make the finals but a few tests to pass in the meantime. Then I'll worry about who we play in September.

That is just the best news! He showed his skill and talent in his first season when he won the game vs Ess with a goal after the siren. Cool, composed and deadly accurate. I knew then we had someone special. He is know getting the recognition he deserves.

"The motivation has always been there to stay loyal and ride out the storm, because I feel the reward on the other side of that, having been through the things I’ve been through will, one, make me a better person and better player, (and) two, it would be far more rewarding than having been able to take an easier option (and) chase success somewhere else," he said Terrific interview http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-23/nathan-jones-reveals-why-he-didnt-bail-on-demons Jones: "The motivation has always been there to stay loyal and ride out the storm, because I feel the reward on the other side of that, having been through the things I’ve been through will, one, make me a better person and better player, (and) two, it would be far more rewarding than having been able to take an easier option (and) chase success somewhere else," Lots of champions have missed out on a flag but there would be few that have played their whole career at a traumatised club. In that respect, no-one deserves to hold up the premiership cup more than Jonesy! Integrity plus. The team is driven and talented and as he says it is in their hands.

Buckenara is another ex player now commentator trying for click bait, headlines and to feed the radio programs discussion segments! His article shows little insight into what we need and he just throws lots of on-baller names around. He has very little credibility. Re Gus: A resounding No!

This article is a good summary of how we have coped/thrived without Max http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/how-melbourne-has-adapted-to-max-gawns-absence-and-has-improved-overall-since-his-injury/news-story/e6981886e0bd367f30551a0791ce14c0 Something that impressed me was: "This year, the Demons have led the league for average contested possessions (154 per game), while they’re third for uncontested possessions (259.7), are second for tackles (76.9) and fifth for clearances (38.6)". I know stats aren't everything buy that is an impressive set of numbers highlighting our competitiveness and aggression around the ball. Proves the team has learnt how to implement Goodwin's preseason mantra of playing 'from the contest out'. I also like that the word 'sharking' is being used a lot to describe how our midfield is playing the opps ruckman. 'Sharking', has a very vicious ring about it. Reckon the players would be very proud of that label!!

The sting in the tail: "One concept under consideration would see clubs pay a fee to enter the inaugural AFLX event, with the entry fees pooled to help fund prize money...It is known the AFL has looked at the model used by Sydney horse racing officials in their creation of 'The Everest', a race which will carry $10million of prize money, largely funded by entry fees to the race paid by owners of competing horses." Really, a horse racing model! It is known the AFL has looked at the model used by Sydney horse racing officials in their creation of 'The Everest', a race which will carry $10million of prizemoney, largely funded by entry fees to the race paid by owners of competing horses. - See more at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-21/afl-x-is-this-footys-version-of-big-bash?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News#sthash.MPE6rfOd.dpuf If the AFL want this new plaything let them pay for it and put up the prize money. One concept under consideration would see clubs pay a fee to enter the inaugural AFLX event, with the entry fees pooled to help fund prizemoney. - See more at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-21/afl-x-is-this-footys-version-of-big-bash?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News#sthash.MPE6rfOd.dpuf

quite right dc. The new average will be around $375k but the new median will be around $250k. Sometimes on DL it is assumed an 'average' player earns around the AFL average pay. Not so. Given the median they are more likely to earn $100 less than the average. Relating this to MFC, players that have CBA escalation clauses in their contract will automatically get an increase. For those that don't, I am confident Mahoney will ensure that the players we want on the list from 2018 will share in the windfall in some way shape or form. They have probably been renegotiating contract terms for those players as we speak.

While we seem to have tamed Etihad and won 3 of 4 games this year, it is still taking an almighty toll on our players. The soft tissue injuries to our most valuable players (Gawn/Jones) happened there. That ground is costing us big time!