Lucifers Hero

Roos' thoughts on delistings: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-01/paul-roos-flags-delistings-at-melbourne-after-port-disappointment?utm_medium=RSS Pertinent comments: -"Roos told Fox Footy on Monday night he was using the most brutal of motivational techniques to try to lift his players' efforts. Perform - or find somewhere else to play...After years in the AFL's bottom half, Roos said he believed there are some players that cannot shake the mental demons of their past." "We know what's wrong...We're yet to convince the player group of some of the things we know that work." So who still have 'mental demons'? I'm reading Roos comments as those players who can't/won't change, can't/won't be coached, players who give up too easily or play as individuals. The 186 game 'mental demon' players: Not Safe Jordie McKenzie 2015 Rohan Bail 2015 Max Gawn 2015 Mark Jamar 2015 Jack Fitzpatrick 2015 Jeremy Howe 2015 Jack Watts 2016 Jack Grimes 2016 Jake Spencer 2016 Safe: Colin Garland 2015 Jack Trengove 2016 Tom McDonald 2017 Lynden Dunn 2017 Nathan Jones 2019 Of those the last 5 I think are safe. -Jones and McDonald have overcome their 'mental demons' -Garland plays his heart out but when the backs are bombarded it gets to him. If he wants to stay he would be safe -Dunn seems to have overcome his demons but seems to not care too much. But being VC and contract length keeps him sort of safe. -Trengove safe due to injury Grimes plays his heart out but seems heavily burdened by past demons; not safe. Some of the others may stay but only because they are needed for depth (eg Spencer if we can't trade in a ruckman). The Neeld era 'mental demons' players: - Terlich, M Jones, Dawes, Pedersen are contracted till 2016 and probably 'less scarred' than the 186 players. They will be needed as depth players so are probably safe till the end of their contracts. - Jimmy Toumpas 2015, Dean Kent 2016, Jack Viney 2017, Jesse Hogan 2017. They are all safe. Yes, even Jimmy! All other players have been recruited by Roos BTW the above does not reflect who I would like to see go or stay, it is my assessment of who carries the most 'mental demons' and therefore in the gun.

Thanks OD...I wait with baited breath and hope and pray that he stays. Cheers.

Phew! Yes, I was aware he is an OOC RFA this year. I thought your post said he had put off talks to the end of the year and that worried me.

Can you provide a bit more info or a link please OD. I have been following him closely as I think he is a real asset in our back line so would like to read more. Cheers.

Really? Are you thinking Howe?

I recall that we extended Hogan's contract and the figure in the press was $500k pa. Agreed setting up a star for life is fraught with danger but the following have received 5+ years: Scully, Ablett, Franklin, Jones, Crotchin, Hawkins, Boyd and I guess there are others. Sad to say but that is the risk assessment clubs need to now make: long, substantial $ contract vs risk of injury vs losing the player to FA. Not saying I like it but that seems to be an outcome of various AFL rules. I wasn't suggesting Wines get a long contract now but when his current contract expires (possibly in 3 years). He will then be 23 and 1 year from UFA and 3 years from FA. It is then that a long contract is likely to be offered to keep him at the club. Similar to what we just did with Jones.

I live in the world that has seen Nat Jones, Trent Cotchin, Tom Hawkins (soon) Joel Selwood etc forsake the potential open market $. Not to mention those that go to a club for finals on lower $ offers - Lake, Frawley, Rivers (maybe). Just as many in this world as there is in the $ chaser's world you mention. Keep in mind that Judd, Franklin, Ablett, Goddard probably didn't earn a hell of lot early in their careers. Different landscape now. Port has probably already started to stack Ollie's contract with $, do the same (in say 3 years) then more $ at the end of that to lock him for another6-8 years. ie they can spread the $ over his career if money is his prime motivator. IMO clubs will really start to be creative with their star players very early in their careers rather than wait till they get near the 6-8 year point. This is especially so now that 'star' players can get tax breaks for up to 30% of their contract value http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-11/players-tax-win Clubs can set them up for life early on so less incentive to chase the FA $. It may only happen for the top echelon players at each club but I suggest this is the way of the future. We are doing it with Hogan.

I assume that is your humour at work there ET. In six years (UFA time) Ollie will probably have a brownlow, be a premiership player and be Port's captain. When his next contract expires (3yrs maybe) they will sign him up for 6-8 years. Port player for life!!

Yes, on the surface they look the same because of age. But differences for mine are: - Wines has established his playing credentials consistently for 2 years and has had several match winning performances. Love all 3 players but neither Tyson, Viney or McD have achieved either of these. - Wines has been identified as future captain material and is being groomed for that. T/V/McD may not be viewed as LG material by the club (notwithstanding we on DL think they are) just yet. - Roos has consistently said he wants to stop this 'kid will be our saviour' mentality. Just let them enjoy the game and focus on their role. - Not all good players want to be in a LG. Examples: Dane Swan, Ryan Griffin Wouldn't be surprised to see one of T/V/McD in our leadership group next year. So their day will come. I'm happy to let them learn from our experienced LG group before they are asked to step up. To Ollie, good on him. Port don't seem a gratuitous club so he must be doing something very special on and off the field.

Great video! While watching I thought the music was perfect - gave the video extra beauty and in some parts poignancy. Surprised then to read it came from someone so young! So huge kudos to: '...Jasper, a boy in year 8, composed and played the music track'. Beautiful job.

Except that he recently had ankle surgery and can't get into training till after Xmas. Same ole, same ole for poor Col.

With the recruiting of Ben Newton confirmed the club has decided that: - Ben is better than anyone at pick 40 and we will go to the draft with just picks 2 and 3, or - We will use pick 40 if a really good player is still there and we then delist a contracted player. Either way a really good result for us.

Any wonder that we wanted to keep pick 23 so much...some highly rated players in top 10 or so will be sliding to 20+

Something new...who we will take with pick 2 and 3, perhaps!

does anyone know when Rangey is due back? He must be chaffing at the bit to get back to DL.

An article about Russell Howcroft...didn't realise his passion for the Dees was this high. Another strong Board Member...we are in good hands! Life on Planet Howcroft

Can you speed up the clock H-T...I don't think I can wait that long to know if the tanking thing affects the draft and our Viney pick...I don't trust the AFL to not manipulate the rules to suit themselves...

Easy peasy BB: http://www.taste.com.au/holding.html

Hmmm...not a bad outcome when all the dealing is done and the fun and games been had!

Totally agree Redleg. We may have got who we wanted but we lacked negotiating smarts and savviness! In the immortal words of Kenny Rogers '...you've got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them and know when to walk away.' MFC have shown they don't know how to finesse the game. Showing our hand too early and getting poor returns for players smacked of desperation while other clubs played hardball (and won). Just saying, don't want us to be seen as easybeats at the negotiating table. This year sets the tone for future years so hope we get some smarts quickly. Won't be asking any MFC negotiators to bid on a house at auction!

Both are Gold!! Made me LOL!!

OK, so that falls into 'don't work category'! By the way, where is Rangey lately?

Having enjoyed a morning of reading lots of posts on DL threads I've concluded that a lot of DL's either don't work or have lots of time at work to read/post on DL.

Machiavelli without the finesse, eh!

Not suggesting HWSNBN in this thread & Tippet not chase more $ etc, more that their Manager be smarter in how he manages their club changes and not back them into corners.