Lucifers Hero

Really like the 'Not so professional' pics - you captured all the action! Particularly like the one of Petracca doing fancy footwork with the footy!

Another 3 years takes the sponsorship to a continuous 9 years. Another tick for off-field stability and financial stability! Now we just need the back of jumper sponsor!

Ok, the publicity seeker comment was rather tongue-in-cheek. You are quite right I don't know the issues but I was not speculating. In fact, I chose to not quote the comments made about the personal issues by his father. And I stand by the point that if, as a father, Hird snr wanted to protect his son and his family he would say nothing. I see you find the commentary on here in poor taste and if it upsets you so, maybe its best to not open the thread for a while. In the meantime I'm happy to let the moderators delete anything they feel is inappropriate.

Maybe Hird snr also has a narcissistic streak and likes to see his own name in the papers and hear his voice on radio! Re others' comments on James' mental health issues. I don't doubt they are genuine but I do doubt the ASADA saga is the primary cause. There have been enough not so oblique references in the news (even from his father's interview) to indicate the issues are deeply personal. The AFL/ASADA et al are convenient red herrings. That isn't necessarily a bad thing to protect the family but a better way of protecting them is to simply shut up!

yes...and all has gone quiet on the Jobe: give back the medal story. Sam McClure made a valiant attempt but I reckon the AFL shut him down quick smart! The AFL wants Jobe to quietly keep it, so no noise from the media thanks! 'Independent' AFL media = puppets on a string!!

Thought I would dig up the video of Jayden from 2016 B&F. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2016-09-08/best-young-player-jayden-hunt The first minute, Macca's preamble to the best young player award, is really worth listening to again - Glowing (and well deserved) praise. Similar to the quote b_r_f_e refers above, in the video Macca says Jayden will stop at nothing to be his best! Interesting Jayden signals Jack Grimes as one who spurred him into action to stay on the list in 2015. Grimsey will look back with great pride as Jayden stars over the coming years. Jayden is a very impressive young man and will be a great credit to our club.

From Brendan McCartney's preseason player update: "He’s been a standout – and credit to him. Jesse came back to training from the off-season in incredible shape and he’s dealing with every drill very well. Whatever drill he’s been in, he’s getting to the stage where he is pivotal in it, which is a sure sign that his overall game is growing. He’s a competitive young man and has a drive to take this club forward". Again Jesse's commitment and drive shine through. The Full Backs of the AFL should start getting worried

Hogan's plan is to keep it simple Last year, lots of observers noted it was Jesse's attitude that needed to be straightened more than his run up! And it seems Jesse has worked on this and 'straightened out his thinking' (ie not let outside noise or early missed shots get to him and use 'positive thinking'). As he says, if coaches were concerned with his run up, they would have taken action by now. Having his contract status settled will also help with his thinking/distractions. Can't wait to see the positive, committed Jesse play this year: Just think: no more sulks, no more glaring at teammates and a lot more second efforts and defensive forward work. He will be very dangerous whenever he is near the ball!! All this will do his confidence wonders! Then the run up and goal kicking will take care of itself.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/james-hird-taken-to-hospital-with-major-health-scare/news-story/d3510ef3cd113de4b1928e08aaaee9b4 Quote: But Channel Seven said Hird was taken to Cabrini Hospital at “10.07pm last night after an intentional poisoning overdose”. The substance wasn’t revealed. It’s believed Hird left the hospital earlier today and is receiving care elsewhere. I have zero respect for Hird and abhor what he did but I don't wish him any ill, after all he has children, family and friends who have been and are seriously affected by the trauma he has and is going thru. If that quote is correct Hird is clearly not a well man. I think this is a time to put grievances aside.

Thanks for the snippets, ProDee! The Lewis/Tyson episode reminds me of something similar between Viney and Tom Mac last preseason. As one would expect no quarter given by Viney, either!! Hope Salem is ok - he has had at least 2 or 3 concussion episodes over the last 2 years. He is on the cusp of reaching his brilliant best - it would be a tragedy if that was interrupted again.

Lazy reporting bb. A check of North's website (which I did before posting the article) would tell the reporter that North's is The Shinboner Spirit! I reckon retiring Harvey et al has cost them big time in membership numbers, even with Tassie!

Each club's slogan and part of respective membership campaign: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-12-24/on-the-campaign-trail-every-clubs-membership-slogan-plus-more Sad to say our Sign up and be counted was one of the least inspiring (for me); along with We are Gold Coast and Be more Bulldog. What about: Here come the Demons! or Show your heart beats red and blue or whatever! Reckon we can find something more inspiring to stir potential members, than Sign up and be counted.

Saints website: Buy now. Pay later. Break records.If only we had a $1 for every comment we've received on social media! Well, starting today, you can lock in your 2017 membership for just that, $1* Who knows how many of those end up actually taking up a full membership - In the meantime they count in the numbers. Adelaide website: I assume it is a non-game access membership for people who just want to stay in tune with what is going on at the club. Certainly helps explain why their numbers have skyrocketed! I think Collingwood has something similar for their overseas members (but I think they pay a token amount). 'Method in their madness': 1) Membership numbers count big time when AFL is doing the fixture with TV stations and who gets FTA prime spots. 2) They hope that one day these folk convert to full memberships.

Something to mull over - latest club by club membership figures: http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/where-does-your-afl-club-sit-on-the-2017-membership-ladder/news-story/1a960325e0737945ffa31631aacc72f0 To make sense of it I've put the info into a table (below). I've also shown how far each team is to reaching last years total (Carlton and North will struggle to get there). We are at the mid point relative to other clubs of 'Latest vs 2016'. I've also shown the cost of an adult Home Game, General Admission season ticket. I wouldn't take the figures too literally as there are lots of variations in how clubs count and types of membership. Nonetheless, the relativity is reasonable. While it is exciting to see our club figures rising, this shows we are rising at the average rate of other clubs. But hey, at least it is better than falling behind! CLUB Latest 2016 2015 Latest vs 2016 Gen Admiss Adult Cost HAWTHORN 61,028 75,351 72,924 81% $193 ADELAIDE 61,000 54,307 52,920 112% $250 WEST COAST 54,661 65,188 60,221 84% N/A RICHMOND 52,401 72,278 70,809 72% $199 PORT ADELAIDE 50,027 53,743 54,057 93% $210 ESSENDON 45,536 57,494 60,818 79% $180 GEELONG 43,007 50,571 44,312 85% $220 CARLTON 33,270 50,130 47,305 66% $332 SYDNEY 31,046 56,523 48,836 55% $230 ST KILDA 31,000 38,009 32,746 82% $240 BULLDOGS 30,000 39,459 35,222 76% $215 MELBOURNE 29,426 39,146 35,953 75% $215 NORTH 27,481 45,014 41,012 61% $215 BRISBANE 14,877 25,408 0 59% 0 GWS 10,002 15,312 13,480 65% 0 GOLD COAST 7,294 12,854 13,643 57% 0 *Collingwood (2016: 74,819) and Fremantle (2016: 51,889) have not made their membership numbers public. Things that might distort the numbers: Adelaide has a 'Free' Membership category St Kilda have a $1 membership category North and Hawthorn would have a lot of 3 game members in Tassie

It is media outlets that have deemed 1,000 points to be GWS's pick 15 to 18 assuming they finish top 4. There has been nothing from the AFL to suggest that is the case. Consider these scenarios: GWS trades out their 2017 1st round pick (lets say #15-18) and maybe their second for a very good player, leaving only later picks to 'pay' 1,000 draft points. GWS trades out their 2017 1st round pick for a 2018 1st round pick or two 2018 2nd round picks, again leaving only later picks to pay the 1,000 draft points. GWS 'negotiate' with AFL to use their 2017 first round pick and 'pay' the 1,000 draft points with later picks. GWS finish outside the top 4. Theoretically, they could lose only 1,000 points of their first 2017 pick leaving them with 'floating' points they cannot use unless there is an academy player further down the line. GWS will negotiate with the AFL to take the 1,000 points from later picks. I could float a bunch of other scenarios but you get the point: GWS has a lot of room to manoeuvre to eliminate any hurt from loss of 1,000 draft points. In fact, I would bet my bottom dollar GWS and AFL have already done a deal on how the 1,000 draft points will be 'paid'. If the AFL wanted to remove their first round they would have. They didn't!! That speaks volumes! I will be mighty surprised and happy to eat humble pie if GWS effectively lose their first 2017 draft pick.

Quite right - just like they did last year and let the drug cheats get replacement players for those suspended and we, Port and Bulldogs could not (after they canvassed the other clubs, no less).

GWS have lost 1,000 draft points not pick 15. There is nothing in the decision that states the points will be taken 'from the top' ie pick 15 or whatever. It is still open as to whether it is a their first pick or 3 fairly useless 3rd round picks. And you can bet if it is from the top they will trade that pick out for a handful of later picks to make up the 1,000. If they AFL wanted to penalise their 1st round pick they would have said so. Either way, I think that Adelaide was badly done by and were hurt by 2 years lost draft picks and their key staff suspended. I also think Brisbane are the big losers, thru no fault of their own.

For consistency, lets hope that Fremantle and Richmond are also unable to upgrade rookies as they similarly reached settlements and released Shane Yarran and Chris Yarran from their contracts, after final list lodgements. If those teams have the same restriction I'll wear the Lumumba/no rookie ruling. If not I will be filthy and expect the club to go to the AFL with a 'Please Explain' note!!!

The AFL bring down their verdict: $100,000 fine and loss of 1,000 draft points. Fairly meaning less really - the draft points could be just a couple of third round picks. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-12-22/afl-hits-giants-with-massive-fine-over-whitfield-saga and the AFL will pay the $100,000 to themselves! Another penalty to a club for 'not doing something bad'. They AFL have conveniently rewritten the 'bring the game into disrepute' rule. It is now: The Giants had been formally charged in November with "conduct which is unbecoming or likely to prejudice the interests or reputation of the AFL or to bring the game of football into disrepute". Shame Adelaide (Kurt Tippett storm in a teacup) and us Dees (non tanking) didn't get the same leniency. The real loser in this is Brisbane. Collingwood can withstand the loss of Allen but Lambert is a huge loss to Brisbane, a loss they can ill afford. They were truly the innocent bystander. Nothing new to say the AFL have their priorities all wrong!

Looks like 'Third Man Up' has been deemed illegal. http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-bans-third-man-up-as-part-of-three-major-rule-changes-while-changing-match-review-panel-assessments/news-story/a251d252e153785041d66f89a557d94d This will prevent Max being crunched eg the StK game) by a player who had no intention of reaching the ball. Methinks this will make Max very happy and he will be even more dangerous when it is one-on-one.

Couldn't find numbers on their website. If we win a GF I would think our membership will go into the strastophere, well beyond 50,000!! I do recall the Bulldogs 2017 'premium' membership sold out within 48 hours of the Grand Final. Their 'premium' membership guarantees access to a Grand Final ticket and it now has a waiting list a mile long. That might be a bit of foretelling for Dees fans - this may be a good time to upgrade membership to a 'premium' option ('Redlegs', 'Trident' or 'Legends') to guarantee a GF ticket when we play in it - and play in it we will!!. Or buy the 'guarantee' as an add-on to other membership options. https://membership.melbournefc.com.au/packages/view/741/Grand-Final-Guarantee When we get to the GF might be too late to get that precious ticket!! And we will get there (and win one or a few)!!

Not really - its done when Jobe gives back the medal.

When Hawthorn move to Dingley they will be a stone's throw from Dandenong and not much further to Cranbourne (Casey). They are looking to lock up that whole Eastern/South Eastern corridor of potential members when they relocate. If our AFL team doesn't have serious success in the next 5 years we will be handing that territory of members to the Hawks. Also, with St Kilda moving back to Moorabbin where they will have their 'Home' suburban ground/training base also makes it challenging for us to grow our membership in the southeast. Can't see the growth in membership as CBDees sees it. The demographics of the southeast would suggest the interests, financial resources of the residents and distance to travel to see games/training limit the potential number of paid up members (for all clubs in the region). It is good that the women's team is playing 3 games at Casey which does gives us a bit of a start in the region ahead of Hawthorn and St Kilda who do not have women's teams but I can't see anything like the 10,000 CBDees is hoping for. Getting members from the southeast will be very hard work.

All the comparisons your (red and blue) heart desires are in this thread: Its pinned to this forum, if you need to look for it again. On a different note - received my membership pack Really impressed with the new graphics on the card and each page of the calendar! And a clever way to show our connection to Melbourne, the city and its skyline!

An interesting point there CBD. The rise in the membership could in some part be due to women supporters and fans joining themselves and their families for the first time. Only the club will know the demographics of the 'extra' members are but I wouldn't be surprised if the force behind it is having a women's team and the exposure it is getting. Of course, Daisy alone would attract lots of attention to the club and new members on the back of that.