Lucifers Hero

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-2016-essendon-chairman-lindsay-tanner-urges-faithful-to-look-ahead-20160316-gnkqad.html Lindsay Tanner says: '...Worsfold was driving a new culture of professionalism and elite standards and was firmly behind the club's vision of becoming the "most respected, inclusive and successful club in Australian sport"...' Delusional! They should get out of the hangar and see what other Australian sports think of them. Respected? Never! Will forever be a leper club.

Quite a glowing endorsement of Max by our very own Jeff White: "He's mobile around the ground, he reads the play well...More than anything though, White has been impressed with Gawn's tap-work. "But just his hands. That's the key with any ruckman. You can teach them to be smart, you can teach players to run smart, and run to position..."But the thing is actually getting it to you midfielders. He's got really good touch, he reaches the ball at its highest point, and that's what you want. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbourne-ruckman-max-gawn-can-enter-afls-elite-says-jeff-white-20160312-gnh8wc.html#ixzz433eMaQXg I read recently: Fear the Beard! Other ruckman - be warned!

Does anyone know why Jesse even had a media interview? Surely, it wasn't to whack a club great, the Ox? It wasn't to discuss his contract, per se. And surely, we wouldn't roll him out to defend himself on one poor practice game? Not sure we would ever want to roll out a young player to defend themselves anyway...we have coaches and captains to defend them. The interview topics seemed to be a bit all over the place! I am at a loss to work out what benefit it was to Jesse or the club.

My recollection is that after the ACC briefed the AFL (in feb 2013) Andy rang clubs (not sure if it was all 18). The media pack had already gathered (euphemistically) and were baying at EFC's door ready to publish about peptides. So, I believe it was common knowledge in media circles. After Hird accused Andy D, the ACC (or someone) investigated and found that Andy D had not broken the law ie had not leaked to EFC via David Evans. But as I said everyone else seemed to know so hard to pin it on Andy D.

Hird dropped Andy in it only after he learnt that he was to be the fall guy. If I recall correctly the 'deal' Andy and David Evans had concocted was along the lines of the players get let down gently and get a wrap over the knuckles but Hird goes down! As soon as Hird learnt that he went for the jugular and started throwing everyone under the bus. Having dispensed with David Evans, a life long family friend, going for Andy seemed small fry.

31,661 today. Up about 220 in one day!. MFC is having a 'Membership' day tomorrow with KB/SEN plugging the club during the day. Carlton got 500 on their equivalent SEN day, last week. Can we beat that? Sign up DeeLanders!

Think I hit the mark with that post. Just saw this http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-03-16/just-a-bit-of-an-off-day-hogan which says: 'He's excited too about the side's more attacking ball movement, which is providing him and other forwards with more inside 50s...To Hogan the equation is simple, more inside 50s equals more opportunities...He concedes that opportunities will play a role in whether he stays with the Demons...'

Is this a clue as to what is really required for him to re sign? So far everyone assumes 'Melbourne performing well', for Jesse to re sign, means winning more games this year. I'm sure that is relevant. But 2016 is but one year. Maybe Jesse is more interested in the medium/long term ability of our mid-field to do their job so that he can do his job. Seems a reasonable criteria to me and more important than the number of wins in 2016. After all this is a development year for him and others

Agreed CB. I would prefer that Jesse said something like: 'Ox is a great of the MFC and I respect his opinion. I had a bad day and will continue to work on being a better footballer'. Dignity all round. I hope mfc didn't advise him on response to the Ox - generally best to play with a straight bat than stir the pot.

That, based on our NAB form and how exciting the future is, he has decided to sign a contract extension? It will silence the media at least. Here's hoping!

I don't think so, Sir. The article I referenced above says: 'The case now looks destined to be re-opened, with Hunter's legal team likely to pursue costs they have incurred throughout ongoing court proceedings'. One wonders where the documents materialised from? Perhaps, as efc was preparing for claims by the 34, they realised there was stuff they could no longer keep secret and handed them over to Hunter as well. They certainly would not have volunteered them if it wasn't imperative to their own cause.

From that article: His Honour found that Essendon had by then handed over every document it had relating to the supplements program. As a result, on Wednesday 10 February, Essendon applied for and was granted an order for its costs of that October hearing..." Well that sure is interesting because this article http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-season-2016-essendon-hand-over-more-hal-hunter-documents-20160315-gnjt80.htmll says: "This [yesterday] is now the third time the club has sent Hunter documents regarding the 2012 supplements saga, despite consistently saying it didn't have any...But the club has previously insisted there is nothing sinister or deliberate in the discovery of further documents." Is withholding documents a form of perjury? After 3 years, they find more documents! Nothing sinister? Really? And with a straight face they had the gall to have the court order Hunter to pay their legal costs, when they had more documents! Again efc show their total contempt for the laws of our country. This also shows what idiots they are. Knowing they had or likely had more documents, going after Hunter for their costs was downright stupid. They should have quit while they were ahead! Good to see Hunter is now going after his own costs for the whole process! Edit: to include the correct link

OUT! 4 weeks Deserved - he lined up the kid!

31,434 today. An increase of 910 in a week. We need 1,017 in the next 10 days to break our 'pre round 1 record' of 32,451. Very doable! Especially after the Etihad victory on Sunday.

Stevens got the op news here: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-13/luxury-of-riches-at-dees?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News On Dunn and vdB it says: 'Dunn (groin) and vandenBerg (ankle) missed the win against St Kilda after minor injuries against the Western Bulldogs last week and may play in the practice match. The Casey season doesn't start till April 9 so does anyone know what practice/VFL games they are talking about and where they are?

Stevens is a bit slow with the news...that all came from the AFL article in the post above yours...

The Ox got a bit carried away with this: Former Melbourne forward David Schwarz has hit out at young gun Jesse Hogan, calling his kicking for a goal "a disgrace" and saying that it could cost the young forward "$400,000 a year" http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbourne-demons-jesse-hogans-goalkicking-a-disgrace-david-schwarz-20160313-gni1ys.html#ixzz42q0gR2je Disgrace? Really? Sure Jesse's technique could be more effective but to think it will affect his contract is a bit of OTT hyperbole from the Ox!

I could be wrong but I think the top ups had to come from players who had played for an AFL team in the last 2 years. That's not to say that there weren't better and younger choices. And your conclusion Some more balance of those players might have been a better way to go is right on the money. Like beelzebub I'm very happy to see them wallow at the bottom of the ladder for a very long time.

From the man himself: -"We've been having open chats with the club. It's not 'contract talks are on hold', like the newspaper said a couple of weeks ago," McDonald said. -"That's happening in the background. It's definitely moving on, but not anywhere near finalised just yet. -"I don't really know (when he will re-sign). My manager and the club are always talking. He gives me a call every now and then. -"It will happen. It's slowly coming on, so I'm not too fazed." -McDonald dismissed the suggestion that he would only re-sign if gun forward Jesse Hogan signed a deal to stay at Melbourne. He is staying!

I'm not sure their losing Cameron will hurt them so much. Early last year their mids tore us apart when their forwards went off injured or led our backmen into the pockets, opening up the forward corridor. And they ran straight down the middle and goaled time after time. Yes, they can win without Cameron especially if Patton plays! But one thing for sure, they will have to bring their 'A' game to beat us!

Problem is dd which of our recruits would you give up for the back-up/insurance ruckman? (Please don't say Melksham as we have not seen him play yet and from what I can see he is needed in the backline as that is our other weakness atmo.) We just have to accept the club's recruiting priorities and accept that this is a development/growth year for the team. Hopefully, Max stays fit and his game time is managed and that Spencer comes good fairly soon.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/nab-challenge-clash-shows-melbourne-and-st-kilda-are-both-on-the-rise/news-story/8ad9160cbad586777364f6fdbc6ad4bb Quotes: -“We stayed way too straight today,” he added as he praised Melbourne’s bravery with the footy. (Richardson) -Four of their (Demons) six leading possession-getters for the match were under the age of 23, with Christian Salem, Jack Viney, Dom Tyson and Tomas Bugg contributing on all corners of the ground. -...the Dees are blessed with a number of players in the 21 to 25-year-old bracket who could potentially make the move into the elite...Jack Viney (21), Jesse Hogan (21) and Angus Brayshaw (20) are obvious contenders while Max Gawn (24) and Tom McDonald (23) already rate in the top 35 per cent of their positions and could rise even higher this season. -Throw in 20-year-old Christian Salem who appears set for a big season as well as top-five picks yet to debut with Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver and you can see the core of a flag contender coming together. No longer the laughing stock of the league! Respect is building! A Final quote from the article" -The club and its supporters can see it on the horizon — their banner for Sunday’s clash read ‘heading in the right direction, prepare for a Demon resurrection’.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/melbourne-beginning-to-look-like-a-simon-goodwin-team-after-two-years-of-paul-roos/news-story/708c2557c2fa1de1bcc54cbb617ef788 Quote: Five of Melbourne’s eight first-half goals came from defensive half chains as they produced ball movement that a well-regarded footy analyst praised as “Hawthorn-like”. No greater praise possible! For those on here who criticised Salem: '...Salem made a case for best on ground with 26 disposals, four marks, four inside 50s, six rebound 50s and a SuperGoal.' Not sure what people expect tbh. Re the mistakes. Goodwin said in his interview that “We want our players to be brave and bold so we have to cop the turnovers..." Fans have called for players to be 'instinctive', to not hesitate - something we lost pre Roos. Well it is happening: 'Brave and Bold'! Soon, most fans won't even notice the mistakes and they will become fewer and fewer as the team masters 'Brave and Bold' football. And as our victories mount! On Jesse's goal kicking style Goodwin said he just got his foot movement wrong one time...we won't see that to often from Jess. Said with a wry grin!

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-13/luxury-of-riches-at-dees?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News "AFL.com.au understands...Jack Trengove may play...with a return over Easter in the VFL possible". I recall Roos saying early 2015 the only expectation they had was just to have Jack able to walk normally again. I was quite shocked to hear the injury was so debilitating. That Jack is close to playing again is a stunning achievement! Speaks volumes about the young man's character. Grit and Determination come to mind. Can't wait to cheer him on!

Goodwin hinted in his post game interview that Wagner might be the rookie that is upgraded. Given that he is a rookie player he did pretty well today, I thought! Some tough task masters on here.