Lucifers Hero

He has put off contract talks again: "Melbourne's Tom McDonald has delayed putting pen to paper on a long-term deal which would tie him to the Demons until at least 2020" http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-season-2016-demons-stand-firm-as-tom-mcdonald-holds-off-on-contract-20160524-gp2pgs.html " But Melbourne remain adamant the offer on the table to the 23-year-old will not be increased as the club works to retain its growing list of young guns...The feeling at the Demons is one of frustration that McDonald hasn't recommitted, with the deal on the table seen as more than fair.. The consensus is that McDonald will eventually sign with Melbourne, but is taking time to consider his options". This latest development looks to me that he has been open to a specific offer, received it and now walked away from the table. Good on MFC for not upping the price to 'buy' his signature. No wonder Healy has been at him in the media recently. Selfish sod! If he doesn't want to be part of what the club is building and just looking out for himself then just go,Tom!! Reminds me of an ex MFC player of the same name!!

Its slowly moving upward. With a bit of luck we can still make 40,000 before the cut off date of 31, July. On a slightly different but vaguely related note - has anyone seen the MFC 'We are Melbourne' ad aired anywhere during the season? I really liked it. A targeted advertising blitz might really help membership numbers.

I didn't say anything about Gawn being dropped or not being #1 ruck...quite the opposite!!. I said a 6 year player doesn't need 'resting' from a game, rest him up forward if necessary, and if not injured he should play.

Fixed

Why would anyone leave out Gawn? Ok, in the last few weeks he had quieter games than we are used to in 2016. 6 year players don't need 'resting'. And as Roos said the coaches have emphasised to Max that he only need to meet their expectations (which coaches are very happy with) rather than external expectations. Max can't be among the vote getters every week but that doesn't mean he isn't doing his job! And maybe he is trying to do too much to be among 'the best ruckman in the league'. Play him for less minutes and let Pedersen and Watts pick up the time. Max can rest forward. But please, unless he is injured Max should play.

Feel for Salem. Had a great first year. 2nd year ruined by major hamstring injuries. 3rd year stalled by injury and illness. At least we know he is in good hands and our club will give him all the attention and treatment the illness requires.

Oops! My Bad...not Viney. It is a thyroid problem with Salem and he may be out for quite a while. Could be quite serious. Helps explain why he has had a flat start to the year. Wish him well and a speedy recovery.

It will be about Viney, See this thread:

Viney received a decent knock in the GC game last week, was taken off and didn't go back on the ground. He seemed rather stiff when he moved around. Maybe the scans are the after affects of that or maybe he received another knock against the Lions. At least we have Vand, Tyson and Salem to come back in if Viney is out this week. Altho he would be filthy at missing a game

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-05-23/jones-charged-by-mrp-for-wrestling N Jones fined for wrestling Merrett! Merrett got off...I thought it takes two to wrestle! A bit rough on Jonesy I reckon.

By my reckoning Rich received votes from both coaches. Billy Stretch and Jesse Hogan could be the other way round ie 5/3 and 4/4 respectively. Interesting that Bugg got 5 from one coach and zip from the other...of course my reckoning could be wrong. Coach 1 Coach 2 1 Clayton Oliver Daniel Rich 2 Daniel Rich Christian Petracca 3 Jeff Garlett Jesse Hogan 4 Billy Stretch Billy Stretch 5 Jesse Hogan Tom Bugg

A well deserved rap for Hogan http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/jesse-hogan-on-track-to-better-2015-output-after-another-starring-display-for-melbourne/news-story/861c3e28baf69de23a86bf700107eb86 "In 2016, he ranks inside the top six in the entire competition for marks, contested marks, marks inside 50 and goals. They’re statistical indicators for the quintessential key forward, let alone for one that has proved he can also roam higher up the field". Also 9 games in he has 23 goals; 50% of his 2015 total of 44. Will easily beat that and on track for a 60 to 70 goal season. Good enough to win the Coleman in past years. He has silenced his critics! Big time!

Height is irrelevant? How many on here (not necessarily you mo64) have lamented over recent weeks that we are too short down back? Forward lines are getting taller. Back lines need to do likewise. He is out muscled because he is 82 kgs. As I said there is no way of fast tracking his physical growth (unless a 2012 EFC program is adopted...said with tongue in cheek! ). Just saying for people to understand and trust what the coaches are doing. Roos has said we will have inconsistent results (ie lose some games) because we are a young side. Losing games because of inexperience may not be acceptable to some supporters. Its the old Catch 22 in a way! Dunn seems to not be part of our future (wouldn't be surprised if he is traded this year) so not sure who else we are going to play down back. It seems to me that when Oscar or Wagner are rested, Lumumba will be the preferred replacement. I would expect that barring injuries the 3 will be rotated during the year. I have no doubt we will be applauding Oscar's development in due course. Young players will be rested as required, including Oscar. But I like that he is getting some AFL games while growing (in all senses) especially as we have little backline depth.

Jesse says 'we will take a 5/4 start to the season': http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-05-22/well-take-that-season-start-says-hogan " Hogan said it was a genuinely positive start to the 2016 season for the club." Have we exceeded his 'improvement' expectations? One step close to getting his signature, perhaps. His performances over the the last month seem to have quietened his detractors making for more enjoyable footy for him. Signs are all positive. The outline of the new CBA will be known in the next month or two. So, hopefully if he is to sign he will before end of the season.

We do not have any 'tall' defenders. Oscar is the tallest at 196cm. Tall against recent, older elite forwards but not 'tall' given that most of the best AFL forwards and the young brigade forwards with whom he will compete during his career are mostly over 196cm, right up to 202cm. Yes, Oscar needs to put on weight but this cannot be 'fast tracked'. By the time his body is developed enough he will have 30 to 40 AFL games under his belt. His likely opposition will have more: Moore, Daniher, McCartin, Dixon, Lynch. He may need to be rested from time to time otherwise every game he plays takes him one step closer to being a key member of our backline. Those on here saying he should be at Casey are the same ones who in a few years will be saying we have no defender tall enough to play against the leading forwards! Look beyond this year folks and it is easy to see what the coaches are doing with Oscar.

A bit of a left field idea...Dunn up for trade? OOC 2017. It might help save the likes of Pedersen, Frost, Newton. Hate to say it but maybe JKH is tradeable. OOC 2017. Would really like to see him play a stretch of senior games first but there are plenty of teams looking for small forwards and we are blessed with a few.

BOM Alice Saturday forecast: Min 6 Max 20 Mostly sunny. Possible rainfall: 0 mm Chance of any rain: 20% Mostly sunny. Slight (20%) chance of a shower. Light winds. Sounds like perfect footy weather! No excuses if we don't win. Bring in fresh players like: Van d, Jetta, Tyson and maybe Salem and or Petersen. Rest Oliver, Hunt maybe Wagner. Not sure who else to rest/omit but I think the 'ins' are fairly obvious.

Shocked that he played there. A few years back Roos played Goodes in the ruck who was then injured for quite a few weeks. Roos vowed 'never again' to play a key player in the ruck. Not saying Watts is like Goodes but I wonder whose decision it was. Hope it doesnt happen again. Third man up maybe from time to time but not relief ruck...as you say BA Watts is far too valuable.

Bump so that this can be updated for Hunt, Harmes, Spencer and Oliver (thanks 'Undeterred'). Would think new contracts for Wagner, Garlett, Kent and Jetta not too far away. Hopefully the McD brothers also. Watts has done plenty to prove to coaches he deserves another contract. And he truly wants to stay a Demon. Has earnt that right in my book Hard to imagine Jones and Trengove not getting new contracts even if only 1 year. Wouldn't be surprised to see Grimes look for a new club as an FA. This leaves Dawes, Terlich, Newton, Frost and Pedersen in the hot seat. Most of these would be unlucky if they miss out. Very very difficult list management decisions coming up.

3 years ago that was the nucleus of our best 22 in the seniors!!!! We have come a long way

If Salem lines up for Casey he has been dropped. If not he is omitted for concussion. We will find out soon enough which it is.

Had a chuckle at that last line! Oh what a difference Roos has made. 3 years ago our only decent mids of any sought were Nat Jones and Jack T. Look at us now! To answer your question, sadly we may have to trade some out. But I prefer we help them reinvent themselves like Nev Jetta has and add strings to their bow. Edit: Any chance of reinventing Vandenberg to become a backman? Same height as Garland

Can't find a training thread but thought this article deserved some attention. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-05-18/tyson-ready-to-go-against-lions Its no wonder Gus is being rested. Tyson is quoted as saying he messaged Gus on Tuesday and was still groggy. Training news: Watts on light duties. Focusing on clean ball taking on lead. M Jones and Frost in rehab group. Tyson's back seems ok for him to play this week. Lumumba not out on the ground. Kent ready to return. ANB in 'stellar' form! Some cool pics ftom today"s training http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-05-18/photo-gallery-wednesday-may-18 Is that Vandenberg in a few pics. Bodes well if it is. Missed a few games so may need a few Casey games.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/bombers-confident-hurley-will-stay-as-rivals-circle/news-story/9f71f4565ebfbeb97d9bd350facdecb8 Looks like it will be very difficult to prise Hurley out of Essendon. Denham says he can only go via a trade. (Not sure what happened to the AFLPA agreement that they could leave as dfa's...AFL quietly changed that????). Denham says efc don't want picks but a like for like player: Rance from Tigers, Hogan from us. Ha! EFC are ntoriously difficult to deal with but its laughable if they think either trade will happen! I reckon wait till he is an RFA...2017.

And why did his teammates do nothing about it. No point them telling people aftetwards.