Lucifers Hero

Its a new revelation! Apparently, AFL Chairman, Fitzpatrick told it to Kochie about 3 months ago. The AFL was looking at putting a team in the NT instead of 2 in SA.

Looks doable! 30,029 on March 19, 2015 so today's figure of 33,146 is well up! 40,000 looks a good target! If nothing else we will beat our all time record of 36,937

A fascinating look behind the scenes as to how 'Kochie' turned Port Adelaid around: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/david-kochie-saved-afls-port-adelaide-from-death/news-story/92a57f9af603113e6696459f4eb956d8 For those who can't get behind the pay wall, key points are: -When Port Adelaide tragic David Koch agreed to become the chairman of his beloved footy club in 2012, he had no idea AFL chiefs had crisis contingency plans to kill off the 146-year-old institution. -In a bid to lift the club’s profile, broaden its skill set and attract the attention of an east-coast audience, Koch began reshaping the board by appointing a Melbourne-based director, Cos Cardone, chief executive of McGuire Media, the production firm operated by ­Collingwood president and AFL powerbroker Eddie McGuire. -Koch also wooed another new director by recruiting Amanda Vanstone, former senator for South Australia and ambassador to Italy, and a former member of the World Anti-Doping Agency. -With Cardone’s help, Koch set about engaging “Port Adelaide business expats” in Sydney and Melbourne to develop an “eastern advisory board” of “like-minded mad passionate supporters” with high-level connections, commercial skills and media savvy to endorse the club’s new credentials. -On the field, the boardroom revolution was mirrored by a clean-out of backroom staff capped off by three key hires: senior coach Ken Hinkley, director of coaching and strategy Alan Richardson, and former Liverpool Football Club high performance coach Darren Burgess. -“When we first started planning the Adelaide Oval, I said to everyone ‘Let’s look at the best marketing organisation in history: the church’,’’ Koch said...“When people go to church, they feel part of a congregation. They feel special. They have rituals; when the fans sing (INXS’) Never Tear Us Apart, it’s spine-­tingling stuff.” -After returning the club to profit, Koch is now determined to reduce a $6.675m debt partly by ramping up a “China strategy”. He expects to tap into one of the world’s richest economies for sponsorship deals and to take ­official AFL games, at least pre-season matches, to China. Haven't heard anything in recent times of MFC wanting to play in China - we have had bigger fish to fry in our own back yard, I guess. It may be a race between Port and MFC as to which club is more successful at tapping the sponsorship market from China and playing games in China. 'Kochie' seems to have some grand plans afoot and as a club they are a few years ahead of us. Maybe the market is big enough for two! Maybe the China games can be an annual Power vs Dees? After all they need two teams. However, I fear the presence of Eddie's media coy CEO on the Port Board will ensure Collingwood get first dibs. They always do...sigh...

Bit of an update in this article: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/essendon-supplements-scandal-hal-hunter-says-disrespectful-bombers-brushed-him-off-20160320-gnmp7w.html "Essendon has advised that it will take no further steps regarding the enforcement of the costs order and will continue to hold ongoing discussions with Hal and his family". I bet that is only because 4Corners is going to air with the story and the AFL fears the bad PR. I would imagine they tried very hard to have the story pulled and once that failed, last week handed over more documents and dropped the enforcement of costs. The AFL must gave got heavy with EFC and will continue to: "The AFL will ensure that the Essendon Football Club delivers on its responsibility to players, and will ensure that the medical protocol agreed to by the Players Association and the football club is fully delivered." All too little, too late. One wonders what Hunter and other efc players thought when they saw the court case last week that the supplements Dank had given NRL players had allegedly played a role in the spread of John Mannah's cancer from which he subsequently died. Kudos to Hal Hunter for staying the course. Must be tough to take on the might of City Hall - a modern day 'David and Goliath'.

Very clever! The cash injection will probably come from the same anonymous source that paid $750,000 of Hird's legal bills recently! They are all in an incestuous, self preserving cesspool...

It is surprising Rich let their players be seen in such an ad (even if photo shopped). The image screams 'weakness': white is the colour of surrender! It is worth noting that the Hawks request to wear their dark jumper vs Freo in last years prelim rather than the 'white' away strip was for a very good reason: psychological impact. Contrast that white, soft image to our new 2016 commercial: Dark. A touch Sinister. Strong. Purposeful - a 'don't mess with us' look! Wouldn't be surprised if Richmond are the big sliders of 2016.

Here is another outstanding article by Martin Flanagan, this time about Big Max. Big Max a true Demon believer There are too many wonderful parts to quote them all but these especially caught my eye: - He is just beginning his career in earnest, but what he does have in common with Stynes is a certain sinewy strength and unqualified commitment. Of his time at Melbourne, Big Max says: "First, I fell in love with the club." He was sidelined by a knee reconstruction for the whole of 2009. "I watched a lot. I became a supporter. Then I became a real big supporter." -"I just want to see this club be great again." And these made me laugh: -"As a sledger, I'm gaining confidence. I was poor to begin with." - He's had three coaches...Roos? "He brought excellence to the club." He was a great player at Fitzroy, I remark. "Yes," says Big Max. "He's told us." Clearly Stynes had a big impact on how Max feels about the mfc. ditto Jr Mac as his first captain. Also Interesting to read the transformation in Nat Jones - The captaincy has sat well with him - he is set to go to new heights this year. Think he would be very proud to captain his young band of merry men. Great read.

It is so Melbourne! Every major icon of this city features: Trams, Fed Sq, Flinders St Station, Alleys, City skyline, MCG. All strongly, fronted by a Red and Blue jumper!! We want to identify with Melbourne the City. This ad does it! Thumbs up from me!

The surprise for me was this: 'The classy wingman will be a great addition to the side next season, but the Melbourne faithful will have to be patient before watching Melksham strut his stuff on the MCG. A new, objective take on what Melksham brings to the team.

Why do people assume that without NT, mfc would play two more (total) games at the G? Yes, two more 'Home' games but lose two 'Away' games at the G. Net gain: zip! I heard Peter Jackson discussing NT yesterday. I'm paraphrasing but the equation is like this: Sell 2 games to NT and members get two offset games at the G OR probably play more games at Etihad (especially once the AFL buys it and will be looking for more games to play there. Low crowd Vic games would be the targets). For him right now it was important to get the club into good commercial shape and said he was pretty sure which members would prefer (NT vs Etihad) as we sure don't like going to Etihad! PJ didn't say this but the AFL could also fixture our 'Away' MCG games to Etihad. Notice how interstate finalists want more games at the G. Notice how Carlton and Essendon are asking (and getting) more games at the G. The only way we will get more games at the G and better fixtures (venues, teams, time slots etc) is if more people come to our games. The only way we have some bargaining power with the AFL on these is if we are stronger financially, with memberships and crowds. So, if I read the tea leaves correctly PJ is laying the financial foundation for MFC to get back some bargaining power with the AFL. At the moment we are still a bit like 'Oliver Twist' - not quite beggar status but certainly with cap-in-hand mode. So careful what we wish for...

approx 32,500!!! Roos just said on SEN that there was a ring around last night! So we have already beaten the pre round 1 record. We will certainly break last years figure of approx 37,000 and the 40,000 will be in sight. As always Ox’s passion for the MFC shone brightly this morning when he called for Melbourne people to buy memberships. Edit 1 : Viney was just on and said we have 32,643. He said all players and staff were part of the ring around last night and Garlett won the award for signing up the most members. Gold pass tickets on the line! He also said that prospective members reactions to the calls were excitement about the club whereas in previous years he gets the 'don't waste my time' line. Edit 2: Changed Garland to Garlett as the player/staffer who signed up the most members last night. Thanks dd36.

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.