Lucifers Hero

Our skipper plans to be ok for rnd 1, 2016: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-09-17/jones-certain-hell-play-in-round-one A long recovery but he draws on Trengove and Petracca for inspiration during rehab. He has clearly been under enormous physical stress for the whole of 2015. In some games it showed but there were never excuses, never apologies. Great example to get in there and play each week. Warrior.

More likely, King read this thread on Demonland on Roos taking a back-seat: http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/38646-paul-roos-to-take-back-seat/?hl=roos. The week before this thread there was an article on the mfc website discussing the transition in 2016 One of my posts in that thread include these points: The transition will probably be: - Goodwin to do less player development and take more training/coaching sessions this year. - Goodwin to play a big role in the 2015 a trade/draft process - Goodwin takes a chunk of the pre-season coaching work. - Goodwin to probably coach the NAB games in his own right, without Roos in the box (or even at the game). - Roos starts coaching from the boundary for part/all of some games towards the middle of 2016 (depending on our wins/losses) - Goodwin does more work with the board, sponsors and the press in 2016. - In Sept 2016 Roos walks away. We have already seen the first of these points happening. I reckon King bookmarks stuff during the year only to regurgitate it at a time it suits and he makes out he is 'in the know'. He has nothing to add!

If Howe stays, media reports suggest it will be for around $400k pa. - not much above the AFL average (exlc rookies, draftees) of $350k. So, he is priced by the market as a 'slightly above average' player. If he has been able to get away with 'laziness' it is because there has been no pressure on top 22 spots. If he continues with 'laziness' he will find himself at Casey to fight his way back. I think Howe can lift his competitive game and be very valuable to the Dees! -Having no suitors may be a big reality check for him! -I noticed his 2nd and 3rd efforts were much better this year so he can be competitive. That 'stat' is not measured but it is undoubtedly important in turnovers for/against. -As we have more players with 'competitive edge' it will rub off on Jeremy (and hopefully Watts). If every player adopts Jesse's personal goal for 2015 we will quickly become an excellent team. Jesse's personal goal was? To not be dropped!! Hope Jeremy was listening!!

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-16/watts-up-for-the-fight?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News '..."Watts said his exit interview this week "went very well" and he wants to stick with the Dees..." Watts, who has played 115 games since he was the top pick in 2008, said he didn't need any more certainty about his position for next season before he heads for an off-season break. "I'm very comfortable. I don't need anything more than what I've got. I'm looking forward to a little break, relax a little bit and get away from it all," he said. Many reading this will say Jack has had his chances which is true. But it seems to me that Roos has shifted his focus from valuing 'talent' to wanting "a team of competitors" which is great for us. I desperately hope Jack is given another chance to show his 'competitive edge'.

Gus came 2nd to Heeney in the 'Best 1st year player' at the MVP awards last night. Well Done! Gus has had a great year on the field. Showed real courage in every game, laid excellent tackles and showed serious fortitude to keep playing each week when he could have done with a rest. There were also some really special moments this year that I found particularly moving. -When he pulled Jones out of a scuffle at half time so his captain didn't get reported. -When he kicked his first goal (and several other times on the field) the bro love between he and Jones was terrific. -Carrying Cross's little boy (Tyler?) off the field, lifting his little hand up high, so he could celebrate with his Dad. He is already a star in my eyes!

The thread title scared the living daylights out of me!! Worried that it was his back Very relieved to see Jesse's #justafinger tag

Article about Christian's first day in the US:- Traccin in the USA An understandably low key start but I thought this was really intersting: "Billy said it is very easy to regain your slow twitch muscle fibres as endurance training only needs a few sessions to blow the cobwebs out and you are basically back to being fit again. But with sprint training, it takes a lot longer and you need time and patience to recover and regain that power and explosiveness that you once had". From the article it sounds like there is good communication between our physio, Joel Armes and the ACL rehab expert Billy Knowles. Hope they can weave their magic and get Christian back to where he needs to be to become a star for us

It sounds like Howe's manager is back-pedalling rapidly! Probably found that other clubs don't think he is worth a high price tag. I heard the interview with Niall on SEN and he went round in circles a bit on 'money not being important, Jeremy wants to enjoy his football' etc (not verbatim). After the interview Tim Watson made a good point along the lines that Jeremy would really like to settle into a position for a while and maybe would like a club to take him as a forward. Jeremy has been very adaptable but I think it is reasonable that he has some confidence in his role at MFC if he stays...just as he would from another club if he moved. Having heard the interview and noted the ramblings from Niall during this year, Jeremy should consider getting a new manager!

Jones had his neck surgery today. Melbourne FC ✔ @melbournefc Good luck, skipper! #myheartbeatstrue https://twitter.com/nathan2jones/status/643255066128982016 …

A futile hope!! ...the new threads will be either: 'thank god JW is gone, he is a spud! ' or 'OMG how on earth did we let JW go, he is a star'! DL's will always have a love/hate relationship with the enigma that is Jack Watts! DL will never let go!!!

Rnd 23 average age: 23.2 Take out Cross (who won't be with us in 2016): 21.7 Future 'starting 22' players not in Rnd 23: -Trengove is 22 and Vand is 23 -Frost, Kent, Tyson, Toumpas are 21. -Petracca and King are 19

That is really insightful, thanks! Theoretically that means every player could get 40 per game, which of course will never happen. That Viney polled an average of 20 and the next best was 14, shows how far away from 'top performances' our players are in the eyes of the coaches. Love and value Viney very highly but he has gone up heaps in my estimation being so far ahead of the pack.

Thanks for the voting method info. Re the data, I took the # of games from player profiles on MFC website. Have edited my earlier post to show this. w As to the rest of the team (except Rookies): 21 18 Watts (99) 5.0 22 19 Dawes (67) 4.8 23 20 Newton (46) 4.2 24 29 Spencer (27) 3.9 25 21 Grimes (46) 3.8 26 36 Frost (11) 3.7 27 22 Michie (40) 3.6 28 28 Toumpas (29) 3.2 29 25 Stretch (34) 3.1 30 30 Jones (27) 3.0 31 27 Neal-Bullen (31) 2.8 32 33 Bail (16) 2.7 33 37 Kent (9) 2.3 34 35 Kennedy-Harris (12) 1.5 35 38 Riley (6) 1.5 While posters argue a bit on here DL's are quite astute on perception of player performance. All those players have will be OOC this year or 2016. So they need to do some work next year (if still on the list) to get contract renewals.

A very good point 'Forest Demon'. Here is how the top 20 ranked on a average votes per game basis, their Bluey position, total votes, average votes: 1 2 Viney – 327 votes 20.4 2 4 Hogan – 286 votes 14.3 3 1 Vince – 328 votes 14.3 4 3 McDonald – 300 votes 13.6 5 5 Jones – 270 votes 12.3 6 15 Salem (113) 11.3 7 6 Cross (242 votes) 11.0 8 7 Garland (218 votes) 10.9 9 12 Gawn (134) 10.3 10 8 Garlett (216 votes) 9.8 11 32 McDonald (19) 9.5 12 13 Tyson (130) 8.7 13 11 Brayshaw (146) 7.0 14 9 Howe (151 votes) 6.9 15 26 Jamar (34) 6.8 16 10 Dunn (148 votes) 6.7 17 31 Fitzpatrick (20) 6.7 18 17 Jetta (102) 6.4 19 16 Lumumba (112) 5.9 20 23 Pedersen (39) 5.6 Source: B&F Votes, MFC website for # of games. This table points to player consistency throughout the year and consistency is something we crave. Viney totally smashes it with an average of 20.4 per game from a cluster of players around 11-14 votes per game. Amazing how well Salem did to come in 6th on this basis. What I like is that our top 10 is a good mix of experience and youth! A great core for our future!! The disappoints are our 'missing' leaders: Dawes, Grimes, Dunn 6.7 and Lumumba 5.9 a long way off the pace! An amazing performance by Jones polling so well with a neck injury all year. Cross and Jamar can go out with heads held high in the top 15 BTW It would be interesting to decipher approx how many BOG's say Viney may have etc Does anyone know how the voting system works? eg how many coaches allocate votes and how many per game. eg 3,2,1 like the umpires, 5,4,3,2,1, like coaches or something else? Really enjoyed the trophy winners comments. Sounds like a lot of bro love is developing among the team! EOE

Melbourne FC ✔ @melbournefc Vince: I can't thank the playing group enough for the way they've welcomed me in, they're like brothers. #bluey2015 Melbourne FC ✔ @melbournefc Vince: I see myself now as a Melbourne Football Club player for life. #bluey2015 I think Bernie really loves the Dees!

Melbourne FC ✔ @melbournefc McDonald: One of the proudest days of my life was when I got to run out with my little brother for the first time. #bluey2015 #sizzle

It will be interesting to see how Howe fares in the B&F. He has fallen out of favour on DL this year but not so with coaches. He has played all 22 games. Appears to have followed coaches instructions. Seems to be doing the 'team' thing a lot more. Has been consistently above average in most games. Methinks those things are valued highly by coaches when it comes to B&F. I would not be surprised if he is in our top 10.

That looks like an extract from his interview a few months ago? If so, its a bit of a damper on a great day for him and his fans. Also, it is worth acknowledging the date as indications are he will sign an extension over the off-season.

I thought Jesse spoke really well in the SEN interview after the official celebrations. Some things he mentioned:- - when he was struggling early this year Goodwin told him to take a few days off and go surfing at Torquay. Goodwin seems really in tune with the players. - he likes that we have a good core group of players who go hard at the ball and we will get more. - he gave Jack V the nod as the next captain! - he was really looking forward to playing with that core group over the coming years. (I took that as he will sign an extension ) BTW, he picked the trifecta! In an interview about a month ago he said he thought the 3 favourites were Cripps, Sheed and himself! He wanted one of the 3 to win because they were all from WA!! Well done, Jesse. The year has ended on a high!

If they have a 10 minute interview/story with each nominee it will probably be midnight before we get a result!!

Very handsome duo!! Reckon Gus will be top 5!

This is a coaching movement rather than player but nowhere else to really put it. It seems that Little, Jobe Watson and others flew to Adelaide in Little's private jet to get Worsfold to coach Essendon! They broke their verbal and 'handshake' undertaking to not approach other club staff! Dubious ethics and gobsmacking arrogance! That club has learnt nothing from the drugs saga and ethical boundaries! Adelaide (rightly) not very happy as they are playing a final this weekend. Ess have apologised...too little too late...(no pun intended)

I posted there were 9 judges even when I listed all10 names. Miscounted! Sorry. My bad.

If we were to go after a 'free' FA, I would prefer it be Suckling from the Hawks. Apparently, he was prepared to go to Lions for $400k pa for 4 years. Could play a Howe/Watts role if they both leave.

Carlton may not get a Band 1 comp pick for Kreuzer: Mark Evans told 3AW on Tuesday evening that the Blues, who have the first pick in the draft, might miss out on pick two as compensation if Kreuzer went elsewhere on a deal similar to that signed by Melbourne's James Frawley last year...Evans said the formula used to calculate the worth of players was complex. While its good to see that Band 1 picks won't be handed out gratuitously this position is probably driven by the need for Brisbane to have access to pick 2 and get a potential gun. I wonder how the AFL 'value' that in their 'complex formula'... ...Got it! AFL definition of 'complex formula': 'secret and vaguely worded statement that allows us to do whatever we please and not have to explain it to anyone!!