Lucifers Hero

Sorry to see Cross go as he has been really good for us. But in a way I'm glad he is retiring as I wouldn't want to read DL threads condemning him if his form drops off. I'd rather see him leave with a bit left in the tank rather than running on empty at Casey.

I went back and listened to the SEN recording and to some extent 'Members Wing' is correct but it needs to be put in full context of the discussion:- The Ox asked Petroro: whether they are negotiating with Melbourne to get a long extension or a multi year contract...for Jesse? Petroro's (not quite verbatim) response was: ...we will sit down over the summer and start a discussion...Jesse is really happy in Melbourne...when the time is right both parties will sit down and start to look towards Jesse's future...but he is obviously a huge part of Melbourne's future. So in the context of the question, the response to me meant the next contract will keep Jesse with us 'for a long time to come' but to be fair Petroro didn't use those words. You can form your own view at the 12 min mark: http://www.sen.com.au/programs/the-run-home There seemed little doubt that there will be a contract extension negotiated over the summer. Jesse is contracted till 2017 so even a 'short' extension eg 3 years will keep Jesse a Demon till 2020. That's a long time to me and I would be very happy with that sort of contract extension.

For his faults, real or perceived, Jimmy has 2 assets we are really short on: 1. Good footy IQ. Not as good as Watts but up there. 2. Very nice kick. Can kick long and flat and not bomb it in. Players like that do not grow on trees! So, worth given a chance to work on his faults. 2 years is fair for this.

Tom Pretoro from Jesse's management company was just interviewed on SEN and said they will sit down with the Dees during the summer to discuss his contract. He went on to say that 'Jesse will be part of Melbourne's future for a long time to come.' Almost form the horse's mouth!

AFL article on 'season review' of the Dees: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-02/season-review-melbourne?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News Overall rating 4/10. The Demons took strides forward but every time they looked like taking a definitive step, they were held back by inconsistency. The young core is developing nicely but the list requires major redevelopments before finals come into the equation. Harsh but fair I thought. One of the more interesting comments was: "Lumumba's role was undefined and he struggled mightily because of it." I don't know where Ben Guthrie got that but if true quite and indictment on our coaching staff.

He sounds like another Hird mouthpiece. I guess Hird has to do something with all his spare time. This is probably just the start of his anti AFL campaign but uses other people throw the stones. Article doesn't say on whose behalf the writ has been lodged. It could be a ploy to demand documents from the AFL so as to plan a future move.

Garry's passion and love for the Dees showed when he talked of crying like a baby while watching the Geelong game this year. It brought home to me that when he makes critical comments of the Dees he is only doing his media job. He loves, hurts and cries along with the most diehard of us Dee supporters.

...Goodwin's game style will suit him!

I laughed at this: "Melbourne coach Paul Roos has warned club supporters of even more changes to on-field personnel over the off-season". 'Warning supporters" suggests we are going to get bad or disappointing news or be unpleasantly surprised. Really? Fact is, we can't wait for the axe to swing on anyone who has a poor attitude, can't follow instructions nor play for the team.

Sanity prevails! Dockers have been given AFL OK rest 11 players: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/fremantle-seek-afl-approval-to-rest-11-players-20150831-gjbsz7.html Personally, I think its silly that they even need to ask! But I guess the control freaks at HQ need to be appeased.

Doubt it will be a thrashing partly because of our collective positive thoughts and partly because Freo want no injuries. They will get a big lead, put the cue in the rack and preserve older/key players on the bench. Effort, respect for the Captain's 200 and play it out to the end are not negotiable today.

If we our team had any doubt what 'playing like maniacs' looks like they only need to watch the Bulldogs today! WB were challenged then fought back, challenged then fought back, challenged then ran away with it. Awesome performance. Great win. Edit. And, they used their 8th debutante for the year, today!

...and shed the 'veil of negativity'!?

Lachie Plowman played a pretty good game today, having started on the bench: 20 poss (3 kicks, 17 HB) of which 6 uncont. at 85% efficiency and 3 tackles. Not bad for 1st game this year at AFL level. We get to have a closer look at him when he plays against us next week.

Those premiership legends (and Kelly, Stokes, Enright) would probably accept, albeit reluctantly, retiring if the $$$ went to shore up their existing talent. Those guys forfeited big $$$ to stay together. Some may have limited earnings potential outside footy. To now see big, big $$$ go to an 'outsider' ie Dangerfield and make him an instant millionaire, must really stick in their craw! Maybe that is why they were so listless last night! They certainly didn't seem to care about a final 8 spot. Stick it up the coach, perhaps!

'Buckley praised his players for responding after turning into "22 individuals" in a nightmare fourth quarter against Richmond last Saturday. "We spoke about pride and respect," the coach said after the easy win over the Cats.' Buckley obviously found the magic wand to turn his team around from last week's debacle and the captain's 'meaningless' game reference. Roos wants our players to play like maniacs or play 'angry'. But I don't think the team has enough 'aggro' for that. If they do it is often snuffed out rather quickly. But I sure hope we have enough character to play with Pride And Respect. Forget the result tomorrow. I would like to see what they are really made of: Team Pride And Respect - that is what I want to see!

Send Roos and Jackson a very very positive email!

You are safe as houses dc! Slobbo probably can't see straight at dawn let alone shoot straight!

From Greg Denham: '...Carlton who, with Melbourne, are also chasing out-of-contract Giant...Lachie Plowman' From the GWS website: 'A tall defender, Lachie Plowman was selected…with pick three in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft. With a terrific ability to win the contested ball in the air and at ground level, Plowman is a poised player with good decision-making skills.' As a defender, our interest could be a replacement for Dunn and Lumumba in a few years (earlier if their form doesn't improve). Plowman has played forward so could be a 'swingman' type or a replacement for Howe. My doubt around Plowman would be why a #3 pick cannot get a game in 2015, a year riddled with injuries for GWS. But then we can certainly use a lot of 'poise' and 'good decision-making skills'!!!! While doubt remains about Roos' ability to convert player attitudes there is little doubt about his nous picking 'the right' players. Right now I am very happy to take anyone who gives 100% effort and get rid of anyone who has a poor attitude and won't/can't change. So, I would take him as he would come cheaply.

Well, of course, if our negative thoughts make them play badly the opposite must be true! However, I can't cope od, if your good self (of all DL posters) becomes the ever positive one! Who will keep the rest of us emotional, irrational types, that get carried away with every tiny piece of good news, grounded! We need you to shed this 'veil of positivity' and return to the pessimistic/realist od we know and love!

How 'positive' of you od!

He is telling us he was misunderstood. Don't entirely buy that but its time to move on. Like all the diehards around here I'll be a Demon till I die so happy to let it go. I like Roos' backhander at Robbo saying his reporting was 'confused'. Robbo must be fuming especially after Roos saying Caroline Wilson's article on the 'negativity' story was 'spot on'!

From our website - Roos explaining what he intended: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-08-26/were-heading-in-right-direction-roos I had a laugh at this: “You understand sometimes people misinterpret what you say. I’m happy to correct that, whether it be Caroline Wilson’s article today (Wednesday), which was spot on, but I think Robbo is still a bit confused. But that’s OK, I’ll address that with him on Monday night [at AFL 360]. Roos in fine form: calling out Robbo's 'confusion' (which to me seems to be a permanent affliction ). 360 may be worth watching again next week just to see that little tet-a-tet! Now that I have had a laugh I feel a lot more positive about the last few days. I can't imagine a winter without supporting the Dees whether they regularly break my heart or not. So I am back on board the Roos bandwagon...yes I know I forgive easily... To the players please put up a decent effort in the last 2 games...you owe us to show some ticker.

Post from the Paul Roos thread! Melbourne supporters have become negative for a reason Paul: its not because we lose, its because our players don't put in for 4 quarters. And, we do not deserve to be whacked by ranting on public television. You, want us to be positive right? Well, tell the players to get the first plane back from Bali and put in a decent effort for the next 2 weeks!

Melbourne supporters have become negative for a reason Paul: its not because we lose, its because our players don't put in for 4 quarters. And, we do not deserve to be whacked by ranting on public television. You, want us to be positive right? Well, tell the players to get the first plane back from Bali and put in a decent effort for the next 2 weeks!