Lucifers Hero

What Caro doesn't see is what the 'veil of negativity' (with varying degrees of 'infection'), looks like in the playing group, : 14 current players from the 186 era and Neeld's tenure: Mark Jamar, Lynden Dunn, Colin Garland, Nathan Jones, Rohan Bail,Jake Spencer, Jack Grimes, Jeremy Howe, Jordie McKenzie, Jack Trengove, Jack Watts, Max Gawn, Jack Fitzpatrick,Tom McDonald Plus 8 current players for Neelds tenure: Jimmy Toumpas, Jesse Hogan, Cameron Pedersen, Matt Jones, Chris Dawes, Dean Terlich, Jack Viney, Dean Kent That is 22 current players who learnt: - they didn't need to fight for their spots, - to play as individuals rather than do team things. - it was ok to not follow coaching instructions, - to pick and choose when to perform - it is easier to give platitudes and 'feel disappointed' about losing than work your guts out to win. I could keep going about the bad behaviours but you get the drift. 'Reprogramming' those bad behaviours must be like turning the Titanic. TBH, I don't think there is a coach, CEO etc that can do it. Roos has gone the 'reprogramming' route, It has not worked. Now cutting out the cancerous 'veil of negativity' is the only way to go. Of the 22 players above I could only count 7 that have shown they can really change. We won't cull the other 15 but the worst offenders must go regardless of their position, seniority, salary or whatever. They can not stay at the club if their bad behaviours/mindset have continued under Roos et al. Otherwise the risk of contagion to our young brigade is too high. Roos is an astute judge of players he will make the right calls.

Here is an article on Roos' 360 comments last night: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-24/email-criticism-riles-roos?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+Newswhere he says it is offensive to be asked about his commitment to the club and hurt over the team's performances. To be honest, reading that article and seeing our anguished coach on 360 having to defend himself against anonymous keyboard warriors, made me embarrassed to be a Melbourne supporter. Roos has every right to be offended. His responses on 360 showed a lot more dignity and respect than those who bombard him with emails. Most coaches' media grilling ends with the post game press conf. But Roos subjects himself to a second grilling on 360 each week. He could ask the panel to play down our games. He doesn't. He takes the flak as he would take a pack tackle in his playing days: Standing up, never flinch then roll with the punches. I admire his grit. It is up to the players to show similar grit and start doing their job, consistently!

Tragic that these are 5 of our 6 leadership team members. The 6th, the captain has been sub par a lot this year. I bet none of those 5 leaders will be top 5 in the Bluey. What an indictment! More tragic is that they are supposed to set an example for our young brigade, protect them and guide them on field. What must our young guys be thinking!! Get me out of here, perhaps! I fear that this leadership team is sowing the seeds for our next generation to be as scarred and disillusioned as they are. I hope there are 'performance' criteria in their contracts because it is too easy for 'leaders' to get the big $$ contracts and then choose when to play. But its like Mother Hubbard's cupboard...our 'leadership' stocks are bare or too young/inexperienced. I see no ready solution to this terrible catch-22 we find ourselves in, yet again!

If our players cannot be bothered when they play the bottom team imagine the carnage next week when they front up to the No 1 team on their turf...will get very ugly... The last two weeks have put daggers deep into a demon heart and next week may well be the fatal blow....

An article by Caroline Wilson: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/in-afls-scheme-of-things-hird-was-not-such-a-big-deal-20150821-gj51m2.htmlwhere she rehashes some old stuff but it is about the Gils's reaction to Hird going which was the day of the new TV rights announcement. These two lines amused me:- - McLachlan said he had spent a total seven seconds thinking about Hird that day (ie the day Hird resigned/sacked) - On Gillon McLachlan's biggest day since taking on the job, James Hird finished up the steak knives...!!!

rpfc, I was trying to answer earlier posts wondering when Roos may have expressed doubt of staying after 2016. I may have worded it badly but I was trying to say the same as you about life balance and for him family and Hawaii were part of the picture. Not sure how you interpreted my post as implying Roos 'would love us and then leave us'...I have been a staunch supporter and defender of him in all my posts over the last 2 years. As I said I love that he loves the club! It seems you are too

I can't find the article mid where Roos said after 2016 that was it, he was off to Hawaii etc etc. Also, mid year he was quoted as expressing doubt beyond 2016. This is the first time he has clearly said he actually wants to stay and be quite passionate about it. I love that he loves the club! Whatever his coaching limitations that DL want to focus on, having him in our corner for a few more years will be invaluable. If for no other benefit than his eye for assessing players and input to list management/drafting/recruiting/trading! Hopefully, PJ signs up for a few more years as well.

It is pretty obvious from my posts on this topic that I do not sit on the fence! I'm not critising per se...noting as others, have that your posts include generalisations and what might be considered 'wishful thinking'.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-08-21/players-looked-in-holiday-mode-roos: - Roos indicated he'd be open to staying at the Demons in a part-time capacity after Simon Goodwin transitions into the senior coaching role. Delighted to hear this! A few months ago Roos was making noises that he would not hang around after 2016. So it looks like there has been a rethink and perhaps he has already arranged for 2/3 years part time say to end of 2018/2019. Would love this to have happened. Gives the players and the club a greater period of consistency, on and off the field. If he has arranged a part-time gig, it would certainly have helped players extend contracts and attract new players to the club. Whatever his coaching weaknesses may be, we still need the Roos cred and stature at our club.

No, for Andrews it is not the Essendonian coterie...it is the 'Spring Street Bombers' which came into being last October. Its a simple thing to check and get right. Otherwise the generalisations in your other posts on this topic can easily be doubted.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/injury-prone-tom-lynch-is-key-link-man-for-adelaide/story-e6frf3e3-1227491815034 A good description of Lynch's key role by his coach. From his description it would seem they would want to give him the 3 years he wants...unless of course he is talking up the value of the trade or trying to get another club involved... ...looks like we are still in their batting batting to get him: "The Victorian wants to stay at Adelaide but has knocked back its initial offer of a two-year deal, preferring a three-year contract similar to the one Melbourne is understood to have offered him". Not a fan of Dawes so based on age and form I would really like Lynch in our forward line. If Dawes goes at the end of his contract in 2016 Lynch would already be settled into the side/game plan.

Melbourne Squad: Round 21 v Carlton B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe HB: Daniel Cross, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem C: Billy Stretch, Bernie Vince, Heritier Lumumba HF: Viv Michie, Chris Dawes, James Harmes F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney I/C (from): Angus Brayshaw, Ben Newton, Aidan Riley, Alex Neal-Bullen, Jack Grimes, Mark Jamar, Rohan Bail In: Jamar, Riley, Newton, Salem, Stretch, Out: Jetta (neck), M. Jones (omitted) Lumumba still there. Salem and Stretch in. No Tyson. Grimes on extended bench and as he started as sub last week it may be touch and go whether he gets to play.

And he manages a bunch of our players, whom Roos et al may be wanting to trade etc. A very long bow to connect a Connors/Roos meeting to any specific player let alone Danger.

It seems Lachie Henderson has requested a trade so Carltank have decided to not play him for the rest of the season. He hasn't done much this year so not sure it helps our chances. But their tanking strategy seems quite blatant! Where is the AFL anti-tanking brigade now...callling Mike Fitzpatrick.

It seems that among Essendon's 20 uncontracted players there are 5 Free Agents:- Tom Bellchambers, RFA Courtenay Dempsey, UFA James Gwilt, UFA Tayte Pears, UFA Brent Stanton, UFA Jason Winderlich, UFA Watch the AFL deal EFC back into the early rounds of the draft if some of those guys go and it gives a few 2nd round picks. What is suppoosedly a shallow draft becomes a lot weaker, especially when you add all the FA's floating around that are likely to attract 1st round, end of first round, 2nd round picks ie Suckling, Dangerfield, Selwood, Leuenberger. Plus all the Academy players (4/5 in the first round), so on the current ladder our 2nd rnd pick will be about pick 28-30 ie the 28th-30th best player!! Yes, the Academy clubs need to pay the 'draft points' but they are getting the best players. Can't see a strong case for keeping any but our 1st pick.

Chris, you always have good posts and never troll but that comment needs a bit more info Curiousty is greatly piqued!

It looks like they will do both mobile and TV - from the Age:- "Telstra will pay about $300 million of the record deal over the six years, and broadcast AFL matches over its planned Telstra TV service and to handsets and digital devices" It will probably be for Bigpond/T-box/Smart TV customers and will have a fee. But all this and the competition in other pay-tv area like Netflix, Presto etc may 'force' Foxtel to repackage its sports products to be more accessible. So, without predicting technology and service changes, I think that come 2017 we will have a lot more options to watch all AFL games on a TV.

Here is an interesting line from Emma Quayle when discussing OOC Essendon players: Jake Melksham has been loyal but is the sort of player another club might see unfulfilled potential in. He will have other options put to him, a reunion with Simon Goodwin at Melbourne not out of the question. He is 23, was their pick 10 in the 2009 draft, plays midfield and played just over 100 games. IMO he doesn't fit the A-grade midfielder category but he is in our 'target' age/experience group. Emma may be guessing but her intel is usually pretty good!

Maybe this is our chance to offload the NSC! I wish them 50 years without a premiership!

There are a number of clubs stuck in the 'vicious circle of poverty' resulting from poor time slots, home games vs interstate teams, low membership numbers, few 'blockbusters', few telecast games etc. While winning games will help, it is not the answer...just look at the Bulldogs...great footy, possible top 4 and they can't get more than 25,000 to a home game at Etihad. While not optimistic, the AFL should use some of that extra $$$ to help the struggling clubs and not just the interstate ones! And it needs to be more than a few crumbs! Time for true 'equalisation', AFL Otherwise, North, Saints, Bulldogs and Demons will forever struggle.

Misson's injury report:http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-08-18/rd-21-injury-report-dave-misson Firstly the really good news: Kent will be playing this week!! However, Misson didn't say where but suspect it won't be the seniors. Here's hoping he gets to play another game this year...GWS? Summary of the rest: Jetta - they will be conservative...I assume this means he won't play Salem - had gastro last week so he will play Toumpas - probably won't play as had 2 concussions in 3 weeks Fitzpatrick - concussed last week so is 'test' Tyson - had minor hamstring so expected to play King - out this week Vandenberg - season Pedersen - may get a game in VFL before eos. Trengove - looking good. Petracca - improving

Hird choking up in presser...crocodile tears! Just shoring up his support with fans. Nauseating!

That Hird resigned is a rumour that Robbo started...sort of face saving for his 'mate'. The flaw in that is if Hird had resigned there would have been no 'negotiated settlement'...he would have got zip! But Robbo isn't smart enough to see the flaw! Make no mistake he did not jump, he was pushed! Robbo is now probably worried he won't get any more leaks!!

I guess we will get the 'real' truth now!!!! The truth that only he seems to know!!

Finally the responsible one is gone!! Here is the link:http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-essendon-crisis-club-and-senior-coach-james-hird-part-ways-20150818-gj1noe.html Jack Niall says: Hird, who had a year to run on his contract, will be replaced by an interim coach, who will be one of the current assistants, such as Matthew Egan or Hayden Skipworth. Club great and ex-Fremantle coach Mark Harvey will not be the replacement. Hird's exit involves a negotiated settlement on the remainder of his contract - speculation is that he was due to be paid close to $750,000 for 2016. Robbo is probably wondering how he didn't get the scoop! Good to be a fly on the wall when he has that conversation with his mate, Hirdy!!