Lucifers Hero

Channel 7 just reported that the club has started discussions to contract Petracca to 2018 and it appears a formality. That means with: Brayshaw: 2018 Salem 2017 Kennedy - Harris 2018 Hogan 2017 Viney 2017 ...the cream of our crop is locked away for a few years Would be surprised if work hasn't started with the 2016 expirations (notably Tyson, Tommy Mc, Kent, Newton). What I like is that players are happy to sign up beyond Roos coaching contract so it shows they are happy about the club, Goodwin et al. Still some list management work to do but bodes well.

There is a clip of the fox footy website and an interview with Stuart Fox where he says the guy and his mates (who were drunk) had been harassing Clarkson for a while on the way to the hotel. Stuart Fox and Fagan were walking to the hotel with Clarkson so they saw what happened. Not sure why they didn't do something earlier. Hard to tell but the video on fox footy looks like it is indoors (not sure whether inside the hotel or not). If so, how did the guy get into the hotel? You are right clarko should have better control. Not setting a good example. Just hope the media don't make a great beat up about it and hang him out to dry. Edit: correction - appears to have been on the way out of the oval rather than to/at the hotel

Looked like a set-up. The guy had been harassing Clarkson for a little while and was making a 'selfie' video of it. The guy got what he wanted...a reaction...(and some would say what he deserved) and only released the 10 secs of it that show Clarkson in a bad light. Looked like a slap rather than a punch. Am not being a Clarkson apologist, nor am I fan. Clarkson, should not have reacted but the whole thing should be put in the full context.

Freo have now beaten 3 of last year's top 6 teams (and thrashed WCE). They are hunting down a top 2 spot as they know they can't win the GF unless they do. Expect them to be more rulthless than usual. Will be a good test of our aggressive play. Looking forward to it. Last night Roos' two apprentices went to head to head...in the next two weeks they face their master

He retains his spot in the same way other players who have had patchy form this year eg Tyson, Dunn, Dawes, Garlett and even Lumumba. The spotlight is always on Jack and it seems only Jack. Until he stops following the coach's instructions he stays in the side...he gets the same deal as all the players. For all DL's and especially in the media, I hope all the anti-Watts rubbish stops this week. He plays his 100th game next Saturday. Lets focus on that for a while. A worthy and loyal achievement at a club that has struggled for his whole career. Most people acknowledge he would be a better player at Hawthorn, Geelong or a better side. Have we all forgotten the relief when re-signed a few years ago? He stuck by us. Now its for us to stick by him. I hope the cheer squad honour him on the banner next Saturday. I hope Melbourne supporters come out in droves to celebrate. I hope we cheer him loudly. It may just be the confidence boost he needs.

There is a rumble in the jungle gaining momentum saying players not happy at Tigerland! And, the jungle drums have started beating: Hardwick won't see out his 2016 ending contract. Tigers are struggling because Hardwick is. Remember last year the players publicly said Hardwick (and Cotchin) weren't hard enough on them at training and weren't demanding enough. So, no wonder they were 'insipid'. Reap what you sow! Quite simply they played lazy on Friday night.

Here is another great piece by Martin Flanagan who has a gift for capturing the essence of a person or a situation, in words. It is about an ANZAC 'larrikin' and is really worth the read. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/a-magpie-worthy-of-the-label-larrikin-20150424-1mrol5.html

I share your thoughts. The stadium lights detracted from the 'light up the G' lights. Also thought all the football stuff on the scoreboard screens should be cleared so the Light horse man and the ceremonial things are clearly visible. To echo Whispering Jack's post in another thread would love to see the Tex Perkins and Eric Boyle songs and videos feature next year. A lot of dignity in the ceremony last night.

Can't believe he goes untagged week after week!I Couldn't help but wish that either Jones/Vince/Viney do a job on him when we play them Sorry if that sounds a bit nasty

Usually watch ANZAC Day game without much caring who wins. Can't believe I am hoping for a Pies win. Just can't bear to see EFC cheats win a game so heavily linked to the ANZAC's

GWS used the same tactic a few weeks ago, after they lost Tomlison in the 2nd qtr and decided to play a small forward line with midfielders going flat out from centre bounces to score. It didn't work for Richmond because their mid-field isn't very good and Riewoldt was too lazy to go with Tommy.

Its no wonder Jack lost confidence this week. Every day, every newspaper, every tv and radio program has talked 'Jack Watts' and even those that meant well did so by highlighting his weaknesses. The young man has had this crushing pressure on him since day one. Yet he goes out into the cauldron week after week, cameras and lights blazing. That my friends takes courage! I wish I had the time to compile the stats for other recent #1 picks" Kreuzer Gibbs Murphy Scully Whitfield Patton Some have played more games, some less. Some have had injuries some not. But crikey Jack is one of the best performers among them. He is what he is. He is one of us. He plays the role asked of him (which may not be what DL's want of him). Embrace him, warts and all.

Both are very moving...I hope if we get to host the ANZAC Eve game next year both are played. Gee, the Eric Bogle tribute song with the black and white video on the scoreboard while the lighthorseman is carrying the torch around the MCG would be spine tingling stuff and really bring home the meaning of ANZAC.

I don't wish to start a new thread so will post this here. Many of us last night found that we couldn't get into the MCG because the scanning system malfunctioned and couldn't read MFC membership cards. I was outside gate 1 at 6.15pm and people were getting very irate as the minutes ticked over. I just received an email from the club with this: "I would like to thank you for attending our game at the MCG last night and I hope you enjoyed the win. As you are no doubt aware, at 6:00pm last night the stadium's access control system experienced a major issue which interrupted the scanning of Melbourne FC members' barcodes, preventing access to the stadium. Unfortunately this problem was completely out of the Club's hands and we worked hard with the ticketing agent and the stadium to resolve the issue as quickly as we could. The problem was identified immediately, however was not rectified until 6:45pm. We are extremely disappointed that this issue occurred and the Club sincerely apologises for the inconvenience this caused you as you arrived at the stadium for the game. I assure you that we have requested a full review of the issue. We will be working very closely with the stadium and ticketing agent to ensure that this issue does not reoccur. Thank you again for your ongoing support of the Club and I hope to see you at the MCG again next Sunday afternoon. Kind Regards, Jane McGough We are often quick to criticise the club but here kudos are due to Jane and her team, Firstly, that the club acknowledged the problem and secondly that it communicated with members almost immediately is very much appreciated by this member. (By the time we had comprehensively beaten the tigers and played our best 4qtr game in years, the scanning system problem was forgotten. ) Well done Jane & team, MFC and our fabulous players. Great result all round!.

It doesn't work like that anymore. If he doesn't have a contract he will become a Delisted FA in a similar way to Newton (see previous post). More and more clubs will line up OOC players and wait till they get delisted (which has to happen if player doesn't have a contract) and they get their player for zip. The D-FA, UFA and FA system, could well spell the end of player trades for players in demand! The AFLPA/AFL have opened Pandora's box! We just have be really clever at how we play this FA poker game.

Technically, yes, a club has to agree to delist the player for him to become a D-FA. However, consider Newton: Newton and Port knew we wanted him. Port would have liked to trade him to help him get to the Dees. We chose not to do a trade Port wanted him and offered him a contract. Newton chose not to sign. Port had little choice but to delist him. We get a 22ish age very good player for zip. Port lose a 22ish age very good player for zip BTW I'm not critical of Newton as he moved to play more games rather than be a depth player. Howe, if he goes will go for coin or glory. So for mine, morally he isn't in the same category as Newton.

Even tho Howe is not an FA/UFA that doesn't mean we get to trade him: Unfortunately, as an uncontracted player he could - do a Luke Ball and refuse to talk to anyone but his preferred club... We get zip - allow himself to go into the pre-season draft/rookie draft or whatever it is, if he wants to go to the bottom team with the #1 pick...We get zip - allow himself to become a 'delisted' FA where he can choose his club ala Newton did with Port/Dees...altho to Port's credit they allowed him to...We get zip - be a stubborn B.....d and do a Boyd, Beam etc and force our hand. If he wants to go, one way or another he will get to the club he wants. We need to play this chess game carefully if we want to get something for him!

Yes, I have been rather unfaithful Ernest! Lucifer's Hero came from a play on words for my adoration of my hero the great Jimmy Stynes. But the young Demon guys have won me over. And yes, I have cast a roving eye over those gorgeous latin lads in Paris and Rome during my travels. As, my good-looking faves are Bernie and Dom and I am more than old enough to be their mother, it must remain fictional love. As an aside I some times go to the footy with a gay male friend and it is quite funny that we are admiring the same things about footballers...I dread to think what conversation that comment will spark if BBO and his mates see it. Ah, well a bit more fun on DL won't hurt!!

A good interview with Bernie: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-04-22/Match+analysis:+The+return+of+Bern But this part really warms a Dee supporter's heart: “I was just having a bit of fun. I was testing a few blokes out and a few of my old mates – and that’s what footy’s about. I don’t think I’m too popular over here now,” he told Dee TV with his renowned cheeky smile. “I’ll live with that – I don’t care. I was just having a bit of fun – and that’s what we play footy for. It doesn’t worry me at all. I’m a Melbourne player now. “If that means Adelaide people not liking me – that’s what it means, but I’m still mates with all of the Adelaide boys. “I’ll do anything I can for the Melbourne footy club to win.” Love Bernie

I think you are correct there RD. Here is an extract from club website 'match day info': General Admission Seating Ponsford Stand M29-M35, Q29-Q36 Olympic Stand Q49-Q57 Southern Stand M1-M4, Q1-Q12 Cheer Squad M33 Rows A-S Full match day details are: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/season/match-day-information

Hey Macca. Usually support all your posts but I think MFC making $1m from QB is way off the mark: - MFC members don't pay QB entry - For CFC members who have (any) away game membership, Coll keep the money (as we do with our away games). - Of the typical $55K-60k attendees lets say 35,000 buy a ticket at the gate. That is somewhere around $700K gross gate takings on the day. I reckon we would be lucky to come out of it with half that after all the fees attached to MCG games. That is why I would suggest the QB game is now not much more than a bog-standard, stand-alone Sunday twilight game.

Here we go again!! http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/afl-sets-up-taskforce-to-tackle-imbalance-between-power-clubs-and-perennial-battlers/story-e6frf3e3-1227315879385 Another taskforce, Another talkfest! Get this line: "The league’s football operations boss Mark Evans said the league did not want to encourage tanking, but was working on solutions". That line makes me seethe! The more the AFL try and manufacture outcomes they more they distort the game. A bit like the tax office changing rules...someone will always find a loophole or a way to exploit the change. AFL: Leave the game alone!! If this talkfest results in a priority pick for St Kilda (Gil McLachlan's team) or Carlton (Mike Fitzpatrick's team) in the next few years I will go ballistic...that won't be a pretty sight Call me a cynic but the timing of this coinciding with StK and Carlton 're-builds' raises my suspicions.

Heeney is talked about as a lay-down misere for the 2015 Rising Star Award winner. More and more Jesse's name is being put right up there. Doesn't have a nomination yet but has 3 good games. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/melbourne-demons/dont-forget-about-demon-in-rising-star-conversation-20150422-1mr2qo.html Lets hope he can have a great of footy year and have fun!

Hey there naa. Thought you might like to know the club feedback on what happens to the money for 'away' game memberships. I emailed the club and the response: "If you purchase a home and away membership, all of the money from the membership goes to the club." Must admit, I was a bit surprised All the more reason for us to not get too excited about the QB vs Pies game anymore. For lots of reasons would rather we make our own blockbuster ala the ANZAC Eve vs Tigers game. For those reading this and would like the background go to post #26

For those planning to go to the game: Extract from club email: Premium members have a bay set aside, M36 on Level 1 of the Ponsford stand, where you can simply show your membership card to access a seat within this bay. The easiest way to access this bay is via Gate 1. We have also arranged a bar for you to attend throughout the game, with a similar set up to the Hassett and Ryder Rooms hosted by Mike and Ralph. ‘The Outer’ is located on Level 1 inside gate 1 and will be open from 5.30pm. Members who present their MFC membership card at the bar will receive a 20% discount for all purchases before 7pm. Players and a coach will attend pre-match, there will be a raffle and food & beverage specials for all members. Extract from Club Website: Pre-Match Ceremony A special pre-match ceremony will be held prior to the game in honour of Anzac Day. This will commence approximately half an hour before the start of the game (please note that times may be subject to change). I'm obviously hoping for a Dees win. If that can't be then hope it is a close, desperate game so that it makes easier for both clubs to put the case to the AFL to make it an annual event. Of course, a big crowd will help the cause! As an aside Jonesy has also put the heat on Jackie Watts for this week: "He said he was looking forward to Jack Watts' responding positively to the criticism he received for errors at a critical time of the game against Adelaide last week" Hope Jack takes this and similar comments from Roos on board and that he has a blinder... for his own benefit and to quieten the armchair critics in the media and here on DL.