Lucifers Hero

Interesting reading Rusty. Thanks. Shows up some of the comments (biases) on DL as being inaccurate or partially complete. What struck me is the performance of Cross: top 5 in contested poss, uncontested poss and effective disposals. If he keeps that up in the 2nd half he is still a required player IMO. Wouldn't be retiring him just yet!

I think 'The Reverend' nickname was given to him while coaching the Dees and I recall it was because he is quite religious. Given that he has such a strong history with our team, I wonder if the club would consider making this an annual MND fund raising game. Neale would be the face of the campaign as he is doing such a fantastic job. I can see it becoming the footy equivalent of the 'pink Jane McGrath day' at the SCG cricket test match. Would be a great cause and may attract a lot of non-footy supporters visitng Melbourne for the long weekend, especially when preceded by the walk to the G. Would be great to do it while he is still with us rather than later as a memorial. If we don't there is every chance Sheedy will take up the idea for EFC and they have another 'blockbuster' game.

A quote from that article: "Of all the inviolable institutions for which the AFL is responsible, the Hall of Fame must be protected from anything other than making objective choices. The alternative is the ruination brought by political correctness and trade-offs." The AFL has shown that it will manipulate whatever it needs to to protect/enhance its public image. If it can (supposedly) manipulate the composition of a Tribunal for doping of 34 Essendon players, it will manipulate the Hall of Fame. Like Lane I would prefer that it be objective and based on merit.

Good point...its like preaching to the converted!

Remember he and PJ made a pact preseason to not refer to the past again. So this was a very deliberate reference to the past by Roos. Why? To soften up players and supporters for the mother of all list culls. A cull not just of NQR's but also some fan favourites. This year trade/draft/list changes will be the last in which Roos is involved. He will be the 'bad cop' and clean up the list. Goodwin will have a big say but it will be Roos that swings the axe and takes the wrap. Goodwin can then be the 'good cop' when he takes over late 2016. We have some decent talent, albeit not enough. More will come. But it is the unselfish players with 120 min committment in each game that we need. Those that can't/won't with the wrong attitude will be the first to go. This fan is softened up enough and had enough that if my favourites go, so be it!

They are probably laying the ground work for priority/special picks. They (like Carlton and St Kilda) have sympathetic 'AFL insiders' who may re-interpret the pp rules in their favour. Great miscarriage of justice if EFC (CFC or StK for that matter) receive any draft assistance.

If posters are going to pot Roos for all the bad that still happens (usually by players he did not recruit) then he needs to be given credit for the good things, especially for the players he did recruit. Jesse said it so well: "Angus has taken straight to (AFL), he's got that competitive edge. Christian Petracca and all the rest of (Melbourne's young players) have a red-hot crack and all the talent, so it's a very exciting prospect over the next couple of years."

If Dunn does not have a license from coaches to use the torpedo for kick-ins he should be dropped for 'individual/selfish play'. If he does have a license he should get a talking to. It was a terrible decision at that stage of the game! Not because it didn't work and started the momentum swing but because it was a very high risk/very low reward choice. Showed no game smarts at all. The torpedo was either undisciplined or dumb. Either way it was poor leadership! Also, his form has been very ordinary all year. Tragically we have no-one fit enough to come in so he can go back to Casey for a few weeks. Alas, he will be selected.

Roos' thoughts on delistings: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-01/paul-roos-flags-delistings-at-melbourne-after-port-disappointment?utm_medium=RSS Pertinent comments: -"Roos told Fox Footy on Monday night he was using the most brutal of motivational techniques to try to lift his players' efforts. Perform - or find somewhere else to play...After years in the AFL's bottom half, Roos said he believed there are some players that cannot shake the mental demons of their past." "We know what's wrong...We're yet to convince the player group of some of the things we know that work." So who still have 'mental demons'? I'm reading Roos comments as those players who can't/won't change, can't/won't be coached, players who give up too easily or play as individuals. The 186 game 'mental demon' players: Not Safe Jordie McKenzie 2015 Rohan Bail 2015 Max Gawn 2015 Mark Jamar 2015 Jack Fitzpatrick 2015 Jeremy Howe 2015 Jack Watts 2016 Jack Grimes 2016 Jake Spencer 2016 Safe: Colin Garland 2015 Jack Trengove 2016 Tom McDonald 2017 Lynden Dunn 2017 Nathan Jones 2019 Of those the last 5 I think are safe. -Jones and McDonald have overcome their 'mental demons' -Garland plays his heart out but when the backs are bombarded it gets to him. If he wants to stay he would be safe -Dunn seems to have overcome his demons but seems to not care too much. But being VC and contract length keeps him sort of safe. -Trengove safe due to injury Grimes plays his heart out but seems heavily burdened by past demons; not safe. Some of the others may stay but only because they are needed for depth (eg Spencer if we can't trade in a ruckman). The Neeld era 'mental demons' players: - Terlich, M Jones, Dawes, Pedersen are contracted till 2016 and probably 'less scarred' than the 186 players. They will be needed as depth players so are probably safe till the end of their contracts. - Jimmy Toumpas 2015, Dean Kent 2016, Jack Viney 2017, Jesse Hogan 2017. They are all safe. Yes, even Jimmy! All other players have been recruited by Roos BTW the above does not reflect who I would like to see go or stay, it is my assessment of who carries the most 'mental demons' and therefore in the gun.

Did anyone else think it was odd that Judd fronted the media on behalf of the players and not the captain? Would have made some sense to have Judd and Murphy to do it together and share the dialogue. To only have Judd makes Murphy's leadership quite difficult. Diminishes his standing IMO. Murphy seems a really nice bloke and has shown patches of good form but he hasn't shown much leadership Would expect Murphy to be eased out of the captaincy next year. Sad for him but probably the best for the team and the club.

Its nice to have 35,000 but it is a long way from the 40,000 the club aimed at and some way from 37,000 PJ thought would happen. Before we gloat too much about Carlton's demise they have 46,000+ members right now. That is over $2m extra revenue! We have a way to go before we get too excited about 35,000.

Quite right hardtack. Date of nomination has no significance. The process is: At the end of the season, nine AFL personalities (typically administrators and All-Australian team selectors) vote for five of the twenty-two nominees, with their top selections earning five votes, their second selection earning four votes, etc. The player who receives the most votes is the winner. If Hogan gets nominated his consistency will put him right up there to win it. If he doesn't win, it may bug some people on DL but I doubt it will phase him. I reckon being in the AFL Team of The Week and votes from both coaches in the AFLCA will put a smile on his dial!

How did I miss Bernie! Also well deserved. He also did well in the AFLCA with 5 and 3. He kept 'the next best thing - the Bont' at the kennel on a very tight leash! Notice what I did there? There are no stats for the great things that Hogan and Vince did but good to see the AFL Team of The Week selectors take notice!

No RS but he is in the AFL 'team of the week'! And he got AFLCA votes from both coaches. Far better. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-26/team-of-the-week-round-eight?utm_medium=RSS

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-26/team-of-the-week-round-eight?utm_medium=RSS Jessie may not have the Rising Star nomination but he is in the 'team of the week'! Not bad in a side with limited inside 50's. Whoever compiles the 'team of the week' understands his total game and value a lot better than the Rising Star selectors who probably just look at stats. His 'crashing the pack' style, the hand pass to Pedersen and other ground work are a joy to watch. I suspect Jesse is much prouder of the 'team of the week' nomination and the AFLCA votes from the coaches than an RS nomination! Me thinks he will walk taller and his swagger greater this week!

It crashed into the Yarra River about a month ago...a sure sign of things to come! Here it is being fished out!!

Happy to watch the blues sink into the quagmire. But don't like their treatment of Malthouse. I think Dermie said it well when he said: "they are p-ssing on a monument" The CFC Board completely undermined their season when they announced a rebuild and all players were on the table. Then surprise, surprise, they spiral thru lost confidence, mounting loses, no crowds, embarrassing friday night tv spotlight etc Now Malthouse takes the rap. I am not a Malthouse fan but he is a doyen of aussie rules. I would like to seem him go out with dignity.

Thanks Song, I've bookmarked this to quote when DL's get into these guys when they next have a poor game, which they will. I've noticed that since Jack 'dropped himself' and the respected voices of Carey, Darcy and Lyon stuck up for him there hasn't been any bad press (except that idiot purple) and some commentators are writing/saying good stuff without qualification. May it continue!

Thanks OD...I wait with baited breath and hope and pray that he stays. Cheers.

Goodes gets 1 week for bump on Jones! Garlett issue not referred so free to play vs Port

Wasn't even looked at. He is free to go to Alice!

Phew! Yes, I was aware he is an OOC RFA this year. I thought your post said he had put off talks to the end of the year and that worried me.

Can you provide a bit more info or a link please OD. I have been following him closely as I think he is a real asset in our back line so would like to read more. Cheers.

No one has mentioned JKH. He has had 2/3 weeks off now. He wasn't in great form but that could have been the injury he was carrying. Still has match fitness, will be fresh so if fit might play.

Really? Are you thinking Howe?