Lucifers Hero

Here is an update on Club plans. Finals and other goals repeated. From Patrick Smith http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/demons-plot-a-path-to-finals-footy-by-2016/story-e6frg6n6-1227260519589 My favourite part: "Jackson also confirmed he would head the club’s administration until at least the end of 2016 — tying in with senior coach Paul Roos’ tenure — and a year longer than he is contracted for." This certainly puts to bed the faux story a month ago about Bartlett going after Brian Cook etc etc. PJ gives a bit more stability and confidence to the club for a few more years! Couldn't be happier!!

Good to see we did our diligence before hiring Goodwin about his time at Essendon during the doping saga. Would have been very surprised if we didn't: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/melbourne-demons/afl-backed-goodwin-for-demons-20150312-142qhb.html What I really like about the Godowin transition to senior coach is that next year he will start taking on board meetings, sponsor appearances and a host of other off-field stuff. Few 1st year senior coaches get the opportunity to do this, maybe Longmire and Buckley. In addition, Goodwin will probably do the coaches training course. I like that we are setting him up for success. As an aside, was surprised to read our debt is now $7.2m

WOW, what happens if we want to present/market ourselves in a certain way - so the AFL would just ride slip shod all over us...couldn't see Eddie or Kochie putting up with that!!

Thnx paha...I wonder why they brought it back and with all that grey, on adult gear? To me it just confuses our (i'll use that dreaded 'B' word) 'branding' more than what it already is. Would prefer to see it gone, myself: we no longer play in the VFL and we don't use that blue or that red...it just isn't us...no one under 35 would recognise it...

Received club email today marketing new gear. Wondered if this is our new logo? Has anyone seen it before? Not sure what to think: - Much of the new gear is a light grey. - The Demon looks a bit too 'happy'...would prefer an agro looking demon especially on adult gear. - Could be my screen colours but some garments look black and grey with not much navy blue and read. Will wait till I see one in real life but atmo I can't say I like it. Edit: just noticed the 'V' which looks like a VFL logo...bit more confused now...

Gil is a diehard Saints supporter. He will make sure his AFL find a way, much to my chagrin!

Yes, Feb 16. http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/35880-luna-park-family-day-sunday-16-february-2014/

Lindsay Tanner appointed to EFC Board! http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/essendon-announce-former-labor-mp-lindsay-tanner-as-one-of-two-new-board-members-20150311-141eb2.html Are EFC stacking the deck!! Soft landing from Worksafe coming up! Edit: Just remembered that the Premier sacked the Worksafe CEO last week. Will be interesting to see who gets appointed!

Lots of great pics of the team (including Roos) working the phones last night https://www.facebook.com/MELBOURNEfc More pics on the twitter section of our mfc home page but I can't get the link to work, sorry. Here is the link (I think) https://twitter.com/melbournefc Looks like they signed up another 500 members so our tally should be around 28,750 today. Gawn and Grimes signed up the most. Great effort by all the guys to put in that time. ps I wonder if next year it is worth not signing up early so I can get a phone call from one of the team

I'm sure you are right about EFC players being the global test case. 1)We will find out soon enough how far ASADA/WADA negotiate on player penalties. They may well appeal if too light. And, even if they go after EFC under the 'two out/Club out' rules, WADA's Club level penalties are quite light. When these processes are complete ASADA/WADA can go no further; case closed for them! 2)The difficulty I'm having with your narrative is that it is sweeping, dramatic and constantly refers to matters that are outside ASADA/WADA jurisdiction (ie players suing EFC, Worksafe throwing the book at Hird, then at EFC, then at their directors, the subsequent lawsuits, the dramatic and ultimate demise of EFC) and then mixes it with dialogue in 1) above. 1) and 2) are totally separate and it is useful if discussion treats them accordingly.

This is confusing ProDee. 1. This is the 2nd 'quote' you have from PJ without giving a source. You may have inside knowledge which is fine but you can mention that without giving any detail. 2. Training was not scheduled for 10 am. It was scheduled at 12 noon according to club advertising. So either PJ is confused or you contact has poor info. 3. Jennifer Watt has apologized on behalf of the club and didn't mention the travel time issue. These points are not helping your credibility. Or could it be you are just trying to stir up the pot!!

Some sweeping statements and I can't see how you back them up. Consider: 1) The entity that has most to lose is the AFL. Players will sue them (as well as EFC) for 'negligence' of their 'duty of care'. Whoever is sued by players it ill be settled quickly and quietly, out of court. EFC as we know it will survive. The players' suits are outside ASADA/WADA jurisdiction or their appeal processes. 2) With Worksafe it may well find something like: "EFC had poor governance, which has been rectified. While there is 'comfortable satisfaction' on TB4 being used there is insufficient evidence to prove it". There is every chance they will say: "Hird and the Club have already been penalised by the AFL so Worksafe won't take it any further". Such a result is totally outside ASADA/WADA jurisdiction or their appeal processes. 1) As I understand it, if the players are found guilty by the AFL Tribunal the decsion is followed by a 'penalties hearing' where penalties are 'negotiated'. After the Cronulla thing ASADA won't dare negotiate an outcome without WADA's ok. So a reduced likelihood of WADA appeal. 2) WADA rules on support staff and team suspension were pretty weak before Jan 1 2015 so they may not apply to the 2012 EFC Hard to think that WADA are going to go for maximum penalties to players and to Hird and to EFC. So can't see your 'doomsday' scenarios for all these parties eventuating. Maybe one of but not all three.

An article from Patrick Smith http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/afl-bloodied-again-by-essendon-saga-but-not-james-hird/story-e6frg7uo-1227255770447He basically argues that no matter what happens at the tribunal to the players Hird is here to stay. "No, Hirdy has the job until he walks away from it. He certainly wont be pushed" While I stated as much in a post about a month ago (that it would be a lot easier for EFC to let his contract expire at end of 2016 than sack him, thereby taking the path of least resistance) I find the prospect completely abhorrent and nauseating. Players careers damaged (if found guilty) and maybe their health damaged and Hird keeps on smiling on and on. Tragically, we are stuck with Hird for at least 2 more seasons. He has worn (bullied) the club down and no-one there has it in them to take him on. The AFL certainly won't. Even if, as Dee2014 believes, ASADA, WADA or Worksafe go after him they won't get him before end of his current contract. Meanwhile players are hung out to dry. As much as I think the players are 'guilty by association', for Hird to coach on if players are suspended is a terrible, terrible outcome.

Given that our players have recently visited a lot of schools in the 'traditional heartland' we are trying to reclaim, there probably were a hell of a lot who are not members!!! It is never good for a club to disappoint kids members or not!! If we didn't lose the kids today we may have lost the parents who take the kids to the footy and who pay for the memberships.

You seem to have very little confidence in the judgement of our Board and CEO. This team seem to be very considered in their dealings with the media. Barking up the wrong tree this time Saty.

I had the same good experience with our team. An aside on CFC membership and their difficulty getting the numbers. There were some very strong rumours 2-3 years ago that Visy enlisted thousands of its employees as 3-game members and paid the membership fee for them. It seemed to be about getting their numbers to around 50,000 because at that level they could argue to the AFL that Etihad was too small for them and they had to have more home games at the MCG. They now have the extra MCG home games (I might add, against the powerhouse clubs so they get massive gate revenue) so those Visy 'supported' members have dropped off and won't be back. At the same time we get crappy time slots against interstate clubs for our home games!! Crap gate revenue! Go figure! Now they have asked the AFL for a 'small' advance to cover membership shortfalls!!! Sure helps to have one of your own as the head of the AFL Commission. Competition will never be equal.

An interesting point. If players are suspended does ASADA/WADA rules allow them to play in the EFC VFL team? Essendon are doing everything possible to ensure ASADA can't view 'match simulation' games against a VFL club as a practice game. The AFL is fully complicit in this deception! I just hope ASADA view this as a smolescreen and evidence of more unco-operativeness and refuse outright any plea for any backdating of penalties.

Saty looks at all our players thru rose-coloured glasses and more than a few grains of salt are needed when reading his training reports so agree with your comments re the training track. I'm prepared to cut these guys some slack as Garland had a major injury at end of 2013 (shoulder??) and severely affected his 2014 season. We can't play all our new recruits in the first half of this season so nothing lost by giving G & G the extra chances. Just maybe they play the role coaches request which we can't see. Will be surprised to see them dropped from the team before the bye. Time will tell.

Yep, they are both RFA's this year. They need to play themselves into a contract otherwise there won't be many takers at anything like a good deal. Hopefully, that is enough heat for them to lift their game very quickly. Because they are RFA's and they have earnt respect, I think Roos will give them every chance to prove themselves and they should get games in the first half of the year on the back of this. However, I wouldn't be too confident in the second half when new recruits will be needing a taste of seniors football. Unfortunately, both are scarred by the 186 loss, 'tanking', Neeld etc They have both had really good years with the Dees. Just hope they can clear their heads of those mental scars and re-find their best.

Do you mean" 6 Positives: Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts OR 6 Negatives: Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts

Quote: "There had been speculation the Bombers were planning an unofficial practice match against the Seagulls, fielding their planned team for the opening round of the premiership season, while sending a second-tier team, including its top-up players to Morwell for the NAB Challenge. But after discussions with club, the AFL insists it will not be a practise match, and only players from the 2012 list can be involved – ruling out the likes of Brendon Goddard." Perhaps that is why 4 of the 2012 players were released yesterday to play in NAB games - to act as a smokescreen for the practice match in case of ASADA penalties. Even without them and Goddard it still looks like a practice match to me...hope ASADA is paying close attention!!!

Contract trends now are: 2 year contract for new recruit on base $, then 2-3 year contract on very good $ (eg Wines/Hogan/Cameron), then 5-6+ year contract on huge $ (Boyd/Crotchin/J Selwood/Cameron etc and before long Wines/Hogan etc) The critical one is the 3rd as it locks in a player in the UFA/FA period meaning he will be at the club for 10 years (and even then will still be a UFA). Free Agency has 'forced' clubs into this predicament. Downside for the Club is it takes all the risk re injury, performance etc. Sadly the downside for other players in a team is they get less, because of salary cap. Hopefully, clubs put in performance/injury contract clauses to manage/balance their risks.

If the club is happy to let Jeremy test the market that is good - it says: 'we would like you but we are not desperate to sign you'. So we keep our negotiating cards up our sleeve. At the risk of setting off scenarios on future trades when it is still preseason...if rumours about GWS offering pick 6 for him last year are true it suggests a trade is possible for a mid 1st round pick. Handy to use for a trade in of a very good ruckman as based on last night we need one. Alternatively, it would be a good pick to package up for a free agent. Roos made it very clear at the B & F: if you don't want to commit to the club then hit the road! Evidence: Sylvia, Frawley, Clarke. Really hope Jeremy stays but my emotion is now invested in the team and the club less so to individual players.

We were kicking with the wind. Few goals scored so far from the other end by either team. Prepare for a Freo final qtr surge with the wind.

Oops! Something has changed since this morning! Maybe the manager didn't get the response he wanted. Maybe the club said fine go and chase the market: "Melbourne said they were content with Howe's decision and the likelihood of resigning him. "As a club we are comfortable with Jeremy's decision. Players go about negotiating their contracts in different ways and we respect their right to do so," a club spokesman said." So be it. I'm over stressing over players who want to move on. I only ask that they give 100% when playing for the club. Franklin was a great example of this. Then que sera sera.