Lucifers Hero

When is a practice game not a practice game? http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/collingwood-president-eddie-mcguire-believes-st-kilda-would-be-filthy-about-essendons-training-session-with-williamstown-20150305-13vy4d.html "Radio station 3AW revealed that Essendon have invited Williamstown to their Tullamarine base on Friday night for a joint training session that would involve "match simulation". The session has been reportedly been approved by the AFL. The 25 players still at Essendon who were on the club's list in 2012 are sitting out the AFL's pre-season circuit to protect the anonymity of the provisionally-suspended players among them who were caught up in the supplement scandal. Essendon have stressed that the session would not serve as a practice match – if it did, the Bombers would risk having the backdated period for potential suspensions to its players - from the anti-doping tribunal - begin on Friday night rather than September 2014." This beggars belief! Are there any more ways in which Essendon and the players can give ASADA the "up yours' all with the AFL's blessing. There is no way these guys deserve backdating penalties for any reason let alone for 'co-operation'. Arrogance personified! Edit: I wonder if they play 3 'match simulation' sessions coinciding roughly with the 3 NAB games whether ASADA will then deem them to be practice games anyway. Knowing how cunning EFC have been they will probably skip one to avoid this inference.

Yes, but look at what awaits on appeal at the CAS - According to the article: "Opposing advocates Holmes (QC for ASADA) and Grace (QC for players) usually sit on the CAS." Unbelievable!! Surely they would stand down from CAS for this case as there is a clear conflict of interest. Looks like everyone is preparing for a guilty verdict (good result) and now positioning for a lenient penalty (bad result). Now we know why the players secretly met the AFL last week. This farce becomes more farcical day by day.

Agree. The better clubs have 10-12 players as 'on-ballers' who can run both ways and play offensively and defensively. I recall Roos saying Garlett &, Lumumba were recruited to also play in the midfield. Howe and Watts have had a stint down back and Salem has been training with defenders (probably for his development rather than a permanent role). So IMO there will be room for JKH and any number of other 'on-ballers'. Our typical line up may be: F: Dawes, Hogan, Resting Ruckman, A resting (predominately offensive) 'on-baller' (eg at any stage during a game one of JKH, Kent, Garlett, Watts, Howe, Petracca, Salem etc) B: Frost, Mac Donald, Dunn, A resting (predominately defensive) 'on-baller' (eg at any stage during a game one of Lumumba, Grimes, Jetta, Newton etc). Ruckmen: who also play forward 'when resting'. 'On Ballers': play predominately between the 50m arcs/off the bench/resting forward or back. Hawthorn and to a lesser extent Sydney are masters at this. That is where we are heading (I hope)

Great stats Chelly! I happened to pass the AFL store in the Frankston shopping complex and in front was a stand with Collingwood and Richmond memberships being sold. It occurred to me that they were way outside their territory. Don't know whether clubs rotate there but wouldn't mind MFC getting in on the act as that is the major shopping complex where peninsular and Casey folks would go so we could do with the exposure. Edit: Just sent an email to the club asking them if they do something similar.

As PJ said at the AGM: start with win back respect! It is happening in our off-field. To win back respect on field we need to get over what Roos called 'when we fall behind in games, players expect to lose mentality, an outcome of 3-4 years of heavy losses. We need to get over this mental fragility to regain on-field respect. I wonder whether we can change that mentality in 2015. On our list we still have 13 players that were there for the 186 game against Geelong and another 9 who played under Neeld. So 22 were 'mentally scarred' to some degree and now form a large part of our starting 22 in 2015. Of those I count about 8-10 who in 2014 showed they were 'over it'. While training reports have been exciting from a physical and game development view I haven't detected much that the mental side has improved. That is our biggest hurdle to winning more games this year. It may take a few years yet for the scars to fade entirely. As far as a strategy goes: fix mental fragility--> gain respect--> win games--> gain confidence--> win more games-->get more members-->more money-->attractive to sponsors-->. Repeat! Will we be a powerhouse again? Even with multiple premierships I don't think we can be a powerhouse like the clubs that have their building blocks already in place: stand alone VFL team; + an inner suburban oval they can host matches on; + >50,000 members and growing; + strong financial backers; + solid heartland etc etc. I can count about 6-8 teams that have these and they make up the 8 nearly every year!! We are coming from a long way back (and there is soccer to contend with).

This is an outstanding article on the recently departed AFL Commissioner, to be Victoria's Governor, Linda Dessau. Had heard nothing about her except a comment on DL that she is an Esendon supporter. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/first-woman-governor-could-have-been-first-woman-afl-chairman-20150213-13e6s7.html In reading this part: "...Dessau...who, with Mostyn, was said to have stood firm and united against her fellow commissioners on at least one pivotal point during the deliberations over how to correctly deal with Essendon for its serious player welfare failings of 2011-12. As the heat intensified, neither woman was prepared to be significantly swayed by a push for a speedier or more expedient result. While the pair often disagree at the commission table they were fiercely as one upon Essendon. For Dessau, the Bombers' behaviour and responses after David Evans' resignation as Essendon chairman certainly affected her relationship with her beloved network. She resigned that year as a judge of the network's Football Woman of the Year and did not attend the now entrenched grand final week women's lunch..." I realized that she can be very neutral when it comes to ethics and values. That she has left the Ess Womens's network speaks volumes about her integrity. Interesting that it happened after David Evan's was thrown under a bus by Hird!! She obviously knows who the wrong doer really is!! The article also talks about Dessau being an ideal replacement for Fitzpatrick as Chair of the Commission, in due course. IMO Fitzpatrick's used-by date has expired. He has had too many conflict of interests: Etihad Stadium connections, CFC associations and the non-action on tanking and more recently his back room dealings to involve (I think Wiley) in the EFC saga in 2013. (This is probably something for another thread but I wonder why AFL Commission members are not voted on by paid up members of the 18 Clubs in the same way shareholders vote for seats on a company Board. Time to overhaul the commission perhaps? As I said a subject for another thread) Looks like we have lost a top operator in Dessau and I just hope that the AFL don't choose a sycophant (male or female) to tow the party line in Commission meetings to replace her.

I recall that we extended Hogan's contract and the figure in the press was $500k pa. Agreed setting up a star for life is fraught with danger but the following have received 5+ years: Scully, Ablett, Franklin, Jones, Crotchin, Hawkins, Boyd and I guess there are others. Sad to say but that is the risk assessment clubs need to now make: long, substantial $ contract vs risk of injury vs losing the player to FA. Not saying I like it but that seems to be an outcome of various AFL rules. I wasn't suggesting Wines get a long contract now but when his current contract expires (possibly in 3 years). He will then be 23 and 1 year from UFA and 3 years from FA. It is then that a long contract is likely to be offered to keep him at the club. Similar to what we just did with Jones.

Today: 26,290 Feb 12 2014: 26,039 Feb 8 2013: 22,962 So tracking same as last year. Our great draftees/trades and stella preseason is yet to rub off on Dees supporters. BTW on a totally different subject...is it just my computer where the font and spacing is now larger or is it a change to the site?

I live in the world that has seen Nat Jones, Trent Cotchin, Tom Hawkins (soon) Joel Selwood etc forsake the potential open market $. Not to mention those that go to a club for finals on lower $ offers - Lake, Frawley, Rivers (maybe). Just as many in this world as there is in the $ chaser's world you mention. Keep in mind that Judd, Franklin, Ablett, Goddard probably didn't earn a hell of lot early in their careers. Different landscape now. Port has probably already started to stack Ollie's contract with $, do the same (in say 3 years) then more $ at the end of that to lock him for another6-8 years. ie they can spread the $ over his career if money is his prime motivator. IMO clubs will really start to be creative with their star players very early in their careers rather than wait till they get near the 6-8 year point. This is especially so now that 'star' players can get tax breaks for up to 30% of their contract value http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-11/players-tax-win Clubs can set them up for life early on so less incentive to chase the FA $. It may only happen for the top echelon players at each club but I suggest this is the way of the future. We are doing it with Hogan.

I assume that is your humour at work there ET. In six years (UFA time) Ollie will probably have a brownlow, be a premiership player and be Port's captain. When his next contract expires (3yrs maybe) they will sign him up for 6-8 years. Port player for life!!

I think you are right and eventually that is what will turn so many people away from aussie rules to other sports like soccer. It may take 5 or 10 years but the writing is on the wall! All of my demons and pies supporting family (except me) have stopped buying their AFL Club memberships to buy Melbourne Victory memberships. Sign of the times.

Caroline lays it on the line: "But if ever the time had come for the new AFL chief to demonstrate his authority it is now." Essendon's refusal to play is making a mockery of the preseason competition Yep. Gil time for you to stand up for the AFL and the other 17 clubs in the competition!!! Stop all the conciliatory crap and do what is right for your sponsor (NAB) and for the competition!

Yes, on the surface they look the same because of age. But differences for mine are: - Wines has established his playing credentials consistently for 2 years and has had several match winning performances. Love all 3 players but neither Tyson, Viney or McD have achieved either of these. - Wines has been identified as future captain material and is being groomed for that. T/V/McD may not be viewed as LG material by the club (notwithstanding we on DL think they are) just yet. - Roos has consistently said he wants to stop this 'kid will be our saviour' mentality. Just let them enjoy the game and focus on their role. - Not all good players want to be in a LG. Examples: Dane Swan, Ryan Griffin Wouldn't be surprised to see one of T/V/McD in our leadership group next year. So their day will come. I'm happy to let them learn from our experienced LG group before they are asked to step up. To Ollie, good on him. Port don't seem a gratuitous club so he must be doing something very special on and off the field.

BB, I'm not exactly sure but think the suspension/future penalties may be from date of Show Cause Notice (not Infraction Notice). The SCN's issued in June were retracted due to legal action by EFC and Hird. The 2nd SCN's were issued late September after the Middleton, J decision. Hence September being the start date of 'provisional suspension'. Our legal eagles may shed more light on this.

Heard some interesting conversations on radio this morning: 1. What does NAB think of the current shenanigans by EFC and are they trashing/devaluing their sponsorship? You would think they would have second thoughts when this contract with the AFL expires. 2. 34 players on trial means there are 9 who are not. Like Wunderlich and Zakarahkis there were 7 others who chose not to participate and did not sign the consent forms. This proves the program was optional. So much for the 'duped and doped' argument the players are claiming! They had a choice. 34 chose and consented to doping, 9 did not!

I recall hearing last Sept/Oct that the delay in PJ's contract extension was related to the contract term. If PJ is signed up for only 1 year then it may be true that he wanted longer but didn't get it. I was surprised at the delay because Paul Roos had extended to 2016 so I thought (hoped) as a minimum PJ would do the same. I hope Bartlett consulted the AFL before he renewed PJ for only 1 year. Afterall they wouldn't want to see us go downhill again in a few years. Barlett is yet to establish his own credentials, IMHO. His first foray into the public domain (remember the Melboune will be the like the New York Yankees interview) was less than an auspicious start. He was ridiculed a fair bit in the press over that one. Now something like this (if true) has been leaked. ATMO Bartlett has no credits in the bank, IMHO and if it was a choice between Bartlett vs PJ I would take PJ every day of the week!!

Feel the same way OD. I was beginning to think that the NSC had gone but no, it is never far away and its side kick MFCSS is running closely behind. I hope we are all jumping at shadows and this is put to bed quickly.

Roos has his say on Father Son: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbourne-coach-paul-roos-says-fatherson-plan-is-too-complicated-20150208-138gn7.html He basically says go back to the original system of they being outside the draft or scrap the concept altogether. Also, says the Academy argument is all to do with Sydney success and not much to do with the concept or its virtues. His commentary is very thoughtful, simple but sage...very statesmen like. His commentary is so far removed from that of Eddie who comes across as totally self-serving while claiming 'the good of the game'. Finally, someone who calls out the elephant in the room!

This is one of the most interesting bits from training I've read in a while...hope you didn't let the moment pass and found out why he has had fines? From the Club?

In this follow up interview Ross clearly puts the responsibility on Sylvia, not the MFC. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-06/sylvia-causes-review This comment says it all: "He has to get himself in AFL midfield running condition. By his own admission over Christmas he didn't run and really enjoyed himself immensely over the break and came back in poor condition," Lyon said. In the interivew Lyon's outlines the lack of work by Col since he arrived at the club and the comments are quite an indictment on Col and his p... poor attitude. Looks like Freo's recruiters didn't do their homework properly. I suspect they will be tightening their No D H Policy. Thankfully we are the winners. In fact, while its still early days, we seem to be winners on just about every trade since Roos arrived. While not all trades will be 'stars' they will be great value for what we paid for them.

You could be right. 3o years was on club website but in this article: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/demons-blueprint-outlines-plan-to-return-to-finals-in-2016-20150204-1364lk.html quote: "We are contracted until the end of 2018. We don't have the financial wherewithal at this point in time to stand alone even if we wanted to," Jackson said. "Our occupation at the moment is to make the Casey alignment work effectively." Article also says: Jackson has also focused on the club's branding, with a change of emblem a possibility I guess changing the emblem is no surprise. But I hope we keep it in for some purpose if not marketing and branding as when I see it it always reminds me of Jimmy and when he launched it. Yes, I know nostalgia kicking in again...

Then 4 more in 2016 and play one final...that is all PJ said, one final! He didn't even say win a final - just make the 8. Crickey, if we can't hope for that then let's give up.

That's All Folks!

MFC Twitter extracts re Paul Roos' at AGM: - Roos says last year we had 25 players complete all of the pre-season training sessions. This year, we should have 38 out of 44 achieve - At some point you have to go from being a competitive team to being a team that wins. -The biggest focus we've had in the pre-season is to be a very competent and good two-way running team, as all of the best teams are. - Paul Roos will now conduct a Q&A with Heritier Lumumba, Sam Frost, Angus Brayshaw and Christian Petracca. Looks like all the training reports from DL's are spot on re the level of training: 38 of 44 players completing pre-season is amazing!

mfc website: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-02-04/dees-aim-for-finals-in-16 Extracts: - Jackson knows the task will not be easy and emphasised the aspiration was to play one final before Roos departed as senior coach at the end of 2016. - Jackson said the club wanted to have 50,000 members by 2017. - He proposed that the club's heartland ranged from Malvern to the south-eastern suburbs, part of which used to encompass the club's recruiting zone. - Melbourne has focused its energies on the City of Casey growth corridor after striking a 30-year-deal in 2009 and Jackson admitted the club was in an ongoing discussion with the City of Casey about that arrangement. "We're not going to walk away from that entirely. It's more rebalancing up the effort. I think the effort was out of balance in the past," Jackson said. Great goals and doable. Wouldn't it be fab if Roos could end his tenure with a finals appearance! Great for Goodwin to come in on a high. Interesting comments about 'rebalancing' the relationship with Casey. Another major plank of past administrations being dismantled! BTW Life Members from tonight: Lynden Dunn, Alan Johnson, Lynda Carroll, Aaron Davey, Stephen Bickford, Clyde Laidlaw Congratulations to all. Hasn't it been a great year for Dunn, first Vice Captain and now Life Membership!