Lucifers Hero

Agreed, but what makes this the right moment? Genuine question.

The really worrying thing about this article is this: "But Peter Jackson’s future as CEO remains unclear... Club president Glen Bartlett told The Age: ‘‘We’re in talks at the moment but we won’t be making any further comment on contracts.’’ When Roos signed for the extra year PJ said he was just waitiing for Bartlett to get back from OS to sign up. It seemed a mere formality. Hope nothing has gone wrong on this front. I'm nervous.

I'm still perplexed by the timing. What if we were to win the last two games? If we get thrashed we leave ourselves open to 'putting the cue-in-the-rack' accusation to strengthen the pp case. There must be a good reason for not waiting till at least the end of the H & A games. Given that PJ is a smart cookie and wouldn't make such a bllunder, I assume they have built the case regardless of the outcome this year be it 4,5, 6 wins. I can see the case being built around the: -obvious on-field under-performance over a number of years, -we have already paid the price for not-tanking so don't punish us again and again -total lack of depth at Casey as they have also been underwhelming and not good for player morale/development -risk to the game and possible sponsorship if we have don't have sustainable improvement Perhaps one of the most persuasive things might be if we can demonstrate that we really have a player development program to ensure that current and future young players are set up to succeed. Player development is really the key to our future success. We have and will get really good, possible great young players, so their development is THE major thing we need to get right to have a sustainable future. If we can demonstrate we have such a program it might just get us the PP. Without it the perception and the reality will be that coming to MFC is a career killer and everyone will keep blaming the recruiting. Time to fix the player development side of things, folks!!

The only hope we have is Gil. About this time last year he said (in a Ch 7 interview) there was a good case for the Dees to get a pp. Then all the other clubs ganged up and he couldn't get it through. Also, he is a very passionate St Kilda supporter so the only way they can get one in the next few years is if Gil goes to bat for us now (unless AFL hypocracy kicks in when the Saints put their hand up.) Time for Gil to show his mettle and make a strong decision for what is right and not what can be lobbied, otherwise it will always be 'survival of the fittest'!! BTW, where on earth did Evans dig up this new pp interpretation of 'only in tragic circumstances' BS!!!

From Patrick Smith: Melbourne are being rebuilt by AFL goodwill and money. Roos and Jackson will be dragged back inevitably by the previous rancid culture of the club. It is beholden on the AFL and its league clubs that the Demons are not shackled to their past altogether but given a key to a better future. Melbourne need and warrant a priority pick. Similar comments from CW on FC Monday night.

but you also have to give back Salem who was rated the best kick in that draft and we sure do need someone who can kick

Sunday probably scared him off!

Yes, a very bad look, bad message to give the players for next few games and the timing makes it a lot harder to win the public hearts and minds (if that is at all possible). ATMo it looks like a knee-jerk reaction to the GWS loss altho' its been in the pipeline for a while. Going before the end of the H & A games just gives other clubs and the media more anti-Dees ammunition. Would prefer to wait till after GF as it doesn't distract from the game/finals and then gives more opportunity to present it as a strategic plan rather than a knee-jerk which is what the perception will be.

Mixed feelings about a PP. But why did we ask now and not at the end of the season or at least wait for the end of H & A games? Have we surrendered the last 2 games already?

They probably have Peter Costello, the recent EFC # 1 ticket holder and Treasuer in the last Lib gov't, lobying Tony and his mates as we speak. Interestingly, the new CEO of ASADA (forgotten his name) has been very very quiet, keeping his powder dry. Bet he will fight Abbott and Co tooth and nail to ensure it doesn't just 'go away'. EFC and AFL shouldn't underestimate him.

The article says: “There seems no debate that Essendon Football Club made these representations. However, for the point to be made good against both Applicants ASADA must show that James Hird affirmed this position as well. The point of Hird’s cross-examination was therefore to obtain concessions from him that he too endorsed the concept that ASADA and the AFL had been invited by the Club to investigate Essendon’s supplement program. He did not do this.” The article goes on to give 3 reasons why. Hird seems to have taken the position that he disagreed privately with Evans, The AFL, ASADA, EFC Management and Paul Little (at the B&F) and was gagged. Privately could mean a passing ‘…not to happy about that mate’ comment. Where are the letters, emails, sms or meeting notes to give evidence to these private concerns. Surely if he was so unhappy with the investigation there would be some documents to someone! A legal Question? Could the judge find for Hird but against EFC? Or is one in all in? If the latter it seems mindboggling that Hird’s evidence hasn’t been tested in court.

Wouldn't mind 1) knowing what the threats and inducements were that caused the duress and 2) why he didn't have the ticker (ie integrity) to just say get lost. Is he trying to say he was bribed and he just couldn't resist. Can he say this in a court of law and still be a credible withness.It sounds like he is saying he is weak (didn't resist the threats) and a mercinary (couldn't resist the inducements). I can't believe he is for real and not realise what he is saying about his own character. Sheesh!

...and the umpires! 31 frees to Freemantle's 14! 26 to Geelong in the first half!! As bad an umpiring effort as our game vs Collingwood where we had 5 and they had 19 (I think).

GWS don't need to tank as there is talk that if GWS finish above us, St Kilda will trade pick 1 to GWS (to get Petracca), for GWS first pick (3/4, to use for one of the tall KPP - Mc Cartin) plus another highish pick/player. (GWS have 2 more picks around 20/21 to play with). Such a deal not within the rules but then when it comes to GWS there are no rules.

Firrstly, he fails the NDH rules. Whats more how could any of us barrack for a player who snidingly tagged us as 'bruise free'. It was the snideness that was as annoying as the comment.

For several years (2007 to 2009) we were involved in a 'race to the bottom'. In 2009 we got 'lucky' and got the pp for Scully/Trengove. 3 years of 'loosing mentality'. New players came into a toxic environment with little development to build confidence/skills/belief. 2010 relatively uneventful but the stoush between the late Dean Bailey and the orchestrators of the 'race to the bottom' was just warming up with players caught in the middle. New players came into a toxic environment with little development to build confidence/skills/belief. Fast Forwrad to June 2011 and the infamous 186. Players lose their beloved coach and feel incredibly guilty (for going directly to the President) and incredibly responsibile (for the 186). New players came into a toxic environment with little development to build confidence/skills/belief Then in 2012 arrives MN. Losses started to pile up. The thrashings were happening on and off the field. New players came into a toxic environment with little development to build confidence/skills/belief. . So while not many of the 2007-2009 players are still at the club the perpretators of the 'race to the bottom' strategy were there, right up to mid 2013. MN was still there 1 year ago. The resultant cumulative and lingering affect of 7 years of 'losing' be it orchestrated or incompetence has left players with deep, deep scars without confidence/skills belief. It is this to which Roos was referring: The 'tanking' years were just the foundation stone for the 'we can't win' mentality. Surely DL's (and Garry L) can see the affect 7 continuous years of rubbish has on players. It will take a while to fix it but we have turned the corner...at least the thrahings have stopped.

Bernie will play better once his 'butchered' hair cut grows out

And the Frawley process is pretty? At least Judd looked after WC at the same time which is all I would like from Frawley.

Maybe, but I hope he isn't that shallow. Different circumstances but Judd tried hard to get WC a fair deal. Judd left with integrity in tack. Depends how much Frawley values his integrity and standing. Shallow man with hollow words vs Man of intergrity who bleeds red and blue but leaves to get success. I can live with the latter.

If he goes I would like to see him strike a deal that ensures we get a good comp pick ie straight after our round 1. Geelong seems to be the front runner and are notorious underpayers (as are Collingwood and to some extent Hawthorn). Frawley can protect the Dees comp pick by getting a long contract even if he accepts a lowish $ offer from a finals contention team. BTW don't buy the Collingwood refutal based on no room in salary cap...who are they spending their money on now that Shaw, Jolley, Thomas, Didak and Maxwell are off their books. Salary cap limit = Red Herring! Wherever Frawley goes I hope he does the right thing by the Dees comp pick.

Maybe Roos is waiting to see if PJ signs up for a few more years (technically PJ's term expires in a few months). If PJ doesn't sign up then PR would like to know who the CEO is before he himself signs up for 3rd year. PJ signing is more urgent right now! Lets hope we hear some PJ re-signing news soon.

Both Jones and Vince have been cleared by MRP. Jones: circumstances outside his control! Vince: insufficient force!

Agreed. It is the gaul to ask for one that is shocking.

Is this an admission of Tanking? http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/saints-may-trade-their-top-pick-20140718-zuobl.html 6 games till EOS and only 1 game (+%) behind BL and us and Saints are talking of trading their #1 pick!!!! To add to this they are going to request a PP. Sinking to the bottom is a deliberate, much advertised strategy to re-build. The gaul to request a PP and the hubris around having the #1 pick are just shocking. Such a strategy smacks of rorting the system.

Would like to see Ling coach his own team (Casey) before coming on as senior coach. Or run two roles concurrently: Full time Casey Coach and part time Demons Assistant coach (eg on-ballers defensive stratetgy/ball movement coach). Commence some study/frormal training in that time. This way he learns on the job, shows what he can achieve with his own team and works towards 'accreditation'. A by-product of this would be greater synergy of the Demon and Casey game plans, development etc and Ling could start to influence/develop the Demon team he inherits before he gets the senior gig.