Lucifers Hero

'Mindfulness' played a big role in 2021 and the premiership. iirc players and coaches did their own thing in this space. Without wanting to sound critical maybe we lost our way a little in that regard. It is often said on here 'its all between the ears'. His appointment most likely results from the FD review. I'm rapt we have a 'mindset' coach who will bring some structure to this critical aspect of elite performance.

It was a surprise to me as, like you I thought there was an unspoken agreement not to especially if you want to trade with them again. Very risky to blind side them if we indicated we wouldn't bid so I assume GCS weren't surprised. No idea what the purpose of us bidding was.

touché

Having traded with GCS for pick 2, I was surprised that we then bid on their player at that pick ... ...so much for the theory of 'deals' when trading!

A mere technicality, dc !!!

I see you 'betrayed' your muse, e e cummings again! 😉

Thanks for the anecdote, GW and I don't doubt a word. This: "... he looked out at the rest of the players who were coming off the ground and said, “I [censored] love these boys. I love them so much.” And I saw he had tears in his eyes and that quivering bottom lip thing that’s involuntary..." didn't surprise and made me tear up a little 🥹 What our team has experienced together, the mighty lows and mighty highs can't help but leave an indelible mark and create a special bond. Sometimes it takes a catastrophe to realise it is relationships and sharing that matters. Sounds like Trac is in that space. It won't be long before team mates embrace him again and hopefully so do dees fans.

Sadly, I can't find the pic of Trac's 'beast mode' moment. I think he had just kicked a goal, deadpan expression, lips pursed, fierce eyes with nostrils literally flaring. His face said: 'over my dead body do we lose this game'. Edit: found the pic It was just after his soccer goal (ably assisted by a Kozzie bump on Dunkley). Trac was excited for a second then went into this 'beast mode'. That goal extended our meagre lead and was promptly followed by Sparrow and Oliver goals, giving us the iconic: Bang, Bang! Bang! cry of that special quarter! The game wasn't won but that last minute broke their spirit!

I'm guessing the last 6 months were not only life threatening but also life changing/life affirming. Maybe he realised the grass on the other side isn't greener and the supposed 'riches' (crowds, exposure etc) are not what matter. And, realised that he has as much chance of premierships at the Dees as elsewhere. He is unlikely to win a Brownlow with an in form Oliver in the team. But reckon Trac will settle for another premiership or two. And throw in a couple more NSM❤️💙😉. As you say he will be driven to give his all which will be an awesome sight reminiscent of his 'beast mode' switch to deliver the 2021 premiership.

Ahhh, this thread is again 'On Track' !!! 😉

They'll be in the best position of Vic clubs to get Reid at the end of 2026: More than most to offer WCE. Tick all the boxes of Big MCG clubs for Harley. Massive TPP space to offer him mega millions. He can grow with their recent top picks as ours from 2013 to 2015 did. Add a few mature key players like we did and they will be contending before the end of this decade.

Lynch's contract expires next year giving Rich $4.0m in additional sal cap over 2025/2026 and beyond. If he plays on he would be on minimal $ having played only four games in each of 2023/204 and will be an injury prone 33 yo. With the escalating TPP their kitty will be even larger. Reckon they'll go hunting for FA's in the next few years. They will come out of their downturn in a few years in great shape. Lots of top end draft picks, sal cap space and FA's, thereby escaping the threat to list management posed by Tassie.

The McKay contract was a massive front loaded sham cooked up with AFL blessing to give North pick 3 in the 2023 draft. Over the whole contract it averages out to about half the $1.4m.

@binman is your man! As a 'betting nuffy' I would say people are drinking the Hawks Kool-aid and will be shocked when the Mighty Dees come home with a wet sail!!

'Redleg' membership packs have arrived 👏 and nicely boxed again. ❤️💙 The club has done a great job these last few years ensuring they arrive before Christmas!

I'm leaning more to DiO's view below as there were enough credible reports of negotiations continuing. And as of Sat at the BnF your chat with her suggests she herself was uncertain. If it was dead early last week I wouldn't be happy if the club kept her in the dark and let her stress out. I don't think we would do that. As it was only a few days ago the club offered Tayla a contract that seems more likely when we decided there was no deal.

Many thanks. I also thought 46 was gone but the AFL has it still with us. aflw-draft-order-every-clubs-picks

A few more questons: Does AFLW still have State based drafting? If they do I assume our picks 20, 46 etc will become higher for Vic/National players, if i/state clubs pick a player from their State?

Not to mention the emotional turmoil they caused Tayla.

Great article if-you-can-see-it-you-can-be-it-melbourne-demons-recruit-ricky-mentha-jnr-from-alice-springs-aims-to-inspire He has entered very familiar environment: stayed with May and Pickett last year now living with Viney, overseen by Whelan and playing with his Gippsland captain: XL. Doesn't get much better than that for a draftee! A real compliment to Whelan: "(He) ... as Indigenous welfare development manager and is widely regarded as one of the best in the business". Has to be good for us in Alice that we have a local lad on our list. Ricky and Kozzie will be very popular when we play there next year.

As an aside, Hawks also renegged on initial trade offers to WCE in the AFLM trade forcing WCE to trade out ND2 to honour a trade for Liam Baker. Regging on discussions is poor for a club's reputation. Clubs like Geelong and Ess drive hard and sometimes unrealistic trades but they seem to honour their intentions/early promises.

My read of Patterson's comments in that article is the Hawks' renegged on early discussions to put up pick 14 as part of the deal. When asked whether pick 14 was ever put on the table by Hawthorn, Patterson replied: "There were some preliminary, informal discussions which were directly related to some of the decisions we made early in the Trade Period. "We thought there was going to be an outcome that lined up with our strategy. That shifted at a point in time during the Trade Period. Once it opened, it became evident that was no longer the case." Hawthorn declined to comment when approached by AFL.com.au on Wednesday.

Original draft picks: 10, 28, 46, 64. Current draft picks: 2, 20, 46, 64. That is a seriously good upgrade of 1st and 2nd round picks albeit we lost Lily Mithen. Presumably we will use at least the first 3 picks as 46 should come in after bid matching. Anyone know how many list spots we have? Edit: it seems #46 was traded out. Still not a bad pick trade result.

George may have a few sources. Here is a handy one on mfc membership page campaign=membership22 but they aren't great at updating it.

Very intersting, indeed! Neither Coll or Hawks will use their first round picks if she enters the draft. If Tayla delists herself I assume she isn't eligible to join a club as an SSP recruit? It is usually club delisted players or undrafted players that can be an SSP recruit - not sure with a self-dlisted player ... AFLW don't have a preseason draft so she can't 'walk' to Collingwood for nicks. Reckon her options are limited. She stays!🙂 ... we wait