Diamond_Jim

Kane Cornes in today's Age.... "But Reid’s career would be at risk of stagnating, rather than flourishing, on the big stage should he, as expected, be drafted by the Eagles. After Jason Horne-Francis’ exit from North Melbourne just a year after being announced at No.1, Reid should make it very clear to the Eagles that he could do the same. He would only need to tell West Coast of his intent to return home to a Victorian club after his mandatory two-year contract expires, if not sooner. If Reid and his management group are savvy and strategic, they can engineer the Eagles into trading the No.1 pick to Melbourne, which is prepared to offer multiple first-round selections in return for the first crack at securing Reid." https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/why-the-afl-s-next-big-thing-needs-to-avoid-football-s-graveyard-20230614-p5dgje.html

A number of games that will impact MFC's ladder position. Wins by the Saints and the Lions sees them even with us on the ladder. A win by Port makes positions 1 or 2 very hard for us. A Bulldogs win puts them back in top 4 contention A Sydney loss means it's very hard for them to make the 8. Giants v Freo (can the Orange Men do it for the Dees) So many combinations to enjoy on a stress free bye weekend AND of course the Ashes !!!

Fascinating and indicative of how things are changing in professional sports. Was watching On the Couch and they were discussing coaches taking a 3-4 week break mid season just to relieve pressure. Longer seasons bring with it more issues. A small matter is the MFC bye. Physically it's a good rest but mentally it's not even a 7 day break.

Only one goal behind the great Allen Jakovich. Interestingly Jako's average of 4.28 goals per game is almost double the next best average. A very special player https://australianfootball.com/clubs/most_goals/melbourne/8

From today's Age . Interesting if true........... There were even more fanciful suggestions around what ex-Demon Jackson might command in his move to Fremantle, with one report tipping a seven-year contract worth $10.5 million in totality. The seven seasons stuck throughout the trade period, with the speculated money dipping to about $900,000 per year. However, a well-placed source confirmed to Money Talks that Jackson, who is enjoying a career-best season with averages of 15 disposals, 1.1 goals, 13 hit-outs and four tackles, accepted a five-year deal until the end of 2027. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/big-decision-looms-for-dogs-20230613-p5dg3p.html

In simple terms we need 4-5 goals a week out of the three small fowards. This weekend we got 4 behinds which probably should have been 3 goals. As a group they are not contributing anything near what they did in the early rounds when it was probably around 6 goals. There's no one at Casey to come in. I'm prepared to give Smith a 3 week run with Petty at the expense of Spargo or Chandler but I'm not confident

Geelong v Port this weekend will be crucial to our top 2 chance. If Port win it's hard to see us catching up 3 games to the Pies or Port in the next ten. Collingwood play Port in Adelaide which could leave the door ajar slightly. Our last four games are comparatively easy assuming we do the right thing and win in the next 5-6 weeks. Beat Brisbane at the MCG and we could in theory go 10-0

It's stadium deals... The WA clubs have good ones as well. Not so sure about SA Have a search of "clean stadiums"

No Geelong puts in a list of those teams it wants to play at the MCG. We're not on it In simple terms if you can't guarantee 70k at the MCG they're not interested. Essendon is an anomaly this year due to their unexpected good form. Going forward if Geelong falters they may well elect to play a few more down there. Some of the clubs at Docklands could make a fortune if they had a similar stadium deal. Unfortunately the commercial in confidence aspects means we'll never know

Post stage 5 renovations they will have a capacity of 40k from which they will make the same money as from 70k at the MCG. No incentive to play the lesser Melbourne based teams whatsoever Stadium control is worth a fortune dollar wise

Kardinia Park is narrow. Our wide boundary game is suspect in those conditions. Could we rest a winger... Hunter.... for a tactical corridor player (do we have such a player) ??

Nice win... now for the Cats at Geelong

Shades of Casey who kicked 1:9 while Collingwood kicked 10:1

Inaccuracy is rife at the MFC these days

Smart move by Collingwood. I bet they get what they want next year

He's a work in progress. He has often played with TMac, BBB and Schache in the forward line so his time upfront has been compromised. Today he was ok without starring. Roscoe the Magpies fullback was very strong after quarter time Hoping for glimpses at VFL level but the earliest I would expect him to challenge for an AFL game is second half of 2024

No one likes a loss but I think there were a few "learnings" from that match. The fringe is still a way off I'm afraid. Schache is unfortunately a bust despite many of us wishing otherwise.

TBH I'm not too upset that Casey is being challenged. The inclusion of older AFL listed players and a strong Casey core has not really developed many younger players over the last ten years. Perhaps we are seeing a changing of the guard. VFL is not just about winning

Umpires practising for tomorrow perhaps but that was a seriously bad quarter by Casey. Did Laurie have a touch. AMZ has shown little this year after a decent season in 2022

Pies hit the front Casey nowhere to be seen

and another to the Pies.......3 points

Jefferson pushed off far too easily in that one on one

Casey miss a few easy ones and then Collingwood goals... Demons need to get some poise

You rarely see the outer Bar open at Casey. Love those Pie supporters (money wise)

and another goal to White