chookrat

T Mac gets another year no matter who we bring in. I reckon this year has been his best season ever.

We absolutely need Melksham on our list for the next 1 to 2 years. Offensively he straightens up our entire forward half and does a great defensive job on intercepting defenders, not to mention the leadership he brings both on field to our young forward line and also team culture.

There has been a ridiculous amount if speculation re Tracc yet all we know is that his injury was traumatic and he has only recently been comfortable enough to talk to his teammates about it. Everything else is speculation by the media stating unnamed sources and we know how often they get it wrong. Personally I wouldn't get too excited until Tracc, his Manager or the club say something.

I cannot believe we used the language that Moore 'dropped to his knees' rather than 'slid into the contest'. The latter would have provided a clear argument that sliding is not a reasonable action and therefore not something Kossie would have reasonably expected. There is no point appealing this now as we cannot make this argument on appeal. Does anyone know whether Anderson was the lawyer we used for JVR's appeal? Finally in the off season we should train to slide into ground ball contests and use our knees in aerial contests against the filth.

Schwartz would be one of the last people I'd want as a Board Member. While he is passionate, outside of his playing career he hasn't worked in a footy club and has no general management, board or technical expertise. As a passionate public figure he will overreact when things aren't going well creating instability without knowing how to solve problems.

Another perspective on this is that if Kossie's leg was seriously injured in the collision then Moore would have been on report. I wonder what happens if both Moore was concussed and Kossie's leg broken in the same incident, would both players be suspended? There is nothing in the Tribunal Guidelines which prioritises one reportable offence over another, and if Moore's action is not considered for Kossie's report then the same argument would apply if both players were injured, e.g. ignore the other players action and purely focus on the bump and slide separately for each reportable offence.

I reckon we can successfully argue that Kossie's action was not careless because 1. He was contesting the ball and it was reasonable to do so in that way - Kossie actually gets to the ball first and pedals it with his foot at the same time the contact is made, he is playing the ball. 2. The circumstances were out of Kossie's control, he could not have anticipated that Moore would slide on his knees, an action which also constitutes rough conduct. Were Moore not concussed and Pickett suffered a serious leg injury then it could actually be Moore facing suspension. Here is what the 2024 Tribunal Guidelines state: 1. Rough Conduct (High Bumps) The AFL Regulations provide that a Player will be guilty of Rough Conduct where in the bumping of an opponent (whether reasonably or unreasonably) the Player causes contact that is at least Low Impact to be made with any part of his body to an opponent’s head or neck. If not Intentional, such conduct will be deemed to be Careless, unless: » The Player was contesting the ball and it was reasonable for the Player to contest the ball in that way; or » The contact to the opponent’s head or neck was caused by circumstances outside the control of the Player which could not be reasonably foreseen. 4. Rough Conduct (Contact Below the Knees) Under the Laws of Australian Football, it is prohibited to make contact with an opponent below the knees. Players who keep their feet are vulnerable to serious injury from opponents who lunge, dive or slide toward them and make contact below the knees. » The degree of momentum and/or force involved in the contact; » Whether the Player causes contact below the knees, without limitation, by sliding with his foot, feet, knee or knees in front of him; » Whether the opposition Player was in a position that was vulnerable to contact below the knees (for example, standing over the ball or approaching from the opposite direction); and » Whether the Player making contact had any realistic alternative ways of approaching the contest or situation

I reckon after suffering such a traumatic injury and then having to spend a significant amount of time away from the club it would be pretty natural to question your desire to play again and have some anxiety about coming back to the club with all of the media attention and, at the present moment, not being 100% invested. It wouldn't suprise me if Tracc has lost his love of the game and desire to play and needs some time to come to terms with the trauma and his rehab. The club look like they have a good handle on the situation and making sure he has the time and support he needs.

Should have been a free to Roo for front on contact against Moore in the marking contest as well.

Tracc doesn't need to say anything re whether he is staying or going. The media speculate that he wants to leave and then follow up with comments along the line of the silence is deafening, Tracc has given it momentum etc. I'd prefer he gives the question the respect it deserves and say nothing.

Boards should listen to people who know what they are talking about and not members. Imagine if the MFC board listened to the nuffies on Demonland.

Well said. Hopefully the other legal matter which seems to grow new heads on the eve of each season since 2021 into perpetuity is resolved soon and the outcomes of the Caulfield Racecourse feasibility study are announced.

Loving that the word nuffies is being used here to describe opposition players or in general anyone who isn't Melbourne.

Spot on 640MD. It also helps that Goody, Richo and Pert are not a bunch of nuffies who act professionally, work the problem, and are able to send a clear message without picking fights with the media who relish in conflict.

You forgot to add to the end ".... while posting on social media that the game has gone soft and that players have it easy these days."

ANB is not walking out on us, he is looking after his family who need him more than Melbourne. He is doing the right thing by his family and the club and is an absolute champion.

The ship is sinking, premiers to zero sets, old list, poor culture.

I thought he was stubborn, no plan b or c.

Tom Morris is in a rubbish bin to the left just outside of the photo. He would be hiding in the portaloo if if the club were allowed to have toilets adjacent to the oval, instead of being forced to use the public toilets along Swan St much to the displeasure of Demon fans.

I would fully expect he has been mentoring and guiding our young forwards since joining our club. For all of the noise re our poor forward line I think it is more a matter of having the right personnel and consistency than system or structure. Heading into last seasons finals campaign our forward line was very dangerous until Melksham went down with injury.

After 64 pages it looks like we have established that Tracc is frustrated about something...

No it completely goes against playing JVR, Petty and Turner together to build cohesion in our forward line. Also with BBB involved in coaching our AFLW team he isn't really going anywhere and will continue to have a positive influence around the club.

Now we have to wait at least another 3 years before he releases his memoir revealing whether he really vomited on Tom Scully while on a camp.

Thanks Jaded I was a bit worried there 😅

I would have preferred them to be a chance so that we get a bigger home game attendance and so that we could be the ones to end the finals chance. Mathematically they can still make it if they have a huge win and other results fall their way. Does anyone know if they have a mathematical chances post like we do here?