Older demon

To take on Free as Richmond did and probably should have won you need manic pressure in the forward line, that is currently lacking. Free are quick and run it out of the backline if not pressured they deliver it but under Richmond's pressure they turned it over. Again forward line pressure. The Free calls are good overhead and missed Lobb. The last time we played them they killed us in the air. Lever must come in and I think it was Petty on Ugle-Hagen and naughty and Bruce were not sited. I suspect BBB will not be ready and it is a long plane trip. One of the backs must go forward as a marking target and play defensively. The Gawn/Jackson forward combo isn't working well enough. Lever returns, I would like to see Hunt or Chandler in. I think Jordan may struggle to get up on the 6 day break. Petty goes forward but not sure who else goes out.

Given the lack of height on the list should MFC draft Bell and Ellison for next season. Ellison impresses me as a key position player and Bell could develop especially if LJ goes.

At the moment Jacko is running around with a heavily strapped knee and hasn't been the same since he damaged his PCL. Just as Max recovered from his ankle injury but he is still carrying the back injury from Cox's knee. Both rucks are playing injured at the moment and it shows. Contracts and worth are based on a body of work, not the last month. Jackson has played 46 games to date about 2 seasons worth. In normal circumstances, he is about a $ 500-600 K player in my opinion and even then that is good coin after 2 years. Ruckman take time and peak much later in their career. The money Free is allegedly offering is obscene and way out of sync with others on their list. I would be angry with MFC if they tried too hard to match it. Maybe West Coast offer their first round and Oscar Allen for him. I would take that in a heartbeat.

The question was asked earlier about the salary cap and Gus & Dogga. I would remind everyone before it looked like Dogga is gone the thought was we would have to offload Harmes. It would be ridiculous to sell the house to retain Dogga and far better to keep Angus and Harmes.

It appears that Channel 7 Perth must read Demonland as you heard it here first about the house purchase. I know MFC have made Like an offer, not the actual money but it was for a good length of time and from a very good source. Pert's management has been exemplary so of course, MFC has made him an offer which I am sure his management has given it due consideration. Clubs know they have to pay overs to get someone out of a club and interstate, even if it is their original home. As I stated earlier look to history and how Jack Martin got to Carlton. His manager priced him out of everyone's reach and when a deal couldn't be done (some would say Carlton always planned it that way) and he went to the pre-season draft on ridiculous coin which MFC sensibly did not match. One can ask was his price warranted given his output. Maybe the Freo price tag keeps West Coast out of the frame as they have the much better trading currency. We already have seen a sample of Freo trading Bell style so I don't expect them to be gracious.

It appears that Sumich wasn't far off the mark when he blurted out what Freo was offering. If the figure is close or correct Jackson would be negligent to not take it just as Scully could not refuse the offer put before him. It sets players up for life and is offered at a stage of their careers where they aren't worth that much. Scully had his career cut short but made enough to set him up for life and in retrospect made the correct decision even if we didn't like how he went about it. I would be disappointed if MFC even tried to match it. Clarry and Trac earned their contracts as did Max and Viney. If the usual AFL protocol is followed, everybody knows, but there will be nothing official until after we play our last game for the season. Unlike the NRL where players openly declare their destination a year out. One consideration with such a massive offer Jacko could slip to the pre-season draft just as Jack Martin did pricing clubs out of the market with his financial demands. Yes, we are light on for rucks and without TMac we see how valuable a CHF is. Note Port used Dixon and Findlayson last 6 weeks in the ruck and both played a role around the ground and got lots of clearances from the middle when they didn't win the tap, playing the role we would like Jackson to play. I don't think Weid will leave because he is the obvious choice to play a ruck role even if it is the role Daw played this year. What would be a bold move is if the club knows Jackson is going that they drop him as he isn't part of the future!!

The team selection on paper is baffling and I would be surprised if we lined up .like this. Max has never been a success as a Centre half forward. Again I think we are 1 tall forward short. On previous experience, Melk will play a defensive role on Allir. I hope Harmes isn't down back because we tried that for a season and it didn't work. Good to see Rivers back and I hope Tommo has a great game.

It is often said that Centre Half Forward is the hardest position to play but possibly the most important. Like it or not whether he is in good form or out Tom McDonald plays that role and since his injury, we have not been able to adequately fill that post or find someone to play that role. The game plan that has been successful looks predictable and inefficient without Tom or his successor able to play that role. Last week with BBB playing lead-up forward in the first half we looked good but then he was stuck at full forward and starved of opportunity. Max and Jacko can stretch a backline with BBB, Fritter and TMac and roving smalls in Kosi, Spargo and Nibbler. A feature of the games we have lost was how much we have been out marked specially in the forward line and how the incoming kick has been directed to an opposing back. Look at how Curnow and Cameron straighten up the Dogs and Blues. The impact Lobb is having at Free and the bit part Taberner plays. Mihochek at Collingwood plays a TMac like role and runs far and wide to get marks and possession. When we play Weed and BBB we have them both plonked in the goal square and bomb it long. For all the criticism he gets Tom plays a pivotal role in our forward structure and thus far we haven't had anyone step up to play that role.

The club is confident but I am told the hold-up is the new EB and how much extra cap space we have. As stated elsewhere, Luke has told teammates he wants to stay but that can change quickly. All will be revealed eventually so let's just get on with trying to win and get a prime finals spot

Does anyone have any idea when the EBA for salary caps comes out? We are not the only club sweating on what we can afford to pay players in the shorter term. With the exception of the elite, there are a few good players seating on a pay rise as well as proposed raising of the soft cap.

Two teams coming off 5-day breaks, they had a bye and we had a high-pressure game. I don't think it was loading they just pulled up fresher. The number of times we kicked to the opposition in the forward line beggars belief. We either didn't look or played dumb footy. Too many passengers with Jordan, Bedford and Spargo clearly beaten by their opponents and had very ordinary nights. Jackson hasn't the strength to beat Blicavs and Stanley and many clearances were lost with Jacko rucking. He is only a kid and when you block his jump he loses his effectiveness. Not convinced he was 100% tonight May I remind everyone with 8 minutes to go we were 5 points down when Picket hit the post. I have no idea how we were still in the game and got that close. After that, we had no run in the legs and got overpowered. The ground was slippery and Geelong tackled and pressured well while we tried to break tackles unsuccessfully. We can learn from that The inclement weather didn't arrive and we were one tall short and one short too many In retrospect Weird should have played and Bedford, who was too easily pushed aside should have been sub. He has only played a hand full of full games. Given the way we deliver the ball upfield couldn't hit the side of a barn and even TMac would not have made a difference. We can learn a lot from this loss

Showers and 13 degrees forecast perhaps not a night for Big men. Cats will ruck Stanley and Blicavs and Hawkins in the forward line pushing everyone in the back

They are a better side but the Crows bought something to the game the Cats don't! Pressure. In the first quarter, the pressure rating for both teams was over 200, which is insanely high. It didn't drop much till late in the game when the Crows couldn't maintain it. The Cats basically had a bye on the weekend with North losing 2 players in the first 10 minutes. With 3 on the bench and limited rotations, they were never going to be competitive.

Spare me! This team ethos is built on everyone contributing and playing their role. Weird did his bit tonight so get off his back. He had to ruck more than anticipated because Mitch Brown is not now nor ever will be a ruckman. We didn't help ourselves by kicking long to where their big blokes were and I saw BBB fall over a lot in those packs. Some of Brown's marks weren't paid and the umpiring left a lot to be desired I thought we'd used his body well at ground level, was used as a link man and did what was asked of him.

Off-topic a little but can I remind everyone we have 2 games in 6 days with interstate travel and a bus trip to the cattery. Perhaps his knee injury won't stand up to 2 games in quick succession. Which game would you prefer he played? Adelaide or Cats! Even max may be better off waiting as we have a long break post the Geelong game.

Note Port have been going very nicely of late with Findlayson as their no 1 ruck. Makes a contest and gets a lot of ground ball.

Great news and a demon for life. Well done Clarry

Forget Luke, Clarry has just signed on for 7 years. Go Dees

Tom Stewart did the same injury just prior to the finals, had the same operation and if the Cats made the grand final was a chance to play. The club decided not to do the full operation but like Stewart repaired the injury with screws or a plate giving TMac every chance to play again this season.

From what I have seen of Casey, the very tall ruck, whose name I don't know, looks worthy of a go. He is thin but lanky and reminds me of Oscar McInerny. The other tall at Casey is more a key position player, but Corey Ellison can take a great grab.

I think Ralph best summed it up and despite the tweets going everywhere, there was not one mention on sports radio, Goody's presser or anywhere. I suspect those in the know reckon it's bulltish. However, it can have a destabilising effect and make Jackson an easy target. FFS the media really needs to take a good hard look at itself. The feeding frenzy over May v Melksham, Bailey Smith, De Goey and the intense scrutiny and criticism and personal opinion. God I hope these boys don't read papers. I really do hope he stays on for another 2 years on a fair contract and then see how he develops. All speculation is on potential. He isn't on the same page as Max, Clarry and Trac when it comes to comparison

Thanks the playing group knew but was surprised that it didn't get out. Was sworn to secrecy. I imagine they are pretty big pecs as well

Upper body muscle problem, not allowed to say anymore not back in a hurry

I heard a whisper that Majak is injured, upper body and likely to be out for a month. Cannot divulge source, as they are in the playing group and will. break a confidence. Surprised MFC haven't put him on the injury report. It appears any one tall on our list is I injured

Melbourne Football Club