Older demon

In the course of the year it is easy to forget just how good a season Max was having before he hurt his knee. Tiernan is a tall lad isn't he

Buried deep in a HUN article on draft targets is a single line about Clarko being unable to visit Pruess to entice hime to Hawthorn and how GWS won the race. Then this kicker, " The Demons are chasing something in the vicinity of a second-round pick for Preuss if they can’t make him part of a deal for Ben Brown." This in the last par but strongly suggests that MFC are keen on Brown! So put your creative hats on demonlanders, who goes from GWS to the Kangas so we get Brown and possible exchange of late picks?

A slight correction if I may. The AFL site mentioned Carlton were asking about Clarry, Hunter & Ollie as part of the plan to get players in. Further into the discussion when pressed who the third in would be they said Carlton were lowering their aim for a player of a lower grading ie an A lister or B+ rather than an elite to fill that 3rd spot. Tis year they don't have the bargaining chips in draft pics and you only have to look at the outlandish request made by Essendon for Saad.

Note it is a Sam McLure article and of late I hav this feeling his scoops are straight form managers looking to stimulate interest. I hope he hasn't become a mouthy piece for a manager looking for a better deal but could explain how a scoop could go off the boil and suddenly come to life again. Just look at Rama ringing every club trying to find a home and a long term contract for Ben Brown. This is a horrible time of year all around with deceit the second language of the AFL.

Sorry Old Dee this is no ordinary bowls club but agree many blows clubs are struggling. It is no no surprise that this bowls club refused as they are huge. They have a massive bar and their function room is enormous with a stage. I have been to a 70th there and then another birthday on a Sunday with the Herberts playing and the place was packed. Bands regularly play there Sundays pre COVID and the club is an institution and used all year around. The footy club misjudged that one when they took on the bowls club. In addition it is very much suburbia and I doubt the residents would agree to a larger oval with a huge hangar and all the other stuff at their new location. Some learning for MFC there is a difference between a training facility and a home and place for members to visit. If you locateg too far away it creates a problem. The trouble with trying to build a sports facility exclusively for footy in the inner city area is it isn't used enough. Multi function/sports facility the only way to go. For all its criticism AAMI park houses MGC, Storm and Victory with all 3 clubs sharing

Correct! His knee interrupted his pre season and started round 1 with little or no practice match play. He injured it again mid season and recently required surgery on it. He has already had one knee reco on that left knee at the age of 17 and ongoing issues. Due diligence certainly required

Interesting read and pleased that he is seen as more than just a back flanker and potentially another running mid who has a long penetrating kick. Still eligible for the Risng star next year but then so is Rowell.

For the person who mentioned Langdon, he is out of contract and has nominated he wants to be traded to West Coast. Could Preuss go to GWS, Caldwell goes to the Saints who will be his nominated club and we get something from the Saints and late exchange of picks? Note the Saints delisted 2 ruckman from their list yesterday

I remember him coaching Caulfield in the VFA days following T. Jewell., P Guinane & S Trott as his coaching predecessors.

On radio this morning the discussion was around Carlton, their salary cap and De Goey, however Clarrie got a mention and I bet all managers have been involved. It was stated that as Carlton have paid under their cap the last 2 years they can now pay 5% over for next season and a set period beyond. Their recruiting team set a list of targets that included De Goey and Clarrie as well as Saad and Williams and who else knows. It was then stated that a few weeks ago De Goey was very heavily into Carlton on their promise of money and more midfield time. For those who cannot see where the money is coming from Carlton have been saving and planning this and now making a raid on their targets. I don't know the sequence but as Carlton cannot approach a player in contract directly, they would have to have approached Clarrie's manager first to see if there is any interest. If he is doing his job he would be negligent not to let Clarrie know. OK so Clarrie is miffed about something and McLure leaks a rumour on FC, all part of the game. I hope MFC told them firmly to F.O. but approaches are made all the time. Carlton got newness last year and Martin for nothing doing the dirty on Gold Coast via the delisted free agent draft and may even get Saad the same way, so they have form

I believe many of Browns associates are helping him get to his next destination. On Saturday Barrett had hime going to Melbourne and on SEN this morning the story was his manager ramanauskas was pitching hime to Essendon and Hawthorn. Rama probably feeling guilty for not accepting the offer made at the start of the year. My son is a Kangas supporter (thanks to my Dad) and he reckons Brown is cooked. He had no pre season this year due to ongoing knee issues. It came as no surprise to my son that Brown's year was so poor, many players who miss significant parts of the pre season struggle. He came back with no practise form and down on fitness. Then he injuries his knee again mid season and doesn't play again. The lack of interest is you don't know what you are buying! He wont get $ 750K or a 5 year deal, he would also want a club with a good track record of rehabbing players with injuries. Having said that, Essendon would be the last place I would go. The crook knee also stopped his other asset and that was doing some ruck work to give Goldy the occasional rest.

So no big fish this draft which is ok with me. Contrast Friday night and 2 of the Saints recruits. Butler was cheap as chips is quick and kicks goals to Hill who cost an arm and a leg, draft picks and had a shocker. Not an isolated event his end of season form shows the risk of spending big on players who struggle on the big stage. Forget Ben Brown, De Goey or any one in it for the money. Read the story today about Lyons at Brisbane now making Adelaide & Gold Coast look silly.

Gee we reckon we have some holes on the list and players that aren't good enough, have a look at Collingwood. Their best are very good but they had so many passengers tonight. Some there are seriously overpaid and with Pendles and Sidebottom the wrong side of 30 they have some issues.. Good result though

I am glad Jack stayed and the article gives some insight at least from Viney's view of inside the club. He is a strong supporter of Goody (I am sure many wont like that) and stayed on to support him. In his mind they keep all of the midfielders and learn to play smarter and less selfish He consulted with his parents and really is red and blue through and through Is aware along with other senior players being seen as can emerging team is no longer good enough and has raised the bar in expectation Gives some insight to just how different and difficult the hub year was with a new bu Realises you don't need to have a title to be a leader. I applaud him and look forward to the second half of his career

Reading between the lines the club is sending a subtle message IMO. The fanfare around contracts for Fritta, Petty, Smith & Sparrow then the big contract for Viney and a new assistant coach leads me to think we are holding off on committing to anyone else at the moment and have settled on the core list. Unlike North who jettisoned 11 players and selling off their oldies we have signed up the essentials and may well have more to be released. It is all well and good to clear the deck but you need to have equal or better replacements to recruit The deafening silence around the 12 players who have not had contracts renewed for next season is telling. Add that to KK a possible retirement with a year to go on his contract. We have 5 draft picks 23, 47, 62, 63, 83 most are late but can be used to promote rookies to the main list. As it stands 3 delisted and 12 in limbo. Part of the delay is waiting the AFL's final number for list sizes and suggestions Oscar and Nibbler are trade bait. Bottom line the club have declared who is essential. Limited options to recruit ie Smith ?? and plenty with their future in the air.

Thanks Luci keep up the great work.

Although Viney's contract signing hasn't been announce I note that since news broke that Geelong had been advised he wasn't going there we have seen the announcement of 4 contract signings, Smith, Petty, Sparrow and Fritsch and proposed 1 year deal for Jones. The dominoes are starting to fall The list out of contracts is shrinking with Oscar I think will not getting renewed and Nibbler with a year still to go, looks likely to be moved on and Pruess is being seriously courted ( I could see the Bulldogs come knocking after their rucks got mauled yesterday). I hope for his health sake that Kolo retires. 3 already delisted and if Oscar, Nibbler, Pruess and Kola's go that brings the total to 7. That may well be it with room for 3 to come in

He has shown that he is becoming one of the competitions best rovers he has all the attributes to be to Collingwood what Shuey is the Eagles if he was every available I would go after him. His brother is a Carlton supporter so I am surprised Carlton haven't made a play they seem to have thrown money at everyone else.

Some ask what does Adem bring. Well, the reason Chaplin joined was he came a current player fresh out of the system at Richmond. I could not see the reasoning for this at the time and still don't. Coaching is an ever evolving art and many assistants have been found wanting in the main role. I am not interested in the romance of Adem returning to this old club, he wont be putting on his boots for us but I do believe he has something to offer as an assistant coach which may further develop the team Adem's skill set has already been listed here but in pre season Clarko is happy for Adem to be the main coach. He has moved up their heirachy to be Clarko's confident and match day strategy, an area we all know is not Goody's strong point. Our existing coaches have been there for a while and it is time to bring in experienced assistants with fresh ideas. Under Clarko we have seen, Simpson, Beveridge, Ratten and Bolton with only the latter not succeeding take over the reigns with some premiership success. If Goody is as obstinate as people say only a strong minded, well credentialed and respected assistant will get through to him. Goody also will be aware his career is on the line next year so he needs all the help he can get.

Agree but cannot help thinking the only reason Collingwood made it is because we stuffed up in Cairns. As the final season finished they are the team we should have replaced in the final 8. So if Collingwood go on in October it is our fault!! The horror

The more informative article was about North sacking 6 coaches, and some big names. The MFC review is forced on them because they have to cut 3 million from their budget (extra $ 50K if you include the fine). AFL also introduced a rule that paying out coaches doesn't go on next years budget and are facilitating clearing out support staff at all clubs. The financial loses this season will not be recouped for many years and the existing levels of staff are not sustainable. Granted all clubs have the same problem but we will not replace like for like. By that I mean having a coach for everything ie at North Firrito has been let go as their next gen coach. I doubt that will be replaced. Burgoyne at Hawthorn will have a coaching role but stay on as a player, his wage come of the team budget not the soft cap. Jones I believe will have a similar role at MFC. Daniel Cross and Max Rooke have already been stood down. Many coaches will lose their jobs and others have their hours reduced. Does Max need a ruck coach? Perhaps not but maybe his role is the nurture Jackson and Bradtke. This is an AFL instigated restructure or disruption of all clubs coaching structures which I am pleased that Pert is running from the top down.

Great news to see Sparrow and Petty sign on for more. A 1 yr contract for Smith sends a message. With Tomlinson likely to stay down back as we recruit another wingman and Petty who can play back then Smith has a year to show something and I think Oscar misses out on a contract moving forward.Also not TMac going to shed the extra kgs he put on this year and return to his old shape and endurance.

Brilliant recruiting. They gave up Wingard to Hawthorn in return for Burton and after lots of pick swaps got pick 5 used for Rozee, Butters at pick 12 and Duursma at pick 18. Somehow Mayes came from Brisbane in all those pick swaps. That is a recruiters dream

If I divulge my source then they will never speak to me again. You only have to look who is in the leadership group to narrow the field. Clubs don’t match the offer because the RFA gets offered overs so and more than the Existing club is prepared to offer, the Crows matched the offer for Danger and then Geelong had to trade but Danger had compelling reasons to return to Geelong. I know it is a ruthless business but if a leader ask you if you are staying and how are you going and you say unequivocally Yes I am red & blue through and through, then you have to take them at their word, don’t you. If they stay they haven’t breached that trust if they have been untruthful then it doesn’t matter because they will be somewhere else. Do you think Scully ever had any remorse for lying to Jim? Viney’ should manager is on record as saying the original offer was too low but he has a contract now to consider that is commensurate with being a former leader and 3rd in the B&F. The ball is in Viney’s court. I have only reported what I have been told from someone I trust and the club has so far done the right thing by the club. Viney will be well compensated with a long contract. The delay suggests he is still thinking about it which is his perogative.

Not fake, Jack told a senior member of the leadership group he was staying after seeing the contract. That person is taking Jack at his word. If Jack is sounding out other offers they would have to be much better as an RFA the club can match the offer and Geelong are not noted for over paying.