Older demon

I can add to this story. For the last few years, a mates son Charlie Allen has been the club "Load Manager". What that meant was, he monitored all the players training and health needs, in particular, the GPS units on their backs. He organised blood tests, fitness assessments and whether they were actually doing the work Mission set them. Some stories I cannot tell but Charlie was keeping them honest and kept a keen eye on their activity on and off the field. After the season Charlie was offered fewer hours and eventually let go. He was headhunted by the firm that imports and manages those GPS units as he is one of the few people in Australia with so much experience with the units, their data handling and what it all meant. It was good for Charles as it meant a much better job, greater prospects and more money. He was also good enough to give me all his MFC merchandise, pity we changed sponsors. I have no idea if the club replaced him but his C.V. is impressive and he worked in Canberra with the A.I.S before he came to us and with his number of degrees etc I doubt someone of his expertise would just walk in off the street. It may just be a coincidence but there is enough FUGAZI to suggest some players had a good long Christmas and I ask who was monitoring them as the club no longer lists a "Load Manager" position.

4 of that group in their first year and first game for the club.

Pruess definitely being held over for Thursday and Stretch and Hore stayed on the bench for the entire first quarter. Casey is playing worse than the seniors. Slow, cannot hit a target, badly beaten on the outside and very few who look like they will press for senior selection

Brayshaw Gawn Harmes ( he wan’t on Shiel in quarter 1 and did ok after that) Lockhart J Wagner

Casey plays at 11.40 on Sunday and it is ridiculous to suggest that anyone playing Sunday would front up in the seniors in Sydney Thursday night. I assume in early preseason planning that the club anticipated minimal changes for the Sydney game. Now with so many players out of form that the club is in a bind how to manage players I cannot see any changes unless Stretch, Garlett, Keilty, Harrison and Smith don't only play a half on Sunday. The Casey bench has no MFC listed players

For those who have missed the point of the banner, the players intend to smash through all the personally insulting tweets they have received in their time. It is an attempt to show cyberbullying is unacceptable and that MFC don't accept this. Just as the Eagles came out against the racist comments made about Liam Ryan and I expect another club to make a statement in the coming weeks as well. On the back of this the club is raising money for the Reach Foundation who for 25 years has nurtured and cared for kids who have been dealt harshly by society, don't fit in or have been bullied. MFC is proud of the role Jimmy played in this and our ongoing support. It is no wonder players are advised not to read social media. I to, go to the footy to see Melbourne win but I have never accused a player of not trying. They may lack ability at times, can be carrying an injury or having an off day and occasionally they get beaten by a better opponent. It is ok to be critical but there is a line that shouldn't be crossed by getting personal or bullying.

Good point I forgot about Watts wage coming off our cap.

I read the article differently. Not much substance on who we target but the key message is we have money in the bank to protect and re-sign our guns in Oliver etc who we know other clubs will come after with million dollar offers. An earlier post was spot on Shiel, Scully and Lobb going eased about 2 mill. of the GWS salary cap. With only Jones nearing the end age wise I doubt his retirement will free up a lot in our cap.

I am MCC and MFC and have been for 18 years since I got my MCC membership. True you don't get much other than an ever-diminishing sized scarf and some stickers and a fridge magnet with the draw on it. Oh and MFC members get 10% of merchandise (maybe to get a bigger warmer scarf). I treat it for what it is a donation to my footy club and admission to the AGM. I do believe though that of the MCC members we have the highest percentage of any club and for each game, we attend the club used to get a kickback from the MCC as part of the gate takings. Not sure if that is still the case. Our donation also helps boost the membership numbers which is the KPI used by all clubs to attract sponsors, deals and show relevance to the AFL.

Great news and awesome result. Future mens and womens team players maybe.

No it is a statement that as we played finals and our season went 3 weeks longer than we are used to. Non-finalists returned to training earlier than us and with postseason surgery delayed till after the prelim our prep has been delayed relative to other years

No it isn't American culture. It is a modification of the Barmy Army Chant. We are the army, the barmy barmy army, where do we come from. etc the mighty mighty England. Funny enough the poms are doing quite badly in the Caribbean.

Thank you for the reports. I was told by someone that Leigh Fisher and Razor Ray were heading down to Gopschs paddock for the match simulation and practise with the new rule interpretation. With a mention of our cutting edge tech were the drills designed to get players and umpires on the same page with the new rules?

Some gent keeps pestering SEN asking Gary to read out his sms. He is adamant the other club is Sydney. Is this some who reads or contributes to Demonland? C'mon fess up if you are bombarding SEN

Consider a different scenario, Neale decides he doesn't want to go to Brisbane if Beams isn't going to be there. There goes Pick 5 to the Dockers and dare I say their bargaining power for Hogan. All deals off and we have to promise next years draft to get May

Such good news, glad Vander has stayed on.

Back on the subject. I can see why the club would want to get Hogan to sign onto a longer contract BUT as we have seen this trade period contracts aren't worth the paper they are printed on. McGovern signs on for 3 years and wants out after 1, Hanneberry has 3 years left on a 5-year deal and good coin and Preuss has 2 years to run on a 3-year deal. All 3 will be at a new club next year and last year Watts had 2 years of his deal to go. I admire players that honour their contracts and clubs that do likewise. They are hardly adhered too and today news that Freo wont to get out of the Bennel contract.

Re Jessie's foot injury. I know one of the professional's at the club who were looking after his foot. Let me put to rest those who think he was faking, he very definitely had a crack in the Navicular bone. The club was grateful that it was early on and not a full fracture requiring surgery. Seriously some of the conjecture and conspiracy theories stated are way out of line.

It was mentioned that GWS get pick 5 and hand over Lobb and 14. Has anyone done the points calculation on this trade. I ask because is what is 6 and 14 worth to us especially if pick 14 isn't enough for May? Would GC want pick 6 for May ? What would Freemantle's first round pick next year be worth? Would that be more attractive to GC than pick 14. So pick 6 this year and next years first round for Hogan.

Well surprise surprise. I play golf with his uncle who told me weeks ago the family were really keen to see Dylan return home. he spun the story about Dylan being a Caulfield Grammarian, who idolised Judd and barracked for Carlton. He said he didn't know who was the preferred club but as a staunch Bombers fan, he sincerely hoped that Dylan would choose the Dons. We looks like my golf mate got his wish, and I will be asking lots of questions this Friday.

The last story I think in the Age was that Jessie had his medical and they were assessing his foot injury. Is this a deja vu moment like Trengrove and Richmond? And now Gaff has stunned everybody and stayed out west, the West Coast would not be able to afford Jessie.

I was lucky enough to talk Jake at a function pre GWS game and I asked about his knee and rehab. Fascinating insight as he will follow Trac and do the rehab training at the same facility but didn't do anything like it when he tore is ACL in the TAC cup. He had more trouble with his back and hamstrings which where tended to rather than the knee. I wish him well.

Consider this option then. Freo I expect will not give up pick 5 & 6 (after GC compensation for Lynch) and I hope MFC say no deal, go away. Rightly so, no compromise and no deal and Jessie can be part of finals glory. Hogans manager cleverly requests a 1 year extension till 2020 which takes Jessie into restricted free agency and then he can accept the mega deal which MFC wont match and take compensation. Hogan will have done his 8 years of service is still only 25 and gets the contract of a lifetime. I don't think at this stage we will have a million dollar a year player yet, as we try to keep our list together and share the money . If we need another backman play Hogan at CHB where he made all Australian in the under 18's. GC will not let May go cheap and he is a free agent next year anyway and will be hunting dollars. We get Kolajazz for a third rounder

Tom Bugg, Jesse sitting with Gus and how good is this stream

For those who believe it will all be fixed if Jessie signs on look no further than Mitch McGovern. Is at the end of the first year of a 3 year deal and wants out and will most likely get to his destination club. The only advantage is the club has currency and that is why MFC may well be best served now rather than at the end of 2019. All will be revealed eventually