Older demon

With all due respect to the incumbents this is all about leadership and direction. In the last quarter with us threatening (we were within 3 goals) I noticed Pendlebury position himself down back and direct traffic and get involved in the contest. On this day and not for the first time we got nothing from our co-captains. They were invisible and not a presence. Whilst Max is the leader I think we are short on for dynamic follow me leadership. Think Selwood, Pendles, Cotchin, Crips Ziebel and so on who all can impact a game and influence the outcome. Who do we have that fits this description. Before his knee reco last year Lever was a captain in waiting but with 2 ops is not ready to step up Jones has been a great servant but it is time to step down and Viney doesn’t have enough tricks. He can lead in hard ball gets but only has a left foot, cannot kick more than 40 meters and has limitations in his game.

Despite all the extended bench being named at Casey there is no Oscar Mac selected at Casey. Is he injured rather than omitted? Notable that Lewis is selected at half back for Casey. On the news tonight Lever's selection is subject to him getting through training tomorrow. If fit he plays if not he won't be at Casey

He was and always will be the great orator, the reverend. As he said, he loves to tell a story and what I heard in his message to this playing group was a beautiful story. So you have had a bad year, lots of injuries and fallen short of expectation and even last week lost at the bell. Don't look for blame, own it, take responsibility accept the handball and work your way through it. Rather than motivation I felt as a lesson in life. I have no doubt one of the reasons he has lasted longer than any predictions is his dedication to this cause and to fight MND. No matter what life or footy throws at you, face it and work your way through as best you can. It starts for MFC Monday IMO and who better to take on than the Pies. Neale you are an inspiration to us all.

Don't laugh but watching Oscar reminds me very much of a young Brendan Goddard. He is tall, balanced, quick and can kick the ball and hit a target. I remind the group that he was part of the Brisbane academy so they obviously saw something in him. His drop from there coincided with his mom's illness, so maybe it wasn't ability that saw a dip in his form. He may be the best pick up in recent times

Maybe not looking at the longer term. His foot issue is serious and if Jones stands down I think it would be wise to name another co-captain.

My first thought was that he reminded me of Steven Stretch playing on the wing. Tall balanced and quick I hope they persevere with him.

Jack has his deficiencies but he lacks nothing in courage and will to win. His foot is not good and will not get better. He will need to be managed for the remainder of his career however long that may be and I would always have him in my team.

6 Gawn 5 Hunt 4 Harmes 3 Oliver 2 Frost 1. Hore

Fritsch is having the 2nd year blues and doesn't have the game to play down back. He is missing targets and his skill drops when put under pressure. I am sure he will develop into a fine footballer but not down back.

I only wanted the team to show some endeavour and compete as there were some predicting a smashing. No we didn't win but I thought that the best 4 quarter effort for the year. The team took chances and made mistakes but no one can fault the effort. My disappointment is with the established players who just don't stay in the game for long enough. Trac could have been anything tonight but he has a lot of maturing to do in the footy smarts. I loved Maxies game, he was awesome. I loved the run of Hunt and his attack on the ball. Harmes never stops running and Clarry was back running and creating. I was impressed with Marty Hore and noted that Baker shows some poise and speed an. Consider that with so many injuries we have players in the team with limitations but it was TMac, Trac and Garlett who failed in front of goal and they are are go to players. Kennedy rarely misses and two of Shuey's snaps were unbelievable. It was very notable how much better the Eagles field kicking was and ours was horrible. We made the yards and entries by overlap handball and some will not play many more games because they cannot kick. As for the umpires I thought that it was only one who imposed himself on the game, Dean Margetts the other 2 didn't appear to make many decisions it was all Mr W.A. I hope Eddie creates a groundswell of criticism against Margetts a) for pinging Smith for holding the ball and b) for not paying a free for a sling tackle. The scores were level and Smith about to snap for goal.

I wonder if one of our key backs is under a cloud with Petty named in the team and Pruess as an emergency. Wet conditions forecast for Perth. Gee, it is a young team and in the emergencies Pruess & Wagner have some senior experience but Chandler & Sparrow are first year. Will Casey be able to field a team? I suspect emergencies will be on the first flight home Friday night in time for the VFL. Congratulations and good luck to Oskar on his debut

Well done Nathan on achieving 272 games. Nathan showed last night that his best football is still in the middle feeding of Max's taps. Jonesy isn't a winger but gives it all he has but no-one roves to Max as he does. Clarry, Viney and Gus could all learn from Jones on this art. Harmes is IMO the closest to Jones with his reading of the Max tapout. I would rather left sided only, Viney stayed in the forward line and worked on locking the ball in our half

In anyone who is fit and able. Only 6 MFC listed players available for Casey today (and still won). Hibberd definitely out and doubt on Lewis and Melksham doesn’t leave a lot. Only outs are the injuries just for stability Coach loathe to make unforced changes but Pruess was BOG today at Casey.

1. Oliver 2. Salem 3. Melksham 4. Jones 5. Frost 6. Harmes

-At premium members function yesterday the Viney's were guest speakers. Jack referred to Todd as dad, then as the old man and finally started calling him Todd which was funny. Jack was questioned about whether he saw Stack and admitted he did and was happy to take him on. Post-collision was spent crouched on the ground assessing the damage. Todd stated that both May and Lever are ahead of schedule and he expects them back very soon. Jack is hoping to return next week as is Preuss.

Gawn Melksham Brayshaw Stretch Salem Frost

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.