Older demon

Sydney makes sense and given that Richards and Grundy are nearly done have a need. They have always sourced their key position players from other clubs. Surely they don't have that much money in their cap to throw squllions at Tom??

At community training last night I arrived at the same time as Lynden. His Hammie is fine and he is available for the next match and he told me this session was a touch and greet as they all trained in a full session in the morning. Also noticed Gus and Heretier running around so assume they both just need to get match fitness. Salem took part in all the drills as well. Even Kennedy-Harris was moving around despite his hamstring injury. The only player I couldn't spot was Trengove. The only player who cannot play is Mitch King and he was wandering around in a tracksuit so I expect barring a training mishap that we will have a nearly full list next week Was lucky enough to chat with Roos who was amazed that in the 3 years he has been with us the team is getting younger. I wonder how many of the first year players will drop off as the year progresses and the weather makes it harder?

I keep telling everyone, Jesse has a girlfriend, she is a local Brighton lass and the connection to Jack is that the was until recently dating her sister. I believe that Jack is no longer dating the sister. No surprise that Jack still has jesse and friend over to visit.

Agree and I know it has been said before I think the biggest errors have been at selection. Take this week. The half back line was Hunt, O. Mac, and Wagner. ANB & Newton to hold the midfield with Harmes and Petracca running around the forward line. So in order that is Hunt 7, Oscar 5 & Wagner 8 games across half back. 13 & 17 for ANB and Newton. Harmes a veteran of 18, Petracca 5 and Billy Stretch is in there with 16. There is some serious talent in the group but not a lot of match hardened warriors, in fact it is a credit that they have performed so well thus far, but clearly moving into the second part of the season as they tire we need some muscle and hard bodies. I would love to know the match committee thinking behind team selection right now. A lone ruckman, a bunch of kids (8 players who haven't played 20 games yet) means a lot falls on the senior group Van den berg, Grimes, Trenners, Dawes, Lumumba, Dunne, Pederson, Matt Jones and Salem represent a much harder bunch albeit not as promising. You could even add Melksham when he is available next year. Roos promised changes last week of a 6 day break, that didn't happen and he declared they didn't want to change a winning team. Well this week opens up all sorts of possibilities but as Casey didn't play, there is still question on the match fitness of the mature group. I would hope, given Roos wants competitors that we will see a much different team in the second half of the season

If the club has made a fair offer and Roos is on the record as saying they are building a team then Tom should expect that the offer on the table will not change. The Geelong/Hawthorn model of players taking under to keep together is wise and the superstar complex used by Sydney is less stable as it all hinges on Buddy and Tippet (and Tom is not in their ball park). Tom does not make good decisions on the field at times and maybe this is the same off field. Frawley held out and some said at the end he was coming around and considering staying, but the club decided for him especially with Petracca and Bradshaw as the possible compensation. I like it that the club is now well managed, not reactionary and refuses to be held to ransom. I hope Tom does sign on but I certainly don't consider hime an elite defender. He is a good mark and can run and gain yards. He struggles with taller opponents, makes poor decisions and often turns the ball over. Lets not forget last year he spent time up forward after Cloke monster him and destroyed his confidence. I am sure PJ has evaluated his worth and made a fair offer.

While the Rising star poll goes on I thought I would mention that the coaches votes are in for this round and Stretch, Petracca and Oliver are all in the votes from our game. How good is that 3 kids under the age of 21 with a handful of games in the votes, that must be something of a record. Surely Stretch or Petracca will get yet another MFC Rising Star nomination after Oliver and Harmes. There is so much development in this squad of players. Damn on checking he played 11 games last year so is ineligible next in line Petracca.

Jesse has a girl from Melbourne, Brighton actually.

I suspect the code is linked to your name and email. My daughter wanted the bank of Dad to assist with some NB goods. I entered the code with my name and email as I have a NB account. I got the same message so went back and redid the lot but changed the name and the email but kept my home address and the coupon code was applied. So enter contact details name and email as per the email you got from the club, this also limits someone else giving you their code. Good luck

There are a lot of talls playing and the conditions will be wet on Sunday

Just looked at the Casey team and it is seriously tall to the point that it looks slow. Half forward line of Frost, Oscar and Max King. Dawes on half back flank, Weideman up forward and Spencer rucking that makes 6 talls to play in the wet on Sunday. I know that won't play where selected but selection is baffling and no Jones again and not on the injured list??.

Thanks NB awesome deal. Runners, training top, wind cheater and rain top what a deal.

Couldn't agree more. This has Essendon and Daniher written all over it again. IMO we are 1 tall short and I expect we will not win. Can only hope Oscar is primed to come in and I cannot understand why Harmes is selected after his efforts (or lack thereof last week) and ANB cannot get a game. And while I think of it who will give Max a chop out? Is Jack going to play CHF and rotate with Jessie? while Pederson rucks.

Thanks for the info. I was particularly unhappy with Harmes especially his 2nd efforts, in the 2nd quarter Garlett kicked wide for Harmes to make space and mark. He fell over in the contest and stayed there and didn't even get up and chase or contest. It looked bad and I expect him to have a rest this week.

Wagner has played 4 games, Hunt 3, Petracca 1 with Harmes having played 14 and if Oliver comes in he has played 4. That we could beat Pies and Tigers with so many rookies speaks volumes for the rest of the team with so much inexperience. Roos is still building and developing the list and Hunt and Wagner down back didn't have great games. We need everybody contributing and the Saints were quick and hot on their home turf and ran us ragged. Petracca wil stay, I didn't like some of the efforts Harmes put in and due to his lack of chase I expect him to get a rest and maybe Hunt goes back. Frost stays and he would be a potential matchup on Lynch if Macca struggles. Keep the changes to a minimum especially if Salem is sidelined.

My concern is that although the Saints are fast they still have lots of talls even if Riewoldt doesn't play. WE made the mistake against Essendon of going too short and paid for it. Frost and Pederson are necessary and the only real ruck backup for Max. IMO they stay in. Hunt has surprised me with his ability to get to a contest and compete when the opposition appears to be clear and Wagner is so balanced and assured, both should stay. With Trac in, like for like, I think Harmes has a rest and Oliver in for Angus who struggled last week unless their are injuries as suggested to Salem.

Gawn has shown how important the ruck is so moving on we lost Mitch King to what looks like an ACL. No Spencer so does Max king get rookie upgraded? Are we still a little short in some key areas?

I cannot help but think this match was lost on Thursday night when we went with a small backline. Oscar out and Frosty omitted. Daniher was a handful last year and had he kicked straight it would have been a bigger loss. last week I thought Lobb showed up the backline last week with his marking so we clearly didn't learn and have a tall to guard a 6 foot 10 target. The smaller backline was supposed to generate more run but clearly this didn't work and despite the criticism Lumumba tried to generate run by running and carrying. No one appeared to stream out of our backline and when we did we turned it over. The mid field was smashed and Zaharakis, Goddard, Merret and in the last quarter Cooney looked a class above us with only Jones and Bernie getting near it. Oliver was too rushed, Angus off the pace and Viney unsighted. Who was supposed to pick up Merret? Parish and Ashby knocked up getting kicks and we could not stick a tackle. No respect was paid to Tipungwuti who continually broke tackles and ran the ball out the backline and he only his second game. Who was his opponent Worsfold comprehensively out coached our team. The switch of play across half back rarely was stopped and easy ball came out followed with a long bomb to the goalsquare where Daniher dominated. He took 15 marks for goodness sake. We butchered the ball and certainly didn't cope with the pressure, close in tackling and harassing by the opposition. We turned it over way too much to even consider being competitive. We just played dumb football and made too many poor decisions or took the wrong option A real backward step.

In fairness to Jack, the coaching staff told me that there was an illness in the family that meant he couldn't be there. Estimated 4000 there one of the biggest turn outs ever.

t the final training session the players when mingling spoke of the camp. 11 hours of training woken up at 2 am 4 am etc all to challenge their mental and physical capabilities. Then on last friday the day after they get back they have a hard high intensity training session in the heat

OK with me

So as we are seeing this week there is still room to move on AFL club lists and some players who couldn't find homes in trade week are now deleted free agents (DFA). It was noted today that Jamar is still to declare his hand and may nominate as a DFA. I wonder if there is still movement on the MFC list as Harmes, Michie and Hunt are still OOC. Wasn't it around this time last year that Barry announced his retirement, as did Evans with 1 year still on his contract. Thus freeing up 2 spaces? I cannot see us going to the draft with 4 picks and 1 rookie and is it possible that there will be an exchange of rookie spots or an existing contracted player will be delisted and the re rookied? The club has continued to surprise us is there more to come???

My conspiracy theory is that in dealing with GCS we get the gun midfielder this draft i.e. Parish and then are less inclined to raid them next season for Prestia or O'Meara. They also get our first rounder next year. According to SEN MFC may also use 3 to bid for Mills knowing that we won't get him but it does make Swans use most of their picks to get the points so that they get him. Maybe a gentleman agreement with GWS that we don't bid for their academy kids and get Bugg cheap. This bidding process has added another layer of complexity to drafting and having enough points for academy of father son picks.

If Dawes is on the table may i suggest that Jess is going to move out to CHF in stages starting next year. As his tank increases I just cannot see him staying put in the goal square. Already this year he has moved up the field and as a junior played CHB. He is mobile and good below his knees and delivers the ball well. All assumptions I have read so far having playing full forward and I suspect he is more in the Jonathan Brown mould. My question is who will hold down full forward or rotate with Jessie? Stringer and Gunston both showed the value of a quick marking forward in an open forward line.

Colin is a quality person committed to the MFC and for that I applaud him. Leadership comes in many forms and he has bucked the system that says anyone putting of contract negotiations to seasons end is gone. I hope he has a fantastic season next year and there after to silence his critics.

For those who didn't watch Bounce last night on Fox can I inform you our club won 2 awards, the "Dribble kick of the year" and the "Don't come Monday" formerly coach killers. Hardly awards of distinction and if you haven't already guessed a very contrite Chris Dawes won dribbler of the year for his shocker against St Kilda. To his credit he was upset and embarrassed. So much so Dunstal didn't give it to him or the Dunce hat as Dawes took it on the chin. Worse was to come with poor Jack Fitzpatrick getting the "DCM" award for his through the legs tunnel against the Pies. This time Frawley had foot in mouth as he didn't realise that Jack had been delisted and was dropped and hadn't played since that faux pas. Lets hope we never see another MFC player awards for such stupidity. Jack did say he was hoping to get picked up by another club.