General MFC discussion

[schmuttt]

He only gets caught because he isn't a first option player he is a best option player
Makes him very unique in our midfield

Something that has improved in Jones' game in the last couple years, and will hopefully do the same for Viney. Tyson from day one has looked a class above the rest of our mids when it comes to work in traffic.

 

[Topkent]

Something that has improved in Jones' game in the last couple years, and will hopefully do the same for Viney. Tyson from day one has looked a class above the rest of our mids when it comes to work in traffic.

Jones does it in a different way though, he gets in trouble but then trying to tackle him Is like taking down a rhino he just wills himself to get free
Tyson doesn't have that strength but he does take his time
He will get caught less every single year he plays

 

[Proper Gander]

Hey. I'm not going to work today because I have a hot date with Robbo Robertson who is taking me to see AAMI Park and stuff.

 

[TheCount]

Jones does it in a different way though, he gets in trouble but then trying to tackle him Is like taking down a rhino he just wills himself to get free

I love the fact that Viney and Petracca are already like that as well - probably not quite to Jones' extent yet, but well on their way. Plus you've got Oliver who hasn't shown those rhino like qualities as yet, but even if he is taken to ground, he's already gotten the handball out anyway so it doesn't matter.

 

[The Dr]

Hey. I'm not going to work today because I have a hot date with Robbo Robertson who is taking me to see AAMI Park and stuff.

Feel free to pass on any inside information!

 

[Topkent]

Hey. I'm not going to work today because I have a hot date with Robbo Robertson who is taking me to see AAMI Park and stuff.

Will you let him take a hanger on you

 

[Sando22]

Something that has improved in Jones' game in the last couple years, and will hopefully do the same for Viney. Tyson from day one has looked a class above the rest of our mids when it comes to work in traffic.

Completely agree!
I remember Round 1 last year watching us live beat GC at the G and I said the same thing, he looks a class above every other bloke out there.
Unfortunately, injury obviously stalled him last year. Cannot wait to see him fully fit and firing, will be a ripper.

 

[Proper Gander]

Will you let him take a hanger on you

I have a feeling that is a suspect post in some way, so I stared at it for a bit but couldn't quite work out why.

 

[Proper Gander]

Thanks Captain Jack, the AAMI Park MCG tour with Robbo was excellent. Nice day for it. Ancient Demon says thanks too.

The team were doing a skills training session and nearly everyone is out there - even Heretier - so it's nice that nobody managed to garrotte themselves with a frisbee or a dog during the break. Hogan looking especially crisp. Also Hunt's speed is so noticible. Robbo said his talent is really highly regarded and there's some real excitement about what he could be capable of.

It was a group of just 4 - us and some friendly bloke who sponsors Mitch White and his wife. I checked to see our property BenKen is in good condition, and I gave him a nice supportive wave and an encouraging nod which he ignored, but Jack Watts waved on his behalf so that's good.

Some subtle probing revealed quickly that there is no way known Robbo is going to let slip any trading talk whatsoever, so I ditched that plan. In terms of inside info though, Demons very unlikely to be at AAMI in 5 years and are planning towards their own high performance centre at either Docklands or Melbourne Uni. Russell seems excited by the Uni idea. He said the rebrand and marketing development is showing as really effective with young people, especially students and plenty from overseas in particular who often check out AFL as a very Australian thing to do, and the branding focussing on "Melbourne" is really bringing in that demographic. The age group of new Melbourne supporters doesn't translate to money overnight, but it's a long term project.

AAMI Park is a sort of rabbit warren of rooms, Physio areas, training stuff, pool and a lounge dining area with a donated Ping Pong table courtesy of Clint Bartram. This must be the very ping pong table Jesse and Harmes have devoted so many hours locked in deadly battle! Their Paleo menu made me a bit hungry - Robbo said even he can't believe how much protein Max Gawn can get through and still be rummaging around looking for seconds.

He showed us the heat / altitude room. Bugger that. Poor bastards having to sit on bikes in that in preparation for Darwin. Good news is the second NT game is almost certainly no more from next year and should be back in Melbourne next year.

JKH, Salem and Joel Smith were farting about with some weights. Other sponsor guy asked about Salem coming back but Robbo said there are still problems (he said a few weeks but not in a way I believed). Sounds like hyperthyroidism to me - Robbo said he can have a resting HR of 180 with training stress etc so there is a way to go with treatment. It occurred to me Salem's eyes are slightly exothalmic, I hadn't thought about it before, so I guess the poor bugger has Graves' disease or similar. Like Maggie Smith and Tom Baker. And me for that matter, and I'm not dead so hope they can get it under control soon.

Wagner was in the pool. He sort of looked guilty and hunkered down so I immediately decided he was probably nude. He's not injured - Robbo said a few of the new boys are on different programs, rotating heavier training with other stuff to minimise stress from playing on big bodies week in week out. Players seem to have zillions of small group meetings, training, tactics etc. they all have to do homework and contribute. They gave up full team sessions outside of game day because they remember nothing from a traditional lecture room environment and some have been known to have a snooze.

MCG I'm familiar with so wasn't new to me, but walking out on the ground is awesome fun. And Robbo is a natural as a host, really relaxed, and telling stories about his favourite mark and goal and how amazing it is in front of a good crowd. The boys are loving having bigger crowds, makes a big big difference, so keep showing up.

Robbo says he really believes in the rebuild and the feeling around the place is excellent but 2017, 18 and beyond is really what it's about. They need to get the group to have played X number of games together. He talked a bit about playing and knowing without even looking what a teammate will do, and how they will pass a ball etc. Like Hawthorn (though he did say stuff them, they're getting old).

Otherwise, he doesn't think much of Richmond (weirdos) and is great to talk to because he is so passionate about the club and his job etc. He said he still gets a buzz just walking up to the MCG and he's there most days. And he has some osteoarthritis - went to the doctor a few days back for swollen knuckles and general pain - from playing footy. So he and ancient had a nice time comparing knuckles and scars for a bit.

So there you go. Excellent day. I rounded it off with some Mexican food at mamacita and some margaritas and an afternoon sleep.

 

[Captain Jack]

Great insight thanks Proper Gander, glad you and @AncientDemon were able to take up our sponsorship benefit! Sounds like a great tour.

 

[d33my]

A+ write up, thanks

 

[lose]

Any word on contracts for T-Mac or any of the other OTC boys Proper?

 

[Proper Gander]

Any word on contracts for T-Mac or any of the other OTC boys Proper?

I had a prod in that direction and got zero back. Except that Robbo said that supporters don't need to be worried (whatever that means). TMac came up in a different context - in terms of having brothers on the field. He said it was amazing to see the two of them; they're not like best buddies because of difference in years mean they have formed their own circle of mates - but he said it's great to see how they will charge into bat for each other.

So not useful for contract stuff but interesting the way he talked up OMac as a future talent in the same way as Jayden Hunt.

 

[Ando727]

I have a feeling that is a suspect post in some way, so I stared at it for a bit but couldn't quite work out why.

I certainly took it as a multiple entendre...

 

[Tempy Tiger]

Will you let him take a hanger on you

That's big in Germany but not spoken about in polite conversation.

 

[Topkent]

Isn't Proper Gander a girl aswell
Does this mean everyone should boycott me for the week ...

Also did you ask him about Garland

 

[Proper Gander]

Isn't Proper Gander a girl aswell
Does this mean everyone should boycott me for the week ...

Also did you ask him about Garland

You know what? I did ask. I told him I made a kind of spontaneous bet re Garland. He was a bit vague what with not being party to selection decisions and all, and then made some general comments about the value of having a number of players competing for spots in best 22. TBH none of it struck me as good news for Garland or my avatar

 

[Praetorian]

Love the write-up PG, particularly your spot diagnosis of Salem. I think it's been confirmed as hyperthyroidism in some articles but nothing beyond that, so the possible exophthalmos does point towards Graves'. Hopefully his treatment has him on the right track

 

[Djcjdees]

I love how Dawes is the one telling me how to vote in the senate for the election on Saturday. That is a club knowing itself, its players and its fans. Bravo

 

[Tempy Tiger]

I love how Dawes is the one telling me how to vote in the senate for the election on Saturday. That is a club knowing itself, its players and its fans. Bravo

Can you imagine Kent doing it?!
Dawes is auditioning for Burgo's job next year.

 

[Sando22]

Demons very unlikely to be at AAMI in 5 years and are planning towards their own high performance centre at either Docklands or Melbourne Uni. Russell seems excited by the Uni idea. He said the rebrand and marketing development is showing as really effective with young people, especially students and plenty from overseas in particular who often check out AFL as a very Australian thing to do, and the branding focussing on "Melbourne" is really bringing in that demographic. The age group of new Melbourne supporters doesn't translate to money overnight, but it's a long term project.

I like the sounds of this and think it has a lot of merit.

I rounded it off with some Mexican food at mamacita

Surely smashed a few of the salted caramel popcorn ice creams also?

 

[Tulip]

That's big in Germany but not spoken about in polite conversation.

PMSL

 

[schmuttt]

Thanks PG, appreciate the write up.

 

[harry000]

Can you imagine Kent doing it?!
Dawes is auditioning for Burgo's job next year.

Love when Kent speaks to the media.. doesn't sound like a private school pansy with a stick up his ass like a lot of the players

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Bogan's unite!