Remember this time last year? After Round 1 of the NAB Cup, that kind of now infamous loss to Fremantle? What a difference 12 months can make.

Sparked such threads as these:

Compare that to some of the threads on the board now. Such threads as 'Can Davey win the Brownlow'.

I know which kind of Demonland I prefer.

Speaking of this time last year does anyone remember the pre season report shane crawford did on us?

Well here is this year's version - Crawford preview

7 MELBOURNE

THE EARLY MAIL: The most exciting young team in the AFL. The Demons are miles ahead of last year in skill and preparation.

GAME PLAN: Still expecting an attacking style but when the opposition has the ball, they will be a bit more defensive-minded.

CONCERN: Will the talk of Tom Scully possibly going to Greater Western Sydney annoy them all season as it did with Geelong and Gary Ablett last year. Possibly. For the record, I reckon he will stay.

FLAG: No. FINALS: Yes

HOW MANY WINS: 11-13.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Colin Sylvia has that real X-factor about him and is developing into a leader. Could be a future captain.

UNDER THE PUMP: Harsh, but I want to see Jack Watts start to show consistency. He's got time on his side, but hopefully he can have a big year.

PASS MARK: Finals for the first time since 2006.

Crawford is still an idiot.

Last year he gave us 4/10 (when the closest other teams came was 6/10) and predicted we'd finish bottom.

This year he has Jack Watts under the pump, yet for West Coast says that Naitaniu deserves another year before coming under the microscope.

Damn fool.

Remember this time last year? After Round 1 of the NAB Cup, that kind of now infamous loss to Fremantle? What a difference 12 months can make.

Sparked such threads as these:

Compare that to some of the threads on the board now. Such threads as 'Can Davey win the Brownlow'.

I know which kind of Demonland I prefer.

I was on fire in "The Game Plan" thread. Was a great relief on Friday night to see Melbourne with players in the forward line and Sylvia pumping the ball in long to them.

Also there was little or no flooding / numbers behind the ball, just defenders beating their opponents.

I was on fire in "The Game Plan" thread. Was a great relief on Friday night to see Melbourne with players in the forward line and Sylvia pumping the ball in long to them.

Also there was little or no flooding / numbers behind the ball, just defenders beating their opponents.

Reality is though as per my input into the thread last year. People had expectations of vast improvement which were extremely optimistic.

This year is another step in the right direction. But we all need to stick with them on the journey of growth rather than be critical of kids who are growing and learning the game.

The gameplan could have been anything in theory but we were never going to see it with the stage of maturity the team was at.

Gameplan is one thing....execution is another...

Reality is though as per my input into the thread last year. People had expectations of vast improvement which were extremely optimistic.

This year is another step in the right direction. But we all need to stick with them on the journey of growth rather than be critical of kids who are growing and learning the game.

The gameplan could have been anything in theory but we were never going to see it with the stage of maturity the team was at.

Gameplan is one thing....execution is another...

Unfortunately it was the structure (i.e where to stand at a centre bounce) which was the problem and that requires no experience. But all that is in the past because these problems have been rectified by the coaching staff which is good to see. Shows they too are still learning.

Unfortunately it was the structure (i.e where to stand at a centre bounce) which was the problem and that requires no experience. But all that is in the past because these problems have been rectified by the coaching staff which is good to see. Shows they too are still learning.

Structure at the centre bounce matters less these days where players swarm through all parts of the ground IMHO...

Reality is we didnt have a strong Jack Watts....Jurrah was no where, Bate and Dunn where no where...Maric....even the new players on Friday showed more...Cook, Evans, Nicho....we didnt have the players in form to execute....the form and what part of the journey the players are on matters in terms of implementing any gameplan...

We didnt have a mid field who could win at stoppages etc....

Having said that your point re the coaches learning and improving is a valid one...but its got to be easier to coach when the players you are asking to execute are actually in a state mentally and physically to do it....

I promise you that once we've lost our first game of the season, the sky will start falling again and Demonland will go into general meltdown with threads like "Why Bailey must go", "No wonder Scully wants out, we're a rabble", and "Bring back Newton".

In footy, just as in life, nothing is ever as good or as bad as it seems.

I promise you that once we've lost our first game of the season, the sky will start falling again and Demonland will go into general meltdown with threads like "Why Bailey must go", "No wonder Scully wants out, we're a rabble", and "Bring back Newton".

In footy, just as in life, nothing is ever as good or as bad as it seems.

Chernobyl disaster N02 is just around the corner you think?

You might be right, I'm expecting a repeat of last year.

Up and down, BUT there will be a lot of improvement

hate to state the obvious, but now we have more depth

but lack experience and big bodies,another preseason for 2012

is going to make a huge difference.

just takes time to develop, and get game experience under pressure.

This year is another learning curve, who plays best in what position

throwing guys around a little bit more,

But we will see positions becoming more & more settled

What I hope to see, is once we get in front by a few goals they go on with it

and run away with some wins (round 17 Sydney 2010)

Dont be surprised we lose the ones we expect to win

Just like last year, but there is no reason we cant win 12 games

2012 will be certain just how good we can be.

Until then, buckle in and enjoy

At least if the panic button gets stomped on after R1 it will be because of a regular season game. It's insane to base anything on the rubbish gimmick rules and second string squads they play with in the NAB Cup - and yes I am counting Friday night in that.

We'll get more of an idea in the next round, and hopefully against better opposition than the slop we were matched up against on Friday, but it's still not worth having a breakdown over if you get tonked in the pre-season.

I promise you that once we've lost our first game of the season, the sky will start falling again and Demonland will go into general meltdown with threads like "Why Bailey must go", "No wonder Scully wants out, we're a rabble", and "Bring back Newton".

In footy, just as in life, nothing is ever as good or as bad as it seems.

dont encourage the fools !!

Anyone else remember the Naitanui hype reaching fever pitch this time last year? It was straight after he dominated against Essendon in NAB Cup Rd 1. Apparently Melbourne had made a massive blue taking Jack Watts when NiKNat was going to be the best player of all time.

Seems to have died down a bit...

Reality is though as per my input into the thread last year. People had expectations of vast improvement which were extremely optimistic.

Isn't more than double the previous number of wins considered a vast improvement?

Structure at the centre bounce matters less these days where players swarm through all parts of the ground IMHO...

Reality is we didnt have a strong Jack Watts....Jurrah was no where, Bate and Dunn where no where...Maric....even the new players on Friday showed more...Cook, Evans, Nicho....we didnt have the players in form to execute....the form and what part of the journey the players are on matters in terms of implementing any gameplan...

We didnt have a mid field who could win at stoppages etc....

Having said that your point re the coaches learning and improving is a valid one...but its got to be easier to coach when the players you are asking to execute are actually in a state mentally and physically to do it....

Well said.