Let's go to Kardinia Park and Retrieve Our Dignity

[Jonathan Steffanoni 101]

July 30th, 2011.

We journeyed down to Kardinia Park to take on the GFC in the middle of winter with a team which had shown some signs of promise. We seemed to be developing as a team which was headed in the right direction, regardless of the inconsistency from week to week. We turned up at Kardinia Park feeling as though we didn't really want to be there, as we didn't believe we could win.

I felt that the match was something which we needed to survive through and then move on to next week. This attitude and a ruthless GFC team saw us torn to shreds, not only on the scoreboard but the loss ripped the fabric of the club apart and took a part of our dignity. As we all know, Dean Bailey was sacked as the club tried to deal with it, but in reality we haven't been the same club since and we haven't fully gotten over it.

There's been an painful darkness lurking in the corners of our collective MFC psyche since that day.

There is only one way that the club can deal with what happened on that day last year, and sacking Dean Bailey or any other off field measures are completely insufficient. We need to go back to Kardinia Park and retrieve our dignity. It wont come easily, but must be torn back from Geelong, we must fight to take it back, and we must win to take it back. We must be ruthless in attacking every contest with absolute and brutal desperation. We must gut run from start to finish. We must treat every goal not with joyous celebration but with a sober resolve to bounce the ball and do it again. We need to punish Geelong every time they make a mistake or hesitate.

This weekend is our opportunity to cast out the darkness, and we need to approach it head on, without compromise or excuse.

Let's go to Kardinia Park, and let's fight to win our dignity back. Let's go to Kardinia Park together.

[beelzebub 23,191]

Yes...very much about reclaiming our id. ( not i.d ....id )

Ought to be interesting ...Neeld back to his familiar surroundings.

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,748]

I managed to get a ticket when they went on sale last Thursday. Couldn't get two together though I was on the phone the minute they went on sale. So I'm going by myself.

I think it's completely wrong that AFL matches involving two Vic clubs can be held at a stadium that holds only 20000 people(so they say, but I doubt it).

Geelong have an unfair advantage having so many games with no opposition supporters.

Any other Demonlanders going?

[Face Your Demons 175]

Geelong have an unfair advantage by having such a bloody good team.

[Maldonboy38 6,379]

Yes...very much about reclaiming our id. ( not i.d ....id )

Ought to be interesting ...Neeld back to his familiar surroundings.

Somehoe Belzebub, I don't think that many will understand the id verse i.d. reference. But you are spot on. MFC basic impulses and instincts at Kardinia Park last year were disclosed to the world and shown to be weak, faulty and insipid. We have to fight the cats with every angry mongrel impulse we have, while maintaining enough poise and skill to use the ball well.

Moloney, Jones, Magner, McKenzie and Bail are vital this week.

[Samsara 65]

How does one reclaim the unconscious, instinctual part of personality?

[binman 41,923]

How does one reclaim the unconscious, instinctual part of personality?

I think i dreamt the answer to this question last night

[Scotty 3]

Wouldn't it be more of a re-inventing of the 'team mentality'.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,319]

I managed to get a ticket when they went on sale last Thursday. Couldn't get two together though I was on the phone the minute they went on sale. So I'm going by myself.

I think it's completely wrong that AFL matches involving two Vic clubs can be held at a stadium that holds only 20000 people(so they say, but I doubt it).

Geelong have an unfair advantage having so many games with no opposition supporters.

Any other Demonlanders going?

I'm going.

Got a ticket in standing room.

Still unsure as to why I'm going...

[Sir Why You Little 36,587]

I shall be at the Bentleigh Club. The MFC make money that way.

Let's fill the place and help pay it off quicker!

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I went back to the Kilkenny inn, King st to reclaim mine, found out it turned into a strip club.

Ah well, I tried.

[Sir Why You Little 36,587]

I went back to the Kilkenny inn, King st to reclaim mine, found out it turned into a strip club.

Ah well, I tried.

Haha! That abode has not been the Kilkenny since around 1999. Fine place it is though!

[Friday 71]

5 of us went last year.

same 5 are returning for villies pies and plenty of beers.

Going to skip the slab of beer on the way down this year. We're V-Line apparently.

We've got standing room tickets again. We will be the loud ones giving PLENTY to Selwood every time he ducks his head and Hawkins (spud - well he was last year)

it's a pity cokesy wont be playing.

lets hope jordy lines up on selwood and gives it to him

Edited May 1, 2012 by Friday

[Biffen 12,805]

July 30th, 2011.

We journeyed down to Kardinia Park to take on the GFC in the middle of winter with a team which had shown some signs of promise. We seemed to be developing as a team which was headed in the right direction, regardless of the inconsistency from week to week. We turned up at Kardinia Park feeling as though we didn't really want to be there, as we didn't believe we could win.

I felt that the match was something which we needed to survive through and then move on to next week. This attitude and a ruthless GFC team saw us torn to shreds, not only on the scoreboard but the loss ripped the fabric of the club apart and took a part of our dignity. As we all know, Dean Bailey was sacked as the club tried to deal with it, but in reality we haven't been the same club since and we haven't fully gotten over it.

There's been an painful darkness lurking in the corners of our collective MFC psyche since that day.

There is only one way that the club can deal with what happened on that day last year, and sacking Dean Bailey or any other off field measures are completely insufficient. We need to go back to Kardinia Park and retrieve our dignity. It wont come easily, but must be torn back from Geelong, we must fight to take it back, and we must win to take it back. We must be ruthless in attacking every contest with absolute and brutal desperation. We must gut run from start to finish. We must treat every goal not with joyous celebration but with a sober resolve to bounce the ball and do it again. We need to punish Geelong every time they make a mistake or hesitate.

This weekend is our opportunity to cast out the darkness, and we need to approach it head on, without compromise or excuse.

Let's go to Kardinia Park, and let's fight to win our dignity back. Let's go to Kardinia Park together.

Would love to but only Geelong members can get in.

[Friday 71]

NO PUFFY JACKETS!!

[Blistering 537]

The OP should be submitted in the people speak thread.

[CHAMP 347]

Wouldn't it be more of a re-inventing of the 'team mentality'.

Yeah they need to get grow some cojones and get their mojo workin'.

[hardtack 10,400]

Yes...very much about reclaiming our id. ( not i.d ....id )

Ought to be interesting ...Neeld back to his familiar surroundings.

Should we code name Skilled Stadium as The Forbidden Planet? Hopefully it will all amount to a Tempest in a teacup.

[Guest Jackie]

A few thoughts.

*If the improvement in desire seen last week continues then we should put in a respectable performance. Revenge and desire for absolution from the 186 humiliation should be a positive incentive I hope.

*Geelong have been a bit flaky this season. They could be awesome or somewhat disinterested but still very good when it matters. Which Geelong appears on the park will certainly influence the result.

*I have a vague suspicion Clark and perhaps Frawley could have played last week if required. Perhaps being saved for this occasion.

*I pray for an upset.

*My excuse for not going will be that my car broke down.

Edited May 1, 2012 by Jackie

[Robbie57 2,001]

I last went there in 2005. A mate who is a Geelong member invited me for the ritual humiliation.

That was one of the best days of my life.

[rpfc 28,045]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/melbourne-coach-mark-neeld-bans-any-talk-of-the-demons-crushing-186-point-loss-to-geelong/story-e6frf9jf-1226343832143

Neeld has told the boys to not even mention it amongst themselves.

Probably a good move, I find it is easier to beat teams that have had the wood over you for a while by ignoring the past and not letting the new players become 'indoctrinated' with that mindset.

Big game this one. For reasons alluded to - we are back at Ground Zero and that game has a halflife of about a decade if you follow my meaning...

186 stings the nostrils.

[Friday 71]

I'm on board.

they have so many new players who aren't any good.

lyndon dunn on stevie J.

jordie on selwood.

morton the extractor in the middle

Jones nude nut head to head with chappers

Jamar will OWN first possession against their spud ruck men and spoon feed moloney who wont be sick this time.

bate, dunn, magner and morton will be used to the crap weather down there from playing in the 2's last year so much (Part of the master plan to beat the cats)

Edited May 1, 2012 by Friday

[Scoop Junior 3,395]

I'm heading down and will be in the standing room area.

Happy to meet up with any other Demonlanders that are heading down.

I think it's good not to talk about and worry about our record down there. It used to annoy me when the players would bang on about how bad our record at a particular ground is before the game. It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[Ned 156]

http://www.heraldsun...f-1226343832143

Neeld has told the boys to not even mention it amongst themselves.

Probably a good move, I find it is easier to beat teams that have had the wood over you for a while by ignoring the past and not letting the new players become 'indoctrinated' with that mindset.

Big game this one. For reasons alluded to - we are back at Ground Zero and that game has a halflife of about a decade if you follow my meaning...

186 stings the nostrils.

I totally agree. This game isn't about winning or losing. It's about restoring some respect to the Melbourne jumper.

[dee-luded 2,959]

How does one reclaim the unconscious, instinctual part of personality?

IMO, Hard work, good form & practicing at trusting yourself with your skills on the training track.

When you have belief, the Intuitiveness can come thru, but you have to relax to let it, just trust yourself, to Not try to force things. Say when kicking. If you relax, the subconscious can guide the brain thru, rather than Consciously trying to override the Intuitiveness, from fear of failure.. Trust. Belief. & Relax - - - Creativity...