The truth probably lies somewhere between the optimism that many of us are feeling right now, and the negativity expressed in that other place ........... and for me that would be a realistic outcome for 2013. A lot of what "The Sheeds for PM Club" says seems fairly well balanced, and close to the mark imo.

ps. I love the way most of them despise us. Long may it continue and prosper!

yes, never underestimate the value of keeping one's mouth shut and not getting caught. Valuable life skills sadly lost on some.

You wouldn't sticking the knife into one of gone but not lamented who made a memorable TV cameo would you?

I'm often delusional when it comes to this club, but I reckon our list has much greater upside than that of Essendon.

You wouldn't sticking the knife into one of gone but not lamented who made a memorable TV cameo would you?

if you are referring to LA see george carlin on the sports board under LA

edited for dyslexia

Sitting in my local cafe hhaving a leisurely brunch, browsing with the free wifi.......read the mentioned article ,what a piece of rubbish....obviously based on biased media reports and boards...on another teams board, what was it expected to say?..

Grimes in the backline?.....no mention of Jones in the midfield, but Blease is?....

no Dawes in the forward line...

no small defenders?...Nicholson musn't ring a bell

RB, it is a beautiful Melbourne Sunday...and you let the hair shirt wearers out.......

I am with you though...this year we will surprise..

Just read the link and the Bblitz thread. What a bunch of illiterate morons. If the filth weren't already called the filth then then Essendon would easily take that title.

So lets return the favour to 'Bomerblitz'. This of course is an outside view without the knowledge or some may say the rose coloured glasses of the true supporter.

Starting with the FD. Hird is the golden boy, great player but this year comes under real pressure as a coach if the team doesn't perform. To me he has to many mates involved, Corcoran divides the club and is only in the position because of this friendship. They could really do with some senior outside non Sheedy people but I don't think Hird is comfortable with people he is not close to unless they are in more junior roles. Maybe a bit thin skinned, not good for a coach.

They made a big mistake last year trying to fast track physical development and this could follow them over the next few seasons. The weapon who was a hero early in the year became a villain by the end when he was hung out to dry for carrying out the coach's instructions. Interesting to point out here that David King was lauding the Essendon approach last pre season to building big, strong bodies whilst being dubious about Melbourne's fitness regime. Essendon are now following the Neeld, Misson approach after realising their folly and the change in the game which will result in less packs and fewer rotations.

The players.

Well the defence is a bit of a moving feast and depends way too much on the veteran Fletcher to hold them together. Hurley adds some steel but he seems to be their Neitz, he can have impact forward but is a born defender. Carlisle is a good prospect and will need to replace Fletcher sometime probably sooner rather than later. Dempsey added a bit of run coming back last season and his mate Winderlich will have a full pre season after coming back from a knee.

The midfield group relied far to heavily on Watson, Stanton had a purple patch but didn't handle a tag very well at all. Goddard has been brought in on big money to be the saviour here but he is not really a mid. Goddard is more of a floater who can pinch hit at both ends of the ground, I don't see him as the answer to the lack of midfield depth and again as Jordie McKenzie has proven he does't handle a tag. Let him run free and he will kill you. Zaharakis is the big plus here after missing a lot of last season with injury, is still a developing player a goal kicking mid could be a big plus. Heppel will probably develop as a mid and is going to be a good player, still has a way to go. Overall they still lack in the midfield area and lack run and carry. Watson is still the key, if he goes down then they are in trouble.

Forward, too much is put on the shoulders of Crameri who really should be working as a 3rd option not the pea. Hurley as I stated earlier is like their Neitz and would be better played back but they can't afford the luxury. The other problem with Hurley is his consistent hamstring problems, a real issue with such an important player. Gumbleton can't get on the ground, pity he looked to have the goods so that leaves Daniher as the big hope. Trouble is the kid is prone to injury and is moving into a club proven to not handle injury prone players well, see Hurley, Gumbleton, weapon. Jetta is probably their best small forward option but goes missing for big periods of the game, if they could develop him as a mid it would help them with run and carry.

The rucks with Ryder, Belchambers and Hille, they haven't worked out the best combination yet. Hille is probably on the outer, Belchambers still developing but looks good and Ryder very inconsistent, good on his day but needs to run the whole day in the ruck to give value. Seems to like that responsibility.

Overall they come into this season with big expectations, don't seem to have added much with the exception of Goddard who is coming off a couple of average seasons. Big money is being paid to Goddard, Hurley and Ryder and if they don't give value early on the natives will be restless. Wouldn't it be good to see them come unstuck and the pressure on the golden boy, will make for some entertaining talkback radio. Mathew Knights anyone....

Sour grapes from the Bummers supporters, they cant handle, being our whipping boy.

They say we dont stand for anything? Irrelevent? We only INVENTED the game they now play,so in real terms they have followed US!.

They are soft,and very weak under pressure,cant wait to pull their pants down again, bunch of arrogant tossers.

The Microscope will be on Hird this year & so it should.

The way he was appointed along with Thompson was disgraceful in terms of Matthew Knights. But that is Essendon to a tee.

The way that team went about putting the MFC into hospital beds on GF day 2000 is the same, but in the same breath WE the MFC should have expected exactly what we got.

It is WE who must toughen the f$&@k up.

It is not going to get easier.

I can't decide if I want to beat them by 1 point or 60 points...

Thoughts?

60

Nobody gives a dam about the MFC except MFC people. Why should they?

To an outsider the club is an abject failure.

The only people who will change this percetion will come from within.

Does the club have that strength on & off the grass?

If you rely on people from within this club the MFC WILL fold in 15 yrs, we need Children in the next few season see people like J Hogan come out and bag 80 goals in a season, we are crying for a Buddy Franklin, and if it doesnt emerge there finished, you cant rely on Generation supporters for ever, kids follow winners.

The Club's record over the past 5 years speaks for itself. There is only one way to change perceptions, and that is (sustained) success.

If you rely on people from within this club the MFC WILL fold in 15 yrs, we need Children in the next few season see people like J Hogan come out and bag 80 goals in a season, we are crying for a Buddy Franklin, and if it doesnt emerge there finished, you cant rely on Generation supporters for ever, kids follow winners.

i am talking about Melbourne people. Club & supporters. It is we who must ensure the club prospers.

The rest of the AFL community couldn't give a dam whether we live or die.

We are not disagreeing.

i am talking about Melbourne people. Club & supporters. It is we who must ensure the club prospers.

The rest of the AFL community couldn't give a dam whether we live or die.

We are not disagreeing.

Its gone way past that, we need a new Generation of supporters, we have the lowest number at Aus Kick, and the oldest members in Australia, we need kids whos parents follow other clubs saying by me a Demons jumper, if that dont happen IMO our clubs future is bleak.

Its gone way past that, we need a new Generation of supporters, we have the lowest number at Aus Kick, and the oldest members in Australia, we need kids whos parents follow other clubs saying by me a Demons jumper, if that dont happen IMO our clubs future is bleak.

i totally agree, which is one reason i applaud the cashflow doubling going through the club in the last 6 years. That is a fine achievement.

WINNING games is what kids want. They don't care about draft picks. That is the lesson i hope the MFC has learnt. That means all of us.

Its gone way past that, we need a new Generation of supporters, we have the lowest number at Aus Kick, and the oldest members in Australia, we need kids whos parents follow other clubs saying by me a Demons jumper, if that dont happen IMO our clubs future is bleak.

so you don't think the initiatives engaging youth in Casey are not addressing that concern?

so you don't think the initiatives engaging youth in Casey are not addressing that concern?

My word they are, but the kids need to see a Franklin Lockett type bagging major goals, the clubs crying for it.

My word they are, but the kids need to see a Franklin Lockett type bagging major goals, the clubs crying for it.

Yep. Which we just may have with a Clark/Dawes combination.

Yep. Which we just may have with a Clark/Dawes combination.

It would be a pleasant change.

Who gives a toss now. Lets hope they're [censored] bricks in 2016 when we're there and thereabouts the top of the ladder.

Geelong 10 years ago were the joke who couldn't close and now they're a 'dynasty'. Lets bump in a few years time!

It would be a pleasant change.

it's been a long time since Allen Jakovich put Bums on seats.

Jeff Farmer was a Freak yes, but Jako was a classic Full Forward.

it's been a long time since Allen Jakovich put Bums on seats.

Jeff Farmer was a Freak yes, but Jako was a classic Full Forward.

I was there the day he buried the Pies, 9 goals in 2 quarters, what a day.

Who gives a toss now. Lets hope they're [censored] bricks in 2016 when we're there and thereabouts the top of the ladder.

Geelong 10 years ago were the joke who couldn't close and now they're a 'dynasty'. Lets bump in a few years time!

Lifes all about now for the majority, JW in 2008 flag in 2013 remember that, were in no position to bump.

I was there the day he buried the Pies, 9 goals in 2 quarters, what a day.

i remember it well. My Birthday weekend. I watched it on telly only because i had got home from clubbing at about 9 in the morning. Topped of a great long weekend.