IRRELEVANT

[Dr. Gonzo 22,520]

I agree - when I was a kid (in the late 80's) and even up to a few years ago going to the footy was more often than not fun. The big games and finals in front of big crowds were great and even those that weren't huge "events" were still great as I got to see the Mighty Demons strut their stuff. Even though we have never been an elite side in my time and have always been flawed to different degrees at least I knew for the most part we were in with a chance every time we fronted up.

Now going to the footy is a chore that I persist with through sheer repetition/insanity. I love going with my family still but we just end up angry most of the time and its not enjoyable. I sincerely doubt whether I would keep it up if I were a primary school kid these days. I think I'd either jump ship (something that was anathema to me as a kid) or just become a supporter of the game as a whole attending the game of the week rather than following a particular team.

I really do hope this club is able to turn it around in the next few years as I have a 2 week old son who is already a member - I look forward to watching the Demons play at the G every week with him and having a kick in the car park at half time but if we keep it up I fear he won't have any interest in the club and may even lose him to the Cats (his mums team). That would be an absolute shame and would make me very sad but I couldn't really blame him and in the very worst circumstance may even be tempted to go across as well. After all I want to watch good footy and regain the enjoyment/excitement I had of anticipating/attending big games not tear my hair out at the utter ineptitude of the club I love disappointing me again and again and again.

[old dee 22,930]

I agree - when I was a kid (in the late 80's) and even up to a few years ago going to the footy was more often than not fun. The big games and finals in front of big crowds were great and even those that weren't huge "events" were still great as I got to see the Mighty Demons strut their stuff. Even though we have never been an elite side in my time and have always been flawed to different degrees at least I knew for the most part we were in with a chance every time we fronted up.

Now going to the footy is a chore that I persist with through sheer repetition/insanity. I love going with my family still but we just end up angry most of the time and its not enjoyable. I sincerely doubt whether I would keep it up if I were a primary school kid these days. I think I'd either jump ship (something that was anathema to me as a kid) or just become a supporter of the game as a whole attending the game of the week rather than following a particular team.

I really do hope this club is able to turn it around in the next few years as I have a 2 week old son who is already a member - I look forward to watching the Demons play at the G every week with him and having a kick in the car park at half time but if we keep it up I fear he won't have any interest in the club and may even lose him to the Cats (his mums team). That would be an absolute shame and would make me very sad but I couldn't really blame him and in the very worst circumstance may even be tempted to go across as well. After all I want to watch good footy and regain the enjoyment/excitement I had of anticipating/attending big games not tear my hair out at the utter ineptitude of the club I love disappointing me again and again and again.

That covers it fairly well

[Dr. Gonzo 22,520]

Agree with all, but remember when both Frawley and Garland had confidence and flair, and we loved seeing them out there. They were good and had the upside of maturity to come. Something has happened in the past 18 months to rob them of that, and I'm bloody sure it's whatever game plan or structures or system or WHATEVER you want to call it. They, and almost the entire team yesterday played without natural instinct, belief or freedom. It's like they've been overcoached, and are second guessing every aspect of their play. This second guessing is like some virus amongst the players, and thus their indecision creates a flat, slow, reactive approach. A literal bonanza of errors. I've said it on other threads, but there is absolutely NO DOUBT in my mind that whatever is going on with the coaching, it's coaching us to our death!

As opposed to before the Neeld regime where they could play on all the flair they wanted and looked a million bucks against crap sides 6 or 8 times a year and went to complete water playing bruise free footy for the rest of the year as soon as the slightest pressure was applied and it all became too hard? I'd rather they learn to play accountable footy instead being a bunch of downhill skiers their entire careers (the club not specific to Frawley/Garland).

Edited April 1, 2013 by Dr. Gonzo

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

As another aside he could shave off that stupid beard (along with the others) and at least look as if he is serious.

I agree with this. No beards tomorrow morning.

They look bloody stupid.

[Webber 10,133]

As opposed to before the Neeld regime where they could play on all the flair they wanted and looked a million bucks against crap sides 6 or 8 times a year and went to complete water playing bruise free footy for the rest of the year as soon as the slightest pressure was applied and it all became too hard? I'd rather they learn to play accountable footy instead being a bunch of downhill skiers their entire careers (the club not specific to Frawley/Garland).

Did you see yesterday's game Dr. G? It was the MOST unaccountable MFC performance I've ever seen, considering the quality of the opposition. Remember that Port yesterday were younger and less gamed!!!! Pretty much like Neeld's now infamous "hardest club to play against", we have become, more so than with Bailey, the least accountable team in the AFL. Port Adelaide met NO resistance yesterday. We are more unaccountable than ever.....

[jumbo returns 6,493]

I agree - when I was a kid (in the late 80's) and even up to a few years ago going to the footy was more often than not fun. The big games and finals in front of big crowds were great and even those that weren't huge "events" were still great as I got to see the Mighty Demons strut their stuff. Even though we have never been an elite side in my time and have always been flawed to different degrees at least I knew for the most part we were in with a chance every time we fronted up.

Now going to the footy is a chore that I persist with through sheer repetition/insanity. I love going with my family still but we just end up angry most of the time and its not enjoyable. I sincerely doubt whether I would keep it up if I were a primary school kid these days. I think I'd either jump ship (something that was anathema to me as a kid) or just become a supporter of the game as a whole attending the game of the week rather than following a particular team.

I really do hope this club is able to turn it around in the next few years as I have a 2 week old son who is already a member - I look forward to watching the Demons play at the G every week with him and having a kick in the car park at half time but if we keep it up I fear he won't have any interest in the club and may even lose him to the Cats (his mums team). That would be an absolute shame and would make me very sad but I couldn't really blame him and in the very worst circumstance may even be tempted to go across as well. After all I want to watch good footy and regain the enjoyment/excitement I had of anticipating/attending big games not tear my hair out at the utter ineptitude of the club I love disappointing me again and again and again.

Hey Doc, good luck with the new bub...a few sleepness nights coming your way.

My sons are 18 and 20 respectively, the 20 year old is still devoted to this club, the other bloke saw a couple of seasons and gave it away - he doesn't follow footy at all.

At the time his words were, 'Dad, this mob will ruin you.' Smartass.

[Pennant St Dee 11,324]

A couple of people have said he had a personal matter, and you may have noticed him wearing two black arm bands on Sunday.

Stuie people are different and yes he is a great kid but fook I don't care anymore, Will Schofield's father died last year and he walked in told Woosha he wanted to play and honour his father and did. He is behind Watts in every facet of talent but can run he also has guts, heart, mongrel, desire and the right attitude

[Redleg 37,745]

As another aside he could shave off that stupid beard (along with the others) and at least look as if he is serious.

I think they all will this week, courtesy of a Carey spray.

[TONKA 64]

I would like some suggestions to a similar predicament:

I have a 2.5 yr old daughter and my wife is a Blues supporter, should I continue with my constant bombardment of trying to talk my daughter into becoming a melb supporter (god knows why) with the hope that maybe one day they'll be ok. Or is this just cruel? After yesterday's performance I really don't know why I'd do it to her....

Please help!!!

if melbourne do become any good in the next 5-10 years she will still be young enough to change teams anyway. i'd let her go for now and push your case when shes around 7-8 years old however i dont hold any hope that we will still be around by then....

[DemonWA 3,448]

I have waited 24 hours to see if my mood changed after the deflation of yesterday.

It basically has not changed.

I am just a bit more settled.

I Think what I witnessed was that for 4 of the last 6 six years the MFC has been irrelevant to the AFL Competition.

Again our season is over at the three quarter mark of the first game of the year.

From here on our major contribution to the competition will be comedy and derision by all other supporters.

IMO this club is headed down the tube at a rapid rate.

I will not be surprised if total failure as a member of the AFL is not fairly swift from here.

We have a team that has approx. eight players who are AFL standard.

And about four who have the required amount of heart for the job.

We have a board who kowtows to the AFL and accepts fines for a crime that was not committed.

We have a low number of supporters / members that is dropping by the day.

We will surely make a substantial loss this year.

Not a pretty picture that is for sure.

Now probably none of the above is news to most Dees supporters

but what it says to me is I think the end is near.

Going to the football is supposed to be fun.

There has been little fun for 6 years and none for 2 years.

Perhaps we will struggle on for another couple of years.

My problem is I do not believe I can take the pain any longer.

Please if there is a football God can she be swift in the execution of this once great club.

That way I can use the last 10 - 15 years of my leisure time on something enjoyable and useful.

In the mean time God helps us all!

Glad you are alive mate

I don't think the club will fold in the short term but to say I'm sick of loosing is a massive understatement

[Buzzy 932]

I went to the footy with my 10 y.o nephew yesterday who loves the Dees as much as me - and chose to support them even though his dad is a big Saints supporter and his grandpa played in the '66 Grand Final for St Kilda (Ian Synman).

He was so upset yesterday he had to leave early in the last, the poor bugger knew he was going to be the butt of jokes again when he's back at school.

I realised in 5 years of going, he's probably only seen us win 6-7 times. I wonder if he's ever going to go to a game expecting us to win.

I wouldn't wish this team on anyone at the moment.

[bing181 8,172]

I'm also in the position where my son is rapidly losing interest, not just in Melbourne ("our" club around the house), but in footy per se. The kids who we lose as future supporters are not just lost to Melbourne, they're lost to the game as a whole.

Unfortunate events.

[jimcor 212]

Without doubt, everyone is sick of going to the footy and coming away with less hope than we started off with. However, there is simply no alternative that I can see. This is the best game in the world and part of that is the incredible level of mindless support that it engenders. We've made our choice and we have to live with it......regardless of the rubbish that those passing through the MFC consistently dish up to us. We live in hope because sometimes that's all we have...at least as far as the MFC is concerned.

Hmmmmmmm, Essendon, eh? Maybe their withdrawal symptoms will kick in.

[ILLDieADemon 804]

I would like some suggestions to a similar predicament:

I have a 2.5 yr old daughter and my wife coastBlues supporter, should I continue with my constant bombardment of trying to talk my daughter into becoming a melb supporter (god knows why) with the hope that maybe one day they'll be ok. Or is this just cruel? After yesterday's performance I really don't know why I'd do it to her....

Please help!!!

I've have beat with my wife at the moment that if the Dees do not make the finals In 4 years our 10 month old daughter can go for her team which is west coast.

We are moving to Perth at the end of the year to be closer to her family but now after this performance the new beat is if the Dees don't make the finals in 4 years and we are still live in Perth then I will be jumping ship and going for west coast.

I was talked into going for MFC when I was 10 by my Dad and all I have seen is inconsistent performance from this club.

I have had a gut full and want to start watching some good football for a change instead this rubbish these players consistently keep on giving us.

I will not die a demon if this goes on.

[Pennant St Dee 11,324]

I've have beat with my wife at the moment that if the Dees do not make the finals In 4 years our 10 month old daughter can go for her team which is west coast.

We are moving to Perth at the end of the year to be closer to her family but now after this performance the new beat is if the Dees don't make the finals in 4 years and we are still live in Perth then I will be jumping ship and going for west coast.

I was talked into going for MFC when I was 10 by my Dad and all I have seen is inconsistent performance from this club.

I have had a gut full and want to start watching some good football for a change instead this rubbish these players consistently keep on giving us.

I will not die a demon if this goes on.

When you move to Perth & rub shoulders on a daily basis with their supporters, listen to the Perth media you will hate them and if you choose to jump ship you will jump on board the Dockers train.