Something I thought I would share, which gave me a bit more hope.

My son's footy coach who is also a Dees supporter and whose 12 year old son plays with mine, was so upset about last week's loss he wrote a letter to the club.

In the letter he stated that his son was so frustrated and angry at his father for making him a Dees supporter, because they suck so badly.

The father said that he understood, and that he could barrack for whoever he wanted.

The kid said it was too late for that now (cute), but he hated how he couldn't even think of a Demon whose number he was prepared to put on his guernsey. When he thought of his favorite players they were Gary Ablett, Buddy Franklin, Chris Judd etc ... (this was all in the letter).

Not only did my friend get a reply, but today Jack Grimes himself rang the boy.

He said that the players had got together and made a firm promise to each other that they would never play like that again; that although they will still lose some games because they are developing, they never will put in another performance like that, and will try their guts out every game from now on.

Needless to say little Alastair now wants to adorn his jumper with the number 31.

Grimes told the father that they don't reply to many letters but thought this one had a special message.

He also said that it was shown to the playing group, and when he heard it Grimesey wanted to ring the kid immediately.

Good to hear, but the obvious point to take out of that is why the fcuk did they fail to "try their guts out" last week? Grimes can hold his head up, but the majority of the group certainly cannot.

Good on Grimes. It shows his class. From the sounds of it at least he is taking some responsibility.

Good to hear, but the obvious point to take out of that is why the fcuk did they fail to "try their guts out" last week? Grimes can hold his head up, but the majority of the group certainly cannot.

Captain as well as coaches has got to be sure that his team is ready.

Will they play for Frank?

Top notch effort by Grimesy. Christ I hope something comes of the solemn promise the players made to each other, cause I'm at my wits end with these fricken performances!

Didn't the team say the same thing after the Sydney loss last year?!?

Didn't the team say the same thing after the Sydney loss last year?!?

Precisely what I was going to say - but good on good ol' Grimey nonetheless if it helps secure a young Demon instead of losing him to another club or another sport it was well worth the effort

Good on him for replying personally, probably shows how embarrassed he was about last week.

If this is the type of thing that makes players realise the responsibility they have to supporters and club, as well as themselves then great.

Young Alistair may be the catalyst for a turnaround in attitude and that turnaround is all we are asking for.

My 11 year old has now given up on footy largely due to the MFC, and has turned to the Storm who he would much rather go to watch.

I can't blame him as all his memories are of a pitiful laughing stock and he finds solace in the Storm and the success they enjoy.

Something I thought I would share, which gave me a bit more hope.

My son's footy coach who is also a Dees supporter and whose 12 year old son plays with mine, was so upset about last week's loss he wrote a letter to the club.

In the letter he stated that his son was so frustrated and angry at his father for making him a Dees supporter, because they suck so badly.

The father said that he understood, and that he could barrack for whoever he wanted.

The kid said it was too late for that now (cute), but he hated how he couldn't even think of a Demon whose number he was prepared to put on his guernsey. When he thought of his favorite players they were Gary Ablett, Buddy Franklin, Chris Judd etc ... (this was all in the letter).

Not only did my friend get a reply, but today Jack Grimes himself rang the boy.

He said that the players had got together and made a firm promise to each other that they would never play like that again; that although they will still lose some games because they are developing, they never will put in another performance like that, and will try their guts out every game from now on.

Needless to say little Alastair now wants to adorn his jumper with the number 31.

Grimes told the father that they don't reply to many letters but thought this one had a special message.

He also said that it was shown to the playing group, and when he heard it Grimesey wanted to ring the kid immediately.

l used to say the same thing to my old man and if he was alive today l'd give him a hard time. Like the kid l could never support anyone else. l remember crying every time they lost when l was a kid, and it was a lot of times because when l was growing up they were pathetic. l signed my daughter up pretty much the same day she was born and she's going through it now. The difference is she said she would never even think about changing teams and hasn't got angry at me yet. l said to her l'm sick of it and might follow the Storm but she said there is no way she's changing.

It's really sad how its come to this.

It's really sad how its come to this.

I agree , but the wheel will eventually turn for us.

We have to believe ......we have no choice.

If you really dont live in hope, then you wouldnt bother being on this site.

Fingers crossed for tonight!

And this is why Jack Grimes should be just soley our captain. He feels the kids pain because grimes knows what its like to be a long suffering supporter.

Poor kid, he must get hell from all the other kids in the school yards for going for Melbourne.

Poor kid, he must get hell from all the other kids in the school yards for going for Melbourne.

As does my son who is Alastairs footy mate. Im going tonight but my boy doesnt want to come, he is over it ....after round one!

can he call me

It's really sad how its come to this.

To me, I think it takes things like this exact horror, (even if in footy terms) to shake us all out of our Apathy.

that they were pathetic, wasn't the problem..... but that they were apathetic Is.

Met grimes a few times and not surprised that he was made captain. Quality bloke

that they were pathetic, wasn't the problem..... but that they were apathetic Is.

You reckon? I'd say being pathetic was a pretty large part of the problem.

The thing is, Grimesy and Viney know what it's like to be a demons supporter. That's why they give it their all every time.

Well done to Grimes on this. As a Melbourne fan as well as a player, he "gets" it.

To the OP, a well known Melbourne troll (ex Melbourne fan who now supports Adelaide but has continually hung [censored] on the club) has posted this story on the Bigfooty site. For what reason I don't know, but thought you should know.

Collingwood have been [censored] for 20 years before 08 yet they still have 100,000+ supporters. We are half the problem, we let our kids, mates, partners, siblings get out of being a Melbourne supporter just because we all agree the last few years have been hard. I can guarantee you when I was 5 I hated brushing my teeth but my mum still shoved the thing in my mouth every night. Take your kid to the footy and when they say they hate losing teach them the life lesson of being a 'good loser'. This isn't a hack at you DeeZee from all your posts you seem like a ripper bloke but all week I've seen supporters complaining how we'll crumble... Well guess what the only people that can stop it are us so let's get off Demon Land and support!!

Well done by Grimes, if every player was willing to waste time in their day to contact our future member base we'd have alot more players showing some heart on a weekend.

Grimes is going to need to make a fair few phone calls this week

I have told my 10 year old he can barrack for someone else. 2 weeks into the season and I want it to be over. I'm so shattered. I am ringing the club on Monday morning to cancel my membership. i am embarrassed to barrack for Melbourne. They stand for nothing. They are nothing. They are losers. I don't care what anyone says, but I have better uses for my money. I love the footy, loved watching Hawthorn vs Geelong on Monday, or Collingwood vs North, great games, but our club at every level is a joke. We will be shown to be a joke over the next few weeks as GWS and Gold Coast smash us. Do you think Tom Scully or Jared Rivers, or any of the other countless smart people who have left our club have any regrets. They are laughing at us now. We are a joke, and I refuse to part with my money week after week, month after month, year after year to hear the same soft, unskilled players and club officials spouting the same old lines. Goodbye.

I have told my 10 year old he can barrack for someone else. 2 weeks into the season and I want it to be over. I'm so shattered. I am ringing the club on Monday morning to cancel my membership. i am embarrassed to barrack for Melbourne. They stand for nothing. They are nothing. They are losers. I don't care what anyone says, but I have better uses for my money. I love the footy, loved watching Hawthorn vs Geelong on Monday, or Collingwood vs North, great games, but our club at every level is a joke. We will be shown to be a joke over the next few weeks as GWS and Gold Coast smash us. Do you think Tom Scully or Jared Rivers, or any of the other countless smart people who have left our club have any regrets. They are laughing at us now. We are a joke, and I refuse to part with my money week after week, month after month, year after year to hear the same soft, unskilled players and club officials spouting the same old lines. Goodbye.

I feel sorry for you that you feel that way. I hurt too but I won't quit. I was inspired by a man named Jimmy Stynes. He didn't quit. He didn't know the meaning of the word.

You reckon? I'd say being pathetic was a pretty large part of the problem.

the lack of emotion & connection from within the clubs walls is the problem.

who wants to go to war for the MCC...

its like gallipoli, fighting for & under the poms & sent like lambs to the slaughter.

the club needs a social base & to form a heart & passion center where people belong & a foundation can grow.

People are motivated to go to war out of Love & Honor & fight like the Devil for their loved ones. We lack this sort of Soul...