RIP Melbourne Football Club

[Thehardtackler 785]

We will not improve on field until Brian Royal is sacked. We also need a marquee signing in the off season for the midfield, Daisy Thomas is the obvious choice. About 8 players should be delisted or traded at the end of the year. Sylvia has to leave as he is [censored] weak and disinterested. We need someone like Jack Billings in the draft. We also need to sign a player whose job it is to protect our young players and to marshall them during the game, a Campbell Brown type but obviously someone younger (about 25ish). All future players put onto any contract with the MFC need to pass some sort of a mental aptitude test that demonstrates that they are resilient and they should have demonstrated hardness in their junior footy career. Jack Watts and other players who shirk a contest should be given regular tackling lessons from a Storm coach/player and they should also be made to put on the boxing gloves and trade blows with Mitch Clark, Mark Jamar and anyone else at MFC who is potentially enormous and scary (Nathan Jones is not enormous but maybe scary tough enough to frighten a few of the players in a boxing ring). Our junior players also need a run. I have been really impressed with Rory Taggert's attitude when I have spoken to him and Dean Kent is another player who is pretty keen to do well. Other youngsters like Josh Tynan, Troy Davis, Michael Evans etc. may deserve an extended run to help develop their confidence and give them game time experience.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,321]

I can only hope all those posters who have thrown in the towel and waved the white flag will also LEAVE OUR FORUM FOR GOOD. Negative bleating does NO ONE any good. We don't really need to hear their complaints, gripes etc. Of course it was a miserable performance but true loyalty is reflected when the going gets tough. Sadly,we just don't have the necessary talent at present. Although a teenager then I stuck it out in 1951 when we were wooden spooners with just ONE win for the season. The reward came just 3 years later when we were runners up to Footscray and of course, we all know the huge success that followed in the ensuing years. Well done to all the DEMONLANDERS who are NOT deserting the ship which is on the rocks at the moment. Football is a strange game. In 2000 we were beaten by Carlton at the MCG by 100 points. When we met the later in the finals in the same year we beat them by about 20 points.

[Pennant St Dee 12,657]

I can only hope all those posters who have thrown in the towel and waved the white flag will also LEAVE OUR FORUM FOR GOOD. Negative bleating does NO ONE any good. We don't really need to hear their complaints, gripes etc. Of course it was a miserable performance but true loyalty is reflected when the going gets tough. Sadly,we just don't have the necessary talent at present. Although a teenager then I stuck it out in 1951 when we were wooden spooners with just ONE win for the season. The reward came just 3 years later when we were runners up to Footscray and of course, we all know the huge success that followed in the ensuing years. Well done to all the DEMONLANDERS who are NOT deserting the ship which is on the rocks at the moment. Football is a strange game. In 2000 we were beaten by Carlton at the MCG by 100 points. When we met the later in the finals in the same year we beat them by about 20 points.

I hope your right Bobby with the 2000 quote, also heard somewhere tonight Essendons record defeat tonight surpassed their 1964 winning margin. We all know what happened at the end of that year. My hope is fading but it will never die

[stuie 7,374]

I can only hope all those posters who have thrown in the towel and waved the white flag will also LEAVE OUR FORUM FOR GOOD. Negative bleating does NO ONE any good. We don't really need to hear their complaints, gripes etc. Of course it was a miserable performance but true loyalty is reflected when the going gets tough. Sadly,we just don't have the necessary talent at present. Although a teenager then I stuck it out in 1951 when we were wooden spooners with just ONE win for the season. The reward came just 3 years later when we were runners up to Footscray and of course, we all know the huge success that followed in the ensuing years. Well done to all the DEMONLANDERS who are NOT deserting the ship which is on the rocks at the moment. Football is a strange game. In 2000 we were beaten by Carlton at the MCG by 100 points. When we met the later in the finals in the same year we beat them by about 20 points.

I can never give up on the MFC, ever.

But Bobby, I'm nearly 36. I've seen us play 1 Grand Final, not many finals, and generally we've been flogged. Some of us don't have the memories of the glory years to keep our hope alive, and the footy of the last 12 months by us is so passionless that there's just no energy left anymore.

[Chook 14,997]

I can never give up on the MFC, ever.

But Bobby, I'm nearly 36. I've seen us play 1 Grand Final, not many finals, and generally we've been flogged. Some of us don't have the memories of the glory years to keep our hope alive, and the footy of the last 12 months by us is so passionless that there's just no energy left anymore.

You're thirty-six? Wow. No offense, but I pegged you for about 18 years old.

[stuie 7,374]

You're thirty-six? Wow. No offense, but I pegged you for about 18 years old.

Good for you.

[Chook 14,997]

Good for you.

Thanks.

[Bring Back Barassi 552]

Messages of support flooding in from opposition fans on Facebook, including Bomber fans. Never seen anything like this.

Just got this text from a good mate who's a pies supporter "Fcuk man! The supporters i feel for so badly! Watched the whole game. So sorry man! U guys dont deserve this I'm so sorry" what you guys think??

The pity is the most disgusting thing. I hate the pity

[angrydee 842]

I can only hope all those posters who have thrown in the towel and waved the white flag will also LEAVE OUR FORUM FOR GOOD. Negative bleating does NO ONE any good. We don't really need to hear their complaints, gripes etc. Of course it was a miserable performance but true loyalty is reflected when the going gets tough. Sadly,we just don't have the necessary talent at present. Although a teenager then I stuck it out in 1951 when we were wooden spooners with just ONE win for the season. The reward came just 3 years later when we were runners up to Footscray and of course, we all know the huge success that followed in the ensuing years. Well done to all the DEMONLANDERS who are NOT deserting the ship which is on the rocks at the moment. Football is a strange game. In 2000 we were beaten by Carlton at the MCG by 100 points. When we met the later in the finals in the same year we beat them by about 20 points.

I remember those times - we'd won a premiership 3 years earlier, were one of the wealthiest clubs, an offer of a place at Melbourne High and an MCC membership was enough to get a kid to sign a Form 4.

It's a lot different now.

A rebuild requires time, astute recruiting through the draft and, now, free agency. It also requires good administration, strong leadership and passion.

The MFC is bereft of all three!

[Je Roos Salem 661]

I don't really look at it in the sense that we have had a culture problem that Neeld is the victim of and the pain has been going on for years etc...Our past 49 years haven't been smooth, sure, but we haven't laid down, we've had good little eras, fantastic wins and great spirit from players and fans. I'm more worried about the abysmal last two games where an alarming lack of effort, structure and skill have been shown, something I never thought I'd see. Not this year, or any year. And I don't know who's to blame. From what I know, I don't like Neeld much and don't like how our game plan has changed, I don't like certain players going out there and playing. There's probably something wrong in other areas of management, though that's not my expertise. Basically, it's just been a huge shock. I'm not gonna make some emphatic stand on boycotting matches due to the way we're playing, because I view it in the sense that I have a membership, and the games will happen anyway, the results are the same no matter when you leave the game or if you don't go at all. It's sad to even think about footy at the moment, and the thought of attending next week is a bit scary, I'm sure many of you are like minded. But don't give up with 20 games left in the season, there will still be a lot to see at games. I like going to the footy and still do, and I still have the same love for what I think the club is and what it represents.

[bush demon 1,997]

Well, I didn't see that coming. Just got home from round trip to Mornington then carload to Caulfield then second car load to the 'G. On board were three generations of Demon supporters. Two little kids with painted demon faces, a teenager, two young adults, and four battle-scarred from the 60's demons tragics. Guest of honour was my best childhood and demon friend, he won't mind me saying that who has a serious illness (which i previously posted about on this site last year). so we all fronted up for the common cause behind the cheer squad. what a great job they did, by the way.

Off the bat: Gillies has Rivers' number but he isn't his bootlace. Aaron Davey played with a lot of dash and showed he does offer something in a team that has some minimal level of competency. Jack Watts has totally lost his confidence and has just got into a bad place, i feel for the guy. stop and prop doesn't work at afl level, though. essendon players move like they believe in the next chain in the link, there is an air of expectation. we are defeated by our lack of a first decision, born by indecision. regarding the centre square fiasco, i don't get it why our ruckmn don't just occasionally bash the ball past the opposition runners, just to be different. it is no good jamar nuancing touches to our players, we are not enough of a going concern to really want that pill. we haven't really wanted the pill since the saints beat us mid-'65.

we all got a bit heady after the lead expanded past 100 points. you go past dejection and gloominess in this rarified, helium induced zone. wow! look at those numbers on the scoreboard, is that us, again? my main feeling about watching the dees tonight and in following now for approaching fifty years is that there is no use paying out on various parties associated with the club viz players, coach, admin, bootstudders. they are just office bearers they are just paid footsoldiers of the afl. we are following a club that doesn't in fact exist any more but has salaried sportsmen running around in our psychologically addicted colours. they play for four quarters, they even suffer over summer but they don't really care about the club the way a long term supporter does. they are just career athletes, very gifted athletes. Neil Craig will be acting coach in the very near future, i am very certain of that. i am also more or less certain that a club such as ours has insurmountable challenges to get back, and that rationalisation and expansion of the afl competition are hand-in-hand processes, even if one hand does not always see what the other is doing.

[Courtney_Fish 183]

All you "supporters" talking of giving up and returning your membership cards and so on, I can't believe how your competing to say you’re the most disappointed and how you'li give up on the club. You're [censored] weak. Now is the time to be strong. [censored] happens. Get over yourselves and support the club. When we finally win some games, you can bet that someone at the club will thank the supporters that stuck by them. Will that include you? We are the club. It's ultimately our strength that will get the club through this and if you don't believe this then ask yourselves what happens if we desert them. Understand that returning your membership card or giving up on the team is not a badge of honour – very far from it.

[Tex 68]

Disgrace

[pilgrim 120]

I'll be there next week, and the week after that, and the week after that. Although I'm sick of losing like this, I'm not sick of this club. I never will be; and I can't wait to sit and grin once we've returned to form while all the rest of you that are supposedly "done" come back from the snow.

Sure we suck but that doesn't mean I'm giving up. We're gonna cop it from every angle imaginable in the next week and I can accept that, but I won't have it from our own people. There's nothing more frustrating then more internal mutiny. It seriously can only get better from here. And it will.

Chin up everyone, it's a beautiful evening.

[Dr. Gonzo 23,700]

I'll continue buying my membership as long as the MFC exists but whether I'll turn up to games or not is another matter. It's not even that it's demoralising or humiliating, it's just plain boring and life's too short. A couple of people asked me tonight whether I'd still force/coerce my newborn son to follow the Demons and people have been saying this week that its cruel to do so. I just give them a weird look and say of course he'll follow the Demons it's not even a choice it just is. Two things in life you can't choose are your family and your footy club you're born into them. Following a club like Melbourne builds character and teaches valuable life lessons at a young age. I just hope by the time he's old enough to know better we're somewhat competitive otherwise there's a fair chance he'll jump onto the Cats who is his mothers team - at least he'll be able to see some GF's in colour and not grainy black & white newsreel highlights which is all I have of Melbournes last 2 premierships.

Although I can't understand those handing back memberships or allowing their kids to support other clubs I can't really fault you as I would have in the past.

[baysidedave 246]

Tonight I handed back my membership card to the girls at the membership tent. I asked what were the chances of the 5k ive donated to the club this year getting back to me? we all laughed. they were polite and understanding in me handing back my membership. I will not put up with it. we don't deserve it.

l'm with you, emailed club and told them what l think, they can stick membership where the sun don't shine

[ILLDieADemon 804]

Im with ya, I have a 10 month old which I have been forcing Melbourne onto but not anymore. I just put all her scarves and jumpers into a box, she can go for who ever she likes from now on, I don't want to make her go for a rubbish club like my dad did to me.

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

The club is destined to fold only IF it becomes financially unviable. We are going to need a lot of time to get out of this mess. Alot of time. the only way th e club will survive is if it can maintain a positive balance sheet for long enough to survive this "rebuild".

Thats where Fitzroy failed. They were financially unviable.

The call for supporters to not renew memberships, boycott games etc etc etc is as far as im concerned, cutting your nose off to spite your face.

Do these people really want to sit in their living room in a few years watchinng the Tassie demons play, thinking "there , i showed them! i told them i wouldnt renew if they didnt play better footy.!"

thats Garbage!

we have to circle the wagons here. Everyone on this forum has a love for the Club. We are the core group of supporters that the club needs now. Yes , the powers that be have F&%*ed the club up. I get it. But whats the point in punishing the "Club"? we need to remove these incompetent people but lets not make the problem worse by making rash decisions.

The time to show your emotion is in the stands. Outside the ground we need to think clinically and act in teh best interests of the club. Some of us have less power and influence than others, but we all need to do our bit.

Get around the boys, get to training, get to games, wear your jumper, buy a scarf, encourage the kids (show them videos of the 90s) , whatever it takes. fight hard for OUR club.

If we as members dont fight hard then I think we can almost be guarenteed that the Club we love will be a footnote in history in less time than we can imagine. The world of professional sport is racing forwards and is not sticking around for passengers.

[mjt 640]

As long as there's a Melbourne Football Club I'll be a member.

Other teams have been down - they all rise up eventually.

The other day I was listening to the Kelly song about bradman - what's the line? They say the darkest hour is just before the dawn.

I will always by mine as well, but im not going to watch those losers play.

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

Lets remind everyone that the Club is a seperate entity to those administrators we are wanting to lynch at the moment. The Club is a 155 year old Being. Lets not contribute to the death of that entity because of our anger and frustration at a handful of very incompetent personnel.

[demon3165 2,569]

I won't be attending games or handing over a single centavo until the ringleaders are frogmarched out the front door and competent administration replaces them.

Until then cest la vie.

Does that mean from here to..........yeahhhhhhhhh

[The heart beats true 17,766]

I won't be attending games or handing over a single centavo until the ringleaders are frogmarched out the front door and competent administration replaces them.

Until then cest la vie.

Does that mean you won't come on here starting ridiculous threads and polls? I think it's only fair.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Munga's 100% correct. If you want this club to survive, you absolutely have to continue to support it - now more than ever. Surely that's as obvious as pig's genitals.

That said, I have been a Neeld supporter - some say an "apologist".

I'd like to say I'm an evidence based, logical thinker.

And the evidence from last night does not lead to any positive conclusions as to where this rebuild is heading. Some change needs to be made, even if it is only symbolic to persons outside the club.

That was freakin pathetic. I can't even blame the umpires.

[Undeeterred 3,043]

I just don't care enough about football to bother any more. Time to get on with the other things in my life...

[Range Rover 1,935]

Does that mean you won't come on here starting ridiculous threads and polls? I think it's only fair.

I didn't say anything about Demonland.

I just said I won't be chucking anymore $$$ down the drain.