There is no doubt the club is better trained and developed thanks to Neeld and Craig. Look at Garlands development and Jones's development as examples. Neither were the players and leaders they are now a couple of years ago.

While I agree with most of what you have said, the quoted line is not really true... Jones had his break out years under Bailey and Garland was gathering momentum and confidence at that time as well, following his return from a prolonged absence due to injury. I still remember seeing and talking to Nathan at the Shanghai game training session where, while he didn't play because of his "minor" setback (broken bones in his neck), he was showing inspirational leadership by training while he was in very obvious discomfort - unlike the "acting" captain Moloney, who showed bugger all.

Just want to say i object to this constant name calling ... it's not 'pencil', it's Spencer. Some of these new generation football supporters have no respect. it's a blight on a supporter website, plenty of other posts get dumped for trivial reasons yet we keep seeing these pathetic putowns repeated ad nauseum .... if i was a player it would certainly turn me off the club if i knew these were supporters.

In Disgust, BD.

How is that a put down when it is obviously a term of endearment referencing his height and body shape? If the poster should be pulled up for anything over that post, it is the fact that he got the nickname wrong as it should be "Spencil"! (although, as shown in my edit below, Pencil seems to be the correct usage and imaginative Dees supporters have gone a step further with the pun based on his name).

Edit:

A quick Google using the terms "Spencil" and "Jake Spncer" returns a result that shows the text: "Pencil has stuck since my first training session..." (see below). Unfortunately, the link is failing due to some sort of database access error.

Catch-Ups With Jake Spencer | Spultured - Sport. Pop Culture.

www.spultured.com/catch-ups-with-jake-spencer/‎

Mar 27, 2013 - ... Demon ruckman Jake Spencer ahead of the upcoming AFL season. ... Pencil has stuck since my first training session, I wouldn't mind a ...

Edited October 3, 201312 yr by hardtack

It would have been good to see what Roos could have done with Col. Still think the timing isn't great.

I tell you why the timing's perfect, for mine. Sylvia represented the last ( or very near to ) of a toxic lot. Roos is coming here to bring his version of a culture. its a proven quality. it will be a lot easier to implement without the Sylvia's contaminating things. Ive nothing against a bit of joking, or a bit of a larrikin, but we just dont need underachieving party boys. Simple as.

Whatever time effort and resources Roos may have directed Col's way will now be deployed towards others and Ive no doubt reap higher rewards

I tell you why the timing's perfect, for mine. Sylvia represented the last ( or very near to ) of a toxic lot. Roos is coming here to bring his version of a culture. its a proven quality. it will be a lot easier to implement without the Sylvia's contaminating things. Ive nothing against a bit of joking, or a bit of a larrikin, but we just dont need underachieving party boys. Simple as.

Whatever time effort and resources Roos may have directed Col's way will now be deployed towards others and Ive no doubt reap higher rewards

I agree with you....but a big body (albeit a flawed one) would have been good in the middle to do some bullocking for the young 'uns.

Just want to say i object to this constant name calling ... it's not 'pencil', it's Spencer. Some of these new generation football supporters have no respect. it's a blight on a supporter website, plenty of other posts get dumped for trivial reasons yet we keep seeing these pathetic putowns repeated ad nauseum .... if i was a player it would certainly turn me off the club if i knew these were supporters.

In Disgust, BD.

PS would these people address the MFC players in these terms at family days, at training sessions or any other public functions?

Grow up, its a nick name!!! its a term of endearment not derogatory or intended as an insult.

Just want to say i object to this constant name calling ... it's not 'pencil', it's Spencer. Some of these new generation football supporters have no respect. it's a blight on a supporter website, plenty of other posts get dumped for trivial reasons yet we keep seeing these pathetic putowns repeated ad nauseum .... if i was a player it would certainly turn me off the club if i knew these were supporters.

In Disgust, BD.

PS would these people address the MFC players in these terms at family days, at training sessions or any other public functions?

Melbourne underachiever Colin Sylvia set to sign with Fremantle

He also has an off-field track record that involves being involved in a bar scuffle in the days before this months best-and-fairest count.

Found this interesting?

Yes, I hadn't heard of that incident either.

Unsurprising, though.

I agree with you....but a big body (albeit a flawed one) would have been good in the middle to do some bullocking for the young 'uns.

Im sure will get one or two such ...for sure Even if they only have 2-3 seasons in them that will act as an on filed mentor and protection to the up-comers. Give nugget a breather and cut a path for Viney to run rampant and some air for Toump to grow in.

Sylvia actually did NONE of this..he was just a bigger bodied more senior player , more in name than game.

I don't think you need a gun key forward, but come grand final day you need a forward to stand up and make a difference. For Hawthorn it was Gunston. For Freo, with a better start they way he played in the second half and based on talent it would be Michael Walters.

I think Freo are almost a lock for the grand final next year, whether they win it will come down to things like injuries and luck.

Pav was in prime condition for the finals as was Sandilands, they timed their run perfectly the Dockers, Fyfe took some quality clunks in the first quarter and had he nailed those the nerves end in front of goal for him. Pav stepped up in the 3rd but needed to do it early, Clarke usually provides a tall option in their forward line but like many other Freo players was like a rabbit in the headlights, Mayne went in under a cloud(back is my info) and played like it. Apparently Walters was carrying a PCL injury into the game

Freo missed a golden opportunity and whilst they are a very good and well drilled side I wouldn't lock them in for GF next season, Cats will be there or thereabouts, Sydney will be stronger and fresher, Hawks may slide but will still be capable and there is always a bolter from the pack North, Carlton, Crows who knows all depends on trade and players stepping up. Freo may rue their stage fright, last roll of the dice next season for mine with Pav, Sandi, Mcpharlin and maybe Johnson. They do however have a fair amount of cash to throw around and will target a few big names in the years ahead.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-10-04/sylvia-exit-creates-opportunities-viney

From watching that Interview with Viney it sounds like he is pretty certain that we are going to get a compensation pick of around 20 for Sylvia.

He said nothing about this compensation pick being diluted by bringing in Free Agents and then said the club doesn't really have any interest in any of the Free Agents.

Looks like they value that compensation pick more than any free agent they can bring in. Delisted Free Agents don't effect compensation do they?

No they don't, Young Dee.

Now open a window and scream it to the people.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-underachiever-colin-sylvia-set-to-sign-with-fremantle/story-fnfll94y-1226732481333

He also has an off-field track record that involves being involved in a bar scuffle in the days before this month’s best-and-fairest count.

Found this interesting???

Don't let the door slap your ass on the way out Col. You're in for a big shock under Ross Lyon. Maybe it will bring out your best.

But I'll always view you as a traitor.

Just want to say i object to this constant name calling ... it's not 'pencil', it's Spencer. Some of these new generation football supporters have no respect. it's a blight on a supporter website, plenty of other posts get dumped for trivial reasons yet we keep seeing these pathetic putowns repeated ad nauseum .... if i was a player it would certainly turn me off the club if i knew these were supporters.

In Disgust, BD.

PS would these people address the MFC players in these terms at family days, at training sessions or any other public functions?

Sooooo, guessing you never had a nickname in high school then?

Let's just hope our compo for Colin is in the second round.

This draft is fairly even, there should be a few steals in the 20's.

Why is Dale Thomas first round and Sylvia second round? What has Thomas actually won? A B&F? Brownlow?

Why is Dale Thomas first round and Sylvia second round? What has Thomas actually won? A B&F? Brownlow?

He would be on more coin than Colin, more years, but you make a point about the b+f. He might be Band 2 - Pick 18.

Not sure I agree. I dont recon its all doom and gloom I would have prefered to keep Sylvia but we have enough talent on the list to think that a turn around is not a million miles away. The forward line and back line are solid and better than most clubs. I also have confidence in the ruck stocks with Jamar, Gawn, Fitzy and the pencil. The midfield is substandard but it is not as hard to fix as the bookends. I think for everything that Neeld did wrong in managing people and his crap game plan he did enact cultural change and created a more professional approach. There is no doubt the club is better trained and developed thanks to Neeld and Craig. Look at Garlands development and Jones's development as examples. Neither were the players and leaders they are now a couple of years ago. PJ has said the club is not all bad.

If we can add a couple of senior mids and a few qulity draft picks, implement a decent game plan that players buy into I think the turn around can happen pretty quickly.

I would like to have your confidance but for years, we supporters have over exadurated the talent on the list. With a forward line of Howe, Clark, Hogan, Dawes I think we are fairly comfortable. I cant say the same for our backline. Frawley and Garland are A grade players however I'm still not 100% convinced on McDonald and Terlich to hold their position. Our midfield and backline need some serious attention and I cant see a quick fix to this.

Only time will tell I guess

I would like to have your confidance but for years, we supporters have over exadurated the talent on the list. With a forward line of Howe, Clark, Hogan, Dawes I think we are fairly comfortable. I cant say the same for our backline. Frawley and Garland are A grade players however I'm still not 100% convinced on McDonald and Terlich to hold their position. Our midfield and backline need some serious attention and I cant see a quick fix to this.

Only time will tell I guess

That's not bad, but the other day I found in a news article a journo had used the word "upruptly" - now that's hilarious.

That's not bad, but the other day I found in a news article a journo had used the word "upruptly" - now that's hilarious.

haha have never seen upruptly written before!!!

With Christopher Pyne in charge of education now these alien words will be seen more often!

haha have never seen upruptly written before!!!

With Christopher Pyne in charge of education now these alien words will be seen more often!

Please don't remind me.....Christopher Pyne - what a muppet

Please don't remind me.....Christopher Pyne - what a muppet

They get rid of the Minister for Science within the first week!!!

Sorry JR. that probably reminded you again!!!

It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Look at the positives...now we have an extra 500-600k? To throw at a true midfielder...not a hhf like Sylvia

Reported on Sunday Footy Show by Damian Barrett that Sylvia is unlikely to be at the Dees next year.

Read into that what you will ...

Same [censored] Barrett that said Watts will leave the Dees, Rodney Eade to coach us and the list goes on ...

Don't listen to him.

I will be very disappointed if Sylvia walks.

With Roos signing, I had assumed all required players would want to stay and we may also be able to jag some decent players from other clubs.

Sylvia leaving is not a great sign IMO.

Sylvia won't leave for ambition.

If he had any of that he'd have left years ago.

When I met Colin at training at the beginning of this season he seemed very disinterested in all things Melbourne. I think that he is probably not very committed to a team that he needs to lead on field with his talent. Brock McLean ws the type of player that would take the game by the scruff of the neck but I think that Colin would prefer playing second fiddle in a top 8 team right now.

dunno,i think he might maybe sorta go

To those who are a bit non plussed or worse re Col leaving, i wouldn't be overly worried. Roos will bring a "team" factor to the Demons that's been missing for decades. Individual greatness and effort will also be needed and will need a decent replacement/improvement soldier for Col, but Roos will find a way and build and improve on the loss plus some.

Roos is not about to sit back and just allow things to continue "as you were". We are in good hands.

Just throw as much $ and support at the club as you can, sit back, and enjoy what's to come. We finally have a bloke in charge who can turn things around. Won't happen overnight but it will happen. The day of the MFC accepting medicority is dead. Col moving on is just part of a much bigger Roos driven picture and winning culture.

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOS!!!!