Jump to content

Discussion on recent allegations about the use of illicit drugs in football is forbidden
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    Posting unsubstantiated rumours on this website is strictly forbidden.

    Demonland has made the difficult decision to not permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, board elections, the issue of illicit drugs in footy, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials ...

    We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

    However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

    The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

    Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

    We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

    WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

    Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.


PR & PJ are both legends. We are in good hands


Dees2014

Recommended Posts

Just watched the whole video of the conference this morning. These guys are seriously good. I know we have a long way to go, but it is great to have serious skills and substance behind the Club both in the Admin and Football departments. Roos in particular is immensely impressive.

I am more confident than I have been for ten years that our future is assured, and that in my lifetime, I will see again another Demon flag.

Roll on 2014.

Go Dees.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many of us thought the same thing when Neeld took over.

I hate myself for posting that.

Many thought that when Ian Ridley took over, when Bobby Skilton took over, when Big Carl came over, when The Messiah frocked up in '81, when John Northey took us to the mountain etc etc... We need to wait until at least the first quarter v. The Saints and get Stan Alves' and his mate's summary to gain a clearer picture. Pre-season is like the night series of the 60's and 70's - seriously misleading.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many of us thought the same thing when Neeld took over.

I hate myself for posting that.

don't hate yourself big fella

as a demon supporter we all have the right to wait and see

hype doesn't win games or relieve a club from past mistakes

demanding good management is the start of our future

something not done by supporters or management of recent times

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many of us thought the same thing when Neeld took over.

I hate myself for posting that.

To make yourself feel better, when you sit back and analyse it, was it more a case of wanting to believe? A premiership midfield coach with a hard edge, what's not to like? I was guilty of it. I saw the approach and along with most people thought "this is what we need, a proper shake up, kick em up the arse Neeldy!"

Evidently not.

I feel a well founded confidence now that I haven't felt in quite a while. PJ especially could not have been more impressive in action and word.

But, the job has just begun.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites


The sheer track record of these two must inspire volumes of confidence.

Perhaps the critical detail is that in this case the individuals have credibility in the specific roles that they are now filling for us.

On the bright side, one prediction we all made back when Neeld left the Pies has come true - the Pies have been slipping ever since. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They give me hope, but nothing more.

They both have an amazing track record but so did Barassi, so did Ridley and Skilton. MFC is a tough gig. I hold any passion in reserve for now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To make yourself feel better, when you sit back and analyse it, was it more a case of wanting to believe? A premiership midfield coach with a hard edge, what's not to like? I was guilty of it. I saw the approach and along with most people thought "this is what we need, a proper shake up, kick em up the arse Neeldy!"

Evidently not.

I feel a well founded confidence now that I haven't felt in quite a while. PJ especially could not have been more impressive in action and word.

But, the job has just begun.

First up I was disappointed with the appointment for Mark Neeld.

First up I felt the Club need an experienced AFL coach and secondly he was recruited from Collingwood. That Clud is a disease which nothing good comes from it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Will wait and see but.....

How's the smirk on PJ's face in the AHG presser when Roosie starts speaking. You could just see the cogs ticking over, 'how good is this guy'!

I think it's more "it only took me 2 months to convince him to coach the MFC, imagine what i can do with 3 years up my sleeve!"

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will not be remotely surprise if PJ continues for couple more years.

Things are going smoothly for him and he has the chance to become one of the great CEO of the game has seen if he can turn this ship around. Its a big call yes I know, but to turn around a club like ours that been in one of the darkest era's the MFC has ever been into a powerhouse would seriously enhance he reputation hugely!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess one reason why we are impressed with PJ is that he is honest. He isn't overly negative nor is he positive for the sake of it. He came in negative because he had walked into a train wreck. He described the train wreck he had walked into as a means to explain the rationale behind his decisions, not to cover his arse due to his own shortcomings. Since then as more and more work has come to fruition, talk of us being a liability upon the competition has been reduced and now we are talking about being back in the black by the end of 2014. That being said he has also come out and said that we won't become a powerhouse 'overnight' and that smaller clubs like ours will need assistance into the near future. It was clear headed and rational and one of the reasons why I'm impressed with him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is why I only commented on PJ, who has delivered.

It would be good to extend the contracts of Jesse Hogan and Paul Roos, but it is critical that we do not let Peter Jackson leave our club at the end of next year when his term expires.

He is the catalyst for our ever increasing prospects, both on and off the field.

The aura with which PJ is held reminds me of a great servant of the club in 'brighter' times, that being the incredible Jim Cardwell, the most successful recruiter of talent that we have ever had.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Many of us thought the same thing when Neeld took over.

I hate myself for posting that.

Neeld never had the pedigree or experience, or track record of Roos. That is what gives me confidence, plus he has not put a foot wrong since arriving here. I do not remember such a united playing group behind the new regime. There seems to be a steely determination this time to succeed. I never got that feeling with the Neeld regime.. He always seemed a bit ordinary to me.

I know it is early days, but we have made a great start.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It would be good to extend the contracts of Jesse Hogan and Paul Roos, but it is critical that we do not let Peter Jackson leave our club at the end of next year when his term expires.

He is the catalyst for our ever increasing prospects, both on and off the field.

The aura with which PJ is held reminds me of a great servant of the club in 'brighter' times, that being the incredible Jim Cardwell, the most successful recruiter of talent that we have ever had.

As much as I don't want Peter Jackson to leave, I assume if he does he would only do so after recruiting his own replacement. That gives me some comfort.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Out of curiosity to confirm and share what I had suspected, I've just copied and pasted the following showing all our coaches since Norm Smith including interims. I then did the same for Paul Roos. There are many things to be gleaned from this, but my main reason for doing so was:

With the exception of Ron Barassi and interim coach Neil Craig, EVERY single coach since Norm Smith has been a rookie coach at VFL/AFL level when taking over the Melbourne coaching position. It also shows that only John Northey (54%) had a winning percentage of over 50 with Neale Daniher close at 48, and Ian Ridley and Neil Balme as the only other coaches over 40%. The winning percentages since Neale Daniher makes pretty gruesome reading.

Paul Roos will be our 30th coach and our 16th since Norm Smith. Apart from Barassi and Craig, he is the only one to have had any pedigree at the top level prior to coming to us. I would also be interested to see a list of all our assistant coaches in this time to check their credentials, particularly stacked up against those at other clubs.

And so for the first time in a very long time, we now FINALLY having a coach with serious coaching credentials including a premiership - and the good ship MFC may now at long last be being steered in the right direction. Of course, as with anything, there are no guarantees. However through the amazing efforts of Peter Jackson in securing Paul Roos with what and who he brings to the table, we have now given ourselves every opportunity of achieving future - and hopefully - ultimate success.

1. John Beckwith 1968-1970 27.42 Winning %

2. Ian Ridley 1971-1973 43.18 %

3. Bob Skilton 1974-1977 31.82%

4. Dennis Jones 1978 22.73%

5. Carl Ditterich 1979-1980 25.00%

6. Ron Barassi 1981-1985 30.63%

7. John Northey 1986-1992 54.19%

8. Neil Balme 1993-1997 41.84%

9. Greg Hutchison 1997 23.08%

10. Neale Daniher 1998-2007 48.65%

11. Mark Riley 2007 33.33%

12. Dean Bailey 2008-2011 26.51%

13. Todd Viney 2011 20.00%

14. Mark Neeld 2012-2013 15.15%

15. Neil Craig 2013 9.09%

16. Paul Roos (at Swans) 2002 – 2010 57.40%

My apologies for the skewball look of this table - it was hard to copy and paste with any accuracy!

Edited by Key Deefender
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Out of curiosity to confirm and share what I had suspected, I've just copied and pasted the following showing all our coaches since Norm Smith including interims. I then did the same for Paul Roos. There are many things to be gleaned from this, but my main reason for doing so was:

With the exception of Ron Barassi and interim coach Neil Craig, EVERY single coach since Norm Smith has been a rookie coach at VFL/AFL level when taking over the Melbourne coaching position. It also shows that only John Northey (54%) had a winning percentage of over 50 with Neale Daniher close at 48, and Ian Ridley and Neil Balme as the only other coaches over 40%. The winning percentages since Neale Daniher makes pretty gruesome reading.

Paul Roos will be our 30th coach and our 16th since Norm Smith. Apart from Barassi and Craig, he is the only one to have had any pedigree at the top level prior to coming to us. I would also be interested to see a list of all our assistant coaches in this time to check their credentials, particularly stacked up against those at other clubs.

And so for the first time in a very long time, we now FINALLY having a coach with serious coaching credentials including a premiership - and the good ship MFC may now at long last be being steered in the right direction. Of course, as with anything, there are no guarantees. However through the amazing efforts of Peter Jackson in securing Paul Roos with what and who he brings to the table, we have now given ourselves every opportunity of achieving future - and hopefully - ultimate success.

1. John Beckwith 1968-1970 27.42 Winning %

2. Ian Ridley 1971-1973 43.18 %

3. Bob Skilton 1974-1977 31.82%

4. Dennis Jones 1978 22.73%

5. Carl Ditterich 1979-1980 25.00%

6. Ron Barassi 1981-1985 30.63%

7. John Northey 1986-1992 54.19%

8. Neil Balme 1993-1997 41.84%

9. Greg Hutchison 1997 23.08%

10. Neale Daniher 1998-2007 48.65%

11. Mark Riley 2007 33.33%

12. Dean Bailey 2008-2011 26.51%

13. Todd Viney 2011 20.00%

14. Mark Neeld 2012-2013 15.15%

15. Neil Craig 2013 9.09%

16. Paul Roos (at Swans) 2002 – 2010 57.40%

My apologies for the skewball look of this table - it was hard to copy and paste with any accuracy!

Good work. I appreciate that for fill in coaches the data uses a very small sample, but I'm still surprised to see Neil Craig with a lower win percentage than his predecessor. Of course, one more win would have moved him up the ladder.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The MFC appears to be running like a serious business now.

It's early days but i am very pleased with what i see so far.

It was interesting to hear PJ on SEN a few mornings ago say that he could not see the MFC ever coming off the AFL teet completely.

That suprised greatly. I still believe there are truckloads of dormant Demon families out there who have not been to games for decades (The late 80's we pulled big crowds often)

But PJ is a lot closer to the reality of the club right now than me so i will take his word.

That said i think we can become a Big Club if the correct people are running it, that means every layer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The MFC appears to be running like a serious business now.

It's early days but i am very pleased with what i see so far.

It was interesting to hear PJ on SEN a few mornings ago say that he could not see the MFC ever coming off the AFL teet completely.

That suprised greatly. I still believe there are truckloads of dormant Demon families out there who have not been to games for decades (The late 80's we pulled big crowds often)

But PJ is a lot closer to the reality of the club right now than me so i will take his word.

That said i think we can become a Big Club if the correct people are running it, that means every layer.

I think PJ mentioned that it would take roughly 30 years to 'do a Hawthorn'. While they were on the bones of their arse in 1996, they also had roughly 20 years of continuous success behind them. To get off the AFL teet, we will need to do something like that. North had a great era in the 90's but they haven't been able to become a big club because while they won fans during the 90's, they haven't been able to win any since.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think PJ mentioned that it would take roughly 30 years to 'do a Hawthorn'. While they were on the bones of their arse in 1996, they also had roughly 20 years of continuous success behind them. To get off the AFL teet, we will need to do something like that. North had a great era in the 90's but they haven't been able to become a big club because while they won fans during the 90's, they haven't been able to win any since.

Fair call but Nought Melbourne was a small inner city suburb even in its hey day.

We have a far higher potential support base than them.

The 50 year drought is what has killed us.

My dad tells me that in the 40's & 50's a large % of school kids in each class all followed Melbourne.

The opportunity to grow is still there. Winning is the only way to get these families back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all.    On that rainy Friday night at the Adelaide Oval, Ken Hinkley’s young midfield secured much more than four points on offer. The victory over one of the big dogs of the competition after a succession of wins over some of its lesser lights gave his team respect and validation fo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Monday 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training. DEMON DYNASTY'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kade Chandler's left knee heavily strapped. BBB, Spargs & Jake Lever also in rehab group. Jake Bowey solo running separate kicking/sprint/agility drills. Super fine morning / early arvo at Gosch's for the boys to blow out some cobwebs. Choco initially had the light duties / rehab group

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter. By the time they worked out it was game on, their opponents from Box Hill had accumulated five goals and, if the game wasn’t over, it might as well have been. For a se

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head. The Demons have now won nine of their last ten encounters with the other result, a draw.     And like a fork, it was the multi-pronged options that Melbourne had all across the ground.  It certainly helped that Hawthorn

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 8

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in the Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 262

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 25th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Hawks in the Round 02. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 46

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 50

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 357

    GAMEDAY: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
  • Podcast 

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast Stream 


    Open Stream in
    New Window
        TuneIn    Opens in New Tab
  • Support Demonland  



  • 2021 Premiership  

  • Social Media 

  • Non MFC Games  

    NON-MFC: Round 03

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 03 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 03

  • Match Preview      

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 27

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The boys dissected the clinical thrashing of Hawks praising the immense performance of Christian Petracca whilst lamenting the injury toll to our defensive unit ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 26

  • Training  

    Monday, 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • Casey Report      

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head out on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 28

  • Match Report      

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 22nd March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin and I attended the Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock on this lovely sunny morning to bring you the following observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 22

  • Training  

    Tuesday, 19th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin & Walking Civil War attended Tuesday morning's training session at Gosch's Paddock to bring you the following observations ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • Training  

    Saturday, 16th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin and Dee Zephyr wandered down to Gosch's Paddock on Saturday morning to bring you their observations from the Captain's Run in the lead up to Sunday's Round One match against the Bulldogs ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 16

  • Farewell  

    Angus Brayshaw Retires

    After 167 games including the drought breaking Premiership Angus Brayshaw has made the heart breaking decision to medically retire from football as a result of a series of serious head knocks over his nearly decade of footy. We wish Gus all the best and he'll always be a hero at Demonland ... READ MORE

    Demonland | February 22

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Koltyn Tholstrup Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club’s newest recruit Koltyn Tholstrup to have a chat about his journey from the farm to the Demons, his first few weeks of preseason training, which Dees have impressed him on the track and his aspirations of playing Round 1 ... LISTEN

    Demonland | December 14

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Jason Taylor Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club's National Recruitment Manager Jason Taylor to have a chat about our Trade and Draft period, our newest recruits, our recent recruits who have yet to debut as well as those father son prospects on the horizon ... LISTEN

    Demonland | November 27

  • Next Match 

    .

    Round 03

       vs   

    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
    Clayton Oliver Hand Test
    Oliver Sestan Concussion Test
    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 1 Week
    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 2-4 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 7 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Christian Petracca 27
    2 Steven May 25
    3 Max Gawn 21
    4 Jack Viney 20
    5 Bayley Fritsch 19
    6 Clayton Oliver 18
    7 Christian Salem 12
    8 Blake Howes 11
    9 Jack Billings 10
    9 Alex Neal-Bullen 10

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...