Well Demonlanders, you've had plenty to say about our first half of the season and now it's time for you to play your part in our THE PEOPLE SPEAK match preview of the club's next trip to the Cattery - place where the AFL prefers to see Melbourne playing Geelong more often than at the MCG.

Some of our past THE PEOPLE SPEAK have actually drawn out some good performances from the team so let's see how good you are at writing the match preview from your very own perspective...

Well Demonlanders, you've had plenty to say about our first half of the season and now it's time for you to play your part in our THE PEOPLE SPEAK match preview of the club's next trip to the Cattery - place where the AFL prefers to see Melbourne playing Geelong more often than at the MCG.

Some of our past THE PEOPLE SPEAK have actually drawn out some good performances from the team so let's see how good you are at writing the match preview from your very own perspective...

I see there are no takers yet.

Could I therefore suggest the headline for the story:-

THE CATS GOT OUR TONGUES

The Melbourne Football club approached the match against Geelong with a team with a greater resolve after the disappointment of the last minute loss against St Kilda last week. Captain Nathan Jones said that this loss was 'more compelling than any of the past as it was after positive signs of improvement had been seen right through the club". "With the new players there is now a core of players who recognise that we are capable when playing our best football of matching any side". The committment was recognised not only by an increased intensity at training that saw four players sustain match day injuries after a vigorous session but also saw players sign continuing contracts. This novel approach to list management secured all players under 27 years of age sign for the next 5 years, while those over 27 approaching the last years of their contracts were provided with ongoing coaching and mentoring roles with the club up to the next 5 years. Payment would be performance based with a total pool divided amongst the squad based on a complex formula compensating for necessary list management decisions with success bonuses included. Contracts could of course be terminated due to exceptional circumstances but would be subject to group endorsement.

"The money is not the significant issue though" said Jones on behalf of the players "we know we are well rewarded for doing a job which while it requires dedication and single minded focus is also what we all enjoy doing most". "We also recognise that the best reward is success and we are committed to winning a flag for our long suffering supporters within the five year time frame".

The Sunday result saw a visible indicator that something had to happen and it is appropriate that the return to the scene of the notorious "186" comes so rapidly to the club.

Paul Roos said that he was gutted with the loss " not for himself but the players and the club". Clearly we have improved and that was recognised after the performance against Collingwood, but we need to take our best football to the next level where we can perform under extreme pressure for the full 120 minutes or whatever". There was again a further recognition that there is a foundation of talent and skill levels for all features of the game that must be managed to the full by coaches and players. "We all have to be aware when to handball, when to shepherd, when to kick short or long, when to slow down and when to speed up play, but more importantly we need to do this as a team and not as individuals" said Jones saying these were the recurring comments coming from the players themselves. "For a brief moment we had team unity after Howies goal only to lose focus and the match " he said. all players agreed that they do not want this to happen again and will not only practice at increased tempo but will ensure they leave the field utterly physically exhausted, "expect to see this after every training session and every game from now on"

The club hopes that Geelong brings the same level of intensity to this weeks game as they displayed against Port last Friday. The players were extremely vocal at training and aware that they have the support, the skill and now the desire to put their body over the ball, and keeping their emphasis on making and creating space by sacrificial acts to ensure their elite play will be rewarded. Analysis of the game showed that many basic errors were because their was a lack of awareness of their teammates so expect a louder more cohesive group of players this week. The team will be selected from those who survive the rigorous training scheduled for this week. There are some sore bodies now but they contain healthy minds committed to improve.

Fans can be assured that win lose or draw, this weeks match at Simmonds, will constitute a "line in the sand" moment that other successful clubs have displayed. Any less and the mighty Melbourne Football Club may as well look at dissolving and the contracts will be worthless.

Can't believe we have to go to the 2 biggest wastelands of the AFL in consecutive weeks.

Hardly worth the bother.

alright I know it was a fairy tale but surely someone else can do better

alright I know it was a fairy tale but surely someone else can do better

Dreaming has never been bad dpositive

As Dees supporters if they took away our dreams what would we have left?

Dreaming has never been bad dpositive

As Dees supporters if they took away our dreams what would we have left?

It's all that keeps me going OD. That and the single malt.

It's all that keeps me going OD. That and the single malt.

Put your trust in the single malt Reverend you can sure of the result.

Put your trust in the single malt Reverend you can sure of the result.

boys you are giving me the taste, what's the time? no not to early. where is that bottle? damn, it's empty. god help me.

boys you are giving me the taste, what's the time? no not to early. where is that bottle? damn, it's empty. god help me.

I have 1.7 litres just opened Ernest I will send some down the line.

Ready?

Can't believe we have to go to the 2 biggest wastelands of the AFL in consecutive weeks.

Hardly worth the bother.

Correct. That's why I'm taking the family on a ncie bushwalk and lunch on the Murray instead.

Correct. That's why I'm taking the family on a ncie bushwalk and lunch on the Murray instead.

Sounds a way better way to spend Sunday afternoon to me

Sounds a way better way to spend Sunday afternoon to me

agree, and only check the score after it's all over. those furtive glances at the i-phone just spoil everything.

agree, and only check the score after it's all over. those furtive glances at the i-phone just spoil everything.

I agree with this, but on the other side of the coin, how bittersweet is it when you're doing the old AFL app shuffle when we're in with a chance in a game. That's happened to me twice in recent memory. Last year vs the Crows when I was doing the food shopping and this year vs Richmond when I was stuck at a date night dinner with Mrs leucopogon. Needless to say she wasn't all that impressed with me and my iphone.

Dreaming has never been bad dpositive

As Dees supporters if they took away our dreams what would we have left?

Its a pity that the reality bus has always overtaken the dream machine and ended in some sort of wreckage.

But after a lifetime of disappointment in the big things we can at least revel in the minutiae.

We have Hogan to look forward too I just hope we can hold him and Watts and the Toump, Salem, Stretch, Brayshaw

Crikey even Gawn and Spencer can hold surprises etc

Whats not to enjoy

boys you are giving me the taste, what's the time? no not to early. where is that bottle? damn, it's empty. god help me.

Must admit I am waiting for your erudite and convincing tale of the journey to Simmonds Ernie

It will be carnage

It will be carnage

I think Andy's looking for something with a little more detail for the match preview.

Has the time come when the Demons can finally lay to rest the ghost of 186?

It was at this very ground almost four years ago that a Melbourne team produced the most lifeless, insipid performance ever seen on the AFL/VFL stage. Whatever the reasons behind the display, it was not what the supporters of any football club deserve to witness. A large number of those who wore the club jumper that day have moved on and in many cases (but not all) rightfully so. There are many new players at the club and some small steps are being made in the right direction but the club continues to produce disappointing results.

Like the insipid loss by over 100 points against Hawthorn a month ago or last week's brain fade after it snatched the lead in the final minute at Etihad only to give it all away 20 seconds later.

Until the club can produce wins at a venue like Simonds Stadium against teams like Geelong in games like the one it faces this weekend, the ghosts will never be laid to rest.

agree, and only check the score after it's all over. those furtive glances at the i-phone just spoil everything.

Good advice. I haven't had any luck "listening" to our games down there in the past. In fact the same could probably be said of any "away" games I've listened to in the past 20 years or more

After the final 40 second debacle at Etihad, Roos has asked the players to get back to basics for its next match against the Cats this weekend.

When asked if he could expand on what his instructions to the players were for the upcoming clash Roos replied. ..

"yes my instructions for this week were very simple, straight after the opening bounce... get back you idiots and FLOOD!"

Edited June 16, 201510 yr by Rusty Nails

Going to game,Yes i know the pitfalls,but going all the same{many reasons actually}Will be watching for the improvements and hoping like hell we put up a fair effort.

Going to game,Yes i know the pitfalls,but going all the same{many reasons actually}Will be watching for the improvements and hoping like hell we put up a fair effort.

Jazza, any chance you can get down on the boundary line and when Cats players run past, get your [censored] out and shake them all about? We could do with any help we can get on the field.

Jazza, any chance you can get down on the boundary line and when Cats players run past, get your [censored] out and shake them all about? We could do with any help we can get on the field.

Ok, let's see if they will censor "the dangly bits that hang off your udder"? Sounds like 'bits'.

Going to game,Yes i know the pitfalls,but going all the same{many reasons actually}Will be watching for the improvements and hoping like hell we put up a fair effort.

I am awe-struck by your passion, devotion and/or stupidity...