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.


This time of year


Uncle Fester

Recommended Posts

A bit of a random topic, but as I get older I really like this time of year. You see these kids, just out of school, and all elbows and knee caps, suddenly thrust into the limelight, cameras thrust in their faces, and they ummm and uhhh as they are asked a million and one questions (and you can see them thinking 'Can't I just say "I like footy?').

Fast forward ten years from now and those teenagers are now hardened warriors. They are used to playing in front of thousands of people. They are big and strong, and have mixed it with the toughest the game has to offer. And interviews... they take it in their stride as if having a news crew following you into work is what happens to everyone.

It's fun to sometimes remind myself that the tough guy just won a big game off his own boot was, not that long ago, a nervous teenager that had no idea what life had in store for him.

  • Like 11
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What becomes more evident as you get older is just how young 18 is. It gets harder and harder to reconcile how 18 can count as “adult”. The interview with Jackson was one of a kid in a man’s body bouncing off the walls with excitement (which I loved by the way). Unsure at what point I officially became an old fart but it appears to have happened.

  • Like 10
  • Haha 2
  • Shocked 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, Nasher said:

What becomes more evident as you get older is just how young 18 is. It gets harder and harder to reconcile how 18 can count as “adult”. The interview with Jackson was one of a kid in a man’s body bouncing off the walls with excitement (which I loved by the way). Unsure at what point I officially became an old fart but it appears to have happened.

For me it was when I realised that if I was good enough to play footy at the highest level I would be retired by now.

  • Like 3
  • Haha 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got a kid at my work that is going of to join the police force. He is a baby. In 3 years time he will probably be tasering me when I tell the barman when I've had enough.

But I guess I brought it up just to remind us that they are babies, and we do put a hell of a lot on their shoulders (although maybe the elastic nature of youth helps here), and also to enjoy the journey. They are, in a sense, our kids as well. And it is nice to watch them grow up.

Edited by Uncle Fester
  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Uncle Fester said:

A bit of a random topic, but as I get older I really like this time of year. You see these kids, just out of school, and all elbows and knee caps, suddenly thrust into the limelight, cameras thrust in their faces, and they ummm and uhhh as they are asked a million and one questions (and you can see them thinking 'Can't I just say "I like footy?').

Fast forward ten years from now and those teenagers are now hardened warriors. They are used to playing in front of thousands of people. They are big and strong, and have mixed it with the toughest the game has to offer. And interviews... they take it in their stride as if having a news crew following you into work is what happens to everyone.

It's fun to sometimes remind myself that the tough guy just won a big game off his own boot was, not that long ago, a nervous teenager that had no idea what life had in store for him.

Great post. We should also remember that across the competition not all the 18 year olds who have just been drafted will make it to become hardened warriors in 10 years time. Many will find the dream extinguished in a very short time. Let's hope that our boys make it, but if they don't, that they can be happy that they gave it a red hot go. 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

26 minutes ago, Demonland said:

For me it was when I realised that if I was good enough to play footy at the highest level I would be retired by now.

Yep. Although I’m still young clearly- I’d be the second oldest player in the AFL after Shaun Burgoyne. The prospect of people being able to maintain elite fitness at my ages seems absurd to me, I can’t scrub the toilet without my knees hurting, and I only have to look at a carb to stack on 5kg.

  • Like 1
  • Haha 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, Demonland said:

For me it was when I realised that if I was good enough to play footy at the highest level I would be retired by now.

I decided that I was old once I realised that, even if I sudddenly became Haydn Bunton, I still wasn’t going to get drafted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

For me it was when I realised that if I was good enough to play footy at the highest level I would be retired by now.

For me it was a bit of a "woah" moment when suddenly my favourite player was younger than me.

Still find it strange watching players play when I've seen their dad kick a ball etc (AFL & Soccer)

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


1 hour ago, Demonland said:

For me it was when I realised that if I was good enough to play footy at the highest level I would be retired by now.

I've always liked Tom Lehrer's line (in a somewhat different context):   

It is a sobering thought that when Mozart was my age, he had been dead for two years.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Fifty-5 said:

It was a bit of a shock last year when all the draftees DoB were in the 2000s

An even greater shock to me (born in the first half of last century)! ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, roy11 said:

For me it was a bit of a "woah" moment when suddenly my favourite player was younger than me.

I was the same, and it's happened quite recently; once people were saying Jonesy should give it away, that he was too old (he's about 2 months older than I am).

That was it for me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, Good Lord George said:

I was the same, and it's happened quite recently; once people were saying Jonesy should give it away, that he was too old (he's about 2 months older than I am).

That was it for me.

dont worry georgey, there's stil a spot for you on the half forward flank of life.

  • Love 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


21 hours ago, Nasher said:

Yep. Although I’m still young clearly- I’d be the second oldest player in the AFL after Shaun Burgoyne.

It's a rite of passage to first note that you can't be THAT old because there's still one active AFL player older than you ... and then see that player retire ... it's your official decent into old fogeyism. You are then allowed to use words like "whippersnapper" and "when I was young(er)" and "these kids today".

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

It's a rite of passage to first note that you can't be THAT old because there's still one active AFL player older than you ... and then see that player retire ... it's your official decent into old fogeyism. You are then allowed to use words like "whippersnapper" and "when I was young(er)" and "these kids today".

I can’t wait! I’ll definitely notice when Burgoyne retires. Anyway I’m definitely happy to already declare myself an old fogey - knowing the rate of deterioration of the moving parts of my body gives me a serious appreciation for these blokes that kick on in to their mid-late 30s, and mine hasn’t been subject to 20 years of punishment of contact sport at elite level. I don’t reckon the young men and women in their early 20s would truly be able to understand that; I certainly didn’t. 

The Shaun Burgoynes and Kade Simpsons of this world definitely have a gift.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

37 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

It's a rite of passage to first note that you can't be THAT old because there's still one active AFL player older than you ... and then see that player retire ... it's your official decent into old fogeyism. You are then allowed to use words like "whippersnapper" and "when I was young(er)" and "these kids today".

I think the next milestone after that (unless you were a very active teen) is having a kid that is Draft Age. *

* IF YOU HAVE GRANDKIDS WHO ARE DRAFT AGE YOU PROBABLY CAN'T READ THIS LINE

  • Like 1
  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 minutes ago, Demonland said:

I think the next milestone after that (unless you were a very active teen) is having a kid that is Draft Age. *

* IF YOU HAVE GRANDKIDS WHO ARE DRAFT AGE YOU PROBABLY CAN'T READ THIS LINE

WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GRANDKIDS OF DRAFT AGE? YOU YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPER

  • Haha 1
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...