WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - HARLEY BENNELL

[Deemania since 56 6,639]

On 10/9/2018 at 10:54 AM, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I like the sentiment, but I recon that's what Freo would have thought.  I think he's run out of any credits at AFL clubs these days.  For Bennell to redeem himself, I recon he would need to put together an injury free season at state level and pull his own act together.  Surely there are enough good indigenous leaders out of the game who would be willing to help ...if he pulls his head in and acts himself. 

With luck and effort, he could be what we need (and comprehensively so).

[Laughing Goat 308]

24 minutes ago, Mel Bourne said:

No, your comment just belies a certain ignorance. Not everybody who takes drugs is an out-of-control sports-idiot. I’ve known many wonderful and inspiring people who aren’t afraid or ashamed to pepper their brief time on earth, with pleasurable, illuminating and enlightening moments spent in altered states. As a professional musician, I can assure you that if it weren’t for drugs your favourite band would sound very different or most likely not exist at all. I shudder to think who they might be though. 
 

 

ha ha.....your on the wrong site mate....

[Wrecker45 3,378]

23 hours ago, Uncle Fester said:

You just have to have faith that the admin and leaders don't allow those dead hooker moments to happen. Or if it does they smash it down ASAP.

It's a balancing act. If we bring a kid to the club that has the ball on a string, but is an out and out moron, what do you do? Cut him loose and watch him win flags for other teams or back yourself to get the best from him without it screwing the rest of the team? And look I don't really know but I'd go with the later. Good teams can do that. Bad teams can't. I'd like to think that despite last year, we are actually a good team.

Dustin Martin, Sydney Stack & Marilon Pickett. Bring these guys into a good culture and let their actions speak.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,826]

7 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

With luck and effort, he could be what we need (and comprehensively so).

Lol, what difference a year/season makes!

I have often accused others on this thread of making impulsive short term assessments of situations and going with the group think, yet I think I might be guilty as charged on this one.

This time last year, I wouldn't have said yes to Harley, but I now agree that he is worth a role of the dice as he could represent a freebie point of difference.

Will be interesting to if he and the club can both embrace the potential opportunity from a cultural attitudes and behavior perspective, but also if his body can hold out and he can regain confidence and form.  A lot of ifs there, but gee, our [censored] luck has to turn soon doesn't it!!

[Skuit 10,031]

20 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

I'm pretty certain this however was thought about, debated and designed of cups over coffee and tea cake

spiked with copious amounts of lsd.

Quick heads-up Engorged. For the visually challenged on here (which going off the regular reminiscings I would estimate at about two thirds of the DL members), I've often thought that your profile pic would look remarkably similar that of Laughing Goat's. Probably a bit confusing for the old-timers in the context of this current discussion. 

[Elwood 3184 1,301]

Interview just now on SEN

 

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

Quick heads-up Engorged. For the visually challenged on here (which going off the regular reminiscings I would estimate at about two thirds of the DL members), I've often thought that your profile pic would look remarkably similar that of Laughing Goat's. Probably a bit confusing for the old-timers in the context of this current discussion. 

Thanks for the heads up Scooter - erm I presume I would not want to be misinterpreted as Laughing Goat?

Ones a goat, ones a dude coming off the back of a wave at The Wedge.

[rjay 24,928]

22 hours ago, Mel Bourne said:

No, your comment just belies a certain ignorance. Not everybody who takes drugs is an out-of-control sports-idiot. I’ve known many wonderful and inspiring people who aren’t afraid or ashamed to pepper their brief time on earth, with pleasurable, illuminating and enlightening moments spent in altered states. As a professional musician, I can assure you that if it weren’t for drugs your favourite band would sound very different or most likely not exist at all. I shudder to think who they might be though. 
 

 

I think that comment might just show a little ignorance also 'Mel'...

Not all great art has been created in artificial altered states.

[Mel Bourne 4,515]

1 hour ago, rjay said:

I think that comment might just show a little ignorance also 'Mel'...

Not all great art has been created in artificial altered states.

At the risk of momentarily turning this thread into a bunch of stuff that nobody cares about...of course it hasn’t. However, the artistic landscape would be radically different without the influence of drugs. Not everybody who sings their own songs while playing an acoustic guitar takes drugs, but most of them revere and are heavily influenced by Bob Dylan & Leonard Cohen (who did). This is just one example of thousands over the course of centuries. 
 

When it comes to footy, I love the game but fully realise that there are many here with a greater knowledge than I, and I’d be wise to listen to and learn from them. 
 

When it comes to that other stuff I know what I’m talking about, and I ain’t no ignoramus. Not even a slight one. 

Edited November 8, 2019 by Mel Bourne

[Superunknown 4,217]

11 hours ago, rjay said:

I think that comment might just show a little ignorance also 'Mel'...

Not all great art has been created in artificial altered states.

RATM

Clutch

propagandhi

tool

FF

lagwagon

tea party (?)

henry rollins

the mark of Cain 

nofx

pennywise

millencolin

brescianello

vivaldi

torelli

conversely sadface soundgarden, AIC, blind melon, sublime, stone temple pilots, pearl jam, Jeff Buckley, RHCP (waves at the warped album)

etcetc 

[John Demonic 5,796]

It's a grand old flag, it's a high flying flag...

 

 

Edited November 8, 2019 by John Demonic

[Wrecker45 3,378]

19 hours ago, Elwood 3184 said:

Interview just now on SEN

 

I think he actually kicked 6 that day and had over 30 possessions. Carey and both Abblett"s would be jealous.

I'll back Max Gawn to set the standards this year. Captain or not. 

If we get Bennell"s calf right it could finally be our year.

[Mel Bourne 4,515]

41 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

RATM

Clutch

propagandhi

tool

FF

lagwagon

tea party (?)

henry rollins

the mark of Cain 

nofx

pennywise

millencolin

brescianello

vivaldi

torelli

conversely sadface soundgarden, AIC, blind melon, sublime, stone temple pilots, pearl jam, Jeff Buckley, RHCP (waves at the warped album)

etcetc 

Hendrix, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday,  Louis Armstrong, Dylan, Cohen, Bob Marley, Brian Eno, David Bowie, Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop, Dr. Dre.....Gary Ablett.  etc/actual innovators/etc...

To get back on topic, it’s disappointing to see people on this forum making remarks about former drug users (or even current for that matter) as people not worthy of the club’s time. The inference that these people would be damaging to the club’s culture is rubbish. The club’s culture already IS rubbish! 

[faultydet 7,594]

7 hours ago, John Demonic said:

It's a grand old flag, it's a high flying flag...

 

 

^Retweet*

[Redleg 40,925]

25 minutes ago, Mel Bourne said:

The club’s culture already IS rubbish! 

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

I expect you are a professional in this field and have done an in depth analysis of the club's culture and that you have determined your conclusion on proper material and an extensive examination of all the aspects that make up a club's culture.

It would on the other hand be disappointing, if your comment is just another BS throw away line, made just to denigrate the club and its personnel. That wouldn't be the case would it?

[dazzledavey36 54,944]

38 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

I expect you are a professional in this field and have done an in depth analysis of the club's culture and that you have determined your conclusion on proper material and an extensive examination of all the aspects that make up a club's culture.

It would on the other hand be disappointing, if your comment is just another BS throw away line, made just to denigrate the club and its personnel. That wouldn't be the case would it?

Bingo

[Mel Bourne 4,515]

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

I expect you are a professional in this field and have done an in depth analysis of the club's culture and that you have determined your conclusion on proper material and an extensive examination of all the aspects that make up a club's culture.

It would on the other hand be disappointing, if your comment is just another BS throw away line, made just to denigrate the club and its personnel. That wouldn't be the case would it?

Sorry to disappoint. It was by no means an in-depth analysis. Just a facetious comment based mainly on, I dunno, the frustration of being a life-long supporter in their mid-forties who has (obviously) never seen a premiership, has been subject to the ridicule of other teams’ supporters over the years for a combination of private-school-toff-thing/bruise-freeness/tanking/choking/general irrelevance. Where is the line between “club culture” and “club psyche” distinguished anyway? Because it’s been laid bare and discussed widely on here that our collective psyche has been a massive issue in the (not so recent) past. Is it taboo to raise this topic too? Do I need to provide you with an in-depth analysis to comment on that too?

If you wanted to search my comment history (which I’m sure you cannot be bothered to do, so let me tell you) you would find I’m not one of these punching-down, denigrators that frequent these pages. I have a passionate respect for the team (but I’ll admit, the coach is yet to win me over), never participated in the piling on of Omac, ANB or any of the other supposed fair game that a lot of people here like to hunt. Generally keep my comments pretty light-hearted and understand above all else that it’s just a game (which it is, people). 
 

I make one comment that would be said with obvious jest if it were spoken in a pub, and here come the cops in the red and blue (especially Bingo Boy up there) servicing me with a censure and a pamphlet entitled “The Correct Way To Support Your Football Team”. 

Edited November 9, 2019 by Mel Bourne

[McQueen 17,864]

People around here in general just need to lighten the [censored] up. 
 

I enjoy reading about the club and the players in general. There’s some great insights to be found from some really great contributors - many who have remained but sadly many who have gotten sick of trawling through the rubbish content a lot of people continue to throw up on here and have sadly left the boards completely or rarely post anymore. 

 Acknowledging wit and humour can sometimes be difficult to grasp online in words that fail to adequately convey the sarcasm intended.
The stupidity however should be easy for most people to see and interpret and I appreciate the mods aren’t full time to monitor and manage it. 
 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. 
 

 

[Redleg 40,925]

1 hour ago, Mel Bourne said:

Sorry to disappoint. It was by no means an in-depth analysis. Just a facetious comment based mainly on, I dunno, the frustration of being a life-long supporter in their mid-forties who has (obviously) never seen a premiership, has been subject to the ridicule of other teams’ supporters over the years for a combination of private-school-toff-thing/bruise-freeness/tanking/choking/general irrelevance. Where is the line between “club culture” and “club psyche” distinguished anyway? Because it’s been laid bare and discussed widely on here that our collective psyche has been a massive issue in the (not so recent) past. Is it taboo to raise this topic too? Do I need to provide you with an in-depth analysis to comment on that too?

If you wanted to search my comment history (which I’m sure you cannot be bothered to do, so let me tell you) you would find I’m not one of these punching-down, denigrators that frequent these pages. I have a passionate respect for the team (but I’ll admit, the coach is yet to win me over), never participated in the piling on of Omac, ANB or any of the other supposed fair game that a lot of people here like to hunt. Generally keep my comments pretty light-hearted and understand above all else that it’s just a game (which it is, people). 
 

I make one comment that would be said with obvious jest if it were spoken in a pub, and here come the cops in the red and blue (especially Bingo Boy up there) servicing me with a censure and a pamphlet entitled “The Correct Way To Support Your Football Team”. 

Ok. 

[Mel Bourne 4,515]

20 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Ok. 

Right, so the inference here is that I laid it on a bit thick?

Lemme check something, hang on.....

3 hours ago, Redleg said:

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

I expect you are a professional in this field and have done an in depth analysis of the club's culture and that you have determined your conclusion on proper material and an extensive examination of all the aspects that make up a club's culture.

It would on the other hand be disappointing, if your comment is just another BS throw away line, made just to denigrate the club and its personnel. That wouldn't be the case would it?

Ok. 

[Rab D Nesbitt 8,367]

30 minutes ago, McQueen said:

People around here in general just need to lighten the [censored] up. 
 

I enjoy reading about the club and the players in general. There’s some great insights to be found from some really great contributors - many who have remained but sadly many who have gotten sick of trawling through the rubbish content a lot of people continue to throw up on here and have sadly left the boards completely or rarely post anymore. 

 Acknowledging wit and humour can sometimes be difficult to grasp online in words that fail to adequately convey the sarcasm intended.
The stupidity however should be easy for most people to see and interpret and I appreciate the mods aren’t full time to monitor and manage it. 
 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. 
 

 

Afternoon, McQ. I've deleted almost all of the supporter FB pages from my news feed. The toxic comments being one reason but more so because they are just downright bland. On DL you might have to mine a lot of ore to get to the gold but it beats wading through a thousand reposts of the latest club announcement, pictures of the $5 Demons beer mug someone bought at Coles or their pet wearing a red & blue scarf.

[rjay 24,928]

5 hours ago, Mel Bourne said:

Hendrix, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday,  Louis Armstrong, Dylan, Cohen, Bob Marley, Brian Eno, David Bowie, Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop, Dr. Dre.....Gary Ablett.  etc/actual innovators/etc...

To get back on topic, it’s disappointing to see people on this forum making remarks about former drug users (or even current for that matter) as people not worthy of the club’s time. The inference that these people would be damaging to the club’s culture is rubbish. The club’s culture already IS rubbish! 

Hi Mel, I might have got you in this a little bit deeper than we expected...we could have a discussion on drugs and creativity another time.

My thinking is it might have more to do with the temperament of the artist in a lot of cases and may not have helped and could have indeed hindered their creative process. It certainly screwed up a lot of them, Brian Jones, Peter Green, Jimi, Sid Barrett and many others...

Good old Satch and Bing were know to have many a recreational smoke together. The culture police would be surprised to know that...

Zappa by the way had the Roos policy in his bands, the opposite end of the stick.

As for not having any drug users or former drug users playing for the club then I don't think we would be a hope in hell of getting anywhere & would struggle to put a list together if that was the case.

Drug use is rife in the whole AFL system, our club is no different.

I heard of a prominent recruit who was surprised to find at least 70% of his team-mates into it.

So, that horse has long bolted.

It's only those with their head in the sand that would see it as a problem to club culture.

It's not changing anytime soon, it's why the AFL have a harm minimisation policy.

Not for the players, but for their brand.

 

Edited November 9, 2019 by rjay

[Mel Bourne 4,515]

33 minutes ago, rjay said:

Hi Mel, I might have got you in this a little bit deeper than we expected...we could have a discussion on drugs and creativity another time.

My thinking is it might have more to do with the temperament of the artist in a lot of cases and may not have helped and could have indeed hindered their creative process. It certainly screwed up a lot of them, Brian Jones, Peter Green, Jimi, Sid Barrett and many others...

Good old Satch and Bing were know to have many a recreational smoke together. The culture police would be surprised to know that...

Zappa by the way had the Roos policy in his bands, the opposite end of the stick.

As for not having any drug users or former drug users playing for the club then I don't think we would be a hope in hell of getting anywhere & would struggle to put a list together if that was the case.

Drug use is rife in the whole AFL system, our club is no different.

I heard of a prominent recruit who was surprised to find at least 70% of his team-mates into it.

So, that horse has long bolted.

It's only those with their head in the sand that would see it as a problem to club culture.

It's not changing anytime soon, it's why the AFL have a harm minimisation policy.

Not for the players, but for their brand.

 

Nobody’s fault but mine, Rjay!

It’s always an interesting discussion anyway. For mine, I think curious minds will always wander to curious places. But on the topic of club culture, I completely agree with what you’ve said. 

[Redleg 40,925]

1 hour ago, Mel Bourne said:

Right, so the inference here is that I laid it on a bit thick?

Lemme check something, hang on.....

Ok. 

I can see this won't stop until you think you have won.

I said ok, in accepting what you replied, that you were just joking or being facetious.

You read something completely different into my "ok".

Hope you are "ok" with that.

 

[Mel Bourne 4,515]

3 minutes ago, Redleg said:

I can see this won't stop until you think you have won.

I said ok, in accepting what you replied, that you were just joking or being facetious.

You read something completely different into my "ok".

Hope you are "ok" with that.

 

I am, and I duly apologise.