Having watched and passionately supported Melbourne for over 20 years I’ve had lots of disappointment. The 2000 grand final sticks out in my mind as one of the most disappointing. We were made to look like school girls and it was embarrassing.

In the 2003 draft we picked a kid called Colin Sylvia, the next season I watched Sandringham play in the grandfinal against Port Melbourne. Sylvia was in a forward pocket pitted against Steve Lawrence a sniper, thug and all round bad bloke. Lawrence wrestled then punched Sylvia behind the play on the flank directly in front of me, Sylvia punched Lawrence back twice, right on the nose. I was that bloody happy I can’t explain, not because we had a boxer or fighter on our list, but we had a kid who’d stick up for himself and show a bit of pride in our jumper, something we have lacked in my 20 odd years of watching.

Yesterday I went to Geelong to watch the practice match. During the game Travis Johnstone went for a contested mark and ran through Geelong’s David Johnson, both going for the footy. After the collision Trav lay there waiting for Johnson to get up, both players had showed plenty of courage and had eyes only for the ball. Trav was motioning for Johnson to get up off his leg and gave him a friendly of a pat on the back. Chapman came charging in and gave Trav a bit of a whack for his fair and legitimate action.

Daniel Bell ran faster that Cathy Freeman to remonstrate with Chapman, Moloney ran in, Jones came from nowhere and grabbed Chapman by the throat. There was a sea of red and blue coming in to stick up for their teammate. Chapman was swamped by an aggressive pack of young Demons.

There is a new breed of demon running around on the paddock at the moment. We are rough, tough and proud. If Dean Wallis punched Brad Green in the throat or Michael Long ran through anybody wearing red and blue it would be a different story in 2007. We’ve always had players with plenty of skill but IMHO we finally have the toughness to go with it.

Beware the Demon in 2007.

No surprise to see Beamer in there.

With McLean, Sylvia, Jones, Moloney and co. now in the best 22, intimidation is not a thing I think our side will fall foul of for quite a few years.

Daniel Bell ran faster that Cathy Freeman to remonstrate with Chapman, Moloney ran in, Jones came from nowhere and grabbed Chapman by the throat. There was a sea of red and blue coming in to stick up for their teammate. Chapman was swamped by an aggressive pack of young Demons.

There is a new breed of demon running around on the paddock at the moment. We are rough, tough and proud. If Dean Wallis punched Brad Green in the throat or Michael Long ran through anybody wearing red and blue it would be a different story in 2007. We’ve always had players with plenty of skill but IMHO we finally have the toughness to go with it.

Beware the Demon in 2007.

Yes, finally at last,,,YEE-HAAR!!!

Real intimidation is what you do with the ball and what you will do to get possession when you dont have it. I want the opposition to now the cost and the pain of challenging the contested ball against Melbourne. I want them to think twice about their commitment. That's intimidation. Its in their mind Thats the measure of toughness not the expected remonstration and bumping of chests that should occur when a comrade gets unfairly dealt with.

We have definitely turned the corner

Real intimidation is what you do with the ball and what you will do to get possession when you dont have it.

Perfect example of this was the 'line in the sand' debacle by the hawks several years ago.

They just ended up looking stupid.

However on the demonstration yesterday of 'solidarity', it looked like the team cared for each other, all in the vicinity of Chapman felt the need to get involved at the same time.

Pretty airy-fairy I know, but spirit can be hard to define.

This group of youngsters has it in spades.

Real intimidation is what you do with the ball and what you will do to get possession when you dont have it. I want the opposition to now the cost and the pain of challenging the contested ball against Melbourne. I want them to think twice about their commitment. That's intimidation. Its in their mind Thats the measure of toughness not the expected remonstration and bumping of chests that should occur when a comrade gets unfairly dealt with.

Real intimdation is our best, silkiest midfielder running through anyone who gets in his way, just as Travis did.

great to see us playing as a team and playing for each other, we've got a great list and it'll keep getting better. hope sylvia kicks on soon so he can join the party.

Real intimidation is what you do with the ball and what you will do to get possession when you dont have it. I want the opposition to now the cost and the pain of challenging the contested ball against Melbourne. I want them to think twice about their commitment. That's intimidation. Its in their mind Thats the measure of toughness not the expected remonstration and bumping of chests that should occur when a comrade gets unfairly dealt with.

You've got no idea, have you?

Intimidation is an action of premeditated thinking, an action without real committment. A spontaneous reaction of rushing in to support your mate in trouble is a spiritual act of committment that spreads an air of security, solidarity & comradeship that you couldn't seemingly QUANTIFY...

True we are a far tougher unit than I can ever remember. With Mclean, Jones, Moloney, Batram and Sylvia all running through our midfield for the next 10 years, we shouldnt have a problem with toughness for a very long time. Exciting times ahead for the MFC

Real intimidation is what you do with the ball and what you will do to get possession when you dont have it. I want the opposition to now the cost and the pain of challenging the contested ball against Melbourne. I want them to think twice about their commitment. That's intimidation. Its in their mind Thats the measure of toughness not the expected remonstration and bumping of chests that should occur when a comrade gets unfairly dealt with.

True.

Toughness is not being a dirty sniper like Carr, but sticking up for your teammates shows a certain level of togetherness and unity and strength.

Put it this way, how long has it been since you've seen Yze or Robbo or Bruce or White run over to help a teammate fight a battle?

For all of their skills and talent, a lot of our more senior players (with the absolute exception of Neitz) have always shyed away from the physical stuff, be it in play, or while a pack is forming.

It sure as hell makes me smile when I see Carroll dumping Gehrig into the ground, then Brock proceeding to run through Kosi. I like that finally we have guys in our side who look like they could, and would, kill you if you got in their way.

I'd hate to meet some of our current players in a carpark. Whereas a few years ago I could probably aim my stilettos* at some of our senior players and they'd run away scared.

*Google it if you've got no idea what I'm on about

You've got no idea, have you?

Intimidation is an action of premeditated thinking, an action without real committment. A spontaneous reaction of rushing in to support your mate in trouble is a spiritual act of committment that spreads an air of security, solidarity & comradeship that you couldn't seemingly QUANTIFY...

Thanks I enjoyed the chuckle. God bless the spiritual acts!

True.

Toughness is not being a dirty sniper like Carr, but sticking up for your teammates shows a certain level of togetherness and unity and strength.

Correct Jaded. I dont find the Carr's or Guerra's of this world at all tough. I dont knock having to stick up for a fallen teammate but I dont believe retaliation is the best measure of intimidation.

Put it this way, how long has it been since you've seen Yze or Robbo or Bruce or White run over to help a teammate fight a battle?

For all of their skills and talent, a lot of our more senior players (with the absolute exception of Neitz) have always shyed away from the physical stuff, be it in play, or while a pack is forming.

It sure as hell makes me smile when I see Carroll dumping Gehrig into the ground, then Brock proceeding to run through Kosi. I like that finally we have guys in our side who look like they could, and would, kill you if you got in their way.

I don't what value any of those players having to dish it out although I am sure Yze could pull pigtails if pushed!

I think the lack of physicality in the play of Yze and co has been more critical to us than standing up in a stoush. But you are right standing up for your team si necessary but it is an overvalued metric in measuring intimidation and toughness.

I'd hate to meet some of our current players in a carpark. Whereas a few years ago I could probably aim my stilettos* at some of our senior players and they'd run away scared.

*Google it if you've got no idea what I'm on about

Wouldn't that depaend on how many G n Ts you had had prior to staggering to the car park!

Thanks I enjoyed the chuckle. God bless the spiritual acts!

Agree RR.

Archer is tough. So was Voss. Neither snipe.

Guerra is a thug.

Spot the difference.

I want tough players not snipers. I think we have that.

I'm a bit the opposite on this issue.

Yes, its great for the spirit and comaraderie of the group.

However, as soon as I saw Beamer, Jones and Co join in to remonstrate, all I was thinking was "PLEASE NO REPORTS, PLEASE DON'T THROW ANY PUNCHES"- Round 1 is just around the corner.

I didn't get any satisfaction out of it. All I was thinking is get the hell out of there boys, don't risk a suspension.

I'd rather our guys play round 1, then thowing a punch and costing their team dearly.

No one threw a punch this time, but a fiery bloke like Moloney might not resist the temptation next time.

I'm a bit the opposite on this issue.

Yes, its great for the spirit and comaraderie of the group.

However, as soon as I saw Beamer, Jones and Co join in to remonstrate, all I was thinking was "PLEASE NO REPORTS, PLEASE DON'T THROW ANY PUNCHES"- Round 1 is just around the corner.

Good point, but I think everone's right on this issue. The action was a measure of team spirit.

But optimistically, I reckon we haven't seen many who throw a punch since maybe O'Dwyer and Grinter (sometimes crudely, often very subtle), and I see this group as a bunch of smart players who now know how video evidence works etc. Our main reports and suspensions later have been charging etc. (Miller for example.).

The 3rd quarter efforts on Saturday in the clinches of Jones and Moloney, supported by McLean were ones of pure strength and group tackling on Geelong's midfield. Result, 3 -4 goals into the wind.

Cmon melbourne give em heaps!!

Agree RR.

Archer is tough. So was Voss. Neither snipe.

Guerra is a thug.

Spot the difference.

I want tough players not snipers. I think we have that.

Dear Fanny, if you read the posts again I think you'll see that no one has suggested they want someone going wild in there & definately don't want any gutless sniping squibs like Guerra for us, but we do wan't ruggedness by the buckets load.

Put it this way, how long has it been since you've seen Yze or Robbo or Bruce or White run over to help a teammate fight a battle?

For all of their skills and talent, a lot of our more senior players (with the absolute exception of Neitz) have always shyed away from the physical stuff, be it in play, or while a pack is forming.

I'd hate to meet some of our current players in a carpark. Whereas a few years ago I could probably aim my stilettos* at some of our senior players and they'd run away scared.

*Google it if you've got no idea what I'm on about

Fair go some would have aimed their stillettos right back at you.

i bet you'd be even more scared to meet a few st kilda players in carpark!! (too far?)

the core group of tough midfielders is great, add miller (geelong players didnt want to put their head over ball when he was around on saturday, and he caused many a pressured mistake as well), rivers, bell, whelan likes it rough, wardy likes the odd punch (dunno how he didnt get reported against hawthorn after the campbell incident, he dropped campbell, who went off groggy!!!)

and then theres some bloke called byron for the next year or two as well

You can add to that group Daniel Ward, i have never seen him take a backward step.

Carroll, Wheels, Nieta and Byron are also quite happy to stand up for themselves!