Haven't spent much time on Demonland over the offseason, or at all in the big scheme of things. I came back here the other day to see what others thought of a few things I noticed watching the scratch match against Richmond. Good Lord people, what's happened to us? 

By "Us" I mean Demon supporters as a whole, on every platform. I truly believe it's never been this bad. The infighting, gossip, completely unfounded rumours and trash talk is completely ruining what used to be a few different places to dribble a bit of [censored] about the footy no matter the result. Yes we whinged, moaned and lamented but it was fairly good natured (for the most part) and the team still had our full backing.

Offseason was rough, agreed? It's been a pile on of monumental proportions. Coming at the club from every angle. It's been hard to listen to. From the 24/7 media cycle blaring it into our skulls to opposition supporters gleefully rubbing it in our faces. Well, I'm sorry but it's not going away soon, get used to it. The more we react the louder they become. Why do you think the club doesn't say much? Anything they say is twisted and turned and dissected on radio shows endlessly. It's easier to just say nothing. 

We are already arguing about how [censored] the 2024 season is going to be! WTF!? WE HAVEN'T PLAYED A GAME YET! Guess what? We are going to lose games. Unfortunately that is just the reality. We will lose games. Some honourable losses but also some horrible losses to teams that have no right to play as good as they do against us. But, we will win some as well. The boys will dig deep and get us across the line in spectacular fashion and make us leap out of our chairs and scream with joy. There will be horrible wins as well, just scraping across the line against someone that we were all confident we could relax for. That's footy. Highs and lows, the agony and ecstasy of sport in general.

We achieve nothing by fighting amongst ourselves. By all means, let's have constructive debate over how we can make the team better, who belongs where on the field, who's played well or not. Let's not get too carried away with the off field stuff. That's for the club and players to worry about. We are supporters, our job is to support. We cannot do that when we are spending our time endlessly and viciously arguing over things we cannot control. 

Let's unite, support our boys (and girls), let them know that we are still here, despite all the outside noise. 

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Had an hour up my sleeve before the boss came in. Probably just screaming into the void.  

I love you all. I love this team. C'mon Dee's.

 

 

I wholeheartedly agree with this messaging of unity between fans and getting behind the club.

Please use this thread to offer similar sentiments.

Please do not use this thread to bring up any off-field issues relating to the board or our players.

Thank you.

IMO there is no middle ground here. We either come together as one BIG unit or we fall away big time. Let's trust it is the former. Adversity can bring unity if all buy in. Time will tell.

We can win it in 2024, and I can see it being a great story.

A terrible off-season full of bad news and injuries.

A tough start to the season. Strong competition and a lot of travel.

Written off, supporters and media saying the era is over...

But the club galvanizes. The players, the staff, and the fans.

We make a run from outside the top 4 and ultimately win the bloody thing on the MCG.

Sweeter than 2021.

12 minutes ago, Docs Demons said:

IMO there is no middle ground here. We either come together as one BIG unit or we fall away big time. Let's trust it is the former. Adversity can bring unity if all buy in. Time will tell.

Absolutely. The players aren't in a complete bubble. They know when the fan base isn't behind them, that's not to say that we aren't behind them now but there is so much division. Let's just watch some footy and get behind our team. 

Hard to unite behind the team when the more that is exposed the worse it gets. Without breaking any rules of this forum the club and most supporters collectively have their heads in the sand.

Sorry Sam, I am not on the same page.

I love diversity and the variety of opinions, this site can bring.

The spectrum is a natural expression of the real world.

Those who want, have, need a contrary, abrasive, rebellious view, are at least a balance and at worst a laugh.

Protagonist need an antagonistic to cause some entertainment, and be thought provoking.

We will never be on the same page as individuals, and expressing that we should or could, leads to oppression and banality. 

 

We are bummed 

If any other club had had our preseason we’d be dancing on their graves.

I hold my head high when I proclaim my devotion to the dees. It's been like that for over 60 years.

For my taste, there are far too many "Monday morning armchair" strategists and tacticians on this site whose comments are neither helpful nor encouraging for true supporters. We have picked a coach and coaching panel and let them get on with the job.

GO GOODY GO DEES

 

46 minutes ago, Garbo said:

Hard to unite behind the team when the more that is exposed the worse it gets. Without breaking any rules of this forum the club and most supporters collectively have their heads in the sand.

Pardon my French but Garbage.  I'm totally united and dont have my head in the sand.  Todays news is stale and at least 4 weeks old for me. And I'm about as well connected as a 4 pin plug. (but it might explain why the media has been having pot shots at our culture since we won the GF).

It will not stop me going to games, buying merch and making donations.

Optimist v pessimist. The age-old dichotomy.

Both points of view are valid. Within reason. The extremes of either view is where it gets silly.

Lose a meaningless practice game and our season is over and I'm microwaving my membership. Ridiculous.

Any form of constructive criticism or negative perspective means you're not a true supporter. Ridiculous

I think we'll finish top 4. But we have injuries and distractions. Not ideal preparation for the season.

But hope springs eternal. I can't wait for the season to start and get along to the G on St Pats day to cheer on the red and blue.

Go Dees

54 minutes ago, Cheap Seats said:

We are bummed 

Appropriate comment from someone called "Cheap Seats".

Reminds me of the probably apocryphal story of a club's Members' Handbook which had in its Table of Contents, "Seats - see under Members"

Like to think here is an opportunity, to overcome adversity.
 

Let the Demons show up and do it on the field. Fair dinkum supporters whether new or already dug in for generations will back them in.

All the media vultures gathering round can fugazi off.

 

Edited February 21, 20241 yr by Tarax Club
Us and Them

1 hour ago, Jontee said:

Pardon my French but Garbage.  I'm totally united and dont have my head in the sand.  Todays news is stale and at least 4 weeks old for me. And I'm about as well connected as a 4 pin plug. (but it might explain why the media has been having pot shots at our culture since we won the GF).

It will not stop me going to games, buying merch and making donations.

So everything is fine, anyone that isn’t onboard this train is just holding us back. We should just put the blinkers on and not question our reality or talk about the PR spin that comes from the club

Edited February 21, 20241 yr by Garbo

2 hours ago, Garbo said:

So everything is fine, anyone that isn’t onboard this train is just holding us back. We should just put the blinkers on and not question our reality or talk about the PR spin that comes from the club

Hi Garbo I am red in one eye and blue in the other, my glass is always half full, there are times when I feel emotionally drained and distant and there are times when I feel so exhilarated by the actions of our team out on the ground when I and all around me are singing our song that I could burst with pride. I recognise everyone’s right to agree/disagree with what is happening but I challenge you to specify what PR spin you are referring to, we have 44 players on our list. They all give their best that’s all they can do in our quest to see the Cup lifted on the G, they should not be castigated nor our Culture ridiculed for someone’s stupid actions. By the way where is the Horror from the press when alleged Sexual Assault is deemed lesser than when someone allegedly damages themselves and their families name and reputation. Where is the fairness, as mentioned above this is the time for the club to go strong and that means, all of us - Admin, coaches, players and supporters.!!

Edited February 21, 20241 yr by DeeZone
Spelling

10 minutes ago, BDA said:

Optimist v pessimist. The age-old dichotomy.

Both points of view are valid. Within reason. The extremes of either view is where it gets silly.

Lose a meaningless practice game and our season is over and I'm microwaving my membership. Ridiculous.

Any form of constructive criticism or negative perspective means you're not a true supporter. Ridiculous

I think we'll finish top 4. But we have injuries and distractions. Not ideal preparation for the season.

But hope springs eternal. I can't wait for the season to start and get along to the G on St Pats day to cheer on the red and blue.

Go Dees

I 100% agree with the bolded bit

I'd add that it is possible to post constructive criticism of the club AND be positive about our chances. 

And that's the sort of analysis i prefer - ie balanced and not tilted to extremes. 

For example i have been very bullish about our chances in the last 3 seasons, but have also been very critical of our kicking skills (as i have been for many years).

In my opinion our kicking skills was the number one reason we didn't finish higher than 4th (if say we finished first or  second we would have played Port or the Lions at the G week one) and lost our two finals.

But as an example of how I assess our chances and look for areas of improvement, one of the reasons i am bullish about our chances this season is that the club has actively looked to address this glaring weakness over the last few seasons. 

In 2023 they brought in Hunter, in large part because of his foot skills and they drafted the Juddster for the same reason. Ditto for Sestan. 

This year they traded in Billings becuase he is an excellent kick and IMO is a lock for round one. And they traded in McAdam who is another excellent kick. 

They drafted the Duke, who by all accounts is a brilliant kick, another lock for round one. And the Colt is another draftee with excellent foot skills. 

If Salem and Bowser both get a good run at it and get back to their best, Laurie cements himself in the side, Billings and Windsor come into the team, we have added five elite kicks to the team. 

I'd include JVR as an elite kick and Hunter and Koz both close to elite. 

So if all those players are in the side we have 8 elite or above average kicks. That's as many as the Pies have.

Added to that, based on his beautiful kicking against the tigers, Viney appears to have once again improved his kicking after definitely doing so last season.   

Suddenly one of the clear advantages the Pies and Lions (and port and the Giants for that matter) had over us last season is negated, or at the least minimised. Hence my confidence we will finish top four. 

1 minute ago, binman said:

I 100% agree with the bolded bit

I'd add that it is possible to post constructive criticism of the club AND be positive about our chances. 

And that's the sort of analysis i prefer - ie balanced and not tilted to extremes. 

For example i have been very bullish about our chances in the last 3 seasons, but have also been very critical of our kicking skills (as i have been for many years).

In my opinion our kicking skills was the number one reason we didn't finish higher than 4th (if say we finished first or  second we would have played Port or the Lions at the G week one) and lost our two finals.

But as an example of how I assess our chances and look for areas of improvement, one of the reasons i am bullish about our chances this season is that the club has actively looked to address this glaring weakness over the last few seasons. 

In 2023 they brought in Hunter, in large part because of his foot skills and they drafted the Juddster for the same reason. Ditto for Sestan. 

This year they traded in Billings becuase he is an excellent kick and IMO is a lock for round one. And they traded in McAdam who is another excellent kick. 

They drafted the Duke, who by all accounts is a brilliant kick, another lock for round one. And the Colt is another draftee with excellent foot skills. 

If Salem and Bowser both get a good run at it and get back to their best, Laurie cements himself in the side, Billings and Windsor come into the team, we have added five elite kicks to the team. 

I'd include JVR as an elite kick and Hunter and Koz both close to elite. 

So if all those players are in the side we have 8 elite or above average kicks. That's as many as the Pies have.

Added to that, based on his beautiful kicking against the tigers, Viney appears to have once again improved his kicking after definitely doing so last season.   

Suddenly one of the clear advantages the Pies and Lions (and port and the Giants for that matter) had over us last season is negated, or at the least minimised. Hence my confidence we will finish top four. 

I can understand your logic and i agree that we are standing to address one of our vulnerabilities in kicking. 

Time will tell whether we make use of the acquired talent and whether that starts to address some of f50 connectivity issues with a revised game plan. It was clear against Richmond we were hell bent on going through the corridor resulting in a lot of turnovers. So there is clearly some way to go. 

3 hours ago, sam6172 said:

Haven't spent much time on Demonland over the offseason, or at all in the big scheme of things. I came back here the other day to see what others thought of a few things I noticed watching the scratch match against Richmond. Good Lord people, what's happened to us? 

By "Us" I mean Demon supporters as a whole, on every platform. I truly believe it's never been this bad. The infighting, gossip, completely unfounded rumours and trash talk is completely ruining what used to be a few different places to dribble a bit of [censored] about the footy no matter the result. Yes we whinged, moaned and lamented but it was fairly good natured (for the most part) and the team still had our full backing.

Offseason was rough, agreed? It's been a pile on of monumental proportions. Coming at the club from every angle. It's been hard to listen to. From the 24/7 media cycle blaring it into our skulls to opposition supporters gleefully rubbing it in our faces. Well, I'm sorry but it's not going away soon, get used to it. The more we react the louder they become. Why do you think the club doesn't say much? Anything they say is twisted and turned and dissected on radio shows endlessly. It's easier to just say nothing. 

We are already arguing about how [censored] the 2024 season is going to be! WTF!? WE HAVEN'T PLAYED A GAME YET! Guess what? We are going to lose games. Unfortunately that is just the reality. We will lose games. Some honourable losses but also some horrible losses to teams that have no right to play as good as they do against us. But, we will win some as well. The boys will dig deep and get us across the line in spectacular fashion and make us leap out of our chairs and scream with joy. There will be horrible wins as well, just scraping across the line against someone that we were all confident we could relax for. That's footy. Highs and lows, the agony and ecstasy of sport in general.

We achieve nothing by fighting amongst ourselves. By all means, let's have constructive debate over how we can make the team better, who belongs where on the field, who's played well or not. Let's not get too carried away with the off field stuff. That's for the club and players to worry about. We are supporters, our job is to support. We cannot do that when we are spending our time endlessly and viciously arguing over things we cannot control. 

Let's unite, support our boys (and girls), let them know that we are still here, despite all the outside noise. 

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Had an hour up my sleeve before the boss came in. Probably just screaming into the void.  

I love you all. I love this team. C'mon Dee's.

 

 

This post deserves a comment . Absolutely fantastic you have articulated it so well . Whether we play good ..bad or just plain ugly ..it is OUR team & I LOVE it ! 

3 hours ago, sam6172 said:

Haven't spent much time on Demonland over the offseason, or at all in the big scheme of things. I came back here the other day to see what others thought of a few things I noticed watching the scratch match against Richmond. Good Lord people, what's happened to us? 

By "Us" I mean Demon supporters as a whole, on every platform. I truly believe it's never been this bad. The infighting, gossip, completely unfounded rumours and trash talk is completely ruining what used to be a few different places to dribble a bit of [censored] about the footy no matter the result. Yes we whinged, moaned and lamented but it was fairly good natured (for the most part) and the team still had our full backing.

Offseason was rough, agreed? It's been a pile on of monumental proportions. Coming at the club from every angle. It's been hard to listen to. From the 24/7 media cycle blaring it into our skulls to opposition supporters gleefully rubbing it in our faces. Well, I'm sorry but it's not going away soon, get used to it. The more we react the louder they become. Why do you think the club doesn't say much? Anything they say is twisted and turned and dissected on radio shows endlessly. It's easier to just say nothing. 

We are already arguing about how [censored] the 2024 season is going to be! WTF!? WE HAVEN'T PLAYED A GAME YET! Guess what? We are going to lose games. Unfortunately that is just the reality. We will lose games. Some honourable losses but also some horrible losses to teams that have no right to play as good as they do against us. But, we will win some as well. The boys will dig deep and get us across the line in spectacular fashion and make us leap out of our chairs and scream with joy. There will be horrible wins as well, just scraping across the line against someone that we were all confident we could relax for. That's footy. Highs and lows, the agony and ecstasy of sport in general.

We achieve nothing by fighting amongst ourselves. By all means, let's have constructive debate over how we can make the team better, who belongs where on the field, who's played well or not. Let's not get too carried away with the off field stuff. That's for the club and players to worry about. We are supporters, our job is to support. We cannot do that when we are spending our time endlessly and viciously arguing over things we cannot control. 

Let's unite, support our boys (and girls), let them know that we are still here, despite all the outside noise. 

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Had an hour up my sleeve before the boss came in. Probably just screaming into the void.  

I love you all. I love this team. C'mon Dee's.

 

Great post sammy.

I'm with you all the way. 

The fugazi? 

Bring it i say. 

Having supported the dees all my life the natural default is the media, friends and other footy fans bagging and ridiculing us.

The snow jokes are oh so funny. Oh and do go on about volvos, cheese boards and golf clapping. 

Bring it i say. 

I've got my fair share of puerile needling from mates all preseason.

Bring it i say.

Let the media pile on. Let them them run with their click bait narrative. We're an easy mark. 

Bring it i say.

Lets not confuse our chances of winning a flag and our our love for the club. For true supporters the two have nothing to do with each other.

Anyone who posts on Demonland is by definition a supporter and cares for the club. 

Let the haters, hate.

Avoid feeding the negativity and buying into the medias narrative and agendas

And lets keep this thread focused on unity. 

Bring it i say.

 

What a day…

I took a long walk this morning and listened to the Demonland podcast. (Thanks gents) 😃

Then the mail arrived and I received my Membership pack. 😀

Then I read The Age. 😱

The life of a Melbourne supporter is an emotional rollercoaster. 

What a depressing  few minutes that was from Sam Edmond.

Melbourne have to stand up in the opening round in a fortnight.Critical.  Give no quarter take no prisoners. We'~ve got to become badass. No more gentleman nonesense like Oliver in the dying moments against Carlton.

Guys like Sparrow Chandler Spargo Salem Pickett Fritsch have been around the track for a while now.

Theyve got to show improvement in '24.

Gawn Petracca May Lever Oliver and Viney cant do it all week in week out.

Sick of all this BS about culture building. When do Collingwood ever go on about it.

 

 

8 minutes ago, deebunked said:

Sick of all this BS about culture building. When do Collingwood ever go on about it.

 

Umm, all the bloody time?

58 minutes ago, binman said:

Great post sammy.

I'm with you all the way. 

The fugazi? 

Bring it i say. 

Having supported the dees all my life the natural default is the media, friends and other footy fans bagging and ridiculing us.

The snow jokes are oh so funny. Oh and do go on about volvos, cheese boards and golf clapping. 

Bring it i say. 

I've got my fair share of puerile needling from mates all preseason.

Bring it i say.

Let the media pile on. Let them them run with their click bait narrative. We're an easy mark. 

Bring it i say.

Lets not confuse our chances of winning a flag and our our love for the club. For true supporters the two have nothing to do with each other.

Anyone who posts on Demonland is by definition a supporter and cares for the club. 

Let the haters, hate.

Avoid feeding the negativity and buying into the medias narrative and agendas

And lets keep this thread focused on unity. 

Bring it i say.

 

I'm not familiar with the works of Taylor Swift. Are these the lyrics of one of her songs called "Bring it I say"?

Whilst I have been critical of our game plan regarding forward entries the last 2 years, I will be waiting to see how it goes when McAdam, Fullarton, Petty and Fritsch are playing together, but it will take a little time to either work or not.

I have always set aside the first 5-7 or so rounds of the season and will do so again to see how it goes and while the dancing with your sister in our sim game was disappointing in parts I will look forward to our next game.