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WYL: "Hello, may I speak to Dean Bailey please ?" Power reception: "Um...Dean Laidley no longer works here as an assistant." WYL: "No ! I know that ! I said Dean BAILEY, you know the ex-Melbourne coach ! You have him there on your payroll !" Power reception: "Oh, er, he used to be before he was the Melbourne coach, but sir, you may want to do a bit of research and brush up on that temper of yours, I believe he is working for the Crows now as assistant to Brenton Sanderson." WYL: Yes, so I was right he was there, thank-you for your assistance.....click...{hang-up}....

You're a nobody on this forum until rpfc has told you to f' off

Early days, but I hope Mark Neeld creates a dynasty for himself at the MFC and that he is head coach for the next 15 years.

Silly call. I've been playing footy for 12 years now and I'd like to think most posters on here would have enough experience to know the difference between a 'wind affected' kick and a total shank. To help you out, here's some handy tips on how to spot a shank. Ask yourself these simple questions: 1. Is the footy is spinning forwards, not backwards in the air? 2. Does the footy goes at right angles off the boot? 3. Is Cale Morton about to have a shot at an open goal on the run? SHANKS

Yes, please don't provide examples that might blow my argument out of the water! Anyway, the onus isn't on people to prove you wrong, the onus is on you to prove yourself right.

It is when you are the individual...(I would put an emoticon here if I used emoticons, I am going to change this to the acronym IWPAEHIIUE to save time, and to start a trend!)

Fact ? hmmm.....Dont't let Energy Watch hear you say we have no major sponsor. Apparently they have tipped in $6M over 3 years thinking that they may be a joint major sponsor. But did lets facts get in the way of a good rant. We are looking for a second major sposnor -I would fire CS and hire Harry Potter - - expelliarmus sponsor

Hold the presses! We've got a thumbnail problem...........I think I'll slit my throat

I hate it when you get to the latter half of a pringles tin, and you have to basically turn it upside-down to get the next one out.......problem is.....all the crumbs then come with it!

It's really easy to just limit these descriptions to a few players to suit your argument, but this argument needs some parameters otherwise we just waffle on with personal judgements. I can't believe Ablett, Goodes, Judd and Swan are the only players in the AFL judged to be 'elite'. There are 800 or so footballers on AFL lists. So what's the elite by definition? The top 1, 2 or 3% (97th, 98th or 99th percentile)? By numbers alone, that would be 24, 16 or at a minumum 8 players. And what's A Grade by definition? Top 5%, 10%? Maybe it's something like Sheehan's Top 50 (I'm not arguing about his actual list). I find it hard to believe that the top 2% of players (at least ... 16 players) are not elite, or the top 10% (80 players) are not "A Grade". In any other evaluation system in any other field, that would be the case.

17 more days and we have some footy to talk about........

There's hope. When hope is gone, I'm gone.

The recruitment manager doesn't work in isolation. List management and the FD/coach would have a big, I would imagine bigger, say in when we use those picks.

Stick around and ask these, mostly misguided and unfair, questions in your 100th post. Otherwise my Troll sense says I don't give a sh!t.

It was a joke, an irony. You see, when people say a person will make another walk taller - they mean they will progress and do better. I was mirroring that sentiment but infusing it with a ironic twist as Clark being in the team will mean Jurrah will do a number of things that 'smaller' forwards do, such as crumbing. Hence, 'Jurrah will be walking smaller' is to say he will do well, but do it in a literally 'smaller' role. I've heard the saying that if you have to explain jokes extensively then they are not funny. I do not prescribe to this idea. (Cough)

No disrespect to the current crop on the demonland banner but I believe Jack Grimes should also feature. I know it's not as simple as banging up a photo but just thought if you guys have any upgrades or refreshes due soon that it would be a good sign of respect.

Opposition supporters only need look here to see that we are indeed a soft club. Why do the majority continue to accept all this half arsed rubbish? Neeld has given him a kick up the backside after coming from the most professionally run club within the AFL. Why is it that people go up in arms when a poster rightly says that Watts needs to learn how to attack the footy at 100 % intensity? Why do the coaches say it? Why do football media personnel say it? Why? Wake up!

Thanks, the MFCs newest member; 'Viney', is doing quite well despite her mum's persistence in calling her by some other name.

Hopefully any bad kicks today will be "Shanks for the memories".

No2 - Robbie

'Teddy Whitten'

I am 25 years old and have been supporting Melbourne since 1990. My father since the late 60s, and his brothers shortly thereafter. I have over the last few years developed a very frustrating sense of anger at the club. I don't seem to share the same mentality and optimism as others here, which fuels my frustrations. Since the 30+ goal loss against Geelong, I have developed a sense of hatred at the club, purely because I throw hundreds of dollars at an organisation that seems to be completely inept at expanding and improving. I keep hearing that the club is growing, but I am not sure what people compare it to. In perspective, the MFC is still a very small, nothing club that will never, ever be bigger than the establishment. A few questions I would love to ask the club. 1. Why don't we have a major sponsor yet? I don't accept "they are working on it" as an answer. If they don't have a major sponsor by the pre-season cup, the CEO must be sacked. 2. Why are we near-last in social media rankings? Our social media manager and their team must be sacked. It is free marketing FFS. New teams, Sydney, Brisbane, North all have more followers and fans on Twitter and FB. These outlets are very important for brand growth and expansion. Why are we near-last? 3. Why have we seen no growth on membership figures year-on-year despite: Casey "expansion" New HQ Extensive re-branding Free marketing via social media (see No.2) Who will be held accountable for these failures? I am sick and tired of pathetically optimistic supporters sticking up for this lame excuse for a professional sporting club. We must start seeing results in 2012 across ALL fields, off-field on on. You can't get around this. Don't give me any of this "the club is working on it" or "we have a promising future in Casey/Olympic Park/Docklands/Thailand/Japan/Whatever. I've been hearing this rubbish for going on 10 years. Why aren't their results? It's quite clear that you need growth off-field across all facets in order to be successful on field. So where is the growth, and who will be held accountable?

the funniest bit was when demetriou said contracts needed "more integrity"

Frankly i prefer actions. Statements are just words. And I dont think anyone is trying to "forget" 186. The astute people at MFC would be placing it in its proper context and situation, identifying the issues and dealing with them...rather than drowning in melodramatic ultimatums.

By the sounds of that report, it's lucky you got it mixed up and went to Casey fields to watch today's training session. The group you were watching were from the Cranbourne High School Year 7 and 8 team.

Malthouse told him "You are the coach of another club" and that's why he can't stay around. It's difficult for clubs to lose coaches at that stage, but that is life. As soon as Neeld was told by Schwab his life changed and as an MFC supporter I'm glad he focussed wholly on the future of my club rather than the next few weeks of a job he used to have.

Hiya JUMPING JACK CLENNETT Nice to read a fuller account that what my memory serves :-) I was right behind the goals and was screaming like an banshee by that stage but couldn't now remember if 2nd or 4th qtr. Folks can call me a sore loser but we suffered daylight robbery that day. Umps probably cost us a flag.

Sorry. Not a fan, makes us look a bit childish

Well whatever colour it is, it will look completely different in person than on the TV...

YES

because its grimes, when isnt he in the rehab group

Rehab Group: Tappy, Jordie, Spencer, Davey, Bartram, Williams, Viney, Evans, Grimes, Strauss. Jurrah and Sylvia did some drills with the main group but did not do the simulated match practice. Standouts: Watts, Howe, Jones, Clark, Gysberts Random Information: The AFL strictly control when clubs can start having Intra club practice matches and that is much of the reason why "situational" drills are played. Training was very much along the lines of previous reports. Warm up, three or four drills, two close in handball/blocking drills, one ball movement around the ground and then some "match simulation" stuff that involved a moderate level of physical contact. Session wasn't overly long, starting shortly after 9.45 and finishing by about 11.30.

wyl I am living for the day

You may get a little sympathy if it was not the Pies. So keep your head down the storm is coming

There will be a better one in three years time when he is holding up the cup!!!!

OP smacks of agenda, the post above confirms same for me. All of the OP's concerns would be adressed if we started consistently winning games of footy, maybe we should have a shake up of the footy dept................

By golly you're right. I think I might start a thread on that very subject.

Worried about 30+ goal defeats? Ring the Adelaide Football Club and ask for Dean. When Dean comes to the phone, let loose with your emotions and tell him.

thank you i'll rip out this one, sorry its a year old, but it shows the support for our club is nowhre near as bad as everyone seems to think it is: 2010 ATTENDANCES http://www.footywire...010&t=R&h=A&s=A Team Games Total Average 1.Collingwood Magpies 22 1,306,188 59,372 2.Carlton Blues 22 1,046,579 47,572 3.Essendon Bombers 22 1,009,837 45,902 4.Geelong Cats 22 983,498 44,704 5.Hawthorn Hawks 22 922,136 41,915 6.Richmond Tigers 22 834,699 37,941 7.St Kilda Saints 22 831,799 37,809 8.Melbourne Demons 22 799,889 36,359 9.Western Bulldogs 22 742,546 33,752 10.Fremantle Dockers 22 702,598 31,936 11.West Coast Eagles 22 693,328 31,515 12.Adelaide Crows 22 686,462 31,203 13.Sydney Swans 22 653,050 29,684 14.Brisbane Lions 22 639,309 29,060 15.North Melbourne Kangaro22 603,586 27,436 16.Port Adelaide Power 22 533,624 24,256 ALL 176 6,494,564 36,901 MEMBERSHIPS http://www.afl.com.a...26/default.aspx 1.Collingwood 57,408 2.Hawthorn 53,978 3.Adelaide 45,545 4.West Coast Eagles 44,160 5.Essendon 40,589 6.Carlton 40,480 7.Geelong Cats 40,326 8.Fremantle 39,854 9.St Kilda 39,021 10.Richmond 35,960 11.Melbourne 33,358 12.Western Bulldogs 32,077 13.Port Adelaide 29,092 14.Sydney Swans 28,671 15.North Melbourne 26,953 16.Brisbane Lions 26,779 ALL 614,251 AVE 38,391 I hope it is noted that in that year we were 7200 members behind 5th biggest in the comp, and also 5600 showing up every week from 5th biggest in the comp. That's despite getting sunday night fixtures against Freo and for being a cellar dwelling side for a loooong time.. If you think these margins between us and the 'big boys' are big, you are kidding youself. Harden up. Sorry.. here it is in a nutshell.. Hawks/Bombers regarded as 'big boys' well THE ACTUAL FACTS show that an increase of 13-18% in our figures would put us on par with them, which is ziltch considering we have had terrible on-field results and poor commercial fixturing for a long time. Like every other club, if we start winning we ill see a swell in support and how the AFL schedules our games. Members: 5.Essendon 40,589 11.Melbourne 33,358 (82% of above figure) Attendances: 5.Hawthorn Hawks 22 922,136 41,915 8.Melbourne Demons 22 799,889 36,359 (87% of above figure)

Lets look at what the new Board has/is doing Cleared 5 mill debt since 2008 Business turnover from 25mill-40mill State of the art Training facility Mcc alignment More football/sports science... David Mission one of the best,Neil Craig both sports science & football brain mentor Record membership 37K in 2011 Record new sponsor Energy Watch Our club has never achieved this, can I remind you of the junction oval??? a fractured/broke board Gutnick/Zombie etc Look at Collingwood & Geelong both broke late 90s got their ship in order attracted the best people to the their clubs it took them 10yrs to win a flag! I share your frustration I supported them since the 70s dark days & a member since 98! Remember all the ducks need to be lined up!

Already a number of responses have given you some factual response to your questions. As a mid 60 year old supporter from almost birth and member for how long I haven't calculated I'm prepared to take your frustration and impatience seriously. Who doesn't share a little, but if I get your drift it seems its got your life down. You either stick with it or you get another club. Obviously the latter is not possible. Impatience and frustration is an emotional response, its yours and the fact others are working hard to change the status of the club and are doing it to most peoples satifaction suggests we need to know a bit more about you so that we can find out what's really bugging you. I suggest take as much space as you like and just start writing. The demons need all that energy your've got but by using it in a positive way.

Gonna be quick cause I am on my phone with no computer available at the moment. Firstly, if you want so badly to ask those questions, why didn't you just go to the AGM and ask them? Second, membership has grown year on year for many years now. So not sure what your no growth stat is based on. Have a quick look at the link below for a few figures. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/default.aspx?newsid=117979 A few key points from the article: 1. 11% growth in 2011 against 2010 numbers. 2. Since 2003, membership has increased 78%. Please feel free to comment on the above and tell me we have had no membership growth.

how about I start with your 3rd point 3. Why have we seen no growth on membership figures year-on-year despite:blah blah blah I give you 2006- 24,698 2007 - 28,077 2008 - 29,619 2009 - 31,506 2010 - 33,358 2011- 36,937

When you say "no membership growth, what's this then? 2005 24,220 2006 24,698 2007 28,077 2008 29,619 2009 31,506 2010 33,358 2011 36,937 Don't use absolutes like "none" when this is clearly not the case.

I could say take a bex and have a lie down but i'll settle for a photo of your 2012 membership card (2011 won't do)

stop reading the comments from the fools on the herald sun website......

Who are you? Casey Donovan's nutritionist?

It's very hard to go past Jack Watts Jordie, but just to be different I'll stick with Chip Frawley to still be our best in 3 years time (no real surprises there either, I guess). I also very much like the look of Tom McD., but I'll put out the bait to Old Dee and suggest Jamie Bennell as my smokey. I know it's a very long bow to draw, but he could be our Andrew McLeod, and two Norm Smiths would have to put him right up there!