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Welcome to Akermanis Island. Population 1

Akermanis is a dirtbag who has done nothing in his life other than self promotion; I wouldn't waste a second of my life reading what this [censored] has to say.

He hasn't even sent the team out onto the field for a real AFL game yet, so it's probably a little early to be speculating about Nield's gameplan... let's give it a few rounds before we start to question its effectiveness.

THE HIGHWAYMAN by Whispering Jack “I was a highwayman Along the coach roads I did ride, With sword and pistol by my side.“ I have this picture in mind of the great Demon Jim Stynes in another life in which he is a highwayman roaming the mountainous regions of his native Ireland. The image is not that of a common criminal but rather of a folk hero in the mould of those legendary characters who stole from the rich and gave to the poor in that famine-ravaged land. When captured, they were hung on the gallows or, if luck intervened, they would be transported halfway across the world in chains to do hard labour. There were those in this land who craved freedom more than the highwayman’s baubles and coins. In dark times at the rising of the moon, they lay in wait preparing to battle for their liberty. Jim's grandfather had a brother, "Uncle Joe". He fought alongside the legendary Michael Collins during the Irish war of independence but Joe also won an all-Ireland Gaelic football title playing for Dublin. “I was a sailor. I was born upon the tide And with the sea I did abide” There was another great Demon Ron Barassi. He appreciated the close connection between the Irish game and our local sport. Australian football was first played in the colonies where highwaymen were sent on convict ships. Afterwards, thousands came on the tide hoping to find gold on the streets and start new lives away from the misery and the poverty of their homeland. Another hundred years and more passed by when a tall young teenager with immense athletic talent read an advertisement. It was placed in an Irish newspaper by Barassi's football club and was seeking athletic young lads to come across the world to play football. Jim Stynes answered the call and arrived in Australia where he overcame many hurdles to become a champion footballer. He was the pre-eminent player in his adopted land when he won the Brownlow Medal in 1991. “I was a dam builder across the river deep and wide Where steel and water did collide” Football careers are measured in short time spans. When they end, the time comes to build other things. Jim married, made a home, started a family and a thriving enterprise helping young people with shattered lives. He reached out and soothed and enriched them. He gave them back their dreams. “I'll fly a starship across the Universe divide, And when I reach the other side, I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can, Perhaps I may become a highwayman again" Jim was the bloke who ran over the mark in the preliminary final and went on to play 244 consecutive games in a total of 264 in a career that saw him win club four club Best and Fairest awards as well as the 1991 Brownlow. In his time, he established his durability, a feature that remained part of his persona even when afflicted by the curse of cancer in the last few years of his life. Last September, he surprised the Melbourne faithful and arrived to speak at the club's Keith "Bluey" Truscott Medal presentation night. They were saying he was on death's bed, that the AFL was planning a tribute on grand final day. We stood, listening to his words in awe. And he stayed on a while ... "Or I may simply be a single drop of rain, But I will remain, And I'll be back again, and again and again and again and again ..." Today, that single drop of rain is like the tear that spills from my eye yet I remain consoled knowing his spirit will remain with us forever. [The words quoted are from The Highwayman written by Jim Webb]

We are all aware of his remarkable feats of strength on the field and his compelling story of how he got there. In the face of adversity and with nothing more than his resilience, courage and determination his story is unrivalled. Off field Jim reluctantly took on a role of gigantic proportions, the immediacy and magnitude seemed too great for one man. At a time where the oldest club in the land was on its knees, with a bleak and short existence imminent, Jim stood up. He was engaging, he gave the Demons a voice again, a voice that people not only heard but listened to. Jim rebuilt relationships, mended fractions and eradicated a huge debt, he walked the corridors tall and others proudly followed. Jim only knew one way, he held his hand out to the club just like the kids at Reach. Jim showed them how much they mean to others and how perceptions can be easily changed. He first created the vehicle, soon after came a path and Jim lead the way. Jim didn’t let the club walk alone, he provided the belief, rebuilt the unity and a sense of belonging. After Jim’s sad passing it is now time for others to keep up the momentum, drive the passion and ensure the Melbourne FC return to where it belongs. Let us members grab the hand of the club and continue the climb that Jim started. We are Melbourne, we stand united celebrating our clubs proud history and embrace the future. Being Melbourne means ‘You’ll never walk alone’. With this in mind and as a sign of solidarity, passion and voice, imagine us members standing as one and singing this anthem at each home game from here on; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T00x5sRbZrc With a True Beating Heart, Lace Out

Please forgive Jason he is suffering from RDD - relevance deficit disorder

This is actually just a reflection on the pitiful character that is Jason Akermanis. It is not in any way a reflection on Jimmy, nor will it be seen that way. It's perfectly obvious to me that he either has such an out of control ego (but I do good things, why don't they worship me?) or he was unloved as a child and has unresolved issues which means he cannot understand the world like most happy and contented people. It's kind of sad. More pathetic than sad, actually.

I don't think that this is the entirety of the gameplan, only the bit that we've been working on during the pre-season. Neeld is on record as saying that we already know how to attack and that he is going to teach us to defend. What we've been seeing is a lot of very defensive play all over the ground. We've been playing presses and contested ball scenarios. However, if you look at the Brisbane game again, you will see that in the second half he gave the players permission to use some attacking plays as well, and it was enough to win the night. I didn't bother watching the Hawthorn and PA games, so I don't know if the theme continued, although from the sounds of the coverage it did. Personally, I look at that second half against Brisbane and see that there are more tricks in his bag than he's been letting on. We made some blistering attacks off the fast switch that resulted in goals. What we haven't seen is precise passing to a leading forward, but I hold out hope that we will see this appearing somewhere in the next month or so as we really don't have the crumbing options to sustain the high bomb into the forward line as a primary attack.

Well said Dean Bailey...Absolute class act....I knew there were no hard feelings. http://youtu.be/Hz6hT9mUgbg

There you go - apologised for what he said (individually you can all take it or leave it - I choose my original position: apathy) and was given the boot from his show. Nothing more to discuss here.

The expanding market is everything. If you lived in Tasmania, would you ditch the MFC to support a Tasmanian team? I do and I wouldn't. Neither would the masses of Hawthorn, Collingwood and St. Kilda fans that live down here. That's the thing - there's no growth at all to be achieved down here, all that would happen is the support for other clubs would be diluted. The worst case for a Tasmanian team is the same as the worst case for GWS and GC - i.e. no support and a burden on the AFL, and the best case is things being the same as they are now. The best case for a Tassie team is that from a growth perspective things remain completely the same, while for GWS and GC the best case is that the game has significant growth in these areas. From a business perspective, this is an absolute no brainer. With Hawthorn in Launceston and now North in Hobart playing games down here, the market has been fulfilled IMO. I'll head off to Bellerive twice this year, masquerade as a North supporter for those days purely as thanks to them for bringing me the game I love, and spend the rest of the year watching the MFC every weekend religiously on TV. More to the point, I'll take my kids along, knowing that I risk inadvertently turning them in to North supporters (as my brainwashing has otherwise been a complete success) - four less potential members for the MFC in years to come.

I just want us to fight this year and earn some respect. I just read an article on afl.com.au about what the club captains think will happen this year. "Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight? (In 2011, the captains correctly nominated Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Carlton, the Sydney Swans and St Kilda to play finals, but missed West Coast and Essendon) Collingwood (17), Carlton (17), Geelong (17), West Coast (17), Hawthorn (16), Fremantle (12), Sydney Swans (nine), Adelaide (eight), St Kilda (six), Western Bulldogs (two), Essendon (two), North Melbourne (two), Richmond (one), Brisbane Lions (nil), Gold Coast (nil), GWS (nil), Port Adelaide (nil), Melbourne (nil)." Not a single captain rates us to make the 8. We are dead last there. We're rated even below RIchmond in the eyes of our opposition. That really drives home how little respect we hold and how poor we've become onfield. It's time to start fighting and earning back some respect. I don't care where we finish this year, but I care about the way we play. Big losses aren't acceptable. We've been rebuilding for 5-6 years now. It's time for results. Fight Dees for gods sake!!

Dimwit wanted GWS and GC for one reason only. 60% of advertising revenue is generated from those two places. AS well it is rugby league heartland and they dominate TV ratings - even though people don't attend rugby games in any decent number. So get over it. It was his call and he will live and die by it. Out of any sport in Australia AFL is clearly the dominant one. He intends for it to stay that way. You mightn't like him but he has done a good job,

And that would be great, if his name was James Triton...

That's why no-one discusses it here ;-)

Can I just say one thing: 'kicking long into the forward line' is not a Gameplan. It may be involved in the Gameplan but it would be a small part of the whole. I am less worried about 'kicking long' than I am about how we move the footy out of our backline, and how our midfielders defend when they do not have the ball.

Based on the fact we won 8.5 games in 2010 and we were 'meant' to take the next step in 2011, and for whatever reasons we didn't, I struggle to understand how people do not think we will finish much better than our 2010 season given the fact most of the players on our list that year are still with us, and are in fact further developed (as opposed to having already reached their peak and on the decline). Based on that fact, in addition to our reasonable draw in 2012 (i.e. only playing 1 finalist - St Kilda - twice; a side likely on the decline anyway! and. . playing GWS twice, and not once at their real home ground), I find it difficult to see how we cannot aim for a minimum 11 wins, and even perhaps 12-13 with a good run home. That, to my reckoning, would mean we would finish 7-8th! Of course things can go wrong (i.e. aweful run of injuries, etc), however I do not expect last season's off-field dramas to reoccur as out off-field structure appears as firm as anyone now. Further to that point, we seem to have a coaching group with a realistic game plan - something we somewhat lacked under the Bailey regime. .

And you're either/or here people...

I would like to offer my heart felt, sincere apology, for generalising lapsed members as fat, lazy and possessing a set of balls. I now realise that many lapsed members could also in fact be skinny, idiotic and in possessing of a set of boobs. My deepest regrets.

I have never been so proud of Gary, he spoke so well and straight from the heart. On your note Lace Out, I thought about how You'll Never Walk Alone gets such a powerful feeling from the Kop at Anfield but I just don't think it would work in our case. However there is another bit of inspiration from Liverpool that I thought could work with us. Obviously their moto on the shield, "you'll never walk alone" comes from the connection to the song, and there has been a lot of talk about Jimmy's moto of "Whatever it takes" and how we should use it. I suggest that we add it to our logo/shield, I'd say where EST 1858 and move that somewhere else. I remember Jimmy talking about the logo and about how everything on it is a part of the Melbourne Football Club history. Jimmy is a massive part of us, he had a profound influence on the way the game was played, his story is legend across the entire competition, and he saved out club in its darkest hour. And that simply scrapes the surface of his accomplishments. Add his story to our shield that has something to say with every part of it. EDIT: I've tried a version of it, but my graphic design skills have definitely deteriorated! But it gives an idea of what I picture. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/804/melbournenewemblemedit1.jpg/

That was amazing from Garry on TFS. Absolutly heartfelt and honest. Please, please find yourself a copy and watch it. Wonderful tribute.

Thanks, although I'm a bit disappointed it didn't start last week (or was that 2 weeks ago?) with the win over Box Hill. If our game plan is kick it long into the forward line then Tappy's penetrating kick would be of great use.

Not at all. An ideal time to trial non-key aspects of specific strategies. Everyone (even 2nd tier players who might not be considered in the starting 22 but who might force their way into the seniors sometime into the season either through super form or as a replacement for suspension/injury) needs "game time" to practice their role in whatever strategies are being tested. And the NAB cup is an ideal testing ground. Nothing to lose as long as you aren't showing your full hand to the opposition. Even if you were showing a good part of your strategic hand, the opponent's never going to really know if you only had half your expected 22 on the park eh. And why not ask them to go hard and try put a win on the board for the team while they're at it. But you're taking what i said out of context a little HG. I only said it was a ...."decent "indicator" of parts thereof"... of Neelds bag of tricks versus the other NAB matches. I agree in the sense that it certainly wasn't a true or great indicator by any means of his full quota.

Shouldn't it be DR.WTF?

In general I agree that The Devil has done a good job in the business side of things for the AFL, although I think that GWS is going to be a black hole draining cash from the competition until it folds or relocates. The issue I have with him and his administration is the way they have messed with the game itself. The non-stop rule changes that eave players, umpires and fans with no idea of what's going on. The overhaul of the tribunal system to produce the politically run MRP. The official "interpretations" of the rules that are issued to the umpires each year which often have absolutely nothing to do with the actual rule. The publicity-powered witch hunts which have seen the demonisation of "Sling tackles" and "tunneling" while other equally serious and injury-causing behaviour is shrugged off as not being worthy of the effort (see Sylvia's broken jaw last year). The guy may have done well in making money for the game, but he is tearing it's heart out to do it.

I think you mean CTRL + F5, but I get what you mean. I think it is far more likely that the membership went up by exactly 1000. (IWUAEHIIUE) (Did I get that right?)

Wow. That is some rich patronisation there. It's almost as good as when rpfc does it. I usually back it up with something, but your way is good too...

He apologized completely. Said he didn't mean to attack Jim, but rather questioned why other good people didn't get as much publicity and a state funeral. Said Jim was a great guy who did a lot of good work. That he was terribly sorry and that he was stupid to say what he did. Move on.

Interesting how quickly people came to the defence of Matt Rendell yet jump all over Akermanis. Both probably said something they wished they hadn't and both sets of comments should be looked at in context. If the quotes attributed to Aker in the Sportsnewsfirst article are correct, the 'nasty' quote appears to refer to what might otherwise be called 'on field mongrel' - something many posters are clamouring for more of from our current players. However, the bit about questioning the State funeral seems completely foot in mouth. Aker also suffers from being a repeat offender. On balance, he has created animosity he didn't need to do by speaking when he shouldn't have. But how do we think Jim himself would have reacted? Probably with a smile and a comment something like, "Well, that's just Aker. It doesn't worry me". So perhaps we shouldn't give it the time of day, either. http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2012/03/22/aker-attacks-nasty-man-stynes/

i emailed. But I actually wanna hear Ox dress the turd down. He will not hold back. Will be good times. He will call a turd a turd

Gotta agree . Maquires arrogance riles me like no other. Even yesterday he wrote how he and Stynes would talk about building up the QB clash. This after numerous backhanders of late in the media with several threats to get the QB game taken off us. Would love Mclardy to step up and rip some shreds off him. Point out a few home truths that Maquire turns a hypocritical blind eye too.

@SENNEWS @HarftimeSEN @theOX05 @harfserious @therunhome

Make sure you cc their sponsors.

Speaking of membership, as a life member, Jimmy got a free membership each year. If it is not the case with life members who pass away that their spouse gets to use the free membership, then it should be and a free membership (not a life membership per se) should be given to Sam for the rest of her life. Additionally her children should also receive a free membership each year for say the next 20 or more years, so that they can come and enjoy the Dees at the G without having to worry about tickets etc. It may be only a little thing, but I feel that along with whatever else is decided, this would be a nice gesture by the club.

OD... note that he said "...win at least 4 out of the first 5 winnable games" - for some on here, that could mean by round 24, in which case membership numbers won't be affected ;-)

And Jimmy was wise enough to know it, and compassionate enough not to crucify Tom for doing it. A great man our Jim.

Another Demonland thread criticising our loyal senior players that have been hung out to dry by the MFC youth policy. What a surprise!

Wouldn't it be great if Yossarian has travelled from the future to enlighten us.

The front bum?

Trade for Dangerfield. Getting him and Viney into the midfield gives us a boost of class and aggression. We cannot afford to wait another 4-5 years for another new set of kids to develop or we'll turn into Richmond.

I was going to wait until we won a premiership, but now is the time.....I'll be signing up my three kids round 1.....i will also sign up people that i know support the MFC.....i will also buy a couple of junior memberships, which i'm going to donate too my local primary school....for the kid like me that had to be the Demon supporter...this is my pledge!!!

If at this time you are being a lazy [censored], sitting on your fat arse not renewing your membership, then I hope the club hunts you down, kicks you in the nuts, then makes you pay up.

Always wanted a lion fish but the minister for fisheries (My wife) isn't a big fan though.

Maybe we can con Carlton into taking Sylvia, it worked with Brock. We just have to convince them we don't want to lose him.

I'd be interested to know who these recruiters are that haven't fluffed more than a couple of top 30 picks. Even the universally highly regarded Stephen Wells at Geelong has on his record - 1998: Peter Street (17), David Clarke (20). - 1999: Joel Corey (8) David Spriggs (15), Ezra Bray (17), Daniel Foster (23) in the year he is lauded for selecting Chapman, Ling and Corey. - 2000: no top 30 picks, traded in Kent Kingsley, Justin Murphy, Mitchell White. - 2001: Charlie Gardener (23) a pick before Steve Johnson, in the same year they took Ablett, Bartel, Kelly, and Henry Playfair at 41. - 2002: Tim Callan at 36, after selecting Mackie (8) and Lonergan (23) who took 8 years to show something. - 2003: Kane Tenace (7), Cameron Thurley (22) - 2004: Geelong traded out of the top 30 to get Ottens for picks 12 (Danny Meyer) and 16 (Adam Pattison). Ouch. - 2005: Travis Varcoe (15), Trent West (31) - 2006: Joel Selwood (7), Nathan Djerrkura (25) The rest are probably too recent to assess, like Dawson Simpson, Dan McKenna, etc. What does this all boil down to? Quite a few misses making it look like unrealistic expectations by some posters.

I'm tired of hearing all this crap about our mids . Jack Trengove (Captain) Brent Moloney (B+F) Most clearances in the league Mark Jamar (AA ruckman) Nathan Jones ( improving each year) The two Jordies Good Times (Captain on the rare occasions he isn't injured) Bates-rated more highly by other clubs than our own . What more do you sad sacks want . I expect us to win more games than we lose .I think we will play 4 quarters rather than two . We are fitter ,we have a key target up front . We have a plan and a new coach . We have the best talent in the land. We just need a streak to build some confidence and then ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE . Nay-sayers abound on this forum ,which is fine as there has been much suffering . Remember-this is sport .Fairytales can and do happen all the time . I believe we can get into the finals and win one or two . SIXTH

Other clubs were definitely onto Martin at the time (ie, prior to the draft). The Swans in particular was one such club - and, cop a tip, they know how to identify hard, effective, loyal types. It was simply a massive opportunity having picks 1 & 2. The club had an obligation to absolutely nail them - and part of that involves following a process (ie, interview all players who might be in the mix for those picks - don't assume anything). If, after following the process, the club makes a judgement call in good faith and ultimately gets it wrong, then so be it - that happens. But, to NOT even interview Martin in the circumstances - well, that's bordering on criminal recklessness IMO. It's also amateur in the extreme. I still find it hard to come to terms with Richmond having a better midfield than us, particularly given our focus in recent years on building an elite midfield. And, to think, we heaped so much praise on Jordan McMahon at the time. There's more than a bit of irony in that. Martin and Trengove would've transformed our midfield. Here are the articles. They're not a pretty read. http://www.heraldsun...f-1226045887508 http://www.heraldsun...f-1225795211997 http://www.foxsports...3-1226080357418

Now that the news has sunk in a little bit I took the time to send a message to the Stynes family through the melbournefc website. I thought I'd share it: Jimmy was a childhood hero of mine. My Dad and I used to go to every Melbourne game in Victoria to see him and the Demons play. When my mum passed away of cancer when I was still quite young, going to the MCG and watching Stynes and the Demons play really helped my family get through some tough times. After the Demons one point victory over the Lions in 2008 I was lucky enough to go down to the rooms and meet the great Jim Stynes. It was pretty crowded down there with all the players' parents in attendance. Jim took the time to have a long conversation with my Dad and I, and you could tell that despite the mass of people that he probably wanted to talk to more, he still listened to everything we had to say and humoured a couple of starstruck fans. He radiated a sort of charm that cannot really be put into words, and I feel privileged to be able to say that I got to meet such an incredible person. Jimmy may be gone, but he will live on through the impressions that he made on every person that he met.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing Roost it But unfortunately you are correct. And rumour has it we did not even interview him.

+1 really like this, to the point that I will triple the number of memberships I buy to 11 if the club agrees to keep the reach logo