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Got this in an email from an 'Ologist this morning: I went to an after match last night as a representative of the QLd Demons. Towards the end of the night I approached Nathan Jones.I asked him why he was so incensed when Grimes was bowled over. He looked at me right in the eyes and I thought oh fark I’ve upset him. He said, "It was late and he is my captain. The flag had to be flown." I told him its been a long time since I have been prouder of a Melbourne player. He said thanks and shook my hand.

I hope the club has learnt the obvious lessons from not offering Junior another contract. Some players are important to a club in more ways than simply racking up possessions each week. Moloney won the B&F last year. He can play well, even though he's not had a great season thus far. He has also been a committed Demon. He should be re-signed.

On a slightly related topic, did anyone notice Melbourne fans getting a pay in the Age match review for the second game in a row. Last time it was for cheering the injury to slimy Didak (if we're not too soft, we're too hard apparently). This time it was for "staying away" on "a nice winter's Sunday". Thanks, Martin Blake -- whoever you are. Forecast all week was for showers and 13, it's 16th v 17th and the visiting team has NO supporters whatsoever, we're playing in the second-worst timeslot known to man with the match finishing in darkness on a school night, it's live on free-to-air TV ... I was gobsmacked that we pulled 20,000. On the opposite page there's a report on North v Adelaide. North still in finals contention, Adelaide playing for top spot, significant travelling support, game played indoors ... crowd: 18,866. Oddly, no mention of North fans staying away.

Good stuff, where do I contribute?

He will. I'm absolutely stoked about that game. So many positives. For all of the Dunn and Bate haters on this site, show some credit where it's due. IMO the continual bashing of these two guys is boring in the extreme - they're both hard at it, and bring much needed experience to this list. In fact, if Dunn was an Aussie Digger POW in WW2, I'm convinced he'd be the most popular guy in the prison camp as he'd constantly be stirring his captors and standing up for his mates. We need this bloke. Davey - good game. Seemed to regain some confidence. He really added to our forward line. Looked to have recovered some pace too. Sylvia. I have watched that raging bull goal about 10 times already. I really love this bloke in the red and the blue. He's as classy as anyone in the game. Clark. He is genuinely in All Australian form. Hope he's okay for this weekend. Neeld. Surely his quality is there for all to see now. In spades. Yesterday, he created so many options where our coaches previously would've made us (in particular our forward line) look flat footed and one dimensional. There's a real spirit in this list that seems to have emerged. That Essendon win was one of the most important wins I have ever seen in my time following this club. Bring on the Lions.

My two cents on today... Anybody who thinks they were going to play Cook or Davis today is dreaming. There are plenty of other opporunities later in the season, like North or Richmond etc, not the one game we absolutely had to win. Let's be honest, if we didn't win today, the whole club would probably have imploded. So, we brought back in our bigger bodies, and experience. And it worked a treat. Can anybody tell me the last time Dunn, Sylvia and Bate had 70-odd touches between them? Some random thoughts: Mitch Clark would have kicked 10 today. He was jumping out of his skin to absolutely monster those puny defenders. That injury was such a shame. He is a double edged sword though, because the way he gets his goals is the same way he constantly gets himself banged up. Forward defensive pressure was outstanding. Maybe having defenders up there helped, but on numerous occassions Davey, Rivers and Garland pinned the ball in our forward 50. Howe is eventually going to be a great midfielder. His hands (once he actually picks it up) are incredibly sharp. Tom Mac - 6 kicks and 20 handballs! I reckon 4 of those kicks were clangers and once he irons this out, he will be huge back there. Loved his forearm to the back of Patton's head, putting his face in the dirt after bringing him to ground. Sylvia pulled his finger out. I think his busted back was a lot more damaging than people give him credit for, and I genuinely think he has bought in to Neeld's system. He was busting his guts today. Sellar has come into his own down back and actually looks ok at this level now. Neeld has obviously decided that they have the 'defensive' bit down, because they are obviously being instructed to go up the guts more. Looks wonderful. Dunn kicked it to, yes, the centre circle. That's one way we haven't yet tried to beat those annoying presses. We should give it a bash against Collingwood next time out... Watts using his body to bump out the other guy, bolting off the wing, and putting it down Trengove's throat was poetry in motion. Stuff the KPF stuff, he is much more valuable to us in what he is doing now and, if either Rivers or Garland bed down that role, he is freed up anyway. All Beamer did all day was smash James McDonald (accidentally, of course). Davey haters, I think its time to get off his back. He was solid today. We're on track, finally.

Had no idea why we drafted him and his early games did little to inspire. But he looks at home down back and I like how he is a good kick and cool head with ball in hand. You could not say that about Warnock or any of our current defenders. Anyway I doubt the children will be rushing to get the #30 on their back, but good sides have room for a J. Sellar. For a pick in the 50s I reckon we have done well.

These are two things I'm starting to notice about the way we go about it that I have not seen in a long time. I don't doubt Neeld and co are to thank for this but I also believe that under Grimes, Trengove, Clark and the other members of the leadership group we are seeing a team that runs out each week whose mental dynamic has really changed. I'm feeling positive about the future more and more each week now.

Cook, please. There's finally some structure and some discipline to this footy team. Having Stef Martin in the team is like having a big labrador run through your freshly laid concrete.

What kind of shape is David Neitz in since retirement? Could sit him 1 out in the square...

Give them Moloney. I don't want Gumbleton in return, I'm just saying give them Moloney.

GYSBERTS!!!!

Not if our players learn to get out of his way. He's Mitch Clark FFS, he's got this. Stay clear of him, and he'll be fine. If he misses the mark, he's more than capable of getting up and laying the tackle. Besides, he can take on 4 opponents easy. He's Mitch Clark! On a serious note, things like this will come with time. Our forwards, especially those who have played about 2 games together (Rivers and Garland), are still learning to work around him. Going forward we'll have to work on set plays so that somebody learns to stay down. At the moment you have Clark, Howe and at some point Jurrah all trying to take mark of the year, and nobody is at their feet in case they miss.

Absolutely, as was his perfectly weighted 40-50 metre kick on the same wing (going the other way) with his left foot to a dee (i can't recall who - perhaps trengove). Gorgeous kick and gutsy too as if it had dropped short even by a bit the GWS player would have swallowed it and it would have come back over his head When Nik Nat can do that come and tell me we made the wrong choice!

Surprised there aren't more comments about this. The difference between this and our 10-15 goal wins last year was the defensive pressure, which caused a number of turnovers when the opposition ball carrier had nowhere to go and had to kick sideways or take risks and we nailed it. Allowed us to keep the ball in our forward half for large chunks of the game, despite them flooding the back line and getting absolutely nothing from the umps in the forward 50. That sort of defensive pressure just wasn't there last year. The spread was also really good. And we played the entire second half without our best player of the first half. Oh, and Gysberts & Strauss & Martin had good games for Casey.

the ugly - sam blease's tackle on the members side, spun the guy at least 540, possibly more and still didnt get holding the ball. not sure what we have to do to get a holding the ball.

I love how - once we realised that he was only going to be a good ordinary player - we tricked GWS into stealing him so we could free up some money to pinch Mitch, and get some compo picks to have another crack at the draft and hopefully get a champ this time. Anyway that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

On the way to work this morning on gold Tony Jones, Bridge Declous and that Lehmo [censored] from before the game getting stuck into dees supporters for booing Scully. Tony Jones labelled us losers of the weekends games and bridge and lehmo said all melbourne supporters need leave Tom Scully alone, get a life and say we should applaud Tom Scully next time. HELL NO!!!! I for one was pleased so many dees fans gave him hell yesterday, he deserved everyting he got. Jimmy would not be blaming us for yesterday, he as well was furious when Scully decieved and lied to all supporters and a dying mans face. Cowardly [censored]. Yesterday i saw a change. For too long we have just sat back being nice and coped it. If we can show that sort of passion and disgust against certain issues we as a club are on the right track to becoming good. Keep the passion people, love it!!!! As for Sheedy..... pfffff...... he is still sooking about not getting the job back in 2007, i think he needs to get over it its only been 6 years. Silly old bugger. KEEP THE PASSION PEOPLE ABSOLUTLEY LOVE IT. GO DEES!!!!!

AAHHH come on ....It was a bit of fun......and it's better to show them enjoying themselves than sitting doing nothing when their team kicks a goal.....Lighten up...

Junior = Trojan horse perhaps ? Lol

I enjoyed the win in the end yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed the theatre. And generally happy for the Demonland faithful and members here. A win is a win in any form. Whilst there were many errors, you've just got to take pride in the attitude and effort. Same goes for Black Caviar, despite the pilot error. Win is a win. That said, to say there was never any doubt rpfc, is easy in hindsight. Not sure you were thinking the same trailing by two goals going into time on in the first. The same errors we've seen this season were as evident as ever in the first. In the end, our intensity an efforts were of a more sustained level and the inexperienced babies at GWS were found wanting come the second term. Clark was sensational in the air and kicking for goal and our midfield were more than competitive in the contested possession which was critical to this game. A big thumbs up to the Demon supporters providing 20,020 to the crowd aggregate, leaving 50 GWS supporters imitating the Dalai Lama. And Kevin Sheedy can get stuffed.

I was mainly alluding to sloppy efforts that look real "cool" if they go through and lamentable when they dont. The idea is to score... Not to "me too "

This is life - if you make a decision that nets your father a paying job (oldest player on an AFL list BTW), and raises questions about your integrity with your insistence on the fact that you have not left the club as you boarded a flight to 'check the facilities' as it were - you are going to be ridiculed. He got booed. There were signs. There were kids with fake money. So what? He will be ridiculed for his actions for a few years yet and while I hope most of Demonland moves on, he deserves what he gets.

Tom $cully will get booed by the MFC crowd until his career ends. As it should be. It will level out. But we should never forget how we were treated for 15 months as Jimmy got sicker. Junior Mac is always welcome through the door. He will be back.

I have come home hoarse from booing. Two young girls in front of me kept blocking thier ears each time I booed I was so loud. I enjoyed every boo, let me tell you. By the end of the game my wife was giving me "the look" because my booing was getting under her skin. However, by half way through the last quarter Scully became irrelevant to me enjoying the rest of the game. I have purged my soul and Scully is now in the past. He may become a really good footballer in the next few years but he has made a monumental blunder in choosing GWS. But from here on, what happens to him has no importance to me whatsoever. R.I.P. - any further interest in Scully, father or son.

I hate the idea of horses-for-courses in the backline. It's the area where you need to get a stable 6 or 7 that get fully used to operating as a unit. Sellar in and out depending on match-up is a disaster IMO. I think we need one gorilla-minder for the ubiquitous resting ruckman and it's not Rivers because he's too small. Sellar or Martin. McDonald could grow to fill this role. Frawley is flexible enough to enable the permanent inclusion of this role because if there's only one gorilla then he can play small - he's got the pace and agility. I'm concious that we need another marking option forward to assist Clark (until as posted above Cook comes on - which will take until at least 2014 to really start to deliver). I like Neeld's experimentation with Garland and Rivers in that role. Personally I like Rivers forward - he's a better contested mark and can compete in the air against multiple opponents and that's what we really need - his lack of pace is not an issue because we don't need him to be a leading option. He's a smart player who will be able to maximise his opportunities and is incredibly brave. Garland is also a more flexible option down back - he can play tall or small where Rivers can't play small. Sellar/Martin, Frawley, McDonald, Watts, Garland - that line-up covers any tall challenges and Frawley, Watts and Garland can all take smalls if required to negate any attempt to mismatch us. That leaves one spot - probably for small negator - Bartram unfortunately sounds finished, Nicholson has disposal limitations, Sam "Mr Unaccountable" Blease - dream on. I like Strauss and Tynan - no doubt one of them will emerge. Sellar/Martin, Frawley, McDonald, Watts, Garland, Strauss/Tynan - that backline has flexibility and presence - there's plenty of size about it without an associated lack of pace and mobility - they won't be pushed around - they'll be doing the pushing around. If you can't live with Rivers forward then Sellar/Martin, Frawley, Rivers, McDonald, Watts, Garland works but it's almost certain Frawley, Watts and Garland ake smalls - that's less flexible IMO. If you want Garland forward then Sellar/Martin, Frawley, Rivers, McDonald, Watts, Strauss/Tynan - but's that's less flexible too

I wonder if it might have been more a matter of the players actually executing the gameplan (ie I doubt the gameplan ever was to have 18 players inside the opposition forward 50m and only kick to the boundary)

Don't agree rpfc I think Dunn is worth having around. We are desperately short of big bodied players with experience ( 90 games ) He can play a number of spots, Has turned in some very good games in the past against good teams. He quite often gets the unglamours jobs. He can kick a mile and he is tough never gives up. He is a keep for mine

Your post is also hilarious. I think most people would be happy with the win & spread from the players, hardness etc. But I think you will find that most people would also be still a bit worried on our skill areas. Not once have I read by anyone on here that Bate/Dunn are the new Selwood/Bartel however it is also good to see them improving. As for the rest of your post, yes it was GWS but we did beat Essendon and outscored Collingwood 83-74 after giving them a 55-4 head start, so thats what I'm going to judge our improvement on, not this game. Wake up.

This forum is hilarious. When we lose, they are all useless. When we win, we have finally bedded down the defensive game plan, Sylvia is the best there is in the AFL, Bate and Dunn are the new Selwood/Bartel combination, only more dependable. It was great to win. BUT.... what a good side would have done to us is not funny. Are if anyone seriously thinks Rivers is the answer up forward against a reasonable side, they are seriously dreaming. We got a lot of easy ball of a bunch of kids yesterday, don't kid yourselves. For me the big test is this week, in particular the first half. If the players drink their own bathwater like they did after Essendon, we will get smashed. If they buckle down and beat the Lions, I think we could say progress has been made.

Grimes was the first to shake hands with Scully, and then had a longish chat. I saw about five players in all talk at length to him, but I did not see Trenners go to him which is interesting since Jack T was the one who most often was wheeled out in Scully's defence last year to talk about what a quality fella he is and how we all hoped when his decision came 'at the end of the year' he would stick. I did not think anyone showed disrespect to Junior. I even cheered when he ran down Jones in the first quarter. Sensational effort. And McLardy said at the prematch that he had told Junior he was welcome back any time he wanted and it was hoped he might come back in some coaching capacity.

I canned this bloke in the first two months! However he has showed a bit over the last three weeks. The next 10 weeks will be interesting. I might have to eat humble pie.

I think you are being a bit disingenious there RM. I thought he gave it 100% all day, he messed up a couple of things but I thought it was his best game since 2010. Cut him a little slack IMO he played well today.

I like Sellar down back. He has the size and height to play on the KPF. He may not have the talent of a Frawley, Rivers or Garland, but he matches up better to negate the Gorilla's. With McDonald and Frawley as his patners in crime, he looks good. IMO he has better foot skills than Rivers too.

I stumbled upon this. It made me giggle. http://www.scullyfan.com/

2-10 you cold, wet blanket.

Best thing I got out of the game....was that the game plan seems to be gelling. Good pressure on the inside of packs, and good pressure on the opposition reciever. Confidence is growing after only playing two bad quarters in our past 4 games. Intensity and team spirit is up. Would love to cause some damage and gain some respect second half of the year,similar to what Hawtorn did,once their gameplan started to gel under the new coach. Love this club.

We've won twice as many games as Carlton over the past 7 rounds. Sweet

Good: Jones, Clark, Jamar, defenders kicking goals, Sylvia bursting through packs. Davey looking better. Blease's goal. Watts. Dunny's torp. Sellar. JT's last quarter mark. Bad: Magner's first half. Tom Mc Donald's disposal, Clark's injury, Brent Moloney. Ugly: $cully family.

Im Tom McDonald biggest critic, but the kid tore it up today. He adds A LOT of run, looks a real player, dominated Cameron to the point where Sheedy had to throw him down back to stop the flow.

Ugly: Four of their five first quarter goals came directly from our poor skills. If we hadn't made those crappy turnovers for no apparent reason it would have been a truly spectacular mauling.

It was a hell of an enjoyable game to go to. The crowd may not have been huge, but it was loud. Phil Davis gained a lot of points from me for how he acted when Clark and Magner went down in a heap. Ignored the play and stopped to see if they were ok, then called for the trainers. First time I have thought he really could be a worthwhile captain. A few highlights for mine: Watts takes on his man, leaves him for dead on the wing, has a bounce and then pinpoints a pass to Trengove who slots the goal. All the more sweet because Scully was the man who was left scrambling ineffectively to try to spoil. Trengove again takes a ripping hanger at half forward and pumps the ball into the 50. Davey's tackle for a holding the ball decision right in front of goal. It's been years since we saw that from him. Interestingly, for a few minutes after that he regained a bit of the old strut and attacked the game more. Sadly, it faded out again and he returned to the disinterested norm. Dunn's awesome chase down. Effort personified. Mitch Clark's juggling pack mark. As I said, a hell of a game to be at. I know it was against a team of has-beens, kids and sellouts, but it was still a great spectacle for Melbourne fans who have been starved of reasons to cheer lately.

I b-o-o-o-o-o-d Scully at every opportunity! It was necessary and it was expected. I told him that he had the makings of a good umpire!!!! When we cheered Macca I told Scully that's what it's all about!!!! However, I doubt I will ever feel the need to boo him again. He is not a great player. He is a good running, link man.... We are probably fortunate they took him off our hands. I wish him a long, mediocre career!

I was relieved. It just would have been a diaster if we lost. But it was so nice in the last half just to sit there and watch us play knowing we had won. But it was also good to thrash a teamI loved the torps especially the 1st one that went straight to rivers. Sylvia was great and if did that every week then he would be so exciting. Loved Bates game, always been a fan and just love his long kicking. I agree, I loved how Neeld had the guts to go with Rivers down foward again. He always reads the ball well down back and is a great mark so him going foward is fantastic. Frawley and McDonald can handle themselves as well as watts. Even Dunn down back was good. Mitch Clark just keeps silencing his critics. Its a shame he got injured. His pack marking is brilliant and his kicking has improved so much.

Loved Dunn's torp from the kick in!

my god mate go and get yourself some help. We've won 2 for the year and this was an absolute smashing that we havent enjoyed for years. SIT BACK FOR A SECOND AND ENJOY IT PLEASE

This attitude is one I always find amusing. I mean, imagine if we didn't win? Or did what the Tigers did last week? Would we take anything from it then? I took a few things out of it and I hope some of the players with improved form take something from it too...

Yeah they did. Most shook his hand, a couple had a chat like Blease and Garland. Classier way to go about it once the siren goes.

Disgraceful thread. I hope he has the worst flight ever. I hope his dad sits on the seats next to him.

Davis and Cook should've been blooded, what easier way to get a taste. Oh well, opportunity lost. Great start by Scully. Shame he was subbed off at quarter time. Tom McDonald = The Mop I love Jeremy Cameron, but not as much as I love Mitchy witchy Cwarky warky. I've said for years Riv should be tried forward, you're alright Mark Neeld. Good to see Sylvia show up for the snow show, still don't know where Moloney is. Phil Davis is garbage. Phil Scully is fat. Bate was good after his usual unco start. As good as Patton will be, he was absolutely man-handled by The Mop and Sellar, good to see. Puts Watts' early games into perspective, and emphasises what a talent Cameron is. Watts was smooooth.