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I can't believe some on here have added a VFL scratch match to their wrist slashing file.

Sorry for mass-quoting, but these 5 posts miss the point. It's not whether or not what he's written is accurate, it's the fact that Lyon is a massive contributing factor to these problems. He was one of those responsible for implementing Bailey, is part of the crew that turfs him, then gets another crack when it comes to appointing the next coach - followed by articles like this. Gaz has a dream role: he gets to play the hero every time the club "needs" him, then he gets to piss on the solution when it doesn't work, as if it had nothing to do with him. I reckon it stinks.

Viney clearance to McKenzie Mitch marks Goal!!!

New Cat lands on his feet Gee Garry is that right? With all your mates in charge and with two coaches that you picked? Our greatest ally would be for you not to "help" us any more.

How David Neitz is not in there is beyond me. Record games, record goals, record games as captain.

Thanks for today. Thanks also to KC and Bush Demon. Well done lads.

Mitch back on throwing weight around attack on ball is excellent

Just got home as I only could stay for the first half. Safe to say mitch will be better for the run but looked rusty. (understandable) Casey couldn't hit him on the chest if he was the onlyh plaer in the 50. I was standing behind the goals in the second quarter and his frustration at the lack of delivery was very obvious. even moving himself ono the wing for a center bounce just to get near the ball, and putting a 5foot nothing player in the goal square so he could play up the ground. Trenners took some nice strong grabs early but faded in the second, safe to say he will be sub at best next week. Blease seemed to be moving well and had some good runs, will go back in straight away id imagine. Viney got plenty of the ball and free kicks (hits the packs low so will get a lot of high tackles), butchers the ball a bit though but that's understandable again from a young kid. up the rest were so so, nothing to get excited about . Plenty of media there keeping a eye on the main 3. helicopter flying in and out. Now lucky enough I parked the car and as I looked up Misson was getting out of his car next to mine, he said hello to my young fella before I even made eye contact with him. had a 30sec chat to him as we walked to the gate. Said there is no reason why any of the players playing today would line up next week if form warranted it. Admitted Clarke could have played a few weeks ago but this game was the plan all along. What I gleamed from the convo was clark will play no matter what if he pulls up ok

Why?...I thought u knew Demonland could be renamed "Everything I hate about MFC" ....they are not at the game, can't see what is going on, but hey that doesn't stop them, Clark is playing his first game in nearly nine months, if he gets through unscathed that will do me

Yep, greatly appreciated guys. We are seriously spoiled on Demonland! As an interstater, I wouldn't even get quarter by quarter scores on the radio.

That whole sketch was just about the most embarrassing thing I've ever seen on TV.

i repeat its a thrown together casey team with a few senior players getting some conditioning. Get a grip people

yay! updates! bless you lads

Jack Trengove just took a fantastic mark in defence. He's back.

Trenners just took a beauty

I agree Maldonboy. Corny but funny. Definitely don't know what the blokes above who are embarrassed about it are on about.

+1 more member my newborn son was joined up yesterday after being born Monday morning. Also got him a Demons jumper and beanie from the Demon Shop. His mother is a Cats supporter hopefully he doesn't ask me what the hell I've done in a few years time!!

Yep. Not a bad start. Was it luck, time travel or super sporting smarts? You'll have to wait until next week to find out.

I think it's time we accepted that Garry uses his relationship with the MFC to benefit his media career, not the other way round. He doesn't get paid to support us and he's honestly expressed frustration about being asked to do anything for the club. I think it's time we stopped asking for his help and instead acknowledge that the advice he has given hasn't been good. Having said that what he says about the club is all true, the problem is that it's really just making it harder for us at this point. We know we suck, the whole world knows we suck. Pointing it out is pointless. And, if Riv struggles in a much more ruthless environment then he won't be sleeping well, he'll be waking up for the early game like Cam Bruce before him.

I found the article bang on to the truth as I'd expect it to be written. Like many long time footballers In struggling clubs Rivers has played some very good football for a decent time, without any real reward or broader public recognition since his first year. I met with a senior figure working with Geelong this week and he talked about this initial connections with Riv, stating that Riv was thrilled to be in a culture/club that simply reeked of success. Every where you turn at Kardinia Park you run into some serious people. This same person, a serious cats fan and very very senior business exec also stated his belief that Geelong "were never going to win a flag in the 90s as the culture basis wasn't there", but geez they went close a lot! While I think we'd all be thrilled with four GF appearances in the next ten years I fully understand his point. He believed until Cook and Costa took over the Cats were never serious. For me this article highlights the core issue with our club, we all, me included still accept too much mediocrity because we've lost sight of what true success means for our club. Outside of my beloved Demons I coach in elite sport, not AFL, and with a club that is the exact opposite, 3 flags in our last 7 years....two of those wins we clearly weren't the most talented team, but won very tight grand finals because our culture/team ethos and belief is success was better than there's. We have a long way to go, a long long way actually. I'm excited more about this season than any other recently because for the first time in years I believe in a coach and fitness guru who know, strive for and demand elite performance. Next I'd like a business admin team that demands the same. I do believe C Schwab gives his absolute all, and is in the best 18 CEOs on Australia for an AFL club....I just don't rate being best 18, I want best 3-5 in all roles.....as WCE or the cats have had for years. End of rant. Go Mitch and JV, can't wait to see you pumping the port boys next week.

Those who watched last night's game at Adelaide would have seen the pace at which the game was played and which is typical of your early season games. If you go into round 1 with too many players underdone, you do so at your own peril. On that basis, I would make only one concession - Clark at full forward - and no more. That means from today's game at Casey Fields, you take in Clark, Viney and McKenzie and leave out Blease, Trengove and the others from today who will play at Box Hill alongside Bail, Dawes, Gawn and McDonald.

Am i the only one who thinks theres nothing wrong with the article?

Why, u expecting the Casey players to be named for us ....get a grip...Blease hasn't played for 4 weeks, Clark for 9 months, Trengove fox six months. it is a practice match....would assume without the 80 rule we are rotating furiously...Viney knows no other way...if the report didn't read that way....then I would be worried about him...McKenzie needs a run...the rest have had very little minutes in pre season....

Who cares about the result, VIney sounds like he is going well, least we got a kid who has a dip this year. Nathan Jones will be happy, he doesn't have to have a crack on his lonesome. Blease has a go as well, hopefully he starts round 1, we need these types up and running.

Fair go. Casey has 9 AFL listed players on the park and they're getting towelled up by 7 goals now.

I don't have too much of a problem with any of that.

id really like to hear that again for many years to come

Effort and intensity should be the standards set in 2013. There is no excuse for not showing both traits in 2 hours regardless of experience or cattle on the ground. Last night after a pre season from hell Essendon stuck together and played for each other. It wasn't a great game, but once they hit the front they were not going to get beaten. 4 points is 4 points. After our summer of hell is the team of the Red & Blue going to play for each other with effort & intensity (not just for one quarter) or are they going to be a shambles like last year and always talk about next week. We can beat Essendon. We know that. Interesting times.

I'd love him back. He'd be an opposing coaches problem. Gees, I've forgotten what this thread is about?

very tempted to head down, if I do, I'll post updates.

They needed Brett Kirk to introduce it. Then it would have made sense....

I thought it was pretty funny - good on them.

No im with you lighten up you guys!! No harm in it at all just boys having a bit of fun.. i swear im at a mogue sometimes talking to you lot

Thank you so much. We are driving. Missus just has to get her eyebrows waxed (snore) and then we are on our way!?! I'll be the one carrying a footy looking like a kid on Christmas. So good to have footy back So good to go and see the boys so close Being on Port Adelaide nothing can stop us

Geeewizzz.... This thread is getting silly now... Who friggin cares what the Jacks did in that promo, every single person involved did silly stuff. Quick better tell Rodan he's not allowed to dance on the footy show anymore too.... FFS. Let's get some perspective fellas.

Bombers have the extra week off as well. Lose the momentum from this win but it allows for additional pep...ahem...PREP time.

lol..what does that even mean? You mean Gazza doesn't actually roll around with a trophy on the beach? Well blow me over..

AFL is like a game of scissors paper rock. Sometimes you're the rock, and sometimes you're the paper. It seems we're the paper to Essendon's rock, so let's hope that continues.

Nope i'm with Chook. I can't believe they convinced them to do it. Why did they convince them to do it? In fact embarrassing doesn't really cover it!

What creative ideas will get people to Etihad? What hard work is going to get 75k people to go see MFC v PA? Because that is the profit margin we are looking at here. Stop kidding yourself. This market is tapped. We cannot sustain 11 home games at the G, we have to play PA, GC, GWS, NM, Freo, WCE, Adel, and to a lesser extent Sydney and BL at home from time to time and taking two of those games a year to Darwin makes it easier to keep the other 9 at the G. Plus some reciprocal rights games against the other 8 Melbourne teams that play at the G. Take your sarcasm and show me something. Don't howl at the moon, tell me the alternative and give me something concrete - not vague notions of hard work and creativity.

...anyone notice that the focus was on Hird tonight and Bomber Thompson was not in any of the shots, it was like he wasn't even there. A bit different to last year, is he the sacrificial lamb but doesn't know it yet.

I think we head into this season with a much better preparation than last year, there are also no huge expectations on the team (externally) Neeld and the coaching staff have had a season to trim players from our playing list. Get the players that remain and who have come in to play the style that is expected of them, We won't be going into the season opener with any emotional hangover from Jim's funeral (Something I think took a toll on the whole club just prior to the season commencing in my eyes) The tanking stuff has been resolved, and I feel that the club isolated this issue from effecting the playing group as well as you could expect. I would love it if, for the first half of the season, we are not in the headlines nearly as much as we have been over the last couple of years. For that to be the case we should win a few, lose a few. be competitive without having any huge blow out results. If that occurs I think we will be heading in the right direction this year. For me this year no expectations means no disappointment.It also means I should occasionally be pleasantly surprised too !

People need to let go of the fantasy he can be a star. But he is already a very serviceable player. Last year, he came back from a broken back in pre season and after the bye, went on to average 23 disposals and a goal a game, and we know he uses it well. Hardly the dud he gets painted as.

Just because it was embarrassing, doesn't mean I didn't watch it and I didn't (sort of) like it. It's no award winner and you'd think they could have come up with something better, but I still watched it anyway.

good call unfortunately we are holding a pair of blunt scissors against every other rock though

I get the feeling we're gonna be outnumbered on this one Stu.

Great reports......couldn't make it because of commitments.........just a note Jack Watts' beard is fine

The commencent dinner's a great concept. You rub shoulders with the greats of the club and the game as well as with dedicated Demon fans and the players. Towards the end of the night I chatted briefly with Ron Barassi and showed him a picture of my grandson wearing 31 when he was a team mascot a couple of weeks ago at the Casey Fields NAB Cup game. It got a big smile out of him. I sat on Max Gawn's table and he's raring to go. He won't be playing for Casey this week but should start his comeback the following week in Casey's final practice game v Box Hill Hawks. He has a fantastic attitude and I reckon will go far, not just as a player but in all facets of the game. Not that it's exactly the pinnacle of the sport but if he can become a regular and start playing good footy on a weekly basis, I can see him as a regular panellist on the Footy Show and in the media. Of course, there's a lot of hard work to be done before he gets there. Speaking to the players there's a quiet air of confidence that we're going to be better than most of the critics are suggesting and I got the same feeling when Mark Neeld spoke later in the evening. On that score, I reckon the coach seems far more composed and comfortable in the role now than, at the start of last season when the team performed so limply and he was personally subjected to attacks in the media and to that fabricated racism slur. The evening was compered by Sandy Roberts who was in good form and showed that he was more than just a sports newsreader. Don McLardy was good, briefly opening with the tanking investigation, thanking those board members who worked on our defence and promising that the club was no longer going to be silent in the face of some of the unwarranted attacks on the club we see in the media. About time. The life member, hall of fame inductions and our fifth legend presentations were all well received and the blazers are growing on me. I don't think the players have a problem with them at all. As for what's happening in the immediate future, I think Mitch Clark, Chris Dawes and James Frawley are all good chances for Sunday week but Tom McDonald is in doubt. Jack Trengove and Sam Blease, because of the positions they play, might be a week or two behind that. It comes as no surprise for me to suggest a large number of new players will represent the club for the first time next week and in that respect, we will need to break new ground because history says those sorts of teams take a while to gel together and produce winning form. However, the consensus among the players seems to be that those who have departed were in the main, not the hardest of workers on the track, and things are very much different now. If that's true, the Neeld/Craig/Misson combo is starting to turn around our (for want of a better word) culture. And, because a discussion on the current team can't take place without mention of him, I just want to say that Jack Watts looks to have matured physically and will be a far more influential player than many people think.

Love the blazers. A nod to our rich heritage and will be greatly valued by players particularly in retirement. Who cares that other Clubs don't do it.

Not the slightest chance on the face of this earth.