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I have been to most pre game training sessions in last couple of years ....McKenzie not participating no surprise As Hogan and Bail thundered past on last run, Misson was walking behind them the conversation went like this Me "Gee Misso what are you building there?" Misson ( Laughs).."He'll be a Beast" Spoke to Jimmy Toumpas asked him if he was nervous, said he wasn't but you can tell he is and excited. Spoke to Jack Viney repeated my "take a deep breath before you go crashing in", greeted with laughter again, said he would have a 'word' with Ollie Wines during the game. Sellar,and Gillies quietly confident, same with Tapscott, Sylvia raring to go, absolutely stoked "Round 1 and I'm playing" The picture that told me we will be alright was Neeld laughing and joking with the players whilst they kicked for goal at the end of session, he had a couple of barrels himself Highlight for me an my lovely lady, both Howe and Blease looking really sharp, they will benefit the most from having the big guys up fwd Rodan went past got a bit thumbs up and smile. Nathan Jones already had his game face on

As footy fans, let's all savour every minute left of this guy's career because he's every bit as good as the greatest players in the game's history. Bunton, Barrassi, Whitten, Matthews, Carey, Skilton. He's that echelon. Best of the best. Legend of the game.

Stu, you are the Joe Bugner of Demonland. 15 rounds of shite but somehow you still breathe oxygen, much to everyones disappointment.

Jury is still out my arse. One wanted to be here, one didn't. It's as simple as that. When Trengove is truly injury free and match fit there will be quite a few around here eating their words. You forget the kid can play.

Moloney's pointing skills have imroved. I counted over 44 pointing fingers - although at one stage in the last qusrter he pointed the wrong way.

Not sure I agree with you. If McKenzie doesn't play then they will have to put in someone to the 25, and it wouldn't be unprecedented for that someone to go straight into the 22. Bail was the only one outside the 25 (apart from Hogan) to have full participation in all aspects of the training session. Hogan incidentally looks as though he will be treated as a full member of the first 22 at all times except when he plays for Casey. He is a class act and obviously the powers that be at the MFC want him ready for the very big-time by next year. At the end of the session the trainers got him and Bail (I would have thought one of the quicker runners at Melbourne) to do three 300m sprints around the boundary and hogan beat him 2 out of three times. I have no doubt he will be a powerhouse. The training itsel was quite light as you would expect so close to a game. They did about 30 minutes of a simulated game (with one sides only of course and the forward line looked as though it was HF Sylvia Sellar. Howe FF Pederson Clark Byrne Roden started in the square, and Watts played a central role from half back. Can't see Frawey playing CHB somehow as he was named. Overall quite an impressive, sharp session . Let's hope it is a good omen.

watched 1.5 quarters, had no sizeable impact from what I saw. Year number 4, not seeing a superstar, not seeing 50K a match either. I really don't care though, his departure was.. at least in a way ... instrumental in acquiring Hogan, Viney, Toumpas, Clark, Barry and Dawes - getting those 2 picks and the extra cap space completely changed our landscape for the last two drafts, I doubt we would have been able to pull off anywhere near what we did at the trade/draft table if he hadn't been such a [censored]

Dollar for dollar Trengove is miles ahead.

If you honestly believe that our legal system is "one of the worst in the world" then you really need to get out, travel and see a bit more of the planet. Start with Indonesia and then maybe take a trip through the Middle East on your way to China. You'll quickly change your tune.

I would expect that most of those who missed out on selection for the Port Adelaide game will be involved for the Casey Scorpions against Box Hill tomorrow. Details: SATURDAY MARCH 30 Casey Scorpions v Box Hill at Casey Fields Development League 11am, VFL 2pm. One player I know who will be keen to get on the park is Max Gawn who tweeted yesterday:- Melbourne also re-instated Max to the senior list yesterday, having been on the long-term injury list since January 25 due to a hamstring injury. This followed more than a year's lay-off following his second ACL operation. I think it's fair to say that all at Demonland wish Max well on his return to the game. I'll be there to cheer him on! No doubt we'll also see James Magner who possibly would have been close to promotion to the senior list and even AFL selection but now would have to wait for a vacancy on the list to open up again.

Called it

Except for that year he won our BnF hey... No need to hate, he needed to move on, he did, he gave us some good years and one terrible one.

I think the more game time Gillies gets the better....He has only played 16 games finding it hard to break into the Cats strong line up He is only 22.....He will improve....

Speaking as a resident of Central Australia, one of the things that has really frustrated locals during the Jurrah saga (I think we can turn that phrase now) is the media's infatuation with the fate of a fallen sporting idol rather than what is at the heart of the issue, which is the ongoing substance abuse and violence in Central Australia. I have come to feel the same way about a number of posters opinions in this thread. Do most of you have a genuine interest in the chronic problems prevalent in indigenous community's of Australia, or have you formed your opinions during the unfolding crisis that has enveloped Liam and his kin? Obviously for many of you Liam has highlighted or bought you closer to the these issues. The problem with this though is that many of you are basing your opinions on Liam's journey alone while not looking at the bigger issue. When Liam was first recruited to Melbourne my jaw hit the floor. I was thrilled, amazed and caught completely unawares. I know the community where he comes from and many others like it. I have known hundreds of men his age over the past decade. I knew the conditions in which they grew up, I saw the issues they are forced to confront and have witnessed first hand the carnage of alcohol, petrol, drugs and violence. For the vast majority of young men I knew, joining an AFL club and living away from family in Melbourne was possibly the most extraordinary thing they could do. By that I mean it is about a big a leap as they could take. For many, even the extremely talented footballers, players with ability like Liam, a move to an AFL club would be incomprehensible. Most, if offered the opportunity, would flatly turn it down. This, I understand, for those of us who harboured, or harbour aspirations to play at the highest level is in itself incomprehensible. Why would a young man turn his back on such a opportunity? Because a life living away from family and country, many would consider, is a life not worth living at all. It certainly wouldn't be substituted by money, fame and the feeling of running onto the MCG. So when Liam was not only recruited, but then accepted his chance I knew we had recruited an extraordinary man to our club. The fact that Liam worked his way into the team was quite frankly something I never thought would happen. Let me say this another way. I did not think Liam Jurrah would play a single game for the Melbourne Football Club. How, I asked myself, could any man from this region break free from the responsibilities of his family, the problems of his community and commit himself to the rigours of AFL football? How could he transform his body, overcome the enormous language barriers, conform to a strict routine, completely change his diet, live with a different family, navigate a city like Melbourne, forgo his ongoing cultural responsibilities and simply survive? I thought it all impossible, which makes what he did achieve the most amazing story I personally will ever see in football. But more on that later. When he started to play and play the way he did I honestly elevated Liam beyond anyone I thought I knew. I began to believe he was different to the majority of young men I had come into contact with and that somehow he had carved himself a special place in this world where he could achieve whatever it was he wanted to do. These thoughts were given air by the gushing write ups from the media, from people like Martin Flanagan. I left all common sense behind and slowly Liam's journey in my mind became less remarkable as Liam was no longer a skinny kid from Yuendumu making it big in the AFL he was different, so the laws of the gravity of his home country no longer applied. This of course was a terribly mistake in my mind. For what this slow unravelling of his life over the past year has shown is that he is no more capable of escaping the issues of his upbringing anymore than the next person. The problems of this most troubled space apply to him like they apply to every single other person who lives here. Liam was a man who was offered an extraordinary opportunity, who had the guts, determination and will to take it. I for one feel blessed that he did and I applaud the club I love for its support of Liam which I know continues to this day. I wish some of you felt the same. PS: Mistakes were made by all parties in this saga. But I believe there was no mistake the Melbourne Football Club made which can account for the current situation. For those of you suggesting that Rudeboy is in anyway to blame in this scenario I might suggest the following. He might have been the difference between Liam being recruited or not. Such is the enormity of the role he has played in Liam's life. Many young men and women from this region would love to have a mentor such as him, someone to assist in their journey in life. The assertion that some of the mistakes Liam has made can in some way be attributed to Rudeboy is absurd in the extreme and highlights the distance with which many of you see life for young indigenous and non-indigenous people In Central Australia.

At training now. They look sharp. Mckenzie the only absentee, doing laps. I would say unlikely to line up. Maybe the Flash gets his chance

Because Moloney stamped is own ticket in 2012 by playing like he wanted to be somewhere else. As soon as he was dropped from the leadership group, he should have used it as motivation to prove them wrong and showed his perceived leadership. Instead he was a anchor around the neck of a team already struggling. I was happy to see him go because I want players who want to play for the Demons !

Watched a bit of the Bulldogs game today. Their kicking to position was excellent - all over the ground. The Lions were poor but the Dogs were surprisingly good. And they are not regarded as a finals threat. As we all know, in today's footy you cannot turn the ball over (especially when not under pressure) I'm judging Sellar mainly on last year but he and Howe looked ok in the pre-season. Frawley is a lot better than what he showed last year (in the disposal stakes) I reckon it's a much better team in terms of disposal skills than most/all of our selected teams last year. There were times last year where we had 6 or 7 blokes in the team who just kicked it anywhere. Even so, we're still a fair way off. We'll all be watching the new players with great interest. Lets hope they can all hit a target ! Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

16 and a half hours to go . . . .

No need to be attacking Stuie. He is entitled to his point of view. I enjoy being able to debate all things Demon and so do all of you; that's why you're here. If we all agreed, this would be very boring.

There's a lot of emotional attachment to a three game wonder in this thread.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/the-afl-is-considering-extending-its-season/story-e6frf9jf-1226609406940 So they are thinking about extending the season as early as next year. I am definitely against this. How much money would we have lost last year with an extended season? You could see under 10,000 at round 26 when your team only has 4 wins on the board which means more costs to clubs. Players will demand more money for putting their bodies on the line for longer which means more money gone from clubs. Playing lists would have to increase to cover more injuries and that's more costs to clubs. On a side note I am sick to death of the AFL trying to crush,kill and destroy every other sporting competition in Australia. Andrew, it is ok to enjoy more then one sport. I can invest time,effort and money into the MFC and also into other sporting codes. I don't fear the A league or any other. I hope they all succeed and the AFL's attitude that it is the be all and end all turns me away from the AFL (apart from MFC games)

Only about 40% of the posts in this thread Stuie. Give it a rest, you really do help to make this board hard to read at times.

I hate the phrase "giving other codes a free hit" - what an arrogant, condescending remark. I hate the idea of lengthening our season as a result of this - not because it's best for the game, not because it's better for fans, not because the teams or players want it.

And you can tell this how???? Two practise matches???? Give me a break....at least see him play in a proper game before you write him off.....

No problem's.

"his arms went up like giant testicles" Captain Blood

"Stretch marks on the back flank!"

I must admit I think Terlich was very stiff not to get in ahead of Tapscott. His form has been way ahead of Luke's this pre season.

That is some quality photoshopping.

Cheering when a bloke gets knocked out on a footy field is just plain gutless and its the last refuge of keyboard heroes. Weak.

i just don't want to feel like kicking the dog when i get home

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-03-30/dunn-reaches-ton Congratulations to the good man for reaching his 100th game. Wish him all the best for tomorrow.

BACK TO THE FOOTBALL by Whispering Jack The long hot summer of 2012-3 will not be forgotten by many of us associated with the Melbourne Football Club but, even as I begin to write, with the temperatures still hovering in the thirties, the questions about the club's future still linger. We are on the brink of a seventh season since the Demons tasted the finals or even won an opening match. The big hitters of the competition seem way ahead of where Melbourne is currently placed in terms of its perceived playing strength and nobody seriously thinks it can challenge for September action this year and perhaps even the next. Supporters can only hope that the coming of autumn finally marks the culmination of one of the worst periods in the club's history, a time in which it might not exactly have hit rock bottom in terms of ladder ranking but otherwise in so many other aspects, it failed to even remotely live up to expectations. The things that brought the club to the dark places it has occupied in recent times are well-documented and have been the subject of heated debate but, as we stand on the brink of a new season, I return to a time exactly two years ago when most Melbourne fans waited with anticipation and a measure of confidence for the opening of a new season. Back then, the club appeared to be on a steep upward curve. At the end of 2010 it had more than doubled its tally of wins to 8½ over the previous year and some pundits were predicting finals action in 2011. Coach Dean Bailey was even on record as suggesting that his then club was possibly on the brink of an era that would bring not just one but many premierships. Brisbane's Michael Voss thought the same way. The first two teams Melbourne faced in 2011 were, by coincidence, the teams that played off for last years premiership. The opening round's opponents were the Sydney Swans who had been given a spanking by Melbourne late the season inflicting some deep wounds on Paul Roos and giving him the biggest defeat of his coaching career just as it was ending. But despite our lofty expectations, the rematch some seven or eight months later was a close and hard fought encounter with the Demons coming back from well behind to take the lead late in the game only to see the Swans claw back in the final desperate moments to give their new coach two premiership points on his debut. From that point onward, the fortunes of two sides that had been so evenly matched that day diverged completely. One marched off with ticker tape and a flag by the end of 2012 while the other wallowed at the foot of the table ahead only of the newly hatched franchises. In the second round of 2011, Melbourne took on Hawthorn who wasted opportunities in the first quarter but were dominated in the second so that moments before the main break they trailed by 27 points. The Dees still enjoyed a three goal buffer when they went into the rooms at half time. It was the third quarter that defined not only this particular game but also the club's following two seasons. The loss of control was so complete that the team stood back helplessly as the relentless Hawks pounded away for the full thirty minutes of that term scoring an incredible 8 goals 11 behinds to one goal and one point. People talk of the 186 game later that season as the measuring stick of the depths to which the club had plumbed but, on reflection, this was the day upon which the writing was truly placed on the wall. I missed that game due to a prior engagement and put the result down to a case of a young developing team hitting a brick wall against a rampant opposition and because it won the next game (against the Suns) so convincingly, the significance of the Hawks' took a while to sink in. Well ... actually, it took another game because the same Melbourne was back on display in the first quarter against West Coast in Perth. It was truly a case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for most of the season until it all finally imploded. Perhaps others saw the team's disintegration in 2011 sooner than I did, but by mid-season it was clear that something was amiss and we now know that there were deep divisions that ended in carnage and turmoil both on and off the field in the year that followed. Controversy, the sacking of the coach after one of the most savage on field beatings in the history of the game, the death of a President, the dismissal of a major sponsor, criminal charges brought against a key player, fabrications and often unwarranted attacks in the media and elsewhere on key club personnel, injuries, leaked information and a 7 month long investigation that belonged to the Middle Ages. These were attended by a time in which we saw a total revamp of the football department so that we now have a bevy of new coaches, medical and fitness staff, almost half the playing group has moved on and there have been changes in body sizes and shapes, fitness, the introduction of a new training regimen and radical changes in playing style. Its fair to say that when we get back to the football on Sunday afternoon, the team that runs out onto the ground against Port Adelaide will be substantially different to that which carried our hopes into battle two years ago against the Swans and, for that matter, even twelve months ago against the Lions in last year's season opener. The question is whether the club is better off for all the changes that have been made? THE GAME Melbourne v Port Adelaide Sunday 31 March, 2013 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1:10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 11 wins Port Adelaide 14 wins At the MCG Melbourne 7 wins Port Adelaide 1 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 8 wins Port Adelaide 12 wins MEDIA TV FOX FOOTY CHANNEL - 1:00pm LIVE Radio ABC Triple M 3AW SEN THE BETTING Melbourne to win $1.82 Port Adelaide to win $2.00 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Port Adelaide 12.12.84 defeated Melbourne 8.8.56 at TIO Stadium, Darwin, Round 17, 2012. Melbourne made a solid start on a temperate Darwin evening booting five goals in the first quarter before it was torn apart by a dominant Port Adelaide midfield led by Travis Boak who was still weighing up his future with that club. Jack Grimes played a solid but not spectacular captain's game but otherwise, it was an all too familiar scenario for the Demons as they limped their way towards the season's end. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn Tom Gillies Dan Nicholson Half backs Jack Watts James Frawley Colin Garland Centreline Jack Viney Jack Grimes Jimmy Toumpas Half forwards Jeremy Howe James Sellar Colin Sylvia Forwards Shannon Byrnes Mitch Clark David Rodan Followers Mark Jamar Jordie McKenzie Nathan Jones Interchange Sam Blease Matthew Jones Cameron Pedersen Luke Tapscott Emergencies Aaron Davey Jake Spencer Dean Terlich New Shannon Byrnes (Geelong) Tom Gillies (Geelong) Matt Jones (Box Hill VFL) Cameron Pedersen (North Melbourne) David Rodan (Port Adelaide) Jimmy Toumpas (Woodville-West Torrens SANFL) Jack Viney (Casey VFL) PORT ADELAIDE Backs Tom Jonas Jackson Trengove Campbell Heath Half backs Jasper Pittard Cameron O'Shea Lewis Stevenson Centreline Matthew Broadbent Brad Ebert Kane Cornes Half forwards Justin Westhoff Paul Stewart Angus Monfries Forwards Chad Wingard Jay Schulz Jake Neade Followers Jarrad Redden Hamish Hartlett Travis Boak Interchange Matthew Lobbe Kane Mitchell Andrew Moore Oliver Wines Emergencies Jack Hombsch Daniel Stewart Aaron Young New Campbell Heath (Sydney) Kane Mitchell (Claremont WAFL) Angus Monfries (Essendon) Jake Neade (North Ballarat U18) Lewis Stevenson (West Coast) Oliver Wines (Murray U18) PREDICTION by Whispering Jack When Mark Neeld's stint as coach began 12 months ago, most Demon fans had high expectations for the season ahead and certainly, very few were prepared for the season from hell that eventuated. Six months later, it was clear that the club's reaction to a 16th place finish that was only marginally ahead of the AFL's two new expansion franchises was swift, decisive and far ranging. Over the two months that followed, a third of the playing list was turned over but the changes were expected by those who had watched the team closely during 2012 and who had listened to the words of Mark Neeld and Neil Craig. The heads that rolled were mainly those of players who simply hadn't worked hard enough or bought in to the new style they were seeking to instill into the young team. The only departure who figured high in the club's best and fairest award was Jared Rivers, in his late twenties, and facing the prospect of being squeezed out of defence by young guns Jack Watts and Tom McDonald and a resurgent Lynden Dunn. So it came as no surprise when the Melbourne selection table installed seven new faces into the team to take on Port Adelaide, thereby retaining that magic ratio of new players at one third. The minute the number of new faces was announced, the so-called "experts" looked to the heavens, rolled their eyes and declared the Demons to be dead in the water. What they ignored was the fact that the visitors had also named a large contingent of newcomers including 150 game player Angus Monfries but, in terms of experience, he's well and truly shaded by Melbourne's two new 100 gamers in Shannon Byrnes and David Rodan. The mind games have also been well and truly in play with Ken Hinkley emphasising that he was only interested in playing fit players in his team - Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley puts fitness first in round one selection, the inference being that his opponents were going into the game with underdone players. The Demons will certainly have Mitch Clark lacking in match fitness but he's playing at one end of the ground and he's been working well to a programme throughout the summer. A few others hadn't played for a couple of weeks but they bring a much stronger fitness base into the game. The Demons did leave out Chris Dawes, Tom McDonald and co-captain Jack Trengove who must have all been close to selection. The new look Melbourne side gives the game a new dimension in that, whilst it's generally considered (going on past performances) that its all-important midfield is at the bottom end of accepted AFL standards and well below those of the leading teams in the competition, we simply don't know how the infusion of so many newcomers will affect the situation. It is for this reason that we simply cannot assess how much the team will advance in 2014. The pundits tell us that Brent Moloney, who polled 19 Brownlow votes in 2011, will be a big loss but they forget how poor he was last year and that he ended the season looking decidedly uninterested even down at Casey. I'll back the keenness and enthusiasm of untried trio Matt Jones, Jimmy Toumpas and Jack Viney and the wisdom and experience of Byrnes and Rodan over what last year's midfield served up last year. And the team has Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes to lead the way, Jordie McKenzie hungry to conquer the opposition's best and some expectations from Sam Blease and Colin Sylvia to add to the mix. Unpredictable - yes and more likely to be the least predictable midfield in the competition, but definitely not hopeless as some might paint things. To my mind, the most significant aspect of selection was the decision to leave out Aaron Davey - a demonstration perhaps that the club's depth is greater and that reputations and the past no longer matter when picking teams. And while Port Adelaide might hold a slight advantage in the middle, I put Melbourne ahead with Mark Jamar in the ruck, a much stronger defence and an edge in attack. That, together with a powerful home ground advantage should be enough to get Melbourne home. Melbourne to win by 27 points ... and one more prediction ... if the above is the outcome of the team's opening round match, then not a single club official will be looking grim faced as he leaves the ground.

Watching Brent Moloney against Bulldogs: Slow, poor overhead and inconsistent ... not disappointed to see him playing for Lions.

I have just read an article in the HS about Bulldogs player Dale Morris and the agony that he and his wife went through after he broke his leg ... We sometimes forget what determination AFL players have to get over injuries. We all sit back and criticise players and are keyboard hero's telling them that they are spuds ect. but have no idea what they go through just to play this great game of ours. I know they get paid well but so they should. It is a must read article and if I knew how to post a link I would.

Jetta absolutely nailed a hawks player with one of the best shirt fronts I've seen in a while.

Unfortunately for Beamer, failure seems to follow him. Those that understand the game can see why.

Moloney and Martin Mediocrity in action

i knew you would say that. We gave Gysberts away. Damaged goods. If Cam Pederson plays 3 games it is an improvement. We didn't need Gysberts. Pederson could be most useful.

THANKYOU. WAS THINKING EXACTLY THE SAME THING No excuse tomorrow, or all season for that matter. We have had 6 years of rubbish. Enough.

I want to see them take a leaf out of the Dogs' book. Take note, this is how you're meant to play Brisbane in Round 1. EFFORT.

Shall do.

Out of the 2004 draft I never would have thought Dunn would be the last remaining out of Matthew Bate Micheal Newton. Really though those two were set for big futures at the club. Proved Wrong. Well done dunny and can see him being a very important member of our side

I spoke with Jordie. He will definitely play. He rarely trains the day before a game because he's nursing his achillies. It pulls up a bit tender after a session. Jack Grimes also only did the warm-up. Again, that's part of his pre-game training routine. Spencer and Davey trained with the squad. Terlich was nowhere to be seen so you can assume he is playing at Casey today. It was a short, but lively session. Spirits were high. The boys were up and about as you can imagine.

Oh Dear! I guess history tells us that NEITHER team will win, then. So, a draw coming up...!

There's a reason the Crows were prepared to trade half their list to get Trengove. He'll make it - I actually have no doubt about it.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/teams/alipate-carlile-out-but-its-team-first-for-power-coach-ken-hinkley/story-e6frf9mo-1226609144466?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HeraldSunAfl+%28Herald+Sun+%7C+AFL%29 "All up the new Port back six has just 112 games of AFL experience - half with Trengove."

The second priority should be to finish ahead of Brisbane and Geelong so that certain ex-players rue their decision to abandon us.