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Fellow Demon faithful, This week we lost one of our own. My old man passed away at the age of 87. At 33 years of age myself, a quick sum in your head will tell you that there was a unique age gap between dad and me. Indeed it’s fair to say that as interests and hobbies go, we didn’t share alot of common ground. One thing we did share however was our mutual love of Australian rules football. It took until my teens for the love affair with the game and the club to truly begin, and it was at this stage that dad and I found that extra bit of common ground we always searched for. As a boy from Ballarat, dad had followed Melbourne ever since he was a lad. He would tell me about his trips to the G and the many suburban grounds, reeling off names like Mueller, Cordner and Barrassi when speaking of some of his favourite memories. Needless to say, I was impressed. Some of my fondest memories of him will be the simple pleasure of a Sunday afternoon, beers in hand, screaming at the tv in unison, be it in anger or jubilation. In the latter years as dad’s mind started to fail him, his interest waned. Some would consider him fortunate considering the plight of the club. But even during this time, he would sometimes turn to me and ask a question like... “Simon, whose that player with the long “Oooooo” name?” “Yze?” “That’s the one. Oooozey”, he’d say with a grin. The smile on his face would tell me that passion still flickered inside. As the man ultimately responsible for me being a Melbourne Demons supporter, the guy has ALOT to answer for. But I wouldn’t change it for the world, and I’m going to miss the old bloke enormously. Many of us have vented our pure disdain for the state of the club as it stands. I’ve been a prime offender. But as I watch us take on the Bombers this Saturday, for the first time in a long time, I won’t be focussing on every misdirected pass or every poor tackle, of which there could be plenty. I will be thinking about my old man, and the times I enjoyed with him just watching the footy. I don’t write this post to draw attention to anything other than to remember, this weekend and beyond, that whilst this sport and this club can form a big part of your life, it is not the be all and end all. At the end of the day, it’s a game. Cliched, but true. It will bring highs and low, maybe more lows than highs for all of us, but let’s not lose sight of that. As for Johnny, looking down, his Demon spirit will always live on through me. Cheers guys and girls. Go Dees.

Something I thought I would share, which gave me a bit more hope. My son's footy coach who is also a Dees supporter and whose 12 year old son plays with mine, was so upset about last week's loss he wrote a letter to the club. In the letter he stated that his son was so frustrated and angry at his father for making him a Dees supporter, because they suck so badly. The father said that he understood, and that he could barrack for whoever he wanted. The kid said it was too late for that now (cute), but he hated how he couldn't even think of a Demon whose number he was prepared to put on his guernsey. When he thought of his favorite players they were Gary Ablett, Buddy Franklin, Chris Judd etc ... (this was all in the letter). Not only did my friend get a reply, but today Jack Grimes himself rang the boy. He said that the players had got together and made a firm promise to each other that they would never play like that again; that although they will still lose some games because they are developing, they never will put in another performance like that, and will try their guts out every game from now on. Needless to say little Alastair now wants to adorn his jumper with the number 31. Grimes told the father that they don't reply to many letters but thought this one had a special message. He also said that it was shown to the playing group, and when he heard it Grimesey wanted to ring the kid immediately.

Thanks for sharing P Man. Brings back memories for a few of us and the reasons we follow the Dees and the joy it once brought us all. My old man passed away in Jan 2001, he got to see the 2000 grand final, all be it he couldn't see much by then as the cancer had taken his sight. He loved being there none the less, the noise, the anticpation of a Dees Premiership... Dad loved the Dees, and I miss talking footy and going to the footy with him. My grandad took me to a lot of footy at Waverly as a young kid cos the old man was working the farm or on the rigs in Bass Straight. The first footy memory I have with Dad he took me to the famous '87 season as a ten yr old I vividly remember sitting high up on the fence at Footscray as we won and the other result went our way for us to get into the finals. While I don't recall the next 2 weeks I remember the utter devastation of the Prelim loss. We went with a Hawks mate of his and not a word was spoken the entire drive back to Geelong. Dad loved the Dees. I embarrassed to say I used to be embarrassed by going to the footy with him in my teens, Dad was a big, broad ex farmer moved to the big smoke with a massive laugh but even louder boooooming voice when not happy. When he yell "Wiiizzz" as the Wizz did something special it reverberated around the whole bay we sat in. When yelled "Nnnoooo Trappa blloodddyy heeelll!!" it was even louder. My mates now don't like going to the footy with me cos I do the same and am almost as loud, I miss doing that with him. He was a man of conviction who would not bend his beliefs even in the face of large odds. He/we almost got thrown over the edge of the 2nd tier in the AFL members one day as he called out to 5-6 Pies supporters who were racially abusing the Wizz and every dark person on the ground. They were big, angry a holes but the old man never wavered in his beliefs, he loved the Wizz, he loved the Dees. They backed down. He used to wear Dees red and blue form head to toe (Dees trackies top and bottoms, Dees rain coat, Dees hat or beanie and Dees scarf), I used to walk behind him so I wasn't seen next to this old guy looking what I thought was silly. I miss those walks to and from the G back to Fitzroy now, I miss going to the footy with Dad to see his beloved Dees. Can't wait for Sat night to see the Dees vs the Bombers (the last two teams he saw play) and salute him with a beer.

My faith in Demonland and Demonlanders has been restored. It appears no one watches Sunrise!

I'm struggling to work out whether Hazy and RR are participating in deliberate irony by whinging about the whinging thread in the whinging thread.

I suggest everyone listen to Jack's initerview on the MFC site. Here is a young man who is our future. This gives me hope.

I think Gerard Whateley summed it up best when responding to Watts' comment that Melbourne doesn't have a Joel Selwood or a Sam Mitchell who can stand up when the team is losing and refuse to accept it: "Jack...Jack....it's you mate. It's YOU! They're waiting for you! We're all waiting for you!"

Quit the wife beating jokes NOW.

killing me softly

lol Who would go on Sunrise and announce anything? Obligatory media spots with used cliches. That is almost a haiku...

Told Jimmy Toumpas at training that he had not let any of us supporters down and he seemed to really appreciate the positive feedback. I think players like Tom Gillies, Cameron Pedersen and David Rodan really need positive feedback from the supporters as they seem to be suffering from a lack of confidence. Maybe if they get this then they will develop into solid contributors for us.

It made me laugh that when he came out and said "if the MFC club don't pick me, I will make them regret it" people were screaming on social media that he's arrogant blah blah blah. Every great players needs that confidence and arrogance! He is bloody exciting to have on this list, Toumpas and Hogan will be handy for us. But this is the bloke to build a list around! You need guys to come in that want to play with Jack! If we suck all year it will be exciting to watch him improve all year! Love him already! Edit: bloody iPhone

If I thought this topic was salvageable I might clean it up, but I went five pages back and found nothing but squabbling, so it's closure time. Also, while I understand the "beating your wife" analogy, I and many others find it very distasteful and I'd appreciate if we can find a better one next time.

I thought for a first-gamer the other Jones put in.

It's gonna take a bit of work stuie, but if more and more references are made about our senior players then the penny will drop eventually. Who amongst the following players could we give more than a 5 out of 10 for last year (10 = Champion year, 9 = Elite year, 8 = Great Year, 7 = Very good year, 6 = good year, 5 = fair year and 4 or less = not up to standard. Frawley, Garland, Jones, Jamar, McKenzie, Sylvia, Trengove, Tapscott, Dunn, Watts, Howe. Of those 11 players I can only give Jones a mark higher than 5 for actual output. Injuries played a part but can't be used as an overall excuse. One good year from one player out of 11 blokes is diabolical. And they've started the year off in the same fashion. (save for Trengove who didn't play and Jones who played ok) We've got to stop pointing the finger at one bloke all the time. Scapegoating achieves nothing. It's a team game and all our senior players need to step it up. By the way, all 11 players were involved in the '186' game.

I love Viney and Toumpas.

Not only is it the 7.5 wins out of 64 that makes my blood cringe. It's the lack of fight, lack of 4 quarter efforts and lack of close, hard-fought losses that gets to me. We'll say 15 points and under is a close game - close enough that a couple of goals would've made the difference. Here are our losses to Vic (all) teams by 15 points and under. 2008 - 0 (0) [2 of our 3 wins under 15] 2009 - 2 (3) [2 of our 4 wins under 15] 2010 - 3 (4) [2 of our 8 wins under 15] 2011 - 1 (2) [1 of our 8 wins under 15] 2012 - 0 (0) [1 of our 4 wins under 15] Out of 64 games against Victorian teams under Bailey/Neeld - we have got within 15 points of our opposition 14 times! Disgusting.

I think a third line is needed in structuring a haiku. Something like ... Who would go on Sunrise to announce anything? Obligatory media spots with used cliches The Moneyball effect You may have stumbled upon a new weekly thread compeition RPFC.

I didnt watch but ill take a stab The boys were very disheartened We didnt see it coming after an improved preseason All the indicators and pre season form (sic) predicted a more competitive effort. We just have to learn from these disappointments and move on The boys did some soul searching and know they have to lift for the team, the club and the frustrated and weary supporters. Stick with us we are on the right track. Improvement will come. Its football and we can only play the opposition that fronts witb our best 22. Its one week at a time !! Close ???? Lol

[censored] poor attitude from you. You just expect everyone to keep sucking mediocrity up. If there are fools around here you must be the biggest of the lot.

Never too early for a spot of Watts-bashing though. But the first person plural in all this isn't just a piece of trivial pedantry. Macca's point about collective responsibility is much more important.

That one was me.

Dear Jack, the patience tap has been turned off. The last of your defenders spat the dummy after you trained all summer and got 2 kicks in round 1. This is your fifth year as number one draft pick. We have all seen your gifts. No effing excuses, do something.

22.. That's 1/3 of a career, no longer a kid. STEP UP JACK

Weight of numbers says that's impossible.

There was a crap movie made in the 80's that made an amazing point... Stay with me, the punch line's a killer! In this movie 3 want-to-be-wizards lined up on stage hoping to be selected by the Grand-Master Wizard to be his apprentice. The Grand-Master Wizard held up his hand and put a question to each of the three "Choose the finger that a wizard uses for his magic...?" The first one chose the index finger, he was wrong. The second chose his middle finger, he was wrong. The third after great pause, chose the little finger... He was WRONG! It was later revealed that the answer was to point to anyone of your own fingers... People put up with as much crap as they think they deserve. They speak with as much authority as they believe they deserve. They pressure themselves to what they think are their boundaries. To take the next step, you need to believe that you're capable of something you haven't done. That means, that you get to the last quarter and someone needs to stand up, you say "That's alright, Daddy's got it under control." If you walk around with a certain swagger, with your shoulders back and your head high, you'll become the person that you think you deserve to be. Become something great Jack...

Off topic: spoke to a current Melbourne players dad during the week, he mentioned that after the game when it was open forum amongst the playing group that a few of the players told Sylvia that some of his efforts were not acceptable, he took it badly and went nuts!

sunrise.. are posts , blindfolds and firing squads involved ?

Hey guys. I'm James, I'm 18 and this is my very first season as a Melbourne Demons supporter. My story on how I arrived here is sorta long but bear with me. I'm from country Victoria and was born son to an absolutely footy mad Collingwood supporter. He's won countless league best and fairest's down here, played a couple of games for Fitzroy, was asked to umpire VFL after a short, but raved about umpiring stint in the local leagues. I used to hear at my local footy club how they missed having umpires like him. He is a very respected member of the local footy community in short. I also am a member of a MASSIVE footy mad family who every single male member of was or is a great player. They've all won individual awards and carried their teams etc. All except for me anyway. I never really had the talent that my siblings and other family members had and as such my Dad didn't really show me the attention my brothers and sister got. So at about the age of around 14 in some kind of unintentional act of rebellion I lost interest in the AFL and donated my Collingwood gear to the local OP-Shop and started to follow Soccer. I am a massive Melbourne Heart fan and male the six hour round trip to Melbourne for every single home game. I also support QPR in the EPL and stay up till the wee hours of the morning to watch them play. I didn't make the switch to playing Soccer until I was 17 however because all my mates still played footy and I loved mucking about with them. I've always kept tabs on the AFL though. Warching last seasons Grand Final and having nothing to follow sport wise in the winter made me want to get back into the AFL. My problem was which team was I going to follow? I ruled out 9 teams straight off the bat, every team that wasn't based in Melbourne because I absolutely love and feel connected to the city and wanted someone I could attend fairly easily and regularly. I also ruled out Collingwood because I still resent my father in a sporting sense. I settled on Melbourne for a number of reasons: - They're called simply "Melbourne", the thought of the team representing the whole city is very appealing to me as I love the city but am not from or attached to any specific area of it. - They're based at AAMI Park, the home of my beloved Heart. - They play home games at the iconic MCG which I love just looking at, let alone going to watch a team you're emotionally invested in. - The local club I played for were know as "The Demons" and wore the same red and blue strip as Melbourne, so just looking at the jumpers bring back great memories. - They're essentially bottomed out so I sorta feel like I'm following something from the beginning and will be able to watch it grow and not feel like I'm jumping on a bandwagon. So yeah, that's my story. I hope I haven't made the wrong decision! But there's no going back now!

Magner should be clever enough not to reply but it really isn't up to fans to start getting into these guys lives ,no matter what some of us think of them at the moment . I don't care what they do in private anymore.Crash cars ,have fights ,get drunk or whatever you want. Just turn up and play .

Um, 'we': first person plural.

We're looking at the same thing from completely different angles. I can't make you see what I see. If you believe in subtleties in communication giving away the character of a person, then you'll come around to where I am. If you think it was just a generalised statement about the way the team can improve, then look, I'm not here to boil your bunny. And Stuie, don't label me a Watts hater, because I love him. He was the right choice in that draft, I think he's awesome. He's just got to believe that he's awesome, get the mindset of a champion, and he'll be out of this world great.

You say that you are receiving "a lot" of complaints from forum users (none of which I have read outside this thread) about there being several different threads that are critical of the club. There are many different areas of the club of interest to Melbourne supporters, and different aspects of these areas, that are worthy of discussion, analysis and, yes, criticism. I realise that Demonland is not a democracy, but allow me to complain about how threads offering criticism often seem to get locked or, more recently, merged into almost unreadable "mega-threads" which discourage quality discussion and become nearly impossible to keep relevant. I can't help but think that this policy has less to do with the complaints of "a lot" of forum users who are too sensitive to handle more than one critical thread at a time and more to do with the views of a very few contributors who appear view criticism of our club as a blight on their rose-tinted landscapes and prefer to have it swept under the carpet.

We should be critiquing groups of players more often so as we can have a clearer picture on where the team sits going forward. I wasn't pointing the finger at you or any poster in particular re the scapegoating reference. Individual threads about certain players are always going to happen and maybe that can be fair enough. RR started a thread about 9 players and I'd like to see more of the same. Maybe those type of threads aren't as 'interesting' but they are probably a lot more beneficial in explaining the big picture. I just reckon we get sidetracked on the 'micro' sometimes when the emphasis should be on the 'macro'. There is no doubt in my mind that a number of our players have gotten off the hook and collectively, they need to be held accountable. I cannot imagine Barassi, Northey or Daniher putting up with these sub standard performances. They just wouldn't stand for it and more than a few of our 'so called' senior players would be kicking the dew off the grass in the magoo's (so to speak) However, a coach should only drop a player to improve him, not punish him.

Quite seriously, I can't recall the last time Frawley had a good game... yes, he has had his moments, but I really cannot remember when he last played a game that could be described as good. To say he is in our top 5 at the moment is pretty damning of where we are at as a team, sadly.

Actually, not standing up for Range Rover here but I am pretty sure that MFC's record is 1034 W - 21 D - 1210 L. MFC existed long before Schwab came along and will hopefully survive long after he is gone. I am not in the least bit surprised that you have difficulty with that concept. Again, Schwab is not the same thing as the MFC. Criticising or even 'hating' Schwab does not mean that you hate the club, nor does it make you a bad supporter.

So does that mean that anyone can go back and like all their own posts without anyone noticing? Hey, don't get any ideas you lot

My message to Jack Watts... if you are reading this, don't.

Probably because Frawley > Alistair Nicholson > Ben Holland > Cameron Pedersen ? Lets get real, Frawley was crap last week, but he is still in our top 5 best players (top 2 in his time). We can't drop him if we actually want to get close to not losing.

Guys do you realise how bloody boring your little fight is after numerous pages on numerous threads. Get over each other PLEASE

Why shouldn't we know the content of the Andrews Report - it's not as if it's the 'secret' May 2013 budget!

GiG this not meant to having a go at you But are we supposed be scared or something? If he reads daily. I hope he gets some of the points people are raising. EG. the troops are very restless Cameron, it takes a lot to get MFC members up but last Sunday achieved it. To much more of that and we will be looking for someone's blood before mid year.

All the senior players - NB: Sylvia, Frawley, Jamar, Garland, Jones and Watts in particular should call the team together, like the hand bag Cats did and say "enough is enough. This is what we all demand. Hard uncompromising footy". It sure as hell turned their image and fortunes around....softies to Premiers in just a year or two. Big question is - do any of our guy really want success, or would they just like success? Show us your answers Satruday night!! PS: and frankly I am sick and tired of reading how well we have been training, and more so what a great preseason we had - please remind me how many of ?six games we won or came close in??

Why is Watts fronting the media so much lately? Wheres our so called leadership group? I find it strange...

Can you please just get yourself banned again for the benefit of all?

Whether you like it or not Stuie, this is how many football people - in the media or otherwise - view Jack Watts and view our club. Closing your eyes and wishing it would all go away won't change a thing. And I'm not bashing. I'm quoting.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-03/dont-be-a-sheep-jack "A more disappointing No.1 draft pick I do not know. He's been there five years, five years he's been there ... mate, do not come out, unless you're firing a shot, unless you're actually having a crack, or have had a crack at any stage of your five-year career and led the way. ... and this on the MFC administration: "They need some non-Melbourne people in there, people that have got a winning culture, they need to go and get the Brian Cooks of the world, the Neil Balmes of the world they need good people off the field to set the agenda on the field."

1965 leader of gang in housing commission flats barracked for dees if you wanted to bein his gang you barracked for dees

My late father was born in Sydney and his father took him to Melbourne, after my grandmother died when Dad was only 16. My grandfather owned pubs; one in Melbourne and 2 in Ballarat. The one he owned on Melbourne, was the Prince Patrick hotel in Victoria Parade, Collingwood, which is where my dad lived. Living in that area, the friends he made told him he would have to follow an Aussie rules team - my father being a staunch Rabbitohs man from his days in Sydney. More than that, his mates said living in the area he did, he would have to choose between Collingwood, Carlton or Fitzroy. My dad was never one to run with the crowd, so he followed the team named after his adopted city - Melbourne. After Mum and Dad married, they moved to what was then considered the outer suburb of Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Preston and surrounds were Collingwood strongholds and my 4 older brothers followed the Pies and still do. I am sure you can imagine the crap I cop from them these days. I stuck with dad and followed the Dees. He would take me to all the old suburban grounds and in those days, for a kid, it was often like going to another country. Of course, in the early days, the MFC were peerless and somehow I sensed, even though not fully aware as a child, that I was following a pretty special football club. In 1964, my dad managed to cadge a couple of final tickets to the GF from his local pub. They were only standing room, but as an 8 year old, the old blokes made sure that the kid was pushed to the front. Not that it mattered really, as I was more interested in collecting the old steel beer cans so I could stand on them. My father was a very conservative man and I never heard him swear before that day or after, but he did let out the magic word in front of me. It was at the time big Ray Gabelich fumbled and stumbled his way along the members side wing to eventually kick a very clumsy goal that put Collingwood in front, deep into the last quarter. The next thing I remember is being flat on my back. In his excitement, dad had jumped in the air and upon landing, knocked me over. Neil "Froggy" Crompton had put the Dees back in front and we won the 1964 flag - our last. Even though I was a young kid, the feeling of euphoria was amazing and to see my dad so ecstatic made me beam. From that point on, I knew I would be a Demon for life. The other thing I remember about going to the footy with dad, was his quirky sayings. Unlike today's communal shout of "BALLLLLLLL" it was the full cry of "HOLDING THE BLOODY BALL". If that went up in a crowd in relation to a Dees player, dad would retort, "HOLDING YOUR BLOODY GIRL". Names like Hassa Mann, Donny Williams, Brian (Doc) Roet, Wrecker Leahy, Johnny Townsend, Geoff Tunbridge, Barry Vagg and Ray Groom were in my scrapbook. The worst part about this story????? When my grandfather passed away, my dad was made executor of the Will. The first thing dad did? He sold the bloody pubs..........sheesh!!!!

I have told my story before From a time when football was simple Dad a St Kilda supporter (he grew up next to E "the Tank" Guy) took me to the junction oval to watch a game Melb V Saints and I would become a saint like him. Howling gale Morrow taps to Baldock who pushes it to Stewart who pushes it to Cooper who pushes it through for a point. Tassie Bob drop kick sails over the pack assembled at CHF Dixon ponces and dlivers to Big Bob who slots a goal. Wow say I.Lucky says the old man, have some peanuts ( from the guy who carried the sack of bags around the ground at 3 pence a bag) This went on for about 4 points and goals I became addicted to peanuts in the shell Lucky he visited every game in the league as I grew up (was he the first cloning experiment) and much to dads disgust I became a demon supporter> I dont think he cares that much as neither of us has had great success But it is still the team I love and will be whatever happens. I just hope the players and coaches are readingsome of this site and are hurting as much as we are. Go Dees