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Gents, just got back and having lunch whilst typing this, promised this to Lifelong Demon There are normally 5 or 6 and a stray dog at training, today wasn't good, it was magnificent. Some admin out of the way first, Cameron Schwab has tatts, I know, now get over it., Travis Johnstone was there, he is not playing footy at the moment, enjoying being a parent, just wanted to show support, he had a good chat with Cameron Schwab and Flash. Being known has it's benefits Josh Mahoney - had a good chat with him, yes he totally understands how the supporters feel, he feels the same way, they are working to get if fixed, liked the way Casey played last weekend, that is style they are looking at. The Footy Dept know they are under the pump, but united Flash Davey - pumped to be back in the side, again understands the supporters frustration, absolutely rapt with the turn out, promised me another goal from the boundary this week, just wants to play Nev Jetta - you know I have to speak with him, rapt to be back in the side but you can tell he thinks he deserved it, looking fwd to having a real crack (surprise, surprise), "Pickles" Evans - same as Nev, I congratulated him on his game at Casey and getting back from serious injury, asked me would I like to see the same run, I said yes Col Sylvia for Col Sylvia was very subdued, thanked me for showing up, perhaps this is the new Col who knows it is now or never, very serious Jack Trengove - same, humbled by how many supporters turned up, looking forward to cracking in tomorrow Jack Viney - tweeted yesterday for movie recommendations, I asked him what he had watched after I told him I was going to recommend a romcom but thought better of it, he watched Snow White and the Huntsman, "you need an action film before the game", I would adopt him if I could Had an open and frank discussion with Nathan Jones about the media, most of which if I wrote it down would be nothing but those (censored) thingys, he desperately wants to repay the supporters Somebody has already posted about Tapscott''s demeanour, I congratulated him on two things going back to Casey and not spitting the dummy and playing like he should to come straight back in, told me was going to give it everything tomorrow.....said that to my face.....I believe him Jack Grimes - was another who I think was humbled by the turnout and another who desperately wants to turn it around, repeated, and we all saw it this morning, they don't train poorly, they just need to take it onto the field, all united And finally Jack Watts (still full bearded thankfully), got a big smile, an arm around my shoulder and a thanks for being there, maybe a couple of weeks away from the spotlight will be what he needs to get back into the form he was showing last season Also spoke to a couple of the boys playing for Casey tomorrow, Clisby, Kent and Taggert, really confident, Kent was a bit disappointed with the standard of VFL, thought it would be higher, desperate to crack a spot in AFL side, he looks even bigger than when I chatted to him just after he was drafted If I think of anything else will add it

I don't care what anyone thinks, i like the man, and i think he is the one to take us forward. He always has the players best interests at heart, amongst many other things. Give him a good go at it MFC and to the many other supporters who want him gone after 1.8 months. He got handed a bloody big mess.

Neeld commended the fans for turning up in his presser right now. Congratulations wazza and waynewussel

The Melbourne Football Club represents a lot of members and supporters. And all what most supporters and members want is unity for their club and it's players. So when things get tough like they did after last weekends horrendous loss, the club faced a critical time in it's history. Supporters-a-like were devastated. It since has contributed to the removal of our CEO. More uncertainty may or may not eventuate at levels within the club - but all anyone and everyone wants is for this club to become strong and unite! On the day that marks more access to Gosch's Paddock, two D'Land members had thought it would be good to get behind the players and club at a Friday training session and called to arms for help. To lend support. The call all week since the round 2 loss has been to stick together. Over 200 took some time out to lend some support. After two major losses and a season seemingly shot, the support came in spades, and with it noise. It may have been a short sharp session, but the players appreciated it. And in it's time of need it might just mean something significant and something we may see more of.... #demonunity Ref: http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/33243-our-club-needs-unity-support-the-club-rally-at-our-open-training-session-friday-12th-april-945am-goschs-paddock/page-18#entry727404

Anyone who doubts that Grimes is the right man for the captaincy is an idiot. End of discussion. Well done Grimesy. Now lets sign Frawley and be done with it.

Now that shows character.

Cameron schwab here too

Brilliant job Everyone! SEN just reported that "the Dees have received a big morale boost this morning, with hundreds of supporters turning up to their training. Mark Neeld says, players are rapt, great way to start the weekend" See you at the G tomorrow! Go Dees!

The most important thing we as supporters can do is turn up tomorrow and show our support. Nothing will lift the players more than a huge showing of supporters. Go Dees.

Great support for the boys at training today. Collingwood are gone from Gosch's. It was a busy morning with The Dees, The Storm and The Victory all training at the same time and a great turn out of supporters to give the boys a boost. Get there tomorrow if you can. Who cares if they get beaten. They are still our team. Gosch's Paddock now belongs to us ==> http://six6six.smugmug.com/Sports/Training-GP-1242013/28876147_DTZWSX

Has anyone else noticed how much the videos coming out of the club have improved. Whoever is doing their post-production/editing is really on their game. As far as I'm concerned 'they look just like a bought one'. So whoever you are I reckon your doing a good job and it really helps with the club's presentation. edit: I believe it's Jack McCowan - I particularly liked the piece on Ivor Warne-Smith for the Legend induction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eCCb6HCrdc&list=UUNs_eXeMmFvv6INYtd64Kvg&index=1

Business is a word that describes footy all too often these days. I think Wayne,wizza and everyone who went to training today proved that footy is and always will be about people. To all of you who went thats what makes a club and gives the MFC a pulse. Congratulations.

Josh Mahoney said to me that Gawn and Kent were in the mix but felt they needed one more week to overcome illness and injury, as its a big step. He indicated that both were seriously in the teams long term plans, and will be in sooner rather than later.

did his suit have sleeves?

Get a load of the first quarter of the Essendon / Fremantle game. Melbourne: Causing Teams to Get Ahead of Themselves Since 2007

Ww and wizz I just wanted to congratulate you both (& anyone else who helped get this rolling). I've been past Goshes a number of times in the past 3 months filling in for some drivers of ours on the 605. I used to honk on way past the boys when training as I felt they needed every little encouragement possible seeing as there was hardly anyone watching. Seriously I could count on 1 or 2 hands the numbers other than officials. Then yesterday I drove down around punt. Turned into Swan. No one training in the usual front paddock there. I figured must be a change up to usual routine due to Sorrento. Ok fair enough. Then I get to Olympic park. I was in shock. Thousands of Pie supporters watching them train and egging their boys on. Suffice to say I was hit by another wave of depression. As if witnessing the last 2 weeks wasn't enough. To drive up Punt today and look across and see a fair turn out in the red & blue. What a great sight. This would have to give the players some sort of lift & reason for being surely? I'm even thinking of taking a sicky or RDO next week or whenever the next designated day is to get there. We even got coverage on SEN which is the most positive marketing this clubs had probably all season. Well done guys and to all who got down there. You just may have started something special. Carn the Demons!

Isnt it great that we have an oval that feels like a footy oval and not a park with line markings. To be able stretch on a fence, get you fans on the fence watching you, having a fence to show you where the boundary line is.

" Get your f#$%ing sh%t together ! "

Well done Grimsey. 3 yr contract http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-04-12/grimes-signs-new-three-year-deal.workstation

I didn't take any notes, this is off the cuff so please excuse.... From the moment I turned up 10 minutes into the session (I say 10 mins because it was 9:55am) the precinct was a buzz with the 3 Melbourne codes training. I look over my right shoulder I see the Storm boys in the middle of a "set", they look sharp, I turn a little further I see and hear Ange Postecoglou (spell?) bark his orders to his troops who are in the middle of their finals series. Great day for sunglasses and not a drop of rain or cloud in sight. This is Melbourne..... .....and it has been for a decade for those who refer to Melbourne as cold and wet. I stand within ear shot of the President, Don McLardy. He looks refreshed, bit of a hair trim, he also has the shades on (this isn't Brisbane or Sydney ) and is accompanied by the stand in CEO Peter Spargo. It's a relatively short, sharp session but a handy session at that, because of the support that gathered. 200+ including some kids with plenty of colour plus media. "We" (#demonunity) watch on as the boys go through their paces in the lead up to the Eagles game on Saturday. Jetta, Davey, Byrnes, Tapscott, Pederson, Howe, Sylvia and Clark (no "e") line up in various spots of the forward line and ping at goal whilst the remainder of the group practise an exercise up the other end of the ground. They are brought into the middle every now and then at the sound of a whistle. I do note that some take their time getting to position or are reminded of where they must be by an assistant at one time. Perhaps the crowd present let their mind(s) wander...? I immediately dismiss it as no concern because I've seen the same before at training dating back to the Daniher days. The full ground drill involves everyone in a blue strip where they work from a stoppage in the back half, transfer play one way initially before working back the other way around the wing, before bringing it in board around the centre half forward position by handball linking up to a forward on the lead. No one has a direct opponent, so there is a lot of freedom. It's appears simply an exercise of ball movement and remind them that quick transition is required and allows them the knowledge of where it's got to go. They mix it up and bring it down both wings of Gosch's Paddock. Each forward seems to take it's turn as the target but it's up to the ball carrier or the first option they see. Tapscott looks lively close up and marks nearly all that comes his way. Clark is a beast and links up with the smalls by knocking it down - as if it's a contest - to his feet for the crumbers to gather. Davey, Byrnes and Jetta mop up where required. Both Dawes and Dunn ran laps keeping an eye on their watch every now and then. Making sure they complete the laps by a certain time. They're on the mend and look relatively free in their stride. Can't be too far away... "We" (#demonunity) saw Viney hit up Clark and co. in Round one with some "zing" passes that would make Luke Hodge's mouth water. Well I was drooling again this morning. One sublime pass hit up Tapscott at full stretch. God he's good. I'll have some of that thanks. The training run was nothing little more than a warm up for the guys, I saw a couple of fumbles/clangers (notably Jamar from memory bank and Nicholson with a couple of kicks), but all things considered it looked relatively sharp with their disposal. Given what has transpired in rounds one and two for the players and supporters, today was more about support for the lads. It may have been just an average Friday small session. But you get the feeling it was important and significant for the players. They sure appreciated it. Thanks to those who went down for a look and to Wizza and waynerussell for drumming and bumping this thread up! #demonunity

We started the year With a tough couple of weeks But hold your heads high At least your not drug cheats

Was absolutely brilliant seeing so many people turn up this morning. The look on the players faces when the club song was being sung as they were walking out was priceless. I'm sure they appreciated the efforts of everyone today. Well done guys

I must admit I was concerned about this. Imagine if after all this effort only a few people had showed up. It would have lead to more media ridicule about how after all that effort so few Demons turned up. Well, that the turn up was large is a great testament to the spirit of the supporters. Well done to all who went and to those who promoted it. Now it's the players' turn.

Driving home just heard SEN report on Dee training... Mission Accomplished!

"ONE GAME OUT OF THE 8"

Just spoke to Josh Mahoney, gave ,e a bit of extra confidence. Talked about the Rosebud camp, and said Neeld spoke well and asked them to not worry about the game plan, and to just go hard at the ball, concentrate on the basics, beat your man etc.

Any visible cringing?

I belive we are in this situation because we can not develop the draft pics we get, i bet if Watts, Sylvia were drafted to another club they be stars of the comp by now, just pisses me off even more

"If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you'll be a better person. It's how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit." William J. Clinton Good old William J. Clinton hit the nail on the head here. The easy thing to do would be to turn our back on the club and pretend all this never happened. Well guess what? It is happening. It's how we all deal with it that matters. It's easy to give up, it's easy to stay home and pretend like we don't care, but the reality is, Red & Blue runs through our veins and no matter how much we deny it, we all love the Melbourne Football Cub. I've supported this club for over 20 years and i'm not giving up, i'm never quitting on them , EVER!!!!! I PROPOSE WE ALL GATHER TOGETHER AS ONE AT OUR NEXT TRAINING SESSION. LETS SHOW THE PLAYERS HOW MUCH THE CLUB MEANS TO US. I understand that the majority would be reluctant to partake in such an extreme act but I honestly think that this is the only way we can get through to the players. Imagine the scene, Imagine the headlines!!!! Our club needs help, I wont stand by and do nothing because I love this club way too much. I WILL NEVER QUIT. I understand that people work during the day, but would you turn up to training if we made the grand final? Don't kid yourself, this is more important. We are talking about saving our Club. Our Club Needs Unity. Who's with me?

I was to young to see the great Robbie Flower in action. But my old man has a tape of the great on the footy show in the late 80s in a handball comp. I put it on youtube last year. Have a look if you havent already seen, very rare. Also does any one actually remember him on it? Enjoy lets all smile.

reverse tanking

Crazy if he just sits out, he needs the practice. I think he will be a surpise in, for sellar maybe.

#demonunity

Those of us around the players race will need to be on the lookout for the [censored]... # demonunity

this just shows you cannot win at pressers when you get badly beaten. many on here want him out as he shows no emotion and is too much of a hard teacher with the players. being everything to everyone on here sure would make you some sort of god I guess if you could do it.

you do realize he was showing empathy a quality many on here lambast him for not having and 'losing the players'. In addition I'm sure you want him to be as positive as possible heading into the next game?

These comments always amuse - please tell me exactly how you would know how the assistant coaches are travelling ? The only person who can gauge how they are doing is Neeld himself. We sitting on boundaries have zero idea.

Hi guys, I went down today and it was fantastic. Would of been 150+ easily out in the beautiful Melbourne sunshine. Very vocal by the supporters and the players. There were quite a few press/media there too. I thought it was very classy of a few of the boys and Neeldy to come over and say thanks to us after the session ended. Big props to all the boys, especially Mitch Clark and Frank Grimes who went over and mingled with all the young kids on the boundary. One little boy was cheering Mitch on the entire session non stop. All the players loved it. You could tell they genuinally appreciated the support. Im uploading a whole bunch of pics and will link it below when done. Pics: http://minus.com/mFSYzvncOYSFs

Wayne & Wizza Thankyou guys for restoring some hope for us fellow Dee supporters what you achieved by organizing this rally of support was brilliant. If any other posters on Demonland ever critizise either of you I will pour petrol on them and set them alight.

That is a cop-out on both ends. The players are largely to blame, but Neeld has not been able to get them to be inspired enough to play half-decent footy or learn his gameplan. Assistant Coaches are an easy scapegoat when things go poorly and inflated in importance when things go poorly. If the players respond to his call to play one-on-one footy and take the game on they will do so over the next few months. Otherwise, the harsh business will take care of itself.

I have heard multiple times from players that the supporters/crowd at games is a key motivator for them. I can understand that - imagine having 30,000 cheering you after a goal/good play (it really would make you dig that little deeper). I think if we can back up the attendance from training it will be a real motivator for the players. I will be there and if the players show commitment and desire I will be clapping them of the ground no matter what the result. The supporters have shown that they bleed red and blue it is now the time for the players to show it!

Great turn out all! Today the club has a positive story and its only because we all showed up. Great effort.

No, because he leads by example on and off the field. This is not a knock on Jones, but Grimes has been in the leadership group since his second year at the club. That says something. I thought he's been one of our best in a dismal start to the season.

JG has been cloned 20 times?

Another kid to ruin? Sure. Hell, I'll take 3.

Maybe you could spend the rest of the winter in Summer Bay Alf?

Remember, the big fellow is with us!

I'm not quite sure what people expect of him As far as I know he's had 3 jobs in his life Office boy at the AFL, footballer & media presenter (from a young age) None of which qualify him as a CEO or Club President. As someone pointed out earlier, President ain't just a ceremonial role He's said before he doesn't believe he has the skill set or personality to be an effective administrator The Clint Eastwood Rule is at play here & he's called it on himself Those seeking the Messiah should look elsewhere

If by administration you mean the board then I hope you have an idea of people of wealth and business experience who are willing to spend 30 hours a week on their board duties and subject themselves to the brutal media scrutiny that will accompany any failings. I've been attending AGMs since 1988 and in terms of business experience this board is by far the best that he have had. I also don't think that your use of the term 'zero return' is a fair one. There have been demonstratable gains such as the elimination of debt, the move from the Junction Oval slums to AAMI Park, the consolidation of the Bentleigh Club into our accounts and a significantly increased footy department spend. The reality is that in footy terms Year 1 for us was 2012 because that was the first time in decades that we were anywhere near compettitive in terms of facilities AND footy spend. There is hope footy wise. A forward line of Clark(200cms/103kg), Hogan (195cm/97kg) and Dawes (193cm/105kg) will test any defence. Having to man up on the mobile and athletic Clark and Hogan will pose a problem for most teams. Both are as comfortable in the midfield as they are in goal square, not many key defenders are. Add Maxy Gawn (208cm/111Kgs) resting forward from time to time and there will be no opposition that will not be stretched. Even bloody Dustin Fletcher would have to man up! I apologise to those offended by a show of optimism!