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Got quite excited to see Ling walking away from the Aami Center and past training. Even more so when he walked around the oval and watched training from near Richmond station end. Went and got a pic with him to make her Geelong relos jealous and couldn't help myself throwing in line about how this will send rumour mill into overdrive, he commented how he has recently started doing some work with Jack Trengove and Jack had asked him to come along to check out training. Spoke very highly of Jack. Would love to see him at the club a lot more!

I think we can safely rule out Bill Stephen, Ken Judge and Wayne Brittain as well.

How about no games in Tassie. The team is called Melbourne and I will leave to you to figure out where it should play.

The headline may as well have read, "Taylor Swift not interested in Melbourne job".

How is that even a story?

McDonald: Different feel at the Dees 11.18AM 26-6-2013 Melbourne defender Tom McDonald has told SEN that there is a different feel around the club in the wake of Mark Neeld’s departure as senior coach. “It was a bit of a shock, but then because there has been so much media around what was going to happen, some people were just waiting for it to happen,” he said. “Now that it’s happened, it’s done and people can move on past it.” “Neil Craig is a different voice and he’s been fantastic.” “There is definitely a different feel around the club, but it was a shock to happen on that Monday morning when we came in.” With speculation and media scrutiny engulfing the club over the past few months, McDonald said that it has been refreshing to not have every step monitored by journalists and reporters. “It was nice to come in after the game on Sunday and not have media there first thing for recovery,” he said. “To be honest it doesn’t really impact on how we play if there is media there or there is stuff written in the paper. I tend to just worry about what we are doing on the field.” “It is nice to have the fanfare off, but until we start winning it’s still going to hang around.” McDonald is one of the Demons up and coming young stars and was handed the tough task of standing St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt in his 250th game at the weekend. Despite the daunting task, McDonald said that it was a challenge that he enjoyed. “He’s a massive worker, everyone knows that – we have all seen it, read about it,” he said. “I try to pride myself on endurance running as wells so I knew that we were going be in for a good battle running up and down the field.” McDonald said that he focused heavily on his concentration levels in the week leading up to the game. “The big thing I focused on with the coaches was concentration, because a little half a second slip up, he’s smart enough to know when to lead and where to lead when you have a mistake like that,” he said. “That’s probably harder than the physical stuff – the concentration for 120 minutes not to make a little slip up so that he gets you on a little lead 20m out and gets an easy goal on you.” “I was exhausted by the end of the game, and I think he was too.”

Primus sucks

I just hope Lingy doesn't turn into another Garry Lyon and loses touch with footy reality by staying too long in the media. Ling sounds like a fantastic communicator and appears to have a lot to offer in a coaching capacity. I'd have him at the club in a heart-beat.

Exactly. I've said this before, but I often wonder if the people who write this garbage stop and wonder where it all went wrong, or if they're genuinely too stupid to realise that they have become a completely worthless bottom feeder on society.

All my hopes and dreams for this club, shattered. Why Primus, why! You were our savior.

Agree. Nothing is going to crystalise until October due to the contracted position of some of the candidates. Even if that weren't the case, Craig deserves to see the season out and the players could do with some stability. I feel like a kid contemplating Christmas in March; I want it now dammit!! In the mean time I'm looking forward to seeing what Craig is able to do with this team, if anything, in the short time he's got.

I figured some of the rankings here are quite shocking, especially Terry Wallace (the former Tambling selector). Anyway let's start. Dominic SHEED: Is not as good or as high as some consider, good but not a top 3 or 5 pick he will likely end up just outside that. He had a fantastic game against the divion 2 NT with 34 disposals but had a stinker vs the Division 1 Vic Metro. Josh KELLY ran rings around him. James AISH: I find him quite interesting, unfortunately since he was aged 15-16 he has had people label him as the "future number 1 draft pick" which in turn has caught media attention and blinded people's judgements. Without a doubt the kid can play, he has fantastic awareness and moves wonderfully. Although his light frame will be an issue and I can't see him gaining mass anytime soon or quickly after joining an AFL team. I also found it very intriguing that in round 3 of the championships he got tagged out the game, limited to 14 disposals - the 5th lowest for his team. Whilst Luke DUNSTAN went on a contested possessions rampage. Luke DUNSTAN: I won't lie, he is my favorite of the draft. He is already built, tough as nails and will slot perfectly into any AFL midfield. An ideal fit for the dees to improve our contested possession count (excellent partner for Viney too). He moves well and covers the ground nicely, has good hands, is a tackling machine, gets plenty of his own ball generating clearance after clearances. In relation to my top three (for the Dees) I would select DUNSTAN first and throw up between BOYD and AISH at two (if we get a concession pick). DUNSTAN will go in as that contested possession winner, in and under player while Aish would be your dish out I50 bloke (similar to J Kennedy and K Jack of Sydney). As for Boyd I just lick the lips of thinking about him and Hogan, but we already have Dawes, Clark and Watts (if he stays) within that list of tall forwards. At picks 4,5, and 6 I would have KELLY, SHARENBERG, and BILLINGS (no particular order).

Mrs Robbie is never wrong, she warned me about both Bailey and Neeld and keeps on reminding me of it. Don't underestimate her.

Ugh.

My take on Watts game was that although statistically it wasn't a massive game, I saw more of the things I wanted to see from him in terms of aggression etc. He has had 20+ possession games in the past that have been awful and full of cheapies. If he plays at that level each week, Saturday's performance would become a baseline and we would see dramatic improvement.

A clear change in direction by the new coach................build them up, and highlight the positives, instead of tearing them down Neeld style. No surprise Sylvia given a huge pat on the back publicly..............club knows they need to keep him, and this is a clear attempt to let him know he is valued. Craig said he he has been fantastic the last 4 weeks, but he has only been back two after suspension.

Lucky enough to have a chat with Dom in the stands before queens birthday game. Concentrating on putting on weight but feels he's gotten stronger and improved his tank even at the cost of a little speed (nb was already elite endurance) was hopeful of a game this year but saw it as development. Commented that he'd already put on 5 kg and it was all very structured and going to plan. Loved playing around Hogan. Asked him what the coaches wanted from him and answer was basically a young Davey, who he obviously loves. I think you blokes smashing him will be pleasantly surprised eventually, but you're all a sick masochistic lot so whatever, this post was for those that actually cared for his thoughts. Edited to make it sound like English.

If nothing else the vast majority of D'landers are fair minded sports followers who,I'm certain, are extremely upset and sympathetic at the possibility of unwittingly abused Essendon players being suspended, losing points, copping fines etc. And all would be totally distraught at the possibility of Jobe having his Brownlow win revoked.. Yeah sure. HA HA HA!

She could write a hit song about being dumped from the job though...

I would just like to take this moment to declare I will not be running for Prime Minister.

Spoke to Norm Smith via the Ouija board today. Definitely not interested. Jock McHale still undecided.

Lets be fair though, Some muppet in the media obviously thought it would be news worthy to ask him whether he is keen on coaching the MFC. He is only answering what was asked at a press conference for the GCS. Still seems highly regarded as an assistant as were Neeld and Bailey

boredom and the fact weve got nothing else to write about mn has gone cs gone who can we kick?

Good cause we didn't want you anyways, hence why WE (the club) didn't ask you.

Coastguard?

Future Leader is Tommy Mac.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/if-port-adelaide-can-turn-it-around-surely-so-can-demons-20130625-2ovb3.html EQ says we probably shouldn't get Pick 1. To me, this isn't about Pick 1. We need a leg up, we are too far away from the pack. We cannot continue to turn over 10 players a year and hope we can get some diamonds in the rough and get above average in the early picks - we need help. EQ mentions what we have discussed here: pick that must be traded, later picks, state league preference, and help to chase a FA. I love the pick-to-trade idea, am ambivalent to later picks or state league preference, and hate the salary cap help idea.

Maybe it's all crap.

Yeah that's just people on here adding "facts" to their claims. C'mon people do some research before you type.

What rubbish. Having watched him at training and Casey more than a few times, lazy is NOT a word I would associate with him. Needs to work on core strength, endurance, and awareness, but has a fine work ethic.

Absolute disgrace he is allowed to play this weekend, but what do you expect from Andrew Demetriou and the corrupt AFL regime?

Why walk out when it's getting into shape. That's strange indeed.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-06-24/mrp-full-statement-round-13 The MRP system is a joke. Simpkin intentionally hits Dawes in the head, and gets two weeks. Embley intentionally drops his knees into a defenceless player on the ground and gets one week. Spencer negligently (i.e. not even recklessly) bumps McEvoy in the head and he gets three weeks. Why? All incidents were assessed using the medical reports. MRP once again using the effect instead of the cause. The system is a farce.

WYL i understand the anger given your major commitments. But remember the Board (or the effectively now the ex McClardy/Stynes led) board had a chance at moving him on in 2011 but reneged and then contrary to what many pundits were thinking at the time, re-signed him for 3 years after 186. To me this is the tipping point where it all went ass end up for us! The Board backed the executive instead of sticking with their original decision to back the players/coach and the effect of the blow back from that fateful weekend is there for all to see. We just need to back PJ from here and hope he (with the assistance of the AFL) get the composition of the Presidency/Board right and can also land us a proven coach, beef up the FD around him with his advice/assistance etc. In the meantime i think we're in good hands with Craig at the helm. So you could say a small part of what went on previously has worked in our favour. Some might say a very small part i realise. Also Neeld hasn't left us (Craig and/or a new coach) completely barren. There's a core group of proven AFL senior talent there at the top end. With Clark to come back next year (fingers crossed) as well as a sprinkling of decent middle game players coming through and a few decent rookies such as Toumpas and Kent developing and a solid defence (as it now stands), i think we can still be a force in the next 3 to 5 years provided most of what happens from here is on the money. The club probably won't survive another derailing. I believe PJ is slowly going to get us back on track. Time to get the train rolling again. And no i don't think that begins today i'm afraid. Craig will need 4 to 5 weeks with this dispirited bunch and a return of some key forwards (along with the realisation by Craig that we need to play Magner as a direct replacement for McKenzie...ie., we are still leaving the mid field rotations way to short. McKenzie is not the answer and neither is Magner in the long term. But he is an extra rotation and a better option than anyone else to add to the mid field right at this moment) before he/we start to see any significant turnaround IMO.

Agree with you 'stuie' and one of the things that appealed at draft camp was his endurance running so he has the tank to build. He goes missing because he is a kid trying to find his way, to me it is the confidence to impose himself on the game. If he can do this then we have a player.

I thought the alpacas would ensure a plentiful supply. If not, there are plenty of Demonlanders who are good at taking it ...

Roos is waiting for the AFL's reply to Jacksons case. Once he has that information he will make a decision. Shouldn't be long now..

Those who claim we don't "deserve" a priority pick clearly misunderstand what this competition, at its core, is really about. They must clearly think it's about equity, fairness, supporters and premierships. The AFL's core organizational principle is to maximize revenue. Will a priority pick to Melbourne make us more competitive? Yes. Will a more competitive Melbourne generate more money? Yes. Done deal.

With the way Clark's injury is going, Boyd might be a look in? (just a thought) .... I'm all for Mids in this draft, but if Boyd is that good and dominate?

Doubt it - if we're lucky enough to land Roos (I agree it's not looking that great) .. then we will hold off announcing it until Round 20ish at the earliest. Would be far too morale-sapping for Craig and the playing group to run out for over half a season knowing that he won't be the coach in 2014.

Thats rubbish , CS had four people reporting to him so he had control over the whole FD, the guy was destructive and one the worst Administrators the clubs ever had, even after 186 the guy still couldn't help himself, PJ has done more in 2months than CS achieved in 6years.

Binman rules!!!

Ahh.... Utopia!

It is a bit like the poster on the Spencer tribunal thread said - the AFL do treat their "favourites" very differently from their "easy targets". He, and the Bummers, will get a gentle rap over the knuckles and will move on. Dimitriou is always on about :"the integrity of the game"; if MFC can go down $500k for being not guilty of the undefined offence of tanking, this should be worth tens on millions, but it wont of course. The commission are as conflicted in their deliberations as are the tribunal and the MRP. The guy has admitted to taking illegal substances; who knows how much it helped him win the Brownlow.

A doctor called into radio 3aw? This morning saying he wanted to give an Olympian an injection. The Olympian said I need to know it is cleared before I do anything. They rang the agency gave the name if the drug got a clearance AND a reference number in case it was later questioned. The doctor commented "it is not hard" to get right. Each athlete is told he/she is accountable. Ignorance is not an excuse no matter how harsh this may seem

We got reamed because Chook-brain Mclean thought we'd been naughty when he appeared On The Couch. I expect that Jobe will be shot, and Essendon degregistered by 8am tomorrow.

Too bad. We are in a socialised competition with a structure that allows bad teams to get better. We are going to get draft assistance. Deal with it.

I must be missing something, I've never been worried about Toumpas at all. I'm extremely confident he's going ot be one of our best players in the future.

Have a look at the Hawthorn West Coast replay... Franklin did that at least twice ... Toumpas is young and learning how to handle the big time and as far as I am concerned is learning quickly... I call a "squib" someone who regularly avoids all hard contests and who takes a side step when confronted head on with a contest.. Ducking when a pack is bearing down on your head from behind is NOT being a "squib" as you call it... Give the kid a go.. He WILL make it as will many others in our team whom have been condemned by a number of DL posters. They will improve with more games under their belts.. It started to show on Saturday but don't expect it to happen overnight.. Let's play out the rest of this season and give them a mark out of 10 then.. Whatever the competition on Saturday and no matter how we all rate St. Kilda,, most of our players tried for four quarters and THAT is something we haven't seen before this year .. To me, a baby step in the right direction...

Im a massive Luke Dunstan fan..