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Why are we so worried about what outsiders think of our club? Are we happy? Is the club happy? Why does it matter?

I'm staggered by the devaluation of players once they are drafted. Tyson is pick 3 originally and has 2 years on the clock and we were somehow ripped off paying pick 2 and upgrading other picks - 20 to 9 being a very valuable upgrade. Players at this level don't depreciate once drafted, they're not like cars driven out of the new car yard, they actually appreciate. But people get so intoxicated by blue sky and want to punt a "star" they interpret very good trades as negative. People are waxing lyrical over this years crop of early picks but it will be highly unusual if 3 or 4 of them aren't disappointments if not outright duds. Still people will continue to be blue sky junkies and then lash out at those who fed their fantasies and got the dud.

It'd be even funnier if he slides to 9 and we don't pick him.

Played one match in an all girls match in the bush which of course qualifies me to make highly valued and informed opinions on Demonland- like the rest of you!!

Some amazing stories, from blokes like me who gave up before they started, to kids who are dreaming big, to blokes in their early-mid 20s who had big dreams that weren't realised, to old guys who hung up the boots years ago who are able to give some insight in to how it was. Giving myself a pat on the back for starting this thread To be honest, I wasn't really expecting this kind of response, I thought I'd get a few responses and it would die. Give people the chance to talk about themselves, I guess...

Not many under age of 40 though dd36 I hear BBO wore a cap, lace up vest, 3/4 pants and a sizeable tash when he played.

Played with the Young Christians, a prayer before the game was our pre game routine, one of my fondest memories as was getting my regular massage from Father Peter, god bless him

Im a master at kick to kick...

Grew up in NSW. Thought AFL was a stupid game and, like all of my friends, didn't play the game or even watch it. Played rugby at school and supported the North Sydney Bears in the NRL. When the Bears essentially got punted from the competition, I figured I needed a footy team and, as my Dad and his side of the family were all passionate Demons' supporters, I thought I'd give it a go. This was in 1998. Got totally addicted thereafter. Played one game of Aussie Rules for my college at university. Spent the entire game running away from some thug/massive unit who was intent on punching me in the head every time I got near the ball. Only a week or so later did I work out that I bagged his ex girlfriend earlier in the year. He was feral about it. I was just confused. Sporting claim to fame - played State cricket for NSW with Adam Gilchrist. In the under 12s. Was also offered a couple of scholarships to play tennis at Arizona universities after school. Sensibly, I took a gap year instead and spent the entire year in the UK/Europe drinking booze, and have done nothing spectacular ever since.

We could have got a bona fide star but difficult as an undesired destination... And we need to rebuild faith in our playing group which I think we did by not trading out anyone. The dummies in the media are forgetting Hogan. Quite possibly better than anyone in this draft. If you take the media comment that Tyson would have been 1 or 2 in this draft I reckon we have 2 of the best 3 kids. And still a top 9 pick. Two players averaging over 20 possessions, Vince and Cross - we only had Jones that did that. All of a sudden our midfield can get the pill and the opposition can't. Need our ppl like Strauss, Blease, Tappy to really to a step fwd. McDonald to grow. Howe to become more than a one trick pony. Tyson, Clark and Dawes to get on the park and stay there. I still see rucking as a big issue for us. They must have faith in Jamar but I think he's past it. I'd give us a B+ or A-

The media expect us to select the players they choose and in the past we have; this time we went our own way and it's upset a couple of them. Care factor,zero. I'm happy, I would expect the club are happy, care factor 100%. I think they'll pick Freeman at pick 9 and that will top off a good draft period for us, I like Sheed but I think Roos likes Freeman. Either will be good, will that make Barrett any happier, who gives a [censored].

I went back to playing at 30 after some bad experiences playing junior footy. VAFA has the Clubbies comp, which is more of a social comp for old blokes and the athletically challenged, although still highly competitive and part of serious football clubs. We have blokes from overseas that have never kicked a footy in their life come down for a run. Because everyone's washed up or no good and the team is managed by the players, everyone gets a fair run, at least until finals time anyway. Fours year later I am still playing. One of the best things I've ever done, kicked the fags, Friday nights and Saturday arvos off the grog & mates for life. Don't die wondering.

Nine of the next 15 selections taken after Molan played over 100 games and 6 of those played over 150. It may not have been a stellar draft, but Molan was a diabolical selection, as Cameron has since noted.

I think the story was that Daniher said he wanted the toughest, strongest, no backward steps footballer of the draft. The recruiting department delivered Luke Molan to the Rev. Luke's story is below but it would be fair to say he had a harsh run with injuries. If you were looking for a symbol of Melbourne's luck over the past decade the nearly number 14 would make a fair mascot. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/a-super-unlucky-pick-from-the-superdraft-20091124-j5uy.html

Was predicted to go at about 30. We used pick 9.

Well i'm still playing under 16s,, and i had my best year last year, i play rover and i kicked 35 goals last year, we made the finals and in the preliminary final we were losing and we had to kick 3 more goals, our runner came on and told me we had 2 minutes to go and we had to get into gear, so our ruckmen hit it out towards me i just cleared it into our 50 and our CHF marked it and i ran back to FF and took a specky and then kicked a goal, and then our RR ran with the ball from the centre square and kicked it from 50 for a goal, and then our runner came back on and told me we had 50 seconds to kick a goal, i told myself if we win this ruck we win the game, we lost the ruck and i began to close my eyes and when i opened them i saw our half back running on the wing shrug off two players and bomb it to me i ran in shrugged off a guy and sold the candy to another and then booted it to our FF who had kicked 83 goals for the season, and he took a Jeremy Howe screamer and then the siren went, he went back and booted the goal, and we went crazy all the fans ran on the field and started hugging everyone and that was the top team we were playing and we hadn't beaten them all year, the first grand final Huntly had made since the 70's, the best day of my life. Recruit me Dees

While I am not particularly proud of my personal footballing achievements (I played 1 game for Camberwell Under 19s at the Sandringham Oval, 1 season in EDFL and then 2 years in E or F Grade Amateurs - mostly in the seconds!) I have played in 2 memorable finals games... A long time ago on a footy field far, far away our local team (under 11s it was) made the finals. In the First Semi final I was playing at CHF and a young 9 year old (future champion) was filling in at CHB. We won that day by a couple of goals, I even jagged one myself! We were very excited to progress to the Prelim. It was the Page-McIntyre Finals 4 system in those days. Anyway the weather for the Prelim was cold, raining and windy. The other team (eventual premiers) seemed bigger and stronger (peptides in their oranges?) and we got close, so very close. Our CHB, just a youngster, was easily best on ground and I know I tried because I cried hard after the siren sounded as we'd lost by a point. Sadly no Grand Final and that was my last game for this local team. However for the young 9 year old he would go on to become club champion for Beverley Hills and of course find his was to VFL / AFL stardom, first as a player and then as a premiership coach. Now he's with us, let's hope he repeats his coaching successes!

I am surprised by the negativity towards Bernie Vince and pick 23. The consensus seems to be that Sylvia could be a star and Vince is no great loss for Adelaide. By any measure Vince has had a better career than Sylvia. He's averaged more disposals, been a better midfielder, was BOG in their NAB cup win a few years ago, won the medal for being BOG in their local derby with PA and has won a B&F. He has a reputation for being a "big game player". Sylvia has kicked more goals over his career, as you'd expect, because Vince has played more of a midfield role. And we need mids. Although Vince is actually a good goal kicking mid with a handy goals per game average. Dal Santo is regarded as a "boom recruit" for North. He plays all of next year as a 30 year old. Vince plays all of next year as a 28 year old. Dal Santo is a better player than Vince and I reckon Dal Santo is a good get for North, but the chasm isn't as large as is being portrayed. Over the last two years Dal Santo has averaged 24 disposals and Vince 20.6. Dal Santo has kicked 22 goals and Vince 31. Those extra 3.4 disposals per game to Dal over the last two years confirm that he is a higher production mid, but if anyone knows Vince's game they'll also know that he has a very high kick to handball ratio and doesn't miss targets. You want the ball in Bernie's hands. In case anyone is interested Sylvia has averaged 18.7 disposals in the same time and kicked 24 goals. Vince is one of the reasons we're being marked down, while North gets a boom recruit (definitely a good get - especially for nothing) and Sylvia is being hailed as a potential star and the reason Freo are given an A- trade period rating. It just doesn't make sense. The class of pick 23 since the year 2,000: Petrie, Gardiner, Lonergan, Moody, Rusling, Cook, Stewart, Pears, Zaharakis, Stevens, Guthrie, Newman, Paparone. The first is the best and Zaharakis, Lonergan and Guthrie are good gets and Paparone shows promise. But I'm just as happy to get a very good 50-60 games out of Vince, especially considering where we've been and that we MUST start winning games of footy and improving the whole club's morale. Yes, Sylvia cost nothing too. But from a pure in versus out give me Vince any day of the week.

I'm skipper of a div 2 side up in Canberra. The highest amateur league up here. CHF. I go ok... Actually, I am pretty good. Just sayin...

Understandably most Melbourne supporters will be cautious when it comes to their expectations for the coming season, however we really only need a bit of luck on the injury front to be a completely different outfit to next year. We know what we get with Jones, Vince and Cross, who are of a similar standard, although different in style, but it's the unknown quantities of Michie, Tyson, Viney, pick 9, Clark, Hogan, Dawes and Roos that will either impact our prospects. If you believe Freo supporters Michie will be a tremendous asset. Many rate him more than Barlow. He's a good size, a quality kick, has pace and is a clearance machine at WAFL level. Unlike Magner and Mckenzie who butcher the footy when they get it Michie has good skills and class. At 21 he's ready to play good footy if he's injury free. Tyson could be our best midfielder in 3 years and one of the competitions best. It's not overstating things to say that he has the ability to be a bona fide gun. He's big, smart, balanced, a great mark and looks like a cross between Hodge and Pendlebury. Along with Viney we get that inside mid presence we've been lacking. He's only slid down the pecking order at GWS for one reason - injuries. Viney will be better in his second year and better with good players around him. I'm excited to see where he can take his footy next year. Pick 9 could be a revelation and play 18 games, or take a while to find their feet like Toumpas. Wines, Brad Crouch, Vlastuin and O'Meara are examples of the former. Clark could be close to the best key forward in the game next year if he's injury free. His impact could be massive. I won't listen to people that want to quell pressure or talk about this guy. He's the best talent to walk into the club in 40 years. At 19 he will be a damaging player and impact the results of football games. Dawes still has injury worries, but has time to get fit for round 1 and enjoy the bulk of the preseason. He's a reliable workhorse who has entered his prime and will be terrific for Clark and Hogan. Ross Lyon has shown what an elite culture and coaching environment can achieve in a short time. The players will love playing under Roos and enjoy their football. They want to get better and he'll give them the tools. Others may think of Watts and what he can do, so he's another ingredient that can make this cake rise. I realise that I'm asking for blue sky and for everything to go right, but it's about time we had an ounce of luck. Other clubs enjoy moons aligning and I reckon it's about time we got a break. As I said, I'll understand the reticence of others, but a fit and strong 22 could surprise a lot of people next year.

Yep heads up football is what they are preaching in high schools now and it should slowly follow through to the Pros. The idea is you tackle with your head up. That way your arms and shoulders make the contact not the helmet. They will react to the targeting of the knees as well. It's come about from players not being allowed to go high so they now go low. The other thing that the NFL needs desperately is a MRP. I know our one is a joke but they hand our indiscriminant fines that don't touch the surface on what these guys earn. They then rarely hand out suspensions but the most recent guy got his 2 game downgraded to 1. The two 1 game suspensions before that got let off on appeal. NFL is a lot of ways would be much easier to get clear definitions of illegal hits considering all the camera angles in HD and the helmets and so forth. If they are serious about preventing concussion then a simple MRP and demerit system will do wonders for weeding out dirty players. A proper fines and carry over point system will allow players to actually understand what they've done wrong.

I choose plum.

Looks like Cam had his superman suit on. No wonder the Panthers are so undisciplined, their coach was behaving like a pork chop on the sideline and they were winning easily:)Geno certainly can take it up to us. Under Lewis we are under .500 against rookie QB's. It seems we need plenty of gametape to come up with a plan, non of this adapting to circumstance business:) We also struggle against against guys who have only played a handful of games as well. Thus Hoyer got us and the Bills bloke nearly did as well. We should win, but if Geno can get the ball out quickly and negate our pass rush our secondary is vulnerable. On the defensive side the Jets are really good and if they can shut AJ down we will struggle. Not because we don't have other guys that can catch the ball, because our completion rates are much better to targets other than AJ, but just because it is what we do. Against the Browns despite it not working we still continually threw to AJ for 7 completions from 16 targets. Bit of tunnel vision for us at times. Just like Macca I am taking it one week at a time, we have beaten some good teams, but a plus 13 points differential after winning 5 of 7 games doesn't indicate an elite team yet. Couple of fun facts Andy Dalton is the most accurate QB for throws under 5 yards so far these season and the AFC North doesn't have a running back averaging over 4 yards a carry. Ray Rice is averaging under 3 on over 80 attempts. What has happened to our division?

I found Barrett's contradiction in relation to Hogan laughable. On the one hand he totally ridiculed our 2012 recruitment without acknowledging that Hogan was a product of that process, but when it was suggested that Hogan would effectively be part of our 2013 recruitment, he blurted out that Hogan can't be included, because he was recruited in 2012. Wants it both ways!

To the person who claimed (in the public poll) to have been on an AFL list: tell us your story! Alternatively, tell us the truth, as you appear to be about 15. Over to you Grimesyisgod! (It's never too late to change your vote.)

Good get YD relevant comments and at least you've seen him play puts you way ahead of Barrett on the other thread. Nothing wrong with promoting a friend as long as he can play. I always find your thoughts interesting and never aggressively promoted so keep up the good work

Agree here Matt Thomas is worth a closer look. Built like a rock, only 26, has just won a Margery Medal. Port decided he did not fit there new direction, He seems to address all our immediate needs. Definately an option I am open too!

They are taking it well in Tampa. A radio station payed for this billboard. Tampa don't have much to look forward to. The Schiano Freeman relationship could spell the end for Schiano. For a while it looked like Tampa had their QB and could build around him. Now they are starting from scratch again. The Panthers are looking ok. If Newton can hold it together maybe a wildcard spot is on the cards. One other thing that needs to be fired in Tampa is that bloody cannon. Commentators nearly packed themselves when it would go off for a first down. Tampa didn't get a TD until the 4th quarter so they had plenty of ammo to get rid of. So at every chance they just fired the thing. A first down isn't worthy of a cannon salute. I do note that the vikings horn can be annoying as well. But it doesn't sound like a bomb has gone off.

The whole football world is obsessed with bagging every move we make.... Bloody hell we even got criticized for getting Roos!! Soon we will start our march up the ladder, then they will shut up and forget what they said..... But we won't.

That's a really good, insightful post Ben - thanks. I've been wondering whether we could've picked up Vince and not lost Sylvia. Probably not. And should we have had a big crack at Dal Santo in addition to the players we landed during the trade period? Dunno. I think we've also been marked down for the Dom Tyson trade. Unfairly. What some journos seem not to get is that, for the MFC in 2013, Dom Tyson and pick 9 in this draft is far more valuable to us than pick 2 alone. It's actually that simple.

He has got to learn his place in the footy jungle. At being a dirt finding, looking through ben cousins rubbish bin, new idea trash journalist he is the best in the business. But for him to understand a good drafting strategy? Spare me. Such a [censored].

Well i am still playing under 16s.

Paine for Karnezis today was another one. Not sure why you think this matters at all though. I think the simple reason why so many people are doubting what we've done is the cultural tendency to regard trades of high draft picks as silly. When was the last time a high draft pick got traded? 3 for Judd? I don't know, I'm just guessing, but the trend is obviously for clubs to hold top 5 draft picks, and as such, close-minded people who don't know much about Tyson and/or don't care much about Melbourne to know what our list is like just look at it and see 'pick 2 gone, some kid in' and that appears 'radical' to them. This trade period has been fantastic for this club.

Retired at 35 (4 years) all up 30 consecutive seasons! Started as a 5 year old playing Balwyn under 10's. Junior footy at Balwyn/school footy in APS, got to under17s at Hawthorn the year before they scrapped the under 19 system ( to start the TAC cup). Ammo's at Old Scotch and Old Camberwell. 2 years in playing in Broken Hill then finally 10 years in Nth Queensland. A few premierships along the way - out of footy circles since 2009. Reckon it's about time to start some coaching and pass on some of the footy knowledge

Started playing both codes (Soccer & Footy) as a kid after immigrating from Ireland not much of a change from GAA, played juniors in Perth playing at Subiaco's development squads and colts. At 17 was forced to make a very tough choice between the two codes. Fathers influence saw me choose the round ball game and headed to Europe and played over there for 4 years before starting an apprenticeship late and playing in local leagues. Returned to Perth with my wife in 1996 shiftwork played havoc with team sport and played amatuers before doing a knee, which resulted in me taking up triathlons as part of the strengthening process. Ended up getting involved off field and just do non impact sport myself, the body is shot. Have to say love watching young kids playing now and watch WAFL, local development squads, PSA (Private School footy) colts and anything I can. Great following kids from a young age and watching the progression you are always surprised with who ends up making it and 90% of the time it's not the kid you think it will be. I do often think back to what would have happened had I made a different choice back when I was young but that is life, would not have met my wife and had two wonderful boys had I made that choice.

How delightfully patronising

We got two experienced, proven AFL quality midfielders, two young midfielders of an age where they are ready to hit their straps, and we remained in the top 10 of the draft, in a draft where there should definitely be A grade mids available at our pick. I literally cannot think of anything else we needed to get out of this trade period.

Anthony Miles??

Mav Weller, Matt Thomas if we want a more mature depth mid, other players on the fringes might get delisted from clubs who wanted to trade them but couldn't find a buyer.

the early D'lander gets the gif.

Can we get back to Dom Tyson on this thread?

Will he still host Dancing With The Stars?

Mike Sheahan, Martin Flanagan, Emma Quayle. Three names that spring to mind. They all have one thing in common and interestingly enough they are three of the most insightful, thoughtful journalists.

My thoughts exactly. Whilst Jones played a great year and is inspirational on the field, I don't believe he has the people skills that Grimes has off the field. I use the article this week as evidence where he stated he was so down for a couple of days that he didn't want to come back out to play. Granted of course that this would be totally understandable, yon can't let that negativity rub off on your teammates if you're captain. Grimes has a better grip on the emotional aspects of leading a team and deserves a chance under Roos. Trengove should absolutely just concentrate on his own game this year.

Captain: Grimes VC: Jones Why pull Grimesy away from the captaincy. He's been doing a great job. His year was perfectly fine till Brock broke his collar bone.

Fickle bunch we are. Dawes plays a good game "Make Dawes captain" "Worth every cent" "Collingwood should never have let him go" Dawes has a delayed start to pre-season "Dawes can't get on the park" "What a waste of a trade" "Did Collingwood get Grundy with our pick OMG" The article says he'll resume training before Christmas. Months and months before Round 1 is even in the picture. Take a chill pill. He may have only played 12 games this year but (to me at least) it's hardly wrist-slitting time.

Living up to your name...

Don't agree. Trengove will have a huge 2014.

Pros - ball winning mid who kicks the odd goal, and already has a defensive side to his game unlike many draftee mids Cons - American accent No from me.