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Well as an ex rusted on Fitzroy supporter and member I can tell you that as a family we moved to the Melbourne football club when the AFL sent our old club ( in name only really ) to Brisbane. We had to ask ourselves if we wanted to give our hard earned and time to a club that was nearly two thousand Kms away. After we agreed not to do what Oakley and the commission wanted us to do and loving actually going to the footy we looked around the clubs in the city and decided on Melbourne. Why ? Well for a start it holds the name of the great city we lived in and the rest of the clubs were representing just suburbs. I can tell you now that even through the tough and challenging times we've loved this beautiful historic old club and I personally have been a member now for 16 years. That's Gold Jerry ! Anyway if the circumstances are severe enough you can change. Oh and it's great to have Roosy back .

Hey guys, I know this isn't a serious footy discussion type of post, but I was just thinking about our man Mitch and reading the comments about the Season Launch Dinner etc, and wondering if we could maybe make a thread to show some support to a guy who is a favourite of a lot of us. Whatever is happening with his injury status, taking a break etc, I think we can all agree that big Mitch is our heart, and maybe we can get behind him enough that he at least knows us MFC supporters love him in the red and blue and we're behind him during this tough time. So, in the spirit of the "Hero Messages" they do during the Olympics, how about we make this thread a place to leave some positive support for the big fella, and then maybe after a couple of days someone can post a link to this thread on his facebook page. Thoughts? Starters?

Somebody asked me last week, what would it take to make me change my allegiance to the Melbourne Football Club and I answered that I didn't believe that it was possible. After all, I've lived through the 22 seasons in between 1964 and 1987 during which time we were an on field basket case for most of the time, witnessed some crushing grand final losses in 1988 and 2000 and endured the final moments of the 1987 preliminary final. Went through the debilitating losses of the past few seasons, the tanking season, the inquisition that followed and the division in the ranks leading up to the club's humiliating year in 2013. I stuck fat and unbelievably, so did a capacity crowd in the MCC dining room last night (along with many on the waiting list who left it till too late to book) and the 30k supporters who have already signed up as members and hopefully, the many more who are yet to join. I'm under no illusions as to the hard road that lies ahead, particularly in view of the continuing (mystery) injury saga inflicting our best tall forwards and ruckmen. Hopefully, the mixture of patience and optimism that I have for the club and which was reinforced by Paul Roos' words last night translate into something substantive that rewards our faith in the red and the blue. I can't think of anything that might shake my belief in my club, but this former fan of another club has decided that the time has come - Going West

Mitchy, In the dozen or so games you've played for us, you've shown great courage, skill and determination. IMO the game is worse off for you not being out on the park. Good luck with whatever it is that is holding you back, stay strong and keep fighting.

Last time I checked this was a thread looking for positive thoughts and messages directed towards Mitch. Take your crap to other threads where they belong.

Even though he has played bugger all games I remember his games more then anyone's over the last two years. His six goals at West Coast, Nearly killing himself in marking contests against the doggies, his game down at Geelong and giving GWS a flogging before going down. He was a major reason why I went to games. This bloke never backs down and is a damn good footy player. Cheers to you Mitch "My man crush" Clark.

I suffer from Stockholm syndrome.

Before we jump the gun and start taking about mental health issues, let's be certain that's what this is all about.

to read between the lines, it perhaps seems like he might be battling some mental demons, perhaps triggered or not helped by being unable to get himself right to do something he loves. Take as long as you need Mitch. Some things are more important than football.

Paul Roos is very impressive - I'm sure his talk will be screened on the MFC site and will probably become the subject of another thread so I won't go into much detail here. He did say it was a night for the players who were presented with their jumpers. Told the young players they were not the saviours of the club but that they were here to develop over time and thanked the players coming across from other clubs for their faith in coming to this club. You could have heard a pin drop when he spoke.

RGRS, that's the last time you stand next to me at training, you took all my best lines, especially the GPS data What RGRS said, session started at 9.55 and finished at 1245 Couple of Roosisms heard "That's better, that's what AFL footy looks like" "it's the last quarter, you don't stop running now" He is really on Viv Michie's case Hogan was over the far side of oval with Garland and Dawes before rest of squad arrived, did a few exercises with one of the physios, a couple of slow laps and then left, Round 1 a mystery Dawes did the same exercises and then as said left for the tan Garlo reckons he is two weeks away, was running at full pace with no obvious discomfort No sign of Clark The other wounded warrior, Riley, did nearly the full session, asked him and he said was right on track for Round 1 VFL or 3 AFL JKH only kicked the ball around for about 15 minutes, asked him if everyting was ok, said he was on light duties and saving energy for tomorrow Asked Lynden Dunn the same thing as he was only walking laps, said he was old Definition of tough asked Chip Frawely about hit on Saturday, after he had completed full session me "how the hell did you survive the hit on Saturday" Chip "caught me right down the middle, coughed up a bit of blood, bit of a bruised rib, but she's sweet now" RGRS forgot this bit, I asked the GPS guru why the long session, answer Roos thinks teams playing this week will have advantage in work done, so he wanted to emulate the amount of running etc the players would do in a game Walked in to Bernie Vince and Daniel Cross on leaving, Vince the comedian, obviously overestimating my influence at the Club, told me to tell Roos, no more hard sessions like that Any questions feel free.

Hes on $35,000 a game I feel sorry for the guy and hope he's ok but I think it's in everyone's best interest that Mitch retires, if he can't play or even get his head right to complete his rehab it's time for him to think about another job, who knows maybe the club can offer him a job but this saga just starting to look ridiculous .

If AFL was game of Thrones Mitch would be Theon Greyjoy.

This club is cursed.

Yes. The exit gate.

Yep, I'd rather wait until round 11, 12 what ever and see him fit and flying. We supported the great Ox when he did all his knees, I'll support Mitch who has shown his willingness to give all for a club since he first rocked up to this club. I hope he is well and gets his body (and if required life) right, then gets back playing for the club. Best of luck Mitch.

Mitch you have made yourself available to all supporters through twitter and FB and stayed positive through hard times, take your time we want you back fit and ready Photography has been good for you, keep it going.

We love you Mitch and want you to come back as soon as you can, if it takes the rest of the year and you can't play till next year then so be it, but come back and play for the mighty Dees. I know you love the club and desperately want to play and we desperately need you. Just get better, then you can rip the opposition a new one like we know you can.

Yeah right, when hell freezes over. I grew up as a kid in Sandringham. played footy at Beach Oval. We moved in my mid teens. I was asked would I stop supporting the Zebs because I dont live there? Not a chance. My cousin played a few senior games, and another cousin played in their U19s. I still went and watched Sandy play years and years later,when I could. The final nail was when the aints moved in. We got into bed with Casey. Tough choice when I heard, but now its stuff Sandy, Go Scorps. Anything along those lines would be the only reason why I wouldnt barrack for the Dees. My left side of my body bleeds blue blood, the right side red blood. I'm going down with the ship. Or climbing aboard the reality bus. I will never desert. They owe me. I want to be around to cash in.

I cannot even entertain the concept of changing teams ever. I was born a Demon and will die a Demon. If the club folded, I would give up AFL for good. My best friend is a life long Essendon supporter and seriously considering following the Dogs.

WJ. Ah, the imperfections of the English language!! "Change my allegiance TO the Melbourne Football Club"?? Who would do that? Shouldn't it be "change my allegiance FROM the Melbourne Football Club""? But upon re-reading the sentence it does make sense. Like most, I could never follow another AFL team. At worst I would simply lose interest. Which I sort of did last year. But 2014 is another year/season!! And like all opening matches for the past x number of years, I'll be there hoping for the best. Go Dees!!!

I wasn't aware of this when I mentioned Raelene Boyle in previous posts but she spoke at an Australia Day function in the Long Room (not far from where 650 of the Demon faithful sat last night) and this quote from the March edition of the MCC News @ page 17 sums up nicely the moral dilemma raised by sport's drug cheats:- I can't feel sorry for a bunch of professional sportsmen who willingly signed a document which effectively gave their club authority to inject substances into their bodies whose purpose was to enhance their performance. That they didn't know what they were being given, that they were duped by professionals or that some scientist claims he was told by someone else that the drugs administered were fine (a fact about which he says he has no documentary proof) might in some circumstances be a mitigating factor in terms of penalty but it doesn't make things right or absolve them of responsibility or guilt.The two articles quoted above (particularly the ranting of Dank's legal counsel) serve to further convince me that there is a great deal of pain ahead for Essendon, several of its officials and employees past and present and a number of its players. Which is bad news for the AFL, the football community and sadly, for the sport we follow.

I had them by 17. Bloody pies can't even get beaten properly.

Very good night interesting to hear the comments from the players about the difference between Neeld and Roos and just how much happier they are now. The players actually love going to work now and we are focusing on being the best team Melbourne can produce rather than being a poor imitation of Collingwood. Roos, Bartlett and Jackson were all impressive; Roos in particular said he was happy with the group of players he inherited and said it doesn't take too long to turn it round if you have all the players doing all the things they have to in every game. There were 650 people there tonight and a waiting list of those that couldn't get tickets; it's been a long while since that's happened.

Anyone who has a go at peter Jackson's comments here should be barred from demonland. This bloke is working around the clock to prevent us from being the "next" fitzroy. 12,000 members not resigning is massive. If you include those that have an affiliation with the mcc that don't get around to nominating Melbourne as their club of choice then we could possibly reach 50,000 members. Considering hawthorn who was in a similar position to us many, many years ago are almost cruising to the70,000 mark, it is no coincidence that their success comes on the back of high membership numbers (plus the fact they got their coaches right earlier then us). You can't disagree with anything Jackson has said here. If people are struggling with the idea of membership this year because they want to see how the club goes, ask any past fitzroy fan if they'd like to renew their membership.

That's pretty much what his letter says...

There's always been two things that have brought joy to me regarding footy. One is Melbourne winning. The other is Collingwood losing. The 70 point thumping tonight of the Pies was sheer bliss! Now, let's move on to next week, and a nice win for the Dees...!! (Then, we can start anticipating the greatest joy of all -- Melbourne winning and Collingwood losing in the SAME match...!!)

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/when-dean-bailey-deeply-touched-a-family-20140313-hvia3.html A really moving piece by Martin Flanagan on a families relationship with Dean Bailey and the Melbourne Football Club.

Yep, Mods please delete or move those posts not for this area. There is another thread for those who can't read a thread title and comprehend this isn't the place for those discussions.

Reading between the lines, this goes to show how much Mitch is hurting and feeling the disappointment of not being able to get on the park. I really do hope the "supporters" (using that term loosely) who have criticized the club, Mitch and his recruitment can feel pleased now knowing that the "waste of money" some of you have alluded to actually had been doing everything to get back, and that disappointment has now lead to him walking away from the club for a period of time. All the best Mitch, get yourself right and the club and it's true supporters will welcome you back with open arms when you're ready!

Not like you to go so off topic BBO. How about we keep this one just about the big fella Mitch.

Everything OK in the caravan park Stuie? That offer of a room at The Gat still stands.

I think it speaks volumes for his leadership within the club that, even after all the injuries and the amount of football he has missed, that he is still voted in by the players and coaches to be a part of the leadership group. Got everything crossed he can get over the bumps in the road and once again become a key cog in our push to be a better club on the field.

He'd be gone except for a certain phone call AD made to try to help the Bombers.

Spare me, he has gotten off without a scratch. If he has such reservations a letter with no response from on high and leaving at that is not enough. If he was so respected and had such a close relationship with Hird (don't Hirds kids and family use Reid as the family Doc?) then i would have expected more of an effort by him. To then walk back into the club and be a doctore to the players I find hypocritical.

We don't care how long it takes for you to get back Mitch we know how worth the wait you are! in the meantime keep happy, keep revving the boys up, keep working of Chip and Hogan to sign some new contracts so you lads can win a flag together!

The CEO writes an open letter to encourage lapsed members to re-join; sounds like a good idea to me. Demonlanders looking for some sort of spin in the letter; seems like usual practice to me. We are going to need every member to sign up so we can pay 100% of the salary cap, that way we can sign up better players and keep those we need to, Frawley for instance. I'm at a loss as to what some on here expected him to say, "don't any of you sign up until we've won 5 straight", would that be more acceptable. I don't think PJ is a spin merchant, I find him a dispassionate CEO who is doing his job, which it to resurrect the club and so far he's put a lot of building blocks in place. If you were there last night and you spoke to the players you would understand just how happy they are that Roos and PJ are there and just how aware they are that the rest is up to them. The club have put in place the best possible off field team and it's now up to the players to complete the second half of the deal.

The Jackson has had bad advice. You are allowed to write to anyone by post. And if you have an email address because they have been a previous client/customer or had some relationship with your organisation then you can write to them by email. You can't write via email to a list that you don't have a direct connection to. You must have an unsubscribe and those people you cannot email.

Ignorance is no excuse. The first rule of law learnt. The EFC has been disgraceful to its players but you cannot be a blind sheep when the players would know that the project is pushing the boundries. Doc Reid should have been their ally. He should never work again. He would have researched.

It's Demons or bust for me, I couldn't imagine myself supporting another club. Even through the tough times of recent years, I still love this club and I always will.

it's actually admitting guilt. Unbelievable. They know they are gawn.

Who's side is he on?

I think with the club debeloent over the past few seasons, we could have picked any of Dangerfield, Fyfe, Natanui.. And all would be less the footballers that they are now had they arrived at Melbourne. In which case we would probably be talking about the athleticism of watts running around subiaco, blease tearing up the gabba and the like. I know there have been se disastrous selections, but poor development is the backbone of our struggles now.

Freo looked really good for the last 3 quarters. Doubt Sylvia will get a game unless there are injuries. Still can't believe maxwell is a premiership captain he can't play one on one to save himself. God I hope we win next week.

Paul Roos introduced with a montage of clips, mainly from On the Couch, dating from mid 2013 on the subject of whether he would coach Melbourne. Went from "no" to 50:50 to him being appointed.

Max Gawn is very popular with the ladies - they're lining up for photos. I'm thinking of growing a beard.

Peter Jackson is the most important "player" at this football club. No. Bloody. Doubt. About it.

prolly had photo class to go to

"Exclusive! Future coach known in the future."

Got there at 9.30 passing Dawes on bridge as he was heading to tan with a trainer. A few Casey players and a few Dees out there warming up. Bulk arrived 20 mins later, warming up together, JKH hardly did anything but some goal kicking, saving himself for tomorrow. The session consisted of a hell of a lot of ball work and the skills were very good, though a perfect day for it. Bernie Vince was sublime, excited to see how he goes this year. Roos very involved, chalk and cheese to what I saw last year. On a similar vein, was not impressed with Pedersen during preseason last year, didn't think he worked hard enough, was very impressed with what I saw of him today, worked hard the whole session, expect him to start the season up forward with Howe and Fitzy. Georgio will probably play his role down back till our tall forwards return. At the end of the session, him and Howe practiced providing multiple leads over and over again. Those playing tomorrow left after roughly an hour, hopefully some posters get to tomorrow's game and give us report. Tyson and Mitchie will be great gains, was impressed with Salems size, beautiful kick as well. Overall, the team are looking much stronger than I remember for a long time, talking of strong, can't wait till we see Riley, he looks a tough unit. Another difference to last year was the constant movement, it made it seem much more realistic to the workout they would get during a game, last year I felt the players were stationary too much in drills. At the end of a very long session which included a lot of match type simulation drills they then put the boys through a number of short repeat sprints, something that must have hurt considering GPS reading were showing they had already covered similar ground at a similar pace to what they would have if they played a match. Looked like the club had a number of players families there, showing them training and then a tour of facilities, not certain they were the new players families, but got that impression. Will be on and off today, will try expand later, my 6 month old preventing me writing more now as he tries hijack the ipad.