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You can't build a culture at all if thats the way you want to treat players. People on here suggest getting this player and that player to the club. No player will want to come if that is the way we treat our players.

Jeremiah 5:2: "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not" - lest be nicked by asada

I don't consider myself a vindictive person or a hater but Midget Mick is someone I really dislike. His arrogance to the media is ok and his "the world moves slowly but the ox is patient" I can live with but there were two things which highlight what a below average person he is. His TV commentary when Addam Maric claimed to have kicked a goal only to have TV show the ball didn't come off his boot was disgraceful. Malthouse claim of "cheating" and vilification of Maric was hypocritical and tasteless. What Maric did was no worse than players claiming to have touched the ball on the goal line, staging for free kicks and many other situations where they aim to get an advantage. Maric was a young player trying to make his way and the focus on him for this incident was nothing short of bullying. The second was his famous Footy Show appearance where he played the victim in the Buckley/Malthouse handover. Riveting television and Malthouse displaying all the characteristics that make him such a pathetic individual. Collingwood were flying and looking odds on for the flag. His performance that night derailed Collingwood and clearly showed that he thought he was bigger than the team. For some reason I don't like Carlton and I don't like Malthouse. A joint failure this year would be glorious.

Mitch is still posting his photos on facebook. I just offered him 100% support and we are all thinking of him and right behind him, and he liked the comment.

As a long suffering supporter of this club, I will expect the worst and hope for the best.

Plus the handling fee.

I cannot understand this notion of not hating other teams. You barrack for Melbourne - therefore you hate everyone else. I'll concede that there are degrees of hate. For example I hate Carlton but I hate Richmond even more. I cannot understand anything outside these parameters. I had a few fights in Clifton Hill to support this rule.

We've gone for the "untried coach" several times before and it it hasn't worked so I believe we should go for an experienced, winning coach, or at least a very close second to winning coach. We have no idea how well Bret Kirk would handle the job, or for that matter Simon Black, so I hope we don't go that route. I wouldn't mind either as an assistant coach but as head coach, no. The idea of Bomba Thompson interests me, if he was available and if he was looking around.

I attended this morning. As with many things at the MFC, it could be so much better than it is. Smaller turnout (at a guess) than last year. Less polished event, less interesting, fewer speakers, less info and not that engaging. Nick Smith did a reasonable job as MC. Neita and Roos spoke and were interesting without saying anything at all. It was content-free, or near enough. That is probably fine for the moment and for the setting. The video ad for the NT thing was odd - about 2 minutes of footage that ended abruptly and left the room silent. Gives a good indication of what that production was like. Got a chance to catch up with Josh Mahoney - as always a really approachable fella. Been a big push over the last few months it seems and there is a palpable sense of excitement at how well the players have gone improving their role-play and game sense. Able to briefly discuss the fall-off against hawthorn. Nothing to panic about, but that game contains, in a nutshell, the challenge for the year. Also, worth having a shout-out to Tom Parker. I spoke with him last year about his + clubs work on China Southern and how close they were...and the work done over years to get them nearly over the line...for it all to fall away in the pile of dung that last year became. Great to see he + the team's work be successful after years of slog, the loss of quite a few colleagues, near-constant instability etc. A great job and a mark of persistence with his character. I think this is a worthwhile function that could really develop into something highly successful over time - the business club is a promising work in progress.

Unfortunately I'm the type of person that has to watch matches live. I even stayed up for all of 186... If you have the number of a good therapist, please PM me.

Apart from the issues others have raised about how such a strategy would stop others from wanting to play with the MFC, your logic is also flawed and simplistic. We have to pay a certain amount of dollars to the players as part of the players' Collective Bargaining Agreement. We wouldn't just 'save' $3.2 million by not 'spending' it on Clark. It would have to spent on player payments anyway. In addition, Clark has offered value beyond the games that he's played - why else would he have been voted into the leadership group?

You're a clown, sends a pretty good message, hey wanna join the MFC, if you get injured, we will throw you to the wolves. if we are too build a culture it should involve supporting a mfc player through tough times, not just because it's the right thing to do but because that's how we want to be seen as a club.

To hate North Melbourne would require that I am in some way emotionally stimulated by North Melbourne. In principle, I'm glad they rejected being rolled into Gold Coast - would have been unworkable in any case. But beyond that sliver of solidarity, North are kind of a 'who cares' club for me, like West Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, As for the 'no song for the away team... meh, whatever. I'm getting a bit sick of the sheer amount of contrived noise before, after and in the breaks of games anyway. Personally, I think if Melbourne wanted to make a stronger home atmosphere, the visual path would be the one to go with. More Red and Blue, please. Also, something like a steady roar of approval, disapproval, and involvement corresponding to events favouring or disfavouring the Demons would be good. Like, getting a whole bunch of people to turn up to cheer and boo and clap and yell and wave flags and all that. That'd be a brilliant plan.

ok,been trying to stay away from this ,but here goes. ive been suffering the blues for a while now and unfortunately am not controlling it as much as IT is controlling me. i dont medicate and dont want to,im fighting this on my own and sometimes winning and sometimes losing. there doesnt seem to be a order to this problem,IT comes and goes as it pleases and how people in the community put up with for years is beyond my comprehension. ive learnt a few things of late,sometimes i post on here and feel great,also go about my daily business"normally". other times i get the dreaded blues and cant even turn on my computer or understand where and what im doing. im learning that i can beat this with time and only time. poor old mitchy boy needs time and patience,and a little bit of love and care. his family and freinds will do that. all we can do is welcome him back when he wants to pop in and say gurday at the club. there you go,ive laid myself bare and it dont feel good,now you know why i dont post for days at a time. now lets just get on with the game and enjoy OUR season. btw, i am good and only worry and mitch and others with this affliction. i will beat IT.old enough and ugly enough to handle a little problem. lets forget i wrote this and get on with footy yes.

How many of you effers are going? Crowd estimate please? BTW Me and Stuie will be sitting together. You'll recognise us - there will be lots of arse patting and joking around. I will want to buy the beers but Stuie wont let me.

Assuming that's the problem then one would think the chances of having him up and about within a couple of months would be reasonable with the right treatment, by which time his physical issues would also have been sorted out and if he maintains a good fitness regimen during that period and recovers well, he would be available in the second half of the season. These things manifest themselves in different ways but I know of one player from another club who had issues with his mental health and overcame them in good time. Let's hope that it all turns out well for Mitch.

Apologies for bringing some of you face to face with your own mortality but please permit me to return to the topic. Paul Roos was the keynote speaker and it was a pleasure to hear him speak for the second time in less than a week. I have no doubt that if I were a player I'd be breaking down doors to play in his team and I can understand the disappointment of the injured contingent about not being able to get out there on Saturday night. I didn't take notes but he spoke of the business of football and how the sport had changed dramatically over the years since he started. Nevertheless, he did say that some things don't change, notably the importance to the players of having responsible peers who are prepared to open up and tell their teammates when there's a need for improvement in areas such as behaviour. He pointed to Garry Wilson from his own playing days at Fitzroy, how the Sydney leadership had spoken to Mitch Morton which helped him become a premiership player and how the Geelong leaders had influenced Garry Ablett Jr. Stirring stuff - good times on the horizon.

I have wondered the same hardtack but I figure after the last seven years following the Dees we have served our sentence before that date mate.

Do you think players want to come to MFC knowing that if they get injured/ill - we will chew them up and spit them out? The reality of it is, we NEED players to come to our club, more now than ever. It is important we support Clark, just as we supported Jurrah.

I'd be happy if they could find the tunnel.

No barbs or arrows, however The update on the website says he's back running and will be back doing contested work this week or next. Positive news

if they stop playing our song before games we will never hear it...

Was the norm smith curse directed purely at our forwards? Schwartz, Jackovich, Jurrah now Clark. I don't think I've ever been prouder of a dees player than Clark in the Stynes tribute match where he nearly killed himself for that jumper that day, literally. It's a long way back now for Clark, rumours have been about for over 12 months that he wouldn't play again, and where there's smoke there is fire. It's an absolute tragedy. If anyone here has had a long term injury on here that has prevented you from working, playing sport, etc you know how fragile your mind can get in those times. Couple that with some family issues, and the pressure of being one of the highest paid players in the league and not being able to deliver... He must be having a shocking time at life at the moment. How good would it be to see the big fella in the 11 jumper run out on the G again this year? But as a demon supporter we are used to expecting the worst. Good luck Mitch. Let's hope there's a happy ending to this tale.

Screw it, I'm gonna buck the trend and say Clark will be back in a demons jumper this year. Furthermore will win the B&F in 2015! At least in the far off chance that I am actually right I'll be one of the few on here that wasn't a dick

Whatever will be will be. I'm done panicking over every damn iceberg the SS MFC sees on the horizon. Stay, go, sign a contract, don't sign a contract. Whatever. Nothing that I do will change anything, and nobody even knows what is really happening to panic about.

If I recall people hear didn't have the sympathy when Fev broke down maybe someone should reopen that thread?

And OD - in 2032 we'll be hoping to finish near the top again so that Neitz Jr doesn't cost us too high a draft pick.

I'm just happy that he's coaching Carlton and Paul Roos is coaching Melbourne. I heard Roos speaking today at the Melbourne Business Community breakfast (for the second time in less than a week) and I don't believe that you could get a more stark contrast in attitude and approach from that of Malthouse than what I am seeing and, ultimately, I think we will be a better club for having him.

He is doing his rehab! The club has stated as much in their comments regarding their continuing to work through his injury issues with him. You and I both have absolutely no idea whether he is finished or not, so perhaps we should let the MFC be the judge of that. I do find it funny that you criticise a poster for his views on Clark's value, suggesting that the club would fold in 6 months if he took the reigns, yet here you are suggesting we should dump players who are going through a bad trot with injuries and who have personal issues that are possibly in some way related. If you took the reigns at the club, we would eventually have no chance of attracting players and would have a lot of trouble retaining the players we do have... net result... we would eventually fold. Oh, and I was not questioning whether or not you had membership... I was questioning the way you view the club, the players and by association, the game.

You clearly do not understand the first thing about mental illnesses.

He IS doing his rehab though, and the best place for it might be Perth. You clearly have no understanding of the idea of "health issues" possibly meaning something other than a hamstring. And it's not like telling players to retire has been a blight on our recent history......

I managed to get down to training this morning, not many spectators there. The boys all came together in the middle about 15 minutes in. Roosey announced something and there was a big cheer. I am guessing he announced Alex G's elevation off the rookie list. There were many high fives and a few Mr Bean references. Hogan, Viney doing a few run throughs over to the side early, then disappeared. Jamar doing laps but did get involved in at least one routine where both he and big Max played as lead up forwards. Gee Max should be a handful playing deep forward if we had control of the midfield. He took a couple cleanly at full extension, what nine feet up and took one cleanly off his boot straps, swung round and put it through. Fitzy was doing the same up the other end, leading up well and taking clean marks. My only concern was that he often took the mark at full extension above his head on the run. He should be timing his run to take those out in front away from a backman's fists. I took a day off with a bad cold but work keeps calling. I will provide some more observations a little later.

Bluey Bernie Vince, as others have said, he just looks a class above Most Improved Jack Trengove, has endured a torrid couple of seasons, finally free to break the shackles Goal Kicker Jeremy Howe, simply cos I doubt anyone else will be left standing, and as we all know Howe doesn't stand - he flies! No. 1 ruck Max Gawn, he's the only one who actually looks like an afl class ruck man - I think Jamar is finished and the others are solid vfl ruck men, or ruck / forward combos in Fitz's case Best First Year Player Alexis Georgiou, cool calm and collected, he's a natural Chip Stay or Leave He'll go I think - as stated by someone else who works in the industry, free agency is going to continue to hurt clubs like ours simply cos the salary cap is the same for all clubs and so the carrot is success with money about the same no matter where a quality player like Chip plies their trade Wins for 2014 4-6 I hope, but could definitely be lower - to be honest I'm more interested in seeing that % go from mid-50s to somewhere around the 85-90% mark, indicating that we are right in games to win them, not simply blown off the park week after week

Thanks for sharing Jazza and Grand. I have been down this road with a close friend who is the smartest, kindest, most switched on person you will ever meet. After stints in hospital, she is now off all her meds and feels great after being lost in a fog for the last decade. I hope you guys are getting lots of love, hugs and support from those around you.

Yes. He's legs are as tough as a bag of marshmallows. 2013 all over again. The amusing part if there is one is that people were saying we should trade Fitzy because we had too many big forwards. Ha Ha he is not the next Wayne Carey but he is way better than anyone currently fit enough to take the field in 2014.

Get injured whilst in the employ of the MFC throwing yourself around recklessly, suffer in your rehab and we'll disgaurd you. Sounds like a plan.

We weren't quick to get rid of Sellar. Inadequate backup is worse than having no backup, because is takes up a spot on the list.

Yup - Friday night - loved it. Enjoyed QOTSA but loved Nine Inch Nails. I am a bit of a concert groupie and will just about go and listen to anything and everything. Went last night and saw Kate Miller Heidke - she is uber quirky but is magical live. If anyone gets the chance I highly recommend her live. Little story - went a couple of weeks ago to the Hi-Fi and saw Illy ( Australian hip hop) who was also sensational. I was right near the front and mid concert he asked "who was born in 90's - about 2/3's of the crow cheered. He then asked who was older from the 80's and the balance cheered. A little lull and I have screamed out - "WHAT ABOUT THE FIFTIES !!!" - got a mix of laughs and looks of WTF. I was definitely the oldest there by a good 20 years.

I like any airline that lands safely at the other end! "Did you enjoy your flight sir?" "No, but i am here....See you in 8 weeks" Flying in the back of any plane sucks, no matter what the paint job.

The way I see it, it's more like this: Step 1- Create Thread Step 2- Fight to the death for original posted opinion Step 3- Dismiss all other views by posters as stupid Step 4- Sook Step 5- Go to Step 1

Bought a ticket today cost me $25 plus a $7 ticketmaster admin fee WHAT A JOKE THAT IS couldn't possibly cost $7 to email me a ticket for me to print out, and then when I get there $7.20 for a beer so we better win

In fairness, the feeling is probably mutual.

Interesting idea. Sucks ya don't have a 'home team' advantage when playing on your home turf, that's certainly what local footy has over AFL. Although some teams in the AFL have that luxury; Geelong and the interstate teams. I like North's left field thinking to be honest.

Some more observations I didn't see Dawes or Mitch as we know. The hyphen, Kent and Strauss were running laps. So was Tapscotts early, gee he looks fit and powerful. He took part in most of the routines before jogging off a bit early, knee is still strapped up but he was moving well and was clean by hand and foot. But keep in mind today's routines were run under minimal pressure, it seemed to be about honing the skills of kicking on the run to a leading target, running into space, presenting, looking for the best option. Generally our kicking was good, fast and low to a lead. The was some sloppy stuff from the three B's, Byrne, Blease and Barry occasionally. Blease moves so well but struggles at times with his decision making and some poor disposal. He stuffed up one routine and copped a spray from N Jones but took it well and got it right the next time. When they broke up into their groups the forward group was Fitzy, Pedo, Howe, Toumpas, Bail, Blease and Byrne. Did some innocuous leading and kicking to each other, not sure what it was achieving really. I watched Howe closely for much of the session, never saw him fumble a ball on the ground or in the air, he is looking really sharp. By the way there was some new bloke leading out from the goal square, if I didn't know better I would swear it was Lucas Cook!!! Oh no come to think of it It was Max King doing lead ups with Fitzy. Watts trained with the midfield group everytime. In the last exercise the ball was rolled at a mid who then had to try and crash his way through 4 or 5 guys holding big pads, you get the feel of body contact without the bruising. Jack got through this pretty well I thought so did Bernie V who at one stage got completely bowled over. Jones, Evans, Tyson, Cross, Riley all got involved. N Jones seemed to in everything, much higher profile than Grimes on the field I thought. First time I have seen Mitchie he moved well and looks fit and a good size I think M Jones was working with the backline group. At the end Frawley and MacDonald were going one on one as a coach kicked the ball up high to them. They did a lot of body on body and spoiling work. Grimes, Terlich, Jetta, Frawley, MacDonald, Dunn, Alex G with a big smile all doing a lot of punching away to high balls and running onto the loose ball to set up a clearance. I get the impression that Riley is a bit of a joker, always seemed to be smiling and having some running gag with a couple of the assistant coaches. He seems un impeded to me, moved well in the routines, ran some serious laps at the end. Doesn't have the most athletic build on the field, he is pretty solid.

When Matthew lloyd starts to sound smart you have to doubt the intelligence of those surrounding him

Geelong have been the absolute professionals but Daniel Menzel's career is practically over before it started with what 3 or 4 knees. Nathan Vardy nearly had to stop playing with a hip injury and now has done a knee. Hamish McIntosh missed the entire of last year. Yeah you can draw parallels between Clark and Jurrah. Both struggling with injuries and other happenings and therefore both granted leave. But what I don't get is why you are so negative on the individuals. Jurrah was always a risk of things going bad. He came from a culture that was pretty much another country to Australia, may as well be another planet. Not to mention half his family was fighting the other half. Jurrah's actions post AFL have told me enough about him and his community that we did all we could. Clark himself may have been a bit of a risk with homesickness but ultimately pick 12 in a weak draft for an immediate impact key forward and leader. It was a steal. The injury happened. It was terrible luck. Whatever troubles he is facing now are massively contributed to by his initial injury. If he was playing for most of the last two years and ready to line up on the weekend I bet all the other problems in his life could be managed around footy. Either way I refuse to hold it against the club for making some decisions that took a bit of risk and I refuse to hold it against individuals who have troubles in their life for whatever reason that the feel they need to walk away from their employment. Take a deep breath, consider the individuals and move on. Plenty of other injustices to worry about.

Jurrah was also granted leave. Look how that turned out...

Big difference between "walking away" and "being granted leave".

This is the exact reason I generally stick to bigfooty. This place degenerates off topic, into a [censored]-fest within 2 pages of almost every single thread. Sorry to say this, but this forum is very poorly moderated in this regard. Any posts that arent on topic or at least within the spirit, or very humorous - should be deleted so that when we want to read about an actual topic, we dont have to wade through such an incredible amount of unrelated, boring rubbish. A penalty system should apply to the continuous perpetrators. I would love to be more active on a forum specifically for Dees supporters, but at the moment, I only come on here to read training reports and see if there is any inside info leaking about certain topics (such as how Mitch Clark is doing). Sorry for the rant - but I hope it is considered constructive feedback.

Yes. The exit gate.