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And so on a cold autumn day the club that invented the game of Australian Rules Football was chosen by fate to defend the game. Todd Viney, hard nut and former Melbourne captain joined the Demons in 1987. This was incidentally a year that the Demons made the finals after spending over a decade in the football wilderness, directionless, weakened and starved. There was something poetic about Jack Viney being the figurehead in this controversy, and the eras that both father and son entered the club bore striking similarities. Jack Viney is not what the AFL community expect in a Melbourne footballer, he is brash, hard confident and expectant of success. In a week where the club has started to claw back some respect it was thrown into the limelight, all eyes were on Viney and the Melbourne Football Club had to stand up and fight. The fight wasn't just about a player missing out on 2 weeks of footy unjustly, it was about protecting the integrity of the game. This week Melbourne Football Club was noticed, and for the right reasons. It wasn't being laughed at as a pisspoor opponent, or pitied as a weakling. It was the aggressor. It had the courage to stand before it's benefactor the AFL and demand justice for it's player, the club and the game in general. For those who opposed the appeal, "up yours". Your attitude is old Melbourne. New Melbourne is hard, brash and uncompromising and Jack Viney is it's face. Here endeth the curse.

Now that the farce of the past few days, with the MRP & Tribunal bringing the game into disrepute, is behind us, it is time to acknowledge Jack's absolutely brilliant piece of play against the Crows. It seems to me that the collision part of the play has totally overshadowed exactly what happened through that entire sequence that has now been played before our eyes endless times over the past few days. It's time the football world took note of exactly what happened -- all the way through... Let me explain. The ball bounces in no man's land, with two large players attacking it from one direction, and young Jack attacking it from the other. The ball bounced to Lynch, who took possession and was immediately tackled. There's then the well publicised collision. All three players fall to the ground. The two big guys are hurt, and remain on the ground. But, there's is where it gets really good... Jack, who had braced so well for the impact, although he also went to ground, was not hurt. (His training to learn to protect himself in such situations had paid handsome dividends!) Not only that, he still had his mind on only one thing -- the ball. Although still on the ground, he managed to take possession of the ball, evade an opponent, and dish off an excellent hand ball, finding a team mate in the clear. It's a fabulous piece of play, and epitomises everything that's great about the game -- courage, tenacity, determination, skill and the total commitment to the ball, no matter the risk or the possible cost to the individual. Would have to have been pretty much Play of Day, and clearly demonstrated what a gem we have in young Jack! Makes the way it has been treated by the MRP and the Tribunal that much more of a total farce, and the reason why I label it clearly as one of the worst cases of bringing the game into disrepute in living memory! Shame, AFL, Shame!! I'm just so proud of Jack, the MFC and the wider footy community for sticking by him to ensure justice was finally done. Oh, and I understand Daniel Cross was quoted yesterday as saying young Jack will end up be the best of our young midfield group. Kinda hard to argue with that! Go Dees!

I think we owe a debt of thanks to my colleague David Grace QC who played a bit for my old amateur footy club and competed for my old athletics club (where he's a life member). He's been involved in a number of interesting cases involving the AFL and in particular, has now been involved in two interesting cases where, against the odds IMO, he had two major decisions overturned. We know about Vineygate but he also had the Sirengate result of a Dockers/Saints game overturned in 2006. Gracey is President and Chairman of Athletics Australia and interestingly, made it as a QC through the unusual channel starting as a solicitor rather than as a barrister. I know there are bad lawyers and there's bad law but I hope posters around here stop bagging the legal profession. This bloke has performed a great service for our player, club and the game in general.

Personally I couldn't give a stuff who our sucessor is. I want Roos for 10 years! Just sign Roosy!!

When was the last time we heard the phrase" he was unlucky to be dropped" about a Melbourne team.

People power believe Damo is a [censored]. On principal he should resign.

He would hate that a player directly had a go at his POV. So I am happy.

yikes, that picture saddens me, bull fighting is so barbaric, tradition or no tradition it is just wrong.

The whole Jack Viney taking on the AFL and Tribunal and winning reminds of the David and Goliath story except that Viney is Goliath and he wins.

Allen Christensen ‏@achristensen_28 May 6 @barrettdamian nothing against the case or whatever but are we not allowed to protect ourselves anymore? Imagine if he didn't brace...

It's simple, people don't like frothing at the mouth, [censored] reporters, that start off reporting, then get an inflated ego like a poor man's celebrity chef. They start getting on the radio and the TV and see this as a vehicle to voice their opinions rather than do what got them their job in the first place, reporting facts. Now that's fine, everyone is entitled to an opinion. But when you drop sticking to factual reporting, and start voicing your thoughts on everything that's going on, your personality comes through. No one likes over opinionated [censored] that they've known for years, let alone some geeky gutter journo grub that tries to talk [censored] about something we all know about more than he does. Damian Barrett is anti-Melbourne, it irks us not because he is right or wrong, but because he has no [censored] idea what he's talking about. I've had real life arguments about the Tyson/Salem trade with someone who got their cannon fodder from watching Damo spew [censored] about it in some medium. Then we have to watch the [censored] interview one of players when something happens, he's like a virus you just can't avoid. Reckon the AFL would publish this if I sent it to them?

Rather than summarising, as already been done, thought I'd add a few observations. Jamar v Gawn in ruck drills, pretty damn even, Jamar used his experience and strength to win many, but when Gawn held his own, he would win most. I've said it before, but will say it again, one of the biggest differences this year is that the players really seem to enjoy training. I have no doubt they are working harder, but it seems like instead of work, they are enjoying themselves training for a game they love. During the drills, there is a lot more movement. Last year training was quite stop start, waiting to get involved, joining in and waiting again. This year, there always somewhere to look at training, something always happening. One of the drill starts in the back pocket, defender passes and sprints to mate he has passed to, who has turned and passed to someone leading on the wing, who turns and passes or gives a handball to one of two already involved who passes to a forward who marks and gives it off to one of the three or four now charging past and they have a shot (or the forward shoots), all involved then jog around the boundary while a second group go through their paces (and they aren't going at half pace), then into the centre to set up as a third group goes through their paces forwards and back running to position. In this drill 5 out of 6 would be along the right flank with the odd ones up the guts or left flanks. Another difference this year is that the match simulation, while still a long way off from real day pressure, has a hell of a lot more pressure than what I saw last season. A bigger crowd today than recently, sure to show some support to Jack, though nice weather would not have hurt these numbers. Few cameramen and journos but less than I was expecting.

misappropriation of a curse that still VERY MUCH EXISTS MY FRIEND. The curse will well and truly lifted when we lift a cup. Simple as that.

These threads always make me stop and wonder if I should donate!

The curse is a state of mind. We won't be able to rasie the cup UNTIL we shed it.

Dees by 59 Would love to thrash a team for a change. (And not have a heart attack in the last 10min of the game)

Treloar of GWS is said to be unhappy over in the west sydney badlands and will be on his bike home at end of year. IMO, he's better value than Scully and definitely worth looking at.

Well, I made a snap decision yesterday to spend $300 and fly down after footy to watch the Dees play. I was angry about the decision and I directed towards my savings... Now I am not angry but I will still be there. Going to be a good night of football after the BCNA event - I hope we can show something on the Saturday night stage.

I leave offerings for Jack every night to keep my family safe from harm.

I hope Jack Viney is Roos' successor, which would be about 3 years after Jack's playing career has finished. Should give Roos about 15 years to groom him and be ready to take over when it's time for Roos to step aside.

Curse ? Give me a break ! Bad decisions, bad administration, an attitude post early 60's that we'd always win. There is no curse just complacency, then panic and now hopefully a fair dinkum rebuild.

Yes, I agree when was the last time we saw a CEO and Pres. at a Tribunal hearing. Goes to show what this meant to the Club. I think a little more than just defending Jack. It was a defense of our Club and to show the football world what we now stand for. I hope the boys do the same Sat night.

I have so much hate built up inside of me towards Barrett, it's not healthy. I still tweet abuse to him even tho I know he blocked me over a year ago, it makes me feel better.

I like to see some success before the successor. Lets hope so.

Would just like to make a post in appreciation to the club, and a friend who works in Membership, Brooklyn. I took a friend from Germany who has never seen AFL to watch Melbourne defeat the Crows. We both got to help raise the banner which was also great experience for her on the night. My friend is currently backpacking in Melbourne before starting University in Australia. The Club has organised two free tickets and something signed by a player for the game Saturday night. This is greatly appreciated, and they have now secured a life long supporter and member form here on in. Thanks MFC and Brooklyn.

Dear Gleeson and co...

OD, I am one for keeping the lid on, no player is the messiah, but I am already looking forward to seeing Jack, Dom Tyson and Christian Salem become a midfield to drool over, they have Nate Jones, Bernie Vince and Daniel Cross teaching them, what's not to like...

"you need to put on the red vest Viney"

Hats don't grow on trees you know.

For consumers Paypal is great. I have used it for over 10 years. In that time I have had several disputes with traders/ sellers and all have been resolved in my favour including a sum in excess of $2000 for an overseas transaction. If you have a legitimate greivance they are on your side. Got my money back every time. I swear by them.

Perhaps, but we don't know his availability or costs or whether the club assessed the situation correctly in the first place. I agree that Gracey ran a risky strategy but I doubt the Appeals Board would have increased the penalty in these circumstances. On the question of respect or disrespect for the Tribunal, their decision was a shocker. Having been on a tribunal myself I know what it's like to make difficult decisions sometimes but they dropped the ball on this and didn't show 1% of the courage of the players involved in the collision.

What the duck?

When the boogeyman goes to sleep at night he checks his wardrobe for Jack Viney...... Be afraid Bulldogs..

NO, NO and NO!!!...worst thing you could do

I know he feeds on this, but I know he reads this site, so I can't help myself. Lick my swingers, pal.

Nobody told me magic mushroom season had started yet chook but I'm glad you got in early .

Barrett hasn't come out to say what a dumb carnt Schimma is for [censored] up . And how fkn Kieth Grieg got wing in the Hun team of the century over the Tulip is beyond me. Journos are mostly stupid drunks with drug and emotional issues- I can say that because I have many hack mates . Norf and Parrot are bottom feeders.

Not just you. I thought this same thing a few weeks ago. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he took over from Roo's in 6-8 years, wishful thinking...

Hello there - sub to Demonland finally paid, also processed donation to the club for undertaking the appeal, (I would have paid whatever the verdict). Am now working on three new club members here in New York. One ex pat Aussie MFC fan that work at the UN, his Columbian wife and his one week old son, am a bit nervous for the poor bloke his son needs heart surgery (at 1 week old, parents too nervous to buy kids stuff in case it's not needed ), so I'm not boring him with footy stuff just at the moment, although he is a passionate fan.

We hit Rivendell last year. If Paul Roos and Peter Jackson (heh!) aren't Gandalf and Aragorn, I don't know who else they could be. Our defeat of the crows is akin to the Fellowship's first big victory over the wargs in Hollin. When Roos leaves us, that'll be where Gandalf falls in Moria. Things will get back on track with the announcement of our next coach at Lothlorien. After that it will be smooth paddling until the Falls of Rauros, where (hopefully) things will go a little better for us than in the original story. We don't want Jack Grimes and Nathan Jones (aka Frodo and Sam) to have to carry the burden the rest of the way on their own.

I don't want Rawlings. I want Roos. Stick around PR.

What I did find rather warming during the post-appeal hearing interview with Jack, was that of both our CEO and President standing in the background, smiling, laughing and in clear admiration of Jack Viney.

I saw my son besides Jack about four times on TV tonight. He works for the club, but tries to stay out of the spotlight. Unsuccessfully tonight.

If only Fairfax could get as many people to sign up. I have paid an annual subscription. This site has helped me stay in touch with the Demons, when the games haven't inspired me.

I can't believe that people are now saying the bump is "alive" or "back". It's as dead as it ever has been, this incident had nothing to do with the bump.

Three cheers for justice Ten cheers for the Melbourne Football Club This was widely seen as a 'landmark case' for the game we love ........ take note that it is also a 'watershed' for the Club we love and cherish. We are on the rise ....... enjoy the journey!!

Can georgeou get cited for this?

At the Vets. Bucket replacement.

Don't underestimate jack viney