Leaderboard

I confirm everything that I have earlier said in this thread several months back. The prospect of 11 remains in play. PJ, PR and the club will say nothing and even go as far as playing games to keep people off the trail as the chance of success is stronger if the pressure on him remains low. I was recently told the move back to Perth was partly to ensure that he did not attract this attention and thus pressure. It was also to give him time away from everything to continue his recovery and to give him time to assess what he wanted. Clark has not given up the dream of playing senior football for Melbourne again. He has been training on a Misson derived program in Perth. He must first prove a minimum level of mental and physical fitness, he must then prove the desire to return is strong enough. His pending return to Melbourne is a very good sign and he will now start to slowly ramp up training, but don't get carried away, Clark still has a long way to go. Like Frawley that club just don't know whether he will or will not be on the list next year. If he plays again it will only be for the Dees.

I reckon he's worth it. Particularly to this club in the current circumstances.I'm sick to death of seeing required players leave the club. I want it to become a sought after destination. So, I hope this is true. And that we somehow also manage to land Malceski. And Shiel.

It's ok Song. I think I've even gone down that path on occasion. And I couldn't put you on ignore and miss a daily dose of a topless Stephen Tingay. I must confess to a very embarrassing story today. Like you, I'm a teacher. I was showing a film today and was quietly happy with my developing technology skills being able to show the film on the projector yet still work on my laptop. Unfortunately, I pressed the wrong button at the wrong time and the film on the projector was replaced with my desktop. I had actually been doing some work but thought I'd just pop on to Demonland (like so many of us do during work!) so of course an image of Demonland replaced the film for all my class to see. I'll give Demonlanders one guess which poster's avatar was on display!

you're the only man I've ever loved

lol...cause the Americans, Russians and Germans are always amongst the medals in the MARATHON. She was racing against African nations who dominate this sport for fun and came third. She is the all time Australian record holder. Your comments are absolutely ludicrous.

Dream offseason: Malceski Shiel Tomlinson Brayshaw/Petracca Stretch

Dear Jess, Congratulations on winning a bronze medal and running a PB in the Comm Games marathon against world class opponents. We're sorry we got sidetracked by a local sideshow but we're back on topic now. We would like to repeat that we are proud of you and your great achievement. We look forward to watching your running career develop as you go from strength to strength. Signed: A few Demonland patriots and admirers And one drooling dairy farmer.

On the subject of father/sons (and I know this might be a little premature) but one of my grandsons played in his competition's lightning premiership on Sunday and I've been flicking through the programme and come up with an interesting name for the South Melbourne Under 9 Whites - Tiernan Stynes. There's a lot of water to flow under the bridge and it must be so hard for the little bloke without his dad but what a great story it would make if he ran onto the G one day in red and blue with the number 11 on his back.

Hi monoccular. The answer is this; Melbourne has severed its contract with Mitch Clark. We have no ability to re-sign him on an open market. The circumstances around his 'retirement' means he is not a delisted free agent, and he could not nominate his club of choice. This rule was brought about because of the way Mal Michael 'retired' from Brisbane, then signed with Essendon the following season which was around 6 or 7 years ago I think. However.. Mitch Clark can nominate for the pre-season draft (not the National Draft). Given his issues with mental illness, if he states his strong preference is to return to the MFC, it would be suicide by media for any other club to nominate him. In any case, the only clubs that may have a pick ahead of the Demons, are GWS, Brisbane and St Kilda. GWS probably wouldn't want to stifle the development of their overflowing list of young forwards, and Mumford is one of the best rucks in the comp. No way will Brisbane taking any 'go home' risks over the next few years, and considering Clark has already left them once.. I need not go on. St Kilda have Billy Longer rucking, and will probably have one of Wright or McCartin in their forward line with Reiwoldt. A weaker argument perhaps, but I revert to the risk, and media [censored] that would occur if the Saints pulled him away from where his preference lay. So, make no mistake - the MFC are staying very close to Mitch during his recovery, and the media are being very respectful during this period. I would currently give it a 50% chance that he will be back on Melbournes list in 2015, and if not, a 75% chance that he'll be back in the red and blue in 2016. Cheers, D16

wouldn't you love to finish the year beating Nth and seriously disrupting September for them!

I wouldn't, the pick is way to high for Blair. We have traded these picks away for a couple of years now and need to find some really good kids otherwise we are building an unbalanced list.

This news got me pumped up, been watching some of the best moments of the season so far. hard to top this epicness

I personally would happily pay it. In two years $700k will be cheap as chips. Salary cap could double or triple if players demand it be tied to game revenue as is expected. He's a miles better player than McDonald, and has more runs on the board as a KPP swing man than Dunn for instance.

I can't believe an off-hand/tongue in cheek comment by Frawley in February is still being raised by "journos" as an ultimatum that Roos has met. Are these people for real?

I reckon they should play all matches in the last round simultaneously on Saturday afternoon at 2pm which would be a blast from the past with the 'around the grounds' scores from radio coverage, particularly if finals positions were riding on the results. Remember the excitement of R22 in 1987? It's possible too, with matches at MCG, Docklands, Geelong, Subiaco, Adelaide Oval, Gabba, SCG, Tassie and Canberra. Of course, the TV broadcasters wouldn't want that and the tail does wag the dog unfortunately.

Some mild amusement http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2014/07/28/paul-roos-jake-king-ty-vickery-calls-shaped-afl/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+New+Daily+Tuesday+2972014+Australian+Super&utm_content=The+New+Daily+Tuesday+2972014+Australian+Super+CID_28947fae45fa1c6d469ea1cf9897e460&utm_source=&utm_term=Caught%20on%20tape%20Paul%20Roos%20Jake%20King%20and%20Ty%20Vickery

I need to go on holidays more often. Last year in Italy, I visited so many churches, lit candles and prayed Paul Roos would coach our club. ( and i am not even Catholic!) It was announced the following week! I am currently in Mexico - it's Monday morning and I just read the Age online - about to cartwheel with joy down the beach at this great news!! go Dees.

I'd suggest that given the circumstances under which Mitch retired that other clubs would respect his preference re club, e.g. Melbourne, and not pick him.

I actually do give a rats tossbag. He may have been a little disingenuous with how he got to our club in th first place but when he did pull on our jumper I thought he put his heart and soul into what he did. I also thought his handling ( and the clubs handling) of his problems and departure were first class. To top it all off - he just came across as a thoroughly likable bloke. On hearing Chris Dawes speak about him on Saturday morning ( there was prolonged discussion about depression and footballers on 774) it only re-affirmed my admiration for Mitch. So I give a rats tossbag and am interested in hearing how he is doing. Knowing a couple of people diagnosed with depression, if he can get himself well enough to play AFL ( if that is what he wants) and it happens to be for a WA team ( being much closer to his support network) then I for one will be very pleased ( as long as he doesn't play too well against us)

Hopefully not with us. Sewell's hammies are stuffed and Rhino's about to get a letter from the queen.

I don't think PF understands what it means to win bronze for Australia.

I haven't picked up anywhere that the media is "judging" him one or another on his comments- that is reserved for the domain of some at Demonland. Only are here is it being suggested that he is reflecting poorly on the club both on and off the field. I have seen many in the media pick up the obvious flaws in his game ( his kicking and decision making at times) but only on here are people suggesting his efforts are "sylvia-esque". I am ambivalent about him staying - happy for him to stay and happy if we turn him into a draft pick that is well used ( a big if). What I won't do is turn him into a giant spud who is completely surplus to our needs and a poor reflection on our club just because he won't decide in line with supporters timelines.

I hate Etihad.

I wonder how many would change their tune regarding Frawley if we were to discover the compensation was band 2 and not band 1.

If this club is pushing for finals in 2016 I personally can't see Roos jumping ship, no matter what he's said.

To (badly) paraphrase Mick Dundee: 'that's not a succession plan, THIS is a succession plan'

Great movie.

I hope not. He left the Saints in a hole and showed himself to be a man of little charactor in the process. I can't see him leaving Freo any better. Give me someone that has an eye for what he leaves behind rather than a glory hunter like Lyon.

Might also read as, let your assistant coach go or we might be coming after your senior coach.

I can't believe this thread has been high jacked by a mean spirited troll. To see the emotion displayed by Jess at the end showed what it means. It was a world class gutsy effort and we should acknowledge it as such with out reservation.

Love to have him back in any capacity, the most important thing is his health, anything else is a bonus. Absolutely will never forget how committed he was to our jumper in every game he played for us.

There needs to be a discussion? 9 year deal. Buddy style. Do it.

I have not given up hope of him playing with us again.

I'm worried about her acceleration.

Prefer his brother Ronnie. Trouble is he has a tendency to go missing.

I've been somewhat banging on about leading in the fourth quarter, but just to get a real sense of our improvement this year, these are the figures for the number of times each (bottom 10) team has been in front at some point in the fourth quarter. Bracketed numbers are number of wins in those games and number of losses. Richmond - 10 (7-3) Gold Coast - 10 (9-1) West Coast - 10 (7-3) Melbourne - 9 (4-5) Carlton - 9 (6-3) Adelaide - 9 (8-1) Bulldogs - 8 (6-2) Brisbane - 6 (4-2) GWS - 6 (4-2) St Kilda - 4 (4-0) So we are the anomaly in this group. We're equal last for total wins, but equal third for leads held in the fourth. We've had 9 fourth quarter leads but we've only won 4 of them, making us the only side to have a sub-50% winning percentage in those games. We've created our chances much more than, for example, St Kilda, who've only had four games in which they've led in the last, but they've obviously taken their chances much better than we have. To me, it's a sign of a few things. First, we play football that, over the course of the year, is more akin to a side finishing in the upper half of the bottom 10. Second, we haven't had the experience or leadership to get us over the line in those close games. Third, we've been relatively unlucky. Fourth, we haven't been good enough to get big enough leads to ensure that we can't be overrun (e.g. our biggest winning margin this year has been 23 points). Statistics/numbers don't always say a lot, and this is just one thing to look at in 2014, but to me it signifies a real, tangible level of improvement and is something to really build on.

Agree with this. We all want Roosy to stay as long as possible, but if he does leave after three years I would go very hard at Lyon. Look at the factors - good mates with Roos, has coached under him, they share a similar footy philosophy and game plan, lots of Sydney coaches at the club, Freo potentially out of their premiership window, ageing key players like McPharlin, Pavlich, Mundy, Sandilands, Dawson, Johnson, Crowley, Mzungu, Ballantyne, etc. on the way down or retired / retiring, a desire to be a career coach, potential attraction of a return to Melbourne. Make no mistake Lyon is a sensational coach - to do what he did at St Kilda and what he has done at Fremantle - turning two historically unsuccessful clubs into AFL powerhouses - is a fantastic achievement. If Roos is to go at the end of 2016 he (and Clarkson if he were available) would be my no.1 targets. The key for us is to ensure our list continues to improve and our performances continue to improve so that we are seen as an attractive proposition for these blokes.

If we delist him at season's end he becomes a delisted free agent and he could go anywhere, in theory. In reality, he's retired and won't come back.

dream offseason PP1 & 2- trade to GWS for Jeremy Cameron and Dylan Shiel 3- trade to GCS for picks 10, 15 10 - Liam Duggan 15, 21 to the Swans Tom Mitchell & Nick Malceski 39- Billy Stretch 2015 - Garland Dunn Jetta Malceski Mcdonald Vince Grimes Shiel Mitchell Watts Hogan Howe Cameron Dawes JKH Jamar N.Jones Tyson Int : Trengove Cross Viney

From a Patrick Smith article : "A mid-season review after round nine this season showed improvements small but compelling. Opposition clubs were scoring on average 59 points fewer a game against Melbourne than they did last year. And the mid-fielders were running on average 1.5km more a game than previously. " Thats 10 goals a game improvement and a shiiteload of running by our mids.

If the source is not accurate then this is pure speculation... and as it is very apparent who is being discussed, then your post could be considered defamatory and probably should not be here.

Good on Viney.. Mackie is a [censored] and Selwood receives enough special treatment off the umpires. Football isn't a tickling contest.

Last I checked there is no 'what is their first pick' clause for FA compo. Then again, the AFL have historically been quite happy to invent / override process as they go.

I reckon to get the chance to represent your country at just about anything is an achievement in itself. Got to be a truckload better than us hack footy players and cricketers ... we're a dime a dozen! Jess' bronze shouldn't be downplayed. Track & Field and in particular, distance running, is a tough sport for any individual to medal in. Mick Shelley's gold in the men's marathon was a great achievement also. But well done Jess!

Who says North want Brayshaw, apart from the family connection can't see any other reason. They have no problem with ball winners what they need is outside game breaking class

Thank you as always

Probably just trying to butter them up so they can steal them off us. Trust no club.

Frawley is a 26 year old experienced player who is in our leadership group. Wait, I'll repeat that. He's in an AFL club's leadership group. The group of players who are standard setters and are held accountable for their ability to guide, nurture and set the tone for the rest of the playing group as well as represent the club strongly on and off the field. For a player to 'explore their options within FA' is of course, completely understandable. For a senior player who is part of the leadership group of an AFL football club to 'explore their options within FA' is also understandable, however a more delicate and sensitive process to undertake as the care of duty that particular player needs to show is amplified by the fact that they are a senior leader of a football club. I repeat, a senior leader of a football club. Here are some statements made by Frawley's manager, Frawley himself and Josh Mahoney beginning from January, which is when James and his manager decided not to engage in contract discussions with the MFC. Jan 31st - Frawley's manager, Alex McDonald - ''James is keen to let the season take shape before we start focusing on contract discussions,'' McDonald said. ''The club has been in constant contact and updating James on where the club is at and their direction.'' ''We presented to James prior to Christmas and we are in talks with his management and are ready to talk to him, but James has indicated he wants to focus on training and playing at the moment and get a better idea of the direction of the club.'' Josh Mahoney 'Mahoney said Frawley had only indicated he wanted to wait before discussing contracts and had not said he wanted to wait until the end of the season. Players who put contract talks on hold until season's end early in the year often intend to leave for another club.' Feb 17th - Frawley on Roos' contract situation. ''Hopefully Roosy can sign for a few more years, that would be nice. Put it out there - Roos can sign for a few more years - he does, I will, done,'' Frawley said, seemingly only half in jest. ''Right now I am very happy at Melbourne … the club is in a good spot,'' he said. ''I am just going to concentrate on footy. I have plenty of time to make a decision and I think if we keep going the way we are … the contract will sort itself out.'' June 5th - Frawley on finals aspirations and loyalty "I want to make sure the club is heading in the right direction." "It (the lure of playing in a flag) plays a part, you always want to win and play finals," Frawley said. "I've been here [at Melbourne] eight years and haven't played any finals and haven't got close really. It'd be great to play finals. “At this club we've seen massive improvement over the last few years and if we keep going in the right trend, we'll hopefully be playing finals really soon." (What on earth is that last comment?) "I think being a country boy, loyalty is a massive thing," he said. So, as we can see Nutbean. There are clearly mixed messages. Whether it's his manager's fault or his own, it still reflects poorly on him as a senior leader of our side. He has also clearly set himself up by saying stupid and thoughtless things such as, "I think being a country boy, loyalty is a massive thing' as well as 'If Roosy can sign for a few more years, I will.' From the first time he put contract talks on hold, he never stated that he'd decide at the end of the year. He said he wanted to see how the club went and what direction it was going in. Well guess what. It's clear we're on the up. Roos has now signed for a third year. The loyalty comment and the finals football comment were almost automated pieces of dribble without a single thought of what the consequences might be if he in fact decides to go. And on top of all of this, myself and plenty of other supporters have been very disappointed with some of the efforts from Frawley during games this year. Some of his on-field actions as a senior leader have been Sylvia-esque-like. Myself and any other MFC supporter have every right to be disappointed in the manner in which a senior leader of our club has gone about 'exploring his options'. I am extremely hopeful he goes as the only way we're going to keep improving is if everyone is onboard and gives their all for this club both on the field and off it. And Frawley, as a senior leader who is expected to help drive this club forward has been questionable in both aspects this year.

Take a small positive out of a cr@ppy injury, at least he was able to see his sis bring home the bronze live. Fantastic effort from her, sounds like she's continually improving so congratulations to her. (Oh and Jack should've given her a Dees flag to fly as well!)

i say we stay well away from ty vickery. gutless wonder.