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For those that didn't know Angus posted a photo on his instagram account on Xmas day doing 100 100m sprints. While many AFL players would be at home letting themselfs go and having a few beers on this day we have a young 18 year old who has just been drafted grinding it out in the heat doing massive amount of gut running. Leaving no stone unturned. This work ethic and drive is the kinda stuff Roosy would be wrapt about. It is an amazing self disciplined and drive to be out doing what he was on Xmas day. This kind of stuff is what makes a champion footballer and leader. I hope a lot of the players took note of this. They will be nervous because now spots are up for grabs and this kid is in my round 1 team. Already showing the way and im loving it. And hows the irony, our number 3 draft pick is already more expensive in supercoach then a former number 3 draft pick who is cruising around in Freo. Fantastic isn't it.

Just got back from a well earned break. Congrats Dappa and a massive cheers to Macca for all the effort.

Option 4 - split the ladder from the year before so 1st plays return games against 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th & 16th (and 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17 / 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18). This won't be "even" but it will be "fair". My preferred option is a 17 game season alternating home and away each year however knowing the AFL and broadcasters would never go for reduced games the next best options are a rolling draw and then splitting the ladder from the previous year. Regardless of which option they go with they must institute a policy where games go home, away, home, away so if you play a club home in 2014 you play them away 2015 and home 2016. If you play a team home 2014 you play them away 2015 and then home again if you have a return game in 2016. The current situation where we play Carlton Essendon and now apparently Richmond away every year is ridiculous and a significant disadvantage. The other issue then is when you are scheduled to play. I have no issue putting the "marquee" games on Friday nights however these should be true marquee games not just the rolling mediocrity of Carlton, Essendon, Richmond and Collingwood every week. Port v North for example would be a good match up. There is also no reason why every in shouldn't get at least 1 Friday game per year.

We have a winner in the tipping comp ... Dappa Dan is triumphant - well played! Thanks to all for participating ... we might fine tune the comp a bit next year ... I've got an idea or 2 to add to the competition to make it a bit more interesting but we'll leave that for another time. Final tally 8 - Dappa Dan 7 - Georgiou R. R. Martin 4 - Gorgoroth 3 - JV7, Go the Biff, Macca 2 - pantaloons 1 - cowboy_from_hell Year Winner Runners up 3rd place 2013 cowboy_from_hell/ pantaloons/ Gorgoroth Strafford Macca 2014 Dappa Dan Georgiou R.R Martin Gorgoroth

BLOW THE SIRENS!

Anyway, Brayshaw had 40 days off from September to mid October not running on his ankle. So he might be in a hurry to get his fitness back. Almost every AFL player is a committed professional. Especially any good one. So I'm impressed by Brayshaw, but if other players took xmas day off then they did some really solid sessions on boxing day or Christmas Eve.

Demonlanders are an interesting lot. There will always be a group that maintain that we should have picked Natanui (9th in the West Coast B&F for 2014) rather than Watts (10th in the Demons B&F for 2014). Similarly there are those that say we should have picked Wines (a Jack Viney clone) rather than Toumpas (an elite outside playmaker). When Roos gets us cranked up both these players will play valuable outside roles, particularly now that we have Brayshaw and Petracca coming on stream in the midfield. Have faith in Roos!

Does no one remember Toumpas reportedly doing a similar thing..? Not sure if there's a point here or not, or rather the point is subjective depending on your perception of Toumpas in particular.

Reminds me of boxing day 2012. Tom McDonald was working hard in the gym. Rivers, Frawley and Howe were creating a long snake out of beer cups at the cricket. Spot the difference in professionalism.

Yeah a fit Rodgers will be the key for GB.. GB was my pick for the SB most of the season but seattle have come good at the right time of year! Well its back into taking a closer look at the dees in the new year, I must say the NFL is good to get you from one AFL season to the other, though Ive found myself enjoying the NFL just as much as the AFL! Btw I like the sound of the tipping comp ideas!

It's a fairly easy thing to run JV7 ... you and GtB were the frontrunners for a long time there but as you both found out, getting points late in the season is really tough. I have to admire the perseverance skills of the participants though - being Demon supporters steels us that way hey? We're well used to the odd setback! Dappa picked up points in 6 different weeks I believe so he was a fully deserved winner. I'll run things by everyone before the start of next season but I thought we could add 1 or 2 more "bonus" weeks and the other idea I had was we could add in our own version of "wild-cards" - each participant has 2 or 3 to use anytime and the "wild-cards" act as extra point if you tip all 3 winners in any given week. Bad luck with your blokes today ... I haven't taken a lot of notice of the Falcons this year but at least you've got a decent QB. Probably just need to get a lot better in other areas. As for the Packers, we'll need a decent slice of luck and a fit Rodgers ... I'm hoping that Detroit beat Dallas as I give them a chance of possibly upsetting the Seahawks in week 2 of the playoffs. Seattle look just as hungry though and they'll be hard to beat.

Well this year was the first year I've taken a proper interest and watched a lot of games and worked out how it all works, still some things don't make sense to me haha. It was a fustrating year for the Falcons and ended in a fitting way I guess (i had a feeling we'd lose) I'm assuming this time tomorrow we'll be searching for a new coach, cutting a lot of dead wood from the roster and looking to the draft (sounds all too familiar!) congrats dappa on the win, coming into it I thought it seemed easy, defintly the worlds hardest tipping comp. To macca thanks for keeping tabs on the tipping comp! Now to sit back and watch the playoffs stress free!

I prefer my home brew to most beers. Aldi had tasting paddles on sale on the 27th, so the father-in-law and I sampled a few homies while the Aussies were making hay at the 'G (while Smith/Haddin/Johnson/Harris were batting in the first dig). Left to right: Nelson Sauvin Pilsner, American Wheat, Riwaka Summer Ale, Chinook Amber Ale.

I'm in Dappa as long as I don't have to think too much about it .. ha ha Last year we even had a playoff tipping comp ... titan won it From memory we had a go at tipping the winners of all the playoff games (just straight winners) with a point awarded for every winner and 3 points for the SB winner. We did it week by week. pantaloons set the trend with having a go at the actual scorelines as well ... I'm happy to keep tabs on the points again and it gives a 2nd chance for those who missed out on regular season comp.

Lamumba (sorry if that is wrong) was at Vic Park at 1.30ish Xmas Eve doing half lap sprints half lap jogs for about 90 minutes all of which were being timed by a young lady who was more a drill sergeant. Chided him a few times for the times he was osting. Wore me and the other under employed old fogies out just watching him. Looked pretty good though.

Photos on instagram of Petracca & Tyson doing running sessions with Russian & Moloney, that's all. Been a while since I've looked at a bong

I have no idea what this means but suggest you ease off the bong.

...and I will make my point again that it is a risk and at this time we are not in the position to take it.

DANGER DEMON An article on the backpage of the Herald Sun a day after the 2015 FA period begins about the MFC recruitment of Patrick Dangerfield.

Pintail Pale Ale from San Diego is a ripper too

yours or mine?

Look its pretty simple IMO. The parties involved in this have different charters and different terms of reference and investigative powers. To let someone else investigate and rely on that is simply a dereliction of duty. Who knows what ASADA, the AFL, Worksafe and the AFP for that matter are each interested in. They have different agendas and powers. It is simply not possible for them to rely on one another. Sure, they mohght use information gathered by another party bit they are required to conduct their own investigations for a good reason. If it is true that worksafe Vic are waiting for others to finish its a disgrace.

There is a difference between outsourcing an investigation and following information trails laid by others. I presume the reason WorkSafe haven't acted already is not that they are waiting to collect evidence from the court- but because any action they take would be seen to prejudice the ASADA case. As they do not need to establish that specifically identifiable illegal substances were involved - I'm not sure that any WorkSafe statements would be prejudicial - but I guess Little Hird's lawyers would argue that they were. We've waited this long - I guess we can wait a bit longer!

YEEEAH!!!! Thanks very much gentlemen. In my prodigal-son like return to the thread I started, I take it out... Nice to win at least ONE fantasy footy comp this year.

By the 100th...an hour...

Any takers for 10 x 100 metre sprints.

Carolina is the Richmond of the 2014 NFL season. Hopeless first half despite high expectations, then some key wins in the middle of the year allowing them to come home with a wet sail. They, at 7-8-1, now get to host the 11-5 Lions, a game that IMO could go either way now that Carolina's defence has lifted and Newton looks fit. It's all moot though, Seattle is going to the Superbowl for the NFC. If Rodgers is indeed injured then there's no chance they can win in Seattle. Arizona is floundering and will lose its first playoff surely, which leaves Dallas as the only other chance. They did it once this year but I just don't see it happening twice. As for the AFC, can't believe the Ravens are in the playoffs. They've been highly mediocre all season. San Diego is a much better side but injuries meant they'd have been average in the playoffs anyway. Buffalo blew it last week losing to Oakland; I'm not sure, but I think if they'd won that game then their win today would have put them in? Meanwhile Cleveland went from 6-3 to 7-9, sad for their supporters. I still back New England to make the Superbowl with their home-field advantage but it's so rare that both number 1 seeds make it so I'm sure something will change. (edit: happened last year. Oops. Well, it's rare that it happens twice in a row...)

Frankly, I supect the reverse might be the case. 4.40pm Sunday is an absolute disaster, too late in the day to enjoy lunch at the ground and too early for dinner. I am single but it must be a nightmare for families. I am happy to give Monday night a trial, it is not as though it clashes with anything else.

Sad to see no-one saying anything positive about Kholi's superb knock. I actually took some pleasure from him not taking a backward step against both Johnson's bowling and aggression. The match is set-up for a very interesting final two days... a draw is obviously the most likely outcome now, but if either side collapses in a heap in their second innings (something both have proven that they are very capable of doing), there could still be a result.

... and Rodgers has made a miraculous recovery There's no truth in the rumour that the Packers have a supply of Dank's "calf" blood

It's good to see we've drafted someone who has a desire to be the best he can be. At the very least we know we've got a kid who will give his all and not cruise through his football career like say another pick 3 in Sylvia. Glad to have Angus at the club!

As written earlier.nth took friday nights when every other club refused and would only "do" afriday once a year when they played nth{under protest}.Then when it became obvious that nth were at a commercial and football advantage,Coll and other clubs wanted a slice of the pie/money. Recently the AFL wanted a volunteer to take on mondays nights and got no takers,I personally believe by our crowds numbers and sponsorship.Monday nights at a 5 year contract would be the best commercial outcome for our club. As with nth we would have kids at least watching our club every 2nd monday and kids only remember the wins.

He had plenty of opportunities to re-sign. He was absolutely a required player. It's actually that simple. That is not to say though that the club did not eventually get sick of him dragging his feet, set their sights on Frost, and became satisfied with pick 3 as compensation for him. And therefore that the club didn't ultimately try to move heaven and earth to re-sign him. Vince and Frawley's situations are not comparable IMO. Not even remotely.

What if Frawley's circumstances was closer to Vince's? What if we didn't chase his signature that hard? We don't know and can only go on conjecture in the future. But calling him a 'bounty hunter' is a bit much, we stole GWS' groomed CHB in Frost who left a club that wanted to keep him and was playing regularly. I just think if we have to consider the various way players might leave a club, then we have to embrace the complexity of that disengagement, and I don't think it is as simple as James Frawley = Boba Fett...

Players seek to move clubs for many reasons. For instance, I don't expect we'd have Cross, Vince, Gartlett, Michie, Riley or Newton if their former clubs wanted them enough. Cross and Gartlett were effectively delisted, Vince wasn't loved sufficiently by the Crows (bizarre I know!), and the latter three weren't getting regular games in the seniors. Lumumba seems to have had a blow up with Buckley. He never thought he'd leave the Pies, nor did Cross or Vince think they'd ever play for another club. Mitch Clark - well, who really knows what happened there. I wish he was still on the list, even though he appears not to have sufficiently respected the club. Rivers - no one can blame him for leaving. Struck me as the loyal type, only to have become a victim of the Mark Neeld period. Frawley seems to have been a bit of a bounty hunter and seemingly searched for the best deal for himself. He got that. Jones, on the other hand, wants to be a one club player, MFC club leader and, ultimately, an MFC club legend. He wishes to influence the future direction of the club, and, importantly, he believes he can. It's also why I like players such as Watts and Howe. Fundamentally, I think they wish to stay at the club that first recruited them - that's not to say they necessarily will for their entire careers, but it strikes that they would like to. Successful clubs need players with that mindset.

2 Boag's Premium Tap King kegs received for Christmas were well received and consumed with enjoyment.

that, or it's inherently a wildly subjective evaluation process

I'm a Melbourne supporter, so I drink wine.

Best of wishes, mate. When I became separated from my wife, and then divorced, I thought my world had ended. It floored me. Floored me for a good two years. But I survived it, and once I got up off the floor I found a whole new and wonderful life. It will hurt, and hurt for a while, but that will pass and better things will replace it. I won't lie to you and tell you that not seeing your kids 24/7 is something that will be something that you'll ever get used to, but if you can swallow your pride on some matters concerning them that might make you feel as if she's scored a point on you, but deep down you know it's the best thing to do, then your conscience will repay you in spades down the track as you see how you have done the right thing by the ones that really matter in all of this. After a couple of rough years my ex-wife and I are pretty good friends. Not buddy buddy close, but we talk open and honestly, and even share some laughs. Would I go back? Not a hope, but it's nice to know that even after all the crap both of us gave each other in the early days, we are still a team that needs the other to help them with the raising of our children. Hang tough. These are the worst days and they'll be over sooner than you expect, as much as I understand you might not see that right now. And anyway... late to the party... happy boxing day all.

Ess thrown out of the competition.

I'm so excited by Christian Salem, I want 20 games from him. He will end up being an A Grader, he is so unassuming, tough, skilful, footy smart. Santa, an injury free preseason for the No 3 please.

That is weird sh ite dc!! You doing drugs instead of bluerinsers?

Locks: Jetta, Dunn, McDonald, Lumumba, Vince, Jones, Watts, Hogan, Howe, Garlett, Jamar, Tyson, Viney, Cross, Dawes (omit) Likely: Grimes, Garland, Kent, Pedersen The next 4 spots will be where your tipping will be win and lost imo. Decent chance: Gawn, Frost, Salem, Toumpas, Bail, M Jones, Petracca, Newton, Michie, JKH Slim chance: McKenzie, Brayshaw, Neal-Bullen, Fitzpatrick B: Jetta, Dunn, Garland HB: Lumumba, McDonald, Grimes C: Vince, Jones, Toumpas HF: Watts, Hogan, Howe F: Garlett, Pedersen, Kent R: Jamar, Tyson, Viney Int: Cross, Michie, Salem Sub: Petracca Michie finished the year off well and I think that may tip in his favour, although it wouldn't surprise me to see Newton push his way into Round 1 the way Roos was speaking of him in the most recent update. My money would be on one of those two, along with Salem and Toumpas who are reportedly training well and bring that much needed class.

Wish i could be as a cool as you. Thanks for your humour and the ability to brighten a day. Actually one of the few posters i look forward to reading,since ive been on this site. All the best for chrissy,tdi.

from the highlights of his debut you'd draft him on his tackling and aggression at the footy alone. Love that he wraps the arms up and doesn't look to sling but watches the footy spill loose and goes again and knocks it to advantage. That is far more valuable than slinging a bloke and putting yourself out of the contest at the same time.

Merry Christmas one and all. These are the final training Pictures for the year. Click on the picture to access the gallery. You can start the slideshow in the bottom left hand corner. From the start From the scratch match

Funny story was talking to a young fella who was traveling up and playing footy up this way. He played Stingrays with Zac. Apparently he interviewed so well at the draft with all clubs except Collingwood. He was straight up and told them that they were the last club he would want to play for due to their supporters after what they did to this dad couple of years ago, he and the family haven't forgotten about it and were promised by the Collingwood footy club something would be done about these maggots and to this day are still waiting ... Hates them with an absolute passion and he defiantly made sure that they knew about it too. Wouldn't want to mess with all three Jones brothers now. Apparently Young Zac can seriously throw a few.

My views were hardly formed by one practice match. They've been formed by watching him last year, training, etc. And yes, I know his rating from Champion Data. It just shows how stats don't tell the whole story. Btw, I did say he'd be a "serviceable" mid. Or did you miss that part ? Are you one of those people that only read what you want to see ? And don't take it personally pal, it's just an opinion. It's not pessimism, it's an opinion. I love Dean Kent, Jack Viney, Hogan and some others. It's not optimism, just an opinion. Funny how those opinions are OK, just not some others. Are you from the left ? That's how they think too. I'd hate to watch footy like you. I'd feel cheated by the sport. How could one watch so much footy over the years, but not be in a position to form a considered opinion ? You poor bastard.

If you want to get logical DC, it would be argued that DB got a 1/4 of the penalty CC recevied, so you could make that $375k that he is responsible for. And I'm not sure where you get this theory that if DB hadn't taken CC's advice, there would be no fine. Who said? I'm quietly confident that even if CC were to be the only one charged, we would receive a fine to some degree, in the '000s thousands I'm tipping. Your last paragraph makes you sound like you work for the Commonwealth Bank. "Sorry sir, I'm increasing your interest rates, but don't worry, due to the increase in our profits, we will be giving sharehlders a record dividend". A bullet that he actually loaded in the chamber and pulled the trigger in the first place.

Goes without saying I could see the logic -- and was happy with -- all of the drafting until Rodan. Rodan couldn't get a regular game at Port because he failed on the defensive side, like much of Melbourne's list. Why give away Gysberts for nothing and take on Rodan? I can justify Morton more because his confidence at Melbourne is shattered. But it still hurts. If you can explain the thinking from Rodan on I would be curious. Today reeks of firesale. Yeah, I withold my membership. As a member I feel like a mushroom -- fed sh!t and kept in the dark. I'll always support Melbourne. I can't help it.