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Holy fark, I thought you were extracting the urine and then I went googling.

The thinking behind this is everything that is wrong with footy. Just give us the 2s, a cold pie and some peace and quiet.

Here is another outstanding article by Martin Flanagan, this time about Big Max. Big Max a true Demon believer There are too many wonderful parts to quote them all but these especially caught my eye: - He is just beginning his career in earnest, but what he does have in common with Stynes is a certain sinewy strength and unqualified commitment. Of his time at Melbourne, Big Max says: "First, I fell in love with the club." He was sidelined by a knee reconstruction for the whole of 2009. "I watched a lot. I became a supporter. Then I became a real big supporter." -"I just want to see this club be great again." And these made me laugh: -"As a sledger, I'm gaining confidence. I was poor to begin with." - He's had three coaches...Roos? "He brought excellence to the club." He was a great player at Fitzroy, I remark. "Yes," says Big Max. "He's told us." Clearly Stynes had a big impact on how Max feels about the mfc. ditto Jr Mac as his first captain. Also Interesting to read the transformation in Nat Jones - The captaincy has sat well with him - he is set to go to new heights this year. Think he would be very proud to captain his young band of merry men. Great read.

I had the pleasure this week to attend the world premiere of "Songs from the Kop" written by Melbourne playwright Neil Cole. Through the eyes of Sharon, a devoted supporter and a "scouser", the play covers the rise of the Liverpool Football Club in the early 1960s under Bill Shankly to a sustained period of triumph over the ensuing decades under a succession of famous managers, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish, and to the tragedy of Hillsborough when 96 spectators died and hundreds were injured in the crush of an overcrowded pen that was designated for Liverpool fans at the ground. A subsequent coronial enquiry overlooked the incompetence of the police and suggested one of the main causes was the drunkenness of the Liverpool fans (even childrens' blood was tested for alcohol). The outcome angered a grieving population who fought for more than two decades for justice and to clear the reputations of the club's supporters - and in the end they were vindicated. In the main, the Liverpool Football Club has remained a power house in the sport. The play is a tribute to the football supporter - the true lifeblood of the game. If you're not an avid supporter of a sporting club, then it might not be for you. Shankly is quoted in it as saying when he once picked up a lost scarf from the ground at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium that "this scarf represents someone's life." The Kop was a terraced area at Anfield where the local fans would congregate. The 60s were an exciting time at Liverpool. They saw the enormous worldwide impact of the Merseybeat sound led by the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black and a great many others and also coincided with the ascent of the city's football team from Second Division to the FA Cup, the League Championship and the UEFA Cup before Shankly's retirement in 1974. The Kop rang out with songs that often derided the opposition, praised their own players, greats like Steve Heighway, Dalglish and Ian Rush and lauded their home town. Life went on day after day, ferries crossed the Mersey River, "this land's the place I love and here I'll stay." and then came Hillsborough. By 1994, the Kop was closed in the name of ensuring safety standards at British football grounds. I couldn't help thinking during the play about how the paths of the Liverpool Football Club and the Melbourne Football Club crossed and converged half a century ago. While the former languished in the 50s and the early part of the 60s, the Demons were supreme. In 1964 the Beatles came to Australia and hundreds of thousands of screaming fans congregated outside the Southern Cross Hotel where the Liverpudlians and their entourage were staying. That year Melbourne were premiers and Liverpool won their first League championship since 1946–47, thereby qualifying for participation in European competition for the first time. The following season, they won their first FA Cup. But from that time, things remained rosy for the Liverpool fan and downhill for the Melbourne supporter. We never had a tragedy of loss of life, family and friends like Hillsborough but as supporters we have lived in constant sorrow and in the expectation of a return to past glory for so long. Cole's play got it right. It's all about the supporters and the solidarity with their team. Shankly once famously said - "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." It certainly is for the true football supporter wherever you are and whatever your football team. That reality came upon me as I drove out of the car park after "Songs from the Kop" and found myself at the lights on Bourke Street exactly opposite to where the Southern Cross Hotel once stood. This was the week before the start of another football season. The street was strangely deserted and eerily quiet but along with the ghosts of the crowd that once stood there in 1964, I couldn't help but start humming the tune of the Liverpool anthem, the song for all true believers in sport - for the football supporter who never walks alone, The play is on at the Butterfly Club 5 Carson Place, Melbourne. Tonight is the last night but later in the year, it will be performed at the Edinburgh Festival. https://thebutterflyclub.com.

I could only stay until three quarter time, so it was a bit of a shame that I missed a nail biter. My opinion on how the boys went: Weideman was a presence up forward, marking or jumping into packs to create a contest. He was obviously a bit nervous with the set shot, which is a shame because his routine is very nice. H played well- got plenty of it from half back and wing, and only went on one of his crazy runs out of defence before being pinged for holding the ball. His overlap run and willingness to create was noticeable. I didn't think Mitchell White or ANB had good days. ANB looked off the pace. Apparently White got a bit of it but from what I saw he didn’t use it well. The same goes for Terlich. An example from the 3rd quarter: Terlich gets the ball on half back flank and runs towards the grandstand side wing. The forwards lead to him, he gets ready to kick, then dummies, stops, weaves, etc. Forwards have now stopped leading, he runs a couple more steps and kicks a nice high one off his left. It goes over everyone and is mopped up by Port at their half back. Either trying to do too much or not having an instinctive footy brain, I don’t know, but it is frustrating. Brayshaw was great, Michie and Stretch were good. In some ways Stretch was generally the opposite of Terlich, creating with evasive runs, but then kicking to his teammates’ advantage. Dunn was good in defence, he generally used it well but did manage to fluff a couple of rebounding efforts with poor decision making. Hulett presented well, but couldn’t hold his marks today. Granted, conditions weren’t ideal. Oscar was quiet, he did his bit in defence but didn’t do much on the rebound. Smith is still learning- I hope he has a thick skin because he has to put up with Dunn screaming at him the whole game. The two Kings competed well in the ruck and went forward for parts but didn’t really contribute there. In the 2nd quarter Casey gave away 6 free kicks in their defensive 50- Stretch, White, Lumumba, and Hutchins (2) all holding the ball (they were all there too), and Oscar put the kick-in out on the full. If Port were able to kick a bit straighter, the game could have been over at half time. Most of the MFC coaches were there (I think I saw everyone except Roos). Players that were there: M. Jones, Tom Mc, Gawn, and Tyson. I stay in one spot so there were probably others there too.

Pre-Game Warm Up: Gus - No strapping on knee. Looked relaxed Stretch - Focussed & fit ANB - Right knee strapped. Probably just the norm for bloke with those earlier knee cap issues. Dunn - "is it home time yet?" Weid - A very deliberate & steady approach to goal. Very rhythmic & pure. Technique will hold him in good stead. Hulett - As we all probably know by now - Kid's & brick. Also a pretty sound & fluent technique for goal. Good penetration on the leg. Game time- 1stQ First bounce, first touch, bork & centre clearance from Gus into F50. First score - Stretch looking damaging heading into F50 with the delivery to the Weid. 35out, 45degree angle - Poster. First goal of the game - who else? Gus. Out of a stoppage from deep in our F50, gather from the tap, another Bork then a left snap thru the sticks. Off to the bench sir 5mins later - Gus back on. H with the pick up & gather from a pack just outside D50, feeds Gus with the hands who strides thru the middle. Quick long waited handball to a casey bloke who delivers chest high to the leading Weid. Great passage, great separation & lead from Weid. Know's where to run as a forward. 40m out, directly in front - Behind. Just. Weid with 0.2. Looks the good tho. Siren sounds. That's Quarter time. 3.3.21 - Casey 1.0.6 - Port

Imagine if he played on Jack Watts.

I ventured out to Windmill city Casey today and FWIW Here is my appriasal. Gus Ready for round 1 moved easily definetely a class above and looks ok to go Lamumba Did what he usually does , but he does have a habit of reducking back into trouble which surfaces in whatever level he plays. Not quite sure if he did enough to warrant recall White is a very interesting footballer for mine, he knows how to position himself to get the ball and reads play veryu well, got a lot of it but some possesions were for him a little wasted, Got pinged hangin on to one too long Stretch Also got some nice possesions but I just think he might be too light for the rigours of AFL just yet Dunny Also ready for recall, played his usual game for mine Hullet First time I saw him and he is a bloody lump of a lad, Liked his endeavour and willingness to mix it with the big boys Weeds Well I'm gonna get crucified for saying this but he reminds me a lot of "JUICE" Newton the way he moves and some of the same types of manerisms.He is raw but I was very impressed early with his positioning and willingness to run the lines and present. Took some very good grabs When he develops a stronger body he will definately be a very very good prospect for the MFC in future. I was watching him closely and one aspect which did peev me of is the Penchant that Casey coaches do have for rotations of talls. I know just a praccy match but this guy needs game time and exposure. Terlich Racked up possesions but for me he just doesn't cut it! Possesions don't hurt you and wastage can be an issue. Oscar Mac Michie , both OK Thats about it!

yeah Weeds is moving well. Presenting really well & taken 2 strong marks out in front on the lead. Should have 2 on the board. Lumumba has racked em up & setting up some nice plays forward. Brayshaw in everything. Stretch & Neal bullpen playing well. O Mac has been impressive too. Will keep you guys posted at half time.

Remember when you went to the footy to talk to your mates?

When will the AFL and it's clubs realise that we aren't Americans............We don't need to be entertained every minute of a trip to the footy. If I want to listen to a entertainer I will go to a concert........If I want to sing I will go to a karioki bar or have a shower and sing my heart out. I hate being yelled at, at the footy with loud adds and latest odds I can tell the score by just looking at the score board, don't need to be told at the breaks ...I like to read the Record and talk to my family before a game or even better watch the seconds and try to pick out our next big player. In a few years I wouldn't be surprised if we all have to stand for the American National anthem. The football is all the entertainment I need.

"Taken by Melbourne with their 34th pick at the 2009 national draft, he entered the Demons changerooms for the first time to find all the players dressed up for a dancing contest." ...says it all, really.

I always envisaged a commercial where Nathan Jones carjacks a family in a Range Rover headed to Falls Creek (returning them to the G') and Brayshaw lays a flying tackle on a young snow boarder about to commence a Buller black run.

I 100% agree and to my mind King's comments in that Fox analysis just shows up how [censored] poor and shallow so much so called analysis is in the footy media. It really annoys me. I mean, please as if Goodwin has been a silver bullet and Roos is an out of touch dinosaur still wedded to outdated defense first strategies. For Pete's sake Roos came up with the succession plan and no doubt was instrumental in selecting Goodwin - and one assumes that a key factor was Goodwin's strategic philosophy. Where is the kudos for Roos for having the courage to give Goodwin the head coach role during the NAB games. Given they made their expectation of winning all 3 games very clear it takes a pretty self confident and assured man to do that (let Goodwin coach) as such simplistic comments as those made by King were pretty likely to be made. And as you say Ros has always made it clear that the critical step is getting the defense right before moving to the attack - a point made by one of the commentators in tha saints game who said the critical feature of the Hawks reign is averaging over 100 points and conceding less than 86 on average. We have sorted the second part of that equation. Now for the first part.

Dunn is a hardened 28 y/o, 160 gamer and one of the first picked when fit. OMac is a skinny kid who did little to impress in the NAB Challenge. With some luck, he'll replace Dunn 2-3 years down the track but there's not a hope in hell he gets picked ahead of Dunn next week.

I'm quite comfortable with the idea of Richmond looking like a cringeworthy laughing stock. Knock yourselves out!

Braved Melbourne's lovely morning and headed down to watch training for about 90 minutes this morning and the first thing I noticed was Clarrie (Oliver) sliding along the ground like a 5-year-old on the slippery surface. He was attempting to make a try during a warm-up game of Touch Rugby. Gawny, being a Kiwi, seemed to be enjoying it most and clearly there was a sense of happiness across the group which comes from winning and also having a cooler morning to train. Most of the fringe players and Angus, Harry, Dunny, Viv and Terlich and Oscar did not train, which was doubtless because they were busy training at Casey preparing for this weekend's VFL practice match. The younger ones - Weeds, Kingsx2, Hulet, Billy and ANB all would have been down at Casey as well I'm sure. The one surprise (to some of you) was that Hunt was with the main group at Gosch's - shows how they rate him and probably highlights that he has now had three practice games (starred in VFL apparently on weekend), so does not need another match. All those who played against the Saints trained at Gosch's, with the exception of Oscar - who if you recall did not play NAB 2. Dawes did plenty of running as did Newton, Jetta and VB - the latter of whom did plenty of kicking/breaking drills with Crossy. VB looks fit to me, although I didn't see him kicking with the left foot - can't remember which ankle he aggravated though but I imagine it was his left. I just felt for poor old Crossy - has was getting hammered, pushed and shoved by VB. VB looks like he could play this weekend, but I can only assume that because he has played 1 and a half games already, they felt there was no need to rush him. Trenners and CP5 were also with the main group - so no VFL for them this weekend as Misson has stated. Salem marked the ball only with his left hand and sat out a few things - so clearly they are being careful, but not too careful with him. Once they got into things, it was ruckwork for Gawn, Pedo and Frost as they jumped into bags. The rest practiced moving the ball quickly against the green shirts who generally numbered about half of what they were up against. Goodwin could clearly be heard calling out to move the ball on quickly on numerous occasions. It seems to me we have an English soccer set up - Goody is coach and Roosy is manager. It begs the question that next year's key appointment will be who is Goody's younger understudy - I'm tipping Nathan Van Berlo. The only other thing worth commenting on is that Hoges was sporting long white socks - not quite the same as doing a Fabulous Phil with white boots, but not far off. He was typical Hoges - quite a character who is starting to remind me more of Jack Riewoldt. I didn't stay till the end so I can't comment on how many goals he slotted or whether he was doing his Kennedy stutter impersonation.

Kinda getting getting sick of this garbage that's being trotted out about the attacking plan being all Goodies doing, and only due to him being in the box. It as if the senior coach has completely left the building.... No the plan from the minute Roos entered that it was all about turning lover the list, shoring up the defence then the coming phase is starting the attack build. It is going to plan. That we appear to have some competence to follow Roos is brilliant, but all part of the plan. The coaching over Summer and the praccy matches is a group effort and for numpties like King to trot out this crap, just looks like cheap shots at Roos for the sake of it

This is a genuinely awful idea from Richmond, Bingle, the AFL, the MCG and anyone else involved. The "match-day experience" is one of the biggest things going wrong with the sport at the moment.

It was The Sun newspaper which, under the front-page headline "The Truth", made the explosive - but entirely false - claims that Liverpool supporters had urinated on Police and pick-pocketed the dead as the tragedy unfolded. More than 25 years on, Merseysiders still refuse to buy that paper. The boycott was immortalised in this song by Billy Bragg, Scousers Never Buy The Sun.

2nd Q: Oscar with a couple of nice early touches in defence. Then a mark in a 2v2 situation 60out from our attacking 50. Looking composed & comfortable - for now. H amongst it half way thru this second term. Finding himself deep & amongst packs... Handling himself OK. Tad rusty but that's a bit expected coming off those ankles. Mitch White with the ball unmarked with an eternity of time & grass to pick & choose where to go next. ..... ..... Eventually to be caught holding the ball. Should never have happened. Not a good look. Gus again with another signature clearance just outside our attacking 50. & when I mean signature I mean this natural gather, 'Baulk' (Cheers Pineapple Dee) & step (this time to the right) on the boot to a leaping Weideman!!! Ump reckons in the back - BS!. Great passage. Dunn doing his thing down back. Looks fine. Can just tell he's looking ahead to this time next week. Heavy gale towards Port's end has them controlling the second part of the term. They sneak ahead. Halftime 4.4.28 - Caesy 5.4.34 - Port Phone dies.

If Gus can Bork and baulk as well, how good is he going to be ?????

It is so Melbourne! Every major icon of this city features: Trams, Fed Sq, Flinders St Station, Alleys, City skyline, MCG. All strongly, fronted by a Red and Blue jumper!! We want to identify with Melbourne the City. This ad does it! Thumbs up from me!

Your posts have such an objectionable (and excitable) tone, nonetheless... As others have mentioned, James Hird was dogged by the same injury and missed plenty of football, but here's some more detail from a 1999 article: - In 1999 he missed 20 weeks because of a recurring stress fracture in his right foot - since Hird's fabulous 1996 season _ which culminated in his third best-and-fairest award at Windy Hill and a Brownlow Medal _ injury has forced him to miss two entire seasons - Out of a possible 66 games, Hird has played in just 22 and none since shattering the navicular bone in his right foot in round two this season - Who can forget the vision of Hird fighting back tears after limping from the MCG to sit on the bench on the first Thursday in April this year (1999). It may have been April Fool's Day but it was no joke that Hird had broken down with a recurrence of a foot stress fracture - In his 110th game, the 26-year-old was as shattered as the small bone in the instep of his right foot as he watched his team-mates power over the top of the Kangaroos in the round- two clash - Hird has had his share of injuries since his debut, but the stress fractures, caused by a heavy work load, have proved disastrous - in round 10 1997 he received a stress fracture in his right foot that prematurely ended his season - further scans in February 1999 showed the fracture had continued to widen. The bone eventually shattered early in the April 1 night match against the Kangaroos at the MCG - New and radical surgery was performed, this time involving metal screws to hold the bone together, a bone graft and the use of a synthetic protein to speed up healing. Melbourne orthopaedic surgeon Julian Feller injected Osteogenic Protein-1 into the navicular bone to promote regeneration and growth of skeletal tissue Summing up - from 1997 through to the 1999 season Hird had recurring issues with the navicular bone in his right foot. Sound familiar (except for the foot) ? Finally clear of pain and injury Hird resumed round 1 in 2000. He went on to captain a premiership, play another 143 games, kick 156 goals, make 3 All Australian teams, 3 Anzac Medals, and 2 more Best & Fairests. Unlike (some) others, I'm convinced Trengove looked like he was running in quicksand due to his then undiagnosed foot, but someone like Weber could perhaps shed more light on the likelihood of that. Trengove may not fulfill his once undoubted potential, but Hird shows that it's entirely possible. Trengove will embark on his comeback at a younger age than Hird. http://www.examiner.com.au/story/643652/hird-the-news-about-james/ Btw, I don't expect any of this information to resonate with you, as I'm aware of how you roll. I've done it more for others who may be interested.

This goal beautifully illustrates the need for both a terrific defense and offence and i expect is the template for the next phase for the dees. I have no doubt the players will have been showed it a few times to reinforce the rewards for getting the defense and offence balance right (features a nice attacking kick from Tmac too. Worth noting the goal would not have been scored if he wasn't prepared to take the risk with that kick. The much maligned Grimes is also involved with a nice kick to a target): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vqYHbZIvBE

I'm living and working in Beijing at the moment and here bags are scanned when you enter the subway and water bottles are tested to make sure you're not carrying volatile liquids. Occasionally you will be physically frisked as you enter. Around some areas in central Beijing there are often machine-gun toting soldiers so a fence at the G is not too much to complain about. Can't wait for next weekend. I've got my AFL Global Pass so I can watch every game live. I've also found a bar called Paddy O'Shea's that serves great beers and sensational French fries and screens AFL on the big screen. Won't be the same as being at the G but it will have to do. Go DEES!

My comment was based on that not only will Lynden play (he is the glue to our backline in my opinion) but that Oscar is still a good 12 months away from being AFL standard.

A man walks into a bar. He sees a beautiful, well-dressed woman sitting on a barstool alone. He sits down next to her and says, "Hi there, how's it going tonight?" She turns to him, looks him straight in the eyes and says, "I'll screw anybody, any time, any where, any place, it doesn't matter to me." The guy raises his eyebrows and says, "No kidding? What law firm do you work for?"

I went to one T/20 fixture and don't think I'll ever go again. They need the hoopla to disguise the emptiness of the contest.

There's already the finals series for that.

Cringeworthy and completely tacky. I hate the parading of animals in front of crowds, reminds me of a D-grade circus, quite fitting really.

Is this for real?

Eye of the Tiger? With a compilation of inspirational Maric footage on the big screen. Works for me.

You know what makes it worse? The whole reason for this is actually to tie in with their sponsor's advertising campaign. Bingle Ad Pathetic from RIchmond. Wonder if anyone will change their name to Whiskas for it too?

Though it was a thread about Sidebottom re-signing......

I like it. Very different take from what other clubs are doing. Very Melbourne city.

Great headline to a story in today's Australian Dank will need a cash injection.

The jacks??

No mention of Liam Jurrah was a surprise. I feel a bit for Flanagan because he had so much belief in Melbourne and the people there around five or six years ago which just turned to mush. A good read, the line about Neeld made me laugh.

Nah Adam, playing in Darwin is a disadvantage just to us, not the other team that has to play there as well.... Come on mate, use your Demonland logic!

I'm saying if we're a serious football club it shouldn't matter where we play. It's not like we're playing an NT side, with a vicious away crowd that knows the ground so much better...

Think Harmes showed us enough last year to suggest that he could turn out to be one hell of a player.

They've lost the plot. Next thing you know, they'll be suggesting Bunt Road as a boutique stadium.

Love it ?? We finally stand for something, AFL supporter have forgotten that this is our city. We my not have the biggest supporter base but we represent this great city. We are Melbourne!!

Not saying they aren't or don't. Just noticed it as a point of difference from other teams' marketing.

I just want the Hawks to completely capitulate

Nah.

The city of Melbourne doesn't need three stadiums to host four games of football per weekend. The AFL just needs to sort out a more equitable distribution of income to ensure that the poorer clubs can compete.

Let's hope it happens in Jonesey's playing career. Would be a great way to go out.