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You've prompted me to double check and 'show my workings'; Age 19 - Oliver, Weideman, Stretch Age 20 - O.Mac, Petracca, Harmes, Brayshaw Age 21 - Hunt, Hogan Age 22 - Viney, Kent, Frost Age 23 - Tyson, Bugg, T.Mac Age 24 - VandenBerg, Gawn Age 25 or more - Watts (25), Jetta (26), Garlett (27), Jones (28), Vince (30) Total = 498 ... /22 = 22.6 Yes, there was an error. Actual average is 22.6. Median is still 22. But, to cheer us all up, while I was looking at stats I came across the funny little stats details Jack Viney holds the Melbourne record for both most tackles in a game and most contested possessions in a game. He is also on target for the highest tally of contested possessions in a season by a Melbourne player, needing just 50 more in the remaining four games, and possibly the highest season tally of tackles, needing 25 more to pass James McDonald's 143. Max Gawn already has the top four Melbourne records for hitouts in a game, and more than half the top-20. He is also already well clear in first for most hitouts in a season by a Demon. Dean Kent is on target to break the Demon's record for goal assists in a season, on 16, needing to pass 19. Of course, that will fall anyway as soon as Brayshaw gets a full season. Tom McDonald's last three seasons are also all three of the top seasons for 1%ers by a Demon player. Bernie Vince is now just one short of the Demon's club record for clangers in a season. Set by the great man himself, Tom Scully. Lynden Dunn needs just 5 more games to reach the top-20 for games played without playing in a final, from any club. Maybe that's why he hasn't been getting selected? This is what happens to me every year once we are out of finals contention.

Doesn't feel like he's been around long enough, does it? Really enjoyed his journey so far. Damaging when in form; backs his pace, kicks goals and generally uses it well. Hopefully the next 50 sees an increase in consistency; this has already improved notably throughout the year this year. Onya Dean!

Don't forget Billy Stretch - he often gets left out of these conversations and is showing as much as anyone.

Move Gorg's missus in for 6 months.

Heaven help anyone who has something interesting to share...

What a great ad.

A few stats on the game. MFC HFC Diff Average Age 22.6 26.5 -3.8 Average Games 56.6 137.0 -80.4 Back Line Ave Age 21.8 28.7 -6.8 Ave Games 46.2 190.5 -144.3 Fol (includes wing) Ave Age 24.5 28.3 -3.8 Ave Games 101.8 184.0 -82.2 Fwd Ave Age 22.2 24.8 -2.7 Ave Games 62.2 104.8 -42.7 Int Ave Age 21.8 22.8 -1.0 Ave Games 38.5 34.3 4.3 Melbourne Games Backline Fol Fwd Int total 0-50 4 1 4 3 12 51-100 2 3 0 1 6 101-150 0 0 2 0 2 151-200 0 1 0 0 1 200+ 0 1 0 0 1 22 HFC Games Backline Fol Fwd Int total 0-50 0 1 2 3 6 51-100 1 1 0 1 3 101-150 1 1 3 0 5 151-200 1 0 1 0 2 200+ 3 3 0 0 6 22 MFC Back HFC Fwd Diff Age 21.8 24.8 -3.0 Games 46.2 104.8 -58.7 MFC Fwd HFC Back Age 22.2 28.7 -6.5 Games 62.2 190.5 -128.3 This has to be the youngest side we have put on the field in a long time and the comparison with the Hawks doesn't make pretty reading. I have a gut feeling something special is on the cards but wont be at all surprised if we lose this by our biggest margin of the year.

Tell my wife her services are not needed for the next 6 months.

It happens everytime GNF posts, it's alway the same posters having to tell us for the 1000th time they think he's full of it and then go on to explain to us in post after boring post why

The 'signing in six months' isn't the revelation in GNF's post. People are repeating that timeframe as a means of discrediting his source and information. The fact that Jesse has officially told the club that he wants to sign on again is the new information that GNF has contributed to the discussion. To my knowledge, no media outlet has stated that Jesse has definitely informed the club that he wants an extension. This therefore is new and interesting formation.

Definitely this is helping too. I think there's been a slight structural shift too, though, because earlier in the year we were pushing up much higher, with much less protection, and getting completely smoked on the rebound. Tom McDonald is the perfect player to play the sweeper role and the fact he has a couple of very quick players to get to the contests up the ground can only help. I actually really like the way the backline is coming together and the injection of one or two older heads next year (be that Melksham, Hibberd, Vince going down there full time etc) will only help.

The beauty about Kent is that he was drafted on the back of winning the under 18 league colts medal being a full time midfielder. His career so far has been played on a half forward flank and we have seen the glimpse of explosive pace and X factor. I hope Kent really sets himself up for a massive pre season and continues to build his tank because a fit and firing Dean Kent playing midfield could be the missing dynamic and X factor our midfield needs.

The next 50 are the make or breaks for Dean...he's heading in the right direction now but needs to keep on the improve. Can be lazy, inconsistent, kicking is hit or miss, very one sided and loses focus. Love the mongrel in him and has some raw talent. Look forward to see how he develops.

As Roos is into his last month I thought it may be worth recognising his contribution in a separate thread. If mods feel thread should be merged elsewhere, no prob. First contribution from our likely future captain, Jack Viney: “I think his greatest legacy at the football club will be the culture. Hopefully down the track when we are being successful, it will be Roosy that set the foundation for that...I will miss him a great deal. He has been terrific for our football club, coming in when the club wasn’t going so well and really setting some strong foundations.” http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/paul-roos-to-test-demons-young-talent-against-hawthorn/news-story/718fb452b3441a1c22724475d8151bdd I recall Jack saying in an interview recently saying that 'Roosy is the 'boss dog' said with the earnestness that left no doubt as to who is in charge and in a tone that had awe, respect and adoration. From Jack Watts recently: 'Roosy’s probably saved my career, to be honest...It’s his person skills and the way he actually invests in his players outside of football'. Methinks that along with the undoubted respect in which Roos is held there is also much love from the players. People may find fault with some Roos' decision, rate of improvement etc but he never lost sight of the end game: setting up our club for a successful future. I believe he has delivered that in spades. He (and PJ et al) has made MFC relevant again. I will be eternally grateful for restoring pride in my club again. Following on from Jack's words above when we are being successful, it will be Roosy that set the foundation for that, my dream vision is Barassi and Roos presenting the Premiership Cup to Jones and or Viney!

Hey guys, We’re just dropping a quick note to let you know that a small group of passionate Melbourne members have started an LGBTQI inclusive support group (similar to the Pink Magpies and Purple Bombers groups) called The Ruby Demons. If you know of anyone that might like to join, please feel free to direct them to our social pages. We’ve been told by the club that they are looking forward to helping us out. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRubyDemons/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRubyDemons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therubydemons/ We will be representing the club at next week’s Pride match and have some tickets to give away to the game if anyone else would like to come along with us. Cheers!

I'm relaxed about the game because I don't expect to win but I'm just excited to see so many young players play together. If Salem was playing that would be perfect.

Emma was the only person from the press to tip Melbourne to beat Hawthorn (by 10 points)! I always liked the girl!

Because there's serious doubts over the 'insiderness' of it. Probably time we moved on though.

... not be surprised. Dees by 10 goals.

Wow, I suppose it's no surprise that the umps love big Cox!

Congratulations Sam - hope its a memorable game for all the right reasons. My husband is extremely dirty he is in the red and blue. Thinks he has black and white pumping through his veins.

First time Brayshaw, Petracca and Oliver are playing together.The sun, moon and earth are aligning.

Agree Bloody fantastic ad. One of the best I've seen

wear my underpants on the inside

An Emma Q article on Brayshaw and Petracca playing together http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/together-at-last-christian-petracca-and-angus-brayshaw-20160805-gqlu7z.html They will be a formidable duo! Glad they are in our side!

They have got a winner in Sicily. He's going to be an exceptionally good player. Amazing to think that Fantasia, Sicily and Hunt were picks 55, 56 & 57 in the 2013 draft. You'd be forgiven for thinking they were picks 15,16 & 17.

None of the quotes from Hogan in that article definitively indicate he wants to stay at Melbourne. Poetic license from the journo and the subbie.

I have been paying particular attention to Frawley now that he is at Hawthorn. Last season he was wobbly until he shook off the bad habits he had whilst he was here. This season he has made few errors and is now the cornerstone of their defence. The sum total is that we had lost our best key defender and experience we sorely lack because he just was not interested in playing for us. Losing TMac will be the same loss doubled up. Sure he makes errors but by appearances it has not stopped elite clubs from having an interest in him because they know his value. He will be very hard to replace.

7 pages of bashing a poster with basically no discussion around Jesse Hogan. Demonland at it's finest. GNF's post aside, i personally believe Jesse will re-sign before the start of Pre Season, he looks super committed to the club and it's direction and i reckon he'd be super excited about playing with his future partner in crime this weekend

Nonsense... as has already been mentioned in this "discussion", the news that Hogan would like to remain a Demon is NOT new information at all... it was in the press on July 21 and the only difference is that GNF is claiming that he got the info from the inner sanctum: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/melbournes-jesse-hogan-shuts-down-dockers-advances-20160720-gqaa8f.html

Kent and Hunt are good to have in the team when you need to vent in the crowd.

You don't want to know.

The way they glistened in the sunlight today made my scooter wobble all over the place

I'd choose... none.

I wouldnt take pick 18 for TMac he is a young KPD who hasnt even reached his prime and is already performing at an high level. He is perennially underrated on this forum, a late first round pick for him would be an unmitigated disaster. Regardless Essendon would laugh hysterically at you if you offered pick 18 and a swap of later picks for Hurley. Carlisle essentially went for pick 5 remember, I rate Hurley above him I suspect they will too.

Absolutely! An hour before the rookie draft had started he said we were going to pick Josh Wagner. Don't know who the hell he is but he has 100% strike rate. He is like Ghost that predicts the future! Give me this bloke any day over GNF.

Add Salem and that's truly exciting. Only three fringers in that lot and three of them are on the bench and I don't mean Gus.

It doesn't! I thought he was still the precocious 20-year-old, but he's 22 and a half already! 23 goals in his 17 games this year, a good lift on his (short) career average. Too late for him to get a right foot now, though, methinks!

"Fawning"? "Worshipping"?? Give me a break! Far too much sooking by the "what about me??!!" brigade on this page.

Quickly becoming one of my favourite players. Has a little 'X-factor' about him, and while there is still room for improvement, when he's on song his left foot and gut running are up there with the best at the club. As you say Nasher, let's hope he continue to improve over his next 50!

Oliver, Bugg and Weideman coming in makes us ridiculously young, especially with Dawes and M Jones coming out. Average age on the field - 21yrs 6 months. Median age is 22. From Watts up, there are only 5 players 25 years or older, which is even fewer than the Lions are fielding this week. I don't see it as in inherent sign of our 'future guaranteed' or anything, we've all been burnt by that faith already. What I do find interesting is that mature players are being genuinely passed over by kids who are ahead of them on performance. Again, the Brisbane contrast - basically every uninjured mature player they've got is on the field, and the injured ones would be straight out there if they were available.

My expectations for young Sam are relatively low. Six goals and 25 possies should get him a pass in my book. Anything under that and we have a massive dud on our hands.

The great thing about this is that we're on 8 wins with good percentage. When GCSuns and GWS were fielding teams this young and with such little experience they were right down the bottom of the table with just a couple of wins for the year. If this development continues and we're in for some exciting times in the coming seasons

Love the way this bloke goes about it. Has all the characteristics you've listed above Nasher, plus a reasonable slice of mongrel which I love!

I will be in attendance, so will provide updates when i can.

Likewise with GNF - he obviously isn't a troll and has sources in the Club. Happy to hear what he knows without him being pressured to verify everything. It's a forum not a scientific journal with the necessity of rigorous referencing. I hope he is not put off from posting anything else he knows.

…suspect that ISIS was somehow involved.