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We have all sat back and appreciated the season that Max Gawn has produced, but how about this for a stat: The top 5 ruck/rover combinations in the comp this season 50 - Gawn/Jones 49 - Gawn/Viney 47 - Gawn/Tyson 42 - Naitanui/Priddis 42 - Hickey/Armitage

Thread needs more Billy Love!! How was the roar when Billy dashed through the middle inside 50 and nailed the goal. Future 200 game player is our little Billy!

You won't get to. Enjoy the permanent ban. To be clear on opposition supporter policy: welcome with open arms, if here for civilized discussion. If you try to 'infiltrate' by stealth and deception, expect to be shown the door. A Melbourne fan who posts in every Essendon related thread, but not one post on the weekend's results. Seems legit.

#Gawnfacts Marked a ball that was kicked from the ball up he was contesting.

Am I the only one who just felt a big fat wave of indifference when reading this? I feel like I should care and I should be outraged after we were turned down whenever that was, but I just don't. If they haven't got the system to nurture and develop - and they clearly don't at present - one extra pick isn't going to make a lick of difference. It probably wouldn't have for us, either. Their club is a long, long way from being any sort of threat to anyone. I'm just glad this is all someone else's problem now.

I hope PJ is first in line to knock this one on the head, given Brisbane did that to us.

[censored] off idiot. This is a Melbourne supporters site. Mods, please ban the [censored] out of this pole smoker. Tired of his cheer leading for the convicted drug cheats here

This morning I read some of the previous 6 pages. I simply cannot understand some of the posters on here. Some of you take yourselves and life way to seriously. Some of you clearly spend too much time on your computers and need to get out and enjoy your lives. Over the years I have presented Demonland with numerous scoops. Roos after round 3 2014, Mitch Clark playing on but leaving Dees (I think I broke this to the press) etc. Each one has been met with skepticism by many. I have given inside on some of the MFC trade targets, some have happened some have not. The sources have been various people in the club and player agents (I am close friends with 3). Demonlander’s are free to believe what I write, believe it is BS or believe I simply play the odds or link the dots (sometimes I do link the dots and then look to confirm). What you believe I don’t care, either believe it or dismiss it, but the social media movement of randoms heavily, aggressively criticising other randoms for posting info on a rumor blog is extraordinary and a poor reflection on the aggressor. Seriously! Now back to Jesse Hogan. I once again confirm my previous statement; he has informed the club he wants to play-on as a Dee. Contract negotiations have begun (or will shortly begin). He will sign a new contract with the Dees. If my info is wrong I will leave Demonland forever. I am sure that in the coming weeks the Club will inform the media of this development. So you keyboard haters, be my guest, waste your time cross examining every word, knock yourselves out with another 6 pages of dribble, its entertaining to me.

Brilliant if true. Eat a bucket of doodles essenscum.

Watson and Lloyd are deluded if that's what they reckon they'll get. As if they're going to get Rance or McDonald, or any player of that ilk. Clubs want Hurley to add to their existing defences. If they had to give up their existing best KPD in order to get him, it doesn't become a significant bolstering, it becomes a minor upgrade. We, nor Richmond, nor anyone else, would be interest in cushioning Essendon's blow of Hurley leaving.

They'd feel like Hogan was our premier forward. If that came as a surprise to either of them, I'd be raising serious questions over their IQ. Both players would know their place. As DA said: Pedersen has been a spare parts man all his career, he should be well used to this situation by now. It would still sure beat working for a living; if he can keep delivering when required, he puts off having to actually go and do that for a bit longer.

I noticed that also. The teams that have done well against Hawks are those that run, denying them the ability to set up their defensive structures. That was also our game plan and our team delivered on the 'get ball and run and run' tactic perfectly. Clarkson said in his press conf that our rebound goals (from deep in their fwd line) was at 50% - he had never heard of anything that good! The Hawks expected us to play 'crowd the contest' at stoppages (our usual game) where they stand off then tackle the player who gets the clearance spilling the ball out or getting a free. Instead we opened up space at ball ups for Max and whoever was at his feet (usually Viney) who got the ball and stepped into the 'uncrowded' space (Hawks found flat footed) and our player got the ball to another player running past. The overlap continues and bingo we are off to the racesl! The Hawks didn't wake up to what was happening, thinking they could pull a rabbit out of the hat, again! In his press conf. Roos said we focused on getting the ball to within 20-30 mtrs of goal where we can dominate. When it goes to the 40-50 mtr area the Hawks dominate. It worked. We have also modified our so called 'Diamond Defence' denying Hawks the easy goals (I think they had 2). My conclusion: Clarkson was comprehensively out coached!! This season's attacking game plan has not changed but has been significantly refined as our players have become educated enough (Roos favourite word for our young team) to play different game plans for different opponents. We have come a long way.

Can't stand that [censored]. When the hibberd news came out that he wanted to leave Watson said he wasn't even sure hibberd was in their best 22 but then went on to say he was worth a first rounder a few sentences later

I've never seen more threads derailed by one bloke on any forum before. Every single time. Anyway... Harmes did way more good against the Hawks than bad. Yeah he butchers disposals but he does a lot of good and plays the way we are heading. Not an issue for me. Pedo is a career spare parts man. I think he knows his place, had a good game but makes way for a fit Hogan. I agree with Wunders, from Jones' presser it really sounds like Weed and Hogan will be the combination we'll go with if both are fit. However, Weed had strapping on his thigh in the 2nd half, so that might be an issue. If Weed and Hogan are fit, Pedo out. I'm one that would find it hard to ever drop Garlett, his next game could always be a 4 goal game regardless of form.

Here's one: If we win one of the last 3 games for the year, we will finish the season having not lost 3 consecutive games at any point. We haven't done that since 1998, believe it or not.

I hope they lose a couple of players over what the club did, if he's going to the Dogs i hope he walks to them for no cost, if thahat happens essendon fans will then be cliaiming he walked for money, not anything the club did, the deluded lot need a reality check

Hang on... are we still pretending that 'Braysure' is a Melbourne supporter?? The most obviously transparent Essendon fanboy on the interwebs.

It's been 3 days since the win and I still can't wipe the smile off my face. Watched the replay twice and our highlight package 5 times and I'm still not sick of either.

40 goals was the target or he's a failure this season. Go Jack, 3 to get or Pro will be crowing all preseason! That bit of play on the weekend when he gathered the bouncing ball, dodged Lewis and sent a 50 metre pass to Tyson which never got more than 15 feet off the ground was sensational. Congrats Jack, not only a ripping bloke who has backed the club to the hilt but now a ripping footballer. Sorry Pro, I had to think of a reason to again highlight what a great year he is having.

First thing I thought after watching that: how good would it be as a forward with delivery from Watts? Lead to the right spot and you just know he'll hit you. What a bloody gun he has turned in to.

Stop pretending you know what Hurley's plans are, only those closest to him would know. Hibberd staying is purely in Eseendons hands???...lol...you know jack

IMO the AFL wrongly rejected our claim, near a decade without finals (which has now passed) we were the perfect case. Now Brissy are in the same position no sence making the wrong choice again, give them a pick and hopefully they can actually keep the kid they pick up. Sick of seeing the same teams down the bottom, it's time for a change, its too easy to stay up near the top. Repeated failures such as ourselves and now brissy should be helped.

If they get the pick ahead of Essendrug, then it is a good thing. But like us, 1 player doesn't make the difference, it is a long process of astute selection, development and off field improvement that gets you there.

I heard this too, and I think it's worth clarifying. The caller said he had "intel" from inside the club and that, among other things, they were going to make an approach to Jesse Hogan. He didn't say that talks had already taken place. This was in the context of KB & Patrick Smith saying that the situation at Collingwood had been overshadowed by the Brisbane & Richmond goings-on, and that now that Hardwick seems safe and Leppa is gone, the blowtorch will now go on to Buckley at Collingwood. This prompted a few outraged calls from fans defending Buckley. This called who said he had 'intel' was more trying to placate the irate fans by saying that issues were being faced internally. His first point was how much the drugs thing had disrupted the entire club for many weeks early in the season, and that they were discussions about getting the players to sign statements that they would not use recreational drugs in the off-season. I thought the mention of Hogan was to give the impression that the club was aware of their on-field weaknesses and were seeking to remedy them, even if it meant going for a big target like Hogan. It was a sort of "magic pill" delusion of "if we had someone like Jesse Hogan, we'd be a lot better and Bucks would be safe and everything would turn out fine" that would paper over all their other problems. In fact, PS, who had been very critical of Bucks's record and had had a heated argument with an earlier caller, did back off and say that setting their sights on someone like Hogan was the right thing to do, although he also said he had no idea why someone like Hogan would want to go anywhere near Collingwood just when Melbourne were looking so good. He definitely did not say that talks had already taken place.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2016-08-08/rd-20-all-the-goals Enjoy

What surprises me most about the situation is Essendon fans passionately sticking behind the people who were responsible for cheating, if it was my club who did it, i would be demanding resignations from the top down no matter who they were. #We Stand By Hird,...makes me cringe..pack of wankers

Just watched a replay and this is what stood out to me: Dom Tyson does a huge amount of work that goes unnoticed. Rioli is a protected species - so much so it was sickening The Weeds hands are exceptional - can't possibly be dropped next week, he's obviously got a good football brain How Bernie could have his nose broken and not get a free is a joke Stretch has elite disposal. i almost get as much pleasure watching Watts as I did Robbie Flower Kent is really important to the structure of our forward line. The 50 metre penalty rules need to be changed

Just a little something I picked up on how much the win meant to them. When Gawn is being interviewed they panned back to the Melbourne players walking slowly to the boundary - you could see the joy. Angus Brayshaw is talking with Harmes. The club song starts blaring again on the loudspeakers and you can see Harmes singing the club song !!!

the club has decided to fast track oscar's development by getting games into him because we have a desperate need for tall key position players, and, they obviously see potential in him in a perfect situation he'd probably have spent another year developing at casey so of course you'd expect basic errors/deficiencies in someone so young playing in a key position, but already you can see the strategy starting to pay dividends. a good preseason and plenty of weights and we can hopefully see the fruits of accelerated development in 2017

Brilliant season, best yet to come I feel. But on a side note, most of that foxsports article is based round a misquote. He never actually said he wanted to be the best ruckman in the league, he was refering to being the number 1 ruckman at Melbourne. He tried a few times to correct it early on but now it's come true he just ignores it and carries on. Which is hilarious on so many fronts

And how do you intend to do that, given it's an online forum genius? Or were you speaking metaphorically?

From an article in the Sun today... His 807 hitouts for the season is a clear No.1 — 123 more than North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein. But his contested marking ability deserves as much recognition as his tap work. Gawn’s 37 contested marks is the most by a ruckman, and his eight against Hawthorn was the second most by a player this season.

He's the best ruckman in the AFL according to anyone with half a brain I would have thought.

Max also leads all ruckmen in the league for contested marks with 37.

True, but I can't generate any sympathy for Essendon, Fremantle and Carlton. In fact quite the reverse. The AFL are the masters of the ends justifying the means. They see there's a problem with Essendon receiving pick 1, but actually taking it away is too hard for them so if the give Brisbane pick 1 as a priority then they come out with a duct-tape solution. Lock it in.

If they get one this year, at least we traded away our first round pick!

He has 4 attributes that are in demand, pace, disposal skill, work ethic and a footy brain.

Agree on all of that. Re: Garlett, I thought he was good anyway. Looked to be playing further up the ground than normal in a similar role to Kent, which explains his lack of scoring. He is credited with 4 inside 50s (equal most with Kent and, surprisingly, Frost), which supports it the idea that he played a lot of the game outside the 50. He is also responsible for the kick that went down Kent's throat in the goal square, resulting in a goal, and the kick that led to the first Tyson goal which won us the game. Nothing wrong with his form at all IMO.

He will walk for next to nothing anyway. If Essendon won't let him go (against his wishes), then he can simply threaten legal action. I doubt they would have a leg to stand on. The fact that worksafe fined Essendon for providing an unsafe environment, won't help them. I don't think they could keep any of their players against their wishes. Players hold the cards here.

What Watson said was he doesn't think the players will leave unless a trade deal can be reached purple monkey dishwasher.

Please stop.

Fair to say the structure was far better against Hawthorn. We didn't have every player sucked into the contest and the forwards had far more room to work in. Oliver's creative handpasses in close helped a lot too. It was like watching a completely different team out there, I'm still excited about the win.

Yep, his 2nd last and arguably most courageous mark of the day where he ran back with the flight and took it on the chest hitting the pack. Kick came directly from the ball up. Think he lost the hit out, it was only right that he made amends. I love him too.

Is he knocking the club you support again?

This win is the one that we all Craved so much, edging out the win against the Cats last year down there when Max came of age, he is such a dynamic force. I don't know what the fitness team did this week but the whole team were running on top of the grass for a full four quarters and finished all over the Top Team!!! watching Oliver on the wing surrounded by hawks pick the ball up one handed and hand ball to a team mate was inspirational are his hands really that big? What a Game to debut in and kick two goals to boot, I loved every minute of that game and have re-watched it again today, it was epic and now they all know what they are capable off, led by Captain Courageous and Max the Gigantor, every player did their bit for the team. It was our best Team Win that I can remember and we all got the chance to be there and Share in the spoils, singing madly, clapping feverishly and Booing those dumb one eyed clowns umpiring the game - Even they could not rain on our Big Day Out at the G. GO You Mighty DEE's!!!

You form an opinion, you put it out there and if it turns out you want to change that opinion you just say so, don't try to cover it up, it's only a footy forum for Chtist's sake. We all change our opinion from time to time just cop it sweet and move on. You've crucufied this kid from day dot, he's 19, give him and us a break, we know what you think of him so there's no need to keep posting it all the time. Go to the Clarry Choo Choo thread and dine out on that for a while.

And to be honest if GNF were to leave DL it wouldn't be as much fun. I find it hilarious the response of some here to his posts. I mean who cares if he is wrong or right. Loved his use of the word confirmed in both recent posts, which was no doubt deliberately used to fan the flames of those inclined to go into a frenzy. Well played sir. Saty who also likes to fan some flames could do worse than taking some pointers on how to be more subtle in his efforts to fire up other posters (í talk to the players, you don't, they trust me blah blah). Anyway as i have noted before i won $100 on the Roos tip so that is $100 more value than any other poster has provided me.

This guy. Seriously...