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The team Roos took over wasn't much better than the 1 win 49% Fitzroy team of 1996. The Dees in 2013 were 2 wins and 54% (including a win over a fledgling GWS). Roos took on a 2013 Melbourne team coming off 11 defeats of over 10 goals, including 6 losses of over 90 points. Half of their season games were 10 goal plus hidings and over a quarter were 90 plus. Two of the losses were 148 points and 128 points. To put that into perspective, this year Essendon and Brisbane (presently) have had just 2 losses of over 90 points. Roos took over a worse list than the 2016 version of both Essendon and Brisbane. Brisbane are considered an utter rabble with 2 wins and 60%, but at the corresponding period we'd kicked 221 points less in 2013. That he's been able to strip back the list and have the least experienced side in the competition last weekend (66 games to Brisbane's 67) beat the all conquering premiers, who'd delivered another 105 point thumping last year is testament to the incredible improvement and transformation of the list and club. He knew he'd first have to teach the players how to compete at AFL level, then win and finally win consistently. He took over a team that had won 20 quarters for the year and this year they'll be more than double. We're currently within 2 quarters of the Dogs and 5 of Hawthorn. We've won 5 more than St.Kilda. Peter Jackson has been a Godsend too, but it's the coach who sets the tone of a football club. He's brought in Goodwin and allowed him to have control in the areas he's good at, such as player relationships and game style. Roos has created an environment where Goodwin and others can thrive. He's been a culture changer. And he's been worth every cent.

Fair effort for a player playing in South Australia.

Seems we are all missing the big point here. He wants to go to WA. Freo will get McCartney, Lobb - guess who they no longer will go after....

Good article on Viney on the ESPN website, http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/17269727/melbourne-football-club-jack-viney-ultimate-afl-athlete I remember just before we drafted him (in the bruise-free era), he was referred to as a 'culture changer'. He is certainly living up to that reputation.

This bothers me, because it's just not true. Vlad made the call to Peter Jackson. That's it. That's all the "special assisstance" they gave us. The former Board — our former Board — employed Peter Jackson; not the AFL. Peter Jackson recruited, and Melbourne Football Club employed, Paul Roos; not the AFL. Our Free Agency Compensation has been exactly the same as for every other Club that has received it (we got the same Compensation for Frawley as Hawthorn got for Franklin: a 1st round pick). We were given a small donation and a moderate loan so that we could afford to cover certain non-deferrable costs, such as paying out Neeld. Any other Club in vaguely similar circumstances could reasonably have expected the level of financial relief we received.* I hate hearing/reading "The AFL bailed out the MFC!". It robs the people who did save our Club of the credit they deserve. * The AFL's Financial Statement for that year indicated that a number of Clubs were given more overall assistance than we were (I can only remember Carlton, because it surprised me).

Supporters are always quick to make up their minds about players who have been on lists for years but have had limited exposure at AFL level and haven't shown a great deal. I'm certainly guilty of that. However, GWS as a club are an outlier. The obvious reason being that they possess so much more talent on their list than any opposition club within the AFL. In fact it's a joke how much talent they have. There's a reason their seconds side win by close to 100 points a week every week. The club is a gold mine of talent and we'd be mad not trade for players who would complement our group. Will-Hoskin Elliott is exactly the 'type' of player we need to inject into our midfield mix. We're a really heavily contested midfield group, we're certainly not quick and it's clear to me that we're now at the stage of our list building where we can introduce these specialty type of players and give them really defined roles. The contested part of our game is sorted. Good thread and good post, I'm all for having a dip at him.

Explode his opinions lol

Saw the thread title and instantly cringed.

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!

He gives us all hope that one day we could play AFL.

Judd sounds like a massive c*ckhead, to be fair. Not sure anyone at the club has been crowing about incremental improvement or the "success" of missing finals. It's all relative; it's not as if we've finished 12th and are celebrating about challenging for 10th. We've been spanked by the better teams and implementing damage control, but we've advanced to competing and now sometimes overcoming the bullies of the league. Anyone with any sense can see where we have improved and the future success available to us if we continue to work hard and do things the right way. I'd also question what he actually knows about building a winning culture and sustained success himself, considering he was brought to WestCoast when they were set up ready to go, and did sweet FA at Carlton, other than being a great player who practically won a brownlow by default when all the better players fell away with injuries.

My mate, whose surname is Hunt, has the nickname 'Yorick'.

Not sure if this one slipped through to the keeper. Max was on TFS recently and based on this reception, there will be many more appearances to come. Fantastic to have a player with his personality and escalating profile at the club.

Tom Boyd uses the same flat hand marking technique that Dawes does.

Docklands is a joke. 50 cm from boundary playing surface is essentially slippery tarmac. Then it's a metre to fence. Someone will do a knee or break a leg. I'm shocked the AFLPA allow it - but maybe they are too busy ensuring the best players from the bottom 8 teams can walk to a top 4 team for essentially nothing.

Go us. I've tipped us in what will prove make or break in my tipping comp. no pressure, Dees, already nervous as hell!

I really think Jack doesn't get talked up as much as he deserved, i personally think he's every bit as good as the Bont, Cripps or any young mid in the comp,

once again, terrible hair. It's a no from me .

Mate, KPPs generally take years to develop into quality players. Compare what Jesse is doing now with what Gawn and Watts were doing at the same stage in their careers. Will be a genuine star of the comp, and that's why no dees fan should be happy to see him leave. Hopefully he's staying

Lobbe back in a bit of a worry? Or will he get eaten by TreeBeard?

All this talk about young Jaydeny Hunty reminds me of an old story about old Goughy Whitlam in parliament. Some MP was speaking and kept saying "I am a Country member! I am a Country member!" Whitlam sang out "We remember!"

Try to remember the last time we won 3 games in a row....

Probably get stabbed because I'll be at the game, first ever time seeing Melbourne play interstate.

Prestia isn't coming guys. Wants $700k and we aint paying. Richmond and Gold Coast only ones willing to pay it. I, for one, look forward to watching Richmond further compromise their 16-22 by overpaying for a B+.

The club should push Max's cult status, he will ba a fan favourite with the kids and not just Melbourne supporters. Maybe they should think of handing out "Max Beards" that the kids can attach to their faces during the games. Great player, great guy and loves the club, what more could you ask for?

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!

Don't worry, it was on the nose anyway.

Is Dion committed to Prestia?

This kid I think came late to footy and is still growing into his 202cm frame. These guys do take time and they don't grow on trees. He would definitely get another year from me and I hope the club see it the same way. I will never forget those who wanted Hunt gone last year.

I'm sure you'll be fine mate. I managed to survive a punch-on in the middle of the Collingwood cheersquad after the QB draw in 2010 - you'll make it out of the Adelaide Oval alive I'm sure!

Fair dinkum, we're not talking about the Chelsea Head-Hunters circa 1984 here, it's the city of churches. Wear your scarf and beanie with pride if you've got any cojones! If we win, you'll regret it if you don't have your colours on!

I've got a hunch that it might be lower than that...

Just imagining Cloke the dinosaur clogging our forward line and totally ruining the chemistry between Hogan, Watts and the rest. Couldn't think of a worse recruit.

Donald Trump on the other hand... Now there's an orator. Sorry, getting orator and nutter mixed up. Kevin Sheedy?

To save us from 50 pages full of one-liners, go read it all here. It is brilliant. Branagh movie recommended. http://shakespeare.mit.edu/hamlet/full.html

Richmond never learns, do they? Pick 6 for a good player with a history of injuries. I smell another era of finishing ninth for Richmond!

Dealing with Collingwood is like the Indians dealing with the pilgrims. You give up your land for some pox infected blankets. And yes, I am comparing Cloke to a pox infected blanket........

That is superb!! "Travis Get off my lawn...."

I worry when he jumps for a big mark and lands on the leg with the bandage

This thread is trully an insult to Cam Pedersen the Ped will play on

What?

I'm pretty keen to see how this year finishes first...

Surely the Weeds corky isn't that bad and this is a managed way of dropping him for Hogan, whilst saving him from being "dropped", since he can't run out a full game at AFL level. Whilst we are an outside chance, we must play the best fittest side available until the 8 is no longer possible. Will be going to this one and look forward to seeing big Maxy dominate this game!!!

Random stats for the week - wasn't sure where to post this: We are 4th overall for average contested possessions (150) this year in the AFL - behind Sydney, Crows and GWS 3rd overall for clearances behind Sydney and GWS 5th overall for average tackles No 1 for average hit outs (Obvs) Great efforts by the coaches and players. What a turnaround its been since 2013

My wife is a school teacher and she tough a kid who wore his Melbourne jumper to every footy dress day at school with pride but in his life time he had never been to a game Melbourne had actually won. Paul Roos has changed that.

PJ's goal/expectation was to play a final under Roos. He declared this publicly and openly last year. We should've beaten North, Essendon and West Coast this year. That would have us on 11-7, and entrenched in the Top 8. Reality is, we didn't, and this has cost us a final this year. Roos nearly delivered on the promise of our CEO, and I think that's a bloody amazing effort considering what we were like in Roos' first season, just 3 years ago. All this while frequently fielding the youngest team in the entire competition, week after week. I am in no doubt that we will play final/s next year, and will be investing with Sportsbet on a regular basis until then. Roos, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have done to this team. My son has just turned 2, and I'm excited that as he goes through Primary School, all the other kids will be jealous of him when he wears his MFC jumper to class.