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Snippet of inside info (second hand): Players had an exceptionally tough camp recently at Anglesea. They had no more than about 2 hours sleep a night. Lewis ran through Tyson in one training drill. Tyson not rapt in the treatment. Scuffle. No apologies from Lewis. (I'm guessing this is the standard of the ruthless club he comes from and the type of culture he's brought). Salem concussed when something fell on his head during the camp. Don't know more, but assume he's ok.

A Hawks fan proclaims I Barrack for the Dees "But this year I’m gonna barrack for Melbourne in the inaugural AFL Women’s Football League. It wasn’t a hard decision at all. As soon as I knew the Hawks weren’t fielding a team it wasn’t even a matter of looking across the eight teams that will make up the 2017 competition. I had my team. And I picked it the way any kid would. Because my favourite player, Daisy Pearce, plays for Melbourne. "Daisy plays for the Darebin Falcons, and due to chance and coincidence I know a little bit about the Falcons. I haven’t seen Daisy play for the Dees (except for on telly) but I have watched her play numerous times for the Falcons. You only need to watch her once or twice to understand what a brilliant player she is. She makes the game look effortless. She reads the ball so well that while other players are exerting the extent of their energy and grunt and skill Daisy waits for the exact moment to make the exact connection to set up the exact play that will best benefit her team. I’ve seen her do this across the ground, in defence, setting up an attack and going for goal. She is sublime. The consummate athlete. The development of the game called Aussie Rules is indebted to many great players and Daisy is one of the greats."

Billy the Kid is starting to look like a man. Doesn't get the kudos of our higher profile kids but is quietly developing his game and body beautifully in a role we don't have much of.

Im excited to get a few extra kgs of Weed.

Brad Miller and Steven Armstrong are my number one - met them when I was 8 and they were 18 hadn't played a game but just loved them (very handsome men). Did a lot for me, called me on my under12's grand final as Steven and Brad asked to come but they played the night before and had recovery. Asked me to dance at the b&f. Things like that mean so much to a kid and even now I'm still very grateful. Next up, David Neitz! When I was 3 I had my first picture with him and took one every year until I hit 18 then we had a alcohol Bev together at one of the b&f and he couldn't believe how time flew! loved Lyon! Had a fight with his eldest son who pushed in front of me at a Melbourne clinic. Said girls should even play footy so I punched him in the face haha (was the demon in me) Nathan Jones - loves the club like I do and is loyal. Not skilful but passionate and that's what I love. farmer! I haven't really had any other favs

Let's hope that his good mate ANB can similarly "break-out" this year!

I only started following the footy around 2010 so my list is all quite recent. In no particular order Green Jamar Jurrah Davey Watts Gawn Wonaeamirri Vince Tyson Jones

This topic is raised each year, and fair enough to But i think 2017 will be different, in so much as i think the team as a whole will step up. i think a whole bunch of players will take the jump together. That is what the Cats did in 2007, yes i know they were further advanced than we are now, But for the club to take that Quantum leap (and that is what we have to do) multiple players will need to step up.

Hundred 100's. Bloody hell. I would break a foofa valve doing a Hundred 10's. (truth be told, probably even a hundred 1's)

1 Allen Jakovich - the most entertaining player I've ever seen bar none! Absolutely loved this guy was the reason I loved going to the footy 91-94 - was shattered when he left 2 Jeff Farmer - well, ditto above. He was every bit as entertaining as Jako and his 98 and 2000 seasons were just phenomenal 3 David Schwarz - absolutely shattered when he did his knees his 94 season was close to impeccable especially the r24-SF fortnight 4 Garry Lyon - my childhood hero, was THE Melbourne player during the Northey years 5 Stephen Tingay - from the moment he burst onto the scene as a teenager kicking the winning goal against the Roy's I loved this guy. Built and played like a machine unfortunately like all those above his body let him down 6 David Neitz - loved the way he bullied opposition defenders. From his early years at CHB to his club record games/goals he was a true MFC legend 7 Darren Bennett - i have an affinity for full forwards and this guy was the first one we had since I started watching footy in 1987. Could roost the ball a country mile and had a massive reach too. Went on to become a Hall of Famer with the San Diego Chargers in the NFL where he revolutionised the punt 8 Liam Jurrah - even a more short lived career than Jakovich but this guy was just miraculous. Could seemingly do anything on the field, unfortunately he joined the club at the wrong time and his personal issues were too much for him to overcome. One of the more incredible and subsequently sad stories the footy world has seen 9 Jim Stynes - his mate Garry Lyon often said he is THE best footy story and I tend to agree. Adventure, heartbreak, redemption and tragedy the guy was will power personified. His work on the field overtaken by his work off it with the Reach. Saved the club in it's darkest hour. 10 could throw a blanket over a bunch of others, Obst, Yze, Johnstone chief amongst them. Viney, Gawn and Hogan from the younger brigade. Unfortunately I'm too young for Robbie, I was 5 when he retired but I still have memories of r22 1987 and that classic finals campaign

That's not fair to our Robbie. Comparing two players from different eras on the basis of team results is neither fitting nor appropriate. Premierships should not be the measure - consider Kevin Murray, Bob Skilton and Bob Murphy who would vie for favourite player status at Fitzroy, South Melbourne and Footscray respectively. The criterion for this thread was favourite, not best or most successful or most dominant. Robbie was just as much a favourite in his time as RDB was in his time.

Yes , it's interesting that the post federation ANFC (1906-1995) which was absorbed into the AFL Commission was preceeded as early as 1883 by an intercolonial football conference . The self governing States/colonies were certainly having "national" aspirations .

B - Alan Johnson, Sean Wight, Greame Yeats HB - Brett Lovett, Anthony Ingerson, Adem Yze C - Stephen Tingay, Brian Wilson, Robert Flower HF- Gerard Healy, David Schwarz, Garry Lyon F - Allen Jakovich, David Neitz, Jeff Farmer R - Jim Stynes, Nathan Jones, Todd Viney, IN - Steven Stretch, Glenn Lovett, Brad Green, Jeff White

I fully admit that I for one certainly questioned the Weid's inclusion in the side ahead of Pederson late last season (the Carlton game in particular). Whist don't think I take that back, I do think it's good that the exposure of the Weid to senior AFL beyond the Hawthorn game should have a positive medium term impact on the Weid's development: More than anything, the experience of playing senior footy made him realise that he needs to continually refine his game and find different ways to be more involved in the play. The 195cm forward kicked two goals (one with his first kick in the AFL) against the Hawks but kicked just one in his final two games of the season. "I did quite a bit of work last year and into this pre-season on finding different ways I can get the ball and improve my leading patterns," Weideman said. "I did find myself struggling with the lack of space but I've been doing a truckload of work with [defensive coordinator] Jade Rawlings and [offensive coordinator] Troy Chaplin this year on not letting my defender get set on me." What a great attitude from a young player and hopefully it pays dividends this season and beyond.

Last Monday courtesy of 7 News.

We have to suffer the dross they serve up at the tennis, the racquet smashing, the squealing, the tantrums, the nonsense and after that's all over we are free and clear to the footy. I for one will be at the first women's game at Casey. Looking forward to knocking the Saints over as well. It's going to be a wild ride folks, strap yourselves in !!!!!!!

practice matches next month and then the real stuff the month after!!! I'M EXCITED!!!

Tom Wills 'flooded' his backline captaining Geelong in the 1860's...and was considered a poor sport for doing so..(Blainey) Terry Wallace.didn't invent flooding. As soon as you walk out of the Jolimont train platform......there is the football ground of 1858 + right in front of you stretching all the way down the hill to the stadium. Big crowds stood on the hill right where the rail line now is to watch. A few reportedly 10,000 +....a huge crowd ....the big numbers finally forced the MCC to allow the game on the cricket ground. The little kick and mark was widely used. That is a kick of as little as one or two metres. Out of bounds on the full..this was where a group of players would throw an opponent out of the field of play or lodge them high in a tree.

Max Gawn to step up on his opponents heads.

Our forward group, Hogan, Watts, Petracca, Kent, Garlett, Weiderman and Co, I think as a group they are ready to become a seriously dangerous unstoppable forward line

Not too many differences Macca, B, Alan Johnson Sean Wight Matthew Whelan HB: Brett Lovett Gary Hardeman Adem Yze C: Stan Alves Greg Wells Rob FlowerHF: Brian Wilson David Schwartz Garry LyonF: Allen Jakovich David Neitz Jeff FarmerR: Jim Stynes Gerard Healy Todd Viney IN: Stephen Tingay Steven Febey Nathan Jones Earl Spalding I found full-back the most difficult. Tossed up between Wight, Hughes and Biffin. Even Frawley before he put the cue in the rack has claims. All good, none great. While the heart said to "Go the Biff", Wight probably held a spot in better sides. Yze's best seems largely forgotten but he swept across half back brilliantly and lead the league for intercepts marks for a year or two and used the ball superbly. The type of player we've been looking for for our current team. Matty Whelan was skilled and fearless. Good ball user and better in the air than my next choices Fowler & S. Febey. Fowler was a great defender though but if I overlook him for the back pocket then I can't fit him in elsewhere. S. Febey was quite versatile. Healy & Tingay's inclusions speak for themselves. Would love to see Tingay in today's footy. Prototype midfielder. I included Spalding as I loved his courage, his versatility and his amazing marking. If forced to include a second ruck I'd have gone for Strawbs at the expense of Spalding (who could pinch hit in ruck). Great mark, excellent at the art of ruckwork and positioned himself around the ground superbly. Admittedly questionable disposal skills. After one year in the limelight I'd probably have Max just behind him. My backline is probably a bit short. My forward line looks great on paper but I can't imagine how it could possibly function with Jako clearing everyone out. That centreline though........... wow. And you could pull in a second centreline from within the team of Johnson, Wilson & Tingay that would be almost as good.

Yes DC, that was me. I have been busy over the break.

With his fists? Anything was possible with Jacko.

Most of my best life choices are made under sleep deprivation due to my nocturnal activities. Bernie may change his mind after a good kip.

I've been to these commando styled leadership/camaraderie weeks where you get put into a lot of sleep debt and are then relied upon to make good decisions. There were many injuries due to the nature of the terrain let alone a shed load of footballers belting into one-another. Poor training decision if true.

Agree that Robbie was a favourite and one of mine as well but in the end the fantastic memories of RDB and all the pleasure he gave to the Demon fans of the day holds a special place on my memory.

WHELAN WIGHT FRAWLEY LOVETT NEITZ S.FEBEY TINGAY T.VINEY YZE LYON SCHWARTZ DAVEY FARMER JAKOVICH ROBERTSON STYNES MCDONALD JONES WHITE BRUCE JOHNSTONE J.VINEY (Gee... it's not a great team for 25 years worth...)

Excitement fading...

Throws up all kinds of combinations, this one. So for the entertainment value I have picked a side with characters, flair and ability. It's not conventional but would be a lot of fun to watch : B A Johnson Biffin Whelan HB Don Williams Neitz Hardeman C Flower Wells Alves HB Robbo Schwarter Hassa Mann F Davey Jakovich Lyon R O'Dwyer Barassi Todd Viney Inter Jurrah Yeats Gerard Healy The Wiz and allowing myself 3 more - Jimmy Grinter Stinger Seen them all play. Loved them all. It's not a balanced side but it isn't really meant to be

I can add to this info - Salem badly concussed at the commando style camp - Tyson injured his knee quite badly and will miss a large chunk of pre season training - Hibberd injured knee also, not as severe as Tyson.

Makes a slight change from the year Howe and Frawley made giant beer snakes in Bay 13 on national TV on Boxing Day , even as impressively constructed as they were.

When does footy start!?

Wizard Wells Flower Biffin Lyon Alan Johnson Brayshaw Ingerson Whelan Gawn Help, I cant stop: Healy, Hogan, Prymke, Seacamp, Tingay, Trengove, J Viney, Charles, Catoggio (hair humour), Spalding, Davey, L Fowler, Giles, Baker, G Lovett, Jetta, Yates, A MacDonald, Theo X, Callery, Oliver and Strawbs

1. Stretch 2. Brayshaw 3. Salem

I'm in the unfortunate position of only really having followed seriously from start of 2000. Yep, by the end of my first 'proper' season I thought this footy fan thign was a pretty good ride. Also means I can't legitimately include the likes of Stynes, Viney Snr, even Febey would be unreasonable, given I didn't see almost his whole career. Although I do feel like I can include Farmer, because he had so much visibility and obviously continued to play AFL, though not with us. Aside from a lean period to choose from, the other problem is that we've had so many players who only delivered their best for relatively short periods, rather than over a whole career. Davey, Green, Moloney, Bruce, Johnstone, Frawley, Sylvia, Rivers, Woewodin, Whelan, Powell, Brown, and on. So, I've tried to look at the bright side and consider which of our current team would right now, not 'on potential', be in our best 22 since 2000. Jessie Hogan, as a tall forward behind only Neitz. When was the last time we had a consistent 40+ goals key forward apart from these two? Tom McDonald. The competition as tall defenders being Nicholson, Carroll, Holland? Neville Jetta as a shutdown small defender. Another one with not a lot of direct competition, though maybe more due to injuries (full respect to Whelan, and Bartram). Max Gawn over Jeff White. In the midfield obviously Jones, but then both Viney and Tyson actually earn a spot. This might shock some, but Tyson compares favourably against most of our midfielders of the last 15 seasons. Viney... well, it is easy to be distracted by what he may be about to become, and lose sight of the fact he is already one of our top 21st-century mids. No doubt other young players show promise, but it would be premature to have them in ahead of many of the recent quality players. But there's a real prospect that soon the bulk of our 21st-century best-22 might be playing together in one terrifying squad!

My top ten are Ron Barassi Robbie Flower Jim Stynes Sean Wight Cameron Bruce Jack Watts Jeff Farmer Max Gawn Bob McKenzie Don Williams Special mention to Stuart Spencer and Stephen Tingay.

First year obsessed was 84, so... B: Sean Wight Anthony Ingerson Matthew Whelan HB: Brett Lovett David Neitz Alan Johnson C: Stephen Tingay Glenn Lovett Robbie Flower HF: Russell Robertson David Schwarz Garry Lyon F: Darren Bennett Allen Jakovich Jeff Farmer R: Jim Stynes Todd Viney Nathan Jones IN: Brian Wilson Brad Green Adem Yze Max Gawn a team lacking serious pace in the middle and forward, but they aren't playing anyone....

Too many players over too many years to consider. So I will make two lists of five - the first from the late 50s and 60s when I had a boy's view of the team and the second from the beginning of the renaissance in 1987 when I had a more mature view. I have excluded the current crop as it is only fair to give them time to develop and show their talent but Oliver would be close. All those listed have displayed an individual and uncommon skill or talent that made them exceptional. In no particular order, my favourite players are: 50s/60s RDB, Hassa Mann, John Townsend, Tassie Johnson, Phil Rhoden (his sublime drop kicks from full back in the reserves have never been matched) Post 87 Robert Flower, David Schwarz, Jim Stynes, Travis Johnstone, Garry Lyon (apologies to Allen Jakovich)

Sadly, I don't have "great" memories of too many. Good, but not great. How could I ? I liked Ricky "Steamboat" Jackson, Obst, Icke, Ingerson, Green, Yze, Yeater and countless others. What about Brett Lovett and those handballs ? Not to mention Glenn 'hamstring" Lovett was a very good player who couldn't get his body right. I saw Chopper Lovell train at the G when he was a 16 year old a year before he came over fron Tasmania. He became good, but not great. Adrian Battiston was a ripping bloke who I got to know. I had high hopes for Lally. Sean Charles too. How good could Warren Dean have been ? What about Schwarz in '94 ? Kevin Dyson's right leg and those 60 metre drop punts ? The legacy Jacovich could have left. Darren Bennett's last quarter heroics at Windy Hill. Seddon was meant to be a star from Tasmania that every club was chasing. What about Glen Swann, Darren Cuthbertson and their highlight games ? Young potential stars in Reynolds, O'Brien and O'Sullivan ? Vardy from Adelaide and the early days of Byron. Jeff White for a while ? And then there was big Carl. But alas, it wasn't to be. I pick Hogan, Petracca, and Oliver on hope as much as anything. I'd throw in Viney, Brayshaw, and Hunt too, but it would look a bit silly; and it's just based on that word again, hope. If we win a flag only Flower would remain from my original list. The rest will be premiership players.

Can't pick just one! I hope it's Salem. He's got all the tools to be a really damaging player for us, just needs to keep healthy and build consistency. From training reports it seems Hogan and Brayshaw will take another big step up next year. I'm also expecting Petracca to build his tank more and impact games for longer. He could seriously explode that kid!

Brayshaw. Looking seriously fit at the moment.

I don't usually do these but some of mine deserve recognition. Also I've done mine in order to put meaning and difficulty into it. Unlike Pro I haven't put any of our youngsters in as I reckon a player needs to stand the test of time. 1. Robert Flower. Anyone who needs an explanation why didn't see him play at his prime in our horror years. 2. David Neitz. What a man. Games, captain and goals record holder I think. A fantastic leader who just did it all. Two time all Australian. Turned down money from the club he was entitled to because of our financial situation. Only beaten by Flower. 3. Junior McDonald. AA midfielder in our worst period. Brave, respected, small and a true leader. 4. Steven Stretch. Sadly more remembered for deciding not to spend the night in hospital for a meaningless display of courage and play out the game. Graceful, fast, beautiful kick, great overhead, two time B&F and could find it and did it over a long period. If you want to know how good this guy was just watch the 1987 finals. 5. Alan Johnson. Fantastic player both in the midfield in his youth and in the back pocket as he got older. 6. Brett Lovett. For all the reasons mentioned. Unfashionable but impassable in the backline. Just a team player. 7. David Schwarz. Injury denied us of our Wayne Carey His '94 final series was just unbelievable. A bitterly sad day when he did his first knee. Devastating the second. 8. Greg Wells. Along with Flower was a shining light in the dark days of the '70's and just played so well. Was a terrific overhead mark for his size and a prolific kick winner. 9. Gary Hardeman. Springs in his step, great to watch, a fantastic highlight reel with his high marking. Broke two of my ribs playing indoor cricket some years later! What's not to like? 10. Steven Tingay. At his best an AA midfielder who provided dash and excitement. Apologies to Alan Jakovich who had it all but didn't do it for long enough and Jeff Farmer for his excitement but he ran out on us. There are others but when it comes to all time favourites you can't think of a bad thing when you think of them and sadly some were, from time to time, just more interested in themselves than the team. Finally Rhino Richards was so close but I'm not really sure why. Good memories all round and although this has been done before it never loses its interest.

1. Cale Morton 2. Daniel Nicholson 3. Lucas Cook 4. Rory Taggart 5. James Strauss 6. Kelvin Lawrence 7. Michael Newton 8. Alexis Georgiou 9. Michael Evans 10. Tom Couch Josh Tynan stiff to miss out

I had no memory of Andrew Ford (those 8 games must have made quite an impression on you though Billy), so had to look at the brilliant Demonwiki (by the by i would love to know Supermercado's fav players): Andrew Ford DOB: 16 September 1970 Debut: Round 6, 1991 against Collingwood at Waverley Last Game: Round 10, 1992 against North Melbourne at MCG From: North Ballarat, Selection #55, 1988 National Draft Number: 43 1991-1992 Games: 8 Goals: 1 Career Statistics Wins Draws Losses Winning % 4 1 3 50.00 After spending 1989 and 1990 in the Reserves, Ford finally made his debut in 1991. He was given the difficult role of tagging Tony Shaw in his first game and impressed, but played just seven more matches in his career. Ford also wore number 43 when playing Under 19's and Reserves in 1989 and 1990. Year Games Goals Brownlow 1991 4 1 0 1992 4 0 0

"This pre-season they've (strength and conditioning staff) put a heavier emphasis on getting me in the weights room and getting my body size a lot bigger," Weideman said. Now didn't someone say in a training report that the the fitness staff didn't want any players putting on weight?

I saw on 7 News tonight that big Max and the two Macs were flogging themselves running laps at the Lexus Centre today getting an early start on the others who are due to be training this Thursday according to 7. Big Max looks fit!

It was the 2002 Semi Final against Adelaide. He had 29 disposals and 4 goals in a BOG performance. Travis was a big game player and consistently stood up in Finals matches when others wilted under pressure. I was born in the late 80s, so have no memory of Melbourne teams before the 90s. The Daniher years were the most successful years I have witness as an adult so players from that era like Yze, Johnstone and Neitz are stand outs in my mind. Yze underperformed in the late part of his career and still cops far too much flack on here for this. Overall he had a great career and I can still remember him as a goal scoring youngster with fans at the MCG yelling 'Yezee!' as they didn't know how to pronounce his name as he burst onto the scene. He was a very flexible player, having stellar years at HBF, midfield and forward. Johnstone is still the best midfielder I can remember to play for us the past 20 years. He also cops too much flack on here for a guy who consistently stood up in the big games. He played with a tag for 6-7 years straight as coaches knew he was obviously our most dangerous player. He lead the league for kicks and inside 50s for two years running and nearly pinched a Brownlow in 2002. He was the definition of brilliance and we are still waiting for a midfielder with his kicking skills and vision to give us balance in the midfield we need. Hopefully with time a player like Salem, Brayshaw or Petracca can become that player. I don't need to say much about Neitz. He was AA CHB and then AA up forward. He holds the club record for most goals kicked. He's a legend and was a great leader.

Travis Johnstone played 2 good years in 10 seasons. Not a hope in hell he's getting near a "best of". One of the most disappointing and unfulfilled talents I've seen at Melbourne. Or anywhere for that matter.

I remember sharing the Caravan Park at Pambula Beach with Mark Jackson in 1982. He was regularly seen pounding the pavement during the week that I was there and when he was not doing that he was riding his Malibu Surfboard.