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There you have it boys and girls 40083

Now let's get to 50,000

I think the Kennedy-Harris mystery stems from a desire to give him a decent run at it. Retaining the ball through pressure, tackling, corralling, etc. in your forward 50 is king in today's footy. Kent was dropped because of a lack of forward pressure and Neal-Bullen was getting games because of his pressure and adherence to team defence. Posters rightly point out Kennedy-Harris' modest returns in his two games back, although he did lay 7 tackles in his first game, but we know internally they rate him and I just reckon they want to give him an opportunity to perform and sometimes two games isn't enough. They would have debated his position at MC and I don't reckon he'd want another quiet effort tomorrow, but I think they like the structure of two mobile marking talls (Hogan/Watts), two mobile marking mid-talls (Petracca/Hannan), and two small pressure forwards. Kent is more dynamic and has more X-factor, but Kennedy-Harris' defensive traits (as perceived by Goody et al) is keeping him out. If Kent improves this aspect of his game and Kennedy-Harris continues his limited output they'll make a change. It's the best synopsis I can give.

Well we sink or swim. Both sides are beatable. A test if we are the real deal or not. Bring it on.

If this is more appropriate somewhere else, please feel free to move it, mods. Just wanted to give the website guys and gals a bit of props here. People have been critical of the content available on the official Melbourne website, but as a filmmaker, I feel it's worthwhile to note some of the latest videos. The BCNA video and now the 40,000 members videos are both wonderfully made and love how they're using the 'infinity' quote for the membership numbers. I hope they tap into this next year. Would still like to see a few more weekly videos. Maybe an analysis of the opposition weekly video like the Tigers have and I'd be using Gawny as much as possible. Great host, great charisma and very watchable. Anyway, well done, MFC.

Hahaha cop that Richmond.

This round just crapping all over my footy tips

Not sure what the Hawks were pulling with Vickery?

So does our current CEO, was at an event recently and PJ was speaking. He noted the branding change was to do with promoting the name Melbourne as part of the MFC name, it has huge value if and when we start to win but more importantly have sustained success. The mantra is to compete for a flag on or before 2020 and to develop the club for sustain success.

Round 7, 1987 I went to my first VFL game.. Melbourne v Collingwood at the G. Melbourne won 18.18.126 to Pies 12.8.80 I decided right then that Melbourne were my team. This weekend marks exactly 30 years as a Melbourne supporter. Dees by 46.

We dont need a big fish. Save our cash for Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, Hogan, Salem, Hunt etc etc They will all field huge offers from other clubs when they are out of contract next.

That's a shame, based on his form last week I was hoping he would play...

Agree 'fart, not often I barrack for Carlton but I made an exception just to see Eddie's big day [censored] up

Great that Collingwood pull off the occasional surprise to ensure that Buckley isn't sacked - wouldn't want them to employ someone who could actually coach!

Waite has gone up another level, he's now a D-cup.

To have 40k members given the lack of success we've had in the past decade plus, is a fantastic achievement. Consistently make the finals over the next 5 to 10 years and we will overtake a number of other Victorian teams with respect to membership numbers.

Outstounding effort by everyone involved in taking this club from the edge of depth to as exciting as any club in the competition on and off the field in such a short period of time.

It is amazing what part luck plays in our game. Injuries, umpiring and suspensions often determine or greatly influence games. We know our bad luck this year. Look at the Saints, who are vying with us for a spot in the eight, at full strength, play Hawks without Rioli and Birchall then play a weakened Giants who lose 2 more in the game and get 22-10 frees and some gifted goals. Luck can be as big a factor as good play. Hopefully as well as playing well for the rest of the year, we get our share of good luck.

I was talking to a lapsed member last night, told him we are nearly at 40K, hopefully he will do as he promised and sign himself and his 2 daughters up this morning.

We really need to come out hard in this one and send them into self preservation mode. Give them a sniff and they still have enough talent to do number on us. Fook I hate them with a passion since they made me cry in 87

Agree on that last one. It was a fumble. At first I thought he threw it out but why would he deliberately throw it out when his team needs a goal. Makes the loss more funnier. The tigs have dropped down to 6th now. WC have found themselves in the top 4. God knows how. But I think the talking point is Geelong and there loss to Gold Coast. That was a very good win by them. 25 points. Wow. This is why tomorrows game is so important. We keep in touch with those teams.

Last kick that goes out (if untouched) is much better than last touch out, which would be ridiculous

Rance just gave away a 50 for smacking a bloke in the head after he'd already marked it. He might be the biggest dog in the AFL. Such a scumbag!

I agree Turtle balls. Your name is growing on me.

Discussions over whether the coaches are infallible with selections are a sideshow. It' easy enough to recognise that they're placing a premium on forward pressure, and that they're giving JKH an extended run because they believe in his potential. But this is the part I don't understand. Why they rate him so highly, and training standards surely can't be enough at this stage of the season. He has never shown anything at top-level that indicates he has a long-term future there. Form and injury may account for poor skills and slow decision-making (although I'd argue this has been consistent throughout his career), but - He isn't a good enough small forward specialist and wasn't drafted as a one either. He doesn't have explosive outside speed or evasive skills. And he just doesn't have the height or strength to ever become a competitive modern midfielder. Where are we going with this? Sure, Jetta nailed down a spot in the back-six over time and became a super-reliable defender despite size and speed limitations, but it's rare, took a serious rethink, and even then, we're moving away from the lock-down type down back. I, of course, like any reasonable individual, also accept that the footballing department are in a better position to assess a player's talent than I am. But my question is: why do others think that the footy department rate him so highly? And if it's forward intensity or training standards, is this enough for JKH to be a part of the future? If, say, he improved 200% of his current output, would that be enough? (Yes, I know 0 goals x 200 = 0 goals, but for argument's sake, if he threatened to kick one or two a week).

Never thought I'd be saying this, but like many of us around this place, I'm rapt that Carlton won today. Good Old Collingwood ........NEVER! Eddie will be crying into his Moet tonight.

Collinwood losing means extra beer tonight.

It will be tough for Adelaide to come back being a man down for the half now (Tom Lynch looks to be done for the day). They've clearly been the better team since quarter time (kicked 7 goals to 2), but letting any team kick 10 goals before you even score will never end well. They may be without Tom Lynch (injured) and Charlie Cameron (suspension) next week though which helps us when we play them over in Adelaide.

We must start believing we can win any game, if we play to a high level. Beat the Hawks first. Then think about The Camry Crows

yep and to those in the media who perpetuate the myth that we are fair weather supporters can knick off. We have the most loyal, rusted on membership in the league.

Not like you to set the bar so low WYL. According to Maxy in the video with the kids, the 2018 target is infinity!

Concussion victim Angus Brayshaw will also return for Casey’s clash against Werribee after missing a week from another head knock. http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-demons/jack-trengove-campaigns-for-melbourne-afl-recall-after-blistering-form-in-the-vfl/news-story/827129769b645c91b26fad34984141d2

Only takes a few losses before we agree that we've no depth and the list is a shambles.

I of course would be ecstatic to see ONE flag in my lifetime but how good would it be to overtake the Hawks and Pies on the premiership ladder and sit atop with the bombers and blues.

Just need to do a Hawthorn in the next decade and win 4 flags to be equal top of the league for premierships. To be a powerhouse club again will only take 10 years.

I guess for us to win a flag VP that we need solid depth ~ 30 across the season. Whilst I'm frustrated some weeks that we've got project players on the park in OMac, Weid etc. a little under done on a game to game basis, I think this selection strategy puts us in a much stronger position for our premiership window over the next 5 years. We need to do this as we don't have the pulling power of Hawthorn to fill the talent gaps, but the better we get I suspect the luckier we will become in this regard as well.

I was and now i want more...This great old Dinosaur has been kicked and abused for too long i expect a thrashing tomorrow in front of a very vocal Melbourne Crowd. F@&$ all Whorethorn supporters will show up, they are all supporting Victory now!!

Seriously could you please stick to the topic saty, if you have such a low opinion of posters I'm not sure why you feel the need to post on demonland. Its a discussion forum and you're not discussing the topic. I personally think jkh is being given a run at it because the coaches think he has talent that hasn't been displayed on field yet and with Kent not at his best it presents and opportunity. You shouldn't take what you're told/see at face value when at training, these guys are paid to be nice to you and am 100% certain they aren't telling you everything.

We have Queen's Birthday, ANZAC Eve, and a few other really good prime time spots. That's the logic. Saints don't have much in terms of "blockbusters".

Oooh, I like this thread because it gives me another chance to bring out my broken record about 'value' for trades and players. The obvious example is Hawthorn getting the likes of Frawley, Gibson, Hale, and Gunston. Even Burgoyne was a little slice off being 'big fish'. But all were legitimate players who were taken when a bit off their best and found or rediscovered their best form once they moved to Hawthorn. And all were chosen because they filled a specific need. Something I've been fascinated by over the last decade or so is the way many of the top teams rise in two 'waves'. First wave is typically a surge of young talent which gets them into contention (or in Hawthorn's case, and arguably the Bulldogs, sneaks them a much earlier than expected flag), and then there is a period of adjusting, working out the remaining gaps to create a fully functional team without a key weakness that can be exploited by quality finals opponents. All of Geelong, Hawthorn, St Kilda, Port and Collingwood have been through that first and second peak process. Even Brisbane dropped out of the top four, back to just 12 wins, before then surging again for the three-peat. Presuming that the Dogs' surprise win kind of emulates what happened with the Hawks, it is going to be a very interesting next few years to see how the three clubs stocked with lethal young guns (Dogs, GWS, Demons) are going to evolve.

I still believe the Melbourne Football Club brand is incredibly valuable. It has so much untapped potential, and just needs a little bit of sustained success to usher in a new era of supporters and members.

Hibberd was a good get this year...identified a need. Elite kick but also hard at it and strong over head. Forget the big fish, pick off what we don't have. What we need.

It will be announced at the game

I'd be happy to hear that we are going after Steven May or Jake Lever. They are big enough fish for my liking.

Renewed my daughter's membership this morning. Just turned 8. 9-year member. Go Dees.

Can't believe we just got knocked out of the finals! Oh wait. It's round 7. Calm down.

Would like to see this again on the weekend Still my favourite piece of play. One handed against a 3 time premiership player. Impressive