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I'm assuming you're referring to the quotes in this article: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbourne-cocaptain-nathan-jones-says-bernie-vince-needs-to-smarten-himself-up-20170718-gxd9zj.html "We went through it yesterday with him, obviously he's disappointed by it but he really does need to smarten himself up particularly in that area "It's happened far too often with him over the last 12 or 18 months, he's been done too many times and then we saw on the weekend just due to a poor record last night he's gained the extra week as well." "It's frustrating for us because he's a very important player for us, he did a terrific job on Sloaney [Adelaide's Rory Sloane] on the weekend and we're definitely going to need him, especially with some of the injuries we've got but unfortunately we don't and I'm sure he's pretty remorseful for it. "We're disappointed in it but we have to move on and I'm sure he'll give back to the group as much as he can over the next couple of weeks and repay us when he returns." "He does fire himself up, there's no doubt about that. He's one of the absolute nice guys off the field, he's a ripping fella, one of my real good mates. When he gets out on the field he definitely plays right on the line on the edge and I think too many times he's gone too close to it or just over it and we're feeling the pinch from it because he's going to miss a couple of weeks," Jones said. "He has to tidy up those errant elbows or those errant arms that have cost him in the past ... that intensity of the game in the moment, he's overstepped." So that's what Jones said... where's the bus that he's supposedly thrown Bernie under?? Nothing harsh or unfair and Bernie is one of the most senior and experienced players on our list, he has for the second time this year, disqualified himself from playing due to ill discipline. If anything, he says more positive comments about Bernie than negative in that article. Nathan Jones is the captain of our club, the question was asked about our 'culture' and he demonstrated that our culture and leadership is strong and we don't tolerate players throwing matches away. We need our best 22 on the park. No one plays with more passion than Nathan Jones, but when was the last time he was suspended? I think you're overstepping the mark in questioning his respect for teammates and passion for the club.

On first reading this http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-07-19/club-reconciliation-action-plan-launched I wasn't to sure what to make of it or what it really meant. But when I read this http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/liam-jurrah-back-in-demon-fold-20170719-gxei8e.html about Liam Jurrah, I got it. Its really good to hear Liam is getting his life back together again. And, kudos to Peter Jackson, Neville Jetta et al for getting this program going. It is substantive and not mere tokenism. And how good is it to see "Jurrah, who hails from Yuendumu, a remote indigenous community in the Northern Territory, joined former teammates Austin Wonaeamirri and Aaron Davey at the RAP launch, with current indigenous players Neville Jetta and Dion Johnstone also in attendance". (I think Jeffy wasn't there because he was back in WA) Those guys have given us so many exciting times and still more to come from Jet, Jeffy and Dion. Edit 1: Melbourne will wear its Indigenous guernsey, designed by artist Mandy Nicholson, for the first time on the ‘G this weekend. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-07-19/jetta-a-man-for-all-people That article is a great tribute to Jetta. Jetta the player, the family man, the leader, the much loved Demon Champ! Edit 2: Fab pics! http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-07-19/gallery-reconciliation-action-plan-launch

While praising Vince's energy and 'fire' on the field, and noting what a gentle and harmless person Vince is off field, he said Vince should probably have a think about and learn to not swing his arms around near people's heads, because three times in two seasons is getting a bit much. I know, right, like, totally thrown under the bus.

I'm very conscious of 'critiquing the content and not the person'... your content is terrible.

How good is it seeing photos of Jurrah, Aussie, flash and Jetta together!

Jack Watts plays his 150th game this weekend. In so many ways it has been a tough road. Jack, along with Jonesy and Maxy who have also done the hard yards for so long, you really deserve to be holding the premiership cup one day. In the meantime, I just want to say: 'thanks for sticking with us through the tough times, enjoy your 150th and hope the team win it with you on Saturday'.

Thanks for the clarification on what Jones said, there was certainly no 'attack' on Vince. As usual, Jones was spot on. This shouldn't be a thread. Nek minnit Barrett writes an article on tension between Jones and Vince.

Date: Thursday 20th July Time: 9.45am Location: Goschs Paddock Tests for Viney, Watts, Salem and Tyson... and Jonesy only 1-2 weeks away, possibly joining in the full session. Most important training session of the season, for sure. Hopefully we have some eyes on the ground with updates and that all those 'tests' can get through and face Port.

Packed their old GWS socks by mistake?

He's everything in a forward that Jeremy Howe wanted to be.

Whoever has the email "[email protected]" is copping a heap of Woolworths spam right now.

I will never stop fantasizing about a forward line of Hogan and Jurrah together. Oh the feels... all of the feels! A Jurrah in his first 30 games right now could be the difference between scraping into the 8, and finishing top 4. Sigh! Anyways what a great initiative by the club and also as if you needed another reason to love Jetta. (Side note: Matty Whelan looks like he's had a good winter... still one of my all time favorites though!)

Crossing everything for him. He deserves some luck and we deserve to see him play AFL. He has the potential to be the next Jonesy!

My electric can opener doesn't seem to be working.

How did this team not win a premiership?

Plus four on other lists...and one Goal Umpire.

Essendon prove why they have no paperwork.

If they have the energy.

I read the article and thought the opposite. I thought Jones showed great leadership. To me leadership is supporting the team but in equal measure - not shying away from the obvious and show displeasure when necessary. But hey..what would i know. I just drive a bus.

I agree. Sure, it was a silly, undisclipled act, but there was literally nothing in it. 3 weeks! I feel like I'm in Hillsong community reading some of the comments here. It's bloody footy and no one was hurt, not even remotely. For years ALL of us have been bemoaning the choir boy types the MFC has selected, and now we have some heart on sleeve, head over the ball types, and people are bagging them out: Lewis, Vince, Bugg, Hogan Oliver. I wouldn't trade any of them, or their hard nosed mentality. And fwiw, we're consistently getting the most extreme case penalties in respect of each 'undisciplined' act, where every other club seems to be receiving super soft sanctions. At some stage, rather than apologise and acknowledge another 'regrettable' incident, I think we should make a statement and tell the MRP and the competition to get knicked. Plainly, we are not a team full of snipers and IMO we're allowing ourselves to be characterised as such.

Great to see the coaches sorting out his technique: "Brayshaw was predisposed to leading with his head and they have been trying to alter his approach to ensure he leads more with his body to absorb the contact coming his way". http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-07-18/demon-angus-brayshaw-to-return-in-vfl-after-concussions At times Gus has been too brave for his own good and getting his technique sorted would give him a lot more confidence and most importantly keep him safe. We have had very few games where Gus (out for a lot of 2016 and 2017), Petracca (out all of 2015), Salem (out for most of 2016), Hunt and Hogan (out most of 2017) have been on the park at the same time. 5 or 6 games maybe, in nearly 3 years? How awesome to see all those young guys fully fit in the same game. A real treat coming our way at the G later this year .

As a long time scribe on the Demons, our story and our indigenous players, I thought it very appropriate that Martin Flanagan was there and chaired the Q&A.

Good stuff Dees. Leading the way. I like it. Would be great to see us become the go-to destination for aboriginal players. Jurrah is possibly the biggest wasted talent to ever depart this club. (attacking, not defensive). Would be nice if this makes it easier for indigenous players to make the transition to the big smoke, and keep them around longer. Well done Nev. You are a true asset to this club, on and off the field.

The day that the words "we didn't see that coming" we're etched into MFC folklore. A gormless looking Jack Grimes alongside Neeld at the post match presser, both looking like they'd just witnessed a homicide. The first of many.

Yeah, but in his defence, when he was playing for us nobody gave a thought to him being a backman.... it took the genius of Collingwood to try him there... /sarc

If we make finals and Tom McDonald is still playing forward, I'll drop dead. Once Watts is back, I believe Tom will slot straight back where he belongs at CHB. And I hope it's this week.

It's the inconsistency that needs to be highlighted. And, in this regard, Melbourne needs to start standing up for itself a bit more. I expect certain more arrogant, better funded clubs would be a lot more vocal about it in similar circumstances. Schofield got nudda just the other week for a very similar stupid, undisciplined act. And I still don't get why Vince got fined for for the bump - it's absolutely ludicrous.

Said it before and I'll say it again. I think. in isolation, every one of our suspensions has just about been right, including Bernie's. However when you then stack them up against other penalties ( or non penalties) on reported players from other clubs you scratch your head and say WTF????

Very good sides but swap Hogan and T. Mac

I did a really bad fart that smelled better than this mob. Why waste a moment thinking about them? It is galling that they (the club, not the players) used every tactic to avoid responsibility. Its even more galling that the AFL has never properly sanctioned the club because they are too pissweak and beholden to their favourites. I hope they have the Jab Watson curse that lasts 100 years.

I liked it back when the ball would get water logged and turn maroon.

Bugg was thrown into the windscreen. Thanks, I'll see myself out.

Misson made a specific point of saying that, above all, Gus is keen. Bridge crossed. His fitness should be fine and he's been in full-contact training for a few weeks. If all goes to plan, he'll be ready for selection as early as next week.

How do you know if someone is vegan? Don't worry they will tell you.

Good luck to him in his comeback, just take it step by step. Would be great to see him back later this year but realistically I just want to see him string games together and gain confidence in himself.

We finally have football to talk about this year and this site's gone the full Chomsky over media minutiae.

I'm 33, so too old to be able to blame the internet, it wasn't a thing when I was little. Not big on precision, I just freeze in social situations. I can generally muddle my through a conversation, but I'm usually keen to close it down. I'm actually okay at parties - alcohol helps greatly!

BUMP He's back playing Casey this weekend! Good luck Gussie, let's hope you are playing seniors before the season ends!

Thanks Paul The great thing about these 5 stars being back is they were all out for around a month or less so in theory they should not take too long to adjust and start playing strong footy - unlike Gawn and Hoges fingers crossed no more injuries and the stars could really align for us and we could hit form at the right time

Here comes the cavalry.

The point of the Op was not that we need tough players that play unsociable football. It was that Jones was unfair on Vince with his comments. But to add some counter balance to the roll call of players who have supposedly won grand finals for their team i'd offer up Steve Johnson who i reckon cost GWS a flag by getting suspended for the sort of boneheaded snipe that Vince has just got done for. On the the toughness front Goody has made it clear his team needs to be uncompromising, physical and attack the ball with ferocity. But play the ball not the man. In essence this is what Jones is reinforcing. And i reckon the dees are not far off what he is demanding.

ProdDee, I think most of us agree with you about this. I don't see a conspiracy theory against the MFC as such when MFC players are treated differently than those from other clubs. I expect if we had Brownlow medal contenders and had won 5 recent flags and a large membership and viewing base we'd get the 'good' treatment from the AFL too. The conspiracy is not against the MFC, it is a conspiracy in favour of money at the expense of justice. That doesn't make us addle-pated, it makes us angry.

Totally agree. Given that other players have come back in after long outs with one or no Casey games then when Gus is ready he will come straight in. My guess is it may take 2-4 games for that but that still leaves 2+ AFL games this season. An in form Gus would be selected before Harmes, ANB, Stretch, Kent, Bugg, Wagner etc etc. So if we look like making finals Gus and the club would be really keen to give him the max number of AFL games possible before September. This year they played Gus in the forward pocket which didn't suit him, his form fell away and he was dropped. Hopefully, they play him in the midfield altho finding a spot may be difficult given the number of good players we have there. Otherwise, teach him to play forward pocket. He is such a smart player and very good user of the ball - almost in the Salem/Watts category. Our delivery to inside 50 will improve heaps with Gus in the middle. Can't wait to see him confident and playing again. A major achievement for the lad.

@Wrecker45I take your point - and I rekon thats a bit of 'confirmation bias' of picking out those particular players - being skilled and tough (lets call most of their toughness blatant thuggery) - How did Martin Pike (4x) go about it, or Mitch Morton(1x), or Nathan Ablett(1x) - or Shane Ellen - they're all premiership winners - unsociable football didn't win the Doggies last year Does Shane Burgoyne himself play unsociable football (he's got 4 under the belt), what about Gary Jnr?It takes all types within a team from the silk, to the workman to the role player to the guys that love the physicality. We don't need to be one particular way as individuals, but we certainly need one ethos.

Are peeps honestly calling it goal of the year? Goal of the decade. The bloke on the mark wasn't even close to the 50m line. Not sure how many people on here played footy but personally speaking I could get the spin of the torp but barely any extra distance because I wasn't kicking through the ball, to get the right spin. Went outside in with my kicking leg. Hunt has got an extra 20 maybe 30 metres from kicking through it and still managed to kick it through the goals, even though it was turning the wrong way.

And how much 'closer to the pinnacle' will Bernie be getting us in the next two weeks??

Ok OCD... Melbourne injury (suspension)list: round 18 Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – available Christian Salem (hamstring) – test Dom Tyson (knee) – test Jack Viney (plantar fascia) – test Jack Watts (hamstring) – test Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – 1-2 weeks Nathan Jones (quadriceps) – 1-2 weeks Bernie Vince (suspended) - 2 weeks Thomas Bug (suspended) - 4 weeks Dean Kent (shoulder) – indefinite Pat McKenna (hamstring) – season Colin Garland (knee) – season Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season

I would be very happy if he just makes it through the rest of the Casey season unscathed. I would be orgasmic if he got through unscathed and was pushing for seniors recall.

Left for dead - nekk minut - he pops up in a religious cult chopping wood and then found by Beric Dondarrion. Glad he is still in the series - my second favourite for the amusing quip behind Tyrion.