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One thing that I think posters need to think about when it comes to Petruccelle is Jayden Hunt. The similarities are all there and Petruccelle’s kicking is no worse than Jayden Hunt's. All he needs is guidance on lowering his eyes like Jayden is learning to do. Having said that, I wouldn’t play him at half-back because I do value kicking skills from that area of the ground. But he’d be a very dangerous small forward imo and would go beautifully alongside Garlett as a small pressure forward who could eventually pinch-hit through the middle. His aerial ability, speed and agility, goal sense and pressure would really add to our forward group. It’s clear an ability to lock the ball inside 50 or at least maintain huge pressure on the opposition when they gain possession in their defensive half gives you a huge advantage. Richmond won a grand final off the back of it this year. Petruccelle is the kind of player who like Hunt, would benefit more than most in an AFL environment given his small body of work to date but huge upside/potential.

Ok, as promised, a few photos from Monday's session. These are more me being a little self indulgent playing around during the editing process, so they end up being more studies of the players rather than action shots. Also, please don't get your knickers in a twist over the colours of the jumpers etc... I just amped up the saturation settings, so the blues (in particular) have become much more vivid. One more thing that I would appreciate... if anyone feels they would like to share any of the photos here or on other sites (Facebook, Twitter etc), I have no problem with that... but could you please at least acknowledge that the shots were taken by me (that is, attach my name to the post - Tim Fleming NOT Hardtack). Thanks. Hope you like them regardless...

"If you take the average speed of the current world 100 m record (Bolt's 9.58 s), you get about 10.44 meters/sec (23.35 miles/hr, 37.58 km/hr). " Faster than Bolt...so I would say very fast. Who said we had a slow midfield?

He's already making us pay. Am I wrong, or are we not contributing a portion of his salary?

Great to watch We really should have won the flag in 1990 but we fluffed it.

AFL have no business telling clubs where they can make an income as long as its legal. As long as they (AFL) continue to take big $$'s from betting companies they wont have a leg to stand on.

I had a poster of Andrew Obst on my wall when I was a kid, and a jumper signed by Gary Lyon. The 90's were a great time to grow up as a demons supporter, even if we didn't win a GF. We've been so bad for so long sometimes I forget how much fun I used to have watching those games when I was younger, and how good those teams were.

So the AFL are going to cut all their sponsorships with TAB, Sportsbet, Crownbet, Crown Casino etc? I doubt it very much

I would say PJ has done a fantastic job of bringing financial stability to the club through a variety of means: Membership, sponsorship, gate takings etc. Of course, the more $ the better. But it is difficult for supporters to chip in more, after 15 years of ungrudgingly taking memberships which were effectively donations. And for some of us making donations in addition to memberships. To improve our financial position, nothing beats sponsorships. This is where we struggle. We started 2017 without a back of jumper sponsor. iselect came on board well into the season, on the back of their sponsoship of our AFLW team. Our front of jumper sponsorship with AHG has ended, after a 3 + 1 year deal. Sadly, we have rarely (if ever) had a 'household name' type sponsor (which most other clubs have) who are in it for the long haul. So, despite eveyone's fine efforts we struggle to get sponsors and we struggle to keep them. The best way to 'stabilize' mfc is to get some sponsors that come on board for the long hall. Of course, that is easier said than done. Hopefully, PJ has an announcement at the AGM otherwise we start another year without a name on the front of our jumper.

1990 was the first year that we had a real chance of a flag since our resurrection began in 1987. In 1987 the lolly blues (think jumper colour change as a promotion for lolly manufacturer sponsor) were waiting to smash us even if we had got over the dorks. In 1990, I recall that we had to play the dorks in the final round and the again in the first week of the finals. Two weeks in a row against the reigning premiers. Tony Campbell at full back (for those who remember set positions and man on man contests) beat the gorilla both weeks which made a major contribution to our successes. The drawn final between the filth and wet toast caused us to lose any momentum and advantage in that finals series. Not for the first, or the last, time did over confidence seem to affect our game and we lost to the toasts and were eliminated. The other years where we real chances were 1994 and, especially, 1998. In 1994 we had Schwarz and Lyon firing and, after smashing lolly blues and doggies, we had to confront the toast in WA at a time when they were dominant but still vulnerable. We ran out of puff. In 1998 we beat the black birds by eight goals in the first week of the finals but did not get another crack at them after losing the prelim final to the marsupials due to being out-coached on the day. In both years our team was good enough but couldn't last the four weeks of the finals. Since then we have struggled to put together a team and coach combination likely to contest. Things could be changing.

'The Roar' guide to the draft. http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/11/22/club-club-guide-2017-afl-draft/ For the Demons: "The Dees come in late, but then have three picks in a fairly short space of time, so they’re in a good position to clean up any players who slip through later than expected. Sam Hayes could be a great apprentice ruckman to Max Gawn for a few years, hence be selected without any need to rush his development. A small forward would have to appeal too and there’s bound to be one of some quality available at their picks here. Jack Petrucelle is every chance to be available in this range as well and the Demons could do a lot worse than punting on his raw speed. He and Jayden Hunt tearing it up off halfback would be scary-fun to watch". Its a good analysis of needs and likely availability. Fully concur with the last sentence. A very tantalising prospect!

Username checks out.

Absolutely nothing. Sorry. They are a commercial entity not a charity. I await the howls.

LOL, took me until bullet point 5 to realise what was happening. Well played, CB.

29. Jordan Gysberts 31. Cale Morton 36. Lucas Cook 47. Jimmy Toumpas' brother

I can’t see where we’ll lose a game.

Any chance we can save the top 4 talk until we make the finals for the first time in 12 F/ing years?

Interesting. Could not see Lewis missing out on the starting 18 come rd 1 He has a fair point with Salem, although he showed glimpses of fantastic talent in his last couple of games. I think Salem can be starting 18 if over his illness, as he finds a lot of the ball when fit/in form. ANB played his way to a first 18 spot also, in my eyes. But with the 4 interchange spots not named, we would be arguing over guesses, as any of our preferences could be on the bench.

Mid-season trades not draft, there's a difference.

Back when Aussie Rules was played the way it was meant to be.

Those hls show what a great player Lyon was when fit.. silky, quick, great hands. We should have won 1990.

Also as long as they continue to disadvantage certain clubs through fixturing thereby restricting their ability to trade.

I would buy out whatever pokies the other clubs wanted to sell. As long as its legal, i say BUY BUY BUY. If it got us closer to a premiership, and made us financially secure/independent and viable well into the future, i say go for it. If that made some people feel bad about themselves i could live with that. As for what i would pay extra for the answer is nothing. Club needs to finally deliver and stand on its merits. No doubt the haters will be along shortly.

Tony Campbell and Peter Rohde shut down Dunstall and Brereton respectively in consecutive weeks. Ricky Jackson always managed to get fit for the finals.

We beat Essendon west coast and Hawthorn twice each in 1990. Had knocked the Pies out of the finals in 1988 and 1989. 1990 was the one that got away.

So what do people think of us moving Watts on? happy with the decision? what about getting pick 31 in return? please discuss. dont think this has been covered??

Great player? I must've missed his B&Fs, All Australian, Brownlow's. In all seriousness I wish him well, he put up with a lot of scrutiny throughout his career at Melbourne but I can definitely see why he was traded. Time to move on now.

I have always believed we were the best side in that year. Our inability to play waverly properly cost us. The filth side that won the flag was the worst premiership side that I can remember.

Garry Lyon in his book says 1990 is the year that they were kicking themselves for not winning the flag. They had a really good side, it was an even comp and the eventual premier Collingwood wasn't that great. I think 2017 was a similar year (altho our 2017 side wasn't as good as the 1990 side) and we will kick ourselves for a longtime over our stupid capitulation to Collingwood in the last round. Had we made finals anything could have happened.

So I should. I surprise even myself sometimes. I was 100% taking the mick with my post, although if they offered it I'd love to have someone like Dean Kent doing my lawns as it might teach him to at least walk and jog both ways.

and that wins my post of the year

Here's a quick summary: Still loves Adelaide, didn't want to leave but Melbourne offered too much money Hopes Tom McDonald plays forward because there isn't enough room for them both in the backline Admitted that he wanted West Coast to win in round 23 because he was hoping Naitanui would be fit for finals (loves watching him play) Grew up a Carlton supporter so was upset that he didn't get a chance to play with Gibbs at Adelaide Thinks Melbourne are a few years away from playing finals, hopes we can get some high draft picks in the next couple of years He thinks Port Adelaide are the team to beat next year with Watts and Trengove After his first training session he couldn't believe how unfit his new teammates are If anyone actually listened to the interview and can fill in the gaps, that would be great. * obviously a fake accounting of the actual interview.

So if you can speak well you are a leader. Please excuse my annual rip into the 'Leadership Group' Stuff. It remains the greatest overrated heap of shite inside football clubs. So so boring (and pointless)to hear it spoken of, alluded to, referred to etc etc etc. Vince. Leader. BANG! Suspended. Lewis. Leader. BANG! Suspended. I couldn't give a [censored] if the players were mute. As long as they can play.

I reckon he's more Rory Sloane than Rory Sloane.

Decent sports science program, resources and staff would be nice

Was about to say the same thing Bitters.

I would contribute to a plan to make the MCG roof into one big self sufficient solar panel roof and reap the ample rewards in return.

We are. A small part of his salary. anything else, I don’t give a stuff about. He is no longer a Melbourne player, he is a past player.

Jack, you can talk yourself up all you like, but the fact remains you just didnt care enough to get the best out of yourself while you played for MFC. That, and you were afraid of the contest. Dont think you will be greatly missed by anyone who values effort above being a nice bloke.

I hope he does. Easily in our best 22, matchwinner on his day, (was) the best kick in our side. Deserves success after the [censored] he went through at our club.

A bit of outside pace would be great, but Viney, Oliver, Petracca have above average speed. Tyson is slow. Jones OK. Lewis won't spend as much time in the middle. Brayshaw will be a big bodied mid and his pace is fine. I agree that we need speed, but I don't see a plethora of slow big bodied mids.

In days of yore, we had to do that. Shirts vs skins. Of course some days it was so effin' cold it didn't matter even if you had a shirt on or not.

He thinks we're a few years away from playing finals? what? EDIT: Finished reading. You win this round.

"And you can count on me waiting for you in the parking lot!" "Run Shooter!!"

1. I'd far rather another runner than a another tall. You're aware Richmond used Grigg as a second ruck in 2017 ? Pedersen won't be played in addition to the incumbent talls. Pedersen was reserves bound all year until Gawn and then Spencer went down. He did a great job, but he won't be part of the 22 with a fit Gawn, Hogan and McDonald in the forward-line. 2. Tyson and vandenBerg are not competing for a position. vandenBerg is competing with Harmes, Hannan and possibly Balic.. 3. Harmes v Neal-Bullen is more like for like, but Neal-Bullen's pressure ensured 11th position in the B&F compared to Harmes 17. I have both in my team, but certainly Neal-Bullen deserves to be picked first. I wasn't a fan of his this time last year, but he walked the walk.

Looking at the list I can see that we have good looking depth in most areas of the ground. Looking at the way the players on the list have presented coming back for preseason it would seem we are looking at a very mobile team. A number of the players look to have dropped a few kgs. and will be looking to get a lot of run in their legs. It will be interesting to see how the players and our game plans develop of the off season. Here is my crack at the team for round 1. B: JETTA, OMAC, LEVER HB: HIBBERD, FROST, SALEM C: PETRACCA, OLIVER, HUNT HF: MELKSHAM, HOGAN, NEAL-BULLEN F: GARLETT, TMAC, HANNAN FOLL: GAWN, JONES, VINEY IC: TYSON, BRAYSHAW, LEWIS, MAYNARD EMG: STRETCH, HARMES, PEDERSEN KENT In defence I will be interested to see the development in Omac and Frost over the off season we do need them to step up a notch. If one of them runs into a patch of bad form we will need to look at who slips back there. Keilty might get a run there or they could swing Pedersen back there. I think we are committed to keeping Tmac forward this next season. This next season our midfield will really be a strength with some emerging A+ players and good developing depth. A lot of players in this team to rotate through there. Oliver, Jones, Viney and Tyson all pretty much pure mids. I would like to see Petracca spend a majority of his time in the middle this season. Rotating through there would be Hunt, Neal-Bullen, Salem, Garlett, Brayshaw, Lewis, Melksham and Maynard. I did like it when I saw Hogan in the center at the bounce a few times. In the forwards Hogan, Melksham, Neal-Bullen and Hannan to be allowed to roam far and wide. TMac to be at the pointy end of the attack with Garlett doing what he does best. in some cases I could see Pedersen in for Hannan or Melksham. Of the others running around I will be interested to see how VdB comes back after last year with his injuries. I want to see Weideman bulk out a bit and start to impose himself a bit more. I like what I have seen so far. Want to see what we have with Balic, as I have not seen anything of him.

I have been watching our game, aussie rules footy, for over 60 years and I will lament the loss of the bounce as a further unique feature of our beloved game is abandoned in the pursuit of some supposed benefit. One of the most endearing features of our game (and note to the AFL - the game it belongs to us, the people, not them) has always been it's unpredictability arising from the bounce of an oval ball. Umpires throwing a ball in the air removes that wonderful element of our game. For those who can, go back in time and watch replays of the game as it was played in the 80s. Not much slower and umpires were quick to blow the whistle when the ball was contested and bounce the ball before packs formed. The game was speeded up without the ugly rugby mauls and reluctance to blow the whistle. If it must be, then let's at least ensure that the umpires learn to throw the ball for the benefit of the game. Straight up and with some decent height so that the ruckmen have a chance to run at the contest, not just stand still and engage in an ugly wrestle. Many of the ball ups this year were little dinky throws at odd angles. Bounces were straighter and higher. I want to see Maxie jump over the top of his rivals. I fear for our beloved and beautiful game.