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The best 22 and "in form" and "playing your role" and "fully fit" message is of course bullocks. The same was said last year but what really happened. Hannan plays round one after one practice game the week before for Casey. JKH gets rushed in after injury only to play a couple of very poor games Joel Smith is selected round one after injury Joel Smith gets selected after his injury on the scantest of games and performance at Casey Cory Maynard is promoted and then dropped after one game where he was far from our worst Viney gets rushed back to the team after surgery. Others may be able to think of other examples. Some of these things worked and some didn't. Goodwin wants to give hope to everyone in preseason so these things are said. He can't ever say otherwise. Do you really think that a 90% fit Oliver will be overlooked for a one hundred percent fit Billy Stretch? Goodwin will pick the team he thinks has the best chance of winning. He'll weigh up a players form, ability, injury status and role (amongst other things) for a game and select our best team.

I've been supporting Melbourne since I was young in the 1950s. I've been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and I still support Melbourne. Melbourne is for life, and I would never change my club or drop my support. Without support, the club is nothing. I'll leave the idea of "business", "buying", "product" and changing "suppliers" to things like phone contracts, power companies and banking. Not for my football club. If you've managed to stay with Melbourne for the last 11 years, why would you leave now that things are really starting to look up?

Given that my children follow Melbourne, my grandchildren follow Melbourne, and I converted my wife from an Essendon supporter, I can claim a few credits.

Melbourne don't have a mental weakness with this group... It's just that our class players are all under 22 yo or yet to play 80/100 games, they're still learning the ropes...if we start losing games like we did this year in the next couple then I will concede the point. This is not the Melbourne of 186, unfortunately we are the same supporters and years like we've had take there toll.

I dont believe there is a best 22 or every spot available approach. I suggest there is something like a preferred 16 with a play your role 6. The preferred 16 need to be carrying serious injury or significant consistent form loss to be uprooted. They are those that are rushed back in because they are clearly best in positions even when slightly off. Then there are those that make up the 6 that the dependance on how quickly they are in or out is based in long term importance or the consistency of their performance and team first behaviours. For last season I would put Smith, Brayshaw and Weid in the former of this group and players like ANB, Harmes and OMac in this second group.

We don't need to knock him. He was a Demon for 9 years and has moved on. We should do the same.

I guess it goes through phases - you have to give the kids a taste of the big time at some point. If they have a strong belief that a player can step up to the level - and over a block of games deliver value to the team whilst getting in key development experience- then that is great. We have never been in a position like the old Hawthorn teams where guys would play multiple seasons and not get a look in. We were thin across a number of lines, had a swag of developing players who may have been on the cusp of selection - and with an eye to the future, getting some game time into them so they know what it is like (and what they can go back and work on) - seems like a good idea. If we are now moving beyond that - we have enough capability and depth on each line, and we are not looking to fast track particular role players - then that is great. Saying 'Weiderman was crap and the Pedo came it and was awesome' also reflects a scenario of timing - maybe Pedo was less ready than Sam, but when Pedo was ready he came in??? Pedo had to fight his way in, and perhaps was better for doing so. Lots of revisionism going on here at the moment. Suggest we simply take away from all of this that Goody will base his team selection not on 'past glories' but on what he wants and expects - current performance, likelihood to succeed in a role and even 'development' or 'exposure'.

I was expecting this to be from Mark Robinson. I even had my snarky post all lined up; I was gonna say: "There's only one Robbo I care about and his name ain't Mark."

I find some of the comments re Goodwin now and post season ignorant. Even in Paul Roos recent interview in Inside Football he admits he was pretty much the match day coach in 2016 and had little to do with the players during the week. In Roos' final year the game-plan was Goodwin's. It's the year we really started to make inroads. In Goodwin's first year as head coach he finished with the most number of wins this club has had since 2006. And yet posters are claiming this is "on notice" ? Spare me. Btw, I'm not downplaying Roos' influence, as it's been massive and this club would be nowhere without him. He was the right man do change the culture of this footy club.

As others have mentioned Goodwin may sometimes soften selection criteria and play someone a bit out of form/fitness, needs the experience or doesn't play his role well one week. To be fair players are entitled to the odd poor game without being automatically dropped. But there are other criteria I am sure he will not ease up on: Follow instructions! Do the Team Things! Behave off-field! Train hard! That is why Harmes, Hannan and ANB got games and Kent did not. Goodwin has more depth and I would expect him to enforce those disciplines much more next year. And, team selection will be where he enforces them.

After 50+ years of being a member, that’s the reason you’re not renewing?? Bizarre.

Give him a 1960’s Beatles haircut and put him in the goal square

Time to move on picket Whatever happens with the Js and Port, we now have a list which we can enjoy watching. IF OUR success or failure depends on the movement of one very talented player whose application did not meet the expectations of our footy department, then the whole structure remains moot. I, for one, want to look forward, not backwards or sideways.

If Salo can get consistent 20+ disposals, he'll be an A+ grader. Beautiful kick, good game sense and not shy of the contest. Has all the tools. I hope his body gives him a chance.

Classic Truth headine "Billy dies on the job".

If I'd done any homework at all I'd have discovered that the Dolphins home record against NE in recent years is pretty damn good

I don’t have any kids, but if i did and they decided to change teams, i just would stop buying food for them. “Under my house you will be Demon supporters” If they want to buy their own foods and pay bills they can change teams. Kids who change teams are not shown enough “discipline Tony”

The footy department have been wonderfully helpful every time I have contacted them, but they are hardly going to make an exception for you and provide a year patch to keep you on board. As for what you could do with the scarves, how about donating them to one of the charities that clothes and feeds the homeless... I'm sure a scarf (regardless of the team) would be greatly appreciated by some of those doing it tough during the winter months. As was stated by another poster, it is a pretty bizarre reason for not renewing.

My son had only one option the Dee's, or leave.

What Jack Watts would have said if the brains trust of Demonland were writing his scripts, judging by the way he is portrayed around here: "on reflection I felt that the only reason Melbourne didn't win the premiership this year was because of me, so I did the right thing by the club and left. Now that I am gone, I can confidently say that Melbourne will win the next eight premierships in a row. Also, I only came to Port Adelaide because they are the only club who would take me. Port were crap last year and will be even crapper with me there next year."

And you lot think you have problems! I find myself attending football games in the swinish and vulgar company of Biffen and Moonie.

A few new faces on the calendar. In: Jetta, Hunt, Garlett and TMc. Out: Tyson, Vince, Watts, Brayshaw. Rapt to see Jetta there. To go from delisting, to rookie, to AA squad is a superb achievement. A loyal servant of the club who is the best he can be and still taking on challenges to improve himself. Respect. Have been a huge fan of Hunt since I first saw him play, early in 2016, so delighted to see him on the calendar. A player who did not come in with any fanfare but has worked damn hard to cement his place in the side and now a deserving fan favourite. Edit: Forgot to mention, Petracca gets the honour of the cover page.

leave it there, od, as your "away" sticker

The only one that comes close appeared in the Sun abut 20 years ago, when lowly Caledonian Thistle thrashed Celtic 3-1 in the Scottish Cup.

When I cleaned my glasses, this 'stomach' looked much better...

Won't believe it til I see it. How many false dawns have we had? Yes this team has the makings of a strong outfit but they folded when the pressure was on, both this year and last year.

The current membership figure is a lowly 16,689. (It picks up MCC memberships and the annual automatic rollovers which occurred on Oct 25). I don’t have the comparable figure for Week 4 of Oct last year. But the figures for week 3 of October in recent years were: 2017: 21,890. 2018 Shortfall at least 5,291 (24%) 2016: 19,026. 2018 Shortfall at least 2,337 2014: 17,625. 2018 Shortfall at least 936 It is reasonable to assume that it is the diehard supporters that pay up 'early'. So it would be alarming to the club that at least 24% of last year’s diehard renewals have not occurred. Equally alarming would be we are under the equivalent 2014 figure (ie after the announcement of Roos as the new coach). If 24% fewer diehard supporters have not renewed, one wonders how many of the new members that took us to 42,000 will also fall by the wayside. We can all guess the reasons for the non-renewals: Round 23 capitulation Missing finals The post round 23 communication vacuum from the club The early finals ticket brochure fiasco. (and maybe for some the handling/departure of a fan favourite) On DL we have done those to death and on here we are quite forgiving and our belief in the club and its management, while questioned at times, is very resilient. But rightly or wrongly those events hurt the club and seem enough for members to start voting with their wallets. DL posters can ridicule them and say they are not 'true supporters' but they have the right to not take out a membership if they are not happy with what the club has shown. PJ and co really have their hands full to get the disenchanted members back. I hope he has some aces up his sleeve because patience seems to have run out. If the trend doesn't reverse it will really hurt financially which we can ill afford with the ordinary fixture we have been given. It will also hurt PJ's attempts to get a front of jumper sponsor ( I believe AHG will not be renewing their sponsorship). We might be lucky to reach 40,000 for 2018. FWIW - I did my bit and signed up last week.

Main Points: * Will play forward in 2018 * Is currently in Rehab * Not dwelling on 2017 and moving on to 2018 * Brendan McCartney in charge of defence now. * Good impression of Jake Lever. Strong trainer, using voice from beginning. * New Kids - Charlie Spargo - nippy little small forward. in rehab and going well. Beautiful kick of the footy. Diligent hard working.

Wow. Does that mean we get to keep Hogan for a while longer?

Just in case you have missed it, the final training session for the year is Friday 15th. The Club will be putting on the usual BBQ, Coffee and Demon Shop will be available. All profits from the BBQ will go to the Demon Army to help fund the purchases of new "heads". So if you have an hour or two to spare come down and watch the boys train the house down.

Or if Hannan has 2 or 3 quiet games in a row.

I'm hoping that McKenna can overcome the injuries and have a decent crack at Casey. Looks a very likely type to me from his NEAFL highlights.

From 2005 when Elton John married David Furness

Obviously just the 'ceremonial' article that has to come out every time a recognisable player changes clubs, can't see anything much to it although it does open up all kinds of cheap whipping for Watts - I think I'll go for the "what he means to say is, there are more players here who can carry me to a premiership". But, this has all left me wondering, just philosophically, which is 'closer' to success? a) a team featuring a significant collection of stars, but where many seem to have reached their limit. b) a team featuring a significant collection of potential stars, some of whom will realise their potential and some who wont. It gets a little more complicated doing the direct, real comparison of Port and Melbourne, since both teams made such important changes in the trade period. What will Motlop and Watts do in a team already filled with 'mercurial' 'creative' 'inconsistent' players? Will Rockliff make a dramatic difference in their midfield or will it turn out his time at Brisbane was a bit like Moloney was back at Melbourne, having a excessive apparent impact because he forced the clearance group to work around him? Of course, in contrast, we know exactly what effect Lever will have at Melbourne. Our defence will reshuffle so that every player back there can now play to all their strengths without being over-exposed for their weaknesses (Oscar's job simplified, Nev not being outsized so often, Hibberd and Hunt getting even more opportunities for fast breaks from intercept marks), with the result of at least three All-Australian selections. I will say one thing - Port should be a seriously entertaining team to watch in 2018, complete with the excitement of having no idea how they will go in any given game or quarter! On the other hand, Melbourne might not be so constantly exciting, but I'll be fine with that on the days where we just completely control games.

He isnt wrong. Port played finals last season and have added experience players to fill gaps. We havent played finals in 11 seasons and showed in 2017 we still are mentally soft till we can address that we have no chance playing finals let alone a gf. Moving Jack on was a step to address this but only a small one

If you get rid of a negative that's a positive. Just sayin..

Jack Watts new interview: “You know”, says Jack, “this is a team that is more likely to carry me to a flag. It was a great decision- I had to be responsible, train hard and do the team things at Melbourne. I think they were forgetting I am number 1 draft pick. I am number 31 draft pick here, and these idiots think that is better. Anyway, I have hooked up with a bunch of guys and, provided I say the right things, will get a free pass all the way to September. What is even better is they recruited a bunch of flakes lazier than me. By the time Motlop and some of these other guys have been made the whipping boys for the season, I can get a few possies, sell some boardies, smile for the kids and grannies (I hope they don’t smile back, they have no teeth and their breath reeks like the Alberton sewer) and think about going over to Toumpies house for a beer or 3.” Interview ends.

Brayshaw's head has surely been photoshopped on, right?

Also Oliver is a beautiful kick.

He’s a talent for sure. If he can get his body fit and healthy then he’ll add a lot to our team and will be best 22 very quickly. We got a bargain in Spargo due to his shoulder injury.

I'm reiterate what every one else has said, Spargo does not miss a target.

The only good thing to come out of us missing the finals was I stopped listening to the radio (which included a lot of SEN) and started listening to podcasts. This morning on the way to work I turned on SEN for a brief minute and heard Danny Frawley talking about Collingwood's injury problems. It's December. As for Craig Hutchison, the sight and sound of him makes my skin crawl, I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. Crocmedia fined $24,000 for exploiting young workers He's the kind of person that would commercialise every aspect of the AFL (even more so than is done now) just to make a quick buck even if that commercialisation would in the long-run ruin what it is that people love about the game.

Enjoy ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-G2FGnW?mobile=true

Just on Mitch King, was talking to a Murray bushranger official at the start of the year and he made mentioned that during his time at Melbourne, King has grown to the 202cm mark.

I was looking forward to all those Lumumba highlights.

I really hope we maintained a good relationship with Joel MacDonald when he left the club. The company he founded, GetSwift, last week announced a deal with Amazon and the shares skyrocketed. His personal wealth is now about $150 million. I'd like to see GetSwift as a sponsor of the club!

Today I renewed 14 family memberships and signed up 3 new family members. You can add 17 to the 2018 tally.