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Driving to Traralgon and got one of those pesky call centre calls. I said who is it and the caller said Clayton Oliver. I told him he was doing a great job doing a membership drive and our family were all dedicated Dees. He said awesome. So my prompt renewal is thanks to his yet again good work in heavy traffic.

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere, but stumbled upon this on Facebook. Wearing it Rnd 23 v GWS

More fake news? Titus O'Reily‏ @TitusOReily 56m56 minutes ago More "But I promise you, the AFL will not forget or abandon Tanzania." 9 replies16 retweets166 likes Reply 9 Retweet 16 Like 166 Direct message

You should follow Michael Wilson on Instagram. He takes some incredible photos.

I love Paul Roos. The turnaround he pulled off is genuinely impressive. This club was on its knees. It was last breath territory. I regard him as one of the most important figures in this club’s history. If we win a flag in the next five or so years, he is immortal.

Explains why the picture I've got with mine is of Stormy Daniels.

Not that I really care, but if Dangerfield has a hamstring tear, he WILL NOT play. Unless Geelong is stupid, or lying. We physios have a mantra, which is decades old, yet current: there is no such thing as a 2 week hamstring. If the human hammie had inexplicably evolved, or there were some new healing magic, it wouldn’t still be a rule. Danger is unlikely even for round 2.

As has been mentioned before there are some parallels between Roos’ tenure at Melbourne and Barassi’s back in the early 80’s. In the years prior to Barassi taking the coaching reins we finished - 2nd last, last, 2nd last and 3rd last In the years prior to Roos taking over we finished - last, last, 5th last, 5th last, 3rd last and 2nd last. Barassi hands over a young, developing side to Northey that includes some experienced players; Brian Wilson, Alan Johnson and Robbie and some exciting youngsters; Gary Lyon, Sean Wight, Sugar Healey, Graham Yeats, Steve Stretch, Rod Grinter and Brett Lovett. Northey then adds up Todd Viney, Jim Stynes, Glenn Lovett and the Febeys to the 1987 list. Roos hands over a young, developing side to Goodwin that includes some experienced players; Nev Jetta, Tom McDonald, Max Gawn and Nathan Jones and some exciting youngsters; Christian Petracca and Salem, Angus Brayshaw, Jayden Hunt, Jesse Hogan and Clayton Oliver. Goodwin has since added proven players in Michael Hiiberd and Jake Lever whilst there are high hopes for Bailey Fritsch, Oskar Baker and Charlie Spargo. Northey in his second year (1987, easily my favourite Melbourne supporting year) erases the disappointment of years past and takes us not only our first finals appearance in 23 seasons but also to a Preliminary Final (with the ‘only could happen to Melbourne’ finish). We have a final series mortgage for the next five years including a Grand Final. Goodwin in his second year......... If Goodwin can takes us to finals and then a Premiership (hopefully a couple of times) then Roos’ considerable legacy will be further enhanced. Paul was only with us for three years whilst Barassi had five. Barass also didn’t have compete with AFL funded expansion clubs and we were far closer to the final abyss in 2013 than we were in 1981. For us to be now talking finals and premierships after the position we were in a few short years ago is remarkable. I think one reason that Paul remains welded onto the Melbourne cause is that, success or failure, over the next few years will affect his historical standing in the AFL community. Along with PJ he has already saved this footy club and given it relevancy and a degree of respect. We will now see if Goodwin can now finish the job..

If only the club was this cautious with his foot when he first hurt it.

I expect you to write me a reference when I get fired from my job.

It's clearly an issue with journalism in general. Stories are pushed to one extreme or the other, to elicit the maximum amount of outrage or partisan support. Stories are headlined to generate web traffic, not to reflect the contents of the story or the actual issue in order to get clicks for ads. News and journalism have been chasing their tail since the internet became a thing. They missed the boat and are now trying to stuff an outdated business model onto a computer screen. But for that model to work, they need ads and a huge volume of traffic. So they sensationalise to an extent we haven't seen before to get the traffic and the ad revenue that comes with it. If the AFL players can counter or affect this to even a small extent then that's a win. But I feel like it's an uphill battle we're all fighting. Anything that forces journalists to get all (or at least more of) the facts is a win. Right now, being first with a story is the priority for this type of journalism. It doesn't matter if the facts are wrong. It matters that you get the story first and the web traffic that goes with it. Maybe if they're called on their factual inaccuracies often enough, they'll start to prioritise accuracy over speed. I am doubtful this will happen though.

Agree. Also, there was so much negativity around MFC and JW, and every season it became an issue. Almost like a curse. talked about by media, fans and no doubt players. When coaches and the club would prefer to focus on the positives and the team. It was an emphasis on the individual rather than the team. It was like this before Dusty turned the corner, although it was his off-field stuff rather than his on-field performance. The Tigers were successful last year in eliminating all the bad news story and concentrating on the team and on-field success. I am sure that Roos and then Goodwin became sick of the questions and the distraction. There was every chance that the distraction would have continued in 2018. Now that the dust has settled, I have no doubt that the JW decision was right.

Unfortunately the thread title is not close to being accurate. My worst fears in relation to this injury are a dann sight worse than viney not back to round 3.

A slightly sensationalist headline there, pitmaster. It sounds like he won't return until Round 3 not because of a setback to the injury, but because they want to get some game time in before he does so to ensure he's ready to go. It's not ideal, but hardly a 'worst fear confirmed' scenario.

Without question...

The reason I spend too much time scrolling through the pages of Demonland are for reports like these. Thank you Dante

Went to a club lunch today and Jake Lever was one of the guests from the club, he was interviewed by Robbo and he is absolutely stoked to be a Demon. Toddy and Jason Taylor were in touch with him constantly in his draft year and as we all know we would have drafted him but just didn't have the pick to do so. He loves the club, the playing group and the coaches, he said they are a really tight knit bunch of guys and friends who want to win a flag (or two). He said he was really impressed with the intensity of the playing group last year and this year it has lifted a notch, he said training has been great. He is a really impressive person, vey level headed and really keen for success. Toddy was asked about AVB and said he's running at 100% on the special treadmill and will play football this year, maybe not till mid year though. There is a rumour about TommyMc but he said he thinks he'll play first round, hmmm! Jake said he's happy Tommy is playing forward because he gets a bit grumpy down back. The club are exploring several options for a new facility but nothing to announce at the moment.

Whatever the pros and cons of the parking ban in Yarra Park, at least we are in 2 of the 5 blockbuster games at the G during H&A where the parking ban applies. A green shoot of relevance, I guess.

Pfft, do they even Allen Jakovich?

I make no apologies for postings Demons content on a Demons Forum for Demon fans to talk about.

Prior to JLT1 Lewis hadn't missed a session all preseason. And with about 15 preseasons under his belt I suspect he'll be fine as long as he's getting in plenty of match simulation sessions at training.

I thought that, if they had a niggle of any sort, they were straight into the rehab group. So how come T Mac had a 'nuisance' injury but didn't go in to rehab for it? Seems strange.

I saw it that way as well. He appears to be over the main injuries but it seems like there are side effects in other parts of his foot: "Having lost support in my foot and running differently and putting different loads through different bones, I've just got these little niggles popping up every now and then". Little niggles could be anything from a sore big toe to ...? Whatever the niggles they are enough to limit him to training for at least 3 - 4 weeks before he steps into a match. Methinks, if it was just a case of match fitness he would be playing the Casey practice match this weekend.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-15/star-dees-to-make-r1-bid-in-vfl-hitout AFL players to play match against Box Hill at Casey Fields on Saturday. "The Demons have decided to take the opportunity to get valuable game time into Jeff Garlett (rib), Neville Jetta (quad), Dom Tyson(calf niggle), James Harmes (head knock) and Dean Kent (shoulder) after interrupted pre-season programs due to injury". Sam Weideman and Joel Smith will also play for Casey. Other updates: Melbourne expects Jordan Lewis (calf) to be available for round 1. Tom McDonald will need to prove his fitness in a solid training session planned for the rest of the AFL squad at Casey Fields on Friday. Good to see that so many players are ready to take the field at some level. If they all get thru it should be a pretty good list to choose from for round 1. There will be a few unlucky players at the selection table next week.

FWIW in 2017 not ONE captain said that Richmond would even make the eight yet win a flag. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/live-coverage-all-the-updates-and-reactions-from-the-2017-afl-captains-day-at-the-mcg/news-story/57eeb7c170e9434050f8850a52db088c Meh...

Having thought about this for a minute and I don't know if this is entirely possible and it might even be impossible for any of us to test this out but there is the slight possibilities that the Facebook algorithm knowing that I'm a Demon tragic placed a Viney placeholder image on there in order to sell just to me and for all I know my colleague in the next office is writing on a Hawks message board complaining that they used that old photo of Cyril again and perhaps they should update it. Shhh. I think the Facebook bots are listening in on my thoughts.

Agreed. And I put PJ in exactly the same box from an administrative level.

Great News... ...good to hear we've learnt our lesson and are not rushing players back, particularly from serious injury without requisite match fitness.

End of the day he should have taken his time last season to ensure he was right to play. He has obviously learnt from this and will be taking the extra time to be 100% right before playing. We can cover him for the first 2-3 rounds but will need a fit a firing Viney as the season drags on.

Without question.

How good would it be to win the flag while Neale is still with us. Make it happen Demons.

Paul Roos turned our club around in his three years, from a permanent cellar dweller to a side that can realistically challenge for the flag, he will be a big part of our history in years to come.and that's why i trust his judgement in picking Goodwin as his successor. He cut most of the players on the list and eradicated the poor attitude that permeated through the club, from one generation of players to the next, we now have something that resembles a side capable of beating any other club in the competition What an unlikely duo to have played such a big part in our resurgence, PJ and Roos, both should have a special place in the hearts of Melbourne supporters..

Not sure if this has been written elsewhere but I read a line that warmed the heart re Roos. "This is my fourth year back in Melbourne, I grew up in Melbourne, I barrack for Melbourne, go to Melbourne games with a Melbourne scarf on when I’m not working....."

Certainly not defending the useless finish to 2017 but I suspect they are referring to the fact this list is virtually turned over from when Roos took over... Rd 1 2014 Best 22 approx Nathan Jones Jones Bernie Vince Vince Dom Tyson Tyson Jake Spencer Jetta Rohan Bail Hibberd Jack Watts Neal-Bullen Jack Trengove Hunt Daniel Cross Lever Jack Grimes Viney Lynden Dunn Oliver James Frawley Salem Matt Jones Petracca Jimmy Toumpas Hogan Viv Michie Melksham Shannon Byrnes Garlett Cameron Pedersen Pedersen Dean Terlich Hannan Alex Georgiou Brayshaw Tom McDonald Tom Mac Jeremy Howe Fritsch Jay Kennedy-Harris Harmes Jack Fitzpatrick Gawn 5 players the same......Wow. That's a massive change.

Re: Sam Weideman, I've said it before, but it has nothing to do with the number of marks, kicks and goals he has, at any level, at this stage of his career. It has everything to do with his lack of intensity, physical presence and hunger for the contest. That is something you can't teach, and it is the reason that I doubt he will make it as an AFL footballer. I'm sure Sam will see out his contract, and will probably even get a fifth year if he shows signs of improvement, but there is little doubt that we will be having the same conversation in 2020.

Todd has some personal non-negotiables about player habits and work ethic. He wasn't enamoured with Stef Martin a few years back. Watts would have frustrated the daylights out of Viney.

I expect there was an ultimatum...after repeated warnings, threats, cajoling and persuasions. It's just that the club very carefully kept all such messages in house.

54 years with a muscle wastage ailment is incredible. The strength of his mind must have given him years

That's yet to come.

I opened this thinking this was going to be Tom Mcdonald related

Heart *ache*, as in a dull, lingering pain. They're the ones that will drive players to improve. They will still be seething in the back of their minds now. I reckon he's right that this is the first time most of the players will have spent months stewing on a result. As opposed to the intense, short lived pain one would expect after losing a game to North.

He is out of touch with supporters because he hasn’t put up with this rubbish for the last 12 years, while the rest of us have delt with this our entire life! The bloke was a good hard player with abit of backbone. If Hardwick can win a flag at Richmond so can this bloke at Melb.

I thought he was more transparent than most pollies. I think it was obvious what you were getting before he was elected .All pollies break promises but I think he was certainly more straight in what he said he was going to do. As opposed to Howard and his famous "core and non core promises". Abbott isn't gone - but I wish he was.

Actually, ALS is a subtype of MND. https://www.alsmndalliance.org/what-is-alsmnd/

Did you guys order a code red???

Don't forget too that it was his finest moment. As much as I wanted him to stay, I now accept that there were not many moments like this. (as good as it was).

Ran into Neale at Kooyong a few weeks back. thought he was doing far better than at last years QBD game. He was very positive about the Dees for this coming year.

Any player who gives us a moment like this, is immortally loved... Ps Bayley should be a ripper too...

We can and will beat anyone anywhere this season. I'm not worried abut Geelong in Geelong. Hell we flogged the Crows at Adelaide Oval last season, and won in Perth finally. The tide has turned, PD.

No Mackie No Lonergan No Henderson No Scott Selwood No Stanley No Dangerfield No Cockatoo Possibly no Ablett I'm coming over for this game and stuff me, if we don't smash these front running arse clowns I'll be fuming.