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Has become a great pick-up for us! Looking forward to three more years of that lethal left foot.

It's one thing to note that some players have had interrupted preseasons and another to be overly concerned by it. Firstly, best 22 is a fluid concept that changes due to matchups, form, injuries, etc. Players (not a complete list) who may not (or won't) make it to round one: Lever - Hore or Frost the replacements As much as I want Lever back we can cover him early on. Jones - Stretch, Sparrow or others I squeeze Jones onto my bench, but he's no longer a pivotal player. Hannan He's around my 22-24 ranked player. Handy player, but well covered and is touch and go for the best 22 anyway. Kolodjashnij I'm really looking forward to him playing and think he'll add to the team, but if he's missing the first few weeks I doubt we'll notice. Melksham He's the only player that I expect to miss (other than Lever) that weakens the side. Joel Smith, who's a different type, may play instead of him. Or they'll rejig in some other fashion. I expect Viney, May, vandenBerg, Petracca, Oliver, and others to be right to go. So while it's not ideal, as you say, most have got miles into their legs and players who may miss are relatively easily replaced.

Misson accomplished!

Nothing like taking the roof of your mouth off with volcanic hot baked beans in a jaffle in the middle of winter. He might be onto a winner here.

Still can’t believe the 55 metre goal he kicked against Whorethorn. It looked like a short pass off the boot, but just kept on going....

Baby bonus? Nice.

I have to say that Milkshake is one of my favourites the kind of player that gives you a buzz when kicking a goal at the right moments taking a mark when it counts finding space at the pointy end of the game I cannot fault his play. I am a big fan of his and I would not be on my own in saying that. 3 year contract. I am a happy Demon.

Now that's a bannable offence. ?

I interpreted everything Jones said as being the typical 'media modesty' that gets wheeled out every year. 'I'll put my hand up for the role... what's best for the club... everyone has to earn their spot... no one's an automatic selection for round one...etc." There's zero chance Viney takes the role as sole-captain after not being able to get on the park consistently since half-way through 2017 and not being able to undertake full training this pre-season. Whilst Jones isn't the player he used to be, he did have an excellent finish to the season - especially rounds 22 and 23 and also performed well in the finals (except of course for what happened on the 22/09/2018). One of the highlights of the build up to the finals was hearing the other players in the team talk about the high regards and respect they hold for Jones and his goal again Geelong to start the final term set the stadium alight. I have no doubt the players will want him as captain.

Elliott is back, looks really sharp Playing Reid as a forward Moore as a key defender Cox still taking a difficult mark and dropping the easy Maynard one of the standouts, looks a better player again from last year Sidebottom being Sidebottom Beames has done whole session Whole session has neen a practice game

I've said this before, and not meaning to diminish the obvious ability of Hogan, but we are definitely closer to a flag with May in our side than with Hogan. Can't wait!

Round 1 last year we played Pedersen, Wagner, Garlett, Maynard, Hunt, Vince, Hannan. Im confident we’ll name a much stronger side with May, Tmac, Viney, Brayshaw, Weids and Vanders all currently fit.

I remember one of the training staff labelling him a "Natural Born Killer" due to his attack on the ball in marking contests. Can bang 'em from outside fiddy like a proper power forward too..

Something I've noticed often from Spargo in particular whilst watching highlights over the summer. He has a very, very good footy-brain.

I think I was pretty underwhelmed when we recruited him. I might have to bump that thread for some self-flagellation.

I remember when the original 4 year contract was considered excessive.

Watched the Geelong game with a group of Expat Aussies (none of them Demons) and none had ever seen the Weid before. All agreed he would be a very good player. Looks a bit like a young Pavlich to me. Will kill it in the next few years. We've got to lock him away before the filth get into his ears. They'd love the story of bringing the Grandson of a Club Legend home from a few years captivity by the enemy.

Gives us plenty of time to find a suitable replacement and do a thorough changeover.

I can't stand basketball but found this very interesting. And reminiscent of something ....... A chaotic style has this high school team topping 100 points — and driving opponents crazy

It’s a big call but I particularly like this part where Kade says ...... ”In my eyes Maysie is the best defender in the game, and I think this year, Maysie will no longer fly under the radar.”

Agreed. Leave it be for this season. Review at season end. To be successful, clubs need to make hard decisions but also behave in a respectful and decent way, understanding the importance of each individual contribution. Jones contribution has been significant. His performance off-field has greatly improved. He is good for marketing and improves the image of the club. He brings honesty and respectability to the club. He has history and a record of loyalty and achievement He stands for the Club. He bleeds for the Club. Bit like Smithy's famous comment..."Tony, I am Melbourne" Jones will play this season and play in the 22. We are a young team with a very young co-captain. Dumping Jones this season, serves no purpose, no purpose at all. Although different circumstances, I hope we have learnt the lessons of James McDonald. Jones is Melbourne and deserves another year.

Max Gawn has a new business venture. Today marks the grand opening of The Bearded Jaffle, a food truck serving gourmet Jaffles. You cab book them for your next event or try them out at the remaning Demon's AFLW games or at the upcoming MFC Family Day. https://www.thebeardedjaffle.com/

This is going to be a tough one for track watchers because according to the mfc site, “the session on Friday, 15 February has been moved behind closed doors.” The question is whether there are any Demonlanders who are our flies on walls. Otherwise, the next open session at Gosch's Paddock will be held on Wednesday, 20 February (9.30am)

MFC.... place to be.

Updated for Melksham signing on till 2022. Its great that he has signed up again as he has turned into a very valuable player, somewhat unexpected at the time he was recruited. We still have one list spot and it looks likely that if it is filled will be in the mid season draft. Gives the club a chance to see how potential target players go in their respective leagues before committing. I would think the club is working on contract extensions for Salem, Weideman and ANB as we speak.

on his non-preferred as well

Nothing short of a revelation since joining the Dees. Congrats to all involved. The figurehead of our Chaos football brand.

With the average lifespan of an AFL player measured at less than 5 years, Misso's longevity in a competitve industry has been amazing & not only has been a very loyal servant to the Dees but his influence has impacted significantly to our recent success......we have some big shoes to fill! Good luck to you & your family.

It was banned in Victoria until a change of Government in 2014.

Yep, well played Misso. I liked the way how from the very start, he said it would take several years for the fitness and conditioning program to be effective. There were going to be no short-cuts. Honest and real.

Much of life is meaningless. It ceases to become meaningless when we die. In the meantime, whilst we remain on this mortal coil, we exercise choice. We accept some things, reject others. Increasingly, I find sport in all its forms, meaningless, particularly those sports or derivations of a game that are invented and marketable purely to milk more revenue. The culture and history of a sport becomes meaningless because the new thing is just something invented by marketing executives and administrators who see $ signs in front of their eyes. They are dominated by thinking purely of markets, growth and money (in the pockets of all those involved in the game, namely, administrators, players, media and advertisers). Sport is now seen as entertainment. Sport (and footy) in its purest form no longer exists. In footy, we see rule changes every season to make the game more marketable. Do we really need it or want it ? No, but we are going to get it anyway. Do we need the latest TV or iphone? Do we need Big Bash or AFLX? Probably not, but we will get it anyway and folks have to exercise choice to buy or not to buy. Some manifestations of a sport or game are good. Women's footy for example. Worth watching, worth supporting and important for gender balance. All consumers can do is to exercise their power through choice. Avoid the sport (product) completely or choose what product or form of the sport that you like and wish to follow. The sports I don't like, I don't attend, watch or read about. Or I take less interest in. Just like you will read one book but not another based on your personal likes and biases.

One of the best rules ever to be introduced was announced earlier this week with no fanfare. I can't even find the story on the AFL's website. But the AFL has announced a zero tolerance approach to punching. A free kick will be paid against the puncher every time. Hopefully the rule will be clear that it also includes elbows (which obviously will immediately replace fists by miscreants intent on niggling). It's a good change for many reasons. It stops taggers from impeding ball players the way they have been doing; it should reduce the "need" for retaliation and most importantly, it sends a message that violence in any form is unacceptable. If anyone can find a link to the official announcement it would be useful to include it in this thread.

Shouldn't May be taking the oppositions best forward?

The lengths players will go to not take on the Demons.

I bet it stunk in there.

It was more the interrupted seasons rather than pre seasons that cost us with these 2 'binman'... Both were pretty good when they got on the ground. Viney only played 7 home & away games. So long as we don't miss key players again this year I'm not as fussed as some with preseason. Apart from Hannan it doesn't seem like anyone else has been off legs...

No, he’s a natural.

The weid can play there is no doubt and could of faulted in the finals instead he played like he belonged and that is what they play for to play finals and make history and to help win the ultimate for our great club. There have been some great players for other clubs that have struggled to play well in finals consistently and crumble under the pressure. .However Sam can take a mark in a pack ,can tackle, knows how to kick a goal and is growing in confidence.. The finals was a Godsend for him and alot of good came out of it and IMO he is ready to produce his best. The Kid is no one hit wonder. He is something!

Yep, i agree. At some stage sometimes.....you just have to take a punt.

I don't understand this post (and similar ones)? Who is complaining? Of course we would all love there to be no injuries. Of course the club will 'get on with it the best they can'. Of course the fitness team will do a good job, just as they have done in the last few years. And the less than ideal rehab and injury list won't necessarily derail our season. We remain one of the premiership favorites for a reason. We bat deep now and as has been pointed out most players in rehab are still maintaining their fitness and we only have one key serious injury (lever). But our rehab and injury list is a factor that should be considered when assessing our season and how we might go this season. Why is there a problem acknowledging or discussing this issue? Its not being negative or all doom and wish. It is just dealing in reality.

No it is a statement that as we played finals and our season went 3 weeks longer than we are used to. Non-finalists returned to training earlier than us and with postseason surgery delayed till after the prelim our prep has been delayed relative to other years

Nice one DL

I think Viney needs to get a solid season out on the park before you'd give him the nod as a sole captain. Missed a fair chunk of last year.

And with the odds booster including Winx kicks it up to 100-1 from 92-1. 2 coffees becomes 200 coffees (Alex Watson territory)

Actually....do you know what?! If you throw Winx into our Multi as the 4th leg, you get another 6/1. Now that is money for old rope.