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'Massive relief' as Weideman signs on http://melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-06-07/massive-relief-as-weideman-signs-on

Fair dinkum. I'd argue with you, but there's honestly no point. It's obvious you identify whatever position will garner the most reaction and take it.

From our newsbreaker @Dee Zephyr Fantastic news. Weight off my shoulders From Sam: “I’m a Demon through and through now,” he said. “I love the club, I love the players and I love the supporters, so it’s a team that I’m going to be barracking for the rest of my life, so I can’t wait for the years to come.” Hope that Eddie reads that! It sounds like the contract negotiations have taken a real toll which might explain why his form has dropped off this year. Now that the load is lifted he can just focus on footy! Really look forward to his development and being a major cog in our team. Time to get behind him!

Sack your manager, Sam.

Melbourne Bitter seems most appropriate at the moment.

A very open, frank interview with Sam. It is really sad he went thru all this The dark side of AFL About his early form drop off: Weideman’s form, or lack thereof, came as media associated an enormous price tag with the former first-round draft pick. “There was a point where I didn’t really want to leave the house too much because I was probably thinking about what other people were thinking of me,” he said. He wasn't our worst in the first month but he took a lot of heat and I think largely because mainstream media went burko over his supposed contract claims. About Social media and some supporters: “I think there’s a lot of passion coming out in their comments and I don’t think they understand the power it can have on the players and how much effect it can have,” Weideman said. “We don’t go searching for these sorts of comments­­­­ but sometimes they’re quite direct and unavoidable. It explains why he deleted his twitter and instagram accounts a month ago. To some extent I blame mainstream media for kicking up a frenzy about a vague report of what his manager supposedly wanted for this next contract. Then social media 'heroes' went to work. We have already lost Tom Boyd from the game. Sam seems to be made of stern stuff but would hate for him to be engulfed by the dark forces that made him 'not want to leave the house'.

Demonland pre-game articles by @Whispering_Jack are among the most brilliant writings in any sport media. “Scream” v WC deserves some kind of sports literary award. I’m a great fan of @The Oracle also and @george_on_the_outer on the post game, consoles my wounded pride at being a Dee. I’m sure it’s been said before... but the considerable work and passion is much appreciated, I’m sure by all.

Smokey if i recall from previous posts of yours am i right in saying you are younger fella (by that i mean younger than most of the middle age men like myself who post here)? The reason i ask is that it seems to be there has been a positive shift with young men who are more comfortable expressing how they actually feel and not hiding behind the faux stoicism that my generation uses as some sort of distorted template on how a man should act publicly. Do you think my sense of that shift is accurate? I for one thing think it is brilliant that Sam is confident enough in his own sense of self that he can be open about his vulnerabilities. I have near adult son and my hope for him is that he can articulate his what is going on for him and not feel the need to hide it behind a wall of machismo.

You can always come up with some negativity about the club and players. What have you achieved in a sporting sense to make such comments?

He has been unfairly wearing the blame that rightly belongs to about five others for that loss. Should have been well over by the time he took that kick.

I just don't understand why they don't play this game at Olympic park on Monday. Start it at say 11:30am (yes I know that's early) and the game finishes at 2pm. Plenty of time for people to watch the vfl game and get to their seats at the g for the pre game palaver. You would get a huge crowd for it and the atmosphere would be fantastic. A footy festival.

Barty’s through!!

Absolutely. We need more than anything else to establish a culture of winning. We have had 55 years of not winning. Done that. I would love it if we win enough game to make 9th. I look forward to the posts on DL bemoaning the crows and WC losses. Look at our last effort to bottom out. Netted us money bags, trenners and the toump (sounds like a bad SA breakfast radio slot). All gone. Win. Win. Win. i for one have watched enough bloody losses by my team.

In the coming weeks (most likely during the bye) we'll be interviewing former Demon Captain David Neitz on the Demonland Podcast. Let us know if you've got a question for Neita.

And on top of that, he has IMO the biggest out for a player missing a shot to win the game. In my book, if you take a contested mark to win the game but miss the shot, it's all good. He gave himself the opportunity. I thought the same about Max in Round 1 last year, even though that shot was even easier. He took the mark that no one else could. If it weren't for Wiedeman's great contested mark, we wouldn't have had a chance anyway.

Woo Hoo, the Weid has signed a contract extension.

Not sure if many follow the NHL around here, but here is an optimistic story for every Demonlander. The St. Louis Blues were dead last in the NHL on January 3rd this year (that's 31 teams). This was around the halfway mark of the season. They then went on a huge run, made it into the playoffs and are now one game away from winning the Stanley Cup (series lead 3-2). Maybe we shouldn't give up just yet? Also [censored] the Bruins

The man. The Legend. He has an amazing gift of drawing you in, uses his own life experience and puts things in perspective. I was looking at Weeds watching on, he would be thinking okay i missed an important goal but in the context of this does it matter? what matters is how i handle this challenge perfect message for the group. Love to Neale and family

The umps are blind. So many kicks going 8, 9, 10 metres being paid as marks. Then Hawkins is about to run over the mark and give away 50 but Geelong's Infringement Prevention Coach (aka the umpire) tells him to "Hold, Tom!!!" Since when is it the umps' job to coach the players?

Good on Weed for re-signing. I think some posters are looking way too much into his comments.

We live in unprecedented times. Between the 24/7 commentary, the myriad of “Experts” on tv all vying for the most interesting comment and the negative culture of social media it’s any wonder these young men have issues. There is no indication he is a sensitive soul. He simply made a few honest comments about the pressure he’s been under. Couldnt be happier he resigned. He’ll retire a club champion if he wants to, he has all the right tools as a key forward.

Mmmm, no need to have real human experiences such as strong emotions eh.... in an industry where you are scruitinised internally by your own club and externally by pundits - week in week out... Frankly, on this occasion - you sound like the worst kind of 'Lifecoach...' who get's their slogans and soundbites from the airport bookstore.

For forks sake - you're either winding folk up with that comment, or fail to understand the nuances of how delayed pre seasons, surgeries, and having half your 22 in essence a vfl team impacts on form. That stuff is far more relevant than a vague notion of 'getting ahead of themselves'. I'd love to see (and then debate you on) what you view as the indicators, that they 'got ahead of themselves....'

Modesty forbids me from saying that I was the hero that day.

I have always been sceptical above the Weid's ability. However in the last part of 2018 he show some talent. Like most of the team his 2019 has been less than special, I watched him a couple of weeks ago at Williamstown and thought he played like an AFL talent that day. Felt sorry for him last weekend always thought he was a good kick for goal and wore the blame for losing the game when it should have been well over before he took that kick. With his tenure now out the road I hope he fulfills the trust the FD have shown in him. We sure as hell need him to reel of some multiple goal games.

Great to hear he’s signed on again. We’ve got bugger all tall forwards on our list now, so it’s a relief that Sam’s sticking around. I’m a fan and think he’s got the talent and attributes to be a really good tall forward for us. His form late last year showed that. Keep working hard Weid and the rewards will come!

Not just the bump but the follow up goal too.

Any team that doesn't start with B: A.Johnson ... Has lost me at hello

Stating as a fact what is nothing but speculation.

I want The big Pruessy to play, just to watch him throw Jeremy Howe into the Olympic Stand.

I knew someone that had MND. They died within a few years. This guy just keeps fighting, its unbelievable. He so composed articulate and coherent. Weve had a few legends at MFC. But this guy.... Now i know what courage looks like.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-06-06/neales-message-to-the-red-and-blue If you can't get motivated from that, you're not human! Man is a living legend.

Well sone Sam! I hope this helps remind our supporters how tough the scrutiny of elite sport and social media can be and that we become better at supporting our players and coaches. Dees!

I guess a bit of perspective.... He is in his early 20s, being told one thing from his manager, another from his friends and family, and something else from the club. Not to mention it's the biggest financial decision the kid has ever made. I can see why these things drag out, I guess it reaffirms the need for a true core of good people around you to make good decisions. Super glad he has re signed and looking forward to see what he can produce in the back half of the year!

What a real shame to hear about the massive pressure on Sam with all the talk about his contract. Why did it have to drag on and cause him ill effects mentally? It should not have played out that way. If his manager allowed this to happen to try and get a bigger deal, it was doing the young man a great disservice. Now he has signed on I hope he can finally concentrate on his football and relax more with peace of mind. Good luck Sam.

They don't call it "the demon drink" for nothing! LOL

Just the tonic to help us drown our sorrows! (Mind you, might be better use of Neita's time if he went down to Gosch's and spent some time teaching our mob how to kick a goal!)

I tell you a story that Alan Johnson said to me, playing in the backline a game against N Melbourne Phil krakouer was playing in the forward pocket. Phil started hanging on to Alan at the start of the game and said what are you doing hanging on to me Phil? Phil said that his job was to stop you getting the ball out of your defence. Pagan said to play tight on you. Stop you getting a kick. That is how respected and how good he was. Fancy tagging the back pocket in the late 80s Coach Northey wanted him to play another year but he couldn't he was done at 36 years old amazing footballer. Sorry Johnno I just wanted them to know.

These r the reasons y I don't think Garlett should b in the side going 4ward. If he played the percentages & drew the player I would happily have him, but he will never do it so 4 me I'd rather play someone else who would. Garlett would break 2 many hearts if we ever made a Granny.

I coach a team of boys who every year I show Danners speach and I ask them what do you take from that. First year was you're just showing us that because he's Melbourne but they were only 10 years of age at the time. Every year after BF#1 they have taken the true meaning of his speech. He's an inspiration to many and created a legacy for many generations. His speech whilst about his grandson Cooper was very much directed towards our playing group and bouncing back from the disappointment of 2019, when we've faced many hurdles. When you're down, don't play the blame game forget woe is me( many posters on here should take heed of that) in hard times show courage, act accordingly and look for opportunity and you will transcend. I hope they took it on board

Is Clayton Oliver working part-time as a barista?

Yes. As a golf pro said to me regarding my multi flawed technique - " Practice makes permanent"

I was thinking Frost could go with him for pace, but not for smarts.

Lots of love to Neale and all other sufferers of MND. A cure can't come soon enough for these courageous people and their families. Thank you to Neale for being their voice and bringing the attention needed in the fight against this terrible disease.

Good to see Neale fighting on. Hope he keeps going for many years to come, and a cure is found for MND. His efforts have enabled much needed help to be given to sufferers while waiting for the breakthrough. Hopefully it comes soon for them and their families.

He was and always will be the great orator, the reverend. As he said, he loves to tell a story and what I heard in his message to this playing group was a beautiful story. So you have had a bad year, lots of injuries and fallen short of expectation and even last week lost at the bell. Don't look for blame, own it, take responsibility accept the handball and work your way through it. Rather than motivation I felt as a lesson in life. I have no doubt one of the reasons he has lasted longer than any predictions is his dedication to this cause and to fight MND. No matter what life or footy throws at you, face it and work your way through as best you can. It starts for MFC Monday IMO and who better to take on than the Pies. Neale you are an inspiration to us all.

One of my hero’s ❤️?

He’s exactly what we don’t need.

One of the big issues with goal kicking in the modern game is that instead of a forward resting on the fence with a ciggy until the ball comes down, forwards are running huge distances, doing repeat sprint efforts and being smashed in contests prior to needing to calm themselves, find their routine and do a different type fo skill. Think of Biatholons, where athletes have outrageous heart rates, then have to consciously calm themselves super quick to shoot accurately. It is more than just technique, more than just pressure (although the mental stuff certainly comes into play). It is being fit enough to be able to switch between high intensity and accuracy type skills in the 30 seconds, having a routine with replicable skills that can be deployed consistently, and the smarts to make a good assessment of the kick that is required (ie, Jeffie, not always some dribbler off the outside of the boot, but a drop punt FFS). Goal kicking is harder now than it has ever been with the nature and speed of the game.