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

We're getting so far off topic here, but Ted Bundy was the serial killer that preyed on hitchhikers, whilst Dahmer mainly used to lure men back to his home before murdering them then doing unspeakable things with their bodies. It was also Dahmer who was alleged to have said to Lorena Bobbitt "You weren't gonna throw that away, were you?".

Eyes forward.

I think I can see what the club seemed to be trying to create, even though it went so horribly, horribly wrong in 2018. I also think I can see that the actual players required to do it are there on the list now - we aren't playing a style that is mis-matched with what we've got. Shiver down my spine but I really believe if it comes together we're not talking about 'competitive' or 'respectable', we're talking about truly dominant. I think what our current list, and strategy, could conceivably produce is even better than the Round 6 to 11 run of 2018. So, bugger it, I'm going to say that success in 2020 looks like: - a few rounds of being 'competitive' while we find our feet, being 4-1 after round five but people saying it is mostly a soft draw and we were lucky against one of the Giants/Eagles. - pushing the Tigers to the wire in round 6. - and then going 15-1 in the remaining 16 rounds, to finish top of the ladder with a 19-3 win loss and a metric obscenity of percentage. Maybe we win the premiership, maybe we wont. But the finals will be epic.

In a Word NO! If we don't go DEEP into finals I would call the season a failure. As an Aside if Goody can't get a finals spot this year I reckon it will be "See ya later"

Lumumba played an unreal quarter against North in that ridiculously scoring Hobart game in early 2016. Otherwise serviceable but given that we only paid for with a 'retired' Mitch Clark he did enough. Certainly didn't have the negative influence that some expected. If you'd gone by the forums when he was recruited he was going to have the rookie list in a circle reading Marx and launching a revolution to overthrow the President.

Why do you say things like this? I’ve not ever suggested that Goodwin cares about my opinion or sought to make this an issue. It just takes debates into an unnecessarily personal realm. Quite frankly, I don’t know anyone here (or Simon Goodwin) and I certainly don’t crave any validation in this aspect of my life. I am a passionate Dees’ supporter and merely come here to find out stuff about the club and the list etc, and to otherwise have a chat with people who seem also to support the club (which is my only avenue really given that my wife has zero interest in AFL and I live in Sydney where 100% of people of zero interest in the Melbourne Demons). That said, I appreciate your response. Thank you.

We need to be a legitimate premiership contender for this season to be a success. Simple... We've been building this list for long enough. Now's the time to put the runs on the board.

In 2019 we could’ve done with Kent and Watts as goal kicking sources.

Hats off to the Titans, did not see that one coming just proves this league really is "Any Given Sunday" (Saturday in this instance)

If those making projections had to pay a price if they got it wrong, I reckon you'd see any number of people taking a far more conservative approach on how we'll fare But there is never any price paid so grandiose predictions abound. Most footy fans are the same. Hope & faith rules ... that's how we're wired. Kinda gives us something to whinge about down the track. Been there, done that. But given how untrustworthy the club is we could win anywhere between 8 -14 games. So all things considered I'll take the middle ground of 11 wins and no finals. I won't be entirely happy with that as it's not my ambition but the club is too mentally weak for my liking The bookies have us as 6 - 4 to make the 8 (which is a bit skinny) and 6 -1 for top 4 (skinny as well) 6 - 4 also means that we've got a better than even money chance of missing the finals (according to the money men) After last year, I reckon deep down many will 'accept' 11 wins albeit begrudgingly contrary to their own ambition for the club. 11 wins can be viewed as a stepping stone too. I see making the finals as a bonus as we'll almost certainly get a few injuries to our better players and we don't have that many proven good players. But 2021 could deliver an entirely different outcome. By the way, we are mere onlookers so everything is in the club's hands. And I'd like to think that my view is neither pessimistic nor optimistic. Beige, boring - yep. Just keeping it real. That's how I see it.

It was my bday yesterday and a quiet day turned into a great (read messy) evening ?

Weekend Special NFL Monday 7.00am Houston @ Kansas City Kansas City Win (1-13) $2.50

IMV, defining success in 2020 has to be measured against the 2018 season. The 2019 season was clearly an aberration for all the reasons previously discussed at length. In 2018 we lost a preliminary final - and therefore, for me, a successful year in 2020 will be achieved if we go at least one step better - ie winning a prelim final. Anything less should be viewed by the Club - and certainly will be by me - as a failed season. Can we do it? That is the question. While there may be some psychological scares from 2019 to overcome, I believe we should be a better team this year than in 2018, for the following reasons: - a better list of players - a more experienced list - more experienced coach and coaching staff - a better fitness coach - considerably more competition for places in the team. With all these advantages over 2018, the issue will be how well the coach and his staff can heal the scares of 2019 and gel this group of individual players into a well oiled team. If they cannot do that, then, given the above, I will see this as a coaching failure.

Monday Pick Italian Serie A Monday 06:45 Roma v Juventus Juventus Win & Over 2.5 Match Goals $3.10 I’m away for the next couple of weeks fellas, might not be able to post a monkey until I get back.

Happy New Year everyone....im back from my hols, hope everyone had a good Xmas Monkey Business: NFL Playoffs Mon 10:15am Green Bay Packers v Seattle Seahawks Green Bay Packers @line -4.0 $1.92

Very similar to Rob for me. Top 4 a success with finals (rather than top 6 ) a pass. Anything less would want to come with significant impacts to our list. I am surprised that so many are concerned about us kicking a winning score. I think the big concern is at the other end. People do forget we were the highest scoring team in 2018 and a lot of that came without Hogan. Even last year we got the ball in there plenty but rarely had TMac, Fritsch or Melksham at the end of it or we kicked ourselves out of it. This year we should have all three plus at least one of an improved Weid or Petty. Our backline will be held together by two injury prone talls in May and Lever and two players of ageing quality in Jetta and Hibberd. Our ability to defend will be heavily weighted on 20+ games each out of the first two and a significant improvement in our midfields defensive attributes. Hopefully this comes with a strong preseason.

Point 1. Yes, plainly we agree that we disagree. No, I don't value Watts two kicks per quarter. Nor did his former coach and nor did his new coach, otherwise he wouldn't have had his [censored] kicked to the kerb by the former and he wouldn't have been dropped by the latter. Point 2. Yes, he's OK behind the ball. Thank FFT, as he's useless anywhere else. Point 3. Yes, he has skills. If you need industry sources as validation of Watts' skills give up watching footy. We all know he has skills. Point 4. I doubt Goodwin craves your validation, but I also have zero doubt about his desire for the contest. It hasn't changed. Now, he knows there are degrees of contested beasts, but his ''acceptable level'' in the contest would not have changed. We sucked in the contest in 2019 for a number of reasons and Watts wouldn't have helped that criteria. He's comical. But he still has a belated chance to improve this failing at his current club. Point 5. Why keep bagging him ? If a poor watcher of football makes incorrect assertions about a player, i.e you, I reserve the right to contribute. I responded to drivel, I didn't initiate. You did.

Canon 5D Mk3 with 100-400 L Series Mk11 lens

For me in 2020; - finishing top 4 is a success; - finishing top 6 is a pass; - finishing below this is underwhelming; and - finishing outside of the 8 is a war crime.

The amount of blatant misinformation that has been spread by certain sectors of the media (not to mention social media) truly is a disgrace, even by their usual standards. The fact that no-one gets held to account for publishing such demonstrably inaccurate information is a joke. Lots of these myths get rehashed after every major fire, but it seems to be out of control this year. The thing is, most of these myths, regardless of political leanings, can be dispelled using simple logic that doesn't exactly require a PhD. Yet somehow, these myths still gain widespread traction. A few of my favourites: It's arson: As others have said, even if a substantial number of fires were started by arsonists (which they demonstrably weren't), why did so many arsonists suddenly crop up in 2019? It's staggering that some people still trot this out. Banned cattle grazing in the high country: Ignoring the science that cattle do SFA to reduce fuel loads in NP's (it's not very often that you see a herd of cattle devouring a gum tree), there are more big herbivores grazing the bush now than ever. Populations of deer and, further north, feral horses (heritage listed no less - don't get me started on that wisdom) have exploded in recent times. They're currently in far greater numbers than cattle ever were. Why aren't they slowing the fires, and why would cattle do anything different? Banned firewood collection in NP's: Seriously? Millions of hectares have been burnt - exactly how much firewood were you expecting people to be collecting? It's the Greens fault for stopping planned burns: Even if they did oppose planned burns (which they don't), how are such a minor party so influential in managing bushland? Lack of backburning: Anyone who brings this up doesn't know what backburning actually is. End rant

Almost half the competition play finals, so making the 8 isn't being successful. For me success is finishing top 4 at the end of the H&A, because the premier nearly always comes from the top 4. If you finish top 4 you've given yourself what 14 other teams wanted, a realistic chance.

For me a top 4 finish is s pass mark. I don't buy in to pessimism and I believe we are every chance to make top 4. From there it is gong to take a bit of luck but I am looking forward to watching this year unfold. On paper this is the most balanced side we have had for a considerable time. Inside bulls, outside runners, solid defence and potentially both tall and small forwards. It is gong to come down to fitness and form. I can't see the point in being pessimistic, for me it just kills the joy. This team could be anything, I'm behind them becoming premiers.

Lumumba was one of the softest Melbourne players I've had the misfortune to lay my eyes on.

2019: Watts 2 games 0 goals. Kent 13 games 12 goals.....not much in the way of goal kicking sources.

Dwayne Russell has done for football commentary what Jeffrey Dahmer did for hitch-hiking.

Chatted to jones, Tomlinson and Hannan today. Looking at main group in the next week for Jones and Tomlinson. Hannan about 3 weeks.

I heard from the family member of a player that they didn't just do 100 x 100's on the last day of training before Christmas. That wasn't enough for Burgo he added a little kicker that brought tears to my eyes just hearing it. Every 20 x 100's they did a 2.2km time trial. Looks like if they survive Burgo they'll survive anything.

Today was a "quiet" return from the Christmas/New Year break, compared to the exhausting, relentless sessions that we saw before the break. Having said that, the players had already run a 3 km trial before starting the main exercises which lasted until nearly midday after a 9.30 or thereabouts start. The rehab group consisted of Tomlinson, Jones, Spargo, Baker & Hannan, who all seemed to be running freely with Jones and Tomlinson certainly at full stretch. They must be very close to return to the main group and with multiple pre-seasons behind them it would seem not so critical to their overall fitness. Viney, Jetta and VDB were running their own 3km around the oval ( perhaps they arrived late to go with the main group) but they still had to do it. It really gladdened the heart to see VDB absolutely "street" the other two, and was a good 300m ahead of them at the end. Not sighted today were Joel Smith, May ( who apparently was in the gym inside) and of course KK ( mmm..) and Neitschke. I can't say that I noticed Marty Hore either, but others may be able to confirm that. Bennell turned up for 5 minutes, but didn't participate (mmm...) Brayshaw was wearing the number 43 which confused the watchers for a while, especially with a hat on to disguise himself even further. We even saw "the invisible man" Kyle Dunkley, called such because he will get 25 touches in a game and nobody notices..... he does the same at training! And that is the main observation from today. Of the 44 on the list 35 were on the track in full training. What a comparison with last year!! It means that the coaches can run nearly 2 teams in match simulation, something that was never done in 2019. Now I haven't much to report about the actual session, because it was just a series of drills with a small half ground match sim for only 15 minutes or so. Scoop Junior has covered off most of this in an earlier post. Just another observation in that Chandler has stacked on the muscle, and was heavily involved in all the midfield exercises. In sharp contrast Preuss has lost a heap of weight and for those that can't get to training, when you see him during season proper you will simply not recognise him from before! It was good to see Lewis and Stafford running goal kicking practice at the end with a final competition to see who didn't miss. I won't steal BB's thunder, so he can let you know later......

I headed down to training early as we usually hit the track well ahead of schedule. Vanders was the first to arrive and did a slow lap with a few leg stretches as well. Saty was next but I didn't take much notice of him but he seems to have eaten well over Christmas. Jones, Hannan and Tomlinson arrived and wondered over to rehab with Baker joining them a few minutes later. Bennell was there doing nothing and did so all day. I didn't see him do any training at all. KK and May were missing as well as Joel Smith. The main group arrived about 5 minutes later and did some gentle running and exercises and then over to the tan for the 3K trial. Needless to say ANB led them home with Bedford only 15 metres behind. Nibbler looked as though he'd at least done the run this time compared to the first 3Ker when he seemed to hardly break into a sweat. Cory Wagner, Langdon and TMac were next in (from memory) and over the next few minutes they all arrived. Preussy beat Max home and all the mids were well bunched. Back to Gosch's for what is now called a craft session with the players breaking into about 3 groups and doing drills that have already been documented. Then finally we got a three quarter ground match sim drill but it didn't seem flat out to me and there was little if no tackling although it did get a bit willing at times. It was hard to pick a standout with lots involved at various stages. TMac, Weid, Petty, Fritsch and Melk were the main forward targets and they rotated throughout the drills. Overall players to impress me were Pickett who kicks just as well on both feet, Vanders who seems to be "right", Trac (again) with a mention to Weid who handled the ball well and kicked with confidence. At the end there was a goal kicking competition involving Trac, Fritta, Jordan, Preuss and Hunt. They took shots until they were eliminated and I won't tell you the answer just yet - I'll let some healthy speculation take place. All in all a warm up session I'd say. Conditions weren't easy but they weren't terrible either.

The rebuild started at the end of 2013...it was never linear as I've stated elsewhere. You pick up, you lose, you win some, you lose some. Players come in, players go but over that period you build or should build a stronger list. ..I just think 7 years is long enough to build a contender. I'm not saying we will contend, just that we should be in that position now and I will see it as failure if we don't...

You're playing with words here mate... We started a rebuild at the end of 2013 when we brought in Roos...part of the process was bringing in Goodwin. That means by the end of 2020 we will have had 7 years to bring in players, trade out players, basically build a club/team that will seriously contest for the flag. I think that is probably long enough. Just making up the numbers will not be a successful season.

There's a difference between how I see us going and what I see as a successful year. I have no idea how we will go this year but I am optimistic... However if we aren't contender then I think our season is a fail and by the clubs metrics if we go by what Pert and Bartlett tell us it should be seen as a fail. It will be the 7th season since Roos came on board and that's long enough. The rebuild will be close to a fail if we don't see results soon.

He likes to take the pi55.

OD He nearly hit That total (21) from 7/ 8 games forward Why wouldn't he be at least as successful over a full season esp with an improving forward line and team?

i would steer clear of anything filth.......nothing positive can come of it

Do you mean he gives well, when at the track.?

Top 4 and winning one final is a pass mark.

great photos ! were you using a tripod, or was it hand held, mono perhaps. Great to see VDB out there at this time of year gives me great hope for 2020 Go Deees !

There is also great evidence that Hooved animals provide the very basis for soil degradation, which leads to erosion which leads to the drying out of whole landscapes. In next to no time, us White Fellas have done more to harm this land than the original inhabitants did in what some anthropologists now say is close to 50, 000 years.

Saty, while I understand "consistent, competitive" is a success, I did think that your passion like mine expects winning from our fantastic list. It's the first time in a while we have such a good blend of fit, young, old, fast, slow, big, small, determined, skilled, journeymen and maybe even x factors. There seems to be an improved attitude training with intensity and purpose. i am really positive with them and our supporters to encourage each other and work on that above the shoulder confidence to achieve above and beyond just being competitive.

Only one club can indisputably be called successful whilst for seventeen others success is measured in degrees and can be whatever suits their (or our) own narrative. Right now I'd call getting enough tridents seats together for my friends and I on level 2 of the northern stand a success. Whether it's a good or bad season I just want to be able to experience it with them. Call it emotional fortification.

It's boring, it's 2020, Watts, Hogan, Lumumba, Gysberts et al no longer play for club, let it go, they should be of no interest whatsoever The club gets accused about being behind the times, nothing compared to some on here I am focused on new season, I just want a consistent competitive team, thst for me will be a success

Remember when he was told that he was getting number eight and he asked if he could sew it on sideways so that it resembled the symbol for infinity? Good times.

It use to be that T Mac was a shoe-in to win the time trial, and he was well renound for his endurance as one of the few that could run with Nick Riewodlt in his prime. But in recent years T Mac had come back into the field at the MFC a bit. I suspect last year injury played a big part, but is it the case that ANB and others have lifted the bar or is T Mac staring to drop away a bit, or perhaps a bit of both? Interested in people's thoughts.

Thanks for all the reports Now it all starts again

Jordan lewis on SEN late afternoon was asked about Smith and stated that he had a cut on his foot that kept him off the track today.

Very good indeed! Preuss was the only one to get the last goal from a tight angle about 35 metres out. Jordan skimmed the inside of the post according to the players. I didn't think it did but goal review wasn't installed!

The only question raised (and answered back in September) was probably: Frost or Tomlinson on the wing/dropping back into defense? I reckon the FD would have Tomlinson penciled in for 25/26 games this year.