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Aah, the self anointed 'expert' film critics that feel a need to be critical... just like the 'real' film critics... always an opinion, never realising that they are not representative of the wider audience. I never take any notice of the 'real' film critics... I see a movie that I am interested in and make up my own mind. Enjoyed this insight into the mind-set of our football team. There was a time when supporters would grab the Saturday evening Sporting Globe on the way home which would have a report on the first half of the game you just viewed in first person... The Herald would have the final scores, printed in red (I think) on the back page of the early evening edition. When you got home from the match you might have had a half hour replay (if your team was playing one of the big 4) on Saturday night... then WOS on Sunday morning for 'expert' analysis. Now we have the good fortune to view a very well constructed review of pre-season, a narrative from the inner sanctum, and we have the drop-kick media critics here claiming it was below par! Get a life! Bring on episode two!

amazing how fast the love disappears for players near the end of their careers! Jonesy was never a star of the game but he well may have been at least pushing that tag if he was playing w a finals team, where he wasn’t always expected to be the main battering ram . He sacrificed a lot to lead and stay w us...in the darkest of dark times. I still feel big gratitude to him.

People invest in the women’s game for a few reasons. For some just the presence of a MFC jumper is enough; personally for me I just think it’s important that the competition succeeds for the good of the game. The one thing the batshit boring “world game” has had over us for years is that girls can play too. Once invested, you see the spectacle in a different light. The standard in my son’s year 4 basketball team is pretty low compared to the NBA, but I’m invested so when the games are tight and tense I stress, barrack and feel all the same things I do during a tight MFC game. I don’t sit there thinking “man the standard is low, I’m bored.” Of course people who aren’t invested are going to be bored watching it.

The Preseason Documentary To Hell and Back: Episode 1 Premieres tonight (9/2/20) @ 7:00pm.

Didn’t want that to end, great watch. Lol at the cursing by Max.

I am only interested in watching the dees play (and the grand final). But that largely applies to the men too. I don't mind the low scoring and different skill level. I look at as different game to an extent. The arm wrestle has its own fascination. And skills aside the courage to put their bodies on the line they way they do is phenomenal. So gutsy. And tough. And they are at huge risk of injury (without the same sort of income protection) given their bio dynamics, strength, size, inexperience and the fact they are not professional (far from it). But i had a very familiar sense of tension and nerves in the last 3 minutes of today's game as they battled to keep it in our forward half and fight to to hang on for a win. And i was pumped when they did. Loved how joyous they were too. Go dees!

I saw RDB play a fair bit of footy first with us then with Carlton who were very often televised in the mid to late 60s, then at Port Melbourne. He was my favorite player as a kid and because I really didn't understand the reasons he left MFC until much later, it hurt to see him play at other clubs. Much as I wanted to have his endeavour and spirit and attitude (and a little did rub off), as a footballer he was not quite in the talent class of Darly Bulldock, Kevin Murray or Ted Whitten his peers of the day. RDB was guts and determination and he pushed himself to his limits. As a player who was able to read the play to find the ball, miraculously create time where no time for decision making existed and then to CONSISTENTLY execute the required skill, by hand or foot, in my view Robert Flower was without peer. His slim physique should have been an impairment to his durability as a player, but it wasn't. Rob could carry injury and fans were often not aware of it, such was his graceful ability and timing to get the ball and avoid being tackled by the opposition. There are plenty of other players who had a bigger impact for us, but they played in a different time or could not last the journey of a full career. Rob played when we were rubbish. He was the only reason I went to the G for a decade to see us get flogged. In his interview with Mike Sheahan he said he always felt we had a chance, that was hard for me to understand as a spectator but easy for me to understand as an observer of a player who lived and breathed red & blue. He could see nothing else but the spirit that was the club at that time, knocking back money and finals to be true to himself and his club mates. May he rest in peace and from a good place, soon see his club finally secure his football life's dream.

I loved getting to see something we've virtually never been shown before. The coach's first address to the players to set up the pre season and the next season. Followed by the new head of conditioning setting out the plan. It wasn't what they said it was the fact that we got to see them saying it. Personally I"ve never seen that before. I love it. Best thing I've seen the Club do. For those of you who don't want to hear anything from the Club until there's results from games why are you even commenting about this. You're in the wrong place. Go back into hiding till round 1.

I find it amazing that people can pot the Club about the name of a doco they haven't seen and have no idea what it contains. No bias here. And still others pot the doco. Go figure.

Chunk is the Robbie Flower minus the sublime skill, of our era. He deserves everything that comes his way for his loyalty and commitment to the club. This bloke has seen the worst of the worst as far as an AFL football club can go yet has stuck fat. He deserves a medal. Not sure what medal...but it should be gold. He may well be cooked...but I thank you Jonesy from the bottom of my heart.

I enjoyed the first segment but believe it could have done with more nudity.

I'll watch it at some stage. I also know plenty of people will watch it just so they can complain about watching it...

Am looking forward to many references to “that’s not our brand” and “craft”, it might even top the record amount of F bombs in Goodfellas

I enjoyed the game as we won. Ours players suffered from wanting to spend the ball before they had it, hence the fumbling which cost us movement. That is easily fixed. As the "world' game, women may play it but they don't watch it. AFL is unique in football codes in that around 50% of our crowds women. This does not happen in soccer, the European soccer clubs have even sent out researchers to learn how to get women to their games. AFL is accessible by everyone and the women's game will make sure it stays the dominant code in Australia as girls have a pathway. My daughter 11yrs old, took up footy again last year and wants to be a Professional AFL footy player, unlikely full-time in her lifetime (Maybe?) but lots of her friends are wanting to play AFL now. Yesterday in commentary how many of the girls have come across from basketball to play footy. It will only get better at the pipeline of juniors come through.

Love watching the girls play, but unfortunately the AFL is destroying it as a spectacle, by bringing in too many teams too early. The quality and skills that were seen in the original Melbourne v Bulldogs exhibitions was first class, but now we have only 4 to 6 genuinely good players in each side. We know how good players like Daisy, Kearney, Harris, Paxman, Vescio are going to perform, because they have been playing the game for a long time, and can kick, mark and handball to the standards we are used to seeing in the mens game. Unfortunately, they have teammates who simply cannot do the basics at the moment. It WILL come, but in the meantime, the spectacle is being trashed.

If you want a shock transformation look up what Hibberd looks like now compared to last year. Looks about 20kgs lighter.

I’m backing Petracca to have his best year with us, a lot of media pundits like to mention the fact that he’s in his final year of his contract so this is the time to shine. But how about the simple fact that he is getting into his peak years and as an age group our club is getting into their peak years. Now is the best time for him to shine because it has the potential to bring others up along with him.

Everyone, including the AFL admin, have to get over making scores happen in AFLW! Its not the same game! Low scores make for great contests... That's CONTESTS!!! Accept that the scores will be lower. The women are already limited by the time allowed and modified rules. Accept that if the men played under the same conditions, the scores would be considerably lower! Our women did extremely well today after kicking into a gale in the first Q, and having to field an inexperienced team due to injury. North were considered one of the power teams of the comp. Credit where credit is due... Great win Dees!

I was also extremely disappointed at the end of 2017 and seriously thought we had missed our chance. Jonesy is a part of that, but so was Max, T Mac and Viney (coming back too early from his foot injury) etc. They stood up in 2018 and finally got it right towards the end of the year, but in 2019 the likes of Max, Viney and Jones had to stand up while the rest of the team fell down around them. Trac, Harmes, Clarry were exceptions. Rather than derailing another thread, I will simply say you have your view, DS and I have mine. Jones may not be the player he once was but he is a champion person. Nno matter what happens in the next year (or two), the way he spoke shows to me he will do his best to ensure he plays his role as a player in his twilight years, to try to set the club up for success he will likely not be an active part of.

Can't imagine how disappointed you'll be.

Based on the last line from Jonesy, he has felt the burden of the disappointment of 2019 and the disappointment of the Decade! This is insightful to me because it shows that Chunk has the self awareness to realise he was carrying too much and it was time to step back and allow himself to enjoy the time he has left in the game. The fact that he mentioned the 'Decade' shows to me how much he felt he has let down the supporters and most likely, himself as player and captain. If you can't see that, DS, or don't want to see it, that can't be helped. Also, the speeches appear to be in the lunch/break out room where most of the players probably gather and socialise at the club. I enjoyed the insight into the club but also realise it's only the set up for the rest of the series. I will be interested in what is to come leading into the season proper.

Was great! A really interesting insight. Looking forward to the Bennell and Vanders stuff next week.

He was very ordinary last year. Loyalty aside. i am hoping he finds it hard to get a game in 2020

I’ve got nothing else to say on the matter hardtack. I’m standing by my original comments. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

@McQueen I've seen a lot of VFL games played in similar conditions at Casey and the standard has been truly awful and dare I say it but probably worse than yesterdays game. Frankly the standard yesterday was much better than I was expecting and if that game were played in the first year of the competition it could well have been a scoreless draw. The women's game is certainly improving. Games played at lower standard than AFL seniors are really suffering from the level of pressure and tackling now so much part of our game. Tackling and pressure is more a mindset than a difficult skill to master and when it's applied at lower skill levels it can destroy games. Add conditions that make skills difficult to execute and you get pretty awful games. As a specticle yesterday was nothing but as a contest it was terrific and I can't help to get involved when the MFC are playing. Having said that I can't see that McQueen's comment was necessary or what it achieved. Why not just appreciate the effort and courage of these women because that was, without question, fantastic and well worth watching.

I'm in the same boat. I watch it because it's Dees related and I want to see them win! Women or men. I dont understand why others feel the need to shoot someone else down just because they don't agree with the concept or have no interest. I can see why people don't enjoy it.

It wasn’t going our way early, we weren’t clean and North took their chances in the first. Effort was there and when you’re looking for something to inspire or just lift the team that little bit more up steps Hore with that great tackle that led to her and our opening goal. Game changing moment for me. She was fantastic today. Great win by the team.

If you're comparing it with the elite AFL men's sides then you will always be disappointed. But I do like the competition they show and their desire to get the ball. But that's not why I asked if your comment was necessary. What you posted with a capital "U" was derogatory and distasteful. Nana had it right when she said "If you don't have anything nice to say then it's best to say nothing at all" I'm sure you would have thought her some Left leaning loony member of the PC Brigade. But I think the following definition of the term is more in keeping with you. PC Brigade (Noun) (Abbr. Political Correctness Brigade) (Chiefly British) A smug, knee-jerk, ill-defined catch-all word that is overused by closet racists, sexists, homophobes and bigots to describe anyone who dares to challenge their hate speech with the values of respect and common human decency.

As others have pointed out the game goes for half as long as a men's match so scores will naturally be lower. Games are also much more exposed to the wheather which impacts scoring. The last touch rule also results in more half ground turnovers. Add to that shorter, less precise kicks and you get a lower scoring match, that is nevertheless fantastic contested footy that I really enjoy watching. Also worth noting that the scoring and standard has increased dramatically from the first round to the end of season in previous seasons.

I’m happy for the women to get the win but I had to switch it off at half time. If you insert the letter ‘U’ into AFLW you know what you get.

I’m currently in Byron Bay for my wedding anniversary. It’s raining cats and dogs. Biblical proportions. Being an old fashioned romantic, I’m drinking single malt and reading Demonland. I just read this entire thread. We’re going to win the flag in 2020. I’m convinced of this. Thanks for the reports.

Has the highest ball drop in the AFL. Drops it from head height

Such a pleasing rap for Stanley the Alves. He may not have actually been one of our echelon 'greatest' but by hell, he was a fantastic footballer, a fantastic wingman, a great Captain, a beautiful kick and 'on-the-run' disposer of the ball, a speedster, too. He had the best baulk and blind turn routines one could ever see (and has ever seen - absolutely impeccable) and knew better than most what it took to kick a goal from a long way out. Even Bartlett got a few from the Southern Stand wing - and these were commendable: Stan got all of them, everytime. I always hoped that he would coach the Dees ... his stint at the Saints as coach was marred by a very sick club and limited talent within the footy department/majority of players. Stan, to me, remains a playmaking icon of our Club and certainly, one of the great characters of our Club.

You don't want to read too much into the title until you see the doco. What if the doco takes the line we have been in hell and presents the 'back' bit as a struggle /process / aim but not something accompished? It is unusual to review a doco without having seen it. And what was that saying about books and covers and judging?

Top post, Hot.

I see Steven Icke in WJ’s photo. j don’t think he played in the finals...did he? I really admired that guy as one of the most gutsy players I’ve ever seen.

Not convinced his physical condition has been his greatest impediment... I hope he is focusing as much on keeping his mind ‘switched on’ as he is on dropping a few kilos

I thought this kind of propaganda disappeared with Schwab and Whiteboard Wednesday. Nothings changed. We are talking as well as walking the crap. Should have shut up until we actually achieve something positive.

I get that some people don't enjoy the spectacle. You're one and that's fine. It's your right to have that opinion. I do enjoy it, but I can still acknowledge it lacks the quality of the men's comp. And I don't think it will improve dramatically until the AFL buy in completely. These ladies aren't professionals. They have shorter preseasons which, due to work commitments, involve a few hours at the club a week. They play 8 games (I think) plus finals and then go back to their respective state leagues where, again, their training is limited by work commitments. Until the AFL commits to a full pre-season and season with professional players and coaches, I think the quality will continue to be an issue for people. It's not for me, but I've never expected it to be at or near the level of the men's comp. Some people might argue they don't deserve to be paid a professional wage or don't pull their own weight yet until the quality picks up further, but I don't see how it would without players having the time and resources to work at it full time.

Katie Hore and Libby Birch are two who won us the game. Great win Dees!

Nope but blokes keep potting it. It’s not for us, it’s for a new generation of girls and woman to enjoy the sport. The skills have improved dramatically over 3 years and it is a joy to watch for mine.

I'm very happy tonight. Different game but still red and blue! Love the Dees, regardless of gender.

Give credit where credit is due. Not to take away anything from Swooper but Barassi assembled that list and mostly did it the hard way. Came in 1981 on the condition Ray Jordan came across to coach U19’s & Reserves. The core of that team came through that system or were recruited by Barass.

Was that really neccessary?

Never in doubt.

The greatest year of my Demon supporting life by a mile. I have posted various reflections in numerous topic forums over the years. Those last 8 weeks...........!!!!!

Is there a difference between New Idea and the Herald Sun?

A fit Viney and AVB alongside a fitter Trac and unhampered Oliver ?

Inbuilt mongrel - that is what we need in bucketloads - with skills to match.