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Elite ? Hate the word. Before the word was coined along with derogatory words such as spud and dud, at a time when players had jobs and the media reported on players and games without sensationalism, ego or headline grabbing, and supporters were loyal to their players and team, irrespective of their position on the ladder, a different language was used. Players were not duds or spuds, they were “not up to it” or “good seconds” (reserve) players. Some players were described as “good” or “solid” players, some were “very good” players even “great” players, and the exceptional few were crowned with the word “Star” or “Champion.” Players in our great teams of the 50s and 60s could be described this way. Our champion was RDB. The rest were great players, very good players or good players. The rest played in the seconds or were dispatched to country and local leagues. You would not have described these players as elite, duds or spuds. Anyway, getting back to my point I hate the word “elite”, It has become a buzz word that suggests that the author or speaker knows what they are talking about. Yes, everyone in the dog eat dog industry use it. That does not mean everyone else has to slavishly use it. Oops looks like I have finished the bottle. Now where did I put that single malt? .

Dear members and supporters, Firstly, I hope you and your families are staying safe. As we know, this is uncharted territory for everyone and we’re all adjusting to it in different ways. Hopefully your at-home haircuts are going better than my mohawk. With the community’s health and safety being the most important thing right now, football has obviously taken a backseat. While this needed to happen, I want you to know that our work hasn’t stopped, albeit in a very different environment. We are working with what we’ve got, like many of you are too, and are riding this out, together (while maintain social distancing). Obviously, the fact that we can’t do that we love right now, and have been training to do since October, is frustrating. But we understand we are incredibly lucky that we have a job to go back to when the time is right, and that job is to work our arses off to make you proud to be a Demon. So, the purpose of this open letter is to thank you and acknowledge everyone who is currently financially supporting the Club. Without this support, and without every little dollar we are getting from our members and sponsors, we would be in real trouble. I have always been taught that through challenging times, you see the best and worst in people, and so far, I’ve only seen the best in our supporters. It makes me so confident in where our Club will be when we come out the other side of this. For the best part of six years, I sat in the stands with you. Whether I was injured or couldn’t get a game, I rode every bump with you. Sitting in the Olympic stand, I experienced the high and the lows of being a Melbourne supporter, so I want you to know that I do understand how you are feeling. I know it’s been tough and let’s be real, when I say “I’ve been through the hard times”, who could forget the time when Jack Fitzpatrick decided to tunnelball the footy through for a deliberate rushed behind which cost us the game on Queen’s Birthday, or when my close friend Lynden Dunn tagged Gary Ablett Jr. who then proceeded to rack up 30 touches in one half. On a more serious note, I know the pain – missing the finals in 2017, the Preliminary Final loss in 2018 or the disappointment of last year. But, as with any adversity, these times have brought us closer. I know if we stick together, we will come out of this stronger than ever before. I am reliably informed by the higher ups at the Club that our members have supported us like no other Club in the competition during the COVID-19 shutdown. You are sticking with us and many of you have bought memberships since the games were postponed. I can’t express how proud that makes me (and my teammates) – you are sticking with us and personally, I love you for that. So, my message to the great Demon faithful is a simple thank you. Thank you to those who have signed up; you are standing up for us in a time of need and we will always be extremely grateful for that. For those who are not yet members, I understand this might not be financially possible for some right now. For those that are able to join us, we would absolutely love your support. We want you to be part of our great Club and share in this challenge with us. While I would love to, I can’t do anything for you today. I’m itching to get back out there and play for you, but we can’t just yet. In times like this though, we must focus on the opportunity in front of us, and let me tell you, when it’s time to return, we will be ready. Make no mistake, this year is going to be the difficult one to win, so how much better would it be to do it. We are stronger together, Demon family. Thank you again, and I can’t wait to lead us out when the time’s right to do so. Go Dees. Love Max

I did end up watching the 88 GF and I tell you what boy we shot ourselves in the foot. The Hawks ran over us from midway through the 2nd quarter but we had plenty of chances early to be a few goals up and just [censored] the bed. I mean Garry Lyon missed a set shot 35-40m out almost directly in front! Few others went begging too. I reckon we tried to outsmart ourselves early too, with O'Dwyer out we had Stynes as our solo ruck. But he started at full forward with Danny Hughes in the ruck and Stretch at full back on Dunstall. Yeah Dunstall was probably too quick for Hughes but Hughes was our full back and could at least match Dunstall for strength. Brereton gave Duursma a bath as well. We were focused on playing the man but did it unsuccessfully (unlike the Cats a year later) where it had little impact except to cost us free kicks and 50s. I was flicking through YouTube last night and had the 64 Grand Final going in the background (newsreel footage but highlights from all 4 quarters). Don't know what I'll watch next I might follow 88 up with 89 as I have most of the replays front hat year (I think there's only 2 games I'm missing). The finals series will also be worth watching for Ablett alone, I watched the complete 88 finals series (Hawks/blues semi was surprisingly close) so might do the same with 89.

There’s some talk of having extended benches if they do the carnival format. This would be perfect for him.

I often wonder whether letters like this get written for the players. Not much doubt Maxy wrote this one. He’s become an exceptional communicator. Uses great humour but it’s not just a joke it has a real point to it. Those are two great examples that really do show he understands what we’ve been through. His B&F speech last year was the best speech in the Club I’ve ever heard. It embraced every aspect of the club so comprehensively with humour, humility, knowledge. Who the Club is and his part in it. Past players, current players, coaches, supporters. Brilliant. Can even play a bit.

I can tell you with certainty that there have been countless D!cks who have umpired the game!

With pleasure. All the following take into account variations/spellings of particular names (eg. John/Jon, Bill/William etc). Most common is Jack, followed by Bill, John, James and Michael. The top ten is completed with Bob, Peter, David, Matthew and Stephen. There is a standout name group in every era, with Bill from 1897 to 1929, Jack from 1930 to 1959, John from 1960 to 1989 and Matthew from 1990 to present. If you're looking for middle names, I can't help you there! ?

Curiosity got the better of me, so I looked it up. You're correct - Smith has been the most common, followed by Williams, Brown, Jones.and Ryan. Rounding out the top ten are Taylor, Johnson, Wilson, Anderson and McDonald.

gary ablett and gary ablett

This is promising - Harley Bennell ‘a really good chance’ to be fit to play for Demons once AFL returns

Interesting thread. I like that Paul Salmon is your "best example" which suggests you've either forgotten about Gary Ablett Jr and Eddie Betts or you don't think of them as "good examples". Trent Croad is another "good example" because he played in a Premiership on his return to Hawthorn.

Gary Hardeman went to play in South Australia in the 70's then came back to play under Barassi in 1980.

The clubs greatest asset.

I can only see a handful of Grinter based usernames voting for him in solidarity ?

Watching the Geelong elimination final right now, jeez we looked good in that first quarter. Tom McDonald clunking almost everything that comes his way.

He hasn't had much of a chance to show what he's got on the field as a skipper yet but this was a really timely and well done letter.

If they were to bring in the "super sub" again, would an option perhaps be to have him play say the game mostly the full game (with game time monitored) and then if there was a short turnaround/midweek game he be a super sub off the bench. I'd even say if we lost someone in the first minute that we use him extremely sparingly and unleash him at key points in the match.

A point that Goodwin made in that article is a good one, Burgess has experience with tight turnarounds and condensed fixtures. The premier league is such a crammed fixture during December and having that knowledge of how to approach it could be key.

Never would have picked this as the reason we haven't won a premiership since 1964. I thought it was because we weren't good enough.

Gawn is elite. Oliver is close, but not yet there. Lever, Viney, and Brayshaw have each had a season that was worthy of All Australian or close to. Of those three, only Lever in my eyes has the potential to become an elite player. Bennell and Petracca have both showed many flashes of elite talent, but need to deliver on this talent for prolonged period of time. Next tier down is May, TMac and Fritsch. No other players on our list have shown the potential to be elite IMO. Talk of Jackson, Pickett etc is very premature.

Could be that the 2Pick (double) works best Wadda ... but the place odds need to represent a bit of value Also, another way is to look for on pace horses that have drawm well, in good form and the race being a sprint (1000m / 1200m) Again, the odds are all important.

Agree. Even if he plays 60% game time every second match. That would be a BIG bonus for us in this sad write off of a season.

HB would be a huge addition. He doesn’t need to play every game. He would be an impact player. Play him across half forward. Hard to match up for defenders.

Daniher's farewell game in 2007... Up by 17 points with 5 minutes remaining only for Essendon to kick 3 unanswered and Lucas to be lurking at the back of the pack to goal with 5 seconds left. A fairly Melbourne way to send off one of our better coaches of the modern era

I don’t want to get too excited just yet as it often leads to disappointment. If he does get going he is the one type of player we need more than most. We don’t have too many naturally skillful players in our side like him.

I was at that game Dr. G, the crowd flooded onto the ground and surrounded Clark, he had no hope. Umpires should have given him a clear run but the crowd would have become unmanageable (or more so than they were). Gee Windy Hill was such a nice place?!

There was another Sydney game at the G in 1994 I reckon, when Dermie kicked the sealer on the siren. Looking at AFL tables it could've been the week after the Footscray game mentioned above? Darcy didn't play but Ilija Grhic kicked 6 goals that day and we lost by 3 points. There was another game I remember being at as a kid at Windy Hill, we led early then the Bombers cane back - bombers led by a goal when the siren went but Steven Clark (ex-Bomber) had a kick from about 50 out to try and draw. The crowd had already flooded on to the ground and Clarks kick was touched right on the goal line for no score. I'm sure I'll remember more - this thread is giving me PTSD.

Rob Flower would have won 4 Brownlows at Norf, Thats how ****house we were!

Umpire Caulfield. Dogs got a shed load of goals from frees and to rub it in Chris Grant got 3 votes in the Brownlow despite getting killed by Neitz. (Which enabled Grant to get his Brownlow cancelled by Collo - karma bus.)

He was #50 earlier in the year but by the time he debut Wells was #11. Confirmed by somebody with the full set of Footy Records from that year. Some confusion as AFL Tables had the wrong number for many years so it crossed over to Demonwiki until I realised both he and Robert McKenzie were shown as wearing #50 in the same game.

Nope. Flower was the only elite player we have had in the last 50 years Our results don’t lie, we have always come up short. Lyon, Schwartz and Stynes were A grade, but not elite. Flower did it every week, regardless of oponent, ground or weather conditions Tulip would dominate today

walking the dog is banned here .... not that I have one. Luckily the apartment complex has a large garden so 10 times round the fenceline is a good work out. Mind you in 34 degree heat at 80% humidity I much prefer the pool which is closed .

Love it... we need to trade mark the concept

Enjoying this OP. 2014 Draft. Petracca Brayshaw Lever O Mac Langdon ANB Stretch This is these players 6th season in the system. More than half way through what would be regarded on the law of averages an outstanding career of 10 or more years. You'd have to think this year is the one they either reach their potential or won't.

Absolutely correct, Norm. Here's a stunning example: The game in 1947 in which Fred Fanning kicked a league record 18 goals (still a record) against St Kilda was the last game for the season and Fred's last appearance for Melbourne. His final kick was the sole behind in his day's tally of 18.1. He had kicked 16 until three-quarter time before being quietened somewhat in the last. The following season, he was lured to coach at Hamilton because of the extra money on offer, which worked out to be six times what Melbourne could pay. That situation would be totally inconceivable these days.

Thanks Mark. I was 19 and stupid at the time. I went through periods of I’d vote yes.. I’d vote no... I lived in Fitzroy at the time and was going to go but ended up just waking past DBH on the night and didn’t vote at all.

Like yourself, I'm told, Bobby. Don Williams used to take hangers( front cover of footy record for ages), dash out of defence bouncing it, then kick long drop kicks! He was spectacular....and tough.

That's fine, I was just curious. I voted against even though I was of the opinion it was most likely going to be a takeover of Hawthorn. The members of the Redlegs group that I spoke to about it at the time all voted against it.

Gawn is the only elite on our list. Gawn easily can and does turn the tide in games. Its blokes like Oliver and Viney who are borderline as their impact is dependent on their disposal. Oliver always gets plenty but doesnt use it well. Round 1 2020 Jack Viney was an elite performance. Petracca isnt elite at this point in time.

Tassie Johnson Peter Marquis Scott Thomson Ray Groom Graham Molloy.

Yes I probably had written him of as well, BUT Never say never, If he was to get on the park again it would put a smile on a lot of peoples faces around here and give great cause for optimism. GO HARLEY! Time the great Healer! This time of even better for him!

Every time I watch one of our better wins over the past few years Cam Pederson always figures prominately.

Get a job fellas!!! ?

1989 Elimination Final ... and a victory over the Pies. After our meteoric rise in '87 & '88 John Northey continued to coach the team into the finals. We were 4 - 6 top players from being a real premiership threat but the players of the day gave their all. If the link (below) doesn't work Go Here

The 1988 prelim win doesn't get the credit it deserves and I feel it slips through the cracks in terms of our club history. Beating the reigning premiers and kicking 19 goals on a wet day at Waverley is nothing to sneeze at. All everyone talks about is the 1988 GF flogging that year, however to win 3 finals in the one finals series, like we did in 1988 is a damn good effort. I also feel our 2000 prelim final win over North doesn't get celebrated enough. We scored 156 points that night with Farmer kicking 8 goals. That win was overshadowed by the 2000 GF and our exciting week 1 win over Carlton.

Northey had the team going very hard at the ball and the 2nd & 3rd efforts were great to see. The run from the backline was another highlight. We weren't the most skillful team but we played no nonsense footy at all times. Warren Dean was terrific to watch though ... silky smooth. Was it a knee injury that curtailed his career?

Started watching the 2nd half.. it took 1 minute for Robbie Flower to bob up and kick a great goal. 118 point win in a final. Suck on that North.

GOT IT WHEN IT WAS MOST NEEDED! (Not Corona virus - no one needs that) It was sweet beating the Cats first up, but by God knocking out Hawthorn was equally as good.

Just watched it.. flat out goosebumps. 2018 was wild. Friday night Finals in front of 90K plus fans and majority of were Demon fans. So good.

Mine has to be midway through the third quarter against the Roos in the PF way back in 2000. Knowing for almost an hour you're through to a GF was a wonderful feeling. Would like to experience it in the big dance.............one day.