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So, today would have been big Jimmy Stynes' 54th Birthday! I was alerted to the fact early this morning, when our local Community Radio Station on the Gold Coast ran a little tribute to the great man -- and followed it up by playing the Club Theme Song! Was a great way to start the day! I was so impressed, I called the announcer, and told him so. Then followed it up with an email, which he proceeded to read on air. Here's the text: Hi again, Baz. Further to our conversation a little earlier, I meant to also thank you for the tribute to Jimmy Stynes. He holds a very special place in the history of the Melbourne Footy Club, and is fondly remembered by all Dees Fans (and the greater footy community as well). He, sadly, was taken way too young! So, was a nice touch for you to remember him on air on his Birthday! So, thanks again! Anyway, keep up the good work, and spinning those great discs (especially like the Grand Old Flag! LOL)!

Meant to post this around Easter, but have been so flat out doing nothing in COVID-land that I overlooked it. Paul O'Brien. A blond-haired half-back type who showed a bit as a youngster coming through. On Easter Monday 1983 his brother Dallas won the Stawell Gift. On the Saturday afternoon in round 2 at the G as Dallas was winning his heat at Stawell, Paul was on show as we knocked off previous year's grand finalist, Richmond. Unfortunately he did his ACL, and it was his last game for us although he did go to North (0 games), and then to Essendon for 3 games in 1988. A quirky aspect of his career is that he only played 2 games in 1983, and the stats say he had 7 kicks in a loss to Collingwood, and 13 possessions against Richmond (carried off in third quarter?). However he received 3 Brownlow votes for the season. Go figure! Thanks to the AFL Stats website there's a whole subject on wacky Brownlow voting by umpires, including the 44 possession, no votes game from Diesel when he smashed us in 1993, and not forgetting the very generous 2 votes to Woewoedin for a quiet game in round 22 when we thrashed the Eagles at Subi - Scott West had pulled his Brownlow acceptance speech out of his pocket after the conclusion of round 21 votes, as no-one thought Woey was going to poll. How many medals would Diesel have won with blond hair?

I'm now thinking of white bread covered with butter and sprinkled with coloured, sugary dots.

Imagine the mini bar bill in Lachie hunters room? Too soon?

I suspect the numbers have always been high and the stigma of mental illness is just starting to be peeled away.

This will be the definitive image that will remain in my mind forevermore, both as to aesthetics and life repeating art:

I’m more sceptical about his sons brownlow.

Schwarz for me. Favorite player as a kid and he was an athletic freak for his size before the knee injuries hit him. His 94 season was something special.

Stretch was a classy wingman who was not quite in theclass of a Robbie or Stinga. David Schwarz would have been the greatest CHF of his era if not for the knee problem. It would have been a case of Wayne who? Even after his return from three knee surgeries, he was forced to play as The Ox, he was exceptional as a creative, strong and skilled key forward and protector. Just couldn't run as fast. No better demon in this era. Schwarz for me.

Well 'Jim', I guess if you're going to have a hub why not put it in a city that has the highest number of people with the virus. A city that has shown it knows how to set up good quarantine measures... They did such a good job with the Ruby Princess...what could possibly go wrong? If the AFL can't play without a hub, then don't play. The whole idea is just too dangerous. Think 100's/1,000's of people isolated in the same area, think cruise ships...

Yes the Ox for me as well. One of the most talented players we have had. Stretch was a great player as well. We have had some good wingman over the years with Flower, Tingay. Johnstone and Alves. Stretch is up there with them.

They are so desperate for money they will ditch NZ if necessary. In reality I expect the Governments will make an exception for them and allow them in through a special quarantine process (think horses at Sandown). The more one considers how sports are anxious to start again so as to protect their revenues the grubbier the image of those sports become. The noble idea of providing entertainment to the masses is as we all know a smokescreen when there are so many other areas of public entertainment that are haemorrhaging.

All the players 'struggle' - I know of one club in the last few years that had around 50% of their players attending one psych external from the club... ranging from premiership players struggling with weekly scrutiny from public and perceived judgements from teammates, as well as those who felt there were favourites from coaches/selection committee and not getting games... and then more general anxiety. The more the services are used (and advocated for) the better. It's a generational shift...and Thank Fork for that.

Unlikely the merged club would have bombed out at the right time to get Hodge, Franklin and Roughead (plus Rioli, Lewis further down the draft), so possibly, but not the same way Hawthorn did it.

A hotel full of 600 footy players the bulk of whom are under 25 for a couple of months... what could possibly go wrong. It's the AFL version of battery hens Imagine if you were a fringe player not getting a game

But if the NRL pinches your idea and it helps them survive instead of foundering in their own cesspit of a "sport", then you will be banned from AFL..........

A sniper is far too polite.

Why would you post that guys picture on here?? Urgghhh

There's not enough bronze in Australia for a head of hair like that!

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

Seems like we have a couple of posters who subscribe to the Mark Neeld model of empathy. I'm guessing neither they nor anybody close to them have had issues with their mental health.

Both great Mfc footy champs. But a good big man beats a good medium or small man. The Ox takes it for mine.

That response would be hilarious if it wasn't so misguided. Wow! Some old school coaches, do not like outsiders with breadth of skill set taking over 'their' space. Anyway... an evolved generational shift is occurring, and that can only lead to good outcomes.

I'll never forget the all time classic Neeld moment at one of those supporter 'information sessions' (e.g. crisis meetings) they had when we were getting massacred every week in early 2012. When it came to the Q&A I asked what the club was doing for the mental health of players who had been through so many terrible beatings, coach changes etc.. etc.. over recent years and he responded with (paraphrasing) "we don't need a psychologist, if players are upset they can talk to an assistant coach." I have regretted not arguing that bonkers point ever since.

Would think a few fringe players would be struggling with the knowledge that lists are going to be cut and they'll almost certainly be out of a job.

The AFL plan involves players being tested twice a week and once on match day. Okay by me assuming tests are freely available for other industries, teachers and in particular emergency workers right down to cleaner level.To do that level of testing when not widespread across the community would be a PR disaster like wearing masks on a plane when none were available at a hospital as happened in round one. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-teams-could-play-on-in-hubs-even-if-player-tests-positive-20200422-p54m5n.html

Pornhub

To me it feels like the NRL are rushing things because they have to, they are really desperate to get things going as quickly as possible whereas the AFL does have a little bit more of a luxury to do things "right".

Doubt it, he is blessed with divan inspiration to give the onballers an armchair ride. ?

As long as he's not being a La-Z-Boy

A case of sofa, so good?

This is getting silly now 600+ players all in the one hotel complex Right, yes of course...

From the above article: 'It was initially believed the MCG wasn’t suitable as a quarantine hub, where teams would base themselves in a clean environment for an as-necessary period of time to play multiple games against fellow quarantined sides. But it’s now thought to be more likely. Victoria’s 10 teams and club officials could all be housed across the Pullman and Mantra on Jolimont hotels, with their combined capacity of 620 rooms.' I hope when they announce it they thank binman

The clubs greatest asset.

Rough diamond

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.

Tunnell Ball!! To be fair to Fitzy, he was just ahead of the curve, waiting for the rules committee to catch up.

Class act from the skipper ?

Ooh the public burn on Fitzpatrick and Dunn. Gawn really is a character. ?

It has already been around a month since round 1 and doubtful that we will be back playing before July.

Paul was a wonderful guest speaker at our Gippsland Primary Schools Sports Camp in the 1990's, and I'll never forget how his personality was aptly refelected in his recorded phone answering message. "Hi, you've rung Paul Callery. I'm not in right now, but please leave a message, and remember, if you think terrific, by golly, YOU'LL BE TERRIFIC!"

An interesting aside to those that think all we need is success on field and all will be well is that the Hawks had a golden period in the 80's that stretched into the early 90's but by 1996 they were on their knees financially. Different times but it does show how important sound management is along with on field success.

I used to love Bob Miller. No. 33, crew cut , reliable defender. Became a state labour politician. I wonder if he used to have tete-a-tetes with Ray Groom!?

Ozzie was a turnover king. Would have been a perfect fit today!! Showed early promise but lacked skill and composure. Could be a long field kick but inaccurate particularly kicking for goal. Ran in straight lines and a fumbler. But a good honest trier. Tried at centre half forward, flank and defence but never settled into a position.

It wasnt a disaster from a contested ball perspective , a fitness perspective or from a score perspective. Losing by 5 goals to the eagles in perth is no disaster. But the style they played with, the way they moved the ball forward and the fact that the game was over at qtr time was a disaster. I think we all felt let down because after the build up over the summer, precious little was different from the worst of 2019.

That look on Scotts face..... that will last me a long time.

I was Row 2, level one right on that left forward flank when Henderson fell over. We all jumped up (as did the majority of the G that night) and had a perfect view from behind when Hannan nailed the sealer!!! Great night. And the start of a great week.