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Well they've changed everyone around him so if we fail next year, there's only one change left to make

BRIDESMAIDS AGAIN by Whispering Jack Historians of the future will have little difficulty in finding words to define the year 2020. “Covid-19”, “pandemic” and “plague” come readily to mind. The Covid-19 pandemic dominated the year in every aspect of life and it certainly didn’t spare AFL football or the Melbourne Football Club. In the circumstances however, it didn’t treat it as badly as the Spanish Flu epidemic which raged a century earlier from February 1918, through 1919 and into 1920 when it finally petered out in April of that year. Melbourne was in wartime recess in 1918 but returned for a winless 1919 season and a wooden spoon. One hundred years later, the competition had doubled in size to 18 teams and the Demons finished 17th with five wins. Hence, the improvement in pandemic-ravaged 2020 to 9th with nine wins in a shorter 17 game season would on the face of it, appear to be satisfying, but it truth, it left most supporters with hollow feelings. We were the bridesmaids again. The year began with the expanded AFLW competition played under the much maligned conference system. The Demons won four games out of six to make the finals but, as in the past, they were routinely inaccurate in front of goal. They managed 1.8.14 in going down to the fledgling Saints (3.1.19) in Round 3 after early wins against North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, recovered for a couple of good wins but were on the ropes after a capitulation to the Blues before the finals were called early. A stirring final quarter saw the Demons 4.5.29 home by three points in the Elimination Final against Giants 3.8.26 with Lily Mithen booting the winning goal with 30 seconds left on the clock. A few days before that game was played the world officially entered pandemic mode and AFLW season was called off with no premier declared. Stalwart Karen Paxman was the club’s best player in the truncated season. The AFL men’s season was also called off on the following day without the announcement of a return but not before the Demons lost their opening round match to West Coast in Perth by 27 points in the final match of the round. The opening game was played to an empty stadium under new rules to enable players to cope better with the pandemic including shorter quarters. The AFL left it until half an hour before the start of this game to let the public and the players know and Melbourne capitulated giving away four consecutive goals in a few minutes before the first break. Over the ensuing months, Australians were asked to abandon their normal lives to control the impact of the disease. There was no vaccine and no cure, and like 100 years earlier, the people relied on quarantine, supportive medical care and the goodwill of the community. As the months passed, plans were made for the resumption of the season. The AFL factored in the possibility of further restrictions and while the eventual restart happened in mid-June, the worsening situation in Victoria meant that clubs were shipped around to interstate hubs, the fixture was changed randomly and willy-nilly. The idea of the football frenzy with daily/nightly games to compact rounds was introduced to ensure that the season could proceed with the minimum of disruption. However, the Melbourne Football Club was one of two clubs that simply couldn’t avoid disruption and it probably paid a very high price for that eventuality. After destroying the Blues in the first half of the return game and then barely managing to hold on to win by a point, the Demons’ third game was scuppered when Bomber Connor McKenna returned the only positive test of the season. Much later, that game was declared a bye with the encounter rescheduled to the end of the season, meaning that both clubs were deprived of a vital rest during the frenetic second half of the season. Who knows whether the benefit of such a break which was available to all other clubs might have helped the club across the line in those vital games lost in Cairns to Sydney and Fremantle? The club’s season was already on the line when it played its first game for the year on the MCG against Geelong. A sluggish start proved costly for the team which took time to get going and, in the end, a narrowly missed shot at goal by recruit Adam Tomlinson in the last 40 seconds was costly. They performed well against the Tigers but lacked the class to take advantage of opportunities to keep in touch and, as the clubs evacuated Victoria, the possibility of making finals was looking remote. With Melbourne moving up to its first hub home in Sydney, a minor revival was under way. The Demons disposed of Gold Coast and Hawthorn but then faced the top two clubs in Brisbane and Port Adelaide within four days playing out of their new Queensland hub. They nearly stole the match against the Lions at Metricon Stadium but collapsed in a heap to the Power at the Gabba drawing the ire of the club’s Chairman, Glen Bartlett. The tongue lashing had the desired effect with three resounding victories on the trot against Adelaide, North Melbourne and Collingwood that saw the club enter into finals contention. The Demons were raging favourites against the Western Bulldogs but a poor third quarter saw them tumbling to defeat. Melbourne was becoming a team of nomads and their next stint saw the team sneak home by two points in Alice Springs against St Kilda. With four games left of which three were against teams that were out of contention for the finals and the other fading fast, it seemed only a formality that Melbourne would play in the finals. However, there was a catch. The team had to dash across the continent and play two games in four days up in Cairns, the first against Sydney in trying conditions after a long trek out of their hub on the Sunshine Coast. Disaster followed disaster four days later against Fremantle and, despite victories over the Giants and Bombers, a ninth placed finish two points behind Collingwood was the club’s epitaph for 2020. Christian Petracca had a superb season and took third place honours in the Brownlow Medal along with his first Keith “Bluey” Truscott Memorial Trophy. Clayton Oliver was once again imposing as a midfielder although hampered by problem shoulders that required post season surgery. Steven May was outstanding in defence while skipper Max Gawn shrugged off some knee issues and close opposition contact to dominate the club’s ruck. Jack Viney and Christian Salem also stood out during the year while the consistent Ed Langdon was the club’s best recruit and gave great drive from a wing. First year players Luke Jackson, Kysaiah Pickett and Trent Rivers all showed great promise for the future but the experiment with Harley Bennell ended in disappointment after some glimpses of excitement for a reprise of the early days of his career. To make the finals, the club needed more from Tom McDonald and Jake Melksham who were down on their previous standards and it’s to be hoped that 2021 will see them back to their best. What to make of the coach’s year given the challenges of managing a team of nomads and life in the hubs with no second tier competition to gauge his reserve players? We could point to a number of miscalculations with regard to player positions (eg James Harms in defence) and team selections both early in the season and during the period of the cross continent games that ended in the twin debacles in Cairns. All in all however, Simon Goodwin managed a difficult task reasonably well and without too much luck. The fact remains that he will inevitably start 2021 under the pump! The club goes into 2021 with a key on field recruit in full forward Ben Brown, some interesting young recruits, a couple of significant coaching inclusions in premiership coach Mark Williams and former star Adem Yze and high hopes of rising further up the ladder. The club posted a loss of $2.9m thanks mainly to the effect of the pandemic but thanks to some fancy accounting and asset revaluations, we’re not supposed to feel too bad about the result. Like the feeling of always being the bridesmaids and finishing ninth on the ladder again.

Image captured on Wednesday, probably needs Vagg's surveillance device from the DL drone to sharpen it, but it 'appears' that there were a couple of bystanders on the cyclone fence.

Junior Wiz at training. Looks very light.

I'm not sure of the training schedule but I went to training during the first lockdown last year and you can see everything through the cyclone fence. There were several people watching from outside the ground.

@DeeSpencer @DemonDave @layzie @Dappa Dan @Dee Zephyr @Clintosaurus @titan_uranus @Gorgoroth @JV7 @Go the Biff @Dr. Gonzo If we get enough starters, a post season tipping comp can be held again. We've held the post-season comp every year but we'll possibly need 4 or 5 starters. Remembering that the games start early Sunday morning (AEDT) It will work like this ... Week 1 ... 1 point for each win plus a bonus point if your margin of victory falls within 1-6, 7-12 or 13+ Week 2 ... 2 points per win plus 2 bonus points for each the correct margin bracket Week 3 ... 3 points per win plus 3 bonus points for each correct margin bracket Week 4 (Super Bowl) ... 5 points for the win plus 5 bonus points for the correct margin bracket Traditionally we've posted up scorelines so the margin bracket will be covered in a default manner if scorelines are posted up Schedule and lines for next week (all times AEDT) ... as an aid, just Copy, Paste, Highlight & Scores (if playing in the post-season tipping comp) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday 5.05am - Indianapolis (+6.5) @ Buffalo (-6.5) Sunday 8.40am - LA Rams (+3.5) @ Seattle (-3.5) Sunday 12 15pm - Tampa Bay (-8.5) @ Washington (+8.5) Monday 5.05am - Ravens (-3) @ Titans (+3) Monday 8.40am - Bears (+10.5) @ Saints (_10.5) Monday 12.15pm Browns (+6) @ Steelers (-6)

I recall reading somewhere on DL that we can watch from outside the ground to ensure there is no contact with players. I saw a game there about 5 years ago and a 'cyclone fence' defines the ground so is transparent. Again, iirc it is about 20m from the oval fence so a fair amount of training, who is in rehab etc should be visible. Not sure if that configuration has changed in recent years. So I would be happy to venture down occasionally, have a peep and report back to fellow, news-starved DL's but I would like to know when sessions are so I can plan the trip. Wouldn't be much fun to trek down there and it be the wrong day. If anyone had a schedule that would be extra good.

In his interview Ben Brown said the deck was immaculate and the gym facilities top notch. Covid or no covid I think the team should be training in Casey.

I doubt that very much... as I understand it, he is relatively new to the game and was taken due to his natural athletic prowess. In some ways he is a project player, so I'd be a little surprised to see him get a game at all this year.

I have been to the MCG on many occasions. What is zone 5 ?

Here’s hoping

Seems so P2J. Remember my old days in Melbourne at a local club in the eastern suburbs. One days training, normally Thursday night followed by heaps of drinks, be crook Friday and play well (sometimes) on the Saturday. Sure many of you did this.

Bills 1-6 Seahawks 7-12 Bucs 13+ Ravens 7-12 Saints 1-6 Browns 1-6

Are these two meat heads deadset? “Hog pile” him for being different, good on you Andrew. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/on-air-gaffe-warne-symonds-in-hot-water-for-mocking-labuschagne-20210108-p56st2.html

Don’t know why I hadn’t come across Joe earlier but he does some great guitar work!

I am glad you know there was no riot at the capitol. The people were walking around inside respecting the property and not damaging anything. Sad how many people are easily gaslit by the media. Too bad they didn't burn it to the ground. This is the same building where congress vote to send young people into meaningless wars like lambs to the slaughter so politicians and special interests can get rich. And now they claim the Capitol is some holy site that should be revered. [censored] them, they are all heinous criminals (and worse) and should be treated as such. Trump will win btw.

Bills 34 Indianapolis 24 Seattle 24 LA Rams 22 Tampa Bay 28 Washington 13 Titans 26 Baltimore 25 New Orleans 23 Bears 17 Cleveland 24 Pittsburgh 16

Need these boys to play outta their skins! We got Wilson 11 times in the 2 games, need at least another 5 with take aways. Getting pumped! Go Rams!

You've gone quiet, duckie. No bragging after THE BIG EVENT you were warning us about. I just saw a Youtube Interview with one of the heroes who the Police allowed to 'storm' the Capitol. Apparently one of them called for a Prayer to God when they stood in the Senate. I can just imagine God looking down and feeling proud of these lunatic yokels. But then again, Ain't that America!!!! Land of the Free. I know, P2J, they was Antifas in disguise...And, I know, Donald T is still gonna win...

Clearly it is up forward where we need players to have an impact as it is our clear weakness Jackson - so much potential, has bulked up a bit. could explode on the scene Kozzi - keep chasing but hit the scoreboard! Weed - use your size and stay angry Melksham - chase, tackle, focus and be the link man Fritsch - kick straight and enjoy going from being our Number 1 fwd target to hopefully 3 or 4

I wont be surprised on the basis that the second wing role is clearly the most open role for contention in our starting 18 with no clear front runner.

Port and Adelaide certainly bubbled in SE Queensland between rounds 3 and 7.

I like Hore, great kick and plays small or tall but we do have some contenders

Totally agree about Hore. A good VFL player but wouldn’t have him in my top 30. I would also be asking Melksham to start in VFL and work his way back with a string of good games after is pathetic 2020.

Ben Brown... kicks 50 we make the 8. Weeds... he improves and gets a second or third best Defender. Definitely sends us on our way to where we need and want to be. Bailey Fritsch...This lad improves will be the icing on the cake in the Forward Line. Kozzie Pickett... want him to get the goals he should get. Tackling is good. Just improve young fella. Tom Maccas... gets back to his best wherever he plays whether it's backline, wing or forward goes a fair way to us being Finals bound. Finals is all that matters. Also I want Angus Brayshaw and James Harmes playing in the middle where they are most damaging, hopefully kicking the odd goal up forward. NO backline roles for these two players on our list. Thank you Simon. If we improve Forward of centre, we make the 8. Backline is fine, no complaints. Also when we aint got that ball get back to being nasty, tackle tackle tackle.

Lockhart May Lever Hibberd Tomlinson Salem Langdon Viney Rivers Melksham Weideman Harmes Pickett B.Brown Fritsch Gawn Petracca Oliver Int. Jackson Brayshaw Anb Hunt emerg. Vandenburg Baker Sparrow depth. Tmcd Jones Jetta M.Brown Petty Hore Smith Spargo development. Chandler Bedford Jordan Nietschke Bowey Laurie Rodman Bradtke

Agree in principle but I’d send Qld to NSW. The Lions had a big home field advantage last year so not fair they get the same advantage 2 years in a row. Perhaps the QLD restrictions preclude this (Gladys and Anastasia having been butting heads for months). And if i'm not mistaken I don;t think Port or the Crows had to hub anywhere last year either so sending them to WA seems fair.

i don't get the love for hore... hopefully i'll be proved wrong but he was dropped multiple times as a senior recruit in his first year, finished the season in the vfl, and then was crocked the entirety of 2020 smith is ahead of him for mine by dint of being regularly IN the side last year seniors B: Smith - May - Lever HB: Rivers - Tomlinson - Hibberd C : Langdon - Petracca - Salem HF: Melksham - Weideman - Harmes F: Fritsch - B Brown - Pickett Foll: Gawn - Oliver - Viney I/c: Jackson - Brayshaw - Hunt - Baker Emerg: Jones - Spargo - McDonald - Sparrow magoos B: Jetta - Petty - Lockhart HB: Bowey - Hore - Chandler C : Nietschke - Jones - vandenBerg HF: Neal-Bullen - McDonald - Spargo F: Laurie - M Brown - Bedford Foll: Bradtke - Sparrow - Jordon I/c: Rosman

I get the feeling Rosman will debut on the wing in Round 1.

Ben Brown at training moving well also completed 4 time trials and I assume it was for all coming back for the official start . That is a good sign.

Well here it is. B: HIBBERD, MAY, LEVER HB: SALEM, TOMLINSON, RIVERS C : LANGDON, PETRACCA, BAKER HF: MELKSHAM, JACKSON, FRITSCH F: PICKETT, B.BROWN, WEIDEMAN FOLL: GAWN, OLIVER, VINEY IC: BRAYSHAW, HARMES, HUNT, HORE EMERG: VANDENBERG, NEAL-BULLEN, SPARROW, LOCKHART

Works for me Macca!

Beyond the AFL, and I'm a Lib voter McGowan's border closures have been fantastic for those of us living in WA. We went hard early and have pretty much been living normal lives since May Kids missed 5 weeks of school (2 of which were school holidays) Work is pretty much back to normal with the main impact being the job keeper payments are making it hard to attract staff for some businesses Gyms, swimming pools etc all operating normally for several months Pubs restaurants etc functioning pretty normal Junior and Community sport all got seasons in and summer sports still continuing. I'm sure we will get a cluster, but for now very happy with how things are going Sorry but life goes beyond the AFL

Why unfairly for Lions and Suns? They had the advantage in 2020 now it's our turn!!!

Foreshortened image... Kossie is probably a few metres ahead of Farmer.

Farmer #48

I paid for my overseas membership in October and soon after received the confirmation e-mail. However - like every other year - I am locked out of the watchafl app. I have written to them to restore access, but haven’t had a response yet. The gift pack (is there one?) hasn’t arrived. Last year they asked if I would like to forgo the gift in favour of a young supporter. I agreed and supplied my grandson’s name. But, for some silly reason, that isn’t part of the deal. They give the gift to someone of their choosing. Not a great way to bring the next génération into the Demon’s fold.

Plot twist! Would've laid down good money they'd blame it on Lucifer

High performing organisations may have creeds, mission statements, and any number of motherhood statements. However they are not top organisations because of such statements. They are organisations that have appointed talented people and developed that talent. They recruit people that can grow into leaders of the organisation. As a result, they attract the best because everyone wants to be part of the organisation. It’s history and culture of success becomes a way of being and individually and collectively people are driven to work hard and perform at a high level. People are ingrained with this philosophy and way of working. Working as a team is a natural organic thing. There is innate talent/skills and this talent is nurtured and developed. There is mutual respect between team members and these individuals assist one another to achieve their goals. Norm Smith Esprit de Corps as commented on by Lucifer is an effective explanation of success. It’s as good as anything. Slogans will always be used in organisations but it comes about as a result of the people you hire, train, coach, and, the people you place in leadership positions. Then success becomes innate to the organisation and follows almost naturally.

Creed is good.

I really hope we’re not hubbing in QLD again this year.

Of course, if he had half the ability of the Wiz he would be a certainty, but that is exactly the point, does he have the potential to play AFL. Us, Freo and every other club passed on him in the draft.That is a starting point, as not one club thought he was worth even a rookie spot. Yes he might develop and become an AFL player and that would be great. My point is that if he is no good, I don't care if his name is Barassi, you don't waste list spots where you can help it. Plenty of sons of former AFL players don't make it in the AFL. You don't get on a list because of your name, it might help, but you need the ability and attitude.

Well, State Premiers have shown in the last week how trigger happy they are with borders. What are chances of getting a remotely 'normal' season played? The biggest risk to the fixture is WA: To get unquarantined entry a State must have zero local transmission cases for 28 days. No chance of all the eastern states achieving and maintaining that. They retrospectively imposed border/quarantine restrictions to people already in the state. They are dead set stubborn on trying to make (any type of) sporting fixtures work. Wouldn't be surprised if the AFL is doing a deep dive into where to place the hubs for 2021. Hopefully, sanity prevails and state premiers find a way of allowing people movement without shutting borders every time a dozen people get ill. Not optimistic on this at all. Well, I like our fixture: while it lasted ?

I’d be pretty upset if I were a North supporter. But I’m not. This is fantastic. Go Dees. ?

And another thing, the assumption that a flag at the Hawks has a lesser value than one he would have won at the Dees is bogus. A flag, is a flag, is a flag. Pretty sure Brian Lake wouldn’t swap his 3 peat with the Hawks for a flag at the Dogs.

Tough Crowd He gave his all in a dreadful team. Won an AA jacket. We got pick 3. Best of luck Chip.

I just realised I was up to my 10000 th post. I expect some sort of prize will arrive in the mail. However, I would like to point out that this should have happened ages ago. Countless posts have been denied to my faithful readership by the immoderators. Some of my best smut and crudest innuendo has been consigned to the cutting room floor and lost forever. The literary world has suffered an irreplaceable loss

No wonder you Melbournian’s are all crook, beetroot latte. FMD!