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or possibly have lived in WA for the last 25 years and had to spend thousands (pre covid) just to get to watch the Dees play 4 or 5 times a year. Yes even in the Bailey and Neeld eras Donated thousands during debt demolition (which I really didn't have at the time with 2 kids under 2 and on only 1 income and much to my wife's dismay)to help keep the club they love alive. So I'm sorry for you and the many others in Victoria and NSW, who will be unable to attend, but don't make assumptions on people who you think are less deserving than you of attending, should the Dees get there. None of us caused this and whilst you may wish to vent, it's certainly not me or any other WA based Demon denying you this opportunity

This was a good listen. We all know how rubbish the club was from 2007-2017 basically, but hearing Jack speak about it like this really rams it home. I reckon Jack copped it in the media etc more than any other player in the history of the sport, all because of his draft number that he had no choice about. The environment back then was not a good one for any player, but was particularly bad for youngsters.It must’ve been horrible to be drafted the club back then. Jones and Gawn are basically the only players who made it through that era. Dozens of others didn’t make it, despite being talented. Jack was drafted as a 17 year older still doing year 12. He was a year younger than the rest of his draft class and the AFL changed the draft age rules as a result after he was drafted. Jack was obviously a supremely talented footballer and sportsman. You don’t go pick one in the draft when you’re a year younger than everyone else unless you’re a freak. I truly believe if he was drafted to a good club with strong leaders back then that he would’ve wound up a champion. Instead he wound up at the basket case of the era and was thrown to the wolves. People might still say he wouldn’t have made it due to personality, but fact is we drafted over 30 players throughout those years and less than 10% made it. The stats are damning on our player development and culture. Interesting listening to him talk about Neeld as a coach. He really did set us back years and ruin lots of people’s careers and ties to the club. Jack, along with basically everyone, is clearly not a fan. 4:30am swim sessions at the beach in the freezing cold is not the way to instill discipline or inspire anyone, let alone a youngster you yell at on repeat. Despite the horrible experiences he had, Jack still loves the red and blue and hopes we win the flag. Thanks for the memories Jack. The Queens Birthday sealer will live fondly in my memory forever.

Gaff went to hit Brayshaw in the chest and Brayshaw bent forward and he hit him in the face. Gaff went to the bench and was clearly very upset. He apologised profusely. He didn't have any priors in 10 years of AFL I believe. "Gaff pleaded guilty to intentionally striking Brayshaw with severe impact to the head, one of the most serious charges a player can face within the AFL's disciplinary system. He told tonight's hearing he asked to be interviewed on national television after the game so he could apologise to Brayshaw and his family, and had sent his opponent a text message later that night to say sorry. "I feel sick that I hit Andrew," he told the tribunal. "I feel so sorry for what has now happened to Andrew. I never intended for this to happen." "Once I saw him lying on the ground, I instantly felt sick … mentally I didn't want to keep playing." Gaff told the tribunal that before the incident, Brayshaw had bumped him repeatedly, and he meant to hit Brayshaw in the chest "just to get some space". Before throwing the punch, 26-year-old Gaff had been widely regarded as one of the competition's fairest players." Toby assaults a bloke in the pub. Toby eye gouges a defenceless Bont, who is lying pinned on the ground and pulls his hair and then rams his head into the ground, all the while looking up to see where the umpire was and ensuring that he couldn't see. That was one of the most disgraceful things I have seen in over 65 years of watching AFL footy. Then after getting fined in that final for the Bont assault, he eye gouges another player the very next week in another final. He nearly kills Dahlhaus, who is coming back bravely for a mark, by kicking him deliberately in the face, stops up. Could have blinded the guy. Has committed numerous other offences on the footy field listed below. TOBY'S TRACK RECORD Total: 22 charges Suspended: Six times for eight total matches Total fines: $29,350 2012: Made ineligible for the NAB AFL Rising Star after he was suspended for one match for an ugly bump on Brisbane veteran Jed Adcock. 2012: Fined $1200 for his role in a melee during Greater Western Sydney's clash with Melbourne. 2013: Cops a $1950 fine for making reckless contact with an umpire in a game against Gold Coast. 2014: Walked away with a one-match suspension for striking Adelaide midfielder Richard Douglas, with the offence classified as a level-three sanction. 2014: Fined another $1200 for engaging in a melee, this time against the Western Bulldogs. 2015: Hit with a $1500 fine for spitting in the direction of Richmond midfielder Anthony Miles. 2015: Another $1500 fine for engaging in a melee, this time against Fremantle. 2016: Fined $1000 for misconduct, having pushed Port Adelaide youngster Brendon Ah Chee into a fence. 2017: Hit with a $1000 misconduct fine in pre-season, having given Sam Wright a slap to the face late in the game. 2017: Fined $1000 for striking Port Adelaide midfielder Dan Houston, with the charge graded as low impact to the head. 2017: Hit with a two-match striking suspension after clipping Western Bulldogs midfielder Caleb Daniel with an extremely late spoil attempt. 2017: Forced to serve another two-match suspension after striking Richmond defender Alex Rance to the jaw with a jumper-punch. 2017: Controversially offered a $1500 misconduct fine for his flying kick to the face of Western Bulldogs forward Luke Dahlhaus in a marking contest. 2018: Fined $2500 for misconduct, having appeared to drop his knee into Sydney midfielder Isaac Heeney during an elimination final. 2018: Fined another $2500 for misconduct the very next week during a semi-final against Collingwood, where he was involved in a back-and-forth with midfielder Taylor Adams. 2019: Slapped with a $2000 fine for striking, having handed Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver a 'tummy tap' in an off-the-ball incident. 2019: Handed a $7500 fine for serious misconduct, having appeared to make contact with the face and hair of Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli during a lengthy scuffle. 2019: Suspended for one match after making unnecessary or unreasonable contact to the eye region of Brisbane gun Lachie Neale, forcing him to miss a preliminary final. 2020: Fined $1000 for elbowing Fremantle's Reece Conca to the midriff in an incident that took place some way off the ball. 2021: Handed a $2000 fine for a 'tummy tap' to the midriff of Carlton defender Nic Newman, after striking him in an off-the-ball incident. 2021: Suspended for one game, halved from two, after elbowing Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield to the throat while attempting a fend-off to escape a tackle. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was sad to see Jack leave the Club. He was loyal, provided some highlights and there were few other players I’d want kicking for me to save the house. Having said that he would not get within a bulls roar of this current Melbourne side. Every player has to play team defence and every player dedicated to the team not the individual. Plus we made out like bandits scoring Fritsch in return for Watts

The stars are definitely aligning for me. Currently in Kununurra- will be crossing the Gibb River Road over the next 2 weeks. The Friday night prelim has aligned with a station stay where I will be able to watch. The week off means I will be in Broome the week before the GF. Easy flight down from there - just need to source tickets x2. Grand final guarantee on the membership should solve that All set I reckon

I found this interview moving. Yes he made some mistakes but the principal fault was with the club, no question about that. His was a huge talent, and if he had been better taken care of in the first few years he would have got a bit closer than he did to fulfilling it. Some parts of this is sad but Jack is clearly is an ok space now and I’m sure it helped him to get some of the past off his chest . If he was in the system at the club now I’ve now doubt he would be a real star. As it was he played c 130 games with us , many good ones, was loyal, loved the Dees, And clearly still does despite the hurt. I hope he will stay in touch with the Club, and if and when he does come back in whatever capacity that he is given the welcome and respect he so deserves.

I agree that we need professional umpires managed by a competent director. However, it is not the umpire who is the problem here. Toby Greene's behaviour is the problem.

Interestingly he mentioned that even after he was traded Goody still stayed in touched and reached out to him when he went through that [censored] at Port. Can see why Goody is highly respected by the playing group.

I don't blame Stevic. I think he could have been more direct ... eg " yeah, he came right at me and straight out shoved me. I was stunned at his blatant disrespect". But he knows that he could have reported Greene, only to have Christian undermine him, or the tribunal, all to the soundtrack of media "experts" caterwauling that the umpires treat the players like kiddies, they've gone too far, they're too big for their boots, etc. The AFL have let their umpires down for a long time. The nonsense about calling players by their first names, telling them when they are about to break a rule ... give me a break. Stevic should have said "I don't want to hear it. If you've got something to say, send your captain over to say it." instead of this "I turned around to explain to him ..." You don't have to explain anything. You blow the whistle when you see a free and you call play on when it's play on. End. This has been coming, and the AFL have let it evolve. It's on them, not Stevic.

Fwiw I actually sell AFL premiership memorabilia, including the framed HeraldSun poster. I pledge to give a significant discount to all Demonlanders upon our victory, and of course an attractive financial thank you to the administrators here. When we win I’ll put up some images of available product.

I think one thing we know for sure, is that if Jones is the sub in grand final and has to come on, he will leave absolutely nothing on the field. He will give us everything he has, as he has done for his entire career. Whether that’s good enough or whether his body can go for 4 quarters is another matter. But I don’t fear for a second that Jones on grand final day, in his last game, won’t kill him self for his teammates or this club.

Hats off to Kate Roffey. Kate will not be going to Perth due to the limited number of MFC people allowed into WA. I am sure Kate could have found a way to be included in the party of 55 but she put others ahead of herself. A real leader.....

You are missing 1 vital piece of information.. You actually need to have a brain before being able to have it fade. Take the point regarding bread and butter. Gaff looked totally mortified with what he had done. The other still has no remorse and never will learn. EVER

It’s posted on YouTube for anyone who didn’t get the DVD. Red and blue: History of the Melbourne football club I have this and I’ve watched it several times. It’s really good. Only thing I don’t like is it covers 1987 really well, then skips the 1988 season and just has a brief summary during the 1988 grand final footage. I remember in 1988, making the grand final was a BIG thing. It was so exciting. Ok it turned out to be a disaster, but the lead up to it was awesome. I’ll never forget the feeling. 2000 gets all the attention it deserves with the lead up to the grand final. I’m just wondering why 1988 didn’t get the same treatment? In a way 1988 was more significant as it was our first grand final since 1964. They call the 2000 another “near miss.” To me it was an embarrassing thrashing. On another note, it does contradict the argument people had on here about the merger night. One person said Ridley did not swear once. He is shown saying “bloody” (a mild swear word, I know, but still argues the point). Also another said he did not raise his voice. He is clearing showing screaming. Not trying to bring that argument back, but it does show more clearly the other point of view. Anyway, I highly recommend viewing. It’s highly informative.

The fact he’s chosen to remain in quarantine in Perth instead of flying back to Melbourne to be with his pregnant wife due to have twins in the coming weeks tells me he’s not giving up and he’s been told there’s a strong chance he’ll play. We’d lose nothing having him as a medical sub she’s did a Jordan, Sparrow, Baker type. It’s not like he hasn’t wasn’t it this year either. He was our best player in the VFL before it got closed down due to covid, so his VFL form warrants selection. I reckon it’d make the team walk taller too. Look at how they were for Jones’ 300th against Richmond earlier this year. Fingers crossed he gets a game and enjoys it.

Can't see Jones getting back. Hasn't played a full game for a long time so his calf hasn't been tested in match conditions. With any player it takes a few games after a long time out to hit their straps again and regain touch etc. So even as the medi sub he would be a risky selection. If there was a plan to bring him back he would have been selected before now to get that match conditioning. For the last 18 months his tackling, chasing and other defensive work has been poor. We now play fast and defensive football. Don't think there is a spot for him.

Does he? Thats a great question. I would say other then experience in the case where both were playing a similar roll that Jordan is the superior player for finals as it currently stands. This team thrives off team defence. Pressure acts and winning contested ball would be the some of the KPI's for players who are on the fringes of this side especially for a flank/mid rotation type player like these two. JJ has been in the upper echelon for pressure acts in the comp at stages throughout the season. He ranks 6th in this stat in the side and 5th for total tackles. He plays on the edge and like Bowey has an older head when it comes to decision making with terrific foot skills. I fear Jones' lack of power in the legs due to injury set backs this yeah might hinder his ability to create that overwhelming team pressure needed for a hot prelim/grand final. I prefer JJ as the sub as it stands currently but who knows.

Sorry if I'm repeating others here, but what's with the whole 'Toby Tax' BS. I saw a stat that Toby had been charged 22 times prior to this and only been suspended for a total of 8 weeks. ANB, Viney and a few others at the MFC would be pretty happy if the got taxed at the Toby rate. It's like the AFL are rewarding him for being a total [censored]. Either that or the love GWS and hate the MFC.

I accepted weeks ago the grand final was in Perth. Yep it [censored] sucks because I always pictured myself taking a few days off and staying down in Melbourne to soak it all that week leading into grand final day with my brother and old man. I just want a win now! Get through the prelim and win the whole lot! Don't care how we do it! If there is one small thing I'm annoyed at is that we once again don't get the traditional time slot of 2:30 in the afternoon. Long wait throughout the day for a 7:30 grand final start time. The whole grand final in the afternoon is such a sacred tradition that it just doesn't seem right to me that it's being played in a twilight timeslot.

I was sad to see him go too. This dedication to the team and not the individual has see some of the current players develop in a winning team. Why would it be any different if Jack stayed at the club and was given the opportunities to developed a defensive, team orientation mindset along with them.

I’m very happy for our WA based fans. The issue isn’t that the grand final is being played there. It’s that unlike in other years, we can’t attend even if we want to! We are being robbed a once in a lifetime opportunity. In normal circumstances you could come over to the MCG and watch us play. That’s what really hurts. But nobody begrudges you or anyone else in WA. I just think people outside of Victoria have absolutely no idea what life has been like for us and how incredibly mentally defeated we are. So please don’t judge.

Is this like a ghost limb situation? Muscle memory of what you usually do in September? Think of next years team after the disappointment of this year? Good god, man. Get a hold of yourself.

I'm probably going to be hammered for this idea, but would we let go of Tom Mcdonald and try to keep Sam Weideman? This has nothing to do with McDonald's decline in form over the past few weeks. He is in his late-20's, he's not going to get any better, and he might be marketable to another club now. If he's still contracted (?), it might save us some coin. Even though we haven't seen enough from Weideman to prove that he can make it, he's substantially younger and there's potentially a lot of upside to him. He might just slot into the side nicely next year now that we have some continuity with our set up. Just a thought...

Ugh I just saw McGowan on the news saying they’re having the grand final “on their terms.” Idk if it’s just his usual mannerism but ffs a little sensitivity wouldn’t go astray. You can almost hear the sound of thousands of hearts breaking and he’s carrying on like we should be kissing his ar*e.

Similar to what I posted. If he was sub and wasn’t needed until say the second half and we win, what a great reward for Chunk’s devotion to the MFC.

Roos only had 2 years with Petracca and 1 with Oliver It's Goodwin that's moulded these guys from kids to mature men considering he's had them for 5 years alone. The whole Paul Roos thing gets a bit overrated on here..

This is so dumb. We could not be better placed to win a flag like we are this year. Who knows what 2022 will bring so to think that we have a better chance in 2022 is simply ridiculous.

And get in an umpires director who thinks their job is to oversee a high standard of refereeing and doesn't think they're some kind of entertainment consultant trying to make the game more attractive to channel 7 executives.

i don't think gaff had 21 prior charges either and had a cleanskin reputation

don’t usually rate these types of past player perspectives but this is definitely worth the listen. Gives a great insight into the Lows and highs of the past decade or so of the MFC and how far we have come and clearly Jack is a cracking guy.

Jones offers just as much as Jordon, I’d have him as the medical sub.

I wish people would stop calling it a “brain fade.” Andrew Gaff’s punch to the face of Andrew Brayshaw is a brain fade. Once it becomes your bread and butter it is no longer a brain fade.

Dangerfield and Brown have weighed in by claiming that because it's a Final, different standards should apply. What complete and utter nonsense. So if it's a final it's automatically a 'Get one free week' deal???? Rafferty's rules, if you do it from March until August you get three weeks, however, if you're playing a final you get a discount. What utter crap!

A lot of our trades are working out brilliantly compared to yesteryear. I am all for it

AFL website has Hunt as 'Test'. Marty Hore Knee Season Jayden Hunt Ankle Test Aaron Nietschke Knee Season Adam Tomlinson Knee Season Updated: Tuesday, August 31 He should be fine for the Prelim.

Simon Goodwon made the right call in getting rid of Watts. Our team is built on players being defensive competitive animals. Jack Watts does not fit this criteria.

Do you you know what will hurt more than not being able to go to the g to see tge dees play a GF? Not making it to one this year. Ir we di make it, of course it is upsetting not to be able to go. All those hundreds of matches sitting at the top of the ponsford, and miss this one. But there it is I'm thrilled for fans like you psd, mcquuen, et, chook in Perth and all the other WA fans. It really is awesome for you all. And great reward for sticking fat with dees in eagle town. In rhe lead up to the prelim you will all be able to fly tge red and blue with pride I hope you all can get tickets for tge prelim and gf, if we make it (a stress that I won't have to bother with, which is a small mercy) And leaving aside the disappointment of the gf not being at the g, obtus oval is a great option. It will be a fantastic event. And us vics will get our chance next year and beyond. And those chances will mean so much more because if missing out this year We are a seriously good unit, with the perfect list age and talent wise to be a force for the next five years. Compare us to the Eagles and cats. They are super reliant on blokes 30 and over. Our most senior players cant even get a game. Go redlegs

He's honest, articulate, funny, and easy to listen to. Definitely got a future ahead of him in the media if he wants it. It love listening to the Gus and Gawny on the podcast. Gawn is also honest and funny, but not so much articulate, which actually adds to the dynamic, with Gus frequently bemused at Gawn's slaughter of the English language. Very entertaining.

Beautifully put. There will be lifelong Dees fans there no matter what, should we make it. I'll be happy for them, and I'll still get to see it on TV so I'm at peace with the way things turn out. Another positive is the hunger to win another one (surely, surely at the G this time) would be massive. No GF hangover I wouldn't have thought. Anyway I wonder who'll win the Semi?

FFS the bye could severely disadvantage the QF winners, us and Port. I guess the AFL are hoping that the Geelong Geriatrics will get there and would certainly benefit. No logic and only adds an extra week for one tiny little covid virion to get loose in Perth.

I don’t care where it is tbh, it was never going to be here once COVID hit again. Im just baffled that they have put the bye in again. Don’t tempt fate, just play the friggin game.

I want to play Geelong and I want to beat Geelong. None of this Paul Keating ‘doing them slowly’ nonsense either. I want it over by 1/4 time and to pull away from there. I want it to be emphatic. I want to run them off their feet. For Oliver to run Selwood stupid and to see the look in Dangerfields eyes when he realises that there will be no fairytale flag for him. It will be obvious to one and all that their era is over, forever done and dusted, and we, Melbourne, landed the knockdown punch. Aside from that I’m not that fussed.

The catalyst for this year was the disastrous 2019 season. That free fall was not a true reflection of our position. It allowed us to improve our squad with real top end talent. This list was always on talent top four it just required some proper leadership and soul searching a la Geelong 2006. Cam Mooney spotted it but just had his years wrong.

I'm hearing reports that after what happened to Luke Jackson, the Pies are preparing a massive bid for him.

I had to think about that and I now really resent being made to think about that.

Smith and Jackson would smoke him.

I love watching Gus when the boys sing the song after a win. He’s like the band leader and really fires it up. Needless to say, I looked like him in my lounge room doing the same thing on Saturday night.

He's a great media performer but he also just seems super genuine, which seems to be a theme with most dees players getting interviewed this year, less catchphrase cliches and more stuff from the heart. #Positivelingers #SultansofWing

I was more worried about GWS than Geelong but given injuries and suspensions I can't see the Giants winning through to meet us. I think the cats are done. We struck a huge psychological blow with our big comeback and after the siren win in Rd 23. We've broken them just need to apply the final blow. Doing so in a prelim will be sweet