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The remote community of Imanpa about 200 km from Uluru fly the Demons flag on the Lasseter highway

Whoever is the mfc person(s) that regularly gives Morris inside information should stop it! It happens too often. It doesn't help the club especially around this time of year. Just stop it!

A mate of mine battling ill health for a number of years now has also received a wonderful video message from Goodwin, Harmesy, Salem and oliver. Outstanding that the club has arranged this and a wonderful way to keep the players grounded and connected to their supporters. They understand how important these games are to people and particularly in covid times. I couldn't be prouder of our club

From my locked-down Melbs family: 'somewhere in 'Brahton''. The love knows no bounds!

My neighbors (Canberra) think I'm a 'fruitcake', but I don't really care (and they are probably correct anyway!)

I have 2x scarfs, flag and Guernsey on display in the front window for the Port supporters down the road to see in the morning on the way to work(Or if they work)😂.

Surely Melbourne wouldn't go to the effort of trying to convince Cerra to join us if they didn't think a trade was possible. They will make it happen if he decides to join.

Melb - Weid + 34 to suns Suns - 22 + 43 to melb Melb - 22+42+43 to dogs (1618 points compared to 1161 for Darcy) Dogs - 14 to melb Melb - 14 + 2022 1st (18) to Freo Freo - Cerra to Melb

Thinking we could probably arrange a gathering of up to 100 of us at a big screen venue for Friday, under guise of religious celebration.

Put my flags (and scarves) up yesterday. I also have my WEG Neita 300 game poster displayed in an upstairs window

Strange messaging from Geelong. Scott claims Optus oval helps their game style? Hmmm. Trying to convince the players? Isaac Smith says Lever and May made them look like fools in round 23they-made-us-look-like-fools-cats Guthrie doesn't quite agree: "They are pretty strong comments. I'm surprised Isaac does feel that way. In the end it was a quarter of footy that cost us," Guthrie said. "Personally for me reflecting on the game, those kind of comments, I don't know if I necessarily agree with. "They're quality players and they're going to give us a tough night. Not sure that 'team' are all on the same page. Whereas our messaging is really in sync be it about Jones' opportunity, our readiness, respect for opps etc. Has anyone at Geelong even once spoken of respect for their Ops. I may have missed it. I just see arrogance and smugness from the coach and captain and just about anyone else from there that gets air time.

Obviously, the thing with trading is if you have to give up something to get something. We gave up pick 2 (Kelly) to get Salem, Hunt and Tyson. Watts to get Fritsch. We gave up Hogan to get May. Second rounders for Langdon, Hibberd and Melksham. OK, these are relative successes but not every trade is a success. If trading Weed meant we could get another key forward that plays more than six good games in six years then I'm all for it. He has currency I'm sure. If the club thinks he is worth holding onto then I'm fine with that too.

There is a great article on the ESPN Australia website about the MFC past players association for those who are interested. How Melbourne's past is inspiring the new generation to success

To be 9 goals in front of Cats at half time would be very sweet on Friday night! While very disappointed to not be at the Footy on Friday night, I would be delighted if I could relive one of my three favourite finals memories: - 87 Night Grand Final when we beat Bombers by a point (I know not a real final but at that stage was the closest we had gone to a final in 23 years) - 87 Elimination final when we beat North by over 100 points (I recall being deliriously happy) - 2018 Elimination final beating the Cats (Joy of beating smug Cats) Having been waiting for 52 years of supporting the Demons, winning Friday night would be fantastic to just give us a shot at a flag, and beating the Cats would be that little bit sweeter, also with the knowledge that we would go into GF with a big chance, different to those most recent GF experiences of 88 & 2000! To all the Demon supporters going on Friday night, add a bit extra voice to your support of the Demons on Friday night on behalf of all Vic and other Demon supporters who can't be at Optus in person! GO DEMONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is so imperative we beat the Cats on Friday just to peg this man down a notch. He’s complained all year, made ridiculous excuses for Geelong’s performances at every turn, and made disrespectful comments such as his team didn’t care about winning because there was no home final on offer after they lost to us. Now he’s come out and bagged Larkins after scoffing at Stewart‘s extremely unlikely return from a serious lisfranc injury which at times has forced players into early retirement. Please for the good of the game, Dees - put this man back in his box. https://www.afl.com.au/news/675042/maybe-hes-an-entertainer-geelong-coach-chris-scott-on-dr-peter-larkins-tom-stewart-call

Sam Edmond on SEN just said Melbourne have made a strong pitch to Cerra and also thinks the delay in Cerra nominating a club has Melbourne right in the mix. Financially we can get the deal done we might have to trade out a required player to help get the deal done.

To be honest, I'd actually back Hibberd to play on Cameron. Cameron isn't a pack marking beast, but more so a roaming 3rd tall. Hibberd would easily match him for body strength and also at ground level and on the lead. He's giving up 10cm in height but rarely do opposition forwards are left one on one in our defensive structure I'd back Hibberd in.

The best 5 possession, 1 mark game in the history of the AFL.

If Cerra nominates us, Freo will need to play ball. Very few players don’t get to their club of choice these days.

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more pumped for a game than this. This is intense.

This week's taking forever so to pass time I dug a bit into Geelong's non GMBH/Simonds record under Scott since 2011 and their finals record (below in brackets) in the same year. They really have probably been a 5th to 10th team most years away from GMBH stadium, so their finals record is not that surprising. Ironically this year and 2016 are the only years they have performed at top 4 level away from home (and barely top 4 level). 2011 13-2 (3-0) 2012 8-7 (0-1) 2013 11-5 (1-2) 2014 10-5 (0-2) 2015 6-6-1 (DNQ) 2016 10-4 (1-1) 2017 8-6-1 (1-2) 2018 5-9 (0-1) 2019 9-7 (1-2) 2020 12-6 (2-2) 2021 9-4 (1-1) 2016 they won a QF (by 2 points), but they got spanked in the prelim by Sydney who finished top (11 goals to 2 at half time). Let's do the same this week.

One of my new favorite lockdown activities is trying to spot Demon flags and other items on my daily 5km radius walk. I seem to live near quite a few Melbourne supporters. Our front yard has had the Melbourne flag up since post round 23!

Yes it sucks for Smith, but Hibbo has a lot less time left in his career. Him missing out would be just as sad. He’s been very good for us since coming across from Essendon and I’m sure he will leave no stone unturned, knowing this could be it for him.

Stop being a wally. If he has mail great - I am happy he's posted it. Thats why we have these forums. If he's trolling he'll be found out. As it turns out he's on the money. Very happy he didnt name the player, Its finals week and its not his position to do that,

Whenever you have mail, you need to be cautious of certain factors like the players extended family not being told by the player themself. Also whether the club want the opposition to know as yet. Its one of the defenders who is out and we will leave it at that.

Great article Earl! Rod Grinter may have played tough unsociable footy but this is always my memory of him; training at junction oval 1988. I was 10 @ the time. With my mum, brother and sister. Normally we’d get a few autographs off the players when they came off the ground, then my brother and I would go into the rooms. Females weren’t allowed. 1 time my sister went straight to Rod and said can you sign the back of my jumper. He was stocked when she turned around with a no. 14 on her back. He posed for a photo with her and then sat down on the steps and had a chat with us. Still brings a massive smile to my face!!

My wife, who used to be a Filth supporter, took it upon herself to order this before they are all sold out. Just need to install a flag pole now. Anyway, I'm praying we can go all the way. 😍

. p.s. Note Haymes paint tins. Been giving them a good go, too! Looking forward to 2 more weeks of 'All The Goals' - LOTS of them

Do you speak like this in person?

Would gladly trade my cardboard rolls for his 'wet paper' tbh... ;)

I think a lot of people gave forgotten how good Hibberd has been this year. Yea , had a bit of a dip in form his last few games but when he came in this year somewhat late ....smashed it and was instrumental in quite a few wins. I think this is actually a good thing having him replace Smith.

I hear last Friday's pitch included a #positivelingers keep cup and t-shirt as well as the free muffin offer down at Olive at Loch. No wonder his manager was impressed.

Can’t stand hyperbole like this! So, by this logic, Fremantle wouldn’t accept Clayton Oliver for Cerra? How about Petracca? Maybe we could package Rivers and Kossie and throw in a first rounder?? Jon Ralph trying to fill his Twitter profile with definitive statements to make it appear that he is ‘in the know’. On reality, he sounds like a fool.

my word, the reporting on this is bad, even for footy journos. basically tweet/print any random thing they think of We won't get it done without Jackson going to Freo. what utter nonsense! we don't have a first round pick - we didnt the last couple of years going in to the draft either did we? but look at Kozzi and Bowey. If we want him enough and he wants us enough, we can get it done. he would have to accept unders from us though. would be a massive, the kid is a future gun

Knowing the way we operate and how we are now seen in the AFL, if the player wants to come to us and we want him, we will get it done. It may mean letting another player or two leave, especially if it is to go home, but as long as they are not an untouchable then we will do the deal and look to replace the ones leaving in the draft or through other smaller trades or delistings, FA's etc. We are now a destination club and that really helps. The managers and their players are far more keen and help to get the deals done. The main thing is that the core group stays and you keep improving it and the culture isn't harmed. Players leaving for more opportunities is not a culture buster. It in fact may help build it even stronger as we are seen as a , successful, smart and compassionate club.

My god this would be a HUGE get for the footy club. Still remember Darren Bewick his Eastern Rangers coach saying he could potentially be in the same calibre as Christian Petracca who he also coached. If anyone watched Cerra this year would know he makes our midfield go up a whole new level next year.

Demon new year?

From many wanting Smith out - now teeth gnashing when it is forced upon us! If it comes down to Smith / Hibbard for the win, we are in trouble. Our system down back is more important than our fourth backman selection.

Geez everyone is buying into the Ratugolea hype train.

That sucks for Joel. He’ll be shattered.

Allen Jackovich

My heart goes out to Joel, very disappointing for him.

Sad for Smith, but I'm glad this happened at training, not half way through the first quarter on Friday night. It makes me think, that if he is not in the selected team, Hunt is the ideal injury sub. He can play at either end of the ground reasonably well, without being brilliant and could hold down a wing if one of our midfielders went down and Brayshaw was needed in the middle.

That and some bloke had the ball after a dodgy free kick with 34 seconds to go and kicked it out of bounds 😂

To me this reeks of Isaac Smith burning us last year holding off for Geelong to finish their finals campaign to come out and nominate them as his club of choice. Can sense Cerra doing a similar thing burning Carlton waiting for us to finish our campaign. If he was set on Carlton he probably would've nominated them by now.

I don't know who Cara (sp?) is but hope her spirits have been lifted this week. We all will be cheering with you and more importantly for you. Shows the character of our team to do this. And to Jack, glad to see you now have a little red and blue.

Great article thanks for this. The section below warned my heart, this is the kind of stuff that creates a great club culture. "We were all welcomed to join in for the Saturday fitness session with the current guys and we ended up having 30 past players running alongside today's list. All of the current players then joined us for our regular breakfast catch-up, we had 70 odd Melbourne players mixing together after training." While a simple gesture, it's been symbolic of a new Melbourne ethos that has been noted by Grinter. "The biggest change I've noticed with the way the boys have been playing, is their want to play for each other and the broader club, not as individuals. The way they speak after games, it's all about the supporters at home and that connection is really felt from the past players," he says. "The club opened up to past players from far and wide for that session, no matter how many games they'd played. We all really cherished the connection of that day." Current Demon James Harmes has recently joined the Past Players committee, and an AFLW past player will soon be appointed.