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Sorry Webber, I already bought a similar painting from Ricky Nixon.

From a player who shall remain unidentified in a forum which I cannot disclose. On Ben Brown: "An incredibly nice person, a brilliant story (to come from wooden spoon to premiership team), very calm person, a steadying factor for us". On Bayley Fritsch: "Very stiff to miss the medal, a worthy second, a ripping fella". On Luke Jackson: "Played a huge part in turning the game, could be anything that boy". On Christian Petracca: "Like a big Labrador, incredible development since being drafted, a consummate professional, has learned to re-set after setbacks, may have another level he can go to". On Jake Bowey: "Very competitive, towelled up Weightman." On Christian Salem: "Tough as coffin nails, genuine superstar." On Steven May: "Didn't want to know his scan result, said if I can train, I can play - and did, despite a 5 cm tear".

As some of you will know, I have a side-hustle as an artist/painter. I’ve decided the first of a likely Dees triptych will be a painting of this from the Prelim. Captain and Vice-captain, legacy (Todd) and reinvention (Maxy). Brotherhood, team commitment (small bloke launching big bloke), layers of meaning everywhere! Will be in a fully realist style (with artistic licence on background, removal of sponsor labelling, etc,) acrylic on canvas, and large (likely ~ 48 inches high). If I get enough expressions of interest on here, I’ll have prints made and available for purchase. Let me know…

Almost six months until the 2022 men's season. I'm really looking forward to the AFLW season, but the next men's season seems an age away. And i really want to savor what was the best season of football i have ever seen the dees play by the length of a Darren Bennet bomb. And i think history will show one of the best seasons of football by any team in the modern era (i don't think we have got credit enough for our season, yet). So I plan to watch one game game a week, starting this weekend with the hell and back video series and then the preseason practice match against the dogs. Then next weekend the round one game against the dockers. I'll post some reflections about each game but it would be great to have some fellow travelers on the same journey to share the weekly injection of joy.

Put it straight back into the rotation. The longer it's semi-retired, the more pressure it puts on the next holder to "live up to the number 2". No-one who saw Robbie or Nathan will forget its significance, no matter who ends up with it.

You get one of these as well Grape ?

Are coffin nails tougher than ordinary nails? I'll have to add this to the list of life questions that I'm putting together from Demonland statements, including: do fish really rot from the head? do cats really have hard heads? are snakes more likely to be mad if they are cut? is the statement "could be anything" always a compliment? I'm sure there are others, too.

Great effort! But let’s just let the anonymous source remain anonymous.

Assuming that it’s a current Melbourne-listed player as your anonymous source, then I’ve narrowed it down to the following suspects as follows: It’s not these folks talking about themselves in third person, hopefully: Ben Brown Bayley Fritsch Luke Jackson Christian Petracca Jake Bowey Christian Salem Steven May While some paraphrasing is to be expected, based on the comments on Jackson – “could be anything that boy” and Petracca – “incredible development since being drafted” – I would deduce that it’s not any of our younger players, further ruling out: Kysaiah Pickett Trent Rivers Tom Sparrow Toby Bedford Kade Chandler Kye Declase James Jordon, Bailey Laurie Fraser Rosman Daniel Turner Deakyn Smith On Ben Brown: “a steadying factor for us”. Luke Dunstan has been with the club for all of a week, and wouldn’t be referring to the MFC as ‘us’ in past assessments. On a similar note, there’s probably a couple players who would likely feel more comfortable referring to the grand-finalists as ‘the team’ rather than ‘us’, having not contributed much to the season. Luke Dunstan Majak Daw Marty Hore Mitch Brown Oscar Baker On the flip-side, I imagine the hard-luck stories who did contribute to our season, but missed out on a medallion through selection, would still be a tiny little bit bitter and not so effusive in their all-round feel-good praise; Jayden Hunt Jake Melksham Joel Smith Sam Weideman I love them all to bits, but our other core midfielders can barely string a coherent sentence together, let alone the eloquence of describing Trac as a “consummate professional” Clarry Oliver James Harmes Jack Viney That leaves a group of just ten suspects. I’m going to rule out Tom McDonald, on the grounds that I still sense some ideological and dietary tension with Brown that doesn't gel with the "incredibly nice person" assessment, and Charlie Spargo in that he doesn’t seem the type to speak out of school, if at all. Harking back to the Petracca comment, in having learned to “re-set” after setbacks, sounds very much like Goody-speak coming from a more senior leader, so I think Harrison Petty can be struck off too. Yet, judging by the array of comments, half specifically referred to the competitive nature of our defenders, including knowledge of and reference to May’s hamstring tear, as compared to more generic comments on others, so I’m going to guess it was possibly someone stationed in and familiar with the back half of the field. The source also felt Fritsch was “stiff to miss out on the (Norm Smith) medal”, which I doubt anyone in the near vicinity of Petracca or Oliver would express, unless they were being magnanimous for some reason or other . . . Ed Langdon, Alex Neal-Bullen With Angus not ruled out due to his consistent efforts deep in defence (as well as you having quoted him from the "horse's mouth" in the past), that leaves a pool of only five remaining characters on my Guess Who board, together with Hibberd, Lever, Tomlinson and Gawn. My first question is, does you mystery player have a podcast?

I read the Essendon fan pages, but don't post much. I find most of them all a bit unreasonable at times Demonland has always been of a high standard of footy knowledge and have enjoyed many a discussion over the years here. having a couple of daughters who are mad Dees fans also means I have a close eye on Melbourne

Hi all, I have a limited edition footy that the players signed after the GF win. PM me if interested.

He must be free-balling then. Count me in Webber.

I haven’t had a favourite player, or a Melbourne football jumper, since I was 10. Will be ordering a 2022 guernsey with the number of my favourite player: #5. He played the Granny with the god mode cheat on. Absolutely dominant on the biggest stage of all.

After he ran down McRae he gave him a tap on the back that looked every bit a "bad luck mate" gesture and without a hint of arrogance.

It’s a bit counter-intuitive, but I also love how fair he is......you never see him try any Selwood type cheap shots, or wrestling etc, despite being ferocious at the ball.

There’s an article in today’s Herald Sun about the excitement generated by the arrival at Melbourne of boom recruit Tayla Harris (sorry pay wall and no link but it’s at p87). Melbourne’s AFLW coach Mick Stinear says Harris had fit right into her new AFLW home. “Tayla’s been quite honest that when Covid hit last year, she found that quite challenging, and she didn’t have an ideal preparation leading into last season. “And we’ve experienced it as well with our players that a change of environment for some players is exactly what they need, and it helps get the best out of them. “We certainly hope that’s the case, and the way she’s training and competing at the moment, things are looking really promising. “She’s a pretty special athlete with a lot of talent and she’s really bought into our program and her role within the team. I think her physicality and athleticism up forward and her finishing ability around goal, combined with her selfless nature, she’s going to bring something we haven’t had in our forward line before.” Pre-season training officially starts for the Demons on Thursday. It could be the last for Daisy Pearce, 33, the mother of two, who has made a big commitment to sign up for another season. The new AFLW season starts in early January.

My eyes might have been deceiving me but I think I just saw the HFC 2022 member's bumper sticker. H A W T H O R N 2022 Even we don't want us!

You can bet that Sydney won't be drafting him. The Bloods and The Cripps are mortal enemies.

I flicked over to fox footy yesterday because it's becoming a running joke how it's always on & it was right on the point with Garry walking up to present the cup. Does anyone just start watching from the 3rd quarter after the Bont puts them 19 points up, because you just know how good it gets from there

thought this thread was about bowel movements. Happy with Sparrow getting an upgrade or the undefeated Bowzer - who knows someone may put their hand up for it.

I like what they did with 31, just give it to a player no expectations. That seemed to work out well this year.

His Grand Final performance was sensational and if he has not hit his ceiling then we are in for great ride in the future, his chemistry with Gawn Jackson Oliver and Viney is unbelievable. I don't care if he wins Brownlows but if he wins more Norm Smith's and Premierships then he will never feel he has missed out because team things are better the individual accolades.

The way I look at the Dunstan pick up is, who would be the next mid into the side, after the 23 in the GF. I can't think of anyone of note and Dunstan is arguably better atm than Sparrow and JJ, who we all rate and who were in the 23. Additionally he came as a FA, costing us no picks. That is great recruiting.

The less of a big deal that’s made, the better. The pressure that comes with playing footy at the highest level is enough for any player. No need for additional pressure.

Officially a superstar of the competition, humble and now the ultimate professional. Will be a legend by the time he is done.

That was enjoyable, “tough as coffin nails” lol how old is the anonymous player.

This is expert level 'Guess Who"

I nominate @DeeSpencer and @picket fence to undertake an old-school school-yard pick-for-pick selection of teams from currently-listed AFL players, and then we can add a poll and the rest of us get to decide and argue endlessly over which is best. I just flipped a coin, and heads, Picket gets to go first, suitable karma for having 'Picket' in his handle before the drafting of Kysaiah as opposed to Spencil. A full 23-man squad, with consideration given to team balance and playing spots. @WERRIDEEcan arrange the selections into final line-ups before we vote. Other challenger match-up suggestions are welcome, or even the inclusion of a third or fourth party to make it extra interesting.

They’re stuffed. For a long time. And that kinda makes me feel very happy.

Former skipper Jack Hutchins has retired from the VFL. Well played Jack!

* DONE DEAL | The Dockers get their man! Jordan Clark has been traded to Fremantle for pick 22 and a future 3rd. Freo gets back a future 4th. The average age of the Cats’ list goes up again!

Good question. I was pondering this myself just recently. I don't really know the answer - maybe leave it for this season.

Its had a long run, a short break cant hurt.

I personally would give it a break. Sparrow has done #32 proud and I am sure Vagg would agree.

Horne-Francis after we trade picks 17, 37 and Ben Brown's premiership medallion to Norf

You're making this seem like a bad thing.

So many ways to watch: 👹 Second half - This allows you to recapture that "Oh no!" sinking feeling and experience the momentum shift to fuller effect. 👹 Bont's goal onwards - Less impactful version of the above, slightly more time efficient, great "everything's awesome from here" vibes. 👹 The whole shebang - The first quarter was pretty good after all, and the second quarter just makes the second half more satisfying and awe-inspiring. 👹 At any point in the replay - Because why not? 👹 Backwards - Haven't tried this yet, but I'm sure it's pretty good too. Maybe even some demonic subliminal messaging?

Apparently their list managers have been having long lunches with Dodoro and he has rubbed off on them. According to Sam Edmund, Clark and List Manager Wells at Geelong just had a heated phone conversation and in the end Clark hung up on him. It is really rich to demand pick 19 for a player you don't play in your side most weeks, after several years with your club and especially as you have been offered pick 22. Some clubs are creating trouble for themselves in this trade period. I note that our policy has been to pay a fair price to get a deal done, as it will come back to help next time. Some clubs are creating trading enemies over their "must win every trade" philosophy. Players and managers are watching this happen with great interest.

I remember that. I think it was after he kicked his brilliant 'soccer' goal. As he walked back to the middle he was snarling! Lab playfulness + Doberman snarl = lethal combo!

Labs are friendly dogs. Trac has some Lab like qualities but I saw a touch of Doberman in his eyes on GF day. More of that and he will move beyond "highly respected" and into the "greatly feared" category.

I see Jackson as the greatest utility in the competition. If we need a spark in the ruck he goes there. If we need an outlet kick on the wing he goes there. If we need a pack marking forward he goes there. I just think he's too valuable around the ground to be number 1 ruck. Tbh he could become one of the best key forwards if we really wanted him to stay there, which I don't think we will.

There is that something about him that he will. It is a frightening prospect for the competition. Great for us! I like the 'big labrador' comparison. He started as a lovable puppy; all playful and boistrous and now has grown up a little but is still lovable and boistrous. Great energy for the team.

First player to touch the ball in the run to the cup. Amazing split second gather at pace from the Smith fumble, and kicks it down Fritsch’s throat. That play will be burned in my memory forever. I’ll be in a nursing home one day not able to remember where I am or what I had for breakfast, but I’ll remember James Harmes charging towards the 50. Brilliant.

i wish nothing more than mid-table mediocrity upon them

As I said on the Salem thread, I would take him ahead of Kelly. Like a few in the overrated society Kelly doesn't get down in the trenches when the going is hot. Nice footballer when allowed, nice doesn't win Premierships...

Thanks guys, hungry for new content. Don't know what I'll do until March next year. Just have to comfort myself with watching the premiership replay. Might watch the whole season again

Some interesting points here. There was certainly a lot of early interest last year in McInnes and much of it was generated on the draft boards by the likes of people like Knightmare who knows people within the trade and had him as high as #5 in his power ratings and in his top 10 for most of the year. In the final analysis however, the club recruiters are the professionals who decide their clubs’ picks and their livelihoods and reputations often depend on making good decisions. The example Dee Spencer gave above of the deal done between GWS and Collingwood turned out a brilliant one for the Giants because they ended up with pick 2 in this year’s draft. It wasn’t too bad for Collingwood either because they received two round one selections and reduced the number of options for other clubs to pick their NGA player. Still, there were other clubs that could have jumped in to get McInness but it didn’t happen. It would be ironic if GWS used that pick to take Melbourne’s NGA this year. I don’t think it will pan out that way despite what “experts” like Matt Rendell is hearing.

I don’t care if he’s not better. Dunstan’s mere presence will push others to be better.

There's something extra special about a childhood fan making it to the big time and the ultimate success for the same club. Especially a former rookie with ostensibly no high-level connections to the club or industry. It's the stuff of dreams really.

Thanks for this. I really wish Robbie was alive to see this. Hopefully he knows about it somehow.