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What about "You'll Never Walk Alone"? You'd think there'd be a massive groundswell of support for that amongst Demons supporters.

Finished. I’ll post some notes later. Be aware that this photo is taken on my iPad, then compressed to fit file for this site. Scanning for prints will be at ‘museum art grade’ resolution and colour saturation/correction. You get the idea though….

Stick to Hells Bells, but they should play more if it. Not just the intro.

Get well soon RDB

Spot on. Dee Spencer was on some serious medication when he wrote that rubbish. TS will be a fine player. He was no passenger in any of the Final Series games. he performed and his kicking was top class. He will only get better

Notes on the painting: From the ground up…. *One of my primary visual intentions was to have ‘blue and red’ dominate, without white particularly (Max’s half eleven excluded). As such, both Jack and Max’s boots have been ‘un-whited’, adding to the red and blue saturation. *I grew up in the era when “Redlegs” was still a popular nickname for the Dees, and I loved the long red socks, particularly against the black ‘old-school’ boots. Thus I’ve lengthened Gus’ socks (and slightly shrunk the others to offer his even more ‘length’) and he’s wearing brand-less black boots. This, amongst other things, is a nod to legacy, as well as offering the chance to bring up the red proportion against the blue in the painting overall as there’s almost no jersey ‘yolk’ visible. *There is no advertising/branding on clothing (boots excepted), including the AFL logo. None of it is red and blue, and although advertising is an admittedly necessary evil, it’s gone. *The ‘fence-banner’ background speaks for itself. A desaturated tone of blue, against the deeper uniform colours. Top right is hard to make out on the photo, but it’s a pair of fuschias. Premiership years listed - right to left, past to current. (in different fonts for different eras), official logos also, with the current logo the largest and significantly at Max’s toe. Jersey numbers of “team of the century (1900-1999)” in lightest blue on right. *I love the Jack-Max relationship here. ⁃ As our ex-captain, who despite losing the captaincy remains vice-captain, Jack is pure MFC legacy - his father was a legend and captain, he grew up supporting the club, is as hard as nails, lacks the polish, but gives his all and is essential for it (Iet’s just say I was tempted to put blood on his mouthguard!) Jack lifts his enormous captain with a look of determined joy. I raised his head off his shoulders a bit, along with an eyebrow, to ‘elevate’ his physical expression. His left bicep is bigger, and leaves an impression on Max’s jersey. ⁃ Max here is the change-bringer, the drought-breaker. Christ-allusive with arms outspread, but in the most unaffected, innocent way. And he knows it. He fully trusts his teammates, his ‘lifters’ and with an unadulterated expression of intense victorious delight. All we see of his ‘11’ , is a ‘1’ - he is this era’s cultural progenitor. ⁃ Gus is every other team member - a pillar and a wrap-around, fully invested and enfolding this iteration of Melbourne to reinforce the union. (Can still see his blue helmet though). *The ‘Crowd’ background is a (red-tinted) grey - to bring a ‘pop’ to the skin/uniform saturation, and as a colour representation, or lack thereof, of the media background in front of which footy plays out. Top right corner is a cap of the Tom Wills era style (also reminiscent of the velvet caps of the 70’s childhood). Max is either pointing to it, or tossing it into the past, forever. There is a name labelled on the inner cap rim ….N. Smith. Initially I made the scarf standard length. It didn’t seem enough. The scarf is us, the supporters of the oldest football club in the country. We are long in loyalty, long in numbers, long in suffering and generations. We’ve been on a winding journey, as sport determines - subject to joy and despair. The scarf, also our journey, is both ladder and snake. It is suspended in the present - an activating force for Max and his team, as they so often made clear. Both scarf and cap (a supporter’s essential uniform, now and ever) are de-saturated and de-sharpened in keeping with the fence banner detail. Excuse again the less than adequate image. The painting is 48 inch x 32 inch, so can’t be helped. Any other details needing explanation, ask away.

With all his reported good work with the past players, I think Rod Grinter would be a good pick.

There is a quirk of human nature as to how people are regarded. After Ron left us at the end of 1964 he spent 7 years at Carlton (premiership Coach ‘68 and ‘70), 8 years at North (premiership coach ‘75 and ‘77) and another 3 years coaching Sydney. Despite 18 years and 4 flags elsewhere he is almost exclusively known as a Melbourne person and seems to regard himself as a Melbourne person too. Long live RDB!

Fingers crossed he only has mild symptoms

You never know, but it seems unlikely. However, Tommy could go the rest of his career without getting a single possession and he will still be remembered fondly for being one of the mighty crew who delivered a flag for this great club.

Cameron's side under achieved. Losing Jolly and Thompson hurt.Out of the 22 only Bate and Wonaeamirri under achieved. Prendergast was a disaster only 2 out of 30 picks are up to AFL level. Taylor won us a premiership. 15 premiership players in there. Not including trades. Cameron had Powell, Ingerson and Shanahan while Prendergast had Clark while Taylor had May, Lever, Langdon, Hibberd, Melksham, B.Brown and Vince.

I’m waiting for the moment on the replay in the third quarter when Bontempelli kicks the goal to put the Bulldogs 19 points in front. Wondering how many MFCSS infested people are going to get up and storm out staying, “I’ve had enough of this!”

As long as it is not the person with the job to press play on the replay, then all good.

Big Calls 1, AFL will come up with a rule change that hurts us. 2 Two Sydney top four teams next year, GWS is my big improver, forget the noise about Toby, they play selfless team footy like us and if not smashed by injuries will break other teams on the wheel. 3. News paper articles to feature about how we keep our team together. 4. Big offers for big defenders next year, Jacob from Carlton gets a god father offer to go to Essendon, as teams realize Melbourne was onto something getting back 6 set first. My 8 1Melb 2 Brisbane 3 GWS 4 Sydney 5 Bulldogs 6 Geelong 7 Essendon 8 Port 9 Richmond 10 WCE Pirated from the other thread on teams challenging us… Brisbane has a list and a good coach. While they have some annoying players they have ability on every line. Our best is still better but I do think they have the best attack to break up our zone. Port's window is closing and something NQR. Mental scars as well from some bad losses. Essendon is coming and I wish to see them smashed by us, they do have some good players and always well resourced. Have some speed and i think the team running is coming. Dogs are going to be there abouts, but like Melbourne sides of old there defence has a few too many holes, Easton Wood is on the way out, no ruck, and Libba had a mare in the GF and will need serious coaching after that loss. I think 22 will be a finals year but no threat. Carlton, The loss of the anti Vaxxer is a big loss - personally I think Voss will not be the man to take these princesses anywhere. Voss was an awesome player but like Viney, who sets a fierce example, he doesn't quite have the EQ to relate to the more unconventional types. Hubris runs deep in Carlton as well despite the quality list. Voss might be the one to get Cripps firing again though. I am so glad the new Carlton is the old Melbourne. Swans rapier like qualities, but is the defence up to finals specification? Team I need to watch more of as I understand the least. Cats they have two issues, one is the obvious age/speed, the other is their forward line, we took apart Cameron and Hawkins 3 times (2 when Cameron wasn't playing) they have no other tricks. Will do well but are in same boat as Port. Richmond, thereabouts, but seriously they have lost so many parts of an elite unit, and their bottom 6 look a lot more pedestrian than ours. Riewoldt is rusting before the eyes and Dusty as magnificent as he is cannot win it by himself (i think) will need to improve his defensive efforts to make up for gaps in the list. Giants, this season they played like a team, I think they will be super dangerous in 22, less princess more machine like, have to resolve the Coniglio question, he is less suited to being Captain than Grimes and Trengove were has gone back further than Cripps. Coach was suspect but has survived a trial by fire. Saints, nah, too many missing pieces, feel sorry for Steele, awesome player. GC Who would swap Dew for Goodwin now. Will remain a feeder/farm team. Btw if Goodwin wins a 2nd GF, the offers from Adelaide will become unbelievable. Adelaide in a few years. Collingwood in more years. Board wobbles guaranteed. Westcoast, ready for a rebuild not sure they know it. Freo, need to bin some lazy players, too many pick and choose. North, will be better but need two more good drafts, by which time they will be picking apples in Tasmania. Hawks, have no idea there late run of form suggests they are not as useless as I had expected.

Just give us the Friday night game and stop trying to re-invent the wheel. We deserve nothing less tbh.

So we miss out on seeing our team win the granny for the first time in 57 years then they want us to unfurl the flag on a Wednesday night. Are they [censored] serious?

Hello everyone! I hope it’s alright by the mods that I use a thread to promote my new Melbourne Football Club Podcast. In the spirit of the many ‘TV re-watch podcasts’, my friends and I have started re-watching all the 2021 Melbourne matches and reviewing them in the context of the season as a whole. We’ve just released Episode 1: Melbourne v Fremantle at the MCG, where we reminisce about the lead-up to 2021, the match itself, review the votes and debate our favorite Demons to wear the Number 1 guernsey. Listeners are welcome to watch the whole match, highlights or simply rely on their memory of each of our games this year. Hopefully a little bit informative… Hopefully a little bit funny… Please follow us on Instagram @ deewatch_podcast Thanks!

Pretty disappointed he won't be there on Sun. Seeing him present that cup would have been what we were all waiting for. I'm not gonna forget that look in his eyes when he came up the stairs in his apartment and saw the Cup sitting there. I'm equally ok with Hassa Mann or Nathan Jones. Just don't make me choose!

You could be onto something with Hassa Mann Supreme Demon. 3× VFL premiership: 1959, 1960, 1964 3× Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medallist 1962, 1963, 1967 2× Melbourne leading goalkicker: 1967, 1968 Harold Ball Memorial Trophy: 1959 Melbourne captain: 1965–68 Melbourne Team of the Century–Half-forward Melbourne Hall of Fame Overall All-Australian: 1966 Australian Football Hall of Fame Succeeded RDB as Skipper. But Nathan would do me also.

The AFL has picked up what was a great idea by our CEO and wasted no time in trying to compromise it.

Fortunately they appear to be fighting it well. Always a worry at their age. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/ron-barassi-and-wife-cheryl-test-positive-for-covid-19-20211202-p59e92.html

Golly, Ron. Hope you have sidestepped an infection. An entire army of Demon fanatics are respectively praying for your good health and well being. Carna Ronald Dale!

I have been very pleased we somehow got Blake Howes with pick #39 in the Draft. It was basically a fluke that he slipped so far down. He was easily rated in the top 20 to top 25 players from what experts have said. So basically the Demons won a Premiership and still got two top 20 players in this year's AFL Draft in Jacob van Rooyen and Blake Howes. You gotta be happy with those results!

Interesting that Essendon would have taken Howes at 13 if Hobbs was not available to them. The Bombers did not have an opportunity to pick him up as their next pick was at 46. Nothing is guaranteed in drafting but it does look like, through circumstances, we picked Blake up way later than perhaps he would have otherwise gone. “Essendon, at pick 13, chose Hobbs next, ending his drop down the order after several close calls went against him with Fremantle and Richmond's picks. If not Hobbs, the Bombers had Blake Howes in their sights, having met him days before the draft.” AFL site, Inside the Draft, 2 Dec ‘21

Yesterday Son : Your premiership mugs have arrived Me : I didnt order any mugs Son : You must have No : you must have Son : why did you order 3 No : I didnt order any and why would I order 3? Son : You must have etc etc Today Me : Did you sort out those mugs Son : What mugs The moral of this story is probably not to do online shopping in a state of drunken euphoria.

I have watched tommy Sparrow come on in leaps and bounds this year, particularly his final series, and love what he is contributing to the team. Anyone who can roost a 50m goal off one step is ok with me. His thoughtful and well placed kicks to Ben Brown and Dogga, both for goals, in the last quarter of the GF showed a touch of class. He also brings a lot of strength and hardness to his game reminiscent to me of Todd Viney. Any mid who can go forward and hit the scoreboard is gold these days and tommy is one of those mids. I also expect him to improve and have a great 2022.

The backend of his career he sought of lost momentum, but he was very unlucky to not win a best and fairest (more votes per game than Jonesy in one of his years but played one less game) and went toe to toe with Buddy Franklin in his prime and held his own.

Maybe cause it was Hells Bells. Reckon we should stick with it.

It's only when you pore over the replays you really notice what a game he played. In many of the crucial moments he was right there in the thick of it. He might not have been finishing them but he sure as hell was starting them. Told my cousin a couple days prior to the game to watch Viney. Might just win the Norm Smith and get suspended for 6 weeks as well 😅 Had to laugh at this story when I heard it today. Just start the clip and it'll go the right spot. I expected nothing less 😁

It’s unlikely that the club will need to resort to the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period unless a long term injury crops up. AFL confirms rookie rules for SSP, Mid-Season Draft

Last night I watched the PF again - looking at Tom in particular. He plays such a measured mature game for such a young man. Huge upside. Could be anything, especially with CP5, Clarry and JV7 still in the mix. Awesome thought.

Look what arrived today ....

I was always hopeful the club would nominate Ron to unfurl the flag. So just get well and save up Ron for that unbelievable monent in the Club's history. Cannot think of anyone else even close to RDB for this Sunday, so Pert and Roffey need to weave their magic on this (they haven't let us down yet). SWooper maybe - premiership players and GF Dees coach that gave us back our self-belief and got Robbie Flower to the finals stage???

Migrated, did he? Wouldn't surprise. This team is capable of great things.

Amazing to think he is already a premiership player with so much improvement left in him. He is now, and always will be, one of an elite group of MFC players. I still am trying to wrap my head around that we finally made it to the Promised Land after waiting those 57 long years. Never thought I would see one again in my lifetime and am so happy and grateful.

Bring back the bugler.

Nice letter from Perty https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1035901/a-letter-from-the-ceo-premiership-celebration I forgot that this is our chance to say farewell and thank you to Jonsey and Jetts! Good that they will be acknowledged properly

My amazing wife and I were married on Friday the 13th of Dec.. for some reason she decided to celebrate our anniversary this year this weekend with a trip to the lovely regional town we were married in.. this may be our last anniversary together lol.

It's Enter Sandman at the moment isn't it?

Our version of North's Gary "Crazy Horse" Cowton. Both quick, talented & powerful. Both made you wonder what the hell is gonna happen when they got the football in hand

It's fair to say that I find the discussion around the word "frank", Charlemagne and the Merovingians to be far more interesting and definitely more informative than Jon Ralph's article.

Having a Jacob on the list got me researching. Came across Graeme Jacobs, when as a kid I liked to pronounce it Jak Obs. I remember in 64 listening to the radio, 2 big guns up forward, Jacobs and Bourke. Jacobs wore # 20. So here is a list of all the players since 64 who have worn that number. Graeme Jacobs Paul Rowlands Laurie Queay Shane McSperrin Paul Hurst - premiership with Carlton Brian Cook - yes it is him Graeme Gaunt Russell Richards - Rhino Mathew Febey Troy Broadbridge - great matchup for Hird. RIP Colin Garland Corey Maynard Adam Tomlinson It is a very even contest but who is the best since 64. I will go Febey/Garland/Tomlinson Thoughts?

It was in the Rat on Sunday. Ther one you touched in 2016 is now irrelevant.

Yes Garland was an underrated player. He didn't have many superstar attributes but his commitment was excellent and he was actually fairly versatile. I remember in Neeld's first year he was a major influence on our upset win over Essendon with his two goals in the last quarter. Pity he played for us when we were at our lowest point.

What a great idea. Pity I was nonmember as a kid in the country, moved to Melbourne and went to matches, back to the country and held country member for five games, couldn't even attend them, and had mates with memberships so sat with theming the very rare occasion I could get there. Finally retired and started attending more games still with mates so joined last year in my own right to get a grand final ticket. So still missed out but no regrets. of course I credit my membership renewal with the players success. I can just picture them saying crickey if he's signed up we'd better deliver. Hope they can reward me again next year at the G.

Indeed he was. Got heaps of the ball. The answer to the question is Febey. In 3 years time I hope it is Tomlinson.

I think it's free for MFC members, $30 for non members

The Cup Tour came to Warrnambool So I went, Yes I was pleased and it was free to members and non members Not sure how this works The Cup.pdf