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Picked up 'MAX GAWN - A Captains Diary' for the old mans Christmas present this morning and I'm half way through it 😉😀 Pretty much a diary of the year that was. We all want to know what was on the players minds during the season and their thoughts as it panned out. Well this is the ticket. Gives a good insight into the different personalities at the club also. I'm up to Rd 16 .... What a great read. 😎

I made it! As I tossed up whether I should take the journey, one thing proved the motivator: to see Tayla Harris in the red and blue again for the first time in a long while (more on that later). I arrived mid-way through first- it always takes longer than you think - after skirting the well-attended Covid testing queue and managing to snare a good parking spot, a Casey rarity. By my estimate, the crowd was about 100 strong, mostly Demons. Of course, it was windy. And of course, there was more bizarre weather coming. Classic Casey. Q1 Fairly standard-looking line-up in the first (Paxman an obvious exception). First notable play after my arrival was a strong mark to Harris (wearing #4) in front of me on the wing. Also standing out was the rookie (and Casey B&F) West, who was very involved in the clinches, with second and third efforts. The Pies were kicking with the intense wind advantage, but our defence held up quite well under the onslaught, keeping the Pies to two goals when it could easily have been more since they had it camped down there. Not surprisingly, there was great difficulty transitioning to fwd 50, while the midfield struggled to get first use. Lightning strikes nearby late in the first didn’t stop the game immediately, but quarter time was lengthened by about 10 mins. Naturally, the delay saw the return of blue skies and sunshine. Melb 0.0.0 to Cwood 2.3.15 Q2 Kicking with the wind in the second, the Demons had better bounce off half back through Sherriff and Tarrant, and more midfield control. Goldie with a slightly nervous running bounce was enjoyable - calling to mind a practice match before her debut year in which she forgot to bounce at all while showing her now trademark dash. Just love how she takes it on. A ruck mix-up saw Parry nearly get a goal unopposed out of the ruck, while Daisy's forward pressure led the way. The Dees peppered the scoreboard, with points to Daisy, Harris, Bannan (an impressive attempted long bomb) and West (I'm fairly certain, squinting from the other end) and two goals to Hore in her typical out-the-back or round-the-corner fashion. Zanker became more prominent, pushing the ball forward and distributing well by hands. A couple more strong takes to Harris and Birch were notable. Melb 2.4.16 to Cwood 2.3.15 Q3 A stalemate of a quarter, with Collingwood failing to capitalise on the wind. The Dees tried to be smart going forward by short kicks edging closer. Our best chance for a major fell apart after a good set up by Scott to Daisy about 30m out on an angle, who then hit up Scott closer in, who took it a step too far trying to centre to 10m out. The idea was right though and showed the team's comfort with the conditions and ability to use different gears as required. Meanwhile, Harris cleaned up Scott as they both crashed a pack early in the quarter, both played on. Harris was later reported for a sling tackle on Bonnici (I think), the latter commiserating with Harris while they waited for the umpire to re-start play. A good sign was that she was equally as hard but with better technique in her next involvement. Livingstone then got Harris high and apologised, so it was good sports all round despite the supposed “feud” between those two. Collingwood got a late goal after a quick transition forward from a ruck free kick, contrary to Daisy's clear instruction to "Lock it in!" in the last few minutes, which was disappointing. Interestingly, Parry had some time in the ruck. Score: Melb 2.5.17 to Cwood 3.4.22 Q4 Caris, Petrevski, Magee joined the game, with both Pearces sitting out the last. My quest to see if every player was used resulted in me noting Gillard (backline) and Campbell (forward) also on the field, and working out the player I'd been mis-seeing as Lampard was actually Ali Brown, and likely both had been out there, perhaps all along... Fitzsimon - who played 1, possibly 2 games early last season - followed up a great tackle with a good kick to Harris as the target, which resulted in a goal to Hore out the back. That seemed to kick-start the Dees, and they were in control from there. Great link-up play in the midfield, including a nice centring kick by Zanker, led to another classic snap by Hore. Zanker again upped the ante after going missing a bit in the 3rd. Birch with more strong marks, Colvin mopping up some unconvincing forays by the Pies (though she needs to tidy up her kicking!). Harris another great mark but shot offline. A good tackle by first father-daughter Campbell, appropriately in the #1, set up a nice goal to West. Hanks piled on another one out the back, the Pies' pressure wilting and the Dees running out the game well. Score: Melb 6.5.41 to Cwood 3.4.22 Unsighted: Paxman. Resting? Injured? Really wanted to give Harris her #4 jumper? I have no clues. Considering they put on the "B-team" (no disrespect!) in the last with the wind to carry them home, a good result and a chance to see our depth in action. Really happy with Harris, everything you'd want in terms of contest, only a goal would have capped it off. Birch's game was impressive as well. In the first, she dropped a mark, and I thought at the time, "Would really love her to take more of those with conviction". Cue her clunking pretty much everything from then on! Always interested in the development of the Irish players. Goldie was her usual see ball, get ball, side-stepping self, which lead to some great defensive stops and rebounds, though she got caught a few times - par for the course for her style. Magee barely got near it due to coming on in the last and rarely seeing the ball enter the backline, which was a shame as match practice is crucial for her. Was good to see Caris get a go and she looks a serviceable back-up ruck. All in all, it was a pretty even performance. The gap between the stars of the team and the rest narrow every year, which is a pleasure to witness. As far as I could tell, Collingwood's key players were all involved, but I'm not across their list enough to really say if they were at full strength or might have been trying stuff positionally/strategically. Still, in terms of a practice game, I figure there are three things you want: 1. No injuries - TICK (in the sense that no one was stretchered off or obviously injured) 2. A close-enough standard to a real game - TICK 3. Not a demoralising loss that will throw out preparations - TICK Bring on Round 1!

A bit of a weird tradition I discovered while listening to the Kick to Kick podcast (they go through the history of the VFL/AFL one year at a time and the hosts are 3 Melbourne supporters and a Bombers supporter) is that teams often have the flag unfurled by the club President's wife (or husband in recent times I guess). It sounds like we are likely to break with that tradition and get RDB to do it which I couldn't be happier about especially considering he missed the chance to hand over the cup and then missed the chance again 2 weeks ago at the G.

Hey people, Gotta thank the mods and their Masters for keeping this site alive during all the hard, long years. You know that I know that you know that I know who you guys are. Lots of people on here do not know the sacrifices and the financial commitments you have made. Thank you. Gotta thank all you people who take the time to post on here. It gives great joy to our dees community. Every time I think I want to post, some other bastard has already said it better. There are lots of different Melbourne Demons face masks out there. Just google and you can choose yours and your price range. I wear mine proudly. I love the conversations with fellow dees who would otherwise just walk past. Even better are the snarls and snorts from the opposition supporters. Others may have their favourites, but I have two insufferable brothers-in-law. Long may the Hawks languish. Again with apologies to my mates who migrated here with me from the old demonology site, I have a third verse for the Club Song for your opnion: "Well, we broke through and won in the year '21 The Norm Smith curse is now Gawned And you'll find us there in the final four A new Goody era now dawned Every heart beats true etc..." Regards and Xmas/ New Year greetings to all, Rollo

The players love him. Tie him down long term the only person I would give a contract for life is Jason Taylor. That bloke has a gift

First premiership coach in 57 years is entitled to whatever he wants. He works well on the sidelines with Yze in the box. I hope we can keep them together.

Melbourne expects to have a new long-term deal for premiership coach Simon Goodwin locked away before its flag defence starts against Western Bulldogs in Round 1 next season. While Demons chief executive Gary Pert did not wish to go into detail about ongoing discussions with Goodwin and his management, he said a new deal was likely to be in place before the March 14 kick-off to the 2022 season.

Some say public speaking is feared second only to dying. Then daylight. Why should Clarry be any different to most. Check out his one-on-one interview with Dylan Buckley mentioned on here recently. Its about an hour, and Clarry is insightful, articulate and showed great self-awareness. Just not in front of 1500 people - that will terrify most. On the big stage though he just lets his play do the speaking. We are blessed to be seeing this young man in red and blue and wathcing his progress at this time.

Bailey has been very open about his own battles and panic attacks and become somewhat of a spokesperson about mental illness. He played for my boys club and is still a regular down there even helping with running water at times. He made my youngest boys day at training this year when he waved and said hello to him. A quality young man, down to earth and likeable despite his image. I wish him nothing but the best.

North supporter too

I bet you were that guy who’d buy someone an LP for xmas (back in the day), gently remove it, tape it onto a cassette then put it back in its cover before giving it. 😁 I just realised you may be too young to even know what I’m on about. If that’s the case, ask your old man; he may’ve done it in his time. Everyone did. Well, I did. 😆

Well done to the club on the whole Cup Tour and for making it so accessible to us plebs. In all my years of dreaming about a flag, I never imagined that we'd get our hands on the actual silverware. Thanks MFC!

Also a great narrative for fringe players. Everyone can improve, clean slate every year, no grudges, hard work rewarded.. tmac and anb and are living proof

"I WISH I KNEW WHERE I WANTED TO BE WHEN I WANTED TO BE WHERE I WAS TODAY" Picture this.... temperature around 25 warm , balmy DAY and the Fence enjoying the majesty of the very pleasant surroundings of Casey Fields, does this sound inviting? Well I can tell you it beats the hell outa a weekend in Siberia anyday! But out here you still have to worry about slitherers but they are far more dangerous and bigger entities which have the capacity to be a .. more menacing presence .... which might or might not be related to the sign above! The usual drone of House music emanating from the Boom Box speakers at Casey Fields just blended nicely into the soundscape of what was another "Full On" Blitzkrieg Training session today. The following report was filed for the Demonland Brethren so what are you waiting for...... read on Absentees NO MAJAK No W.A Contingent except for Kossie On modified duties Jayden Hunt Warm ups This is done two ways 1 At the new indoor facility where players go through a thorough graduated stretching and graduated drill sequence 2 Out on the ground where small drills focusing on precise ball movement, quickness of delivery and rapid fire ball drill sequences are related to in tight match simulations One of these was a drill which I now call "Three Blind Mice" Players run backwards, with ball, Pirouette and run forward in a triangualar type sequence zig zag and then deliver the ball slighly off balance. It looks like the type of drill which equates to players being surrounded by opposition and then need to squeeze a correct delivery whilst slightly disorientated and slightly off balance. Skills , Drills and Maneuvers Two groups were maintained with one doing whole ground ball movements from various positions of stoppages both forwards and back and selecting again correct options for longer run and carry type work and also ground switching. The other group then continued in small confines contested ball work and again emphasizing delivery, blocking harrasing and disposal under pressure At the completion of this drill an excellent drill where players were involved in a triangular formation with 3 players moving the ball with precise handball which was punctuated by the gadfly tendancies of two harrasers who provided contest and pressure. This was an excellent drill in which hardly any group made a mistake! Delivery was precise, Handballs were given at the right moment then opening up the play. Following that a full match simulation was conducted under match conditions which again featured some at times breathtaking full ground transferance of the air conveyance! At the conclusion of that another minor activity some run throughs and Goal kicking was maintained and warm down completed a just over 2 hour pretty intensive and hard workout Player watch Several players really stood out for mine and I'll go through them now ADAM TOMLINSON A few on this site have commented on his "Readiness" but after seeing him again today he WILL be ready to go round 1. He marked well, moved well, was assured and showed NO sign of being hampered by his knee reco. He looked bloody good. DEAKYN SMITH Caught my eye on a few occasions with his Charismatic ball skills and skill level, will be one to watch in 2022 BAILEY LAURIE Looked much more assured and confident with some very "Astute" decisions and ball use TOM SPARROW Every time I see this kid I just keep thinking he plays like a turbo charged Ollie Wines, he is a bull who is becoming more confident and imposing. JAMES JORDON Scott Pendlebury Mrk 2 in the making here. JAKE BOWEY How much better can this kid get? Just never ever makes a mistake just cruises along the ground mopping up better than a thirsty Jex in the desert! JOEL SMITH Looks confident in body and took some excellent intercept marks and delivered very well in run and carry sim. N0 27 AND 42 Not sure who they are but boy did they do some excellently crafted runs and deliveries "Lace out" I wondered whether 1 was Luke Dunstan but not sure. OUR STANDOUTS Im putting a few buck on Clayton OLIVER for the 2022 BROWNLOW He just does not stop improving , some of his escapism and brute strength and dazzle from stoppages is almost impossible! Our culture is being driven by Max, Tracc, Stephen May and Jake Lever were irrepressible and Ed Langdon ANB, J.V, BBB, and Big Mac were all eye catching. Fritta snapped a couple of "Freak Goals" and Harmsy and Rivers assured as was Christian Salem IMPROVERS Fraser Rossman shows signs of steady improvement once smothering with full body on a Clarry Kick and Toby Bedford, and Kade Chandler committed very well. FINAL COMMENTS Competition for places is at all seasons high with selection headaches aplenty. Long gone are the days of limited backups and I forecast based on what I've seen little let up from the professional and exacting standards established in 2021

Looking forward to seeing the great man at the G for Rd 1 https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/afl-legend-ron-barassi-is-back-at-the-gym-and-his-old-self-after-covid-fight/news-story/832051d21db8fe8862f3c4f1812b8e21 A snippet for those who can't get past the paywall “Ron is on the improve,” Rosemary Long said. “He went to the gym (on Thursday) and the plan was that he was going to take it easy. But Ron did his full routine, much to the surprise of his trainer.” Melbourne is now likely to ask Ron Barassi to play a role in its premiership flag unfurling in Round 1 next year.

Typical Ron. Beat anyone on the football field and one stubborn virus. Keep it going Barass, a living legend of the MFC.

Hi Gonz. Yeah, I think it was. It's funny the things you remember. My family emigrated here in late 1979 and my first memory of footy was seeing North play Collingwood in a prelim on a black & white portable telly in the migrant hostel in Springvale we were staying at. I still remember the order that all the clubs finished that year (we were 11th with 5 wins I think) and the sponsors each club had. Essendon had Don Smallgoods, South had Just Jeans and Footscray's was Pyrox, the people heaters. North had Budget because of Bob Ansett who was their club president at the time.

And such a worthy winner. He had a wonderful season and his play in the GF was outstanding with his goal assists with pin point passes. Shows so much passion and obviously loves the MFC and his team mates. Congratulations ANB.

Got to go today with my 2 boys and seeing the cup in the flesh was glorious We got there around 430pm and the place was practically empty, we were able to go straight in with no queue just had to wait for the lady who was getting a photo with her daughter to finish then we were straight in. Kids had fun at the sports museum too with the interactive stuff so was a good arvo all round 😀

You sound exactly like me, Mazer. I’m still saying this to anyone who’ll listen and even a few who won’t; well, tbh, to myself mostly. 😁 Melbourne… Premiers. Still feels a little incongruous. Last Saturday Whispering Jack reminded us that next Saturday, xmas day, will mark three months since that absolutely glorious night in September. Three months!!! Not only has time flown, but this awesome post-premiership feeling hasn’t diminished one iota. Moreover, it hasn’t fully sunk in. Well, for me, anyways. I don’t know if it ever will. And you know what??? I don’t mind if it never does! WE ARE PREMIERS!!!! ❤️💙❤️💙 (Probs should’ve posted this in the “That Premiership Feeling” thread.)

These boys actually did it. Crikey. Melbourne premiers. They actually did it.

In the heat of a grand final, when everything was on the line, Gus performed, which is exactly what we would want of any player. Gus now premiership hero. Go Gus! Harmes, Kozzie ... lean pickings on the stats sheet, but contributors in big moments. They can all hold their heads up. GO DEMONS!!!

I don't know if it's been mentioned, but it struck me as being incredibly poetic and reflective of the entire 2021 season that the two players told to look elsewhere during the off-season were the same two players that had the final 2 disposals in the grand final. Oliver marks, handballs to Neale-Bullen who short kicks to McDonald. And it's fitting that they round out the top 10 in the B&F. What a year.

I have a mental illness and I can tell you its a struggle hope he gets through it.

Inappropriate jokes and comments mocking mental illness will be deleted.

Got it for an early xmas pressie from my mum. It's a great read!

It’ll be March 16th before we know it! Of course, it’s exciting when you think that we get to open the season, and it being our first game in the defence of the title of PREMIERS. But at the same time I kinda don’t want it to come too soon. Still totally enjoying this post-premiership feeling. 🙂❤️💙

Finally had the opportunity to touch the cup today along with my wife, daughter, daughter-in-law and two grand kids. It was a memorable experience and all staff were very helpful. We went straight to the Cup and then had a bit of fun with the various inter- active games and all came away happy and satisfied.go Dees.💕❤️💙

Finally gotta photo with my Dad holding the Melbourne Demons 2021 AFL Premiership Cup today! Was a wonderful moment! Saw many other happy Melbourne Demons supporters with their families taking photos with our 57 year drought breaking Premiership Cup! It finally feels real! We are reigning Premiers! Go Demons! 😁👍🏻

Hi WCW. My dad & brother jumped on the Richmond bandwagon when they won the 1980 premiership. Another Scots family that we knew who had already made the move here convinced us to emigrate. I think my folks saw the writing on the wall when Thatcher got elected. Anyway, we'd just got off the plane and I was hanging out in their eldest son's bedroom for him to get home from school and saw all of these footy club stickers (from Hutton's Footy Franks) on his wardrobe and being quite visually minded took an instant liking to the Demons one. It was a slow burn from there over the summer but when I saw that only one other kid followed Melbourne in my school in Dandenong I knew they were the team for me and that I wanted to get a season ticket. Everyone was into Kiss and followed Collingwood so I took an instant dislike to both. And no, I rarely retaining useful information.

I seem to recall that before Demetriou installed Jackson and funded his $$$ requests he knocked back several other requests for help from us and other lowly clubs at the behest of Eddie and Hawthorn and Geelong Presidents that helped their clubs remain at the top while the lower clubs struggled, particularly to allow GWS and GC17 get off the ground. The assistance to us only came when the situation was dire.

Exactly, we don’t all need to be media superstars, he speaks by his actions not words. Theres too much talk😂 A humble champion is our Clarry

Not sure if new players feel pressure from numbers of past champions, but I would prefer Taj gets a higher number, which eliminates that extra pressure.

The culture of the clubs has become far more paramount since Demetriou left the scene. Under his boy’s club regime, certain clubs were more powerful than others and so the weaker clubs were treated differently. There was a time when if Eddie wanted something, he could muster support from that boys club and he would get things done. The “culture” didn’t inhabit the AFL.

Just finished watching the speeches. I saved the Daniher hall of fame induction until last. The tribute from Nathan Jones and Neale’s speech as delivered by David Neitz hit me straight in the heart. If you don’t like people seeing you cry I recommend watching it in private.

I just rewatched the On The Couch after the GF and Garry made Goodwin reveal one of the main messages at HT “get it and kick it” And in that simple message reveals quite a bit. The main thing is finals footy is about the contest and ‘territory’ but it’s also about the loosening of the reigns from the coach to the chaos. Not to pick on Geelong - but Chris Scott would never advise his team on such a simple direction. He wants control he can’t get, and he wants to give direction that can’t be executed.

Earlier this week, the Essendon Football Club unveiled their five-year blueprint to deliver a breakthrough premiership and boost membership to 125,000. They outlined their five strategic pillars starting with premierships and then focusing their attention on such concepts as “people, heartland, national footprint and commercial strength”. But had the framers of this plan — and there’s nothing novel about it because we’ve heard it all before from a number of clubs including our own — attended last night’s Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy presentation, they might have realised that premierships don’t simply materialize out of thin air or merely through the introduction into a club of bells and whistles. The common thread of nearly everything that was said throughout the evening, from President Kate Roffey, to Hall of Fame inductee Neale Daniher, to retiring heroes Neville Jetta and Nathan Jones, to coach Simon Goodwin, skipper Max Gawn and the award winning players and all of it was spontaneous, not contrived, was that it’s not just about winning premierships or acquiring 125,000 members. It’s about bringing the right people together to the club through a lot of hard effort and once you do that, then the final by product might bring you a premiership. It’s all about developing a culture first.

Won’t happen. GWS have already announced they’re going to pick him up with a six figure contract offer and a recruiting job for his old man.

Could happen to anyone and don’t think that our club is immune. Many young men in their late teens and early twenties struggle with mental health issues of varying levels even those who are successful at sports.

Took the punt, went in with MFC email. Staff very helpful and all good 🏆

Ironic if we drafted a young ruckman named Tom Scully and we took him on a post season trip to China.

This isn’t meant to take away from what he’s going through but I’m not sure being the most followed AFL player on Instagram is actually a good thing. It’s hard enough being a full time professional footballer at 21 without attempting to be an Instagram model too

I watched the live stream of the B&F for the first time. I reckon as an event, there are a number of things they could improve. But it was great to hear a consistent message, and such personal devotion to the club from one and all. I credit Max and Jonesy with the emergence of this as a cultural foundation. Clarry is a standout player (I rate him as the best MFC midfielder I have seen) and deserves all the accolades. In the post-premiership, post B&F glow, sitting down with toast and coffee after volunteering at Parkrun this morning, I can feel a huge admiration and respect emerging for Alex Neal-Bullen. He has massive respect from the entire 45 player squad, is loved by coaches and the football dept, and is finally leaving behind the whipping boy status that fans repeatedly hung around his neck. I really feel like 2021 is behind me now. I will enjoy Christmas and New Year and then switch into the sweat and tears of preparing for the 2022 campaign. I will have my eye firmly fixed non Sparrow - who I think will explode next year, and Sam Weideman who is working harder than ever to take TMac's spot. Stuff me, I could get used to this Premiers feeling!

Nice refence to Tmac 58. Tmac's shepherd in 3rd quarter will go down as the most effective in the Dees history. His finest moment too, to get Sparrows goal (his finest moment also - so far) done was a GF turning point. Will be in highlights reels forever.

It took a while to get there but we finally did. Melbourne finally had top people in so many positions. in recruitment, development, fitness and tactics, we seemed to have top people in those positions. Allied to those were a dose of luck with injuries (less for us and more to some of our opponents) and the introduction of an x-factor in Choco Williams to keep people on their toes and introduce a different (in my opinion) point of view. They all came together last year and provided us with players that can now be called Premiership Players. It was more about getting the right people in, then the end result will hopefully follow. Seems simple but it took us a long time to get there ....

The Olympics will take place out of season. He can do the high jump, play NBL for the Brisbane Bullets and ruck for the Dees in the same calendar year.

Ding with daughter Ding today in Shepparton. Lots of merch being sold today.... added to my collection with the Pemiership Guernsey

No new contract til he puts Gus back in the guts

The more you hear about this year and the the hub last year, the more I think that while Williams and Yze brought incremental improvements - the flag was birthed out of the guidance and drive of Goodwin with the support of his leaders on the field. He should be rewarded as much as we can within the soft cap allowances. Or pay the luxury tax - we can probably afford it.

I'm intrigued as to how these contract negotiations would pan out. On the one hand as a first time coach (with no proven track record until now) he wouldn't have been paid much comparatively to a number of coaches - so to an extent this is the time for him to cash in (and deservedly so)! On the other hand, he has a list that if things go the right way could propel him into the list of great coaches if he's able to drive the team to more success. But surely taking more $$ means less in the soft cap which (most likely) means its going to diminish the support that he (and any coach) would need. I guess the departure of Burgo will free up a bit of coin in the soft cap? The way everything has been handled at the club off-field in recent times (last 5+ years), I'm confident he and the club will find the right balance. I'm just thankful that everyone I've heard interviewed - Gawn, Trac, Burgo, Jennings etc have said that Goody is one of the most selfless ppl they know.