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Just wanted to share with everyone a short story from last week's loss against Freo. I was on my way to Richmond Station, and I happened to pass a Freo supporter. She mentioned to me, "I hope you're not too upset with that loss." and I replied with "Freo did really well, you deserved that win." She mentioned to me that after that night, she was really impressed by Melbourne supporters. She said after the final siren, heaps of Melbourne supporters around her offered their hands to shake and said "well done". She though Melbourne supporters were really nice, and that she wasn't used to that kind of response from opposing supporters - "Usually in Perth, supporters yell abuse, but after tonight I think Melbourne's my second favourite team simply because of people like you, being really nice about losing," citing teams like Essendon, Collingwood and in particular West Coast as the worst. She said it made her trip to Melbourne for the game memorable. I do think it's an important element of us as supporters. We don't want to be seen as d-heads, and if we're gaining that kind of reputation, that can only be a good thing.

In 2018 when Zach Tuohy goaled after the siren to sink us, a Collingwood-supporting mate sent me a text saying "Gee, that must sting!" complete with laughing emoji. I didn't bite at the time, but took great delight in sending him the exact same text when Dom Sheed kicked the winning goal to beat the Magpies in that year's Grand Final. He didn't take it well.

Great focus for development: "I try not to focus on how I'm going to fit into the team or whose spot I'm going to take because I feel like if I do, it will negatively impact my performance and I'll start worrying about the wrong things. The conversations I've had with 'Goody' (coach Simon Goodwin) have been around becoming the best player I can be and when I do get my chance, I can come into the team I'll stay there and won't just be there for two weeks and get dropped. "I'm just focusing on the process of what makes me a good player and becoming a really good player and if that takes a bit longer than other people I'm more than happy with that, I'll just keep working as hard as I can." Well done for another two years!

The difference with Salem’s knee, particularly compared to returning ACL’s, is that he’ll have no worries about ‘instability’ of the knee, the fear of which usually requires post-ACL players to gain confidence via a stepped entry to match play. His knee injury is all about loading. I would guarantee he’s been loaded up at match day levels (time and distance covered), with the requisite number of kicks, marks, pivots, etc. As to notion of ‘match fitness’, I agree with you that it’s a jelly construct, particularly compared to the elite experience which Salem has in spades. We shouldn’t expect his top-of-form best, but I don’t doubt he’s ready and raring.

I'm not particular 'La Dee'... I hate them all.

This was a lesson I relearnt while watchin round 23 last year. Sometime during the third quarter when Geelong were about 7 goals up, i received a text from a Cat fan saying simply "enjoying this", I courteously waited until one kick after the final siren before responding "yes". I try and think of that when we play teams such as Essendon who I dislike most of all I at least wait until after the game has finished.

I think Salem's poise makes him look like he is moving slower than he actually is. I was at Gosch's watching a preseason running session two years back and was surprised seeing him burn past some players who we would all consider fast Last years speed ranking had him listed 5th quickest at the club. Speed star | Hunt fastest Demon for 2021 (melbournefc.com.au) He's a bit deceptive our young Salem.

I think someone needs to watch the 2000 GF again!

It’s very easy if you have been a passionate Demon for 50 years or more. Particularly if you went to “away” games in the 70’s & 80’s

I am all for the merits of this, but this may go out the window when you watch Tom Papley running about tomorrow night…

Don't say that. Some online nut-job is going to question whether this deception is a sign of black magic and before you know it we'll have our own Salem witch trial.

I'm struggling with the thought of listening to Lloyd for 15 minutes or so. Would someone mind posting where he has ranked Demon players🙏

Great mindset and great advice by Goody.

I think coming back via Casey depends on how long a player has been in the system. After 5-6 pre-seasons and played most games per year they are 'battle hardened' and as long as their rehab has been thorough which I undoubtedly think our medic/sports scientists make sure it is, they come back in. A player with a lesser body of work would come back via Casey. In Salem's case, even a 70% match fit Salem is far better than most other players at 90%.

Coincidentally, I have literally just completed an online survey for the MCC which, amongst other things, asked for the one improvement of the match day experience I would like to see. I pleaded for a stop to the music being played after goals have been scored.

I've read of that advice by Goody from a few players. It reminds me of an interview Cam Pedesen did a few years ago. He became very fit in the preseason after being told that he has to be ready if needed. Sure enough he was needed when Spencer and Gawn were both out for quite a while. It was Cam's best season of his career. Opportunities open up all the time. The great thing is the players see that the coaches 'walk the talk' with selections.

Personally i am a big fan of the hissy fits and fan tantrums after a loss. So much more memorable. Such as the time we lost to the Roy boys by 1 point at Junction oval in 1972. I was sitting with mum & dad in the stand and older bro was with the cheer squad. After the siren i noticed someone in the cheer squad jump the fence and started thumping both fists into the turf on his hands and knees. Oh...thas my bro 🤣

Same. I remember having a conversation with a friend of mine in Perth, who asked me, how is it possible to have so many clubs in one city without everyone wanting to kill each other? I think that's the great thing about the footy culture in Victoria, you can talk jovially about football with supporters from other clubs and it's mostly tongue in cheek ribbing. In Perth the opposing supporters of WCE and Freo seem to really hate each other, and I get the impression it's the same in South Australia. I look at my office, and there are St Kilda supporters, an Essendon supporter, a Richmond supporter, a fellow Melbourne supporter, we all are able to talk about football in a fun, respectful way. In fact one of the St Kilda supporters in my office and I have a thing we we will buy each other merchandise and decorate each other's desks. I put some St Kilda flags around his desk earlier this year when he was on long service leave so he came back to a nice surprise, he came back with a Gawny bobble head and some vintage VFL cards from the 80s.

Bill Clinton

LOL at the 'Team' announcement headlines: Demon's dump/axe four not Demons recall 4 premiership players! Talk about going for the negative/click bait headline

Calm down picket, OIiver's amazing but there's nothing at all unreasonable about someone putting Cripps above him right now. Whether we like it or not, Cripps has reached incredible levels so far this season. I'm more miffed at May only being 14.

Haha, I'm right with you there LH. However I suffered through him (better than expected) and: May 14; Gawn 9; Petracca 5; Oliver 2 Hope you're going well

Footy changes. So much accepted wisdom is no longer relevant. For example I assumed that the dees would be at a disadvantage compared to every other team other than the dogs becuase of the shorter preseason. Why? Because in the 45 odd years i have actively followed footy, that trope was repeated every year (not the demons part - the premiership bit). But in the interview we did with yze on the Demonland podcast, I asked about that and he said the shorter break actually helped, gave us an advantage because the players were with the club longer (ie not having to train alone for so long - tbey now have to train at high intensity 12 months a year, break or no break). Conventional wisdom is that even the best players come back through the twos after a long injury break. But more and more it seems that accross the comp, best 22 players are coming straight back in, as is the case for salo. No doubt it depends on tbe injury eg comng back from a knee injury might play some twos to get some confidence in the knee (though hipwood didn't). The other common rationale seemed to be that players need to regain their touch and get some match fitness, whatever that is. But if a best 22 player is fit and in our case has been training at match like intensity (which is how goody approaches training), then I guess why not bring him straight back in.

I don’t disagree but Hunt has been in great form doing a very important defensive job. He cruelly missed out on a flag last year and deserves every opportunity he’s had so far this year. Can’t see Hibbo coming in to replace him unless he’s injured.

Disagree. Hunt has done a superb job locking down small forwards. Hibbo is unfortunately on his last legs.

Whether posters think he is ready or not it is bloody exciting to have Salem back. When I think of him I think of his first quarter of the GF...what a player!

Dogs backline is why they’ll never win a flag.

It’s not a final

Of course he did. It isn't a final. And his side is way ahead!!

We killed them

I clearly had a sheltered upbringing as I never attended matches at Windy Hill, Western Oval (as it was called) or Victoria Park. And I expect I'm a better person because of it!

That's how it starts. Of course everyone thinks they can stop whenever they want, but pretty soon you're mouthing off at underage North supporters on a tram just to feel normal. By the time you're putting Nathan Jones' dad in a headlock it's too late for you. Even "chewy on ya boot" is a gateway sledge. Direct your chiacking and catcalling in a socially constructive manner; in other words, at the umpires (eg "how long is it ump" after each goal.) Please take a tartan rug and a thermos of tea, or a cheeseboard, to every match as a reminder of where you've come from, to stay grounded.

I was refused service in the Safeway Niddrie Deli by a chick, Grand Final day 2000 because I had a Melbourne jumper on. All I wanted was some ham.

He was a family friend. So many loved Ron; a big personality but very warm and generous.

Ron was the co-author of Robert Flower's book "Robbie" which was released in late 1987. R.I.P.

One of the things that astounds me is how many posters on Demonland describe how they "hate" particular clubs. I just don't get it.

I'm very please he's got two more years, he's clearly got some attributes but he certainly has a lot of areas to improve. To say he's close to AFL selection when he wasn't selected with about 5 players out is a stretch. In my view he's got a long way to go and his selection as emergency is to show him what it's like to prepare for an AFL game.

He could be said to have won us that flag with that poised first quarter

61,537

Great news. Certainly close to AFL selection and even if he doesn't get a game this year a full VFL season under his belt including finals experience is just as beneficial.

That is true but woe betide a player who gets within tackling distance - they stay down while Salem keeps his feet and takes off, at not great speed, with the ball.

I wondered if it was just me, but I only ever read the articles of interest on the AFL website. I could think of nothing worse than listening to or watching endless podcasts/videos of AFL journos.

Watched AFL 360 tonight. Our friend King was on ... Does anyone backflip more than him? He should only have been on for half the show, cos he's the 180 expert!

Hunt's role is the small opposition forward. That's not Hibberd's go - last season he took the dusty type ie strong, medium size. Hunt will likely go to papley.

Its made worse by stretching it out by doing the ranking in lots of 5 rather than 10. A few paras summarising each video would be most welcome but the AFL seems to want us to watch their boring commentators on videos and podcasts. Who has that much time or interest.

He’s also had a foot injury, Covid and an ankle injury.

50 games and a Birthday in the same week. Hope he snags a triple with a win!

Faulty- let the bloke have his joke. Everyone laughed in the metaphorical pub and now we are back to providing olddee technical assistance.