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Oliver with the main group, as is Grundy. Those doing there own warm ups include, Tmac, Spargo, Hibbo, Friitta, BBB, and J.Smith. All in runners except BBB. Rehab, is K.Turner. Spargo, BBB, J.Smith, and Tmac, join the main group. Now, Hibbo has joined. Schache, with the main group. Petty, is doing his own program. They have put a barbecue on for staff, the kids and I assume anyone else.

We should know how to play that ground better than any team bar Geelong - the AFL makes sure we are trotted down there every year without fail

A friend of mine saw Oliver doing run throughs at about 75% pace at Gosch's on Saturday before the game. Said he looked unhampered and looked like he could play next week. Just a random observation though.

Last time we had an earthquake in Melbourne we won the flag. So, all in all, nothing to see here, flag is in the bag. Carry on.

It is almost impossible to believe of any demon fan, but I sometime wonder if some posters actually understand how difficult it is to win a flag. Goody won a flag the season before last. Finished second on the ladder after the 2022 season (and yes went out in straight sets - but surely everyone knows by now that we entered the final with up to 11 players under injury clouds - and played like that). We currently sit fourth on the ladder at almost the halfway point of the 2023 and almost all teams have played each other once (and will have after the next round). So, leaving aside anyone's assessment of where we are at, be that postesr here or the media, the objective truth of the ladder is that we currently have the fourth best record of any team in the AFL. And people can talk all they want about our forward line and scoring ability, but again the objective fact is that we have a higher percentage than the Pies, a team people still seem to rabbit on about their scoring power. It is remarkable because the Pies have won a full three more games than us. Three less wins - and yet we still have a higher percentage. The Pies have now played one of the two real easy beats in North (who we get to play again, and they don't by the way) and 11 rounds of AFL football is more than enough to level out any of the fixturing anomalies that might make such a comparison hard after say 5 rounds. And it is worth noting that of the Pies' 11 games, 8 have been played at the MCG. That's a pretty good leg up for them scoring wise. Some argue the Lions have the best forward line in the AFL. After 11 rounds, they have won one more game, yet we have almost 10 percentage points more - despite the leg up they get playing their Gabba fortress. And Port is considered not a bad attacking side and have a decent forward line and have won two more games than us. Yet we are a whopping 22 percentage points clear of them. After we smashed the Hawks no one was talking about our forward line problems. In fact, we were being lauded for our historically high spread of goal kickers. Yet we have two average games against two good teams and its panic stations. And against Freo we actually got our chances, we just didn't take them. as reflected in the expected score which had us at plus 35. Bottom line, Goody has made it clear he isnt about one flag. Or two. He is about setting up an environment where we are in contention for a flag for many years. In that he has clearly taken a line through how the Cats have gone about doing so, who won flag in Scotts first year (a team that was strong already), remained contender for the next 9 years before winning a second flag for that group. And are contenders again this season. But some are seriously suggesting Goody lucked out, or we need a reboot. I mean really? The objective fact simply do not support such a view.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone hits a target under a small amount of pressure and if a forward leading to mark the ball isn't impeded by his own team?

It was the Demon Army, thanking them for getting so close to winning, as well as thanking all the hard working staff for the behind the scenes actions. More importantly it was the acknowledgement of, and coming together with, our first nations peoples. I get the feeling they aren't taking it as serious as some spectators. They were jovial today, and I imagine they are keeping their spirits up, and working on the deficiencies.

I wouldn't want to be the person responsible for him being the next Luke Shuey... You get it wrong and it can dog you the rest of your career. If we're smart we will be really conservative on this one. Oliver is more important than one game.

Trac will have to answer to his Nonna @WalkingCivilWar. Much, much scarier than anyone at the Club. And Milkshake and Maysie can have a discussion about the sausage. Their conversations over a meal always go well.

Live footage from AFL House

Still not used to the Kings Birthday. Thought you were nonsensically talking about losing Kevin Bartlett for a minute, and then scrambled to think which player on our list is KB if not.

Today's injury update was less forthcoming than Dan Andrews at the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry... 🤷‍♂️

Bowey was very good I thought. 18 possessions with a high efficiency. No way should he be dropped

Yeah, saw the same. Looked pretty unencumbered with some ‘ball use run throughs’ so basically, ball kicked in front, pick it up at pace, then pick it up to the left, then right, then pick it up in square, u turn and hit a target - he did that as well as most humans. But he is a bit more than that now isn’t he

Maybe Staffy could do a drill with the forwards where he throws a sausage to the left, one up the middle and one to the right to get our forwards to seperate. Then another drill where he throws a sausage up in the air to a tall and one at the talls feet for a small to be there.

1000% this. This is a generational player. I would rather lose KB 10 times over, than lose Clarry for the season or have him struggle with recurring hamstrings for the rest of his career. Losing KB is inconsequential, losing Clarry to long term injury is not.

Trac definitely deserved a snag in bread after his performance on the weekend.

Nah @old dee. Miracles happen heaps. Carlscum haven't won a premiership in almost 30 years. Essenscum haven't won a final in 645,984 days and the Deez were paid a free kick in their forward half in round 2, 2019.

Good post JNM. It's my experience, ( and I like to think I have some life experience in middle age after raising a family, battling chronic health issues, losing loved ones, forging a career, community work , building a home etc) that like any team, this site has the proverbial supreme. There are certainly posters who will often shoot terse responses to other posters solely for the reason it gives their small life a modicum of self esteem. Some people are naturally ill tempered and not self reflective so as they may grow and experience life to its fullest. Too small minded or disgruntled in their own personal lives to stop and think that at the other end of their brief serve is another human being. A mother, father, sister, brother who may even be going or gone through things that would crush the other. Think Donald J Trump as the ultimate example. It's a website of differing emotions and ways of seeing the world. I'd wager the people that shoot terse posts are in reality miserable SOBs that get a ridiculous kick out of putting others down. Or the sniper who constantly has a crack at someone via a negative Emoji. OH Bravo to you sir or madam. Well played. Smile and move on, I say. Laugh in the knowledge of what they are and what your not. Or at least grown out of. Or trying too. ( Emphasis on growth) My dear late Father would ask ..What did you learn today? My mother, what did you learn about yourself?. Life is too short to sweat the ill temper in it. As sweet as it is, it is but a vapor. Go Dees.

War has just broken out at Carlton with Craig Mathieson quitting the board after a bust up with club president Luke Sayers.

I know where you are coming from but that never happens on game day In an even comp and we seem to always be the hunted now - we are always going to have to deal with high pressure for most each game - if we can't deal with that then we are going to struggle Somehow, we need to try and create more space for JVR , fritta, Gawn/Grundy to operate without trying to take marks in packs of 4 plus players. As a side note I thought Grundy's efforts to mark against Fremantle was probably his best so far as a Demon - hopefully he continues to build on that and become more effective in F50

We've been very fortunate with other top four contenders dropping games in Brisbane, Geelong, and Dogs. Let's go into the Collingwood game with a head of steam... my proposed tweaks against Carlton. With Salem now back, give Bowey some run up the ground, he can hit the scoreboard and is an elite decision maker and kick. We need some class in the middle desperately and he's a competitor. Bring in Tomlinson as the third tall to give Lever a licence to roam. Our flag year this was the best setup... Let's give it another go. Drop TMac for BBB. People are quick to forget BBB was in great form the first couple of rounds of the season, let's give him another go... Unfortunately I think McDonald is cooked.

Had the chance to watch the VFL replay from the weekend. Imo Ben Brown moved as well as I have seen him since 2021. He actually didn't look as stagnant as he has for the past 12 months. Whilst he only kicked the 1 goal, he roamed bit further up the ground and moved well. I'd chuck him in for either Tmac or JVR if they feel he needs a rest.

Where is our list really at ? Maybe it's not the entire problem. Obviously other factors such game plan, structures, fitness and work rate/effort I think are contributing to where we are at the moment. But I think our list really does need some reworking. I know it's a highly rated list on paper, but a lot of players I think have reached their peak and are regressing or have stagnated. Only a handful of players have progressed from last year. Key Forwards Huge issue for me. Almost every other club has better quality and depth of key forwards than us. Tmac and Brown are almost finished and lack speed ,mobility and presence at ground level. I Can see why Goodwin wants Petty up forward to give us some marking power. JVR looks promising and competes hard. He still needs to keep improving and we can't expect him to kick bags of goals every week. Jefferson needs more time in the gym and a few more pre-seasons. Early in the season he looked promising in the VFL but has dropped off significantly lately. Schache should be given a bit more time to see what he has got at senior level I think but hasn't been smashing the door down at Casey. I would like to see Joel Smith given a go considering his recent VFL form and before he inevitably gets injured again. I think it's likely one or both of Tmac or Brown retires at the end of the year. I think we need to target another established key forward from another club. ( Riccardi - GWS, Georgiades - Port , Mitch Lewis - Haw ) Or we draft another with a first round pick (Archer Reid, Daniel Curtin or Nate Caddy) Small/General Forwards Fritsch, Chandler, Spargo, Pickett. ANB is a good group of small to medium forwards. The pressure they apply is usually good. 2nd in the league for tackles inside 50 testament to that. Chandler has really come on this year. I think we could do with some more speed and more skill in this area however. some attacking flair ( Liam Henry - Frem, Kai Lohman -Bris , Jade Gresham - Stk) Maybe draft Nick Watson if he is available Mids I think our midfield really lacks some pace and skill. We have some elite ball winners but we still drop off in quality quickly when one of the big 3 aren't there compared to other sides. Really need Sparrow and Jordan to take the next step. perhaps Rivers becomes that outside/inside midfielder we lack. Our connection with our rucks seem off more often than not and even though clearances aren't every thing we need to still break even if we want to play forward half game. We need to develop some young elite mids in the next few years likely from high draft picks. Our wings look on paper close to the best in the league but Hunter lacks pace and Langdon isn't having the same impact. I think we need some more height and marking power from our wings. Hopefully Howes and Woewodin can be this type. Players to possibly improve our midfield that could be gettable ( Flanders - GC, Ash - GWS , Duursma - Port , Robertson - Bris , Macrae - Coll ) Small/ General Defenders We need to find a Hibberd replacement soon and we could do with some more run out of the backline. McVee has looked good early in the season and Rivers has been good at times. I think we need another medium Intercepting type that can provide some run. As people have mentioned our ground level defending has often looked shaky, which is not great considering we often play a spare defender. Not sure who we could look at to improve this area. Key Defenders Ok at the moment here. I think Lever would be more effective as the 3rd tall. Turner looks good in the VFL. May isn't getting any younger. Adams is showing some signs in the VFL. Tomlinson looks past it at AFL level. may need to draft another young key defender. Be nice if we didn't need Petty up forward, perhaps Himmelberg - GWS as a FA could be an option Rucks Obviously strong at the moment, however Gawn is not the player he was two years ago. We definitely need another young up and coming ruck soonish. Maybe Verrall can be that player, but another area that needs addressing I feel. Very keen on here others thoughts on where the list is at and what/who we need to get better ?

I TOLD HIM TO NOT SHAVE HIS HEAD!!!! He promised me he wouldn’t! He promised he’d wear a headband. Geez, you think you know someone (we only chatted for about 20 mins but that’s knowing someone, right?!). 😭😭😭

Whereas it’s usually the DA putting on the BBQ, the Club actually organised this morning’s event, Kev. They provided the food and we provided the BBQs and utensils etc. and we manned the BBQ. It wasn’t a fundraiser like our usual BBQs are. And yes, there was definitely an air of joviality and fun. The players and coaches were genuinely enjoying themselves, as were the many MFC staff members, all deservedly so. Just a great vibe in general. Such a tonic after reading some of the ridiculous end of the world comments on here… and I didn’t even go anywhere near the postgame thread!!!

Thanks Kev and all posters very entertaining thread today, so informative and glad that Clarry is doing so well and that the Demon Army were there to feed all comers Top Effort.!!!

Don’t worry. It’s me too. Nothing more cowardly than face palming the opinions of others while contributing absolutely no opinions of your own. Classic narcissist behavior.

My understanding is that tears and strains are the same. But Mild Strains (Grade 1) are at least 3 weeks recovery.

I spoke with an insider Saturday at lunch. Clarrie has a strain not a tear. We compared notes too in our day and it has all changed. Rehab starts with immediate exercise gradually increasing the load till certain goals are achieved, remember he didn't tear the muscle. The downside is it is less predictable when he will have rehabbed to the point where they let him play. Thanks, Kev for the update. Did Schache train with the defenders? I suspect Hibbo due for a rest and an extra tall down back to mimic Petty. With De Koening playing as third tall Tomlinson or Schache will be needed to support May and Lever (the latter who cannot hold onto his marks atm)

It still annoys me that we brought Harmes straight back in from the VFL after he struggled to make the side, and poor JJ was again relegated to the sub role. What on earth does JJ have to do to get a full game, and what will we learn about Harmes as a player that we don't already know? I think that in the absence of Oliver, possibly one of the greatest ever mids who will never be replaced, we should take the opportunity to explore different options. JJ, Laurie, Rivers, Kosi, Woewodin.... these are the guys I want to see get midfield opportunities. I know what I am getting from Harmes. It is neither great nor terrible, but if you can't replace Oliver anyway, you may as well try to unearth something new in his absence. And if you play Harmes, why are you playing Viney in a negating role, when Harmes has shown time and time again how good he is at tagging?! If he stays in this week, and Cripps gets up, I want him to wear Cripps like a glove.

How good was that this morning, Kev! The BBQ was indeed for MFC staff and visitors but really anyone was welcome to a snag. How funny was it to see our players replicate the indigenous boys’ dance moves. As dancers they make great footballers! 😂 But the best part was watching the young indigenous boys inhale a snag or 10 after their performance. Teenage boys = no leftovers 🥳 I asked Staffy if the players were allowed a sausage in bread. He said probably not but in his opinion one sausage won’t hurt. Tracc and Melksy were the only players to indulge. If illness befalls either of them you know who to blame. It was all Staffy’s fault. 😁

Football Friend!

You are more than welcome to say something @Rhino Richards as opposed to repeatedly facepalming my posts from the cheap seats..

They did two drills, both very close. One taken by Mark William's. Kicking and hanballing short distances. His encouragement is still ringing in my ears. Fast hands, be perfect, watch the ball down onto your foot. The other one was all handballs. They had to go quick because of the numerous balls in play. On one end of the formation, they were on their knees, flicking the ball up, after it hit the ground ahead of them. Good call Layzie

Wherever you sit on the negativity spectrum, I think the discussion in this thread has been both instructive (in the perspective it's provided) and constructive (in bridging the varying viewpoints). Kudos to all.

I'm ok with that as long as it's not the coach. Can't remember the last time a team 'did it' for a board member.

OUT - HARMES One of the most selfish games Ive seen for a long time. Classic case of a player whos been in the twos and played in the seniors for himself and himself only to keep his spot/career. Last straw was the mark he dropped in the last Q that was going to hit JVR on the chest. He looked at JVR and still decided to put his hand out to try and mark it running with the flight of ball. Had enough.

We do have a kind fixture in the last 12 games. 2 X top 4 sides (Collingwood, Brisbane @ the G) 2 X 5-9 sides (currently on 24 points and above) (that's St Kilda @ Marvel, Adelaide @ the G) 6 X 10-15 on the ladder (Carlton X2, Geelong at KP, GWS, Tigers, Swans away) 2 X bottom 3 (Hawthorn and Nth in Tas) That's only 4 more games against teams placed 9th or higher, 5 including Geelong. Our last 5 games are against teams who will be out of contention. 7/12 @ the G, 1 @ Marvel. Add in short travel to Sydney, Tas and Geelong, it's a much gentler back half of the season. Even if we only win the 8 against sides 10-18, we finish the year with 15 wins with a good percentage. Which in an even year is possibly enough to sneak into 4th. I also think games against Brisbane and Adelaide at the G and St Kilda, are winnable meaning we could drop other games (ie Geelong in Geelong,) and still be in top 4 contention. Given how we ran out of steam last year, I really expect a lot of our focus of the the footy department this year will have been about peaking at the right time. So as long as we get to top 4, I think we'll be in a good position.

So you want to replace our entire forward line with what? Casey’s forward line, so you can then complain about them? Seems unlikely to be a successful decision.

This session really wasn’t anything to go by. It went for less than 30 minutes and was more for show. The focus this morning was the acknowledgment and celebration of Reconciliation Week. Melksy was one of the last players to head back inside. He stopped for a sausage In bread which he quickly ate while standing at our tent. He said, “I’ve gotta go! We’ve got training now.” I said, “But you’ve just had training.” He said, “Real training.” Idk if he meant indoor training or that they were coming back out once everyone had left. However, we were there for another 20 mins or so finishing packing up and there was no sign of them coming back out.

Would be a disaster by the medical team to allow Clarry to play before Kings Bday regardless of the Brownlow. Monday June 12th will be the 24th day since his hammy strain, it will be healed nicely if his rehab goes to plan.

Sparrow should be filthy if Cerra gets off.

National Reconciliation Week. The young first nation fella's came down and did a performance. A few of the MFC players joined in, as the fella's paired up with a player. All the staff members were there, enjoying a barbecue put on by the Demon Army. Quite a few of the AFLW players also turned up. I think their preseason may start tonight?

It wouldn't be too much different. The narrative would just be papering over the cracks yada yada yada. By the by, i totally acknowledge we have some significant weaknesses and some potential issues. Ironically given JVR is now playing senior footy and we have brought in Schache, one of them is exactly the same as last year – real concern about the second tall forward position. Another is our small and medium defender role – but on that front kudos must go to keeping Schultz quiet. I have long said our biggest weakness is our kicking skills, and it remains a worry and even our very best players, with the possible exception of Oliver are not one touch players like say Butters (who was brilliant in the wet against us and the Tigers). Maxy is still not 100% and I don’t think he and Grundy have quiet nailed their synergy. And i fall into the trap of underestimating the impact of injuries we have dealt with - we really missed Petty, Max out for 3 games (and most of the lions game) and still finding his best, May looks to have struggled all season with the ground ball suggesting back issues or similar, losing Hibberd and Lever right before games, Tmac still struggling with his foot, BB not ready for senior footy and Salem missing 9 games. But we are not playing in vacuum. Every other team, including the three above us on the ladder, have their share of problems too, including the Pies (who by the by are 10-1 after 11 rounds, same as us last year and we know that guarantees nothing come finals). Are Lions, Dog, Saints and Cats fans writing off their top 4 or finals chances after the week’s losses? Maybe. Nuffies follow all clubs. But perhaps a better question is are dees fans writing off say the Lions and the dogs after their poor losses against lower ranked teams? Some maybe, but because Dees are fans are likely more objective about other teams most wouldn’t.

I would be interested to hear if there are any forward delivery drills that involve the talls actually spreading and smalls in crumbing positions instead of our norm of all flying in each other’s way.

OD, just to be clear, i know i was responding to one of your posts, but i'm not trying to suggest you are a fair-weather supporter at all or knocking you for not going to the footy. Post game public transport is god awful for anyone, let alone anyone a bit older, needing a seat and who has better things to do then have their personal space invaded by a bunch of half cut vaping teenagers. Or worse - blues fans. You no doubt have well and truly paid your dees dues over the journey and avoiding the cold and the booming 'match day experience' and watching the game at home sounds a really good option. No, i'm talking about the fans who don't have such excuses and are happy to go to Anzac eve or Kings Birthday, and very happy to pot the Dees for 'not turning up' or some such, but can't be bothered going to a game on a cold Friday night to support their team when they need it. Theatre goers. Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with people going to the footy for the theater. Not everyone is obsessed with footy the way i and many others on this board are. But i don't want to hear criticisms of the team about effort etc. from that mob.

2020 was a total dogs dinner of a season and a coach cannot be blamed for in particular playing in Cairns immediately after a 2 hour flight with an hour plus bus trip at each end. Didn’t even get a warm up then a back to back game. 2 important losses as I recall in the context of the finals. 2022 we were cooked after a limited off season break and some tough scheduling though we did finish 2nd but on our last legs. Fewer excuses for 2023 and 2019. Real name surely is Mr Binman or maybe Lord or Viscount Binman.

Dear Demonlanders, Valé Frank Vearing - 21.11.1943 - 25.05.2023 Post made in respect to a M.F.C player, to his family, friends and former teammates. Melbourne Football Club: 1965-1966. Played as a rover, wore #26. Games: 11 Goals: 5. Two x Melbourne Football Club Reserves Best and Fairest 1965 and 1966. Career highlights and stats - http://demonwiki.org/Frank+Vearing Best game was a 15 disposal, 5 marks, 3 goals 1 behind effort in a 30 point loss, during a round 4 1966 MCG match against South Melbourne - https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1966/111619660514.html Started and finished his career with Epping before a leg injury ended his career. One may even argue another great career highlight was turning down an invitation from Collingwood. Personally, Frank was a nice, kind, humble man and thank him as one of the people to influence me to barrack for the Demons. Best memory with Frank, when I was a kid watching the 2000 qualifying final against Carlton. Despite all of my family writing them off at half time, Frank calmly said, "We'll come back." The rest is history as we all know. Lastly, I'm so happy he got to see the Dees win a flag before he left us. As far as I am aware, the M.F.C has been contacted in regards to his passing. Valé Frank Vearing, may you rest in peace.