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Made you click. 😜

First day at school a week or so ago …

Well done Gary Pert and co. Zurich re-signs with the Demons

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/exdemons-attend-reunion-instigated-by-neale-daniher/news-story/66a1ba13f5fef4d94b9d5d37ad31fe2f Footy great and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner Neale Daniher has instigated a reunion of some of his beloved players. Daniher, who coached Melbourne from 1998-2007, caught up with stars from his beloved 1998-2000 team including David Neitz, Brad Green, Russell Robertson and Rod Grinter. They had a lunch at Lamaro’s in South Melbourne. “Neale actually planned the lunch, we’re in a group and he calls it ODD — the old dilapidated Demons,’’ Green said. “It was great. He’s still walking around and speaks through a computer generated system. “I can’t remember the last time we all caught up like that with 16 or 17 guys there. Lot of laughs and old stories being told.” Daniher was diagnosed with MND in 2013 and continues to inspire the nation with his determination and Fight MND campaigning.

Melbourne Rebels look to be going down the gurgler. (AAMI Park occupant.) https://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/melbourne-rebels-move-closer-to-folding-with-staff-including-the-ceo-sacked/news-story/4643f8ba6b9e7f4506390a08bf498cad Huge debts, no supporters, board collapsing and in administration. They have a team this season, but require a Government bailout ( $20 million in debt, no funds) to keep going next season. Does this give the MFC some capacity to move our administration staff over to AAMI Park if Rebels collapse? I think they should look at it, as any better facilities seem a way off. At least puts everyone associated with running the club under one roof, for the short term. The move may also help with getting Olympic Park developments, if we go down that path. We would lose any association with the MCC/MCG other than game day arrangements. If we move to a home away from MCG, then that would happen anyway. I reckon it is a good opportunity, at the expense of the Rebels, to take over their offices.

What a dreadful post. How could you possibly know why Schwarta wasn't there?

When we are loosing in games, I'm normally eternally opermistic that we can fight back and somehow win, but I'd given us up for dead that night against Geelong. It wasn't just being down by 40 odd points, it was also that we'd only kicked 4 goal for the game and seemed like we couldn't buy a goal. When we came back and won, with Max taking that mark in the dying seconds and then actually slotting it through, I went bisurk. The next day my neighbors at my place in Qld (who arn't big AFL people) told me, that they could hear that Melbourne had won. In the minutes after the game I got calls from my MFC supporting dad and sister and we couldn't beleive we'd just won that game. It was similar with that bang bang bang, the way we turned the momentum from looking like another GF going down the toilet half way the 3rd to the most dominant MFC premiership in history. After all that pain we'd gone through in the ten years prior and the 2 other failed GFs I've been to in my lifetime - absolutely unbelievable. Still craving the feeling of winning one at the G and being there though.

From mid way through the third quarter, that really set the tone for our finals series to come. We'd been good and building in the games prior, but I think beating the Cats the way we did on their home deck built belief that we belonged.

Melbourne swingman Harrison Petty is battling a nerve-related injury to his toe as he battles to be ready for the Demons’ season-opener against Sydney in three weeks. The Demons will kick off their pre-season clashes with a Casey Fields contest against Richmond on Sunday but Petty has not been involved in recent intraclub scrimmages. The star Demon, set to be a huge part of the club’s forward line this year after the club denied him a trade to Adelaide, missed the final with a lisfranc fracture in his foot. The Herald Sun understands the fresh injury is to the opposite foot to the lisfranc issue but means Petty has been held back instead of building connectivity in the Demons forward line alongside Jacob Van Rooyen.

Well said Trac. You can’t move past poor performances until you admit what happened and be brutally honest Gives me hope for the year ahead

I can’t be the only one that thinks letting Harry go mightn’t be the worst idea. The money he no doubt will command is much too high from his output so far. Throw in his penchant to get injured, why not go and get someone with more runs on the board, proven fitness record and for the same or less $.

Another great insight into the maturity and amount of work this guy has done off field to keep getting better. There was a moment where he pulled back when talking about taking over a game and said he needs to trust his team mates more to make the right decisions and play their part. I did notice last season there was a lack of trust at times and he took it upon himself to try to do everything. While I think this is mostly a healthy sentiment and holistically a better strategy I do hope he continues to have that confidence to go ahead in games and take the bull by the horns like he did late in our comeback against Brisbane last season. No one could stop him. My favourite part was talking about the forward line and stating the glaring issue being forward line delivery as opposed to just the forward line group being the main issue. He admitted that kicking is still an issue for him and his midfield team mates. I really hope he can improve on this and find better consistency. Also mentioned how the new recruits will help in this area as well.

Myself would prefer them to stop talking about it and as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words.

Okay, you're a pessimist.

For his parents to watch him play in Adelaide I'd assume they'd need to fly (6 hours by car). There is an airstrip at Wundinna but flying would be by private aircraft. I'm not sure a move to Adelaide would make it all that more convenient for his family. BTW Travis Boak is a friend of mine. He misses his mum Chicki terribly given that he lost his dad to cancer when he was 17 yo. Trav is incredibly loyal to Port and has never contemplated moving back to Victoria. Port have been terrific in regards to Chicki - flying her and Trav's sister Sarah to Adelaide at any time. I suspect the MFC has, and will continue to be, supportive of Harrison in regards to catching up with his family. The events of Oct 17 last year were a beat up by Ch9 Adelaide - click bait.

Bingo. But that was also click bait, in fairness, based on words Trac actually said. Welcome to the internet everybody.

Full Podcast

Just having watched the last quarter and bit ( from 44 pts down ) and gaining our Minor Premiership in 2021 I could just see the Duke running on all pistons and being involved in a comeback like that, He has the skill momentum and attitude to be a major player in his career. His bold football and possessions will be impactful. Whether we see a lot of it in 2024 I don’t know but I look forward to hostile in our next few years on the wing, And his partner in crime Kolt will be a 15 possession game changer who will do in do the tough acts and play keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Again every touch worth its weight in gold. Again how much this season don’t know but looking forward to whatever he does as it will be vital and impactful. And I know it’s even a longer straw but I very much have the feeling that Kynan Brown will also be a major player in our future. Why? Because the kid bleeds footy and the red and blue and he’s already exceeding our expectations. His will is like Clarry’s indomitable and you need players like this in a champion team. Dont underestimate what these 3 draftees will bring whether in ‘24 but if not ‘25 and after. We need a lift from some newbies and others are also in with that opportunity to put the dare back in our play like in 2021. Do that and the will like vs Cats in 2021 and again vs Lions in 23 can make us great again when th going gets tough.

ABSOLUTELY F@#$%^G BEAUTIFUL!🥰

The utter disbelief on the bulldog players faces at the end of that 10 minute annihilation. It gets me every time.

Thanks very much for sharing this Grapeviney. Neale is truly an inspiration in the real sense of the word. His courage and strength transcends all sports and his work is incredibly important. All those I know who have met him over the years comment on his warmth, His smile and genuine laughter. How privileged we are to have him.

Share your passion for the Melbourne Football Club by becoming part of The Demon Army - the official cheer squad of the red and blue. Package Benefits Exclusive 2024 Demon Army supporter item Demon Army Membership Card Access to purchase reserved seats at away games The chance to walk onto the 'G to display the club banner Access to ticketing privileges Key Info Cheer squad members must hold a 2024 Melbourne Football Club access membership to be eligible to join. Access to reserved seats with The Demon Army for Melbourne Football Club matches interstate will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis to Melbourne Football Club members. Demon Army membership does not guarantee a ticket to any ticketed match. Easy Pay based on 6 monthly instalments. Family membership includes two adults and up to four children under 15 as of 1 January 2024. Alternatively, can include two juniors under 15 as of 1 January 2024 and two youths under 18 as of 1 January 2024. Finals tickets eligibility: Should Melbourne participate: the Cheer Squad has access to a limited amount of finals tickets, which are allocated based on active participation within the group, regular involvement on match day and length of membership. Under no circumstance are finals tickets guaranteed by holding a Demon Army membership. Any questions hit up @WalkingCivilWar Or visit this link: https://membership.melbournefc.com.au/membership/demon-army

The Herald Sun’s top AFL players rated in the AFL’s upper echelon (85+ points) Nick Daicos 94 Marcus Bontempelli 93 Toby Greene 93 Christian Petracca 92 Errol Gulden 92 Zak Butters 91 Charlie Curnow 91 Sam Walsh 90 Jeremy Cameron 90 Connor Rozee 90 Jordan De Goey 90 Sam Taylor 90 Lachie Neale 89 Jack Sinclair 89 Jordan Dawson 89 Zach Merrett 89 Luke Jackson 89 Noah Anderson 89 Touk Miller 89 Tom Green 89 James Sicily 89 Max Gawn 89 Harris Andrews 88 Jacob Weitering 88 Darcy Moore 88 Andrew Brayshaw 88 Tom Stewart 88 Tim English 88 Jack Viney 88 Nick Larkey 88 Patrick Cripps 87 Josh Daicos 87 Cal Wilkie 87 Jake Lever 87 Charlie Cameron 86 Jai Newcombe 86 Steven May 86 Dan Houston 86 Tim Taranto 86 Rowan Marshall 86 Nick Blakey 86 Lachie Whitfield 86 Caleb Serong 86 Rory Laird 85 Hugh McCluggage 85 Isaac Quaynor 85 Patrick Dangerfield 85 Stephen Coniglio 85 Dustin Martin 85 Chad Warner 85 Oscar Allen 85 Tom Liberatore 85 The obvious missing player not in the list is our own Clayton Oliver who in my unbiased opinion is at least a 95. The Herald Sun might claim that there’s merit in his omission as follows:- “Melbourne already has five players in that upper echelon of 85 points or more without Oliver, downgraded given the clear issues about his professionalism, off-field behaviour and likely late start to the season.“ If they carried out this sort of appraisal 12 months ago, Jordan De Goey would have rated around 60 on that basis - look where he is now. Clarry is already back in training with the main group at Melbourne and understanding what he can do with the footy in his hands, I have faith that he will overtake many of the above list sooner rather than later. And that’s just one point of controversy about the list.

There is certainly a bit of Judd in the way he moves, but Judd was 5cm taller and heavier/stronger. Plus Judd was big for a mid when he played but would be only average size today.

I suspect that is really good news. I hope it's not a serious nerve injury, and SOOOO glad it's not the Lisfranc. And he has shown when thrown into the forward line before that he doesn't need much time to establish "connection".

I've got no doubts McAdam will play round one barring an injury. I don't think many understand how much of the forward line strategy involves him.

What is up with your triggering nonsense? You think posters claiming we choked, will slide, are poorly coached, have a boring game plan, have missed our window, im being a realist, just telling it like it is, yada yada, yada is triggering? How long have you been posting on Demonland? That's been the majority view on this site ever since I started posting way back in 2011. We lose round one, and I'm sure the is Goodwin the right coach thread will come roaring back (spoiler alert for 90% of people posting the answer was, and will be, no) Anyone who posts on Demonland has well and truly had their triggering innoculations against that sort of palaver. In fact, in my experience, it is the contrary view - ie we wont slide, we'll likely make top 4, the reality is we won a flag teo seasons ago and finished top 4 in the last 3 seasons, we have a brutally effective game plan other teams have coped, accuracy cost us, etc etc- that actually triggers people. There's a psychological concept called projection. Might be worth looking into.

Touch wood and I don’t really believe that Clarry has a hammy issue any more. That has not been the case since July/ August 2023. He is doing everything right so far in his desire and effort to make a success of 2024, You can see it the way he looks so determined. I wish him all the success he deserves.

Since the weekend I've listened to the SEN call of the 2021 Prelim and GF while forking about in the shed. Last night I got home and watched this ....

Don't think Ooze is in the photo.

Went to put Kayo back on and it’s $35 per month so ended up buying an armchair membership for $250 so works out about $20 per month and I assume will go towards our membership tally, so anyone with Kayo who are paying the $35 cancel it and sign up through the club

They have a McDonalds there? Or is that the personal section for TMac's family.

What an obscene amount of money for a Sports Venue. whilst Middle Class Families are struggling to eat and pay bills. I love sports, but it is is merely entertainment After the Covid Fiasco, that is an obscene figure

The most underrated forward in the comp is Bailey

Absolutely agree. There’s a great podcast ..Dyl & friends where he speaks to Petracca. Fantastic listen & a good insight into his feelings on our”forward's” & also the team ..early exit from finals etc. Some of our more “pessimistic “ supporters would do well to listen !

I think some will agree others won’t on your half glass empty prediction. SPort by nature is not necessarily linear and because in ‘23 we lost close Finals games does not mean the same result in 2024. In 2022 Cwood lost 2 Gindls like us by points only and look at 2024. Take a look at the 2021 last quarter and bit vs Cats courtesy 6six6 and the will to win in that game. Do you know what I don’t think it’s any more or less than our last quarter vs Pies I. The QF. We had the shots and ball in the last quarter to win but just didn’t haven’t magic finishing touch. Put 2/3 class finishing players and that result would be overturned. Players maybe like Billing’s or McAdam maybe Bowser up forward. That’s why we are in the flag race up to our bootstraps and with some dare and tweaking it’s entirely possible. Attitude and class are there but it doesn’t always surface. What I do know is if Gawn Viney Trac Clarry Maysie and Lever all stray their best they bring the others along. We have enough ability and will to be a top team and 2024 is a perfect opportunity to show it.

Finishing on top was huge. Proved to themselves they were the best team of the season. I know I shed a tear when Gawn put it through. First time they'd been even near it in my lifetime. I shed another couple a few weeks later when Gawn slammed this one through. The captain was on a rampage and the boys were takin' us to the Big Show. Happy Days.

Hahahaha thanks, that was great to re-watch. Knowing how it all pans out through the finals it makes me chuckle that a few in the media went with the ol' "they over-celebrated" the win after that game.

The whole of the 2021 season is worth watching if you have the time. From a very scratchy win over Fremantle you can see the team build week by week. Then the finals.. still not perfect before delivering 45 minutes of football that words cannot describe Thanks Dees

Bit selfish of Ben Holland to not share his obviously substantial supply of elixir of youth. Semi-serious question, how many of these guys have a kid coming through the system for us? :D

You never get sick of that footage do you! Thanks Six6Six.

Glad this thread is now finally back on track, after wandering through the fuchsias, tulips and broken glass along memory lane. From dee-railment to re-arailment. What excites most is there will some new blood in the team, with young Caleb & Co clamping at the bit. Could be some real beauties out there with the beginnings of the changing of the guard.

I was at training last Friday at Casey and was super impressed by Windsor, he has got all the skills and does remind me of Whitfield, as someone commented on earlier. it was a closed session and a bit more tactical than normal and the boys were a bit more willing. Don’t ask me for a run down because I spent a lot of the time inside and missed a lot of the session. I did pay particular attention to the Duke.

Nup. Though the song was released somewhere around my birthday, so i'm no spring chicken. In addition to all the great sixties and seventies rock, this is was what i listening to in my misspent youth (by the by this is the greatest Australian rock song IMHO - crazy to think they were 16 when this was released in 1988):

With 7 periods of play you can have 2 seperate teams play 3 quarters. And the middle mixed to give certain players time off or extra time and you get to see how some youngsters go in strong competition well that’s how I see it,

Let’s keep the thread on topic folks. No derailments. Footy is nigh. Don’t forget to buy a snag from @WalkingCivilWar at the Demon Army BBQ to support the cheersquad. Mention Demonland to get 0% off.

I hope for. 1 No injuries. 2. Windsor to lay strong claim for the second wing. 3. Validation of the improvement in Laurie and Howes to be AFL ready. 4. Billings to show some clean kicks into a leading JVR. 5. No injuries.

Gonna be interesting to see how Yze deals with our midfield as he would have an intimate knowledge of how we tick. Will also be interesting to see any new tricks we have learned from McQualter and how he handles the Tigers midfield as he has very first hand experience with. I know it's only a practice match but I'm jumping out of my skin.