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Dual premiership player and 1953 Bluey winner Peter Kennedy Melville (Ken) passed away today. He played 71 games for the Demons between 1953 and 1956 - at the start of Melbourne's golden era. He won the Bluey in his first year and eas named vice-captain in 1955. In an era not seen nowadays, Ken played as an amateur and retired in 1956 a the age of 25 to pursue studies in the UK to become a Presbyterian Minister. On returning to Australia he played some amateur football again (but not VFL) and made the team of the century for Old Scotch and possibly University Blues. In 1973 when Norm Smith passed away, Ken was the Minister at the funeral. Around the same time, Ken returned to the club as a selector. He was also my uncle - my mother's brother. And what an awesome experience for a young kid. I remember being handed over the fence to my Uncle Ken at the end of games as he carried me into the Demons room full of sweaty giants who had just been walloped by their opponents (it was the mid-70's) and i met my heroes Greg Wells and Stan Alves and Gary Hardeman. Ken had lived in Perth for most of the last 50 years (excluding a period running a B'n'B in Beachworth in the 1990's) but I only got over there once in 2014 to watch the Demons play West Coast. It was a disaster and i have a photo I'll dig up later of Ken with his hand in his face watching the c**p we used to ditch up then. It was remarkable that he was able to see the 2021 Grand Final win. He was already quite frail and would never have considered travelling to Melbourne (like he had in 1988 and 2000) but had actually decided in 2021 that he would stay home in Perth and watch it on TV!!! That's when Ch7 and the AFL stepped in and picked up in a limo and gave him el primo seats for the game. For all the angst and regret that I have (we all do LOL) about missing out on seeing the Dees in 2021 this one gesture gives me comfort. Proud to have had you as my uncle, Ken (and apologies to any of my cousins who might be on DL if I jumped the gun with this). Go Dees.

The lid’s off at Bomberland in this expose by the Herald Sun chief football writer - AFL Integrity warns Essendon over Nick Hind and Jake Stringer’s associates. The team which hasn’t won a final for two decades had one of the easiest fixtures in the competition but meekly fell out of finals contention after riding high in mid season. Now, Robinson reports that AFL Integrity has warned the Bombers to be vigilant over who they allow into their change rooms after concerns raised about players' associates. “It's believed the Bombers were warned to be aware of a group of associates of recently delisted Bomber Nick Hind, who is known to have a shared friendship group with teammate Jake Stringer. “It's believed the associates regularly attend Essendon matches and were seen in the Bombers' rooms more than once this season.” The implication from the article is that the “associates” are possibly gangland figures as Robinson mentions the situation in 2013 when Richmond's Jake King was advised to not bring bikie underworld figure Toby Mitchell into their rooms after a match. The culture at Bomberland is rotten. We still haven’t forgotten the doping scandal that wracked the club a decade ago or the fiasco when Andrew Thorburn was forced to quit as Essendon CEO just one day after stepping into the role. There must be a review of that club’s operations which indicate clear cultural deficiencies at that club. Heads must roll. 😀

Exactly why I've given sen and afl360 the flick. Whateley's a pseudo mouthpiece. Lost me when he ran the party line on Maynard

I had the pleasure of meeting Ken at the Perth Demons support group. We were of a similar age and having watched him play at the G with Barassi, Spencer Cordner Williams etc etc we had plenty to talk about. I might be living in WA now but I will always be VICTORIAN through and through. He was such a pleasant man and it was my honour to have known him. Vale Ken.

I'm not surprised by Allen's take. The club's announcement was very carefully crafted. It said the feasibility study was 'stakeholder engagement' which I took to mean (unknown) local community groups. Therefore it didn't include other stuff usually in such a study (eg macro level business case, risks etc) that lead to a go/no go decision that has a very high assurance of going ahead. The 'tell' tucked away in mfc's email is: While the success of the feasibility study does not ensure the future of the project ... Without being too cynical the announcement looked like a dressed up progress report. That there was no press conf let alone fanfare from other key stakeholders: AFL, Racing, Local Gov't etc says achieving a limited feasibility study is no big deal. As to the timing: the club needs some feel good news out there ...

Vale Ken. He was my Politics/Social Studies teacher in Year 11 (1974), when he was Chairman of Selectors. Quite a few of us were Demon supporters and Ken would get us into the rooms after a number of games. We actually spent far more time discussing team selection during the week, than the impending constitutional crisis of 74/75. Interesting times and seems just like yesterday. Ken was a true gentleman.

You actually don’t want him at the best and fairest with a room full of drunk, loud mouth supporters…..it only takes 1 for the evening to be marred in further controversy. I just wish he was taking Clayton with him.

A lot of people seem to forget that he has a GREAT deal of catching up to do with fitness after an enforced 3 month layoff. I am all for his plans. They are the best thing for him to do.

My God I am old!

Do we want a fit, focused Trac in 2025, or not? Yes. In fact, we need him (yes we 'can' do without him - but it cannot be argued we are better simply because he doesn't play - we did that for half a year and I thought we were rubbish for the most part). If this helps him get to where he needs to be, physically and mentally, then it's a good thing IMO. Goes without saying that he is an intense professional athlete, and after his injuries, I would say just wants to get back to having the body/abilities he is used to. For his confidence and mental health. My opinion counts for zero, and I don't think he handled himself well these last 1-2 months, and has contributed greatly to setting us back for next year (or at least making things harder), but I still don't have an issue with this. It isn't a great look, but I suspect that's a case of bad luck from a scheduling perspective, complicated by the fact that he is a Red Bull ambassador. Get yourself ready, Trac.

Glad he won’t be at the bluey to be poked at by every clown that’s had a few drinks. No good would come of it.

Saturday 19 September 1964: A crowd of 102,471 gathered at the MCG to witness a thrilling grand final in which Melbourne defeated Collingwood by four points after back pocket player Neil Crompton (#5) pushed forward to kick the winning goal. It was the Demons’ 12th VFL Premiership. MELBOURNE 2.6.18 5.7.37 7.10.52 8.16.64 COLLINGWOOD 2.5.17 5.9.39 5.11.42 8.12.60 Enjoy 😊

unfortunately this circus doesn't ever leave town

The media have stooped to new lows on this, and they're really [censored] me to tears. How dare they take a positive story of him getting to the stage where he is able to train to full capacity, wants to go the extra mile to get himself mentally and physically in the best shape he can be for 2025 and speak positively on his role in the future direction of the club, and all those [censored] leeches want to go on about is how he's missing the Best and Fairest? FFS, they're the absolute pits, the lowest form of humanity, the absolute scum that I dread to scrape off the bottom of the shower recess. I truly hate them.

18th September 2024 Jack Viney out on Gosch's with Chandler, Turner, Sestan, Kentfield and K.Brown. Small runs and kick to kick. Then headed off to AAMI. Probably to the meeting about the Caulfield announcement

I hate the fact that the first hour of Midday madness on SEN was dominated by this and 90% of the callers were Collingwood and Carlton supporters just saying he doesn’t want to be at Melbourne. Nothing would please me more than us winning finals and both those teams missing the 8 next year.

Can he take the rest of the squad with him?

Why would anyone be against this? I want him to perform on the field. He’s had a long recovery from his injury and is now at a stage where he can prepare for the preseason to then be ready for round 1 next year. I don’t want him missing a couple of days of intense training to be prepared for next season in spite of attending a bnf. People are asking when he went last year. It’s irrelevant. He played every game and this time last year we just played our last game. He was never going to the camp that quickly after the season had finished last year, so don’t even bother asking when was the camp last year because it’s completely irrelevant.

Commiserations @Big Col. I posted the 1954 Preliminary Final teams from the Melbourne Age today and your uncle was named in the middle for the game won by the Demons against the Cats that got them into the Grand Final against the Bulldogs, the first of seven in a row from ‘54 to ‘60. The prelim was played exactly 70 years ago today. As you mentioned, he was there at the start of our golden era and retired far too young at 25 to take on his calling. I think he became a minister at the church in my neighbourhood on the corner of Bambra and Neerim Roads, Caulfield - ironically very close to the site of the long hoped for future home of the Melbourne Football Club which was announced today. I can still remember the board outside the church bearing his name. Sadly, we’ve lost another club icon from the greatest period in the club’s history.

This is an awful take. Embarrassing being a Melbourne supporter reading this kind of tripe from you and other Melbourne nuffies on twitter having a cry because all he's done was report facts.

I agree that some supporters are absolutely needlessly negative about everything, but there are certain posters on here that just cannot handle any sort of criticism of the club valid or otherwise. Demonland is a wonderful forum with both extremes and both can be equally good at derailing an otherwise good discussion with baseless, emotional dribble.

The real problem with the MFC's culture is that we have a multitude of 'supporters' who hate the club, hate the club leaders, hate the coach and hate the fact that we aren't the club depicted in the media narrative!

Just because not every player feels the need to advertise their every move, doesn't mean other players are not actively working on improving their fitness or going on their own training camp. This is a sponsorship deal for Trac. Of course it is extremely beneficial for his fitness, but it's also extremely lucrative for his back pocket.

Saw someone say pick 5 should be immediately shut down 🤣 The blokes not carey unfortunately mate, we'll be getting this bloke for essentially nothing.

In his shoes doing the interview, I would be slightly hesitant after all the argy bargy! Missing B&F will be forgotten come the start of next season if he comes out fit and firing after a full preseason, surrounded by: Oliver Petty Fritsch Viney Salem Melksham all have full preseasons. Plus Max, May, Lever, Bowey and Spargo getting in full preseasons and fully recover from injury. Hopefully McAdam also, so we can so what he really can do! While the season has been disappointing take 3 of best 6 out of any team and see how they go. Cats Dangerfield, Cameron & Stewart Swans Heeney, Gulden & Mills Lions Neal, Andrews & Daniher(while I think he is a [censored], he is structurally VIP for Lions) Port Rozee, Butters & Allir Demons this year: lost Brayshaw, Trac, Oliver NQR all season, May NQR for 60% season

It was a moral decision that I am proud that we made. However the elephant in the room was always going to be how we would replace that revenue. Just five years earlier we needed serious AFL help and serious involvement from them in getting our club back on track. Without knowing the club's balance sheet that well I do know that as controversial as pokies were, they brought in consistent $$. I'm proud to support a club that leads the way in many social initiatives but I'd also like as to have a strong asset base.

100% - unfortunately Trac's starting point is behind everyone else, so he has a lot of ground to make up for next year. As you say, each minute counts, this looks like a solid investment.

I'm with you. Independent of the Red Bull stuff Pre Season is closer than we think. Up until now he hasn't been allowed to get the heart rate up high and he will likely need every minute of this off season to get himself right. If this is a beneficial investment of time then blow the B&F night.

Yeah this is the exact revisionism I was talking about. Bedford has had a very similar year to Chandler, nothing exceptional. ^^^^ fully agree Bing

Get away from media and distractions and get fit ready to fire in 2025. Onya Trac.

I just feel what Christian wants he gets because the club are trying to please him. At what date did he do this camp last year? I get he goes on this pre season thing but come on, I thought him being back around his teamates & at a club function would be good for him. Also more importantly I think it would have been nice for him to be there to see Angus make an appearance and his speech and support him. I mean yes what Christian went through was traumatic for him but at least he still gets to play the game. I never wanted Christian to leave but I just feel it's still about him at the moment.

It's not, but that's neither here nor there. We overpaid for McAdam. That's in the past, and we have to move on. Pick 25 for Nibbler is probably about correct, but I wouldn't be surprised if we shuffle some later picks to benefit Adelaide as well.

You are a gem WJ. I love what you bring to Demonland with things like this and the Tony Charlton/Norm Smith interview. I've cancelled all of my pay TV subs and I'm now totally reliant on your contributions to keep me entertained. Thank you! P.S. Your written work is good too. 👍

Yes. They should have.

He's contracted to the Melbourne Football Club first and foremost. I highly doubt as part of of his ambassador role with Red Bull that it would be part of his deal that he needed to attend every single camp, every single year. There are thousands of elite athletes all over the world that are red bull ambassadors. Think about their professional schedules, there is no way some are able to travel all across the world to attend a camp. Some simply wouldn't have the time. And I highly doubt a professional sporting club like Melbourne would cater an event based around one individual. Events aren't organised based around what's best for certain individuals.

Apologies. I forgot to mention that it has to be an independent review headed by someone commanding great respect in the football world like Steven Dank.

He needs a Pre season for the pre season. This is it. He doesn’t have a moment to waste.

Another awesome look for Trac Just don't show Oliver any special treatment to try get him healthy, thats a no-no!

I am not sure if that is correct. I thought the stables area, where the building will go, was actually land owned by the MRC. The ovals of course will be on Crown land, but we would probably get a 100 year lease.

I was there, top deck, front row of the old Northern stand, up against the MCC fence. TBH all I remember is jumping up and down when the final siren went.

It needs to be kept in mind. That this is Crown Land. It’s leased. We will not own it, will perhaps own the building. We can take it with us when we leave. Not sure about asset gain.

In 2023, 72 players were drafted through the national draft and rookie draft last year (excluding the rookie list top ups or AFL list downgrades to rookies). 40 of them had a debut in 2024. The talent and preparation of youngsters now means they can step up quickly. 2024 draft rankings update … (likely 1st round) 1 Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh⭐️mid/utility 2. *** Levi Ashcroft. Mid. ⭐️Brisbane match bid. Father son. 3. Harvey Langford- Dandenong⭐️tall mid 4. Sid Draper - Sth Adel ⭐️mid 5. Sam Lalor- GWV⭐mid/utility 6. Jagga Smith - Oakleigh. ⭐️Mid. 7. Murphy Reid - Sandringham. ⭐️Mid. 8. Xavier Lindsay - Gippsland⭐mid/hbf 9. Luke Trainor ⭐️Sandringham. Tall fwd/back 10.*** Leonardo Lombard.⭐️ Mid. Suns match bid - (Academy ). 11. Josh Smillie - Eastern. Tall mid. 12. Tobe Travaglia - Bendigo. Running mid/hbf 13. Harry Armstrong - Sandringham. Key fwd 14. Taj Hotton - Sandringham. Mid/hff 15. Jobe Shanahan - Bendigo (NSW) . Key fwd 16. *** Ben Camporeale. Mid. Glenelg SA. Blues match bid. ( father son). 17. Bo Allan - WA. Mid 18.*** Sam Marshall. Mid. Sandringham. Lions match bid. - Bris Lions academy 19. Joe Berry - Murray. HFF/mid. 20. Alix Tauru - Gippsland. tall fwd/back 21. Tom Gross - Oakleigh. Mid. 22. Alex Dodson- SA . Ruck ————————————————- (likely 2nd round) 23. Harry O'Farrell - Calder. Key back. 24. Cooper Hynes - Dandenong. Tall mid. 25. *** Isaac Kako. Small fwd. Calder. Ess match bid. - (Ess NGA) 26. Jack Whitlock - Murray. Key fwd 27. Jesse Dattoli - Northern. Mid/hff 28. Hamish Davis - Claremont WA. Mid/hff 29. Harrison Oliver - Sandringham. Tall def 30. Christian Moraes - Eastern. Mid. 31. Nathaniel Sulzberger - Sandringham/ Tassie. Mid. 32. Thomas Sims - Northern. Ruck. 33. Jonty Faull - GWV. Key fwd 34. Matt Whitlock- Murray. Key back/fwd 35. Lachie Jacques - Geelong. Running hbf 36. Kayle Gerryn - WA West Perth. Key back/fwd/ruck 37. Noah Mraz - Dandenong. Tall def 38. Angus Clarke - Glenelg. Hbf 39. Josh Murphy - Murray. Tall fwd 40. Charlie Nicholls - Central District SA. Tall fwd 41. *** Tyler Welsh . Key fwd. WWT eagles. Crows match bid. Father son. 42. James Barrat - Bendigo. Key defender ————————————————— (likely 3rd round) 43.*** Joel Cochran. Tall def. Sydney match bid (academy) . 44. Archer Day-Wicks - Bendigo. HFF. 45. Riley Bice - Werribee VFL. Hbf. 46. *** Luke Camporeale. Mid. Glenelg SA. Blues match bid. Father son. 47. Sam Davidson . Fwd. - RICHMOND VFL 48. Jack Ough - GWV. Tall mid. 49. *** Logan Smith . Ruck. GWS match bid. / GWS ACADEMY 50. Zane Cochrane - Oakleigh. Tall mid. 51. Clancy Dennis - WA. Key back. 52. *** Adrian Cole. Key def. Sandringham. Stk match bid. Stk NGA 53. Ollie Hannaford - Rebels. Small fwd/mid 54. Bailey McKenzie. Fwd. Sandringham 55.*** Louis Montgomery. Mid/hff. SA Nth Adel. Port Adelaide match bid. Father son. 56. Phoenix Hargrave. Mid. SA Sth Adel 57. *** Malakai Champion. Sml fwd. WA Subiaco. West Coast match bid NGA 58. Kade Herbert. Mid/hff. SA WWT eagles 59. Hugh Boxshall. Tall mid. WA 60. Luke Kennedy . Mid. Sandringham ————————————————- (Likely 4th round/rookies) 61. Dom Brew. Mid. Werribee VFL 62. Patrick Retschko. Hbf/mid. Oakleigh 63. Oliver Depaoli-Kubank. Running mid. Tassie 64. Lucca Grego. Mid/hbf. Western 65. *** Benny Barrett. Sml fwd. Sth Adel. Port match bid NGA. 66. Ned Bowman. HFF. Norwood SA 67. Cody Angove. Running mid. WA 68. Jasper Alger. Sml fwd. Oakleigh 69. Zak Johnson. Mid/hff. Northern 70. Cody Anderson. Mid. Eastern 71. Jaxon Artemis- WA. Running mid 72. Lucas McInerney. Mid. Northern 73. *** Cooper Bell. Tall def. GWS academy. 74. Nash King. Mid. Calder 75. Oliver Warburton. Hbf. Murray 76. Aiden Riddle - WA. Ruck. 77. Harry Charlson. Hbf. GWV 78. Luke Urquhart. Mid. WA 79. Damon Hollow. Mid. Calder 80. *** Lennox Hoffman. Hbf. Sandringham. Stk match bid. Saints NGA. 81. Jett Hasting. Hbf. SA 82. Keighton Matofai-Forbes. Fwd. Western *** Noah Yze. Mid/hff. Oakleigh. Dees. father son. *** Ricky Mentha. Hbf/hff. Dees NGA *** Riak Andrew. Tall def. Dees NGA.

He’s more advanced than that. Been training with a functional trainer called Max Pertzel for at least the last few weeks and judging by their socials he seems to be lifting decent weights already.

Without even going any further than your first point and irrespective of its merits, there's a list managent committee composed of (AFAIK) Goodwin, Richardson, Lamb and Jason Taylor. i.e., all of these calls are collective, with recruitment and identification of talent being Taylor's area.

4 players with AFL debuts last year, 5 this year.

Yeah too right.... This was me with Trent Rivers at the B@F a couple of years ago at about 10:30pm: