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Many years ago, I watched a Melbourne game in the Southern Stand with my two sons. We were sitting directly behind Shaun Smith who was something of a family hero after his mark of the century against the Bears over teammate Garry at the Gabba. My sister who was into ceramics at the time had made a plate with the iconic picture of that mark which I had sitting on a shelf somewhere. We chatted with the family including his young son (presumably Joel) during the game and years later thought Shaun would have been proud when that young bloke showed he inherited his father’s athleticism by playing two sports at the elite level in this country. Unfortunately, Joel’s career did not have a happy ending and sadly, this was mainly due to failings on his part and nobody else. More sadly, the issue of substance taking highlighted in this case is a major problem in our society that has been around for a long time and continues to defy solutions. Yesterday’s announcement marks the end of a difficult time for the Demon family and for Shaun and Joel and their families. It won’t be easy but I trust that they can move on with their lives and remember Joel’s happier times at the club.

Melbourne won't be moving up or down the draft order. They'll stay as it is.

The last time Chaplin was involved with the forwards, we had a very aggressive, central/corridor ball movement game. I'm hoping we're bringing that back.

Strong marking youngster who plays forward and relief ruck, continued to make significant strides forward in his career path. The Demons have high hopes for van Rooyen as he stakes his claim to become an elite attacking forward. Date of Birth: 16 April 2003 Height: 193cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 41 Goals MFC 2024: 30 Career Total: 58 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1

Champion forward in the making. Can’t understand the doubters.

Players were all in black armbands for Jack. I chatted to Edo after the game, she said the players were all devastated about the accident. The club has reached out to the family and offered support.

Just on these guys. Add Smith or Langford to that group, on top of Smilie or Hynes, and that's the next generation of midfield set for the next 12 years. This draft could be a game changer for us with Tassie on the horizon.

Maybe, probably referring to a Rivers, Tholstrup maybe even a McVee with more midfield mins too

I agree. Similar to Dan Houston declaring his love for Port Adelaide and stating that he isn’t going anywhere, two weeks before the trade period.

It has been mentioned a number of times already But I want to reiterate how great it is to receive regular email updates from our President that are pleasant, firm, concise informative and timely that actually address our concerns and ease our anxiety. Hard to believe this man was that pimply faced 18 year old kid that kicked 4 goals for us in that win over Carlton in the elimination final in 2000. He has stepped up again when we needed him most.

You could knock me down with a feather if we don't pick a midfielder at 5 I'm a bit more open minded to pick 9. I can understand the logic of Armstrong, or even a flanker like Travalgia or Lindsay who we may project becomes a midfielder in time.

Macca’s 32 touches in a 80 min game is ridiculous equal to 48 in a 120 min game

I think that it was allowed because they had two 2025 first round picks. Tbh I don’t know why they put those restrictions. Clubs should be allowed to do what they want with all picks and wear the consequences if they get it wrong.

If we get to 9, and there's 4 blokes on the board we'd be happy with, then yeah we get 26 for free. If not, we just use 9. That's the logical play at least..

Never in doubt - now for the Bombers to fall over tonight so we can start our Bradbury run to the flag!

All I was keen to know was who was the ball movement coach and Chaplin having that role is the best option we could have. He is our best line coach and has the respect of the group. I just hope it is a game style that is a shift from our defence first nature.

A 'Member Engagement Committee' at board level. Hopefully they will give the comms department the rocket they need. Perhaps Russell Howcroft to be engaged as a consultant? Would be crazy not to ask.

"She's playing her career of her final game" She is woeful

I know it’s repetitive, but watching Kate Hore, you are instantly impressed by her courage and leadership. Then you see her skills, her determination and he drive to win the footy. Again today versus the Pies. What a player. Kate is a star. Sign her for life ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙❤️

AFLW Dees often have been overlooked in AA team selection. Surely they cannot overlook our Lizzie Mc. She’s been 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️all year.

How good are hore and hanks are such guns. Mcnamara go alright too. Pisano looks a quality player, and like those noted above natural footballer.

Plus our best marking defender in Goldrick.

Underwood with a second to go “time will beat them”’with dees 47 points ahead

I bet you would not be saying this if it was us.

Kelly Underwood’s commentary 🤮

Rivers, Windsor and Kolt. I reckon McVee will stay at high half back. He might play off the back of the stoppage, but reckon he's better with the play in front of him and is so brilliant 1v1 that we'd lose more from our defensive set up than we'd gain from our midfield. Particularly agility, speed and ball use is what we'd want from him in midfield. Windsor can bring that. And Kolt can bring the power, again, probably as a high half forward that becomes an inside slider. I think it also speaks to the draft as well. I'm really hoping we go mids with both, but I'd be staggered if at least one of our picks wasn't a mid.

From the review. Sam Radford will work alongside Nathan as midfield coach. Together, they aim to maximise our current midfield group’s strengths while integrating new talent in the midfield mix. Mids with our first two picks?

You’re welcome.

Not getting enough respect in my opinion. Runner up in the Morrish medal behind Lindsay. Club co-captain. Best mates with Langford, could JT pull the trigger. Have met him a few times as he is from down my way and is going out with a girl I coach. A good size and frame also a real grounded, level headed kid. Yes we have spoken to him several times.

Can't knock Greens communication level of recent.. Doing okay so far in my opinion.

I’m just enjoying that nobody seems to know anything about anything. Makes this time a lot more fun with endless possibilities and opinions.

Yes we don't know his instructions, work-rate still there though Times Featuring in Top Five Players for Total Distance in 2024 Ed Langdon 21 times Alex Neal-Bullen 13 times Tom McDonald 12 times Tom Sparrow 4 times Adam Tomlinson 2 times Matches Featuring in Top Five Defensive Work Rate Alex Neal-Bullen 16 times Tom Sparrow 12 times Ed Langdon 10 times Kade Chandler 7 times Koltyn Tholstrup 5 times Matches Featuring in Top Five Offensive Work Rate Tom Sparrow 9 times Ed Langdon 7 times Alex Neal-Bullen 7 times Kade Chandler 6 times Koltyn Tholstrup 4 times Source: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1686412/gps-numbers-revealed-fittest-and-fastest-demons

An article attributed to Michael Warner in today’s Herald Sun, entitled “END OF THE LINE FOR TROUBLED DEE” contains the following paragraph:- “In a statement handed to federal MP Andrew Wilkie earlier this year – assessed by SIA – former Demons doctor Zeeshan Arain estimated two thirds of the club’s squad were either “frequent” drug users or “occasionally” used illicit drugs.” There is no further explanation of the claim made by Dr Arain and the article does not refer to the fact that the doctor was sacked by the club and was subsequently involved in an acrimonious legal wrangle with the club. Warner should know because he wrote about the situation in an article appearing in Code Sports on February 16, 2022 “Melbourne crisis: Former club doctor issues legal letter to Demons”. In that article, Warner mentioned an email in which Melbourne CEO Gary Pert questioned Arian’s credibility. I am quoting directly from Warner’s article:- "Pert wrote: When dealing with Zee on issues, he consistently changed his stories when I challenged him on details and his stories rarely matched up to other people involved ... He also described Dr Arain's evidence as "full of inaccuracies, misrepresentations and a rewriting of history, which was a frustration to all he was accusing". Today’s Warner article refers to the club’s off-field scandals and cultural issues but fails to mention that when the issue was raised in Parliament by independent MP Andrew Wilkie (using parliamentary privilege), Wilkie said Arain alleged it wasn't a Melbourne problem but an "AFL problem" with a number of players arriving at the club with pre-existing cocaine dependencies. However, the most glaring omission from Warner’s article today (and the reason why I feel it necessary to raise this point here now) is his failure to provide the full story which is the Melbourne Football Club’s version which appeared in his own newspaper written by his colleague Jay Clark who, followed the process of allowing the other side to be heard. This is an excerpt from “Melbourne deny ex-club doctor Zeeshan Arain's extraordinary claims of player illicit drug use” - March 31, 2024 “The Demons told the Herald Sun on Saturday Dr Arain did not report a single concern to the club's audit and risk sub-committee on any issues regarding player illicit drug use during his tenure. "Dr Arain was the head doctor of the Melbourne Football Club between 2014 and the start of 2020," the statement said. "During this time, he was required to report annually to the club's audit and risk subcommittee on any issues or concerns regarding the entire medical program. "At no time throughout his tenure did Dr Arain ever raise any concerns about players' illicit drug use to this sub-committee. "Like all clubs within the competition the Melbourne Football Club continue to invest heavily in education and support systems, including the IDP (illicit drugs policy) to help reduce the prevalence of illicit substance abuse within the club and the game."

Ha how funny was rhi watt on the boundary when she said I checked the BOM website this morning & there was no rain but it's raining goals. Hope we keep this form going in the 2nd half

Hanks is just a tough competitor who never gives up on the contest

Deelightful 5 mins

worse than BT and thats saying something.

I think it showed a willingness to get the ball forward as quickly as possible, which kept the forward line relatively spacious and most goals were scored from 30m directly in front, which is actually how Collingwood got many of their goals in 2022-2023. Our set up in those days was also two talls inside 50 and smalls and mids getting to the foot of the contest or working back into space. I really hope revert to two talls and Max. When JVR rucks, we play 1 tall and hybrids like Trac or dare I say Langford.

On the surface appealing but hard to execute. Also if you have corridor teams playing each other it often becomes a turnover feast between the arcs. My preference is Collingwoods angled plays. Not 90 degree switches but more like 30 degrees ground covering kicks. You have to get the ball in front of the masses running up and down. Having two very good wingmen doesn't really favour the central style. It will definitely be a challenge especially with Salem slowing down.

If we Jag Smith it will be the "Steal" of the draft!! Go get him!

Yesterday, Michael Warner boldly stated in the Herald Sun:- “At least four of Smith's Melbourne teammates have been sweating on the outcome of the trafficking probe.” Today, he opened his article on Smith’s suspension by the AFL with the following paragraph: “Melbourne players who received text messages from Melbourne suspended teammate Joel Smith regarding cocaine will not be penalised.” It took eight months which included the course of an entire 2024 season for the SIA investigators to clear Smith’s 43 club mates of being users of a prohibited substance. Thanks for the headline Mick.

The skill in draft selection is not in seeing what youngsters can do now. It is the much rarer ability to spot what they can develop into. All the speculation is interesting, but I have no doubt Jason Taylor already has his priorities sorted out. And in Jason I trust.

I wouldnt mind seeing the melbourne logo on the 50 meter lines at home games, and the wings/ forward/ back pockets named after Melbourne players on the electronic boards at home games. heck, id love to drink a beer from an MFC cup at home games I digress

What I like about Hynes is that he has great power (which we always value highly) and he plays the game an odd way. He does weird things on the field, sort of like a Nate Caddy or Jake Stringer does. When you’re looking for ways to create goals and be dangerous, it’s sometimes the players who do weird things that can make a difference. I think Hynes would be in part exhilarating and infuriating, but sometimes you need that element in your forward line. The power in his game is very enticing.

I think we have to be realistic about what has been said in Green’s letter. He does say at the beginning that what follows is high level information and that some things need to be kept in confidence. As to finding out the results of the review, I think we will see responses to the detail of the review in the next couple of months. There will be an extensive redefining of roles and responsibilities within the football operations side of the club as well as the same thing happening on the administration side. Deciding to have these reviews is one thing, structuring and carrying them out properly is another element but the most important thing is understanding the information and outcomes and reacting in the best way.

My mother used to say a half truth is worse than a lie. There’s a lot of that in the media these days.

Unlikely. To be honest, unless there are significant behavioural issues uncovered by the review I would prefer it kept in-house. They may release key findings but as long as the findings are acted on (and supporters will know whether this is happening or not based on the clubs actions) it's best managed by the Board/FD.

If Draper is available, i wouldnt be able to call out his name fast enough.

It’s only early days but FWIW I think Brad Green is doing a fantastic job. Certainly getting on the front foot, great communication and there seems to be a plan. Finally actions and not just words from the club. I feel confident we can turn things around quite quickly and it will translate to on field success.

Well, that will be up to all of us I suspect. If we can discuss it like rationale, mature adults that understand nuance then we should be fine.