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this was right after family Day , started at 12.30 , I can tell you every player was approachable , they all talked and had pictures taken after a long day they kept talking and was a fantastic afternoon. We stayed till 1.45 and it was finishing at 2 pm the staff and players made the day , seemed more upbeat than last year and the year before. I sponsor Jessie and had a great chat and I thought it was going to be hard for us , but He was very open and chatty. I won't say what we spoke about as it was personal and Im sure my picture tells a story. my thanks to all and will continue with my sponsorship mark

Beautiful day for the event and a very good crowd attended. Plenty of young kids which was also pleasing. In response to Demon77, Harmes was indeed absent today. Mmmmm. The players seemed to enjoy the more casual atmosphere in Yarra Park and were very relaxed with the endless stream of fans and autographs. The membership tent had a steady stream of people coming to it so hopefully our numbers will get a boost this week. I had an opportunity to talk briefly with PJ who, with his team, has helped to rebuild the club both off field and on. He was extremely pleased with the turnout today, and revitalised club spirit. All in all, amongst the crowd, except for the long wait to meet some players, the mood was fantastic uninterupted by the rides and distractions of Luna Park. Access to the ground by both car and public transport made the event easy for all to attend. I can only imagine it was regarded by the club as a success. Being flanked by the magnificence of our home ground, it was a genuine Melbourne Football Club event for the benefit of its members. Congrats need to be extended to Robb who worked hard today to keep the interviews with players and coaches flowing smoothly while fans went about their preferred activities. We'll done MFC.

The only acceptable second team that you can go for is the one playing against Essendon.

Alastair Clarkson: Hawthorn 'left finals go' in 2017 Rather than bust a gut in an attempt to scrape into eighth position, the Year was devoted to playing youngsters and experimenting with positional changes. The late Dean Bailey copped a suspension for being suspected of doing much the same thing. Chris Connolly got one for joking about it. The MFC was heavily fined and had to spend time and money defending itself. Carlton did it and wasn’t even investigated. Surely though, Clarkson has brought the game into disrepute. The AFL needs to look into this scandalous behaviour.

Yeah. Good luck with that one.

This from Two Man Bob on Extreme Black ‘n’ White:- “I'm nervous about getting Tom Lynch - maybe we shouldn't. Going into a bidding war for a "gun recruit" is shaping up to be "fools gold" in the AFL, and the track record of teams having successfully acquired said "gun" has not been good in the last 20 or so years. It begins with our acquisition of Buckley. No doubt one of the most celebrated players in AFL history, but the records will always show that his services were not required by Brisbane, who completed a trifecta - two Premierships of which were won against the club hat had taken Buckley away from them. And this is after a period of mediocrity in which Buckley's influence at the Club could do nothing to make it competitive until Mick came along. We have a similar outcome with Carlton's gung-ho acquisition of Nick Stevens from Port. Again, a highly-publicised acquisition that did nothing for the Blues despite the planning and cost to get him there. In fact, Port won the Premiership the following year after losing this elite midfielder to Carlton. Carlton tried again with the acquisition of Judd. Judd was going home, so the loser in this "bidding war" was not so much the Eagles, but the Pies who were into their necks to win Judd's services over Carlton. Again, while Judd was a great servant to the Blues (like Bucks to the Pies), it amounted to nothing in terms of team silverware. The team that lost that "bidding war" to Carlton (missing out on Judd) had a Premiership flag a few years later in 2010. The Swan's forays into the acquisiton of both Tippett and Franklin has so far amounted to nil - and one of those guys is now gone! Again, these guys (well, Franklin, at least) have been great for the club, but they haven't been that "missing link" to a Flag. In more recent times, our successful play for the services of gun midfielder Adam Treloar has not really made significant impact to our side. Conversly, the team who missed out on his services of which the Club and fans alike were very vocal of) is the current reigning Premier. I can understand how in the 70s, a dynasty could be build with money and acquisitions. But that was a time before equalisation and before the salary cap. It was a time before the professionalism of the sport. I've said it before and I will say it again now - the success I have witnessed at the Pies has come on the back of growing a team with within and then getting "top-up" players to fill specific needs. The 1990 team, many of whom came through the Under-19 system together, were supplemented by "discards" from other teams who represented a need (Moorwood, Barwick, etc), as well as the drafting of two clever, but not necessarily outstanding, young rovers in Francis and Russell. Missing out on Judd in the mid-noughties was a blessing is disguise...look at the team we were able to accumulate with our draft picks as a result of not selling them away for an absolute gun of the competition. Top-ups Jolly and Ball were the icing on the cake. I have a serious fear that going "all-out" for Lynch is less a guarantee of success than NOT going after him! The track-record of sides acquiring these types of players in a heated bidding system is not great. In many cases, the result has been hugely negative.”

It's not a simple argument You need to take into account the state of your list, what you are getting against what you are giving up? Having 10 duds in your side and one superstar ain't going to win you a flag. Having said that having a couple of match winners in a team of even contributors will give you every chance. And then what of development, coaching and culture?

I assume that is rather tongue-in-cheek. If not, I would expect Peter Jackson to shut the idea down quick smart. I could not support a team with him at the club. To me he is no better than the drug dealer on the street selling gear to young people. They do it for money. Hird selfishly used players, who were entrusted to his care, as guinea pigs for his own egotistical purposes. Unforgivable in my book. Anyway, he doesn't have much to offer - is in the 'great player/average coach' category. No thanks! Keep him away from my club.

Just got back. Went with my younger brother and his niece and nephew. For a 22 degree day, it was really hot. My legs feel really sunburn. The little one got his photo with Jones, Hogan and Gawn. Haven even held him up for the photo. Bought my niece her first Melbourne jumper, so hopefully that’ll help bring her back to Demons. The lines for Hogan and Gawn were punishing. With no shade, I’m sure I got pretty badly burned. Did anyone notice that a few of the female players were doing the face painting? Got a good shot with my niece. Dunno how we did it at Luna Park for so long. Was really packed just there.

not so good. But it suits me to assume he was a minor cog next to a big wheel. And part of my antipathy towards Hird is caused by his apologists and they haven't bothered to mention our coach. Nevertheless I find it difficult to warm to him. I wonder how warm I'll feel when we win the flag under his watch.

Not really Macca, i just take it as it comes really. I tend to go skinny in a few legs so that i can go wide in others. Ive had some success finding a 1 out winner and taking many in the other legs. I also had a bit of luck just picking really small quaddies, just 2 and 3 horses in each leg, i think you need to do it on the right sort of day tho. A quaddie is a multi really, just with a mystery collect from a pool rather than straight out math. There were a couple of horses that didnt place and ran 4th like Fell Swoop and Cliffs Edge. They bought a few of my multis unstuck along with Seattle Park. Anyway it just gets better from here. I think we are now 19: 12.4.0 Great work on the videos....Winx was just breathtaking.

I am not there [and frankly didn't know about it] however as an East Melbourne resident I was cursing about all the loud speaker announcements blaring out for the last few hours. Suddenly I heard "A Grand Old Flag" [1st verse only] sung with gusto. Now they can make as much noise as they like!

Id be beyond wild if he coached at the dees. [censored] it took me a whole season to warm to melksham and hibbert. And they are a long way from my favourites no matter how good they are. This was a systematic black ops hidden doping program that required the players to sign waivers and leave club premises to have the injections that were imported from china and Mexico with "no records" of any of it. Their punishment has been extremely light.

I expect Lever to be the best recruit in my time following Melbourne. The difference he makes to our defensive structures is enormous. I'm of the view that teams don't win flags (there may be a rare exception) without at least one elite defender. We haven't had an elite defender at the club in my footy lifetime (circa 1970). The opportunity to secure a 22 year old soon to be elite defender (if not already) is profound. In part due to our present weaknesses in defence and in part because the opportunity itself is so rarely presented. How often does a talent of Lever's ilk (at 22) fall into club's laps ? Our list is the best I've seen at Melbourne. It's better balanced than any we've had previously. If it doesn't secure at least one flag in the next 5 years I'll be amazed and dismayed.

The AFL prefer soft targets, like minnow clubs without big memberships and without media support. The thought of 70,000 members arcing up, scathing media panels week in and week out, and Kennett breathing down his neck will give Gil a queasy feeling in his gut. Nothing to see here, folks. Libba the elder came right and said it. And Vlad shot the messenger. because the AFL are so committed to integration.. er, intergenerational .... oh, you know, something like that. Gil will probably drop the price of pies by 50c to distract everyone. HEY, LOOK OVER THERE!!!!

What is the definition of a big fish? In my opinion, it would be a player that you have given up significant currency in salary cap space or the trade itself. Free agency changes things as you no longer need to trade for the player. While no one has landed the marquee type player and won the premiership yet, I think its only a matter of time until someone does. Lance Franklin moved to the Swans under free agency. They have made the grand final twice so far. Nathan Buckley was traded for pick 12 (Chris Scott) and 2 players (Starcevich and Leehman). Nathan captained the side for 9 years, won 6 best and fairests, 7 All Australians, 1 Brownlow medal, 2 Grand Final loses, 1 Norm Smith. Surely, every magpie supporter would do the same deal again if looked upon in hindsight. Tom Boyd was a number 1 draft pick who was traded for Ryan Griffen (current captain) and pick 7. He signed a contract for 7 million dollars over 7 years. His team won a premiership 2 years later. Does this example somehow not count? Maybe because Boyd isnt actually that great a player? (Yes. He was good on the day it counted)

Reasonably so and definitely not a sardine but on the other hand, he hasn’t been recruited as the club’s saviour. I would say that he’s been added as cream to provide a valuable ingredient missing from our defence, a player who could become a great but at this stage a player who would fit in evenly with the top players on our list.

100% wrong, but it demonstrates an underappreciation for Salem's skillset. You must just see him as nice kick then, and little more? Salem's attack on the footy and commitment to the contest has been exemplary in his short career. As a junior he modelled his game on Hodge.

I don't suppose by any chance that he finished 11th because he had told them beforehand he was leaving the club? (And anyone claiming club b&f's are democratic, transparent or a valid basis to judge a player's worth need book a room with the tooth fairy) Also, is Lever being paid "much more than anyone else" on our list? You know this as a fact?

wonder if they will get monash to do a study on the impact of sports betting ......oh, wait a minute

Go away you little pest. You believe any media spin fed to you Dr Who.... a persistent Troll

Tank talk is soooooooo 2009

What’s the point of a pre-season competition if you’re not going to play your best available?

It was a little tongue in cheek but really the losses to both Geelong and Richmond last year were greatly affected by injury, we've got to think we're a chance against all sides

Yeah thats pretty much it Macca. The first thing i do is see if i can identify a winner anywhere in the four legs. If i can i usually try and build a quaddie around it. The get out stakes is always a perilous leg, and i usually try and go as wide as possible. You might be onto something there in Sydney though. I noted the short priced fav got up in the last. Will keep it in mind. I always used to do trifectas. I went through an amazing period once and just kept getting them. So i always have a look. Its good to hear what others are doing with the selections.

Of course he does in terms of what we gave up in return. And I fully endorse the deal even if the deal goes south. In order to get better we have to take chances and win, lose or otherwise, you have to live with the chances you take. Related - we could have gone to the draft with those 2 first round picks and drafted busts. Or, we could have foregone the chance to draft 2 top players. Sport reflects life ... any decision ever made is ultimately a bit of a gamble. And the greatest risk is often not taking that risk.

They can have my membership back if hird comes on board

I figured that as that's how most quaddie punters seem to operate ... whenever I contemplate a quaddie I nearly always look at the last leg first and then become unstuck. The last race is often a bit of a lottery. Might be different in Sydney with the smaller fields though. There's an idea! Or ... I might have to just painstakingly do a series of multis involving multiple horses in each leg (with the odd one-out leg) Thanks for the feedback all the same Wadda - I'm a trifecta punter at heart. It's my preferred way of betting and because the bets are on individual races, my interest never drops off. I'm even having a go at race 7 at Wagga today!

i thought Nick Stevens wanted to go to Collingwood but Port refused the trade

Have you finished yet. You keep repeating yourself for months now. We all know you are happy being bent over, i prefer to stand up. Haha “the AFL lent us a $1 million” does that now explain why we are given such a great draw to grow the club each year? the 2018 draw for the MFC in business terms is an absolute nightmare. No, it’s time for you to toddle off sunshine. Yes men can be very dangerous.

Smartest thing I’ve read from a Collingwood supporter.

Spot on DO, a surprise would be if something was done.

One size big fish does not fit all examples. Sure, some have flopped (pardon the pun), but many others have been pivotal in their teams GF success. Lynch at Brisvegas quickly comes to mind, and now Boyd's super granny performance two years ago. As Stretch mentions above, a big fish is wasted in a crappy team. Amongst quality depth and where needed, a big fish can make a huge difference. Jake Lever at 21 years of age, surrounded by the likes of Hibberd, Jetta, Lewis and Hunt is imo the perfect asset to compliment the development of Oscar and Frost.

He'd bloody well better. It's be worse than microwave territory. If Hird came within a mile of the club I'd be writing to the club saying I'll not be renewing my membership. And mean it.

Not much happening overnight or tomorrow but I did find a half-decent betting race at Wagga Wagga tomorrow ... Country Championship Qualifier 1400m SW 150k (4.40pm)

Fair call. A GW$ Essendrug Final is not something i would watch under any circumstance...

The North Melbourne one simply must end this year. We cannot keep losing to that rabble.

I don't have a second team, I just enjoy watching footy and if the Dees aren't playing I look for a good contest unless it's Meth Coast then I want them belted. I have the teams my boys play for, my local Ammos I follow and my WAFL side

Must have posted in wrong thread. Should have been in the Crazy thing thread.

Every time I see that pr1ck Rhys Mathieson duck, I find myself hoping someone knocks that pick dog ugly melon off his shoulders!

Are they basing their prediction on a one way running midfield with questionable disposal? Collingwood’s backline is average and their forward line is below average.

Damn gag ruined.

Man, How I’ve missed the sensation of watching the pies get fl0gged.... its like a drug

you are what you think you are, nut, apparently btw have you found your gonads yet

Ron was a Septagenerian at the time and he would have whupped you within an inch of your life had you not found refuge with your mates at the Gat. Anyway to the rest of us, he remains an heroic Demon, not just as a player and coach but a great human. Happy birthday RDB!

The issue is really - Does the AFL really need to extract 400+ million a year from it's Football supporters every year, just to run a footy comp?

Our Greatest of all time.!!!!!

An old country preacher has a teenage son, and as it is gittin’ time for him to choose a profession, the old man decides to try an experiment. While he’s at school, he goes into his room and places on the bed, a bible, a $20 note, a bottle of whiskey, a copy of Penthouse. “I'll just hide behind the door and see which object he picks up. If it's the Bible, he's going to be a preacher like me. If he picks up the dollar, he's going to be a businessman. But if he picks up the bottle, he's going to be a no-good drunken bum! And worst of all, if he picks up the magazine, he'll be a womaniser all his life!". The old man waits anxiously, and soon hears his son's footsteps as he enters the house and heads for his room. The boy throws his bag by the door, and as he turns to leave the room spots the objects on the be bed. First, he picks up the Bible and without reading a word places it under his arm. Then he picks up the $20 note and tucks it quickly into his his pocket, before uncorking the bottle to have a massive swig . . . even while settling down to ogle the magazine’s centerfold. “Lord have mercy,” the old preacher disgustedly whispers, “He's gonna run for Parliament, and will probably end up leading the Nats!"

Livin' the dream @Grapeviney Good on ya mate! (great snaps too) That Liverpool/Man City game from the weekend was all the talk back in Oz. A 3.00am Monday morning kick off made it difficult to watch live but the extended highlights are worth another look ...