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That’s not a ‘most likely’, it’s an absolute. As per influenza, it will circulate, evolve and mutate whilst it has humans to infect. Vax or no, it’s never going away. As for the flu, but more compellingly obviously, and government mandated to various degrees around the world, we will require vax boosters for the remainder of our lives. These will improve, so it may end up as every 3 years or such like. Treatments for the disease will and already are improving. There is currently a trial growing through its last stage that decreases symptom potency by 50%, thus hospital admission/ventilator support and death. I find it frustrating to re-iterate the point, because it’s so poorly reasoned and understood, particularly by the ‘just open up’ crowd, but the reason we are locked down is very simple. Greater infection rates means greater numbers who become ill. A high enough percentage of those who become ill need hospitalisation and OUR hospital infrastructure becomes overwhelmed. Not enough beds, not enough staff (who can become ill themselves and thus leave the workforce - temporarily and some permanently), and not enough equipment. What comes next is the salient point. ALL those illnesses, injuries and diseases that would normally have access to hospitalisation and care CAN’T then be treated. This could and will be any one of us. Heart disease, life-threatening cancers, broken limbs, everything then gets neglected, and our fabulously privileged, otherwise healthy society suddenly becomes not so. Knock-on effect of COVID. Two recent stories. Last week I treated a final year paramedic student. She has for the last 3 months been seconded to a vaccination hub, to be a vaccinator, in order that nurses who would normally get the gig are allowed back into the hospitals, because they are desperately short-staffed. Remember, she is a student. Knock-on effect of COVID. I witnessed a car accident outside my double vaxxed 96 year-old mother’s house just yesterday. Two cars, one driver ok, the other trapped in his van. I went to help, he was incredibly distressed and agitated, desperately trying to get out of his van, which was smoking, trying impossibly to crawl out his shattered window. I couldn’t get any doors open, so tried to keep him calm whilst someone else called the ambo. He appeared relatively unharmed, no blood, able to move all limbs although his right arm was in spasm. He was clearly in shock, and couldn’t tell me his name, or in fact speak at all. He then lifted his cap to show me a broad surgical scar along his forehead. I asked if he’d suffered a previous head-injury, to which he calmly affirmed with a nod. He became easier to settle after this. Within ~ 10 minutes of the crash the paramedics arrived, two minutes later the fire-engine, who wrenched open his door with a portable machine (clearly built for such things). He was assisted out and into the ambulance. This is simply spectacular emergency attendance and care. It’s what we’ve come to rely on. This would not happen if COVID is allowed to overwhelm the system. Let’s assume he’d suffered his pre-existing head injury from trauma, or perhaps cerebral incident - tumour, bleed. He obviously survived whatever this was, and has thrived, undoubtedly because he was treated in a timely fashion - AS AND WHEN IT WAS NEEDED. All of this goes away if COVID runs our health system beyond its limits. We are lucky, and privileged. We have two simple choices to keep it that way. Get vaccinated, and do what the experts tell us to limit infection. The light is at the end of the tunnel.

Anyone know the Canberra Times' strike rate? This is in the Canberra Times, article published this afternoon: "In more good news for the AFL premier, grand final hero Luke Jackson will sign a new deal with Melbourne soon. Jackson, who is contracted until the end of next season, will commit long-term to the Demons. The West Australian believes his future is in Melbourne and he will be joined by his parents in Victoria." https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7464063/the-chase-is-on-to-catch-the-melbourne-demons-in-2022/

From a player who shall remain unidentified in a forum which I cannot disclose. On Ben Brown: "An incredibly nice person, a brilliant story (to come from wooden spoon to premiership team), very calm person, a steadying factor for us". On Bayley Fritsch: "Very stiff to miss the medal, a worthy second, a ripping fella". On Luke Jackson: "Played a huge part in turning the game, could be anything that boy". On Christian Petracca: "Like a big Labrador, incredible development since being drafted, a consummate professional, has learned to re-set after setbacks, may have another level he can go to". On Jake Bowey: "Very competitive, towelled up Weightman." On Christian Salem: "Tough as coffin nails, genuine superstar." On Steven May: "Didn't want to know his scan result, said if I can train, I can play - and did, despite a 5 cm tear".

All true from what I've heard. His folks have been shopping for property in Melbourne, and "long term" is the phrase being used about his extension.

Just drove past this in Leichhardt in Sydney

That Gather (watch it closely) and Kick in the 3rd Quarter is a thing of sheer beauty, pinpoint accuracy Well done James.

Got my Charlie Sprago #8 sherran today.

The Norm Smith Curse is over. The Clarkson Curse has begun. Long live the Clarkson Curse!

Cheers for the plug, mate. Really appreciate it. We do this every year for the premiership team. As you can see from the contents, not every game is covered as I can only feature the content I write personally - this includes the members content, and a couple of extra articles for the year. All other Dees articles can be found on our site. Again, thanks for the support and if you opted to part with your hard-earned, hope it was an enjoyable read. I reckon the finals section provided value for you guys. Cheers - HB

Heart and soul type player. The reports of him trying to sub himself off so James Jordon could play some GF minutes shows his selflessness. Will be an important cog in our push for more flags.

The sale of memorabilia is going to make a huge income and welcome profit for the club. It is the advantage and result of the hard work done to win a premiership. However, I'm disappointed that the club is going so far as to auction off match-day Mascot experiences for kids. Given they are selling for $1000-$2000 per game so far, it means that the children who can be Mascots are almost certainly going to be from very privileged Melbourne families. I'd hope that children from less-advantaged Demon families would be able to participate as mascots, and not be shut out because their parents can't afford the cost. I think the club should reconsider this auction item, or make arrangements for some children whose parents aren't rich.

Received my custom framed demon today

The Hawks off loaded Clarkson, I don't think they know what they are doing.

Many years ago me and a couple members here joined forces to produce a Robert Flower highlights dvd. I'm very pleased to say that my collection of Robbie Flower highlights has grown and as tribute to the Dees making (and hopefully winning) the 2021 GF, I have uploaded a highlights video to Youtube of the greatest Melbourne player in my life time. So if you have a spare 40 mins or so, have a look at it. If you are too young to have seen him play, you need to see this. If you are old enough to have seen him play and remember what he was like, please enjoy.

Sincerely thanks for this And I will watch it tomorrow but tonight I need to watch the replay again because I have this unrelenting nagging feeling that there is a handball somewhere that I have not committed to memory

lol. mostly midfielders and 3 full forwards a well balanced side....not

My Hingrito poster just arrived! Quality is fantastic, absolutely stoked 😍❤️💙 Cheers @Lord Nevfor the heads up!

Does anyone think we will see Dogga playing midfield minutes next year? The thought of him roving to Gawn and dishing out to the Tracc/Clarrie (Trollie) combo is, in my opinion, [censored] mind-blowing.

So they are geniuses for getting enough picks for a father son and trading for Nathan Kreuger and Patrick Lipinski, two fringe players? Seriously Rendell is a complete [censored] and it makes me angry he gets paid for this dribble when people in Melbourne have lost their jobs due to Covid.

I used to dream of a time when this trade period would mean little to me. Oh my God it is here I don't give two hoots about it this year. Let those inferior teams fight over third grade talents. Am I being arrogant? YES!

Not one player who is about above a C+ has been traded or talked about being traded. Putting aside our Melbourne bias for a second (as I have thought this for a long time) it is a disgrace that so much energy goes into the trade period so soon after the finals. If good players were being talked about being traded I would understand, but Bobby Hill changing teams is about as relevant and interesting as eating cardboard.

Jaeger O'Meara is another one of those footballing tragedies. In his first years it looked as if he could be the comps best player. Super agility, speed and class. Injury has brought him back to the pack. He is just another goodish midfielder now. Not for us.

He's a good player, but I don't think we will have the coin for him. Sounds like we will be giving Jackson a decent deal. Plus we will need money for guys like Rivers, Pickett and Sparrow in a year or two. There's only so many A grade type players you can have on a list due to the salary cap and in the middle we have two genuine A+ players in Trac and Oliver.

Good players play best in pressure situations when the team needs them most Harmes and Brayshaw are examples of players desperate to do the teams things in the 'teams hour of need'. In the 3rd quarter the lesser lights Harmes, Brayshaw, TMac and Sparrow stood up and showed their metal and did things which helped us to victory.

Number 2 should be reserved for now. Very special number for this club. 22 would look good on him

howie kotton is an old school football journo - if he's saying it it's going to happen

Worth every cent. And it goes to charity. I'm not sure when the AO awards are but I've sent my suggestions. Toot toot

Attention: every single male.

Plain old normal? I'm in Europe (France), so a bit further down the track on this than Oz. Through a big stick approach we've managed to get vax up over 90% of most of the adult pop, kids over 12 rapidly catching up. We're currently at under 5K cases a day nationally, which is about as low as it's been for 18 months, though tragically, still losing 30+ people a day. Here's what we live with to keep those figures down: - Masks in all enclosed spaces, public transport etc. etc. Includes private spaces (work etc.). - Anywhere people come together, whether it's restaurants, theatres/cinemas, sports stadiums or sports facilities in general (gyms), and any long-distance travel, you can't get in without a vaccine pass: vaccinated or recent negative test. You can't even sit outside at a cafe without one, and people in all these places have a scanner on their phone that verifies the code that you have on your phone. - Most school kids are still having to mask, though that's being eased for younger kids in areas with very low cases - Many shops are still restricting number of people inside at any time and "number allowed" is often displayed outside - Social distancing is still practised, and enforced in some circumstances. e.g., most shops where you have to queue have marks on the floor, 1m apart. - Hospitals and places where there are vulnerable people are insisting not just on being vaxed, but having a negative test as well. etc. etc. "Normal", but the vast majority accept it as the price to pay for living with the "pandemic that won't last forever".

Just a reminder that we played them for 6 hours this year. They were better than us for a whopping 10 minutes.

"Luke, let me introduce you to this nice girl who's a stunner, who lives in South Yarra, right near Gosch's, and whose family all live near Casey fields, and who has no intention of moving anywhere else in Australia, ever."

If we had room for Cerra in the cap then we have room to front end a few deals and get some years on the end of Jackson, Oliver, Pickett et al

Was "quarantining" for 14 days in SA ( heading to WA for the Granny)with my cousins and hired a car and headed for the Copper Coast ( Moonta) on the St Vincent's Gulf where my father grew up. The Heritage Listed Moonta Mines has plenty of history and leaving one highlight I went to get back on the Adelaide/Moonta Highway only to see a Demon flag proudly flapping in the breeze at a homestead on the link road.Took a photo of it but my ignorance has prevented me from posting it attached or in the Flag Flying post in D/L recently. Wonderful 3 weeks 16 days in SA and 5 in WA culminating in the best tjing in my 73 years happening whi knows how many more we may enjoy with such a team ethos and superb list yo choose from. Great venue Optus and the noise!!! BTW you are pro sly thinking how did he get there from Vic well I live in Brisbane ( for 28 years ) and are a 55 consecutive year Dees member with GFG since 2018. Want to see a flag at the G just as much next year.!!

If Rory Lobb is $700 000 plus a year (staggering), Luke's contract will be a fair bit above that 450 mark.

He helped us turn and then dominate a GF. I don’t know what you’re waiting for. If we won’t pay him, 17 other clubs will happily.

Certainly was. Post-war, in fact post-polio in the 1950’s, our infrastructural pandemic response was high. Fairfield Hospital as @Premiers has mentioned, and Point Nepean quarantine facility to mention two now non-existent entities. Without getting too political (though it’s not really possible), the Kennett years savaged Victoria’s public health protections. Labour governments as you say haven’t had anywhere near the guts to repair it. NSW avoided the Kennett effect. The broader trend is post-war neo-liberalism’s erosion of governmental responsibility for health. The rise of Private Health, which creates a horribly ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ system in itself (just look at the US), together with growing societal wealth disparity simply means we have an under-resourced, hierarchical system of health provision and protection. COVID should be the biggest wake-up call. I’m not hopeful. We can, as you also say, vote for a correction. But we need the choice to be offered. Depressing. As a positive, the paramedic student I treated was attracted to the profession only because of a complete overhaul of pay and conditions, which people may remember was such a hot union issue a few years ago (ambulances with ‘graffiti’ calling for improvements?). They now get 12 weeks annual holiday, protections on the job through better staffing, mental health care, etc. They are an essential Public Health Service that was being run into the ground by economic deprivation and staff exploitation. Oddly enough, it’s now seen as a much more attractive profession. Would that this model be applied universally, and those who hoard an ever-greater slice of the wealth pie be a MUCH bigger part of footing the bill. We’ll see.

Just popped into my local pizza place run by a trio of strapping big Greek brothers, diehard Collingwood fans. All year we’ve been ribbing each other’s team (they went to town after QB match). I hadn’t been there since the granny and as soon as I walked in they were raving about how good we are. Then the middle brother says, “I’d turn gay for Clayton Oliver.” I says, “you might have to join a queue, I’m sure a lot of blokes have a man-crush on Clayton.” He says, “a man-crush?! This isn’t a man-crush! I’m in love with him. I wanna have his babies.” 😆 And these are Collingwood supporters!!!

Love Harmesy. I'm not sure he'll ever be in quite the same stratosphere are Trac or Clarry, but who are and I think Harmesy still has a a great place in the side as a half forward who can rotate onto the ball, provide great physicality, burst through and away from packs, kick handy goals (that one early against Geelong in the PF made something out of nothing amd help build momentum) jump on people's heads in occasions as well. His kicking is sometimes questioned, but as he showed when it counted, he is quite capable of executing damaging laces out passes deep into our forward line or kicking it through the big ones.

Very good player but injury prone costs $$$$$s we don’t really have room on the list numbers we don’t have trade picks or players as currency salary cap tight at MFC with younger stars needing extra $$ in future so it’s a no

There's talent and then there's application. The big unknown is whether there's some blowback in terms of morale/happiness that some of those that have been publicly shopped around might not be as committed to the cause. It has the potential to unravel very quickly for them if there is significant dissonance between the senior players and the coach/es.

He is average or the Hawks would not be looking to off load him.

The problem for Hawthorn is that they are not going to be bad enough to get access to the pointy end of the draft for a number of years. They are looking like a 7th to 12th team and probably on the slide. A midfield of Mitchell, O'Meara, Wingard, Worpel, Impey, Shiels, Phillips, Howe - serviced by McEvoy, maybe Ceglar if he stays, and the promising Reeves is competitive without being at the top echelon. The problem here is that the core of talent is closer to the end than the start of their careers. This area is going to ultimately get worse before it gets better. The backline looks solid and has a lot of potential provided Grainger-Barras delivers on his draft position. Sicily, Day and Scrimshaw are all good players. Jiath is exciting. Frost, Hartigan and Hardwick are all capable. Bramble showed some good signs at the end of last year. This area will only improve. The forward line is more uncertain. Gunston and Breust are very good players and providing their bodies hold up will deliver the goods over the next year or two. Talls have shown some promise but are unproven - it could go either way with Koschitzke and Lewis. Moore had a very promising 2021. This area is going to get worse before it gets better. But I'd much rather be following Hawthorn than Geelong.

Just letting you know the word you’re looking for is mettle. Not being pedantic, it’s just that I know @Demonstonewill spot this and probs post a corny reply like “I didn’t know they were cyborgs.” 😁

I just worked out it downloaded to the book thingy on my mac... you can control the font size so its down to 210 pages...anyway what I am enjoying about it is the conjecture early on about our structures and how they were to go for the rest of the season and the praise given to Goodwin for his tactical acumen. eg: Referencing the first match against The Dogs. “THE TACTIC NO ONE WILL TALK ABOUT This was a really sneaky little move by Simon Goodwin and his coaching crew, and I hope that someone highlights it as part of their TV reviews. If you’ve got the game recorded, you can do it, yourself. When the Dogs had the footy in their back half and were looking to switch it, I want you to concentrate on the Melbourne player given the responsibility to leave just enough space between him and the next defender in the line to tempt the switch. That player was Kysaiah Pickett, and with his closing speed, all it took was one slightly wayward kick to create a pressure situation out of what would normally be a standard two kicks across the defensive fifty to open up the game. Pickett managed to create a bit of havoc, forcing the next defender in the chain to kick hurriedly out of defence, often to a contest and rarely displaying any composure. The rest of the Demon forwards would press up to create congestion across half forward and the middle, leaving Pickett to work back and man the switch. Poor Taylor Duryea found himself up a particular creek[…]” “Teams will work out how to successfully bypass the Pickett pressure at half back, but it was something that troubled the Dogs greatly, and with Pickett causing mayhem the Demons down the line knew to play in front to mark the dump kick from the panicked defenders. A great move by Goodwin - bloody intelligent.” Excerpt From: Brett Meyers. “The Mongrel Punt: Melbourne Demons, Year in Review - 2021.” Apple Books.

helluva player rated super highly internally but not nearly enough externally

Wingard is the definition of a downhill skier. Skilled but soft as butter and lazy. The worst player to have in a young team trying to set standards. No wonder GWS wants him. Another selfish highly skilled player to add to the “me first” club.

But an absolute gentleman in his latter years. I was lucky to attend a number of small lunches where he regaled us with his recounts and tales of the times. I hope that he gets to the ton!

Petracca, Oliver, Gawn and Jackson. All once in a generation type players, all in the same team at the same time, and they’re playing for us!