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Hi Rab and PStD, I'm from Ballyroan, in Rathfarnham, Dublin. So I know the Hellfire Club and Massey's wood really well as we used to mountain bike up there after school and on hikes with the family and scouts. Later on we used to drink cans up there and even made student movies there. I grew up around the corner from Stynesie and passed his house on the way to school each day. I went to the same school and played for the same club in Ballyboden too. We got a half day off school when Jim came to our assembly with his Brownlow medal. At the time we had no real idea what a Brownlow was, but we knew it was important. Our experience of aussies was as rugby legends whipping all opponents and massive tanned athletes bashing the heads off our innocent Gaelic football heroes in the compromise rules series! Those games were great and we loved the high standard of the visitors and the tough contests and to see an all star national team playing international opponents. Australia seemed really good at all sports in the 80s and 90s so if he won a medal here by beating locals he must have been really good. The teachers told us he was voted best and fairest in the league so we felt really proud and inspired that someone from our school and neighborhood could go so far away and achieve that. He was back again with his brother Brian in 95 when Dublin won the All Ireland final. There was another raucous assembly in secondary school where Brian and the team passed the cup around what became a mosh pit of teenage boys. Amidst the chaos he shouted into the mic asking who thought we should celebrate with a half day? It went absolutely crazy and then he told us all to just go home so we did and it was like a mini prison riot! It was brilliant! I moved here in 2012 and have been following the Dees since those darker days. I left Gaelic football and rugby behind over there and took up over 35s AFL masters over here. I've been a Dees member for 7 years and this year will be my first year as a Redleg member. I really enjoy this forum (mostly lurking) and the podcast. As for the training ground I wish we could have a base by the MCG. I'm not sure what happened to the talk of AAMI after the women's World cup though? Although it would also really suit me professionally, I know that Fisherman's bend is under huge pressure from competing commercial interests and sports. That location would be great but I don't think it can happen as the land prices went crazy with the ad hoc rezoning. Caulfield seems a bit further away geographically, but it's probably good for the team and the rest of the club with enough space for facilities and parking and near transport. It's not that far compared to Casey so plenty of supporters could get there a few times of year for events. The Casey situation seems mad to be so far from town and the MCG. That's a big commute for lots of players and staff so it would be really great to get a proper modern elite facility at Caulfield. I'm hopeful this can become a reality. Positives are that there is plentiful green space and it is a location designed to facilitate large sporting events. It seems like a good idea in principle.

Ardu is originally from Darwin but she has been living in Melbourne for over a decade.

Biffen Pickett has a nice ring to it.

#43 jumper is ready and waiting - if she wants it! https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1478752/aflw-draft-pick-no29-rigoni-legacy-continues

We’ve got a lot of aerial power but you need a forward line that can create goals even when things are messy. Pisano looks like a strong, powerful player that can use her legs and kick to create scores even when the game is messy, like finals often are. Certainly seems like the right type of player to be adding to the group.

She looks so good in those highlights, long kick, accurate snaps, good agility. I really think Pisano fills a need in our forward line.

As @beelzebub says, the viability of the location has nothing to do with supporter ease of access and everything to do with player and staff ease of acccess - so we can attract and retain the best available talent in both areas. Caulfield fits the bill.

Congratulations to Kossie and his partner Ardu who are having a baby. Maybe the baby may play for us one day. Hopefully Ardu is a Melbourne girl and Kossie stays in Melbourne long term.

Pick 12: Ryleigh Wotherspoon Draft bolter: Dees swoop in on freakish multi-sport athlete - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1072208

Selected at pick 5. Welcome Alyssia.

Biggest step forward is getting the MCG precinct out of the picture.

Has that classic “I decided to go back to footy because I just love hitting people” style. Love it.

My guess is Brisbane had Wotherspoon lined up at 15 (or 21 or 22) and we knew she wouldn't be there at 23. Most critical part of the draft now, hoping that Rigoni slips past our next pick.

Big bodied, power player.

Immediately nicknamed "Reese", surely? Was mentioned in the broadcast that clubs were requesting footage of her today so clearly garnered some attention late. Previously a train-on with Brisbane. We must've done our homework on this one.

https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1072208/aflw-draft-ryleigh-wotherspoon-multi-sport-athlete-cricket-soccer-softball-melbourne-brisbane Classic Smokey play at 12. Rayleigh Wotherspoon wasn’t even on Sarah Black’s late mail names for consideration!

Alyssia & Alyssa forward combo, add in Zanker and Hore, pretty exciting.

I know some are saying that a training facility is all about the players and coaching staff and I get the point and largely agree but it should also occasionally be a home of sorts for fans, when they have open training sessions, family days, maybe even Premiership celebrations. I went to the Carlton open training session at Princes Park on Saturday. Several thousand people there, it felt like a community gathering, young kids looking at the trophies, memorabilia, old jumper exhibitions etc (that has been done really well at Princes Park). If done properly it should be more than just a place where players train and yes the location is important. It should be a place that helps the fans connect to the club and its history. MFC should most definitely try to have a museum component, being in the rare position of being the founding club of the whole sport. If that can't attract some government funding I don't know what will.

PICK 5 – Melbourne – Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro) Melbourne recruiters would be rubbing their hands together knowing they have a huge opportunity to select the most damaging small forward in the draft pool. With a potent left foot and elite goal sense, Pisano will only make the Demons’ forwardline stronger and has enormous potential. A genuine steal at Pick 5, helped by her state nomination. If not, who else? The Demons are looking for that game-breaking player, with Williamson another chance to go here. The Stingrays midfielder could also run off half-back and is that natural leader the Demons enjoy.

I think having differing opinions is one of the great things about footy and sport in general. As others have pointed out however some of the name calling is puerile. The thing I find most disappointing is those who don't really stand by their opinions with a solid reasoning. They will throw things out there but don't back them up and/or come up with an alternative strategy. This seems a common problem with society in general these days.

Yeah it did, we won the premiership.

No rule change required, Maynard should have been suspended. AFL let him off on the "big club/big game" defense. It was a deliberate shirtfront.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1478752/aflw-draft-pick-no29-rigoni-legacy-continues Skills and pace. Jemma’s got star quality. Daughter of Guy. Love it. 👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️

...and have 'Eye of the Tiger' playing at max volume in the rooms before the game. Goody running through the changing room doors, smashing it off it's hinges...

Rigoni ❤️💙

Welcome to the MFC Alyssia. Great interview with Sarah Ollie and spoke very well. The highlights package looked amazing. I'm looking forward to seeing Alyssia play in Round 1 next season.

As mentioned in another thread, we have selected small forward Alyssia Pisano with pick 5.

Show them Rocky IV. The way he beat Drago in Russia is inspirational.

The way we started the QF was nothing short of abysmal, bordering on pathetic. It started right from the opening bounce when Max appealed for a free in the ruck (if he wanted to set an example, he’d have crashed straight into Cox, or better yet, jumped with his knee into him). What followed was putting up with physical intimidation and no response from our group until Jack decided to fly the flag after Gus was taken out. If we were switched on, we should have been just as aggressive, just as physical. More importantly, we’d have been ready to play football right from the start (it was only a QF we were playing in after all). How we came out was unacceptable and was equally on the players, leaders and coaching group.

Would be strange for Kozi to be expecting but hey who knows these days 😂

PICK 20 – Melbourne – Jemma Rigoni (Oakleigh Chargers / Vic Metro) – BID MATCHED It is difficult to work out when the Rigoni bid will come, and Melbourne will hope it is after Pick 23. However the likelihood is it comes just before, with the selection fair value for the explosive over-ager. The daughter of 100-gamer Guy will fit in nicely off half-back for the Demons, but can also play in other positions.

PICK 13 – Melbourne – Georgia Stubs (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro) Another potential AFLW Draft bolter who has had plenty of interest, Stubs has explosive speed and is not afraid to take the game on. Able to play off both half-back and through the middle, the Eastern Ranges talent has some big fans and should land inside the top 30, with this region being the top end of her range. If not, who else? The Demons might look to Whiley as another suitable replacement, while Gough and Bacon could be choices depending who is on the board.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2023/12/18/2023-rmc-aflw-phantom-draft-and-qa/ AFLW Phantom Draft for anyone interested. Has us picking 5. Alyssia Pisano 13. Georgia Stubs 20. Rigoni (matching bid)

Forget the trolls ,they will always be around us.How many modern day coaches have done what Goodwin has done in the last 3 years GF WIN 2TOP 4 RESULTS looks good on any resume

You didn't consider that this may have been for privacy reasons? Not everyone wants their identity public, especially in the heavily scrutinized world of AFL football.

Saw Jemma and Guy on ABC news last night. She wants to continue the family name at the Dees but wants more to be drafted for what she can bring to any team. Right attitude.

Well if I can add to this.... BBB has been sensational in the two times I have seen him and Plugger Mac was very ordinary the first time, but he was good last Friday😄

What about the five-year-olds on Demonland? I can’t imagine it would shut them up. Apologies to any five-year-olds who might be reading this. 😜

My wife and I have just returned from a 20 day break in Goolwa to try to regain some peace and sanity after my son's death. I was off air, but when we got back the Maynard Catastrophe hit the headlines again. I love the way the media makes him out to now becoming the victim of the change in rules ---NOT. Anyhow, we attended the 2nd Birthday celebrations of my one time best friend's daughter's daughter, if that makes sense. I sat next to an old chum, an E Colli Wobbler man, and he started telling the sad story of John Greening's demise at the hands of an O'dea or so - all in a day's work. He said it was Greening's 99th game, that he was destined to becoming THE GREATEST FOOTBALLER OF ALL TIME but when he returned 3 years later, he was but a shadow. I know the story - I was working at La Trobe Uni at the bookshop at the time and recall the kerfuffle and rightful indignation. My sympathies were and are with Greening. ( By the way, our daughter graduated in a Psychology Degree with Honours at the same Uni last Friday. ) I then asked Mr E Colli Wobbler how he felt when Maynard assaulted Brayshaw. He replied, There was nothing in it. I rest my case. E Colli Wobbler fans are as mad as snakes.

I’m thinking 2028, another reason to hang in there, 50th wedding anniversary, 83rd birthday, two more premierships and our own elite training and fitness facility. That would be the icing on the cake. Get on board you doubting Thomas’s just make it happen.

Moves Our Supporters Should Make In 2024… Stop bagging our Coach. Calling him Straight Sets Simon is puerile and doesn’t achieve anything except to irritate others who are sick to death of hearing it ad nauseam.

All local councils have forgotten their true role, collect rubbish, maintain local roads and footpaths, support local businesses and help facilitate the development of necessary infrastructure to support the community.

Hey H-Dub, yet another Dubliner here (we’re everywhere!) albeit now as much a bogan Aussie as is possible. Thank you for sharing your stories about Jimmy and Brian. In particular, Brian taking it upon himself to declare a half-day off school and the ensuing ‘prison riot’ scene. 🤣

I live NE of the city, but I'm fine with a Caulfield training/social facility. The proposal of a training oval at Yarra Park would be way more convenient for me, but apparently there is little prospect of that happening. I'm sure that will have a significant impact on the Club's planning.

Nice retort!

olympic park was not offered ... just glasshouse and goschs paddock i'm getting sick of correcting this misinformation.

Priority needs to be to sign Gillard beyond end of 2024