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  1. I’m going to be a grandmother! 🥳
    46 points
  2. After the match we were packing up and Joey was on the boundary. I called him over to thank him for being one of the very few in the media who rates us. He said, “Oh, it’s a no-brainer… anyone who thinks you guys won’t make the eight this year has rocks in their head!” Right on cue, Kingy happened to walk past. End of convo 😅
    45 points
  3. Haven't spent much time on Demonland over the offseason, or at all in the big scheme of things. I came back here the other day to see what others thought of a few things I noticed watching the scratch match against Richmond. Good Lord people, what's happened to us? By "Us" I mean Demon supporters as a whole, on every platform. I truly believe it's never been this bad. The infighting, gossip, completely unfounded rumours and trash talk is completely ruining what used to be a few different places to dribble a bit of [censored] about the footy no matter the result. Yes we whinged, moaned and lamented but it was fairly good natured (for the most part) and the team still had our full backing. Offseason was rough, agreed? It's been a pile on of monumental proportions. Coming at the club from every angle. It's been hard to listen to. From the 24/7 media cycle blaring it into our skulls to opposition supporters gleefully rubbing it in our faces. Well, I'm sorry but it's not going away soon, get used to it. The more we react the louder they become. Why do you think the club doesn't say much? Anything they say is twisted and turned and dissected on radio shows endlessly. It's easier to just say nothing. We are already arguing about how [censored] the 2024 season is going to be! WTF!? WE HAVEN'T PLAYED A GAME YET! Guess what? We are going to lose games. Unfortunately that is just the reality. We will lose games. Some honourable losses but also some horrible losses to teams that have no right to play as good as they do against us. But, we will win some as well. The boys will dig deep and get us across the line in spectacular fashion and make us leap out of our chairs and scream with joy. There will be horrible wins as well, just scraping across the line against someone that we were all confident we could relax for. That's footy. Highs and lows, the agony and ecstasy of sport in general. We achieve nothing by fighting amongst ourselves. By all means, let's have constructive debate over how we can make the team better, who belongs where on the field, who's played well or not. Let's not get too carried away with the off field stuff. That's for the club and players to worry about. We are supporters, our job is to support. We cannot do that when we are spending our time endlessly and viciously arguing over things we cannot control. Let's unite, support our boys (and girls), let them know that we are still here, despite all the outside noise. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Had an hour up my sleeve before the boss came in. Probably just screaming into the void. I love you all. I love this team. C'mon Dee's.
    44 points
  4. Geez this place bounces wildly back and forth on Sparrow. I said this after the 2021 grand final and I'll say it again now. He's a great role player who has limitations with his disposal but absolutely busts his backside and always cracks in hard. He had 0 CBAs today so naturally his disposals are down. 6 score involvements is solid work though. And his effort is all over the tracker sheet. 2nd in sprint distance. 2nd in average speed. 4th in total sprints. 2nd in average speed in attack. Stop with this madness that he'd get dropped for a kid.
    41 points
  5. If the week when preseason training melds into scratch matches with other clubs, is the first marker for the beginning of a new season, then this has certainly been a torrid opener for the Melbourne Football Club in its campaign to remain a leading AFL premiership contender in 2024. The Demons were already under enormous scrutiny from the media and football’s fan base (including their own) after consecutive straight-sets finals exits, with Clayton Oliver’s well documented woes, the Joel Smith ban for a positive drug test, a mounting injury list that is heavily skewed against its forwards as well as the spectre of the off field scuttlebutt surrounding the long running battle in court with a former club chairman. It would be fair to say that very little improvement was seen in the situation during the week although, I do maintain that some small rays of light still presented themselves on the horizon. More of that later. Sunday’s match simulation was a bit like Melbourne’s recent weather. The game against Richmond opened brightly with 20 minutes of magical sunshine and five goals, followed by an hour of drenching rain and ten consecutive goals against, during which time the team’s style and cohesion was neither recognisable nor existent. There were moments of sunshine in the next stanza, the lead regained and lost again, then the heavy weather returned in the final term when the Tigers were more fierce in general play against a team lacking the rhythm of life required to win four points that weren’t even on offer. Jack Viney and Christian Petracca were the standouts and Kozzy Pickett was at times special a la Bruce McAvaney among many others who played out small cameo roles. Like Jacob van Rooyen who was clunking the ball well in the early proceedings. Newcomers Jack Billings, Caleb Windsor and young pup, Kynan Brown all showed something, youthful Will Verrall had nice half leaping around in the ruck (but perhaps not yet ready for senior action) when he replaced skipper Max Gawn who called it a day after two quarters (of seven) but not before booting a late goal at the end of the deluge. He then joined the 14 absentees, the ill, the injured and suspended, sitting on the sidelines as the team limped to a 23-point defeat after four quarters. But all was not lost … yet. Clayton Oliver and Christian Salem returned to the football fray in the fifth quarter, several classes above what was a VFL level after-game in three stanzas. Clarry warmed the cockles of our hearts, picking up hardball gets at will and booting the goal of the year deep on the boundary. Let’s hope he gets himself fully right for the all clear to play ASAP because he has too much talent for it to be wasted. First round draft pick Koltyn Tholstrup impressed in his outing as Melbourne slowly edged closer to Richmond and finished two points in arrears at the final bell. Some people still believed the end of the world had come. The team was given three days off but if you thought the rest period would be uneventful, you were wrong. By Monday morning, the critical reaction to the first up February scratch match loss ranged from indifference to apocalyptic. Some felt for the club’s safety in the wake of its various woes and things got worse on Tuesday with the news that Joel Smith was facing four new anti-doping rule violations from Sport Integrity Australia — three for trafficking cocaine and one for possession after his phone records revealed text messages to other players allegedly offering the drug. A news item appeared in the Murdoch press which quoted an unnamed source suggesting the 28-year-old was being "scapegoated" by the club which prompted the response from the club that "Joel has made it very clear that he has no issues or concerns with anyone at the Melbourne Football Club." Some not unexpected editorialising followed from the usual suspects in the media who appear to have been carrying on a vendetta about the club’s culture for a number of years. Read between the lines and the verdict was that the club’s dynasty was over with only one premiership to show for it. I want to comment about some of the editorialising in the media on the Joel Smith situation and allegations of poor culture at the club. Perhaps the more prominent critics need to take look in the mirror and reflect on their own behaviours in response to other such controversies of the past and, in particular, the way a certain club reacted in not dissimilar circumstances. I expect when the outcome of the current investigation is revealed, that our club faces up to what occurred with the proper responsibility that the situation warrants. No denial, no obfuscation nor blame-shifting as we saw elsewhere a decade ago. The acceptance of responsibility if and when the circumstances so deserve will be one of the measures of our culture. More turbulence on Wednesday with rumours swirling that the career of Angus Brayshaw who played such a pivotal role in the achievements of that dynasty was about to end due to ongoing issues with concussion that have stalked him throughout his career. The hammer blow came on the following day when it was confirmed that the Demon champion was retiring from the sport at the age of 28 after recent scans revealed microscopic changes in his brain after he was knocked out in last year's qualifying final by a mistimed smother from Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard, for which the Pies player somehow avoided suspension. A premiership player highly regarded for his football prowess and strong leadership, Brayshaw, who has been at the Club for nine years is much loved by the players, coaches, staff and supporters. Brayshaw walks away with five more seasons still to run on his multimillion-dollar contract, which expires at the end of the 2028 season, having played 167 games for the club. He finished third in the 2018 Brownlow Medal count and had two top five finishes in the Bluey Truscott Trophy for club champion. He will always be remembered for his courage and resilience epitomised in the goal that put the Demons in front in the third quarter of the 2021 Grand Final, after which the team was never headed. Some quotes from a shattered hero of the club:- “I am devastated that I can no longer play the game that I love, but I respect the verdict of the medical professionals, and the importance of putting my health before my career. “I am really proud of what I have achieved over the past decade. I have been able to live out my childhood dream and while it’s been cut short, I am forever grateful to everyone who has been involved. “Concussion is a massive issue facing our game. I hope from this, a terrible result for me personally, can come some positive outcomes for the future of player safety.” Brayshaw is certain to maintain some role with the club in 2024, his loss as a player will be difficult to cover. The manner of his leaving, his wonderful words in the hour of disappointment at the premature retirement and his positive demeanour together affirmed the solid culture of resilience that his legacy at the club will hold forever. The weekend couldn’t arrive too soon after all that but I did promise some rays of hope on the horizon. There was no apparent sign of any organized training during the week so no new injuries that we know about so far plus … There was a well attended season opener at the MCG which marked a welcome return to football after the venue was used for three concerts by an NFL groupie which decimated the surface of the ground which is now under repair. The Coterie sponsored function, on the other hand, saw a lift in spirits. Firstly, there seemed to be much optimism about the return to training of a number of the injured brigade. I won’t go into any detail because nothing was “official” and therefore best to wait until we see visual evidence of their return. Secondly, the speeches from coach, captain and the club chair were all positive, inspiring and reflective of a fair degree of confidence for the coming season. Similarly, the interviews with players from every line including the newbies. There was a wonderful tribute to Gus who understandably wasn’t in attendance only hours after his retirement announcement. I sense that the composition of next week’s Community Series Practice Match against Carlton at IKON Park will be as close as possible to the expected Round Zero lineup in Sydney, give or take Kozzy Pickett who isn’t available for the latter match up. I think that after all these years, I’m pretty good at reading a room. There seemed to be an undercurrent from players and officials that they are quietly seething at the poor rap, some of it insulting, they’ve received from sections of the media of late and that they are ready to show their resilience emphatically on the field of play which is, of course, the only sane way to respond.
    40 points
  6. Give me a spell. I didn't name names. And I wasnt rude and I didn't take any pot shots. Unless you call the truth a pot shot. And frankly I'm heartily sick of posters spewing vitriol against my club after a loss. And then going silent after an impressive win. If you are gonna call out the club - repeatedly- after a loss then show some spine and put your hand up you might have got it wrong. It's the opposite of fair weather supporters.
    39 points
  7. It's interesting that the vibe seems to be Lever had an average game. I thought he was terrific. He had 8 score involvements- only maxy, Billings and tracc had more. He also had 17 disposals and was part of a group effort that shut down lobb, naughton and weightman. He was a key to how well we transitioned from the back half.
    38 points
  8. I've heard that Sparrow has re-signed. Great news!
    37 points
  9. The club needs to come out and clearly state it's intentions to the media on JUH before it's too late and we miss our chance to be in a news article.
    35 points
  10. 34 points
  11. Blue sky outlook Round zero 2024 1. Blake Howes debut. Whilst drafted as an attacking wing/half forward, Howes played an excellent game as a mid sized defender. He won 1-1 duals, was composed with the footy and marked well under pressure. Howes showed with a big pre season and injury free run, he’s a future player. 👏👏👏 2. Caleb Windsor debut. Our second debutant. Again showed quality with his run and carry. Will add much needed pace to the midfield. 👏👏👏 3. Bailey Fritsch. 4 goals. Mostly accurate except for an early miss. Looked like a forward with movement and desire to kick a goal. 👏👏👏 4. Jack Viney. Beast mode. 30 possessions. 14 contested possessions. 7 tackles. 2 goals. Huge game. Huge heart. 👏👏👏 5. Clarry. After the summer dramas, it was great to see him back on field. 30 possessions. Will get better with fitness base. Hopefully he’s back to enjoying the game. 👏👏👏 And finally. Kozzzzzy is back for round 1. 🤩🤩🤩
    33 points
  12. Are you talking about the post game, on ground, interview with Sarah Jones @leave it to deever? I beg to differ. Clarry was the headline of the summer - like it or not. I think most of it was complete BS quite frankly - but it is what it is. Neither we, nor Clarry, can wish it away or pretend that millions of people aren't interested in Clarry's recent past. Sooner or later Clarry has to talk to the media. He's a superstar who generates clicks. I saw the interview as a positive. For example: Jones is a decent person who asked respectful questions about his summer Clarry answered the questions with dignity and honesty Max led, as usual, by riding shot-gun. Better Clarry re-enters the 'hyper pathologicalised' AFL world (yes, I'm talking about you Wilson, Cornes and Craig Fetishison) via Sarah Jones and Max than any other method IMHO.
    33 points
  13. Verrall has not joined the main squad. Looks to be working on his hip, and running laps. So happy for Melky to be back in full training, the same for Petty. They are training hard, and the voice levels are high. Plenty of support for each other, hand slapping cheers, and 'that's what we want' calls. Drills started with running and kicking, then gather and leads, some competitive handball drills, now talls marking and smalls in two groups, low ball gathers, and breaking tackles and lines, in competitive handball. Sims are on, and Melky is off, running hard sprints. Plenty of spread and switch, and making overlaps in the midfield, but still delivering to a crowded forward area. They are now sprinting up and down the paddock, team running. Langdon putting time into K.Brown with instructions about wing roles. That looks like the end of the session. A few stay out. Tracc, Farris-White, Colt, Billings, Salem, Fullaton, JVR, AMW, kicking goals under supervision of Choco. Woey, ANB, Laurie, ball handling. Hore and Viney, kick to kick. Oliver from the centre kicking to a leading Petty. Oliver now goal kicking. Last on the track is Melky working with two trainers, direction changes with ball handling.
    33 points
  14. There are no milestones for our Round One match vs Dogs. This means we have the entire front of the banner just for Gus. We welcome any and all suggestions for banner content. Note: one of the AFL’s rules is no insulting opposition players/clubs on banners, regardless of whether or not a player’s career has been cruelly cut short due to the deliberate action of a filthy thug… of course, that’s just an example. We’ve had the suggestion of a minute’s applause (standing ovation) at the 10-minute mark of the first quarter. We’ve also had the suggestion of as many as possible cheer squad members behind the goals wearing a Gussy-style helmet. These are just two examples of ideas that are welcome and that I’ll put to our esteemed DA leaders, along with banner content suggestions. Let’s show Gussy how much we love and respect him!
    33 points
  15. A moment needs to be taken, to try and comprehend playing Laurie and Spargo ahead of Billings last week
    32 points
  16. Sue the AFL, The lack of action on the Maynard incident is messed up.
    32 points
  17. Well done to Max and Richo for recent media messaging strategy. Max is representing the players admirably and interestingly was lead skipper on the interview front at yesterday's launch. With Bont running second. Age's lead article was Max today. Face it he's way more interesting to the media anyway. But...the clever component was Richo's sneaky aside to tim Watson last week that the Dee's are near the bottom of the hair testing ladder. Firstly we didn't know there was one. Secondly upwards of maybe 16 clubs have more issues and by the media"s definition poorer culture than us. But no one is following this thread lest we find heaven forbid the Pies are top of the ladder.
    31 points
  18. I had a good chat to Petty when getting a photo with my son. He said he needs a solid block of training / fitness after missing so much of the pre season. If everything goes to plan he's looking at 4 - 6 weeks.
    31 points
  19. So once again the journos and numpties on Twitter spent yesterday having a go at Melbourne about the crowd - where were they? why do they play Melbourne games at the MCG if they can't fill it? They'll always be a nothing club, blah blah blah. We've heard it all before, right? Here's my perspective: - 44,000 is still higher than the 2023 crowd average of 35,000 - the crowd yesterday was overwhelmingly Melbourne, yet no one was saying "where are the Bulldogs fans"? Why is that? Oh, because they're the darlings of the league. - The TV was focusing on the Shane Warne stand, rather than the Olympic Stand which was pretty chockers from where I could see - Of the 9 games, yesterday's crowd was the 4th highest of the weekend. No one was criticising the other games that had lower attendances than ours. My take is this - the media and the meatheads couldn't pick on Melbourne, couldn't pick on Goodwin, couldn't pick on Oliver, so let's roll out the barrel on the usual rubbish. Because Melbourne. I'm sick of [censored]....
    30 points
  20. Keen to hear the thoughts of those posters who practically wrote our season off and blasted the coach and players after our loss last week. Some remarkably definitive comments were made, given we were beaten on the home deck of a pretty good team that the bookies had as slight fav. You know who you are.
    30 points
  21. Gus is greeting the squad with applause and cheers from them. He is wearing the coaches colours. Looks like they have appointed him in an off field role.
    30 points
  22. ANB is a champion player & human. Steadily improved himself, worked on his deficiencies, and did his time in the VFL no complaints until he absolutely smashed the door down & couldn't be left out of the side. Not the perfect player but gives the most consistent effort of anyone in our team, without being an emotionally charged yo-yo like some others. Level-headed, self-aware, leadership in spades & consistent effort/attitude - you really cant ask for more. One of those guys who probably won't be fully recognised until he hangs them up.
    30 points
  23. Just to be clear. I have never asked for that nor do I necessarily want that. I have a full time job. That being said I have alot of ideas and advice that I would happily give. I would love to have the access that the club has to their own talent. I'm not saying I could do a better job but I have a lot of ideas about what the club could do better with their own resources. When I say I would do things for free it is more to just emphasize my love for the club and wanting them to be the best in all aspects. I already support them financially in the form of many premium memberships as well as the 2 player sponsorships not to mention merchandise etc. I'm also happy to give my time and knowledge to help improve certain aspects that I believe the club is lacking in.
    30 points
  24. Heart break for Gus. His teammates too. Super brave decision - but obviously the right thing for him though. CTE is a nightmare. Hard not think it will ultimately change the sport. Fir one thing, I'd go with goody's take, and flat out ban the bump. People will say it would change footy too much - but would it really? I mean how often does a bump actually achieve something other than rattling someone's cage? Tackling is almost always the better option than a bump in terms of say winning the ball back and/or preventing an opponent disposing of the ball. Thanks Gus for all you've given the club and fans.
    30 points
  25. You gave me your feedback and advice Moonshadow and i responded to it politely. I heard you. But with all due respect, I'll post what I want to post. I'm loving the win. I could not be more thrilled. And as you well know, having been, like me, a long term poster, whilst I have my faults, failing to be positive is not one of them. There is a certain level of irony in calling me out for being negative given how often over the last ten years I've been accused of being too positive about the club, blind to our faults and too ready to find 'excuses' (read reasons). And besides I wasnt being negative about the club. I was calling out the posters who make this forum difficult to engage with after a loss. And go missing after a win. And I did so in a pretty balanced manner I thought. I have some advice for you. Next time we lose, which of course will happen, jump on demonland and call out the usual suspects who pop up to wack the coach, team etc and think it's just grand to run the club into the ground. Perhaps give them some advice to rein their negativity in and be more positive.
    29 points
  26. Shock no1 soo we are crying out for key forwards. So WHY is T Mac at Full Back and Jefferson im the Back Pocket? BROWN 1 from limited opps FULLARTON 2 great pack marks and rucking well BROWNDOG Busy JED ADAMS Very good THOLSRUUP AND SESTAN Lively MONiz WAKEFIELD Coposed WOEY OK ALSO; WHO IS THE ONLY SENIOR PLAYER WATCHING???????? CLARRY CHOO CHOO😇🤩😎
    29 points
  27. Petty and McAdam last ones on the track working with the Selwyn. Both have been getting high 5s from assistants and trainers. Both seemed to have ticked off some boxes today.
    29 points
  28. What I find jaw droppingly confundicating is that in the Match Day thread, the only mentions that ANB got were critical of his play early on, after which there was no mention of him at all??!!! Then, to make matters worse, in the Post Game thread where posters were giving us highly detailed lists of players that impressed them and why, again not one single mention of ANB!! The guy had 83% game time, was equal second in possessions with 23, and his tackling figures were in the top five. He worked his [censored] off for the entirety of the game, and was one of our most effective players. He was without a doubt one of the best on ground and certainly deserving of much more credit than the Demonlanders give him. *Scratches head*
    29 points
  29. I've read some things on DL over the years. This is one them.
    29 points
  30. Confirming Angus has officially accepted a role at the club for the 2024 season.
    29 points
  31. Performative. The AFL put on a woeful case and then didn't appeal a ridiculously flawed decision.
    29 points
  32. My all-time favourite player taken out of the game by condoned thuggery. The sadness and anger is beyond words. Brayshaw will be all right because he is a champion human being as well as footballer, but he deserved so much more luck than he had.
    29 points
  33. The Demons finally open their account in the 2024 Premiership Season with a 45 point win over the Western Bulldogs at the Home of Football the MCG.
    28 points
  34. Another under the radar but highly effective game by Nibbler. Gets little recognition but is a great contributor.
    28 points
  35. There are some truly garbage hot takes in this thread, but equally there was some ridiculous overconfidence after beating Carlton in a practice match (say it with me one more time - it was a [censored] practice match). I was there. The humidity was telling. We simply didn't cope. That's understandable, but disappointing. Grundy was good but the key difference was he wasn't being blocked, checked, hit and kneed at every contest. Gawn was. We know this happens when we go in without proper ruck support. This has been happening for 8 years. We were also visibly cooked about 5 minutes into the last. That will partly be because we were a player down plus May appeared to be hobbling, and partly because we struggled with the humidity. But it's also concerning. We pride ourselves on our fitness and specifically running out fourth quarters, but we were gassed too early. Having said all that, three things really stand out to me as areas of significant concern: I never, ever, want to see Spargo, Chandler and Laurie in the same side again. On the understanding that ANB is a walk-up best 22 player, there will never be a situation in which we need all three of these players alongside ANB. Sadly, I do not see anything in Laurie to suggest he's good enough, but IMO Spargo was atrocious tonight - I watched him and he appeared lazy, pointing without manning up and waltzing between contests. I didn't like that we picked him off no practice matches and I think it was a massive mistake. I think we conceded that we stuffed this up by subbing so early in the third, which we don't normally do. The worst bit was that this robbed us of a rotation when Bowey went down. Spargo will probably be suspended but I'd be happy to drop him for Kozzie next week We can't play Schache again. Not after that. That was so, so weak. They ignored him most of the night, allowing McCartin to blanket JVR. Fullarton or Brown have to replace Schache next week. We lost CPs and clearances to a side missing three first-choice midfielders. That is enormously concerning. We do not have a good enough forward line or forward half game to be that bad in the middle, and if a side missing that much midfield power can beat us in the middle, then we are in for a tough time. I loved Howes and Windsor, Viney was incredible, and Oliver was so good for someone with the summer he's had. May was dominant in the air and Salem in the midfield clearly works. I won't write us off after one summer's game in Darwin-like conditions, but enough went wrong tonight to give me a lot more doubt than I want.
    28 points
  36. Is Demonland going to ban all Jon Ralph articles from being posted from now on? Clearly they are unsubstantiated rumours which are strictly forbidden.
    28 points
  37. Also good to see Ben Brown kitted up in training gear.
    28 points
  38. Montagna has stuck with us the whole summer. Has always said we will be there when the whips are cracking. Loved how he threw in the bit about us spending only 2 weeks out of the Top 4 the last three seasons. Just to remind everyone about our consistency.
    28 points
  39. Billings was outstanding today and exactly what we’ve been looking for. His ability to link up plays was elite. It was of little surprise to find out he had something like 11 score involvements. Took 15 marks as well.
    27 points
  40. What would ruffling up JJ achieve? Premiership player who always went about things the right way.
    27 points
  41. Also it’s a nice nostalgic feeling to kick a bunch of late unanswered goals against the dogs
    26 points
  42. Been pretty crook for awhile didnt think i would make it to today .Got to go to the Alfred today already told them i have to be home by 7 .Go DEES
    26 points
  43. I feel like Bailey Fritsch gets forgotten in pretty much all discussions about potential goal-kickers for our upcoming games. Just not sure why. He’s easily our best forward, in his prime, an absolute gun, and if stays fit, will win our goal-kicking again this year. #stopignoringfritta
    26 points
  44. I hope the karma bus runs that thug Maynard over this year. I’m still beyond angry about what happened last season. I will never, ever forget what he did.😡😡
    26 points
  45. A win. Yippee. Well great comeback from our captain. Oliver well and truly back. Chandler some much needed signs of old. May absolutely rock solid down back. Nice game from Billings and Hore. The biggest take away for me was Bbbs performance. Didn't kill it but a very good serviceable game nonetheless. Our best tall fwd. Tmac pretty good down back. That's two key talls I had in all honesty pretty much written off. Im having some humble pie for dinner. Tx all.
    25 points
  46. Don’t write us off just yet. Absolutely rapt for T Mac and Brown. Jibba very very good today.
    25 points
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