Demonland

The problem with older phones/traditional phone phones is that they aren't made or designed to view webpages as they are meant to be viewed on a computer screen. The iPhone and other smart phones are made to be able to view web content as they are on a screen.

How is it displaying for you in Google Chrome? Are you able to send me a screenshot?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/next-big-think-liam-jurrah/story-e6frf9jf-1225830255628?from=public_rss sounds like he is fitting in well now and I love the fact that he wants to be with the Dees for 10 years.

Easy Keyser. Remember play the ball and not the man. As much as I don't like threads like this the original poster is abiding by the moderating guidelines and not just saying he is crap. As long as people can back it up and argue/discuss civilly then it doesn't cross the line. I'm going to allow this thread (for now) but you must discuss the topic and not bash each other. This goes for everyone. It would be a shame if anyone got banned from Demonland and was not able to discuss the exciting times that await us just to abuse someone annonymously. If you don't agree or like the topic then discuss it rationally or ignore it.

Works fine with Google Chrome on a Mac. Will try it out on the PC at work tomorrow. I see no reason why it wouldn't display properly but I will stand corrected if it doesn't.

We open the time capsule and bring you the MFC Annual Report for 1970. The club chairman was Dr. D. G. Duffy: ANNUAL REPORT 1970 In presenting the Annual Report for Season 1970, we are pleased to state our team did rise a little from the position it occupied in 1969. The number of matches won were double the previous year but the year was still not as successful as it might have been. We are not going to place our lack of success down to inexperience. The team should be respected more than it is. We possess players of above average ability who on occasions produce football equal to the best. However, it is not sustained in a consistent manner. We have for many years bemoaned the lack of big men in our team but with Peter Keenan, Rod Payne, Brent Jones, Peter Weekes and Max Walker, we are pleased with our big men at this moment and believe that we have the necessary height to compete with most teams in the Victorian Football League. Our rovers, in Greg Wells and John Townsend, backed up by our other reserves, are adequate. Our back line, comprising Frank Davis, Paul Rowlands, Tony Sullivan, Derek Feldmann, Gary Hardeman and Barrie Hodges are equally sound. Our wingmen, headed by Stan Alves, Barrie Bourke, Trevor Rollinson and Bob McKenzie are quite positive and whilst we still need a dominating centre player, this position has been covered reasonably well throughout the year. Our forward line comprising Ross Dillon, Greg Parke, Lloyd Burgmann, Des Campbell and Graham Molloy have all proved successful and have generally pleased officials and supporters alike. Why then have we not won more matches? We are inclined to believe that our team has not yet learned to win. We feel that many matches were lost because the team has not developed an aggressive attitude towards staying in front and clinching the victory that was ever so close and this characteristic must be developed if the side is to succeed in 1971. John Beckwith has had to resign as Coach due to business commitments and we will miss him greatly. During the time that John has acted as Coach there has been a steady development in our team and it is indeed unfortunate that he cannot remain to reap the success that is so very close, and which he so richly deserves. We have made a new appointment as coach for season 1971. We look forward with confidence to Ian Ridley achieving as much success with our senior side as he did with our Reserves. Further mention is made of our coaches in another section of this report. We will, however, have to introduce still more players to our Club if we are to make the Final Four in the competition. This matter of obtaining players, however, has been made extremely difficult by the introduction of the Country District scheme throughout Victoria. The Victorian Football League, in a desire to produce a more even competition, has supported this scheme and all League clubs now find themselves operating under it. Whilst this evening up is undoubtedly taking place, it is most irksome to your officials engaged in recruiting players to be confined to those leagues that have been allocated to us, particularly when it is quite obvious that league players are definitely not available from these leagues at the present time. There are young players who possess potential, but our immediate needs cannot be fulfilled from our country zone. In the past, your secretary and coach together with our recruiting officers have been able to tour Victoria seeking the type of player we require. This is no longer possible. The recent suggestion of the V.F.L. Administrative Director. Mr. E. O. McCutcheon, to introduce a drafting system in which all V.F.L. clubs would be invited to submit a list of names to a central authority and that our clubs be given the opportunity of selecting in rotation, the type of player that it requires, warrants close attention. This system operates in America with its professional football and has proven most satisfactory in that nation. Further limitation has been imposed on the recruiting of interstate players and this has had the effect of offers to these players reaching astronomical proportions. The situation is rapidly becoming out of hand and is causing a great deal of worry to all clubs in our League. Despite these difficulties, our members can be certain that no stone is being left unturned to secure players to improve our team in the years ahead. We have a most efficient recruiting organization headed by our Chief Recruiting Officer, now a co-opted member of Committee in Ken Carlon. Ken has proved himself to be the number one recruiting officer of all league clubs and his cheerful personality and sound judgment are extremely valuable assets; we are most grateful for his help on behalf of our Club, backed up by former players Bill Deans, Geoff Case, and Allan Mackay we are well covered in this direction. Our metropolitan area, in a similar manner to our country district, is under constant scrutiny and it is safe to say that no player has been overlooked. This then, backed up by the determination to succeed, springing from all sections of the club, can assure our supporters that a total effort is being maintained on their behalf. We can do no more than this and will await the conclusion of season 1971, sure in the conviction that our hard work will achieve satisfactory results. Once again our Reserve XVIII was successful in winning the Reserve XVIII Premiership. This team, coached by Ian Ridley, was in top position almost throughout the season and with an identical performance to that of 1969 brilliantly won the Grand Final over Richmond who were strong favorites for this flag on the day. A tribute must be paid to the splendid leadership of Philip Rhoden who enjoyed the respect of all players and capably led this successful team. In the Night Football, our senior team was unfortunately defeated by Footscray in the grand final and were most unlucky to lose this game. It is certain that, had we been able to retain the services of Graham Molloy in the grand final, the result may well have been victory instead of defeat. It is worthy to record the excellent year of Graham Molloy who, after playing only fifteen matches, finished fifth in our Best and Fairest voting and also won our Best First-Year Player award from many excellent recruits. Graham has been a most popular importation, and at this early stage, is a strong candidate for Victorian State team selection in 1971 and will produce even more brilliant football in the years ahead. We are most pleased with the calibre of our 1970 first-year players who comprised such excellent team men as Colin Anderson, Bruce Brown, Lloyd Bergmann, Paul Callery, Des Campbell, Ray Carr. Barry Hodges, Peter Keenan. Noel Leary, Graham Molloy and Rod Payne, a very fine group of players who reflected great credit on our recruiting organization. On the financial side, our club enjoyed a better financial season and this we know will be improved even more by the success of our team. Until we are restored as a final four side, our financial situation must still be restricted. Team performance undoubtedly governs gate receipts and we look forward with confidence to a general improvement in this direction in 1971. We suffered a financial loss for season 1970 amounting to $8,711.00. OUR COMMITTEE Dr. D. G. Duffy again presided as Chairman of the football club for season 1970. Right from the outset of this season, Don showed determination to improve our team's position on the ladder. He has been most attentive to all matters pertaining to the club's development and his attention to many of the problems that arose during the season was most commendable. He has shown an interest in recruiting and we are certain that his participation in this direction will lead to a few new faces in the year ahead. He has called for a sustained and vigorous effort from all members of the Committee and is a most vigorous worker in the interests of our Club. He was ably supported by a Committee which comprised the following: Representing M.C.C. Committee: Dr. D. G. Duffy, Dr. D. P. Cordner, Mr. T. C. Trumble. Representing M.C.C. Members: Messrs. B. J. Dixon, R. S. Geary, F. V. Hughes, A. L. King. C. McLean, N. J. McMahen, J. R. Mitchell. I. R. Porter. Representing M.F.C. Members: Messrs. J. P. McGrath, G. A. Lenne. Representing Reserve XVIII: Co-opted Officials: Messrs. G. M. Swan, K. Carlon. Special reference should be made to the outstanding contribution made to our club by Mr. A. L. King. Mr. King has been a member of Committee now since 1938. Mr. King, amongst his various activities, controls our membership ticket sales at the beginning of the year and also our reserved seat sales prior to the final series. He is our permit delegate to the V.F.L. and is a member of many sub-committees on that body and is acknowledged by all football administrators as being one of the outstanding delegates in the V.F.L. He has led the V.F.L. permit committee in its introduction of the country district scheme and has overcome innumerable difficult meetings with the Victorian Country Football League. Fie was also a member of the V.F.L. Executive and at present of the Waverley Park Committee. Mr. King also finds time to act as Secretary to our coterie and must surely be the hardest working administrator and the most competent member of committee found in any club. We were unfortunate during the season to have the retirement of Mr. H. C. Long who was forced to resign owing to pressure of business. Mr. Long has occupied a position on our Committee almost since his retirement as a player. He began playing with the Melbourne Football Club in season 1929 and during that period, played 110 games, retiring at the end of season 1937. Almost immediately he joined the Committee of the M.F.C. and has occupied the position on Committee until the present time. A most efficient worker and a keen judge, he did over this period occupy a position as selector for a great number of years. His experience and background will be sadly missed. We trust that he will be a frequent visitor to our rooms where he will always be welcome. His place on committee has been taken by Mr. R. S. Gary who was formerly representing our Reserve XVIII's. Another member of committee who was forced to retire was Mr. M. P. Gibb. Maurie, as he is better known, is a former player who began his career in 1934 and played 132 games until he retired in 1943. Maurie has represented M.F.C. ticket holders since 1949 and was recently appointed Assistant Secretary to the Melbourne Cricket Club under Mr. Ian Johnson. The great and varied amount of work that Maurie is called upon to do on a Saturday has forced him to resign from our Committee where he also served as Treasurer. His place has been taken up by Mr. G. A. Lenne, another former player of the Melbourne Football Club who has taken his place as Treasurer and M.F.C. representative of our members. Maurie, of course, is still around our Club and is a frequent visitor to our rooms. COACH AND ASSISTANTS Once again our coaches made a splendid contribution to the success of the teams. John Beckwith as senior coach was assisted by Ian Ridley who also acted as Reserve XVIII Coach. A new addition in Brian Gray, former Collingwood wingman. was appointed to coach our Under 19's and was an outstanding success, whilst John Osborne coached our Fourth XVIII. They comprise a young and efficient group who served our Club to everyone's complete satisfaction. John Beckwith has, unfortunately, decided to retire as Coach; John did not enjoy the success in games that his coaching merited, but taking over as he did when so many of our players retired in the years 1966, 1967, 1968, left John with a very inexperienced group of footballers and it is to his credit that the team has developed as well as it has. It seems a great pity that John is not able to continue and enjoy the success that we are sure is fast approaching. The happy, friendly atmosphere in our rooms today is proof conclusive of the good work he has done and we are sure that this will be carried on by the appointment of Ian Ridley as our Senior Coach. Ian's record as a player has been an outstanding one; he joined the Club in 1954 and played 130 matches in which he kicked 302 goals. He also played in five premiership teams. He was coached by Norm Smith and later left the Club and won premierships with Ringwood in the Eastern Suburban League and quickly showed that he had captured some of the Smith magic in winning a premiership in his first season with that team. He returned to Melbourne where he acted as assistant secretary to Jim Cardwell for three years. But the call of coaching was too great and in 1968 he was appointed as assistant coach to John Beckwith. Premierships with the Reserve XVIII again followed him in 1969 and 1970. It is interesting to note that Ian has played in premiership teams in every competition he has appeared, and we trust that this premiership magic will soon be felt with our Club. An outstanding speaker, he possesses the ability to win the respect, the admiration and the goodwill of all players plus the modest characteristics that made him the unanimous choice of all members of committee for the job. Brian Gray was appointed coach of our Under 19 team for season 1970 and proved completely satisfactory in this position. Our Under 19s were a little unfortunate not to have made the final four and this was probably due to the fact that our successful Reserve XVIII made many calls upon their players, but for the first time in many years it would appear as if many League players will make their way to our senior side from the Under 19s. Our Fourth XVIII again played off in the grand final but this year were defeated in that match. However, credit must be given for the fine work of John Osborne who carried on as coach to the complete satisfaction of all. Special reference must be made to the outstanding contribution of our Reserve XVIII Committee in its guardianship and welfare of Reserve, Under 19 and Under 17 players. Led by its executive, Messrs. R. S. Geary, N. Parkhill, R. Read and W. A. Rodriquez, the many members of the Reserve XVIII Committee have spent hours attending to the best interests of their young players. Special praise is due to Mr. Bill Rodriquez who has been an outstanding Reserve XVIII Secretary and we must thank him for the work he carries out on behalf of our Club. It was most pleasing to see Mr. Noel Parkhill associated with the success of our Reserve XVIII in winning its premiership as it was Noel's first year as Manager of the Reserves abd a fitting reward for a job well done.

We open the time capsule and bring you the MFC Annual Report for 1970. The club chairman was Dr. D. G. Duffy: ANNUAL REPORT 1970 In presenting the Annual Report for Season 1970, we are pleased to state our team did rise a little from the position it occupied in 1969. The number of matches won were double the previous year but the year was still not as successful as it might have been. We are not going to place our lack of success down to inexperience. The team should be respected more than it is. We possess players of above average ability who on occasions produce football equal to the best. However, it is not sustained in a consistent manner. We have for many years bemoaned the lack of big men in our team but with Peter Keenan, Rod Payne, Brent Jones, Peter Weekes and Max Walker, we are pleased with our big men at this moment and believe that we have the necessary height to compete with most teams in the Victorian Football League. Our rovers, in Greg Wells and John Townsend, backed up by our other reserves, are adequate. Our back line, comprising Frank Davis, Paul Rowlands, Tony Sullivan, Derek Feldmann, Gary Hardeman and Barrie Hodges are equally sound. Our wingmen, headed by Stan Alves, Barrie Bourke, Trevor Rollinson and Bob McKenzie are quite positive and whilst we still need a dominating centre player, this position has been covered reasonably well throughout the year. Our forward line comprising Ross Dillon, Greg Parke, Lloyd Burgmann, Des Campbell and Graham Molloy have all proved successful and have generally pleased officials and supporters alike. Why then have we not won more matches? We are inclined to believe that our team has not yet learned to win. We feel that many matches were lost because the team has not developed an aggressive attitude towards staying in front and clinching the victory that was ever so close and this characteristic must be developed if the side is to succeed in 1971. John Beckwith has had to resign as Coach due to business commitments and we will miss him greatly. During the time that John has acted as Coach there has been a steady development in our team and it is indeed unfortunate that he cannot remain to reap the success that is so very close, and which he so richly deserves. We have made a new appointment as coach for season 1971. We look forward with confidence to Ian Ridley achieving as much success with our senior side as he did with our Reserves. Further mention is made of our coaches in another section of this report. We will, however, have to introduce still more players to our Club if we are to make the Final Four in the competition. This matter of obtaining players, however, has been made extremely difficult by the introduction of the Country District scheme throughout Victoria. The Victorian Football League, in a desire to produce a more even competition, has supported this scheme and all League clubs now find themselves operating under it. Whilst this evening up is undoubtedly taking place, it is most irksome to your officials engaged in recruiting players to be confined to those leagues that have been allocated to us, particularly when it is quite obvious that league players are definitely not available from these leagues at the present time. There are young players who possess potential, but our immediate needs cannot be fulfilled from our country zone. In the past, your secretary and coach together with our recruiting officers have been able to tour Victoria seeking the type of player we require. This is no longer possible. The recent suggestion of the V.F.L. Administrative Director. Mr. E. O. McCutcheon, to introduce a drafting system in which all V.F.L. clubs would be invited to submit a list of names to a central authority and that our clubs be given the opportunity of selecting in rotation, the type of player that it requires, warrants close attention. This system operates in America with its professional football and has proven most satisfactory in that nation. Further limitation has been imposed on the recruiting of interstate players and this has had the effect of offers to these players reaching astronomical proportions. The situation is rapidly becoming out of hand and is causing a great deal of worry to all clubs in our League. Despite these difficulties, our members can be certain that no stone is being left unturned to secure players to improve our team in the years ahead. We have a most efficient recruiting organization headed by our Chief Recruiting Officer, now a co-opted member of Committee in Ken Carlon. Ken has proved himself to be the number one recruiting officer of all league clubs and his cheerful personality and sound judgment are extremely valuable assets; we are most grateful for his help on behalf of our Club, backed up by former players Bill Deans, Geoff Case, and Allan Mackay we are well covered in this direction. Our metropolitan area, in a similar manner to our country district, is under constant scrutiny and it is safe to say that no player has been overlooked. This then, backed up by the determination to succeed, springing from all sections of the club, can assure our supporters that a total effort is being maintained on their behalf. We can do no more than this and will await the conclusion of season 1971, sure in the conviction that our hard work will achieve satisfactory results. Once again our Reserve XVIII was successful in winning the Reserve XVIII Premiership. This team, coached by Ian Ridley, was in top position almost throughout the season and with an identical performance to that of 1969 brilliantly won the Grand Final over Richmond who were strong favorites for this flag on the day. A tribute must be paid to the splendid leadership of Philip Rhoden who enjoyed the respect of all players and capably led this successful team. In the Night Football, our senior team was unfortunately defeated by Footscray in the grand final and were most unlucky to lose this game. It is certain that, had we been able to retain the services of Graham Molloy in the grand final, the result may well have been victory instead of defeat. It is worthy to record the excellent year of Graham Molloy who, after playing only fifteen matches, finished fifth in our Best and Fairest voting and also won our Best First-Year Player award from many excellent recruits. Graham has been a most popular importation, and at this early stage, is a strong candidate for Victorian State team selection in 1971 and will produce even more brilliant football in the years ahead. We are most pleased with the calibre of our 1970 first-year players who comprised such excellent team men as Colin Anderson, Bruce Brown, Lloyd Bergmann, Paul Callery, Des Campbell, Ray Carr. Barry Hodges, Peter Keenan. Noel Leary, Graham Molloy and Rod Payne, a very fine group of players who reflected great credit on our recruiting organization. On the financial side, our club enjoyed a better financial season and this we know will be improved even more by the success of our team. Until we are restored as a final four side, our financial situation must still be restricted. Team performance undoubtedly governs gate receipts and we look forward with confidence to a general improvement in this direction in 1971. We suffered a financial loss for season 1970 amounting to $8,711.00. OUR COMMITTEE Dr. D. G. Duffy again presided as Chairman of the football club for season 1970. Right from the outset of this season, Don showed determination to improve our team's position on the ladder. He has been most attentive to all matters pertaining to the club's development and his attention to many of the problems that arose during the season was most commendable. He has shown an interest in recruiting and we are certain that his participation in this direction will lead to a few new faces in the year ahead. He has called for a sustained and vigorous effort from all members of the Committee and is a most vigorous worker in the interests of our Club. He was ably supported by a Committee which comprised the following: Representing M.C.C. Committee: Dr. D. G. Duffy, Dr. D. P. Cordner, Mr. T. C. Trumble. Representing M.C.C. Members: Messrs. B. J. Dixon, R. S. Geary, F. V. Hughes, A. L. King. C. McLean, N. J. McMahen, J. R. Mitchell. I. R. Porter. Representing M.F.C. Members: Messrs. J. P. McGrath, G. A. Lenne. Representing Reserve XVIII: Co-opted Officials: Messrs. G. M. Swan, K. Carlon. Special reference should be made to the outstanding contribution made to our club by Mr. A. L. King. Mr. King has been a member of Committee now since 1938. Mr. King, amongst his various activities, controls our membership ticket sales at the beginning of the year and also our reserved seat sales prior to the final series. He is our permit delegate to the V.F.L. and is a member of many sub-committees on that body and is acknowledged by all football administrators as being one of the outstanding delegates in the V.F.L. He has led the V.F.L. permit committee in its introduction of the country district scheme and has overcome innumerable difficult meetings with the Victorian Country Football League. Fie was also a member of the V.F.L. Executive and at present of the Waverley Park Committee. Mr. King also finds time to act as Secretary to our coterie and must surely be the hardest working administrator and the most competent member of committee found in any club. We were unfortunate during the season to have the retirement of Mr. H. C. Long who was forced to resign owing to pressure of business. Mr. Long has occupied a position on our Committee almost since his retirement as a player. He began playing with the Melbourne Football Club in season 1929 and during that period, played 110 games, retiring at the end of season 1937. Almost immediately he joined the Committee of the M.F.C. and has occupied the position on Committee until the present time. A most efficient worker and a keen judge, he did over this period occupy a position as selector for a great number of years. His experience and background will be sadly missed. We trust that he will be a frequent visitor to our rooms where he will always be welcome. His place on committee has been taken by Mr. R. S. Gary who was formerly representing our Reserve XVIII's. Another member of committee who was forced to retire was Mr. M. P. Gibb. Maurie, as he is better known, is a former player who began his career in 1934 and played 132 games until he retired in 1943. Maurie has represented M.F.C. ticket holders since 1949 and was recently appointed Assistant Secretary to the Melbourne Cricket Club under Mr. Ian Johnson. The great and varied amount of work that Maurie is called upon to do on a Saturday has forced him to resign from our Committee where he also served as Treasurer. His place has been taken up by Mr. G. A. Lenne, another former player of the Melbourne Football Club who has taken his place as Treasurer and M.F.C. representative of our members. Maurie, of course, is still around our Club and is a frequent visitor to our rooms. COACH AND ASSISTANTS Once again our coaches made a splendid contribution to the success of the teams. John Beckwith as senior coach was assisted by Ian Ridley who also acted as Reserve XVIII Coach. A new addition in Brian Gray, former Collingwood wingman. was appointed to coach our Under 19's and was an outstanding success, whilst John Osborne coached our Fourth XVIII. They comprise a young and efficient group who served our Club to everyone's complete satisfaction. John Beckwith has, unfortunately, decided to retire as Coach; John did not enjoy the success in games that his coaching merited, but taking over as he did when so many of our players retired in the years 1966, 1967, 1968, left John with a very inexperienced group of footballers and it is to his credit that the team has developed as well as it has. It seems a great pity that John is not able to continue and enjoy the success that we are sure is fast approaching. The happy, friendly atmosphere in our rooms today is proof conclusive of the good work he has done and we are sure that this will be carried on by the appointment of Ian Ridley as our Senior Coach. Ian's record as a player has been an outstanding one; he joined the Club in 1954 and played 130 matches in which he kicked 302 goals. He also played in five premiership teams. He was coached by Norm Smith and later left the Club and won premierships with Ringwood in the Eastern Suburban League and quickly showed that he had captured some of the Smith magic in winning a premiership in his first season with that team. He returned to Melbourne where he acted as assistant secretary to Jim Cardwell for three years. But the call of coaching was too great and in 1968 he was appointed as assistant coach to John Beckwith. Premierships with the Reserve XVIII again followed him in 1969 and 1970. It is interesting to note that Ian has played in premiership teams in every competition he has appeared, and we trust that this premiership magic will soon be felt with our Club. An outstanding speaker, he possesses the ability to win the respect, the admiration and the goodwill of all players plus the modest characteristics that made him the unanimous choice of all members of committee for the job. Brian Gray was appointed coach of our Under 19 team for season 1970 and proved completely satisfactory in this position. Our Under 19s were a little unfortunate not to have made the final four and this was probably due to the fact that our successful Reserve XVIII made many calls upon their players, but for the first time in many years it would appear as if many League players will make their way to our senior side from the Under 19s. Our Fourth XVIII again played off in the grand final but this year were defeated in that match. However, credit must be given for the fine work of John Osborne who carried on as coach to the complete satisfaction of all. Special reference must be made to the outstanding contribution of our Reserve XVIII Committee in its guardianship and welfare of Reserve, Under 19 and Under 17 players. Led by its executive, Messrs. R. S. Geary, N. Parkhill, R. Read and W. A. Rodriquez, the many members of the Reserve XVIII Committee have spent hours attending to the best interests of their young players. Special praise is due to Mr. Bill Rodriquez who has been an outstanding Reserve XVIII Secretary and we must thank him for the work he carries out on behalf of our Club. It was most pleasing to see Mr. Noel Parkhill associated with the success of our Reserve XVIII in winning its premiership as it was Noel's first year as Manager of the Reserves abd a fitting reward for a job well done. DIscuss Here: http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19183

http://www.afl.com.a...px?newsid=89523

Looks like the extra traffic we have had to the site as a result of the interest in the Intra Club match has put both Demonland and the Official site ahead of the Lions official site. http://www.alexa.com/topsites/category/Top/Sports/Football/Australian_Rules

Hi Guys, With the new season almost upon us I've been working hard the past few days to come up with a new homepage design that blends well into the rest of the site (ie: the forums). Check it out here: http://www.demonland.com or just click the Home button above. It basically gives a summary of the rest of the site (ie: recent posts and articles) as well as Demons and AFL news, the Demonland twitter feed as well as an Upcoming Events Calendar. Let us know what you think. Go Dees! Andy

Hope you've got your lipstick on ..... here's Whispering Jack's match report - http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19142

Well you better start puckering up!

from www.twitter.com/emmasq

AUSTRALIAN PIE by Whispering Jack "A long, long time ago I can still remember..." Well, it must have been a long, long time ago because I can't remember two recruits making such an impact in a Melbourne intraclub practice match as Jack Trengove and Tom Scully did this morning at Casey Fields. Trengove showed enormous poise and skill for an 18 year old and he simply took off from where he left the football world at the end of last season playing in a grand final for Sturt in the SANFL. He was a prolific ball winner on his wing, played with great confidence and demonstrated sublime skills and football smarts. At one stage he had the 2,000 strong crowd gasping as he sidestepped Aaron Davey with all the aplomb of a veteran. Not many people in football could manage that, let alone a kid playing in his first practice match in this sort of company. Trengove also showed an uncanny ability to read the play and was constantly in the action until he was matched against Scully for a brief patch in the final term. The #1 national draft pick from 2009, Scully had to be content to be in Trengove's shadow this time although he still showed flashes of the sheer brilliance that had recruiting scouts salivating last year. The intense youngster has been in full on training mode for less than a month after knee surgery kept him out of last year's TAC Cup grand final and was playing in his first open age game of football. He collected many possessions (often lightning fast handballs that were delivered precision-like to their targets) and he kicked a goal in the final quarter to give the white team the lead after it had, at one stage, trailed by six goals. It took some sublime magic from Liam Jurrah to boot the last two goals of the match to turn the tables. Jurrah had only a reasonable game but a few cameos saw him finish with four goals for the winning red side. The star of the day was 10-year veteran Brad Green at half forward who was in everything and finished with three goals. Skipper James McDonald belied his age and directed proceedings to the praise of coach Dean Bailey who also cited Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers as important cogs in the line up, each having gone through their initial seasons after lengthy lay offs through injury. One typical hard Moloney tackle on Scully was not quite the welcome the youngster would have wanted in this game but it was the type of tough initiation to the big time that was handled manfully by both the tackler and the tackled. Colin Sylvia started slowly but showed enough to suggest that his forward progression of the last season or so will continue to gather momentum while former Brisbane Lion Joel Macdonald showed he will be a welcome addition giving some good run off half back. I also liked Ricky Petterd's game. Mark Jamar who is also coming off an injury lay off was strong in the ruck in his allocated half of football. The Demons need a fit Jamar because a full season from the improving Russian will be of great importance to the club's stocks. The Demons have struggled in the ruck department in recent years. A few of Melbourne's younger brigade showed that they will be stepping up another notch this year. James Frawley in defence is bigger, stronger and faster and played his key defence post with great confidence and flair. Jack Grimes, in the middle, was smooth all day and showed in his step up from defence that he has all the ingredients necessary to mix it with the competition's elite midfielders. It's quite extraordinary when you realise he is a veteran of only 12 games! Jamie Bennell looks stronger and fitter this year and he literally ran rings around some of his opposition forwards. Every time I see him play, he reminds me more and more of a young Andrew McLeod. Rookie Jake Spencer is not renowned for his kicking as the small band of Demon fans that witnessed his fresh air blooper at Etihad Stadium last year. This morning he was right on target kicking the first two goals of the game prompting cries of "who needs Naitanui". The 203cm Spencer has worked on most facets of his game and it showed today. Fellow rookie Jordie McKenzie has also stepped up a notch or two in the off season and looks set to claim a berth in the club's midfield just as soon as he can be uplifted from rookie status. The game itself was a mixture with the standard vacillating from high to low calibre but generally, one would have to say that it was satisfactory for a first up hit in February. Missing from the game were Jack Watts, Matthew Bate, Paul Johnson, Colin Garland, John Meesen, Cameron Bruce, Austin Wonaeamirri, Luke Tapscott, Max Gawn and Sam Blease. Apparently, only the three big men in Johnson, Meesen and Gawn are likely to miss more than a couple of weeks. The two teams were supplemented by some young Casey Scorpions who would have gained an enormous boost playing against a squad of AFL regulars. The best of the loca lads was Glenn Chivers while Chris Wylie kicked a goal for the winning red team and Matt Fieldsend was prominent early for the whites. The atmosphere at the ground was very friendly and it was great to see that the club is settling in well at Casey Fields and is in tune with the local community (although something should be done about ensuring a smooth flow of traffic from the car park after games). The importance of the Casey venture should not be underestimated in terms of developing the club's support base to ensure its long-term survival. Nothing should be taken for granted in football these days. I was reminded of this when thinking back to the days when I was a teenager who used to enjoy going to the MCG to watch intraclub games in the 60's. Back then, you didn't have NAB Cup games and clubs didn't meet until the beginning of the season proper. The first signs of change occurred circa 1970 when games against interstate clubs were permitted and Melbourne took on SANFL powerhouse Port Adelaide, winner of 36 premierships, for a couple of years in pre season games. The SA Pies have struggled on and off the field in recent years. They're now broke and on the brink of extinction with their power base eroded by tough economic times and well ... among other things the Power. I'm more confident today than I have been for some time that the same fate doesn't await Melbourne. Jimmy Stynes, who was at Casey today, has worked hard with the Board to shore up the club's financial situation, and while we are not likely to see an immediate surge back into the finals this year, today's events give reason to believe that we are on our way. As I mentioned in the beginning, I can't remember the advent into the club of two youngsters with the capacity to make a first up impact as Jack and Tom ... and I think there's more to come yet. Reds 6.2.38 9.6.60 11.7.73 14.7.91 Whites 1.2.8 6.3.39 10.7.67 12.10.82 Goals Reds Jurrah 4 Green 3 Spencer 2 Jamar Miller Moloney Petterd Weekes (Casey Scorpions) Whites Jones Maric Newton 2 Dunn Gysberts Hughes Morton Scully Sylvia Best Green Trengove Frawley Grimes

from http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/default.aspx?newsid=89492