M_9

Myself and about a dozen friends are travelling up. Away supporters generally occupy the outer or River end. There's a nice open bar there (or there was). Plenty of seating. I doubt the crowd will be more than 16k-18k.

Tyson? ....oops, sorry.

Not dissimilar start to the day for me. Shocking round of golf (23 pts), drove to Waurn Ponds station and jumped on the train only to find I was on the way to Warnambool. Got off at first stop - Winchhelsea. No taxi or Uber. Got mate to drive over from Torquay (40 mins) and deliver me back to Waurn Ponds station to start again. Still hopeful I'll be in time to see flag unfurled. Round one 1965 I was 13 yo and would have been at the game but can't remember that unfurling. Can't miss this one.

There's usually a pre-match function. I've attended functions at Royal Pines Resort and Emerald Lakes GC. Both within walking distance to the ground. I think the latter is more likely to be the venue if there is a function. I've tried phoning the club but have not got through. Close to a dozen of us travelling up from the Surfcoast.

I have a Platinum (Redlegs Home and Away) membership and posted after receiving a letter around September that, from memory, said there'd be no rise in the cost of my membership. I no longer have the letter and may have misread it. I pay by direct debit and I think that recommences next month. Other membership categories may not have had a price freeze.. Alternatively I may have been rewarded for having a premium membership for more than 20 years. J first purchased a membership in 1962. My membership, which includes the GFG, is far cheaper than my Cats and Bulldog supporting mates who pay significantly more for an equivalent membership. My understanding is that there's a long wait for a GFG membership at all of the big four clubs..

I had a chat to Crackers at my local (Torquay) some years ago. Definitely no love for Melbourne. Likewise for Gerard, although not to the same extent.

Luke flats with my mate's son. Said the other two clubs that interviewed him basically said the same thing - "what can you bring to us". Luke said Dees said to him "this is what we can offer you". My friend said Luke is a ripping young man and was hoping he'd land at the Bombres (her team).

Congratulations Nev. Gave his all to us on-field, and to indigenous youth off-field. Good luck at the Pies.

Scores level. I don't like the way this is heading.

Only if you're a sleep walker.

Is it too late to change my vote in the "Is Goodwin the right guy?" poll?

My bf, a 60+ year member reckons Trac is the closest he's seen to Ronald Dale. I think I agree. BTW we both saw RDB live.

It's probably been said before: thank you Peter Jackson.

Not sure Jackson will start on the ground.

Just got the word - Jayden not the sub. You'd figure it's JJ.

One I don't want to hear: "That's Cody Weightman's forth goal. and they've all come from free kicks".

Whilst I'd like to see Jayden in (I know family well) he won't replace Hibbo. Hibbo did a great job on Rohan and supposedly did a short stint on Jeremy Cameron. His bigger body (94kg) allows him to play on taller players (IMO). Just reckon Hibbo could handle Hannan (plays tall), Johannisen or Bailey Smith based on his experience and size.

Gerard Whately talking with Mike Sheehan about the World of Sport Tony Charlton interview with Norm Smith. Playing the clip now. Viewable on Youtube.

We need a poll.

Great initiative by the club on a number of fronts: hit members whilst we're on a high no price rise - unlike at least two other clubs (Dogs, Tigers) who increased or downgraded membership packages following their premiership (not that we've won a flag recently) the option (which I took up) to donate the membership package back to the club. I've recently taken a dozen scarves to the Salvos. I mentioned in another thread how the Bulldogs alienated a very significant number of their members in relation to point 2 above. Dogs membership climbed by 9k after their flag win, but then only 6k in the next 4 years. And that includes their introduction of a Ballarat 2-game membership.

I stood next to his dad (not knowing that fact) one night at Docklands. We got chatting. Just a ripping bloke. Easy to see where Nev gets his down to earth, humble approach to life.

It's a given that Werridee will announce his Demons team well ahead of Thursday. Shirley he'll yell us who the maggots in green will be?

Back to the thread title: "In terms of Jackson, he doesn’t have a huge tank. Only spent 68% time on ground against the Lions. When English comes up against him in the ruck when Martin needs a rest, we can gain an advantage here. Martin being in is absolutely enormous for us. From a planning perspective, it just throws the Dees off, as will our Dunks and Treloar inclusions. You can see them play on TV all you want, it’s not the same as playing against them in person as a collective. Melbourne hasn’t." "They've got a number of flaky players.. it's all good & well to look amazing when you win by 14 goals, but their entire forward-line is just as likely to stink as opposed to look amazing." Dogs booted an average of 0.6 goals per game more than us. "Schache/English/Weightman will take mark after mark on Hibberd/Petty." "If they win, they beat that team that copped a raw deal. These guys have surprised me this year with their new found mettle; I'm waiting for the real Demons to appear." "I'd roll the dice on Jackson as I don't think he has the hurt factor I50. He averages less than 1 mark I50 per match and 0.5 goals per game so I'd be happy for Williams to play on him and try and be an offensive weapon for us.. if it isn't working we have other options." "Dees are predictable. We know who is playing and how they play. They only have one game plan and we will rip it apart like we did in round 19." Love this: "If it isn't on their terms they have a few backs who cough it up and also start finger pointing. Have been protected all year"

I didn't like what the Dogs did re their membership packages following their last flag. All prices rose and members got less for their money eg home games became 7 Docklands- no MCG and no Ballarat. Two of my mates dropped a tier or two in protest. Tigers did something similar a year later. As did the Cats in 2012. I sincerely hope the MFC doesn't pull such a stunt should we win. I very much doubt it. Aside: I asked Brian Cook why, in 2012, the Cats removed KPark from my H&A Dees membership. He didn't have an answer.

I have to be honest. Steve planned to knock down the house next month. He lives next door and plans to build the Jan Juc Taj Mahal on the block. Even so, I reckon he could have got a few bob for the place. He's not short a quid so a few $'s spent on paint etc wasn't an issue. John his TA is a Dees tragic like you wouldn't believe. Drove to Adelaide for our one point loss and refused to take Mrs Demon Tragic as he was 'too nervous' (only to see us lose by a point). It's amazing the number of Demon supporters on the Surfcoast. Flags and scarves everywhere.