Uncle Fester

Sure, if the AFL wasn't the AFL. I've struggled to understand anything they've ruled on for a good 20+ years. Maybe 30. But to believe that Collingwood has a secret plan to headhunt players... nah. To go a little harder than they should... maybe, even probably... but I want us to do the same too. Please don't get me wrong - I hate that team, but I don't for a moment believe that they play to cripple players. Just make them know there was a contest. Much unlike the Hawthorn or Essendon's of the 80's. Anyway, best wishes Tracc, and can't wait to see you back next year.

Agree with both. Not quite at the GOAT level, but geez Lyon could turn a game with a handful of touches. A super great player I am lucky to have seen. Wilson was so good. Not flashy, but didn't lose contests and never wasted a possession. Different players in many ways, but he gave me the same feeling I get when Salem has the ball these days - the ball is going to where it needs to be, and everything will be well.

Flower for me too. Along with Gaz snr they were the ones that you would know, that even if they were having a quiet day, would do something that no other player could do at some point... and then there were days when they were on. Must have been 84 or 85... before we became a good team... I was at a game at the Western oval right behind the Geelong end goals, right on the fence. We had a free about 50 or 60 out and every man and his dog was in the goal square. Not Flower. He stood behind the point post about half way to the fence. As the kick came into the square he loped in, and then as the ball began to fall sped up and took it at the highest point. He must have been 5 back when he left the ground, but in front and a foot higher than everyone else when he took it. Bang! Goal! He just knew it was going to go there, and how he was going to get it. Truly magical. It's a damn shame that so much of his sublime skill was never captured on camera. Best is always subjective, but Flower did things a great footballer shouldn't be able to do, let alone a skinny kid in glasses, and, at least in my eyes, he seemed to do it every week.

'One and free' Not 'young and free'? Did I miss a memo on the change?

Crazy, some of the comments. The kid is good. Really good. Whether or not he becomes great is up to him and the footy gods, but having him around for the next 4, and hopefully more, years is a huge win for us. You can all debate his best spot, or if he's wasted in the ruck or whatever, and there are some valid points for both, but the kid is a dead eye dick in front of goals. In a game where goals are king, and too many can't kick straight from 40, that's worth it's weight in gold. A quiet 4 or 5 touch game should still net a goal or two, plus the hitting the pack gives the Kozis and Chandlers of this world a chance to swoop.

Unless I'm somewhere I can't avoid it, I haven't watched a non Demon game for 7 or 8 years. The game is far too inconsistent and, quite frankly, bizarre, for me to try to make sense of anything that isn't a labour of love. If there was no MFC I'd easily find other things to do with my winter weekends.

Looked like not much at real speed. Maybe a free if the ump was in a bad mood. Looks much uglier in slo-mo... but then again most things do. I'd say no case to answer, but it's the AFL so we may see him again in 2027.

Without being in the inner circle, from the outside looking in, he's both right and wrong. We were horribly dysfunctional from end 2006 until probably 2018... and then we've still got some serious issues in the background at the moment. However the Viney's and Gawn's are the men that drive standards. It's no bad thing to use them as a yardstick. But he didn't put his hand up and say the cliche' if it's to be, it's up to me' No blame game here. We let him down, and he let himself down. Maybe if he was drafted into a better org he'd have been a better player... or maybe not.

Always one of us. That #1 spot came with a lot of baggage, and he wasn't the star we hoped for, but always one of us.

Love your work, but can we please just use names rather then the nicknames. I live in NSW and get to a handful of games a decade, and any nicknames I know comes from here (and I'm pretty sure the players don't call each other Choo-choo or Trac attack). But on that if you want to ever do a team list with the guys names next to their club nicknames that would be awesome. Oh and PS that should have been the intro - so glad the boys are happy boys

As long as Beverage is coach we will own them. We are so far in his head since 21 that it reminds me of when Malthouse coached Carlton and all he wanted to do was beat Collingwood.

He was a friend of our family. Too young to see him play, but met him many times over the years. Always humble and nice, but no time for fools. I would have liked him a lot without knowing his background. I've mentioned here before that Hassa Mann is my uncle, so talking to football royalty was pretty 'meh' growing up (don't all kids have champion footballers in their family?), but no matter how many times I talked to Ron I was always a bit (lot) in awe of him. The man had a list of honours and a gravitas about him that made Uncle Hass seem just another bloke that played football. His influence on the MFC, and every other club he touched, plus the game as a whole cannot ever be calculated. Love and thoughts to RDB's family and friends. "Don't cry because it is over. Smile because it happened"

Well that makes the road home just that bit more difficult

Do they have anybody we might want?

I just don't think Port are much chop.

Picks are over rated. Geelong probably not featuring in this years finals - absolutely priceless.

Honestly it looks like Demonland pre 2021. And even sometimes since. But as much as I despise that club, I do feel for the fans... a bit. That club self destructed in a big self inflicted way, so I don't blame them for irrational anger. Heart - us by 153 Head - us by 28

My BBQ sauce says that Trac called him a no talent, four eyed, American git. Apologised for calling him American when he found out that he has citizenship here.

Forget our records. Now is the time for us to create them for other clubs

Back in 2011 he said before the finals that Geelong were making up the numbers. After he said that Geelong were primed and were always going to challenge Collingwood. I stopped listening to him at that point. As for the game, history won't tell how good we were; how we controlled the game for 90% time, just like the Carlton game. Anyone thinking it was a close game, other than the scoreboard, didn't watch it. Oh and great to see Salo back. So very calm under whatever pressure.

Barkie Dogface

In those days (11-13) I often wondered if I’d have a club to support the next day a la Fitzroy. I don’t mind seeing things about the bad times because ‘bang! bang! bang!’ made the flag so much the sweeter. We could win the next 10 in a row, but none of them will ever taste as good as the one we got after so many years thinking that that joy only happens to others

Unless it’s a draw

5... God help WC if he gets the radar right

And in further news passionate supporter is passionate about their team. Wouldn't have it any other way, mon ami. If it makes you feel better this Vic born and bred boy found himself in the middle of NSW heartland last weekend yelling out in the last quarter - this is no longer a touch up, you pretend club -this is a seeing to. Now get the [censored] off our MCG' That I'm alive is the assumption that no-one up there could speak English from multiple rugby head knocks.