hemingway

Really well reasoned La Dee, but gee it's tough on V&B. However, as Roos points out its about having the conversation in a way that will not discourage these boys. With Roos and Co we now have coaching nouse that allows for this to happen in a positive manner.

good comment on frost. give me spring and mobility around the ground any day. this is my problem with Jamar although I thought he did better last w/e.

know its been said before but i loved vanders and newtons game. incredible first up games. no nerves and both so good around the ball. great intensity and hardness. goes back to the northey years when we showed that hardness and take no prisoners attitude. great recruiting nous.

would like to see toby greene on that list. i seem to remember a game at the G when he ran rings around us.

classic. nice to have a laugh this morning. has anyone actually seen BBO? i have always been intrigued by his photo and posts. almost worth taking the risk and giving him a lift to find out after making sure he is in the backseat with seat belt firmly on to ensure he or she cannot get aroused on the journey.

Point taken CBD. you are quite right of course. I should have qualified my remarks at least for the Indian community and said except for cricket and hockey. Indians are passionate about those 2 sports.

Have to look at a players contribution over 4 Q in making selection decisions rather than cast them out based on one or two mistakes. Need to select the best team for next week. For me, the best team has Dawes in it. The sooner we get Hogan, Watts and Dawes playing together the better. I expect that it will take time for these 3 guys to get their act together. W

yep the demon army was amazing. never seen the supporters celebrate each goal so demonstratively and the final 15 minutes was spine tingling. Had this guy run down to the fence in the last Q after each goal and get the chant going returning to his seat with high fives and then repeat again after each goal. Total joy and totally spontaneous and the demon fans just loved it. Sense of great unity.

Regarding the Indian community I wrote to the MFC a few years ago to suggest marketing membership to this sizeable and growing group in melbourne. I got no response at all, but that was a few years ago, a different team on board then. At the same time, support has to be genuine and fairdinkum. One has to remember that for most of us, supporting Melbourne is in our DNA. It has been passed from father or mother to son or daughter and so it goes on. I support the Demons and my two boys support the Demons because my father started taking me to games from the age of 4. For most of us it is part of our identity, it is our tribe, and we live and breath it. You cant just manufacture it. It does not suddenly happen. You can't market that easily to folks without that love of sport, without that love of Aussie Rules and without that family history of involvement and loyalty irrespective of our success or lack of it. It does not have any reason other than our love for our team. It is commitment that has no financial rewards or incentives. Nationalities from SE Asia and the sub-continent are not sport or footy mad like many of us. Just go to any school and see who are the kids playing sport and in particular footy. However, I don't discourage any marketing ideas that can bring us new members. Perhaps you can sell some form of membership or business network opportunities. Ultimately, Indians like the Chinese seek networking opportunities for jobs and business opportunities.

Just happy to see the smiling and happy kids (and their proud but relieved parents) in their Demon gear in the last 5 minutes, at the siren call and leaving the G. That made me smile

This boy just looked the part. Not a big build but played with intensity and showed a desire to be in the action the whole time. No signs of nerves and 100% concentration at all times. Did not shirk any contest. Fought above his weight. He is going to be one hell of a player over the next few years.

The whole team surprised me. Every individual played their part. Pleased to see the older players exceeding past performances but I was surprised with Newton, Brayshaw, and Vandenberg. All 3 were so composed and looked like they belong Day 1. I cannot remember 3 first gamers looking so polished and assured.

They had more composure and better disposal skill than I have seen for a long time. Garlett and lumumba add leg speed and class. First gamers Newton and Brayshaw showed composure and looked like they belong. Hogan is only going to get better. Having said that GC was poor defensively. But a great feeling at the end of the match.

agreed praha, a good summary

Beelze, hope you are getting away at Easter for a long well deserved break. Dr Ernie recommends no access to Demonland.

The Northey years were pretty good. Some memorable moments.

noble comment 3D but I have watched to many games where Ablett has absolutely smashed us. one player beating a whole team. much prefer that he was not playing and we start the season with a win.

"considering how much better a supporter i am than you" really TD, childish comment, unnecessary and ridiculous. thought you were better than that.

reading the Hun this morning is like a bad April Fools Day joke. Truly a sickening revulsion awaits the uninitiated. For those of you who have not picked up this abhorrent little rag. One word of advice. DONT.

yes curry most of us feel this way. it's a bit like going to see a bullfight hoping for the bull to win but knowing that's not going to happen. but hope is eternal.

Correct Nut and the players to this day do not know what they were injected with. Their future health in jeopardy or at very least at risk, all in all a damning situation.

unrequited love?

Has today's decision unhinged some previously sensible and articulate posters. Some of the stuff I have been reading on this topic post decision is ridiculous. I know you are intelligent and sensible people most of the time but this topic has got to you. Anger is winning over rationality.

possible HH but nothing is certain.

why is it that I feel a little sick in the stomach?