hemingway

87 Prelim was shattering. Our expectations of a Granny birth and possible flag were high, our team and coach were flying. We outplayed the Hawks all day. The result was just so unjust. Still remember the bitterness and anger of seeing jubilant Hawk fans rejoicing in the car park and hurling abuse at a couple of demon kids who were crying. I regretted for a long time not going over and punching the most offensive Hawk in the face. Closely followed by the debacle of 88. Again expectations high but by quarter time, just a huge emptiness in the pit of my stomach. Cyclonic depression remained over the MCG for the rest of the game. What a bunch of thugs and tossers were those Hawks. Loss to Bombers in 2000 was expected but the nature of the loss was demoralising particularly sitting there with my boys who were so disappointed. Since that time any win against the Hawks and Bombers have been sweet.

Agreed OD, we are at GP for the present, but Pert is there to find us a home. But it is going to be difficult with Yarra Park seemingly unacceptable. Taking public land is a problem and going to draw major objections from many. Although this did not stop Collingwood or Tennis Australia on their occupation and expansion on public hand. But I reckon the bird has flown. The reality is that most public land in central Melbourne is simply not there other than existing established parkland. And it's going to be difficult to fund the acquisition of private land. In addition, central Melbourne and suburban Melbourne (other than outer Melbourne) have simply run out of space. Perhaps, the Club could take over an existing suburban footy ground and develop it as a community asset a la the Bulldogs. However, we already have Casey. So from a practical and financial viewpoint Casey is the obvious location. We have already spent a lot of money and invested in community and municipal relationship building. I don't know about the availability of space at Docklands, but this is the other obvious location if you wanted a site in central Melbourne. Docklands is now an extension of Melbourne central and become a commercial and residential hub serviced by trams and Southern Cross. Supporter viewpoints are influenced by where they live and what they consider as their "hood." Folks living out East will prefer Casey to Docklands but not folks from the West or North. I use Southern Cross regularly, so Docklands would be my preference but there you go. I would go to Docklands but not to Casey. The end result will occur from a balance of financial and community considerations, together with Government/municipal approval, and planning approvals etc. Outcomes will need to be negotiated and compromises reached. That tells you that the outcome is not going to be perfect. Consider the Hawks. They went from Glenferrie Oval to Waverley Park and now to Dingley.

Wagner and Beethoven are bullocking Germans who command the ball as inside players either in the midfield or down the spine, with the fleet footed Puccini and Verdi avoiding physical contact using their sublime foot skills on the outside at wing or half forward.

A future at Goschs Paddock is not a future. No security of tenure, a gym complex shared by others and no sense that we have a training or high class facility. Just not sustainable. Location is great but it’s not going to happen there. We missed out on other key venues such as the Olympic Complex and like all other clubs bar Collingwood, Richmond and Carlton we will have to compromise. It’s about having control over our own first rate professional set up, it’s not about a social club that will only appeal to a few lonely middle aged males.

Reckon your right Bub.

Oh, I thought Red and Mrs Leg were looking for a new home! Thought he was downsizing or looking to expand to house lots of other Legs.

Oh, I see. What suburb are you looking in Red? Inner hipsville, old money or new money suburb, comfortable old middle class suburb, outer aspirational suburb, or new corridor growth suburb ? Obviously near a very good greengrocer that can source the best bananas.

Thanks Dee, I was feeling like a fool. I agree his disposal was not good but it was his intensity and hardness at the ball that I liked and I remember thinking that this was the new type we were recruiting and developing. But lost track of him and unlike others did not see anything of him in the VFL.

You have not mentioned my favourite Wagner. Richard was very versatile and able to play a variety of roles. His skills were sublime, his intensity and commitment renowned, and he was able to perform on the big stage when it counted. Unfortunately, he was a bit of a prima donna who had a habit of rubbing up his team mates the wrong way. So he was not a great team player as he always demanded the ball and did not like team mates getting in his way. He also attracted some undesirable fans including a bloke called Adolf and his cheer squad. But when he played, he was sublime.

No need to get Cranky Franky. Happy to bow to greater knowledge but I was only interested in getting some comments. I was referring to his 2016 season when he played half a dozen or more senior games. He lacked polish but seemed to be a goer. At that time the club must have thought that he was half decent. And he has been retained on the list. By the way I simply said that I liked what I saw, nothing about being great.

AF, it matters little that you were on record as being negative about this guy. The fact is that you had lots of friends. Many informed Demon fans were dubious about Melksham and there were many Bomber supporters who told us that we had picked up a dud. Also since coming over to MFC, Jake has had his moments and played some very poor games. I remember sitting in the stands at the beginning of last season and cursing him as he appeared so slow and appeared to lack effort and intensity. Lets face it, he had been in the system a long time and had a less than stellar career. He got better as the season progressed and blossomed in the second half. It is the second half of the season that really turned around opinion on his footy and his impact on games. It shows how coaches influence the careers of players. Giving a player the right support, encouragement and the confidence can make or break careers. At times, it appeared that Goodwin was gifting him games. Another one in that category was Neal-Bullen. However, Goodwin got it right on both counts. Let's face it, sometimes people surprise us. Too often we pass judgement prematurely or unfairly on others. We get it wrong. We would live in a much better world if there were more people who were prepared to say "I/we got it wrong". Imagine if we had Governments, political leaders and community leaders with the honesty and guts to say we were wrong. Imagine the improvement to personal relationships if admitting to wrong opinions and wrong doing was the rule rather than the exception.

I would also add his brother Josh. Contrary to many on this site, I liked what I saw with Josh. Thought he showed promise but lost his way last season. A little rough around the edges but had a manic attack on the ball and opponent.

Remember seeing him play against the Dees in his first season (I think) and thought he was one hell of a tough and aggressive kid. Not only no backward steps but a provocative in your face kid. Also remember thinking how like Essendon and how unlike any young Melbourne player. Of course, I disliked him immediately as a total prat. Now it's very nice to see him in the face of our opponents. In a team with others who are no longer the hunted but are now the hunters.

Always thought Ron was an oldie, well middle-aged although he does at time exhibit the naive, enthusiastic and emotional responses of youth. Thought crossed my mind that it could be the second or third, but the Maldives does suggest youthful spontaneity and a desire to please. The unforgettable honeymoon that becomes forgettable if like a candle, the initial bright flame of love slowly flickers before being extinguished by boredom or unfaithfulness.

Sorry to interrupt the Tiger Beers and playing Twister with your loved one...........but correction, I meant wife not new wife. When I use the word wife I usually use the plural.

Ron, I think you must be the best lover on Demonland. Now adding a new wife to your list of other loves. Keep loving Ron, it must be in your DNA. Your last sentence does suggest honeymoon euphoria. After all my marriages and liaisons, I can tell you, it does wear off.

If the intent is to mould a closely bonded team, with the players playing for one another and the coach, and doing all those team things in a game, I would choose...........................

Needs to be split up due to age, demographic, religious or non religious beliefs, behaviour, manner of speech, intelligence, education, social class, residential address, special interests, gender, alcohol and illicit drug preferences, etc.

What do you think that is down to, DS ? Weights or a special diet?

Sam has footy smarts. He does a lot of right things instinctively. Must be in the genes.

We fell along way short of the best clubs. But this was the case across the board. We did not have the staff, coaches, admin and committed young players that we have today. Whats that word again? Culture? As we have seen, you need to have a committed and professional club from top to bottom.

Yep, well played Misso. I liked the way how from the very start, he said it would take several years for the fitness and conditioning program to be effective. There were going to be no short-cuts. Honest and real.

Done his job (well), but a good time for change. Good move for Misso and the Dees.

Fair enough. Buttifant is probably the best in the business so I respect his expert comments. We will be able to measure or assess the impact as the season progresses. Many of our injured players have been doing a lot of running and participating in drills. It may not be ideal but they will have some level of preparation, even guys like Lever. I am more encouraged by the fact that we seem to be taking a cautious approach with our players and giving them the best opportunity to get their bodies right for the arduous season ahead.

Or alternately ......................"the late start to the pre-season, combined with our rehab program .............contributed to having a strong list to choose from and our great finish late season."" Is the glass half empty or half full? Given the long and intense season, I see our late start being beneficial to the back half of the season. Hopefully our days of promising starts, injuries and fade-out mid season are over. Our aim is to peak come finals time not early to mid season.