Deestar9

Found it quite reassuring to hear Tom Hawkins say it took him 5 years to find his feet . He would have been a bigger sized player earlier but still took him 5 years …

“I said you will be in the hall of fame, and you are not going anywhere, and that is OK. “And he said back, ‘I love you, Greeny’, and that was it. He was happy.”

Brad rang him asked him “What was going on “ (I’m paraphrasing here). Told Clarry he was going to get up at B&F and make a statement that the 2025 midfield would be Gawn Trac Oliver & Viney. Clarry said don’t it’s not about me tonight but the players who are winning awards. Brad said no it’s not about you but about the members ..supporters who need to know this . He said I love you ..we love you etc etc ..Clarrie was emotional and signed off with “I love you Greenie “.

There’s been heaps of support on different radio shows with Melbourne’s stand. The general consensus is the players “have too much power “.

We had a terrible 2024 preseason ..so many players were either injured or sustained injuries & possibly made the team because we didn’t have a lot of choice . 2025 most players have done 80..% of the running .. late season ending injuries to McAdam & AMW ( depth players ) but no best 22 injuries that will impact their preseason

His treatment and delisting ripped the heart out of our club for a long time …

Loved the comment “ it’s no use putting your footy boots on until you learn to speak to each other “.

I sat next to Jeffo’s Mum & Aunty yesterday . His Dad was up close & personal with his camera following his son. Really lovely people ..nervous ..proud..excited. I loathe these types of comments ..where you write off young players so early in their careers. In conditions not favouring tall forwards he def showed some promising signs. I’ll also bookmark your comments,

It was an incredibly tough day for tall forwards ..actually talls in general. Jefferson was def not disgraced & so premature to make that comment … It was ok sitting under the trees but without that protection the sun & wind was brutal. What stood out for me was Melb’s fitness levels. We were still running and putting on pressure right till the end.

These 1000’s of AFL hopefuls trying to get on an AFL list. Players from all over Aust ..even overseas. There will be plenty of players that don’t get picked up for a variety of reasons just as there’s plenty who get picked up & for a variety of reasons don’t make it. Jack has an opportunity albeit through the misfortune of Shane & hopefully he does well. I think he’s lucky he’s come into a team with a pretty good list in the Premiership window ..he’s got his chance & good on him. I hope he does well ..to make us better & to fulfil his dreams.

Is the match def at 10am .?

Oh the sheer arrogance…

Bobby Hill is now the news as he has “parked” his contract with reports that he is keen to get back to WA. His contract which is not a big $ one finishes in 2026. Let’s see how the media covers this one …

You’re obviously not in tune with 23yr olds & social media. Don’t particularly care about any of that.. he is playing this year at MFC ? ..uh yes. I guess in my life ..I don’t waste time beating myself up with what will happen in the future ..I will just enjoy watching him this year …

I think we’ve covered this in other topics. You or me take what interpretation we want to . He didn’t deny he was homesick ..he admits he talks/ texts friends …he’s allowed too. He acknowledged /confirmed he's contracted at MFC and will “do his time”. He’s not a Wordsmith ..he’s a proud 23 yr old indigenous young man who has unfairly been put under the spotlight by relentless media & (hopefully he’s not aware of this ) a ridiculous amount of posting about it in here. We went through it with Trac ..he stayed ..we went through it with Clarry ..he stayed. Kozzie is playing for us in 2025 so let’s just focus on 2025.

Maybe you are just a random supporter and don’t have the relationships with the players that GW & Katrina does. I love the hiatus period where most supporters are looking forward to the season & excited to read anything about the team but the closer we get to the season ..threads start to take on the snide derisive comments which reminds me that my time of enjoying DL is rapidly coming to a close & then it’s never reading before a game ..or during the game & then maybe after a win. My main thing then is I always listen to the DLand podcast.

What clubs are you referring to ?

I love your reports but sometimes wonder why you bother ..there’s always some posters who seem to hate your insights (maybe plain jealousy) and nit pick but the majority are like me …we appreciate all training reports and insights ..so thank you

That’s a problem with the written word ..can be interpreted in so many ways ..& usually to suit the agenda of the reader ..

Is now 45sec when a goal is scored. Channel 7 gets more ads. Fox etc can claw back viewers with replays & comments on the game & players get more rests. This was explained on radio today …

Not sure what Goodwin has to say ..him admitting that the coaching group also lost confidence as well is admitting that they are human like everyone else and I admire that truth. No one is perfect ..he is learning always as a coach and most importantly not afraid to admit when he doesn’t get it right. Not sure what you mean with your “push comes to shove comment” ? We are trialling a new game plan etc and we will see how it plays out . I believe we have the players to implement that but no one has control over the intangibles that can make or break your season.

Colin Garland ? Played 141 games ..is back in Tassie.. not sure if he has children but would be in the demographic?

Riewoldt no 1 pick …Franklin no 5 pick …Amiss no 8. The King twins have def not lived up to the lofty expectations..yet ..Hawkins was a very slow starter. I have no idea whether Matthew will make it but have zero interest in saying 2025 is a make or break year for him. I want to at least see him play a few AFL games before casting any aspirations. I do know for a fact that the coaches believe in him …he doesn’t need to be a Franklin or Riewoldt …there probably will never be players like them but if he can play his part in our young developing and promising forward line ..I’ll be happy ..

Years !! …please . He was drafted 2022 and it’s now 2025 so effectively 2 years for a skinny tall forward so far. I’d be happy for him to get a few games at AFL this season and it would be a good progression …

1 ..because he’s an experienced massive ruckman who doesn’t expect to be the No 1 and from all accounts is an amazing people /club person so will be a great ruck coach & 2 because Verall isn’t ready yet ..but surely too early to say he won’t make it