deeangel

A win tomorrow may be a bonus but some like TJ having their first run for the season will not come back on even if we are losing. ND explained during the week on SEN that for example Maloney and White only played half a game against the Crows as pre planned. He expected Whitey to play a full game tomorrow. Each player has their own practice program set within the whole group. There was always going to be a stronger team this weekend- the last two games were planned for the youngsters and if we won okay but there is a plan in place and players will not be pushed into full games too soon. The selections are not based on swinging the axe! It is all about 4 points in 3 weeks and not winning practice matches.

ND was on SEN this morning and explained that the handball(run and carry) scenario will be used against teams flooding to prevent us bombing it in to a crowded forward line. Once they get to the 50m arc then we can kick it over their heads. As said in the press they know it needs some correction to avoid over use.

I find it very annoying when people talk and assume about ND going back to the Bombers as coach. How long did he play there? I don't really know but am guessing-4 years. How long at MFC?-almost 10 years. "My heart and effort's are all in the MFC"- ND. He is more a Melbourne man that a Bomber!

No serious injuries is what I am hoping for and some match practice- scores irrelevant!

Daniel Ward's courage, honesty and commitment in today's Age article "MELBOURNE STAR FACES HIS INNER DEMONS" and goes beyond the normal interview information goes beyond what a player would normally give. My heart reaches out to him and I will be hoping he can push on to greater things in his life. Moving on from the gambling 'demons' will be a long road but he sounds so determined. I am proud of his public declaration and wish he and Melanie the best as they continue to build a life together. Well done Wardy! Admitting you have a problem and facing it square on is a huge leap forward.

Should we let our membership department know there is an email/letter war out there? Maybe the press might be interested as well. What do we think? I am still annoyed 3 days later.

Yes -I got one too! Very annoyed with it. Is it 3 mobile phone the connection between all of us?

I had the same thought myself when I read that- I am always skeptical of what is released now. Privacy laws-no!; keeping the opposition guessing- maybe; annoying the fans-yes! Some openness on injury would be great. It may also stop some fans 'bagging' players all season as we often don't find out things until the next year eg Robbo had this ...and Miller had that.. all 2006 season.

Oh no girls -The Biz is off the market. Cry tears! Engaged! On the official website he has announced his engagement to Jennifer Adams(No idea if I should who she is). There is a very small photo on the site. Very cultured gentleman our Biz- asked her at a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performance! Seriously though my best wishes to them both.

In amongst all of these comments let's also remember that gambling is an addiction and like alcoholism etc it is not so easy just to punish and expect all to move on. It is a real addiction that is not easy to control! Listen to David Scwartz when he talks about how hard he has to work on avoiding putting himself in the situation. I can tell you of a lifetime of gambling addiction problems my dad has and they are never completely under control. It is a serious problem that is not talked about very often but a life long issue. Daniel is going to have to work on it for ever.

Also just mentioned on Nine news- MFC has made no official comment other than confirming Daniel is being investigated. If found guilty there could be up to $100,000 fine and a indefinite suspension. They were found out when the AFL asked for an audit of all Betfair etc accounts. I hope no other MFC players who like betting are involved!

Thank you for an excellent write up of the interview. At last I am starting to get excited about the season. It is unusual the way they are avoiding the captaincy announcement. Do they always wait this long ?

The membership thermometer on the official site has us at only 12,000 at the moment! So that is obviously not accurate. My MCC/MFC membership package arrived yesterday(I needed a new key lanyard). The M CC will be writing to all members in early March to encourage all Dees supporters to join the Melbournefc as the $40 membership will be counted in the AFL official figures.

I have been away so may have missed this post although I have tried to check back but did anyone notice that Byron and his partner have a new baby boy! Yes I repeat a boy! Take a look at the link although it is very short. WELCOME TO THE WORLD AND THE DEMONS FAMILY Hopefully a future father son selection if Byron can keep going - but being a 100 game player for us may be a bit much at this stage of his playing career.

He will probably know Matt Bate and Lynden Dunn through the Eastern Rangers. A bit of mentoring from them would be good.

Here! Here!

and I am a teacher! ouch! ophthalmologist, opththalmologist...I am practising. Now is that the right practice?

I have had the same thought from last year as well when he missed sitters but I thought that it isn't possible they must check eyesight. I nearly wrote something then and thought nah nobody will think the same. I guess they do the basics. However sometimes its not just a read the lines chart as there are a whol range of probelms that can be associated with the eyes including tracking, reaction time to symbols etc that need to be checked via a optomologists.