DemonDave

Congratulations to Sheeds for the dignified way he carried himself through today, that seems like a recurring theme with all the coaches this year, or maybe we're just comparing to Grant Thomas the imbecile and his exit last year. Sheeds would be a massive asset to whichever organisation he goes to, wether it be coaching another league club, or working as some kind of ambassador at the AFL, as Vlad has hinted he'd like Sheeds to do. And end of an era, I'm sure all Essendon fans will feel strange today.

I'm pretty sure there's been plans to knock down and rebuild that fence for quite some time, so they're not really extensions just improvements to the ground. The wall has been practically falling apart the last 12 months...

I tend to agree Rhino, he doesnt deserve the game, but I just feel the club will give it to him as a 'farewell gift'.

I can't get the odds up right now, but sportsbet.com.au had Jones listed pretty highly in their Rising Star market. From memory Pendlebury was $2 favorite just ahead of Selwood (who had a blinder on Saturday against Pendleburys Pies). Petterd had now blown out to over $100, obviously his season now over. Until Jones gets nominated, I wont bite, but if he does, might back him.

On a side note, have we had any player suspended for games this year at the Tribunal? I'm struggling to recall one. Holland got reprimanded for his 'head contact (butt)' on Brad Johnson, but other than that we've had a pretty good discipline record this year, unlike say the Dockers

So that would have to be Tom Paterakis' best game for the seniors I take it? Can anyone tell me where he played? Huge concerns for Byron Pickett stranded on 199 games, one feels that Melbourne will give him his one game out of courtesy to get to the milestone sometime between now and the end of the year, but he's not doing himself any favours if he's injured...

You'd think based on these numbers, and the way our best&Fairest is voted on, that Junior would be a short priced favorite to defend his prize...

Hmm, Maybe have a look at the tape of Wards last two games, he's been outstanding (I watched the Essendon game last night), and Brown was in our best 3 last week too. These guys, while much maligned, are playing pretty good footy right now, knowing their spots are up for grabs. If you were to pick a side on form now, rather than a mix of form and reputation, these guys would be picked ahead of say, a Brock Mclean. CJ to me is definitely playing for his career also, I thought his hesitation at times last week was costly, but it does take a couple of games to get used to the pace again at AFL level after playing Sandy for so long. For what its worth, I think Buckley struggled with the pace at times, quite often just two steps behind where he was supposed to be, but otherwise presented himself well and his posession delivery was very good, he's got a pretty decent leg on him.

Correct me if I'm wrong, didnt Ben Holland play out the Richmond game with his injury? Why then would he have missed last week and even still be test for this week? Seems strange for 'only' a broken nose...

Great to see Moloney named, lets hope he can get through a game pain free...

Well done to Simon Godfrey, its a great achievement to reach 100 games, he's had to work 10 times harder than some of the guys with more natural ability, he epitomises the blue collar work ethic that is needed at our club. Whilst they haven't all been matchwinning games, and he's hardly gone about it in Brownlow-vote worthy performances, he is no less worthy of any praise bestowed upon him for this milestone than any of our superstars when they got to 100. Lets hope Simon leads them out through the banner tomorrow night with purpose, and does a remarkable stopping job on Brent Stanton or the like, and is able to lead the team off the field in victory side-by-side with our departing coach (There, I had to mention Daniher somewhere in this post!). Good luck Godders!

Err, Grant THomas made the finals almost every year he was at St Kilda didnt he? Having said that, the man is an appaling waste of space, I'd throw in my membership if he came across in any form...

"Push It" by Salt 'N' Pepa accompanying footage of Anthony Rocca and Travis Cloke giving us all those frees for in the back...

This is indeed a sad, yet inevitable day for the club. I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing Neale all the best in his future role, whatever that may be. You’d go a long way to find a more honest, humble, down to earth bloke. Yes, he’s had his highs and lows as our coach for the last ten years, but always has he had the best interest of this, our great footy club, in the foremost of his thoughts. His passion for the game and the players he had around him was contagious, and I think he’s done the right and honorable thing by the club in declaring his intentions early. Good luck Reverend, thanks for the memories, may you forever remain ‘Cherry Ripe’..

Players like Godfrey and Holland, both in our best on Friday night, continually give 100% each and every week. To drop both or indeed either of them this week would be madness. Why not drop blokes that dont seem to be giving a stuff or look disinterested out there some days (I wont name names but we all know who our terribly inconsistent players are, don't we Cameron, Brad, Russell and Aaron).

Dukes was on fire for Port last week, marking everything in sight, had 5 upto half time. He then had Chris Grant shifted onto him and barely gave a whimper after that, when his team was running riot. Expect Lamb or Biddlecombe to start on him. I dont think Whelan has yet grasped a Sandy game by the throat as a player of his experience and ability should, and I think the club has done the right thing by not automatically putting him back in the Melbourne side. Everyone should have to earn their recall (as Yze has already discovered this year). Good luck to the Dutchess in the reserves too in his comeback from a broken thumb. Fergs really needs a slice of luck in his career, every time he breaks into the Melbourne seniors, he breaks down, whether it be from friendly fire (Sylvia in '06) or bad luck (At Subiaco in '07).

So we could see the oddity of Adem Yze being a last minute replacement for a player who was never going to play, whereas the week before he was replaced at the last minute and was never going to play.

Warnock did not play in the midfield. He played across half back all day, and yes he was very good. I'd be taking more notice of Beach Road Barrys observations than a couple of neutrals from a community radio station, as much as we appreciate their inputs.

Here is the MFC Team of the Century, from the MFC site,selected on 24 June 2000. The Team Full Back - Robert 'Tassie' Johnson Back Pocket (Rover) - John Beckwith Back Pocket (Ruck) - Donald Cordner Half Back Flank - Noel McMahen Centre Half Back - Gary Hardeman Half Back Flank - Don Williams Wing - Brian Dixon Centre - Allan La Fontaine Wing - Robert Flower Half Forward Flank - Hassa Mann Centre Half Forward - Ivor Warne-Smith Half Forward Flank - Garry Lyon Forward Pocket (Ruck) - Jack Mueller Full Forward - Norm Smith Forward Pocket (Rover) - Percy Beames Ruck - Denis Cordner Ruck Rover - Ron Barassi Rover - Stuart Spencer Coach - Norm Smith Captain - Ron Barassi Vice-Captain - Robert Flower Interchange - Frank Adams, Albert Chadwick, Wally Lock, Laurie Mithen, Jim Stynes, Todd Viney Emergencies - Stan Alves, Bob Johnson Jnr, Ian Ridley, Greg Wells Your man Wally Lock is on the interchange...

The Australian on the weekend said RIvers, Moloney and Bartram are all unlikely to play again this year: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story...5012432,00.html Its not a bad article though, dissecting our run-in for the rest of the year, mentioning we dont play any of the Top 4 sides again, and only 1 potential finalist in our next 4 games...

Brown was rested from Sandy on Sunday, he had a cracking game against Adelaide, and he was also the chosen one to deliver an impassioned speech to the playing group before the Collingwood game about what it means to play in a blockbuster. Everyone can point out all they like about the deficiencies of the little fella, but he is the heart and soul of the footy club. I would think he'd come straight back into the side. Petterd to me did look to tire badly in the last quarter, but he's had plenty of rest time and will be fine. It may be prudent to rest him maybe once or twice in the remaining games to not burn the kid out.

This game was a terrible result for the Zebras, they were blown out of the water by the spirit of the Hawks in the first stanza, which was helped greatly by some atrocious officiating. It cost the home team 4 or 5 goals in the first quarter, and by then the game was effectively over, even though the Hawks kicked with the very strong wind to the social club end. The last quarter was dominated by Sandy, but they continually kicked points, really they could've won this game in the end. Juice Newton-started the game on the bench, looked lively once he came on, tackling and chasing was superb. Still, his continual frivolous attempts at hangars, especially in the conditions today, were disappointing Chris Johnson - Did what appeared to be a left hamstring late in the first quarter, had started OK before that on a HBF. Played no further part. Byron Pickett - His best display during his suspension, kicked a mammoth goal on the run in the 2nd quarter, occasionally his disposal let him down, but the weather meant everyone on the ground was in the same boat. If he doesnt come straight back into the demons side I'd be surprised Matthew Whelan-Started slowly, but got better and was pushing further and further up the ground the more the game went on, will be considered for a return to the Dees. Brad Miller-Probably had 2 posessions in the first half, it was only in the last 2 quarters that he started to hit up his long leads and began giving off his trademark slow dish handpasses to teammates, tryed his guts out in the last quarter but conditions made him look slow and awkward. Matthew Warnock - The pick of the tall defenders for his assured handling of the pill, his balance and composure stood out amongst an afternoon of dropped marks and fumbles. Sandringhams best melbourne listed player easily. Colin Garland-This kid will be an AFL player, he's beautifully balanced and looks to have all the skills and size to make it. its just a matter of where his best position is, will probably play out the year at Sandy but look for him to play 16 games next year in the red and blue. Lynden Dunne-Another who was affected by the conditions, the Zebras forward line was just too top heavy today. Spent a fair bit on the pine and made plenty of skill errors by foot, showing a repeated lack of good judgement. Simon Buckley- Didnt have heaps of the ball, he is and only ever will be an outside player, but does look to have good decision making. Tends to go missing for too long in games, but looks good when he has the ball nonetheless.

Haha! Havent seen him in too many carparks in his car of late! On another note, did anyone else see the incident in the Third Quarter with Didak and Wheatley? Wheaters was left prone on the ground, and his teammates came over and remonstrated with the serial tribunal visitor but I havent heard anything else about this incident. Was it just Wheatley acting to get a free, or did Didak whack him? It happened at the time the Pies had been awarded a relay free kick, it was a very chaotic 20 seconds there was so much going on it seems to have been missed...

This function is held each and every year after the Pies game, surely fans are aware it is on? If you're a member, its free to get into, and if not its $5. Me and my mates certainly look forward to it each and every year, I dont care what beer they're serving (yes that Tooheys stuff is putrid) if we win, everything tastes sweet! Neale Daniher spoke briefly, then he discreetly made his way off the side of the stage as the players made their way up their to the strains of A Grand Old Flag. Its going a bit blurry for me as a few of the aforementioned ales were consumed, but David Neitz spoke, then MC Nick McCallum hand-picked who he wanted to speak to, in no particular order Robbo, Matty Bate, Brad Green, Brock McLean and Simon Godfrey. Godfreys goal was a topic of much mirth amongst the playing group, and Superboot himself gave a blow-by-blow account of his decision making process that eventually led to his memorable right footed goal on the run. He also mentioned about some of the hard tags that he'd had this year, and the amount of times he'd been whacked behind the play (Goodes, West etc). I yelled out that he was a human punching bag, a quip he heard and repeated himself, which made me feel chuffed. Afterwards the players stayed and mingled for quite a while. Spoke to James Frawley who said he was very nervous before the game, he seemed a pleasant and confident young bloke, while Petterd who was with him most of the night seemed a quiet and shy type. We also added another chapter to our Brock McLean stalking history, he knows who me and all my mates are now, as soon as we started the Mini-Ox chant he knew we were coming. Full credit to Brock he always takes it in his stride, laughing at our hijinks ("you guys again!" he smirked). Also spoke to Chris Fagan who said that Jared Rivers was iffy for the rest of the year with his OP, whereas Brent Moloney encouragingly he said may well be right to present himself this week. Told him Brad Miller had kicked 6 which he didnt know at the time and brought a smile to his face. It was a great night yet again, we got the whole tram singing the song on the way back into the city as the night (or the official part) wound up. And took great delight in singing it again in Young and Jacksons to stir up the feral pies supporters there as well. Happy Days!

From what I know, they updgraded their backend of the website to run Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and this new version of SQL is quite frankly a pig. You can see some of the underlying code when they're having issues or applets aren't loading. Many people and businesses are rolling back this product to the old reliable one, and I'm almost certain this is what the AFL has now done to stop all these issues...