Rodney (Balls) Grinter

1 hour ago, JOHNNY DEE said:

we were not allowed to sit in Level 2 told by staff member to go to ticket office and be allocated seats MFC office already closed went to Docklands office told lady there about it all she spent 20 mins trying to find 2 seats that were available for us to sit in stadium ,got our seats 3rd level 10 mins to go 2nd Q .There was only 19000 at the game .Rang the Dees about on the Monday ,told Ticketmast

This is the other aspect that infuriates me. There was a time when Aussie rules was far more egalitarian and accessible to people of all classes / financial backgrounds. We now have massive stadiums that could be packed most weeks but the AFL and the club's are so insistent on maximising profits that they'd rather price a bunch of people out of going to the footy.

Seeing massive sections of ground level seating on the wings 3/4 empty because they are for exclusively priced members and $50 - $100 tickets is a disgrace.

Our clubs response that "oh, we're sorry there's nothing we can do" is just bloody pathetic. Asides from the idea that they should be fighting for their members a day supporters, it's really poor customer service. Oh, sorry too bad, so sad. How about offering you a free upgrade somewhere in the MCG for one of our next home games (much as I am against this kind of premium seating model) that would be within thier control.

I'm now a 15 year consecutive years member (more like 25 - 30 if you count back in the 90s) having signed up in 2011 when we were putrid, continued membership in 2021, with x 2 GF garrentee tickets I couldn't use. Still I get shunted off to the what's left over seats at the MCG on home games, because I refuse to purchase anything more than. GA for the season. Would be nice if the club made a small gesture of better seats or access to King's birthday / ANZAC day occasionally or even just once.

1 hour ago, JOHNNY DEE said:

Did all that ,last year when we played WC at Docklands our home game had to get tickets on a Ticketmaster APP ,me my wife both REDLEG members got into ground ok but App wouldn't come up on my I phone so we were not allowed to sit in Level 2 told by staff member to go to ticket office and be allocated seats MFC office already closed went to Docklands office told lady there about it all she spent 20 mins trying to find 2 seats that were available for us to sit in stadium ,got our seats 3rd level 10 mins to go 2nd Q .There was only 19000 at the game .Rang the Dees about on the Monday ,told Ticketmaster ,control the ticketing there nothing we can do .

This kind of thing is infuriating to me.

That you paid good money to get decent seats and then got let down by the fickle nature of their mobile ticketing system is an absolute disgrace. If they are going to insist on such a BS ticketing system, they should have a robust back door backup / work around at the ground for the less tech savey or when things stuff up. Things like using the credit / debit card of purchase and / or two factor authentication via the mobile phone No. of purchase should be more than feasible and adequate.

I'm moderately tech savey, but mobile tickets are still often so clunky. It was truly horrible in COVID, when I had to check in myself and X 2 kids under 11 and then battle the ticket app.

The things that they have added not to allow screen shots are a bloody pain. Before they put the stupid blue bar on them to make it near impossible to take screen shots, I regularly use to take them, because I'd had issues with passwords or network connectivity getting into the app (massive density of people in one spot will do that). Now that it's almost impossible to defeat via screen shots, last time I visited Marvel, I made sure that I logged into the app nice and early so I wasn't held up at the turnstile, only to find out that they now have a 15 second revolving barcode that doesn't auto refresh after you've been logged in for a while, so wasted time and held up the que while the gate attendant figured it out. I also get some anxiety that what would happen if my mobile battery was flat when I went in.

Since the club stopped automatically issuing physical membership cards, I've always requested them before the season, because it's so much easier and more reliable, particularly with getting the kids through the turnstiles.

The above half dozen posts have added so much more value than endlessly bemoaning the loss of or Clarry's misadventures.

Actually glad I read the end of this thread now.

16 hours ago, adonski said:

His 2025 highlights shows off his goal sense, just needed to start getting more of the pill (and the handy removal of the sub rule too)

Agreed. For me, he never quite looked like a hopeless frindge player. You could see the potential there. Was somewhat cruelled by the sub rule. It does somewhat surprise me that if you have a player who's strength is endurance that you'd make them a sub and limit their ability to leverage that strength for the team.

I'm guessing that when he is on the ground, he's always on the move and perhaps that's how he utilises that endurance to tank his opponent, because I did note, that at least in our first game against the Saints, he still only had something like 60% time on field (perhaps that's changing with his improved performances).

I don't think he's quite as defensive ANB. More of an offensive link player and/or that's Goodwin compared to King. It's a little hard to know if it's cause or effect.

21 hours ago, Bowserpower said:

Havent noticed him standing out but hes done some nice things here and there. Deserves his spot

Every team needs those no frills, solid, reliable players.

Great that Blake has been able to grind away and make a spot in the team his own for now. Looking forward to seeing what he can do as the season continues.

Will be plenty of competition for spots with Riv and Bowser coming back, but then unfortunately there's also often injuries. Still, different sort of player, but I think he's ahead of at least CJ at this point and has a bit of height that I think T Mac is probably the next out with his more limited mobility.

6 minutes ago, inanunda said:

He was pretty adament. Even more after I gave him a victory hot jam donut!

How sweet those victory donuts!

16 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

In terms of targets, as nice as a King, Butters, Humphrey, Bailey etc would be, other than Jeremy Cameron, I can't think of too many big signings that have worked out in terms of getting a premiership. I think often it disrupts the salary cap and maybe the locker room as you have to pay overs to get someone to come to you. Obviously easier said than done, but I think better bringing in players that fit your needs (we did this pretty well last year) rather than the biggest names in the trade period Eg Pies before their flag got Hill, Frampton, Mitchell, McStay - the first 3 played a big role in their GF, Hawthorn bringing in Barrass and Battle, Brisbane bringing in Dunkley at end of 2022.

Ummm, may not be fashionable to be saying this right now, but bringing in Steve May was a huge factor in our 2021 premiership.

48 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

McDonald is not done and is a better backman than Petty. Rivers maybe but it's going to be hard for him to come back in. Doubt Petty is best 23 playing second ruck ATM I think we can do better.

Doubt we'll see Petty running around for Casey any time soon.

On 30/03/2026 at 23:54, picket fence said:

Cross as a key forward like he played for some of the time yesterday?? Nup.

Say it now Van Rooyen would want to fire after 2 shizzen weeks, with Jeffo and Luker waiting in the wings

Lol and double lol

40 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Viney will play a lot at Casey, when he returns, Bowser though is an automatic in!

Viney might get a few weeks at Casey to find form and match fitness, but providing he recovers from his injury he'll definitely find a way back into the senior squad sooner rather than later:

1. He's too good for VFL

2. He's too much of a competitor

3. He's vice captain and provides great physical and spiritual leadership of the side

1 hour ago, titan_uranus said:

Were we favourites v Carlton? They were coming off the (uninspiring) win against Richmond and we’d just been belted by Fremantle?

As for the whole “undoing the GC win”, my view is that early season positivity, and wins, is critical to driving long term success on and off field - we need our players to believe and we also need our fans and supporters to get on board. We’re building that now. Losing to a side on a 17-game losing streak and who have won just 4 out of 16 quarters for the season is going to put a dent in those things (like it or not, but you know as much as I do what Demonland is going to look like if we lose).

I’m very much accepting of slip ups, bad games and beltings coming our way this year. I fully expected Sunday to have been such a game, and next week v Brisbane is obviously another one to watch. But the opening month of the season changes things a bit, and IMO there is a lot to lose, overall, if we lose this weekend.

Agree. Again, without getting ahead of ourselves, we clearly have the troops to be competitive against most sides most weeks.

I think it's so important for our club / team culture that both the players and supporters set expectations of winning and playing finals at every opportunity. Let's not get mired in mediocrity ever again.

I know this is a danger game and we can't get carried away, but this is how I see it. While we've chalked up some wins that externally weren't expected of us, I'm hoping that much of the playing group just see this as playing to our true potential and won't be taking the foot off the gas.

I think we've got enough experienced players in the team like Max, Steel, Lever, Melky, Petty, Langdon, Sparrow, Salem, Kossie, Chandler etc that know what it takes to put together a successful season week in week out, that we will keep a level head and keep the youngsters grounded throughout the week. Balancing that, I also hope and sense that there is a real hunger to win and succeed within the playing group that well be approaching the Essendon game and every other game this season with (I've certainly seen it thus far).

Also in something of a break with the former Goodwin coached Demons, I hope that if we do build ourselves into a dominant position against Essendon, that we really put them to the sword and bury them early like we did against North in the practice match (a game that now looks more like it was against reasonable opposition). Don't think we should underrate this aspect of putting teams to the sword, as it both locks away games that might otherwise be ground out to tight losses (like we were good at last season) and in a tight top end of the ladder could also be very important to any finals chances - I think there is now even more of a difference finishing higher beyond just top 4 and if we can make finals, I'd much rather us put ourselves in a position of finishing 5th or 6th or above, than 7th to 10th.

Just reflecting this morning, watching a snippet of Kozzie snapping that goal against Carlton from 50, that even though he's not kicking big bags of goals for us, the new level he's taken his game to is just awsome.

Not that he was ever really a selfish player and you need someone to put it through and kick goals for the team to finish off the work upfield, but he's become such an awsome team player this year and driving the whole team forward through the midfield and his clever little passes inside 50. Magic to watch.

50 minutes ago, DemonWA said:

Also, Melk playing 250 against the Jabbers is classic

Oh, that is tantalising. Would be great for him to kick a bag, but otherwise, we really need to make sure we get the win done for him.

I have a mate who goes for the Jabbers, who when they traded him claimed that Melksham was 'just a player' and nothing much. I'd say he's the sort of player they would have loved to have had over the past 10 years. Be great to show them what they missed out on and really rub it in.

Honestly dislike both these team so much, I want both of them to loose, but there's more Hawthorn supporters out this way, so would be the lesser of two evils for Geelong to win.

1 hour ago, whatwhat say what said:

i don't think he will tho, cos plugger mac will come out for kentfield to go forward / ruck, and petty will return to being the #1 defender

petty's sticky mitts down the line were fantastic in the second half yesterday when he was playing fwd / ruck

Generally agree with this Re Petty and somewhat Re T Mac. In my view T Mac has done his job well enough and hasn't actually played that poorly, but not sure he's in quite the same great form that he was last season and I'm seeing more and more moments when his lack of mobility and agility makes him look like a potential liabilty. On the flip side, IMHO, he did do his job and stability and winning games are also important to us.

It's something of a luxury that all of a sudden, we have a batch of developing forwards to pick from and a legitimate developing backup for Max. Personally I don't think it would hurt us to let them keep pushing and putting together a string of form before promoting them on our tems / when the opportunity suits.

The other things that haven't really been spoken about Roo's form was just OK yesterday, but a good fight back from where he's been in recent weeks, so we need to keep the faith. Similarly I hardly noticed Mihocek in the second half, but his consistency and experience keeps him in the side for now for me. AJ also put on a pretty good display for Casey yesterday as well. I think we should be looking to unleash the beast against someone like Hawthorn, Geelong and/or Brisbane where a bit of mongral and extra edge could be important.

On 03/03/2026 at 18:52, Dingo said:

On SEN on Monday morning G W was asking Simmo ? How teams would go in the first 6 games.

Melbourne will win 1 and lose 5.

So will Collingwood

Wasn't going to bump this thread for another few weeks, but with yesterday's win, I feel we've well and truly exceeded the expectations the external footy World had on us.

One week at a time I know and for as putrid as they looked against North, Essendon at least put up a fair show on the scoreboard against the Dogs and won't be a push over, but I think we'd have to be favourites against them and now be viewed as at least some chance against Brisbane the following week.

Not sure what to think about 'Gather Round' (South Australia Rd). In one sense, it interrupts our momentum of being MCG specialists, not having lost a game at the home of football all season, on the other hand, I think it could be good for the team to perform in what is more of an away game environment.

Well done and full credit to Kingy and all the team so far for doing the work, committing to the new game style, each other and giving us something more than just hope for the future. Anyways looking forward to the next couple of weeks ahead and then seeing what we can turn this season into (probably the topic of another thread in its self).

On 27/03/2026 at 13:46, BangBnagBang said:

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1484483/the-childhood-melbourne-demon-jai-culley-that-took-setbacks-in-his-stride-and-turned-rejection-into-motivation

Great article.

From the embedded videos:

afl.com.au

Couldn't get a 'GO Eagles' out of him.

Then this in his first MFC game:

afl.com.au

Love this gesture.

Being delisted by the Eagles was just part of the plan. Always a Demons man.

Go Jai!! Heart beats true ❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙

BTW, Max might have loved his darts, but Jai was the Charcoal Chicken chips megga box man!!!

4 hours ago, Demon_JB said:

Everytime I see Buckley talking and listening on 'On The Couch' he looks like he's about to swing at anyone that challenges his point of view. I find it very uncomfortable.

I get that, as well as the fig jam, but at the same time, I also think he comes across with a kind of calmness, surety and as one of the more knowledgeable commentators. He's also a fairly good communicator which is more than can be said for some of them.

Having actually been a coach that built up a side to get to a grand final, I also have a bit more respect for him than some of the has been ex-players that have never really taken on that level of responsibility, but want to preach their expertise on footy analysis to everyone as if they have. Perhaps that's why he comes across a bit condescending to others on the show when they challenge him on stuff and fair enough to an extent.

Meanwhile, conversely we have been such an easy target for the AFL/MRO over the years. Some notable examples I can think of, include:

• ANB and/or maybe Chandler copping multiple weeks for falling forward in tackles - stited for concussion risk/outcomes

• Steven May getting rubbed out running eyes for the ball and deemed not to have exercised enough care

Contrast any of those against Maynard and the bias is so clear.

The AFLs selective care about when players need to exercise care for their opponents is also damming. If you are running for the ball or tackling apparently you need to exercise care, but if you are going for a specky, thrusting your knees into the back/spine or head of an opponent is completely OK.

The other players that I feel have had a charmed life with the AFL tribunal are:

• Darcy Moore

• Tom Hawkins (Geelong nearly as much of a protected species as Collingwood). He actually admitted on the couch that he was something of a dirty player a few weeks back. Still remember that whirlybird arm he threw back while being tackled that broke bones in Steve May's face.

• Marbior Chol - almost every week I see this guy recklessly throw his substantial weight and large frame around in a crude/clumbsy way that endangers others (similar to Collingwood and Geelong, Hawthorn are also an AFL favourite).

I actually find Leigh Montagna one of the most reasonable for balanced well reasoned comments and don't mind his contributions on Fox.

Haven't watched 360 for a while, but at the other end of the spectrum, I find Mark Maclure to be a crusty old know it all that I can't stand anymore.

Thought Cross showed some real go and ability.

Have also been impressed with the season Ed Langdon is building. Seems to be able to work well forward into space and snag some good goals in addition to his overall awsome work rate.

39 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Mmmmm, @picket fence has gone real quiet

He's in awe of Kade Chandler's magnificent clutch goal in the last quarter that put us right back in it!

...add to that, he ended up the game, with 2 goals 16 disposals and 9 tackles (second on the ground for tackles to Steel).

GO THE MIGHTY DEMONS!!!

Got there at quarter time and thought that maybe I should have not bothered, but watching us fight our way back into the game and then dominate it, made it one of the best days at the footy in a few years.

3 minutes ago, Nicko said:

Can’t have scared your neighbours more than we did on a Sunday afternoon in Brisbane!!!! 😂

My neighbours in Ipswich said they knew Melbourne had won, when we beat Geelong last Rd of 2021!!