Rodney (Balls) Grinter

I think something the club does need to change and get better still at, is giving the up and commers better exposure at AFL level. Playing that player that's on the frindge as the sub week after week isn't going to cut it. I understand the tendency that Goodwin has for stability in the team and that yes, we did blood more players in 2023 than 2022, but I feel we need to step up another notch. I concur with others that Bailey Laurie is not any kind of replacement for Jake Melksham. Guys like Joel Smith and Shane McAdam are the closest 'likes' we have for Melksham. It was a stupid quote by Superfooty really. It's not like Melksham really had any substantial continuity with his role in our structure over the past three years. I feel Bailey really does face an uncertain future over the next few years and I think he maybe something of a Toby Bedford problem - a player that's too good for VFL and may get a game in many other teams, but is currently on par or slightly below par with a bunch of others we have that play a similar role. His task will only get harder with the likes of Tholstrup, Winsor and Woewodin and AMW playing a similar role and style. As much as the club needs to step it up, so too do players like Bailey when they get oppertities. Still, I think Bailey may also be the sort of player we need to keep for the sustained sucess of the team and keeping him motivated and committed to the MFC, with modest exposure at AFL level is a challenge both he and the club need to rise to. I do feel that sustained sucess is assisted by being able to retain these types of players at modest to low salary cap costs. We need that next tier of young players comming through to fill the roles of ANB, Viney's age bracket as they retire out of the team. Loosing Toby Bedford and Jordon out of our team was a loss in that sense.

They had plenty to charge Maynard with, they just lacked the motivation to do so.

Well, if I was constantly surrounded by Collingwood filth, I'd be constantly and repeatedly checking my door was locked too. Seriously though, how does repeatedly checking your door is locked actually count as OCD? I do that sort of thing, but I'd hardly call it OCD.

Grandma migrated from Adelaide and had gone for Norwood over there. Dad has memories of attending the 64 GF and still tells me how the Neil Crompton the defender who wasn't suposed to be there kicked the winning goal. Growing up in the 80s, I a flirtation with Hawthorn (I now shudder at the thought). Went to a few MFC games in the 80s, but the one that really stands out was final Rd 1987 at the Western Oval. I liked Robbie Flower as a kid and the one royal blue second hand jumper I had as a kid had No.2 on the back. Dad had told me it was probably going to be Robbies last game, but if we won, there was a small chance we'd make the finals. Recall us standing up the back in the standing room behind the goals, right at the back, near a big corrugated iron fence. Even though I could hardly see the play through the crowd, it still goes down as one of my greatest footy experiences. Vividly remember us comming from behind to kit the front and take control, then dad listening to the other game and them hitting the front. The delirium when all the Melbourne supporters realised we'd be playing in our first finals series in 24 years is a feeling I'll never forget and I was sold on the mighty Demons ever since. Even in the 90s when we had relative sucess, it seemed difficult to come across Melbourne supporters my own age. Probably no coincidence that two of my best mates in high school were MFC supporters and that we are still close. Sat through us getting trashed at the G in 88 and 2000 GFs. Although 2021 was an amazing tonic at the time, it still stings that I couldn't get to the game and be there at the G when we won on the day. ...so the quest goes on in 2024!

I recently re-watched the last 45mins of that game in Geelong and James Harmes contribution to that win is somewhat underrated and unnoticed. He didn't do the most silky things, but he was in it everywhere contesting the ball, laying tackles, generally getting involved in the play in positive ways and not giving up when the game looked gone. He wasn't the only one, but seemed to me to be one of the main culprits, along with guys like Gus, Gawn, ANB, Oliver etc. Guys like that can be a pretty important part of the fabric of the team. It was sad seeing his deminished form this season. It would have been nice for him to be a one club player, but I wish him all the best at the Bulldogs. At least he racked up 100+ with us and hopefully we are still his spiritual home for a potential future father son/daughter.

Yeah, at the same time as putting in their token 'protect the head' effot in an attempt to legally indemnify them down the track.

Would be great for MFC supporters to buy up tickets and get a good Demons crowd to this game. I'm not buying into the Brody Grundy grudge match garbage, but I do bloody hate Sydney and would love to go up there Rd 1 and beat them on their home deck.

Agreed. I feel there is a primevil human motivation for vengeance and violence against Collingwood the next time we play them. The logical part of my brain says it may not be the right one, but the emotive part definitely feels that way. When I do think about it more deeply, what I think would satisfy this lust for blood is to categorically demolish Collingwood on the scoreboard every time we play them for the next decade, leaving their low life supporter group humiliated, depressed and bring home the flag next year in a totally dominant season from start to finish.

Totally agree and this is why as I suspected, the exchange was something of a reflection on you as well WCW. If only the media would remember the last bit. So much of the time the seem to be reported on like they are objects, there for our entertainment, the sponsors and media.

Just to add one more to those saying what a great post this is WCW and how it lifted my spirits Re the mighty Red and Blue. I also think it's amazing that given all that's gone on with the media, Clarry would be so open and happy to have an exchange like that with you. Think it say something about both of you. Clarry does seem to be a pretty simple country lad at heart - just open and straight down the line, no BS. Think he and the club made the right decision to stick by each other. Can't wait to see what he and the boys can produce this season with him back to his normal self physically and mentally.

We all know Rivers is a star, but I'm really excited to see where Woey can go this season as well. Wasn't really expecting him to get a game last year based on the reports comming out of his performances at Casey (i.e. some good stuff, but not setting the World on fire). But when Woey got his crack at AFL level, he looked the part almost instantly and I thought he did some really classy stuff. A bit of AFL body size and strength was perhaps all Woey was lacking last season, so he could really make an impact this year if he can work his way into the side.

JT obviously keeping a keen eye on the lad. Does the quality and potential of Kalani partly explain why we haven't recruited more developing ruck depth at the recent draft and trade period? If he's anywhere near as good as his old man, he could be a genuine ruck replacement for Max not too long after I'd expect Max to be in a 'retirement window' I do fret a bit though and just hope we don't get dudded like we did with Mac Andrew, with a change to accademey and father son rules that makes it difficult or impossible for us to recruit Kalani.

So I just wounder how important the seemingly good state of the keeping the past players engauged has been to this? From what I understand Rod Ginter and Paul Hopgood? have been very active and really revitalized that group. Also woundering if family are invited to the events and if not, would that be a good idea?

100% and full credit to him (and others like Oscar and Corey Wagner). That never say die attitude and personal resilience not to drop your bundle when the chips are down post being delisted is the sort of attitude and culture that we want at the club. I think this is also sensible in respects to getting a bit thin for mid - key back depth with Hibbo gone, Petty poised to play mainly key forward and some question marks over the availability of Joel Smith. Smart move by the club in my book and good luck to Marty second time around in the mighty red and blue.

I also like the graphic the MFC used for the signing of Melksham in is original U18 draft kit. We did pretty well this recruitment period and picked up 3 first round picks - well done to JT, Lamb and the team!

His spot on the list could be considered very marginal, purely from the likelihood he'll spend much of it injured, but I'm stoked the club as kept him on. Seems like a great character and I think this move is a great way for the club to repay the faith to Jake. I don't think it should be forgotten, that Melksham was one of the first developed players of quality that sought out a trade to the MFC, at a time we were pretty much rubbish on the field. In the years that followed, we picked up Hibbo, Lever, Langdon, Tomlinson & May, but perhaps asides from Bernie Vince, Melky was one of the first. If he can get back to his 2023 form, that would be a bonus, but I think this shows how far the club has come from the dark era, when guys like James McDonald, Robbo and others were pushed out the door not on their terms. Similar for guys like T Mac and BBB, how we treat these guys will have a big bearing on how we continue to move forward as a club.

That makes 4 at the club now. Can't ever remember us having that many at any other time I've been a follower. It's kind of 6 if you include Spargs and Bowey, be it son's from other clubs past players.

Sounds like a great country lad. And prononced "Tolstrup". The H is silent according to dad and gramps apparently.

Apparently 'Dirk' is the go. Old mate called him that in kindy and it's followed him to every club since, so we'd better keep it going.

Are we there yet? How much longer does this bloody draft thing go for?

So to put a full stop on the tread "we can use 42" ...for Billings ...sort of. BTW @DeeSpencer - DO WE HAVE ANY MORE LIST SPOTS?

Yeah, I also wounder the logic of this move. The only thing I can make of it is, that if we weren't going to use it this draft anyway, then perhaps it will have something is more than nothing currency next year in case we have an academy or F/S in play then.

Many have written BBB off from making a meaningful contribution to our season next year. I must admit I've also lowered my expectations somewhat. Clearly the man himself still has the desire and some belief that he can get his body right and get out on the paddock again. If we can get even a few good games out of him while Petty retuns, that would be a great bonus. It's probably an ideal scenario in some ways for it to be clear to the likes of JvR to have a mentor still around the place, but one he knows shouldn't get in his way and be keeping him out of the side when he's fully ready to be one of the main men.

Luke Jackson helped win us the only flag we've ever won in my lifetime, so that puts him in my favorite MFC 22, but agree Jurrah was bloody incredible to watch.

While I feel she's spent much of her career somewhat in the shadows of Dasiy and Paxman, with respects to external recognition, I feel this season in particular Kate Hore's star has really shone and a third AA would be a true endorsement of great player she's become.