Deemania since 56

Got my vote for longest kick - longer than Bennett, unbelievably - from his effort at Waverley Park in blustery, unfavourable conditions.

Absolutely, great 'getta, too.

Not Ray Biffen (in his earlier years)? 'Biff could launch them, then. As his back became more troublesome, his distance waned.

Rodney the Grinter was the best, overall; all weather, all opponents, all distances, all spots on the ground. Cannot remember Rod fluffing a kick - ever - even when in the Reserves team. Footballer and sacrificial lamb with intent. Great man for the Club in those long, mean and lean years.

Got to admit there were some expert kicking skills from many Melbourne players but the one kick that has cemented itself in my memory was that of John Tilbrook at Waverly Park. Scurrying around the back pocket on the outer side, he collected the ball and ran with it towards the half-back flank - but still short of that zone by many yards (as real measures were once called). He hoofed it well short of the half-back flank as mentioned, kicking it diagonally across the centre of the ground and it landed just one yard short of the inside point post. I'd heard several weeks later the very close measurement of that kick (recorded by other impressed observers very methodologically) that it carried 104 metres 'on-the-full' - which, if correct and there is no reason to doubt the authenticity of the 'measurers,' makes it one hell of a bloody big torpedo punt kick and certainly, of the many big-uns achieved by Demon players, the biggest and best I have ever seen.

Bennett was absolutely remarkable for accuracy over extraordinary distances.

Drew Morphett was hard to beat. Always liked Beitzel, as well.

Nice post, pf. Here's to the hope at the start of another new year - at least there seems to be just that fraction of depth available which may make us happy through another season. Best wishes to all.

Graeme Osborne ( The Racehorse) - he was given games with Prahran in recovery from injury. Fastest bloke on the field, I'd reckon.

Absolute ripper backman, Yeats. Usually fronted in the pocket; virtually never beaten by his opponent(s) and a great linking clearance machine. One of the best, as good as Frank Davis.

Some of White's rucking performances were so completely dominant across a whole game - I've have seen many highlights reels on DL over the past couple of years where our greatest players reaped the benefits of White's mobility, tapping-thumping skills and sheer nouse as a linkman. Check out the game he played when The Wizard kicked his 9 goals ... perfect example...

Clean, talented footballer, no staging, no appeals to the rabbits. Some of his goals were remarkable - even by the standards of today.

It is - to say the least - phantastique to have so many younger players (and types of players) to develop at Casey - the scramble is not yet on for positions in the big league, that will come later; at this point, I am just very happy that the ranks up and down are thickening with talent and room for growth and development. Augers well for this year and a handful of subsequent years to come.

As a young footballer, his improvement was very noticeable. He became a team driver and team target from one season to the next. His passing was such a tragedy for all. Betcha' he is still cheering for the Dees...

Thanks for that. Greater chance of recovery?

Terrible news, terrible injury, how sad to lose an upcoming player like this young fella. I am not optimistic that he will play again - twice injured, same ACL, long road to recovery and a bumpy one, at that - so we must wish him a good recovery and hope that it is the best possible, and that the MFC support him all the way through. However, his playing days sadly seem to be over.

This is of great interest. It is a testament to drear itself that the MFC Web site is so slow with news/views, under-performing for supporters and deficient of imaginative content. Whereas the Three Votes has great memories inbuilt, a recanting of moments of supporter pride and familiarity with the past, and underpins hopes and aspirations of supporters coming into the next season. Well done.

Gil - no doubt as a host for the AFL for many hordes of patrons at possibly every game he attends - must have found the drinks prices in the bar were excessive and thus, has reduced the drinking time, not exercising care for the players and general public at all.

Very nicely posited. Viney is one to get scrambled with the fans (probably because he regularly had membership of the 'long bomb' society) yet in every other regard, gave his all, always. Some effort to get the ball, dispose of it quickly and effectively, and not take on opponents (singularly or in huddle) with the 'try to tackle me, syndrome' has been exercised. This has in fact improved his game enormously and his contribution to the MFC teammates. He has been plagued by a long-standing and debilitating injury that affected more that his game and attributes - this seems to have also waned; so, a fit Viney should be 'ready to go' for 2020 and if so, we will be the beneficiaries of these changes. He has more than adequate character to continue as a co-captain of the MFC - but Gawn must be the other.

I am going to hit Seaspray beach for a few days this summer. Miss it!

Suspected that was the player with the new 'Nieta' name - but was not sure. He is a pretty good footballer on a long path to regular games in the bigtime - but shows potential with his attributes and a mindset after his long incapacity through last season. Hope he makes it this time. Could be a very handy intercept-type player. Thanks again for clearing up my recognition of the new 'Neita'. ?

Who is Neita? Not sure about this current nickname.

Good report!

Reminds me of the story of a merchant navy sailor just getting off the ship in Port Melbourne, with eight months of pay in his pocket, heading for the pub across the road. He passes a lady of the night leaning against the pub entrance, who asks: 'Hi, Big Boy, lookin' for something different?' To which he asks in return: 'Why, what have you got, leprosy?'

In the parlance of footballing purity of thought, AVB is an agent of indecision within the competitive moment. I really liked the reference to a B-double truck, because that is what I am waiting to see. Such an anticipation is not a blood lust, it is its effect that it has on the rest of the game - and you summed it up perfectly as '... indecision which in turn creates opportunity for our guys...' .