Deemania since 56

Yarra Bend Park - Home of the Melbourne FC. Like it... but parking, facilities, direct transport services, locals' approvals, Council buy-ins and even political buy-ins or politicians' profiteering. There is a great deal against this idea - but it might be worth it if the MFC cannot gain sole occupancy of the traditional home of football, the MCG. The co-tenants had been given an opportunity to co-develop their existing facilities as (a considerable amount of) years traversed for co-tenancy of the 'G to exist and set-in like a plague. They became comfortable in this 'squatting' and in relative terms, did nothing to update, acquire or refresh their own (modest) stadium. A 5-year warning plan should be put into operation by the MCC - even if these clubs have to share a facility outside of the MCG - to pack their bags, move out, move on and get independent of the liability that they have created. More games at home for the Dees, I say. Less input from the vested interests of the AFL, I say. I sat, once, at the MCG Members Bar, enjoying a solitary beer before a game glad that eventually, after 24 years of waiting, my MCC membership came through. The irony of that situation was too much to bear - I was the only Demon supporter there! It was flooded with supporters from Richmond, the Filth, Carlscum. Quite at home, they felt. I let my Membership slip as a consequence.

Kick outs from full back, drop kick specialist, the ball always went over the centre circle (no square, then) and into the forward line. Stunning.

He also kicked a few, just to keep in practice. Great Melbourne player.

I hope the Ninja makes it this year after such rotten luck with the hammy. He is very much an improving asset with real pace.

Having witnessed a few - there really is nothing to life without another. A flag, with a series of successful years to begin and to follow can do much to make life worth its persistent demands.

The value and independence of opinion is always welcome; it encourages a depth of thought that includes multi-faceted analysis and evaluation. It also provides information on trending and insights into those elements that are casually overlooked on occasion. Thanks for your opinion, Dee Z. Without discussion there is no change. Without change, there is nothing to discuss.

Broken ankle or not, Dixon will still kill OMac.

The Melk is a preferred destination forward, such is his attack on the ball and movement into position. His snaps can be inspiring, team-wide. Great bang for the buck.

Sparrow may well 'chirp' up at that statement.

The Dees had attitude, that game. Had not seen it like that for many years, only in last-ditch patches (eg: when Farmer kicked nine}.

There are many things about Jetta that area exemplary and he is a good choice as a Captain/Co-Captain if that deviation over one leader continues. He is unfortunately, in this regard, surrounded by other eligible exemplary players and hence, the success revival of our Club and thus, it appears that a multi-pronged leadership group is a working model for us. When a leader is down and perhaps out, there are already onfield compatriots to step up to carry on.

'...lead by your own standard...' - there is a good deal to be said about this; often, it leads to an ultimate leadership position. Just look at Jones, Schwarta, Lyon, Barassi, Flower and a few other elites.

Well posited.

Clarry, Melk, Tracc and Viney will be OK by 23rd March. Most likely, very OK. OMac can have a run with Casey.

Still cannot get into it.

That seems to be a correct assumption as a target market; however, I think the age bracket could be reduced to Under 12s at the maximum but this should be done with caution because it may erupt into an event of social divisiveness.

These two players are going to assist the Dees to a flag - and it will be achieved by raising the bar and strategies utilised across the backline and into the midfield. The forwards, in turn, have been supplemented with maturing flankers and key drivers of attacking footy. Best defence, possibly best midfield and an awesome forward depth. All looks good.

It is enough to make one sick - do we have to put up with this? the AFLX without seniors manning the field is of little interest as we are after a preview of the season, not a game of hop-scotch with minors and maybes represented by unnecessary artwork and non-football razzle dazzle; in the past, when the Dees had done well in the previous versions of the competition, our season outcomes were good - in a way, though not directly, the AFLX heralded something promising about those who work hard year in, year out for the success of the Club.

Good line-up at this early stage. Would play 'Light' Lever off the flank in a mobile role towards CHB and side-approaches, with the stronger Frosty at CHB to exploit slightly more mobility and aggro, not locked into flank space but with more of a movement range in which to run.

Hore is indeed a very good signing and considerably useful as a 'prop and run' backman. Kicks well, too, from all MFC and DL reports.

This is very reasonable; it will also give Nibbler the opportunity to straight-line his assets into the forward line; he does return to position and zone very quickly, and well. Wagner certainly could be snapper nearing the goal mouth, too.

Lateral movement is the key for him.

It has been a while - whilst in the interim, bleeding in the backline - that we have had a rebounding and speedy backline. Some of the tools were there on a variable basis, season to season but this current backline array looks poised to destroy opposition forwards and mid-fielders like fly-swatting road runners. Frosty, May, Hibberd, Jetta (and Lever when returning), will be a core - a mechanised unit of role players - a great defensive barrier and destructive for those who might attempt to get in its way.

As the games roll by, this is meritorious thought. Some support options now exist across the whole team.

Well, he has done well in the miasma of depth at this stage of the year. There are obviously going to be some week-by-week changes to a core team across the coming season. It is difficult to imagine that AVB, Stretch, Hunt, Preusse, Spargo, et al will miss out Rnd 1 but there just is not room for everyone. Hore is a worthy opportunity, it seems, pre-season form or no pre-season form - experience is another consideration. I don't mind at all that OMac is not picked.