Mel Bourne

Merry Christmas Demonlanders. I’d like to apologise for anything stupid I’ve said and all the other stupid things I’m bound to say over the forthcoming season. As a long-game Christmas gift to you all, I have decided that if we don’t win the flag in 2020, I will super-glue myself to the statue of Norm Smith outside the G, and simultaneously hold a hunger strike until all the other teams acquiesce into just letting us win 2021’s flag. This is something Darren Burgess hasn’t thought about, and I feel it’s the missing link in our plan.

So no more drawn matches then? Or have I got that wrong?

I hear you. It’s just that...have you actually read the stuff Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in?? Anyway, I’m a-gonna drop it already.

Religion is a part of life, and in some people’s cases, a bit too large a part. Asking people to not make it “a thing” is unreasonable.

I dunno, playing Gus every game, despite his obvious struggles to find form and given so little was on the line, was...perhaps a little odd? But not being privy to the inner-sanctum’s methodology means one has to put their faith in the club’s decision-making, however we all know too well that our club is not infallible when it comes to decision-making (who’s club is?), so speculating that they fudged it up isn’t exactly blasphemy.

Don’t forget the Milkshake. Hunt could prove useful in that area too (but I realise that’s a decent-sized “could”). No mention of Dunkley either, who seems to be tracking well. And though he’s currently moonbootin’ about the joint, have we collectively given up on Spargo? Promising first year, then obviously disappointing this season gone (though certainly not alone in that regard). But is that enough to give up on the little fella?

It sure is! But not beyond the realms of possibility unfortunately. I’m still keen to get clarity on this one, but am resigned to it remaining a mystery. It does seem crazy to name a player week after week who is hindered, but seems almost equally crazy to do the same with a player who’s form and (possibly) attitude is suffering ??‍♂️ I have a recently-retired mate who played at AFL level, and it was not unusual if he played through some fairly painful weeks/months. So much of this stuff is kept under wraps by clubs because it really doesn’t pay for that info to be out there.

It’s not unheard of that somebody plays an entire season at 70-80%. Especially when a team has depth issues like ours.

Obviously there’s been a lot of conjecture over this, but this statement leaves little room for scrutiny. Might I enquire if you have a source?

So no niggling back injury then? I realise there was never an official club announcement on this, but that could be put down to simply not wanting him targeted.

Wow. I had no idea Graeme was that eloquent.

Aaron Nietschke. And agreed.

He’s already the supporters’ captain. Just make it official.

Then Lockhart and Fritsch are your guys!

He should definitely keep it if “British Infantry-circa-Boer War” is the look he’s aiming for.

Milkshake?

Appreciate the input here. It’s noteworthy that nobody has really listed anything definitively in it’s favour, save for perhaps an overall lessening of the burden of captaincy. I do hope that isn’t the reason behind it though, as that would mean the club has viewed sole-captaincy as a “burden” for the better part of eight years, when most other teams haven’t seen it that way.

But the benefits? I’m curious to know what the logic is behind any team doing it. The purpose it’s supposed to serve is genuinely lost on me.

Apologies for the close proximity of this thread to the “Gawn as co-captain 2020” thread, but I’m more interested here about the concept in general. Just read that GWS have scrapped it and are reverting back to the traditional model. I’m keen to understand what the genuine benefits are of the co-captain thing. I personally struggle to understand the concept. It seems the potential to cause an imbalance amongst the team is heightened when two players are expected to address the players in huddles/discuss issues with the umpire/talk to the press/communicate the game plan to the other players during match-time. Any disparity between the two captains could easily be the source of confusion and frustration, to a potentially result-altering end. What if the players felt one was clearer than the other? Wiser? More trustworthy? Is the risk of factions forming a hysterical or realistic concern? Personally, I would like to see MG as the sole captain. But I’m wondering if anybody here can convince me that having two-captains (any two-captains) is a positive thing.

Whoa. Garry Lions Cakes.

Some serious morphing going on in the club. Weid has gone full-hulk as noted, but OMac has also baked himself some beefcake. Petracca also clearly living in a gym these days. Viney looks the most lithe I’ve ever seen him though. Less weight on the foot, the thinking there? Preuss is also looking a bit more Matthew McConaughey, a bit less “Bull” from Night Court.

Dees make it to the GF against Brisbane Lions Go into the final quarter with a 35 point lead. Extend that lead by kicking the first four goals, stretching it to a 59 point, unassailable lead. Tears begin welling in the eyes of all Demons supporters. Two minutes till full time. Aliens arrive out of nowhere and begin attacking the earth. Nobody hears the final siren over the panic.

Melksham was hampered by injury this year. Assuming he’s good to go next season, not fielding him would be a mite foolish and kinda disrespectful.

NO! The half time break is the right amount of time for both players and the rest of the humans involved in the game to take stock, regroup, converse, make something to eat, be social with people at your house who aren’t as interested in the game as you, and the list goes on. Plus why would sponsors want less available airtime? Who is asking for this, and who would it benefit?

Fan-effen-tastic! This way, young man....