Deeatribe

Are you old enough to remember the majestic Maurice Rioli? Tiwi Islander played for St Mary's in Darwin went to WAFL for a season then to Richmond in 1982. 118 games of pure beauty.

What a ripper post. Where have you been all my life?

1. Bell - future AA medium defender. Game on S. Welsh last season close to the perfect storm. Some blokes are not good enough to ever play as well as that. If he can perform at that level once then he can do it regularly. 2. Whelan - can and should be the next C. Johnson (Brisbane). Just needs to get body and head right - has suffered from the problem of soft boys being ND pinups so "why the F should I bust a gut". 3. Jones - rich man's Sam Mitchell. And for good measure, the boy most likely to take the next big step - Simon Buckley.

The rookie draft was introduced in 1997. Craig presided over it for Melbourne. He drafted Nathan Basset, Matthew Bishop, Daniel Ward, Robbo, Junior and a bloke named Duncan O'Toole. Fair day's work.

Is there an echo around here? With God as my witness I have not discussed this with Fan. Spooky!!!

The fourth last pick - pick 78 - in the 1997 Rookie Draft. James McDonald - 198 games, AA and twice B&F with the clock still running.

Morgan has been doing this survey for years with remarkably consistent results year on year. Exactly why should we reject them as "inaccurate" just because they expose your argument as a crock? If you believe that the MCC is 11% Collingwood (who let them in?) then I'll redo the numbers: CFC = 38038 members plus (11% of 80000 = 8800 of whom 20% are paid up CFC members and 80% are not =7040) = 45078 who are either CFC or MCC members = conversion of supporters to members of 6.6% compared with Melbourne's equivalent 17.8%. Pathetic.

This stuff about the Ferals and the like being passionate and Melbourne supporters being effete snow loving theatregoers is one of footy's great myths. In March 2007 Collingwood had 688,000 supporters nationally (source: Roy Morgan). For season 2006 they had 38,038 paid up members(source: AFL), a conversion of supporters to members of 5.5%. Melbourne had 228,000 supporters and 24,689 members, a conversion of 10.8%. A further 16,000 known Melbourne supporters are paid up members of the MCC but not the MFC. If you include these in Melbourne's membership numbers then the conversion is 17.8%. The facts are that Melbourne supporters are 2-3 times more likely to support their Club by taking out a membership or attending games than Collingwood supporters. I suppose it's hard to get along when public transport from Wron Wron and Barwon Prisons is so ordinary.

And don't tell me - the Queen is holding a function at Buckingham Palace next week and hasn't invited you either. What a [censored]!!!

Gardner and Co kick another goal. We turn over players, coaches and administrators at regular intervals in search of that elusive winning combination. It's a very harsh industry - just ask Simon Godfrey. It's good that the Board doesn't think itself above this process and is prepared to make changes to the "list" to make themselves better at what they do.

This got a run on 3AW's Rumour file last week and again early this week. Gardner rang in and assured everyone that he had every intention of leading the Club through its 150th Anniversary year in 2008. Sounded pretty relaxed and convincing to me.

I heard the rumour on 3AW's Rumour file this morning from Ross and John. Bev isn't on 3AW and she was not mentioned in the context of this rumour. Interestingly no rebuttal from Gardner. Where/when did Bev give voice to her Presidential aspirations?

There is one reason and one reason only why Judd to Melbourne has firmed so spectacularly - weight of (informed) money!!!

You guys are obviously diehards. I hardly ever get along to Sandy - work shifts, kids etc. I can go tomorrow. I was wondering how much support the Demons will give Sandy in their finals campaign now that Dees' season is over. Will players, admin, coaches, Board etc get along to support Sandy at the weekend (might be able to get an autograph for the kids if they do)?

Presentation night is Monday 1 October at Crown Palladium.

TEAC OVAL (Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne Melway 2J E1) Tram: Route 109 – from Box Hill via Balwyn, Deepdene, Kew, Richmond, Victoria Parade, Collins Street and Clarendon Street, then via reserved track to North Port. Bus: Raglan Street stop bus route 232 (North Altona); route 235 (Fishermans Bend) and route 238 City Terminus (Flinders Street). Don't overlook 1.10pm start.

Nothing new here. This was an article by Greg Denham in the Australian on August 21. He has written essentially the same article in each of the last 3 weeks. He's struggling.

Boris and the Kremlin don't tolerate dissent. I wonder if the strong stance taken by the MFC and Gardner in particular against the farcical three strikes policy endorsed by Boris called for payback - big time.

Isn't that what Rhino said?