the fork

He could, but he wont. Kind of sums up his attitude doesn't it?

In the game against Brisbane when things are around him functioned in a manner that enabled forwards to play a role, he was fantastic. Problems stem, when discussing Bate, from our Ruck/Centres. Warnock may assist, but the question I have to ask: Prismall anyone?

Bates year has been rather interrupted and the delivery our forwards have received all year has made it very difficult. I don't think that it is fair to be too hard on players like Bate this year. Plenty has gone wrong around him.

Music to my ears, we're going to miss you mate...

The punters silence is deafening...

Robbie, just to clarify, my labeling of TJ as an "attention seeker" was referring to the fact that he generally received the No. 1 tag and relative "attention" from the opposition. Agreed, Travis, was probably one not to draw attention to himself, I see where we've become confused. Peter my argument is based on yet another season of unfulfilled promise. Surely if TJ was ever going to step up and be the player I think most believe he is, it was this year. Plenty of "cattle" around him to take the pressure off a little, a new coach, team and group of supporters to impress, but more than anything a point to prove. If you wish after 11 years of AFL football, to continue to make excuses for him your most welcome. I am not taking pot shots at TJ, a guilty part of me wanted him to be a one club man. Rather having a bit of fun at how hysterical some were when he was traded, myself included.

Hell I'm a week early but I feel we need a distraction from yesterdays attempt at an effort. So I thought it is time (almost) to reflect on this most debated of trades: TJ for pick 14... Many claimed that the Lions midfield would free the gifted but attention seeking TJ to impose himself on the game like never before. It seems however that the Lions experience has not been to different to ours. From this mornings Age: Travis Johnstone was arguably the coldest man, finishing with just eight possessions. Debate it all you like but TJ's effect on the Lions has been minimal. Don't get me wrong I loved the bloke. He for me however, also personified the club under ND. Overripe, full of false hope, undisciplined... just not hard enough. I'm happy with the trade, as for me it was never about Jack Grimes (that said I hope he is going to be a great player). Rather it was about a beginning of a transformation at the Mfc. Despite yesterdays effort, our position on the ladder and my hours of laying in bed fretting about the financial fight we face, you can't deny that we are a very different club now than this time last year and you might argue that it all started with this trade. Anyway. I have memories of a few obviously hysterical posters claiming to have put their houses on TJ for the Brownlow. So to kick this wee discussion off I want to ask how the punters are feeling about their outlay with one round to go?

Below is from Footyheads.com.au WALDRON DENIES DEMON CONNECTION Friday, August 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 am BY ANDREW MAHONY MELBOURNE Storm CEO Brian Waldron has today denied any links to the Melbourne Demons, most notably to fill the vacant CEO position. Speaking today on Hungry For Sport on SEN, Waldron said he was happy to remain at the NRL Premiers. Another candidate who was in the running for the job at the Demons was Geelong Chief Operating Officer, Stuart Fox, who according to Neal Balme was very keen to take the job prior to Paul McNamee’s appointment. “It’s a difficult situation for Foxy particularly, he was interested when they appointed someone else a while ago. When they’ve approached him again he’s decided he doesn’t want to do it,” Balme said. “At Geelong we’re very keen to keep him obviously, he does a terrific job.”

Not sure what is going on with the name of the article. Pretty sure the players named play for us however...

Interesting article from the Herald-Sun. I thought last years trade period was tough, this year is pivotal. I'd like to retain Green, he's been magic this year and a fine mentor for some of the younger players I'm sure. Brock for captain, what an inspiration! http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...3-19742,00.html (sorry trouble making link)

I'm going to keep inserting this every time I come across one of these stupid threads: Week after week you call for blood. Over the past ten weeks it feels as though I’ve read it all: SACK Bailey, TRADE Sylvia, DROP Brock, DELIST Dunn, FORGET Meesen, USELESS Bruce, OVERHYPED Morton, OVERATED Jones, MISSING Mc Namee, NAÏVE Stynes. NO Game plan, STUPID game plan, game plan too HARD, Etc, etc, etc… Too many supporters have such incredibly high expectations of our club, it’s players and coaches. Expectations that no club in this competition, in this circumstance, would possibly try to adhere to. All the clichés are true, we’re a fickle bunch. We want it all and we all want it NOW. Well I’m proposing to suggest we decide to get behind the club and support what is a difficult time in our history. To rethink our expectations and show a bit of respect. Please Demonlander’s be patient. We are experiencing a cleansing of the mediocrity that has held us half way there for decades. Hell, be generous give Sylvia a SECOND pre-season, don’t be so hard give Dean Bailey a season (3 actually but I’m trying to be sarcastic), let the coaches settle on a position for young Dunn, then concoct your pathetic ultimatums. Now that DB knows Millers a forward, lets let him get some continuity in developing as one, give Morton time to eat steak, Give 21 YO Meesen the same time that every other club gives their talls. Stop, shower and shake yourself before you ever write off the two greatest players this club has in Brock and Jones Boy. Consider that Bell might be lacking a bit of confidence (now why might that be?) Remember that awful thing you wrote about Garland all that TIME ago? I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m in it for the long haul, not just this year and maybe next. As long as this heart beats it will beat RED and BLUE. SUPPORT OUR CLUB. GO YOU BLOODY DEMONS.

I get to one or two games a year, I live outside Vic, I just happened to be at this one and was amazed from start to finish. Being on the members wing that day is something I will always remember. Standing, shouting my lungs out with my fists in the air watching the now famous PJ chase. The deafening ending to this match was dream like, such a majestic end to our effort. Another player I believe deserves a mention here is Dunn. He has claimed some massive scalps of late. I got down on the boundary at the end of the game, Dunn, Martin (I have high hopes for Stef) and CJ all really pumped. I looked CJ in the eyes and told him that that was his best game yet. He listened, smiled and I swore he grew a foot higher. It's the spark in our new guys and their growing confidence that'll see us through. Go you Demons!!

Go STEF!! Great news, so happy he's getting a run. Very exciting to see so many younger players being blooded. Go Dees!!

In you guys are going to repeat yourselves, so will I. My post from a week ago: It takes time. That’s all this post is about. Time and everything that can happen within it. It’s seems that few here have much genuine respect. Respect for the individuals at our club and the time given to them to make a go of it. I’m not talking about 40 years, I’m talking about 10 months. Dean Bailey was installed as the coach of the Melbourne Football Club on September 11th 2007. Since then almost every coaching and administration role within the club has changed hands. Our list, since that date, has been turned upside down. Just last week we lost another player to the long-term injury list, a week that saw a new President take the reigns. But still, week after week you call for blood. Over the past ten weeks it feels as though I’ve read it all: SACK Bailey, TRADE Sylvia, DROP Brock, DELIST Dunn, FORGET Meesen, USELESS Bruce, OVERHYPED Morton, OVERATED Jones, MISSING Mc Namee, NAÏVE Stynes. NO Game plan, STUPID game plan, game plan too HARD, Etc, etc, etc… Too many supporters have such incredibly high expectations of our club, it’s players and coaches. Expectations that no club in this competition, in this circumstance, would possibly try to adhere to. All the clichés are true, we’re a fickle bunch. We want it all and we all want it NOW. Well I’m proposing to suggest we decide to get behind the club and support what is a difficult time in our history. To rethink our expectations and show a bit of respect. Please Demonlander’s be patient. We are experiencing a cleansing of the mediocrity that has held us half way there for decades. Hell, be generous give Sylvia a SECOND pre-season, don’t be so hard give Dean Bailey a season (3 actually but I’m trying to be sarcastic), let the coaches settle on a position for young Dunn, then concoct your pathetic ultimatums. Now that DB knows Millers a forward, lets let him get some continuity in developing as one, give Morton time to eat steak, Give 21 YO Meesen the same time that every other club gives their talls. Stop, shower and shake yourself before you ever write off the two greatest players this club has in Brock and Jones Boy. Consider that Bell might be lacking a bit of confidence (now why might that be?) Remember that awful thing you wrote about Garland all that TIME ago? I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m in it for the long haul, not just this year and maybe next. As long as this heart beats it will beat RED and BLUE. SUPPORT OUR CLUB. GO YOU BLOODY DEMONS.

It takes time. That’s all this post is about. Time and everything that can happen within it. It’s seems that few here have much genuine respect. Respect for the individuals at our club and the time given to them to make a go of it. I’m not talking about 40 years, I’m talking about 10 months. Dean Bailey was installed as the coach of the Melbourne Football Club on September 11th 2007. Since then almost every coaching and administration role within the club has changed hands. Our list, since that date, has been turned upside down. Just last week we lost another player to the long-term injury list, a week that saw a new President take the reigns. But still, week after week you call for blood. Over the past ten weeks it feels as though I’ve read it all: SACK Bailey, TRADE Sylvia, DROP Brock, DELIST Dunn, FORGET Meesen, USELESS Bruce, OVERHYPED Morton, OVERATED Jones, MISSING Mc Namee, NAÏVE Stynes. NO Game plan, STUPID game plan, game plan too HARD, Etc, etc, etc… Too many supporters have such incredibly high expectations of our club, it’s players and coaches. Expectations that no club in this competition, in this circumstance, would possibly try to adhere to. All the clichés are true, we’re a fickle bunch. We want it all and we all want it NOW. Well I’m proposing to suggest we decide to get behind the club and support what is a difficult time in our history. To rethink our expectations and show a bit of respect. Please Demonlander’s be patient. We are experiencing a cleansing of the mediocrity that has held us half way there for decades. Hell, be generous give Sylvia a SECOND pre-season, don’t be so hard give Dean Bailey a season (3 actually but I’m trying to be sarcastic), let the coaches settle on a position for young Dunn, then concoct your pathetic ultimatums. Now that DB knows Millers a forward, lets let him get some continuity in developing as one, give Morton time to eat steak, Give 21 YO Meesen the same time that every other club gives their talls. Stop, shower and shake yourself before you ever write off the two greatest players this club has in Brock and Jones Boy. Consider that Bell might be lacking a bit of confidence (now why might that be?) Remember that awful thing you wrote about Garland all that TIME ago? I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m in it for the long haul, not just this year and maybe next. As long as this heart beats it will beat RED and BLUE. SUPPORT OUR CLUB. GO YOU BLOODY DEMONS.

It takes time. That’s all this post is about. Time and everything that can happen within it. It’s seems that few here have much genuine respect. Respect for the individuals at our club and the time given to them to make a go of it. I’m not talking about 40 years, I’m talking about 10 months. Dean Bailey was installed as the coach of the Melbourne Football Club on September 11th 2007. Since then almost every coaching and administration role within the club has changed hands. Our list, since that date, has been turned upside down. Just last week we lost another player to the long-term injury list, a week that saw a new President take the reigns. But still, week after week you call for blood. Over the past ten weeks it feels as though I’ve read it all: SACK Bailey, TRADE Sylvia, DROP Brock, DELIST Dunn, FORGET Meesen, USELESS Bruce, OVERHYPED Morton, OVERATED Jones, MISSING Mc Namee, NAÏVE Stynes. NO Game plan, STUPID game plan, game plan too HARD, Etc, etc, etc… Too many supporters have such incredibly high expectations of our club, it’s players and coaches. Expectations that no club in this competition, in this circumstance, would possibly try to adhere to. All the clichés are true, we’re a fickle bunch. We want it all and we all want it NOW. Well I’m proposing to suggest we decide to get behind the club and support what is a difficult time in our history. To rethink our expectations and show a bit of respect. Please Demonlander’s be patient. We are experiencing a cleansing of the mediocrity that has held us half way there for decades. Hell, be generous give Sylvia a SECOND pre-season, don’t be so hard give Dean Bailey a season (3 actually but I’m trying to be sarcastic), let the coaches settle on a position for young Dunn, then concoct your pathetic ultimatums. Now that DB knows Millers a forward, lets let him get some continuity in developing as one, give Morton time to eat steak, Give 21 YO Meesen the same time that every other club gives their talls. Stop, shower and shake yourself before you ever write off the two greatest players this club has in Brock and Jones Boy. Consider that Bell might be lacking a bit of confidence (now why might that be?) Remember that awful thing you wrote about Garland all that TIME ago? I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m in it for the long haul, not just this year and maybe next. As long as this heart beats it will beat RED and BLUE. SUPPORT OUR CLUB. GO YOU BLOODY DEMONS.

nothing I ever say is funny. during a game is never an appropriate time for people to make comment on big issues within the club. Too much passion, and there is plenty of it amongst us, to think clearly. Anyone calling for Baileys head in the circumstances in which he is working is just not thinking clearly.

not funny weapon, desperate...

in the middle of nowhere, no radio, no tv just a satellite connection, you guys are keeping me there. GO YOU DEES!!!!!

keep going fellas I'm enjoying this...

I'm growing tired of ridiculous topics like this. I don't even bother with Demonology anymore because there were so many topics started just attacking every player and every aspect of the club. Only a week ago there was a expert sprouting that we have to get rid of Nathan Jones and now complaints about a player who has just received a BOG from an opposition coach. Elite players, which most posters on here are obsessed with, play important roles within successful teams, rarely however are they the key ingredient. Brock is one step away from being an elite midfielder. He gets the ball and generally makes good use of it, he is hard, he is tough and boy is he young. If you doubt that he is captaincy material get yourself along to a training session and see where it all begins. 40 years without a cup has wore us all down and too many want the quick fix. Brock is the base from which we build.

http://news.realfooty.com.au/sport/brad-mi...80603-2l9f.html (can someone do the link thingy?) Interesting article providing the forward possibilities for the remainder of the year and beyond. A minor worry that it took a while for Mahoney to realize the depth of trouble we are in... Miller to be a focus and possibly in the future we see a forward line something like: Newton, P. Johnston, Maric and Garland!

Good analysis Jaded. I agree that both Brock and Jones boy are vital. Jones will develop with better support and it will come from the likes of Morton in time. And weapon I couldn't agree with you more. We are falling apart at the seams and some are willing to point the finger at the toughest nut in the whole club. A true sign that a few supporter have the yips and are unable to suffer through a rebuild. Yes, it hurts but I'll say it again, rebuild.

Right you are Dandy, I didn't go far enough in my previous post. I love the Jones Boy, he plays for the jumper almost like no other. He's the type of player that keeps the supporters true. It's those around him that need to step us and support his work rate and endeavour to get the ball in the first place.

I think during a difficult period such as this it is easy to point out flaws in each and every player. Small mistakes, and plenty of big ones, are costing us plenty at the moment. I think due to our lack of confidence and team play each and every flaw is exaggerated. Yes Jones under pressure can cough it up, his disposal lets him down, perhaps even when where playing well. But the utter lack of support from team mates and his lack of confidence in the "team" exemplifies these mistakes that would be minor in a team like Geelong. Jones is a vital ingredient in this team and would be in any other team. I witnessed a training session at the beginning of the year and was flabbergasted at how much harder he trained than almost anyone, bar Brock. Every single player in our side must look to him and see where they have to get to. He is young, he is learning and I believe he is possibly our most important player. He is certainly the most deserving player to be wearing the famous #2 jumper.