Dee Dee

You beat me to it. Best of the three IMHO (and the other two weren’t exactly unimpressive)!

I think that was prior to finals! Quite acceptable, and they were on the ground for only an hour or so! Now the problem with using the ground for training on a regular basis are many, First of all the work being done on the ground during week days is quite extensive including mowing in summer every day and daily fertilising, together with turf replacement on a regular basis. Plus of course regular watering and working on the wicket area. In other words there are people working on the ground almost non stop. ( I think the MCC employs eight to ten full time ground staff). In winter the ground is mown twice weekly but other work as described above (excluding working on the cricket wickets) still continues! And added to that is the use in winter of large portable banks of lights, to stimulate grass growth, especially on that northern section of the ground which gets little or no direct sunlight during winter. These banks of lights would certainly prove difficult to manoeuvre around at training as they can occupy half the ground. There are times when the ground would be free for training but not on a regular daily week to week basis unfortunately. Another point is that training on the G is certainly not “private” or “ closed session” as there are people present all the time including multiple tour groups, trades people, MCC and MFC office workers, catering staff etc. so whatever football training session took place on the ground could be viewed by dozens of if not hundreds of people! I would love to see Melbourne train on the cricket ground but I doubt it could be on a regular weekly basis: once in a while maybe!!!

Dane Swan says Hi!?

Do any of you remember the first time he coached Melbourne? If my memory serves me correctly it was at the MCG on a very hot 30 + day against Fitzroy. At quarter time the Fitzroy players stood in the middle of the ground in the sweltering sun, Northey on the other hand ushered his players to a small area of shelter under the shadow of on of the MCG’s light towers. They all had to huddle in but it proved temporary relief from the very hot sun. I remember being very impressed at the time! Gee this man really cares: a sentiment I held all through Northey’s coaching career.

I really feel for Harley’s family, especially for his partner and daughter. They are the ones who will suffer the most from his indiscretion, they are the ones who, if Harley doesn’t have a job will almost certainly be reduced to relying on government handouts and a probable life of near poverty. This is the real tragedy!

Salem and family were all mad keen Essendon supporters before he was drafted by Melbourne. Maybe Saad was trying to entice him back into the fold!?

This bloke has been a revelation, so glad we got him! And also quite a different personality to the average: nice to have a slightly eccentric individual in the team.

6: May (AA performance) 5: Langdon 4: Petracca 3: Rivers 2: Salem 1: Oliver

May I join you in your anger. I also feel too angry to vote! What a shame it’s come to this!

I saw this on ABC TV news last night: gee I felt proud to be a Melbourne supporter. Well done to all involved!

I ran into Simon Madden at a lunch at the MCC about 5 years ago (and a very pleasant bloke he was): asked him in a rather tongue in cheek way about Steve O’Dwyer and was surprised to learn the Madden saw him occasionally and that they were on good speaking terms. And that “Strawbs” still looked very slim and fit”! So, what happens on the field stays on the field (at least with those two). And yes living in West Brunswick at the time, I went to that match a shortish tram ride away.

6: Oliver 5: Langdon 4: Spargo 3: Petracca 2: May 1: Brayshaw

6: Oliver 5: Petracca 4: Weiderman 4: Brayshaw 3: Jackson 2: Lever 1:: Langdon

Article in today’s Age discussing Oliver’s recent turn around. One observer of our current #13 is former #13 Jordie McKenzie who appears to take quite a lot of interest in Clarry’s progress, loves watching him play and feels he can go on to greater heights while admitting that he (Jordie) was not quite good enough. I always liked McKenzie, a player who just didn’t quite have it but certainly gave his all.

6: Inept 5: Unsightly 4: Amateurish 3: Bumbling 2: Embarrassing 1: Poo Poo!!!!!!!!

Has this been mentioned before? Sorry if I’m going over old ground. BUT: I heard mentioned during the game on Sunday that Kosi’s dad couldn’t attend the match because he was working as a stand up comic! I searched the net and found Kevin Kropinyeri and a further look on you You Tube produced some video footage: very funny man. Maybe some one with more skill than me can put a link!

I can’t go past Gawn as BOG: a very exciting game and a joy to watch! 6: Gawn 5: Petracca 4: Viney 3: Langdon 2: Oliver 1: Weiderman

“Unctuous” is a nice description of his style. Your correct, he really should have retired years ago! But back to young Weightman: another product of the Hailebury College football factory! They churn ‘em out down there!

Bruce liked him (and so do I)!

6: Gawn 5: Viney 4: Petracca 3: Salem 2: Oliver 1: Hannan

Hello palindrome ? Nice effort!

So, after calming down and some hours of reflection:- 6: Brayshaw 5: Viney 4: Oliver 3: Hibberd 2: Gawn 1: Petracca

Miller could be a very intimidating player who I think was suspended for rough play on a couple of occasions! His crash and bash approach caused injury to more than one opponent! Would he be a good fit to the Dee’s coaching panel, I don’t know, but I used to enjoy watching him as a development coach when he was with us ( and I enjoyed seeing his former wife as well)!

He did apply for the Adelaide job as well last year which probably means he’s keen to get the top job somewhere at some time!

I think Yze was coach of the backline at Hawthorn after his stint at the Box Hill Hawks. So I believe he’s had a few jobs at that club. And if as reported, Hawthorn fought to keep him on, he must be very valuable in their eyes. And as for his reported antipathy towards the Dee’s, I’m pretty sure I saw him all decked out in red and blue, along with other former players in a march to the G a few years ago. And further: if I remember correctly (could be wrong) Adem was well on the way to breaking the Stynes 244 continuous games record and was somehow stopped by the powers at the club, though details escape me! I don’t think he appreciated that!