Dee Dee

Agree! And really he's not all that short! What - about 177cm? About the same height as Aaron Davey (but about 6 to 8 kg heavier). What I like about Valenti is his brain, he appears to have a high football IQ, and that's something many of our players seem to lack.

Spot on!!! He seems to be one of those uncanny players who knows instinctively where the ball is going to go and gets to that position.

First VFL match for years! Great atmosphere and very enjoyable sitting near the fence yelling instructions to the players as they ran past. I was impressed with Valenti's game, the kid may not have blistering leg speed, but his mind seems to work faster than most players in the team and he generally seems to extricate himself from tight spots with some aplomb. He's also a damned hard worker which is a big big plus. If he's not in our best 22 as yet - he's heading that way! (and yes I know he's a supplementary player). And I think Stephan Martin has the makings of a very good AFL footballer and would like to see him given a shot at the big time later this year. Good height, good leg speed and seemed to read the play quite well. Simon Buckley sure is fast of foot but seems to be a bit slow of mind (he's the reverse of Valenti). Paul Johnson played well with little ruck support. I remember a couple of years ago his marking was constantly called into question. Well, it's improved!!! Young Maric. Looks about 12, played well in fits and starts, but to be expected from a school kid! In a couple of years when he grows up he could be a very exciting footballer.

I received a nice silk tie. But when I go to a game I rarely wear a tie (rarely wear a tie these days - full stop). I like to wear a supporters scarf. Would appreciate a scarf (or a cap). Much more practical than a tie and more visible. And I'm sure a scarf or cap would cost less than a silk tie!

I've just finished looking at a replay of the match (was at the game as well). I thought Bate was very ordinary in the first half, as were most of his team mates. He was coming into the team for the first time this year however and after a hamstring injury may well have felt somewhat tentative in his approach to the game. But in the second half it was he and Miller operating across that half forward line that really won us the match. Bate was fast (not lightning fast but certainly fast enough), aggressive at the ball - he attacked it aggressively and not the man and to my mind his awareness was very good and should only get better. I liked his game.

Must admit that before the match I was decrying Miller to all and sundry. But gee he played well. 6: Miller (and very well deserved) 5: young Austin (a lad who'll get the crowds back to our games) 4: McLean 3: Matthew Bate (for his excellent second half) 2: Robertson (nice to see him keep on his feet) 1: Davey (Goal of the year!!!!!) Special mention to Bruce, Garland and Warnock.

Over the last couple of months I've been surprised to hear (and read) some people talking about Matt Whelan retiring at the end of the season (along with James McDonald, Jeff White and a couple of others). Now I realise that injury has curtailed his career over the last couple of years, but, he's still only 28 and I reckon if he can keep fit we should see him in the red and blue for another 2 or 3 seasons. His aggression and composure on the back line are much needed. Anyone who witnessed his game last Sunday would agree that while he was a little rusty, his contribution to our defence kept us in the game (at least in the first half). Those of us who remember Alan Johnson also remember his injury plagued mid-career. He came back in his late 20's to play at his very best in the back pocket. I'm not saying history will repeat itself - but - Matthew Whelan's career is certainly not over yet.

The MFC was established as a separate body to the MCC in 1958 by Harrison and Wills who were senior office holders of the MCC at the time. I believe it officially became a part of the MCC in the mid 1870's (not absolutely sure of date)! I understand it was Jim Cardwell who instigated the breakaway from the MCC in 1980 - or thereabouts. Reason - every cent spent needed MCC committee approval and that was proving to be very frustrating. So, while we may claim with justification that the Melbourne Football Club is the child of the Melbourne Cricket Club we have since untied the umbilical cord and gone off to face the big bad world as an adult. And re-tying the cord would be somewhat problematic. However the current president and most of the committee of the MCC are MFC supporters, Steve Smith for one having played with distinction for us. But, the MCC is now a multi, multi million dollar entertainment business which needs to generate an acceptable profit each year to pay for the facilities. Would they want us back, I'm honestly not sure they would, too much trouble, too much politicking they would probably say. However a closer alignment in some way through more and better cross promotion would sure help. That figure of 20% MCC member support for the MFC is probably closer to 25-28%. However much of it is soft support and a real hard push to get more members to support their "child" would help (and that's a subject on its own)! I believe that MFC players are offered MCC membership after a certain milestone in their career is reached (5years? 10 years? 100 or 200 games?) a privilege offered to the players of no other club. And yes, we do receive financial support from the MCC but as to how much, I'm not exactly sure. From my point of view as a member of both clubs a re-alignment would be nice but I'm not sure it will happen. But just one more remark, Paul McNamee (who's an MCC member) told me he wanted to see a closer relationship between both clubs, so something positive may eventuate!

Agree with you: McLean 6 Green 5 McDonald 4 Bruce 3 Frawley2 Whelan 1

Bishop was an ordinary player who performed very well for the Dee's in a game at the MCG against Port Adelaide and they were apparently quite impressed by him. He seemed to be going nowhere with us and accepted a transfer to Port (not sure what if anything we got from the deal)! However, I think he was far better than one or two players who remained on our list and carved out careers for themselves on our backline. I think Nathan Bassett's case was different. I remember he was playing in the Melbourne reserves and broke his pelvis. He came back, played on the forward line and to my recollection played well in that position. I saw him a couple of times in the seconds when we played those matches on the old Punt Road (Richmond) ground (possibly in 1999 - not quite sure). To me he looked good enough to be elevated to the seniors, but he wasn't, so he went back home to Adelaide.

As ever, I went along with a couple of fellow MCC/MFC members and sat on the top level of the members stand among both Melbourne and North Supporters. We thought crowd numbers were pretty even; maybe just favouring North! At half time, I went downstairs and walked passed the Long Room (I never go in - can't be bothered dressing up); it seemed to be populated by men wearing red and blue ties but I'm not sure how many were card carrying members of the MFC! Went passed the committee room and saw Stuart Spencer, Sean Wight and Steve Smith and wives/partners. Gee - would liked to have had a chat to them about the game but of course I'm not one of the privileged ones who gets an invitation into the inner sanctum (and of course I can't be bothered dressing up) And just as an aside, I was at the MCC during the week and saw a notice in one of the offices showing crowd estimates of 29K for Saturday and 59K for Sunday! So North would have been very disappointedly! A North supporter we sat near told us that, yes they may have over 30,000 members this year but most of them are silent members. Other than that the game plan stinks and a long swift kick into the forward line before the whole opposing team can rally down back while we [censored] fart around with handball, is the way to go!

I think Bate is still one week away from playing! But, he sure would be handy.

Morton has the skinniest legs I have ever seen on an AFL footballer. They are too skinny to carry the weight of someone standing much more than 192/3 cm!

Well I've thought about it since Sunday and for me it's: 6: Johnson 5: Jones 4: Moloney 3: Morton 2: Green 1: Weetra (because he tried)

No, no, no, Morton and Weetra must not be dropped - they both played well (seriously)!!! As for McLean: someone on SEN (can't remember) said his 28 touches were the worst they had seen. And I must admit the bloke was really off song. He seemed to playing at 1/2 speed all day. What's wrong with him?

That's fine DR It'll make interesting reading in about 16 weeks time. Also what about some extra coaching by the Choir of Hard Knocks - teach the lads to perform in front of a crowd with dignity and passion (and on $150 a week) (by the by I hope you don't mind a correction but, it's Ku not Klu).

DR, I really think you're beeing a bit harsh on Weetra. I thought he was OK. First game with this rabble, if it was me I'd have asked the coach to excuse me at half time because I wanted to go down to Sandy and play with some good young players. He stuck it out and played well enough to get a game next week.

Agree, PJ tried all day. I also thought Weetra did quite well - i.e. he at least had a go! Otherwise, the worst performance by a Melbourne team in probably 30 years!

I would like to applaud Mr Valenti for so thoroughly entering into the spirit of reconciliation.

I remember before Dunn was drafted he played CHB in junior comp! Please correct me if I'm wrong. Also (as an aside) I remember someone saying that he had a reputation as something of a hothead before he came to the Dee's. Anyway he certainly seems quite cool and calm thesedays. But, I'm not sure he will be seen in the opening match, apparently has a bit of a niggle in the hamstring or groin area. Neitz also out of contention I believe.

Frawley has played just 9 games for the MFC as an 18 year old (he turned 19 in September). Watching him last season I was delighted by his general agility and attack on the ball. And most of all his general enthusiasm. Frawley has the height, 193 cm, for the job but at last seasons end weighed well under 90 kg. so weight was a problem. Now, after 9 games I'm not expert enough to say he'll be a top class FB or just an average one. But if in a few years time he is anywhere near as good as his uncle was - that'll be good enough for me. I remember hearing SOS say that in his opinion a full back took years to develop, maybe 60 games or more, so the kid shouldn't be judged just yet. The same goes for Garland. However I've seen little of him so I cannot comment further. And didn't we recruit Stefan Martin as a potential KP backline player? So for the future we seem to have a few options. As for Nathan C., he's a journeyman filling a hole. Fun to watch, a bit of a character and someone who when on song holds down the FB position quite well. But he's very inconsistent and too often looks lost when the going is tough. We can do better IMHO.

Well no! Sure he's a great player but I would suggest that over the past 150 years we've had a few greater players than David. However given the importance of the year ahead (and the symbolism implied), Neitz should have the honour of leading the club again. So I hope he stays on as captain for one more year. And after that - well I also hope there are enough players in the team who are considered 'captain' material for there to be a bit of a fight for the job!

Remember our first game last season against Geelong? Cam Mooney cutting us up? Who went on to him in third term and stopped him? PJ that's who!

Sorry...I think it's bluddy awful! Our colours are Red and Blue not Silver, Red and Blue. We should come up with a variation on our normal jumper and not shell out to some graphic designer wanting to add to her/his portfolio (conjecture yes - but I wonder) <_<