picket fence

No and don't forget Peter Moore was still around I think at this time but I reckon he too was on long term injury list!

Round 22 1987 Round 22, 1987 Footscray vs Melbourne Saturday, 29 August Venue: Western Oval Attendance: 31,249 Match Statistics Melbourne win by 15 points Goalkickers: Robert Flower 3, Warren Dean 2, Brian Wilson 2, Ricky Jackson 1, Garry Lyon 1, Steven Stretch 1, Jim Stynes 1, David Williams 1 Brownlow Votes: 3 - Sean Wight 2 - Warren Dean Milestones Last MFC Game Steve Turner A famous day, the day that broke a 23 year run out outs and failures to see the Demons, and Robert Flower finally qualifying for a final series. The equation was simple. Beat Footscray at the Western Oval and have Hawthorn (16-5) beat Geelong (11-10) at Kardinia Park. It was a scenario eerily reminscent of Round 22, 1976 when the Demons had done their bit by beating Collingwood only to see top five contenders Footscray steal a draw against minor premiers Carlton to leapfrog into 5th. The Demons had often promised in the eleven seasons since then, but through five coaches and hundreds of players they'd more often been down - or at - the bottom of the ladder. Flower had to be talked out of retiring at the end of 1986, and now his chances of playing finals football rested on a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon in the western suburbs - and what happened in Geelong. Team Manager John Sell told the players at three-quarter time that the Hawks were thumping Geelong. The coaching staff wanted them to concentrate on doing their bit and letting the game at Kardinia Park play out. Fittingly it was Flower who turned the game for the Demons. They had been 24 points behind early in the third quarter and it seemed that their brave late season run was going to end with a whimper. Two goals during the comeback, and a steadying presence in the dramatic final term were everything you could ask a champion for in what would otherwise have been his final match - especially considering he'd only had two kicks in the first half. The commotion after the game was unbelievable. Fans who hadn't even been born in 1964 and those who distantly remembered the glory era of the 1950's shared in the celebration. Hundreds invaded the field at the final siren, and some even tried to hoist Robbie onto their shoulders. The problem was that the game in Geelong hadn't finished yet, and while Geelong had thrown a nine point lead away to trail by three they were still just one straight kick from another 1976-esque heartbreaker for the Demons. As the players hit the change rooms, though, the siren went at Kardinia Park and it was confirmed - they were in. For the second time that day the players erupted. The story from Geelong made it all the more remarkable. At the 23 minute mark of the last quarter the Cats held a 23-point lead and it seemed inevitable that they would jump both the sides at the Western Oval and finish 5th. Hawthorn stormed back in time-on but a Barry Stoneham goal with no more than a couple of minutes seemed to make it safe. Local radio commentators even declared "the Cats are in the finals" much to the distress of the fans huddled around their radios at the Western Oval. The Hawks goalled again though, and with 60 seconds left the ball flew into their forward line and somehow evaded the pack waiting for it and landed in the arms of Hawk spearhead Jason Dunstall. He converted his fourth goal of the last quarter to put the Hawks in front and Melbourne into the 5th again. Wight, Dean and Newport were the best for Melbourne but they lost exciting youngster Garry Lyon with a broken leg. Lyon's reaction on the stretcher would later come back to haunt him during his hosting of The Footy Show. Brian Wilson suffered an injured ankle which kept him out, and Flower a broken finger which required pain-killing injections and a great deal of subterfuge to get him to the line the next Saturday. Steve Turner strained knee ligaments and also missed the finals. Earl Spalding and Dean Chiron were both reported for striking. Chiron was suspended and missed the first week of the finals while Spalding was cleared. Reserves Footscray 18.13.121 d. Melbourne 10.10.70 Goals - Eishold 3, Richards 2, Lamb 2, Kol 1, Campbell 1, Lovett 1, Best - Allardice, Lovett, Eishold Under 19's Melbourne 19.10.124 defeated Footscray 12.9.81 Goals - Lane 3, M. Stillman 3, Graham 2, Healy 2, Partington 2, Smith 2, Gazeas 2, Hanlon 2, Minchington 1 Best - Smit, Clarkson, Hawkins

Happy to entertain. Let me put is this way. If the club sees fit to offer a 3 year deal for a tagger no more no less ( and look Jordy has made the most of humble abilities) then I would seriously have to question the path we are taking!!

If Moloney is one dimensional, then what is Jordy who has from reports been offered 3 years???? I really am starting to wonder about "Neelds" strategies at this piont!

What on earth is going on? I had Jordy as close to being delist material!! One dimensional yep tagger, yep, limited skills set, Yep, and we offer three years???? WTF is going on. Can just see our electrifying midfield next year, Jordy, Chunky,( really the only mid of anything approaching class) and that hybrid bruiser, Cale the whale! And we play hardball with Moloney?!?! I wonder how much a membership at Geelong is next year?

I was at Western Oval Western side of the ground watching perhaps the most exciting day of footy I can recall. It was 25 years ago in 1987. Today just for nostalgia and because today was not unlike the same conditions weather wise I delved into the past and in glorious sunshine out in the back room have just revisited this game. Replayed with Tim Lane of channel two calling the shots in that iconoclastic, imbued football show of yesteryear "The Winners" resonated and replayed some magic moments from that fantastic year. Would love to hear from others who were or were not there some thoughts on this red letter gala Demon day of Delight!

Touche Macca and one other thing tea leaves post didn't provide was that Brownlow votes only tell one half of the story, not to say that he was still/ STILL our best player in many other games which we lost which paints a different picture of his performances in context!

I'm dumbfounded !! here we have our current B&F winner, hard in and under ( something we ah... lack) and by the sounds of it many of you are just happy to say see ya! Gees no wonder our club is struggling! Over and out for the night sheeesh!

Care to elaborate just a fraction on this oh so profound post?

Can anyone categorically say that BM has spat the dummy as a result of his treatment? Can anyone out there say for fact they know intrinsically that he has spat the dummy? Because if no one can then reality is that he must be given the benefit of the doubt in my book!

Yep the same club! And to restate Brett Moloney did take responsibility for not only himself but also mentoring the younger dees with his camps, The same BM who stuffed up for the incident with Booze took his medicine and still found himself "On the Outer" The same BM who has struggled against a flawed football plan that God knows will be found wanting by the time the footy dept actually works out what, how, when and who can actually carry it out ! BM will return bigger bolder and better than ever. And who will start whinging then ? eh? Belief in Neeld, his game plan and people management ?? Well this jury is well and truly OUT on that one!

You don't win Best and Fairests unless you have an outstanding year AGAINST ALL SIDES! want to try again?

If true NOT HAPPY has been treated with disdain, clearance king, hard ball gets, if we haven't done enough to retain and unless serious issues emerge this one will come back and well and trully bite us hard on the rump! As a member, I'll be asking some pretty big questions! Form is temporary class is permanent. Remember, REMEMBER this is our current best and fairest winner and one of the precious few who goes in and gets the agate. Aghast at this stage!!

I cannot see any reason for not playing Fitzpatrick and Gyberts in this final game. Unless serious issues are appararent both should play! After nearly a month of consistent footy reward effort and benchmark performance.

The fact that truckloads of Cash had nothing at all to do with his decision to join is inconsequential also I spose! To understand motivation and the relationship between personality and on methods of motivation is to understand that there is no " one style of motivation" and the ability to perform on the day. My response made earlier is a personal reflection of how to me the buildup of the game from whence this material was gathered did little which would arouse and or heighten my external sensory modes. So yeah the "Killagrew" model worked probably better for me when I played BUT, this method is not conducive to all, and nor should it be. At this level the so called Neeld scary stare is nothing more than apparition, It did not appear natural and if it does not appear natural, then, hence my comment. Scared? Nah not by a long shot! and not sure scared is the way to go either! Motivational? well maybe for some and for a quarter. What you really want is internal motivation and tools to allow for peak performance. Can a coach bring these qualities out ? Yep. The real question is has Neeld been succesful in motivating players towards consistent performance? That is the real burning question!

Ah no!

Wouldn't go that far and ''The Rant" still has a place but IMV from what this is presented as, is passionless and bland. Neeld not "Scary" at all! Not that you want Scary all the time either! Having witnessed some ultra inspiring motivations from Swooper Northey and Dare I say it Neal Daniher, this bloke isn't even in the same league as a motivator and that, after all is what helps win games of footy!

How singularly uninspiring/unimaginative and morose. No wonder we cant get motivated, no wonder we are where we are! Pffft.

Extremely poor form to knock any player who clearly is injured. I have been a critic of Morton and his game style but I draw the line at jeering a player who is injured. This reflects very badly on the individual and says plenty about some supporters. I hope Cale Morton recovers quickly but I still maintain I don't like and never have his game style and football approach.

Surely not going into the game with just Spencer in the ruck?? Oh No there is yet another possibility...... Lynden Dunn. If so bad bad move Fitzy deserves and needs a game!

And just another reason to have kept "Juice" 25 games for 35 goals people not bad from a bloke who never ever got an extended run!! Ah well what could have been! Eh

First two legs of super six in!

Not in the least bit concerned. You know who this will reflect poorly on? Brock! You know if the AFL decide to investigate further who they will speak to? Brock! You know if and when they talk to him they will request evidence of any substance and when they find none who will be well and trully in the gun? Brock! You know how the club will react to this baseless supposition and who they in turn will seek possible damages against? Brock! You know Carlton will be filthy because it creates unwanted heat on them trying( in vain to reach finals) and who in turn will be seen as the main fault? Brock! and finally, who will be seen as having an agenda which ultimately can come back to bite in the rest of his footy life? Brock!

I like Gysberts, always have. His first games were really promising, run, carry, spread, fearless and with a touch of class. Since that time he has had a frustrating run with some serious injuries. I thought his game on the weekend displayed a solid return to form and fitness. I would find it astounding if he were overlooked again and would question the logic of selection. On the other hand we have Morton. Morton did some nice things as he does, but in reality it all comes back to his appetite for contested ball. He gives the impression he is apprehensive about having to get his own ball and as long as he continues to have lingering doubts, I believe the selectors will also have "Lingering doubts". I think his progress hasn't only halted but has in fact deteriorated because of this single factor. The game at this level is minutely dissected. Opposition analysts sieze on every weakness and will plot relentlessly to expose players and their inabilities. I believe Morton has well and trully been nutted out. Until he is able to lose apprehension he will, I believe stay at Casey. I saw one very poor effort which cost a goal. And remember this is Frankston perrenial VFL cellar dwellers. Nup not up to it, Yet!! Equally I will be astounded if he is included this week! Having said that anything's possible!

WHY IS THE LIST INCOMPLETE SEEMS A FEW MORE CAN BE ADDED!