TRACATTACK

I lived through that era as a young kid and saw them win four flags. As supporters we expected them to win every week, and mostly they did. They were a mighty team with stars on every line coached by the doyen of coaches then, the incomparable Norm Smith. They had a tough, attacking back line that was hard to score against, much like ours today except that defensive strategies were not nearly as technical and sophisticated as the ones we use now. The handball game hadn’t really evolved then, it was more a mark and kick game but with a lot of play on football. In my opinion it was a more brutal and physical game then with more than a little biffo being handed out. The rules today have been changed to take a lot of that physicality out of the game and protect players. Personally I loved the physicality and gladiatorial nature of the game and that was epitomised by the great Ronald Dale who never took a backward step, and woe betide anyone, including his teammates, who got in the way of him and the ball. Ron was a superstar who iced Grannies for us and was BOG in three of them. He was the inspiration and template for Trac’s wonderful performance in our GF win last year. In all my many years of watching the Dees I have never seen such an outstanding and dominant midfield as Maxie, Trac, Clarrie and Jack. In my humble opinion Clarrie is the best midfielder I have ever seen play for the MFC , with Trac a close second. I am one of those Demon diehards that literally waited all of those 57 years to see them win their 13th flag. It was worth enduring all of those mostly bleak years to see our beloved Dees become the wonderful team they are today. Enjoy the ride ‘Landers, it is truly inspiring for us all to see our club arise from the ashes.

Very interesting. I would love to see video from those end to end vantage points & have our defensive strategies explained to me. Very hard to see it happening in real time from a side on view. All I can say is we are lucky to have some very smart people at our club masterminding it all. You still have to have the skilled, gut running players to execute the plan, and we do. Our fitness levels are now through the roof. It took us about 5 years to get there, most of it under Burgo’s master plan.

It was a privilege to be at the game tonight. Rarely do you ever see 10 goals kicked by a team in the AFL. The third quarter was sublime with everyone playing their part. This is a truly great football team . So many highlights , Sparrow’s gut running and goal assist, Mays incredible game at full back, Kozzie’s kamikaze run and goal, Maxine’s superb captain’s game when we needed him, Spargo’s unbelieveably tough and intelligent game, Petty playing his tough and relentless role down back, Mr Ed’s “energiser bunny” game on the wing, Harmes and ANB providing toughness and gut running, Trac and Clarrie lifting in the second half and putting GWS to the sword. The whole team contributed. I am still gobsmacked at what I saw in the third quarter. Unforgettable. Thanks lads.

That's gold !

When the heat was white hot in the GF 1st qtr Salo was out of the stratosphere. IMO he is now an elite A grader and should be rated much higher in the Top 50. As someone once said of him “ he’s as hard as a cats’ head”. One of my very favourite players.

I agree with all those names. I would also say that Viney's final series in the engine room was totally Elite and A grade. I also think like you Mr. Fence that there are a number of them knocking on the door who could easily become Elite this season. Kossy , Sparrow and Bowey are the front runners imo. I wouldn't count out LJ making the transition either. Whatever way you slice it we now have a very talented and deep list who now know how to win on the big stage. I believe the club has now been set up for a sustained period of success because of the incredibly astute drafting by Jason Taylor and his team. They have turned "trading up in the draft into an art form.

Why would you move when you have the realistic mouthwatering prospect of more flags ? With JT and his teams’ brilliant recruiting, and our talented next gen players waiting in the wings for their chance, I believe our club has been set up for sustained success over many years a la Geelong. In my long lifetime of supporting my beloved Dees I have never seen our list bat as deep as they do right now. We are a strong club and will only get stronger. 65000+ members for 2022 is very achieveable.

We saw glimpses of what he is capable of in the 2018 finals and I was seriously impressed. The problem is we have never seen it since despite being given blocks of games to show us what he can do. If he can make the quantum leap next year and starts taking contested grabs and slotting a few I will be thrilled for him. At very least he will provide good backup cover for the club as the third tall KPF. I also like the Weid's mobility around the ground and could see him doing a great job for us down in the back half should that be required. Going to be hard though trying to break into the best backline in the AFL. He has made the commitment to stay at the MFC knowing how hard it will be to break into this Premiership side so we should wish him well and cheer him on, as we should with all our boys. GO WEID !

Am excited about the prospect of seeing young JVR develop over the next couple of years under the expert tutelage of our merry band of coaches. Seems to have the attributes to be a terrific swingman for us a la T Mac which would be invaluable. Players that can play back and forward don't come along that often.

Our crushing Prelim Final win will do for the time being,

Thanks Mr. Picket. Love reading your training reports that are so insightful and entertaining. It’s almost like being there. It’s obviously a labour of love for you and we Demonlanders are the lucky recipients of your training reports.

Another JT gem ! A very impressive young footballer who looks every inch a 200 gamer for us. Incredibly brave and skilful and now a Premiership player after only 7 games. Ballsy decision by the selection panel to go with Bowza in the finals. Looking forward to a great 2022 from him.

When he had a touch of the goal kicking “yips” a year or two ago it was pointed out to me that he was leaning back which somehow caused him to pull his kicks and spray them. You will notice he doesn’t do that anymore courtesy of some Chocco magic. 59 goals in a season plus finals is a mighty effort from a medium sized forward but none mightier than the 6 he drilled in the GF. Legendary stuff. His leading patterns are a thing of beauty. How he didn’t even make the AA squad this year is beyond me. Our very own Scarlet Pimpernel. “ They seek him here, they seek him there, those back men seek him everywhere “. Arguably the purest footballer in the team. As you can tell, I’m a fan.

BANG !

Hibbo has given wonderful service to our club since he arrived. Done us proud as an All Australian in our colours and now an MFC Premiership hero forever.

Dare to dream Demon fans, by all accounts he is a ripping young fella. Will be taller that his dad, let's hope he has inherited Jeff's incredible leap, athleticism and beautiful kicking action. He certainly looked good on his under age video highlights. A mouth watering father/son prospect for the mighty Dees under the tutelage of Captain Max and our merry band of coaches.

It wasn't that long ago that we were the kings of the Sunday arvo twilight graveyard shift.

Agreed. Wednesday night, Friday night, who cares. It is still prime time free-to -air television for footy starved Melburnians. We play entertaining, thrilling footy, the TV ratings will be through the roof in front of a 90K+ crowd. Our fans will love it, and so will our sponsors. Let's enjoy our well deserved blockbuster status. Can't wait !

Amazing to think he is already a premiership player with so much improvement left in him. He is now, and always will be, one of an elite group of MFC players. I still am trying to wrap my head around that we finally made it to the Promised Land after waiting those 57 long years. Never thought I would see one again in my lifetime and am so happy and grateful.

I have watched tommy Sparrow come on in leaps and bounds this year, particularly his final series, and love what he is contributing to the team. Anyone who can roost a 50m goal off one step is ok with me. His thoughtful and well placed kicks to Ben Brown and Dogga, both for goals, in the last quarter of the GF showed a touch of class. He also brings a lot of strength and hardness to his game reminiscent to me of Todd Viney. Any mid who can go forward and hit the scoreboard is gold these days and tommy is one of those mids. I also expect him to improve and have a great 2022.

Dogga is already way beyond being a good back up ruck, he is the nearly 200cm hybrid prototype of a ruck/midfielder that most clubs can only aspire to emulate atmo. As a matter of fact I would also put Maxy in the category of a ruck/midfielder. His clean hands and speed over the ground for a man his size is just awesome. They are an awesome combo that will only improve. Maxs' insistence in leaving Dogga in the centre square in the 3rd quarter was match winning and great coaching, as was adjusting our centre square setup at half time. Mac Andrew may very well get to that level eventually but I suspect it will take him a while. It's a shame he didn't come to us as our Academy player but I wish him well, seems like a nice young man with lovely family.

Agreed, we drafted for needs and by the look of it, have come up trumps. JT is future proofing our list with these young draftees. In all my years of being a devoted Dees supporter, and it it has been a lot of years, I have never seen such a deep and balanced list. The fight for spots in the 1's is going to be fierce next year. By the way I am a long time Demonland viewer and first time poster. Very excited about our event at the G this Sunday for the Melbourne faithful. Great times for our beloved club