Ghostwriter

It is awesome and really imperative. Every one of the new boys has been warmly welcomed and made to feel like part of the “family” and it shows. On the subject, considering the reports of Dan Houston deciding against a move to the MFC because of supposed ingrained toxic culture problems, etc., I’ve asked each of our new guys individually if this was ever a concern for them or their parents. Without exception, all said that it wasn’t. They’d clearly met with our club with open minds and seen for themselves that they’d be part of a great club. Anyone who says yeah but at the time of Houston possibly wanting to come here the culture was indeed terrible, I say no, culture and values and integrity of a club don’t change overnight. I’m not denying we had problems, coz we did. But the dramatic and scathing reports are clearly incongruous with the trust parents of rookies are showing for our club. IMHO.

Marvel is a banner crew’s best friend because our mortal enemies: the wind, the rain and the dewy grass don’t get a gig 😁 You’re right about the ease of using the amenities at Marvel and on a selfish level folks from the north-western suburbs can get there with more ease than getting to the ‘G. I don’t get off at Southern Cross, I get off at North Melbourne and it’s a 15-min walk. Too easy.

The name was actually suggested by @Supreme_Demon so he should get the credit. TBH I didn’t think it would take off, I mentioned it to Harvey and he was instantly keen (probs because no one else was around 😅).

This is likely the first fully DL initiated case but there is one other semi-DL initiated one, that being Jibba for Jack Billings. What happened was, this time last year our awesome DA seamstress was unpicking a handheld cloth banner which said “Tap Brothers” (remember that particular five minutes in history 😅) and she said I could choose new wording and always get first dibs on the banner. I wanted Jack to feel welcome so I asked for “Jibba 14” Then I found out the boys were actually calling him “Jabba” not “Jibba” and I told him about it. He said, “well, it looks like that’s my new nickname.” Cut to last night and there was me, Harvey and Jibba (and a couple of others) chatting when Jeffo joins us and brings up the subject of Bison. Jeffo probably wanted to make sure Harvey likes it before telling all the boys about it. Harvey was a little embarrassed to admit he likes it and he was quick to add, “I didn’t suggest it, though” and he nods towards me. Jibba says, “All good, she made mine up, too.” LOL because Jibba isn’t a compliment like Bison is. 😅

We did, thank you SD. There weren’t as many of us this year mainly due to the outrageous jump in ticket prices, but we were still as boisterous as always. It’s easy to forget we’re not in M3 at the ‘G just yet 🤭

#34 will be vacant until next season 😉 #47 and above are unassigned

MORE UPDATES (in bold): Steven May - Maysie Jacob van Rooyen - Rooey, Rooster Christian Salem - Salo Judd McVee - Knuckle Christian Petracca - Tracc Caleb Windsor - Leb, Winnie Jack Viney - Vines Jake Lever - Rick Charlie Spargo - Charles Daniel Turner - Disco Max Gawn - Maxy Koltyn Tholstrup - Kolt Clayton Oliver - Clarry Jack Billings - Jibba Ed Langdon - Langers Bailey Laurie - Bill Jake Bowey - Bowsa Jake Melksham - Melky Harvey Langford - Bison Xavier Lindsay - X Matthew Jefferson - Jeffo Blake Howes - Howesy Shane McAdam - Shane-oh Trent Rivers - Riv Tom McDonald - Tmac Jed Adams - Jed Marty Hore - Marty Will Verrall - Fish Tom Campbell - TC Harry Sharp - Sharpie Bayley Fritsch - Fritta Tom Sparrow - Spaz Tom Fullarton - Cream —————— Harrison Petty - Petts Kysaiah Pickett - Koz Kade Chandler - Chin Oliver Sestan - Sesto Ricky Mentha - Ricky, Tricky Taj Woewodin - Woey Kynan Brown - Pup Aidan Johnson - AJ Jack Henderson - Hendo Luker Kentfield - Luker Andy Moniz-Wakefield - Andy Jai Culley - Culls Roy George - Roy Boy Yes, I’ve gone ahead and changed Harves to Bison but only because last night Jeffo asked me if I’d like him to spread the word to the whole group and of course I said yes. Therefore I’m confident it will stick. 😁

Fully agree WJ, except that last year’s Season Launch was actually in the evening of the same day as Gussy’s forced retirement announcement, merely hours between the two. This meant folks were in shock having only just heard the devastating news. You could almost feel everyone’s attempts at processing it. It was so difficult to take in the proceedings while trying to get your head around it.

Spill !!!!!

Point form: Jai’s nickname is Culls. Knuckles McVee is actually KNUCKLE not Knuckles (plural) Disco doesn’t know why he doesn’t have his #10 training jumper except that they told him they’ve ordered it but it hasn’t yet arrived. He does have his game-day #10 jumper though. Sesto is an awesome person. Always so friendly and was happy to hear there’s been some really positive things being said about him. Salo’s brother Ralph is the only person I’ve had a pic with. It’s a thing at these events. It amuses Salo that he’s chopped liver when Ralph’s around 😂 Jed Adams considered coming outside with me for a cigarette. Jokes. But Leb and Howesy told me to ask him. Sch!ttt stirrers Dessert’s here!!! 👋

Hall of Fame inductee: JAMES McDONALD

Will Verrall does have a nickname. It’s “Fish” and it comes from when he was rehabbing not long after he joined the club and the first thing he did every session was to jump in the pool. And stay there. 😁

Hall of Fame Legend Status Elevation: JACK MUELLER Presented by Mike Sheehan Accepted by Jack Mueller’s nephew

I’m having a ball with my new fam, just call me Ghosty Mentha. They are the most awesome people ever. Nina, Ricky’s mum, is moving to Melb next month. She’s gonna share a house with Ricky. Hashtag too cute. Ricky Snr lives in Gippsland already as does his daughter (Ricky’s sister) Lily. Then there’s Nan. She’s not here tonight but Ricky Snr told me she’s gonna be “transient between Alice and Melbourne.”

Hall of Fame Legend Status Elevation: JIMMY STYNES Presented by Garry Lyon Accepted by Matisse Stynes and Jim’s nephew Sam Stynes.

Fred Fanning was just inducted into our Hall of Fame ❤️💙

Jai has been told he’s #46 and he’s bloody happy with that. He’s bloody happy to be with us, in general. Haven’t asked about his nickname yet. The night is young 😅

Alas one sneaky drink for me is the equivalent of 10 sneaky drinks for anyone else. Me and alcohol aren’t besties. But the food is where I get my money’s worth. Last year I ate my own courses as well as Salo’s and his brother’s desserts 😃 Waste not want not. 👍🏽

I’m thinking Cull or Culls as well. Or JC. I’ll make a point of finding out tonight at the Season Launch. I’m also currently spreading the Bison word for Harvey, so there’s no sitting around getting drunk for this little ghost, I’ll leave that to the rest of the Demon Army 🥴🤪😵‍💫

A Feb 29th baby! It’s not all bad. You only get to celebrate properly once every four years, but that’s justification for a HUGE celebration when it does come around. 🥳

Awwww happy belated birthday P 💕 I hope it was a good one! It certainly was for Jai 🥳 I share a birthday with Jeffo. I told him this and added that of course there’s a few years between us. A fellow-sausage sizzler (and resident smart-arze) said “yeah, about seven decades.” 😅 You, me, Jai and Jeffo repping Pisces like the legends we are 😎

You and Tim Lamb both, DZ. He said before the draft Harvey was a must-have and they were delighted to have the opportunity to pick him.

They didn’t train today. They’ll be at Gosch’s tomorrow for a recovery run at 1:30pm but that’s NOT confirmed so if anyone’s thinking of attending, best they ring the club beforehand I can understand how they’d need a couple of days to get over Saturday’s heat. I’m only a spectator and I’m just starting to feel normal now, I don’t know how they coped running around in direct (and biting) sunshine. 🥵

Your neck is safe Dof, for our recruiters have most definitely done a superb job 🙂 Apart from his obvious talents on the field he’s yet another hard-working, mature and dedicated player, and a lovely person, to boot. On a personal note, thank goodness we got him because a couple of weeks ago I got him to sign my jumper 😅 At the time he asked if I was sure I wanted him to do it and I said, “Do you think I’m making a mistake or something?” He smiled and said “Well, I suppose I can just add my number when I get one.” In stark contrast, after Jai had walked away, Chocco, being the smartarze that he is, said “Is that in permanent marker?” I said yes. He said, “Then you’re screwed.” 😅 Goody said “Don’t listen to him, you’re not screwed.” Turns out Goody was right! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAI ❤️💙