Deeoldfart

The key point Goodvibes, is that many of us are in a similar positive place right now, about our beloved Demons ...... and I get the the strong feeling that our excitement is built on substance, rather than the false hope that has buoyed many of us at this time of year for far to long.

I'm not sure about having a crack at fellow posters for expressing their views Goodvibes, but I reckon the bolded part of your post is 'spot on'. Hopefully all Demonlanders will be 100% aligned to that view by the end of 2016.

I know exactly what you are saying Demon Ox, but I'm very much reassured by this interview: Day 9 pre-season camp: Brendan McCartney In my experience McCartney says it as he sees it (ie. without media spin), and if this interview reflects his normal approach, 2016 promises to be a very enjoyable season.

I understand where you are coming from rjay, but I reckon Jack will take the extra formal responsibility in his stride ........ thrive on it in fact! No need to hold him back imo.

I can understand where you are coming from mauriesy, but I see two types of handball: the first is the is 'old' Melbourne 'get out of trouble' handball ............ otherwise known as the 'absolve yourself of responsibility and put a team-mate under the pump' handball; the second is the 'new' Melbourne 'put the team to advantage' creative handball. I know these have been a rare events at Melbourne in the past decade, but I'm banking on them being a feature of our game style from 2016 and beyond. Surely the thread title is referring to the second type of handball, and should be left as it is (lol).

As I see it (admittedly through a slightly alcoholic haze), the Roos legacy will be measured in both the short and longer terms. The short-term is well on track, and gets a bold tick from me. There is still one full season to go, but right now I could hardly be happier with the apparent transformation of our playing list, the quality of our coaching panel, the seemingly dramatic improvement in our culture and our (first time ever) professional approach to player development. Our Club is no longer the laughing stock of the competition that it was when Roos agreed to take on what at that time was the ultimate coaching challenge in the AFL. There has been a quantum leap forward imo, and I can't think of anyone who would have done a better job as Senior Coach in those circumstances than Paul Roos. He is exactly what our Club needed at the time! In 2017, responsibility for the longer term will fall to Goodwin, but I have every confidence that the key planks of the Roos influence will be embedded in 'the way we do things' for a long time to come, and that with a pinch of good fortune, it could lead to the success that we all crave. Roos (and his compatriot Peter Jackson) will deserve enormous credit should that occur during the Goodwin tenure as our senior coach.

Col Sylvia would be worth some thought.

Thanks DeePicks. Especially loving the overall voice and support for each other on the park, which seems to be emerging as a theme for this pre-season. Bodes well if it's translated to match-day.

In addition to the many good points made by previous posters, I also think that our team's evolution to a more offensive game style, and the coaching influence of Goodwin as he progressively assumes more responsibility, will determine how our midfield is rated over the course of 2016. Personally, I think the 'scribes' will be rating our mids top 10 by season's end.

Obviously it's very early days, but I'd love to get a feel from fellow Demonlanders who have seen him, about how Ollie is shaping up at training. For example, how does he compare to Gus and Track 12 months ago ............yeah, I know I'm starved for a bit of post Christmas Melbourne footy news, but there's only so many times that you can watch the AGM interviews, or revisit the great training pics provided by 666.

A few more insights from a while back: The tennis ace that Roosy desperately wanted at the Demons

If you delete the word 'recent' from your post and add ex-Demon Alastair Clarkson to that potential panel, then I'd be far more comfortable.

I'll second that. Outstanding work guys, and thanks a million!

IMO, if our list is strong enough and deep enough for us to delist Jack Watts at the end of next season, then we are serious premiership contenders for 2017.

Great work Six. Love all the effort, hard work and footy stuff that is obviously happening pre-Christmas. Can't help but be excited!

No mention of Salem alone is sufficient to discredit the article. Others that you mention C&B, just reinforce the the authors lack of knowledge about our list, and laziness in not finding out.

I love your generosity 'bub, but unfortunately it's likely to be beyond my pocket. I'm assuming of course, that the "this" in the highlighted text refers to # 13. (lol)

Yikes!! ..... that even pre-dates me McQueen! My bad, but it did prompt a good old belly laugh on my behalf. Not only am I an old fart, but obviously I'm a silly old fart!

Jake seems like a really level-headed and like-able young man. He certainly has some talent, and if he can rediscover his passion and form of a few years ago, he will be an important signing for our club. At his best, he has some attributes which our 1915 team craved, but I just can't help worrying about what WADA / CAS will have to say about his involvement in the short / medium term.

I agree 100% george. As I said in another thread, I'm an interstate member, and Demonland is my football 'lifeline'. Long may it prosper, but that won't happen without a hell of a lot of hard work by the dedicated Administrators, and the generosity good will of Demonlanders generally.

The button has now arrived, and I've put it to the test. Fantastic site, and getting better all the time .... just like our beloved DEMONS. Thanks for the massive amount of work guys. As an interstate member, Demonland is my footy 'lifeline'.

Realistically in the range 7 to 10 ................. woops!

Many thanks.

.................. but I can't find the donations button. Could a smarter person with better eyesight point me in the right direction please.

Getting better every day, Thanks all. Time for another donation methinks.