Deeoldfart

I usually go to the finest print very quickly after I commence a newspaper puzzle

It's a bit of fun and I'm ambivalent about it ........ but I do hope they show a bit more structure and cohesion on the field next year!

This is like a lottery. I'll punt on David Cordner simply because he was part of the dynasty. My vague recollection is that he played a couple of years at u19 s, but this may be wrong. I know he loomed as a potential star at that level.

Even the 'perpetual disbelievers' must see that we are now on a new route, a route that our club hasn't travelled for many years. We are no longer wandering around aimlessly in the 'bulldust'. We know where we are going, and have a damn good idea how to get there. It will be a while before we reach the highway, but we are back on bitumen (2013 will prove that!). We now have hope, and the further along this road we travel, the more lights we will see. The free-way is ahead of us, and if we maintain our focus, and avoid the temptation to take short cuts, it will lead us to the G in September one year soon. When that September comes, we will have Mark Neeld and the team of professionals that support him to thank for setting us on the right track in 2012, and guiding us along the way.

I agree. Let us not derail this interesting and informative thread.

Me too!!

Good to see he is still getting top recognition over there! Thoughts?

Agree. They got 'high' very quickly.

........................... but to quote Josh's OP : "Who or what are we most looking forward to next year?"

I agree Macca ......... and to add to that, if the players don't bring that attitude to every game they will find themselves playing at Casey more often than not. Our (seemingly) improved depth, and Neeldy's uncompromising attitude, should guarantee this! That's an exciting prospect in itself.

Probably in two senses of the word 'stones'.

I agree rjay, but if it comes down to Casey having no coach in the New Year, both Casey and Melbourne would be compromised. In the end it boils down to how close they are to appointing the new Casey coach. Hopefully they won't need CC (or anyone else) as a 'stop gap'.

Not satisfactory, but not really surprising in the circumstances KC. Maybe CC should step into the breach in an interim capacity. This could happen without disrupting Melbourne's established coaching arrangements.

The new season, the start of a new era, going to games full of confidence, singing the song until I'm hoarse. I could go on, but I'm sure you get my drift.

Yep, and the resale value of the vehicle will go up by 10% as soon as you apply them.

I wouldn't want to embarrass myself by entering, but any new version will need to be damn good to be better than what we have now I reckon. I love the past / future theme. It sits perfectly with where we are now as a team.

The mind boggles. Staggering that the opportunity of a lifetime beckoned and was wasted at the same time. Really sad for the guy!

Sorry Mods. Should probably have included this in Membership thread.

Just received my 2013 Redlegs package. Apart from the usual, it contains a special certificate and lapel badge recognising my continuous membership and a personalised membership card with my name emblazoned on the front ...... and the 2013 calendar is a ripper which ties some MFC greats of the past with some who aspire to be great in the future. Well done MFC ..... I'm chuffed! FIRST & FOREVER.

I reckon Dawes is a lock. He has leadership aspirations and I expect, qualities which Neeldy demands.

Well us Demonlandes just can't allow that to happen. We should all sign a petition refusing to participate until we have our next Flag. After all, Melbourne started the game, and we have a birth right to be drinking from the final premiership cup as the curtain comes down.

Just caught up on 9 pages of this enthralling thread, but now I'm lost WYL!

Just keep the good news rolling in and I'll be well satisfied HG, but a bit of a focus on the lesser known newbies (eg. Barry, Jones, Kent, Terlich, Pedersen, Gillies) would be fantastic. Thanks.

I'm disappointed too, but I see a couple of positives as well: 1) Jack Hannath's disappiontment is clear evidence of a special type of bond developing at our footy club, the likes of which I doubt we have seen since the Swooper days. This sort of mutual respect and comradeship between players, coaching staff et al is a prerequisite to success. Long may it flourish! 2) another rookie will get an opportunity to develop in a great learning environment, make a name for himself and hopefully do our jumper proud. ps. I'm enjoying being 'fired up' at the moment, so please don't throw cold water on my party by telling me not to get ahead of myself.

I do all my Christmas shopping (wife, three kids and daughter in law, plus myself of course) with one annual 'phone call to the Melbourne Footy Club Membership Department. It punishes the credit card a bit, but I know that all the recipients value my gift more than anything else Santa could put in their stockings ....... and just as importantly, I know that all the proceeds are going to a bloody good cause ...................... I can't wait for the day when I can use premiership memorabilia as 'stocking fillers'.