Deeoldfart

Through my normal lenses, I see us no better than treading water this year, as we take time to adapt to the new game plan and sort out which players have the ability and desire to be part of the future. But hell, I have an old pair of glasses which I put on around this time every year, and somehow the world looks more rosy when I wear them. 8th position with 12 wins for me.

I found this interview with Rudeboy very enlightening. https://theconversation.edu.au/liam-jurrahs-biographer-speaks-on-yuendumus-tragedy-5863

Black Caviar. I dream of the day our footy team can take on the best opposition and still win convincingly, start, after start, after start.

x2

I know exactly how you feel wyl. I generally hate streakers as a matter of principle, but the intruder on that day at least took our attention away from the main game, albeit briefly.

There's also a chance we will sign up a good number at the intra-club at Casey, which I think is on the same day.

IIRC both Scarlett and Fletcher have won their respecive clubs B&F, and have been runner up more than once.

It's very hard to go past Jack Watts Jordie, but just to be different I'll stick with Chip Frawley to still be our best in 3 years time (no real surprises there either, I guess). I also very much like the look of Tom McD., but I'll put out the bait to Old Dee and suggest Jamie Bennell as my smokey. I know it's a very long bow to draw, but he could be our Andrew McLeod, and two Norm Smiths would have to put him right up there!

I strongly agree with all that nutbean, but last year we also constantly moaned that LJ didn't have the engine to do the repeat chases and run-downs etc. that are expected of modern-day AFL footballers. His aerobic capacity should be improved with all the running he has done this pre-season, so hopefully this will be a case of an ill wind ...........

Excellent little article which provides some insights into Garlo which I certainly wasn't aware of.

Agree. Lazy space-filler purporting to be a news-breaker.

It's all part of the 'learning curve' old55. Our Jacks will have plenty of support around them (both on and off the field), and I have very little doubt that they'll come out the other end better leaders and better players for the experience.

Cameleons!

Great memories indeed! ........... and for some reason I can't help thinking there will be similarities between Northey's Demons and Neeld's Demons. Ludicrous I know, given that Neeld is yet to fire a shot, but wouldn't it be sensational?

I totally agree warren. I note that your favourite players are all from that era, and 1987 was the first year of your namesake, Warren Dean, in Melbourne colours. What a good player he was, and what a pity his career was cut so short by injury.

From the training reports so far, Jamie seems to have made significant strides this pre season, but IIRC, he was doing similar things at this time last year. There is no denying his talent, so lets hope that 2012 will see him cement a regular spot in our best 22. He has the class to be an excellent player imo, and I'm hopeful that our new coaching panel will bring out his best.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Jack in 2012, with several quality forwards around him. I'm expecting continued steady progression, and a stellar game here and there.

On that basis OD, I should be the second last person to be wishing my life away, but I'm with you 100% old fella! I think I even detect a hint of anticipation / excitement in your post about the coming season, which is great to see.

This old proverb rings very true about the leadership changes at our footy club: "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got" Well done Mark Neeld!

A small forward role beckons if he is up to it. The ball is squarely in Flash's court to earn it .......... which is exactly how it should be!

I agree Benno, and more importantly, I am very confident that our coach will see it the same way.

I love Neeld's 'new broom' approach, and like many others, I'm both happy and excited by the new leadership arrangements (even if I'm slightly surprised by a couple of the changes). Somehow I'm reminded of the following quote attributed to many Melbourne players who played under the late / great Norm Smith: "as a coach, Smithy was always fair and just ..... a fair bastard and just a [censored]". Coaches need to make tough, uncompromising and (dare I say it) unpopular decisions from time to time. If a few current players think of Neeld as 'fair and just' in a similar vein, then they will get over it soon enough. It heralds a refreshing change at Melbourne, and this approach certainly didn't do Smithy's coaching record any harm.

The Melbourne Football Club family will forever be indebted to Jimmy Stynes. Now is your time Jimma ..... whatever ot takes.

Crazy idea imo. Why risk anything to gain nothing? JV's time will come soon enough, when his body is better prepared.

Agree GTG. We all know about his goal kicking, but who could ever forget this pin point pass to Brad Miller against StKilda in 2010: http://youtu.be/80vT8N3pDCs