Deeoldfart

I love it ............... "With the spirit of Twenty-six, six, six!"

I think you nailed it hardtack. Great stuff WJ ..... almost like sitting in the Great Southern Stand back in '64.

Great doco, and a real eye opener to me. So much talent that falls by the wayside. So many kids doing it tough because of their difficult family situations. So much support from their mums.

Congratulations to Greeny, his three vice-captains and the two younger members of the leadership group. I really like the concept of three deputies, given where we are at with our young list. Congratulations also to our footy club for the way the announcement was made public. Not the standard press conference for us, but Bails announcing the decisions to the entire playing group. Just brilliant!

Just brilliant. What an inspiration!

Sylvia's Mother was an early 1970s hit song by a group called Dr Hook & the Medicine Show. Typical Rex Hunt nonsence!

I'm sure you do Jack!

Your work behind the scenes is unbelievable Andy, and doesn't get the recognition it deserves. A small contribution is on the way.

Many thanks to all involved in the restoration. Well done.

I'd be very surprised if I don't have most if not all of them in my archive Langers, but I'm just about to head away for a few weeks, and won't have an opportunity to confirm that they are there until I get back. I suggest that you let this post run it's course, and if you don't get all of those that you need, PM me with details of any outstanding requirements' and I'll fish them out when I return home. Good luck! PS. I assume they are all MFC victories. I don't have too many losses in my collection.

I’m not too concerned about losing any of our young guns to GWS or anyone else, because I’m confident that there’s a very strong bond between the core group at Melbourne ...... a bond of mateship between young blokes who are single minded about achieving the ultimate goal together. The following quotes by Jordie McKenzie (recent Inside Football feature article) illustrate the point I’m trying to make: “The team is just a really good bunch of mates, and there’s a lot of boys around the same age, so we all get on very well. I feel very lucky coming to the Club at this time where there’s a lot of youth and we’re all coming through together. I just want to play as much footy with them as I can in the years to come. .............................. I would definitely like to stay at Melbourne for good. I’ll stay for as long as they’ll have me.” We all know that Jordie has already demonstrated enormous loyalty to stay with the Dees, but I’d be very surprised if all of our key youngsters don’t share the same attitude. Players who are on the fringe might be tempted by greener pastures, but not our core players IMO.

Brett Anderson (Inside Football, 15 Dec.)said: "Melbourne's selection of Robert Campbell could prove to be the masterstroke of the entire 2010 drafting process." I agree. I think he will prove to be much more than a handy back-up for Mark Jamar, and he will be an asset in helping the likes of Spencer and Gawn progress up the steep learning curve that they have ahead of them.

I never met Troy, but I remember shedding tears when he was tragically robbed of the best part of his life, and a very promising football career in the red & blue. Former Melbourne Football Club Chairman, Paul Gardner, wrote the following in the 2005 edition of the MELBOURNEfc Magazine: "On 26 December 2004, the world stood in shock at the devastation and despair caused by a tsunami, and back home we faced a personal realisation that one of our own would not return. The loss of Troy Broadbridge, a young man cut down in his prime, gave us all call to evaluate our own life, to put football into true perspective, and to focus on those things that really make a difference. Troy became an enduring reference point for Melbourne, and a reference point for the Club. To honour the life of Troy, Round One against Essendon indelibly left its mark on the two teams walking side by side onto the ground to the sound of Youll Never Walk Alone, the symbolic releasing of balloons, and a shared minutes silence with Trish and the players. Members, supporters and friends of the Club came to the game to pay their respects and farewell a loyal team man with Trisha, the Broadbridge family and the players. That pre-match tribute to Troy is one of the most moving experiences in my life. RIP Broady.

Similar, but I'm not in the least bit annoyed. Record membership for this time of year, lots of people upgrading, etc. would have Membership staff run off their feet. I'm far happier that we are continuing to grow our membership than I am disappointed that only two out of my five arrived in time for Santa.

I'd like to echo every one of those thoughts. Sincere thanks to everyone involved at Demonland for providing such a fantastic facility for all readers and contributors, and thanks to the Melbourne Footy Club for its proud history and the exciting journey that we are about to embark on. Compliments of the season to all Demonlanders!!

IIRC, James did a pre-season with us, back in the days before he became a member of the 'Oarsome Foursome'.

[quote name='jayceebee31' Mark Robbo- Essendon whilst another celebrity that barracks for the Dees is Aussie but International business,currently BHP's Chairman- Jac Nasser. You too jcb! Has the festive season started a week early for you?

Excellent points E25. I agree whole (red & blue) heartedly.

I'm totally ambivalent about Bruce's departure. He may have been in our best 22 for much of next season, but I don't think his premature departure will affect our overall progress one iota. On the other hand, I was initially a bit peeved by the method and timing of his separation, but I'm well and truely over that now. Good luck to him if that's the way he wanted to play the game. If anyone ends up having deep regrets about him leaving, I think it will more than likely be Cam himself.

Welcome to Demonland Maldonboy, and thanks for the insights into today's training.

Brilliant idea. Let's hope it flies!

Well spoken Barrie.

While acknowledging our loss of experience, I reckon this will be offset to some degree by our more favourable draw, and the experience that we have already put into some our young guns. 11 or 12 wins would be a solid pass mark for me, and probably get us into the finals. If we could then go on to win a final, we will be ahead of schedule and earn a credit rating IMO.

Can't think of a better way of getting the grandkids fired up on the Dees than having them wear #24 on their backs over the next 5 years. Thereafter they will be Dees for life.