Deeoldfart

Great insight as usual. Thanks WJ.

Received mine today. Very impressive!! Thanks to all concerned.

Surely promotion from the Rookie List is all about: (1) earning a promotion; and (2) the needs of the senior team. From what I've seen and read through the pre-season so far, Jordie McKenzie clearly satisfies both of these criteria, and Jake Spencer could qualify, especially if the intention is to play either the Russian or Stef Martin primarily as a key forward. But it seems to me that none of the other rookies have done enough to warrant elevation. Of course, there are still a couple of weeks of pre-season remaining, but IMO they will need to make a huge impression in the time remaining to be given serious thought for the early rounds.

Extremely disappointing for LJ, the Melbourne Footy Club and all of us Members and supporters .... but as his mate RudeBoy said in another thread, LJ will be back "stronger and hungrier than ever". And when it really counts, from 2011 onwards, he will be just one cog in a forward set-up that will be the envy of most if not all teams.

Great to hear DT...... so nice to have a bit of good news on the injury front for a change. Colin is a great prospect. Lets hope that he can quickly pick up where he left off in 2008.

Thank you for your very considered and considerate response RudeBoy. I was hoping that Liam would be back in time for you to have a massive conflict of interest on Monday, 14 June ....... but alas, that now seems unlikely. However, the most important thing is for him to make a full and complete recovery, before coming back, as you say, "stronger and hungrier than ever". Cheers!!

Definitely not much thought gone into that prediction ... maybe its our most experienced team but a fair stretch from our best, especially in the light of statements about a youth lead revival. None of Garland, Bennell, Jetta, Cheney or the '09 draftees definitely make you wonder!

Thanks WJ. Always great to get some positives on the injury front, perhaps even more so at this time of year!

Sorry Jack, but I disagree on each of your points. In particular, stating that Garry 'never achieved anything as a footballer' is utter nonsence. 226 games; 426 goals; 7 years as captain of the Dees; regular State representative and 3 times selected as All Australian ...... and all this amounts to achieving nothing? wow!

he may play a bit this year but if he's in our best 22 in a couple of years time it's because we haven't developed the likes of Strauss and Bennell I don't rate him

Dunn came off before the end of the intra-club game at Casey, and I'm pretty certain he received treatment for a hand or finger injury. That may account for his absence over the last two weeks.

Can't disagree with that hoopla, it could be interpreted that way.

Probably slightly 'nit-picking' given the context in which they are shown, but I understand what you mean Hoopla. I can live with it until the real action starts in a few weeks, by which time I expect the AFL will have moved on from showing last year's stats.

Not a bad team Flag, but given their limited preparations, I very much doubt that we would want to go into the first round with all of Garland, Bruce, Bate, Watts and Wonna. Maybe just a couple of them at most. Also, I don't know what the situation is with Dunn. He's not listed as injured, but if he's not, it's hard to fathom why we havn't seen him over the last two weeks. I saw him getting treatment for some sort of hand / finger injury at the intra-club game at Casey a couple of weeks ago.

I'm really glad that Garry has moved to end the unhealthy speculation that he was heir apparent to take over as senior coach at Melbourne. On the other hand, its great to hear him say that he will always be available to help out in other roles, should he be invited to do so.

Presumably you are 'keeping faith' only if Brad is not playing against the Tigers

Agree completely two sheds, and being part of an inexperienced and (currently) ordinary team, must make it all the more difficult for the youngsters..

Exactly Rusty!

Great stuff mordja. Thanks for sharing.

Following tweet from DemonsHQ: "the reason is that Col plays with his socks down so we thought that would be appropriate".

Exactly ... just plain bloody boring! No more, no less!

I know the feeling Stalwart, I'm guessing that I've been around a bit longer than you, and ipso facto, my window is probably even shorter ......... but don't despair, I have never been more confident that a return to the glory days is just around the corner! ......... and as for 2010, I'll be disappointed if we can't beat the Tiges, but a second win from the first 6 rounds wouldn't surprise me. However, I think the last 8 rounds is when we will start to show some real signs that will have the general football public sitting up and taking notice of the Demons for the first time in a long time. Notwithstanding the comments of those who have written us off on the basis of two pre-season losses, I reckon we can win 8 games in 2010, and head into 2011 brim full of confidence.

Great to hear! Its snippets like this make Demonland such a fantastic forum, especially for those of us who have the misfortune to live away from the heart of football.

Agree .... particularly the fact that we can build on it from year to year. Already installed it as my pc wallpaper.