Deeoldfart

Great post Billy. For the first time since Aussie Rules became a 'professional' sport, I now feel that I support a professional club. Up until the last 12 months, I always regarded the Melbourne Football Club as a mob of 'amateurs', trying valiantly against the odds to compete in a largely professional competition ................. and what's more, we seemed to be continually losing ground to the powerful clubs. Now, we are undeniably turning the corner and starting to make up some of the lost ground. It won't be long before other clubs start to take note of what we are doing, both on and off the field.

That's a perfect response wyl, echoed by me.

Outstanding! Emotional.

I just think this is very smart list management by our Club. All we need now is to come up trumps on most / all of our draft selections, and we will be on the cusp of a very exciting future.

Thers's a rumour from a 'tenuous source' on 'ology which suggests that this possibility may have already been discussed with Newton. I strongly doubt it, but the rules now allow for it.

I have my reservations for the reasons that others have mentioned ....... but I also have great faith in the recruiting and coaching staff at the Melbourne Footy Club.

Likewise! I love this sort of stuff about our great Club ............ and I have a strong feeling that another memorable chapter is about to be written, a chapter that we can all witness in person. Go Dees!

Me too!

Some great designs Jaded. Even an 'old fart' like me would happily wear this trendy gear. The 1964 stuff is brilliant .... I want definitely some for Christmas.

Liam Jurrah has shown us all that he can be an exciting and unpredictable footballer, and a regular 'headache' for opposition coaching staff and players. None of us can say with certainty how his career will progress from here, but I think we can be fairly confident that, barring injury, he will be a feature on many highlight reels over the coming seasons. It is really quite irrelevant whether he fits this persons or that persons definition of 'star'. What is relevant is that he is very likely to be precisely the type of player that our footy club has craved for many, many years. If he can at least match his 2009 feats in 2010, he will win us some matches, draw crowds through the turnstyles, and sell memberships merchandise. It's just sensational that we have him on our list.

Many thanks Pringle and Diablo for your 'medical' contributions. It's somewhat reassuring that we will see this potential gun in full flight in 2010. If he can get himself fully fit, I'm sure that we all agree that he will be an integral part of our push towards finals, and hopefully higher honours, in the coming years.

I fully agree Axis. I have been thinking for a while that Barts is expendable on our list because Jordie is coming through. I think in 12 months time Jordie will be the equal of Bartram endurance-wise and defensively, and from the limited amount that I have seen, he is already well ahead in terms of awareness, decision making and disposal skills.

The draw is a huge improvement on recent years, and it should improve further from 2011 onwards as our on-field success, brand of football and drawing power improve. I couldn't be happier in the circumstances. The cynic in me suggests that the improvement for 2010 may have a little to do with improved relations between the Board and the AFL. Maybe the AFL is even starting to realise that the Melbourne 'brand' is on the up, and will again have some real substance.

Great pity that Sam broke his leg, but I guess if it was going to happen, this was the best year for it. Really looking forward to seeing his speed, long kicking and line-breaking skills in the Demon midfield.

You've summed up the situation perfectly Demon Head!

Disappointed I had to change my nominated 'Favourite Player' at the end of the season. He would still be my favourite if he was still part of our list. That says it all for me!

Well summed-up AD. Great article.

Thanks GNF for sharing your excitment. I'm delighted to learn that Wona and Meese were part of the group.

Me too Keyser. Dunno why, but I was never all that taken by Chook's leadership potential.

That's a very good point Rogue. A number of posters have mentioned Jake's competitiveness as his main attribute. I have also heard that he has an outstanding attitude and willingness to learn. If this is the case, there is a fair chance that our hopes will be realised.

Played only a handful of games but had probably his best year in 2009. As 'bub said, he 'added a few more tricks to his portfolio' ....... another product of the Dean Bailey teaching academy? I'd like to think there is some of that, combined with the fact that he is now at an age where ruckmen are generally coming into their prime, and he is probably relishing carrying the #1 ruck mantle for the first time. Well done Rush ..... you have an important part to play at the MFC over the next few years. Just make sure you are on the park and not watching from the stands.

........................... and if LJ is happy, then so am I! Go Dees!

Congratulations to all the placegetters, but especially Flash who had his best year after 'average' form over the previous few seasons, and Beamer who has come back from several years in the injury doldrums. In a sense both resurrected their careers, and will hopefully go on and be leaders on and off the field during a very successful era for the Melbourne Football Club.

Rohan has a more mature body than the rest of last years draftees, and I expected (hoped?) he would be pushing harder for senior selection throughout the year. He now knows a lot more about what's expected at this level, and 2010 looms as a make or break year for this late draft pick.

If you like a bit of nostalgia and history of the Melbourne Footy Club, it's brilliant. I couldn't put it down!