Deeoldfart

I have a personal 'rule' never to bet on the Dees, so for me it's just incredibly exciting to see how well we are placed on all of the charts at this point in time. At last we are widely (and justifiably) recognized and no longer anonymous! I know a hell of a lot can happen between now and then, but if things go our way ......... who knows?

In roughly the following order: sit at the 'G' unashamedly bawling my eyes out until the stadium management kick me out; have my first 'night on the town' for more than 50 years; attend the Sunday celebrations at Gosh's, to share the joy with countless exuberant and inebriated Demons fans; dilute my finest single malt with tears of joy for the next week, when the reality of what we have achieved might finally sink in.

Yeah, I can see your point of view Adam. However, I don't really view it as being about Jonesy's ego, but more about recognising his stalwart leadership over an arduous journey for our Club. If for some reason that's not in the best interests of the Club as a whole, then the sure, scenario obviously changes. I agree 100% with your second sentence, and I have no doubt that both Jones and Lewis would do exactly that.

I like the current structure with two joint captains and joint VCs. We only moved to this smaller group earlier this year, and it would be silly to change it now imo. I'd love to see Max as joint captain with Jack, but I think it's unlikely to happen for 2019. It might be seen as too disruptive, and unfair on Jonesy who led us well through the 'dark times' when we had no other 'real' leaders. He has earned another year, I reckon. I think Lever will probably be promoted for 2020, when I'd expect Lewis to step down. A definite 'no' on May from me. He needs to earn his stripes at Melbourne before being considered.

Fantastic chat again last night. Thanks guys!. I loved the interview with PJ, but was intrigued (maybe even slightly concerned) by his response to the Garry Pert question. Very guarded (even a little 'uneasy') I thought. Only time will tell whether Pert is the right choice for our next phase, I guess.

FWIW, John Ralph on tonight's "Trade Lowdown" (Fox) said that the parties involved in the mega deal involving Neale, Hogan and others, were still locked away in discussions at 7:00pm. He seemed fairly confident that the deals to get done.

Thanks PD. Based purely on my own judgement, I would not have been keen on chasing May. However, over recent years our recruiters have had considerable success in making the right calls at this time of the year, and only a fool would ignore that. They are paid professionals, and they see and analyse a hell of a lot more than us mere fans. Your post confirms (to me) that it's very easy for us fans to focus on the trees while ignoring the forest.

Nup. A purgative!

I'm worried about this increasing trend on Demonland. I literally cringe, and move immediately to the next post, as soon as Dr.D's avatar appears on my screen. ?

This is an all round win. We get the backup for Max which we desperately needed*, North get to bolster their midfield stocks, Dom leaves on good terms with our Club, and he probably gets to play at the top level, in a position where he can have his best impact. If only all trades were like that! And good luck to Dom. He served us very well in a time of need, and he should be proud of his time at Melbourne. Further: who knows what gem Jason Taylor will be able to snag from obscurity with a pick in the 60s; * I think the impact that Braydon Preuss will have will go well beyond being a back-up to Max. I reckon he will surprise quite a few!

Seems around his true worth to me relative to other comparable trades, and his 'dodgy' hammys and shoulders. Good luck to him. He probably needs plenty of that just to get on the park consistently.

Fingers crossed that the colt from old Regret doesn't get away!

Common sense prevails (which is an unusual thing to say about the AFL).

That was very generous of them! ?

Excellent news on an otherwise 'no news' day for the MFC. Thanks for sticking with us Vanders, in what I expect was a very tough call to make. I hope our Club has done some stuff to make things easier for you on the family front, and that we can reward your loyalty with something special!

Great get guys. Many thanks!! I'd love to get an appreciation of Peter's 'gut feel' on how we now rate relative to other clubs against the following criteria (eg. mid table, top 3 etc): Melbourne as a destination club? Club finances (with special mention of the impact of the decision to relinquish pokies)? Club culture? our list?

Reading this thread over the last few days has totally done my head in ....... and now this!. Bugger me! I wonder if we'll never know the the story behind the story. Doubtful I guess. I just hope and pray that it doesn't have any adverse implications for our Club.

I'm sitting here trying to sort out some very complex tax stuff by the deadline that ATO have put on me, as well as keeping a close eye on the trade moves affecting our Club. I'm not sure which is the more frustrating (or important for that matter!).

.......... or the prognosis on Jesse's narvicular. (MFCSS?).

I think Dec has the advantage of not being a 'one trick pony'. I'm sure I've seen / read that he has gone forward on occasions and taken a telling mark or kicked a crucial goal. Goody likes flexibility in players.

Exactly ..... and imo he hasn't 'regressed' at all, but has been 'overtaken' as an inside mid by Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw and Harmes, who are among the best in the business.

A couple of more serious Max Gawn gems from last night: in a post season email to all his team mates he wrote: "you can't win a premiership in the off-season, but you sure as hell can lose one; and he adopted a "no excuses" approach to his 2018 pre-season, meaning that he left absolutely no stone unturned in his preparation for the season ahead. He urged all his team mates to do adopt the same approach to the up-coming pre season. Great footballer and great leader.

Jonesy presenting the James McDonald Trophy to Neville described him as "back pocket royalty". Spot on!

I enjoyed your work Burgs, and good luck with what lays ahead. ......... and to anyone who enjoys putting the boot in, I'd like to see them run captivating interviews and newsy stories week, after week, after week, during the gloom and doom that that our Club endured for most of Burgo's time with us.

The 'Bluey' will be live streamed by MFC for those of us who can't be there . What a fantastic initiative by our Club. See details here: