Ron Burgundy

Surely we’re chatting to him. He was one of our really good coaches, he’s proven, and he enjoys a good relationship with the players. I also hope we’re in Dean Solomon’s ear.

The story here had so much potential but ultimately it delivered a really disappointing outcome. At least it’s resolved any lingering questions as to what Harley could otherwise have achieved in his AFL career. I feed sad about this.

Jack NIcholson has dementia.

Moneyball territory. I reckon he’d be a shrewd pick up. I’d offer him 2 years.

Give him 2 years. He has leg speed and goal sense. And better than average skills. And he’s a Demon. Culture is important.

I was born in 1971. I only freely disclose this to Demonlanders because I know none of you. I have life experience. This talk of ruthlessness is just carp - so 1970s. It’s now all about EQ and understanding what motivates the players, as individuals and how they fit into the collective. I have real concerns for this club if we don’t manage to re-sign Viney. I thought he’s exactly what Goodwin wanted - why then did we trade the likes of Jack Watts? I loathe incompetence, and I am concerned that it may be unfolding here. Yet again.

It would literally rip the heart and soul out of this club if Viney were to play elsewhere. I don’t want to even think about this being a possibility. We’re too fragile as a club (and as a list) to deal with the potential fallout from this. Even a strong and confident club would struggle to lose such an important franchise player, and we’re not remotely that. It’s bringing back fears of the super shrewd list management decisions made during the Neeld apocalyptic period. Stop playing poker MFC, and re-sign him immediately please.

Ditto. I rate him as a player, and I reckon it’s highly unlikely that we’d get commensurate value for him in a trade. I used to defer to the ‘experts’ at the club on these matters. No longer though, they have a well established track record in being absolutely inept on such matters. He’s a required player. No doubt he’ll be traded for a cheap 15 inch plasma, or even worse just delisted.

Completely agree. I was very disappointed that we traded him at the time, particularly given Roos’ comments about him being the one player on the list whom he wanted with the ball in hand delivering it into the forward line in a tight game. The irony. His trade also seemed to have been handled very poorly at the time. I hope some of the meatheads at the club now recognise this. I’m now hoping the club shows some EQ and recognises Watts as an important and loyal former player of the club. He may not have been a great of the club, but he was certainly a well-liked and important MFC player - and he should be treated as such. Bring him back into the fold MFC. He’s not a Port player. He’ll always be a Demon.

This was not in the Netflix script. I really hope the club persists with Harley, but I respect their decision if they elect not to. Reminds me of The Wrestler. It's (potentially) very sad. That said, hopefully the journey ain't yet over for him at the Dees.

What. A. Joke. I knew this guy would be an awesome pick up for us, and that he has been this year. May is truly top tier.

Confirms what I had already thought. Jackson and Roos saved this club, and then actually turned it into a really decent, professional run, and culturally sound organisation. It just feels different now. And not necessarily in a good way. It may very well be that Bartlett’s the reason for this.

Had a few scotches last night. Still reckon May is one of the best we’ve had though.

I wish I was a still a naive, optimistic kid. Unfortunately I’m not. For instance, I had a $70 fare with Ansett to fly from Sydney to Melbourne to watch the Granny in Sept 2000. It was a 7.00am flight - not flexi, no changes. My mates and I had a big night. I got to bed at 5.30am to have 25 mins sleep. Seemed responsible at the time. Woke up at 7.10am. Desperately rang Ansett almost in tears, in fact I think I was in tears. The dude said if I get to the airport by 7.40am, he’d put me on the already full 8.00am flight (which he did). Turned up by myself in my pyjamas. And they let me on. Made the game. It was ultimately a schizen game, and I hated Essendon forever after it, but I think this shows my commitment to this club. I’ve literally had a thousand experiences like this ever since. In short, I have many humiliating, yet funny, stories about supporting this very unsuccessful club. I suspect they’re beyond the sensibilities and interests of most Demonlanders but they are the real deal. Anyway - I’ve followed this club with a passionate focus and dedication for decades. I know the club, I know it’s history. And, in this context, Steven May is the real deal. I reckon he’s the best we’ve had. He’s a leader. And an absolute gun. In the meantime, stay classy Demonlanders.

May - absolute super hero

I’m surprised this is generating any ongoing discussion. The umpire was in the perfect position and called it a goal. The footage I saw suggested it was touched after the line too (from two different angles), despite it not being absolutely perfect goal line footage. Why is there any controversy about this?

I reckon he’s the best player in the comp. Love the bloke. He’s my favourite player.

Some commentators have suggested that Goldstein is in the mix too.

I literally hated Taylor Adams for the entire duration of the game. Now I hear that he made that comment, and I like him. Can’t believe I’m that fickle. AVB is a legend. He adds an important intangible to the team, which was sadly lacking last year in his absence.

He’s a complicated dude. Unless he really wanted to come back to the Dees, probably not. I’m over watching that dance of the club having to convince certain players to want to play for us. We’re no longer that club.

Current: Trac and May - can’t split them Past: Johnstone

Fair dinkum, this bloke is an absolute credit to himself, to his family, to the club, and to all indigenous people whom he seeks to speak for. Nev is obviously also an invaluable mentor for the younger indigenous players who come to the club - right now, Kossie Pickett and Toby Bedford, each of whom are very important players for us and who are at a critical phase in their AFL journey. It’s hard to find a guy we’ve recruited since who has done more for this club in an off field capacity than this guy. And, to think, he was picked at 51 in the 2008 draft - the return on this pick relative to so many higher picks we’ve had since then has been remarkable. I hope the club keeps him involved in some capacity for the remainder of his working career - I’ve no doubt there’s a very valuable role he can perform for us and the AFL more generally. Go Dees.

It’s hard to see us finishing top 4 from here, although finals are realistic and are absolutely within our control. That said, on recent form, we’re a top 4 side - I‘d just like to see that trend line continuing from now (hopefully) deep into the finals. The home ground finals advantage is unlikely the big ticket item that it has traditionally been - we probably just need to be prepared to win every final we play assuming we finish 5th to 8th (which is achievable if we’re good enough).

May - super astute trade Burgess - what a difference

We played Port in Adelaide on a 4 day break. Calm the farm. Everyone knows it was a tres ordinaire performance. It was excruciating to watch. That said, some of you seem to think you’re the only ones who managed to detect this and are calling it out, self anointed Don Trump genius style. There were definitely some worrying signs, but I’ll reserve judgement until the next performance. We’re in unchartered waters here with this rapid fire, arcade game style hub competition at the moment. I reckon the club knows where we’re at - and it’s not as bad as many here seem to think. It’s a pity we didn’t beat the Lions - because we should have.