bush demon

most of us on this forum would be guilty of not looking for vagg from time to time. just to stay on topic, "Mr. Vagg".

4th in the best and fairest is the devil's number this year.

Springvale Under 14's, circa early 70's: "You won't be beat if you won't get beat"

i think some of your comments are jaded, reflected by our ladder position. Having said that, I often feel the same, watching the game in a somewhat antiseptic environment. If Melbourne was winning the comforts of the ground would be an aphrodisiac, not a cause for melancholy. Going to the G in the 70's was like entering a postwar dungeon, with acres of dirty concrete not to mention the smelly dunnies. On the other hand, there was definitely more atmosphere in those times, esp win Melbourne got on a roll the southern stand started firing up and raising a din you wouldn't hear today. On the high marking issue, we are blessed with Jeremy Howe who has taken speccies Collcott Yeo Dillon Parke Swann, Cuthbertson Jakovich could only dream of. If he can get his kicking boot on and he starts to win us games, things might turn for us.

Dillon not only played Big V, he frequently was bog or in the best. A big occasion player, had lots of knee trouble, as I recall.

Great thread, Ben Hur. Sometime in 1963 I was given Ron Barassi boots and a Melbourne jumper by my parents. My father, being English was a soccer supporter so the telly wasn't usually on footy replay, but for some bizarre reason I can still remember footage of Ron Barassi allegedly knocking out Roger Dean on the eve of the '63 finals resulting in a four match suspension. 12 months on, I have a memory of a Melbourne belting Collingwood in the '64 second semi. a year in the uk in 1965, wearing my Melbourne jumper (pictured) and return to australia, and Melbourne v St. Kilda round one, 1966. How did the demons go last year? I asked someone. they came 7th. wow, that was a surprise. but i thought we would soon be back in town and would do well against the saints. unfortunately we have had over forty years of beltings like that round one game but i am still a paid up member and drive in for several games a year. second half of this year though i couldn't handle the familiarity of walking out of the G as losers, the drive back to the bush - as losers - and all the radio and press coverage of how pathetic we have become. just finished the Jimmy book last night which has given me confidence that he hasbequeathed to the club a solid administration and an intangible 'we are Melbourne at this stage' spirit which may yet reap rewards.

coming up next. 'legals' mmmm.... could be: 1. third party agreement for woodboys hanging onto travis 2.. ??? 3. ???

Will three years get him past Jock McHale?

kickiing not good? saw him do some great snaps at Casey, will be a freak, this guy.

Malthouse is in it for him; the chance to spite Collingwood, and what better way to do it than steal Ciollingwood's best player from under their noses a-la-T.S, and become a 3rd club premiership coach at C'wood's arch-enemy club. this is like professional [censored]-fighting, showcasing the inbred, incestuous nature of the old vfl. neither club will win out of this. mark it. Ed: I meant 'male chook' fighting

i went straight to the relevant bit, i wasn't that interested in what wots best position was. i thought it was significant that Green didn't rule out another season straight after 'retiring' on 254 games. i am well aware others would have watched channel 9 telly dot dot dotfwiw I don't think Green's latter career lack of form would discourage a team like Sydney: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sydney-still-progressive-despite-greens-poor-showing-clover-moore-says-20120909-25lz6.html

Green said he would never say never to an offer. he said unlike other players at the end of the careers he had no lingering injuries. he sounded very much like he was letting it be known he was open to offers.

Will get picked up by another club next year. Just watched him on channel 9 say he was 'retired', anything but.

This must be the biggest load of incoming.. since we grabbed those north players all those years ago.

he came about 15o something in the herald sun super player points thing. Still wearing Melbourne jumper as mark of respect.

it's pick on cameron time. i thought guerra already did that.

that means we won't presumably be picking up young Jarrod Fuschia from Waverley Gardens? Only 55kgs, but sinewy and whippet-like.

You must be dreaming comes to mind in relation to Geelong ever letting go a next generation player like vardy

Overnight I listened to Southampton v Manchester United on the BBC World Service. Southampton has been promoted to the Premier League, whilst big money, Man United has spent 22 million pounds on a superstar called Van Persie. Van Persie won the match against a game underdog courtesy of two goals. In our salary-capped competition lower placed clubs can still bid for these game-changing players and Melbourne has every chance of picking up another gun player to help out Mitch and the boys. Go Dees in 2013! My other 'where will improvement come from' thought is that Jack Fitzpatrick is going to surprise a lot of people next year. This guy is a natural leader, with a quick brain and a huge hoof. With some confidence he will be every bit as good as big Mitch next year.

Balmey was cruelled by injuries in '95. He had the boys playing rip-roaring football in '94.

Good to see some passion, Tonatopia but no, no, no. Who is to say these four horsemen of the apocalypse (Sheedy, Matthews, Roos*, Malthouse) would have been any different. It's not all about the coach. The club seems to have a deeper malaise which is around loss of purpose in the national competition. let's just hope it's like the lawnmower which won't start after six goes (previous dud seasons, i've lost count) but sputters to life on the 7th. don't forget other clubs are facing big issues in the national comp. and we just have to get lucky with recruiting. bringing in mitch clark and hopefully another big marking forward may make all the difference. * to make it add up to four.

Because we are at the bottom of the ladder, Demonland periodically sponsors a 'pick on a draft pick' thread to tear down our young players. As stated many times, many clubs passed on Jack Darling, it is not a demon disease. We picked two marking forwards, howe and cooke. Howe is Harte-like, Cooke not yet there. Anyone who has watched Cooke at Casey knows he is by no means a lost cause. He has bulked up, just not getting the pill enough yet. he is certainly not on his own as an under-achieved player on the demons' list this year.

Saw Ray and family tonight, they are all pulling together, Ray has surgery on Monday. All chuffed to see such great support from Demonlanders community, thanks everyone. So impressed with Alfred Hospital stuff happening everywhere, dedication to the cause on display everywhere. Ray in good spirits, best wishes to Steph and see you again soon. BD

What if we went zip-10 under Rats, culminating in a 100 point defeat at the Metronome Fortress? Would Ratten then tell us that a few players needed to get on the reality xylophone?