Rampaging Demons

They looked tired and slow yesterday.... They were not willing to run into space, to run from behind and support their fellow team mates.... It is the level of unselfish run that is most disappointing!! Clint Bartram is one that does add run!! In relation to your question - a lack of leadership!

they are trying to be film stars and as important as the players.... what is the best umpired match of the year?

He is one of the umpires that has risen through the VFL and was loved by Phil Cleary - do I need to go on? The centre square bouncing is something that continues to be an issue in my eyes! Get it right or just throw the thing up - it is a blight on our game!! The umpiring yesterday was again consistent - consistently woeful!!

Has not looked like getting a kick the last two weeks....... when a crumber was needed he was nowhere to be seen... disappointing!

I heard all about this during the pre-season about gut running but am unsure as to what it is... I saw Crawford run himself into the ground today - he presented, made an option and was so unsefish.. a true champion!! we chased butt all day today without ever looking like winning!!! we looked tired, slow and old today without a player willing to break the lines or back themselves!! i thought this was our season- we had all the tools, the talk out of the club was all but positive and then this.......

the paddle pop lion is a twit!! he is the captain obvious of the football world and the repeater of things said by others.... he is one of the most respected media personalities??? harsh on neitz - limited opportunities the other evening and should have kicked five.... robbo - where is his best position? deep in the goal square or 50 metre mark? he can lead up and take marks as was demonstrated the other evening get a pickett back in and the players walk a little taller... our forward line pressure was very poor the other evening, which is normally a strength!!

very harsh on carroll i thought.... he was left one out on so many occassions and yet at the other end, we would have died for a one on one opportunity with neita!! he also got nabbed by the umpires for........

I too left erly this evening at three quarter time.... By this stage I had seen enough of what I hope was a one off.... Neale Daniher was totally outcoached yet again and this time by a first gamer!!! I thought that our backline performed admirably - the batle of Gehrig vs Carroll was a cracker. However, this batle emphasised the issues at the other end.. how many times was carroll left to defend their key forward on his own... how many times did neitz have three people to compete against... surely there were others that we could have gone through.... cameron bruce was matched up by jason blake... and he went with him everywhere except the midield... this new catch phrase of gut running... did not see it because robert harvey showed us exactly what this is all about..... one positve - we cannot get any worse!!!

In order to be able to run and carry the ball, you have to play as a team and do the unselfish things.. this is why Sydney is so good because they play as ateam!! Last evening there was too much one out, a lack of shepherding, we were well down on our tackle count for last year and a severe lack of hard running to position.... the running without the ball is critical to this style of play and did not see enough of it..... Last evening the flood was just absolutely ridiculous.. but surely we knew it was coming, as this was what Sydney did and this is what other teams do to us.. the Blues are an example... However, last year we lost a couple of games at the G and the year before one game... so why did we need to change the game style??? Disappointed that we got outmuscled, we showed no vigour or enthusiasm and a distinct lack of leadership........ Some significant pressure to perform this week..........

This discussion of who the next captain will be is amazing.... We currently have a leader that all players respect, the rest of the football world is also starting to see this. Neitz could play for another three years including this one and he should remain as captain for as long as he thinks fit - he will know when the time is right!! As for Cameron the Bruce, this bloke's star continues to rise... he is now listed as a utility and his worth to the team cannot be underestimated.. the job that he did on brad johnson last year was magnificent, his run with roles, his ability to play any area of the field makes him invaluable.. he also kicked 21 goals last year and did not miss a game!! I am expecting him to again take another step up this year - he may well be the next captain but this is not a decision that needs to be made for at least one year!! Go Demons!!!

Clint Bizzell would be another one that is now considered a fringe player, so an important game for him. Good to see Brent Moloney listed to play - really missed him last year! Looks a pretty good squad.....

I think it is great we are taking football to major country towns! As for the comp, allows young players to have a crack and if we unearth a player like Clint Bartram, then I would have thought mission accomplished. Who would have thought the kid would play nearly every game? that he would play on chapman, bell, harvey, etc and do a good job? Our list has only got better than last year - no major changes to playing personnel, one more experience for our young players and the debut of bate, bartram, dunn, etc.... so not sure we can read too much into the results, except burton chopped us up again! We have lost at the g only twice in two years or something like that - so our game plan must be pretty good at home..... however, to be top 4 we have to win interstate and this is what is being addressed!! I am pumped for the season to come!!

Agree with you BBP.... Brad Green kicked the ball better last evening for goal then he did last year.. he is a magnificent kick and is so damaging with ball in his hand.... He cops his criticism but last year could well be a defining year for him - played a tagging role at times, half back at others and learnt possibly more in one year than he had to date. The Miller debate will rage for the season... he presents hard and demands the football - this is all done through the wing/centre half forward.. he creates plenty of space behind him, which is why neitz can lead straight out too... The problem with this is that Miller's kicking - short passing or for goal - are not good enough.. he needs to use the handball, etc. Perhaps the new game style will help him??? I like him and always have but what he needs to do is exert his presence on a game more - kick a couple of goals, take some contested marks, make the opposition player hurt within the rules and lead!! He will never tear a game by the... but what he can do is provide some presence!! We have a power forward and inspirational leader in David Neitz and he has shown that when the ball is put lace up onto his t!t, that he will mark it (okay, drops a couple) and that more often than not he will put it between the sticks... he will give us 50 - 60 a year as a minimum!!

At least they were not biased like the Foxtel commentary of the demons vs hawks match. danny frawley was terrible - the tackling over the boundary line a prime example. it was like watching us play in adleaide or perth, there is only one team playing!!

Rhino, You are correct but this is worst case scneario, does not take into account the new members and also the addition of corporate sponsorship, etc. I will continue to pay my $150 a year on top of my MCC and am sure that many will do the same. Go Dees!!

I am both an MCC/MFC member and wil continue to buy the full associate membership but as noted, it gives those people that pay$550 and can't afford the $150, that for $40 the opportunity of being a member of the Demons as well... It is a potential gold mine and would appear as though there has been dealings going on for some time.... I think that it is an excellent idea and if you note, Sticks FC and Flatulence Hill are possibly going to look into it as well... This to continue the off-field revival of the Melbourne Football Club.....

is Jake Williams any relation to Greg Williams?

Furthermore, gets sledged for kicking the ball 60 metres and being one dimensional.... He is a hard nut that loves dishing it out and receiving it - his first year was outstanding and is still so young!! It is exciting times when you add him to the other young bucks in mclean, sylvia, bate, jones, bell, etc. Then the pace of a Davey, the hardness of a Pickett....

Great report for those footy tragics that cannot get along to a training session.... Brock looks terrific and so does someone else in Nathan Jones. The midfield has a real feel of grunt if they are all up and running with Maloney, Sylvia, McLean, Junior and Jones being able to hold their own.. then you have Bate that played more and more in there at the end of the season and you have a 10 year midfield in the making... Also think that Daniel Blel showed that he will make it - his game on farmer in the final was excellent.. especially his tackling, his attack on the man and also his assuredness with the ball... has good size, so expect him to play more this year.... ferguson now weights 94 kgs which is well up on what he started out as.... he has given himself a chance to play afl footy - he has shown that he is too good at vfl, so now needs to hope for a little bit of luck!! hope he can make it...

tigger, we can only hope that these were rumours....... well, i hope that he does not bring the dance of the sugar plum fairies to the sidelines!!

Is this a good thing?? Did Hawhtorn not have a high number of soft tissue injuries during his reign and hence he was discarded!!!

how have we overlooked David Grant?? Melbourne has always had a very strong seconds team, so heaps of depth!

adrian campbell from the bulldogs - kicked some bags, then nothing! donald cockatoo collins - played some okay footy, then disappeared. remember him breaking an opponents jaw at punt road in a 'legitimate' shirtfront; brad sparkes & john ahern - member of the winning night grand final team at waverley; matthew mahoney - promised so much and delivered nothing except for the game at victoria park where we beat the filth, jakovich turning it on too