Demonised

I come for the footy talk, stay for the linguistic discussion.

I've just finished listening to the Demonland Podcast Grand Final review for the third time. As well as the well deserved exuberance it has THE BEST ANALYSIS ANYWHERE. Proper thoughtful, in depth, considered, evidence based, rational stuff, a pleasure to listen to. Every detail, every explanation of tactics, momentum changes, key moments and vital contributions was far and above that offered by traditional media. And all three presenters had the barely restrained glee that comes from supporting a premiership team. Kudos all round.

Scary thing - he's getting better.

You are a gentleman and a scholar.

On the umpteenth rewatch: last quarter after Treloar got their goal I found myself muttering, 'We've gotta get that one back.' 30 seconds later, Salem sneaks his sneaky one through.

Lots of people talking about the Melbourne Cup but they seem to have got mixed up and are talking about horse racing???

A lot is going to depend on a complete, organised VFA/Seconds competition where players like Sam can: 1. Play regularly 2. Show his goods 3. Practise/polish weaknesses. The last two years have been diabolical for players like him trying to stake a claim.

An observation. I didn't truly appreciate how fast Petracca and Oliver are. Time and time again they simply ran away from Dogs players. Bontempelli and Liberatore couldn't catch them.

What a great player to have ready to step up when injuries hit!

Anyone noticed how he's now pretty adept on his non-preferred foot these days, hoofing it forward? Great stuff for a ruckman when most have enough trouble with their preferred foot!

With everything that's happening in the world, I'm really looking forward to 2022. When we can start the year as Reigning Premiers.

ANB also worked hard on his left foot, becoming very reliable on that side as well, gave him an extra string to his bow.

No more will they be able to say, 'Oh, the Queen's Birthday is their Grand Final' or 'Anzac Eve is their Grand Final'. The Grand Final is our Grand Final.

After decades of being a long-suffering Demons supporter, I had a shell, the standard protection that a supporter of a perennially losing team adopts. You know, the Monday morning wry smile, the shake of the head when opposition supporters zero in on another Melbourne loss or - worse - give you a sympathetic pat on the back where the condescension is laid on thick. It's the attitude that lets us endure, somewhat, another loss, whether it was a shellacking or a noble defeat. It's repeating to oneself 'Be gracious in defeat, noble in victory' but rarely knowing the latter part of this mantra. This state of mind looks forward to the trade and draft period now that the home and away games are done, the finals being an irrelevancy, obviously. It's the defence that means you pore over every detail of a recruit's background, looking for hope. Likewise with wins in practice matches. If a co-worker says your team looks like March Champions, you accept it with pride knowing, deep down, that it won't last. As of September 25, that's ended. I've shucked my shell. I don't know how to behave as a supporter of a dominant team, the ultimate victors, the titleholders, the reigning premiers - but I'm more than willing to learn. And I'm loving it.

I've been going back through the topics and threads on Demonland and still finding great stuff I haven't seen yet. Wonderful reading.

For this legend, they started after Trac's dribble goal.

My book 'Gap Year in Ghost Town' was released in 2017. At the end, in the acknowledgements I thanked 'the Melbourne Football Club, which, over the years, has demonstrated the pain and the triumph that is at the heart of great stories.' And now they've written another chapter in theirs.

I stand corrected!

Mark Maclure will probably find something to carp on about. He's never had a good word for the Dees.

All last week I didn't like hearing people say, 'All I want to see is a good game.' You know what? They were right. I think we saw a very, very good game.

I started barracking for Melbourne in 1964 and was looking forward to their next premiership. It took longer than I expected.

Let's keep a lid on it. Too early to talk about a hat trick just yet.