Tim

Perhaps meant "Maquis" - armed French Resistance fighters. Now THAT we could do with...

And it's a low act because....? What, the golden boy not allowed to be tackled or bumped? Perhaps Wheels should have cleared a path for him. Or just a "nice" push to James on the upper arm to let him know you're there, Wheels? Suggest you look at the work of Hird's teammates in the 2000 GF if you want some guidance on "low act".

Hey BD, have a look at title of thread, and re-read Fan contribution. Celebrating a shoulder on shoulder bump that dislodged the ball, to the benefit of the bumper and gave an inspirational goal. Best I've seen of an absolutely fair bump that set the tone for attack on the ball. I seem to remember D Schwarz reprising Neita's effort a bit later in the game on somebody else on Members wing. Fwiw, I don't come from the hairy-chested brigade that decries current day alleged netball tendencies of the game. It's as tough as ever, but they've cleaned out the cowards who masqueraded under a tough guy image.

Ten minutes prior to the opening game against St Kilda last year I ventured to the TAB outlet to put a tenner on Brock for the Brownlow at $41. It was my first footy bet. He had shown form as a vote magnet - particularly of the 3 vote category- in his short career. Four-legged betting opportunities have consistently been unable to successfully carry the extra weight and responsibility of my investments, however small those bets may be. So it proved with the two-leggers, although the Brockster did give me about 40 minutes of "you good thing" emotion before he went down. I hereby acknowledge full responsibility for the destruction of Brock's season, and promise that I won't do it again to him or any other Demon. No bets for me on Melbournefc players. In order to atone, I will have small wagers on Sam Mitchell and Franklin just before the game, so as to attempt to give them a handicap against us that will be too great to overcome. A little bet on C Judd may also be worth making.....

"That's 25% of the votes from people who, frankly, don't know. But they soon will. I'm a Brad Green fan. For all the crap he cops on the websites he is brave, he goes when it's his turn, he does a job every week whether it's his natural game or not, he prepares his body well for the season and during the season" What he said - on both points. I get heartily sick of negatives comments on Greenie on this site. Makes me wonder whether I've been watching the same game as these detractors. Excellent comment on the vote, and an interesting scenario to watch play out this season - hopefully with a happy ending.

"Finishing 6 - 8 is absolutely nothing to be proud of" It sure as hell beats finishing 14th, on all counts except draft picks.

CAC - really appreciated your openess in coming on this forum, and your participation in the Demonland Player Sponsorship activities. And of course your drafting successes. Hoping that "The Team that CAC built" brings home the ultimate bacon soon for the MFC - then we'll really toast you!

NT in summer - is this the big person's equivalent of the jockey's sweat box?

"The Old Xaverian"? What a sad case. Fancy admitting to it in the first place. Someone who has to hark back to "school" for identity - at least could have selected one that's not embarassing. Having to define himself by proximity to what he (very mistakenly) thinks are leading brands. Comes on to fan sites of other clubs, apparently in order to define his own pre-eminence in terms of slagging others. Good luck in your quest to find a life. By the way, the avatar says it all - adoration of a tool.

I reckon the current away strip is good. The old royal blue was bad, bad, bad. Never, ever again, please..... I see people at the footy with their old royal blue scarves, and I wonder. The scarves can't possibly be a lucky charm in the football sense as the team was so bad in that era; they must surely be associated with an otherwise happy childhood.

At the risk of doing TJ to death, one other characteristic also summed up his career. I think it was about 2 years ago that he managed to milk a double 50 by tricking his opponent (Giansiracusa?) to run through the mark of a Melbourne player. This was a great jape, and I think a goal may have resulted. From then on I noticed our boy continually trying the same trick, and in fact this year he "scored" twice with the tactic as I recall. The point is this. Instead of doing the hard running to create an option for a team-mate, Travis decided to focus on the lazy, smart-aleck, low-return option. Yeah, he succeeded about 2 times in 3 years with the tactic, as against about a dozen attempts a game (equals approx 700 attempts over 3 years), whereas he could have run to advantage to put the most damaging ball-user in the team (himself) at the disposal of his team-mate. Used to drive me spare. Anyone else notice this?

"The Number 16 has not been a number at MFC with a roll call of greats." Big Bob Johnson will do me, and his dad (also #16) was a topliner as well - 302 goals in 113 games from CHF, including 6 in a winning GF.

Terry Leahy was a winner of the Bluey in 1966 as a first year player, aged 19 I think. Memorable year - 3 wins, finished 2nd bottom, and no draft concessions....

It was an extraordinary afternoon - agree with RR comments. Particularly remember 3 things: players in their warm-up lap running down the outer wing (I was under the Malthouse coaches box) - they were clearly impressed by the intensity of the welcome by the Demon fans, who considerably out-numbered the Footscray ones; Robbie Flower taking the game by the scruff with some individual brilliance in the second half when we were struggling; the raw emotion all around the ground when the siren went, with 30-something types engaging in primeval roaring, having expurgated some very evil emotions. To look around the ground and see thousands just roaring and waving their arms in the air - amazing! I was expecting to just go through the motions in the EF, but wow, the festival of the boot sure continued deep into September. Which also unfortunately reminds me of the Hawthorn prelim, where the intensity at Waverley in the last quarter was so great that if you wanted to be heard by the person next to you, you had to cup your hands over their ear and speak right into your hands. Can we get some of that intensity back at the club?

Toad, there is an interesting point in there. Premiership player seems to be a good start, and coming from another club tends to be OK also (in our case, the 2nd criteria would have to be met if the first was wanted - unless someone like Noel McMahen feels up to the task). However there have been plenty of duds fitting the criteria - think of some of the Hawthorn alumni from the 80's. Yeah, Roos was one kick away from being a runner-up coach, but he was also one kick away from being a dual premiership coach. Swooper and ND were runner up coaches by many, many kicks. And Swooper was a premiership player. I suppose what I'm saying is that I wouldn't want to have ruled out a Pagan or a Roos - who meet neither of the criteria above - and missed out on their premiership results.

Voss needs to be careful if he goes to Carlton. Yes, a blank cheque from Mr Visy with all the assistant coaches money can buy. However their list is tish. Vossie's 5 year contract will give him little comfort half way through year 3 when they are still out of contention - Voss gets sack and payout, and his coaching career has permanently turned to dust. Btw Toad - how embarrassing for Roos to only win a flag by a point. I wouldn't find that acceptable for the Dees. B)

Ash, hang in there - don't let the rough stuff get to you. Anyway, people should leave Lloydy alone, he's tried to do his bit for the MFC. At the MCG r17 in 2003 he astutely realized that the Demons were getting on a roll, and were in danger of winning the game that would lose them the priority pick in the draft (pick 3). He then took it upon himself to do a double Louganis in the goal square in front of Nicho (and Goldspink ?) to add 2 quick goals to the margin. Probably saved us losing our next captain.

Warren - interesting table. There must be more than 22 premiership coaches, as (off the top of the head) Charlie Clymo coached Geelong to one in 1931 in his one and only year - the ultimate new chum! No doubt the prevailing orthodoxy around 1932 in fan chat letter pages was that we needed a coach with no experience. On a more serious note, it wasn't long after 1932 that Melbourne dragged itself out of a malaise of 1 flag in over 30 years after securing a culture change by recruiting the top management from Punt Road Oval. Percy Page as CEO and Checker Hughes as coach. Richmond were a power team, and Hughes was a premiership player and coach. The rest was (a glittering) history. Anyone for a modern parallel?

Brian who....?

"Oh yes, you are totally right..... We should all rag on them with relentless criticism and abuse until their ears bleed and their eyes roll back in their heads Yep, that will definitely help " :angry: !!! ....and then we change our name to Richmond.

"Excluding Clint, the ladies and the spunk (apparently Mick) who are all the crooks in the photo?" Roger - a mere $110 will reveal all you desire.....and more!

Will do George.

Travis is majorly disappointing. Too often looking for the cheap option, including arguing with the umpire rather than steaming to the next contest. Particular gripe of mine with him is that he hovers around a team-mate taking a set kick, trying to draw a 50 by getting his opponent to inadvertently run through the mark. Afficionados will recall that this little manoeuvre worked once - about 2 years ago. Unfortunately Trav tries to re-live this glory day rather than work hard to make another option for his team-mate. Really makes me mad, it happens a lot, and is not inconsistent with an unwillingness (or inability) to work hard. Would not be tolerated at the Swans.

"Melbourne returned to wearing the Dark Blue Jumper" - absolutely! Also: round 1 of finals (118 pt win over North in our first final in 23 years), round 2 of finals (60 odd pt win over Swans, showing Gerard Healy that while he said he left us so he could play finals, if he'd stayed he could have played in WINNING finals...)