Supreme_Demon

I agree with David King too. Us Melbourne supporters and members aren't stupid. We know when we are getting spun lies and rubbish. We want to know the truth! We want everything to put on the table so that these problems can be acknowledged and a strategy put in place to resolve them. We also want to know who is going to be held accountable for these failures? Will President Kate Roffey finally make a public statement? Will CEO Gary Pert tell us what is really going wrong? If these problems continue to fester then there will be a significant downturn in Melbourne membership numbers next year too. This then ruins all the hard work of finally breaking our Premiership drought of 57 years in 2021. There is also the lingering issue of club culture and problems which cannot be mentioned here. All those legal matters too that have caused many distractions. Then there's the ongoing situation of our Home Base and what is going on at the Caulfield Racecourse. Has any significant progress been made yet? It just seems to drag on and on... It is time to be honest and fix these problems at the Melbourne Football Club. This starts with the Melbourne Football Club Board showing leadership and getting on the front foot to fix this mess.

This situation is getting increasingly toxic with Christian Petracca. I hope that the Melbourne Football Club can sit down with Christian Petracca and try to sort this all out and reconcile. If not, this will be as big as Ronald Dale Barassi leaving the Demons at the end of 1964. There's a lot of young Demons supporters who run around with number #5 on their backs! Losing Petracca would de devastating. It will upset ALOT of young Melbourne supporters! Having said that, if the relationship with Petracca cannot be repaired, the only club that has anything worthy on offer for Petracca would be Richmond with their number 1# pick in the 2024 AFL Draft and a player or two as well. If Petracca wants to go to a big Victorian club....well you can't get much bigger than Richmond can you? For the record, I want Christian Petracca to stay at the Melbourne Football Club. But if these matters cannot be resolved then the Melbourne Football Club must be adequately compensated IF Christian Petracca does leave.

No thanks to Tom Lynch. Too expensive. Too injured. Too old. Let Collingwood have him.

Josh Sinn from Port Adelaide we should be inquiring about in my opinion.

I might be laughed off by this suggestion, but due to the midfield talent available, I would offer Gold Coast (or anyone else in the bottom 8 to 10) our First Round pick for 2025. Especially as Gold Coast don't really need their first round pick to get Leonardo Lombard. They just need draft pick points. If we could get BOTH picks #5 and #6 in this year's draft it would be massive. We could take two of either.... Josh Smillie Sam Lalor Finn O'Sullivan Harvey Langford Murphy Reid Xavier Lindsay That would be an awesome coup similar to us getting Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw back in the 2014 AFL Draft.

No pressure on Kalani. Let the young fella play and have fun. Still another year or two of development. Hypothetically it would be a very special moment to see his Father Jeff White give Kalani the number 34# guernsey for the Demons and continue the proud tradition of the Father-son rule at the Melbourne Football Club.

Would be happy with any of the following young talented draftees.... 1) Josh Smillie - 194cms midfielder (Eastern Ranges) 2) Finn O'Sullivan - 182cms midfielder (Oakleigh Chargers) 3) Harvey Langford - 190cms midfielder (Dandenong Stingrays) 4) Murphy Reid - 180cms midfielder (Sandringham Dragons) 5) Jagga Smith - 181cms midfielder (Oakleigh Chargers) 6) Sam Lalor - 187cms midfielder (Greater Western Victoria Rebels) 7) Xavier Lindsay - 183cms midfielder (Gippsland Power) I think we should ideally target midfielders with exquisite kicking skills again. That should be our primary focus.

With Greg Stafford now departing the Demons, who should we look for? I definitely think we need a massive shake up of ALL our assistant coaches. Who is currently available or would we endeavour to try to recruit to the Melbourne Football Club? Here's a list of a few names that we should look at considering to get to the Demons. 1) Justin Leppitsch - has done some amazing work at both Richmond and Collingwood after his failed stint as Brisbane senior coach 2) Cameron Bruce - the former Demon has been assistant coach at Hawthorn and now Brisbane with quite a bit of success 3) Daniel Giansiracusa - has a impressive assistant coaching record at both the Bulldogs and the Bombers and might be looking for a fresh start 4) Steve Johnson - the former Cat was a very crafty forward and has done assistant coaching before. 5) Dylan Grimes - has recently retired from the Tigers and may be interested in being an assistant coach 6) Adam Simpson - the former Eagles Premiership coach might be interested in returning to Victoria and doing assistant coaching 7) Tom Hawkins - is about to retire after Geelong's finals campaign and may be interested in a new challenge at a new club 8) Nathan Buckley - is probably happy in the media, but it's always worth at least asking the question if he was interested in becoming an assistant coach again 9) Trent Cotchin - the champion Richmond Captain seems to be mainly doing media work, but it's always worthwhile at least inquiring if he wants to do assistant coaching 10) Brendon Bolton - is highly underrated due to being an unsuccessful coach at Carlton, has done great work at both Hawthorn and now at Collingwood behind the scenes Anyway, these are all merely suggestions. But I am curious to hear what other Demons supporters think we should look at targeting to bolster our coaching group to assist Simon Goodwin once the off-season starts after AFL finals. The primary focus should be to select high quality football people that will make the Demons a better team for next year.

Here are the expected delistings (and tradings)... 1) Angus Brayshaw - sadly forced to medically retire 2) Ben Brown - retired 3) Josh Schache - just not aggressive or competitive enough 4) Joel Smith - for reasons we cannot discuss 5) Alex Neal-Bullen - traded back to South Australia for family reasons 6) Lachie Hunter - unfortunately too many injuries 7) Kyah Farris-White - probably best to just play VFL and bulk up his body more 8) Adam Tomlinson - will probably ask to be traded to seek more senior opportunities 9) Tom Sparrow - he continues to frustrate me with the way he plays and I am not against trading him back to South Australia

If in the highly unlikely possibility that Josh Rachele from the Crows requests a trade to Victoria, then a trade with Alex Neal-Bullen and maybe a draft pick is definitely on the cards. It would be a massive boost to our forward line too. Dan Houston from the Power to the Demons is still a possibility, but maybe not as certain as it was a few months ago. Two first round picks for Dan Houston seems a bit over the top though! But yes, it would definitely be interesting to see who provides the better offer for Alex Neal-Bullen in either the Crows or Power and who actual needs him more? I suspect the Crows do.

It just goes to show how much the loss of Angus Brayshaw affected us. This loss cannot be underestimated. In fact, it left a massive hole in our team in a variety of ways. Especially, in regard to team structure, team strategy and team spirit. Then there's the off field dramas and various distractions. Many of which we cannot discuss. But definitely Clayton Oliver not having a proper full pre-season didn't help. Then you've got the problems we have in our midfield and forward line regarding connection. It goes to show why we were so desperate to try and get Harley Reid in the draft. Although, I have been happy with the development of Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup. Plus the injuries to Petracca, Melksham (coming back from an ACL), Ben Brown, etc. The warning signs were there in the first loss to Brisbane at the MCG. The loss against Fremantle in the Northern Territory was humiliating. But I think we all knew that deep down the season was over as soon as Petracca got seriously injured against Collingwood. In the end, we will need to do a serious and thorough review of the entire football department and playing list during the off season. Ideally, I would like an external review, but I think it will just be an internal review. All, I hope is that it is done well and that the issues we have are identified and actions are put in place to resolve them.

Entire team: Soft as butter

We desperately need a smooth moving midfielder with excellent kicking skills. Our field kicking is still atrocious compared to teams like Collingwood and Sydney.

The biggest question to be asked is when are we going to stop letting Collingwood bully us? When will we stand up and fight back? Will Angus Brayshaw ever be avenged and Brayden Maynard put in hospital? An eye for an eye? Or will we continue to be laughed at as a soft and weak football club?

Losing Lever before the game with gastro didn't help. But still very disappointing to end the season in a whimper. Especially with so many vile and disgustingly obnoxious Collingwood supporters gleefully laughing at us. It's very difficult to respect the Melbourne Football Club at the moment too. We really have a soft and weak minded underbelly which needs rectified. I would of liked to see an all-in brawl and for Brayden Maynard the horrid thug to get knocked out. Unfortunate it didn't happen. At least Kozzie got Darcy Moore in accidental contact. A little bit of pay back for Christian Petracca at least.

We were as soft as butter against Collingwood. It was embarrassing. We still haven't avenged Angus Brayshaw and put Brayden Maynard in hospital. Until we grow some balls and learn to fight back we will continue to be walked all over by these thugs at Collingwood.

I also received the email regarding the legal issues between the MFC Board and Peter Lawrence. Seeing as the Court has now handed down it's decision, hopefully it is now over. It's disappointing it could not be sorted without legal action, but it is what it is. The primary focus for the Melbourne Football Club Board now should be to get the Home Base at Caulfield Racecourse up and running. If Kate Roffey and the Board can achieve it and get the Home Base built, then that will be an outstanding legacy for the Melbourne Football Club. It's time to stop being nomads and have a proper Home Base!

It will be interesting to see if the Crows or Power are keener on Alex Neal-Bullen. Dan Houston for Alex Neal-Bullen "seems" a fair trade. But it's probably not that simple. Especially as Port Adelaide want two first round draft picks for him, which is ridiculous. When it comes to the Crows there's a few players that would be worthwhile asking about. Jake Soligo and Zac Taylor would be possible options maybe. Especially as I don't see Josh Rachele leaving the Crows. As for the Power, if we can't get Dan Houston. There's definitely a few others worthwhile inquiring about. Such as, Josh Sinn (who I have been a fan of since his draft days), Miles Bergman, Dylan Williams, Ollie Lord or even Willem Drew.

I haven't been on Demonland for a while due to work commitments and family matters. However, I thought I should make a post about the serious issues the Melbourne Football Club is facing. After finally breaking our 57 year Premiership drought in 2021, things are now looking grim and we need to fix the serious problems that the Melbourne Demons are currently facing. This is why I support former Demons champion in David Schwarz about having an entire review of the Melbourne Football Club. I don't think CEO Gary Pert should do a mere internal review as I don't think that will be enough. We need both internal and external people investigating the problems the Melbourne Football Club has and look to identify these problems and find solutions to them. Kane Cornes actually wrote a good news article discussing our issues the other week: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-demons-stand-at-the-gates-of-footy-hell-these-are-the-five-mistakes-that-got-them-there-20240808-p5k0ms.html I actually agreed with many of the unpleasant truths that he identified about the Melbourne Demons. An external review is the only way to get to the bottom of all our problems at the Melbourne Demons. Some of the problems have been out of our control like Luke Jackson wishing to leave the Demons and return home to WA. Others, have been due to rotten luck, like poor Angus Brayshaw being knocked out by Brayden Maynard and then forced to medically retire due to all his concussion injuries. Why the Demons players didn't seek vengeance for what happened against Angus Brayshaw still bitterly disappoints me. But I guess I have a more bloodthirsty attitude compared to others and would of liked to see football played the way it was in the good ol' days of the 1980's with brawls and pay back against any of our players that were hurt by an opposition player with "an eye for an eye" mentality. Sadly, our attitude against Collingwood on King's Birthday this year was as soft as butter on a hot summer's day in my opinion and was humiliating to witness. Nevertheless, other issues have to do with poor list management and recruitment. The foolish trade for Brodie Grundy, with the experiment given up after one mere season of trying to see if it could work and then trading away both James Jordon and James Harmes. Not trading in a tall forward or a forward-ruck to help Max Gawn was a big mistake. I don't think we bothered using Tom Fullarton at all either. Losing Alex Neal-Bullen is disappointing too, but family comes first and hopefully we can arrange a fair trade for him to either the Crows or Power. Then there are cultural problems and the poor behaviour of Demons players. Obviously, some of these matters cannot be mentioned. But the most important factor is the need to raise the level of the professionalism of a significant portion of our players. David Schwarz even mentioned this on the radio with Demons players allegedly mucking around during their preseason camp down at Anglesea. Most importantly, we also certainly don't want to see one of our greatest Demons players ever and Norm Smith medallist in Christian Petracca leave the Club. Losing Christian Petracca would be as bad as Ronald Dale Barassi leaving for Carlton at the end of 1964. So reconciling with Christian Petracca is a crucial matter that needs resolving. The stagnation regarding our Home Base development at Caulfield Racecourse has also been incredibly frustrating and this also needs to see further progress. In the end, I don't think I am alone with these concerns and the entire Melbourne Football Club (from boot studder to President) has a lot of pertinent questions to answer. We as Melbourne supporters and members deserve answers and explanations for how things have fallen into disarray so rapidly in season 2024. Anyway, we still have 2 rounds to go. So let's see what happens....

Still absolutely livid with anger that we lost! The Demons players literally [censored] the bed against the Lions after half time. Another goalless last quarter was humiliating too!

I think the most damning thing about this is how the Melbourne Football Club is viewed by the wider AFL community and opposition supporters. It took us such a long time (57 years) to finally gain respect again after winning the Premiership in 2021. Demons President Kate Roffey aptly said, at the time, that we were at the "centre of the AFL Universe" which was correct. It was a great position to be in. Seeing the late and great Ron Barassi raise the 2021 Premiership Flag in Round 1 back in 2022 was a wonderful experience. But now, after two straight sets finals losses in 2022 and 2023 and allowing Collingwood to bully us we are seen as a joke again. It may be fine for others, but to be called "weak" and "soft" by feral opposition supporters really angers and embarrasses me.

Sneaking into the top 8 and playing finals would be ideal. Sadly, I don't see it happening. A full capitulation in the latter half of the season would be an utter disaster though. What happens for the rest of the season? I have no idea whatsoever. Losing Christian Petracca is a massive blow. He is a star for the Demons and a vital key to any Premiership hopes. All I hope is that the players (and coaching staff) show some fight and hardness. At the moment, we are seen as being "soft as butter" and we have lost the respect we only briefly gained after finally winning a Premiership in 2021. Some serious discussions about culture, hardness, player development, connection into the forward line and list management need to be addressed at the conclusion of this season. We probably need an entire football department review again in my opinion.

I have to agree with the article by Mick Malthouse. However, I think it is commonly known that he hates the Melbourne Football Club.

The big question is....are the players at the Melbourne Football Club mentally weak? We had the 10th Anniversary of Freeze MND for the King's Birthday and the inspirational Neale Daniher come to the Club and spoke to the players earlier in the week. You had the fact that we were playing against the team in Collingwood that we should of "smoked" according to Steven May at the 2023 Best & Fairest last year. We had "the thug" ,in that piece of excrement, Brayden Maynard, who almost killed their beloved teammate in Angus Brayshaw and was forced to retire due to concussion related injuries. Nobody from the Demons went after him. In fact after the game the players are smiling and giving hugs! If Angus Brayshaw was watching the game he probably wanted to spew up! There was also the fact that we got belted by Fremantle the week before up in Alice Springs and we needed to respond. What happened? Nothing! It was all talk and no action. WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, MORE IS SAID THAN DONE. Quite appropriate words by Neale Daniher. The Melbourne Football Club is an utter embarrassment and the players and coaching staff need a good hard look at themselves during the bye.

I personally had a lot of hope for Bailey Laurie. Unfortunately, I don't think he is up to AFL standard. But he had a lot of friends today. Our overall performance was woeful. Let's hope Christian Petracca recovers quickly from his injury. If we lose to North Melbourne it will be season OVER for 2024.