Mydee

I recall going to a supporters dinner at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1996 where Jim was the main speaker He told of playing a reserves match against Essendon early in his career where they they were making disparaging remarks about Ireland so he meted out the appropriate retaliation to the main culprit after that he was chased around the ground by almost the entire Essendon team trying to bash him. So yes he was abused based on his nationality.

Absolutely, best comment so far, it was a cowardly disgrace

Is that pre or post lobotomy?

Just implied it. The point is that once these arguments become personal the focus is shifted away from the club and players onto the posters to the detriment of Demonland. I don't happen to agree with Dr. D but his comments weren't offensive or personal and they are fair.

There is a spelling error on the line relating to the IC (Interchange). "Darft Pick" should be "Daft Pick" The word is British informal English meaning stupid or insane. Of course Melbourne has made many daft picks. The excreciable Nield era was noted for them. Fortunately I think we are far more professional now and it would be unfortunate to label the player on the interchange bench as a daft pick, although at some time the description may be accurate.

My brother and his wife had six children all of whom were Melbourne supporters. however at one stage one of his daughters announced that she was transferring her allegiances to Richmond. My brother replied well every week we go to the football to follow Melbourne and you can come along once or twice a year when Richmond play Melbourne , she reconsidered her loyalties.

Neeld, Every time I hear that name I feel a twinge of anger

A plea to our recruiting staff. Please no more classical music composers. We have had a Gilbert two Sullivans, one Strauss and two Wagners and only one of them has been OK

True but Melbourne is an easy target partly because of its perceived culture but largely because it is warranted

More likely the Cairns Carnations- They wilt when the heat's applied

I don't think we have recruited so many bad players. We certainly have a lot of underutilized talent at the club. What we have failed to do is to develop raw talent into match winning player, how many players come into the side showing so much potential and are still only showing potential three years later. nor have we been able to meld them into a team. The real issue is that we are being coached by a robot who isn't programmed beyond option A. And of course the selectors are equally limited. Why choose Preuss in monsoonal weather. Just hopeless

But not all of us, a lot fewer will be signing up and a lot less will be sponsors

So do I, but I.have herd it all before.

Has Eddie ever been switched on?

Were you brought up in West Heidelberg?

I thought he played on the half forward flank and was known as the flyng Dutchman

So one of you is a pipe dreamer the ther an analyst

How far back do you want McDonald to go I suggest third row in the Great Southern Stand

Thanks to the ABC radio I didn't even get to hear the game

Quite the opposite Coach Badloss really excelled tonight Most coaches might take the foot off the pedal in the final few minutes of the last quarter to rest the players but Simple Simon turned off the engine and threw away the key after the first 20 minutes and sill won. Presumably the boys will be fresh for next week. Tactical genius

You're Lucky The ABC isn't broadcasting the game in Canberra I don't know why I stay in this dreary town

Alternatively: Its a grand old flag at Whorebourne We;re the mighty fighting Dorks We didn't play fine in 1939 Cause then we were demons and Hawks We haven't got any supporters but we still do very well Red and blue and brown and gold splattered on our jumper thanks to the greedy AFL

No they are not "fair weather supporters". Many are people in dire circumstances in an economic disaster that, at this stage dwarfs the great depression. They showed their loyalty by signing up now they have more important priorities like toilet paper and life's basic necessites

More importantly unable to control his mouth

Spot on - Essentially, to win a flag all aspects of the club must operate properly and I suspect that most members of long standing can point to stuff ups right across all areas of the MFC, from recruitment player selection and management through to the appointment of senior officials, sponsorship and the general administration of the club. Since 1964 there has been a long history of building up hope only to have it shattered and the only way to regain the trust of many supporters is through success on the field. Clubs love the jingoists - those modern day Benedict Arnolds -"My country( footy club) right or wrong but above all my country(club) or those supporters smitten by puppy love because they don't have to work overly hard for membership. Now they don't like criticism and either ignore it, take umbrage or make an efffort to explain it away. I also think the club has made a number of positive changes but the jury is still out and to stop criticising it is to surrender to mediorcrity. So more power to your arm. Apart from that I enjoy your posts you don't hold your punches.