Adam The God

Yes, I know. I was speaking hypothetically.

No, what I meant was I'd perhaps only swap Maric for Rioli if the draft had been different. I certainly wouldn't swap Morton, he'll be a superstar and as for Grimes he could be anything. I have faith in our drafting of the past 2 years, we've drafted only what we've absolutely needed, rather than average midfielders, one after the other, or rejects from other clubs. We've really stuck to our youth policy, which provides me with great confidence.

Maric maybe, but even still we need to give him time too.

No, he's right we did over use the handball, but like I said, I believe it was our kicking that cost us more.

Yes, we did over handball, but I agree with godees' assessment. It was actually our kicking that cost us the most.

The beauty of Wheels is that he has that experience and the leadership to help the young backline at the moment. He has to play with them. I would not leave Wheels out.

He dominated parts of the Coburg game too.

It's been less than a year though. Was it not obvious, not a lot would change except a few draft picks.

It'd be the same as the much privelledged Friday night games, yet probably not as cold. Glad to hear you're going no matter what. This needs to be the attitude of more of us.

If more of us did this, what's stopping them doing this at home games? Of course, we get the unpopular slots, because we are a problem for the AFL. We don't get enough there no matter what day or time it is. We must rectify this. For the fact that we are one of the problems for the AFL, we are given Sunday games, whre lots of people should be able to get there.

It's funny, because two of the hosts are Melbourne men, but I have always noticed that too.

His salary would have probably sent the club broke anyway. We don't have a VISY board type corporation attached to us, that we can cheat the salary cap by giving him the title of 'environmental spokesman'. Unless, I suppose he could have been 'sprinkler consultant' for the MCC? I agree. Fev won't be around long enough in their premiership window and as it stands they already need another key forward.

The reds will rip that title off you next year though, High Tower. No Tevez, probably a Liverpool player soon and if Ronaldo leaves, we won't even have a competition in the next title race. Haha, I love my arrogance.

I see it, but personally, I'd like to think I would think that no matter where I was drafted, I'd keep a soft spot for my childhood team. Who's to say players don't, but it just doesn't come up very often.

Well, I stand corrected.:D I have been seriously misinformed.

Here it goes again...this pathetic lack of support for the team and moreover the club. If you're a Melbourne supporter, that means going along to all the matches in Melbourne and if you can, some of the interstate games as well. Why the feck would you boycott the game? The only people you're letting down is the Melbourne Footy Club. What's stopping people from doing that for one of our home games as well? If you don't turn up, we have to write out a cheque. Wouldn't it be nice not too? The only way this club is going to get itself up on two legs, firmly and strongly above the ground is to have full support. That means dedication. I miss all sorts of things, just to be at the Footy. If you're serious about your Demons, make time for it! Who cares what time it is! It is probably one of the weakest excuses not to go to the footy, I've ever heard. Are we afraid of the cold, people?? It boggles the mind, seriously...

Welcome to my world. Right there with you. The reason I believe it is important is because Scully and Butcher represent both the two different types of player we still need (I probably should have put that on my wish list eh?): a pacy midfielder, who has good decision making skills and adds a bit of that extra class we need, along with the gritty in and under players we have already. The other, another key forward to build a forward line around with Watts. I don't see Newton being able to fill the other key forward role and I believe you need two key forwards (as Hawthorn has proved) to win a premiership. Butcher, therefore fits neatly into that 'need' perfectly, as Scully fits into the classy midfielder role. Afterall, another two top drafts picks wouldn't particularly hurt us would they? Greedy? Maybe. I think after 45 years we're allowed to be a little greedy.

38 something

I just wonder if that's playing on his mind? He handles himself very well, so I doubt it has anyting to do with it, but it could be playing in his mind: I won't be playing until Round 11, so anything I do, I'll probably be playing for Casey next week. It would be a difficult position to be in. Maybe, I'm not giving him enough respect for his professional outlook?

I don't agree it cost us the game. In fact, I think it's an area we've improved on, as we've also dramatically improved our offensive and defensive zones. That said, we still need to strengthen this area of our defense. Wheatley helps this, when he's in the side, because he can kick it so beautifully long and 50% it works, whereas previously without him it's more like 25%. But this year, we're at about 75-80% effective kick outs. It's certainly cost us games in the past year, but I think we cost ourselves with simply misses (Miller's set shot from 40 out, directly in front was horrible) and clangers in the corridor. Having said that, our kicking was extremely accurate again, which was good to see. Now that we're beginning to use the corridor more, if and when we turn it over, it's made all the worse by the fact that we've used the corridor. I know it's an understatement, but effectively, if you turn it over in the corridor, you give the opposition the corridor, but without any real defensive pressure. That kills us a lot and it did so on the weekend.

Yeah, well said. We simply have too many fair weather supporters. Mind you there are tones of people that say they 'support' Melbourne, yet never come to games.

I don't think 2012 is too early to expect big things. Hawthorn proved anything is possible.

What do I desire? A Melbourne premiership. Short term goals though... * Honourable loses and four wins, therefore snaring the draft picks. * Slowly continued improvement (particularly from those that haven't really shown enough- Bates, Sylvias and obviously the other younger guys). * Continued financial gains and increased professionalism of the club from an off ground perspective. Long term goals... * By 2010, start challenging for the top 8. * Come 2011, we should be looking to secure a top 8 spot and begin to think about the top 4. * 2012 is the first year in our window (which could be as much as 5 years) and as a result we should be challenging for the big one.

I'm so disappointed I missed this! I was coaching and the game finished about 30 minutes later than it should have, so I rushed there and did well to only miss the first two minutes, but unfortunately I missed this. I didn't even know it'd happened. Very glad they did it though. Pity there wasn't a crowd in excess of 40,000 to participate in it.

Fantastic article! RIP Don and GO NEW GENERATION DEES!