Brettmcg

Grimes can kick fine it's his decision making that let's him down on occasions.

Against North Melbourne it looked as though 80% of his kicks were sideways kicks, often when a switch of play was not the best option. Sometimes he needs to just go the safe option and not try and get too fancy.

You're probably right, however Cameron Schwab did comment at Before the Bounce that the club thinks Jack is the best of the backmen in terms of decision making. I think Grimesy might have just had an "off" last few weeks. Still love the way he drops back in defence and floats across to take a mark when bombs are raining down on the backline. Bit biased though as I have his number on the back of my jumper

Bit tough on Jack especially if you consider the Mr. Fix-it role he is currently playing - is taking the 3rd best forward and is also forced to lap up any errors made by Warnock and/or Frawley which means he is kicking under considerable pressure every time. I think we sometimes forget he has only played 19 games. One thing he is going to have to learn to deal with, however, is increasing pressure and attention as other clubs become aware of his talent and skill.

What a disgraceful headline for that article. If anyone has been left red-faced it is surely the AFL. I encourage Demonland posters to flood footy talkback with complaints and rants this weekend. If nothing it will show the football world that, contrary to popular opinion, we do have lots of passionate fans.

You are right. Under the old rules, it had to be either "out on the full" or a mark. What fool changed this rule, and for what reason? (or were these pathetic umpires so incompetent they got this wrong too?)

Was it the same boundary umpire who disallowed the goal that Peter Gonis (goal umpire) called a goal? Does anybody know that boundary ump's name?

I'd have to look at the replay and then I could tell you, but in the meantime: http://www.aflua.com.au/pdf/Round%207.pdf

Why unofficial? Surely we can make a thread like this official?

In fairness it did look as though he fumbled the ball over the line.

I reckon he took the controlling grab (the determinant here) before the line.

ARGH Indeed!! I have NO IDEA and it pisses me off no end how they overrule or even influence the goal umpire in the first place when they are so far away and only meant to assist the guy who is dead infront and paid to focus solely on these line ball decisions- so for the purpose of this thread- yes, goal umpires have officialy become redundant!

We have the technology to eliminate human error. Why oh why don't we use it? Don't give me that "element of randomness" and mistakes even themeselves out crap because we always get screwed! I'm just shitty this has ruined my weekend!!

Sorry, I think I posted some misleading information above. The first quarter non-goal was an overrule by the field umpire. The last quarter non-goal was by a boundary umpire. Sorry, for the confusion. Just watched them back on replay now. Even so, the field umpire was at least 20m away from the first contest. The goalie even said "I saw it come off the boot". Shocking.

Spot on. I used to tell my primary school team I coached, no good whingeing about bad umpiring. The only solution is to have enough goals on the board to not have to overly worry about the umpiring.

That said, Peter Gonis should definitely be given a long holiday from goal umpiring at AFL level. He needs lessons in assertiveness.

I came home wondering do they think we're Melb Storm and no matter how well we play, they're never going to let us get the 4 points!

The disappointing part is Peter will probably be "rotated out" next week, whereas Robert Findlay (field umpire in the first quarter non-goal) will be back making sh*thouse decisions next week. Even though they are technically not to be overruled in a situation like that, the goalies are unlikely to deny the field umpire especially now they are wired up and basically have cameras up their butts the whole time. Opens them to no end of ridicule if they stick to their guns and the replay suggests they were wrong.

Champs in March, but beaten by a pack of 18 year olds tonight. Let their supporters enjoy the 5 minutes in the sun. There's no way they can win a premiership playing like that.

On another note: Hall - recruit of the year ? Good call/bad call. Cold as ice tonight.

Dunn was atrocious tonight. Have been a supporter of his early in the year, but his lack of interest and effort to run and chase was disgusting. Casey Reserves for mine. If Bail is right he should be an automatic in.

But he had no problems paying the [censored] deliberate against poor Frawley in the most difficult of conditions. Don't get me started on McBurney. I'd punch his face in if I could.

Please, let's not make excuses for these people. It is THEIR JOB for which they get paid to make decisions based on clearly set out rules. Nobody will complain about missed head high tackles or throws, but blatant frees which they miss or worse of all, decisions they pay which are soft and have huge consequences on the game, are unacceptable. They deserve to be named and shamed and I hope the boundary umpire who overruled those goals never umpires again. Somebody has to make these people accountable, because I'm starting to think that umpiring is the only profession in Australia that lets you get away with terrible performances.

You're right, and I hate hearing people yell out "up to the country for you next week Umpire XXX" because it simply isn't the case anymore. Unless there is a really dreadful decision like last week, the umpires are never made accountable. Doesn't help that they know their appointments almost 3 weeks in advance. The worst they can expect is a rotation every now and then.

Of course I understand that we are a young, developing team etc. etc., as far as I am concerned no loss is acceptable. I don't care whether it is a 4 point or 400 point loss, but we need to get out of this idea of accepting mediocrity. We now have the correct mix of ingredients to become a great, powerhouse club again, but near enough can't be good enough.

Hit the nail on the head brett. Both times the goal umpire was going to signal a goal. NO BALLS!!!!

Mind you, why would you even bother making a tough, contentious decision these days when your "boss" comes out on Monday and tells the world you had a sh*t one. As much as I hate McLaren, I thought the way Gieschen hung him out to dry was disgraceful. No wonder McBurney didn't want to pay the blatantly obvious rushed behind down the Punt Road end in the 2nd.

According to a caller to radio, we complained to the AFL during the week about the umpires' uniform only to be told it was bad luck and had already been decided. Hardly surprising when you have muppets running the joint.

Trust me on this, as I have been involved in umpiring, in particular goal umpiring, and am now involved in umpire coaching in a suburban league. If Peter Gonis (goal umpire in question on both incidents) had some balls he would have paid both goals. The only time a field umpire can officially overule a goal umpire is if he sees a ball touched from a downfield kick. The worst part about the two decisions is that both times they were "overruled" by Boundary umpires who were up to 30m away. Don't get carried away with video screens and replays and stopping the game. We always tell our umpires that your first instinct is mostly your best one.

Anyone have any information on Rohan Bail? Either that's one serious corked thigh or there are some other issues - something to do with a wrist, from what I remember hearing?

I have a feeling that was a digitally altered photo.

This ought to get some tragics oozy in the pants:

MELBOURNE is eyeing talented teenager Jack Viney - the son of club champion Todd - two years before he is eligible to be drafted.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/young-jack-viney-catches-eye-of-demons/story-e6frf9jf-1225862263863

They weren't available last year:

The figure at close of business today was 31,529, prompting Club President, Jim Stynes, to say, ‘This is a fantastic result and just more proof that our supporters believe in the direction the Club has taken both on and off the field. But the job is not done yet. We still have over three thousand who have not yet renewed and we need these people on board. If they can’t come to all the games our new three match membership is an ideal option that still assists the Club greatly.”

See also:

3-game Membership

New in 2010, we are pleased to

introduce the 3-game membership for just $84.

from: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/membership/membership2010/tabid/13296/default.aspx

Did anyone notice that all of a sudden there is a new "3 Game Membership for $84" available? Could it be that the club are now acting on suggestions made here and/or 'ology, or is it a simple case of copying Richmond and Collingwood?

I never really understood the whole "Melbourne supporters don't like the Dome" theory until the weekend- it's just a terrible, terrible place to watch the football. The seating on the bottom level is too low to the ground so you don't get a good idea of the space around the play, the seating on the second level is off limits to non-medallion club members (and dare say, away team club members) and you can't see the near boundary line from the top level.

Not quite true. Second level is accessible to MCC Members through AxcessOne, however, after Saturday I will never purchase tickets into that section EVER again. They were atrocious and the only pocket/bay in the entire ground bathed in sun from the first bounce until the last. Why should I pay $32 for that rubbish? Left just before the end as I was going to have a coronary if the umpiring became any worse, only to be yelled at by a security guard and a ground attendant for running to try and beat the hoardes. Promptly told them to shove it and that I would never be coming back to their effing disgraceful stadium again anyway. What an absolutely foul place to watch anything. Sell it off to Melbourne Victory and Storm and let their fans "enjoy" the experience.

I had had exactly the same thought. Lions, on the other hand, as they are depicted in Chinese culture, appear during New Year to scare away Demons and Ghosts.

I'll be in Shanghai as part of the tour! Really looking forward to it!

MCC Members have already paid to get into the GF.

Only half of the reserve is balloted and the rest is available for walk-up.

There's no way on God's green earth any additional seats would be balloted or any of the existing allocation would be set aside for MFC members.

Yes, we have the largest following within the 100,000 MCC Members, but roughly 80% of the total membership are NOT MFC supporters. It's sensational that we get all the boosts that we already do from MCC, but interfering with the Grand Final access of 80% of the membership would be crossing the line.

I didn't mean for MFC members, I was referring to those MCC Members, who at the time of becoming members of the MCC nominated "Melbourne" as their team supported on the MCC subscription form, which is how the 20-30% statistic is generated. You would, of course, do it with all other clubs based on who is competing. I am an MCC Member and as much as I look forward to the day the MFC next play off in a GF, I dread to think how many longtime MFC/MCC members will miss out because of other MCC Members who are supporters of non-competing clubs just deciding to turn up as they please. Surely you could block off a few thousand seats based on club support as nominated at the time of membership acceptance, or at least restrict the ballot to those groups.

Also the notion that MCC Members have already paid for entry to the ground is false. This only applies to Full Members.

Hi there,

aside from supporting my beloved Demons is it worthwhile having a membership, my wife wishes to know the advantages and I don't really have an answer for her, we live in Ballarat and love our footy but unsure of the benefits can someone tell me some pro's

Regards Darren

It's always worthwhile having a membership, but I don't think I need to tell you that! What type all comes down to how often you attend matches. Maybe a Country Membership would be in order, the benefits of which are:

All Country/Interstate/International members receive the following:

- Entry to 5 Victorian-based home games

- Entry to 1 interstate game played in your state (interstate members only)***

- 2010 Members’ Scarf (which will be posted to you)

- Car stickers, lanyard, fixture magnet

- 2010 Season Guide (March) and Yearbook (December)

- Weekly email news updates, including Ins and Outs

- Free entry to Casey Scorpions home games

- 10% discount off all full priced items at the MFC Megastore

- Priority access to buy finals tickets when MFC is competing

- Voting rights (over 18s only)

To be eligible for a Country membership your address must be 120km from the CBD (AFL Condition of Sale), but looking on Google Maps this shouldn't be an issue. An individual membership costs $115 and a Family $245.