Stav300

Where is it being played?

My two cents worth: Starting 22 against the Saints: B: Whelan Carroll Bell HB: Bizzell Rivers C Johnson C: Johnstone Green Moloney HF Bruce Miller Dunn F: Robertson Neitz Davey Ruck: White McLean McDonald Int: Jamar Jones Brown Pickett Emerg: Bate Frawley Wheatley

All very valid and looking at the draw very easy to saw we could come out of the blocks firing, i just dont think its done us any good to date thats all. Anyway, one opinion and a ball hasnt been bounced, either way i am liking that Trav is getting a run this week, Flash and Beamer get a second run and the season is only weeks away. Bring on the Sherrin

As i mentioned in my Training reply (i quote) Im not sure i would be too worried about Col at this stage. If he isnt due back till round 8 or 10 thats not a bad thing, better that, than having a blinder and going out from round 10 for the season. Im expecting a mediocre, average first 10 rounds, 5 wins, 5 losses with the view that the Demons are aiming for September action and a better September result, we need to peak from round 17 onwards after a solid year, not come out firing and then after round 12 or 13 start losing games and poise. If we are 7 and 6 or 8 and 5 at round 13, with players fresh and some due to come back, id be a very happy supporter, as long as the plan of firing in the latter stages works. In regards to Rebuilding, i do believe that in some respects we may not have the right head coach to take us all the way, just my opinion, but what i do like about ND is that we arent going backwards at the moment. The last 3 years have been stable as much as there have been some definatel improvements as well as kinks that seem to remain. Unless we win two finals or get into the GF i dont see ND's contract being renewed and deciding to delay until the years end now is a very smart thing to do. If we fall in a hole, it allows them to do it before the seasons end, if we are winning and firing, it adds extra drive. I am not a football manager, coach nor did i get a chance to play seniors past year 12, and that was a long time ago, but i love the game and the club and i can say, yes now is as good a time as any to win a flag, but we are in a better possie than anytime in the last 40 years and thats good too. There is something brewing at demon land and i cant wait to see the season unfold. (Sorry to repeat myself but these two threads are very good)

Im not sure i would be too worried about Col at this stage. If he isnt due back till round 8 or 10 thats not a bad thing, better that, than having a blinder and going out from round 10 for the season. Im expecting a mediocre, average first 10 rounds, 5 wins, 5 losses with the view that the Demons are aiming for September action and a better September result, we need to peak from round 17 onwards after a solid year, not come out firing and then after round 12 or 13 start losing games and poise. If we are 7 and 6 or 8 and 5 at round 13, with players fresh and some due to come back, id be a very happy supporter, as long as the plan of firing in the latter stages works. There is something brewing at demon land and i cant wait to see the season unfold.

1. Melbourne - contenders or pretenders? Contenders 2. (a) Where will the Demons finish after 22 rounds? 4th Where will the Demons finish after the finals? 4th 3. What will our season highlight be? Smashing Collingwood again 4. Will the Demons beat the Eagles at Subiaco? Yes 5. Who is our best Brownlow chance? McLean 6. After a loss do you take i dont talk!! 7. Your back page headline prediction. Carlton to merge with Kangaroo's - haha 8. Will the Demons re-sign Neale Daniher? No 9. Who will be the first AFL coach to be sacked? Pagan 10. Which Demons will make All Australian? McLean, Johnstone, Davey 11. Would you be happy if we won the NAB Cup? Um................. No Shizen!! 12. Our biggest victory and against who? Carlton at MCG by over 15 goals 13. Will Carlton go the Trifecta? Probably 14. Our win loss ratio? 16-6 15. Will Mark Jamar have a stellar season? Doubt stellar is the word 16. Will Sandringham make it a 4peat? Yes 17. Will Eddie discard the Versace and defect to Peter Jackson? Care factor 0 18. Who will be the MFC's first debutant for 2007? Frawley 19. First MFC player reported and suspended? Miller 20. Goal prediction tally Neita with over 60, Robbo with over 40

I like the turnip comment, had a great laugh but not sure why.... Very well said, there are things i like about ND and others i dont, some of our players could have been super stars at other clubs based on when recruited and so on but at Melbourne, we dont have genuine superstars (McLean and Davey aside) our team hasnt been able to be consistantly good for some time, winning finals or not. We have a 6 week stint, a few losses, 6 weeks a few losses and then 5 - 6 losses when it counts. I remember an on the couch episode when Sheedy was interviewed and they asked if ND would win a Premiership?, he said yes. They said with Melbourne? he said, 'Neale will win a Premiership' when they asked why he wouldnt say with Melbourne, he said nothing and went dead silent - I am still convinced the Dons will recruit him when Sheedy retires. Anyway, who cares...... um....... Grand Final this year should be minimum, there is no disgrace losing a close final either, a good final (Demons and Dons a few years back great example) its the heart and the determination, the sweat and grit that any supporter wants to see. Mind you a Grand Final would blow my mind too................. I guess my concern with Melbourne, is knowing what the can produce is some of the best football anyone can produce, but when they are off, they stink. As they say in business, if it keeps going wrong, look at the constant, it generally has a part to play. In this case, the constant to me is the head coach, our assistant coaches last 1 - 3 years some of them, so cant blame them and the team is constantly changing so, i give him 1 more year, 2007 ND is the year you have been waiting for. My Tip for 2007 on record Demons win NAB Cup Demons finish 4th and take out 4th on ladder after finals. Win first final, have a break, lose second in a thriller at home. That would be an awesome way for 2007 bar a Premiership, and i can feel it in my waters. BRING IT ON

It needs to be 35 or 40,000 20k is rediculous

Toad Well Said No, F'n Well Said. The Demons may not be winning Premierships, but now three years in a row, up there and getting better, better list, better chances, better finances and stability. If we can maintain that for a ten year period, we will be more than a powerhouse of Victorian clubs, we will be of the AFL What this space, 2007 will be another great year and step towards the Holy Grail. Dappa, do you have your membership yet?

Jones needs a break, his first year and he did awesome next year, another pre season will do him very well

unfortunately i agree

Oh boy well seeing as it is a post, you have to say something i guess....... BELL............Has at least another year with the club, had a poor season last year through injury, give the kid a break. The way he is built and at his age, he can only get better. BIZZELL.......Ok, so where the hell do you send him?? The bloke was in great form in the preseason, breaks a leg and gets canned. Please, spare me from the Biz comments. He has a season or two left. BUCKLEY..... You have got to be kidding me. The kid just got drafted. What is wrong with you?? MOTLOP........ Um, place in side?? Dont see one at the moment, then again, dont be surprised if he gets called up soon. He has one more year on the list. NEVILLE....... God talk about harsh on the young ones... Not everyone is a Bartram. NICHOLSON..Right, and why would those clubs take him and what makes you think he would go? He has no place at the moment but all we need is injuries and he is right back, its that simple. At least we have him and some form in our backline. We have complained about our bloody backline for years, lets not jinx it by delisting everyone who can play there that happens to be residing in Sandy. Keep him for good measure. REID............READ. He would be reasonable trade bait to?? And for?? SMITH..........Fark, the kid is what, 22. First full season without Injury?? This guy could fill another injury void should be needed. Its the what we need more than not. With Dunn and Miller for forwards, then Neita retires.... He could be usefuyl in the mix. Depends who wants him and whats on offer for him. 50/50 here. WHEATLEY....In my opinion your only decent comment on trades. Wheatley is a player i cant see a fit for. CJ will be better, NBrown more reliable and hard, Wheaters has just suffered from a changing squad with a different need and dimension. Trade Bait yes. WARD....Trade - You are NUTS, Ward has been in great form the last Month. I wouldnt trade that in my backline. Well done to blood nit who has had it tough since 2004. With Walshy gone, i like Ward in the side.

If he and the backline keep it up, yes Carroll is a nomination chance and so are we for the rest of the year and the finals. If Rivers has a few more games where he can kick some goals then can you imagine the confidence soar even further for him!!!!!!!!!! Wow, i love it, i am like a little kid...

Carroll was, like so many today, fantastic and he has cemented himself, saying that the backline is doing super well and the depth in the backline (Wheatley, Brown, Furgey, Whelan - He is more than depth though) is an awesome prospect. Geniune tough man for Melbourne and come of age brilliantly.

Point taken and my apologies. Whats an IMO by the way, sorry i am new to this stuff. I realised i was a little rude before so i apologise.