Dr. Gonzo

I grew up in Eltham and I'd be surprised if that was the case. Mostly Magpie territory with a number of Essendon supporters and a few Carlton thrown in also. Melbourne ranked somewhere near Richmond and Hawthorn supporters in numbers out that way.

Where the hell is Elsternwick? I try not to cross to the southside of the Yarra if possible.

Not better than Jones - Jones showed this year he is one of the most consistent midfielders in the comp, he can win his own ball, disposal has improved and he can kick goals. Vast improvement from where he started where he tried to bullock through everyone like a rugby player. Caddy would sit comfortably in our starting midfield though I feel. Better than Moloney and actually reminds me of a younger version of Sylvia though without the "off-field" issues. Is a strong player who can find his own ball and can hit the scoreboard. Haven't seen enough of him to really comment on his defensive side but I don't think there's much doubt he would make a better option than some of our starting 22 this year.

No doubt there is, but when you go to a Hawthorn the vast majority of their supporters are between ages 0-40 and wouldn't have any idea what its like to support a team like MFC with only 2 GF thrashings in the last 50 years compared to their 10 flags.

Pretty sure the vast majority of their supporters were born well after that and those that suffered from 1925-1961 have well and truly left this mortal coil for the most part.

Based on what I've heard of him and the other kids available (haven't seen anything really) yes. Haha REALLY? Is that why we have only really had one (Neitz - and now two with Clark) at our club over the last 25 years (and probably longer). Midfielders are a dime a dozen, power forwards most certainly are not which is emphasised by you contradicting this point in the rest of your post.

Definitely respect the team - the point was moreso about the supporters though who have never experienced anything like we have. Oh they had a poor season in 2004? Boohoo, that's been our lot for at least half of our supportuing lives.

I don't understand the people who wonder about forcing their kids to support the Demons! My fiancé is a Geelong supporter and I have made it clear that our kids will barrack for the Demons no matter how many flags the Cats win. She doesn't go to games, I do and I'll be takin the kids along with me and the rest of my family. We don't have enough supporters as it is and you wonder about recruiting your kids in no wonder we have an aging membership - I know that this is not an issue in Collingwood or Carlton households. Just remember the crap years won't last forever and the good times will come again even though it seems a million miles away at the moment. Supporting the MFC builds character which is a lot more than can be said for those born into or bandwagoning on clubs like Essendon or Hawthorn.

Well he was injured pretty much his entire first season. No-one is suggesting he will be a franchise player, but can he be a good 10-year midfielder who can kick goals and win his own ball? Absolutely.

He has proven he can play midfield in the AFL in a crap team against significantly better opposition most weeks. He has proven he has the body to match it with more senior players. And most importantly he has proven he can kick multiple goals a game, something which none of our midfielders bar maybe Jones is capable of to date. Is he Gary Ablett Jr.? No, and he's not even Nathan Jones, but getting him at pick 13 would be about right. It probably won't be enough though as I have a feeling either Carlton, Richmond or Saints will offer a pick just before ours and Geelong will also offer their inactive compo pick, something which is of worth to the Suns considering they have to downsize their list this year so they can bank the pick for next year.

Agree 100% - I did the MFC supporter survey the other day and when they asked for 5 words I associate with MFC two were childhood and family. Two others were frustration and disappointment though so take that how you will.

Going by wikipedia other members include; Leigh Matthews, Rowan Sawers, Brendon Gale, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Sexton & Andrew McKay. And they are headed by that goof Adrian Anderson. This group of individuals, along with Gieschen, the poor showings of MFC over recent years & Channel 7's crap broadcasts are disenfranchising me from the game. I aqm genuinely more interested in the NFL these days instead of the game I've grown up with and loved. Aussie rules will always be number 1 but geez they're making it hard for me. Luke Darcy - pfft. This is the reason you may very well see 9-point goals introduced in future seasons and if that day ever occurs I will be lost to the game forever.

Yeah and KB can pilot the ship.

He's on the rules committee. That should tell you something.

Did you know Jimmy Magner built the Eastlink Freeway all on his own?

Exactly right Macca and that's one of my pet hates as well - I can see what's happening, I don't need Bwuce to just call players names out as they get a possession (Kreuzer, Judd to Muuurphy, handballs to Carazzo back to Judd who kicks it down to Waite etc etc). The commentators as you say should complement by explaining to me what I can't see on the screen in front of me. Don't treat your viewers like idiots and don't be scared to educate them. That's one of the reason's I didn't mind the channel 9 coverage when they had it - say what you will about Brereton and his demeanour at least he actually tried to break down the play and explain to the layman what strategies and tactics the teams were trying to implement. It's one of the reasons I also like Lloyd as a commentator.

VFL coverage is often better than the pro's. FFS it's not that hard, but just like the MFC recruiters over the past few years they have just kept trying to outsmart themselves to appear innovative. They need to KISS and just get the basics right instead of worrying about camera angles from the point of view of a goal post. Look at NFL/NBA coverage to see how it should be done (probably even EPL though I would rather stab myself in the eyes than sit through 90 minutes of a nil-all draw.)

This is a very interesting thread, very thought provoking. A few issues I'll address; 1 - If I knew we would never ever win a flag again I would probably give up. I watch in the hope of seeing the team develop, challenge for and then win a flag. If I knew the whole thing was futile what would be the point? 2 - I don't understand people that don't watch games other than MFC games, for a couple of reasons. Firstly I love the game and love watching it played at the highest level which for most of my life has not included games which MFC have competed in. Secondly, I love the competition as a whole and the jockeying for places betweenall teams on the ladder, how they are developing, the different game styles they are implementing and how the game is evolving. I love watching other individual players in the competition, how they are progressing and/or dominating, how they compare to MFC - although admittedly this has waned in recent years, particularly this year mainly due to the over officiating and tactics used by the coaches to take all instinct out of the game (or perhaps just because MFC are currently rubbish). But I still love the best matches, the Geelong/Hawthorn match a couple of months back with Hawkins kicking the winner after the siren was an absolute beauty and had me buzzing especially the last quarter. 3 - I've seen a few people from interstate say they have never changed sides despite living interstate for many years, particularly those in Queensland/NSW where there have been new teams created in a non-football environment. Obviously the data is skewed as those posting here are obviously MFC supporters so there may be others who did change or lose interest but I've always wondered whether the fact that MFC has such a limited supporter/financial base plays a role in these decisions? Perhaps even sub-consciously? Because I feel supporters of clubs like Essendon or Carlton who live on the Gold Coast for instance may be more likely to change allegiance as they don't feel the same obligation to continue supporting the club as they know the club will be fine without them. Due to the MFC's position I feel more obligated to continue supporting, buying premium memberships, turning up to games I know we will lose even when I just can't be stuffed and would rather watch on the couch etc because I know that as a smaller supporter base it is up to me to turn up to twilight games against interstate sides otherwise it will contribute to poor crowds, poor income, poor media coverage etc whereas supporters of bigger clubs I assume wouldn't feel the same obligation as they know someone else will pick up the slack if they don't turn up. I guess the biggest consolation I take from being a MFC supporter and knowing there is no other option is that I am a big fan of Nietzschean philosophy and knowing that nothing in life worth anything is easy and the biggest triumphs come from the biggest struggles - in fact the struggle is often where the joy comes from - which kind of contradicts my first point however I guess there is a difference between the struggle of revolt (as described by Camus) and the futile struggle (as portrayed in the tale of Sisyphus.)

My support for the club is unconditional but the level of support could definitely wane if we spent a decade or more in the doldrums (already heading on 6 years now!) I could never see myself supporting another club though - following and taking an interest in maybe, but not supporting. I did consider going to Carlton after our miserable effort in 2001 to back up from the GF in 2000 and Farmer & to a lesser extent Woewoedin leaving the club but that was pretty short lived and in hindsight was a good decision not to do so. I am Melbourne, I was raised a Demon and I will die a Demon but I can't guarantee that I will continue going to every game possible if we just keep banging our heads against the wall of continued defeats/smashings.

Pretty harsh when it was spelt out in the post above he's been coming to terms with the aftermath of losing his father. Pretty rough on a kid forced to move interstate at the age of 17 and leave his grieving family behind.

Both of them improved in the second half of the year so I'd expect to continue that next season. They are still kids in this team though, hard to blame them for the club's year when you've got Sylvia & Moloney not landing in the top 10.

And we'd still have to use that on Viney.

Collingwood would laugh in our faces.

I agree to an extent - I crave a premiership and supporting the MFC for 25 years I just want one. But in reality I want the MFC to be the most successful club, I want to see us win one, and then another, and another until we sit atop the premiership ladder with more flags than Carlton, Essendon & Collingwood.

I want flags at any cost. It's a professional sport now far removed from the amateur days. Winning IS everything. The only thing that matters, the only reason I watch and follow the Demons, is to see us win premierships (even just one!!) I wouldn't waste my time and money otherwise.