The Chazz

Can you have Frawley, Rivers, McDonald and Garland if our list is 100% fit? And is the idea of chasing Cloke to allow Clark to play the forward that relieves the ruck, meaning Martin wouldn't be required in the best 22? If what I have said is close to accurate, I'd be replacing them with 2 more runners. You need 12-14 players who can rotate through the midfield in any one game and hold their own at a minimum, that team to me gives us 10 or 11 in my opinion. Other than that, it is good to get that warm and fuzzy feeling again. However, I'll now return to my seat on the reality bus.

I love how many 250+ game players we have on our list, cosidering we have only had 8 in 150+ years.

RP - like you, I'm trying to work out where Gardner's comments can be taken seriously. The best I can come up with is; Was Gardner invovled in any way with the recruitment of Dean Bailey? In that interview/recruitment process, could it have been mentioned that the best outcome for the Club would be to rebuild, get as many top draft picks as possible, which obviously meant finishing toward the bottom (which meant not winning). Is it at all possible that Gardner was fully aware of what the immediate future held for the Club? The fact that we have (generally) only beaten interstate sides in Victoria, these could be classed as games that we "had to win" so questions wouldn't be raised. None of us have any idea what the truth is. Will the AFL expose the truth? I'm doubtful, but it is possible that some of it will leak. Will it spell the end of the Club? Again, I'm doubtful, but if they (the AFL) decide to strip us of draft picks, we'll be in a world of hurt. It probably won't happen, but there are a small few of us (WYL, Old Dee) that wouldn't be surprised, and could actually see Vlad acting in such a fashion. That doesn't mean we think the sky is falling, it's because we don't know what the AFL will do.

Thanks Benno, now I'm going to have to reassess what stage I'm at in the "What stage of grief are you at" thread. Bloody hell, all that councelling and I'm back to stage 1!

Sorry mate, knew it was still pretty fresh, thought I'd try it out. No offence to those victims or their families who would be going through the various stages of grief mentioned in this thread. It shows how passionate most Melbourne supporters are on here, but also shows that life is too short for us to hold grudges and beat ourselves up over things we can't control.

Mostly Stage 4. I used to drink beers and be merry during a Demons game. Now I drink half as much during a game and feel depressed as sh!t at the end of the match. When my wife continually said that I need to stop drinking as it made me depressed, it didn't take long to work out the common denominator. At various stages through a game, I go to that stage, what ever number it is, where I feel like dressing up as The Joker and letting of a smoke bomb in the Melbourne change rooms.

Look at the big picture RR. It's not JUST about what d!ckhead Mclean has said, or what Bailey has said, that could potentially put this Club in dire straits. Yes, that is a form of "ammo" that I was talking about, but so is; * A reduction in membership figures, which I am predicting will drop again in 2013 due to poor performance * The fact that our crowd levels for home games is getting lower (see above), making it hard to justify playing as many home games at the MCG * The fact that the selling of our home game to the NT has seen a reduction in crowd figures (will we start to question the financial benefit of such an experiment?) * The fact that we sit on the bottom of the ladder (discounting the 2 new franchise teams which the AFL will continue to pour money in to so they don't collapse) * The fact that our major sponsorships were well under budget, so much that the club did indicate some areas would feel the impact of this cut in income (thanks Polis you rat) * Sure, financially we are in an OK state, but we are far from well off. Our asset base isn't great, we don't have a "real" home base, we are trying to develop our supporter base in a very testing area. All it would take is for the AFL to reduce the amount of assistance they give to the lower Clubs, and all of a sudden, we're one that will be back in the red. Not sure if the above is a soap opera, which you obviously think I'm trying to turn this in to, probably more of documentary actually. Get your facts right about what I post - not once have I blamed this "incident" that is the McLean airing his McDirty laundry as the sole reason that I think "the sky is falling". So take some of your own advice, and stop fluffing up what I write to suit your arguement. That was my point about your lazy and pathetic posting.

This is the attitude that is concerning. It is dangerous practice to think we are invincible. None of us have any idea how Vlad sees the competition going forward, so we need to ensure we are doing everything possible to not give him any ammo. Currently, the total opposite is happening. That's not melodramatic RR, that's fact. I feel sorry for you that you can't see both sides of the arguement. Nb. I hope you're side is right - I'm not saying that the Club is rooted, I'm just saying that it is a possibility.

Apologies for the double up of posts guys, computer problems. Mods, please delete duplicate posts. Cheers.

This is just lazy, pathetic posting RR. The supporters that are concerned for the wellbeing of the MFC aren't acting like the sky is falling, it's because we have genuine concerns for the state of our Club. The AFL are ruthless if they want to be, you nor I have any control over what Vlad does and wants. At the moment, if it's on his agenda to remove one Vic-based team from the league, we would be frontrunners. I for one want to bring my children up being able to support the Melbourne Demons as I know it, but if things don't change, and let's face it, they are dramatic changes, I don't know if I'll get that chance. It's quie interesting that the regular posters who are concerned for the health of the MFC are generally "older" posters, such as Old Dee, WYL, and myself. Perhaps it's the majority that need to stop living in fantasy land and realise this is bloody serious. The future of the MFC is far from certain, yet some continue to think that we are immune from potential folding/merger. Nb. I'm not saying that we're screwed, I'm just seeing it from all angles.

This is just lazy, pathetic posting RR. The supporters that are concerned for the wellbeing of the MFC aren't acting like the sky is falling, it's because we have genuine concerns for the state of our Club. The AFL are ruthless if they want to be, you nor I have any control over what Vlad does and wants. At the moment, if it's on his agenda to remove one Vic-based team from the league, we would be frontrunners. I for one want to bring my children up being able to support the Melbourne Demons as I know it, but if things don't change, and let's face it, they are dramatic changes, I don't know if I'll get that chance. It's quie interesting that the regular posters who are concerned for the health of the MFC are generally "older" posters, such as Old Dee, WYL, and myself. Perhaps it's the majority that need to stop living in fantasy land and realise this is bloody serious. The future of the MFC is far from certain, yet some continue to think that we are immune from potential folding/merger. Nb. I'm not saying that we're screwed, I'm just seeing it from all angles.

Whatever RP. For what it's worth, I don't support West Coast, Collingwood, Carlton or Hawthorn. One this about them though is the fact that they are successful (well, maybe not Carlton...yet), have won premierships recently, and look as though a few of them will be still winning them in the short term. Hopefully nothing will happen in regards to McLean's comments, I admire your confidence. That doesn't mean nothing should happen at the MFC though. This crap needs to be sorted once and for all so we can move forward as a Club. If that requires Neeld totally delisting "those" players impacted by the past, sobeit.

This is the thing, what does the AFL have to lose and/or gain by interviewing the likes of Dean Bailey, Brock McLean, perhaps Adem Yze, just to see if there are any consistencies in their stories. Further to that, what do those blokes have to lose and/or gain by opening up in a private forum? I would imagine that Schwab and Connolly would be a little bit nervous at the moment. Is it justified? Maybe, maybe not. But at the end of the day, IF there was a strong directive from higher up at the Club in regards to doing the best thing for the Club in terms of results and draft picks, they could be in a world of shite. I'm just going to sit back and watch how this unfolds, could be nothing, could be something large, could be anywhere in between, I have no idea really. One thing I will say though, I'm sick of those people whinging about how the media are treating us poorly, especially compared to other teams that have acted in a similar fashion in the past. I don't give a toss about the other teams, this is about the MFC and we are in all sorts of trouble. We are a poor team, even Neeld apparently said at the 3/4 time huddle that it's about time this Club stood for something (or words similar), yet Roos is gwetting shot down for saying the MFC doesn't stand for anything. We are a rabble on field, management may have created this themselves, but I do not think for one minute that the media are being unfair. I actually think for the past 2 months or so they have been pretty bloody generous toward us by not kicking too hard. We deserve every degree of the heat that they are putting us under, and until the greater AFL community can see major improvements, we will continue to cop it, and SO WE SHOULD!

This is the thing, what does the AFL have to lose and/or gain by interviewing the likes of Dean Bailey, Brock McLean, perhaps Adem Yze, just to see if there are any consistencies in their stories. Further to that, what do those blokes have to lose and/or gain by opening up in a private forum? I would imagine that Schwab and Connolly would be a little bit nervous at the moment. Is it justified? Maybe, maybe not. But at the end of the day, IF there was a strong directive from higher up at the Club in regards to doing the best thing for the Club in terms of results and draft picks, they could be in a world of shite. I'm just going to sit back and watch how this unfolds, could be nothing, could be something large, could be anywhere in between, I have no idea really. One thing I will say though, I'm sick of those people whinging about how the media are treating us poorly, especially compared to other teams that have acted in a similar fashion in the past. I don't give a toss about the other teams, this is about the MFC and we are in all sorts of trouble. We are a poor team, even Neeld apparently said at the 3/4 time huddle that it's about time this Club stood for something (or words similar), yet Roos is gwetting shot down for saying the MFC doesn't stand for anything. We are a rabble on field, management may have created this themselves, but I do not think for one minute that the media are being unfair. I actually think for the past 2 months or so they have been pretty bloody generous toward us by not kicking too hard. We deserve every degree of the heat that they are putting us under, and until the greater AFL community can see major improvements, we will continue to cop it, and SO WE SHOULD!

Generally, the Open Mike shows are quite good, and covers a broad background of the interviewee. I'll be happy to watch this week, and will be interested to hear Sheedy's side of this story. Will it change my perception of my Club? Probably not. But providing he is being honest, sure, I'm interested to hear what happened in "that" interview process. For those that are demanding Sheedy to get over it - it'll be a topic of conversation in this interview for probably 2 minutes until Sheehan moves on to the next topic from Sheedy's past. If you are still not satisfied with that, then don't watch it.

I should've put more names down. Picked Jones, Clark and Watts who have been probably the only regular(?) shining stars (alright, I picked Moloney too). Pity I didn't throw in another 5-10 players!

Would you feel the same if Casey were on the bottom?

Yeah, I know. Doesn't make sense how they can play the 2 games at Kardinia Park though?! I'll go back to my coffee with Alice in Wonderland...

He'd be handy on a wing at the moment - definitely elite gut running capabilities. Would have the perfect engine for an AFL player. Did a lot of work with Steve, not a bad bloke, but would've been a bit soft on the field. Based on the above, give him the Number 10!

Cue "We are making serious inroads in the Chinese market and any moment now will be announcing a massive sponsorship deal with China southern Airlines" posts, and/or "Why hasn't Schwab secured a massive sponsorship deal through our fantastic connections and relationships with the Chinese market" posts. IMO, the VFL shouldn't be scrapped, but the sooner the AFL brings back a true reserves league, plays these games as curtain raisers prior to the seniors, the better all clubs and supporters will be. The AFL can bump ticket prices up by a couple of dollars, the spectator gets to see 2 games of decent footy (on decent grounds), the reserves players (or those dropped senior players) get their opportunity to get form playing on a decent ground, and it also gives us, the paying public, a chance to see the kids that are developing. Expand Club lists to 50, and if a team is riddled by injuries, they can go back to the VFL affiliate and give some of those players the opportunity. Obviously that will rape the be-jesus out of the VFL teams at times, the players will return better players. Make the season 4 weeks less than the main league, so that at the start of teh AFL finals, all participating teams have as many players available as possible. Also gives non-finals teams a chance to send players for end of season operations. I have no doubt attendences to home and away games will increase = more money for Vlad.

Tanking mk2012 or what ever bloody version we're up to??!!. I know people will say that we're too bad to tank (or have to tank), but we cant' be "that" bad can we? We smashed GWS like "better" teams should, just as we will most likely do it to the GC and GWS when we play them again. High rewards at the end of the season if we finish 3rd last (we will get Viney with a 2nd round pick). We also activated BOTH our compo picks this year. I have got a strong belief that this around the boundary/kick to a contest game is far from the style we will play in the future. It's almost risk management - what can we do in our "development year" to make sure it is not flogging after flogging? I know, let's kick to the boundary and waste as much time playing nothing but contested ball. Nb. Please be kind to me about this paragraph - I neeeeed something to think about this team in a positive manner! Back on topic - I'm yet to see anything that suggests to me that Gysberts will be a long term player for the MFC. I have stated it for around 18 months now, continually being shot down, now some are starting to see what I have been concerned about.

Does the above assessment of Jetta's return confirm you are more a supporter than a coach? I would be offering Cook a 2 year extension on minimum wages. Some will be thanking Christ that I'm not Tim Harrington! My reasoning; * Hasn't played a game yet (some will see that as a massive negative, I see it as a potential positive) * Is growing in to his body * Has shown at Casey (at times) that he is a more than capable forward, kicking 7 goals in 2 weeks (I think) * If he can play a dozen games in 2013, kick some goals, show something, then give him 2014 to step up again If we delist him, what are we going to replace him with? Another kid from the draft? If we landed Cloke (not that I'm "for" it), then Lucas will be in strife, but at this point of our "rebuild", I can't see too much damage investing 2 more years in to Cook.

So, that means he is a delist? If he has no trade value, then we're obviously not going to trade for something in your opinion. Contradiction much? I have no doubt the Gold Coast would see great value in him, and they would be more than willing to negotiate. Petterd isn't a dud, he has plenty of ability, he is young but not a kid. It's a very low risk for the Gold Coast if they were to pick him up, and it's something that could turn in to considerable reward.

We keep talking about his injuries - I'm interested to know what injuries he has had since his "mad tackling" game against the Toiges? He was obviously full of confidence that day, and wasn't thinking about his prior serious injuries, so I'm just interested to know where his body has faled him since (not trying to be a smart arz, but I know it will sound like I am!). I am quite confident that the Suns would pay "overs" for him. I think his market value would be a 3rd round pick, but could see GC offering a 2nd rounder, especially if they pick up a late 2nd round pick in a trade somewhere along the track. Perhaps we could offer our 3rd rounder and Petterd for their 2nd round pick? Would give us 5 picks inside the top 25.

For shi!ts and giggles, well, just plain tears, the only song that is relevant, and has been for some years is Lost by The Bad Loves. Not a bad song, but I'm sick to freakin death of losing. Some of our players are lost without a trace, I wish someone would hurry the frig up and find them!