The Chazz

Considering we ended up getting 3 goals out of those 4 players, they obviously did a good job shutting our potent forward line down. Just researching the game, it was Jamie Shanahan that played on Carey and won that battle. Farmer's mark was within the first minute, and missed the shot from 30m. The key point being brought up was about Melbourne not converting their scoring opportunities. And how could I forget, Lyon coming back from injury when he was clearly not 100%. Daniher also commented about how we were beaten by the better team, but I also remember the talk about Melbourne having to back up after a 6 day break rather than the standard 7 that it is now. I still remember the umpires were terrible. To say that North should've won the premiership means as much as me saying that we should've won the Prelim. Reality is, we didn't, and nor did they.

McKernan was always at his best against Melbourne. Between he and Kent Kingsley, they always saved their best footy for us. Pretty sure Carey played in that final, but, as always, Neitz had his measure. Our forwardline wasn't that potent - sure it had big names in it, but they were toward the end of their careers. North were the better team, but I do clearly remember the umpires played a significant part in the win, and there was a hint of controversy around the scheduling. When the Wiz took a screamer within the first couple of minutes, I thought it might be his (and our) night.

1998. Easily the best "one that got away" in my time. We won our last 7 or 8 games (including smashing Adelaid and St Kilda in the finals), the had to play a Friday night Prelim, when we hadn't played a night game all year (IIRC), against the "night specialists". I walked out of the MCG after that Prelim thinking that we had been beaten by the AFL that night - the scheduling (6 day break compared to North having the week off) and the umpires just crippled us. I was at the Western Oval in 1987, but I was also at VFL Park. the emotions of losing a Prelim Final after the siren will never be forgotten with me, and there is no way I can say that was the best year as a Dees supporter.

Kind of, it's just you did mention that you wondered how may other Clubs are doing things as well as us, and I'd imagine all Clubs (and most of their supporters) think they are doing things better than the rest. Regardless, I think any improvement to this team will be exciting. I look at the games such as the Swans game in 2010, Adelaide in 2011, where the team played footy like I haven't seen for a long time. I appreciate that they are few and far between, but the thing to I hang on to is that fact that they can play that way, so any improvements in facilities, training methods, and generaly attitude around the Club can hopefully get us playing that brand more consistently.

It is fairly common for teams to start training at 9:30am. That doesn't mean turn up at that time. If you want strapping, massage, etc, players would need to turn up at 7:30am to prepare for their day. I know Adelaide start training (that's not starting meetings) at 9:45am, and Carlton start at 9:30am. We are finally doing what other Clubs have been doing.

Innovative for Melbourne? Yes. Innovative in terms of being a league leader? Not really. Just being a realist Macca. Just because I don't agree with you doesn't mean that it's a case being 1/2 full - 1/2 empty. You have your view, I have mine, play on.

Ok, so it may not have been 30m out, but was still a great goal!

True. I still have this part of me that believes Bailey thought that way, about trying to plan for a certain game style (different to the "normal"), so that when we were a realistic chance of winning a flag, that we would have that edge, but just didn't have as much in place as what Neeld does.

The first step is to gain competitiveness, once we get that sorted then we can look for the edge.

1. The Wiz. One player you'd pay money to just go and watch. When he was on, nothing was impossible. 2. Robbie Flower. If it were based on best players, he'd be number 1 that I've seen. 3. Sean Wight. What he could do, and who he could do it on was truly remarkable. The 80's/90's had some of the greatest Full Forwards (Ablett, Dunstall, Lockett), and White could walk off with his head held high. Great man. 4. Al Jako. Wowee, what excitement. Anyone remember that goal he kicked against North - soccer goal, over his shoulder, about 30m out, was when they were building the Souther Stand? 5. Jeff White. I get the sense he has copped a bit on here, but he was one of the best rucks I've seen, and enjoyed going to a game to spend 70% of it watching White (when Wiz wasn't playing!). 6. Schwarz. Would have to be one of the worst luck stories. What could he have been if he stayed sound? Neitz was a better CHB than FF, but because of Scharz's knee, we didn't get to see that combination often enough. 7. Jimmy. Amazing man onfield, how is it possible he is a better man offield? 8. Travis Johnstone. I know, I know, but has there been a more skillful player ever to play for the Dees? When he was on, he had that amazing skill, like Flower, to seem to have all the time in the world. He was silk. 9. Jack Watts. No doubt at this stage there have been better players in my lifetime (30-odd years), but in 2011 there were moments where Watts took me to a place that I liked! When he starts doing that for games, and then seasons, rather than quarters, he'll be a true great. 10. Liam Jurrah. I hope he is a 10+ year player for us. That's all I will say. So many other players that I could've added. Where it was hard for me is that I generally didn't pick our best player as my favourite. Trying to remember all the jumpers I owened, the Number 2 (Robbie) was my first, then followed by 27 (Wight), then I went to 43 (Andrew Ford), and then that was replaced by the 33 and since the Wiz departed, I've retired my back! When I thought about bringing it out of retirement, number 31 up and left, so I'm holding off for another 12 months!

So, another week passes, and it would be imagined the week leading up to the 25th December wouldn't have any announcements (let's hope I'm wrong). Grimes is Great posted that nothing has been signed yet, but a deal is on the cusp. Well, how much longer until we see some ink? The biggest issue I have is how much is it actually costing us by not having someone else on board? How much would it be harming our merchandise sales, especially when you want to buy your kid a Melbourne jumper for Christmas at near on $100 a pop. You could always try the line on Christmas morning about how Santa told me that he is getting a new jumper, but has to wait for it, but I don't think that would go down too well! Then, what is the standard up-front cost of a sponsorship. Would we be investing this money and earning interest on it? It may not be much, but you don't go broke making a profit. Like everyone, which no doubt includes the Club, I hoped we had this laid to rest by now, but it looks like we won't be starting the 2012 year with a new company for us to support. Perhaps the $2m a year price tag is putting some investors off?

I think you could add Sheehan and Williams to that list. I can't see how you would expect either of those 2 to be able to play seniors come Round 1 (I think if either boys can hold their spot in Casey 1's that would be a fair achivement for 2012). Nicholson will get the first nod, and after that the fight is on between Evans (can anyone comment on how Pickles has been training?), Couch and Magner. NAB Cup form will be pretty important for these guys.

While it was a good insight, and from an interstater's perspective I think the Hearld Sun for writing such a piece, I'm not sure if it shows how innovative we are, or just shows how far behind the field we were. I would imagine a lot of clubs would have a similar training regime, but perhaps we are slightly ahead of what our competitors are doing. Still a long way to go. the highligh of the article for me - Neil Craig kicking balls at players unexpectedly and just at random when they are trying to get thir breath back. In a sick way, I love that! I know if he directed one at me I'd be pi$$ed right off, and feed off it!

Really? not sure how you can make that comment.

Totally agree, and I, like you, are prepared for the fact that Green may just get it again. I don't think that will be a bad thing, but I'm sure if that was the decision, tehre will be angst among posters on here!

It was more directed at those who think that it would be ok to have JT in the role, even if he isn't quite ready for it. I do actually believe that Green was/is a stop-gap, and to be honest, I reckon Junior was pretty bloody close. Providing they can perform to the required standards for the term, I think a Captain should be a 3-5 year task. Sign up when the are around 23/24, go to their late 20's, then hand over to the next 23/24 year old and let the outgoing Captain have a couple of years to finish out their career. There will no doubt be the exception, but as a standard practice, that's how I see it. I know I'm going to get shot down for this but Junior and Green were made Captains because they were the best leaders we had. They did a job because we had bugger all else. In my ideal world, we would've had other options (that met my criteria above) but alas, we didn't.

I think this is quite disrespectful to Dean Bailey. Bailey built the box that Neeld has inherited, and actually left a few pieces in it for Neeld to add to. No, you didn't say straight away HG, but you did say we will get a minimum of 3 guns, maybe 4. There's no certainty that we will get 3 guns, if we can get 1 I'll be satisfied, 2 would be a bonus. As I said, Viney looks like he will be a valuable part of our midfield group, but that's assuming he can play that well against older/bigger bodies. I think he will make the transition. Morton was a pick 4, I wouldn't think many would say he is a gun. It just shows that, even in stronger drafts, I don't think there's a certain gun outside the top 5. Next year, players from pick 5-25 may become very good players, but there is and always will be players that don't. When yout take in to consideration where our 3 picks will be (low teens), the picture aint as clear. I think we've gathered enough talent now to take us places, it's up to the coaches now to develop them. Anything we get from now on (for the next couple of years at least) is just topping it up. But one thing is for sure, I'm wanting results from this current group starting 2012, not placing expectation on kids that we draft next year to do it. A premiership comes from blokes who are on our list already, not blokes who aren't.

While I hope you're right, there is nothing to say that we will have 3 guns. Plus, depending on who we pick, ,2 of those players may be 3+ years away from having an impact. Viney should hit the ground running by the looks of him. Gysberts was a number 11 pick in the 2009 draft - we're still a minimum of 12 months away from him being a gun, so it's quite possible a couple of those first rounders next year won't be consistent AFL performers until minimum of 2016, if they/we are lucky. That's fact.

Spot on. I know we have to, but the OP is reason why it's hard for some to do that.

Haha, c'mon Tingay, Crown is the closest thing Australia has to Vegas (greatest place int he world!). Even though I'm an ex-Vico, I'm not ex-Melbournian, and I remember many great times had going to Friday night footy at the G, followed by endless hours spent at Heat, Mercury Lounge or Barcode - cringing just thinking about it! Great memories, and for a quiet punter like me, it's a great spot! Nb. hopefully the do-gooders don't get up me about how it (establishments like Crown) ruins peoples lives etc.

Great post Dnic, and how true it is. You go in to any sports store, and you rarely find Melbourne clothing. The good part is that most Melbourne merchandise you see must get bought at the Demon Shop, meaning we get all profits, but still, it'd be nice to walk in to a Rebel Sports and see the red & blue! I live in Queensland, and I couldn't tell you the last time I saw a MFC jumper in ANY shop - pisses me off to be honest. Reality is, we are Melbourne, we're not a suburb, our name is the CBD. We've got to work to our advantages rather than our disadvantages. Selling the Melbourne name overseas is an advantage, but I'm just not sure if it means we automatcially are in front. As I said in my earlier post, Sydney is the unofficial capital of Australia, and the fact they have a team called Sydeny does challenge us. I like the idea of having a shop in Fed Square, or even just a Demons Bar in the City somewhere would be awesome. It would give me somewhere other than Crown to go to every time I come to Melbourne! I'm sure, providing we don't over-do it, that opposition supporters would patronise it, especially if it were to be an established one with it's own customers. This has been a good thread - a lot of great posts.

That's a terrible post Jnr. There is nowhere in that post that is comparing him to the stars of the comp, all he (and I said in my post for that matter) is that he has proven himself to be able to play at that level. A majority of players prove themselves in the AFL, only a few become stars. Why would you post something like that???

Nicholson has been training the house down and has AFL experience. Amazing that people are considering anyone else really.

What's your background DD? Not being a smart arse, but are you in the medical/sports injury field?

The Club would know the exact answer, but I don't think there would be too many new members that are from an Indian backgorund, who saw Sachin wearing our jumper and jumped on board. Especially considering there were 90,000 new students studying in 2009, and our membership only increased by some 5k members. The easiest way to get new members from different cultures/nationality is to actually have a player play senior footy from that region. If we could find a 100 game player from China, India or wherever, then all of a sudden there is a genuine reason for them to follow our team. In a lot of ways, it can be comparable to the story of LJ - just look at who all the kids in those remote areas are barracking for...Liam Jurrah. We're the lucky ones whose colours he wears. The hardest part is finding such player.