Rogue

If it wasn't clear, that's my point...

A debate I've engaged in a bit over the past few seasons on Demonland is the idea that Melbourne fans are more apathetic than others. It's an idea I reject, but one that seems remarkably resistant - even in the face of record membership figures on the back of horrendous on-field seasons, and astounding contributions to the debt demolition campaign. To those who complain that Melbourne's crowd support drops off if the team is travelling poorly, or because it's a horrid day, I acknowledge you have a point. My counter is this isn't unique to Melbourne, and the Essendon experience is just the most recent example: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/feeding-frenzy-over-knights-unlikely-to-slow-down-20100820-138z9.html I've posted this not to take a dig at Essendon fans, and nor is this quote driven by schadenfreude. Instead, my point is to provide a rebuttal to those who think that Melbourne fans are, in general, uniquely prone to drop off if the team is faring poorly. If the opinions of those who post on Demonland are a fair reflection of the views of Melbourne supporters on this matter, it's our own that need some perspective as much as the wider football public. Sadly, Melbourne fans seem happy to perpetuate a - damaging, IMHO - myth about the apathy, in general, of Melbourne fans. With a resurgent on-field and off-field team, it's time to once and for all put to bed the idea that Melbourne's supporters are likely to be any more or less apathetic than any other sides. The first step is for our own supporters to recognise this fact.

Yeah, and I'm pretty sure I said that in my post - twice. Newton's been rucking in the VFL and by all reports he's been doing a good job. He also held his own at AFL level when providing ruck relief. Do you think PJ has a future as a relief ruck? Has he been setting the world on fire? I agree. However, while I don't think Bail's in our best 22 I do think Morton is, and DB's constantly talked about the importance of our players getting games together. No thanks. Two questions: One, what do you know of Newton's form in the VFL this season? Two, what do you think of PJ?

On our list, I think this is the first time we've got a best 22 where I don't feel like at least a few players aren't up to scratch. Some of them are young guys that haven't proven their worth yet, but there aren't too many guys you might term 'scrubbers', who can play footy but aren't up to the standard in a good team. I agree that the list might not be quite there yet - it'll depend on how many young guys make it - but natural improvement of plenty of young guys, plus the lack of guys we're going to lose due to age over the next few years, makes me pretty excited.

Clubs move on. As someone pointed to, how many Richo-lovers have been shedding tears while Riewoldt was ripping it up? Just like someone getting moved on gave McDonald his chance at AFL footy, his departure will open doors for other players. McKenzie will get promoted to the senior list and guys like Gysberts, Tapscott and Blease are more chance of getting games.

Our exposure in the wider media has also been very good this year. I agree with your sentiment - posters should 'play the ball, not the man'. Report posts if they're not.

As long as they're fit - and fit doesn't mean you're 100% as I don't think most AFL players ever are - then they play. Plenty of time to 'ice' players from around two weeks onwards. Obviously guys who we might reasonably expect to develop more serious injuries shouldn't play, but that should have been the case for anyone throughout the entire season IMHO.

If Bail went out for anyone it was Morton. Newton replaced PJ. Newton got selected ahead of PJ, not Bail. If PJ is dropped we - obviously - need someone to help out Jamar by pinch-hitting in the ruck (particularly if Jamar is carrying an injury). Bringing in Newton makes sense, given we don't have anyone else who, IMO can do the role. I'd rather see Newton than PJ - Newton is a more useful player IMO.

Interesting to note that - according to MFC.com.au - Newton was in line for promotion when he injured his quad. Those making sarcastic remarks might not have been watching his VFL form, where he's pretty consistently been named in the best over the second half of the season. He's also been getting time playing in the ruck, which adds an important string to his bow. I think our ruck stocks are pretty thin, and keeping Newton would be prudent. A couple of injuries next year and our ruck stocks could be in dire trouble unless we intend to bring in a mature tall or two. Not only that, but I think he might give us more than the other second ruck options like Martin and PJ. IMO you need a second string to your bow as relief ruck and PJ doesn't have it. I like Martin but he's no certainty to make the grade. Meesen looks done, Gawn and Fitzpatrick* are only in their first year, and I'm not sure Spencer can earn a gig if he doesn't play as number one ruck. Sure, we've got 3-4 of our best 22 out, but that's hardly unusual for this time of year as a non-finals contender. Guys like Joel Mac are borderline best 22, while Gys and Tapscott aren't there yet.

This is such a strange attitude. No player - no matter how good - is bigger than the Club, and thus no player deserves to decide when to retire. For those who think McDonald had another season in him, it's not about round one, 20111 - it's about round 22. That's a long time, and we also have plenty of mids we'd like to give opportunities to. Anyway, great to see McDonald get to his 250th before finishing up, and that he'll have the opportunity to finish off in front of fans at the 'G.

Why do that when we could just offer Meesen? ... Seriously, Adelaide would be mad to take TM for Thompson. Unfortunately opposition football clubs don't have Melbourne-supporting list managers intent on conspiring to win a flag for their beloved Demons.

Do you mean an AFL Member with Melbourne Club Support? The atmosphere at the grand final is nothing like it would be if the 'G was full with almost ~90K supporters of other team IMHO. As someone else implied, you just need to compare a prelim final. I was in a pretty similar spot - very close to the top of level 4 in the Southern Stand.

On Dunn, one could argue that playing as a tagger has allowed him to effectively take on the defensive forward role he's been successful in. On Martin, I have no doubt that playing him in the ruck and up forward has increased his value. He'd have a hard time cracking into our back six at the moment, so flexibility increases his value. Playing a few different spots also gives him a better knowledge of the game, something important for a guy who's relatively new to AFL. Most guys get dropped at one point or another. Morton's had an injury-plagued season, and isn't playing particularly well at a time when we're in form and winning games. It happens. If he hasn't been told why he's dropped - and that seems very surprising - it's a concern, but that's the only thing I'd be concerned about.

There are only a few weeks left. I'm not sure we need to rest too many guys at this stage.

In what way..? I'd say they've done pretty well since they voted no to a merger.

I can't be bothered checking, but it's normally if they're out for more than a couple of weeks.

I went out to Visy for a pre-season game against the Bombers (iirc) and he would have had 4-5 extra set shots if he hadn't dropped sodas. Holding chest marks etc has nothing to do with being a natural forward, but leading and drawing the footy does, and he was doing that okay. I'm interested to see how Martin goes next year. I still think there's some promise, and it's not like we've got a bunch of stellar ruck possibles, particularly if you exclude youngsters Fitz and Gawn. To me, Newton shows promise in that role. Meesen seems to be a write-off, I'm still not convinced by PJ, and there's Stef. You might add Spencer there if you think we can play Jamar and Spencer in the same side long-term (I'm not sure about that).

Sounds like you're also embracing new technology - nice one

Okay, I'll say it. Newton?!?

I'm pretty sure it'll still be used. Says it all, really.

For sure. I wouldn't mind if he was more hungry, but I'm not going to complain if a guy tries to do the team thing. I imagine he might take on more responsibility - ie. finishing the job himself - as he gains more confidence. What I liked the most about Watts' game was his clean ball-handling - for a big guy he's very good when the ball's on or near the deck.

I agree. It's pretty sad when people get criticised for commenting that the emblem's a bit busy...talk about precious. I don't think that one needs to start analysing it to form the opinion that it's 'busy'. I was talking to a professional designer and the first thing they commented on was that it was pretty busy. (While irrelevant to the point I'm making, fwiw they liked it). EDIT: I'm not too fussed about emblems and so forth, but I quite like it.

Great news. Hopefully this finally puts to an end our own supporters suggesting MFC fans are less committed than those of other Clubs!

He must play a blinder? Come on...

I'm surprised there are so many recent players. Ingo was a great recruit.