DeeVoted

welcome back and also included 'Arrow and Dom'. Only missing 5 from the Stynes League from last year. Still time to confirm. I hope to begin sending out the league codes next week, to those that have confirmed. Starting with the Stynes League. And still time to get into a league just request to be included.

No5 of 12: 1941 Grand Final Results Saturday, 27th September , M.C.G MELBOURNE 6.6 11.9 14.11 19.13 (127) ESSENDON 1.1 2.6 6.12 13.20 (98) Umpire: Eric Hawkins Attendance 79,687 MELBOURNE B: R. Emselle, J. McGrath, D. Cordner HB: C. McLean, E. Cordner, W. Lock C: S. Anderson, A. La Fontaine (Capt), S. Heal HF: M. Gibb, R. Baggott, R. Wartman F: J. O'Keefe, N. Smith, G. Daly RUCK: J. Mueller, A. Dullard, P. Beames RES: W. Lewis Goals: Beames 6, Mueller 3, Smith 3, Wartman 2, Anderson, Daly, Dullard, Gibb, O;Keefe. Best: Beames, Lock, Heal, Mueller, Dullard, La Fontaine. COACH - Frank 'Checker' Hughes ESSENDON B: E. Plummer, C. Ruddell, F. Green HB: R. Flanigan, W. Butterworth, A. Hird C: E. Coward, H. Lambert, J. Caesar HF: G. Lane, L. Griggs, M. Exelby F: J. Cassin, T. Reynolds, E. Bryce RUCK: H. Torney, G. Abbott, R. Reynolds (Capt) RES: G. Regan Goals: T. Reynolds 3, R. Reynolds 2, Bryce 2, Abbott, Lane, Regan, Cassin, Exelby, Torney Best: Coward, Buttsworth, R.Reynolds, Lambert, Abbott. COACH - R. Reynolds THE 1941 season was an even one, partly because some players were available only between military service. Melbourne finished second on the ladder, behind Carlton on percentage and ahead of Richmond on percentage. With Essendon fourth just one game behind this trio, it was anyone's guess who would win the flag - except that the Redlegs had tremendous finals experience. Then, when Melbourne defeated Carlton by 27 points in the second semi-final, punters found a flag favorite. Essendon defeated Carlton by 25 points in the preliminary final, so it was to be a Melbourne-Essendon grand final, with the Redlegs severely undermanned because of World War II duties. Essendon virtually was at full strength and no one expected the Redlegs to dominate the first quarter so easily. With control of the ruck, Melbourne raced to a 35-point lead and the premiership was as good as in its hands. Then, at half-time Melbourne led by a massive 57 points - an impossible target for the Dons. The Dons rallied briefly in the third quarter and, with Gordon "Whoppa" Lane dominant close to goal, there was some slight hope of Essendon making a game of it. However, Melbourne hit back late in the quarter through goals by Jack O'Keefe and Gerry Daly to leave Essendon chasing a 47-point three-quarter time deficit. Essendon gallantly fought the issue to the bitter end and, inspired by captain-coach Dick Reynolds, kicked seven goals in the final quarter. The final margin was 29 points in Melbourne's favour, a remarkable achievement considering so many experienced players were missing. It was the club's third consecutive flag and arguably the proudest.

Sounds like its inline with Supercoach.

Good luck with that one Bit hard to defend when you are no longer in that league. You earned a promotion, and now with the big hitters. ... Stynes Div 1.

I would like to pause here for a moment. Reflect back to our players and our club that lost many players. Perhaps we may have been able to add to the tally the coming years. But like many we suffered, not just in football terms. But we had a mini rebuild and it took a few years to recover.Anzac day this year, will be even more special. This is an extract I got from somewhere, Demonwiki has more info for anyone interested in reading more. The loss of the likes of Ball, Barassi and 'Bluey' hit the Club hard. As one generation of young men stood in silence on 21 April 2009, so another assembled for two minutes silence in the club rooms on 31 March 1943. 'Bluey' was gone. Club President Joe Blair spoke for many when he said, There was no finer example of a grand young Australian. Even after he enlisted in April 1940, Truscott had continued playing, and took his place in the triumphant Grand Final side at the end of that season. He had returned for one more game when on leave, played in the mud of Punt Road against Richmond in May 1942. Despite a 79 point loss for Melbourne, it was what the Football Record called 'a gala day for 'Bluey'', revelling in the chance to lead the way for one last day, one remaining game. And so he left to become the Commanding Officer of No. 76 Squadron, and so he was lost but not forgotten less than a year later, and is commemorated to this day. The Club also took in Clyde Helmer, one of the best half-forwards in the last decade. As a youngster from Rushworth, he had starred first in the Goulburn Valley League, then at Geelong, encouraged by his cousin, Fred Hawking, who played 102 games there. On leave during the war, Helmer had scouts clambering for his services, and Melbourne won, securing him for two games in 1942. Sadly, he was killed in April 1945, another of a long parade of VFL identities who would never play the game again. As Melbourne recovered post-war to come back to the MCG in 1946 and play the game - having been in exile at Punt Road while the larger ground was used as a personnel depot and transit camp for American Marines and RAAF personnel - so the Club had regrouped after World War One. Then, after a recess of three seasons, there were 28 new players in the team of 43. These included Gallipoli veteran Ivor Warne-Smith, who went on to win two Brownlow Medals, then served in World War Two at the age of 43, as well as Albert Chadwick, who learned to play the game wearing his army boots, and George Haines, an AIF veteran who changed his name from 'Heinz' to overcome anti-German sentiment. They, as in a future generation, were walking in the footsteps of those who had been lost in conflict. World War One was called 'the war to end all wars', but was merely the beginning. In this beginning, they joined up eagerly, including the recently retired Melbourne defender, Arthur Mueller 'Joe' Pearce, who enlisted on 17 August 1914, aged 29, and whose words at a farewell dinner resonate even today. I think I ought to go, and if I don't come back, well, it won't much matter?. Corporal Pearce was killed at the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, one of the first of the Anzacs. His hometown newspaper 'the Bendigo Advertiser ' lauded him in his contribution to sport and life. The call of his country was readily responded to by Corporal Pearce.He was one of the most popular players in the metropolis. Pearce's cousin - Jack Mueller - would himself forge a legendary status wearing Melbourne colours in coming decades. At the other end of the war, in the shadow of the Armistice and with the world holding its breath for peace, Clifford Burge fell at Villers-Bretonneux in France on 14 August 1918. He hadn't needed to be there, as he was recovering from being gassed, but in typical fashion had volunteered his way to the thick of the conflict. Burge had enlisted in February 1915, after just five games with the Demons, all played in 1914. He had been recognised for the promising start to his career, with the Sport newspaper of 1 May 1914 stating 'Burge, a big fellow from Elsternwick, did well in Melbourne's ruck last Saturday. His first appearance was very satisfactory.' But no more. Nearly 100 years later the players of the Melbourne Football Club stand in the sunshine outside the Shrine, surrounded by tourists and traffic. They have forged a link with those whose service created this place. It is real. We will remember them. Melbourne Football Club past and present players lost in war (from research as at April 2009) World War One Clifford Burge, Jack Doubleday, Frank Lugton, James Mackie, Fen McDonald, Arthur 'Joe' Pearce, Percy Rodriguez, Alf Williamson, Tom 'Alick' Ogilvie World War Two Sid Anderson, Jack Atkins, Harold Ball, Ron Barassi Senior, Noel Ellis, Clyde Helmer, Keith 'Bluey' Truscott, Derek Mollison, Ted Regan, Archie Roberts, Beres Reilly, Percy Wood.

First off we have finished up on wrong end the ladder for umpth seasons for a very good reason. That is we have weaknesses all over the ground. The most glaring was the lack of decent mids, thanks to not being able to field a forward line last year, that turned into another weakness. The back line, although not brilliant, is servicable. Our rucks, are only fair in the scheme of things. Jamar will be lucky to see past this year. He had one or two seasons where is was able to roam around the ground he gave us a target for taking contested (pack) marks. He was also decent resting up forward as another goalkicking option. All that dried up, all we got from him was him tapping the ball to his feet, and creating another ballup. We gained nothing,as we couldnt clear the ball. Hopefully he can give us a lot more this year,and get through to 2016. Gawn, big and strong,but with wonky knees. This doesnt fill me with a lot of confidence,every time I see him go down, the 1st thing that comes to mind ,is he has just done another knee. Hopefully that doesnt happen, and he continues to gain confidence. But he still needs to be able to drop back to the backline and present himself as other tall back when required. We know he is handy up forward when resting. He also needs to be able to take contested marks around the ground and give it off to a running player,when the situation presents. Spencer is very unco, but aggressive and has good leg speed for a big guy, but he is 25 been on the list for 6 yrs. Time to step up as show a lot more than what he has so far. Not very inspiring but who else do we play? Fitzpatick is more a forward /ruckman. He has shown he can play AFL, but a glimpse is all we have got from him so far. Cant see him being a ruckman fulltime.His marking is questionable, when he gets his confidence up he can do well. But cant see him as a fulltime ruckman. [Pedersen] can fill a role pinch hit here and there, but NOT a full time ruckman either. That leaves Jamar who will be 32 at seasons end. So do we pin all our hopes on a fit Gawn? I wouldnt. We need to start to target a few ruckman. After we get out marquee midfielder. Do we trade for a young ruckman? If so, who and what do we put on the table? Howe ,Grimes? Of all the players on the short list, there isnt much to offer anyone. Age in brackets. Bail (26) , D.Cross (31), Hunt (19), M.Jones (27).McKenzie (24), [Pedersen] (27), Terlick (25), reluctantly Trengove, who survived a trade but still its unclear if he can get over his foot problem. All the rest, have only been here a short time, they need more time. That leaves Max King, I would hang onto for a few more seasons, unless he shows nothing at Casey. So far he has shown he is mobile for a tall guy, is a goalkicker when resting in the forward line. But needs to stack on about 10 kilos. Can he take contested marks around the ground? Give him time, and lets see what he has, because I cant see us trading for a experienced ruckman, unless we give up someone decent. Our best bet is Gawn, and recruit a couple of big lumps in the draft for 2016.

Dyer 'cleaned' up Smith in the 2nd semi. Capt blood said it was probably the best shirtfront he had given anyone. Smith had to go off eventually, he was in gar gar land.

No probs now offically in the comp. Good luck.

So far I have Hogan locked in. Lumumba in the backline DDP (this could change depending how he plays and what role Roos gives him). There isnt a heap of options down back atm. I will keep an eye on what the rookie defenders look like during the NAB Cup. Dont like Grimes, always gets himself injured. Jones is steady, but I think there are better options. Tyson the same as Jones, although earned me a heap $$ last year. Newtown and vandenBerg and ANB could be good smokies. Just throwing darts around until I see who plays well. I pretty much stay away from MFC players, sad huh? Maybe this year that might change.

No 4 of 12: 1940 Grand Final Results Saturday, 28th September , M.C.G Umpire: Coward Attendance: 70,330 MELBOURNE 4.8 10.11 13.15 15.17 (107) RICHMOND: 3.0 4.2 5.4 10.8 (68) MELBOURNE B: R. Emselle, F. Roberts, H. Ball HB: C. McLean, G. Jones, R. Hingston C: R. Wardman, A. La Fontaine (Capt), S. Anderson, HF: M. Gibb, R. Baggott, K. Truscott F: F. Fanning, N. Smith, A. Rodda RUCK: J. Mueller, J. O'Keefe, P.Beames RES: R.J. Barassi Snr Goals: Smith 7, Baggott 2, Beames 2, O'Keefe 2, Truscott, Fanning. Best: Beames, Smith, Baggott, LaFontaine, Mueller, Ball. COACH - Frank 'Checker' Hughes RICHMOND: B: K. O'Neill, G. Smeaton, J. Symons HB: R. Steele, I. Hull, J. Cotter C: A. McDonald, B. Waldon, B. Edwards HF: R. Martin, J. Crane, L. Smith F: R. Bawden, J. Titus, R. Harris RUCK: P. Bentley (Capt.), J. Dyer, J. Quinn RES: L. Merrett Goals: Harris 5, Titus 3, Crane, Bawden. Best: Harris, Titus, McDonald, Dyer, Edwards, Cotter. COACH - P. Bentley MELBOURNE, not content with a solitary premiership after years of struggle, recruited even harder in the lead-up to the 1940 season and was almost unbackable to land back-to-back flags. The Redlegs finished the home and away season on top of the ladder (two games clear of Richmond) and had a galaxy of stars to stop all challengers. Melbourne, however, suffered a serious setback to its ambitions when Richmond defeated it by six points in the second semi-final. If Melbourne was to win the flag it would have to do it the hard way, and started by defeating Essendon by just five points in the preliminary final. From being flag favorite a fortnight earlier, Melbourne now was the underdog in the big one against Richmond. Redleg coach "Checker" Hughes therefore planned his tactics with meticulous care and realised that the Tigers would depend enormously on Jack Dyer in the ruck. Hughes therefore asked the under-rated Jack O'Keefe to "tag" the Tiger star. O'Keefe did his job so well, he played a pivotal role in Melbourne winning the 1940 flag. O'Keefe never left Dyer's side, and with their star out of the game, Richmond wilted under the ferocious Melbourne pressure. The game was as good as won when the Redlegs led by 45 points at half time and only poor kicking for goal prevented a much wider margin. Melbourne eventually won by 39 points, with Norm Smith kicking seven goals after being given instructions by Hughes to play an unorthodox role at full-forward by roaming from one side of the forward zone to the other.

Thanks for picking that up. Coward by name only it seems, he fronted up again the following year. Rumour has it someone bent his arm for more free kicks, gotta hand it to that Collingwood army, they would try anything back then to beat us

A reasonable question to ask I guess. It hasnt offically opened for 2015. I doubt you can register atm. I can login and see last years team etc. but thats about it. AFL Fantasy have been a bit sneaky and beat everyone else to the punch. It gave me a chance to looj around, its looks pretty, but dont be fooled. I still am leaning towards RealDT for this year. http://afldreamteam.virtualsports.com.au

No3 of 12 : 1939 Grand Final Results : Saturday, 30th September , M.C.G MELBOURNE 3.5 10.10 15.14 21.22 (148) COLLINGWOOD 6.5 10.6 13.9 14.11 (95) Umpire: Coward (dislocated elbow) replaced by Blackburn in 2nd quarter. Attendance 80,897 MELBOURNE B: R. Emselle, J. Mueller, R. Fischer HB: R. Hingston, G. Jones, F. Roberts C: R. Wartman, A. La Fontaine (Capt), S. Anderson HF: K. Truscott, R. Baggott, L. Jones F: H. Ball, N. Smith, A. Rodda RUCK: R. Kimberley, J. Furniss, P. Beames RES: J. O'Keefe Goals: Beames 4, Rodda 4, L. Jones 3, Ball 2, Mueller 2, Truscott 2,Smith, Wartman. Best: Beames, Roberts, Anderson, Rodda, Wartman, Truscott. COACH - Frank 'Checker' Hughes COLLINGWOOD B: G. Hocking, J. Regan, J. Murphy HB: J. Ross, A. Williams, D. Balfour C: F. Fricker, M. Whelan, N. Campbell HF: C. McRae, A. Kyne, V. Doherty F: J. Knight, R. Todd, D. Fothergill RUCK: A. Collier, B. Woods, H. Collier (Capt) RES: J. Green Goals: Todd 6, Fothergill 3, Knight 2, Balfour, McRae, Doherty Best: Regan, Todd, Knight, H. Collier, Kyne, Ross COACH - Jock McHale MELBOURNE, which had embarked on a mammoth recruiting drive in 1937, started the 1939 season as just another mediocre team but, after a string of early wins and a thumping 92-point win over 1938 grand finalist Collingwood, quickly shot to flag favoritism. Then, after the Redlegs defeated the Magpies by 14 points in the second semi-final, every football critic was convinced Melbourne would win its first flag for 13 years. Then, when Collingwood defeated St Kilda by 29 points in the preliminary final, there seemed to be a way the Redlegs could fall to the Magpies in the grand final. Coached by the legendary Frank "Checker" Hughes, Melbourne played fast, aggressive football with the emphasis on discipline. Collingwood coach Jock McHale implored his players to look for star forward Ron Todd (who had kicked 11 goals against St Kilda) at every opportunity and Melbourne was well aware that the Magpie goal kicker represented the bigger obstacle to winning the flag. Collingwood started well and, in fact, led by 18 points at the first break. However, a freak incident in the second quarter gave the Redlegs time to collect their collective breath. Field umpire Coward injured an elbow and had to be replaced by emergency umpire Blackburn. Melbourne regrouped after this incident to kick three goals in four minutes to close the half-time gap to just four points. Although Todd was doing well for the Magpies close to goal, Melbourne made sure the ball did not reach him enough for the Magpies to kick a winning score and, in fact, attacked relentlessly to keep the ball at the other end. With Melbourne's Allan La Fontaine containing Collingwood star Marcus Whelan in the centre, the Magpies did not have the drive they needed to stop the Redlegs' run. Melbourne won by 53 points in what eventually was a one-sided grand final.

I am not singling out your post, I understand what you are getting at... but... Regardless if it's Watts or whoever, a team can't afford passengers. When and if its your turn to go, you gotta go. [censored]-footing around and shirking it isnt a good look. Having said that. you need to be smart about it. no point being a martyr just to prove a point, then end up in a hospital bed for 6 weeks Watts has the skills, and will be an important player, when using those skills to hurt the opposition, but if I can say so.. I think everyone would just love him to just once, actually flatten someone in a fair, hard hit. You'll get hurt a lot more if you go at it half hearted.

About the only time I would get enthusiastic about a new recruit would be if they reincarnated a Robert Flower. That wont happen so until then , show me what they can do in a game, then I'll judge. Been burnt too mamy times. We are well overdue for a change of fortune, reading anything positive from the reports is a good start.

I prefered the 19th and 20th being interchangable, either could come on or off when needed. 20 players on a interchange bench only favours the teams with more depth on their list. Then I would have had 2 or 3 players to cover injured players that were out for the game.Once they came on they had to stay on.

Prior to 1930 there were no players on the bench, what was on the field was it. When Corbett went off for medical attention, we would have been playing a man down. The rotations .... my best guess is what you suggested, they would have swung players on the ball around to give them a breather. The 19th man came in after 1930, then a few years later than added the 20th man. Once a player was replaced by either, they had to stay off, then couldn't come back on the ground.

Atm there are no league codes available, still waiting on more confirmations and any new players, then start to finalise the leagues, then the codes will be sent. I'm waiting on RealDT to open their website for 2015. In the meantime as of today, AFL Fantasy is open. feel free to pick your team, if you intend on playing AFL and RealDT BUT dont anything else for the moment.

The 2nd of 12: 1926 Grand Final Results: Saturday, 9th October , M.C.G Umpire: McMurray Snr Attendance: 59,632 MELBOURNE 4.5 7.7 14.9 17.17 (119) COLLINGWOOD 1.1 6.4 7.6 9.8 (62) MELBOURNE B: C. Streeter, H. Coy, J. Abernethy HB: W. Tymms, H. Dunbar, E.H. Thomas C: R. Taylor, I. Warne-Smith, J.A. Collins HF: S. Wittman, R.C. Johnson, J. Davidson F: F. Vine, D. Duff, H. Moyes RUCK: A. Chadwick (Capt), C. Deane, H. White Goals: R.C. Johnson 6, Moyes 3, Wittman 3, Duff 2, Deane, Taylor, Vine. Best: Abernethy, Johnson, Moyes, Streeter, Warne-Smith, Wittman. COACH - A. Chadwick. COLLINGWOOD B: L. Wescott, G. Beasley, J. Poulter HB: E. Wilson, A. Collier, J. Shanahan C: J.D. Harris, J. Beveridge, C. Milburn HF: R. Baker, F.Murphy, H. Chesswas F: C. Tyson (Capt), G. Coventry, H. Collier RUCK: S. Coventry, R. Makeham, W. Libbis Goals: H. Collier 3, G.Coverntry 2, Baker, A. Collier, Libbis, Makeham. Best:Beasley, H. Collier, S. Coventry, Harris, Shanahan, Wescott. COACH - Jock McHale If the Grand Final was a slightly less than classic encounter between two of the archrivals of the competition, the Preliminary Final meeting between Melbourne and Essendon was one of the most memorable games of all time, if not all season. It saw a close fought finish in high wind conditions, and players struggling to keep their footing. With players rotated at high speed, the Melbourne side won by three points, thanks in no small part to Bob Corbett, the injured wingman, who made his way back onto the ground with his head bandaged to inspire his tiring teammates. As a result of his injury, reserves became part of the game from 1930 onwards, able to replace injured players. A first game player replaced Corbett in the Grand Final 'Pop' Vine. The game itself was even until half-time, with Melbourne?s three pronged attack then taking over. Moyes, Duff and Johnson were the men who took control, with Warne-Smith reigning supreme in the centre. Melbourne set a new finals score record, and registered their first win in 26 years. One of the first to offer congratulations was 96 year-old Henry Harrison, one of the founding fathers of the game.

oops I do stand corrected. I was going to say, is anyone paying attention, there will be Q/A at the end. But I will walk off removing the egg from that stuffup.

Feel free to name your team whatever you wish. I haven't heard the term 'gumnutz' for a long time, perhaps I need to get out more often, As for playing supercoach. I dont use the word 'classy' when I play, its a word than rythms with classy.

I found the reference to the McMahen / Rose incident. Its not much, but it will be coming up in the 12 good reasons thread.

Its fair to say things were far from settled way back then. Coming into the Great Depression and WW1 ending. And still 2 more teams are yet to join the VFL.

Seems so, 20 grand close to a sellout it would seem. Maybe not a crapp crowd afterall. We could blame the 'Roys for their lack of drawing a crowd. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Melbourne_Cricket_Ground Harry Parkin in the backline, wonder if that bloddline ties in with David Parkin, who did barrack for the Dees. Anyone Know? .. Old Dee?

Bummer, you were the one person I had hoped that could enligthen us with the days victory. Full match report, travelling by horse and cart. Oh well, I guess not much has changed , work comes 1st.