hardtack

I would prefer one that can keep his feet.

I suggested in a tweet to the club that the players take the field with a small number 11 (could even be 37) embroidered on their jumpers over their hearts; doubt they will have taken any notice, but I still think it's a nice symbolic gesture.

He hasn't even sent the team out onto the field for a real AFL game yet, so it's probably a little early to be speculating about Nield's gameplan... let's give it a few rounds before we start to question its effectiveness.

Another tribute off YouTube:

If I were you, I would be running for cover about now. As for recruiters, with the amount of "expertise" among the posters here on Demonland, I think the club need only stick their nose in occasionally and get it done for free.

I agree Dr... but I suppose the point I was trying to make was that regardless of what they "should" be doing, and whether we like it or not, they will be playing with the added/perceived weight of responsibility - the "doing it for the gipper" (to quote an old, urrrgggghhhh, Ronald Reagan film) effect; being such a young team, will they be up to that?

Actually NB, you agree with me 100%... I said nothing about drafting "nice boys"... my contention was that we essentially took a "softly softly" approach in player development.

Yep, I would agree it is probably Strawbs above... below looks like Quentin Tarrantino ;-)

I would contend that even if we had drafted Darling and/or Martin, at the MFC they may not have become the players they are now proving themselves to be. By that I mean, the culture at this club had been erring on the side of "niceness" as was evidenced by Bailey's seemingly softly softly approach (I may be wrong). I think that under Nield's no nonsense approach, we will start to see a harder edge developing under which players like Magner, Clark, Viney, Beamer, Jones, Tapscott etc should thrive and hopefully players like Gysberts, Morton, Bennell and Watts will start to find a little aggression to bring into their games.

Assuming these words actually came from the mouth of Jack Grimes and were not a product of Jesse Hogan applying "journalistic licence", we have a very mature and level headed young man as a co-captain, which augers well for the future. I was taken by the following opening paragraph which prompted me to start this thread where people can offer their thoughts: "ANY early-season victories by Melbourne fuelled by the death of Jim Stynes will be hollow if the players' passion dissipates, rookie captain Jack Grimes said yesterday." (full article: http://www.smh.com.a...0320-1vi5t.html) I am wondering what the impact of Jimmy's passing is going to be on this club. Will we see an inspired and unified group going out there and punching above their weight, or will we see them crumble under the weight of expectation (many will believe they have an "obligation" to perform above themselves)? In the past I think many of us thought the tragic loss of Troy Broadbridge would see the players lift in his memory, but instead, despite making the 8, we took a step backward, albeit just one rung on the ladder (but that was in a season we were expected to make the top 5). And although brought on by completely different circumstances, I believe that we were flat in the wake of the Liam Jurrah issue. I suppose my question is, how will this relatively young group of players be affected by the tragic and dramatic events of this year?

In thaipantsman's favour, the other thread was a poll and people could add a comment if they so wished... this thread is inviting people to commit to a number AND put their (stage) name to it :-) I'm going to stick my neck out and say 7th... I think we are a lot better than our last couple of games would have us believe.

MFC just tweeted that Don McLardy will be on The Project at 6pm Channel 10 tonight and Chris Connolly on AFL360 at 7:30 on Fox Footy.

"Melbourne co-captains Jack Grimes, 22, and Jack Trengove, 20, said the club would honour Stynes when they take on the Western Bulldogs in round four." (http://www.smh.com.a...0320-1vh6m.html)

I would like to see the team take the field with a small number 11 embroidered on their jumpers (over their hearts) - it's a small gesture, but in my opinion, a very touching tribute (I recall MotoGP riders doing this following the passing of fellow rider Daijiro Katoh).

Would be nice to see a special run of the green St Pat's day jumpers bearing the number 11

What can one say? Absolutely shattered and can only imagine how those close to him must be feeling. If any positive can be taken out of this, it is the legacy he has left behind in his work with both our club and his Reach Foundation and the enduring memory of what a selfless person he was. Vale Jimmy!

Edit: DEMONLAND NOTE: This thread was opened on Monday night when the news was revealed that Jimmy Stynes was gravely ill. He passed away on the morning of Tuesday 20 March, 2012, just six days after attending the Melbourne Football Club's Commencement Dinner and being presented with his club blazer. Jimmy Stynes was a great Melbourne man as a player and afterwards was the inspiration behind the club's survival. We send our sincerest condolences to his wife Sam and to his young family, parents and siblings. Here's the OP:- It was just mentioned that they have been hearing that Jimmy is "gravely ill" and the question was put to Demetriou - his response was that he couldn't really comment other than to say that their thoughts are with him. Doesn't sound good :-(

See four posts above yours ;-)

Considering that GWS are going to be more than likely threatening our 186 deficit on more than one occasion this year (starting this Saturday), the only tanking that would get us to last position would be if we simply didn't turn up on game day (physically... not mentally as we have done so often in the past).

Possibly right, but I would contend that of all pre-season games, the game against the Pies was the most indicative of where we are at, due to the balance we had in the backs and the forwards. We struggled without the run of Grimes off the backline and without the pairing of Clark and Watts up forward. There's a good chance I am entirely wrong, but I have the feeling that we will be a lot better than people are giving credit for off the back of a couple of bad NAB Cup performances.

Simple explanation really... symptomatic of the stress associated with being a Time Lord.

"Clash of the Tight 'uns"

I have to say I'm rather surprised (or maybe not) that only 13 voters believe we will finish in the 8 while 49 believe we will finish outside it. I have opted for 7th simply based on the fact that we are a much better side than last year when we were very close to making the 8 despite the finishing position and the loss that must not be mentioned.

Confirmed... http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/130953/default.aspx

Jones was running laps during training in China for the Shanghai Showdown in October, following his injury... he is one very tough cookie!