hardtack

I wonder what might be the likelihood that a new sponsor will be announced at the Family Day?

Ohm my god! Usually I will just switch off, but I must say it's good to see a thread that is generating positive energy as opposed to all of the negatives we usually see on here.

?

Yes, and while we're at it, let's also do away with the ceremonial aspect associated with the handing on of historically significant numbers such as 11, 31 etc; oh, and let's move to have the Norm Smith medal renamed to something more contemporary. And while we're at it, let's change the club song - it's too old and no longer relevant (actually, truth be known, I would be happy for us to replace the original with the David Bridie version )

But the post you were responding to stated: "So after this game who are the ones who havn't had any match time?" - unless you are assuming that Cook won't be given time on the paddock ;-)

Cook is listed for this weekend's game.

Or like the VFL of old... two reserves and that's it.

I don't mind it... could give the players more of a sense of "belonging" to a club and its traditions.

An important player you left off is Jones who looks set to step up to another level yet again (after consistently improving for the past two seasons). A lot will depend on Neeld's ability to instill some discipline, in which case, if he is successful in doing so, then I would expect Sylvia to add some consistency to his game, Hopefully Davey will shake himself out of his form/attitude slump, Grimes will add some run providing he remains injury free and Martin will continue his improvement. If Bate has turned his form around (hard to gauge from last week's mud wrestle) that could make a big difference to our fortunes as well. All in all, I think there is some reason to be optimistic... but having said that, I will reserve judgement until we have played 4 or 5 rounds.

Ummm...

While I expect this sort of nonsense in the tabloids, I have to say that I find it a little disconcerting that the "staff writers" (whatever that means) at the AFL site, see a need to sensationalise our injury toll by using a headline "Massive injury toll for Demons" and then go on to say we are fast "reaching crisis levels". When we look at this "massive toll", there are in actual fact just six players who will not be available for selection in round 1 and of those, only one would have been a monty for selection (Jurrah). Michael Evans (back, indefinite), Max Gawn (knee, season), Liam Jurrah (wrist, 3-4 weeks), Jake Spencer (knee, 8-10 weeks), Rory Taggert (back, four weeks), Leigh Williams (back, four weeks). Aside from rookie Evans, the long term injuries mean that Magner and one other (assuming Spencil is listed as long term) will be promoted, and it would have to be said that Magner would probably have got game time ahead of any of Gawn, Spencer and Taggert even if they were all fully fit. Williams, being a rookie, was unlikely to be considered for selection in the immediate future anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpBkc2jK-6w

Isn't he also carrying some kind of injury or recovering from an op?

According to the press he's been taken to hospital for precautionary scans: “It’s far too early to speculate (about the injury) … we just sent him off for precautionary scans because of his history,” ..."Warren said there was no indication Brown had suffered another serious injury this morning. “He was fine, absolutely fine, no sign of concussion or anything like that,” . http://www.brisbanet...l#ixzz1njlZ4sS4

So, assuming he is unavailable for Saturday's game (although the pics are pretty inconclusive), who will lead the team?

Grimes, if he can stay on the park, could be a great midfield option (although I tend to think he will continue to play off the back line) and I think Jones has stepped up well over the past two seasons...and judging by his albeit brief appearance last Saturday night, he appears to be set to step up again this season. We tend to forget he is still quite young. Magner has shown he may well be a class act - I'm looking forward to seeing how well he goes in a full game against the Pies this weekend as that should give us a better indication of his skills.

I was about to say the same thing re Jurrah (same could almost be said of Howe). Another thought that will probably get me howled down is the possibility of Jones playing such a role... with Magner being a good chance to be promoted from the rookie list and being able to fill a similar midfield role, and with Jones showing last season that he is not too bad a shot on goal from inside the 50 (I know he is not a speedster, although he is a little deceptive when it comes to speed - def not slow), then just maybe... (duck and cover)

Well, someone better tell the coach... the line I quoted was from the post match interview last night :-)

Well, not according to Neeld: http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/neeld-content-with-two-good-contests-20120225-1tvfb.html

Sorry Thomo, but I would consider you to be the only troll in this neighbourhood. Are you seriously telling me that you cannot comprehend the fact that it is possible to have a sponsorship agreement virtually in place yet at the same time be unable to place it on the FOJ until the completion of formalities that make it official? And while we are on the subject of comprehension, perhaps you could tell me where I have said I think we have a sponsor? I did say "Fact is that none of us know where things are at re an FOJ sponser" and I did say it is speculation to say we don't have one (which equally applies to saying we do have one, by the way) - and it will obviously remain speculation until the club makes an official statement. I am simply of the opinion that you are getting worked up over nothing and that with 5 weeks until the season kick-off, it is hardly worth the pain you seem to be putting yourself through.

Sorry Thomo, but I can't be held responsible for your inability to comprehend the nuances of the English language. Just because there is no sponsor name appearing on the FOJ it does not mean that a deal is all but signed, sealed and delivered. As posted above, according to CC, we all but have a Chinese sponsor sewn up.

Yes, I'm on auto renew... membership shouldn't be dependent purely on performance... it is supporting the club through thick and thin.

Well, I believe we won the night on percentages :-)

Fact is that none of us know where things are at re an FOJ sponser. To say we don't have one is pure speculation... for all any of us know, negotiations may be well advanced and a signing could be iminent...as has been said numerous tmes, there are still 5 weeks until the season starts.

MelbourneFC tweet: "G'day all - not long until we take on the Suns - Moloney and Jamar are our subs. Sylvia, Grimes, Green, Rivers playing second match"