Arrow

This was about 3 or 4 weeks ago however, and any conversations in that period of time I have no idea about. Given how he seems to be off the field and leadership group etc, I can't see it would've changed.

My dad plays golf with Danny Frawley, well at least at the same club. Danny told him, that James being a country boy is very loyal to the team that gave him a shot, however his dream is deep finals football. If he sees any possibility of playing it with Melbourne he'll stick around for life, but if there's no progression he won't risk his dream for a team who in 7 years has really not delivered. I am perfectly fine with this opinion, and in the same position I would do the same. He's stood up for alot of blokes in the last 7 years, and it's time for them to repay him. If they do that, he'll be a dee for life.

Arrow is in please!

I heard from a bloke who sponsors a player that they did a 'closed' training session at an elite Melbourne school yesterday to go through some of their actual drills and match tactics not with the media around. Helllloooooo

Interesting. Most of all, I like when comments are backed up by stats. Mach, couldn't agree with you more. His season in 2010 was terrible. Sadly he just wasn't up to it. Isn't the only Melbourne player to come along in the last 10 years and have that though. Hannibal, the under pressure nature you talk about is a terrible fabrication after a team that's won 5 games in 50 odd games. Here his statistics on error prone possessions. In 2011, he averaged 12.9 possessions, with a disposal efficiency of 82.8% and 1.4 clangers a game. That efficiency put him second on Melbourne's list. In 2012, he had 77 touches at 11 per game, with again an 83.1 disposal efficiency and 1.6 clangers a game. His disposal efficiency left him at the top of Melbourne's list. A full 3% higher than any other player. And finally, in 2013, he had 58 possessions at 86.2% efficiency, the second best in the team, with 6 clangers. An average of one clanger per game. To put it in perspective, there wasn't a single Melbourne player who averaged one clanger or less other than James in 2013. Players like Fitzpatrick, Kent, Blease, Tapscott, Sellar, Dawes and Jetta all had less of the football and more clangers. Jimmy Toumpas, an excellent user of the football had 2 extra possessions a game, but averaged an extra clanger per game. If you can find anything in the above information that leads you to the conclusion that under pressure he chokes up, I'd enjoy hearing it. He played in the worst backline in history last year and turned the ball over once a game. 3 years in a row been in the top 2 for disposal efficiency. Have I lifted the wool up yet?

Strauss certainly seems to be hitting his straps at a great time. Though training means little in comparison, by all reports he seems to playing great. Might be locking down an important HBF role in the team.

Jeez we're an interesting bunch here. One day let's organise an opening drinking session at the Precinct. 1pm opening card with Biffen and Moon debating BBO, with the final one around 10pm, 10 beers down between Stuie and Ben. What a day that'd be! On a serious note, Adam Goodes aside, this award shows how much we over-value a sportsman in today's culture. They're seen as heroes because they can play sport well weekly on TV. It's quite interesting how we got here.. Congratulations to Adam, and like a few on here I really couldn't care less. I could tell you 2 of the last 10 recipients, and them having it on their resume doesn't make me look at them in a better light. It's just a semi meaningless award with a really good name... Adam does do alot of charity work, but there is people who dedicate their lives to trying to integrate better relations between Aboriginal culture and the general Australian public. Yesterday there was an article about Monash doctors who have world leading progress on Cancer treatment that moves a cure unimaginably closer. What about the 85 year old people who have never retired instead tend to homeless people trying to get their lives back on track. Adam Goodes does what every human should do, do his or her best to give back to those less fortunate or in worse positions, but I do agree that without the outcry of this year's situation, he'd just be another appreciated footballer. Well done Adam, but in my opinion, there are for more deserving members of the Australian public. Keep up the good work nevertheless.

It was sarcasm. There is a group of people who genuinely believe he is both sexist and racist. I however am not one of them.

I asked a player last night about the forward line situation and he joked that Nev Jetta will be our FF the way it's going. Seriously he than went on to say that Clark is in the best shape for Round 1 out of all of them. He'll be fine, he's apparently a very astute trainer outside of scheduled trainings, and will be tip top. Good news.

I seriously doubt it. Billings played at Oakleigh, Salem at the Dragons and Jack had been the first player at each squad since 14s. I know Jim Honey, the big dog down there and skill wise he rates Jack as the best player ever at Chargers.

Dead set ridiculous. If Brendan Gale had a great mate who hated Aboriginals, he wouldn't put a ban on himself. Where do we draw the line? Anti-homosexuals, what about priests.. They've been known to touch boys.. What about Tony Abbott, he hates foreigners. Pull the other one Richmond, you're a bunch of flogs.

I appreciate your contributions Sat, but your name dropping does become increasingly frustrating, and telling him to put a snarky comment just looks like a massive suck job. You don't need to forward everything on a forum to players and admin, it's exactly that where supporters get on and pretend our opinions matter. You don't want to fill players and staffs mind of discontent when it's not required.

Hi Cards, I'm a Seahawks fan so best of luck for Monday week. I was reading the stats for last night, 4 times the best defence in the league has come up against the best offence in the Superbowl. 4 times the best defence has come through and won. I'm also quite bullish that minus the KC Chiefs, you're yet to play an elite D and even against them I think Houston and Poe went down. That's in my opinion our best chance, in the first half to take control, block the run early, force Peyton to make throws against Sherman, Chancellor, Maxwell and Thomas. If he throws the ball 35 times he'll get picked off a few times. My concern is that 1. Seattle's offensive fire power isn't quite at the level you see of teams winning Superbowl's of years gone by and 2. Whether Wilson has the clutch ability to win the game when it matters. Manning will put up points, he's truly a once in a lifetime QB, and if Broncos go 14-0 up, I cannot see the Hawks getting back in it. On the flipside, we could be 21-0 up in the 3rd quarter and even with the best d in the league I wouldn't feel safe. The QB means so much in this game, and I think it'll be a fitting finish when the Broncos win by 3 in a 27-24 game. All the best, and go the Blue!

Who cares about Trengoves 100m sprinting ability, I don't want him to beat Lewis Jetta, I have faith that he has the 'quick 3 steps' it requires to be a good AFL midfielder. Your first 5 meters and agility would be a fantastic indicator of what it takes to be a good clearance predominant mid. I have faith in Jack, and more specifically in Paul knowing he wouldn't leave it if his conditioning wasn't exactly where he wanted it.

Really annoys me to see Marsh playing ahead of Khawaja. Bloke gets 3 chances playing under Mickey Arthur, has excellent technique but clearly had no guidance and leadership when over in England. Our biggest mistake of years gone by is not blooding young future players when the team was going well, it's hard to grow when your team is getting hammered which we found out, now we have a chance to put in two guys who can play 8 years for the country and we're wasting it. I love Lehmann but I hope he doesn't get obsessed with number 1 ranking within a few weeks. With our countries talent we should never have to 'rebuild', it takes big decisions from above and I hope he has the nuts.

Both of these defences I'd rate as the two best in the game. Two big plays are the only real offence in this at all. Last quarter comes down to Wilson for the Hawks. We'll get a chance to win the game, it's just whether he's good enough. Today he's turned back into trouble far too many times instead of taking the first option. I'm hoping this changes. Go Hawks

This was just promoted on the 'best threads ever' post and it prompted me to read it again. In a nothing serious kind of way, I've just had a shocking few weeks and sometimes you wonder why me? What have I done to deserve this. Twosheds, I hope you're looking down looking over us and the Dees because re-reading this just made me realise how ungrateful we are sometimes. Every Sunday I'm normally in the worst mood because the Demons have let me down again. It's beyond comprehension how unfair it is that you were taken far too young, but as a 23 year old myself, your words have meaning beyond belief. Hope your family or friends post on here still, I'd love to know they know how proud we are as a community of your strength. Enough from me mate, but thanks for turning around my month.

Pats look done. No defence will kill them, even if they put up three touchdowns now it won't be enough. On another note, very nervous for my Seahawks today. Last year I went to a game at Century Link field where the Hawks beat the Cardinals 58-3 on a game that meant nothing and every single Arizona play on offense I couldn't feel or hear myself even think. Really hoping we give 49ers a bath ttonight

Up until 2017 there HAS to be 9 games per week for at least 18 weeks a year due to the contractual obligations to FOXTEL. If this was a topic discussing whether it should be considered it'd flow, but this is absolute crap. Mods, I've been given warnings for putting up information and not backing it up, these threads ruin Demonland.

He'd have to be one of the first head coaches to not get a job immediately after. I simply cannot believe we failed ruined his stocks, I still maintain we mucked it up at the hire when we just wanted a Malthouse clone. It's not his fault he wasn't good enough, and he was obviously trying; but he'd have to be close to the worst senior coach in this century.

Someone told me they saw Strauss training with HFF's at training. Be interesting to see if it comes to fruition

Brenton Sanderson is also yet to prove he is a good coach. He took a decent team with the easiest AFL Fixture in history to a prelim final, and followed up by a horrific year last year. He has alot to prove, and this Bernie Vince scenario, along with a few peculiar media statements I've heard from him in the past tell me I'm not 100% sold on him. Another disappointing year, I'd expect the ferals at Adelaide Oval to be banging down the door. Either way, I'm stoked with Bernie, we needed immediate help and from the few conversations I've had with players at Melbourne Daniel Cross and Bernie Vince are two of the best things to happen to the club. I don't think it's appropriate to post here, but I heard a story about Daniel attending the boys Christmas party and the reason he's not only a great team mate but a stellar family man and bloke too.

Over the last 2 years although the sample size for him is small, Strauss has the best disposal efficiency at the club. Nothing better than making wild claims that are completely incorrect! Wow.. You really are in a 'haze'.

I don't like Etihad, or consecutive 6 day breaks or the fact there is 18 teams in the comp not 16. There's a reason we aren't on the AFL board, primarily because we are unable to separate the big picture from what we'd prefer. Whether you like the clash guernsey or not, the reason it's implemented is because teams do clash, some alot more than others. They were never going to have a system where only 4-6 teams require the clash strip. As the years go on and the game is marketed more and more, expect more and more strips. WYL can sit by a fire, shaking with his 70 year old teddy asking it to never change but the realistic scenario is that we can offer the club our ideas on the best strip for us, and sadly, that is all we can do. FWIW, I have no issue with alternate strips, but I'd far prefer our new training jumper in mostly red, with the blue emblem as our strip.

Please. Hawthorn's clash strip is predominantly white with a brown hawk, and their season was, well pretty successful. I don't hear any white in their song. What about Carltons all white with a blue C. There's no white mention in we are the navy blues. Get with the times people, every club is doing it and will have to continue doing it.