dee-eee

I remember Ross as a handy goal sneak who had the ability on the then common heavy grounds to employ genuine soccer skills to baulk opponents and then goal off the ground .

No knees-up from me .

All that is perfectly logical but is that what supporting your team is all about ? I had a blast . The "terrible" crowd screamed their heads off and I was still buzzing exchanging texts with sister "JUDEE" at 2am !

We all know our embarrassing record against the Shinboners over the last decade but the boot used to be on the other foot . When they knocked us off on the G in 1969 , it was their first win there since 1952 !

The 9k crowd , largely confined to ground level , comprised our most fanatical fans and their vocal support reached manic proportions . I had to brush away a tear on the 3/4 time siren following Hulk's twisting mark and goal . The emotion in the air screamed HOPE !

Excellent summary but the Grimes criticism is plain wrong . Sure he makes disposal clangers but this can be magnified in supporters' minds by his often prolific number of possessions .

I'm so proud of myself . I just couldn't watch this again . Oh the torture .

The ailing RoyBoys drew a crowd of only 5000 in the mid '90's at the Western Oval , their final "Home" ground . We should beat that figure but the event will be a financial meltdown for all parties . It's impossible to expect many non-members to attend , so gate receipts will be a joke . See you there....we might just be competitive in the third quarter !

A typical Dwaynepipe call : full of faux excitement , sarcasm towards the underdog and sickening sucking- up to the supporters of the white-hot favourite team .

Yep , under the knife each time .

I have missed only two Dees games in our city since the late 1950's , both through illness . My late father ( b.1908 ) did much the same . It's just what we do .

Best were Michie and Grimes . Then you're struggling .

We are simply a better side than Carlton on comparative form and ladder position hence the prohibitive bookies' odds . That will get us to the 7 wins tipped by many of us.... and then it's "that's all folks".

As a 42 year member who has experienced more disappointments than joy, I feel entitled to a bit of irrational pleasure when ex players leaving for greener pastures fall over . The Krauts have a wonderful word for this emotion : " schadenfreude " .

I would always attend big games there in the Golden Era of the VFA . Sandy versus Port or Dandy were always blockbusters and entertaining . I particularly remember such a large crowd on the beach wing that the crush caused a large section of fence to fall flat to the ground . Lord knows how many footballs over the years had to be replaced having been kicked into the tea-tree scrub to the delight of lurking urchins .

Disappointed . I hoped to get a glimpse after the game of Big Chief Red-In-The-Face .

A useful contributor but let's not get carried away. His set shot accuracy from in-range is below par .

When Hoges comes out of contract i'm terrified a dodgy Carlton supporting millionaire will have arranged an undercover offer impossible to refuse .

Is he getting treatment for the issue that supposedly turned off some recruiters : "acute bubbly personality disorder " ?

He was super casual with concentration issues . I can remember him interacting with members of our cheer squad when play was in the other half .

YES , that Arden Street jumbo taking off in a panic made sensational viewing .

I like to think i'm just about his greatest fan as a player but his off field escapades were colourful to say the least . I have personal knowledge of interesting financial interactions with publicans and TAB agents , stories fit only for the Blazer Bar rather than Demonland .

The Draft can be a roll of the dice e.g. Chris Judd had shoulder issues as a junior which is said to have cost him a top two place in the classic 2001 Draft ( 1st Hodge 2nd Ball 3rd Judd ) . Ollie will no doubt play with strapping for the rest of his career .

The Tilbrook post reminded me of a Reserves stalwart from the late 60's , Phil Rhoden , of a famous Melbourne legal family . A back-pocket specialist (not uncommon in that era) he was bald , short, slow and stocky and a VERY ordinary footballer but was the most prodigious kick I have seen in my 55 years of attendance . He would always take the kick after a behind and lob drop kicks almost to the centre circle . He had quite a cult following with the earlybird supporters who would make a whooping sound as he kicked or just laugh .

Ah memories.......J.T. was a thumping kick who looked like Tapscott on steroids but was more of a "finisher" than a hard-ball-get type . He came from a champion SANFL club to a team of battlers and despite incredible expectation , had little impact on the club's fortunes ( 53 games, 59 goals )