Grapeviney

Wasn't Junior on the MRP which gave JT a three-week holiday last season ? See-ya-later alligator..

They mentioned before the GW$ v Swans game that Jurrah has had the pin removed from his wrist, is feeling a lot better (injury-wise), and has been given the all-clear to train with the main group.. Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah receives a boost in comeback bid

For those interested in supporting Jim's work and the club, I reckon the Demon Heartland program is a pretty good way of doing so. $50 allows 10 kids who would not otherwise be able to attend the footy to come and see the Demons play and be part of the MFC family. In addition to giving the kids a great day out (well, hopefully it's a great day on the scoreboard) you are helping to build the club's young supporter base.. the kids all sit together and get MFC merchandise and a visit by the club's mascots along with injured players and the like. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/demon%20heartland/tabid/13640/default.aspx

Some nice tributes in the Herald Sun death notices today, including the Essendon and Adelaide FCs, and Greg Wells and Andy Lovell too

Pretty sure the green shirt on the right was a trainer - his name escapes me but was there during the Northey years and beyond

i certainly agree with this sentiment ^^ And I agree with what JG is saying.. in essence, the players shouldn't be relying on fleeting inspiration from the passing of a club legend to play well, or play at their best. They should want to do that week in week out for themselves and each other. Real success - a premiership - is going to require sustained effort and sustained belief, every minute of every game, year after year for the next few years. If the players need something to motivate them - beyond the motivation of a premiership itself - then we will not get there, no matter how inspiring / trite the call is to "do it for Jimmy".

Great read WJ There's a pretty good piece from Rohan Connolly about an inspiring Jimmy speech to the International Rules Squad in 2004 which touches on Uncle Joe http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/stynes-passion-sparks-international-resolve-20120320-1vgnc.html?skin=text-only

It was very moving to see cars driving around Melbourne today with their headlights on as a gesture of respect and mourning. His football achievements were considerable, but they pale into insignificance when compared with what he did off the field through Reach. A real diamond in the rough. The MFC was lucky to be able to call him one of our own, but in the bigger picture Australia as a whole was blessed that he chose to make this place his home. RIP Big Jim. Sincere condolences to your family and friends, both here and in Ireland.

three blokes die on christmas eve and are told at heavens door that to enter they must show something demonstrating the christmas spirit first blokes fumbles around in his pocket and pulls out a lighter - "it's the lights of christmas" he says, and is allowed into heaven second bloke fumbles around in his pocket and pulls out his keys, shakes them around - "it's the bells of christmas" he says, and is allowed into heaven third bloke fumbles around in his pocket and pulls out a pair of women's knickers... "these are carol's"

agreed... this is a real worry jones clark and howe were the only winners for me tonight, and mckenzie - as usual - gave his all when he came on

Thanks for the update KC and DL7 Great to hear that Strauss was in the thick of it, even if it was only for a half. Will be interesting to see how Jetta fairs this year..

Putting aside the allegations and the charges, and speaking selfishly from a purely football perspective, that is the nub of the matter WJ. The way I see it there are three possible outcomes: One, Jurrah modifies his game to adapt to the systems and structures demanded by the new regime. Two, Neeld sees value in having a brilliant player with freakish talents who can turn it on at the drop of the hat but who basically plays to his own rules and rhythms. Three, Jurrah and MFC part company. Of course, there's a lot of water to pass under the bridge before we even contemplate that equation. My fingers are crossed - no Melbourne footballer has excited me so much since Schwarz of '94. Thanks to all those posters here and on the other locked thread for providing links to some of the background / insight into indigenous culture and law.

good for you Muzza - probably the universe's way of rewarding you for the awesome membership video !

Interestingly, only listed for two charges. No mention of the "intent to cause serious harm"

Was super-impressed with Jones, his agression around the contest and ball use was first-rate tonight. Make no mistake, this a rejuvenated Demon team - aggressive at the footy, great pressure around the stoppages and an intensity we havent seen for years. The skill will improve with time (presumably) and the execution of the game plan will also lift as the season wears on but the attitude and the desperation is there in spades for all to see. As WJ noted in his match report from last week, we are seeing the Neeld imprint on the team already.

Had this great video of an hour-long RDB doco from the early 80's where mike willesse followed him around for a while. Lots of great footage, one scene in Sydney where they showed him coaching and screaming into the phone "Elshaugh on and get Ellingworth off - bloody weak as [censored]!!" I remember him saying too ( or maybe it was cheryl) that ron could not play a social / friendly game of anything.. he just had to compete - and win - no matter what he was doing. Would love to see the doco again... what a legend

it was great, got to talk about how much i loved the Demons for two hours and got a $100 coles myer voucher for my troubles! was nice to meet you demonoid - and to sit around the MFC boardroom table and imagine that I was calling the shots B)

There's a lot of reasons to be hopeful going into season 2012 but it seems LJ is not going to be one of them. Still some weeks away from handling the ball and then he's gone have to find touch in the magoos before cracking it for a senior berth.. it's gonna take some hard work to get back in the caper. I really hope he is a part of Neeld's plans, he is beautiful to watch at his best

pics or stfu ... hang on, what's this thread about again

these ^^ Surprised that so few on this thread have mentioned '94.. I reckon Schwarz alone was worth the price of admission that year.. Putting aside the belting we got in Perth in the prelim, the three games prior to that were probably the best of his career... 9 goals straight against the Swans in rd 22 at the SCG, turned the game against the Blues in week 1 of the finals, before teaming up with G.Lyon to smash the Doggies in the semi. Everyone remembers Garry's 10 goals of course, but i'll never forget Shwarta's 3rd quarter pirouhette at CHF to evade a defender before passing the ball laces out to Lyon, who was infringed before he could complete the mark. Sandy Roberts called him "Nureyev" and you can hear the crowd gasping their amazement and delight. MAGIC

1981-2011 1. Robbie Flower 2. David Schwarz 3. Garry Lyon 4. Todd Viney 5. Jimmy Stynes 6. Sean Wight 7. Brett Lovett 8. Rodney Grinter 9. Allen Jakovich 10. Stephen Tingay Special mention to Alan Johnson, Darren Bennett and David Neitz

Clever move by the club I reckon, a smart way to save a bit of money and they promoted it well too, with the "i've already got 10 scarves" tagline. My only gripe with it was that the fridge magnet with the draw should be in all the packs sent out... I didn't want another scarf and lanyard but I did want the draw / fridge magnet as that's the one thing I use.

i think the backchatter @ no. 10 would have to be the great RDB.. still giving lip (and a little bit more) to people who deserve it to this very day, as per events of last NYE show

Well Don won one, but I'm guessing Dennis polled more over his career ?

Carlyon is one of the finest writers going around, full stop. I'm in the middle of reading "The Great War" and it's just superb, on many different levels. I've got "Gallipoli" queued up next