FarNorthernD

As has been mentioned before there are some parallels between Roos’ tenure at Melbourne and Barassi’s back in the early 80’s. In the years prior to Barassi taking the coaching reins we finished - 2nd last, last, 2nd last and 3rd last In the years prior to Roos taking over we finished - last, last, 5th last, 5th last, 3rd last and 2nd last. Barassi hands over a young, developing side to Northey that includes some experienced players; Brian Wilson, Alan Johnson and Robbie and some exciting youngsters; Gary Lyon, Sean Wight, Sugar Healey, Graham Yeats, Steve Stretch, Rod Grinter and Brett Lovett. Northey then adds up Todd Viney, Jim Stynes, Glenn Lovett and the Febeys to the 1987 list. Roos hands over a young, developing side to Goodwin that includes some experienced players; Nev Jetta, Tom McDonald, Max Gawn and Nathan Jones and some exciting youngsters; Christian Petracca and Salem, Angus Brayshaw, Jayden Hunt, Jesse Hogan and Clayton Oliver. Goodwin has since added proven players in Michael Hiiberd and Jake Lever whilst there are high hopes for Bailey Fritsch, Oskar Baker and Charlie Spargo. Northey in his second year (1987, easily my favourite Melbourne supporting year) erases the disappointment of years past and takes us not only our first finals appearance in 23 seasons but also to a Preliminary Final (with the ‘only could happen to Melbourne’ finish). We have a final series mortgage for the next five years including a Grand Final. Goodwin in his second year......... If Goodwin can takes us to finals and then a Premiership (hopefully a couple of times) then Roos’ considerable legacy will be further enhanced. Paul was only with us for three years whilst Barassi had five. Barass also didn’t have compete with AFL funded expansion clubs and we were far closer to the final abyss in 2013 than we were in 1981. For us to be now talking finals and premierships after the position we were in a few short years ago is remarkable. I think one reason that Paul remains welded onto the Melbourne cause is that, success or failure, over the next few years will affect his historical standing in the AFL community. Along with PJ he has already saved this footy club and given it relevancy and a degree of respect. We will now see if Goodwin can now finish the job..

Given the girls are playing for a place in the GF have you thought about trying to get Stinear or Daisy or Elise O’Dea on for a chat?

You would imagine there are a few members still sitting on the fence at the moment. Round 23 would have broken a few hearts and, like it or not, Jack Watts’s departure would have dismayed the marketing department even if not the football one. Win a few games and you would think all would be forgiven but you can’t expect all supporters to be as rusted on as us lot.

Well I’m an idiot, thank you for the correction. What’s that saying about assuming?

Seemingly do or die for us in what is being billed as a Preliminary Final. Home ground advantage for them and their brilliant captain probably back as well. We are in form and will be looking to make amends for last year missing out on the Grand Final by percentage. With light winds and decent weather forecast this match, between the two originators of this comp, could well be the game of the year.

The reason I spend too much time scrolling through the pages of Demonland are for reports like these. Thank you Dante

So if that is anything to go by he is definitely not playing then

It will be interesting to see how Selwood is remembered outside of Geelong and the media when he retires. He will leave the game as (at least) a 3 X premiership player, 6 X AA inc 3 times as Captain and numerous most courageous player awards etc. However will his name be sullied much like Matthew Lloyds has; 5 X AA, 3 X Coleman medallist, premiership player who sits 7th on the all time AFL/VFL goal kicking list yet ask most footy followers about what they most remember about Lloyd and one of the first couple of adjectives will be ‘diver’. Will Selwood get stuck with ‘ducker’ ?

Yes bad news for Mel but we probably won't miss her too much as we have a ready made replacement in Jakobsson who will, hopefully, be right to return from injury. Very much quality like for quality like.

The best option for us would be for Ablett to get picked and 5,000 extra paying Geelong supporters roll up to the G to be there the day the prodigal son returned. Our coffers overflow. As he runs onto the ground he acknowledges the cheers of the adoring crowd and fawning commentators with a bashful wave a moment before reaching for his hamstring and dejectedly hobbling off for the day. One can dream.

Next year? Given where we finished last year, the age profile of the group, the number of games played but mainly because of the maturing talent at the club anything less than finals this year is a fail. The proverbial drovers dog should be able to coach this group to finals. This year.

I was just thinking that I hate both these sides and hope they fill the last two spots on the ladder so are in that sense I’m neutral but the umpiring in this match is deplorable

Make of this what you want AFL GWS V Sydney in Sydney. Crowd 1,980 AFLW GWS V Bulldogs in Canberra. Crowd 4,146

Woo Hoo!! Destiny in our own hands. There must be some pretty bloody happy Melbourne players at the moment

So if Brisbane lose one and Melbourne win the next two we will make the GF. Brisbane are currently down two goals to Collingwood at 1/4 time This feels dirty to type but ... Go the Pies!

Like many supporters I used to look forward to the AFL pre-season games to watch the lesser known and newly recruited players. Watching Hogan make AFL defenders look silly in his 2013 NAB Cup debut as a 17 year old helped give us some insight into what we had to look forward to. These days we only get to see the top 26 or so players in the practice matches so these VFL matches become far more interesting. The more reports the better. Thanks in advance

I’m a big fan of Garlett’s but with the drafting of Hannan and now Fritsch this must his first year since he got to Melbourne that Jeffy is feeling some pressure to perform week in, week out. Can’t be a bad thing.

Gawn at 25. Difficult to see any other Melbourne player making the top 20 aside from perhaps Hibberd? 25. Max Gawn Melbourne Ruck Last year's ranking: 17 Official AFL Player Rating: 17 Debut: 2011 Games: 74 AFL Fantasy value: $605,000 It will be a slimmer Gawn who takes to the field in 2018 and his weight loss should help him cover the ground even better. The big man dealt with a serious hamstring injury last year but in 2016 was widely considered the premier ruckman in the AFL, so Gawn will be keen to reclaim that crown.

Im with you DUbDee. I am a traditionalist but that is the best reason I’ve heard so far to justify a twilight GF.

Clarrie is easily the youngest of the top 50 to date, one of three to have played under 100 games (Seb Ross and McGovern) but the only one to have played less than 50 games. Special

It does take time to change perceptions doesn’t it. I still don’t rate Richmond that highly and are confident of rolling them on Anzac Eve and they’ve just won the flag!

Dead set freakiest of freaks. I’ve always maintained that Ablett and Carey are the only two players I would pay to go and see if Melbourne weren’t playing

Can I suggest you re-name thread to include the fact that Nev is on. I assume he would be in nearly everyone’s top 3 list of favourite players. Certainly is in mine!

Nic Nat also has interesting hair. As a comparison Stefan Martin averages 16+ possessions a game and a tick over 21 hit outs but gets about 1/50th of the publicity. It is not his fault but Natanui is the leagues most overhyped player.

59 years! And there is the definition of insanity. Congratulations and commiserations to you MT. I wonder if there are any other Demonlanders who can claim more than 59? Does the MFC do $1 memberships at 50 years like the MCC does?