Jaded No More

Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year to everyone on Demonland. Thank you to all the posters who come here to share their opinions and make this site a fantastic pool of information for all us tragic Melbourne supporters.

It's a bummer for those keen supporters who made plans, but the bottom line is, playing at the MCG benefits our club significantly and that's the most important thing. One less interstate trip, our home ground... fantastic!

Not good!

We're over 11,000 now, just ahead of the Saints and North.

You missed my point. I think that Sylvia is still stuck in that 'kick it to Col' mentality. When he's fit he always fires up in the VFL, which consequently earns him a senior spot, but often he does not perform at AFL level when given the opportunity, but he's not dropped as a consequence. For example... In round 10 against Adelaide (an actual victory!), Sylvia only got 5 disposals. He played on the next week and only got 12 disposals. He played on for the rest of the season and never exceeded 18 disposals (and that was against Carlton!). Obviously given our injury list last year, we weren't rushing to drop players, but Sylvia hasn't performed at a level where he comfortably fits into a starting 18. He's been on the cusp from the day he was drafted. Just for the sake of comparison, CJ was dropped after Round 5 (15 disposals, 6 tackles in a losing side) and did not return until round 14. He had 8 disposals in Round 16 and was dropped immediately. I know that Sylvia is more talented than CJ, but can you see what I mean when I say that Sylvia hasn't had the hardest ride in terms of getting senior games? His VFL form has earnt him a recall, but his AFL form has been shakey to say the least. I think he is a supremely talented player, but he lacks urgency and he seems to be cruising along just waiting for things to happen, instead of making them happen. At least that's what it looks like from where I sit. I hope he makes it through this pre-season uninjured, and I hope he really comes on next season. If he doesn't, it might be time for him to start looking elsewhere.

The difference between TJ and Brock, is that Brock gets his own ball every single time, so tagging him is going to be more difficult than tagging a guy who is waiting for the ball to come to him. He is also a lot physically stronger than TJ. If Brock's tagger is an equally great inside midfielder and clearance winner, Brock will have a difficult day no doubt, but just as all good players have to do, he'll need to learn to deal with this part of the game. I trust that Bailey and Co. will prepare him for that. Besides, you're underestimating Jones.

Apart from all of his body issues, he also has an attitude problem IMHO. Bailey needs to make him realise that the team he plays for no longer has a game-plan that revolves around 'kick it to Colin' (which was what he got at Bendigo). When you think about it, he hasn't really had to fight for a senior position. He's been injured alot, and on the rare occasion when he's been fit, he would almost always get a game. He's only played 9 less games than Brock... that almost doesn't seem possible, does it?

Yeah that's correct. As Jarka said, Robbo was picked up in the draft. He 'was [censored]' (not my words ) and got dropped to the rookie list. He was then promoted again. Was a good pick up considering it was his 'Legends' tape that got him drafted. Imagine the fans' outrage if that happened today... maybe at Richmond it would... oh hang on, it won't now that they stole our recruiter <_<

What a fantastic kid! You really hope that someone like him makes a great career for himself, and if he manages to juggle a nursing course alongside his AFL commitments that would be a brilliant achievement (studying nursing is very time consuming and difficult!). Also, he must be known as Mini Whopper. He looks so much like Walshy, it's actually scary!

Can he get out of the rehab group first?

Cheers DD! What's with the two bandages on Rivers' index fingers? (how I managed to focus on his fingers, I'm not sure )

Robbo wasn't picked up as a rookie. He was drafted to the senior list, but was dropped to the rookie list for lack of doing anything impressive. He was then elevated back to the senior list. At least that's how the story I've heard goes...

Thanks Craig for all of your hard work, honesty and openness that you have displayed over the years, and thank you for being such a great contributer to this website I can certainly understand the need for a fresh challenge, but hopefully if Melbourne wins a flag in the next 2-3 years you'll have a beer for us and realise that you had a lot to do with that success. All the best for the future. P.S.- a special thanks for Brock, Jones, Bell, Rivers and Bartram :D

It's a big endorsement for Barts, giving him the #3 jumper! And Grimes at 16, from everything I've read about the kid, he couldn't be more different than the last player to wear that number.

My dad and I just watched the video and the first thing dad said was "it's Aaron Davey!". I'm most excited about his tackling, which from that short clip looks first rate. He's big, unlike Davey when he first started, so he can bring them down after he chases them too!

Hooray for Valenti! Even if he doesn't make it, it's a good story that he stuck it out and we finally gave him a chance. Can't really comment on the others, given that I can barely even pronounce their names. We know most rookies don't make it.... but being on the Melbourne rookie list definitely increases your chances, so good luck to them all :D

Surprise selection, without a doubt, but very happy we took a chance on someone new and unknown. Sampi is definitely not in any sort of shape, physical or otherwise, to play footy.

My money is on Sampi. I'd rather we took someone who we knew had the hunger and the commitment to play footy, but the club obviously feels his talent and ability cancel out the question marks that hang over his head... or so it seems.

Yes, that would be nice. Saw him last week and he was looking in absolute peak condition... either that, or his shirt was 3 sizes too small. Either way, he has no more excuses, he has to give us something this season. I have a feeling that, if his health is 100%, that Petterd will really make his mark next season and will go close to winning the Rising Star (he's still eligable!). Also Bartram will be hungry after missing a whole season with injuries.

He just needs to play... consistently, uninjured, and with complete focus. We do not have the luxury of arguing what position best suits Sylvia, because we haven't seen the best of him yet. Baby steps people, baby steps.

Good on North Melbourne for not caving in. I would be devastated if the AFL was forcing us to move interstate, as would 26,000 odd members. If the AFL is so desperate for another QLD team (why? Brisbane can barely fill up the Gabba as it is), they should make a new one so they can pump it full of money, steal everyone's best players and give them draft concessions until they win a flag and the AFL feels vindicated that their stubbornness has paid off How on earth can the AFL make its clubs put 42 of its 44 players up for grabs anyways? What about what the players want?

The first thing Miller needs to get back, is his confidence. He has none, and it does not matter how aggressive or talented a player is, if they haven't got confidence they are not worth a dime. Hopefully Bailey and his 'no limitations' policy will help Miller gain that touch of arrogance that he had back when many amongst us (myself included) rated him very highly. I have a soft spot for Miller because he is a really fantastic person and I would love to see him succeed. He isn't the most gifted player on the list, but one thing he does have is a good head on his shoulders. He just needs to start believing that he is an AFL player again.

Would be good if we could get that figure up to 10,000 by the end of this year. With Christmas coming up, it's not unrealistic to sign another 1,200 members this month. We really really need to try to get to 30,000 this year. The poor year we just had will put a lot of people off, but hopefully with a new coach, a new direction, and our big milestone year, our fickle supporters will pull their pennies together and sign up. Every single membership counts!

From what I hear, the players are being worked so hard this pre-season and Bailey is such an uncompromising leader of such a strict regime, that if he does adopt a love child, there is a damn good reason behind it. Bailey ain't taking crap from nobody, and if he sees things in Miller, than that is good enough for me. I expect everyone's aggression to make a comeback in 2008, or even appear for the very first time

Come on now, I'm only looking out for our backline's best interests! Besides, I'm no longer allowed to check out footballers