The Reverend

Relax... we've got this! As a veteran trackwatcher (well, I went to one session before Christmas), I'm ready to believe this is the year when it all begins. At the session I attended, I spoke to one of the MFC support staff who told me he had been at the club for 32 years and this was by far the most positive vibe he could remember. We all know what can happen when the vibe is right. GO DEES!

Nice one! I have a whole new lesson to plan.

Just need one more to make up the trio. Suggestions?

I used to use Wayne Carey and Shane Warne as examples of a tragic heroes when teaching Macbeth. Hird has proven to be a much better example - right down to Lady McHird.

No risk! Compared to Beijing there is zero pollution anywhere in Melbourne.

We've got this! GO DEES!

Best moments of the day: Nathan Jones running at the back of a group encouraging and physically pushing Angus Brayshaw and another ??? saying, "C'mon, all of us... keep going...all of us..." Great captain's stuff. Col Garland leading nearly every sprint at the end of a gruelling 3 hour session. Jack Viney, Petracca, Jesse Hogan, Max Gawn and others making themselves available for photos and autographs... Yes, Hogan was smiling! General feeling of positivity and camaraderie amongst the players and coaches. Meeting Saty! All in all, a great day. Bring on 2017.

I'm a very modest man OD! You would have to agree that Dawes was indeed an intelligent guy who came across as being very genuine about wanting to play a part in Melbourne's revival. I think it's unfortunate that injury has prevented us from seeing what he might have had to offer. I'm disappointed with those on here who denigrate without taking into account the bigger picture. As for the modest percentage, my point is that the stereotype tends to be self-perpetuating in that young lads are often prone to following the crowd in terms of their behaviour. Dawes was one who was proud of his intelligence and keen to set an appropriate example. The more publicity these types get the more chance we have of others following his lead. I've taught in a couple of "football factory" schools and had have seen the mentality that tends to pervade in these situations. We just need to see and hear more of the Dawes type and less of the Colin Sylvia model. Merry Christmas to you and yours OD.

Chris Dawes' time at the MFC served, if nothing else, to show that AFL footballers can be intelligent young men with integrity of the highest order. Not a bad example for our younger boys. Hopefully he has helped to dispel the self-perpetuating myth that AFL players are just one-dimensional meatheads.

28601 Another 50 in the last 24 hours or so. I hope the players are as excited as I am about the prospects for 2017. Big crowds, big expectations and big wins!

You forgot Absolute F***wits League

I wish I could be fat like that!

I'm sure we did our due diligence. Who is the other "lemon"? I can't remember one since Mitch Clark.

Remind me, what did the doggies do???? Hmmm, Dees to beat Dogs by 5 points in a nail-biter. Hogan to kick his eighth after the siren. Jack Viney - Norm Smith medallist. Max Gawn - AA plus Brownlow. Severe beer shortage for several days. Massive hangovers, lost jobs, population boom. The Reverend cries for a week and gets entire upper body tattooed with a Melbourne jumper. Go Dees!

He was important enough to have had the medal named in his honour. Just because his story is not widely known does not mean his memory should be denigrated. Besides, he had a killer mustache. http://australianfootball.com/players/player/charles%2Bbrownlow/17657 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chas_Brownlow

A boycott of next year's awards by players might make them take notice. If I was a Brownlow medalist I would not want to be in the same room as Jobe Watson nor have anything to do with supporting the AFL at their gala event. I really don't understand how these people can't see that their actions are akin to defecating on the memory of Chas Brownlow. Even having to take this much time over something so clear cut is beyond me. Perhaps James Hird could lead the way on this...

What an amazing opportunity, if the AFL squibs on this, for every living Brownlow meadalist to stand up and hand back their medals. Someone has to teach the AFL about integrity. If Watson keeps his medal, the Brownlow is forever tarnished and discredited. I can't believe it would come to this but what a remarkable slap in the face it would be to the AFL!

Considering the fact that I live with her, I will have to concede. She was intelligent enough to choose me as a partner.

You're a smart young man. You must have an intelligent father.

As important as Hogan's re-signing is, I don't think we should under-estimate the impact of Jordan Lewis' decision to sign with us as a matter of choice. What this says about the club is monumental. Here is a guy who has played in the best team of the past 50 years and someone who knows what it takes to be successful. His decision elevates the perception of our club from the "hapless" demons who might be starting to turn things around, to a club that is clearly in a position to do something special. The impact of this on sponsors and supporters is invaluable but consider the effect it must be having on our list. Our young players will be thinking how great it is that they have someone with his knowledge and understanding of what it takes to be successful. The middle band and fringe players will see it as a spur to lift their efforts. Lewis' inclusion, along with Hibberd and Melksham, means the competition for spots has gone up several notches. No more easy selections at the Dees. No more games because there's nobody else to pick from. Perform or play at Casey! Our older players such as Jones, Vince and Lumumba now have someone else to share the task of leading and educating the young guys. Lewis provides us with with experience, stability and talent. He knows how to win close games and how to bury the opposition when the opportunity arises. Who else on our list has this experience? His signing is, in my opinion, far more valuable than re-signing Hogan. I know how valuable he is to our structure and that he has the potential to be one of the greats but, at this stage, that's all he is - potential. Without wanting to anoint Lewis as the messiah, he may yet prove to be just a very naughty boy, he offers a new layer to the hope we always have at this time of year. He is something tangible and perhaps the most significant signing in the last 10 - 15 years. I think he will rank alongside Jackson and Roos as the catalyst for sustainable success. FARKIMAPPY. GO DEES!

I suspect he thought this was what Dion deserved.

Maybe we didn't want him??? Can't say I'm bothered.

Did he mention the money?

I had a similar experience with Shaun Grigg when I taught him. Good footballer but poor decision-making in the rest of his endeavours. Strange that he ended up at Richmond as well.

Did you teach him as well? Self-interest always appeared to be high on his list of values.