Hannabal

I've never expressed a view in my life to be popular, and doubt that that's a term that comes readily to most on here if asked for their opinion about my offerings. Glad to see that you bothered to answer the question, I thought you'd got stage fright. As for "kids" ? Why try to denigrate posters on Demonland ? I doubt most are kids. I thought it would be interesting to get supporters views; and you've given yours. You're a pretty typical Melb. supporter. You may or may not represent the popular view on here, it will be interesting to see how the poll goes, but I'd suggest that you represent the majority in the street. And that's OK. Btw, why am I "loud" ? It must be your own ears ringing, Bob You're best posting in forums where you all agree with each other. I'm sure there are a few around. Btw, how's that effective small forward line of the Bulldogs going ? I'll mark you down as a b) NB: nice little exercise. What do you reckon Leigh Matthews would say if he was asked the question ? Clubs may pander to members with nice little blurbs on what they stand for, but no-one within a footy dept. would have any other view than a premiership being the single reason clubs exist.

I disagree. It exists to win premierships. That's why it fields a team in a competition. Sure, there are varying members' needs to cater for, but clubs exist to win flags.

Poll is up. Please nominate how you voted.

I believe that the sole purpose of a football club is winning flags and that every decision a club makes should be with this agenda in mind. Obviously football clubs make many decisions to strengthen their support and income streams, such as the relationship we've fostered with the City of Casey, but ultimately every football person is judged at the end of their tenure by 'cups in the cupboard'. And as a supporter a flag is pivotal to my journey. Not all Melbourne supporters agree. To provide balance, below is an exchange that I had recently with 'Axis of Bob' on another thread. 'Axis of Bob': "just because you only care about a flag and nothing else (apparently) it doesn't mean that is the sole reason that clubs exist. As a member based organisation it is in existance to serve the interests of its members. A premiership is an easy goal to have and I think most supporters will go along with that goal, but a football club serves so many different purposes for people. But, as you yourself said, some supporters 'just don't crave flags'. If that's the case then the club exists to satify their needs as they are a member of a membership organisation. If they don't feel that the club reflects their goals then they will leave, just as you would leave if you felt that the club was aiming for consistent competitiveness rather than aiming for a premiership. It's all about 'how it makes [you] feel'. "It seems a no brainer" - Good to see you remaining open minded. " My response: "We all (mostly) enjoy the journey and watching talented footballers, but ultimately clubs only exist to win the premiership. It's so pure and simple that even the 'see game win game' brigade should understand. It's why the MFC are playing in what's called a "competition". Clubs aren't always realistically in a position to win a flag in a given year, but the sole aim of any club, and any decisions it makes for the future, must be with this quest in mind. Because some clubs haven't always made decisions with this in mind they've inhibited their chances of success. I hate Carlton, but they make all their decisions based on winning a flag. I'm not endorsing cheating the salary cap, etc, and no-one was happier than me when they were caught, but they at least understand why they exist. And it was a Melbourne icon that brought them this mentality over 40 years ago. Unfortunately, it's your type of misunderstanding that epitomises this club and reflects its lack of success. It's also a view that embarrasses me and makes me sometimes cringe around MFC supporters. That you cannot understand the sole reason for clubs existing is telling." With whom do you agree ? Maybe my sentiment differs to that of many supporters. No doubt some supporters would love a flag, but it's not the be all and end all. It is to me, as I wouldn't follow a club if I unequivocally knew that Melb. wouldn't win a flag in my lifetime. It's the only thing that keeps me going. But I might be in the minority, and I want to find out, which is the reason for the poll. Of course one can't predict the future, but all I consider as a supporter is a flag. Nothing else matters. 'Axis of Bob' thinks I'm far too black and white - and he may be right. If possible, those that vote please post whether you voted a. b. or c. as I'd like to know where individuals stand. You don't need to comment, just nominate how you voted. Naturally, comments are welcome.

I think you and others are misinterpreting Fuschia. The names Trengove and Rohan weren't referred to by the Demon official, hence Fuschia stating "not named" after his reference to them. It was merely Fuschia surmising that they would be the types to be in the mix. That said, I understand the confusion.

Newton is adequate at VFL level, but he's not even a gun there. And at his age he should be. Won't make it at AFL.

I know exactly what you're saying, but when you don't win the ball you wear the consequences. He had to take the ball and didn't. He'll learn from what was clearly a mistake.

I just want to clarify. I'm by no means an expert on Morabito. I've seen him play once in the flesh and really liked what I saw, but a recruiter will see him 20-30 times.

This is really the only interesting bit. Scully is a lock and you're surmising Trengove or Rohan. Don't discount Morabito, as he's a born wingman.

It's amazing how different it looks ! But I'm going to try to get used to it. Without trying to bore you - despite some that don't believe me, I do have a female staffy x bully named Hannabal, in fact her dog collar says "Hannabull" - my wife's spelling When I signed up to the original Demonland, which I think was aimoo or something back in 2002, Hannibal was already taken, therefore I went with Hannabal. I've decided that I'll change my BF name from Trav 20 to H... and thought that I may as well make the change to what I originally intended. But it may be taken on BF anyway.

Winning a flag is everything, you grubbly little fellow. Of course the players play to win every time they pull on a boot. I don't even want the Coach to compromise himself too much on match day. It's about making strategic decisions prior to the game with the best interests of the club's future in mind, i.e the best chance to win that very elusive flag. As it is, we'll need everything in the universe lining up perfectly for it to happen. And it's not just about the pp. If we miss a pp, we'll also miss Scully. And Scully is the best chance this club has had to get a star mid in 35 years. Two more meaningless wins will ensure that we get 'more of the same'. But at least you'll be happy, eh genius ?

It's hard to fathom, but many on here don't consider a flag the be all and end all.

I hope you're young Jack, because that is a very unintelligent analogy. In fact, if you truncate the last word of my last sentence you'll get a better idea of what I think of it.

He loved the Dees. His favourite player was Greg Parke.

Dyed in the wool.

I don't like the question in the poll. I didn't want Melb. to win, but I could never barrack against my club, or "support" another club.

True. How could I forget about West Coasts pp ? They won't win another game.

We won't be getting 1 and 4. If we get pick 1 it will be 1 and 3. In your scenario we finish above West Coast and if we do we won't be getting any PP. To get 1 and 4 we'll need to win only one more plus bridge the 14% gap that presently exists between us and them - WC 86% Melb 72%. That's not going to happen.

Silly answer. How much under 18 footy have you watched ? And don't be defensive, just answer the question. After all, you started the thread with an insinuation that you know that there's no other mid worthy of consideration for a top 3 pick. And you may be right. So, what are your credentials with regards to under age football ?

You're being kind. He took his eye off the ball because of on coming traffic. Yes, he tried to make it look like he was about to snare it and run around an opponent, but in reality it wasn't a great effort. That said, it's hardly thread worthy. That's where Flower was so good. He never shirked contests, despite his slender frame.

You may be right. What are your credentials in making such an assessment ?

My eldest Brother was on the Hawks senior list for 3 years and was asked to be on Don Scott's ticket in his failed Board challenge of a few years back. I hate the pricks. And your mate is a [censored]. Never change teams.

Liddle is too small and not good enough for AFL.

Unfathomable means "unable or difficult to be understood". And a 90+% poll result seems to support my view, because such an overwhelming majority doesn't indicate any wavering, or difficulty in reaching a conclusion. The "win at all costs" brigade's views are so basic in genesis that yes they're easy to comprehend, i.e see game win game, but such simplistic ideals or short-sighted theory when considering a club's ultimate goal is unfathomable to me, i.e "difficult to understand". Are you still with me ? We all (mostly) enjoy the journey and watching talented footballers, but ultimately clubs only exist to win the premiership. It's so pure and simple that even the 'see game win game' brigade should understand. It's why the MFC are playing in what's called a "competition". Clubs aren't always realistically in a position to win a flag in a given year, but the sole aim of any club, and any decisions it makes for the future, must be with this quest in mind. Because some clubs don't always make decisions with this in mind they inhibit their chances of success. I hate Carlton, but they make all their decisions based on winning a flag. I'm not endorsing cheating the salary cap, etc, and no-one was happier than me when they were caught, but they at least understand why they exist. And it was a Melbourne icon that brought them this mentality over 40 years ago. Unfortunately, it's your type of misunderstanding that epitomises this club and reflects its lack of success. It's also a view that embarrasses me and makes me sometimes cringe around MFC supporters. That you cannot understand the sole reason for clubs existing is telling.

Spare me the C grade psychobabble, Bobby. The reasons why a supporter would want to see their team win are pretty obvious. Jumping Jimmy sums it up very well when he uses the word myopic. I could add that they have a very narrow focus, short sightedness, can't see the forest for the trees, and are even selfish. In other words, it's all about them. It's all about their instant gratification. It's about how it makes them feel. Which is fair enough, I suppose. A counter argument to mine could be "why support a team otherwise" ? And of course it's centred around one's own enjoyment, eh Bobby ? That gets back to the crux of the matter. Some supporters just don't crave a flag. They're happy going along and seeing their team do battle each week and enjoying whatever wins come their way. I have news for them. Football clubs only exist to win flags. I'm not sure that all supporters understand this premise. List managing for a few weeks to give your club the best chance at a flag in 5-7 years ? It seems a no brainer. Bobby, just like on a footy field, they need to lift their eyes. Don't focus on the contest 30 metres ahead, raise their vision and spot out the better option 50 metres on. It's the one that just might yield that important goal. That said, opinions can't be wrong and don't ridicule someone for expressing a view - and all that sort of stuff. You've made the world a better place, Bob.