dpositive

I come from the country when possible but it is bloody hard for a 7 hour round trip. I'm behind the goals 2nd level above the cheer squad and clear out 3 rows in front of me when supporting. My mates behind me and has always kept up cheering and chant. Theres a young kid and his old man who do the m e l b o u r n e chant. we do Our bit but sometimes the cheering just doesn't seem to be amplified it could be a weather, temperature, atmosphere thing. i reckon we're louder on a fine Saturday afternoon than any other time. All other supporters the same.

Another thought is that we were actually winning with a bit of a smashed up side until half time. We don't want to give Freo, a likely finals opponent no credit but I hope they believe they can beat us with their game plan. Did Goody and the players secure in the knowledge of how to beat them put away the structure and play with a restricted unit not comprising our likely premiership team, structure or patterns. Lets see how we go against the Swans who will also be without Buddy (I think) another finalist.

I gave Weid a chance in a mention earlier and said it's about building confidence. I don't care if that happens forward, ruck, defence, Casey, as long as he is told to move constantly and use the motion to give him power. Im happy with Petty in defence.

Interesting that Weid has been thrown around again. Not sure if trying to fill a spot or hide him, possibly a bit of both as he was ineffectual in all roles. BUT I reckon his biggest problem is a confidence one. He plays like he doesn't want to get in the way and seems to be in the wrong spot most of the time. I still reckon he can make it as he has played some good matches when he has had an identified role as key forward or ruck. He worked well with Brown in the Casey team when they rolled around each other as equals. Now that he is seen as the reserve for Brown, Tmac, Max or Jacko he seems uncertain what to do. id say to him make yourself the significant player, lead into space and demand the ball. Don't be static, keep moving and leap into contests with the opposition, or into packs only with momentum. Don't wait for the ball to come to you, attack the ball. Wether he needs to do that at Casey again or for mine he does it by telling his premiership winning teammates that that is what he is going to do to join them and confidenty proving it in the ones. BUT whichever unless he steps up in confidence I regret he may be another with promise who just doesn't make it.

Thanks again LN I value your comments as from previous I believe you are involved in similar commercial industry, and you are certainly more knowledgeable than me. i keep suggesting FIshermens Bend as it represents a greenfield site with the potential to develop along the lines you are indicating. Certainly would require partnerships and alliances. Would provide the sort of long term security that that the Gutnick relationship provided. I'm not normally inclined to support conglomerate organisations preferring specialisation in avcheivingg best outcomes but our football club can benefit from diversification especially as it It is now in the entertainment industry that has a lot greater market than the traditional football club. i reckon there are enough specialists like you in the demon membership to deliver a viable and sustainable facility.

Probably me too LN. Just would like to see something that supporters can enjoy before I die. I admit I haven't made it to Casey yet and not sure it would attract me if I visit Melbourne.. i would include a visit to a dedicated training facility, with indoor and outdoor surfaces, gym, squash court, pool and saunas etc for use of players but also by members of the public with community use at off peak times. Bar, restaurant, and theatre facilities with special attractions for members replays , training viewing area, an opportunity to interact with players etc. Theatres also turn commercial, community entertainment at off peak times. A place to gather and watch away games with a cohort of members. A venue to watch the grand final for those who can't get or afford the finals ticket prices. With both AFL and AFLW teams having greater profiles we need to accomodate a larger membership. Would provide an accessible and visible statement that we are inclusive and have scope to grow. In short a multi function community commercial and retail facility built around a great club.

You know what I'm going to say. Whats the cost of sites at Fishermans Bend? Any land there under State Government oversight for community facilities?

If they open the Punt road oval and increase the community park land, could this override residents arguments against a development over the train line with a training oval being included at that location in the park land.

Saw so many it was hard to know but I'm pretty sure the last loss live was a trip to Sydney last year. We made a special effort as lockdowns etc had made it impossible and being in the border bubble we had the chance to attend a live game in what was developing as a successful season. Had a hard time as the game unfolded, and the mood was pretty Flat among the players and the crowd. The Buckley retirement factor lifted the Pies and their supporters and I tried to inject some robust and vigorous cheering to inspire the players. Collingwood cheer squad moved a contingent behind us to overwhelm our noise and they succeeded. After the game completed a group of Pies supporters summoned me in a menacing fashion and I approached them with trepidation but they were effusive in their praise for my enthusiasm and remarked that it was the first game they attended in Sydney that reminded them of supporters enthusiasm in Victoria. I left them in their joy, suffering in yet another defeat and the portent of another season turning sour. I commented as their song round out at the ground that I would rather be sitting on top of the ladder than losing a coach.The premiership was not a cakewalk for them I said but I did not predict our unrivalled march to premiership. i still feel denied as wasn't able to attend the victory in Perth and have been overwhelmed with the continuing march of success at matches this year. I am getting used to singing the song again and hope that Bowey continues his undefeated status until mid season next year. I want myself and every supporter to be able to cheer and sing the song at the Grand Final. I want to inspire the team until then by attending and cheering. Ive had enough losing I'm enjoying this success.

I'd also like to think that we trying more than one way to win. different players with different attributes, different structures, but with the same basic rules. Some of these are play the role you are given, play selfless footy, play with your teammates and against your opposition, play second third and fourth efforts if needed. Play to win. Having more than one plan not only gives us some features to respond to opponents but also makes us harder to prepare against. i think some of the results we are seeing are just confirming this.

People find it strange when I banter with people who knock the efforts of players and even umpires. They may be hopeless but they are trying and are all better than me. I usually find opposition supporters move away when I start to support, cleared Three rows of Dogs supporters who attended our game as they had kids playing in the little league. Melbourne supporters usually put up with my cheering as it saves them the effort. Took on the Collingwood cheer squad in Sydney last year, they moved a contingent to the stand behind me to match my enthusiasm and volume. I took real encouragement from a young fella who led the cheering in the reserved area. I haven't seen him at the last few matches. No need to be reserved at all. Was happy as some timid supporters joined together and as we got louder even the cheer squad below us acknowledged our cheering. i don't know but years ago I was told by a player, (Rhodes), that he heard the crowd cheering and it inspired him to keep trying and playing hard. I have always yelled since.

I think you've confused the football surface with the more rigid demands of the farnarkle ground.

I celebrated my birthday last year at I'll Duca restaurant in East Melbourne. Great menu selection, great service and great wine list. Pretty sure they'd be open and happy to have Melbourne supporters even though they have an Essendon heritage. They are in East Melbourne opposite Jolimont station

I think on the free kick analysis thread Richmond had the worst negative imbalance, sort of the opposite of Footscray positive imbalance. We are also negative but not by as much. I have been saying for years that we needed to ask the umpires down to our training to ask them what we were doing wrong, maybe poor tackling technique, maybe poor disposal technique, maybe placing our head in the wrong place poor balance means Ng we are falling into tackles. We now seem to push opponents in the side and unbalance them which affects their disposal and helps us get balanced, we don't seem to go to ground as much. We still don't seem to get a lot of what look like obvious free kicks, maybe we are playing on more too fast or playing too slow and holding up play. It would be an interesting conversation with umpires adviser as to why the discrepancy is si so marked between outlier teams.

Hope we rest Bowey for any loss. Would like to see us continue the season undefeated, .Winning by a lot, winning by a little, winning ugly, winning looking good, winning with injured outs and winning with new players in. Just win. After 57 years it's a mighty good feeling and still just balancing the ledger. i can't recall any team taking it easy on us when we were in the doldrums. This group of players are an exceptional group gathered by an exceptional club with exceptional coaches in an exceptional time, they must grasp this and exploit it. We as supporters can certainly take a loss and can certain Bly nderstand it, but it ant necessary and would be a blight on an exceptional record potential.

With you H. We are three hours out and while there are some options to stay a six hour return for a game that can be watched is a big ask. We try and structure in some other activities and visits while we are down to justify the cost of the travel. Train is ok for day games but adds an extra hour plus to the trip. It was always an effort to attend but I admit it is much more enjoyable when we are the premiers and playing such good footy. I have scheduled in more games this year than ever including our away games at the G. Would love to take up the WA option but not sure if I can do that with my limited income now retired. Same with Alice match. Might try and schedule Brisbane with a visit to the old man in Sunshine Coast as a pre final fling. Ski season should not interfere as we aim to Ski only during the week to avoid the weekend crowds. With a generous discount for our season pass as mature skiers and available accomodation on the mountain on weekdays should be able to rest up for the gruelling travel. Again there is an incredible lightness of being as the premiers and the joy of winning which makes life so much more enjoyable. I am also looking forward to this routine for the next ten years. Does that cover enough MFC stereotypes.

Don't know if that always s or xisted as always lingered after the game to undertake a post Mortem. It often took some time to find something positive in the defeat, but it has lately become more enjoyable. So many incidents that just need to be relived to enhance the joy.

Undoubtably a great night for footy and especially for the Dees. i met quite a few Dees supporters up here while helping prepare for our Easter festival. It is great supporters are now prouder to wear their colours and have stickers on their cars. This team has bought us respect and deserve to be followed with attendance, butmore importantly those who attend need to cheer for those of us who have other commitments and just can't get to the ground. Ill get there whenever I can to thank the players and the club but not living in Melbourne does provide some barriers. Expect me to be even louder than for the last 30 years ( and I am renown for clearing people from sitting in front of me. I apologise but my vigorous supporting has been grown through 40 years of desperate bellowing. i am particularly inspired by a number of the younger supporters who lead the M xxx. Exxx. Lxxx (etc) chant and encourage everyone to join in. It's great to be cheering excellent play and positive outcomes than cheering great endeavour and failure. GO DEES

MB I visited and was amazed at the separation in North South heritage and culture. South was the convict, North the free settlers. Ross in the centre was where the troops were stationed to respond to both ends. Should the AFL think of building a new facility to cater for both populations?

We are the Premiers, everyone wants to play, if you are injured you hold on until you can't walk or are playing so badly you are out. If you don't play someone steps up and takes your place. Bowey has stepped up and replaced the Salem role. Tomlinson has replaced Petty who originally stepped up and replaced him. Don't know who would replace Viney, Trac, Clarry or Max, but that's part of being successful, someone will step up. No player wants to miss selection, for any reason. It's a great situation to have.

Not so DC. I'm delighted that there is an apparently firm commitment to a home for the Dees. A place where we can visit and witness training and connect with our administration and history. Where we can gather before and after games, where we can join with fellow supporters to watch games when we are playing away from the MCG and interstate.

Still waiting for the highlights in KI Not going to happen I think

Bit of both. waiting for Demons score

ENo Melbourne scores