Lucifers Hero

On a side note, in this article Tom says he is over his foot injury https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tom-mcdonald-commits-to-melbourne-20180605-p4zjie.html "...What also has McDonald happy is that he has found comfort with his footy boots, revealing the foot problem which had him in doubt for the clash against the Crows was a result of experimenting with the positioning of the studs on his boots......I got a bit sore with it. Since then, I have felt pretty good with it," he said. Good to hear he can play relatively pain free.

Great news! He was looking for a bit of tenure so this takes him till 30. Delighted for all. Reckon this makes us a 'Destination Club' - simply because of all the talent we have re-signed. Player Managers will be knocking on our door and we will be in the control seat and can say 'no thank you, no room at the inn!'. Unless it is someone we really want.

I note that your posts regularly include criticism of MFC supporters, usually with generalisations. It is getting tiresome. I for one, would appreciate it if you cease criticising us. Fine if you have something specific about a post but these generalisations are disrespectful to those of us that have patiently supported the Dees all our lives.

At last Rance fined for diving!! http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-04/match-review-full-statement-round-11

Looks like Melksham will probably be right for QB game: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-06-04/acl-diagnosis-a-shock-for-lever "The ankle's good. I had a scan before so there's a little bit of bruising, but moving forward, all good," Melksham said..."We've got a nine-day break. Yesterday (Sunday) I was hobbling around a little bit, but today I'm walking a lot more fluently, so I'm hoping by the weekend it's cherry ripe."

Our List: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-06-04/gay-radan-join-melbourne ARRIVALS Trade Period: Maddison Gay (Carlton), Talia Radan (Adelaide Crows) DEPARTURES Expansion Period: Erin Hoare (Geelong), Anna Teague (Geelong), Richelle Cranston (Geelong), Melissa Hickey (Geelong) Trade Period: Jasmine Grierson (North Melbourne Tasmania), Emma Humphries (North Melbourne Tasmania) Delisted: Laura Duryea, Alyssa Mifsud, Maddie Shevlin (rookie) DRAFT PICKS TBC A bit disappointed but not surprised about Mifsud. Her first year was terrific but last season she seemed quite overweight as if she hadn't worked hard over the pre-season. Edit: A bit more info https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-melbourne-sign-dynamic-duo-for-upcoming-season/news-story/d9663bd13639b24f981fd03a44e221a4 "MELBOURNE has pulled off a big signing coup on the final day of trade period before the third season of the AFL Women’s competition...The Demons have exchanged picks for Carlton’s Maddison Gay and Adelaide’s Talia Radan, in a complex deal that also involves Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney".

I don't rate Fox scribes so I am not surprised that only three Demons in their AA squad of 40 players: Oliver, Gawn and Hogan https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/west-coast-dominate-melbourne-snubbed-in-fox-footys-midyear-allaustralian-squad/news-story/bf33ceb30194de6c8ff5e146b61686c8 Because we have had very even performances from our team I can understand we don't dominate in selections. But amazed they would leave out all of Melksham, Tom Mc and Jetta.

I think it will be a week to week decision. Virtually all of Pies 21 goals yesterday were kicked by medium forwards so we don't necessarily need another tall, this week. Let Oscar mind Cox this week. Their forwards are not fast and don't defend very well so a defender with a bit of speed: Hunt, Frost. Or someone who can play on small and medium defenders will work best this week: eg Smith, Wagner. If we put Vince to stop Sidebottom it will slow the supply to their forwards. The following game, Port have a tall forward line so it will be different considerations. Wouldn't mind seeing Petty get a go after the Pies game to see what he can do. Received much praise from Taylor at draft time and has been doing well at Casey. Maybe against Port when we will need another tall.

Thank you - a quiet Monday morning happening here. Also very excited. And agree with your analysis of the Pies. If we win most of our next five games (Coll, Port, Saints, WB, Freo) the club can start managing players. I'm thinking resting/rotating newbies (eg Spargo, Fritsch), oldies ( eg Vince, Lewis) and anyone carrying injuries with those playing well at Casey - especially for the long haul games: Perth and Darwin. It may cost us a spot on the ladder but sets us up for Sept. So I think we can get to round 23 reasonably fresh (barring the unforeseen). With a bye after round 23 gives us a chance to recharge the batteries. I'm also quietly optimistic.

Obviously! Injuries come and go and there are only so many issues that could be factored in to an analysis. Also, I can only work with what is known or reasonably predictable. Beyond that, anybody's guess. If we don't make finals, I'm leaving town and ban myself from Demonland - there will be a bunch of 'Is Goodwin the Right Guy' type threads and it will be too much to bear.

What/where is a 'predictor'? To get the 'finals' ladder spot, I used my interpretation (maybe be flawed) of how teams have been performing and each one's upcoming challenges. Agree with other posters that there will be upsets and that it is a week by week thing but I think our team has the steely resolve to get us well within contention but agree it is hard to predict where we will end up.

Thought it might be interesting to look at the run home for the teams in finals contention: General Thoughts: Top 5 teams have won enough games and have the % to be there in Sept. Crows and GWS will be much stronger as injured players return Hawks have a dream run home. Lots and lots of 8 point games. Freo has already put the cue in the rack (declared they are playing youth) and it won't be long before others follow. Gives the above teams greater opportunity to boost percentages especially North, Hawks. *Port have played one less game Chances: No doubt about Eagles. Finish: 1 Little doubt about Richmond as have 8 games in Vic, 6 of which are at the G. Finish: 2. All of Swans games are either in NSW or Vic so easy travel schedule. Finish: 3 - 5 Geelong have a friendly travel schedule with only two games outside Vic (SA and NSW). Finish: 3 - 5 Magpies have some work to do especially if they don't play games out like yesterday. Finish: 7 to 11 Power have a dream run home. Should Finish 5 - 8 but very inconsistent so could be 9 - 11. The Roos have a breeze fixture and friendly travel schedule with three games outside Vic (Tas, SA and NSW). Finish: 5 - 8 Hawks will not waste their dream run home and will most likely be in finals. Finish: 6 - 8 Crows and Giants will be much better when injured players return. Finish: 6 - 11. Which brings me to the Mighty Demons: The most challenging travel schedule: Adelaide, Darwin, Perth.. 5 of last 6 games are against top eight contenders: Cats, Crows, Swans, Eagles and GWS. We meet Crows and GWS when their key injured players are back. Barring disasters we have done enough to be there in Sept. Finish: 3 - 6. We seem to have the toughest run home. So, Huge, Huge game vs Pies this week. Win and we have 9 wins - 2 wins and good % ahead of next weeks 6th, 7th, 8th and looking good for top 4 (with a double chance and at least one Home final at the G). Lose and we will be in the pack of 4/5 teams on 8 wins. I will take any win against the Pies this week, even by a point. In part to put some distance between us and other teams and in part because of rnd 23, 2017. Hope the players remember that pain.

Pies didn't play the game out at the end and the Dockers did a nice job of whittling back Pies %. GWS taking it right up to the Crows. If GWS win they boot Crows out of the 8. Even if GWS lose, a small loss helps our cause for finals. So, Huge, Huge game vs Pies next week. We win and we have 9 wins - 2 wins and good % ahead of next weeks 6th, 7th, 8th and looking good for top 4 (with a double chance and at least one Home final at the G). Lose and we will be in the pack of 4/5 teams on 8 wins. We owe the pies for rnd 23, 2017. Lets hope that still burns deep in our team and they wreak their revenge. Will be happy with any win!

Water. ps the game was yesterday...

Go Demons!!

Roos watched Jetta play in last few games of 2013. And, as they say in the classics: the rest is history. Just hope we sign Nev up asap.

I kept laughing at his hair cut. I reckon the 'fade' haircut looks average, at best, on young men and downright awful on a 40 something. ...maybe he had a problem with his razor...?

Stopping their momentum after their 3 quick goals at the start was awesome. The players did it within the quarter whereas in the past it was more the coaches at the breaks. The team has really matured to see what needed to be done and got it done. Having said that Goodwin moved TomMc forward mid first term which gave us a target. Until then we had 17 i50 for 1 point. That move helped changed the game. On a humourous note - had a good laugh when Trengove was in Max's face while play was still on and then Max points to Jesse about to kick a fantastic goal. Bevo should have dragged him for that - the bulldogs still had a chance at that stage.

Neville Jetta - Take. A. Bow. Jesse Hogan - Take. A. Bow.

Am posting to put this thread back on the front page. But also to post this https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/paul-roos-and-graeme-yeats-reflect-on-nathan-jones-brilliant-loyal-journey-to-250-games/news-story/6018e1251d7f0f3c06736cd695c7a580 Reflections and tributes by two of his coaches: Yeats and Roos. There is an interesting commentary from Roos on how he 'adjusted' Jones' attitude from 'individual' to 'team. Should anyone doubt Jones' role in where we are today - “He was just pivotal in keeping the club together and just his signature means a hell of a lot,” Roos says. Too many accolades to quote. Take the time to read the article. It is worth it.

He seems to have plateaued over the last year or so. Not sure if that is the role he is being asked to play or if injuries are catching up. He needs to reinvent himself because he has more talent than Harmes and technically should be picked first. Also, needs more strings to replace Vince or Lewis in the side. And if we get Gaff it will be that bit harder for Tyson. A reason he came to us was to get games. I would be surprised if he would now be happy relying on injuries to get a game. As the article says he has yet to reach his peak. So if he doesn't become a regular again I would expect him to go elsewhere. I wouldn't begrudge him that.

Lions should give North a run for their money.

To start the weekend it is Sydney vs Carlton. I don't know if many people read the 'roar' aussie rules (yes they call our game by its correct name) website but it is quite good - their writers tell it as it is without histrionics. https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/05/30/friday-night-blues-looming-afl/ In this article about tonight's game this line caught my eye: :.. who would want to watch a developing club like them [Carlton] continue to suffer Friday night humiliation when we could be watching an up-and-coming club like Melbourne?" Ha, ha! Hard to imagine we won't get a few marquee time slots next year. Earn us a few fans and a few members perhaps? Reading the last few paras of the article shows that Sydney really gets what Fri night footy is about.

Goodwin's lighter side. His impersonation made me laugh - agree with the journo in the background: 'That's Gold!" Bet that little piece of video will be played ad nauseam this weekend Glad to here we have their feet planted firmly on the ground. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/it-s-fugayzi-as-melbourne-s-adopts-wolf-of-wall-street-mantra-20180601-p4ziwg.html

LOL! It looks like 'purple' is the one now drinking our bathwater!!