Robot Devil

Lynden Dunn directing another player to swoop on the ball and then shepherding/blocking TWO opponents to give that player a chance to run on with the ball and clear the back 50.

Great play.

I was expecting to see more of Lumumba today. Obviously he kicked a crucial goal but he couldn't seem to get into the game. Got pinged for holding the ball a couple of times. Not hating on him, if anything it means we'll be even better when he's in form.

Lumumba pinpointed several excellent passes coming out of the back line right in front of me in the 1st and 3rd quarters.

These were the kind of passes that last year would have gone out of bounds or to a contest where the ball went to ground.

He also laid a very timely shepherd in the last quarter that allowed the ball to be cleared from our defence when we really needed the momentum back.

Whilst I don't think he was at his absolute best today, he is still a class player and showed some great signs of what his value will be to our side.

Homeward bound on the train now.

iPod has started off with shuffling to Knockin' on Heavens Door.

Now onto Flying in a Blue Dream.

Posts on this Post Match topic seem a little slow compared to usual.

Either we are all completely shell shocked or everyone is still at the MCG singing the song.

On the train MCG bound.

So far iPod has given me:

1st song: High Hopes - Pink Floyd (sounds about right)

2nd song: In a Rut - The Ruts (hope that's not right)

3rd song: Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones (maybe something in that?)

Quote: Watson, who is the father of current skipper Jobe, told radio station SEN that he was experiencing a lot of emotions but that he was "relaxed".

"I believe that there will be a not guilty [verdict]," he said "I believe that because I am privy to a lot of what has taken place to this point in terms of the evidence. "On that alone I'm confident that the players wont be found guilty." He also said that one of the tribunal members has a reputation of his decisions being very hard to appeal against. More softening up!

This isn't the first time in the last few weeks, that he has come out with 'his predictions'. He might be the father of the captain but surely that does not give him the right to use (abuse) private info to make public statements in his employed position as a member of the press. The press is supposed to have been 'shut out'. It seems Watson has continued the EFC 'snubbing' the official process to achieve EFC spin (and protect his son's brownlow). And no-one (ie AFL) has tried to stop him. There seems to be no limit to EFC arrogance. I just hope he is proved wrong today.

Have you seen the Channel 7 promo ad for this footy season?

I can't find it on YouTube or elsewhere but is basically Tim Watson boasting that Channel 7 has "exclusive inside access" to the AFL.

Not a good look.

Many an ad campaign has been made "fluffy" feel good.

See this 3-4 times on a long haul flight to melbourne and the Red & Blue will be remembered. A lot of passengers fly here and back in six months.

Exactly right. Many of the companies I deal with are back and forth to China every month for many reasons (both business and social).

Now for the most important part to achieve next... winning games regularly and then winning constantly.

Team that constantly loses with great international ad = nothing.

Team that wins regularly with great international ad = building a following.

...and they're playing against the Demons.

Death and Taxes.

Melbourne playing "out of form" teams back into form.

Melbourne helping opposition "young guns" get Rising Star nominations.

Sunrise/sunset.

It's always so nice to hear Roos cool and measured response to these sorts of performances. The really displeasing thing for me wasn't so much our ball use in tight it was our failure to to basic team things like block and shepherd for team mates in better positions. Matt Jones, Rohan Bail, Jordie McKenzie and Jack Grimes are constant whipping boys, but they do the team thing which is why they get games. Other more highly praised players are way too selfish - which is to say they try to do too much..

This has been a problem for years at the Dees. It really sticks in my craw when a critical yet simple aspect of the game - blocking and shepherding - is seemingly non-existent in our team.

Honestly it seems that the players will not protect their teammates when tackled and harassed whilst in possession.

Does anyone know our stats for shepherds and blocks? I imagine it's donuts.

Perhaps someone can ask the coaches why our players never (and I do not think I exaggerate one bit when I say NEVER) block or shepherd for the player with the ball. I think the one occassion I saw a shepherd last year it was by one of our imports from another club and my jaw dropped to actually see it happen.

Do I need to put a copyright on it then mate?

It's light and day, but we already know that. © -Wiseblood ™ (2015).

Done.

All fair points Colin.

I'm stating the obvious here but the difference is obviously how the club was run back in Bailey's time compared to now. It's light and day, but we already know that. I agree that we don't need to go over the top in how we view the club, it was more a comment on sitting back and enjoying yet another player showing some faith in the club. While neither he nor Brayshaw have set the world on fire yet, or barely played any games, they are two guys who show promise, a strong work ethic and a willingness to get behind the club. It can only be a good thing.

Careful... BT or Darce will be lining up to plagiarise that saying from you.

According to twitter

At 9am: we were having an open training at 12

At 10am: we are having an open training at 1pm with a bbq and coffee from 12

Do I demand too much suggesting no changes on the day of a members event???

At 11am: we will be having open training at 2pm with stale donuts and coffee at 1pm.

At 12pm: we will be having a closed training session at 9am with free pickings from the dumpster at AAMI Park.

At 1pm: the training session will be cancelled and any supporter attempting to gain access will be jabbed with a sharp stick.

What does it look like this year? I have not seen it in detail.

Mark Jacko Jackson and Wiz Capper doing their hit singles I reckon.

So...... a minutes silence it is then.

Hi all,

Quick question, does anyone know if you lose your 'consecutive years' status if you downgrade to a 3 game membership?

Thanks! And go Dees

My partner kept her "consecutive years" status when she recently changed from 11 to 3 game membership.

Also made the leap from Bronze to Silver.

Proud to have converted her to a Melbourne supporter even though she can't go with me as often as she used to.

It probably costs small fortune in gas and safety management to do it, but I think it would be worth it.

Being the 'Demons', maybe we could have some sort of hellish fire-breathing spectacle for the players to run out through.

If it all goes well, it would enhance our claim for more night matches as well - which is good for viewing and revenue.

.

Spinal Tap: Well, it seems some silly twit did not get a big enough oxygen tank, but that's supposed to be a devil.

Filled up with air it's very evil and impressive. We salute you, our half inflated Dark Lord!

So while he was rolling around on the ground screaming in pain you were asking him about his injury?

Might have to reassess my opinion of you Saty.

Serious subject and I certainly feel bad for ANB being re-injured but I did laugh out loud reading this.

It was a very vivid mental image.

He could look like Margaret Thatcher for all I care, as long as he plays like a gun footballer.

I bet Margaret Thatcher would have been effective off the half back flank in her day.

All knees and elbows scything through traffic like Bodaicea.

we should have a trumpeter that belts out grand old flag as THAT will help create an exciting atmosphere.

As long as every admission includes a free Nerf gun

Just when the Panthers seem to be in the game, they do something to hinder themselves.

I don't know... that Kam Chancellor intercept seemed to be the turning point and that was all Seattle.

At training. Enjoying it immensely. Report later, low battery. Nat Jones not here... surfing accident, cuts all over legs!

At 88cm he could also be the John Holmes of the AFL.

Perhaps.... but he'll have to tie it round his waist to run and will most likely pass out if he gets a boner.

This will be inconvenient.

Yeah, but I really have my doubts about how he will go as a forward... no matter how hardened they say he is. I've heard of small forwards and goal sneaks, but this may be taking it a little too far:

3. AARON VANDENBERG (Melbourne), 22

H: 188cm W: 90kg

Drafted: No.2, 2014 rookie draft

Ready-made ball winner could step straight into the Demons’ forward line, if he is promoted, after averaging 31 touches in the NEAFL last season. Roosy loves his reliable, hardened midfielders and Vandenberg could give the Dees some extra depth. Had 56 possessions against Eastlake. Nice size at 88cm.

He'll be the Muggsy Bogues of the AFL.

^No danger of that^

So...... see you all back here in about 12 months?