Big Col

My brother, AKA Bigger Col, asked ChatGPT this: I want you to act as a motivational speaker. Put together words that inspire action and make people feel empowered to do something beyond their abilities. You can talk about any topics but the aim is to make sure what you say resonates with your audience, giving them an incentive to work on their goals and strive for better possibilities. My first request is "I need a speech about how everyone should become a Melbourne Football Club Supporter."

Better than Neild's speech circa 2012

Today, I stand before you with a message that goes beyond the realm of sports, transcending the limitations of the physical world to touch the very essence of human spirit. Today, I invite you all to become supporters of the Melbourne Football Club, not merely for the love of the game but for the empowering lessons that it offers us all. You see, the Melbourne Football Club, affectionately known as the Demons, represents far more than just a team of talented athletes vying for victory on the field. It is a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit that lies within each and every one of us. The Demons' journey has been marked by numerous ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and moments of doubt that have tested their resolve. Yet, through it all, they have emerged stronger, more united, and more determined to overcome any obstacles that life throws their way. But why should you become a Melbourne Football Club supporter, you may ask? It is because this team's journey offers us all a powerful lesson, a lesson that we can apply to our own lives as we strive to reach our full potential. When we choose to align ourselves with the Demons, we are making a conscious decision to embrace the values that they embody. We are choosing to fight, to persevere, and to rise above our perceived limitations, just as the players do on the field. We are choosing to become a part of something much larger than ourselves, a collective force that drives us to push beyond our boundaries and reach for the stars. As Melbourne Football Club supporters, we are not merely cheering for a team; we are embracing a mindset. We are adopting an attitude of unyielding determination, one that compels us to dig deep and find the strength to overcome any adversity that comes our way. It doesn't matter if you've never set foot on a football field or if you're a lifelong fan; the power of this message transcends the sport itself. When we choose to support the Demons, we are making a statement about our own lives, about our willingness to embrace challenges, and about our unwavering belief in our own potential. Ladies and gentlemen, as you embark on this journey with the Melbourne Football Club, remember that the true power of this alliance lies not in the team's victories on the field but in the lessons that they teach us about ourselves. Become a Melbourne Football Club supporter today, and let their spirit of resilience, determination, and courage inspire you to push beyond your own boundaries and become the person you were always meant to be. Thank you.

The only reason we're talking about dropping players after that win is because of the quality coming back. May, Fritsch and Viney are automatic inclusions. Salem is too unless it's thought he needs a run in the VFL first. Nobody wants to drop anyone after last night's win.

Then everyone would hate us and decry how unfair it all was. And we would all laugh and I would be very happy.

If May is available, then sadly it will have to be Tommo that misses, though he'd travel to Bne as an emergency. If only one of Viney or Fritsch is available then he would replace Kozzie. If Kozzie escapes suspension then Laurie misses. If both are available available then both Kozzie and Laurie miss. If Kozzie isn't suspended, and both Viney and Fritsch are available then it's Laurie and Melksham and some other unlucky player gets moved to sub. I don't think Salem will be available next week. It'd be good to give Laurie another game. Though he only had 4 possessions, he was involved in a sweet bit of play in the third quarter, exactly 5 seconds after I told my brother "I haven't seen Laurie much, I think he'll be subbed" ony to be rebuked "You mean that kid". But with quality returning players, we can't really do anything else.

6 - Trac 5 -Kozzie 4 - Gawn 3- Clarry 2 -Lever 1- Rivers

Book your seats for Kings Birthday this year!

just as I'm reading this he takes a contested mark and goals.

Firstly, this returns to the original concept of the Trophy - as in it's a club rather than team competition. Someone smart i know (actually it was me) suggested this on this forum 18 months ago. The introduction of a monetary prize was unexpected, but IMHO a huge addition. The money will help establish the award, it's prestige, and help promote the 'club' concept rather than just the 'team'. We're in a great spot as a club to score $1m this year. The trophy in its original format (1951-90) awarded points per win for the three tiers - seniors, reserves and u/19s on an 8,4,2 point/win format. Counting wins is closer to the original format than counting final ladder position or the like. However, I think a simple system of counting ladder position after finals, would be easier and fairer given the vagaries of fixturing. 18 points for premier, 17 for runner-up etc with the club with the most points winning. You could possibly give bonus points for winning the premiership (eg 20 for 1st and 18 for 2nd, then 16,15 etc) or just use premierships as a tie breaker (ie if 2 teams on the same points, then if one team has won a premiership and the other not, the team with the premiership wins). Personally, I prefer 18, 17, 16 etc with no tie breaker and dual winners.

Good to see the AFL is listening to me ... although the $1m prize was a bit more than I asked for. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-09/afl-aflw-champion-club-mcclelland-trophy-million-dollar-prize/102076130

Wow. Brodie 2 goals. I'm liking the look of this.

But why? I think your post is spot on otherwise but I don't understand your conclusion.

The last game of footy I went to with my mum was against Hawthorn. It was 2014 late in the season and she died a week after the Grand Final. My mum never swore but she did turn to me that day and say something like "We have to smash those [censored] one day. I hope you get to see it". Ever since, I've had a special tingle when we beat Hawthorn. F**k them.

1/Totally agree re Ruck contests 2/ If they stopped the clock after a mark / free kick when going for goal until the ball hits foot or hand, then you’d eliminate this type of time wasting.

FWIW King has been on the Demons bandwagon for 18+ months. Mid season 2021 he compared the Demons to the emergence of the Cats in 2007. We won 1 flag. Let's hope we can win at least 3/5.

If we lost both Gawn and Grundy I think we'd probably go with Schache/McDonald combo before Verall. He's just a project player ATM. I'm still trying to get my head around having the best two ruckman in the AFL in the same team. It will make it difficult for a prospective ruck to get a game, but maybe Verall is far enough away that he only just comes right as Maxy retires.

DAISY!!!!

Let's just call it the Harry Potter round

On a fairness level, the Showdown should be held that round so that no team is disadvantaged playing against ADL or PtA. But instead, I'm sure they'll try to maximise crowds and have ADL and PtA headlining separate 'blockbuster' double headers, so eg GWS v Freo is the curtain raiser to PtA vs Syd. I guess, as long as they rotate this round each season, the advantages will even out (in theory)?

We've got to be a good shot at taking out next year's AFL basketball 3x3 comp. J Smith / Petracca / Farris-White seems a pretty handy side.

Interesting ideas DS. I like the general gist of adding restrictions early and loosening them later. It would become very difficult and probably unlikely to see movement of star young players. Do you have any thoughts on mature-age recruits? ie is a 21yo recruit treated the same as an 18yo (year 1) or come in at year 4? Do you have any thoughts on clubs trading players involuntarily? As an aside, I've long supported the raising of the draft age to 19yo or even 20yo. I might start another thread re that but helping protect teams from losing high draft pick kids was one of the reasons I support it.

This guy seems pretty handy. Where is expected to land in the Draft?

Exactly. If we ended up re-signing LJ then we wouldn't want to sign Grundy. f we were to sign up Grundy and the LJ trade with Freo (or WCE) fell over we'd end up having to give LJ away. There is a lot of pain for everyone if a deal doesn't happen.

Travis Johnstone was unbelievably good in that 3rd quarter. It was a crazy game for emotions. At the end of the game I walked home from the MCG all the way to Brunswick, randomly swearing and kicking things.