Big Col

Fitzroy are on this list so it goes back to at least 1995. if you listed it as average no of Rising Stars per year, Gold Coast and GWS would be at the top.

First 2 picks

That really sucks for the boy. I think last night showed that McD really shouldn't be the back up ruck. Schache would have been great given his game today. I don't think we should drop McD at all. His body work helps the other forwards and he's back up for defence. Just don't put him in the ruck. Is this the time to (finally) unleash JVR?

I was in and out watching the game and missed the Schache injury. He was excellent in the parts that I watched, kicked a few goals and took some contested marks. I thought he looked like a shoe-in for next week. What's the prognosis?

A few days ago we didn't know who to drop, now we don't know who to promote.

WTF? I left the pub and caught a tram home thinking the game was over and then checked into kayo and there was 2 mins to go and we were 19 points down and then kicked a goal. We were pox before that.

If the game is abandoned then we lose. Those rules were put in place after the last time the lights went out at VFL Park.

We’re getting smashed at clearance - particularly out of the centre. While this is not the be all and tell stat it is currently so one-sided. You can tell just watching the game. our mids have to step up.

Anyone who hasn't played around with it yet ... here's the link (it's free) https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt The more info you put into the request the better the response. Put in something like "Write a funny poem about Max Gawn. He is the ruckman for the Demons and also the captain. He's very very tall. He kicked five goals in the Preliminary Final. He is very funny. Everyone loves him." and you get this: Max Gawn, oh Max Gawn The tallest ruckman we've ever drawn He kicks the footy oh so high And towers over us like the sky He's the captain, that's for sure With his wit, he's quite the lure Everyone loves him, far and wide Even his opponents can't help but smile Five goals in the Preliminary Final Max made the opposition feel quite dismal They couldn't reach him, he was too tall They tried and tried, but he had them all With his jokes, he'll have you in stitches His humor comes in droves and glitches Max Gawn, you're the man We'll follow you, oh yes we can!

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.