Older demon

Go listen to the Imperfects podcast. The whole club is on a journey and your criticism is out of date. It was Vandenberg pre-season last year that pointed out to the group that they didn't talk to each other professionally. This is when the buy-in started. As Max stated today they are 97% getting there and this was a setback. However, if Melk pointed out to May that his criticism of Smith was out of line then there is your proof that the club is changing its culture

My daughter was told by Adam Tomlinson’s sister thatT Mac has a serious leg injury and may miss the rest of the season. Not sure if already mentioned. To be announced tomorrow. Forward line looking a bit thin.

We are now the hunted and today showed we need to be better to stay ahead of the pack. I would like to think we will learn more from a loss than we have off late from scratchy wins. I need to remind everyone that it is the best team in September that wins a flag and like last year best to peak at the end of the season.Picket, Jackson, Jordon, Sparrow, Rivers and Bedford are only 3 seasons max into their careers and so far have exceeded expectations. The season is only half way.

The hint TMac might not come up was selecting him on the bench. I also note petty selected on the bench and was sore last week. Tomlinson is an emergency to cover or is it for team balance as Free plays a very small mobile forward line?

I suspect after the front on assault North applied on Saturday that there will be a few sore bodies this week. Not noted here is that Max spent a lot of time up forward and has that knee very heavily strapped. He like TMac may be very sore. I wasn't impressed with Bedford during his time on. He has the pace but dropped a sitter of a mark and fumbles a lot. Not having Casey play this week complicates things as we have no form to go on. There are no guarantees that Viney will be available either and I would be shocked if Langdon is available.

6. Petracca 5. Jackson 4. Bowey 3. Oliver 2. Brayshaw 1. ANB

My grey premiers hoodie arrived yesterday. Matching cap still to come. Both ordered on grand final night.

The HS recently published an article by David Roberstson, a one eyed demon supporting journo. It was a beautiful reflection of Robbie Flower who only played finals in what was to be his last 3 games. Davids recollection was way back in high school when Robbie was at Murrumbeena high and were playing Caulfield high (David's school team). From Davids memory Robbie, pencil thin and awkward looking put on a display on that miserable wind swept day that had to be seen to be believed and dominated. Just as he would for Melbourne often is poor teams. I had the joy of seeing Rob in spectacles playing his first seconds game and quickly making the firsts. He is still the most skilful and courageous player I have seen. If ever you want to write about a player that endured hard times for minimal success this is the man. I hope he is looking down on us with a smile.

Gawn's ruck work was outsanding and Jacksons ground work was exceptional. Extraordinary detailed analysis and graphics not sure I agree with everything and according to the commentator we had a lot of luck or things always fell our way, I counted about 16 things that went our way.

Last night Foxtel were replaying the prelim and GF late. I watched the 2nd & 3rd quarters of the prelim and was reminded of just how good we are as a team. I would wait for the full final set. Our 3 games were so dynamic I am still in awe

Is this our new Barassi leading the club forward?

The whole team has improved from that scrappy first game of the year against Freo. At the business end starting in round 23 I have seen the most improvement in Tom Sparrow. Touted pre draft as Dangerfield like with his pace and strength he has gone form strength to strength, he is strong, quick and knows how to kick a goal. He is no longer the first one you think off to drop and has gone past Jones and now Melksham and is adding great depth to an already formidable midfield. Jackson deserves a mention because he is now clunking his marks and has so many strings to his bow.

How about this. MFC website has offered suggested graphics for tattoo's. I preferred to reduce its size and add it as part of my signature on all emails I send, a tattoo sounds too painful.

Thank you Luci or should I say Premiers Thus far it is 4 of the senior list and 2 of the rookie, correct me if I am wrong. Given that Chandler was emergency for the GF I expect he may go onto the senior list. As I understand it we currently only have 3 draft picks for 3 vacancies if Kade is upgraded. Those picks are 33, 42 & 54 and if he is is still available after pick 20 we may use one on Mac Andrew. I don't see us being very active in the draft. Brown & Daw are interesting and can choose to go elsewhere having already been delisted once. Smith, Declase and Turner one can hardly assess given the limited opportunities. Might be a quiet trade year for us,

What a fantastic player Greg was and an exceptional mark. He was a policeman stationed at parliament house back then and my father was one of the carpenters there and got to meet Greg daily. At the time you could get coloured posters of your favourites which dad got Greg to sign for m, he is an all time favourite. A bentleigh boy just like Bevo, Taylor and Lamb. He and Ross Dillon formed a great duo in the key forward spots

To my mum a lifelong Melbourne supporter who always told me about the great teams of the 50's and to be patient our day will come again. And to my late in laws who were both dees fans. I cherish the times when FIL and I both got MCC membership at the same time and went to many games together through some lean years. Well here it is, so I hope wherever they are now that they are looking down with pride. As a third generation Dees supporter I couldn't't be happier Go you mighty Dees.

So this is what it feels like to win a flag. I was so jealous of my mum supporting a club through the 50's. Third generation Dee supporter of 66 year and I have never been happier. No tears just sheer elation and joy. I took time to read the last chapter of the "Red Fox" this morning. The Norm Smith story is sad and when he left he predicted it would be a long time before Melbourne won another flag. He was correct. There has been a lot said about numbers and coincidences so here is another. Norm Smith passed away in 1973 at the age of 57 and we win our first flag in 57 years. Vale the Norm Smith curse

Hand up here with another glass of Chivas. Go dees

And that is happiness!!

On a lighter note maybe Choco wants to coach another flag and has planned to fix up Goody and Ooze. I would be watching out in tomorrow practice match for any of the emergencies hoping for a position to become vacant. An old footy coach from VFL days tells the story at Hawthorn, that you never went near Ian Bremner in finals especially if you played in his position. Or the year they beat North to become premiers. On the last Thursday before the granny Kennedy lined the players up in 2 lines, one on one contest with the ball thrown in between to see who came out on top. It was I believe brutal no holds barred. Kennedy's commando's and imagine being paired off with Leigh Mathews....scary

As stated earlier the MFC allocation of 12,000 sold out in 4 hours. I am so happy that my barcode went to a family friend who lives in W.A and is a demon fan AND she got a ticket. According to the MFC email I was a category 3 member. Category 3 tickets are $350 with the category 1 being $450 wow any wonder they want to play in front of a crowd.

Fort as an emergency wow they are already a big team. Surprised they didn't go for a running type.

Interesting that is how the AFL.com site saw it as well. 2 hardened experienced bodies in. Smith has only played 21 games and Bowey is just starting. It will be interesting to see who gets the medical sub. Also noted in talkback yesterday that Jones not likely to be in finals plans and will fly home after Prelim depending on circumstances

Re Hawkins the sling tackle resulted in the player being concussed and subbed out according to Ralph. That has to get a week.

My rumour was that he had surgery today and is out for 4-6 weeks.