Ash35

Ricky Nixon, a trust worthy pillar of society. I find none of the saga funny, just some of the reactions on this site. Don't try and get all high and mighty with me about this, yes I share your concerns for players and their future children. I have also receive abuse myself at the football, for something I had zero to do with. So don't try and paint me out to be blasé about it, the whole saga has been a horrible mess on so many fronts from the start, and it has affected me and my love for football. As said, apart from the disgraceful and offensive comparison on this site of Essendon FC to the Nazi party, and have found a lot of the responses on here kind of amusing. There has been a mixture of common sense, madness, hyprocrisy, the whole gamut of views and opinions. It amuses me that even now, the mere mention of Essendon sends posters like you into a mad rage. I know you are looking at any reason to lash out and have a go at anything Essendon, but don't you dare twist this around to make me out to not care or be amused with what happened at Essendon over the last few years.

yep, I can't believe Bruce mentioned in commentary on the Friday night St Kilda game that Essendon might be other supporters 2nd team. Everyone still hates us, and that doesn't bother me at all. 2nd teams are a myth anyway, no one really has a second team unless you have a relative or close friend who plays or played for them. As I said, I actually find a lot of the reaction on here amusing these days. We as Essendon supporters copped it every week at games from opposition supporters over the last couple of years, so you develop a pretty thick skin. Apart from when the Essendon FC was compared to the Nazis here on Demonland, which I found down right offensive, most of the ribbing is pretty funny to read to be honest. Getting back to the original topic, obviously Oliver has had a great year and would be favourite for your B&F, but Hibbo would be close wouldn't he? As I said, there wasn't many Essendon supporters that were happy he left (unlike Melksham), I'm really glad both so far have played some decent footy.

touche But still amusing that the same posters go into Essendon hating mad drug cheats frenzy when the Dons are mentioned. Are Carlton referred to as the 'Salary cap cheating frauds' anymore, or is that too far in the past?

Remarkable, but not surprising. Essendon mentioned, most go into "DRUG CHEATS!!!" mode. Watson was actually giving Hibbard credit, saying he can't believe he doesn't get tagged because he is so dangerous as a player. Most Essendon people were devastated Piggy left as we knew what he was capable of as a player. Melbourne got a beauty with him. And great to see people change their opinions on Melksham as well. He has gone from a "dud pick up" to a "very handy player". He is a bit of strange one, after watching him for many years at Essendon I actually think he is a great kick, but at times his decision making was ordinary and he just didn't get the ball enough for a midfielder. Looks like Goodwin has given him some specific roles and he is thriving. Great to see both players playing well, as they were favs of mine at Essendon.

Going ok Live in Cranbourne East these days, about a 2 min drive to Casey Fields, so I get to watch Casey pretty regularly. Last few years have been tough following the Dons, but no conversion to the Dees yet.

Stats numbers stats - big deal He didn't influence that game

Diversity. Usually get decent footy chat here. Bomberblitz gets stupid sometimes. I come and go. My ex wife and two daughters are Melbourne Members.

Nope, you guys are made of stern stuff these days, no easy beats. Realistically you are better than us, and we played horribly that day and weren't really in it. The Sydney and Brisbane games were games we should have won cos we were in very very winnable positions in both.

Buckleys farewell, the pies will get up for that. Nah, just kidding, you got me, I forgot the pies game, so that's 5 more wins, you are definitely playing finals.

Yep, should have clarified, I'm Essendon Despite tonights result, our losses to Sydney and Brisbane will cost us playing finals. Unlike Melbourne. I see you guys making it which is a tremendous effort considering the injury hurdles you guys have faced this year. You should win at least 4 more games [Port at MCG, Saints, Brisbane and NM], which gets you in the 8.

Obviously Oliver is a great young player, but I didn't think he played particularly well against Sydney, yes had 24 touches, but wasn't an influence at all that night. But yes, it was his poorest game this year which is saying something.

Both players in their 2nd season, hopefully both have long careers ahead and both clubs have great players. I wouldn't judge Parish on 3 quarters of football. The same way I wouldn't judge Oliver on his Friday effort against the Swans 2 weeks ago.

The Sydney and Brisbane losses will cost us playing finals. We won't make it this year.

The main acting today was by Maynard of Collingwood. Should get a warning for staging. Pretty ordinary effort by bloke I don't know much about, but first impressions are average.

Difference is McKenzie was cleared for insufficient contact whereas Greenwood is looking at a couple of weeks no doubt.

Today is the "strongest" I've seen Melbourne for years, not backing down etc That's why Buggs flop stood out so much. The whole way he blindsided Wood then took a fall was really ordinary in my opinion. You guys have got them on the ropes by playing good strong football and not taking any sh!t, no need for Buggs antics.

Yep, Bulldogs ducking has frustrated me for ages. Like the Bugg flop, I just wish the umpires wouldn't reward it

Hibbo is one the best pick ups for you guys in years, doesn't he make a difference. We miss him and will continue to miss him for seasons to come.

We've got the bye, so that makes it kinda hard. Sorry you don't want my honest input.

Obviously you guys are loving Bugg, but that was pathetic. Blind sides Easton Wood, then goes down far to easy for a free shot at goal. Guess you can say it's smart play, but I don't think anyone wants that sort of behaviour or play rewarded with a goal. But other than that, you guys are all over them and will win this. Doggies in real strife in missing out on the finals

Thanks for the kind words. Yep, reckon I started as Ash23, gave up at Ash35. I do watch the Robbie tribute video I did with pride. He was one of my all time favourites. For those who haven't seen it :

Pic of the Schwarz mark I was talking about from 1994. Wasn't a TV covered game, so no real footage of the mark.

Thanks for the input guys. The best mark that didn't make it was David Schwarz against St Kilda at Waverley in 1994. I couldn't find any decent footage of it. I love that you guys aren't just talking about the usual suspects (Farmer 1998 vs Tigers, Jurrah 2010 vs Port, Smith 1995 vs Brisbane etc) Highest mark is not always best, I love Stephen TIngays effort against the Crows in 1996, skill and courage. Greg Healy incredibly courageous in the 1990 Elimination Final against Hawthorn with Chris Langford coming the other way. Jared Rivers against my Bombers in 2004 - amazing stuff. Russell Robertson was spectacular with his grab against WCE in the Pre-season, doesn't get much publicity as it was Wizard Cup, but what a hanger.

Hey Guys Here is the follow up to the 50 Greatest Goals, I've done the 70 best marks. Again, I was a bit limited to what I actually had access to in the way of footage. And like the goals, a lot of decent marks didn't make the cut. But I reckon I have included most of the greatest and most memorable grabs in MFC history. Enjoy.

Nope. You'd be amazed how quickly 50 goals is used up. As I said, a lot missed the cut that I would have loved to included. There were at least another 5 from Farmer that could have made it (including 1996 vs Fitzroy, 2000 vs Geelong at KP), a couple from Yze and Jakovich, Schwarz in the 1994 QF vs Carlton, Lynden Dunn mid air soccer goal vs North in 2010, Kevin Dyson goal from the boundary 55m out vs Geelong in 1993, Andrew Lamprill match winning snap against the Cats in Rd 2 1992, plus any number of significant goals from finals and Rd 22 1987. Garry Lyon kicked a left foot banana in the same game in 1994 vs WCE that the Sean Charles goal is from, the same spot that Wayne Carey kicked his amazing goal against Essendon in 1999. Everyone goes on about Careys goal but Lyons doesn't ever get mentioned. This could have been a top 70 goals and some would have still missed out.