Spirit of the Demon

I've just been watching Brisbane Lions cause the upset of the year by beating West Coast at Subiaco. I'm now convinced that we need a new direction in our coaching - a protege of the great Lethal Leigh. Anyone for Michael Voss?

I'm not sure how it works but weren't we supposed to become a super fit team that would finish off matches full of running? All that's happening these days is we're getting run over!

I'd like to congratulate Neale Daniher for ten years of sterling service for the Melbourne Football Club. He took us over as wooden spooners and had to coach for several years under great difficulty. There was the salary cap fiasco that cost us draft picks through no fault of the coach. There were the boardromm battles which destabilised the club and yet he coached on with dignity. There was the near financial collapse of a few years ago and he stood up and not only coached well but he spruiked for the club and this year, he's had to suffer through an injury plague as many of his best players went down injured. He took everything on the chin and in his stride and in the end showed his class by the selfless way he announced that this was his last contract year at the MFC. Well done to the Reverend. Though the results on the field might not show it this year, you have truly helped lay the foundation for a solid future of the club.

I think there's a fundamental difference between Melbourne and Richmond on this score. Richmond has never really embraced Coburg as a partner and with a player like Gasper it was never a tought to continue playing out the season helping younger players develop in the VFL by playing alongside them. I think that Doggy and Dutchy would stay and work to help the club at Sandringham. Whether it helps in the long run I don't know because Sandringham's success doesn't seem to be rubbing off on Melbourne.

I think they had they same problem in Barbados the following morning!

Like your work Oracle. Can't wait for part 2!

Do these results from matches played tonight mean anything? NAB Cup Brisbane Lions 4.7.10.88 def Geelong 0.10.13.73 (Telstra Dome) J. Hunt knee injury Sydney 19.9.123 def Collingwood 10.7.67 (Narrandera) - rumour about a knee injury to B. Hall not true Port Adelaide 21.14.140 def St. Kilda 12.11.83 (AAMI Stadium) - Saints have lost all their games this year West Coast 12.12.84 def Adelaide 11.11.77 (Alice Springs) - Kerr 36 touches in WC's first win (no news of any assault charges coming from Alice Springs)

Thanks Bazza. That makes 10 MFC players in the team:- Colin Garland, Simon Godfrey, Ben Holland, Paul Johnson, Shane Neaves, Heath Neville, Michael Newton, Ricky Petterd, Byron Pickett, Paul Wheatley. Holland and Pickett named in the senior game as well. Some on the way up, others on the way down and a few whose careers are stagnating. All in all, Sandy looks strong again - maybe a 4 peat?

Missing from Melbourne today - Clint Bartram, Nathan Brown, Nathan Carroll, Travis Johnstone, Brock McLean, David Neitz, Byron Pickett, Russell Robertson, Colin Sylvia, Daniel Ward and Paul Wheatley (that we know of) Missing from Adelaide today - Rhett Biglands#, Tyson Edwards, Trent Hentschel#, Graham Johncock, Ken McGregor, Ian Perrie, Jason Porplyzia and Mark Ricciuto # Biglands and Hentschel are likely to miss all of the season.

We were absolutely smashed in the rucks and in the middle in the last 30 minutes of play. We have a definite problem with our rucks but our midfield will be better when Brock and Beamer are back. We also have to cut out those dinky little short handpasses in the middle of traffic which were so predictable and often intercepted and then set up Hawthorn goals. It was an embarrasment to the coaching panel.

I saw Wardy yesterday and the mo has gone. I think the photo was taken during Movember; either that or he did it for a bet because it's so ghastly!

I watched the Carlton v Essendon game played at the same venue yesterday and IMO, Essendon's main problem was that it was top heavy with big men and didn't have enough mids to compete with Carlton especially in the first half. IMO therefore, we don't bring in Neaves but rather go for an extra midfielder because the Hawks are very strong in that area.

Late change to the squad according to melbournefc.com.au in their match preview http://prod.www.melbournefc.cfour.com.au/D...mp;newsId=38371

Last night the Seven Network took us back into the stone age as far as broadcasting football on TV is concerned. The graphics were aweful and looked dated (did they dredge them out of the vault after attracting cobwebs for five years?), the commentary team didn't look like a "team", they certainly weren't dressed like one. The production was shyzen with comments being cut by advertisements etc. Obviously, they learned nothing from their practice simulation at Telstra Dome earlier on in the week. Nine's presentation last year was light years ahead of this mob in terms of professionalism. Seven - lift your game!

There's an item in the news about the Bulldogs' alternative strip being leaked illegally on BF. What's happened with ours?

Just started going a bit pear shaped with the Daniel Ward story.

At the Junction Oval between 12 and 3. I just know that Neita's going to be officially recognised as MFC captain for a record term but will anything else be revealed? Anyone going?

Come now Choko. That's even worse than the Hun. Where's there any evidence that Ward betting on Melbourne to win (in a multiple bet involving other codes) "looks like fixing"? Had he bet on the opposition, that claim might have had legs but you're certaintly not fixing anything if you pick your own team to win.

Clint Bizzell is 30 years old and hasn't played a game of AFL football since August 2005. As he braces for a make-or-break year the question must be asked whether he still has what it takes to be a regular in the game. I think he has and in any event, time will tell, but I wonder what the club would do if another player, say CJ, performed equally as well in defence during the pre-season. Would the selctors play the older, wiser, more experienced head at the expense of the rising young talent?

More on Millsy and this time it's all in English:- Miller finding out hard way

Nathan Carroll is 26 and has only recently discovered that he too can be a star in the AFL. Why Demons have begun to sing Carroll's praises

I seems to me that there are lots of players we're epecting to stand up in 2007. Doesn't that means we're not looking through the season with rose coloured glasses like everyone's saying?

1. West Coast 2. Fremantle 3. Melbourne 4. St. Kilda 5. Sydney 6. Adelaide 7. Geelong 8. Western Bulldogs Bater for the Brownlow (the red hair factor)

Anyone know the answer? I've been to a few of these functions and I don't think it's possible even for me if I come alone to drink $100 worth of liquid refreshments.

"I'm coming to Melbourne on Tuesday and I'd love you to pick me up, um, something or other...you got back with your wife and I can't believe you would do that... For me to hear information like that...is not fair and is kind of sad on your behalf because I thought you were much better than that and I thought you had more respect for yourself." An alleged excerpt from the alleged voice message allegedly left on Brendan Fevola's phone allegedly by Lara Bingle as alleged by the Herald Sun in the article allegedly entitled "ALEX CONFRONTS LARA" and allegedly written by an alleged journalist allegedly called Kim Wilson. I trust this passes muster with the mods?