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While I sort of agree with Garry Lyon, he could of expressed it more eloquently. I guess football was more important than English class in his younger years at his old town in Kyabram. He is always known as being a grumpy bugger ol' Garry Lyon though! 🤣 It also needs to be remembered that the Melbourne players were quite traumatised seeing poor Angus Brayshaw getting knocked out for 2 minutes by that vile piece of slime Brayden "the Thug" Maynard. Nevertheless, I am sure the Demons will "suck it up" and hopefully use the disappointing exit from finals as motivation for next year. Here is the link with Garry Lyon's comments: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/suck-it-up-claims-stars-ko-derailed-dees-run-after-finals-choke/news-story/4479e3db7817a98992ad748f28457bc7 I should note that everyone in the football media loves to kick the Melbourne Demons while we are down and out. But you gotta expect that when there are high expectations and you don't meet them. Oh well....better to be criticised for poor finals performances than being Wooden Spooners! 🤷🏼‍♂️

For those who don't know, a "Creed" is something that can be a formal doctrine or set of beliefs or philosophy that an organisation can encapsulate what they stand for. The development of a "Creed" is something which can also help with driving the standards and culture of an organisation. A good example of a "Creed" is one that our new MFC Head of Development, Mark "Choco" Williams' Father, the late and great Fos Williams created for the Port Adelaide Football Club in 1962. Here is a link to it for those who haven't read it before: https://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/club/history/the-creed The Port Adelaide "Creed" was recently brought to my attention with the celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of the Port Adelaide Football Club and I thought it would be a good idea to try and emulate something similar. Now obviously, we don't wish to plagiarise what Port Adelaide has done. But I would like to put forward the suggestion that the Melbourne Demons Football Club creates its very own and unique "Creed". Something that I hope will assist with shaping the long term culture of the Demons. Nevertheless, this is something that we as Melbourne Demons members and supporters can only suggest. But I think it is worthwhile pursuing this idea. However, it is crucial that this is driven by the Demons players, the captain Max Gawn, the coach Simon Goodwin, the CEO Gary Pert, the President Glen Bartlett and all other stakeholders of the Melbourne Football Club. Mark "Choco" Williams having input would also be invaluable. This is something the Demons players and coaching staff could develop as an activity while on their Pre-Season camp perhaps? Anyway, I am interested in hearing other Demonlanders opinions on this possible suggestion of developing a "Creed" for the Melbourne Football Club and ideally helping to develop our culture.

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Saturday’s match kicks off at 4.35pm AEDT and will be broadcast live nationally on Fox Footy from 4.30pm. Melbourne AFLW team: round seven Backs: Jasmine Grierson, Mia-Rae Clifford, Katherine Smith Half Backs: Daisy Pearce, Laura Duryea, Richelle Cranston Centres: Harriet Cordner Half Forwards: Karen Paxman, Alyssa Mifsud, Lily Mithen Forwards: Sarah Lampard, Shelley Scott, Cat Phillips Followers: Lauren Pearce, Mel Hickey, Elise O’Dea Interchange: Emma Humphries, Maddie Boyd, Aliesha Newman, Ainslie Kemp, Brooke Patterson, Deanna Berry Emergencies: Pepa Randall, Jessica Anderson Unavailable/injured: Stephanie De Bortoli, Meg Downie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This could either be our last game of the season or the second last depending on how things go. For those who remember the Melbourne V Brisbane exhibition match at the MCG last year will also remember our score being 91-20 in our favour. Yes - it was an all-star Melbourne side against an extremely weak Lions outfit, but jeeez if we managed to repeat that score this weekend then we are a lock to make history and make the inaugural AFLW Grand Final (not to mention it will be the first granny this club has appeared in for 16/17 years). If we win by 70 points, this will boost our percentage over Adelaide's. If Adelaide win though, and by a large margin, then the boost won't really have an impact. As disgusting as it is, we have to hope that the filth beat the Crows next week. This will be the most likely scenario to see the Melbourne Football Club contend for the 2017 AFLW flag. We have Brooke Patterson coming back who has been quite a handy player and may provide some fresh legs for the side who pushed it to the absolute limit last week in Darwin. What's not in our favour is Freo coming off of a win and bringing that confidence in this week. Don't think they will be used to playing at Casey and also do not think they will match our confidence, team unity, etc. Adelaide would also be feeling the effects from the last round and on top of this they have to travel again to VIC to play the filth at their home ground. The scumbags have come off a large win last week and are on a run, and me thinks that their ego will want them to get a big scalp in Adelaide and end their season. Will be very disappointing and very Melbourne-like to throw in the towel and lose on Saturday, but I am confident that we are going to absolutely belt the living christ out of the Dockers and barge our way into the granny. Dees by 70 (or at least we win/crows lose).

2017 NAB AFL Women’s Competition – Round 6 Adelaide Crows v MelbourneTIO Stadium, DarwinSaturday 11 March, 5.40pm Gates Gates open 3.45pm CST Access and Ticketing This is a non-ticketed event. Entry is free from 3.45pm! TV Times The match will be broadcast live nationally on Channel 7 and Fox Footy from 7.00pm EDT. Social Media Keep up-to-date on game day with our live coverage of the game on Twitter (@melbournefc) and follow the hashtag #AFLWCrowsDeesGet a behind-the-scenes insight into the day by following us on Instagram (@melbournefc), liking us on Facebook (facebook.com/melbournefc) and adding us as a ‘friend’ on Snapchat (melbourne_fc). Melbourne AFLW team: round five Backs: Jasmine Grierson, Mia-Rae Clifford, Katherine Smith Half Backs: Daisy Pearce, Laura Duryea, Richelle Cranston Centres: Harriet Cordner Half Forwards: Karen Paxman, Alyssa Mifsud, Lily Mithen Forwards: Sarah Lampard, Shelley Scott, Cat Phillips Followers: Lauren Pearce, Mel Hickey, Elise O’Dea Interchange: Emma Humphries, Maddie Boyd, Aliesha Newman, Ainslie Kemp, Deanna Berry, Elise Strachan Emergences: Sarah Jolly, Jessican Anderson In: Scott, Strachan Out: Anderson, Jolly Unavailable/injured: Stephanie De Bortoli, Meg Downie, Brooke Patterson, Pepa Randall --------------------------------------------------- Was apprehensive about this week's preview after Round 5's loss to GWS, but it brings me great joy to say that Carlton lost against Freo. This is the first step in our last attempt at making the granny. If Adelaide lose in Round 7 and we win against freo then we will have made it to a Grand Final position. We MUST outshine our performances in Rounds 2, 3 and 4 and really bring it to Adelaide otherwise we are officially done for the season and next week's match against Fremantle won't count for much. Adelaide are a good team, we all know the hype surrounding Erin Phillips and Sarah Perkins. I've got the feeling though that with their backs against the wall, Daisy & Co will take it up a level and get the chocolates. Dais is much better than Erin and I hope to christ she puts this on display for the National TV audience on a Saturday night. Perkins is a good forward, so I'm not sure the best defensive approach for her. Expose her lack of fitness or put either a Duryea or Rocky on her and curb her impact? Must also watch out for Chelsea Randall, she's like their Karen Paxman. We don't play well in the wet, but this will be muggy conditions and I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the players wearing gloves. Shelly Scott is back in the team this week after she stuffed her shoulder, we really missed her last week. We're also going to play Elise Strachan, hope to see some of that brilliant kicking action. It's a big event for Adelaide in that a large number of their list actually live in Darwin and don't train week to week with the rest of the players in Adelaide. They will want to put on a show in their 2nd home town, but I think this is their biggest weakness. While Bec Goddard may have been coaching well up to this point, that group surely would not have the close, tight-knit bond that the Dees girls do and we might just have that added edge of wanting to play for each other just that bit extra. Melbourne to get the win over the Crows. Hopefully by a large amount to boost percentage. Go Dees - let's keep the premiership hopes alive. P.S. Great videos of Irish and Rocky this week on the website. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-03-10/breakthrough-stories-richelle-rocky-cranston http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-03-06/breakthrough-story-laura-duryea

NAB AFL Women’s - Round 5 GWS GIANTS v Melbourne Friday, March 3 Blacktown International Sportspark 5:05pm JLT Community Series - Round 3 GWS GIANTS v Sydney Swans Friday, March 3 Blacktown International Sportspark 7:40pm Gate Opening: Gates open from 4:30pm. Tickets: Entry is FREE to both games for all 2017 GIANTS and GIANTS AFLW members with game access, simply present your membership card at the gate for entry (subject to capacity). You can upgrade your membership to ensure entry in to this game by clicking here and entering your barcode. General admission tickets start from $20 for an adult and are available here. Broadcast details: The AFL Women’s game will be shown live on Fox Footy (channel 504) from 5pm with a live stream on AFL.com.au. The men’s game will be live on Fox Footy from 7:30pm. Getting to the game: Public Transport: Bus: Busways 728 service from Blacktown & Mount Druitt Stations stops directly at Blacktown International Sportspark, standard fares apply. Shuttle buses will operate from Doonside Railway Station to Blacktown International Sportspark every 15-20 minutes from 3pm to 10.30pm Car: Limited paid parking is available at Blacktown International Sportspark Sydney via Gate A and Gate B. A fee of $10 per vehicle applies. Match Day Activities: Free slushies at AFL W Fan zone Meet and greet AFL W players at half time of AFL match Face painting AFLW Match Day Partner: Sydney Airport is proud to be a foundation partner of the GIANTS’ AFLW team, supporting women who are leading the way in their chosen field. The three-year partnership forms part of the airport’s commitment to leading and learning in the Sydney community. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- We've got our first interstate game this week and it happens to be against the bottom of the ladder GWS Giants. This reeks of a danger game in my opinion - Melbourne needing a win to keep finals hopes alive against a winless team. Suffice to say if we do not bring it and we lose then not only are we are out of the running for the first AFLW flag, but it'll be in the most embarrassing circumstances. GWS pushed Carlton in Round 2 I believe, nearly got a win over Collingwood but were then rolled last week by the Lions. Who knows what they'll bring, but there is a lame-ish video of Stevie J training them on their website so maybe that might have some kind of impact. One thing I do know is that we have been increasing the intensity and skill across the whole team after each round so if we continue that then this week we could potentially belt the living christ out of the opposition and gain some good percentage in the process. Here's hoping Daisy outdoes her 29 touches against Carlscum and becomes the 1st AFLW player to crack 30. If we get the chocolates then we'll have won 4 in a row, which is fantastic (and required) momentum in this short comp. This will see us at a minimum 3rd place on the ladder, and if Adelaide lose to the Lions then we will be equal with them albeit on a lower percentage. Will the travel and weather have an impact on the team? Hard to say. I'm hoping they recover well as we have Adelaide in Darwin the following week in another must-win game. At the end of the day, I'm tipping we will get a big win here - but there's always the chance with the MFC of being let down at the most integral moment. Team should be released Thursday night.

NAB AFL Women’s Competition / JLT Community Series double header NAB AFL Women’s Competition – Round 4 Melbourne v Carlton Casey Fields Saturday 25 February, 11.35am EDT JLT Community Series – Week 2 Melbourne v Carlton Casey Fields Saturday 25 February, 2.05pm EDT Gates Gates will open at 11.00am. Gate 1 is for membership scans, entering with pre-purchased tickets and those tickets purchased on the day and Gate 2 is for membership card scans and pre-purchased tickets only. Access and Ticketing Entry is free with a Melbourne Football Club membership. If you are not a member, as this is a fully ticketed event, a ticket to the 2017 JLT Community Series match will need to be purchased for entry to the JLT Community Series and AFL Women’s matches. We encourage you to pre-purchase your ticket for both games through Ticketmaster. Access to JLT Community Series matches is subject to capacity and is not guaranteed. Family Fun Day Visit our free Family Fun Day located on the Village Green near the main entrance for a range of great activities! The Family Fun Day will run from 11am-2pm. Parking Limited public parking will be available on site at the south end of Casey Fields. Get there early to secure your spot. Nearby street parking is also available. Membership and Merchandise Memberships and merchandise will be available for sale from the Melbourne marquee located outside the main entrance at Gate 1 from 10.45am. Support the women’s team with a membership from $75! 2017 scarves will also be available for members to collect. Kick to Kick Kick to kick will take place on the ground following the completion of the JLT Community Series match. Bring your footy and enjoy one of footy's greatest traditions! TV Times NAB AFL Women’s Competition – Round 4: Fox Footy –11.30am EDT Live JLT Community Series match: Fox Footy – 2.00pm EDT Live Social Media Keep up-to-date on game day with our live coverage of the game on Twitter (@melbournefc) and follow the hashtags #AFLWDeesBlues and #JLTSeries Get a behind-the-scenes insight into the day by following us on Instagram (@melbournefc), liking us on Facebook (facebook.com/melbournefc) and adding us as a ‘friend’ on Snapchat (melbourne_fc). Website melbournefc.com.au will also publish quarterly updates live from the game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Backs: Brooke Patterson, Mia-Rae Clifford, Katherine Smith Half Backs: Daisy Pearce, Laura Duryea, Shelley Scott Centre: Harriet Cordner Half Forwards: Karen Paxman, Deanna Berry, Lily Mithen Forwards: Sarah Lampard, Jessica Anderson, Cat Phillips Followers: Lauren Pearce, Mel Hickey, Elise O’Dea Interchange: Emma Humphries, Richelle Cranston, Aliesha Newman, Jasmine Grierson, Maddie Boyd, Alyssa Mifsud Emergencies: Sarah Jolly, Ainslie Kemp In: Newman Out: Jolly Injured/unavailable: Stephanie De Bortoli, Meg Downie, Pepa Randall ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The last thing we should do is get arrogant, but jeez I've got a good feeling about the Melbourne AFLW team. OUR team. 'Twas a great win last week against the Dogs and thank christ we didn't have to hear that horribly remade 'Daughters of the West' team song. We're going in to this round with the momentum off of our back to back wins against what is considered to be one of the top 2 teams in this comp. What's working in our favour this week is their best player Brianna Davey is out with a back injury and another key defensive player is out for the season with an ACL. This is a massive advantage having her out as she is probably one of the best in the comp and according to Carlscum match preview, they are resorting to putting Darcy Vescio up at CHB. As always, this mightn't be the case on game day but the advantage this provides shouldn't be understated. Need to capitalise and dominate. They came off second best against Adelaide last week by a whopping 3 in points in a thrilling one goal game. After being so heavily beaten they will be looking to come out firing this week. Many will refer to the practice match we had prior to Round 1 where we got one goal and they beat us by 44 points. I think that's irrelevant now as the team has well and truly clicked and are starting to look dangerous up forward. Not to mention that the Demon ladies themselves will want to make up for the praccy spanking - Laura 'Irish' Duryea (Number 11) looked absolutely filthy so lets hope she irons someone out. This is another MUST win game as we sit 4th on the Ladder, equal with Carlton, and we simply have to get the win to jump over them to 3rd and keep our grand final chances alive. Also looking for Freo and the Giants to get a win as well to keep the Lions and Adelaide stagnant. Alyssa Mifsud found her feet last week and booted 3 majors, giving us a great key forward target to work alongside Jess Anderson. Considering our forward line was considered to be our weakness, it's great to see it finally gelling together. Rocky was back in the team last week and again missed an easy shot on the run in front of goal, but I'm willing to let it slide as she wasn't in the Round 2 game where we lifted as a team. Hopefully she steps up this week and boots a couple. Daisy Pearce again was terrific, getting 26 touches and showing the comp that she's still the best. Kazza Paxman did even better by getting 27, could these two be the first AFLW players to crack 30 disposals in a shorter game? I think we can seriously win this one.

NAB AFL Women’s Competition / JLT Community Series double header JLT Community Series – Week 1 Western Bulldogs v Melbourne VU Whitten Oval Saturday 18 February, 4.40pm EDT NAB AFL Women’s Competition – Round 3 Western Bulldogs v Melbourne VU Whitten Oval Saturday 18 February, 7.40pm EDT Gates Gates will open at 2.30pm for the men’s JLT Community Series match commencing at 4.40pm. Access and Ticketing AFL and Club access members have free general admission entry to the men’s JLT Community Series match. However, as access to the venue is subject to capacity and not guaranteed, the AFL strongly recommends that members wishing to watch either game upgrade their membership to a reserved seat or register for a general admission ticket to guarantee entry on the day. Upgrade HERE. Subject to capacity, fans have free entry to the Western Bulldogs v Melbourne NAB AFLW match after three quarter time of the Western Bulldogs v Melbourne JLT Community Series match. The AFL advises that VU Whitten Oval has a limited capacity of 10,000 and considering anticipated demand for both matches, strongly recommends that all members and fans guarantee their entry by using their membership card to register or purchase a general admission ticket via Ticketmaster. Tickets are subject to availability on a first come, first serve basis and subject to an additional fee. Guarantee your entry now at ticketmaster.com.au Parking Limited street parking is available around the venue, however supporters are encouraged to catch public transport. Whitten Oval is a short stroll from West Footscray station - on the Sydneham/Watergardens line. Membership and Merchandise Memberships and merchandise will be available for sale from the Melbourne marquee (location and time TBC). Support the women’s team with a membership from $75! TV Times JLT Community Series match: Fox Footy – 4.30pm EDT Live NAB AFL Women’s Competition – Round 3: Channel 7 – 7.30pm EDT Live; Fox Footy – 7.30pm EDT Live Social Media Keep up-to-date on game day with our live coverage of the game on Twitter (@melbournefc) and follow the hashtag #AFLWDogsDees Get a behind-the-scenes insight into the day by following us on Instagram (@melbournefc), liking us on Facebook (facebook.com/melbournefc) and adding us as a ‘friend’ on Snapchat (melbourne_fc). Website melbournefc.com.au will also publish quarterly updates live from the games. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What a second half last week - for many reasons. Not only did we get the chocolates but we also sensationally came from behind, kept the filth´s losing streak intact and most impressively... the team clicked. It was only a matter of time before the girls stood up and really kicked into gear. The key moment for most will be our sudden burst of goals where we ran over the scumbags and kept them goalless, but for me it was seeing Daisy Pearce going absolutely hard when winning the ball. Is this the week where she unleashes and boots several sausage rolls? I won´t go on about the highlights of the game, as I´ve watched the 2nd half about 5 times now, but see below for video if interested. Err, in saying that - I will mention though that I was totally in love with Mel Hickey but Karen Paxman, Elise O´Dea and Cat Phillips have seriously challenged her for the mantle. Cat´s speed is outstanding and will likely deliver many more Jayden Hunt-like sprinting goals. O´Dea loves this club and she shows it by continuously smashing through packs alongside her superior experience/skills and of course that nice precision kick into f50 in the last moments of the game that secured our last goal from Jolly. Karen Paxman is so unassuming but runs all day, gets involved in everything, goes forward and back, plus kicked a ripper of a goal in our onslaught. Special mentions also goto Katherine Smith, Lily Mithen (Rising Star) and Laura ``Irish´´ Duryea who was terrific in defense and is doing the number 11 proud. Unfortunately, Meg Downie was knocked out in what´s known in official terms as a ´´dog act`` and has subsequently been ruled out for the rest of the season. Even though it´s still early days in the comp, Downie´s contribution on-field shouldn´t be underestimated. What is good news is that this week should see the return of Richelle ´Rocky` Cranston who´s physicality and running ability will hopefully substitute for this. At this point in the season, like most teams, we cannot afford to lose a game. If we do lose one, then we are relying on other teams to lose games as well. For once in my life, and it sickens me to say this, but I hope the filth beat Brisbane as we need to keep them at 2-1 rather than 3-0. Collingwood getting the win won´t affect our chances if we beat the Dogs and at worst if we lose, then we are even with them and will be riding on the luck of certain teams losing for us to climb the ladder. The Dogs were tipped to be flag favourites before the season started yet where taken apart last round by Adelaide. Inaccuracy in front of goal and Adelaide´s superior play was the main result of this, but it gives us a great chance. If we storm them from the start and bring it like the way we did against the filth, then I am confident that our ladies will get the win. That will automatically put us up the ladder into 4th position, and depending on percentages, could even see us jump over the Lions and get into 3rd position. Working even more in our favour is that the Dogs skipper and main goal kicker Katie Brennan was seen in the last game wearing a moon boot and is reported to have a stuffed ankle. What is also not widely known is that she was in this position a couple of years back at Darebin with a fractured foot and she still played and kicked majors to score the win for the Falcons. Not wishing injury on players, but if she remains out of the side then this makes the job significantly easier and we MUST take advantage of that. Being a Melbourne supporter, I have the other superstition in our favour being that we are going in the underdogs. God help us when we eventually become favourites. Strangely this game is on after the Men´s JLT game. If all goes well our boys will win then surely this will inspire our girls to get pumped up and finish the job. Team should be released later this evening. Side note: Was great last week to see on Jack and Todd Viney bigging up the girls on Social a Media, as well as Neita.

Game is on this Sunday out at Casey Fields @ 5:05pm. Free Entry too, hopefully it's a good turn out. Can't make game but I'll be watching from overseas as the game will be broadcast live on Fox Footy. Good article about the side here - http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/melbourne-has-plenty-of-quality-midfielders-and-defenders-but-keen-to-create-new-avenues-to-goal/news-story/7fe074da4828d88522d79ec7d1f65f2d Player profiles here - http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/melbourne-demons-aflw-player-profiles-for-2017-season/news-story/bbb832ccee571c018e14d8cabd7d3859

Saw this new interview with Ben Kennedy talking about his experiences renting with ex-teammate Adam Oxley from Collingwood. Thought I'd share for a bit of a laugh! “In this episode we chat with roommates and ex-team mates Adam Oxley and Ben Kennedy. This blossoming bro-mance is typical of any 2 boys renting in their 20’s and we talked to them about being drafted, living together, their dating lives and playing football against each other.” http://blog.realestateview.com.au/2016/07/adam-oxley-ben-kennedy-renter-collingwood-fc-melbourne-fc/

Watched a bit of this online last year and it's only gotten funnier this year. Absolutely leaves most current Australian comedy for dead, plus it's all footy. Thankfully the dees aren't too much the butt of the joke this week. http://m.afl.com.au/fridayfrontbar

http://m.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-clubs-are-desperate-for-a-womens-team--heres-one-reason-why-20160408-go1vab.html Bastian EBA chief executive Jack Watts said companies in the insurance and finance industries in particular were interested in sponsoring women's sports, because women often made the household decisions in regards to their products. Many women's sports did not yet have the audience reach to justify potential sponsors' investments, although that was changing, he said. They're out of assets to sell," Watts said. Watts said clubs would not see a women's team in terms of short-term gain, but rather as an investment as girls' and women's participation in the game continued to grow.

After watching Oliver's blinder of a first half, I thought about who else we're going to debut throughout the year. Tracs a given, is Max King a possibility? Hunt? Maybe even Weeds if Frost or Pedo are injured. Who do you guys think'll pull on the red and blue for the first time this year?

I remember watching last years Fox Footy season predictions and Melbourne was predicted a couple times, possibly more, as wooden spooners. Was great scrolling through the list and seeing nothing but Bummers, Carlscum and Lions as finishing on the bottom. Until I saw this...

Doesn't let up, does it? We convincingly beat a side who's the clear favorite to win, while Hawks get spanked by Richmond. Yet, there's still Hawthorn morons online paying out on Melbourne!! Seriously thinking Hawthorn may replace Collingwood as my most hated team, purely because of the obnoxiously arrogant supporters.

Interesting read... http://www.sportsfan.com.au/burning-questions-for-2016-melbourne/tabid/91/newsid/186672/default.aspx?cid=SF_LOWDOWN_AFL_article_burningquestionsfor2016melbourne_260116

Alrighty, first off as I type this I'm going to be a little late. Not that it honestly bothers me too much, I had to do a bit of running around this morning, but I wont be missing too much more than the warmup should the boys actually start on time. Perhaps they might be a little bit later than that. Okay, so I get here at 10:00, a tad late with the almost as fashionable entrance that Russell Westbrook assumes in the NBA, laptop bag strapped over my shoulder and all - but Im told I didnt miss much all I missed really is the warmups and one of those six minute runs that the boys do. When I get here the boys are walking around the oval, and then slowly gets to a bit of a jog. In the rehab group on the other side of the oval are Hoges (I was wrong about Monday by the way, it wasnt management, hes got a bit of a finger issue at the moment) and Petracca of course. What it looks like they are doing is that both are running and doing a bit of weaving before marking the footy, and theres also a bit of work to do with some hurdles as well by the looks of things. As we were then with the main leaders leading the way around the oval. McDonald and Viney are up the front, and the boys look like they are changing into their footy boots so that they can start using the ball in vastly different conditions to when I was here Monday the thorough Monday afternoon heat and gust replaced by Friday the 13th cold, wet and breeze. Its not a pretty day by any means but this provides an early season indicator given this will be the conditions the boys will be facing come the 2016 season. The boys go for this weird kind of run around part of the oval. I couldnt properly explain it except for its pretty brief. Afterwards theres a short kick of the footy. Its a good chance to see whos up here and training. Max Gawn is here and hes having a run around in his quest to make Todd Goldstein look like Paul Johnson an ultimately difficult task. Ive already mentioned McDonald being here, dont think Garland is here, while Brayshaw after missing Monday is here too training. The whistle goes the kick of the footy is all too brief. I hear loud noises, including a couple of mentions of over the shoulder as the boys assume positions for the next drill, with a whole heap of cones. This is an interesting drill. Theres groups of four in this drill, with a couple of players weaving around cones, one with the footy and one without, whereas another player comes in to try and tackle said player weaving with the footy. At the moment no one is really missing the mark, thats because the player with the ball seemingly runs straight into the man whos going after him. Again its all too brief and they move around again, this time to the edge of the square. Again this is another kind of pressure drill Theres about three players in vests and another three who go out and run to get the footy in kind of a simulation drill. There isnt a whole lot of pressure from those wearing vests, which is either disappointing or what is expected of them from the fitness coaches, I couldnt tell you which is which. From the ball users perspective there are a couple of handballs which miss the target and their trajectory is poor. Again (and this seems to be the theme of the day) the drill is very brief. Meantime over at the near end of the ground, Jesse up for a kick at the park tomorrow? Hogan and CP5 are having set shots. Hogans run up is even more painfully slower and more edgy than what it was last year with the stutter even more obvious you could make a verse about it in Stutter Rap. Meantime Petracca misses a sitter from about 35 out on a slight angle and hes pretty [censored] about it he knows he should do better. You can notice the higher standards though, maybe in another year, specifically 2013, the boys would have a laugh about it, but you can see the want to succeed now. Anyway, with less jibberish, the boys begin their next drill. The first group nearest is stopped and the coach over there (cant work out who it is from a distance) mentions that it shouldnt be too much of a handball game. There are a couple of average kicks I wont lie about that, especially one from I think Smith who just skids it along the ground, its a true shank. On the far end of the ground the drill is still going and theres a few kicks which are just hitting the mark with authority. There was one such instance where Harmes lead excellently to the ball and it hits him on the chest as he jumps, didnt catch who actually kicked it to him but thats always a good sign looking ahead. Theres a clear difference between the two groups the group nearest to where Im positioned are moving it slowly and with a bit of hesitation, but the group on the opposite side of the ground are taking it on big time. Its a massive difference and the group nearest to us are out to rectify that when they begin again. Rehab Hulk and CP5 are running laps now. CPs endurance has massively improved since this stage last year and hes running with Crossy, whos going to be massive for his ultimate development in being able to run all day. The conditions change again as the boys head into the next drill suns out guns out not quite. Not for me anyway. The drill here is that the boys start off in a circle, then the boys spread out around the ground and become targets. Matt Jones scuffs the first kick, one which is wide of the mark to Terlich, which sees the vest team get possession of the footy. In fact the first two times the groups go out, it is characterised by missed handballs and a couple of scuffed kicks here and there. Its a little disappointing but then again the team with the vests are putting on good pressure much the same. The teams change and immediately theres a shift. Where the first team tried to move the ball too quickly, theres more a sense of surety with this team as the boys take a bit more time moving the ball, but not too slowly. The boys assess their options a lot more carefully and as a result, are able to transfer the footy from one end of the ground to the other. The second movement is even more impressive the team with the footy catch out the team with the vests through straight and direct ball movement, which goes nothing short of perfect until the final kick which drifts away late and hits the post. It was delightful to watch and hopefully theres more of that throughout the season as the boys cut through teams like a hot knife through butter. Now thatd be something. The boys, in the meantime, continue their drill, and while the early stages look reminiscent of the boys at their worst (what I mean is that when they handball backwards and they panic mercilessly) whats impressive is that they are beginning to realise that handballing to a bloke under pressure just doesnt work. Ever. Its Terls who sets this one up, sidestepping a couple of blokes and then delivering a good ball. In the meantime, CP5 leaves early. Im assuming therefore that OKC and his beloved Russell Westbrook are playing then. The boys start again. Salem gets the ball and somehow manages to break a Viney tackle. Not too often you get to say that but thats a representation of the standing of the bloke. In fact, every time Salem is getting it, he is using it extremely well and its so good to watch. Just nails almost every kick basically, no matter whether its a long kick or a short one. The boys then stop for a short break, be it either for drinks, to have a chat, or to watch Jesse Hogan walk off. Either one of the three. The boys then split up into groups of three, one with green vests, orange vests and one group without vests. Its two teams at the moment one sits out. Its the team without vests sitting out at the moment, leading to the ultimate See My Vest Cup (Byrnes coaching, anyone? Would be appropriate) which ends briefly after a miscued kick which just skids along the ground. Im assuming that the two just go at it until theres a mistake one which comes in the second game between orange and plain when a kick is spoiled well (to applause and cheers) by Gussy, the ultimate hard working kid. All three teams cycle through and we go again. Green team is unable to penetrate orange teams defensive structure. This time a loose kick is intercepted by (by the looks of it) King. The defensive structure of the two other teams is interesting. Plains defending is manic and high-energy, however some loose defending from Harmes brings their strategy undone, while Green seem to be loose, an ambitious kick into the corridor to Salem is quickly intercepted by two Green defenders. The drill then ends for either a pause or a switch to another drill. As it turns out, its a pause. After a brief restarting of the drill the boys start off again they stop almost as quickly, and then have a lengthy chat. They move down the ground and have another chat? Im assuming theres a bit of set shot work here because of the way this drill seems to be set up. This isnt the case. Instead theres only like four blokes actually having set shots, a big group having snaps and another small group crumbing and running in to goal from about 25-30 out. Meantime nothing has changed with Brayshaw in his training habits, always the prankster and always talking [censored] whenever someone goes past and has a set shot. On this occasion Stretch is copping an earful. Meantime theres a group with Crossy running around King, Frost, Kent and Kennedy. Dunno why they arent with the main group. As to be expected, Kent and Kennedy lead the way with Frost trailing and King a little bit further back in these running drills. This has been the way of the world for about 15 minutes so I have a geeze around and look at the world. While the training gear is somewhat up to scratch for a number of people its not quite up to scratch in other areas. For example, the cloth which covers the pavilion. Im not sure about you but you would THINK for a club which has worked hard to develop its logo that by now theyd have developed a cloth with the new logo on it in preparation for the release. Thats not the case. Old Schwabbolly-dobbolly-wobbollys logo is still taking pride of place. In the middle a beep test being sorted? It doesnt seem to be the case because after a short while with measuring et al, the cones are being taken away. Maybe they are otherwise preparing for it to be done in a future session (Monday?) Regardless theres a few at the moment who are on their way out. Its also my cue to bugger off myself as I look for a spot of lunch and either perhaps get to enjoy some old reruns of the footy or perhaps the cricket coming up as well (although thats not until later).

Was mentioned on the AFL website that we are one of the clubs interested in Josh Walker. I would grab him for sure. A massive up grade on Dawes and could play full forward while Hogan goes to CHF or vice versa. Thoughts

I was reflecting recently about the impending arrival of the new AFL season and I came to the conclusion that it is fitting that the capital city of the Northern Territory, whose government is a relationship partner of the Melbourne Football Club, was named after English naturalist Charlie Darwin. Darwin, whose theory of evolution was expounded in On the Origin of Species described the process of natural selection as being a matter of the "survival of the fittest" and, as fate would have it, this is becoming a catch phrase that best sums up the early part of the AFL season still very much in its infancy. It's a phenomenon that happens often at this time of year when the teams are not all yet at the peak of their fitness. In the first game of the round last Friday night, Collingwood and Fremantle went hammer and tong in the opening quarter before the Dockers took control in the second and blew the Magpies off Etihad Stadium. The following afternoon and evening saw the two new franchise teams in action with the Giants sending shock waves through the competition disposing of their neighbours and one of the premiership favourites with a withering six goal onslaught in the final 15 minutes of the game. That night the Suns overcame the loss of two players in the first half by overpowering the Tigers and, as if that wasn't enough, Port Adelaide left Carlton literally breathless in its wake on Sunday night. Melbourne coach Paul Roos summed it up neatly when he said: "Hard-running teams I think teams are fitter going into this year than they have in the past few years they've now adjusted to three on the bench and theyre adjusting to 120 subs. Theyre probably the main things Ive noticed." From a technical point of view, it was Freo, coached by Roosy's former Fitzroy teammate in Ross Lyons which employed the forward press and zone to expose Collingwood in a clinical decimation that emphasised the importance of fitness and in particular, midfield grunt. So whilst many Melbourne supporters are crying over, as yet unspilt milk due to the absence due to injury of its three power forwards and a couple of ruckmen, they are overlooking the fact that when their team runs out on Saturday night to take on an equal injury-depleted St. Kilda at Etihad Stadium, they will do so with a substantial influx of midfielders who are fit and can run. Moreover, by adopting a conservative approach with his injured players, Roos and Dave Misson who have been reunited after their success at Sydney, are ensuring that the team is best placed to follow the trend of fitness first that has been so evident with all of the round's winning teams to date. That is not to say that the big men will not be missed up forward but we shouldn't forget that St. Kilda's defence is also very much depleted and it's midfield, without last year's best and fairest Jack Steven, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna and in the wake of recent departures of Nick dal Santo and Ben McEvoy, is not what it used to be four or five years ago when that club came literally within centimetres of winning a premiership flag. I do think that while the first round is important to the club, Roos' main mission is not dependent on the result of this one game. The Melbourne team of the future will evolve in time and I expect that there will be plenty of highs and lows and lots of frustration over a journey that will take a while before a successful outcome for the club is achieved. I see a style based on defence but the skills and strength of the young team need to be worked on and that will not happen overnight. After all, it took a five year voyage on The Beagle before Charlie Darwin was able to produce his theory on natural selection. I'm not suggesting that Roos will take that long (after all, he's been given less than half the time) but his track record as a player and a coach suggests that any team with which he is involved will usually have the capacity to compete against and survive among the very fittest. THE GAME St. Kilda v Melbourne at Etihad Stadium Saturday 22 March, 2014 at 7.40 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall St. Kilda 86 wins Melbourne 118 wins 1 drawn At Etihad St. Kilda 4 wins Melbourne 3 wins Past five years St. Kilda 6 wins Melbourne 0 wins The Coaches Richardson 0 wins Roos 0 wins MEDIA TV - TBA RADIO - TBA THE BETTING St. Kilda to win - $2.35 Melbourne to win - $1.62 THE LAST TIME THEY MET St. Kilda 16.8.104 defeated Melbourne 10.9.69, Round 13, 2013 at Etihad Stadium The Saints were off to a flier in Neil Craig's first game as stand in coach for the Demons who made a reasonably promising fist of things after the first quarter break. Nathan Jones was Melbourne's best while the better players for the Saints that day - Montagna, Steven and Dal Santo - won't be taking the field on Saturday night. THE TEAMS ST. KILDA B: Sean Dempster, Luke Delaney, James Gwilt HB: Nathan Wright, Dylan Roberton, Jimmy Webster C: Jack Newnes, Luke Dunstan, Farren Ray HF: Clint Jones, Nick Riewoldt, Josh Saunders F: Rhys Stanley, Beau Maister, Eli Templeton FOLL: Tom Hickey, David Armitage, Shane Savage I/C: Jack Billings, Thomas Curren, Jarryn Geary, Sam Gilbert EMG: Trent Dennis-Lane Tom Lee Sebastian Ross NEW: Jack Billings (Oakleigh Chargers), Luke Delaney (North Melbourne), Luke Dunstan (Woodville-West Torrens), Shane Savage (Hawthorn), Eli Templeton (Burnie Dockers) MELBOURNE B: Dean Terlich, James Frawley, Jack Grimes HB: Lynden Dunn, Tom McDonald, Bernie Vince C: Jimmy Toumpas, Jack Watts, Dom Tyson HF: Rohan Bail, Jack Fitzpatrick, Daniel Cross F: Shannon Byrnes, Cam Pedersen, Jeremy Howe FOLL: Jake Spencer, Nathan Jones, Jack Trengove I/C: Viv Michie, Matt Jones, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Alex Georgiou EMG: Daniel Nicholson, Sam Blease, Michael Evans NEW: Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs), Alex Georgiou (Norwood), Jay Kennedy-Harris (Oakleigh Chargers), Viv Michie (Fremantle), Dom Tyson (Greater Western Sydney), Bernie Vince (Adelaide) LONG TIME BETWEEN DRINKS The memory of Melbourne's last victory over St. Kilda hasn't quite dimmed yet. It was an elimination final played at night at the MCG and Brock McLean played a starring role as light misty rain fell intermittently over the ground. He was going to be our next star but it didn't quite work out that way. Since then the two teams have met nine times in seven and a half seasons and on each occasion Melbourne has fallen. Not only that, but in a similar timespan the club has failed every time it has ventured to the Docklands. Sooner or later, the club has to drive the monkey from its back and this Saturday night presents the Demons with their best opportunity to atone for humiliation of those losses. If the Saints are looking forward into a distant horizon when they state they're aspiring to be premiers by the end of the decade then tomorrow will be nothing more than a first stepping stone into that brand new future but they are taking that step in the absence of many of their dwindling band of good footballers. Key midfielders Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna and Jack Steven, plus Sam Fisher and Adam Schneider are all among the missing while Sam Gilbert would have to be a doubtful starter given his interrupted pre season. So despite the fact that the Demons also go into the game with an undermanned forward line (with no Chris Dawes, Mitch Clark and Jesse Hogan) and last year's best defender Colin Garland out with an ankle injury, not to mention talls Mark Jamar and Max Gawn who are also unavailable, the bookies still rate them a chance. And so do I. I don't have the data available but it would not surprise me at all if the number of new players in a red and blue jumper (actually you can add a slab of white to that combination to ensure that there's a clash of colours with the host team) for the season opener against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night is higher than for any first round game in half a century - all the way back to the mid 1960s when the club was in rebuild mode at the end of the Norm Smith era. Paul Roos and the recruiting team have attacked the weakness in the club's midfielder by importing Daniel Cross, Bernie Vince, Dom Tyson and Viv Michie from other AFL clubs and have also added mature age defender Alex Georgiou and small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris to play their first AFL matches. That's a nice combination of a wealth of experience and some enthusiastic youth added to spice up the team against the ailing Saints but the most important additional element is the coach himself - an astute man with great knowledge, people skills and a mission to succeed which should turn football history on its head. Melbourne by 13 points.

We're at the half way point of the home and away season.. And I think it might be fun to share some calls we made at the start of the season. GOOD or BAD.. (Doesn't have to be Melbourne related) I'll get the ball rolling.. GOOD CALLS: - Adelaide will struggle to make the top 8. BAD CALLS: - Melbourne will win at least 10 games for the season. - Jack Watts will be our MOST improved player this year. - West Coast will finish top 2 on the ladder.

This Tumblr page hasnt been updated since the GWS match, whoever runs the page really should go back to posting on it. Its too funny not to be updated. Heres a link for those who haven't seen it http://beingademonsfan.tumblr.com/

I believe the Dees are in need of a change of president, someone in possession of a lot more charisma and influence being my preference for the job. It's obvious the club president has an important role and is an essential part of a good team (Koch's takeover of port and their subsequent re-vitalization being an example of this). So my question is, Who's an ideal club president? Matt Damon is apparently a dee's fan, as is Ana Ivanovich, could they be the right people for the job? (Since they'd definitely be interested in the position).

Hi everyone, Years ago in my final year of Uni doing Film and TV I did a documentary on football fans as my graduate project. I've been meaning to put it online for ages and finally did it. It features our very own Mohawk (who was a top bloke to meet and have in the film) as well as different types of fans from Carlton, Collingwood, West Coast, and St Kilda. I'm very proud of it, and despite the fact it's a bit out of date with things (as it was filmed in 2008) the crux of the story about footy fans still gets across. Anyway, thought some people on here might be interested to see it. It runs for 12min and in my opinion Angelo (aka Mohawk) has the best line, I'll give you a hint; he talks about our old friend McLaren. Enjoy! https://vimeo.com/57635790

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/dees-pies-discuss-super-trade-20121006-276df.html