Look how far we've come: 2008 - present

[saj_21]

Was reading an article on Cameron Schwab on the MFC wesbite, it was a Q&A interview which discussed the improvements made by Jimmy Stynes, Cam Schwab and Co have made since taking over in 2008. It got me thinking, how far we've come since then;

Membership - 2008 was 29,619 2010 is now 33,358

Debt - 2008 over $5 million 2010 under $700,000

Facillties - 2008 junction oval and trinnity grammar 2010 Casey Fields and AAMI park

Team list in 2008 included club greats Neitz, Yze, Robertson, White and experience players Whelan, Wheatly and Holland.

We've discarded list cloggers in C.Johnson, Buckley, Carroll, Weetra, Bode, Valenti and a couple more to go at years end.

Added exciting youngsters Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Jurrah, Mckenzie, Watts, Struass, Bail, Bennell, Jetta with Blease, Tapscott, Gawn, Fitzpatrick all yet to debut.

- We are now 11th on the ladder with 5 and half wins our best output since 2006 (with still 6 rounds to go).
- Improved home crowd attendances.
- No 100 point thrashings

All things are looking good considering how far back we started in all areas of the football club. Just need a bit more patience people!

 

[The Dr]

Brilliant post Saj.

When we do suffer losses like Freo the other day, or the Saints game a while back, everyone does get disappointed, but when you think about it, we've made enormous strides since 08.

 

[Wise Guy Sam]

As a whole I am very happy with how the young demon side has handled itself in 2010. As much as I am loving the footy this year and fully knowing the off season is rubbish, I can't wait for the year to conclude so we can really see how far we have come and get geared up for 2011.

If we make the long strides next year as we have done this year, 2010 'may' just be the last season that we sit out september for (hopefully) some time.



Good post.

P.s We only have a quarter of the season to go, not a third.

 

[saj_21]

Good post.

P.s We only have a quarter of the season to go, not a third.

Yes your right, changed it to 6 rounds to go.

We have been a lot more competitive this year, i hope the coaching team and staff for the rest of the year place a real emphasis on starting each game well and come ready to play.

 

[demonfan9]

Team list in 2008 included club greats Nietz, Yze, Roberston, White and experience players Wheelan, Wheatly and Holland.

Couldn't help but notice the incorrect spelling of Neitz, Robertson, Whelan and Wheatley.

You're spot on though, the club has improved massively and the board and admin deserve a great deal of credit.

 

[d33my]

Couldn't help but notice the incorrect spelling of Neitz, Robertson, Whelan and Wheatley.

What?? You don't remember Demon greats such as Damian Neitz, Roger Roberston, Mattias Wheelan and Pat Wheatly?

These guys singlehandedly won us that game against Sideny!

 

[Wonaeamirri33]

Excellent post there Saj (except for the typo that's still there of course )

Well-compiled summary of the progress we've made so far, and you're absolutely right, we've come a long way in the last 2 years, there's a lot to feel positive about...

 

[DemonLord]

Great post Saj - 100% agree. I think Jimmy and the board have to be congratulated for getting the off field stuff sorted (training facilities and debt demolition) so the team can just concentrate on learning to play together.

The scary thing is I just redid my ladder predictor on Afl.com.au taking into account form changes of a few teams. It actually worked out that we were playing the Kangas for 8th spot in round 22. I am sure we won't actually get that close as we will turn in a few interstate shockers that I pencilled in as wins, and our now world famous slow starts will cost us a few close loses /sigh.

On a side note I have the Dons and the Lions playing off in round 21 for the wooden spoon. Of course just about any team could pull a Crowbots/Tigers and have a last minute surge of form to make a mockery of my predictions. Thats what is so great about our game. On any given day any team can win.

DL

 

[Gazza_11]

I've got Carlton seventh, Sydney 8th, Adelaide 9th and Melbourne 10th. That includes us losing to Hawthorn and Port, but winning each of our other games. Our fate really lies with the Lions beating Adelaide and Sydney in rounds 20 and 22 at the Gabba, Richmond beating Adelaide at the 'G in Round 18 and a few other results. But it isn't really a big deal.

 

[deeman12]

Good thread.

I remember at the end of 2007 thinking that we're ****ed and our next few years are going to be tough, and I mean very tough on-field. Those early games in 08' against the Hawks and the Dogs were very hard to stomach.

The club has come a long way in a very short while. For the first time in a long time, I'm very optimistic about the club, irrespective of where we finish on the ladder.

 

[Deefolt]

I've got Carlton seventh, Sydney 8th, Adelaide 9th and Melbourne 10th. That includes us losing to Hawthorn and Port, but winning each of our other games. Our fate really lies with the Lions beating Adelaide and Sydney in rounds 20 and 22 at the Gabba, Richmond beating Adelaide at the 'G in Round 18 and a few other results. But it isn't really a big deal.

the way brizzy are playing they wont win another game, and sydney has the wood over them i think

 

[Gazza_11]

The Bomber's game could help us a bit.

 

[melbournemartin]

I love going to games knowing that there is a realistic chance of a win. In years gone past, we could only beat poor quality teams, largely interstate ones.

As for the players, back then I'd go and watch young guns like Morton and Jurrah run around and get excited but then it'd be spoiled by spuds like Bode and Spencer.

Now there are very few players that run out there on a regular basis who I'm looking forward to delisting.

 

[Rojik of the Arctic]

2008 we were damn close to being bankrupt and we would have watched a similar game but with the scores reversed.

Such a different team, club and mindset.

 

[RedLegs#5]

Was reading an article on Cameron Schwab on the MFC wesbite, it was a Q&A interview which discussed the improvements made by Jimmy Stynes, Cam Schwab and Co have made since taking over in 2008. It got me thinking, how far we've come since then;

Membership - 2008 was 29,619 2010 is now 33,358

Debt - 2008 over $5 million 2010 under $700,000

Facillties - 2008 junction oval and trinnity grammar 2010 Casey Fields and AAMI park

Team list in 2008 included club greats Neitz, Yze, Robertson, White and experience players Whelan, Wheatly and Holland.

We've discarded list cloggers in C.Johnson, Buckley, Carroll, Weetra, Bode, Valenti and a couple more to go at years end.

Added exciting youngsters Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Jurrah, Mckenzie, Watts, Struass, Bail, Bennell, Jetta with Blease, Tapscott, Gawn, Fitzpatrick all yet to debut.

- We are now 11th on the ladder with 5 and half wins our best output since 2006 (with still 6 rounds to go).
- Improved home crowd attendances.
- No 100 point thrashings

All things are looking good considering how far back we started in all areas of the football club. Just need a bit more patience people!

True and bloody proud!!!!!

P.S. I kinda miss Carroll....I don't know why...what a character.

 

[melbournemartin]

I doubt Ben Holland misses him.

 

[DemonJim]

I've got Carlton seventh, Sydney 8th, Adelaide 9th and Melbourne 10th. That includes us losing to Hawthorn and Port, but winning each of our other games. Our fate really lies with the Lions beating Adelaide and Sydney in rounds 20 and 22 at the Gabba, Richmond beating Adelaide at the 'G in Round 18 and a few other results. But it isn't really a big deal.

Definitely can go any way... we can make the 8 with just 2 wins, but one of them must be against Norf. And Sydney have to lose a couple games especially against Lions.

But as it goes i've done my list and it looks like this 7 - Carlton 8 - Sydney 9 - Melbourne 10 - Adelaide 11 - Norf

But if we can get 3 wins we have a great chance at being there in september but against freo... most likely over there. If we could manage to beat them Doggies in the Semi and Geelong in the Prelims where we would fall out...

One can dream can't they?

 

[Gazza_11]

Haha I was discussing this with a mate and we had the Doggies, Fremantle and Collingwood as our first three finals. Coincidentally we could have beaten these three teams!

 

[Ageing Demon]

Haha I was discussing this with a mate and we had the Doggies, Fremantle and Collingwood as our first three finals. Coincidentally we could have beaten these three teams!

But Gazza we did not beat them, that tells me we are probably better off finishing 9th or 10th. this year lets not get to far ahead of ourselves.
"One swallow does not make a summer"
Lets beat Brisabne, Richmond and North in the last game of the year, blood a few more players and look at 2011 as the year we hit the finals.

 

[Gazza_11]

Personally I wouldn't mind hitting them this year. Oh and I'd love to beat Port too, seeing as they're terrible and we could break our AAMI voodoo early.

 

[Ageing Demon]

Personally I wouldn't mind hitting them this year. Oh and I'd love to beat Port too, seeing as they're terrible and we could break our AAMI voodoo early.

Gazza if we happen to make it there will be no one happier than me.
I am just trying to keep a lid on it, I am off to Brisbane on the weekend.
To beat them up there is the real test, I will probably be out numbered 1000 to 1. I hope I am the only one smiling at 11.00 Pm.
The last thing I want is to be like Essendon last year they made it to eighth and got belted the first week.