After next week's game against Hawthorn, the Demons will have played seven of their nine games against the top eight, including five games against the top 4.

I dunno what to make of that.

If Carlton (vs Freo) slip into the eight this week at the expense of Collingwood (vs Geelong) then we'll actually have won every game we've played against other bottom 8 teams.

I haven't seen much of the other weaker teams this year, I mean, obviously we haven't played them. But how do we stack up compared to WC, Freo, Essendon or Richmond? Are they in more or less strife than us in the long run - this season and the future?

I noticed exactly the same thing myself. Not only that but we've travelled interstate twice already (it would have been 3 times had the Kangaroos obediently laid down and accepted the relocation to the Gold Coast) and played the Cats at Skilled. It's a tough hand to have been dealt even when we were travelling well.

It's interesting to make the comparison with Collingwood's schedule to date (we shouldn't insult ourselves by calling it a fixture). So far the pies have played only one top 4 side - it will be 2 by Friday night and two other top 4 teams and made one trip interstate (which they lost).

I wonder if they remove the handouts to the weaker clubs whether they will also stop giving Collingwood an extra 8 premiershp points every year.

I haven't seen much of the other weaker teams this year, I mean, obviously we haven't played them. But how do we stack up compared to WC, Freo, Essendon or Richmond? Are they in more or less strife than us in the long run - this season and the future?

Interesting find DD.

Richmond I don't think are THAT bad right now. Their future prospects sans Richo (probably 2-3 years time) aren't too rosey though.

Essendon are repugnant right now, but I can envisage the development of their young Aboriginal boys heralding a decent few seasons for them down the track.

WC are washed up, and Kerr is suddenly hating copping all the tagging attention - downward spiral to continue.

Fremantle are probably the worst of that lot. They have the oldest list in the competition and it is festering badly.

Where do we fit in? We're probably a year ahead of all these mobs bar Richmond. We've got a few stalwarts who have probably run their race, so the next year or two will likely be tough. But in 2-3 years, when Brock, Jonesy, Riv, etc are in their prime, then I reckon we'll be seriously competitive. At least one genuine star is probably needed before we're a show for the flag, however.

we often seem to get the wrong end of the stick when it comes to the draw..and television rights and handouts form the afl..

it really seems like the are trying hard to get rid of us...

If only we could stick it up them by getting another 20,000 members lol i think sheeds would have been a ble to do it.

i dont think it really matters if we can beat the lower teams... its all over until next year for most of us..lets just hope our boys put in some strong preformances and make some improvement.. even if they dont win atleast then we can be content with the rebuilding phase..

After next week's game against Hawthorn, the Demons will have played seven of their nine games against the top eight, including five games against the top 4.I dunno what to make of that.If Carlton (vs Freo) slip into the eight this week at the expense of Collingwood (vs Geelong) then we'll actually have won every game we've played against other bottom 8 teams.I haven't seen much of the other weaker teams this year, I mean, obviously we haven't played them. But how do we stack up compared to WC, Freo, Essendon or Richmond? Are they in more or less strife than us in the long run - this season and the future?

You have far to much time.I do like it I must say.

After next week's game against Hawthorn, the Demons will have played seven of their nine games against the top eight, including five games against the top 4.

And so far we've only played teams above us on the ladder...

(sorry! That might get me banned, just needing some humour

Heh heh, fair point Heartbeatstrue.

But in a final twist - thanks to Geelong caving in on friday night, it's now even first versus last today.

Yes. Here I am at home on my computer - listening to the radio via internet because not only can't you get the game live on TV in Canberra (not free to air, not foxtel) but you also can't even get it live on radio up here.

But that's a whole different fixture issue, isn't it.