It could have something to do with Barak Obama's inauguration tonight. It could have something to do with the impending start to a new footy season in a month's time or it could simply be due to the nasty cold I've had to endure over the past three or four days and nights. Last night I woke up in a cold sweat. I was slightly delerious and I'd had this dream.

In my dream the Demons got off to the perfect start to the 2009 season winning a few early games and causing some shock waves throughout the football world (not to mention their own loyal supporters) who all thought that 2009 would be a repeat of 2008. But this team showed great fighting spirit, had some ups and downs and when my dream ended, they had just knocked off the old enemy Collingw&%$ in front of 87,000 fans on Queens Birthday.

The last thing I remember before waking up was a radio commentator announcing that the win put us into the top four on percentage with a 7/4 record.

The strange thing is that before I had the dream I was unaware as to exactly what round our QB clash was played in but I looked it up and sure enough, it's round 11.

I'm kicking myself for not noticing whether or not the jumpers had a sponsor's logo and I can't remember any of the players other than Colin and Flash who were both having a field day.

Where are you Sigmund Freud?

I hope you were Nostradamus in a prev life!

I think Freud would have said "Take him away, he is clearly delusional"

Any telltale dampness on the sheets ?- from the fever of course !

Jack,

I so hope that you are right. If it did happen like that it would but such the start that the Dees would absolutely love! Not just the club, but its members and supporters.

And 87,000 fans at a Melbourne home game would surely show the AFL how we can draw a crowd.

Such an outlook has sparked my interest again! Woo!

GO Dees!

Too many of us are pessimists.

It's true that we're rebuilding and we have a young side but what if everything went right for us early? No injuries (compared to multiple injury woes over the past 2 years)? A couple of close wins, a couple of favourable umpiring decisions at the right time? A build up of some momentum and confidence.

The dream could come true.

I'm with you demon head... Our side isn't that bad and alot has to do with injuries, even injury interupted pre seasons it can make a huge difference we could easily make the eight and have an up year this year...

This why it could happen

Rivers - if he stays fit our whole game change, I mean the whole structure of the team he is that sort of player.... The reading of the play and cutting off balls allows the defence to play with confidence meaning running off their man etc because they know others are going to cover for them.

Sylvia.... If (cross fingers) can stay fit and not get another niggling injury watch out AFL... He will move into the middle where he belongs and will be alot like Riccuto

Davey... He has been really ordinary the last two years but show glimpse which proves that he can things others can't

Moloney and Brock.... how many matches did they miss imagine Brock playing 22 games you couldn't see many getting near him for the B&F

Whelan... He is another that without injury changes the teams structure he is Melbourne Campbell Brown.

These are only the injuries that could help us but other things

Frawley getting a bit bigger and stronger, Wona cutting some weight, Jones having some support and Morton having another year in the gym. Thats not even including new draftees.

Our defence is good

Our midfield is reasonable

Our Fowardline struggles

But twelve months can be a long time in football and simple things like having a nice training ground that doesn't cause shin splints/sore spots can make a difference.

It's possible that we don't do anything which will be fine by me because I happy to suffer one more year but I think we discount how bad our injuries have been in the last two years.

It's true that, based on 2008 form, our forwardline struggles but 2009 could be very different. Add a fit and motivated Newton, an exciting x factor in Jurrah, two extremely fit livewires in Davey and Wona and a stronger midfield with improved disposal skills and ability and you might get a substantially improved attack on what we saw last year.

The thing am most excited about is that for the past 2 years, I've felt we aren't big enough for AFL. I remember round 1 last year we looked like boys vs men against the Hawks.

Now we have anactual strength coach, and you can see the players putting on size, hopefully this translates to us being a lot more competitive at the ball.

I'm excited! Bring on the matches!

I agree with the size thing but I remember after we lost the final in 06 to Freo that they come out and said we were too big and slow and had to slim down like Freo and get speed....

Jones dropped 7kg other players dropped size to get speed and then we get smashed.... Hopefully we have started to find a better mixture

The thing am most excited about is that for the past 2 years, I've felt we aren't big enough for AFL. I remember round 1 last year we looked like boys vs men against the Hawks.

Now we have anactual strength coach, and you can see the players putting on size, hopefully this translates to us being a lot more competitive at the ball.

I'm excited! Bring on the matches!

We also had no game plan and no cohesion under a new coach in Round 1 last season, up against a team on the charge towards the premiership.

Fwiw, no AFL side would of beaten the Hawks on that day IMO.

This year we'll have a new team take the field after another preseason with Bailey and a team committed to gaining back some respect with a positive showing for the supporters and members......and even prospective major sponsors, perhaps.