Behind the scenes of the team photo

Viney Looks huge, I'm going to be happy this year, just watching this kid every week

Edited January 30, 201312 yr by Bates Mate

Definitely hairier than last season.

Definitely hairier than last season.

And there is nothing at all wrong with that

I know we do it every year and we say it every year. But I am definitely getting pumped.

5 years ago, it was Watts (waited till QB for debut)

4 years ago, The dynamic duo (impressed from Round 1, but we all know what happened to $cully)

3 years ago Nothing (We picked up Howe and Tommy Mac, but they were still settling in)

2 years ago Nothing (began at second round picks, our best pick still hasn't played, but we did got a very useful second hand Mitsubishi Magner )

Last year, Excited about Clark (How good was he from Round 1, but really 1 decent win for the Dee's all year)

Excitement all based around high hopes.

I honestly think we have something to be worthy of excitement this year.

- Jack Viney finally playing AFL football for his one and only club and after such a rollercoaster draft period too.

- Chris Dawes to come over from Collingwood and help out forward along with Pederson and the experience both bring.

- David Rodan and Shannon Byrnes already making huge impacts at training with experience, mentoring and just their confident playing skills.

- Jimmy Toumpas getting snagged at Pick 4, ready to go, senior footy under his belt already and so much talk about what he is capable of.

- Howe, Jones, Tommy Mac and many others looking to improve on their 2012 form.

- Not to mention Neelds second year, Craigs infinite coaching assistance, some great matured talent in Kent and Jones.

Lots more to be excited about.

Then let's hope its wins throughout the season to keep it going.

I know we do it every year and we say it every year. But I am definitely getting pumped.

5 years ago, it was Watts (waited till QB for debut)

4 years ago, The dynamic duo (impressed from Round 1, but we all know what happened to $cully)

3 years ago Nothing (We picked up Howe and Tommy Mac, but they were still settling in)

2 years ago Nothing (began at second round picks, our best pick still hasn't played, but we did got a very useful second hand Mitsubishi Magner )

Last year, Excited about Clark (How good was he from Round 1, but really 1 decent win for the Dee's all year)

Excitement all based around high hopes.

I honestly think we have something to be worthy of excitement this year.

- Jack Viney finally playing AFL football for his one and only club and after such a rollercoaster draft period too.

- Chris Dawes to come over from Collingwood and help out forward along with Pederson and the experience both bring.

- David Rodan and Shannon Byrnes already making huge impacts at training with experience, mentoring and just their confident playing skills.

- Jimmy Toumpas getting snagged at Pick 4, ready to go, senior footy under his belt already and so much talk about what he is capable of.

- Howe, Jones, Tommy Mac and many others looking to improve on their 2012 form.

- Not to mention Neelds second year, Craigs infinite coaching assistance, some great matured talent in Kent and Jones.

Lots more to be excited about.

Then let's hope its wins throughout the season to keep it going.

Love your optimism. I have rushes like this every now and then.

I have a great reality check for you. Turn to Fox Footy and watch any Demons game from last year. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers by head and by foot. Doesn't matter how many reports of running around an oval you read about when its decision making and disposals under pressure that have killed us for years. We won't know the answer till round 1. Fingers crossed it translates.

I don't recanise half of the players

I don't recanise half of the players

I'm assuming you mean recognise? I'm with you! I've never seen so many players at the club with so much muscle definition.

I'm assuming you mean recognise? I'm with you! I've never seen so many players at the club with so much muscle definition.

Haha, yeah we actually have a team of men not boys.

Love your optimism. I have rushes like this every now and then.

I have a great reality check for you. Turn to Fox Footy and watch any Demons game from last year. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers by head and by foot. Doesn't matter how many reports of running around an oval you read about when its decision making and disposals under pressure that have killed us for years. We won't know the answer till round 1. Fingers crossed it translates.

Believe me, I don't need a reality check, this does happen year after year. Just being optimistic that Neil Craig has managed to correct some of this. Heard he's been pulling players aside and blasting them for poor execution, as it will not be tolerated in games anymore like previous years.

Again optimistic, but with more players pushing for spots in the 22, those lazy players seen in previous years won't even have the chance to play poorly, they won't be on the field at all. Just the ones putting in.

Round 1 shall tell.

I know we do it every year and we say it every year. But I am definitely getting pumped.

5 years ago, it was Watts (waited till QB for debut)

4 years ago, The dynamic duo (impressed from Round 1, but we all know what happened to $cully)

3 years ago Nothing (We picked up Howe and Tommy Mac, but they were still settling in)

2 years ago Nothing (began at second round picks, our best pick still hasn't played, but we did got a very useful second hand Mitsubishi Magner )

Last year, Excited about Clark (How good was he from Round 1, but really 1 decent win for the Dee's all year)

Excitement all based around high hopes.

I honestly think we have something to be worthy of excitement this year.

- Jack Viney finally playing AFL football for his one and only club and after such a rollercoaster draft period too.

- Chris Dawes to come over from Collingwood and help out forward along with Pederson and the experience both bring.

- David Rodan and Shannon Byrnes already making huge impacts at training with experience, mentoring and just their confident playing skills.

- Jimmy Toumpas getting snagged at Pick 4, ready to go, senior footy under his belt already and so much talk about what he is capable of.

- Howe, Jones, Tommy Mac and many others looking to improve on their 2012 form.

- Not to mention Neelds second year, Craigs infinite coaching assistance, some great matured talent in Kent and Jones.

Lots more to be excited about.

Then let's hope its wins throughout the season to keep it going.

Im all for optimism as thats all that we have had for a long time but I cant see how Pederson is going to bring experience. Was on the outer at Norf which is not all that great. Roden and Byrnes couldnt get a game one of which @ PAFC. Yes the experience they bring is great but Im excited about the young guns more than the recycled. Dawes however i was rapt to get.

On a side note goodluck to Riv. Im stoked for him that he left the club and got a chance and a flag which he deserves.

It's Time, on 30 Jan 2013 - 20:40, said:

Love your optimism. I have rushes like this every now and then.

I have a great reality check for you. Turn to Fox Footy and watch any Demons game from last year. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers by head and by foot. Doesn't matter how many reports of running around an oval you read about when its decision making and disposals under pressure that have killed us for years. We won't know the answer till round 1. Fingers crossed it translates.

True, but a total lack of confidence will do that to almost any team. With what Neeld has injected into this squad, I truly believe our collective confidence will grow throughout the year and that will translate into much better on field performances.

Back us to make the top 8. Great odds.

I actually got down there for this on Tuesday (courtesy of a winning raffle at a Melbourne Business Community function), I was in and out pretty quick so I didn't get a real great chance to meet or talk to any of the players but the one who stood out the most was Gillies...not sure whether he'll turn into a player for us or not, but he looks like a monster!

True, but a total lack of confidence will do that to almost any team. With what Neeld has injected into this squad, I truly believe our collective confidence will grow throughout the year and that will translate into much better on field performances.

I hate to say this again because it is exactly what I said at this time of year last year. "It can't be as bad as last year." But I truly believe there are more reasons to be optimistic.