Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted
Just now, poita said:

An elite midfield covers all manner of shortcomings in other parts of the ground. If we think Prestia has the potential to be an elite midfielder, then we should be prepared to pay him whatever he wants. The defensive side of our backline is okay, we just need to lessen the amount of entries we concede into defensive 50. The best way to do that is to win more clearances, particularly centre clearances. I want elite midfielders before anything else.

I hear you re the elite midfield. But paying players whatever they want is a recipe for much bigger problems. It just wont let you build a list like Hawthorns or Geelongs.

Posted

I don't use the words "stars' lightly, but Brayshaw and Oliver are going to be stars.  Along with Petracca, Viney, Tyson, Salem, Stretch, Nathan Jones and potentially Hunt, we're reasonably well served for midfielders.

I'm not against any mid who makes us better, but we have more pressing concerns in the back-line.  There's no reason we can't address all needs, but Prestia may well be too expensive when we weigh up all considerations.

  • Like 5

Posted (edited)
8 hours ago, ProDee said:

I don't use the words "stars' lightly, but Brayshaw and Oliver are going to be stars.  Along with Petracca, Viney, Tyson, Salem, Stretch, Nathan Jones and potentially Hunt, we're reasonably well served for midfielders.

I'm not against any mid who makes us better, but we have more pressing concerns in the back-line.  There's no reason we can't address all needs, but Prestia may well be too expensive when we weigh up all considerations.

The better our midfield becomes should result in hopefully putting less pressure on our back line Prodee

Edited by DemonOX
Posted
12 minutes ago, DemonOX said:

The better our midfield becomes should result in hopefully putting less pressure on our back line Prodee

Sure, but any premiership defence has players the quality of Taylor, Enright, Scarlett, Milburn, Lake, Birchall, Burgoyne, etc.  Whether it's Ayres, Mew, Southby, Doull, Dench, Leppitsch, Chris Johnson, etc, great teams over the journey have the Silvagni type quality players of this world shoring up defence.

If you ever want to see a flag pray for a better defence (or should that be deeeeeefence).

  • Like 3
Posted
22 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Sure, but any premiership defence has players the quality of Taylor, Enright, Scarlett, Milburn, Lake, Birchall, Burgoyne, etc.  Whether it's Ayres, Mew, Southby, Doull, Dench, Leppitsch, Chris Johnson, etc, great teams over the journey have the Silvagni type quality players of this world shoring up defence.

If you ever want to see a flag pray for a better defence (or should that be deeeeeefence).

An excellent point.

Posted
27 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Sure, but any premiership defence has players the quality of Taylor, Enright, Scarlett, Milburn, Lake, Birchall, Burgoyne, etc.  Whether it's Ayres, Mew, Southby, Doull, Dench, Leppitsch, Chris Johnson, etc, great teams over the journey have the Silvagni type quality players of this world shoring up defence.

If you ever want to see a flag pray for a better defence (or should that be deeeeeefence).

etc would surely include my favorite defender ever, in Glenn Archer. How we would love a player like that now.

Who were the Swans elite defenders when they won their 2005 flag?

B: 28 Jared Crouch 21 Leo Barry 30 Lewis Roberts-Thomson
HB: 4 Ben Mathews 6 Craig Bolton 17 Tadhg Kennelly

Thats hardly elite. Shows the old "champion team" thingy is sometimes real hey?

  • Like 1
Posted

We are becoming much more of a destination club. Remember seeing an article saying that us and Dogs are the new Victorian destination clubs and it's no longer Collingwood and Richmond. We don't need to overpay players to get talent 

Posted
12 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

We are becoming much more of a destination club. Remember seeing an article saying that us and Dogs are the new Victorian destination clubs and it's no longer Collingwood and Richmond. We don't need to overpay players to get talent 

I thought it was Hawks and Cats.  Hmmm, think it still is Hawks and Cats.

Hate to say it we haven't achieved anything, yet. 

Heaps of potential; more than most but no runs on the board.  Yep, Hawks and Cats are still the Vic destination clubs.

  • Like 2

Posted

I'm imagining the club is throwing everything it has at landing Hurley. If we want to compete in this competition beyond 5 or 6 then we need a Hurley type holding up our defence.

  • Like 2
Posted
1 hour ago, faultydet said:

Who were the Swans elite defenders when they won their 2005 flag?

B: 28 Jared Crouch 21 Leo Barry 30 Lewis Roberts-Thomson
HB: 4 Ben Mathews 6 Craig Bolton 17 Tadhg Kennelly

Thats hardly elite. Shows the old "champion team" thingy is sometimes real hey?

A considerably undersized defence, which makes them even more impressive as a collective.

Leo Barry was an AA full-back/defender in 04 and 05 

Craig Bolton an AA in 06.

Fair to say both of those blokes at the top of their game were elite defenders.

  • Like 1

Posted
2 hours ago, faultydet said:

etc would surely include my favorite defender ever, in Glenn Archer. How we would love a player like that now.

Who were the Swans elite defenders when they won their 2005 flag?

B: 28 Jared Crouch 21 Leo Barry 30 Lewis Roberts-Thomson
HB: 4 Ben Mathews 6 Craig Bolton 17 Tadhg Kennelly

Thats hardly elite. Shows the old "champion team" thingy is sometimes real hey?

The 2005 premiership team was an anomaly on many levels, including having a terrible average spread of gosl-kickers.  They ranked second last.  Every other premiership team over the last fifteen years has ranked first or second. 

I wouldn't use this team or its achievements as a yardstick for anything.  Classic Roos.

Posted (edited)
17 hours ago, ProDee said:

The 2005 premiership team was an anomaly on many levels, including having a terrible average spread of gosl-kickers.  They ranked second last.  Every other premiership team over the last fifteen years has ranked first or second. 

I wouldn't use this team or its achievements as a yardstick for anything.  Classic Roos.

I don't think that's true - take out the recent Hawthorn and Geelong flags and there's not to many "Silvagnis" in there:

2012:

Sydney
B: 2 Rhyce Shaw 25 Ted Richards 29 Martin Mattner
HB: 34 Alex Johnson 39 Heath Grundy 40 Nick Smith

2010:

Collingwood
B: 5 Nick Maxwell (c) 16 Nathan Brown 34 Alan Toovey
HB: 8 Harry O'Brien 20 Ben Reid 39 Heath Shaw

2008:

Hawthorn[12]
B: 27 Stephen Gilham 24 Trent Croad 18 Brent Guerra
HB: 14 Grant Birchall 15 Luke Hodge 4 Rick Ladson

2006:

West Coast

Backs Beau Waters Darren Glass Daniel Chick  
Half-backs Adam Selwood Adam Hunter

Brett Jones

2005: Sydney

 

B:28 Jared Crouch21 Leo Barry30 Lewis Roberts-Thomson

HB:4 Ben Mathews6 Craig Bolton17 Tadhg Kennelly

2004:

Port Adelaide
B: 21 Michael Wilson 2 Darryl Wakelin 19 Matthew Bishop
HB: 11 Damien Hardwick 35 Chad Cornes 3 Brett Montgomery
Edited by Fifty-5
  • Like 2
Posted
2 hours ago, Fifty-5 said:

I don't think that's true - take out the recent Hawthorn and Geelong flags and there's not to many "Silvagnis" in there:

2012:

Sydney
B: 2 Rhyce Shaw 25 Ted Richards 29 Martin Mattner
HB: 34 Alex Johnson 39 Heath Grundy 40 Nick Smith

2010:

Collingwood
B: 5 Nick Maxwell (c) 16 Nathan Brown 34 Alan Toovey
HB: 8 Harry O'Brien 20 Ben Reid 39 Heath Shaw

2008:

Hawthorn[12]
B: 27 Stephen Gilham 24 Trent Croad 18 Brent Guerra
HB: 14 Grant Birchall 15 Luke Hodge 4 Rick Ladson

2006:

West Coast

Backs Beau Waters Darren Glass Daniel Chick  
Half-backs Adam Selwood Adam Hunter

Brett Jones

2005: Sydney

 

B:28 Jared Crouch21 Leo Barry30 Lewis Roberts-Thomson

HB:4 Ben Mathews6 Craig Bolton17 Tadhg Kennelly

2004:

Port Adelaide
B: 21 Michael Wilson 2 Darryl Wakelin 19 Matthew Bishop
HB: 11 Damien Hardwick 35 Chad Cornes 3 Brett Montgomery

The game is also clearly going this way. It's about team defence as much as it is one-on-one defence. Your defensive systems and team play will win you flags.

Posted

I get the feeling that one way or another we know exactly where we are with Prestia, and that it was worked out a while ago, so we just don't need to make any noise.

It may be that we've said no, or it may be that we've got him in the bag. Or more likely, we've put him an offer and he'll come back to us if he gets another offer that he's prepared to consider. He seems to be playing as if the matter's resolved, one way or another.

Whatever has been decided, we have no need to play this out in the media. So we won't hear anything from the club until the denouement.

  • Like 5

Posted
Quote

I'd just like to say the formatting in this thread has become first rate. Well done chaps!

haha, cut and paste from Wiki. All the formatting was done for us.......

  • Like 1
Posted

52 pages and he hasn't even said his leaving GC yet. Can this thread beat the almighty Paddy Dangerfield thead.

Posted
20 hours ago, Fifty-5 said:

I don't think that's true - take out the recent Hawthorn and Geelong flags and there's not to many "Silvagnis" in there:

2012:

Sydney
B: 2 Rhyce Shaw 25 Ted Richards 29 Martin Mattner
HB: 34 Alex Johnson 39 Heath Grundy 40 Nick Smith

2010:

Collingwood
B: 5 Nick Maxwell (c) 16 Nathan Brown 34 Alan Toovey
HB: 8 Harry O'Brien 20 Ben Reid 39 Heath Shaw

2008:

Hawthorn[12]
B: 27 Stephen Gilham 24 Trent Croad 18 Brent Guerra
HB: 14 Grant Birchall 15 Luke Hodge 4 Rick Ladson

2006:

West Coast

Backs Beau Waters Darren Glass Daniel Chick  
Half-backs Adam Selwood Adam Hunter

Brett Jones

2005: Sydney

 

B:28 Jared Crouch21 Leo Barry30 Lewis Roberts-Thomson

HB:4 Ben Mathews6 Craig Bolton17 Tadhg Kennelly

2004:

Port Adelaide
B: 21 Michael Wilson 2 Darryl Wakelin 19 Matthew Bishop
HB: 11 Damien Hardwick 35 Chad Cornes 3 Brett Montgomery

What isn't true ?  The average spread of goal-kickers ?  

There's no doubt the game has evolved and that teams play a zone defence these days, which lessens the focus on individuals, but quality key defenders will always be in vogue. 

Running half-backs are now as important as any players in the game, which want the case years ago, so it's very difficult to look back and run a critical eye over the defences of teams from didn't eras. 

Maxwell was no star, but when he was at his best there was no better zoning defender/intercept mark in the game.  And they were and still are crucial traits. 

There aren't many gun key talls these days, but if we can get a tough rebounder like Hibberd it would be a great get. 


Posted (edited)
On 7 July 2016 at 7:50 PM, ProDee said:

Sure, but any premiership defence has players the quality of Taylor, Enright, Scarlett, Milburn, Lake, Birchall, Burgoyne, etc.  Whether it's Ayres, Mew, Southby, Doull, Dench, Leppitsch, Chris Johnson, etc, great teams over the journey have the Silvagni type quality players of this world shoring up defence.

If you ever want to see a flag pray for a better defence (or should that be deeeeeefence).

That's what isn't true.  Few of those defences have champs in them.  It's the exception.

you said that Sydney's 2005 workman defence was the exception, but it's not.

Edited by Fifty-5
  • Like 2
Posted
2 hours ago, Fifty-5 said:

That's what isn't true.  Few of those defences have champs in them.  It's the exception.

you said that Sydney's 2005 workman defence was the exception, but it's not.

OK, I didn't read back over the post you responded to (if you'd quoted correctly...)

Fair enough.  Not all premiership teams have champion players, just good ones. 

And better ones than we presently have. 

  • Like 3

Posted
8 minutes ago, ProDee said:

OK, I didn't read back over the post you responded to (if you'd quoted correctly...)

Fair enough.  Not all premiership teams have champion players, just good ones. 

And better ones than we presently have

Cant argue with that, but at least it appears we are pulling out all stops to change it. That makes me happy. 

:)

 

Posted

I would say the midfield is the most important part of building a premiership side.

Look at the last 10 Premiers, I think they all have at least 4 A grade mids.

Hawks: Mitchell, Lewis, Hodge & Smith (probably B+)

Swans: Kennedy, Jack, Hannebery & Parker

Cats: Selwood, Bartel, Corey, Ling, Ablett Jnr & Kelly (probably the best midfield of the last 10 years)

  • Like 2
Posted
1 minute ago, Is Dom Is Good said:

I would say the midfield is the most important part of building a premiership side.

Look at the last 10 Premiers, I think they all have at least 4 A grade mids.

Hawks: Mitchell, Lewis, Hodge & Smith (probably B+)

Swans: Kennedy, Jack, Hannebery & Parker

Cats: Selwood, Bartel, Corey, Ling, Ablett Jnr & Kelly (probably the best midfield of the last 10 years)

I would put it down to maybe 3 A graders. Smith is probably B+, Parker was the sub when Sydney won it, and Geelongs midfield, I mean, well..

Posted
2 minutes ago, Is Dom Is Good said:

I would say the midfield is the most important part of building a premiership side.

Look at the last 10 Premiers, I think they all have at least 4 A grade mids.

Hawks: Mitchell, Lewis, Hodge & Smith (probably B+)

Swans: Kennedy, Jack, Hannebery & Parker

Cats: Selwood, Bartel, Corey, Ling, Ablett Jnr & Kelly (probably the best midfield of the last 10 years)

And ours would be Viney, Prestia, Tyson and maybe Oliver, Brayshaw and Petracca? 

Completely agree btw.

Posted
On 9 July 2016 at 8:42 AM, olisik said:

52 pages and he hasn't even said his leaving GC yet. Can this thread beat the almighty Paddy Dangerfield thead.

If we're offering half as much as we offered PD (1.5m?) then it deserves a 100 pages.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 3

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...