Jump to content

  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    The Demonland Terms of Service, which you have all recently agreed to, strictly prohibit discussions of ongoing legal matters, whether criminal or civil. Please ensure that all discussions on this forum remain focused solely on on-field & football related topics.


Recommended Posts

Posted

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks but this comp is getting ridiculous.

Hawthorn have just exited one of the greatest dynasties in VFL/AFL history and now they are able to simply load up on talent over two off seasons and go again!

Tom Mitchell, Omeara and increasingly likely , a Dustin Martin. This comp is so lop sided now.

How the hell can they fit that in their cap?

The issue of destination clubs is wrecking the game.  Even if MFC became a destination club I would not be happy. It's not good for the competition.

 

Posted

You're acting like this has happened already...

My take on Hawthorn is that none of the players they are bringing in are better than the ones they are replacing.  They won't be half the team they were IMHO.

  • Like 1
Posted

I'm not really worried about what the opposition are up to: as long as the Demons play to their potential what other teams do is immaterial. We have the player resources to finally have success again.

  • Like 5
Posted
25 minutes ago, Fitz Fitzpatrick said:

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks but this comp is getting ridiculous.

Hawthorn have just exited one of the greatest dynasties in VFL/AFL history and now they are able to simply load up on talent over two off seasons and go again!

Tom Mitchell, Omeara and increasingly likely , a Dustin Martin. This comp is so lop sided now.

How the hell can they fit that in their cap?

The issue of destination clubs is wrecking the game.  Even if MFC became a destination club I would not be happy. It's not good for the competition.

 

Last time I posted a WGAF meme I got a warning point.

  • Like 2
Posted
41 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Because they just got rid of Lewis, Mitchell and Hodge will most likely retire.

Think before you post.

The bigger surprise is probably more that a lot of that space isn't taken by Roughy, Cyril, Isaac Smith, Shiels even their former AA FB taking more money, but if they fit them all in a few years ago they can fit in more recruits now. The salary cap should only be a stopper on teams getting out of control and not punitive. 

I'd be more critical about how they signed Vickery to a 2 year deal and managed to get him as a free agent when he really should've been an unrestricted free agent. The AFL just rolled over on that one to help Richmond out and not create a scandal with the AFLPA when they already have a full plate.

Administered correctly free agency should equalise the competition, but if it only helps top teams then the AFL will resemble the NBA and everyone will be lining up to play for a couple of teams.

Posted (edited)

IF.... o'Smeara and Mitchell don't fire as hoped, and Hawthorn somewhat slide this year, say to 6th or 7th, and they don't do so well in the draft (haven't they traded their early picks?), and they lose Hodge, Burgs and Gibbo,  and......

* insert head exploding gif here *

Edited by Moonshadow
  • Like 2
Posted (edited)

I wonder how much Hawthorn is 'banking' on being able to tell their remaining veteran top quality players "take a pay cut or try your luck getting selected and starting again as a 32 year old".

It is interesting that their recruiting is now being forced to go more for 'core of the team' players than 'carefully selected players who fill a specific need'. This makes things a bit more expensive over time, and makes failures more of a problem. They are also trying to cover attrition, rather than build further. You can live without icing but if you burn the cake there's no party at all.

They did extremely well to replace Mitchell and Lewis with Mitchell and O'Meara. But they can't do that every year and they still lost Hill.

Not many players out there would be a neat replacement for Burgoyne, Gibson and Hodge, and any team that has players of such roles and quality will kill to hold onto them.

And to be honest, if Hawthorn can turn Vickery into a long term replacement for Roughead, best of luck to them in their endeavours. It's worth noting that whatever they are paying Vickery, it is more than Richmond were willing to part with for him (RFA).

Fact is, they need to trade well and rag in free agents to prevent an implosion.

Their draft picks this year were 74 and 76, they've barely participated in the top end of the draft for 5 years, and in 2017 their draft begins at Carlton's second pick (probably 30ish). Billy Hartung is now their best drafted player since Brad Hill in 2011 (who has now left).

Plus, they also owe Carlton a quid-pro-quo for the clearly illegal favour they did them, giving up a second round pick for 48, 66,and 70.

 

Edited by Little Goffy
draft note
  • Like 4
Posted
1 hour ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Because they just got rid of Lewis, Mitchell and Hodge will most likely retire.

Think before you post.

The fact that many don't 'think before they post' is one of the attractions of this site!

  • Like 1
Posted
7 minutes ago, Hampton 22 said:

The fact that many don't 'think before they post' is one of the attractions of this site!

I always think before I post............... I think. 

Posted

There was strong word last week he was re-signing. Wonder what happened. Remembered it was Richmond probably. 

Posted

TBH I have been hearing about Dusty to Hawks for over a year and the same guy who said O'Meara and Mitchell would end up Hawks.

Burgoyne, Gibson, Hodge won't play next year, they can easily fit Dusty in.

Posted

This concept of drafting players who then just leave after 6-8 years for a club at the top is [censored]. Develop a player and finally get them in their best years and lose them for zip. Booo

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)
24 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

IMG_0554.jpg?dl=1&_ga=1.242487106.170506

Now that's a family day!   

Rock on you crazy diamonds 

Edited by Demi Dee
Posted
4 hours ago, Little Goffy said:

I wonder how much Hawthorn is 'banking' on being able to tell their remaining veteran top quality players "take a pay cut or try your luck getting selected and starting again as a 32 year old".

It is interesting that their recruiting is now being forced to go more for 'core of the team' players than 'carefully selected players who fill a specific need'. This makes things a bit more expensive over time, and makes failures more of a problem. They are also trying to cover attrition, rather than build further. You can live without icing but if you burn the cake there's no party at all.

They did extremely well to replace Mitchell and Lewis with Mitchell and O'Meara. But they can't do that every year and they still lost Hill.

Not many players out there would be a neat replacement for Burgoyne, Gibson and Hodge, and any team that has players of such roles and quality will kill to hold onto them.

And to be honest, if Hawthorn can turn Vickery into a long term replacement for Roughead, best of luck to them in their endeavours. It's worth noting that whatever they are paying Vickery, it is more than Richmond were willing to part with for him (RFA).

Fact is, they need to trade well and rag in free agents to prevent an implosion.

Their draft picks this year were 74 and 76, they've barely participated in the top end of the draft for 5 years, and in 2017 their draft begins at Carlton's second pick (probably 30ish). Billy Hartung is now their best drafted player since Brad Hill in 2011 (who has now left).

Plus, they also owe Carlton a quid-pro-quo for the clearly illegal favour they did them, giving up a second round pick for 48, 66,and 70.

Yep, I think Hawthorn are in trouble. It may seem like they've rebounded and slightly renewed their list, but that midfield of theirs is snail-like. Losing Hill won't help. We should have them covered this year. 

Posted
5 hours ago, Demi Dee said:

I'm just picturing the Martin's at the Hawthorn Family Day. 

Well unless they decide to have it in New Zealand, I don't think it's gonna be much of a problem

  • Like 2
Posted

A lot is banking on getting O'Meara on to the park. His best is superb and as a club they were able to get Burgoyne playing quality football after a similar injury to O'Meara. If JOM doesn't play much then the Hawks will slide consierably me thinks.

 

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: Monday 17th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were on hand at Monday morning's preseason training at Gosch's Paddock to bring you their brief observations of the session. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Gentle flush session at Gosch's this morning. Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars) McVee, McAdam. Rehabbing: Great to see Kentfield back (much slimmer), walking with Tholstrup, TMac (suspect just a management thing), Viney (still being cautious with that rib cartilage?), Melksham (

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    MATCH SIM: Friday 14th February 2025

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers made their way out to Casey Field's for the Melbourne Football Club's Family Series day to bring you their observations on the Match Simulation. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars), McVee, Windor, Kentfield, Mentha Present but not playing: Petracca, Viney, Spargo, Tholstrup, Melksham Starting Blue 18 (+ just 2 interchange): B: Petty, TMac, Lever, Howes, Bowey Salem M: Gawn, Oliver, La

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Wednesday 12th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers braved the scorching morning heat to bring you the following observations of Wednesday's preseason training session from Gosch's Paddock. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Absent: Salem, Windsor (word is a foot rash going around), Viney, Bowey and Kentfield Train ons: Roy George, no Culley today. Firstly the bad news - McVee went down late, which does look like a bad hammy - towards the end of match sim, as he kicked the ball. Had to

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    MATCH SIM: Friday 7th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatcher Gator ventured down the freeway to bring you his observations from Friday morning's Match Simulation out at Casey Fields. Rehab: Jake Lever and Charlie Spargo running laps.  Lever was running short distances at a fast click as well as having kick to kick with a trainer. He seems unimpeded. Christian Petracca, Kade Chandler, Shane McAdam and Tom Fullarton doing non-contact kicking and handball drills on the adjacent oval.  All moving freely at pace.  I didn’

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    TRAINING: Wednesday 5th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force as the Demons returned to Gosch's Paddock for preseason training on Wednesday morning. GHOSTWRITER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kozzie a no show. Tommy Sparrow was here last week in civvies and wearing sunnies. He didn’t train. Today he’s training but he’s wearing goggles so he’s likely got an eye injury. There’s a drill where Selwyn literally lies on top of Tracc, a trainer dribbles the ball towards them and Tracc has to g

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS: 2024

    Whichever way you look at it, the Melbourne Football Club’s 2024 season can only be characterized as the year of its fall from grace. Whispering Jack looks back at the season from hell that was. After its 2021 benchmark premiership triumph, the men’s team still managed top four finishes in the next two seasons but straight sets finals losses consigned them to sixth place in both years. The big fall came in 2024 with a collapse into the bottom six and a 14th placing. At Casey, the 2022 VFL p

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    MATCH SIM: Friday 31st January 2025

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatcher Picket Fence ventured down to Casey Fields to bring you his observations from Friday's Match Simulation. Greetings Demonlanders, beautiful Day at training and the boys were hard at it, here is my report. NO SHOWS: Luker Kentfield (recovering from pneumonia in WA), also not sure I noticed Melky (Hamstring) or Will Verrall?? MODIFIED DUTIES (No Contact): Sparrow, McVee (foot), Tracc (ribs), Chandler, (AC Joint), Fullarton Noticeable events (I’ll s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    TRAINING: Wednesday 29th January 2025

    A number of Demonland Trackwatchers swooped on Gosch's Paddock to bring you their observations from this morning's Preseason Training Session. DEMON JACK'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning at Gosch's Paddock. Very healthy crowd so far.  REHAB: Fullerton, Spargo, Tholstrup, McVee Viney running laps. EDIT: JV looks to be back with the main group. Trac, Sparrow, Chandler and Verrell also training away from the main group. Currently kicking to each other ins

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 1

    TRAINING: Wednesday 22nd January 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force for training at Gosch's Paddock on Wednesday morning for the MFC's School Holidays Open Training Session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS REHAB: TMac, Chandler, McVee, Tholstrup, Brown, Spargo Brown might have passed his fitness test as he’s back out with the main group.  Sparrow not present. Kozzy not present either.  Mini Rehab group has broken off from the match sim (contact) group: Max, Trac, Lever, Fullarton

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...