On 10/4/2019 at 7:19 AM, D4Life said:

At the end of 2016 at the Tigers, Hardwick couldn’t coach, Cotchin couldn’t lead, the committee was challenged, according to some the club was in disarray!

It’s easy to poke holes from affair, particularly into the Demons after a terrible year. Let some changes be made, get a decent pre season behind the players, hopefully injury free, pickup a few players from draft & trading, a few new assistant coaches and see what happens.

In the AFL very few teams just go up up up on a linear improvement. While very disappointed with this year, I’m excited to see what Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw, Harmes, TMac, May, & Lever do next year. Max & Petracca build on this year.

Have supported Demons for over 50 years and still believe that this is best list we’ve had in that time. While maybe only Gawn & Oliver delivered an A grade season, think back a year and we have a lot of talent!

The other big point about comparing the Demons to this years top 4 is age of core players 

Tigers - Martin Cotchin Riewoldt Edwards Lynch

Pies - Pendlebury, Sidebottom Treloar Grundy

GWS - Greene, Kelly, Cogniglio, Davis, Cameron

Geelong - Dangerfield, Hawkins, Selwood, Kelly

vs 

Melbourne - Gawn, Oliver, Viney, Petracca, Harmes

Add Eagles who should have finished to 4.

While finals is important next year, GF on age is still 2-3 years away. Hopefully we get lucky!

 

 

 

2 hours ago, A F said:

And just like Brayshaw I'm afraid. Which is exactly why I don't think we should be afraid of trading one or two of our mids until we get more balance and versitility.

The only untradeable for me is Oliver, who is so clearly the best talent at Melbourne in 30+ years. 

If it's Viney, Oliver and Harmes, then Gus probably has to go. Harmes offers goals and accountability. 

Anyway, let's wait and see. It's pretty obvious the club won't try anything too bold like trading Jack or Gus regardless.

Gus has some tricks. I could see him to a flank later in his career. Similar to Lewis. 

He certainly looks a bit out of place playing on a wing right now though

3 hours ago, BAMF said:

Gus has some tricks. I could see him to a flank later in his career. Similar to Lewis. 

He certainly looks a bit out of place playing on a wing right now though

And struggled on a forward flank or in a pocket early in his career. Was good off half back in his first year mind you.

Don't get me wrong. I love Gus, but I'm wondering how we can diversify our engine room.

On 10/5/2019 at 11:48 AM, BAMF said:

Gus has some tricks. I could see him to a flank later in his career. Similar to Lewis. 

He certainly looks a bit out of place playing on a wing right now though

I think if we program his pre season and mindset right Gus could be a prolific ball winner off half back and push into AA contention. But he has to want to own the position.

On 10/7/2019 at 6:38 AM, Left Foot Snap said:

I think if we program his pre season and mindset right Gus could be a prolific ball winner off half back and push into AA contention. But he has to want to own the position.

I agree.  I'm hoping Gus finds his feet.  I'm not sure he can 'step up' but hoping.  There is a something going on behind the scenes that he needs to sort.  You can feel it!  I hope he sorts it.  And values being an AFL footballer.  FCS, he's earning the big bucks.

35 minutes ago, Sloan said:

I agree.  I'm hoping Gus finds his feet.  I'm not sure he can 'step up' but hoping.  There is a something going on behind the scenes that he needs to sort.  You can feel it!  I hope he sorts it.  And values being an AFL footballer.  FCS, he's earning the big bucks.

Earning big bucks doesn't preclude you from mental health issues, nor does it heart balm the fact that being a gifted athlete  means you grind out the process of your chosen sport and at times, wish you were somewhere else, doing something different, away from the  grinding out training daily, the meetings, more training, more meeting, more meetings, AND more meetings, honing craft, AND more meetings rehab and did i mention the meetings?, social events, playing in front of 15-95,000 people who scrutinise you, rinse and repeat weekly for 6 months of the year.

Then there is the  scrutiny internally from your club, from yourself, from commentators, from the average joe on a keyboard, with no respite, ever, until you retire.  

Also, sometimes workplaces are a bit [censored]

and its ok for him not value being an AFL footballer.

Edited October 8, 20196 yr by Engorged Onion