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Dunkley and Rivers

Demons3031
in Melbourne Demons

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Hi all   

Am looking forward to seeing these two (Dunkley and Rivers) in the team together at some stage next year. Wondering what others think about the positions and roles they will play and  how they will contribute in a game. Interested to hear your analytical responses and also some possible match scenarios for the creatives in the Demonland group. I can already hear the voices Of Mike Williamson, Phil Webb Jack Dyer and others commentating on some of those scenarios! Thanks in advance.

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    I can’t see how either will play this year. Outside of Bradtke everyone on the list is pushing for a spot.

    Dunkley and Rivers would be last and second last.

    i mean that in a good way.

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    5 minutes ago, Wrecker45 said:

    I can’t see how either will play this year. Outside of Bradtke everyone on the list is pushing for a spot.

    Dunkley and Rivers would be last and second last.

    i mean that in a good way.

    I think Dunkley will be purely back up (depth) but Rivers I can see pushing for a spot early.

    We need good distribution and run off HB and he gives us that.

    He's built for AFL footy.

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    Dunkley already played a few games last year, so with a full pre-season he might be able to establish himself. Personally I saw nothing to suggest he'll make the grade, but the coaches obviously rated him.

    Rivers I can see pushing for a spot early. He's got all the tools to make it as an AFL player, starting off half back as a rebounding player and then potentially pushing into the midfield over time. He's got good pace, good aggression, good kicking skills, good decision making, good intercepter too. He'll likely be the best of our three 2019 draftees early in their careers. He'll make it IMO.

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    18 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

    Dunkley already played a few games last year, so with a full pre-season he might be able to establish himself. Personally I saw nothing to suggest he'll make the grade, but the coaches obviously rated him.

    Rivers I can see pushing for a spot early. He's got all the tools to make it as an AFL player, starting off half back as a rebounding player and then potentially pushing into the midfield over time. He's got good pace, good aggression, good kicking skills, good decision making, good intercepter too. He'll likely be the best of our three 2019 draftees early in their careers. He'll make it IMO.

    All of our injuries were the reason Dunkley got a game, he’s depth at best. I agree re Rivers, I think he’ll push his way into the team early on. 

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    Personally I think it’s too early to write Dunkley off as ‘depth’. He’s been in the system for half a season, was highly rated in that mid-season draft and has played senior footy. It took his brother Josh a few years to get going and his whole family are sporting achievers so there’s a lot of scope for him - particularly being a young bloke. 
    Rivers inclusion in the senior team will be dictated by Hibbo’s availability and form. A season developing at Casey will be fine however I do I agree he looks a likely type to slot in to the team earlier rather than later. 

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    • Thanks 1
    1 hour ago, McQueen said:

    Personally I think it’s too early to write Dunkley off as ‘depth’. He’s been in the system for half a season, was highly rated in that mid-season draft and has played senior footy. It took his brother Josh a few years to get going and his whole family are sporting achievers so there’s a lot of scope for him - particularly being a young bloke. 
    Rivers inclusion in the senior team will be dictated by Hibbo’s availability and form. A season developing at Casey will be fine however I do I agree he looks a likely type to slot in to the team earlier rather than later. 

    Best summary.

    Kyle far too young to write off Could easily be a big developer over this and next season.

    Trent Rivers looks a likely type and I expect him to get opportunity early subject to form and fitness.

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    • Like 4
    3 hours ago, Demons3031 said:

    Hi all   

    Am looking forward to seeing these two (Dunkley and Rivers) in the team together at some stage next year. Wondering what others think about the positions and roles they will play and  how they will contribute in a game. Interested to hear your analytical responses and also some possible match scenarios for the creatives in the Demonland group. I can already hear the voices Of Mike Williamson, Phil Webb Jack Dyer and others commentating on some of those scenarios! Thanks in advance.

    On a lighter note, you seem to be stuck in some sort of time warp.

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    • Author

    Thanks for the thoughtful replies- some good perspectives and I enjoyed reading your views. You are spot on Loges-LOL- at my older age these time warps pop up every now and then. We relied a lot on radio for VFL coverage back in my day-and they really brought the footy alive even without the visuals. Though  we did enjoy Pelaco Inquest with Mike Williamson and the TV replays on a Saturday night before reading the Sporting Globe! :) If I start rambling and calling Langdon "Bluey Adams" in my posts then I think a cup of warm milk and a pair of slippers and a nap might be needed on my part! :)

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    1 hour ago, loges said:

    On a lighter note, you seem to be stuck in some sort of time warp.

    Some Demonic match calling from beyond the grave would be quite appropriate I think.

    Edited by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

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    Happy to see these 2 along with Sparrow, Jordan, Bedford and Chandler develop at Casey this year. There will likely be a few opportunities but I hope they are few and far between.

    Hoping that Jackson and Pickett are the ones to push there way into the team.

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    On 12/27/2019 at 2:01 PM, Demons3031 said:

    T Though  we did enjoy Pelaco Inquest with Mike Williamson and the TV replays on a Saturday night before reading the Sporting Globe!

    "On Seven, at Seven, Seven days from now".

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    Good memory Damo. Is my memory correct- dod they give out free Pelaco shirts to footy players who came on as guests after the match?

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    Am also remembering some of the panelists - Mike Williamson, Butch Gale, Chicken Smallhorn, Bert Deacon....any others come to mind?

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    On 12/27/2019 at 10:33 AM, Ethan Tremblay said:

    All of our injuries were the reason Dunkley got a game, he’s depth at best. I agree re Rivers, I think he’ll push his way into the team early on. 

    I agree with those who feel it too early to write Dunkley off, though that said, all good teams have good quality “depth players”.

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    30 minutes ago, monoccular said:

    I agree with those who feel it too early to write Dunkley off, though that said, all good teams have good quality “depth players”.

    Rivers will have to displace either Harmes, Salem or Hibberd,  all of whom are fit and firing, he also has to show he is better that Josh Wagner and Marty Hore as a replacement shoukd one of those 3 go down

    If you listen to Jason Taylor, he said Rivers will grow into a decent size, I expect him to start at Casey and see how he goes at VFL level

    Goodwin, if he has the choice, prefers it this way

    Dunkkey is one of the few natural footballers we have on the list, could see him being used as a high half forward in pre season games as an alternative

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    3 hours ago, Demons3031 said:

    Am also remembering some of the panelists - Mike Williamson, Butch Gale, Chicken Smallhorn, Bert Deacon....any others come to mind?

    I just remember Chicken Smallhorn, a name you cant forget. Up there with Steele Sidebottom.

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    I actually had a conversation with Chicken at the MCG after a game where Ken Emselle kicked a goal over his head to win us the game against Footscray back in the late 60's  or very early 70's I think Chicken played for Fitzroy?

     

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    Chicken (real name Wilfred) played 150 games for Fitzroy and won the Brownlow in 1933.

    He was a tiny 170cm and 62kg and earned his nickname as a child when his mother could never catch him!

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    Good one Demonstone. Yes he was small- would have been great to see him play-  must have been a real champ.

     

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    8 hours ago, Demons3031 said:

    Am also remembering some of the panelists - Mike Williamson, Butch Gale, Chicken Smallhorn, Bert Deacon....any others come to mind?

    Geoff Leek,  the Geelong flyer,

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    •  

    Bruce Andrews was one of the first (along with separately RDB) to make a video about doing a drop kick. It was De Rigueur to study Bruce's lecture.

    The rather stern Bruce would be on World of Sport and maybe on Football Inquest.

    Edited by Damo

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