Where do we go from here?

[WonnaJurah 5]

another day another big loss ,seems like business as usual for the demons

[mikeod 21]

To be honest, we showed some heart today. It would have been closer had it not been for some umpiring decisions at crucial moments, as well as crippling injuries.

There were a few more positives to come out of today than previous weeks, but we need to remember that thats 4 losses at our home ground. We don't have enough games there for this.

[Demon Disciple 11,998]

Well, considering that no team has ever made the finals from a 0-4 start to the season, we ain't going to go anywhere. Just more of the same unfortunately.

[mikeod 21]

Being only 2 games out of the 8 with 18 rounds to play, I'm not ready to concede just yet.

[Yze_Magic 3]

I think Lynden Dunn is a gem and if he gets dropped ever again I will kill someone

[Rivers Run Red 187]

Well, considering that no team has ever made the finals from a 0-4 start to the season, we ain't going to go anywhere. Just more of the same unfortunately.

Thats just since the final 8 was introduce, besides it should be something for us to aim for.

Saying that it will be a real uphill battle.

[dees_rule_4eva 22]

Why can't we make history, and make the 8? I think as soon as we get some players back, we will be competitive. I too, am not quite ready to concede the season is over. I admit, its not looking good, but I prefer to think positively.

I actually thought we were in the game all day today. Had it not been for some wasteful kicking and untimely injuries, I think we would have pushed the Dockers all the way today.

[QueenC 74]

To be honest, we showed some heart today. It would have been closer had it not been for some umpiring decisions at crucial moments, as well as crippling injuries.

There were a few more positives to come out of today than previous weeks, but we need to remember that thats 4 losses at our home ground. We don't have enough games there for this.

Thanks for your thoughts Mick......

I am with you in the "we showed some heart" today sentiment !!!

[DEES 0]

it would be great if we could make the 8 and make an impact, but it also wouldn't be to bad to land around the bottom 4 and inject some kids into our team with more talent and skill and fill the holes in our team.

[Gouga 566]

I think Lynden Dunn is a gem and if he gets dropped ever again I will kill someone

The coach?

That will solve two problems, you can take care of ND, we'll get a new coach and they won't let you post on this site from prison!

Nah just kidding YM, I like your posts!

[Pepe Dee Pew 0]

It seems this is just going to be one of those seasons where all just seems to go wrong. Luckily no knee recos so far.

I have started to look at the drafting forum on Big footy. Good chance we will get a top 5 or 6 pick.

If we get some good picks then i think there will be a bit of a clean out.

We have a lot of good developing young players. And we will add to this in this years draft.

[Gotta be the year 0]

I am trying to be positive. We now need to win 12 out of the next 18 to make the finals? After today, you would expect it will probably come down to at least 12 out of 14. I might be half mental, but I think it could happen. Great to see Dunn, Sylvia and Pickett out there today. They must play every remaining game this year.

Why can't we make history, and make the 8? I think as soon as we get some players back, we will be competitive. I too, am not quite ready to concede the season is over. I admit, its not looking good, but I prefer to think positively.

[Pepe Dee Pew 0]

Sydney next week. It will be tough especially with even more injuries.

[demoniac 1,330]

Zero and 4 and the season is gone.

Yes we have injuries but we just seem to have no game plan - or if there is one then the players certainly don't have any great understanding of it.

I am afraid that after 10 years Daniher's time is up. He will leave the list in far better shape than the one he inherited from Balme but he lacks the tactical sharpness required to be a top coach. And possibly he is also too nice a guy. Ten years is simply enough.

Positives

Paul Johnson demonstrating that he can play in defence. Knows how to punch the ball in a pack and is athletic and skillful for someone of his size.

Jones continueing to impress as a hard running tough inside midfielder.

Sylvia making it back onto the field - he has pace, a footy brain, likes it tough, cnaq mark it and kick it.

Moloney reminding us of his talent.

Jamar still improving. After 20 years of our Nm 1 Rucks being followers Dees fans are confused about the essential roles of the Ruckman. Jamar is improving at the centre bounce, ball ups and throw ins, can actually mark overhead and when he tackles he tackles hard. He does need to improve his possesion rate but that is secondary to his ruckwork, marking and physicality.

Neaves continues to impress in the ruck for Sandy. Good tap work, good mark, mobile and a good kick.

Dunn again showed today that he is a natural forward.

First year draftees making it into the Sandy ones. Newton doing the same.

[beelzebub 23,311]

Now for the rest of 2007.

im not sure why...i feel totally....well ...nothing at the moment. Its like it really doiesnt matter a whole lot for the rest of the year as we seriously cant be included in any real finals aspirations.. You would need to be super optimistic to think we will even end up in the top 8.

Out littel red ( and blue...and boy is it blue ) wagon is a tad wobbly at present !! It squeeks !! It rattels !! and it gets rolled !! its grim.. that dawn cant be far off then hey...its geting blacker by the day.

and yet

we have an opportunity....Mr Phelps should you take the case !! ( showing age there )

Many clubs look upon the Nab cup as a chance to play the talent, some of it fresh, some of it out of the normal possie.. to see what the cattle do...how they react and do they measure up !! if you get somewhere , all well and good. if not its the exercise thats the idea.

So to the question on many lips.....

Do we bandage up the wounded, bind them in splints, shoot full of juice and get'em back out there with some feint hope of success, yet with no real end game strategy , because we wont have one. Falling over the line bleeding is lofty for us even now.

Or do we travel the road not talked about? Its not throwing in the season, for to do so presumes you have some capacity to have one.

Do we acknowledge that there is a pending changing of the guard...at various levels and start plotting and plodding our way down it.

we may not win many games... hardly a diversion from the present. But we may equip some of the new Demonic wariors with more valuable experience. Not just of having played. But of having played with each other. To start to rebuild that knitting, to fabricate belief.

Neale has done much for this club, but I dont think winning a cup will be amongst his achievements here. But he could do somethig very brave, very unselfish and probably totally within his own honourable character and thats rebuild the foundations. recast them in a new mould as the current one just doesnt work.

the following are 30 ,near it or past it.. ( read into that what you will )

Doggy,Bizz,Benny,Neeta,Ward,White and Ooze...and then there's the peripheral players that may not stay too long.

Much was made of our window of opportunity. Dare i suggest its shut !!

A team can be like a dealt hand of cards.. sometimes you come up trumps....sometimes you can play...bu tget beaten. You did try but were outclassed. Other times you tried to bluff with a dud hand.

We dont so much have a dud hand, but the cards arent playable like we thought.

So what really are our choices..... bumble along as we are cannoning into all opposition getting no where.

or do we take the best of what we have and add more cards ( better ones ) and be ready for the next game ( season )

Yes...Im prepared to call the season on present indicators and forseeable resources.

Short of a Bradbury !! we aint playing in september...not this year. But we could turn it into an opportunity !