Positives from 2022

[Mr Steve 3,820]

We have the best Banners in the AFL. Week in week out. Fridays was one of the best I have ever seen.

[david_neitz_is_my_dad 4,084]

Clayton Oliver winning the brownlow

[david_neitz_is_my_dad 4,084]

Casey winning the flag

[Waltham33 475]

Oliver, May, Trac, Angus, Petty, Viney having fantastic seasons.  Lots of game time for other players which will pay off over the next 12-18 months,  membership, Casey, finishing 16-6 and now back to being a hunter in 2023 - bring it on

[von 1,572]

We played in a semi and everyone’s [censored] off (I am not). That’s a great place to be. We were in every game and had leads in all losses except one. I will continue to argue that injuries killed us in game during our losses and hampered our fitness come the finals. you can manage a team to perfection but if they get injured it’s game over. Teams don’t use the excuse, but we are fans, not the team, and I’m using it. I don’t have to manage the players psychology/expectations etc. Our core is the elite of the elite. We were probably a Tom McDonald away from finishing first again. We have probably started to implement things in game that we will see the benefit of next year. It sounds like we will have some amount of new talent come through which is exciting. Our draw won’t be as hard next year and I’ll get to watch the [censored] fall out of Collingwood after their stupid run this year. Damn the torpedoes, bring on ‘23.

[FlashInThePan 1,893]

If someone has told me that we’d go 10-0 to start a season and be in every game we played right to the end 5 years ago and then told me that fans would be disappointed because it didn’t live up to their expectations, I would have laughed in that persons face. The first half of this year was a joy I haven’t experienced for too long. Going to games regularly expecting to win.

 We didn’t finish the year as well as we started but I am confident that we know and are planning the steps to get better next year. I have a level of confidence in the FD that I’m not sure I’ve ever had before.

 I’m shattered that we don’t get to be there at the end of September at the G but I’m feeling pretty happy to be a Dees supporter these days. 

[Demon Dynasty 17,130]

4 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Rivers still has a lot of value to me because he’s a very good 7th defender who can do a bit of everything. Turner’s in contention for a tall spot, Bowey should be a starter as a flanker, but a defender who can lock, rebound and intercept like Rivers is very useful.

Rosman got concussed because he took short steps and fumbled then dived in after the ball. I haven’t seen why growth in his smarts or skills.

Rivers has been too easily lost in the heat of the contest in 2022 DS.  Too often loses contact with his opponent.  Unsure whether to peel off / hang back or close check back shoulder.  Caught in no mans land far too often for my liking this season.

He should come good again, possibly just a fitness/form issue but alot of work needed in the off season IMV.

P.S. Turner looks the goods for mine.  Barring injury he'll be hard to dislodge once he finds his feet and should provide us with better rebounding potential & slicker transition off HB than we've seen of late.

Edited September 11, 2022 by Demon Dynasty

[Bobby McKenzie 2,401]

I completely endorse what other positive members of this forum have said. Negative, whingeing  posters are not helping the cause. I am so happy to see that we have many people who can see where our true destiny lies and don't slag our players and staff. Watching a replay of our crucial last home and away match against Brisbane we played our best footy for the year. Sadly injuries ruined  our chances in the finals. Petracca showed amazing courage in our semi final but he just wasn't able to be the powerful champion he is and we missed that important factor.

One remarkable feat was that for two whole seasons we were never out of the top four. Quite a performance in this highly competitive industry.

I have no doubt we will bounce back next year in a big way. I am sticking to my belief that our BEST is superior to any other team.

I shall now happily sit back and look at the premiership pennant and large team photo of an amazing team of players who last year produced one of the MOST DOMINANT performances in finals of all time.  I also break into song singing the old ditty "They can't that away from me. No, no they can't that away from me" as I look proudly at the pennant on the wall. My wife thinks I'm crazy and she's most likely right. I am CRAZY about the team i have supported for over seventy years. Go my mighty Demons !

[bing181 9,421]

Positives:

- One more year and one more pre-season into the younger players, which includes a large chunk of our list.

- Premiership window very much open. For me in fact, only just opening, last year was a year or two earlier than what you might have expected. I'm looking forward to the next few years and if supporters want back-to-back premierships they'd be better looking at 2024 - 25 than this year. 

[roy11 3,966]

17 hours ago, Mr Steve said:

We have the best Banners in the AFL. Week in week out. Fridays was one of the best I have ever seen.

Bet Trac liked it, had him the same height as some of the big boys. 

 

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,556]

- Demonland generally, @Demonland

- This thread particularly

- Getting to know The DA through @WalkingCivilWar

- Harry P's last 5 minutes (as witnessed close up)

...and what everyone else has said.

[Wells 11 5,449]

It’s a bit too easy to overlook after the way we grabbed top spot and our our flag last year  . But we finished this season in 2nd position. SECOND.  I’ve been following the dees fr over 50 years and only once have I seen us finish higher .. 2021. So despite what I strongly suspect was an injury related fade at the end of this year,  the boys did us proud. They came bk in 22 fit and hungry and gave us 10-0  zero complacency. 

Petty has AA stamped all over him. 

Kozzi was always a huge talent .. and he’s now getting better at showing more of it more often . 6 goal match winner in Alice. 

JVR, Howes, Bedford, Turner all look exciting (and maybe a cpl of others) and  are looking to push there way in. 

Jackson fr a healthy Grundy and another 1st rounder is a win.. at least  in the short term. Our window is short term so I’m ok w it. 

2023 will come and we will be one of a few sides smack bang in our window. It’s painful right now but these are good days to be a demon 

[spirit of norm smith 16,615]

Thanks @Bobby McKenzie“I have no doubt we will bounce back next year in a big way. I am sticking to my belief that our BEST is superior to any other team.” 
 

I agree. I think we have to reflect that our best is able to beat every other team. We are hurting because we are packed with great players and have every right to be playing in the GF. But it’s not just handed to you. Hard work and smart decisions get you there and luck of course and some half decent umpiring.  We are frustrated but reflect on our team hopefully being hungrier than ever.  I’m on board for 2023 and counting down the days with optimism.   

[layzie 34,326]

19 hours ago, Mr Steve said:

We have the best Banners in the AFL. Week in week out. Fridays was one of the best I have ever seen.

Agree, the banners were epic!

[Guest]

Another HUGE positive…

Our AFLW team is 3 - 0 and look to go all the way this year. 🥰

Hey @DubDee! Check this out…

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, roy11 said:

Bet Trac liked it, had him the same height as some of the big boys. 

 

Aesthetics, Roy. Aesthetics. 😁

Our esteemed leader Ryan designed Friday night’s banner. I love the cityscape backdrop and the overall sombre tone. 

[Guest]

One of my fave moments of season 2022…

[Guest]

Must. Keep. This. Thread. On. Page. One

[jnrmac 20,272]

On 9/11/2022 at 12:33 PM, Demon17 said:

 

5th is about right for us this year and the FD knows what they need to do - just watch the Pies last night with ball movememnt.

They made Freo look like us with being foreced to boundary, useless high kicks in etc.

You are having a lend.

We finished second with the hardest draw in the comp and only played North and WCE once unlike Geelong.

We just bottled it when it mattered.

[DeeMee 923]

Being relevant.

[DeeMee 923]

Supporting a team that can always win even if they don’t always win.

[Demon17 5,227]

11 hours ago, jnrmac said:

You are having a lend.

We finished second with the hardest draw in the comp and only played North and WCE once unlike Geelong.

We just bottled it when it mattered.

Lost 8 of the last 14 and you think we are second best in the comp.

Agree the facts are we were at end of H and A but are now at season's end.

HArdest draw and ahead in nearly all games  - bottled isn't a reason,  its fitness, hunger (unable to kill off teams), goal kicking debacle at times, no forward structure, ........ That doesn't sound like second best to me.

[Guest]

INCOMING!!! 

I’ve got so many positives from 2022 y’all are gonna be wishing for the sweet release of death by the time season 2023 rolls around. 🫢

So I’ve mentioned before that our cheer squad members are OTT passionate and fully devoted. Just as important is the harmony. I’ve heard about some other teams’ cheer squads experiencing disquiet, infighting, inflated egos and even power struggles (stop laughing, we take this seriously 😝). And some having a not so good relationship with their club. But not ours. We are all on the same (harmonious red and blue) page. I believe the unity of the cheer squad is a reflection on the club.

Welp, that’s today’s 2022 positive. Be sure to stay tuned for the next. You’re all very welcome 🤗 

[Neil Crompton 5,747]

I’m positive that if we could bottle and then drink some of what WCW has, we’d all be better off.

(In times like these, being fanatical and somewhat deranged can have its advantages).

[Fritta The Hair G.O.A.T. 510]

I think anyone posting in these threads (good or bad) need to cast their minds back to their history as a Dees supporter.

Yes, the finish to the season was frustrating, but honestly unless you are 70+ years old, this is the best time ever to be a Dees supporter. This year alone we had a 17-game winning streak, second-place finish, 4x AA, the best player, ruck and full back in the comp and a crop of promising young players coming through.

The best player in the comp signed a long-term deal with the club, ensuring we have the best 1-2 midfield punch in the league for the next 5+ seasons.

Brayshaw and Viney probably had career years, while players Petty and Pickett look incredible for the future. Even Disco looked good in his small cameo.

Casey is looking at a flag this year, and the girls fell just short earlier this year. Looking the goods again. Front office also looks as schmick as it ever has.

The best part about it was that 2022 wasn't our one all-or-nothing shot at the flag. We are in a position to go again next year, and the year after that and after that. This is all part of the journey of supporting a sports team. Losing in straight sets may be the slap in the face that the players and coaches need to re-tool for 2023. 

In any case I can't wait. Go Dees

Edited September 13, 2022 by Doggas front teeth