Welcome to Demonland Matthew Jefferson

[Gator 18,053]

1 hour ago, deanox said:

Even when he hasn't been able to physically compete the way we expect a KPF to (given his youth and lack of physical development)

This has been an excuse for this bloke for years, but in my opinion it's completely overblown.  He's been physically capable of competing for most of his time at Melbourne.  I don't buy into the ''skinny kid'' stuff.  Jye Amiss was just as ''skinny'', if not more so, but was able to perform well as a teenager on his way to 41 goals in a season.

What he does need is a mindset of yearning for the contest.  You'll never make it as a key forward in the AFL unless you embrace the physicality of the contest.  Caddy does and so does van Rooyen.  Neither have more talent than Jefferson, especially Caddy, but they have the requisite desire to compete, to hurt, and to commit.

Jefferson has the talent to make it and I'm sure we all hope he does.  It's a big year for him to show that he's made inroads.  Needless to say, I'm dubious.

Edited February 2 by Gator

[picket fence 18,186]

I'm very optimistic based on what I saw last season and in the 5 or so sessions seen recently!

[manny100 1,625]

1 hour ago, Gator said:

This has been an excuse for this bloke for years, but in my opinion it's completely overblown.  He's been physically capable of competing for most of his time at Melbourne.  I don't buy into the ''skinny kid'' stuff.  Jye Amiss was just as ''skinny'', if not more so, but was able to perform well as a teenager on his way to 41 goals in a season.

What he does need is a mindset of yearning for the contest.  You'll never make it as a key forward in the AFL unless you embrace the physicality of the contest.  Caddy does and so does van Rooyen.  Neither have more talent than Jefferson, especially Caddy, but they have the requisite desire to compete, to hurt, and to commit.

Jefferson has the talent to make it and I'm sure we all hope he does.  It's a big year for him to show that he's made inroads.  Needless to say, I'm dubious.

I have seen Jeffo at training and he has the body size now. He will play games at AFL level this year for sure IMO.

Not so sure whether it will be round 1 though.

[Roost it far 10,137]

1 hour ago, Gator said:

This has been an excuse for this bloke for years, but in my opinion it's completely overblown.  He's been physically capable of competing for most of his time at Melbourne.  I don't buy into the ''skinny kid'' stuff.  Jye Amiss was just as ''skinny'', if not more so, but was able to perform well as a teenager on his way to 41 goals in a season.

What he does need is a mindset of yearning for the contest.  You'll never make it as a key forward in the AFL unless you embrace the physicality of the contest.  Caddy does and so does van Rooyen.  Neither have more talent than Jefferson, especially Caddy, but they have the requisite desire to compete, to hurt, and to commit.

Jefferson has the talent to make it and I'm sure we all hope he does.  It's a big year for him to show that he's made inroads.  Needless to say, I'm dubious.

This I agree with and I too am dubious. It’s not a slight on the kid as the desire required to play this game has to be brutal. Very few have it. 

[Deestar9 1,855]

2 hours ago, Gator said:

This has been an excuse for this bloke for years, but in my opinion it's completely overblown.  He's been physically capable of competing for most of his time at Melbourne.  I don't buy into the ''skinny kid'' stuff.  Jye Amiss was just as ''skinny'', if not more so, but was able to perform well as a teenager on his way to 41 goals in a season.

What he does need is a mindset of yearning for the contest.  You'll never make it as a key forward in the AFL unless you embrace the physicality of the contest.  Caddy does and so does van Rooyen.  Neither have more talent than Jefferson, especially Caddy, but they have the requisite desire to compete, to hurt, and to commit.

Jefferson has the talent to make it and I'm sure we all hope he does.  It's a big year for him to show that he's made inroads.  Needless to say, I'm dubious.

Years !! …please . He was drafted 2022 and it’s now 2025 so effectively 2 years for a skinny tall forward so far. I’d be happy for him to get a few games at AFL this season and it would be a good progression …

[Gator 18,053]

25 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

Years !! …please . He was drafted 2022 and it’s now 2025 so effectively 2 years for a skinny tall forward so far. I’d be happy for him to get a few games at AFL this season and it would be a good progression …

If he was good enough he could have played year one.  Like a skinny Riewoldt did and like a skinny Amiss did.

Jefferson is 21 before the start of the season.  Jack Riewoldt kicked 78 goals as a 21 year old and Franklin kicked 108.

Now I'm obviously not comparing him to those two players.  My point is that some supporters spend their lives making excuses for players.  Jefferson has no more excuses and he never really has.  The skinny kid argument has always been BS.

[bing181 9,473]

45 minutes ago, Gator said:

My point is that some supporters spend their lives making excuses for players.

Some supporters understand that there are a range of factors at play and can assess players' development accordingly. 

[Young Angus 875]

There must have been something there for us to pick him with our first pick that year.

[gs77 4,614]

2 minutes ago, Young Angus said:

There must have been something there for us to pick him with our first pick that year.

I'm sure there was. But bear in mind we also picked Weidemann ahead of numerous more successful tall forwards in his draft year. Seeing something in a 17yo doesn't necessarily extrapolate to AFL level, though I'm really hopeful Jeffo makes it - he's made strong strides since this time last year.

[rjay 25,424]

1 hour ago, Gator said:

If he was good enough he could have played year one.  Like a skinny Riewoldt did and like a skinny Amiss did.

Jefferson is 21 before the start of the season.  Jack Riewoldt kicked 78 goals as a 21 year old and Franklin kicked 108.

Now I'm obviously not comparing him to those two players.  My point is that some supporters spend their lives making excuses for players.  Jefferson has no more excuses and he never really has.  The skinny kid argument has always been BS.

The big excuse about key forwards taking time is a bit of a furphy for those stuck in the 2's.

Yes, to have a big impact it may take more time for key forwards but pretty much all of the good ones are taking time in the 1's not the 2's...

Big year for Jeffo.

[dazzledavey36 56,334]

1 hour ago, Gator said:

If he was good enough he could have played year one.  Like a skinny Riewoldt did and like a skinny Amiss did.

Jefferson is 21 before the start of the season.  Jack Riewoldt kicked 78 goals as a 21 year old and Franklin kicked 108.

Now I'm obviously not comparing him to those two players.  My point is that some supporters spend their lives making excuses for players.  Jefferson has no more excuses and he never really has.  The skinny kid argument has always been BS.

Well said.

A good comparison would be Calsher Dear from Hawthorn.

Skinny tall forward who was pick 56 from the 2023 draft and came in with little fanfare off the back of limited exposure at Coates League level.

Plays 17 games in his first year last year for 25 goals and tore the Bulldogs apart in last year's final. Lucky not to kick 6 that night.

I wasn't a fan on draft night when we selected Jefferson and was hoping for Ed Allan instead. I then actually became a staunch supporter of Jefferson when others have questioned him over the last couple of year and thought maybe he was stiff not to be given games last year perhaps.

My biggest worry is his intensity is of Josh Schache like.

[bing181 9,473]

3 hours ago, Gator said:

Jack Riewoldt kicked 78 goals as a 21 year old

In his 4th season. = 2026 for Jefferson.

Though that ignores all the successful forwards who weren't doing anything like 78 goals/season at 21, which is most of them.

[58er 6,872]

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Well said.

A good comparison would be Calsher Dear from Hawthorn.

Skinny tall forward who was pick 56 from the 2023 draft and came in with little fanfare off the back of limited exposure at Coates League level.

Plays 17 games in his first year last year for 25 goals and tore the Bulldogs apart in last year's final. Lucky not to kick 6 that night.

I wasn't a fan on draft night when we selected Jefferson and was hoping for Ed Allan instead. I then actually became a staunch supporter of Jefferson when others have questioned him over the last couple of year and thought maybe he was stiff not to be given games last year perhaps.

My biggest worry is his intensity is of Josh Schache like.

GATOR you have no idea about the development of players and requirements for AFL footy. And DD you have let the naysayers get to you and now are demanding Jeffo be a Calshier Dear this season. 

it is a proven fact that Key Position players in FF CHF CHB and FB are slower  developers to attain regular AFL status and impact more than marginally in team performance.

Classic examples are say Tom Hawkins and Darcy Fogarty as forwards and Tmac and Noah Balta. 

You both are now saying that Jeffo should not have been given the 2 years to develop his skills and his physique in 2023 and 2024. 

Despite before your own eyes he has done this with 75% of Demonland ( and thousands of other Dees fans) on his back and questioning almost every inch of his body mind shoulders fists hands hunch and kicking and ferociousness along the way. 

Yes it  seems a slow burn but tight now is his time to start repaying himself and us for the last 2 years with some promising performances that will lead to his career as an AFL forward. 

Honestly If you can’t see the difference in playing style and attitude between Rooy and Jeffo then go back and think of your nephews nieces sons and daughters and compare their growth cycle.

The great Christian Petracca took until 2020 to realise his fitness and preparation for AFL needed to be elite before he was a regular star from that break out practice match form vs Adelaide at Casey.

Clarry was a beast and took to AFL like a duck in 2016 in his first quarter and until his issues last season has never looked back. David Schwarz was a developmental star and hit the team as a nearly developed product. Greg Wells the same and Robbie Flower also but others like King brothers have taken their time to start to dominate thrice respective forward lines.

Jeffo also has the combination of forward skills and the brain of a forward. Only some players have these abilities and Bailey Fritsch is another.

Max Papley and Jeremy Cameron similarly. Sit back and enjoy the ride as the moments will be worth the while as will some features of exasperation occasionally. But the important result is our forward line this year sometime will be far more dangerous with Jeffo in it and the resulting Rooy Disco AJ at times Plus Fritta Kossie McAdam hopefully, Chin Harvey L and Pup Brown and the Kolt should be busy and competitive to provide much more scoring opportunities than before if our team and game plans are successful. 

I can’t wait to see it unfold because the result is positively mouth watering. Add Trac Harry and as swingers. 

Also refer to our Gold Coast game in Round 23 as a snippet of our potential and Jeffo will  be a big part of it but get off his back and let him breathe please!! 

 

 

 

[Roost it far 10,137]

5 hours ago, 58er said:

GATOR you have no idea about the development of players and requirements for AFL footy. And DD you have let the naysayers get to you and now are demanding Jeffo be a Calshier Dear this season. 

it is a proven fact that Key Position players in FF CHF CHB and FB are slower  developers to attain regular AFL status and impact more than marginally in team performance.

Classic examples are say Tom Hawkins and Darcy Fogarty as forwards and Tmac and Noah Balta. 

You both are now saying that Jeffo should not have been given the 2 years to develop his skills and his physique in 2023 and 2024. 

Despite before your own eyes he has done this with 75% of Demonland ( and thousands of other Dees fans) on his back and questioning almost every inch of his body mind shoulders fists hands hunch and kicking and ferociousness along the way. 

Yes it  seems a slow burn but tight now is his time to start repaying himself and us for the last 2 years with some promising performances that will lead to his career as an AFL forward. 

Honestly If you can’t see the difference in playing style and attitude between Rooy and Jeffo then go back and think of your nephews nieces sons and daughters and compare their growth cycle.

The great Christian Petracca took until 2020 to realise his fitness and preparation for AFL needed to be elite before he was a regular star from that break out practice match form vs Adelaide at Casey.

Clarry was a beast and took to AFL like a duck in 2016 in his first quarter and until his issues last season has never looked back. David Schwarz was a developmental star and hit the team as a nearly developed product. Greg Wells the same and Robbie Flower also but others like King brothers have taken their time to start to dominate thrice respective forward lines.

Jeffo also has the combination of forward skills and the brain of a forward. Only some players have these abilities and Bailey Fritsch is another.

Max Papley and Jeremy Cameron similarly. Sit back and enjoy the ride as the moments will be worth the while as will some features of exasperation occasionally. But the important result is our forward line this year sometime will be far more dangerous with Jeffo in it and the resulting Rooy Disco AJ at times Plus Fritta Kossie McAdam hopefully, Chin Harvey L and Pup Brown and the Kolt should be busy and competitive to provide much more scoring opportunities than before if our team and game plans are successful. 

I can’t wait to see it unfold because the result is positively mouth watering. Add Trac Harry and as swingers. 

Also refer to our Gold Coast game in Round 23 as a snippet of our potential and Jeffo will  be a big part of it but get off his back and let him breathe please!! 

 

 

 

I think you’re misunderstanding the worries over Jefferson, it’s not his ability that is ok question it’s his intensity at the contest. History suggests that can’t be taught. You either have that monger or you don’t. He may have it or he may not. It has been suggested by a coach that he may not, that is the concern. Weideman and Schache had the ability it’s that next bit that remains a concern.

[picket fence 18,186]

5 hours ago, 58er said:

GATOR you have no idea about the development of players and requirements for AFL footy. And DD you have let the naysayers get to you and now are demanding Jeffo be a Calshier Dear this season. 

it is a proven fact that Key Position players in FF CHF CHB and FB are slower  developers to attain regular AFL status and impact more than marginally in team performance.

Classic examples are say Tom Hawkins and Darcy Fogarty as forwards and Tmac and Noah Balta. 

You both are now saying that Jeffo should not have been given the 2 years to develop his skills and his physique in 2023 and 2024. 

Despite before your own eyes he has done this with 75% of Demonland ( and thousands of other Dees fans) on his back and questioning almost every inch of his body mind shoulders fists hands hunch and kicking and ferociousness along the way. 

Yes it  seems a slow burn but tight now is his time to start repaying himself and us for the last 2 years with some promising performances that will lead to his career as an AFL forward. 

Honestly If you can’t see the difference in playing style and attitude between Rooy and Jeffo then go back and think of your nephews nieces sons and daughters and compare their growth cycle.

The great Christian Petracca took until 2020 to realise his fitness and preparation for AFL needed to be elite before he was a regular star from that break out practice match form vs Adelaide at Casey.

Clarry was a beast and took to AFL like a duck in 2016 in his first quarter and until his issues last season has never looked back. David Schwarz was a developmental star and hit the team as a nearly developed product. Greg Wells the same and Robbie Flower also but others like King brothers have taken their time to start to dominate thrice respective forward lines.

Jeffo also has the combination of forward skills and the brain of a forward. Only some players have these abilities and Bailey Fritsch is another.

Max Papley and Jeremy Cameron similarly. Sit back and enjoy the ride as the moments will be worth the while as will some features of exasperation occasionally. But the important result is our forward line this year sometime will be far more dangerous with Jeffo in it and the resulting Rooy Disco AJ at times Plus Fritta Kossie McAdam hopefully, Chin Harvey L and Pup Brown and the Kolt should be busy and competitive to provide much more scoring opportunities than before if our team and game plans are successful. 

I can’t wait to see it unfold because the result is positively mouth watering. Add Trac Harry and as swingers. 

Also refer to our Gold Coast game in Round 23 as a snippet of our potential and Jeffo will  be a big part of it but get off his back and let him breathe please!! 

 

 

 

Jeffo post of the year!

[Stu 1,073]

52 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

I think you’re misunderstanding the worries over Jefferson, it’s not his ability that is ok question it’s his intensity at the contest. History suggests that can’t be taught. You either have that monger or you don’t. He may have it or he may not. It has been suggested by a coach that he may not, that is the concern. Weideman and Schache had the ability it’s that next bit that remains a concern.

Not all forwards require JVR's type of aggression and desire for the contest to be successful, just in the same way you need tough in-and-under midfielders, as well as skillful outside players. To my eye, what makes Jefferson different to Weideman and Schache is that (like Fritsch) he knows how to get in positions to receive the ball in a goal-scoring position.

He also seems to be more on his toes, able to move away from a contest quickly to receive a handball, or attempt to tackle his opponent. SW or JS either had bad reaction times, or a tendency to rest on their heals (and often a head drop when the first attempt failed). While Jefferson doesn't have JVR's hunger for the contest (not many do), he does have the smarts and reaction times to be a great complement to JVR.

Edited February 2 by Stu

[dazzledavey36 56,334]

6 hours ago, 58er said:

GATOR you have no idea about the development of players and requirements for AFL footy. And DD you have let the naysayers get to you and now are demanding Jeffo be a Calshier Dear this season. 

it is a proven fact that Key Position players in FF CHF CHB and FB are slower  developers to attain regular AFL status and impact more than marginally in team performance.

Classic examples are say Tom Hawkins and Darcy Fogarty as forwards and Tmac and Noah Balta. 

You both are now saying that Jeffo should not have been given the 2 years to develop his skills and his physique in 2023 and 2024. 

Despite before your own eyes he has done this with 75% of Demonland ( and thousands of other Dees fans) on his back and questioning almost every inch of his body mind shoulders fists hands hunch and kicking and ferociousness along the way. 

Yes it  seems a slow burn but tight now is his time to start repaying himself and us for the last 2 years with some promising performances that will lead to his career as an AFL forward. 

Honestly If you can’t see the difference in playing style and attitude between Rooy and Jeffo then go back and think of your nephews nieces sons and daughters and compare their growth cycle.

The great Christian Petracca took until 2020 to realise his fitness and preparation for AFL needed to be elite before he was a regular star from that break out practice match form vs Adelaide at Casey.

Clarry was a beast and took to AFL like a duck in 2016 in his first quarter and until his issues last season has never looked back. David Schwarz was a developmental star and hit the team as a nearly developed product. Greg Wells the same and Robbie Flower also but others like King brothers have taken their time to start to dominate thrice respective forward lines.

Jeffo also has the combination of forward skills and the brain of a forward. Only some players have these abilities and Bailey Fritsch is another.

Max Papley and Jeremy Cameron similarly. Sit back and enjoy the ride as the moments will be worth the while as will some features of exasperation occasionally. But the important result is our forward line this year sometime will be far more dangerous with Jeffo in it and the resulting Rooy Disco AJ at times Plus Fritta Kossie McAdam hopefully, Chin Harvey L and Pup Brown and the Kolt should be busy and competitive to provide much more scoring opportunities than before if our team and game plans are successful. 

I can’t wait to see it unfold because the result is positively mouth watering. Add Trac Harry and as swingers. 

Also refer to our Gold Coast game in Round 23 as a snippet of our potential and Jeffo will  be a big part of it but get off his back and let him breathe please!! 

 

 

 

Please provide evidence and quotes where i have "demanded" for Jefferson to be Calsher Dear this year?

I'll wait.

[MrFreeze 2,055]

Doth though yearn for thyne contest Sir Jefferson?

[Willmoy1947 4,261]

1 hour ago, MrFreeze said:

Doth though yearn for thyne contest Sir Jefferson?

Yes, I agree. All we want is for him to get ahead.

[Deemania since 56 6,808]

23 hours ago, DeeZone said:

I have a really good feeling about Matty Jefferson this year, he now looks ready to go, I can see him and Fritta being very hard to match up with JvR and Disco taking the big dogs.

These are intriguing thoughts ... it can be imagined/assumed this will happen.

[Young Angus 875]

19 hours ago, gs77 said:

I'm sure there was. But bear in mind we also picked Weidemann ahead of numerous more successful tall forwards in his draft year. Seeing something in a 17yo doesn't necessarily extrapolate to AFL level, though I'm really hopeful Jeffo makes it - he's made strong strides since this time last year.

Oh god...you're right :(

Jeffo looks more promising that Weiderman...hopefully...can't believe we picked Weiderman ahead of both Curnow and McKay...what a shame.

Win some you lose some I guess, we got Trac because the Saints didn't pick him so that ain't bad I guess.

Edited February 3 by Young Angus

[gs77 4,614]

2 hours ago, Young Angus said:

Oh god...you're right :(

Jeffo looks more promising that Weiderman...hopefully...can't believe we picked Weiderman ahead of both Curnow and McKay...what a shame.

Win some you lose some I guess, we got Trac because the Saints didn't pick him so that ain't bad I guess.

And the Saints gave us another leg up last year thanks to their last-round win which put them above us on the ladder and behind us in the draft, landing us Langford who looks like he could be a gun. 😀

[58er 6,872]

23 hours ago, Roost it far said:

I think you’re misunderstanding the worries over Jefferson, it’s not his ability that is ok question it’s his intensity at the contest. History suggests that can’t be taught. You either have that monger or you don’t. He may have it or he may not. It has been suggested by a coach that he may not, that is the concern. Weideman and Schache had the ability it’s that next bit that remains a concern.

Yes but with his improved form since early/ halfway 2024 that had not been questioned IMO. Any one now can still bring that up but I think he is different to Weid and Schache and he needed to get all his mind and body in the game. He realises now that he is not without the talent and has the confidence to overcome this. 

Only time will tell.

Is that Coach because he said he’s a no correct? It’s only his opinion and many others also have opinions. 

is that Coach still with us? 

[Cranky Franky 2,270]

On 03/02/2025 at 02:52, 58er said:

GATOR you have no idea about the development of players and requirements for AFL footy. And DD you have let the naysayers get to you and now are demanding Jeffo be a Calshier Dear this season. 

it is a proven fact that Key Position players in FF CHF CHB and FB are slower  developers to attain regular AFL status and impact more than marginally in team performance.

Classic examples are say Tom Hawkins and Darcy Fogarty as forwards and Tmac and Noah Balta. 

You both are now saying that Jeffo should not have been given the 2 years to develop his skills and his physique in 2023 and 2024. 

Despite before your own eyes he has done this with 75% of Demonland ( and thousands of other Dees fans) on his back and questioning almost every inch of his body mind shoulders fists hands hunch and kicking and ferociousness along the way. 

Yes it  seems a slow burn but tight now is his time to start repaying himself and us for the last 2 years with some promising performances that will lead to his career as an AFL forward. 

Honestly If you can’t see the difference in playing style and attitude between Rooy and Jeffo then go back and think of your nephews nieces sons and daughters and compare their growth cycle.

The great Christian Petracca took until 2020 to realise his fitness and preparation for AFL needed to be elite before he was a regular star from that break out practice match form vs Adelaide at Casey.

Clarry was a beast and took to AFL like a duck in 2016 in his first quarter and until his issues last season has never looked back. David Schwarz was a developmental star and hit the team as a nearly developed product. Greg Wells the same and Robbie Flower also but others like King brothers have taken their time to start to dominate thrice respective forward lines.

Jeffo also has the combination of forward skills and the brain of a forward. Only some players have these abilities and Bailey Fritsch is another.

Max Papley and Jeremy Cameron similarly. Sit back and enjoy the ride as the moments will be worth the while as will some features of exasperation occasionally. But the important result is our forward line this year sometime will be far more dangerous with Jeffo in it and the resulting Rooy Disco AJ at times Plus Fritta Kossie McAdam hopefully, Chin Harvey L and Pup Brown and the Kolt should be busy and competitive to provide much more scoring opportunities than before if our team and game plans are successful. 

I can’t wait to see it unfold because the result is positively mouth watering. Add Trac Harry and as swingers. 

Also refer to our Gold Coast game in Round 23 as a snippet of our potential and Jeffo will  be a big part of it but get off his back and let him breathe please!! 

 

 

 

Pro tip 58r - get someone to edit your posts - they're too long 😆😆

No Demonlander is going to read more than 2 paragraphs 

[58er 6,872]

17 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

Pro tip 58r - get someone to edit your posts - they're too long 😆😆

No Demonlander is going to read more than 2 paragraphs 

Well they seem to read BinmanCF!!!! 

Perhaps it may apply selectively and you are not on the list! 
Thanks for the advice CF