Now that 2024 is officially done and dusted from a finals perspective. I thought I get a positive thread going into 2025 , because I'm sure there will be plenty of negative ones.

For me some of the positives are. 

 

-judd mcvee - continual improvement and one of the best small/mid defenders in the comp elite user of the ball and ability to shut down the most dangerous small forwards.

-Caleb Windsor-

Skill, poise, speed and tough at it, exactly the type of player we need more of . One of the best debut seasons I've seen. 

What are yours?

Edited August 10, 2024Aug 10 by Bates Mate

We are still the best dressed team in the AFL. Apart from that horrible yellow rectangle on the back of the jumper.
Its hard to go past Windsor as the highlight. He moves like C Judd imo. Rivers has been really good at times. Mcvee also.
Our 2nd quarter against Brisbane at the Gabba was awesome.
We beat the bummers, and helped ruin their season.

29 minutes ago, Bates Mate said:

Now that 2024 is officially done and dusted from a finals perspective. I thought I get a positive thread going into 2025 , because I'm sure there will be plenty of negative ones.

For me some of the positives are. 

 

-judd mcvee - continual improvement and one of the best small/mid defenders in the comp elite user of the ball and ability to shut down the most dangerous small forwards.

-Caleb Windsor-

Skill, poise, speed and tough at it, exactly the type of player we need more of . One of the best debut seasons I've seen. 

What are yours?

Yep. McVee, Rivers, Windsor are about it.

And that pick 6 is likely

Edit. Also very pleased if Coll, Ess, Haw and/or Carlton miss the 8

Edited August 10, 2024Aug 10 by Moonshadow

Getting games into youngsters.

We will have a good pick.

The fixture will become a little easier in '25 - in theory. 

Gawn remains quite comfortably the best ruckman in the comp

Even with all the injuries when they bring the heat they can beat anyone. 

The steady rise of JVR 

Rivers adding more strings to his bow

Turner as a fwd 

Petty re signing 

But, as others have said, biggest positive  by far is watching Windsor adjust to AFL. 

Bombers annual choking routine. Always a hoot to watch and helps distract us from our own worries and concerns

Kozzy will be AA next year if not this year. He might win our best and fairest.

Petracca showed he can almost win games by himself as a forward. If he fully recovers, his injury may have been a blessing as it's forced us had to test what the midfield looks like without Trac there all the time.

Windsor is the best draft pick since Oliver.

Gawn can play for a few more years, we just need to put him on a program of rest next year. We really need to look at how Geelong have operated over the years.

Turner could be a great third tall option.

JVR is SO close, he just needs to take his opportunities. Hold two more marks a game and we're in business.

Oliver was bad, but at least he played. 9 months ago the stories were that he'd never play again.

I like this thread. 

Turner looks promising. Love his bullocking and second efforts. 

Windsor obviously. Will be a star. 

ANB has had a great year. 
 

When we bring the pressure we’re an impressive team, ie against Brisbane at the GABBA. 

Some very promising under 22's.  McVee, Windsor and JVR all look long term standouts.

Gawn's season has been underrated by many.  He is a victim of his own insane standards.  Currently the 4th highest rated player across the entire competition this season. He will win his third Bluey in an absolute canter and should have a 7th AA to show for it.

 

Turner’s leading and marking yesterday was hugely promising. Not sure his fitness is good enough (a common theme for other players IMO) but with hopefully a strong pre-season I reckon we’ve found something.

Now if we can just find someone to do the relief ruck work to allow us to stop rucking JVR…

There is only two rounds to go

Good thread,

we have a break,

a really strong pre season, come out strong in 2025. Early wins count as much as late wins.

Disco should never be sub again, really great potential.  I also think Monners can become a player. 
 

if our recruitment works , no players who are fringe at other clubs please.  And if we score in the draft.   Need one more best 22 from somewhere.or two.   We can be at the pointy end of the season again. 
 

Relax, the filth and the scum miss finals, it’s a good season. Positive vibes for 25.

Get our players right, a strong pre-season, and all will be well. One thing this season has shown us is that there is no one team that will be impossible to beat. Last night showed me that Petty can play both ends and is a very underrated contested mark. With him, Turner, JVR (who I think will establish himself as a champion next year) and hopefully Jefferson we should finally have the structure of a forward line. We need to recruit a replacement for May and continue to develop a backup ruckman. I am full of confidence.

 

 Oh, and it world be nice if they learn from this year that after contest and defence in the backline, we need to move the ball FAST into our forward line.

2024 PROS

- Windsor will be a gun

- JVR continues to improve, what a competitor 

- Rivers and McVee both stepped up this year

- Kossie greater impact on more games

- Turner showing signs as a forward, but , occasionally getting ahead of himself vs team thing

- Somehow remained competitive and in the hunt for the eight until now (win two of Giants, Blues, Lions, Port) and who knows!

2024 CONS

Season heavily impacted in preseason:

- Brayshaw career finished 😢 hope he is ok for living rest of his life

- Smith

- Oliver, mental health and more, very limited preseason that led to average season 

- Petty limited pre season, major impact on his year

- Grundy should have given it one more season 

Big injuries in season:

- Trac

- May carried broken ribs lot of the season

- Lever, Bowey, Salem all missed chunks of season

- Viney obviously carried injuries through most of the season, what a warrior

- Max

- Spargo maligned by many on Demonland, but valuable in that 16-23 player range and connection into forward line

2023 Reflection

- still feels like Melksham doesn’t go down in last round and we actually use Grundy in finals and what might have been

Trading:

- Hunter, Schache, Fullarton, Billing’s, Mcadam not worked (maybe a full preseason and Mcadam might show more!) Everything is easy in hindsight when it comes to trading 

2025:

- a fully fit Oliver, Trac, Gawn, Petty, Viney, And May, and there is hope

- kids improve unexpectedly e.g. Jefferson or Brown take an extra step

- a good draft pick or two

- we need to nail one or two decent trades, maybe a Lynch for a 2nd pick and future 2nd get a Ben Brown effect(who helped us win a flag)

- finish 13 this year and get a really good draw

Take Trac and May equivalent out of Port last night and have fit Trac and May playing for the Demons, game looks very different!

All is not lost!

Final point, give Oliver a full preseason, hopefully a clear head and we have a multiple All Australian, coaches award winner and 4 time B&F winner back, I can’t believe how many Demonlanders want to write him off!

Go Demons!!!!!!!

Edited August 11, 2024Aug 11 by george_on_the_outer

Rivers and Windsor the two highlights for me.

Other highlights

McVee & Turner continuing to come along nicely.

Kozzie has now kicked 159 goals in 104 games and should end up another season close to the 40 goal mark (Last 4 seasons 40, 41, 37, 34*) 

Ed Langdon returning to some form.

Relentlessness of ANB, Viney, Chin

 

1 hour ago, D4Life said:

2024 PROS

- Windsor will be a gun

- JVR continues to improve, what a competitor 

- Rivers and McVee both stepped up this year

- Kossie greater impact on more games

- Turner showing signs as a forward, but , occasionally getting ahead of himself vs team thing

- Somehow remained competitive and in the hunt for the eight until now (win two of Giants, Blues, Lions, Port) and who knows!

2024 CONS

Season heavily impacted in preseason:

- Brayshaw career finished 😢 hope he is ok for living rest of his life

- Smith

- Oliver, mental health and more, very limited preseason that led to average season 

- Petty limited pre season, major impact on his year

- Grundy should have given it one more season 

Big injuries in season:

- Trac

- May carried broken ribs lot of the season

- Lever, Bowey, Salem all missed chunks of season

- Viney obviously carried injuries through most of the season, what a warrior

- Max

- Spargo maligned by many on Demonland, but valuable in that 16-23 player range and connection into forward line

2023 Reflection

- still feels like Melksham doesn’t go down in last round and we actually use Grundy in finals and what might have been

Trading:

- Hunter, Schache, Fullarton, Billing’s, Mcadam not worked (maybe a full preseason and Mcadam might show more!) Everything is easy in hindsight when it comes to trading 

2025:

- a fully fit Oliver, Trac, Gawn, Petty, Viney, And May, and there is hope

- kids improve unexpectedly e.g. Jefferson or Brown take an extra step

- a good draft pick or two

- we need to nail one or two decent trades, maybe a Lynch for a 2nd pick and future 2nd get a Ben Brown effect(who helped us win a flag)

- finish 13 this year and get a really good draw

Take Trac and May equivalent out of Port last night and have fit Trac and May playing for the Demons, game looks very different!

All is not lost!

Final point, give Oliver a full preseason, hopefully a clear head and we have a multiple All Australian, coaches award winner and 4 time B&F winner back, I can’t believe how many Demonlanders want to write him off!

Go Demons!!!!!!!

Agree with NEARLY all your opinion except for LYNCH , because we need a longer term Key Forward or Ruckman to elongate Gawn's career (Actually,he (Gawn) could be the "Lynch pin" in our forward line and mentor the new bloke  and provide support in the ruck (ala Hawkins).      Remember Geelong have survived without a standout ruckman.

We also have terrific potential development in Windsor ,McVee,RIvers, Kozzie, Chandler and Turner is showing versatility, Petty is confident and back. Let JVR be the Jonathon Brown of the 2020's (not huge possessions,high impact).

Clarry & Trac will be back !!

We also need a tall developing defender account May, Tmac & Lever are "aging" , but need management.

On 11/08/2024 at 10:32, D4Life said:

2024 PROS

- Windsor will be a gun

- JVR continues to improve, what a competitor 

- Rivers and McVee both stepped up this year

- Kossie greater impact on more games

- Turner showing signs as a forward, but , occasionally getting ahead of himself vs team thing

- Somehow remained competitive and in the hunt for the eight until now (win two of Giants, Blues, Lions, Port) and who knows!

2024 CONS

Season heavily impacted in preseason:

- Brayshaw career finished 😢 hope he is ok for living rest of his life

- Smith

- Oliver, mental health and more, very limited preseason that led to average season 

- Petty limited pre season, major impact on his year

- Grundy should have given it one more season 

Big injuries in season:

- Trac

- May carried broken ribs lot of the season

- Lever, Bowey, Salem all missed chunks of season

- Viney obviously carried injuries through most of the season, what a warrior

- Max

- Spargo maligned by many on Demonland, but valuable in that 16-23 player range and connection into forward line

2023 Reflection

- still feels like Melksham doesn’t go down in last round and we actually use Grundy in finals and what might have been

Trading:

- Hunter, Schache, Fullarton, Billing’s, Mcadam not worked (maybe a full preseason and Mcadam might show more!) Everything is easy in hindsight when it comes to trading 

2025:

- a fully fit Oliver, Trac, Gawn, Petty, Viney, And May, and there is hope

- kids improve unexpectedly e.g. Jefferson or Brown take an extra step

- a good draft pick or two

- we need to nail one or two decent trades, maybe a Lynch for a 2nd pick and future 2nd get a Ben Brown effect(who helped us win a flag)

- finish 13 this year and get a really good draw

Take Trac and May equivalent out of Port last night and have fit Trac and May playing for the Demons, game looks very different!

All is not lost!

Final point, give Oliver a full preseason, hopefully a clear head and we have a multiple All Australian, coaches award winner and 4 time B&F winner back, I can’t believe how many Demonlanders want to write him off!

Go Demons!!!!!!!

@D4Life let’s get a beer or a coffee.  Great points. Its along with my thinking. We are not a basket case.  Just need some smart decisions 

Potential future leaders in Rivers, JVR and McVee.

Windsor. Could be elite.

Gawn. One do the greats.

 

We will receive a great pick this year, please dont trade it.

 

Edited August 12, 2024Aug 12 by Jibroni

A lot of my thoughts have already been listed by previous posters but here goes and I am also liking this thread. Despite missing a number of our better players through out the year with injury and niggles we now have that ingrained ability to scrap and close down top 8 sides. I am a bit excited about what we can deliver next year with a big pre season for our budding stars and a couple more quality draft picks and a fully fit senior list.

Captain Max - Bravo, Jack Viney pushing through his injuries, Lingers back to his best, Mayzie playing injured, Petty finally getting on top of his foot injury, ANB lifted to try and fill the void, Chin applying huge pressure and Tommy Sparrow on the improve.

Then our first echelon of younger players led by Kozzie Pickett, Trent Rivers, Jacob van Rooyen and Judd McVee.

We blooded Caleb Windsor (star), Koltyn Tholstrup, Blake Howes, Pup Brown and got extra games into Daniel Turner, Bailey Laurie, Woey, etc. there is a lot to like about these kids.

Gutted by the loss of Angus Brayshaw ( heart and sole player), Smith finally delivering, Clayton’s horrid end of year and tortured pre season and to top it off losing our most bona-fide footballer in Christian Petracca mid season. This series of losses and flow on side effects has really cruelled our year.

I am also buoyed by the letter put out by Gary Pert our CEO regarding Tracc and the Club going forward.
 

 

I'm hoping the fallout of all this (alleged) discontent vis a vis Trac, Clarry and Viney is one of the positives to come from 2024. A bit like 2020, where there was murmurings of alleged discontent in the ranks, and we made some smart off season choices, re-galvanised, had some honest conversations around the fire place and snapped our 57 year streak.

Obviously there are other wins this year like the emergence of our younger brigade and the small margin between being in the top 4 (losing by a goal to Carlton, Brisbane, GWS and Port) despite never really getting going and playing some really poor football.

I've been again really impressed with our development program as well.

I agree with most of the above. Another positive -  so far no one has hi-jacked the thread into yet another woe-is-us thread.

another positive is that we will finally get a full preseason. weve had shortened ones since 2020 - and that was interrupted by covid. actually the last full preseason we had was 2018 - the rest have been shortened by finals or covid.

hopefully this one can be reasonably injury free. 

Edited August 13, 2024Aug 13 by biggestred

Annus Horribilis.

Thinking of 2025, it reminds me of this beauty from 1988* it's so good I chose to hide it behind this link.

Edited August 13, 2024Aug 13 by Engorged Onion