2 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Think Viney comes in for Spargo, AJ creates a lot of havoc in the forward line

This.

No chance does aj go out, he’s clearly the best option to backup ruck we have atm. The team looks very balanced atm between defence and offence so I wouldn’t be messing with moving tuner fwd or anything like that.

1 hour ago, HarpenDee said:

This game is bloody huge now. Set up King's Birthday, Dees.

Yes, but one game at a time. Still need to give the Saints a good old fashioned flogging.

AJ didn't hit the scoreboard but although stats say only 2 goal assists, he was heavily involved in several more, AND provides real contest in ruck duels, and the ground ball scramble that often follows.

Sharp provided spark when he replaced an underwhelming Spargo.

Lever seemed to be hobbling in the last minutes - same injury or not? TMcD would be a well justified replacement.

Selection will be interesting.

AND we just cannot afford to let so many chances go begging against better sides.

Edited May 25, 2025May 25 by monoccular

2 hours ago, wheaters31 said:

I think Lever's knee injury from the last quarter is worse than what we realise.

Hope it is not the worst news.

In his press conference, Goodwin said that he was all good.

Also that Viney should be right to go (though has to tick some boxes etc. etc.).

2 hours ago, bing181 said:

Hopefully Viney comes back in. If not, he's in trouble with the concussion.

Otherwise I wouldn't tinker too much. Windsor has been slightly off but was better today. McVee not back up to his old standards either, but not sure who could replace him, or whether anyone should.

AJ is perhaps the big question mark. OK, a couple of smart intercepts and taps in general play, but overall he just doesn't bring enough for me. A 1 kick/zero mark/zero score game doesn't exactly scream "pick me".

EXACTLY!!!!

In T. Mac, Viney (if Fit) if not time to reward Sestan

Out Johnson, Spargo, AND THATS IT

Petty plays Back, T.Mac forward ( and takes some Ruck duties ) Disco also provides a forward target ( yes I know he has been fabulous in defence but I see him more the ultimate swing man more so than Petty

Just now, picket fence said:

EXACTLY!!!!

In T. Mac, Viney (if Fit) if not time to reward Sestan

Out Johnson, Spargo, AND THATS IT

Petty plays Back, T.Mac forward ( and takes some Ruck duties ) Disco also provides a forward target ( yes I know he has been fabulous in defence but I see him more the ultimate swing man more so than Petty

Oh Sharp gave more in a quarter and a half than Spargo in any of his games this year and stays!

3 hours ago, wheaters31 said:

I think Lever's knee injury from the last quarter is worse than what we realise.

Hope it is not the worst news.

Watch the replay. It wasn’t his knee at all. His ankle rolled a little and he was perfectly fine and played the rest of the game unhampered.

Considering he’s no stranger to an ACL, there’s no chance he suspects something and doesn’t immediately come off given the game was done.

1 hour ago, bing181 said:

In his press conference, Goodwin said that he was all good.

Also that Viney should be right to go (though has to tick some boxes etc. etc.).

Rick ran away from his awkward ankle role straight toward the backline without any fuss.

Edited May 25, 2025May 25 by YesitwasaWin4theAges

3 hours ago, Jjrogan said:

AJ is like a cameo character in a TV series that provides excellent comedic relief. Are you not entertained. He has a dip!!

My 2025 Tony Campbell.

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

EXACTLY!!!!

In T. Mac, Viney (if Fit) if not time to reward Sestan

Out Johnson, Spargo, AND THATS IT

Petty plays Back, T.Mac forward ( and takes some Ruck duties ) Disco also provides a forward target ( yes I know he has been fabulous in defence but I see him more the ultimate swing man more so than Petty

No but "it's time to bring in Jeffo!!!"

1 hour ago, doomsday dee said:

One change for me,Viney in for Spargo but to play in the forward 50 only, the mid field is now dynamic with Clarrie,Tracc,Pickett,Rivers then with como's from Salem,Bowey and I think I saw McVee in there at one stage

I like your thinking, dd. That would be fun to watch!

Just now, dondemon said:

No but "it's time to bring in Jeffo!!!"

Do not EVER put words in my my mouth or try to read my mind!

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

Watch the replay. It wasn’t his knee at all. His ankle rolled a little and he was perfectly fine and played the rest of the game unhampered.

Considering he’s no stranger to an ACL, there’s no chance he suspects something and doesn’t immediately come off given the game was done.

24 minutes ago, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

Rick ran away from his awkward ankle role straight toward the backline without any fuss.

Cheekily smiling Goodwin in his presser:

'He's fine. He hobbles naturally.'

😄

35 minutes ago, dondemon said:

No but "it's time to bring in Jeffo!!!"

Only if you want to stuff up the forward line.

47 minutes ago, dondemon said:

No but "it's time to bring in Jeffo!!!"

Nah sack Goodwin

4 hours ago, Nasher said:

Out: Spargo

In: Viney

I’m not dropping AJ. He offers 1%ers - the taps, smothers etc that our other talls don’t, and those created goals today. He doesn’t do the “tall things” very well (like contested marking) but I don’t yet trust that van Rooyen will do them either. If I have to choose between two talls who can’t clunk it, I choose the one who is already in the side, proving he does the little things.

Lever had cobwebs to be blown out but I’m not dropping him either. It’s normal for elite players to find form in the seniors and he fits that category. The higher intensity will accelerate his return to the top. Assuming he’s not injured, anyway.

The club video with Lever doing his recovery was informative, he made it clear he struggles for touch when he returns and was trying to remedy it. I actually thought with that in mind and thinking of other returns, he wasn't as 'rusty' as he normally was.

No MJ for mine, nor JVR. We just kicked our highest score in nearly 2 years, so potency is not an issue.

Make them both smash the door down before bringing them back in.

2 hours ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

My 2025 Tony Campbell.

Smooth criminal

I think AJ will put the fear of God into the Hapless Saints Backline

He is worth playing for another game..

6 hours ago, bing181 said:

In a team that kicked the equivalent of 20 goals, AJ didn't manage a single score, even though he was mostly played up forward. He also only had 6 disposals - to go with his previous 5 and 5. And took zero marks.

Hard to see how he's "getting better at playing his role". He has to do more than throw his weight around and give away free kicks.

I don't know what game you were at but AJ performed well in his bullocking role. In fact he gave away two goals selfishly to others.

I said previously just last week that they were persevering with Sharp because if he could get over the yips his pace would really be an asset to add to Kozzie and Windsor as our three jets, and that he needed to show some flashes of brilliance to gain more confidence to feel at home in the team.

I think I was pretty much on song with the coaches and match committee with that in comparison to those who had him marked out as a DUD, even if I do say so myself!!!

I have found that there is a lot of negativity here. So many had the Demons experimenting and getting games into inexperienced players because the season was cooked. Defeatism is not acceptable. Please support the team with positivity. Negativity is a cancer and even though they say they are not concerned with outside noise, it has a way of getting into the air and spreading

I also commented previously that we had a very good list, that the season was long and by no means over, and that Fritta was dealing with a newborn and needed time , football not being everything, and even that JVR was not working and was against bringing him back for fear of clogging up the forward line. I think I was right with most of those observations. One thing not widely appreciated about Fritta is his aerial balance and thus his marking as third man up. He seems to have got that back and is running playing the team game. I thought he was great today!!

I also said Turner should play forward. I am now revising that. I think he is really going to be be the centrepiece in the backline as the May Lever unit gets passed it...not yet of course, but later. Backline with McVee coming good, Turner, May, Lever, Bowey, Salem Windsor and Rivers...depth TMac is a (censored) cracker! May has a year or two, Lever a bit more, but by then Turner will be well -blooded. He reads the game well, is mobile and is a really solid mark.

One other thing I reckon is worth mentioning is that Sparrow is a really accurate set shot for goal...He's shown that over a few seasons already. I had supreme confidence he'd slot that set shot, and bingo, he did, and he's a great kick for goal on the run from around 50 mts. Some here have wrongly and prematurely dropped him. He's having a pretty good year...I think he will get even better over the back half of the year. I thought his comment at half time about "the lost opportunities in the second quarter not really being a problem because their focus on defence around the contest inevitably, would naturally result in opportunities forward" was interesting. Great mindset I reckon.

Go Hard and Go Often!!

Go Demons!!!!!

52 minutes ago, David-Demon said:

I don't know what game you were at but AJ performed well in his bullocking role. In fact he gave away two goals selfishly to others.

Caàryyyst read the post, bullocking role?? THIS AINT AN EPISODE OF BONANZA, CARRYST! Possesions 10 in 2 games..... you are in fantasy land!

Edited May 25, 2025May 25 by picket fence

31 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Why don't you go stuff up ur cistern with ur own garbage you old shheeit a brick!

Bed time matey

5 hours ago, picket fence said:

Why don't you go stuff up ur cistern with ur own garbage you old shheeit a brick!

Hmm ! Thanks for the advice pf but I will pass.

I hope we stick with AJ. He does a couple of important things:

Solid ruck relief and puts a lot of pressure around the ground.

Competes up forward and is effective stopping the ball from getting the ball out.

Keep putting games into him. He has played a few games of footy and has done more than most young talls do at the same stage.