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During a full ground drill yesterday, Gawn was at the top of the square and someone kicked it to him. Just as he was about to take a fairly high mark, Keilty came from the side and used his body/hip just enough to nudge Maxy to the side and take the defensive mark. Apprently this resulted in a big reaction from the playing group. This was also after Max was doing well and had already taken 3 or 4 good contested marks.

#giveitbackjobe

Did the training session even happen? I'm having some kind of Kafka-esque existential crisis. Maybe all the players and coaching staff woke up to find they were just cockroaches wandering aimlessly around an empty, meaningless world.... Gawd this off-season is killing me

Nailed it.

New Year, time to put a few things in order, so a small personal “coming out”. About a year ago, following a remark I heard on a podcast, I realised I was autistic. The Big A. A little while later, I had a bit of paper to confirm it: a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome. (Asperger’s is autism without delay in speech development as a kid.) So, whatever, this is a football forum, fair enough. But posting here for the good and simple reason that the vast majority of adults with autism or Asperger’s are undiagnosed. In general, people have little or no real idea what autism really is. I know I didn’t. Given that autism is present at around 1%, then according to the stats, there would be 40+ autistic Demonlanders, most of whom don’t know it. That’s the stats. In reality? Who knows, at least a few. Or more. You’d be surprised. I know I was. There are underlying key diagnostic criteria, but outside of that, there are no specific rules with autism, everyone’s different. But if you have trouble looking people in the eyes, have trouble maintaining a conversation (except about subjects that really interest you, such as Hogan’s goal-kicking routine, or MFC players in the years between the two world wars), are maybe a bit uncoordinated, and are bothered even slightly, by sound, light, touch (e.g. clothes or textures) it might be worth looking into. For example, one of the ever-so-subtle give-aways for me was that I realised I always drive with the sunvisor down, even in winter. Equally, you could be fine with all of that … and still be autistic. If any of this rings a bell with you or anyone you know, you can look around the net for more info, or do one of the (validated) screening tests. They won’t confirm that you’re autistic, but will confirm that you aren’t (if that’s the case). Do a search on RAADS-14 or Baron-Cohen AQ Test. (if that name rings a bell, yes, cousin of …). Happy to reply to any questions as best I can and based on my own experiences, here or by PM. Autism has been good to me. Alongside the challenges, thinking differently has given me advantages professionally and personally. I wouldn't change it for anything. But I would change having spent most of my life not knowing. Go Dees. (Mods, if this is inappropriate or whatever, please delete.)

I just think Hird has tried every possible angle to be viewed as "the victim" in this whole sad and sorry mess.

Im telling you Declan and Tim Smith will surprise everyone this year. Keilty is one of the most impressive intercept marks i have seen for a long time. Remind me alot of McGovern from West Coast who also started as a rookie. Can also push forward and clunk a couple of big grabs and kicks goals. A genuinely good modern swingman to have.

Here is Hird snr response to Patrick Smith's articles: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/patrick-smith-ignores-the-truth-in-his-articles-on-my-son-james-hird/news-story/722b0db398c399c6fc82b7dac1ff7cff Nothing worth quoting - it is a rehash of the whole saga from go to whoa. Full of should've, could've, would've. Calling for a Senate enquiry. He didn't mention whether he had been to see his son, James; one doubts that he has - it would have been all over the news if he had. Or he would have made a comment about James's wellbeing/progress somewhere in the article. One would think visiting your son when unwell would be a far better way to support him and his family than a rant. Interesting, that Cronulla (who just happened to win the 2016 premiership) are not joining the band wagon to have a Senate enquiry into ASADA etc. Cronulla are winners; Essendon et al are sore losers - still bellyaching about the umpires decsion.

About time this thread got interesting. Just ate fried nanas in Ha Long passed off as Vietnamese. I've eaten them in Australian Chinese restaurants since the 70s Ha long bay would be beautiful, probably was ,but too many humans here now. The N/S divide is very much alive. Call it South China. Saigon is a rats nest, but Vietnamese all the same. Still beats Borewood by a by a thousand miles yet nobody here is as sophisticated as Our own DC. I will make a quick comment on the ridiculous banning of Bitters for writing "flied lice" or whatever it was. The most innocuous comment ever in light of the fact that the Chinese may be the most powerful nation in our time. Add to this their entrenched racism. Add to this their population which makes them dominant globally. In comedic terms We discuss"punching down" or up. Bitters was punching up . I'm not sure who banned him and we don't get too OTT on these issues here but I request the Moderator that made that farcical decision to quietly hand in their tin badge. I would add the Clunes riots were probably in order if anyone here has ever shared a hotel lobby with Chinese tourists en masse. Dr John, whom I respect for his intelligence,though often disagree with,is hopefully not the person responsible . The complainant was DLs Resident SJW. I'm a solid contributor here.Love it. So are others whos ideas I dislike. Does not mean they are invalid. My point is that the censorship here is getting OTT. Can I suggest we ban a poster based on more than one complainant , and check the track record of the whining regular Mrs Mangles. I'll invoke Jazza here- who made some crude comments at times but lived a solitary rural life and was a man of his time.I don 't believe he ever meant racial harm but might have caused some minor offence to be taken.He was a minority ,even in his own country. My main point is, stop the naivety ,stop the PC bans unless WELL deserved. I love Demonland and hope it grows with our great club. Race exists,as does religion and politics. Can we be adults here and make valid points without recriminations or is it Commo China? I'll defend Aboriginal Ozzies to the hilt but FFS I need an explanation. Please Explain.

I didn't go but have been told snippets of info. Like I posted earlier Maynard had very quick and clean hands in the match simulation they were doing. Jordan Lewis very big on directing players how to create space. Was ordering Oliver to keep running to create space in the match simulation. Were a couple of other examples about it that I have forgotten but the message I got was Lewis (and Macca) both yelling at people to keep running to create space. Hunt's burst away pace was scintillating but we all knew this.

Lewis is a competitive beast. I'm sure he'd love to do this to top off his career.

George on the Outer concludes his "warts and all" analysis of each team's prospects for 2017 WHERE IT CAN ALL GO WRONG - THE WARTS AND ALL ANALYSIS OF EACH TEAM'S PROSPECTS [PART 3] The final group of six clubs; Hawthorn Finally for all football fans the rot has finally set in at Hawthorn. Winning 6 games by less than 10 points in the past season got them into finals, but it probably won’t happen again in 2017. Then to top it off they have dispatched their top 2 players in their B & F, and invested heavily in themarginal Tom Mitchell and an eternally injured O’Meara to replace them. (Not to mention Ty Vickery, who was recruited because….?) We now know that O’Meara won’t be available until Easter, so that plan is working well to date. But even if these 2 are equal in every way to Mitchell and Lewis, then the Hawks can only tread water. With Hodge, Burgoyne and Gibson all on the wrong side of 30, the Hawks are still competitive, but they are no longer the unbeatables. Port Adelaide If this team was a horse, the stewards would be out with the swab every time they make an appearance. They still have 17 players from their 2014 preliminary final side playing, but given back then they couldn’t take the next step, it is likely that those players were never good enough. And now it is 3 years later and we have seen a slow drop down the ladder. With next to zero trading done in the past 2 years and unable to convince others to take on Hartlett and his huge contract, Port will be much the same as last year, and the year before. Western Bulldogs When the team ethos is running into brick walls, there comes a time when the wall just doesn’t give way, like it did for them in 2016. Yes, they are the 2016 champions after coming from nowhere, but Hawthorn in 2008 did exactly the same. The following year the carnage cost the Hawks a place in the finals, and the Bulldogs luck in 2016 that got them through, has a habit of running out eventually. For a team that lost 1/3 of their games in the H & A season, and with Murphy, Boyd and Morris well into their 30’s, the future may not be a bright as they currently think. GWS Giants The AFL’s love child has been brought up on a diet of high draft picks and AFL inspired salary cap generosity. While they made it to a preliminary final this year, the rest of the competition is hoping they will choke again when they get to the big stage. Injuries are what is needed, particularly to their big man in Mumford. We saw what happened in 2016 to Freoand WCE when Sandilands and Natinui went down (we really don’t want anyone injured, but we sure as hell don’t want this made up team winning a GF). Perhaps new recruit Delidio can bring some of the Richmond mentality to the group? Or maybe Steve Johnson can find a new way to de-rail their progress. Adelaide After a stinker for them with the death of their coach in 2015, they continued to perform on-field under new management in 2016 despite of this big drawback. Trouble was, the team from the City of Churches forgot to do any trades or improve their draft picks to entice the talent needed to take that next step. After all holding your breath until you get what you want always works for Nick Xenophon….or maybe they just couldn’t get anyone to move to the place! Rory Sloane is unfortunately a one man band in the middle, and the lack of talent around him was good enough for him to get noticed often by the umpires in Brownlow voting. Emotion and an “us against those nasty people from the east” mentality probably won’t cut it for the coming season. Carlton Now the “forgotten” team of the AFL, their success of previous years was based on cheque-book recruiting. It has taken them years to realise good players are now drafted and with no change to this recruiting method, there seems little chance of them putting together a half-decent side. During the off-season Bryce Gibbs wanted out, so he will be filled with enthusiasm to have to pull on the navy blue jumper during the year. Their recruiting team set about filling the holes with further GWS bottom of the barrel rejects and discards, unlike other clubs who enticed more reasonable prospects to make the leap. The loss of Tuohy leaves their already fragile backline further exposed and without Walker in 2017, the forward line is even more vacant.

It's not the laws which allowed this criminal to be a free man and commit further offences, it's the weak justice system, the judges and magistrates who are too [censored] weak to dish out the correct penalty. Police do their job and charge these people only for the innocent to be let down when the matter goes court.

So.. Simon Goodwin was a good player hey?

I saw whole game thought at times we played the better football, but Carlton capitalised on every mistake Issue with not taking first or easy option, especialy in fwd half as WW says, two of team out on wing all alone, kick goes down the centre to be turned over, one player utters a very unladylike word Agree with WW semed fitter, bigger and stronger, overpowered the Dees in last qtr Daisy Pearce stood out but team also makes mistake of looking for her constantly and expecting her to do something Have put some pics on Instagram, trying to highlight the physicality of the Woman's game On a separare point, you had to enter through main entrance, Chis Judd's photo is still everywhere, there was even a cardboard cut out near the door. Was tempted to nick it, but was on scooter, maybe next time

It will come as no surprise that after the 'redistribution of wealth' via the draft that the standard was a little lower. The fact that it was also an early season practice match was also a factor. For three quarters we were very competive around the ball and down back. We lacked a bit of skill and poise in the forward half. In the final Qtr we were out bustled, pushed off the ball, and tired to the point where we stopped hitting targets. The Blues may have been fitter, they were certainly bigger and stronger. They capitalized on every turnover and got great momentum in the final 20 minutes.

I spoke to a bloke last night who watched the training session yesterday and he was very positive. When I asked him did he post on Demonland he stated that he wasn't a member (though he attends training every Friday)! It is frustrating to have 86 posts on a training thread and not a single one about yesterday's session.

Not only has Roughy overcome his dreaded disease, and will be back playing football, he will also captain the Hawkes. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/comeback-kid-jarryd-roughead-to-captain-hawthorn-hawks-in-2017-20170119-gtv54f.html It looked quite dire when he bowed out last year. Getting well and getting fit are herculean efforts. Good on him and I wish him well as Captain (except when they play the Dees). I also hope he gets this: "I want to potentially live to be a dad or grandad..." If there was ever a nice guy in football who deserved all that life has to offer, it is Roughy. Edit: wondering if mods would like to change title of thread to include Roughy has made a comeback

Skills32. I don't post often but seriously mate if you are going to be dropping medical insight make sure you're qualified. That is the worst description of a back related Hamstring that I have ever heard. The only thing you got right is "pressure.... of the nerve.....you feel hamstring pain when really there is nothing wrong with the hamstring" The rest is absolute nonsense. "Vertebrate shift"? What is that? Is it a animal with a backbone moving? Disc pathology, ligament inflammation or compression, muscle derangement all possible causes of neural compression. You can decide if I'm qualified or not.

lol

So when round 1 comes along and yhe bombers play the hawks we will have 2 new captains. One returning from a year ban after drug cheating. One returning from a year out fighting cancer. Who gets the "returning hero" march/celebrations? I feel sick.

I can give a perspective of someone who has lived in Adelaide his whole life if it adds to the conversation. Goody was always an amazing player but at the same time unassuming. He would never really tear a game to shreads nor did he have the talent of a Roo/McLeod. What he did do was mix what talent he had with genuine intelligence and hard work. He shouldn't be remembered as a superstar because he never was, but he was like a utility version of a Corey Enright. Maybe not as good as Enright but nearly as effective off a half back or a wing. Had this awkward style that just got the job done. What really encourages me is that he has always had a reputation as a great people person. His teammates loved him, his coaches loved him, his supporters loved him, his superiors when he was an assistant loved him. I believe with his people skills, knowledge of the game and ability to bring people together, he could very well be a more game savvy version of Daniher with a more talented list. I'm even more confident now with our coach than I was when Roos took over and he ended up doing exactly what he promised. I know people who are friends or acquantices with him and I'm very confident that we are in good hands.

Sure do. Went to high school with him. Pretty much gave up playing after watching him.

Arrived at half time, Blues 2 points up. They got first goal in 3rd with a snap that would do Eddie proud. Blues currently 7 points up late in 3 rd

I hate seeing other sides have epic battles and real rivalries and when they come off the ground, they have nothing left, I hate it because it simply doesn't apply to us. We have no sides that really hate us, like Collingwood/Essendon, Hawthorn/Essendon, Crows/Port etc. we no longer have any respect from other clubs and I hope that Simon Goodwin will reignite them and turn us in to a side to be feared and hated. I want to see our players come off the ground every week spent, because they've given their all. If he can do that then he will be known as a good coach.

I was there for the game. We were in it until 3 quarter time due to a controlling half back line and Carlton's forward's not holding position. For the first three quarters we appeared to take control of play mid way through each quarter and have the better endurance (which based on the last may not have been the case). Unfortunately aside from the above even at that point in the game Carlton looked better structured as well as much faster and stronger. The last quarter was really just Carlton working out a long kick over our half backline their speed could get us out the back every time. We lacked any decent offensive plan and just seemed to be happy to kick the ball sideways between 45-60m out until we turned it over. I feel we have a chosen a list based on who is good in suburban woman's footy not what will work and develop in an elite 16 on 16 competition. Daisy aside, it is hard to comment on actual players as we had no numbers on our jumpers (a real missed opportunity).Our best appeared to be our CHB (possibly Hickey) and a midfielder with a blonde pony tail. Pearce wins it in tight, is hard and has good hands and vision but lacks any speed and turned it over by foot a lot. I would say based on today we have a decent backline and inside midfield but lack much outside class and any forward power. Will be interesting to see how we go as the season progresses.

As long as he gets hoarse singing it!

Perfect opportunity for JKH to make a statement. Nowhere near as explosive as Kent going on exposed form, but if he's going to find himself in the team, it has to be in this role.

Great to hear Roughie is up and running, good choice of Captain by the Hawks....a real good news story and boy does the AFL need one. Who are the others you are talking about?????

thanks for the info its a real pity to lose Kent but better it happens now than in March. Kent will join Tyson in being a potential non-starter for round one but at least he's had a good block of pre-season done Back injuries suck, esp as they can be linked to hammies so if hes back in 6 weeks id be delighted

It's seargent pepper lonely demon land........

absolute freak! Won an all Australian as a forward, a mid and As a half back.

Agree on all points. In some ways the game plan the Crows employed in that era had elements of the modern game plan - hard running, big bodied mid fielders, a large group of players who could run through the midfield, rebound off the hb and an emphasis on skilled players who hit targets. Blight was his coach in his first couple of years and his attacking style no doubt has had a big influence on Goody, who i think i've read knew he wanted to coach whilst still playing and was preparing for the role in the latter part of his career.

Do you see a striking resemblance between Donny Williams and our latest dasher Jayden Hunt hemingway? I would agree with you on Bluey Adams. When he had the ball no one was going to catch him. Gee, he was quick.

Actually, I didn't read "agility" as code for speed, or, at least, foot speed. I thought it meant more about the ability to move himself or the ball laterally.

Only James Hird probably thought the sun flew too close to him ...

A good list, as it includes some old names, and all were "excitement machines" in their own way. Even John Lord and Bob Johnson despite being slow, were clever and could pull down massive pack marks. Bluey Adams was an excitement machine that I still reckon was one of the fastest players of all time. Could bounce the ball 3 or 4 times without being caught. Brian Dixon was not an excitement machine but could turn a match because of possession count and ability to kick the ball in any contest. Tassie Johnson at his best was the toughest and best full back going around, and there was Donny Williams who was an excitement machine. Could run off half back like a Stawell Gift winner and take screamers over the pack and still have a smoke at 3/4 time. Barassi was in my view Mr Football and was the most dynamic footballer going around. No one beat Barassi in a contest. And Robbie was the most graceful and best wingman in the game. Nice to reminisce.