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It was one of the better days at Casey today, light wind, good conditions and a lot of MFC on display. Here are my observations of the Demons: Kent: He was clean, fast, kicked well, dangerous and clearly better than the opposition and most of his teammates. He covered a lot of ground and looked strong and determined. He played a very good 4 quarter game and would certainly have put his name forward. He looked well ahead of Hannan for a spot in the 22. Hannan: He was pretty good. He played midfield and forward and found a bit of the ball. He made a few mistakes by foot but he has speed and a great sidestep. He had quiet patches during the game and struggles put 4 quarters together but he displayed the skills we know he has. My observation with Hannan today is he lacks the leg strength to break or stand up in a tackle so it's easy for the opposition to hinder him when he has the ball. A number of times he won the clearance at the centre bounce only to have a fairly innocuous tackle laid which either knocks him over or knows him badly off balance. As a result, he's not very effective as other than an outside player. Brayshaw: Unlike others, I thought he was very good today. He started in the centre and got leather poisoning early and used it well most of the time. He is strong around the ball and tackles hard. He played forward for a lot of the game and kicked a few and gave a few off. He was spent at the end but never stopped presenting and creating. I wish he was in the team tomorrow and is just waiting for an opportunity. Spargo: Started forward and was busy early and had an opportunity to goal which he unfortunately missed. Had a quiet second quarter but was moved on to the ball in the third and got involved around the ground. He's quick without being really quick (if you know what I mean) and he's clean with the ball. He is very aware of teammates and continually looks to do something with the ball. His disposal is good and he has clean hands. He's small, think Caleb Daniel, but there is a lot to like. A good hit out but a fair way down the pecking order. Frost: Best game I've seen him play. He marked really strongly, ran and broke lines, kicked very well and was clean. He monstered his opponent and was clearly our best defender but there wasn't a lot of pressure on. This kid has attributes and is still learning the game but if he had to play tomorrow you'd be pretty relaxed on today's form. Excellent performance. JKH: Was pretty good doing what we know he can do at this level. He played a lot as a high half forward and linked up well and won his fair share of the ball but given the type of player he is he misses too many opportunities at goal and often doesn't hurt with his disposal. He's showing signs as a classic 'tweener and he'd be behind a lot of players for a spot I'd think. Weideman: Played as a forward target and was on the end of some good passes and kicked some good goals. Found a fair bit of the ball. He appears to me to have bulked up a lot from the last time he played, still nicely agile but his upper body looked a lot bigger to me. Most interestingly he played a fair bit in the ruck and did very well, winning a number of centre bounce taps and finding his target. He was also very involved around the ground and used the ball well. If he keeps this form up he'll push to take Peddo's spot but one wonders how Hogan, McDonald and Weideman fit in the one forward line. It was a very encouraging performance especially seeing he missed a lot of preseason. Balic: Was fantastic early when he came on. He has great vision and found the ball well and often. He's quite a big body and won a fair bit of contested ball and his kicking was pretty good. He's got clean hands and always looks to do something with the ball. He's not quick at all but seems to have the ability to find a bit of space when he needs it. I was impressed and would think he'll play at some stage this year. Baker: Started on fire as most of the team did running hard playing wing and half forward (if those positions exist anymore). He is quick, has very good hands but is prone to the occasional "blunder". His field kicking was pretty good, he knew where to go to get the ball and he goes 100%. He's a good size and clearly has X factor and is well worth a spot on the list. King: Won the ruck comfortably, looks nicely coordinated, kicks well and took a nice grab in the goal square in the third. It was a solid effort without being in any was spectacular. Petty: I’m pretty excited by this guy. He reads the play very well, is a good mark and has clean hands and good vision and he executes his kicks very well. Was part of a solid back group and will develop into a good footballer I’d think. He didn’t get that many opportunities given the game but hardly put a foot wrong. Johnstone: Didn’t see him much at all until the last quarter where he was involved a bit. On today's performance he’d be behind any number of players for a spot but he works hard, can kick it well when he gets it and pressures the opposition. Smith: This kid is so athletic and has a great physique it’s hard to think he’s not a key position player. He didn’t do a lot and in racing parlance will be better for the run but he did some good cameo’s and was noticeable when he got it. It’s hard to believe he won’t make it when you see him run around the footy field but he does need to get involved a bit more. Smith: Played well, very well at times. Got to the right places, kicked for goal beautifully, worked hard, very clean in the air and clearly favourite amongst the players. My issue with Bull is he doesn’t get involved when the ball hits the ground as much as he should. He does the 1%ers but just being part of the play is not his strong suit (in contrast to Weid who was involved in general play a lot around the ground.). But it was a good game. Keilty: Had very little to do but did what he had to do well. Frost seemed to hog the ball when it did go into our defence but Dec competed well and I doubt his opponent did anything much. Filipovic: Looked likely at times. Kicked a great goal from a fair way out and competed well in the ruck. He’s clearly third ruck in line but he showed enough athleticism and footy smarts to think given a fair bit of time he’ll be a useful ruckman. In writing this keep in mind I don’t have an eye for the defensive side of the game so a player I think has done very well might have played his role poorly. Also the opposition was poor. At times they had a go but really it was a bit like watching the first quarter of the MFC v Saints JLT game. We played well and dominated and in those circumstances it’s hard to know if the domination is us or them but I was impressed by the general skill level, the commitment and particularly the cohesion of the team play.

We will win this game by 10 goals or more. You lot are off your chops if you think they will get near us.

Like @Nasher I have no concerns about this game. You guys have the heart of a grape seed.

After half time it was a horrible performance. There is no disguising that. We let them get a sniff and couldn't do anything about it... until they got level and we woke up. Why it took till then I won't understand but regardless, we won. We'll take it. Hogan was awesome, Garlett returned to form well and Oliver was excellent in the guts. I thought Tyson was handy in his return and, in general, our high half forwards were better than last week. It still begs the question though - where is our Plan B? When the Lions got going we were still doing the 2 players off the back of the square, and instead of sensing the danger and stopping that, we were stubborn and almost paid a high price for it. Why didn't we put a man behind the play early in the last, soaked up some pressure and then went in for the kill? Why didn't we at least go man on man? A few times early in the last we went forward, only to kick it to a 4 on 2 and have it run out there with ease. That's not good enough. But remember this tonight when you're angry: St. Kilda, Carlton and Collingwood all lost winnable games today. The Pies were in a winning position and lost, while the Blues and Saints lost games they shouldnt' have. The Bombers are also in the same position against a mob they should be beating. At the end of the day we still won, even if it was very, very ugly. Now I'm off to bed so I can rise early for an Easter Egg hunt my daughter was excited about before bed. At least I'll be able to smile in the morning while she does it!

This club is at a point where we can’t just be “happy we won”. If we are serious about taking the next step we can’t keep burying our head in the sand. This is not 2017, I don’t care about just grinding out a win against an average team, and neither should the club. We need to look at the issues we have with consistency in games, with a lack of plan B, with poor mental lapses and defensive efforts. Yes 4 points is great, but finals teams are ruthless. They know how to put their foot down and win these sorts of games by big margins. We simply collapse under pressure and it is nothing new. If we keep accepting mediocre wins we will continue to be a mediocre team. I want a flag, nothing else matters. If we play like this and win a flag so be it, but we won’t.

Trying to claim more merit badges of emotional hurt just because you’ve lived longer is an extremely wanky thing to do. Just saying. Respect for sticking it out this long. There are plenty who haven’t. But don’t be a dick about it. Also. And I can’t emphasise this enough. Your pain as a football fan is in no way comparable to the pain experienced by our indigenous population. Or any other indigenous population.

For God's sake. We came off just over a 6 day break, had to travel after playing a tough game last week. We won ffs. Enjoy and think of next week. Geez there's some plonkers on here

Could definitely have done without the heart attack. Goes down as a 26 point victory, that's the main thing. I'm not going to mourn, though I know plenty will. Jesus, I need a drink.

Nothing wrong with Wagner's game again tonight. However I agree we seem to be lacking some dynamics in the back 6.

It’s so obvious Frost needs to come in to allow Lever to roam. Hunt and Wagner and not doing enough. Bugg has no skills. There need to be changes for next week.

sitting smack bang in the lions members, can hear my claps echo

I don't like Scully but do we really have to take pleasure from what could be a serious injury?

I can safely tell you that after Gawn missed, I was at no stage thinking “boy that was an entertaining game! I enjoyed that immensely!”

If Brown kicks 10, the whole team has probably spectacular failed. Or if he kicks 10 but it's their only 10 and we've kicked 20, it would be an outstanding result. The key defender really only needs to be the closest match for strength. The rest is about intelligence from the rest of our team, the whole team but particularly the defensive group.

Why would that be funny? I reckon it's bloody brilliant, Skuit. He's kicked off the season with two ripper games.

The huge positive for me was Hogan's performance. 23 touches, 9 marks, 5 goals and a ripping chase down in the second term. He looks fit, hungry and ready to tear the competition apart. When he plays like this we are such a better side for it. Long may it continue!

That was a great chase by Hogan. He has got pace.

26 point win in greasy conditions on their turf? Ill take that any day of the week. Hogan 5 and Jeffy 4? In the 8? Plenty of improvement to come with Viney , McDonald, Brayshaw, Hannan and Frost who could be possibly injected into the side, and a first class return by the forgotten Kent. We will get better, just needed a win today.

Jordan Lewis please get your [censored] together. Sloppy.

Garlett and Oliver are dragging our butts out of the fire slightly faster than Lever and the rest of the team are dragging us into it.

Injured, looks bad. He will be out for a while. Couldn't happen to a better bloke.

Very shortly jumping on a train for the pilgrimage up to the Gabba. First time I've seen the Dees play live for several years. Looking forward to it, and expecting a BIG win! (Taking my Lions supporting neighbour, so should be interesting banter -- especially on the trip home...!) Go Dees!

Maybe Brisbane haven’t improved all that much and St Kilda were just as bad last week as they were yesterday. Melbourne by 122 points, Fritsch to kick 4.

Winning is all that counts, YES For you, it is a social outing with your boys, you made that obvious a long time ago...

I agree on really enjoying the game last week, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't care at the time that we didn't win. And I could have been looking in the mirror when I looked at my 8 year old son who had his hands on his head with a grimace on his face when Gawn missed, and I know his level of emotional investment is well below mine. I'd much prefer the feeling of victory over the disappointment of a loss.

I really do not understand some of our supporter base and how negative they can be... An interstate win, by 4 goals against a team choc full of talent. Yes it's frustrating we gave up 7 goal lead, but AFL footy is a game of momentum brissy got on a run and played very well for the 3rd and half of the 4th. Not to mention we have some star players in putrid form (hunt, jetta & lever) and 2 of our top 10 players out. We cannot and will not win every game by 10 goals. Great grinding win on the road and excited about the roos next week!

Some people just aren’t happy unless we win every game by 17 goals

We definitely paid overs for lever.

It's always like this. I've been on these forums for a very long time, and lately I find myself being positive almost out of spite.

Not bad joeboy, but I disagree on Vince. Zorko may have got off the leash a little in the second half but he completely shut him out of the game in the first half. He generally limited his influence and did a good job.

If Goodwin doesn't bring in Frost to man Ben Brown and let Lever play his normal game I give up. Lever is atrocious 1-on-1 but I've been led to believe he's handy if he can be a 3rd defender. So let him do it.

A win is a win even when you’re a pile of [censored].

Oliver is a star. An actual superstar.

Pederson has just great vision. Knows when to and not to play on. Unselfish. Knows when to be selfish.

I told everyone for months the kid is a star ?

Why on earth would anyone pick Maynard ahead of Tyson? Crazy stuff.

Very telling comment from the commentary team. Why did Hogan not flatten Beams when he had the chance? Because you just don't know what the MRP will do these days. If ever there was an indictment of the judicial system, it's that. Nobody can predict the outcomes.

It's quite funny reading the posts in this thread. There seem to be two views. You get the logical, reasoned poster who notes that we are well in front of Brisbane in development and talent and that, on paper, we are a 5+ goal better side than them. And you get the posters who, for better or worse, and whether or not they accept we are on paper a better side than them, cannot shake that gnawing feeling that this is precisely the sort of game the MFC loses. We're not two home/away games removed from the most recent instance of us losing a game we should have won, against a side we are unquestionably better than. I fully understand anyone who can't help but be slightly concerned about tonight. We've achieved nothing as a club to warrant confidence. Edit: but the conclusion I was going to draw was that we are, actually, much better than them and we are capable of winning this game, even on the road, by a substantial sum. I expect a win.

I thought I would be the bigger man and not enjoy an injury to Scully but turns out I’m wrong

I was disappointed we lost like everybody else, but had a couple of craft beers and a chat to my lovely lady about the game, she analyses it more than I do, and the sun came up the next day, I keep footy in perspective If winning is all that counts, your life could be one long disappointment Winning at all costs led to an idiot blubbering at a Press Conference this week, sympathy nah not for a second

Really??!! Give us a spell

Absolutely for me it’s all about winning.

We have the most pessimistic supporters in the AFL. It really pisses me off how so called supporters are so negative towards our team. Its rd 2 of the footy season for [censored] sake, have some confidence.

Interesting to see that Frost, Hannan, Kent, Weideman, Baker were Casey's best players against Frankston in the VFL according to Jade Rawlings, albeit that the Frankfurters are at present a lowly, re-building skill set. This augers well for the AFL team, with Keilty making his mark alongside Oskar Baker in defence/wing. Trademark runs and skills from Frosty were very good in setting up attacking ball movement across the whole game. His confidence is obviously high, despite missing 2 selections in a row with the firsts. Kent has worked himself up from a dislocated shoulder last season to kick 4 telling goals, to provide aggression at - and for - the ball, in the forward line and obviously has got his kicking foot working again. Weideman looks like he has turned a corner with contributions in front of goal and around the ground as a mobile ruckman. This is the news we have been waiting for and although it was a game at a different level, it was a good omen as far as skills, team balance and contested footy were concerned.

Well if I was Garlett I'd be pulling my finger out.

Our Demons have a way of letting us down, that is way there is the negativity and nervousness on this site. Fingers crossed, today is the start of something new and we pump the Lions by 10 goals, play four quarters, have 22 players turn up to play, and keep going when we get in front!

A win is a win tonight. The last two formal games we’ve played have left a really bitter taste in our mouths. We need to get the winning feeling back and build some momentum. This will make footy fun again.

Angus Brayshaw is AFL quality. Needs to restart his career. DO NOT WRITE HIM OFF. KANGAS WOULD LOVE HIM ONBOARD.

Oh, and bad news for Old Dee. Weideman looks good. Playing ruck a bit and getting involved around the ground.