Leaderboard

Considering Lewy's 300th game is likely to be a substantial talking point ahead of this weekend, I thought It'd be only right to acknowledge that his milestone will be shared by Dom Tyson, who'll notch up a century of AFL games (13 with GWS, 87 with Melbourne.) Although it hasn't been an ideal season from Dom's perspective, I'd like to take the opportunity, regardless of what happens at seasons end, to say thanks to our number 12 for his contribution so far to the red and blue!

I bet he signed perfectly on his non-preferred hand too ?

I think it is AFL head office that needs pruning. Too many highly paid executives and pseudo analysts with too much time on their hands in my opinion. Looks like a list of solutions in search of a problem!

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-07-25/four-more-years-for-brayshaw 4 more years !!

Is Gil the biggest idiot to ever see over the league? Crash test dummies and erratic reactionary changes

Do people write these before the previous game? This weeks casualty regardless of performance Joel Smith. An 8 game player who in the hottest game of the year had 16 possessions at 81% and the second most 1%ers in our. I must have missed who he played on that carved him up? Was he on Hawkins? I suspect JKH will make way but doubt and wouldnt expect more than that.

And North Melbourne miss out on ANOTHER signing. Ha ha ha

Link is here: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-07-25/four-more-years-for-brayshaw Go you good thing! Love this signing and further proof that the players are totally invested and behind the direction we are heading in!

Players are not leaving this club unless their papers are stamped. Success is imminent in the coming years and they don't want to miss out. Not once did I fear losing him despite the rubbish in the media of late. Well done Gus !

I thought he was upset and ready to leave.

Congrats and best of luck to Lewy on a massive milestone this weekend ! Whilst he can be somewhat of a polarising player on demonland , I’ve always been grateful that he joined our club, I think what he has provided in experience, leadership and on field coaching to our younger group has been invaluable. Well done on a stellar career and hopefully there’s at least one more finals campaign in there!!

probably at the suggestion of channel 7 but i can't find any logic to it from channel 7's view but then who says there is any logic in the afl's decisions anyway a better idea would be to reduce the size of the afl media unit. there is obviously too much unproductive development of unskilled journos going on there. and cut back the salaries and bonuses of afl execs too because they would have less staff to lord it over

Was ill yesterday and today but will train later in the week and play Saturday night. Also, Harmes will be given to the last minute on game day.

Can someone please confirm whether Casey plays more games than it has byes in a full season?

I thought last year's final round loss to the Pies was the loss we had to have. Since then, we've managed to lose to the Cats (twice), the Saints and Port in games that we absolutely should've won. When does all this wonderful 'learning' finally translate into winning the close games that: 1. we deserved to win; and 2. arguably we did not deserve to win. For all of these frustrating losses that can be put to good 'learning' experiences, I've not seen any good evidence yet that we are closer to winning the close games (which seems to be what the really good teams consistently do). Our percentage is the second in the comp, we have the most inside 50s, and yet we're holding onto the 8 by a knife's edge. That article was more relevant to the Demons of 2017. IMO there's absolutely no good learning in these honourable losses if we miss the finals this year - just more fury and frustration.

My favourite player. His hardness, run and carry, skills on both sides of his body. Absolutely stoked with this.

I have this suspicion that everyone was already signed up in February. But they're just announcing the news after each of our losses.

From the coach:

I just saw Norm Smith (Ghost) at the hardware store (dead ringer), he said don't stress, we've got this, go book your GF tickets, the curse has now lifted, won't lose a game for the rest of the year!

First time I have smiled all week. Great news.

Fantastic news! In a week where feelings were at a low, this brings sunshine to my soul at least.

The proposed rule changes are horrendous and will make the game more unwatchable if anything. Strategy will become less valued, less contested ball and more players at each end will lead to a low pressure game of aerial ping pong akin to soccer. It will become weak and boring. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I think the game is in the best shape it's been for a long time. I watch more games than ever (except when Carlton is playing). I like the current style that is based on winning the hard ball and bringing intensity to every contest. The rule changes will have a negative impact on us, as we win contests by getting more players up around the ball. Removing that tactical advantage will hinder us and advantage softer teams who struggle to compete. I don't understand why they can't leave the game alone. Every 2-3 years the game style changes as coaches come up with new game styles and tactics. We're nearly two years into this current Richmond high pressure game style, it will naturally change within 12 months and rule changes aren't necessary to spur along that natural progression.

Oh come on, really?

He could be on his way to a top 5 finish in the B and F, he has been sensational. Worth every bit the pick 3 we spend on him. Thanks James Frawley!

I am warming to Frost. He seems to be a lot more confident with ball in hand. Evidence was last week when he took mark and ran the line late in LQ. There is a bit of upside in our defence. We are constantly thnking Gaff is our potential saviour. We have already got one in Fritsch and Salem who will do what Gaff can do and have a fair bit of improvement in them (positively). Fritsch has been an absolute revelation and has taken to AFL very well. I just wonder where he fits on the chess board long term. I say this because I remember Roosy saying that Gus (playing on HFF) was not going to be playing there all his career , meaning he was just being blooded into the tempo. Maybe young "Sparky" is doing some prepping for a long term role

I hear Brayshaw got a paper cut picking up his new contract which has become infected and he will miss 4-6 weeks

Great news. To think I had him the gun as a potential trade bait earlier in the year. I feel quite dirty now.

Great news. He's Arriving into his real potential now and forming part of what must be one of the most talented young midfield groups in the comp.

Can’t send link as I’m in the car, but just had text from the club saying Gus Brayshaw has signed a 4 year deal! Happy days!

The only thing that will make a difference while maintaining the fundamentals of the sport is reducing the number of players on the ground. For some reason they have a bee in their bonnet about this even though it wouldn't effect the actual gameplay at all. 18 per side has been the case since the game was played by absolute amateurs now we have world class athletes playing who can run all day yet the ovals remain the same size. 12 or 14 per side would probably do the trick. The other thing this would do is make zones obsolete as it is impossible to guard enough territory with that few players on the ground. It would force clubs to play a man on man style of football.

You know what every international person who watches AFL loves…that it looks like it has no rules. That is this game's greatest strength, and the AFL is systematically destroying that perception and replacing it with a rulebook longer than your arm. If anything they need to reduce how many rules there are.

It's a sensible article. The pain of Saturday night is still pretty raw, but if you can put that aside then you can see that we are continuing to build a strong side that is playing together more often. Gus, Oliver and Petracca have 150 games between them and they basically led our midfield on Saturday night against almost 1000 games of experience in Ablett, Selwood and Dangerfield. That's a damn fine effort and proof that our kids are maturing right before our eyes.

Yes but he is in it and available free. If you got Gaff and Wallis, you would be gaining better players and with experience, to help our young midfield.

Good choice by Gus and perfect timing for the Dees! Will lift Demon players and supporters spirits alike and provide an infectious and much needed optimism leading into the big match this week against the Crows. GO DEES!

I tell you what we are REALLY good at - picking out one piece of play that runs for 5 seconds and using it as some sort of proof to suit our arguments, especially on the negative side. I recall Jones doing plenty during the game to lead the side, including a crucial goal in the third term to keep the momentum swinging out way. I remember plenty of touches, tackles, seeing him run both ways etc. throughout the entire game. But no. Let's focus on one piece of play that runs for mere seconds and smash the bloke for it and say he is past it, he isn't a leader etc. As @dazzledavey36 said, we are great at eating our own and picking out something tiny to use as a reason to pot the bloke. It's disappointing, really.

Oh and we are celebrating a milestone tonight. It is our 50th episode of the Podcast. We will be running through a special banner tonight. #bannerchat

Free kicks were 7-1 to the Cats in the second quarter. Kept them in the game.

Nailed it

It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation really. If he goes to Menzel and they find someone free in the corridor, then you would be asking why he didn't guard that space instead. Bottom line for me is that we should have never let the ball out of our forward line in that last minute, and some poor decisions in that last minute allowed it to happen.

He’s definitely got that arrogance of “I’m the smartest guy in the room” about him. Interestingly I actually thought he was ok at Adelaide, just seemed to go about his business and do it very well. Since going to Geelong he very quickly got that superstar stink about him that seems to permeate from almost all Geelong players. I ligitimately feel like they think their [censored] doesn’t stink.

6/6/6 will do absolutely nothing to ease congestion around the ground. The AFL is run by absolute morons I swear.

sounds like a rule written in our own image... 6/6/6

Rafiki, you just have to stay strong, I too have been suffering from severe depression since 2002 which led me on to the path of a compulsive gambling addiction until late 2005, which resulted in the loss of any moneys I had ever saved, my business and unfortunately my house but amazingly my wife stood by me along with my children and close friends. After a failed suicide attempt in late march 2006, I approached the salvation army in Bourke street for assistance from gamblers help. I received counselling from their Psychologist's free of charge. I later became a spokesperson for gamblers help until late 2010 which was a great help to me as I went about trying to prevent other's from going down the same path. Exercise is a fantastic aid to anyone suffering from depression and I strongly urge you to keep doing it, I did a lot of boxing over a 20 year period from my mid teens and kept it at times but since 2007 i still train 3 to 4 days a week. I also do voluntary work at the local salvo's store for about 20 hrs a week and I find this of great benefit as it gives you a feeling of worthiness. Take care of yourself.

Yet watch his final 2 minutes v Cats and it confirms my theory, poor leader. Nobody on this forum is knocking his dedication, loyalty or commitment to the club, some of you really need to get this through your heads. His leadership on field is poor, goes missing when needed. Him and Lewis were in our forward half from memory when the kick went to the Irishman.