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Well done Bernie on your 100th for the Red and Blue v Gold Coast next Sunday. He has been a wonderful player since arriving at the club in 2014 with Roos and Crossy. We should all be grateful that he threw his lot in with us and as Roos has pointed out a number of times, he has played a significant role in increasing the professionalism around the club. 2015 B&F and now should he have kids good enough to play in the big league, they'll have a choice between the Crows and the mighty Demons!

But we have an AFLX title to defend ...

Why Lie ? He started on fire against Freo and ended up with 19 disposals, 7 marks and 2 goals. He had 5 scoring shots and should have kicked more. The next week against Footscray he had 18 disposals, 9 marks, and 4 goals. He was very good. He's been poor the last 2 weeks. But he's structurally important for the team. If he's injured or sore he should be rested. He has not been "very poor for at least a month" as you assert.

In one word: Clueless.

I was sitting in the cheer squad 6 rows back and got to have a close look at Jenkins and more significantly Oscar on Jenkins. Jenkins was rag dolling him early. Oscar couldn't match him one on one and was just knocked off his feet. Sitting there looking close up at him and Walker and Lynch and McGovern and Betts and seeing Oscar getting monstered so easily I was thinking early on this is daunting this forward line looks scary intimidating. But Oscar held Jenkins goalless and did enough in enough contests to negate his influence. Stats can be funny things. He only had 4 disposals but there's no stats for the amount of times he beat Jenkins punching the ball away and stopping him marking. They need a stat for that for stats to have any relevance for a backman's role. Jetts only had 4 stats but you wouldn't have thought that either with his influence. On the other hand Frosty had the physical strength to take Tex on one on one and beat him and once he took off Tex didn't even try to catch him. Frosty has a very rare X factor with height, strength and speed. His decisions, brain fades and skill can be scary but I'm surprised he hasn't been given more of a go. He played a significant role in the win. I have no doubt there's at least two games we would have won if he'd been selected.

I've now had the chance to watch the full replay and what struck me first and foremost was that the fourth quarter didn't appear nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be based on this thread. We weren't dominated like I thought we would have been, we had opportunities to ice the game (Melksham's miss) but didn't take them, and they largely took theirs. However in trying to defend a lead we drop numbers back and as that's not how we normally play, we lose our ball movement as a result. Last week we tried to keep doing what we'd done and it backfired, this week we tried to do the "done" thing and it nearly backfired. There's a balance somewhere in between that's lacking. As to the first quarter, they were really on for the first 10 minutes and jumped us. But to our credit, from then on, we settled, and settled well. The game was played entirely on our terms from late in the first until three quarter time, and with the game on our term we became increasingly dominant. Our clearance work in the third quarter was stunning, better than the Dogs game two weeks ago, and against an A-grade midfield and ruckman. Oliver and Gawn played brilliantly yet again. Hogan's body was failing him but he buttered up time and time again to bring it to ground or at least make a contest of it. I thought Salem was fantastic all game, I saw improvement in Garlett's positioning and work rate too. We're a much better side when Melksham is in form. Frost makes some awful decisions but his defending is getting better, I think. Back-to-back road trips to two very hostile places and to come out of the second one with a win is, I think, something to be really proud of.

But yet you missed Jones critical goal against the cats? Or him reving the boys up at 3 qtr time before the coaches addressed the players? Pfft.. The Jones bashing is getting beyound the joke now! Sorry but Jones is still our number 1 leader, and you'll be a disappointed man when hes named captain next year.

I might be alone on this, but I like Frost in our side in particular the way he spools up when there is some open paddock up ahead he goes for a run and launches the ball. Granted the ball often comes straight back but he is a sight to behold at full gallop.

Does anyone else think that Master Lewis has got a great kicking action for his age! Look at the nice foot position and body balance. Sign him up now!!!

Happy to offer him the job of Environmental Ambassador of Demonland.

They actually did.

It was about this time last year, when we beat WCE, that the press had us with one hand on the cup already. Turns out that doesn't actually count for anything. I don't get how one 5 goal lead blown, followed by one salvaged, somehow improves our credentials with the press? Unless they have the memory of a goldfish? Suggestion: ignore the press. They don't know any more than any knowledgeable fan. Only one thing matters. Wins, more wins, and more wins.

He’s had a bung shoulder since the Footscray game two or so months ago, copped a hip flexor against the Cats last week, wrenched his knee against the Crows, apparently had gastro during the week - and is still running fifth in the Coleman, copping two players on him during most contests, and was integral to the last piece of play where ANB kicked the sealer

It was not a push in the back free kick per se, it was an unrealistic attempt at a mark free kick and as with everything AFL they have introduced a formal process to assist the umpires in the adjudication of the decision. That process dictates that if you fly for the ball, make contact with the player in front and don't get a finger on the ball, it is a prima facie unrealistic attempt. You may disagree with that process but it was umpired 100% correctly with this season's interpretation of that rule.

About a year ago I accepted that Alex Neal-Bullen will, amongst other things, never be our most skilled player, will fumble at times, will choose the wrong option every now & then; however, he won’t get outworked, he’ll surprise with the odd clever decision & freakish execution (even if it looks like a fluke), he’ll contribute by doing a lot of the hard things that lead to team success, and he has the propensity to be just damn effective. He frustrates me in flashes, but I wouldn’t take him out of this side in a hurry.

Clueless (you not Nibbler).

Is it too soon to give Clarrie a 9 year contract (ala Franklin)? Pay him whatever, organise him a part time job at a box making factor, and give his girlfriend a job as well!

those ears would be close to 7kg each.

Walker is a good player who is out of form. Don’t understand the need for hyperbole - softest in the game is just nonsense. He might be a massive knob and had a horrible GF, but he can play. Jenkins is frustratingly unphysical for such a big man, he’d cause fans to tear their hair out. He’s a 40 goal a year forward though so he must do something right.

Eastern European credit-card hackers just pegged your age as under 38 Jaded. Most likely from Melbourne, middle to upper class suburbs. Possible name Jade. Probable pin-code: 1964.

He did give a couple off. He has to play. It creates a new headache for opponents

Your cat can talk?

I don't mind some of your posts but to say that about Hogan is a non-supporter comment. He's regularly double teamed and been carrying a niggling injury for over a month. He played last Saturday still feeling the effects of illness. What's your excuse for being a [censored]?

JKH stays in. Played a good game. Some people on here are blind, fair dinkum. Smith is a bit more in the gun. Loved his endeavour and physicality, but his disposal might mean he loses his spot. Hunt is no chance to come in. Wasn't even in the 22 before he got hurt, and wasn't knocking the door down in the VFL before then. Demonland is slowly getting more daft.

So this has us featuring on the Sunday afternoon game on Channel 7 all the way through to the end of the home & away season. And after an 8 day break this week on 7 day breaks all the way to the end of regular season. Nice.

Mate, this is absolute rubbish. Not one thing in the above quotes is correct. It is very rich for an anonymous internet poster to claim Hogan squib contests He is 2nd in the Coleman and his team mates are in awe of him. Pedo in AA form! Now I've heard it all.

Absolutely stoked that he’s made it. Was a crucial cog in the Roos era in fast tracking our path back to competitiveness, and has always played like the jumper matters. Will go down as a true Demon now. Well done Bernie!

If your looking for something that describes pathetic, you can't go past your post.

Late post, too busy having victory nookie on a lilo in Lago di Nemi, the sweetest of days. But what a grinding win over serious opposition at a cauldron of a ground. BTW has anyone else noticed how many 3rd quarters we have won this year (am going to have to look it up, but I have a feeling we have been owning the premiership quarter this season. I would also like to take a moment to call out the ANB haters (who have called him weak etc), I have seen a few critics owning up and recanting which is nice, but some of the more vitriolic are yet to atone, grow a set Frost, yes some clangers but also his best game for the demons, nearly put him in votes, his run is a weapon and he bullied poor tex, diddums needs a cuddle I think) a huge step forward and boy are we crying out for hard running heavy weight defenders ... actually the more I write the more I think I have to go back to votes, I was scared of tex having a day out today, Frost was the reason he didn't get going properly. Brayshaw plays a great brand of contested footylove to see a lad sign a contract and then play his heart out, his run is Bruce like, his hardness is much much better. Lewis, loved those goals, that kicking from 50 is a weapon I wish more players had. Salem, I though he would be out with broken ribs after that hit by the knee, huge huge cahonnas to get up and keep going, I hope he still has a kidney, mark my words, unrealistic marking attempt knees into backs is the next thing the AFL is going to police (was very sam mitchell like). Jetta did some sweet things today, some big tackles and you can see he is under eddies' skin, Betts was a shadow of himself, like he kept hearing footsteps. Oscar, still not listening to social media and just gets on with it, really loving his effort, gives everything. Our forwards generally looked dangerous but didnt fire properly, the thing that I like for finals though, is our scoring strength means teams have to play against us, our method cannot be ignored. As long as Goodwin can react in game in case something changes I still think we start most matches with the initiative, Goodwin has showed this season he has no sacred cows and has always been prepared to modify and adapt, not always as quick as we like but he does do it. Rest Hogan for next week, we don't need him for GWS, he is too sore, it is affecting the timing of his hands but also he is getting angry at himself, a rest would be good. Jones was off with his radar today, but was where the ball is, radar will work again soon I'm sure, was happy with his run. Harmes has really shifted my perception of him, I thought he was a front runner only but this season has demonstrated he is serious about doing all the work required of him, moving further away from fringe player all the time. I also think today was TRHE BEST EVER VERSION OF THE CLUB SONG I HAVE SEEN SUNG, the love and the whole group being in the circle really thrilled me, it wasn't 'a made for tv' moment, it was a genuine club moment and i think I will watch it as much as I watch Viney tackle highlights. We are making finals, and I'm not scared of anyone anymore, (I am however traumatised by last quarters)

There have been a number of comments here about the behaviour and character of the Adelaide supporters. I've been lucky enough to be able to go to every game we've played at the Adelaide Oval (including those against PA) and not once have I ever encountered poor behaviour or aggression from an opposition supporter. They support their team with passion as we do but at the end of the game yesterday when we were cheering and celebrating hard we had a number of Adelaide supporters come up to us and congratulate us and wish us well for the rest of the season. Kudos to them and that they stayed on the ground to honour Lewis's achievement was terrific. They had to stand in terrible conditions for quite a while after they had just been beaten in a match that probably ended their chances of finals. I know it's popular to bag them but frankly I don't know any better supporters in the game. Those that have had trouble are either very unlucky or most probably have brought it upon themselves. As for the game it was a terrific win for many reasons. Last week was shattering, this week be buttered up. We were challenged and prevailed in a very hostile environment. Some of our players might have had poor games but all of them had their moments. The weather was fierce in the last quarter. The wind was blowing strongly to Adelaide's end and it was raining very heavily for a lot of the last quarter. Having said that it's not possible for me to comment on the wind at ground level as I was sitting in the top of the stand on the eastern side. Just a recommendation to anyone who hasn't been to a game in Adelaide, get there if you can, it's the best ground in Australia and fortunately we seem to play it well.

If Hogan’s fit he’ll play, no rest required I think Smith will become a very handy player in time. Sure he made some mistakes but he did some good clean things as well. He’s going well. Not everyone’s first 50 is going to be like Oliver........oh my how good is this kid!

He loses his feet too often and doesn't lay enough consistent pressure for mine, but he was the one who won that 1v1 to get ANB the sealer. But he kicked that all important goal on the stroke of 3 quarter time and brought the ball to ground on a number of occasions last night, often against 2 or 3 Crows opponents. He is also 5th in the Coleman race. We forget how good he is I reckon.

May banned for a week! http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-30/star-blue-suns-cocaptain-hit-with-bans

Next year 3 of the top 6. COME TO THE DEES GAFF YOU SUPERSTAR!

It's about time we made it our friend.

And "build some habits and behaviours" After all, it's all part of the "journey"

Time to take some "learnings" and "change the narrative" ?

Win games and it aint a problem. We should be aiming top 4...

The sliding doors nature to the run home is killing me. 2nd or 9th or somewhere in between. Please transport me to the good alternate reality.

I must say that prior to last year's finals I thought that Tex was pretty good as a player and a leader, but 1. his GF "performance" (if one could call it that), and; 2. his hypocritical carry on over Lever (after getting Gibbs in very similar circumstances, acknowledging age differences), I changed my mind. He is a sook as a leader and a soft KPP forward.

No change. Why is Hogan being questioned ATM. Not in great form and was sick but he will tie up the oppositions best defender. Resting players coz we play gold coast is dangerous thinking.

The more games Smith gets the better. I was terribly frustrated with him on Saturday night but I still have a lot of faith that he is going to be a valuable part of the back 6 in time. Maybe needs another pre-season but I do feel it will come together for him once he gains some more 'football sense'. He's got some great natural tools.

Let’s hope so ?. I do believe we are well prepared now to take some big scalps leading into the final few rounds. That Geelong loss, while I still can’t stop thinking about will prove to be a lesson well learnt, and the win in Adelaide will build huge belief and hold us in good stead for the final 4 weeks.

Fine servant of this footy club. Has provided leadership and maturity since crossing from adelaide. 100 games for 2 club is a massive achievement let alone 2 best and fairests. Well done Bernie.

Not sure if the author watched the game against the Crows. Oscar fretful every time the ball came down? Jenkins and Walker had 3 marks between them for a combined score of 1.1. Hogan was quiet but still managed more marks than both of them.

That is crazy talk. I would have thought missing out on finals by the slimmest of margins last year would have taught us that percentage can be critical, and teams like Hawthorn and Geelong could rapidly make ground if we only stagger across the line and then have a bad loss or two. If we're up by five goals at quarter time we should be aiming to replicate that in each of the remaining quarters - a 20 goal win, thanks. That said, I'm not taking the win as a given - recent rounds have shown us that the bottoms teams are causing upsets every now and then, and I don't want it to be against us.

Why is that a "charity draw"? It just means they've had to play their more difficult games already. They've already had their 5 interstate trips, they were forced to have a "home" game against Richmond at the G, and their repeat games were against Richmond, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast (i.e. four finals contenders plus GC).

What they're saying in West Lakes? Same old shite - 'let's put him in a barrel, put the barrel in a disused bank and claim his social security'.

Positives far outweigh his negatives.

One of my favourites. Has been great for our club and I wish him the best for a fantastic game on Sunday.