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My MIssus and daughter turned that Bachelorette thing on last night. So I exited stage left and went upstairs to read and realised this had just started which I'd never heard live. Then when you asked people to ring in, I thought I could do that. No one will know. So I phoned in. Unbeknown to me a friend was listening and mentioned it to his wife, who rang mine and said do you know what your husband's doing at the moment. So I get sprung for doing something secretly upstairs while she's downstairs by someone somewhere else. Can't win.

Critics are raving about it. "If you only listen to one Josh Mahoney interview this week, make sure it's the Demonland one." New York Times "Unmissable." TV Week "This is Andy and Grapeviney at their very best." Cosmopolitan

Full disclosure; That's Petracca's body with May's head.

I think calling into the Demonland Podcast trumps watching Bachelorette. You have the upper hand in this case.

You're the snowflake that sent me the whiny PM. Some supporters can dispassionately discuss players. It's called maturity. It doesn't mean you "hate" anyone. Jones played a consistent year, but it lacked brilliance. Then again, his whole career has lacked brilliance, which is why he has never made the AA squad of 40. He played plenty of games at a consistent level, which will reward a player like Jones in a B&F, especially when he plays nearly every game. Mids who are more important than Jones by year's end ? Harmes, Brayshaw, Oliver, Viney, and vandenBerg on a wing. Petracca is more effective when he has stints on ball. Jones will remain in the conversation for a rotation through the midfield, but he's not a great outside mid, so it's fair to question his role in the side moving forward. I'm struggling to squeeze him into a fully fit 22. There are others you'd prefer on a wing, which is an area of the ground where we struggle, and there are inside mids ahead of him. For now he has a spot on the pine.

Must be clouding the FDs judgement too. Still waiting to hear your explanation of his 4th finish in the BnF?

would like Vandenberg in that team but otherwise spot on

Ease up. Clarry is a star. His footy does the “talking”

The Full Monty T

Now with 10% more Frost.

Menzel is a massive upgrade on Rohan.

Good to see TV Week trying to stay relevant in reviewing a new media show....

As players get older, slower and gradually worse (except Cameron Smith@ Melb Storm), supporters, commentators all tend to highlight poor games. I know against the Swans, Jones didn’t seem to be running, maybe he was injured, but did make me consider, how long has he got to go! From a loyalty perspective, it would be a hard hearted Demon who wouldn’t want to see him part of a flag! As this years GF showed, margin between winning and losing is fine and you can’t carry any passengers. Lets hope Jones has an injury free pre season and has a great year, but in the end the club/team is greater than any one player!

Gough was known to refuse door stop interviews (apart from his last one ). When a young lady tried to ask him a question on the street she got; "Madam, I, try to avoid speaking to strange ladies on the street". They just don't make arrogant ,pompous, conceited ,well educated, urbane socialists like they used to.

Why does his position in the bnF have any bearing on the conversation over his role in the team moving forward? Clarko didn't roll out the red carpet of a long contract for Lewis or Mitchell after they finished in the top 2 or 3 of their bNf. He saw the writing on the wall that a 3 years contract was not going to benefit the team, and traded them somewhere that would benefit them individually. I'm not suggesting anything like that, i'm only suggesting that having the conversation about Jones, his strengths and weaknesses and his role or position in the team next year and the years after, does not make you a hater.

My ex wife was as cheerful as Jesse. I suspect I'll miss them about the same.

Thanks for posting this... After listening I was thinking a bit about it and maybe a way to get a more diversified coaching group would be to have some kind of rookie or category system where a club could take on someone. I guess a bit like an apprenticeship. With the current FD cap it makes it harder for clubs to devote money to these type of initiatives but this could be outside the cap. ...and for those wondering what our coaching group has been up to over the break, this gives a bit of an overview of the passion for the game and people Jennings has. It can't hurt the club that he's out there not just in elite pathways but seeking a better understanding of people and cultures. Also good to hear the involvement of Whelan and Jetta...the club is in good hands.

For all the nice words that Josh spoke about Hogan staying on, being happy to etc. The subtext was obvious. Jessie wanted to go home and he was gone, we could have held him another year but it wasn't really in his interest or ours. We wanted May and he was ours this year if we could arrange a deal. Next year he's a free agent but then we are back in the pack with a host of others in a bidding war. Far from guaranteed and adds salary cap pressure. We get a quality defender now when we need him, it makes sense. I know you think we played this wrong 'kall' but only time will tell. To me the logic of the trade stacks up.

Three grannies but presumably just the one cup.

Robbie was graceful, skillful, took speckies was courageous & fair. He was a match winner & could execute a blind turn at full pace. Can't compare them.

Absolute cow tish ... what are the qualifying and preliminaries/semies for if not to lead to the final play-off. This would wreck our traditional, historical and practical finals series. Players at the end of the season whose teams make the GF are not to be expected to endure yet another 'round of finals pressure, both mentally and physically.

Those highlights from 2017 post #30 showed just how good he can be. His power and brute strength, and competitive nature are amazing. If he regains his confidence those long outside 50 goals are inestimably valuable. To those who say he is lazy, look in particular at the one v Lions - ran from back pocket to collect and bomb another long one. He is coming into his prime - fourth season looming, 63 games. Watch out!!! GO DEES!!

That is a bloody team to have on the park. Agree with Vanders being in as well. 2019 should be interesting!

Agree. That’s why I rate Xavier O’halloran so highly.

Could've asked him what his best 22 was, in starting positions. Then backed it up with his best 22 for Casey. Would've been quality listening...!

vandenBerg is definitely best 22. I know Hunt's faults, but it would be great if he has a big year. Oscar Baker has the outside size and traits we need. It will be an interesting summer for him.

Lots of Jones haters on here pretending to be Dees supporters. Like Fifty stated and I categorically agree, how does he finish 4th in the BnF?

I like it. Spargo the unlucky one to miss out and Lever won't play rnd1. Hopefully Fritsch takes Lever's spot and cements a place in the 22.

Yes I like the team but hope we can weave in Preuss and Vanders into our best 22 as I would love us to be a physically intimidating team that can match it with the best sides in talent as well. A lot of premierships have been won by nasty sides who blend mongrel with talent.

Teams rarely have their best 22. Look at round one - Lever won’t be in the team. Realistically it’s a best 26. The 22 above is very good, then as backup Frost, Vanders, Preuss, Hunt. Hannan worries me a little as he can go very cold at times, but can see why people like him as he can also fire. Still have Smith, JKH, TSmith, & Maynard who can fill in and I’ve probably missed a few more! Disagree we’re like Lyon Saints - Gawn, Oliver, Brayshaw, & Viney stars. TMac & Lever will be close! Fingers crossed Petracca takes that next step!!

Lever won't play the first couple of rounds IMO. Oscar and Frost will get an opportunity to push their cases. Great position for the club to be in.

Oscar v Frost will be an interesting one as I cant see both of them in the same team if Lever returns to good form.

I'm stoked with our home and away jumpers this year, only thing I would change it to implement the Zurich sponsorship better so it doesn't look like a iron on patch

Well this will go down as the strangest event of 2018. Not worth a list spot but now a coach of the girls???????

Still reckon Bugg offers more than a few others remaining on our list. I’d be happy if we brought him back, though I don’t think that’s going to happen. He’s got great work ethic and competitive attitude, on top of being flexible. He’s the perfect depth player IMO. Surely Carlton would pick him up. He’d be in their best 10-15 players.

You be the judge.

I have yet to discover one Bbo. But as my wife constantly reminds me ageing is better than the alternative.

Not smiling... he’s gawn

Message to Gary: be less like Gary and more like Billy

In years gone by fans would have enjoyed the cameos from Petracca as they did with other gifted players that shone brightly but intermittently. Today fans expectations along with those of the footy media are high. Players are expected to perform to their optimal level all the time. The pressure on all players to play 100 min every week at optimal level is exacting on mind and body. And it takes its toll on longevity. But Petracca is not Viney, Brayshaw, Oliver. Do we want him to be ? Does he work hard enough? Do we really know ? My guess is that he is a sprinter not a two miler and that he will excite us and disappoint us. I suspect he is what he is, and his personality and style will dictate the way he plays. He is flashy, like the guy with the Ferrari. He is not going to hop into a Toyota Prius. You are not going to drive the Ferrari around Australia but you will drive it down Beach Road.

Garry Lyon is spot on.

I always found it ironic that when Yze wore the long sleeve he'd roll the sleeves up. I'd like to see a revival of the long sleeve though, even potentially for pre-season a rugby style top.

My memory may not be as good as it used to be. But, seems to me that, when I was a kid back in the early 60s, the long-sleeved jumper was the norm, with the sleeveless variety being the rarity...

He had sleeves even wearing a standard jumper.

Chris Dawes wore them in a night game a few season's ago. I think we won. I remember Mitch Clark wore them too.

Petracca is a natural ball-sport player: basketball, footy etc... come easy to him because his instincts and reactions are amazing. He has all the skills, great vision, incredible eye-hand co-ordination. His goal kicking is probably a mental thing and when he gets it right, look out. I also think he has trained very hard since being at the Dees. I remember the photos from his first training sessions when he realised how far he had to go to work alongside Nathan Jones and Bernie Vince. Like Max, I don't reckon he has to work harder, he has to work smarter, and change the way he trains. Less gym, more longer distance running, rowing, boxing. I have to admit to being a fan, and his 2018 season was very, very good. His influence and goal assists were breathtaking at times. Even if he doesn't improve any further he is a wonderful footballer and I love what he brings. However, with his skills and smarts he could become anything. If he can train smarter, change his body shape slightly, run more, then the sky is the limit.

I think we've finally actually got the colour mixture right for our home jumper, the navy blue is so dark it's nearing black but still clearly blue and the red is a proper blood red to contrast with it. Keep the redback for the away/alternate strip.