Leaderboard

Here's the avatar ready to go

Was one of the best individual displays I've seen alongside Gawns 5 in a preliminary. I'll continue to pump up this kid as long as i want, but his numbers right now against some of the best small forwards I've seen such as Betts, Milne, C Rioli blows them out of the water at similar age. Jeff Farmer was my absolutely hero growing up and never thought I'd ever see another one as unique as he was. But these highlights below just gives me flashbacks. Scary to think he's only just turned 21..

Luke has a crack, I thought he had a real go on Sunday. Sadly, his output is not as great as we need. He was really good against the Lions. Then his knee injury and the last couple weeks, like Gawn have been clearly hampered a bit. But he is more gone than Max is Gawn. Its not about him staying, its about what we get now. One thing I am confident in is that Luke will give his all until there are no more games, and I think his impact in September will be great, So I am behind him, I have been through the stages , denial, wrath, sadness.. now its acceptance.. He is a Dee until he isn't.

If you are an Aussie at heart then this is one beautiful photo.

Yeah the Fritta pile on is ridiculous. So he burnt a teammate. He is also our most reliable goal kicker and regularly kicks a lot more goals than he’s entitled to given his height and how often he’s triple teamed and dragged down in contests. I rather he goes for goals he reasonably thinks he can kick than we keep stuffing around with the ball inside 50 and make a meal of it. He is an elite medium forward and had like 10 score involvements yesterday. But let’s drop him so we can have an even more dysfunction forwardline 🙄

Fritta critics take note - watched highlight reel. Handpass to Kossie goal Handpass to Jacko goal Handpass in busy forward pressure play that led soon after to yet another handpass to Kossie (free) goal Kick to advantage - running Meilkshem goal That was in 13 minutes The kid arguably booted our most vital goal in 57 years and backed up 28 seconds later.

If we’re a strong organisation, we take pride in developing elite leaders, watch him go with a smile on our face, and back ourselves to find/develop the next one. If we’re weak, we crack the sads, hope he doesn’t get the job, and establish a culture of stunting the growth of our staff.

Having watched the replay, I reckon we were nowhere near as bad as most are suggesting. We intercepted well and our transition from D50 to forward 50 felt really solid to me. We were dominated in clearances, but as I said before I can understand how that might happen when we go into a game without Oliver for the first time in a long time against an opponent with a decent midfield. Major disappointments IMO were Gawn and Jackson failing to dominate anywhere on the ground against two part-time rucks, Fritsch burning a teammate in the first quarter (when will it stop?), and giving up those last three goals and the consequent percentage, which we need to hold onto top 2/4. Melksham exceeded my expectations, but to be fair they were very low. Brown's best game for a while, if not all season. Held his marks, got on the move, nailed field kicks. That's the standard we need to continue to see. We're still a tall forward short IMO. We don't need all of Pickett, Spargo, ANB, Bedford and Melksham. Really impressed with Hibberd's game, Tomlinson was an able replacement for Petty, and I thought both Jordon and Langdon were stunning with their two-way running in the heat.

Pretty safe changing your name to Weid Milkshake I reckon...

I might be going against the grain here, but I've been quite happy with BBB's form over the past 2 or 3 weeks. Has been leading well up the ground and providing that outlet option between the arcs that was previously more T Mac's role. He has provided a good target in this situation and been cluncking them pretty cleanly more often than not, which is probably really more his natural game to be taking marks on a lead than the big contested pack mark. Even though he hasn't kicked any big bags, he's still really good at hitting the scoreboard from limited opportunities and has that innate goal sense of a true forward that means he puts himself in dangerous positions to capitalize on spills and loose balls that bob up his way. Also noted the Fox comentators having a go at Bailey Freitch again for being 'selfish', but I'd disagree here too for the most part. Again, Bailey is just such a good shot at goal 90% of the time either from a set shot or in general play, that I think he's one of the few players (like Kossie) that you'd give a licence to be a little tunnel visioned and have a ping at the goals. I'll bet there's more times than not that he kicks the goal and no one notices that he had other options. Conversely, there are also times when players try to pass off the ball into a spot with a player in a better position, but end up messing it up, turning it over without bothering the scorers. I'm sure we'd all like it to be perfect execution entering our forward line every time, every game, but I actually think we are going ok in this respects and it's not panic stations in respects to our forward line performance.

Looks likely I'll have to change my name again. Is there anyone we definitely don't want playing for us? I'll just change it to that. Ps. last name was based on Dom Tyson....

Melksham showed that when he centred the ball to Brown rather than blaze away from the pocket

Selling Melk short there. Some are looking at this as great because it's something he would not normally do, but it's even better than that. It would have been a fantastic chase down even if one of our best defenders did it. Kudos Jake. Thats how you go about playing in finals and shutting certain mouths about being a "reserves player"

Salem has missed too much game time this year. Needs as much time on the ground at top level as he can get.

Kudos to the bloke in the crowd in Alice who was yelling into the effects mic “SIGN THE CONTRACT, LUUUUKE”

Glad someone else saw this, couldn't believe the posts after the game yesterday.

After watching the replay, I'm still baffled by calls for Tom Sparrow to be dropped. He was in everything yesterday, so don't be surprised if he gets coach's votes. Yes, some of his kicks and handballs were misdirected, but no more or less than others. He is a tackling machine which more than makes up for some errand disposals. He's only 22 years old, but he's building a tank that will be elite after another preseason. This kid has the potential to be anything.

Spargo was in 30 metres of space running into goal, no way Fritsch did not see him. It was the most blatant burn so far. The flow on impact of Bailey not doing the team thing could be big if not corrected. We won it last year on the ethos of selflessness, I am sure the coaches are working with him but we need to see results soon

^^^^THIS^^^^ He deserved every single goal, he ALWAYS does the defensive acts, today he got his richly deserved chocolates. Snap on the left and right, he is the best two sided player we have had since when? Honestly can't think of another, and seriously how dangerous is he at the 50? would rather he was kicking from 50 than Hogan, generates so much power in his kick. A good tough win against a good tough side that has had the wood over us at this ground (anyone remember that old thread when will we break these embarrassing records?), Port were on, and we beat them when they were close to full strength. I guess the chicken little sky is falling types don't understand that we are not playing the Washington Wizards, the other team is trying to win. Viney had an ok game, (I am his biggest fan) but thought his disposal was more mixed today, however his hardness is invaluable, a key factor for finals. (Personally would have liked a bit more legal hurt on a couple of the power folks). Sparrow really nailed a couple of tackles and is getting better, is still a very young player, I think people need to rethink their benchmarks for him, no way he is dropped. Our wings made up for the poor return from the midfield, both Lingers and Jordan worked their ar$e$ off, This is a good news story for us, Jordan has come on so strongly, another very young player doing everything asked. We look better on a dry deck, not that our skills are bad but we play such a high pressure type team game that the margins for correct execution are very tight. I am reassured that playing finals with better weather works for us. Also our players seemed to hold their feet in today's game (they didn't in Geelong), which makes a massive difference in getting to the next contest, none of our blokes are shy of repeat efforts, but if you don't have your feet, you're not going to get there to the contest. Trac played a good game, his ability to get another player into space and time is genius, and I just love his fair play, one of cleanest going around, always hard but always fair. Brown (I am still out to lunch on whether he stays in the team, I was so frustrated with his recent form), but in honesty he looked good when they connected with him, really pleasing to see. ANB had a good game, having another strong season provided some good connection and great pressure, it is a measure of his improvement, that the bad day is the aberration that disappears between one week and the next. Salem is (will be) the good news story of our finals campaign, I have absolute faith he will get better, just in time to remind everyone of his potentially Norm Smith winning form. He isn't right yet and we are still winning, so when he comes good I think our rebound and goal scoring will boom. Which leads me to say Kudos to Brayshaw and Hibberd, who do a power of good work defensively, seriously would have a heart attack without them. Lever showed huge courage to stay out in obvious pain, dead set worried about his shoulder, we need him as part of our Spartans down back. Spargo some good moments, glad the haters have to STFU. Didn't mind his cameos on the ball, got a few tricks that fella, stealing the ball out of a Port players hands would've burnt. The UGLY - I know I am entering dinosaur territory, but when for Gods' sake will we stop these Port cee u next TuesdayS hitting Max off the ball, we know it is going to happen, I don't see any pressure coming back. So many cheap shots, I actually see this as a team and coaching fail. Onya Max for not giving up, love you to bits. Bedford did enough, stays, was always doing repeat efforts and plenty of pressure, played all the team rules. Melksham turned up, his best game since 2018, but makes way for Clarrie. But I really loved his kick to Brown. edit, I now read he laid 5 tackles FMD the penny dropped at a minute to midnight on his career. Harmes has found his mojo again, would be interested to know his KM, I think the amount of work he puts in goes unremarked compared to the running of Lingers/ANB's. Tomlinson had an solid game back after his 'mare earlier in the season, super happy for him. What to do with Petty, I hope we make sure Petty is properly over the 'rona, we have had a bad run with players having low energy levels after having the bug. Some more magnet spinning coming I think. May is still a little off the boil, but better than last week trajectory headed in the right direction thankfully, he'd never miss that spoil normally. Jackson not sure what to make of his game, need to re-watch, loved the goals but he felt a bit invisible, it's not like he is a small forward. Lastly center clearance, there was a 127 game sized hole, normally filled by a red headed clearance God; you don't swap Thor with a Falcon without noticing a reduced output, yes they are all heroes on the team, but it just makes clear how invaluable Clarrie is. We would of course get better in the middle over time if he was out for longer (please god I do not wish to test this). But think in any other era of the last 50 years, if we lost a Clarrie, we would have all been at the train station at 3/4 time, the team found a way and we will welcome back our red-headed god with a big smile. I am super happy they rested him.

Just quietly, Michael Hibberd may be playing himself to another year on the list. Really has barely put a foot wrong since he has come into the side and has done some good shut down roles. Did the job on Robbie Grey today who had little influence up forward. It was only when Grey had to go into the midfield then that's where he had more influence.

Kudos to ANB in the pocket for extracting the ball from somewhere in the Earth’s core to feed out a handball that led to a goal at a vital time.

What a great venue, we were sitting in a small stand not far from the cheer squad, Kozzie did some of his best work right in front of us and we got right in behind him as did the locals. I was surprised how easy Power were able to beat us at clearances, they have a very good game plan that is well drilled and they always have players in the clear and hit them up with monotonous regularity. We really had to grind this win out. Kozzie and Tracc were clearly our best two players out there. There are a lot of distractions at the game, eagles soaring in the background, the locals and toilets that would bring a tear to your eye if you were female.😳😳.!!not to mention the McDonald Ranges.

Fritsch is not getting dropped. Neither is Salem or any of our other first 22 players for those suggesting that.

Glad someone mentioned Hibberd, thought he was fantastic, never gives up & has been great since returning from injury

Had one moment but also had three goal assists and a whopping 10 score involvements. I don't think Goodwin would be at all worried.

Was lucky enough to be at the game today, why is was not our best performance we got the job done in warm conditions. After the game about 300 kids wanted a photo with Kozzy and he spent at least 30 minutes taking selfies and signing autographs. He was due for a big day out and delivered.

Aside from winning us the match, great to see Kozzy lighting up in front of a large crowd of Aboriginal admirers. What a day to turn it on!

Melksham - 7 tackles including 2 great run downs. Kicked a goal and unselfishly gave one off to Ben Brown.

Thankyou. Someone who watches the Game Closely

West Coast having the 1st pick in the psd might actually help by incentivising freo to bring us the best possible deal or risk losing him to their cross town rival.

I mean, how spoilt can you be? It’s hard to remember in the tension of the game - but we have 3 of the greatest Melbourne players ever in our current centre square. Also, just to make you feel ok about the future, the 2 blokes leading the competition as it’s best players both have 7 years left as Demons.

In MID JULY Geelong are the best team. The kings of Kardinia Park! Congrats to Cats for winning their KP GF! Our coach played in two flags for the Crows who had Charlie Walsh as their fitness guru, who prepared them to excel in the finals. Goodwin has consistently said there are two seasons - H&A and Finals! As proven last year he knows how to peak in Finals, Demons were devastating last year, and injury willing will be very very good in this years finals! I look at our team: Backline: Lever May Hibberd all been AA Salem Petty Brayshaw (AA2022) Rivers Langdon. Oliver AA. Jordan ANB. ???????? Fritsch (close AA) Kossie. BBB. Spargo Max (AA). Trac (AA). Viney Jackson. Harmes Sparrow Rivers Melk Emerg: Bowey Tomlinson Hunt Bedford Salem & Langdon should have been AA 2021 Our team know how to play finals football, our style is made for finals, and every Demon player stepped up at some point in the finals last year! We have some fantastic players. A bit soft at CHF but Goody & the coaches will have something working in forward line by finals time! All we need is a bit of luck with injuries and some luck on any given day. Be more than happy to play Geelong in finals with them using same on ball set up as last week, Max, Oliver, Trac, Viney & co will torch them!! We won a flag last year after 57 years and I’m happy to back our Demons to give it a red hot crack again in 2022! We have a little rust at the moment but am expecting Demons to be smoking come finals time! I’ve got plenty of space on my wall for the 2022 flag poster and Goody and co are putting us in a great position to do it again, even if many Demonlanders have little faith or recall! Go back and watch last years finals series and our round 11-18 of last year if you need any reminding how much we improved come finals! Demonlanders have some faith! Go Demons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It just got even more absurd..

Yes, Fritta has burnt teammates the last couple of weeks. I’m just wondering if Tom Papley has been given a nickname or copping regular bakes for ‘burning’ teammates. Papley literally pushes his own teammates out of the way when streaming toward goal and has missed more than his fair share ignoring better options.

Sometimes it’s more fun reading the losing oppositions forums where they at least pay our team some respect ..,

As with you Balls and Jaded, calls for Fritta to be dropped are just [censored] silly. I remember years ago Boomer Harvey was accused of being selfish and not passing off. Norf coach Scott commented that Boomer's instructions were to take the shot if he thought it was on. Fritta's job is to kick goals ( he does this consistently). The last thing you want is him thinking it through ..... "err should I pass .... should I take it". It is a split second game. Take the shot !!!!!!!!

It’s offical all.

Great post, DJR, especially the Charlie Walsh comment above. I heard Blight speak at a function in 1999 and he talked about His apporach to planning, using a clock for the 97 and 98 finals series. The GF is played at 5 minutes to midnight he said. Everything in the club is primed to peak then, not 30 minutes to midnight. Charlie Walsh was part of that overall philosophy. Goody will know this intimately IMO.

This. We have no idea. Often players are given specific roles. I haven't watched the game again but it seemed to me he was trying to keep Alir honest so he wasn't alone as the goalkeeper? So perhaps it was a defensive fwd role which he has done before.

Like Geelong the Dogs would have studied us relentlessly They will try something different and look a different side with Bruce in

No chance we win yesterday without Fritta. He is our best forward. If he burns a teammate once in a blue moon then so be it.

I said last week, I'd drop him for his burn in the cats game. But, you're right goody wouldn't. And won't. The media attention might do the trick in terms of sending a message.

I know it's late but you may want to tidy that up a bit before someone reads it...........

Not going to lie I find it hard to get enthused about watching Luke play of late. It’s a strange feeling.

I don’t think you can argue we didn’t try to score differently in that game. We tried to get out the back more so than I’ve seen us do for 3 months. It wasn’t all long, high and slow to the pocket.

That was a good gutsy win without Clarry Port were playing for their season I will take that win happily

I’d say Fritta has been told that if he thinks he can make the shot then, take the shot. He has foofed up a couple of times and perhaps now isn’t taking the instinctive first option. Like many he isn’t at his best but is consistently our best forward and we would be crazy to drop him.

Far out. A significant bunch of posters went into this game telling us about how Port was in form, we were not in form, we weren't playing well and that we would likely lose. We then proceed to win, and those same posters then complain about the way we won. FFS. If you thought we were going to lose before the game, you should be celebrating right now.

Fair dinkum, it’s hard to please some people. Those who want to keep digging for negatives good luck to you, Mondays are always better with a win. No one said doing a repeat is easy, most should be happy we are at least giving ourselves a chance.