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Explain this then.

Your questions and comments form a large part of our podcast. So thanks to theses posters this week that posted questions/comments. @Kiwi Dee @Redjacket @RyanD @monoccular @smurf @layzie @buck_nekkid @buddha82 @sam6172 @Garbo @Skrull @Red and Bluebeard @Travy14 @Wells 11 @BigMacjnr @DemonWA @whatwhat say what @raDeelaide @Bigfoot @mandeelorian @Deeminion @OhMyDees @DeeMee @Hoof Harted @John Demonic @ElDiablo14 @Singa @Newport34 @Engorged Onion @pewpewpew @ShortyShort @At the break of Gawn Don't forget to leave us a 5 Star Review on Apple Podcasts and write a review and we'll read it out on the show. I just want to make mention that last night was our 200th Demonland Podcast. We’ve covered almost every single game since Round 1 2017. The 200 episodes includes almost all of the games since and any of the standalone interviews we’ve done with Players, Coaches & Officials Past and Present. We were there for our return to the final series after a 12 year absence, we were there for our drought breaking premiership and hopefully we’ll be here for the next one. I just want to thank a few people who have been a big part of the podcast over the 200 episodes. My Co-Hosts, @Grapeviney, @Whispering_Jack, @Supermercado and of course @george_on_the_outer and @binman These guys rock up every single week, win, lose or draw, luckily we win more often than not these days. These guys don’t get paid to do this, with the exception of some Best and Fairest tickets I occasionally throw their way. They do it for the love of Demonland and for the love of talking about this great club that we all support and barrack for. So a big thank you to my co-hosts. Without them there is no show because I’m not as analytical about the game as they are. My emotions get in the way of any of that. They’ve taught me that “Just kick the bloody thing” isn’t a sound tactic even though I still yell "kick the bloody thing" all game. I hope our listeners have learned a thing or two from the podcast over the 200 episodes because I sure have. So thank you boys. I also want to thank all the Demonlanders and listeners that have contributed to the podcast in the form of questions, comments, feedback, reviews, calls and voicemails. All those contributions are a massive part of the show so thank you. I wish I could name you all but there simply isn’t time. I hope that the shoutouts I give you on the podcast each week is enough thanks for your generous contribution of content. And thank you to you the listener. Without an audience we’re just speaking into a microphone recorded on a computer. So thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy what we produce each week. Here’s to another 200 plus episodes. Hopefully we can all celebrate another flag or more along the way. Go Demons.

It never ceases to amaze me the subjective assessment of some dees 'fans' about where we sit relative to other teams is so wildly different to objective fact. By any objective measure we are the strongest, best, most successful team of the last three seasons, inclusive of this season. Assuming the cats don't wn the flag, that will remain true even if we don't win the flag this season (if the lions win it this year they might have a case). Facts are facts. This team is the most successful dees team since the 1955-60 unit. So, the most successful dees team in most dees fan's lifetime We will end this home and away season in the top 4. That will be the third season in a row we have finished top 4 (the last time that happened for the dees was 1957-60). We have been in the top 4, if not every week since the start of the 2021 season, it can't be more than one or two weeks not top 4. Three full seasons of being in the top 4 every week is a phenomenal record, one probably only port and the lions come anywhere near matching - and it's worth noting both enjoy a huge home ground advantage. Finished top of the ladder in 2021 and second in 2022. We will finish at least 4th, but possibly as high as 2nd, in 2023. A flag in 2021. Finals in 2022, albeit it out in straight sets. Finals in 2023. I mean c'mon, there isn't another club that comes close to matching our record in the last 3 years. And of course that includes Collingwood, who have a great home and away record for one and a half seasons. And that's it. Yet for some, we are an average team (a good team doesn’t get beaten by - insert any team outside the top 6 here - !), full of fatal flaws with a coach that infuriates them (he plays favorites!, he is so stubborn!) and a team full of bog ordinary players. Beggars belief. The 'what did the Romans ever do for us' skit in Life of Brian comes to mind.

Since Simon Goodwin became coach in 2017, he has only had one season with a win rate less than 50%. 2019 was that season. Yesterday saw him record another "winning" season. That's 6 from 7. One better than the previous best Melbourne Coach in my life time, Swooper Northey, who went 5 from 7. Neale Daniher had 6 from 10, although his last season ended after 13 games. Norm Smith coached for 16 seasons and had three less than 50% (including his last 2). Congratulations Goody. Only one team can win the flag each year but you have coached a team that has been super competitive over a long period of time.

7 aged 22 or under on the weekend: jj kozi rivers bowey woey 2.0 jvr mcvee pretty impressive clutch of players

IMO Hunter has been one of our most consistent all year, he does his job week in week out, sometimes he bites more than he can chew with a few kicks on occasion but besides that he links well for us on the wing and gives much more freedom to Langdon who’s picked up a little form lately as well. Hunter does his job, what more can we ask for?

Burgess came straight over to our bench after the game on Sunday and gave Goody and a few of the trainers/fitness guys a hug. Was nice to see. I was tempted to kidnap him and not release him back to SA until he gets Clarry back to playing.

How much has Goodwin contributed to the strength of the list? Many key members of our side, such as May and Lever, are imports. How many of them would say, if asked, I was convinced after I got Goody’s presentation? I recall May saying something like that. On top of that, in the last few years in particular we’ve hardly lost a player we’d prefer to have kept other than Jackson, and all our best players have signed long term deals. It’s hard to know what’s cause and what’s effect, but the coach surely gets some slice of the credit for the fact that we’ve been able to attract and retain a talented list.

Did Ashburton up and move to Perth?

Burst out of the blocks the first few weeks before some really grinding games, but I think he’s settled in the last month or so with some byes freshening the legs. His forward pressure on the weekend was a couple of levels above anything I’ve seen from him before that. If he can develop that aspect of his game as well as finding more of the ball he’ll be a lot closer to playing with the big boys.

I think it’s okay not to rate Brown or think he’s going any good. I think it’s pretty clear to everyone he’s not moving as well as he used to. I have him as an out in the pregame thread. It’s when you start being all keyboard warrior about it that people will rightfully start jumping down your throat. As a career AFL full forward, Ben Brown would have been scragged, scruffed, punched in the guts, arms and head (half the time on purpose) more than most of the rest of us put together. Soft. Please. Anyway I would have hoped our premiership full forward would have earned a bit more respect from Melbourne fans than that.

And i'd add that, even if you argue our CURRENT list is the best in the AFL (and some would no doubt disagree with that assessment), it's not like he's had a list chock a block with A grade talent all his coaching career (unlike say Scott who inherited a flag winning team at the Cats). When goody took over from Roos as senior coach in 2017, this was the team that ran out in round one of that season (from the backline): Alex Neal-Bullen, Oscar McDonald, Billy Stretch Jayden Hunt, Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham Clayton Oliver, Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince Christian Petracca, Joel Smith, Sam Weideman Mitch Hannan, Jesse Hogan, Jeff Garlett Max Gawn, Jordan Lewis, Jack Viney Christian Salem, Jack Watts, Angus Brayshaw, Neville Jetta If you include Salo as an A grader (as i do), the players in that team who are A grade NOW are Salo, Gawn, Tracc, and Oliver. But not one of those four players were A grade in 2017 (or 2018 either for that matter). Gawn was at least a couple of seasons away from being close to the force he is now. Tracc was in his second season, after his first was wiped out by an ACL. Oliver was in his second season, and whilst obviously very good still had a way to go before he could be considered elite. Salo was probably the closest to being an A grader, given it was his fourth season, but his first few seasons were impacted by his thyroid issues so he was a fair way off what his level is now. I think in our current team you could also argue Lever, May, Koz and Fritter are also A graders. But Lever didn't join the dees until 2018. Fritter started his career in 2018, and of course took a few seasons to become the gun he is now. May joined the dees in 2019 (and had a big part of that season wiped out with his hammy issues) And Koz didn't debut until the 2020 season. Maybe if we don't win another flag in the next in five years time you could argue Goody hasn't got the most out our current list, but given the list at his disposal over the seven years he has coached us in TOTALITY, his record is phenomenal.

Why do people hate Hunter so much? It's wrong, obnoxious, egregious, preposterous, outrageous, un-woke and supercilious.

I thought we were long past the days of reducing Oliver down to nothing more than a contested ball winner. He is an elite two-way runner, a damaging burst player, and a physical presence defensively as well as offensively at stoppages. There is IMO very little merit to the argument that we are more effective without him. If you think we’re doing ok without him that’s just a testament to how hard we’ve worked to cover his absence.

We have had great list over different periods and never won a flag. Goody has won us a flag and kept us in the top 4 for 3 years now which is a fantastic effort. Premierships are extremely difficult to win and just because we think our list is better than everyone else’s this is not the reality in an extremely even competition.

Easily, hands down the most successful coach we’ve had since the golden era of the 60s. One injury decimated year of being non-competitive in 7 is outstanding. I’ve seen posters that still prefer Northey or Daniher and it makes my head spin. It really amazes me how little recognition he gets.

Cant wait for the JVR and MJ double act dominating up forward for us in the near future!

Always good to lock away first round draftees. He's still got more size to put on, but all reports from Casey are he's developing nicely and is seriously capable in the air. Existing prospect for the future. Good onya Jeffo!

YOUS R ALL JUST JUDGING HIM BASED ON HOW HE PLAYS ON STEVEN MAY. WHICH HE WILL NEVER HAVE TO DO AGAIN IN THE RED N BLUE! I've dug my hole and now I'm going to lay down in it and listen to the podcast.

Fine, I'll say it if no one else will ... Coaching record aside, Is Goody the right guy?

Anyone that thinks Grundy won't be in the team come finals is away with the nuffies.

ANB was so good on Sunday. In the last quarter he won a one vs 3 on the half back flank, and his kick to set up Chandlers last goal around his body was elite. I think it was the best game from our small forwards all year.

My ignored users list has some absolute doozy’s - anyone remember Hardnut? Anyway, BBB does the kind of forward movement that we have dropped $650k worth of resting ruckman to learn in 3 weeks. If he is dropped it is his body that is failing him - for those that pay close attention - you will see he creates space for others behind him and makes our forward line seem deeper. Anyone can create a contest (actually that is a fallacy) but to create it in the right spots and the right times is the key to a functioning forward line. My best games at CHF in my opinion were the ones where I drew two to allow an open player, worked to get across to split the defender, and provide a target on quick plays that sometimes was simply to get it to ground in the hot spot in front. Why have we forgotten how important role players are? Didn’t we win a flag based on that? The stars keep you up there, but the salt of the earth role players are the ones that win you big games when the stars cancel each other out. Now. Bounce. That. Pill. Note: Not Broden Kelly but thought I needed something rousing…

I’m all for Petty going forward. I’ve said that over and over again. Clearly Goodwin and co want him down back. Brown is playing for lack of options. It’s no wonder they’re trying to force the forward issue with Grundy. They know BB and Tmac are cooked and we need another big body to force a contest, but Grundy will never have the forward smarts or leading patterns of Ben Brown. Go back and watch some of the goals yesterday. The space we were able to find inside 50, was often because Ben Brown was leading higher up to pull his defender and open the space behind him for the likes of Kosi and Chandler, who could never take a mark with a big pack around them (and rightly so, they’re smalls). He still, bung knee and all, commands respect in the contest. Do I think he is just about done? Yes I do. Do I think anyone has the right to call him soft? I think you and I both know the answer to that. A man who has kicked over 300 AFL goals and was an integral part of a premiership winning forwardline, is not, never has, and will never be soft. And on a side note, he is also a magnificent human off the field who gives a lot of his time to worthy causes. He deserves more respect than he’s currently being shown by a few keyboard heroes.

There’s only one stat that matters, he’s a premiership coach.

Kosi stayed because of his relationship with Goody.

Excellent news, well done to all, particularly Rhi Watt. That's so impressive and I love what it says about the team culture. As for Kate, what a rise from rookie to captain. A few years back the field was wide open for Daisy's replacement, but last year it became clear that she was the one. It's been a pleasure to watch her get to this point.

BB he mentioned that he has already put on 6kg so that is a good start and he is listed at 195cm 6’4” same as Shwarter. Well done Mathhew Jefferson and MFC sounds like the young bloke is starting to build nicely, another pre-season and another 6kg on that frame and watch out we’ll have JvR and Jefferson Ford running around with Fritta, Kozzie and Chandler then look out.!!!

We did it with JVR and aren't you glad we did! I trust that our coaches, who watch him play each week and train multiple times a week, know exactly what they are doing.

I have 2 great jokes here, but neither of them are appropriate.

A key player for the near future Good luck Matt

Richmonds recent wins have not been against the leagues best defenders. Tiges recent wins: rated defence (wheelo) Hawthorn... ..... 14th West Coast....... 18th Sydney............. 9th St Kilda............ 5th Fremantle........ 10th Giants............ 11th Now they come up against....US... currently rated 2nd. Our attack.... 7th v their 10th We ought to shade them. But they'll ve having a red hot go... but we wont disappear in the 4th

Who is going to be the one to tell him?

I also remember Burgess saying Goody was the no.1 reason that he took the Dees job and he'd still be here if it weren't for his extenuating circumstances (COVID and family in Adelaide)

I think people are overrating Richmond again Their last month: - Smashed by Brisbane by 81 points at the Gabba - Beat Sydney at the MCG by 13 points - Beat West Coast by 38 points - Beat Hawthorn by 1 point after trailing all game They are still a threat, especially with Dusty in good form, and they took it right up to us earlier in the year, so of course we have to take them seriously. But they will struggle to make the 8, with games still to come against us, Dogs, Saints and Port away. They had the draw, but so did Geelong and Carlton, who are on the same number of points, but have a far better percentage.

Clarence Oliver does not "do Casey" 😁

I think you should have. And tbh am very unhappy you didn’t. 😂

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that if you had your time again writing this comment you'd include Viney in that list of A-graders

So no real analysis, just another best 22. Thanks for that mate. FWIW, no way Woey is ahead of Spargo.

I want my click back

I remember the exhilaration and ultimate disappointment of the John Northey era 87 should have been ours and his year but as pointed out 5 out of 7 winning years got us back in the groove. The Daniher 10 year span was something else particularly 98 and 2000 we got used to winning again and enjoyed going back to the G. Hard to believe how quickly the past 7 years have gone under Simon Goodwin and how we have changed, we now expect to win every game, 2018 so exciting to be back, 2021 we saw perfection for the first time in 60 years, Goody has built expectation and a strong culture back to our mighty club. Love Goody and what he brings week in week out.!!!!

That’s incredible really - massive kudos to Goody and it puts everything into perspective when we, as a collective, are often keen to get on his back at the first sign of a defeat. As Yze said recently: the goal every year for the H/A season is Top 4. After that, whatever happens, happens. But if you can get that Top 4 finish AND build a model of footy that is geared towards finals then you give yourself the best chance. I realised recently that I was getting frustrated and disappointed by narrow victories: I wanted to think that the 2021 GF was the model going forward. I now realise that we just need to get the wins, whether or not they are perfect. With this change in mindset, I really enjoyed being at the game yesterday: my take was that we were challenged 3 or 4 times by a very good team and not once did we relinquish our lead. Yes, there were some clangers, yes there was some iffy disposal but watch the highlights and you’ll see some great free-flowing Melbourne footy (more than I realised) and a team of players that give everything. Which is what all supporters want at the end of the day, isn’t it?

But the Pies are going to win the flag so who even cares

Tomlinson held us together at times and was pretty calm under fire. I thought he was in our best six. May did not play with his normal purpose and steely focus ,same with Lever, although the latter improved a bit in the second half. Good on Adam yesterday l would be sorry if he goes. When called to step us he usually does the job.