Leaderboard

We've invested heavily in fixing our biggest weakness (both with players and coaching acquisition) and our list overall is stronger and deeper than 2023, with the sole exception of the ruck. We were 3 points and 8 points from winning each of our finals, including against the eventual premier, in difficult circumstances and with our forward line thrashed by injury. I don't see how anyone could seriously think we're not a credible contender going into 2024.

Petracca has improved every year and has come back to training looking extraordinary. With him, Viney, Sparrow and (we hope) Gus, our midfield will be fine. Max is still going strong and we might blood some backup this year. Our defence is the best in the league although I agree, May is getting on, unfortunately. Our forward line is immensely improved on paper at least and if Fritta is fit and firing, and if we can get Petty back relatively soon, I see us having a great year. And if Clarry is in there, and I hope for his sake as much as ours that he is, we will be almost unbeatable IMV.

I really think our list management thought they'd get another year (2023) out of Brown or TMac, with 2024 being their transition year and Jefferson maybe playing a few games but coming on in 2025 as a replacement. From a list longevity perspective, I'm kind of happy we didn't sell the farm for a 29 year old KPF this year, and instead recruited Tholstrup who we hope will develop into an A Grader (dangerous impact player). But that strategy does require Jefferson and JVR to come on as expected over the next 2 years.

Huge challenges ahead for Clayton and for the entire club and supporter base. But as Neitschke said, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Let’s all get together behind the club and Clayton. It is a New Year - must look forward not backwards.

Not to take anything away from our sublime 2021 flag but it's now Sixty years since we have won a granny at our home ground. Let's hope after dropping out in straight sets two years in a row we can win this year. I dearly want to be able to attend a grand final with us winning. Do most of us think we will be in the mix again?

What a horrible half glass empty future you are predicting. I can easily come up with the half glass full story completely the opposite and believe it’s far more likely than your dire negativity. For starters Clarry is not missing yet. It’s his situation that we don’t know or can’t predict but I believe we will have him back fit and firing at some stage. Who has ruled Petts out of the early rounds ? Even the additions of McAdam Billing’s Kolsthrup and Fullarton would transform our goal scoring plus a fit Fritta. Also BBB might just be match fit again and fill the Petty void for a few rounds. So Max and Stevie are going to fall off a cliff in 2024. Not on their watch! Count on improvement of Rivers in the middle a revitalised Lingers and Hunter or Howes or Taj plus Mc Vee improved and Salo back fit like in 2021. Tom Sparrow taking the next step and Joel Smith and Melky to return later in the season. Trac couldn’t kick any worse and can straighten our inaccuracy horrors. Oh and Mini gets the forward line and connectivity issues solved and improved. I don’t believe any of my glass full points are unachievable or some even unlikely. That is the potential of our list existing and new players for 2024 and a flag at the G is a very real possibility given a great injury run. We have had our down years and 2024 is a great chance to right our wrongs and misfortune of 2022 and 2023. Three wins at the G. Go Dees!!

You watch these marks, and you watch these goals, and your juices start to flow, and you just want the f’ing footy to start again, now.

Amazing player, who has been consistently excellent over the past three years (aside from his recent injury). You can just about guarantee another 50 goal plus season if he is available for 20 games or more, and you can't say that about too many players.

On the same topic I also spoke last week when in Melb to Christians Dad while at their very popular North Rd. Cafe. Very encouraging report on Christians health and fitness. Let’s say he is winding back his effort after a huge start to balance out the pre season. Is well above last 2 pre seasons and back in 2021 territory. Let’s hope he can return to that as he was very instrumental in our success as part of that superbly tuned backline that kick started our attack. We need that back again to connect down field successfully in 2024.

Hey Guys, Wonderful that you're travelling for the game, it's a highlight of our calendar and something every Demons fan should experience at least once in their lives. One of the better places to stay is the DoubleTree Hilton along the river. It is about a 15-20 minute walk to the ground, most of it around the river, so it's nice. It also takes about 15 mins to walk into town. This accomodation is also home to Alice's best restaurant, Hanumans (you'll need to book). Link here: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/aspdadi-doubletree-alice-springs/?WT.mc_id=zLADA0AU1DT2PSH3GGL4INTBPP5dkt6ASPDADI7en_&epid!_&ebuy!&&&&&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9ZbWqq-9gwMV0DyDAx1xiAilEAAYASAAEgJdl_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Another option is the Mercure Alice Springs Resort (Where the players stayed last year). The food here is also pretty good. Cafes/Restaurants: Page 27 (Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch); Epilogue (Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner); Alice Springs Bakery (Coffee, Lunch [be early they sell out]). Also the Alice Springs Brewery is well worth a visit. It's just on the outskirts of town so you'll need to drive or take a taxi. Great beer and plenty of food options. I'll add to this post as time goes on. Feel free to ask any questions. See you at the game!

From personal experience, you don’t learn from success, you learn from personal failures. Clarry is a legend and will come back better than ever.

Now that's some meat we can all chew on! Adelaide I disagree; they had 17 players play 20+ games in 2023, which is ridonkulus team stability. A 'good' season would see 12. That included all 4 of their over 30yr players; Sloan, Walker, Laird and Smith, which is a handy quartet of veterans to say the least! I think they are at their peak already and will hover for a while, in the competetive range, but not excel. GWS & Carlton are similar propositions to each other in that they both came good late in the year but haven't quite proven themselves yet. Strange to think that Carlton fans were on the 'sack Voss' bus early in the year. Both teams fluctuate wildly within and between seasons. Either could dominate everything or not even make the 8. Brisbane are professional competitors with an excellent, balanced and mature list. Only a grand final hangover could explain them dropping very much. Sydney have all kinds of firepower and flair but they finished 8th for a reason; their record against other finalists includes a win over the early season misery version of the Blues, and a win over the Giants. That's it. They had a 3-ply soft draw, with the Demons and Giants the only top-8 teams they played twice. Collingwood don't deserve to be allowed to take the field, but their lawyers ensure they'll be back. Melbourne, Collingwood and Brisbane are the core contenders and go into on level standing. Several others may menace if they get momentum going.

6th - 8th with an elimination final win is my tip. I have Collingwood, Carlton Brisbane, GWS, Sydney and Adelaide ahead of us this year.

Here we go.

So true but it’s always the lot of some to use worst case scenarios really like 2022/3 to occur again. The theory is that we all start equal again in Round Zero/1 or whatever. One player in my previous post I didn’t even cover was JVR. I can see him having a real breakout year if we get the forward options we have deliberately targeted plus our existing talent all around him. His body strength plus confidence and team values plus an X factor in his marking ( refer to the top 5 marks of the year for reference) he is a Monty to kick 40plus goals this season. Can’t wait for the season if our recruits and existing talent get a sniff of a good game plan and trust in each other. There are a dozen good players we can use to kick goals and not one of them is like each other. They all have separate skills and it would be a nightmare to mind them all. Let's hope they all get on the park at some stage.

I spoke to Christian Salem’s dad last week who said that Christian was training that morning.I didn’t ask where! Big help l know !

Thanks L G The big take away from last year was we almost made it with a plethora of injuries. I'm confident we will be top four again this year as well.

Q: How many Demonlanders does it take to change a light bulb ? 1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed. 14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently. 7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs. 6 to argue over whether it’s ‘lightbulb’ or ‘light bulb’. Another 6 to condemn those 6 as stupid. 22 to tell THOSE 6 to stop being jerks. 5 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is ‘lamp.’ 15 know-it-alls who claim they were in the industry, and that ‘light bulb’ is perfectly correct. 49 to post memes and gifs (several are of Michael Jackson eating popcorn with the words added, “I’m just here for the comments.”) 19 to post that this page is not about light bulbs and to please take this discussion to a light bulb page. 11 to defend the posting to this page saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts are relevant here. 24 to discuss the merits of LED/swirly fluorescent light bulbs 44 to claim LED and fluorescent bulbs will kill you. 12 to post F. 8 to ask what F means. 7 to post ‘Following’ but there’s 3 dots at the top right that means you don’t have to. 15 to say “can’t share” 2 to reply “can’t share just copy paste” 36 People to post pics of their own light bulbs. 15 People to post “I can’t see S$%^!” and use their own light bulbs. 6 to report the post or PM an admin because someone said “f÷×$” 4 to say “Didn’t we go through this already a short time ago?”. 13 to say “Do a search on light bulbs before posting questions about light bulbs.” 3 Admins to ban the light bulb posters who took it all too seriously. 1 late arrival to comment on the original post 6 months later and start it all over again. 20 to give up on fb and take their dogs for a walk. Then somebody says they’re leaving group, and someone says this isn’t an airport, no need to announce your departure.

Get him right and he'll lead a happy and healthy life. This is number one. He might even play football again.

Sadly I think this may be the truth. Whatever it is...I hope we as a club prioritise his health over short term playing goals. Clarry back and healthy in 2025 would still be a good outcome.

Let the boy grow into the man's body then make your assumptions. He's shown enough and produced on occasions to indicate their is enough potential to work with. If he's willing to work on his deficiencies, listen to coaches and has a good work ethic he will make it.

The nucleus of the team surrounds Mitch White, Tom Freeman, and Roan Steele, with these 3 expected to play majority of games. They’re backed up the next 12 players likely to get some games depending on MFC availability, being Riley Baldi, Jack Bell, Paddy Cross, Tyler Edwards, Tom Freeman, Max Gregory, Ned Moodie, Harvey Neocleous, Charlie Peters, Tom Sheridan, Ziggy Toledo-Glasman, Ryan Valentine. All showed the ability although very limited action. ARRIVALS: Leo Connolly should be a consistent place in Casey’s team across half back. Youngsters like Szybkowski, Shipp and La Planche should get their opportunities throughout the year. La Planche had a very good 2022 and was unlucky to not get drafted. He is a taller rebound defender. Kai Windsor is a good midfielder whose injury problems have restricted him. He has the talent and it’s nice to see him join his brother at the Dees. Jack Billings, Tom Fullarton and Marty Hore are likely inclusions in the early stages of the year. DEPARTURES: The loss of Munro and Grey are big, big outs at Casey. Grey especially was on the fringes of a potential rookie place and matched up against any AFL talent. Goonan, McRae and Briggs were serviceable but only very limited games so little impact. Departing of Harmes, Dunstan and Deakyn Smith weaken the carry over depth.

He'll be back to his best. He has a history of doing dumb things and learning from them. I've got faith that hell be back to Brownlow winning form in 2024. I've said from the start-this kid will win a Brownlow one day.

It sure does Also, there was a misconception about that the Eagles held the tie-break over Dallas but not so. The Cowboys now lead the NFC East and they now control their own destiny The Eagles are now in the wild-card position and are now on the road throughout the playoffs unless Dallas slips up next week at Washington At this stage the Eagles will be on the road in week 1 of the playoffs against whoever wins the NFC South (and that could be one of Tampa, the Saints or Atlanta) Meanwhile, the Packers also control their own destiny. Packers win next week and then it will be Green Bay or the Rams at Big D in the first week of the playoffs depending on whether the Rams win or lose against the 49ers next week (unless Dallas slips up against Washington with the Eagles winning) Confused? There's about a dozen other stories & scenarios but that's what divisional football delivers. It's a great system (in my view)

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

I believe that if he can overcome his problems, he will be BETTER than before - in which case, other teams: LOOK OUT!!

When are they back training at Gosh's paddock? Looking forward to doing a report.

I have consulted all manner of oracles, crow entrails, talking fish and even tried a little bit of alphitomancy (the tastiest form of soothsaying) and can confirm that we will be winning the 2028 premiership as a profound changing of the guard moment after which a collection of heroes of the club will retire and the new generation we are just glimpsing now will mature to their full and carry the flame forward. This does not exclude premierships between now and then, but 2028 is the confirmed glorious sunset for our current mature wave. Knowing this fact is why I am always in a good mood.

Hey, I tipped a finals win. That’s a damn sight better than the last 2 years.

Well, after a few weeks of total, well, boredom on this site, haven't things hotted up quickly in this thread? For some years, IMV people have rated out list really highly -as they should - but have forgotten that a couple of other teams had good lists as well. I think ours stacks up against anyone's. McQualter will be a great addition. Our forward line has dramatically improved thanks to some more recruiting brilliance. I am immensely confident. And to be honest, I would hate to go into a football season with anything but confidence and optimism.

Buccaneers, Eagles, Cowboys

Another good omen is that our last 5 grand final appearances (1960, `64, `88, 2000, `21) were all Summer Olympics years - so too is 2024. 😆

We'll be there on GF day.

Or…. If we lose our first few games, the season may drag-on…

Going a glass half full here. Baileys? Pleased the Club has stuck fat with this bloke. His performance for Casey v vfl sCats at Kardinia Park round 16 2022 sticks in my memory, as it was match winning IMHO . In less than optimum conditions his ball handling and delivery by hand or foot was self-assured and influential. Young Laurie should bottle it, because that’s what he needs to succeed.

Taj showed enough in 2023 to maintain my confidence that he can play at this level. Hopefully he can take a McVee-level leap forward in 2024 with his fitness and confidence.

If he can't get his fitness up to the required level in the next month or so, it is hard to see where his opportunities will come from. There is very significant depth in his position, so it is really tough to see where he fits.

Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Weight: 86kg Games MFC 2023: 17 Career Total: 126 Goals MFC 2023: 38 Career Total: 211 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4 A huge presence and consistently a leading goal kicker in Melbourne’s forward line, Fritsch’s absence through injury in the latter part of the season left a gaping hole that couldn’t be completely covered. His five goals in Round 23 against the Swans in Sydney were exceptional but he couldn’t produce the goods without a proper lead up in the finals.

I think he will probably and sadly be Oliver's replacement this whole season.

At his best he is a real weapon, endurance running and deadly accuracy. But as with all "high half forwards" an extended drop of form can make them a liability. I expect Chin and Spargo to be competing with McAdam, Billings and even Tholstrup for those spots this year. I think the competition will be healthy.

Big fan of the Chin. His goal kicking accuracy is pretty good, hard at the ball, and has a good leap and very strong over head marker for his size, this is a really underrated skill of his. Could make a formidible partnership with likes of Kozzy, McAdam in '24.

Interesting that jnrmac and you both mentioned confidence, when I look at Bailey I see a kid that doesn’t look comfortable in his environment. So it probably is a lack of confidence, hopefully he can get inspired during this preseason perhaps focus on the Duke and the Kolt they both look very comfortable in heir own space.!!

Amazing kick on this bloke, but fitness is probably the thing holding him back. I think he came from a long way back in that regards, so unsure if it is just that he needs longer to build his tank, or if he has a lower ceiling than typical of elite footballers? If he can make strides in his fitness over this preseason, he might earn another year or two on the list so we can see what he's got.