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Yes he did

Without a shadow of a doubt. Probably never been more confident and what’s more — many many ‘experts’ have us tipping out if the 8, which in Melbourne history is just the thing we need. In all seriousness I genuinely think the players are Uber-focused and there is a genuine bite in the group atm many are sensing is much more venomous than felt before! Playing group couldn’t be in better spot health wise, Clarry aside. Fwd mix is MUCH better with recruits and actual forwards playing (we didn’t even have roo vs blues and many forget this).

Thanks for that sound advice! Cherries fix everything 🍒 😊 I live in a small circular court, only eight houses, and the occupants of the other seven houses are Vietnamese. I have never in my life lived in such harmonious environs. They’re all so nice to me (I’m relatively new to the court) they’re super quiet (apart from that Karaoke do they held the other night, hopefully not a regular calendar fixture) and their little kids are polite and well-behaved, not a single little sch!tt amongst them. Nonetheless, I’m thinking of doing the cherry thing, maybe in a couple of weeks when it’s New Year. As for me marrying the oldest son of any of the families… yeah nah not gonna happen. But my 18yo son has noticed one of them has a beautiful daughter about his age so ya never know 🥰

Did Summers on Melbourne seem hotter when you were a kid? I remember water restrictions with buckets to fill up our clark pool and swimming Christmas day. Visiting Melbourne...St kilda East where I grew up I was reminiscing about taking up street leaves from Great trees and burning them in the gutter. No such fun these days. Oh yes and the fireworks I could get at my local Milk Bar . Fireworks were the best entertainment money could buy. I'm seriously considering driving to the Territory to get some. I also noticed there aren't kids playing cricket in the street with bins like I did until the sun went down. Probably kids are all on the Internet buying laptops and phones. Sheesh.

To be fair, Loges didn’t immediately answer himself, a whole two minutes elapsed. @forever demons on the other hand… a textbook sermocinator if ever I saw one. 🙃

I sat in the Ponsford and saw close up most of his bag against Richmond this season. That convinced me that this guy is one of the answers to our forward problems. He made the Tiger backline look inept with his reading of the ball coming in and his ability to lose his designated defender and run at the ball, mark it with clean hands and then actually convert! If he can stay fit he could be one of the best KPF in the game, hopefully for us.

Yet the recruitment of McAdam, Billings, Tholstrup & Windsor sends us into a direction that doesn't necessarily focus on defensive forward play. But all our forwards will need to have a defensive aspect to their play However, the recruitment of those 4 players places an emphasis on skilled forward line play. All 4 will get some game time up forward, some more than others Petracca being pushed forward is another pointer that we needed to change the way we go about it up forward But it all starts out of the middle and/or the stoppages. I'm expecting to see Kozzie play more midfield minutes as more of a forward/mid rather than just as an opportunist forward And the acquisition of McQualter says to me that we're looking to improve our midfield schemes and delivery into the forward line (a more scientific approach) We'll find out soon enough as we'll be playing our first game for premiership points in 2 months

Who said he won't change... He did last season and opened the forward half out a bit more which also opened up our defence. Problem was injury to key players (with limited KPF's to start with) meant we closed up shop again and played a more defensive game. It's going to be an interesting watch this year...

I am currently in SA. It appears that most decent accommodation is already booked out. Thankfully I booked our accommodation as soon as the Gather Round was announced. I tried to upgrade my accommodation but was told they were fully booked. I have also been told most of the decent restaurants are also heavily booked. Might be worthwhile to do a bit of forward planning if you are planning on coming to SA.

I don't quite know how to say this, but he also seems to have his teeth misaligned with the rest of his face.

Couldn’t agree more! I’m reluctant to ever say as much though since you can’t touch the golden boy. His otherworldly talent is undeniable, but personally I have never warmed to him. More so with Warner… can’t stand him. I’m on Team Mitch Johnson all the way.

Back to the cricket. I’m so sick of seeing a petulant Steve Smith performance when he is given out. He blames everyone or everything but himself. And to stand in the middle of the pitch and stare after he was given out is just plain disrespectful and bad sportsmanship. He was a very good player- he no longer is. As for holding up play while a ball of sticky tape is removed from the sight screen area, was just a joke. Time for the selectors to look toward the future. Hopefully he can join Warner on the sidelines. He’s lost my respect as a player.

I'm sorry if I've offended you in any manner . Now or in any post. Did I mention how wonderful you are?

It hasn't helped us get a clean score but has helped us in limiting opposition scoring... It's going to be an interesting watch 'Macca'.

You can't fix it with Viney, Petracca and Oliver as your 3 starting mids, none have the footskills to regularly hit targets. For mine we need to get some clean users through the middle and forward of centre.......BUT..... Is Rivers disposal good enough?? Does Salem move to wing/forward?? Are any of Woewodin, Howes, Windsor or Billings up to the task?? Whilst I think Hunter has been good I yearn for a pacy wingman with a long, penetrating kick. Again we look at the players above. Personally I don't see Goodwin making any substantial changes and he'll just roll the dice that we can stay fit and eke out winning scores from our entries. Personally I think our gameplan is so entrenched that we risk going backwards to fix it and then losing our key talent to age in the years ahead. No wonder they wanted Reid so badly.

'Sermocination' is when someone poses a question and immediately answers it themselves.

I'm confident we'll see a change of tack and we'll see it in the first month of the season (re mid/forward connection) We may play a more medium/tall set-up, up forward so as to see more movement from our forwards (the recruitment of McAdam & Billings is a pointer) Petracca mid/forward worked as well so we may see that move again too ... he kicked 4 goals against the Saints & Lions and at other times had 4 shots at goal (in the ĺast 3rd of the season) And Kozzie with more midfield time (at times) won't be robbing the forward line if done properly. Early touches does wonders for Kozzie's confidence

Demonstone is the Champion of the Universe 🏆

Our conversion rate has been very poor the last 2 years (50-60 inside 50’s a game) We have to use the ball so much better up forward. I know it’s obvious, but we need to actually do it.

Like all the other clubs, much depends on the front 3rd and how it functions Defence is of no real concern and either is our midfield strength but our entries from the midfield to our forwards is all important It's pleasing that we've bolstered our forward line numbers with the acquisition of McAdam & Billings and we might perhaps see some moments from Tholstrup and maybe even Windsor. Jefferson & Fullarton might surprise too adding to the mainstays of Petty, JVR, Kozzie (forward/mid), Petracca (mid/forward), Fritsch and the small brigade And then the connection forward. Our release forward from our midfield and wings needs to be first rate in terms of the mids having lots of time to dispose of the ball forward without being under undue pressure (midfield schemes needs to be B+ at least) and more importantly, the quality of those disposals to the right spots forward If we can achieve 14-18 marks inside 50 per game on average, we'll go a long way towards another top 4 finish. And a number of those marks need to be in and around the hot spot rather than boundary side A more scientific approach heading into our forward line is required and with the acquisition of McQualter, hopefully our F50 entries improve in terms of quality Do all that and we'll finish high up on the ladder again Let's not forget that we've still got a high quality list ... we just need to get the best out of that list

An update from Max on Clarry

Talking to yourself, Loges. 😂

Yes he is so he only goes if we get adequate compensation for him.

Absolutely not resiling from Steven May’s line in the MCG turf. The Demons are the ‘better team and should have smoked them’ period. Pessimists, doubters and detractors don’t bother showing up. Those up for the ride, saddle up this side is bound for glory. After near six decades in the doldrums one premiership ain’t enough for this core list. With the exception of Michael Hibberd who has been lost? Last season’s trade and high draft additions must stoke the Demon furnace. Media, league administrators, ‘competitors’ and assorted hangers on take note we’re not going away anytime soon.

All depends on whether the Packers win or lose. If GB win the Packers go to 6th spot no matter what (I think) And the Rams have secured a playoff spot so would finish 7th if GB win But if GB lose, Rams must finish 6th (I think) The ESPN Playoff machine is getting a workout as GB can still somehow make the playoffs if they lose to the Bears

Yeah and there is a small chance of playing the eagles too. But from what I’ve read the most likely scenario is win, play Detroit, lose play cowboys.

Won’t be needed. 🤭

… and their nightmare continued. Josh Hazelwood: a 3-wicket maiden over. W dot W dot W dot. Sublime.

And the Australia/Pakistan 3rd test has well and truly come alive With WTC points at stake, these tests previously described as dead rubbers now mean a great deal (especially if the WTC Final continues to gain appeal) Pakistan already 2 for 3!

What a tale of two tails this test match is telling.

Or a bottle of Brandy.

Having lived in both Sydney and Melbourne, I've never understood the schedule of test matches in Oz. Sydney's weather is reliably rainy and should be the first cab of the rank in late November. Melbourne is reliably unreliable and should be the last in late Jan. But too much tradition too change now.

Obviously separated at birth.

I'd bet it's just another rip off from the big food engineering corporations with no flavor and a boat load of chemical colouring. Not that I'm cynical about these things Rest assured Mr Leg the world is safe with people like you and I addressing these big issues.

I will say I'm glad Warner is stepping down. Not for any behavior issues but simply because he has been out of form for a very long time. Also I didn't get what divine right he had to some sort of send off. Maybe he deserves one but he didn't deserve in form anyway the right to keep playing until he could have a send off in Sydney.

And here's the scoreboard from that test match played at the MCG 1931/32. Described as a vicious sticky wicket but in those days, wickets were uncovered Bert Ironmonger (left arm slow orthodox) had match figures of 11/24! Aussie Rules star Laurie Nash opened the bowling for Australia Australia vs South Africa 5th Test 1931/32

Actually, all 3 do have the foot skills to regularly hit targets as we've seen all 3 do just that previously But what has happened is that all 3 are now often under pressure when disposing of the ball because our midfield schemes aren't up to scratch So fix our schemes (and have better targets forward who present in a better way) and the problem gets solved What we've got in the habit of doing is roosting the ball forward as a default move. Even more so when our midfielders are kicking the ball forward (under pressure) Bombing it long worked for a period until ... teams started flooding our forward line from early 2022 onwards So Yze/Goodwin weren't able to get our midfield working in a more cohesive manner with decent schemes but hopefully McQualter/Goodwin will be able to. Time will tell But it's not all on the midfielders, our forwards have often been stagnant (as a collective) and forwards leading to the boundary line has also been problematical We need to get away from thinking that working for a stoppage in the forward line is beneficial (because it isn't)

Or play this... What a good neighbor you would be LG.

Could be a player this year. Lose the puppy fat and gets super fit, may surprise a few.

If he plays he will (and can) play half forward and up at stoppage similar to ANB I suggest. He is taller than Chandler and PIckett and ANB only has 3 centimetres on him. He has shown this preseason that he has built endurance (only behind Tomlinson and ANB in time trial) and whilst not quick he is not slow and makes quick decisions. I have not written him off surprising a few in 2024 and if he does that will be the role its in.

Looks like he has talent, power and strength. Needs another season at Casey building fitness and preparing for senior level. Never know he may surprise us this year. Judd McVee did last year and maybe someone will surprise this year.

Would love to see a fit Petty playing forward all year.

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.

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. 😆

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!!

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.

Does anyone know what Petty's injury/fitness status is at the moment? What is the prognosis for his return to playing?

A list update for the Casey Demons ahead of the 2024 season. STAYING: Casey Demons: Riley Baldi, Jack Bell, Paddy Cross, Tyler Edwards, Tom Freeman, Max Gregory, Ned Moodie, Charlie Muley, Harvey Neocleous, Charlie Peters, Tom Sheridan, Roan Steele, Ziggy Toledo-Glasman, Ryan Valentine, Mitch White; Melbourne: Jed Adams, Jake Bowey, Angus Brayshaw, Ben Brown, Kynan Brown (VFL promotion - Old Geelong/Oakleigh Chargers), Kade Chandler, Kyah Farris-White, Bayley Fritsch, Max Gawn, Blake Howes, Lachie Hunter, Matt Jefferson, Ed Langdon, Bailey Laurie, Jake Lever, Steven May, Tom McDonald, Judd McVee, Jake Melksham, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Alex Neal-Bullen, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Harrison Petty, Kysaiah Pickett, Trent Rivers, Christian Salem, Josh Schache, Oliver Sestan, Joel Smith, Charlie Spargo, Tom Sparrow, Adam Tomlinson, Daniel Turner, Jacob van Rooyen, Will Verrall, Jack Viney, Taj Woewodin. ARRIVING: Casey Demons: Leo Connolly (St Kilda AFL), Eddie King (Richmond Juniors), Wardell Lual (Werribee), Kobe Shipp (Beaconsfield/Dandenong Stingrays), Brayden La Planche (Rowville/Eastern Ranges), Caleb Lewis (Footscray), Mitch Szybkowski (Frankston), Kai Windsor (Box Hill Hawks); Melbourne: Jack Billings (St Kilda), Tom Fullarton (Brisbane Lions AFL), Marty Hore (Williamstown), Shane McAdam (Adelaide AFL), Koltyn Tholstrup (Newtown-Condingup/Subiaco), Caleb Windsor (Lysterfield/Eastern Ranges). DEPARTING: Casey Demons: Heath Briggs (Cora Lynn), Matt Buntine (retired - Tooradin-Dalmore), Trent Burgoyne (delisted), Zane Duursma (North Melbourne AFL), Finn Emile-Brennan (SANFL), Rhys Galvin (Coburg), Luca Goonan (Frankston YCW), George Grey (Frankston), Ryan Koo (Devon Meadows), Cooper Macdonald (Collingwood VFL), Tommy McRae (Footscray), Jimmy Munro (retired - Cora Lynn), Miles Shepherd (retired), Cooper Simpson (Fremantle), Liam Tyrell (Crib Point); Melbourne: Luke Dunstan (retired - South Belgrave), Brodie Grundy (Sydney AFL), James Harmes (Western Bulldogs), Michael Hibberd (Port Melbourne), James Jordan (Sydney AFL), Deakyn Smith (delisted - North Melbourne VFL), Kye Turner (delisted - Port Melbourne). 2024 List Update - Smithy's VFL

Injury ruined the draft chances for Riak Andrew in 2023. He’s very lightly built (192cm, 72kg) and plays as a tall interceptor role as a defender. Similar but shorter than his brother Mac Andrew (Suns) , he is raw but you can see real talent and he has the athletic qualities to progress to the AFL. Hope he gets into Casey list program and continues developing