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Super proud dad moment to report. Heading to Coles with my 11-year-old daughter this morning. The Sydney Carlton game was mentioned on radio while we were driving there. My daughter said, “please tell me Carlton didn’t win”. I asked why she didn’t want Carlton to win. She said “because Carlton. And Collingwood", while waving her finger in a shaking her head in a No No gesture. "We don't ever want them to win". I told her to add Essendon to the list and gave her a big hug when we got out of the car.

Went to the open training today. Some observations to repay the usual track watchers. Roo was out early getting put through his paces with Selwyn, clearly getting his match loads in. Maysie also out early (before the rest of the group) but didn't look like anything else than wanting an extra few kicks. Light session as would be expected and I imagine the drills were all the usual captains run fare. Boys looked sharp. All the guns were classy and Taj Woewodin stood out to me (first time seeing him live) and Kossie and Shane Mc didn't miss anything in front of the sticks. Lots of goal kicking to close out. The team were very generous with their time after. Lots of happy kids getting autographs and selfies. All the players were great but isn't Ben Brown just the nicest bloke on the planet? Had genuine interactions with every child he spoke with. Impressive bloke, and looked in great touch too. the session was the most player interaction I've had since the old Dinner with the Dees nights back in the Dean Bailey/Chris Connoly days. Bring on the game tomorrow. Pumped

Early days but: JEFFO CAN PLAY. He will be an AFL forward if he keeps developing and working on his body and fitness. Competes hard, can take a mark and is doing great things at ground level. K Brown looks great in the midfield, clean hands, poise. Sestan is a live wire up forward, looks more an AFL/VFL player these days with his body and fitness. Developing nicely and doing so special things. Verral will be an AFL level ruck in 1-2 years and may even surprise sooner than that. He’s a gun. Adams does a lot better behind the ball when he’s not competing with Tomlinson for every mark. (Also helps that Brisbanes forwards are rubbish). The negatives, Hunter is not knocking down the door, for a bloke who would’ve thought one wing would be his this year, particularly with Langdon out, he looks slow and as a result plays for a free every time he gets the ball and shanks kicks or kicks to no one far too often. AMW does some good things but has Jayden Huntitis, bombs an all his kicks to no one and tries to do a bit too much, gets the ball and has speed and nice hands though. Great first quarter Casey!

Both Bedford and Jordon were around the mark for the Dees but had their chances to lock in spots in the year they moved on but never capitalised. We offered deals on both and they were targeted by teams with more cash and clearer roles for them. Jordon is very well suited to the SCG in particular and if Gus was on the list there would only be the ongoing argument as to he vs Sparrow in our rotation. Otherwise his situation would not have changed. Bedford again was offered a contract with us but did not back himself in to push ahead of Spargo in our small forward set up in 2023. It’s good to see both of them have positive starts with their new clubs but you cant say we did not try and retain them. The question is whether we gave them enough opportunity prior to their departure. Being they both played more than 15 games (noted some as sub) each in their final year with us it’s hard to argue we didn’t.

I wish Jordon all the best but geez, some need to let it go.

When's the last time we lost a game like Carlton did last night? 2019? We're not perfect, but at least we never get blown away like that.

Clarry gets pinged a microsecond after being tackled even if he gets a handball away. CFC (both of them) get an eternity, then throw it or drop it - play on. MFCSS kicking in hard.

Cam Pederson couldn't get a game at North before coming to us. Like Bernie Vince and Daniel Cross, was not the flashiest player, but gave a few seasons of very solid service in an ordinary side. Will always have a soft spot for Pedo

That's a great sign as I reckon the need for repeat efforts is the penny that needs to drop for Jefferson.

Maybe not the best player, but Bernie Vince is one of the most underrated and significant recruits we've had, he played a huge role in changing our culture

This is or best recruit fro another club ever. For skills, toughness, leadership and for never playing a bad game. The man is an all timer. This gets lost. B. Lovett was vey good an J. White was super talented, deterined and successful. But, as the best recruit fro another club. Surely its a 1 horse field?

These [censored] commentators: ”Collingwood football club, take a bow” You don’t take a [censored] bow when you’re the reigning premiers and have just narrowly beaten a team who’s 12th on the [censored] ladder.

I can’t even watch any Collingwood games anymore. Every time I see that thug and Cox I feel like throwing something at the TV. Sitting in my ‘girl cave’ with whale music on. 🙏

Observations. We need to be patient with Jeffo. Yes he might be a Weideman or a Lucas Cook but he need time to develop. He can clearly mark the footy. It’s his second efforts and intensity that will determine if he makes it or drifts away imv. Hunter is well below the player he was about 5-6 years ago at the Bulldogs. Not sure he’s onboard next year if we have to be fully paying his wages. Laurie looks slow and he gets a high tackle count because he’s second to the footy. He’s not become the skilled midfielder that JT had hoped. Really puzzled why we extended his contract to the end of 2026 (???) Sestan can be a player. Another preseason into him and he’s got the smarts and goalkicking.

An excellent first quarter kicking 6 goals in the first quarter and looking good. Then to kick only 2 more goals for the rest of the game, very disappointing. I'm afraid after seeing Lachie Hunter played today, it appears to me he didn't look interested at all. His contract expires this year.

Half watching, half working atm. Jefferson looks like he's finding a place. Some nice repeat efforts there to give off the goal assist.

So to is Sestan - he now has 3 goals!

JJ would not be the difference between us winning a flag this year or not. Likewise he is not going to be the reason the Swans win one. Grundy is a different story because of the position he plays. Swans desperately needed a good ruck once Hickey retired. I wish them both the best and hold no bad feelings towards either. If you want to cry over a player we’ve lost who will really hurt us, cry over Jackson. That’s a generational talent that would have been a decade long replacement for Gawn once he retires.

Anyone who has enough time to watch 9 games of football live every weekend (other than as part of their job or while being sick etc), should go outside and enjoy some fresh air.

It would’ve been in 2020 against Port by about 50 points at the Gabba. Our biggest loss since the end of 2020 is 38 points to Freo at the G in 2022 and we were leading that game by around 30 points in the second quarter. We’ve faced deficits of close to 50 against Brisbane twice but somehow managed to lose by only 11 and 22. And of course 40 odd points down at the Cattery in 2021 before we stormed home for the minor premiership. Like you said we aren’t perfect, but if people can’t see this current team is one competitive beast even when things aren’t going their way it’s their prerogative to scream and shout at close losses. I, amongst others will enjoy every game from this current crop.

They might claim that they'd been given the shaft.

I sat watching the last 2 minutes with my hatred of the filth reaching sky like proportions. They are the luckiest bastards on th face of the earth. Crows did blow it though.

We recruited McAdam to kick goals and really be another Melksham, I see them as similar types anyway and we love Melksham he is so important to our forward line so imagine if McAdam turned out to be properly similar...wouldn't that be excellent! Hope he can put on a show this weekend with our other forwards, I'm excited to see what he brings, this is why we got him.

I may be off the air for a while. Back later on. Keep it up Casey.

Seston looking a class above

That’s 2 to Jefferson. Coming into his own in the absence of the other more senior forwards. 33 - 13.

I repeat, the big JEFFER!

Loved Chris Dawes and of course Heretier

Billings has been steadily improving on every outing, very good ball user!

A wonderful Saturday morning. Blues flogged Cats flogged. Now for Dee's to win by .......

300% better? He’s averaging 16.7 disposals (up 3 on last year with us), 3.7 marks (up 1), 4.2 tackles (up 2), and 4.9 score involvements (up 1). But from 25% more TOG than he was getting last year. He’s playing better, but not by anywhere near that much. And if he and we had known Gus wasn’t going to be play this year, he may well still be here.

Geelong now Carlton getting flogged, great start to the weekend.

Easy one to forget, but Daniel Cross gave us two very good years in 14-15.

Agree re Hunter. He's so slow out of the blocks now. Laurie has alot of work to do on the decision making and execution before he should be looked at again. Turnover king at VFL level. Probably doesn't get better in the short term with the step up.

Jefferson and Seston very good for a quarter and a bit before fading, pretty much sums up Casey's day Hunter looks cooked, can't see Laurie playing much senior footy, aside from the occasional sub cameo

Well the Hunter is certainly not upsetting the Bears

Excellent parenting.

QT Casey Demons 6.3.39 to Brisbane Lions 2.1.13 Goals Sestan 3 Jefferson 2 Bell Disposals Moniz-Wakefield 9 K Brown 8 Gregory White 7

Agreed. Clarry is getting crucified week in week out. The general inconsistency on holding the ball is mind blowing.

Especially Cripps and Softly Daicos!

A Crows win at the G v the pies would round out a perfect set of results to start the round. It would be even better if the pies cop a beating same as the Cats and Carlton.

I'm hoping it's all good news. I think he is vital to our success. The most phenomenal runner in the comp and like having 2 players the way he follows up. Gives Billings a reprieve.

That banner was painted using a reversal vacuum cleaner at a mates place. Some of it stayed on the footpath and his Dad was not happy. One year playing Essendon we has so much paper that four days later the wing on their dung heap was still covered and their players were running through the mess bending down to scoop handfulls up. Picture was printed in the Herald Sun. Boy we laughed hard with that one.

I was in charge of the ‘Never say Die Demons’ banner one year. I lived 17 train stops from the MCG. Not an easy task for a 13 year old.

I heard a rumour that Langdon was staying home awaiting childbirth (not him, his partner)??? I would far prefer 2021 hindsight

who? i've seen james jordon win a flag already...

I have never wanted to watch all 9 games in a weekend nor have I ever met anyone else that did. This argument about having all games standing on their own is ridiculous to me and addresses a problem that no-one ever had. I reckon at most I'd watch 4 games in a weekend and that hasn't happened once this year. The only people it benefits are the journos who study every game, most people involved with these things have no idea how fans actually think. Nearly 10 games in and I've been to two games at the MCG on an actual Fri, Sat, Sun timeslot. Feels weird.

Did we break the blues too?

This is like old times watching Carlton getting blitzed on a Friday night

There isn’t a more comprised condeluded fixture in “professional” sport. VFL- Hold my drink