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Showing content with the highest reputation on 24/07/20 in all areas

  1. Jones is a very proud man, he is rested, super fit and obviously in form, big game coming up
    12 points
  2. I took my wife for a routine visit to her eye doctor yesterday and after I dropped her off, I parked the car, donned my mask and went for a half hour’s walk through the streets around Toorak Road. I was immediately reminded of the good old days when we used to go to the MCG to watch the Dees play their footy in the heart of Melbourne rather than 1,300 kilometres away to the north. There was a time back in those days when we would drive to games from the south eastern suburbs down Orrong Road, take a short cut into Robertson Street, dive into Grange Road and head down Bruce Street. Before we knew it, we were motoring past Como and if the traffic was light, would be looking for a parking spot around the G in no time. In the mid 2000s it was always a good omen for the afternoon ahead to drive down streets named after a couple of team favourites in Robbo and Cam Bruce. That pair have now long retired and more recently, we found it more convenient to travel to games by train until COVID19 but on yesterday’s walk through the streets of our most salubrious suburb, I discovered a new omen for the future - Jackson Street.
    10 points
  3. Thankfully we won’t have to play the Kangas in Hobart where they would have beaten us by 2 points after a blustery afternoon ending in rain. Anywhere else, we beat them by 50 points. Metricon or the Gabba a bonus.
    10 points
  4. One of the things I loved about the game against the Hawks was seeing Pickett getting frequently involved and getting to good places in support, whether or not he was rewarded or even got a stat out of it. It shows a little in the 'goal of the week mini-video on the main Demonland page at the moment - he was weaving in and out of the action ready dragging players with him and even closing in on the hot spot as the goal was being kicked. But the moment for me that really shone (and made me feel like we were definitely going to win) was a passage of play I think late in the third quarter where through sheer manic attack and slapping and bundling along Pickett was largely responsible for moving the ball forward about fifty meters despite Hawks outnumbering Demons for the length of the scramble. He must have physically touched the ball five times in ten seconds but statistically wouldn't have had a 'touch' to his name. Sums up why I think we've got a winner in this kid and why I'm going to enjoy watching him for years. Can I make a special request to anyone with editing skills for a mini-video of that ridiculous passage? Might be hard to find because it didn't result in a goal or anything special as an outcome, except Hawthorn once again were knocked back up the ground, out of an attacking position, and left with no options except to kick long to Gawn! It is also the perfect reminder that Pickett's stats are completely ignorable - he's doing his thing and it is definitely not bureaucratic!
    8 points
  5. I'm not unhappy about this, with apologies to our Tassie fans. But it was an unfair game and we should not be subjected to playing Norf in Tassie given how much upheaval we have already endured this season, and given we will most likely forgo a bye to play the Essendon game. Fingers crossed this game gets played in QLD, or even NT will do me fine.
    8 points
  6. Loving the Jones selection but also the fact of leaving McDonald out. In the past we've let this go on for too long, but Goodwin has been ruthless even with our more senior experienced players. No favouritism going on here. All the best Jonesy!
    7 points
  7. $514,449 to date. approx $100,000 donated since last weekend.
    7 points
  8. Sorry LH, but you're wrong on this. The reason why Neale is having the year that he is, is because he's hitting the scoreboard. This year alone in 7 games he's played, he's kicked 8.9. His match against Adelaide he kicked 6 behinds. That tells me he's added another element to his game and hence why right now he's too 3 player in the competition. The only midfielder for us who's come close to those numbers is Petracca with 6 goals. In fact for a guy that supposedly doesn't kick enough goals, in his 166 career games he's still kicked 87 goals. That's still a lot better then what our midfielders are dishing up. This is what's stopping the likes of Viney, Brayshaw and Oliver from truly becoming elite mids of the competition. They barely hurt the scoreboard.
    7 points
  9. Surprised by the lack of celebration. The Tasmania-border-closure will probably be season-defining.
    5 points
  10. If we play roos at either ground it is a realltt fantastic result for us. We instantly go from one of the worst draws in the FOF block to one of the best. The Tassie game was the wrinkle in the onion. Play on Thursday night in SA, hotel over night, fly to Tassie Friday. Another hotel for two nights. And fly out Sunday night, getting back to base late. Two flights. Or SA, hotel overnight, qld,Tassie and back to base. Three flights Both options rubbish. Made more so by playing at night in clear freezing conditions But SA , hotel over night, back to base and family, Friday and chill in the resort where you are all set up. And recovery is a nice swim or game of golf in 23 degrees sunshine. One flight. Bus to the game Sunday. Ideally a day game but even if a night game it won't be anywhere near freezing and will be at a ground with stands (so np risk of the tunnel gale they can cop at blundstone). And crucially roos won't have any 'home ground advatage or support. Love it.
    5 points
  11. It's a fair change for balance reasons. TMac throws the balance out, the more so if it's rainy. Keeps pressure on Jackson and Weideman to perform. And gives Jones a crack to get back in and keep a spot in the 22. Let's hope he's refreshed and ready to go.
    5 points
  12. Game in Hobart will not be happening. Will have to be somewhere else.
    5 points
  13. I loved the bit where Bradke was rated higher then Hore and Petty. Hore was only rated 4th for intercept marks in the AFL in 2019... but yeah cool.
    5 points
  14. I think harmes is the one, he's a very good stopper but has proven he's capable of hurting the other way. not sure what Neale is like as a defensive runner but the Freo boys aren't exactly known for that sort of thing. personally i would be tempted to tag Zorko because i think he's the one you can totally take out of the game and then back our midfield vs theirs especially given Max and Jacko should have a field day against Oscar Mcinerney
    5 points
  15. If I’m not mistake Richmond somehow got a free kick from this even though he flew over a Melbourne player.
    5 points
  16. The commentary is laughable...and not just Bruce. They're making a farce of the game. What's going on boy's? why can't GWS get the ball inside 50? It's not all about lowering the eyes. GWS are playing a depleted Richmond and are barely in front. They still can't seem to get the ball inside 50 often enough to be a real threat. What do the need to do? What are Richmond doing to stop them? Come on, give us a clue... We can only guess with the camera angles not letting us see what's really going on. I know, it's not going to happen but man the standard of special comments in our game is appalling. Add that to the ball by ball commentary and it's just pathetic.
    4 points
  17. "Our plan is not to rest anyone – our plan will be to pick the best team," Goodwin told reporters. "Now, we certainly won't be reckless with that. If players are sore and unavailable, then they won't play. But, our plan is to play the best team available. "We think we've prepared our players to handle the loads that are going to be presented to them and we're certainly not going to be a club that's going to be in the process of resting players." Goodwin said Burgess' program during the COVID-19-enforced season shutdown prepared the Demons' footballers for the potential of four-day breaks, which are now a reality. They have one of the healthiest playing lists in the competition, with Aaron vandenBerg – who underwent surgery on his fractured cheekbone on Tuesday – the only first-choice option unavailable.
    4 points
  18. Not a bad result for us. Should mean the game is in Queensland, which will mean we don't have to move between three states in those four rounds, and avoids giving up an away game to North. This will be the fourth time this season one of our games has been affected by COVID: Round 1 (played after the suspension announcement), Round 3 (Essendon game postponed), Round 5 (opponent/state switch), now Round 11 (state switch, possible day/time switch).
    4 points
  19. Jones for Vanders makes sense. Good move. Glad they're backing in Jackson again.
    4 points
  20. Fingers crossed you are correct. Gutwein has to okay it. Interesting power play as Tas Govt has to pay if North go there. Frankly I think Tassie has better things to spend its money on this year
    4 points
  21. Agree, anyone suggesting Neale isn't damaging is incorrect IMO. Also agree that Viney, Brayshaw and Oliver could add goalkicking to their game to go to another level, although it doesn't bother me too much. I actually wish we'd rest Oliver in the forward line more, I remember that game in 2018 vs North when he went forward and looked fantastic as a lead-up marking forward. Might have been a once-off but I feel he can do that more often.
    4 points
  22. Ha ha that's the only reason I want them to stay in Brisbane/Gold Coast FND.
    4 points
  23. I noted that incident where Lockhart “didn’t take his turn”,and thought he was a definite “goner” for next week. But my attitude changed in the third quarter afterHawthorn’s 3 goal comeback. All of the Dees ‘ 3 quick follow-up goals started with quick, accurate handballs from Lockhart just backward of centre. That was the end of the Hawks.
    4 points
  24. Hoping to see Jordon and Sparrow get a run in the next 3-4 games. Definitely think Sparrow is one to give a chance to show his ability. Maybe rotate Sparrow into our midfield in the Crows game in Adelaide.
    4 points
  25. The rain and Martin out means I think we can't go in too tall. As such, I think only one of Jackson and TMac plays. I wouldn't be surprised if it's TMac with Jackson getting rested for next Thursday night vs Port. But that will mean someone else has to replace vandenBerg. Presumably that will be Jones, but that doesn't particularly thrill me. You are crazy. Neale is a top 5 player in the comp at the moment.
    4 points
  26. Jones for VDB Initially I was leaning towards TMac for Jackson but then I started questioning it. The only reason to bring him in is experience and a bigger body. If it's wet he's not likely to be clunking more marks than Jackson, Jackson is better below his knees and also offers a proper chopout for Maxy in the ruck. Keep Jackson in for this one then rest him against Port and bring in TMac then.
    4 points
  27. I watched last week's game again and couldn't see the turnovers from Lockhart that everyone talks about. I saw them in our match v Geelong (or maybe it was v the Tigers). He doesn't get a lot of the ball but has all the attributes to be a good small defender. I thought there was a couple of plays last week that he made the right gutsy calls to leave his opponent and impact the contest which lead to a score for us - I think he wouldn't have been credited with a possession though. With the setups of most forward lines, there's room for him and Jetta at the moment.
    4 points
  28. Me too 'A F'... Agree 'dazzle'...selection looks right to me. Let's hope they prove it on the ground. Selections like this help build the club culture...
    3 points
  29. Agree. Get the feeling that the pressure will be on Chunk to perform as well. There are plenty of players ready and willing to take his spot, and I'd wager that if his form is just so-so that he may lose his spot for good. No shame in that, but he knows that he isn't an automatic selection anymore. Here's hoping that he comes back in refreshed and ready to make an impact.
    3 points
  30. Happy with that change. Welcome back Chunk.
    3 points
  31. It’s not just that he tackles though, it’s that his tackles prize the ball loose so much more than other players (as distinct from a tackle that causes a ball-up). I can’t name another player in our side I could say that about. The next best flankers such as ANB certainly can’t say that, and aren’t going to be so much better with the ball to justify the loss of that attribute.
    3 points
  32. I'm just impressed the guy played for 3 quarters with a fractured face.
    3 points
  33. Tasmanian border will not be open until at least 14 August.
    3 points
  34. Yep, it's why many of the top EPL sides try not to rotate the squad, but when they do, it often leads to slip ups. Liverpool kept the same back 4 for the majority of the season and usually played the same front 3, enabling rotations through the midfield positions that require arguably greater fitness anyway (even though the attackers need great fitness too as Liverpool defends from the front 3). I'd be going with no changes at all if we can help it, because as you say, don't mess with the chemistry. Only if it's clear your mids are tiring would I make any changes to the midfield (outside of an injury of course). I think the most important area of the ground not to mess with is our defensive set up and I think we need to play these guys together as much as possible. So for mine, the forwardline personnel can be tinkered with depending on the opponent, but I think it's pretty clear that we need to play two talls, with Weideman being one of them, playing deep and across half forward. Then Jackson playing second fiddle, with TMac as back up KPF. I find it interesting that we're thinking about playing Tom on a wing. This would suggest strongly that we see Weideman and Jackson as ultimately working and that Tom needs to carve another niche for himself. If he can kick goals from the wing and gut run hard both ways, that is going to give us an additional weapon that is very hard to match up on. I wouldn't mind seeing Fritsch and McDonald rotate between wing and half forward as well. We constantly need guys willing to lead and run again to create space for others. That's a key to the shorter kicking game we implemented in particular last week. It'll be fascinating to see what we do if we can get through this congested period without losing and without injury. Will we look to mess with team chemistry on the other side of it to freshen things up, or will we want to keep the chemistry going? I think ultimately where we want to get to is to play a system where as players can be plug and plays as possible. The Bulldogs premiership side of 2016 was brilliant at this and big on system. Our 2017 side wasn't too bad at that either, when he were missing Gawn for large chunks. So Goodwin has shown himself to be big on systems, but it's whether our team can get to that level of consistency and understanding of team roles, that is another matter.
    3 points
  35. Maroochydore is a very nice part of Gods earth to hub in La Dee but I get ur point.
    3 points
  36. Having read this thread and various other threads re VandenBerg over the years I think I have the un-popular opinion of that I don't think he's that good. I understand there needs to be some forgiveness given he's lack of continuity in his football, but he just can't kick. I think he can be the beneficiary of shortened quarters where he can be used as an impact player - but he needs to be more than a bloke that can just tackle. He has no problem finding the ball: vs Geelong – 1 kick, 6 handballs, 3 tackles 62% game time –71% efficiency vs Richmond – 14 touches, 3 tackles, 70% game time –85% efficiency vs Gold Coast – 11 touches, 3 tackles, 47% game time –72% efficiency vs Hawthorn – 13 touches, 4 tackles, 81% game time – 53% disposal efficiency If he polishes up his kicking - especially at goal, he could be a lot more damaging playing that half-forward pushing deeper role. Bizarrely, I can acknowledge that we are a better side with him in - so maybe I'm just Covid rambling
    3 points
  37. I'm not sure I'll ever step foot on one of those crowded trains again after a match of footy (if crowds are ever allowed to return). It's not too bad on the way to the footy as it's easy to maintain some semblance of social distancing (if you go early enough). But after the match I never like being packed in like sardines even pre-COVID. Now all I see is germ factories when I look at another human being. I haven't even thought about all the potentially infectious people sitting and yelling around me at the footy. Does the Demon Shop sell Hazmat suits?
    3 points
  38. Did you pass any houses with PICKETT fences?
    3 points
  39. Rory Laird? Out of contract end of 2021 and althought an Adelaide boy - could be keen to get out of the joint. Turns 27 in December so potentially good for another 4-5 yrs.
    3 points
  40. I thought Goody didn’t listen to outside noise? Now I’m just confused.
    3 points
  41. I would settle for just Tomlinson onto a wing for AVB. Jackson stays in but takes a break for the next match on Thursday and TMac comes in. I can’t see first year players being able to front up every 4 days! There needs to be revolving selection of a group of younger players over the next 4 or 5 weeks.
    3 points
  42. I reckon a big problem with rotating players is that with all its zones, patterns and structures team synergy is critical in footy circa 2020. You mess with team chemistry at your place peril. Rotating players risks increasing the chanced of osing games in this block and disrupting the chemistry going forward, increasing the chances of losses in the next block. Even with a fitter, rested team. And in any case we need wins now.
    3 points
  43. The strong sides often take the opportunity to blood new players in games against lowly sides and so, with due respect to Adelaide, that might be the game for James Jordon to debut.
    3 points
  44. We've beaten 7th, 11th and 14th on the ladder so far.
    3 points
  45. Especially when the back up players aren’t playing any footy at all. Training doesn’t give you the same feel for the game. I said it in another thread but there is no way we should be resting players unless we are a lock for the finals. It’s a short season, plenty of rest to date, professional athletes, shorter games.
    2 points
  46. Is Goody happy that you've told everyone he is unhappy? Or should that have been kept quiet as well?
    2 points
  47. That was a terrible handball from Brayshaw. Had he hit the target Pickett probably would have kicked a goal or passed it deep into the 50.
    2 points
  48. Gus is going nowhere...
    2 points
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