hemingway

Sunshine Coast effect or Deep North effect? A little disrespectful to the Mexicans but i understand the inferiority complex you have up there.

Demons not Dees....that latter abbreviation is insipid and drives me mad.

great to have 3 training reports with different insights and emphasis. well done guys. you are either seriously dedicated individuals or have an untreatable case of obsessive compulsive disorder. I like what I hear from george with a re-emphasis on comments previously made by TDI. As a final aside, have been concerned about our medical management for a long time so good to read about the apparent improvement in managing player injuries. really critical area if we want to have our best on the field.

All I want for my match day experience is to watch a winning footy team. Anything else is irrelevant.

Not perfect, nothing is perfect but agree with your sentiments. No left field decisions and no surprises. The positive response from supporters tells the story. On its own not a big deal but just another example that the club is getting it right. Slowly changing the perception of the club and creating a feeling of confidence and stability.

great choices, a group of seasoned older players that lead by example. Another wise decision on top of many others since the end of 2014. We seem to be getting it right on so many levels.

good to read the training reports and varied opinions without the nitpicking and personal asides. Makes this site so much better to read. Thought I was died in the wool and informed but the folks on this site are incredible....or seriously unbalanced sick individuals who need to get a life.

Macca your last sentence says it all....never have truer words been written.

Really important area for improvement so this is good news. Even taking into account our turnovers, poor disposal, poor decision making etc, our leg speed has been poor in comparison to other sides. Whether we had the ball or were chasing. Sounds like some of our new kids such as Stretch have good speed. Just need to get the balance right between bulking up and speed.

Totally agree billy.

Hard to judge Tappy. His AFL career was always afflicted by injury. Hardly a period when he was ïnjury free. Good luck to him if he wants to play for Sorrento, who are we to judge.

Agree Ron, Jack is a highly skilled, athletic, outside player. What is frustrating is that he promises so much more. Our expectations have not been matched by his performances on the field. I think everyone wants him to succeed but become disappointed and frustrated with his efforts. Unfortunately, he is one of those players whose body language at times gives a poor impression of his intensity/effort. If we accept that he is an outside player, he still needs to apply defensive pressure and make the contest. This was also Liam Jurrah's biggest weakness and would have hampered his progress irrespective of the off field drama. Jack is clearly a player who will improve in a better team but top performing clubs require commitment and intense effort from all their players irrespective of their different playing styles and psychological make-up. One must accept that it must be difficult for all players particularly those still developing their game to reach their potential in a poorly performing club. Nathan Jones said as much last year when he admitted to feeling very depressed after each loss. That feeling eats into your whole being. In this sense, I am sympathetic to Jack's position. However, it did not stop our Captain putting in 100% week in week out. I guess though he is an exception and it is the reason he is our Captain. In concluding, Roosy has been a great supporter of Jack so if he can't get the best out of Jack no-one will. At the same time, we need to see overall team improvement to see Jack flourish. Here's hoping. As a newcomer to this forum, I apologize to seasoned Deelanders for a further post on Jack and perhaps stating the bleeding bloody obvious. Could not help myself. I won't do it again.....promise.

Matt Jones has plenty of upside. Can find the ball, run with the ball and is serious competitor who keeps trying all day. Like others, his disposal can let him down. However, overall was a very good pick-up and hats off to the recruiting staff for identifying that he had potential to play senior footy. Adds depth to the list and final 22. Happy to see him fight for a place. He seems to have a good attitude and happy to be given a crack with the Dees.

the picture of Petracca has me excited! he looks ready made for the big time. can we transplant Jack Watt's head onto that body please?

Really good read RB, informative comments on players we want to hear about. Also interesting and realistic comments on Petracca and Brayshaw progress. Lots to look forward too. Still concerned about our ruck stocks and maintaining an injury free Hogan, but our midfield is looking so much better with improved skills, run and footy smarts. Just trying to keep a lid on my renewed enthusiasm. Probably the first few games will bring me back to earth but its a good time of the year to dream.

Joined site yesterday but a viewer of the site for some time I totally endorse Ron's comments.

and he did end his own life. On that cheery note.........

thanks guys, it would be a boring site if we all agreed with one another. As we are seeing in France, freedom of expression is not to be undervalued. Je Suis Charlie! Or as Hemingway once wrote "we are all apprentices in a craft where no-one becomes a master."

First post. Getting the impression of a well run professional club. An administration that supports the football department, no off-field issues or media stories, head coach clearly in charge who commands total respect and who delegates to his staff, strong focus on development, well organised training programs, players seeing improvement in fitness and skills. There seems to be better organisation and method. Also greatly improved list. It has been a long time coming. Yet to be seen that this translates into results but clear improvement seen. Encouraging signs.