hemingway

The risk of playing Petracca. High risk of further injury. High risk of not getting through the game. High risk that any movement through the hips and legs will be severely compromised. In a game that is likely to be intense and frenetic his fitness he will be fully tested by Brisbane. There will be nowhere to hide. He will be targeted. If we win, a high risk that he will not play in the Prelim. With a number of players under an injury cloud, with some doubt about their fitness to play, playing an injury impaired Petracca only worsens the overall team strength and balance. Watching a slow limping footballer will not help anyone’s morale or confidence, in particular that of his teammates. However, I’m sure Brisbane players will be delighted. Coach and staff definitely need to step in and say No.

A few seasons ago I thought Grundy was the best big man going around. Ruck work, marking, kicking and ground skills were exceptional. Given his injuries and time out of the game , I’m reticent about picking him up given doubts on his capacity to get back to playing regular footy. I’m also reticent about picking him up from Collingwood, because they rarely let a talented player go unless they are convinced that the player’s fitness is permanently compromised. There are exceptions of course, Peter Moore, being a case in point, but generally they make few mistakes in regard to their medical assessments.

This game along with the smashing of North were simply exhilarating. After such a long drought it was like the dam wall breaking. We played and won both games in such brilliant fashion. The team showed the football public that the North game was no once off fluke. After the game, like Paul Kelly’s iconic song, I ran across Gosch’s Paddock in Leaps and Bounds. My old man was seriously ill in Box Hill Hospital (these were the halcyon days when you could get a bed in a public hospital). He had been in trouble with the nurses for having his tranny on high volume and celebrating after a Demons goal. Our mutual joy was palpable as we reviewed the game and talked over the highlights. Memorable days.

“Love is in the air”

A really important role and Rendall inspires trust and confidence. Low key but impressive. No BS. Players are under so much scrutiny and pressure these days. Understanding, empathy and support are critical. If the mind is right the body follows.

All class.

Poor form OD. Your view of the Weed is well known. Just let it go. He is a Melbourne player and deserves better. Sam has been disappointing but let’s leave the derogatory comments and allow team selection to do the talking.

Ok but still don’t like it.

You have to worry about our sanity and life purpose.

Don’t like it all. What’s the protocol here. Would he be given the ok by the club or has he just gone off at the mouth. Can’t see the coaches being impressed unless there is some Machiavellian thinking going on. Should have remained humble and not comment on the opponent. Stupid.

Got to say DD, I have always thought these camps challenging masculinity and targeting physical and mental capacity/resilience, together with the so called team bonding aspect, complete and utter nonsense. I have been on a few and I can’t say that they benefited me in any way, shape or form. For many it’s no big deal and no damage is done but for others it can be very damaging. Part of the problem is that the people running these things are often not qualified or do not have sufficient expertise or experience to be dealing with the so called psychological issues that can come from confronting your fears and weaknesses. For god sake these are professional footballers with the same weaknesses and frailties that we all have. They are paid to play football and not be the subject of these “experiments” run by trainers who are here one day and gone the next.

Probably how we all feel. You never really know how much a coach particularly an assistant coach brings to a team. It’s hard to measure success. For many, the only real measure is a flag. Look at Goodwins history. If you took popular opinion 12-18 months ago, Goodwin would have been banished to the football tip of sacked coaches. There are thousands of Geelong supporters who regard Scott as a failure for that reason. This opinion will only change if they win this year god help us. With Yze the sentiment is that he is a successful Assistant coach but does it mean that he will make a great senior coach ? But as in life these things only become known if a person take their opportunities. Adem seems a terrific bloke who is liked by the players and respected for his knowledge and approach. As a supporter, I would like to see him stay for a few more years but at the same time be happy for his sake if got the GWS job.

I mean really, who cares. Just be positive. Panic merchants love the club as much as I am sure you do. Perhaps the panic merchants were simply anxious supporters who were worried that Gus might go. That’s okay. He has not. Time to be happy and for many, relieved. Again congrats to the club for their astute management during this trade period.

Agree wholeheartedly. I love what he brings to the team so I’m happy that he is staying. I was also concerned about the negative impact if he had taken up another offer. Jackson returning to Perth is understandable and can be explained away. My only concern is that long term deals have a financial risk particularly with a group of players on long contracts. And Gus does have a concussion history. That’s a risk but the club has no doubt taken all that into account.

Just as Uncle does not need a maid at the end of her career. .

Buddy a Demon are you serious? Kelvin Templeton and all those other chronically injured transfer players that came across to the Dees, where are you? More to the point, where are the geniuses responsible for those recruiting decisions. Got our hopes up until they ran onto the ground in a Melbourne jumper and we realised that we had bought a lemon or a bag of lemons.

It’s Greg Parke not Parkes. Terrific contested overhead mark, hands like glue but very slow on the ground and horribly inaccurate kick. But gave us some hope up forward on many gloomy Saturday afternoons. Did they really play on Sat afternoons or was it just a wistful dream ?

Love your positivity Big Kev. I was about to self harm reading earlier posts. I feel much better as I turn in. My mind has settled into a peaceful meditative state. Thanks.

Fancy lining up against Noel in his heyday. That face would have been terrifying. It spoke of unforgiving toughness and character. As his face with the 2021 Cup spoke of gentleness, peace and pride. A true great of the Club who linked the past glory years with our most recent triumph.

It’s annoying coming to the end of the season. Maybe it does not affect the players, but the on-going speculation over Brayshaw and Jackson I find a major distraction. Unsettling. Yeah I know that’s the way it is, but I hate it.

Just looked physically and mentally fatigued.

Success like life is temporary. What we must enjoy is the now. Live in the moment because everything else is so fragile. However, this is a time when we should sit back, reflect and take stock of where we are now and where we have got to, and the sheer joy of supporting a successful team without shame, embarrassment, or apology. There is a belief and an energy within the club, administration, coaches and players that is infectious and also convincing. It was a few years ago that Goodwin and others started talking about building a new club, developing a strong culture and creating something special. Despite the doubters, it has happened. 65,000 members is the result. Kids in jumpers and adults swathed in Demon gear is the result. The footy world talking about the club with respect rather than derision is the result. Everyone expecting the Demons to win is the result. The way the club handled the May affair and batted away the media scrum is the result. Having champion players is the result. And champions who love the club is the result. Amazing really. Yes, we will lose matches but gee what a turnaround. We have come a long way whatever measure you use. I love the way supporters quickly identify one another in the street with a smile and a “go Dees” comment. And the enthusiasm of the kids in their jumpers and face paint brings a tear to my eye. I suspect my final words before passing to Demon heaven will be “go Dees.”

Agree, the virus thing, simply pathetic.

Exactly.

Agree with most of this MB. Let’s not make comparisons. Both Flower and Oliver have their own unique qualities that made/make them special. Flower was sublime and Oliver is freakish. Champions in their own unique way.