Bells

Just an observation here.... Three of the top ten moments this week game from the Dees v Ess. So may speak of 'putrid' football. It was not pretty that is for sure, but it is interesting that three were chosen.

I didn't really expect to win so am not too upset. The game plan is what is letting us down. You can actually see the players instinctively go to do something and then stop - as if they remember instructions, then they do something else (which rarely works). There was no team coherence today, it was strong in the NAB games, and last week, but this week it was each to their own. I commented on it as they walked on to the ground - it was in the body language. Speaking of body language - Hogan - needs to do more, if it is not working - change! Last week there were always two options and players were backing each other up and making sure of options. This week, I am not actually sure where anyone was. Umpiring actually had a big impact on this game.. I am not one to blame umpiring - it normally sorts itself out over the course of a game but this week was awful. Our players were consistently held and it was never given. Gawn and Watts were both visibly held back often and it was never paid. As some others have pointed out Ess. are not a VFL team. Their list is reasonable and experienced, experience counts for a whole lot in a game. Our most experienced player have mainly experienced losing, not so of all the players playing for the new look Ess. team. I am still happy to support the Demons, games are won, games are lost - but I hope they are learning from the losses.

He meant it when he said "That won't happen at this club", (about taking drugs). So much belief!

Thanks for the updates. Any video cams there? Would be great to see some footage - Do you think it is being recorded?

Updates??????? Hows Tren going?

Yes it's a NAB game. No, it doesn't count for anything at all. BUT, it is a great chance to see what the team has been working on and what they still need to work on. 1. Those who were regularly in our side last year not playing yesterday - Hogan, Brayshaw, JKH, Stretch, ANB, Lamumba also Dunn and AVB off with minor injuries, we were not really full strength -although more strength than the opposition). 2. We won, something we have really struggled with in the past - 2 in a row - mentally for the team this is a big one. 3. Lots of mistakes, lots to work on, but managed to have the heart to win anyway. I have been a regular reader on here for ages, hoping that once we start winning games the shroud of negativity would dissipate. Apparently not! Nevermind, I am at least very happy with how things are looking. It was weird to actually feel confident at the end of the third that we would come back and win. If you are a glass half full person (like me), the positives are great. Players like Gawn and Viney are set up for a big season, players that were written off in the past are showing they have some worth (Grime and M. Jones). We are actually functioning as a team that work together - that is probably the biggest plus for me - I haven't seen a bunch of men trying to do something individually so they don't look bad, they are working on what is best for the team. I am looking forward to this season starting.

http://aflnz.co.nz/ It will grow in NZ - we have just started a national league.

No sorry. There is AFLNZ. A website that sometimes reports on Max Gawn (NZ heritage). I'm a supporter from regional South Island.

Great win!!! lots of positives - the future is bright Gawn is awesome!

I am seeing heaps of positives - Maxy, Viney, Vanderberg and Watts are looking the goods. All of those ready to throw the towel in - a little perspective please, it is only NAB. We are competing well despite missing our strongest mids, away, against a team that played last week AND the game is far from over.....

The year of Gawn! I can't wait to watch him play this year. He finally trusts his body again.

Did anyone go to training - I am looking forward to a training report!!!

The last few months of ACL recovery is about trusting the new ligament and getting back into doing everything you did pre-injury. I think it is a positive that he felt his new ligament was up to a game of b.ball. Broken bones are accidents and can happen at any time and any place, two of my kids broke arms this year - one tripping over a slide and one landing on his arm while attempting a flip on the trampoline - yet no broken bones in the various sports they do 3-4 times a week (touch, soccer, taekwondo, swimming and basketball). I think it is ridiculous to expect professional sports people to limit any physical activity outside of their sport - they are allowed a social life and recreational fun.

Thanks for the welcoming messages. The Demons are the first AFL team I have supported. I have been an anonymous reader on here for a couple of years now. I have little inside info - when I catch up with my family member we rarely talk about footy (plenty of other stuff to catch up on) but I enjoyed meeting a few of his fellow players/friends when I was over at the beginning of last year, and was surprised by how friendly, normal and humble they were. I am hoping for a big year from him - and so are a fair few of you (going by this forum).

As someone who has only read this forum for a long time, you could all stop sniping at each other! I have never posted until now because I don't want to be taken apart for saying the "wrong thing". I am a new Demon supporter, because a family member is in the team, I am overseas and this is the best way to find out all the news. Interesting threads go way off track because too many people take offence to differing opinions. It is ok to have differing opinions, it is not necessary to crap on and on hoping to get everyone thinking the same way as you, or knocking them for thinking differently. Quite frankly some of you are just plain nasty.