joeboy

I was once a regular reader of the defunct Demonology web site , but finally refused to open it up again because of the incessant and banal arguments between the same protagonists . Sadly I suspect those same belligerents are making a home and a 'scene' regularly on this site. Let's just attack the argument , not the man, children!!

6- Dawes ( a colossus playing the hardest position on the field .. with repeat efforts and brute strength) 5 - Tyson ( smooth, classy , and highly creative ) 4 - Kennedy - Harris ( fantastic ,clean possessions , and wonderful reading of the play ) 3 - Vince ( had everything to prove , and did just that ) 2 - Terlich ( I hate when he has the ball, but he's brave , strong , and totally focused ) 1 - Grimes ( read the play beautifully , and his interceptions were magical )

N.Jones - not as influential Grimes - some massive interceptions Salem - had limited influence Watts - displayed more purpose Dawes - a commanding presence Viney - imposing and fearless Frawley - had no impact Byrnes - cannot be retained Tyson - smooth and creative Dunn - a vital component Cross - wonderful holding game Pederson - effective all game Vince - creative and tireless Kennedy-Harris - must be nominated McDonald - a steady rock Howe - had some influence Jamar - outstanding all game Bail - some important breaks M.Jones - continued good season Terlich - ruthless and effective Jetta - great defensive drive Georgiou - steady until injured

N. Jones- was well controlled Grimes - accountable but fragile Salem - we've found one Watts - far from acceptable Dawes - tried but failed Viney- energetic but flawed Frawley - a forgettable game Byrnes - didn't justify selection Tyson - prolific and creative Dunn - our most consistent Cross - just a professional Pederson - continues to surprise Vince - gutsy and creative Kennedy- Harris - making steady improvements McDonald - should never kick Howe - little boy lost Jamar - outstanding in ruck Bail - was probably playing M. Jones - impressive under pressure Terlich - see McDonald's comments Jetta - excellent until subbed Georgiou - limited but conscientious

6 - N.Jones ( has added class and inspiration to his repertoire ) 5 - Dawes ( the epitome of determination ) 4 - Cross ( we couldn't ask for a more professional senior player ) 3 - Jetta ( was often found in precarious situations , but was rarely beaten ) 2 - Viney ( lacks polish but is learning quickly .. will be a star ) 1 - Grimes ( consistent and calming )

N.Jones- just a champion J.Grimes - calm and controlled Watts - a wasted talent Dawes - great concerted effort Viney- ready to impose Frawley - effective when presenting Tyson - laconic and unimpressive McKenzie - just a tagger Dunn - creative and intelligent Cross - tagged and created Pederson - tried but failed Vince - disappeared when needed Kennedy - Harris - some quick plays McDonald - was surprisingly exposed Evans - one impressive goal Howe - better when forward Spencer - was basically ineffective Bail - had little impact M.Jones - few redeeming qualities Terlich - the clanger king Jetta - provided good run Georgiou - weaknesses were exposed

6- Frawley ( was untouchable ) 5 - Cross ( belied his age , and did everything so professionally) 4 - N.Jones ( lifted his game to inspire his teammates) 3 - McDonald ( if he can improve his decision making he could become elite) 2 - M. Jones ( not my favourite , but definitely played an important part today) 1 - Grimes ( lifted his game , and let little pass )

N.Jones- tough and effective Grimes - captain stood up Watts - bruise free game Dawes - provided the target Viney- tough and brave Frawley - upped his status Dyson - was well held McKenzie - tough in packs Dunn - effective all day Kent - some important plays Cross - the consummate professional Pederson - continued good form Vince - had little influence Kennedy - Harris - showed some flair McDonald - confident and important Evans - made an impact Howe - far from convincing Bail - dashing and important M.Jones - career best game Terlich - injured, no loss Georgiou - reliable and composed Spencer - fantastic second efforts

6- Tyson ( composed and accumulated countless possessions) 5 - Cross ( the consummate professional ) 4 - Pederson ( should never play forward again) 3 - Dunn ( for great first half ) 2 - Georgiou ( gave away enormous weight and height advantage , but held his own ) 1 - McDonald ( horrible disposal , but always gave a contest)

N.Jones - not usual drive Grimes - loose and careless Watts - almost no influence Viney- had no influence Frawley - worth persevering with Byrnes - waste of position Tyson - prolific and tried Dunn - great first half Kent - had little influence Cross - persistent and professional Pederson - disciplined and effective Vince - was rarely sighted Kennedy- Harris - very little opportunity McDonald - disciplined and effective Evans - few effective possessions Howe - classy and composed Bail - prolific but wasteful M.Jones - prolific but wasteful Terlich - horrible decision maker Fitzpatrick - continued poor season Georgiou - outstanding under pressure Spencer - had no idea

Blease for Bail Gawn for Fitzparick Evans for M.Jones Dunn will start at CHF Pederson will start in the back pocket

6 - N.Jones (played as if his life depended on it) 5 - Dunn (has become a vital component, and easily the best kick in the team) 4 - Tyson (tireless and highly skilled) 3 - Toumpas (provided options and disposed well) 2 - Cross (not outstanding , but understood where to move) 1 - Frawley (excellent under great duress)

N.Jones - never gave up Grimes - overwhelmed and underperformed Watts - the bad Watts Toumpas - prolific but slow Frawley - always provided contest Trengove - still going nowhere Byrnes - tried but ineffective Tyson - classy and persistent Dunn - skillful and effective Cross - prolific and tough Pederson - fat and useless Michie - tried but beaten Vince - tried but beaten Kennedy -Harris - provided some energy McDonald - limited but useful Howe - better second half Spencer - destroyed in centre Bail - not league standard M.Jones - very limited skills Terlich - loose and lacking Fitzpatrick - was still concussed Georgiou - tried against odds

In all likelihood , what I'd originally (albeit mistakenly) written for McKenzie would have applied

N.Jones- wonderful all game Grimes - was often outplayed Watts - genius at work Toumpas - clever with possessions Frawley - was rarely beaten Trengove - possessions weren't significant Byrnes - slow thinking liability Tyson - classy and prolific Dunn - wonderful first half Cross - just a game Pederson - fat and talentless Michie - will be better Vince - clever and prolific Kennedy -Harris - surprisingly wasteful possessions McDonald - excellent until injured Howe - career quietest game Spencer - failed to assert Bail - disappeared second half M.Jones - was he playing? Terlich - never inspired confidence Fitzpatrick - quiet until injured Georgiou - promising first game

At training today in the wet. Firstly to allay the fears of many: Hogan was running laps, in no discomfort. Jamar joined in some of the contest work. Dawes was involved in all contest work. Gawn was with the rehab group for most of the session and appears on track. Viney was walking laps and appeared to be limited in his activities. Kent was involved in all contest work. Observations: I have an elderly man crush (I AM married ) on Toumpas, Tyson, Kennedy-Harris, Kent and Jones. They consistently found their targets despite the often driving rain and give great cause for optimism for our midfield. Tapscott is even more massive in the upper body than you'll remember him from last year. McDonald, if anything, is less developed in the upper body, looking almost like Howe in build. Watts consistently fumbled the ball in the wet, but atoned with the disposal almost laser-like in accuracy. Dawes looks a million dollars and was very serious in all his movements. Salem and Toumpas are the same person in skill level and disposal. Unlike observations from attendees at other training sessions, I found N.Jones to be extremely vocal and a leader, obviously signalling his intentions to push for the major leadership of the team. Finally, and what fills me with most excitement, is a feature of the training drills where players are running the full length of the field in anticipation of receiving the ball or creating a shepherd, unlike in previous years where players would virtually stop to admire their work once a kick or handball was completed.

As a youth, I was a talented schoolboy footballer , and I was invited to do a preseason with StKilda , when they were located at Moorabbin. I was picked up from school by taxi and taken to training one evening , where , after introductions , I was asked to 'warm up' with a 10 lap jog around the oval . The first lap was a breeze , the second , slightly less so, and the third was like running up hill backwards . I feigned tightness in my hamstrings , and asked if a taxi could be booked for an immediate return home . My VFL ( as it was called in those days ) career was ended almost as quickly as it had begun .

I wonder if these unnamed recruiters were the same ones who insisted that Scully and Trengove were the standouts of their draft

6 - Grimes ( rarely made an error ) 5 - Davey ( wonderful second half ) 4 - Frawley ( did what was required ) 3 - Watts ( effective with limited touches ) 2 - Toumpas ( improved with each game ) 1 - Dunn ( occasional brain fades , but gave a damn )

Trengove - little to inspire Grimes - steady and effective N.Jones - what we expected Watts - finished other's work Toumpas - has got talent Viney - just a game Frawley - passionate and effective Sylvia - tried but lacking McKenzie - heart and soul Dunn- mostly effective performance Garland - wasn't often noticed McDonald - worrying with ball Sellar - a dumb plodder Kent - cause for optimism Davey - fantastic second half Gawn - rarely bothered statisticians Howe - only 1 trick Jetta - played with dash Spencer - outmuscled and ineffective M.Jones - was he playing? Terlich - loose and dumb

OMG! Isolating this incident in the bigger picture of no Melbourne player having provided a shepherd virtually over the whole season , is laughable

6 - Toumpas ( still making errors , but giving great cause for optimism ) 5 - Garland ( possibly because he seemed to make fewer errors than the other backmen) 4 - Spencer ( probably broke even with an All Australian opponent ) 3 - Watts ( excellent first half ) 2 - N.Jones ( because he's on the field , regardless ) 1 - Dawes ( contested and made an effort , often enough )

Trengove - plodded and fumbled Grimes - plodded and fumbled N.Jones - overworked and declining Watts - good first half Toumpas - beginning to shine Dawes - had some impact Viney - taught a lesson Frawley - was resilient throughout Sylvia - barely a whimper McKenzie - late season resurgence Dunn - just a game Rodan - won't be missed Garland - maintained consistent season Pederson - slow, fat , irrelevant McDonald - played dumb football Kent - still lacking polish Tapscott - was rarely involved Davey - classy , rarely effectual Howe - failed to impose Spencer - probably broke even M.Jones - was probably playing Terlich - take first options!!!!

I'm pushing 60 , and have been following the Dees probably longer than you've been alive , so it actually bothers me tremendously that we've become an irrelevance .

In Bali.... lots of sun, surf, people and food. Heaps of copy watches, tees, jeans, jewelry . Even AFL merchandise copied to death. But sadly, no Demons' stuff to be found. Damn, we can't even find enough buyers for our beloved uniform to justify having it 'ripped off' in quantity!