needafullback

You've got to distinguish between centre clearances, where numbers are always even, and clearances from other stoppages around the ground, where generally they are not. For stoppages away from the centre square, we will generally allow the opposition a + 1, while our spare player will be behind the ball. Our wager is that enabling the intercept mark behind the ball will more than make up for any advatnge they get from winning clearance at the stoppage, particularly given the quality we've got in the ruck and around the ball means we think this advantege will be minimised across a game. When we get beaten out of the centre, the explanation has varied, I think. If we're not just getting outplayed there (like last night), the opposition has done their homework and operate on the basis that Gawn and Grundy will win most hitouts, and set up accordingly. I still reckon our rucks should often just belt the ball forward, allowing our mids to swarm in that direction, Clark Keating style.

Nice diagram Elegt. Sounds like too much to ask but we really need two out of three of those other results to go our way. West Coast looks to have 5th spot locked away, and our chances of beating them over there are negligible. We need to finish 7th and play one of the Dogs, Saints or Pies. Arguably there's little point limping into 8th spot, really. Go Suns tomorrow night.

Um, managed to pick that up from the link I posted. I'd wager, still qualifies as obscure

Tom Kavanagh. Left the Demons in 1990, after playing in 2 games for 2 wins. The last of those was against the Eagles at Subiaco, round 8, 1989. We overcame a 14 point deficit at 3/4 time to win by 2 points. Kavanagh kicked a goal. http://demonwiki.org/Tom+Kavanagh

What a great project. Daniel Bell's game v Adelaide, round 10 2007 would also be appreciated when you get the chance.

Players who rely on their spring to take contested marks, like Fritsch and Jeremy Howe, often don't make it as forwards despite seeming to have great potential in attack. For defensive units in modern AFL teams, it's too easy for someone to block their run or get some body on them. Howe takes a lot more marks in defence than he ever did in attack because he doesn't have one or two players devoted to stopping him. Same with Fritsch. In defence, he will often be able to float across packs whereas up forward he would be blocked or knocked off his line. So half back might actually be a better use of Fritsch's marking ability than up forward. I agree with what others have said about it being a better use of his kicking skills aswell. Having said all that, I hope he can sneak forward a few times during games from half back/wing - would be a headache for opposition coaches.

The Demonlanders who have immediately rejected the idea of drafting Melksham should consider how many players who got a game for us this year would be completely incapable of kicking some of those goals: eg 60m out, or off the non-preferred from 50. His more recent form means we shouldn't pay a lot for him, but if we get to point where this bloke is a depth player (rather than guys like Bail/McKenzie/M Jones/Riley etc) it will be a sign we are a MUCH better side.

Seeing that I thought I couldn't love this bloke any more. Then I saw the interview he did the next day when he admitted, with a smirk, that the chat as they both ran to the bench involved him asking Joel Selwood why he was bleeding so much. At about 2.40: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-06-22/media-conference-jack-viney