martin

Maybe I'm the world's worst judge but I think Weideman has been absolutely outstanding in this game. He has taken on two experienced campaigners in Ladhams and Sinclair and destroyed them. At ground level they haven't got near him. Must have a big tank as he has rucked throughout the day. This is his role. Back up ruck pinch hitting forward and back as required. Impressive.

Why the need to go down 'media street' with all of this is baffling.  Destabilising and distracting. Serves no useful purpose. .Angus should politely decline all interviews or, at the very least, give bland responses. Clearly he has an ego . This is less than ideal 4 weeks out from a final series.

I've posted occasionally and been avid follower of Demonland for a number of years. A number of posters have good insight and, from time to time, provide excellent intel..

However, it has to be said that the poster 'Goodwindees' has been 'Poster Supreme' when it comes to news scoops and reliable  inside information. In fact incredible!!!!

Let's take a look at some amazing stories that he has allowed us to be privy to in the last couple of years. Keeping in mind that he often publishes first on Demonland prior to any media reports:

*Posted that the Demons were first to speak to Dan Hanneberry long before it was public knowledge.

*Let us know re AVB's depressed fracture of the cheekbone  prior to the club having knowledge.

* Petracca and Oliver's contract extensions.

*The Demons presentation to Cerra and genuine interest.

*Tarrant to Richmond.

*And, of course, the most recent being Luke Dunstan to the Dee's before anyone could even had imagined it transpiring. Huge!!

No doubt I've missed some gems, however, the aforementioned list is indeed commendable and I for one look forward to more 'Goodwindees' offerings in the future.

Keep up the great work. 'Goodwindee's' gets my vote for number one Demonland poster!!!!

Hassa Mann was my absolute favourite player as a young boy. A true champion and a star of the game . Had his number 29 proudly emblazoned on my duffle coat. Totally devastated when he went back west. Reluctantly, but ultimately happily, I asked my mum to turn the nine upside down to become a six following another hero in the high flying Greg Parke. Great memories.

23 minutes ago, goodwindees said:

Ins - Wiedeman, Bowey, Harmes

Outs - Jackson, Rivers, Viney

Am sure to get howled down about Jackson, however, he isn't providing enough and I thing right now, Wiedeman would deliver more in that Ruck/Forward role.

 

 

Jackson hasn't given a yelp for a long time. ATM Weideman can easily play his role nad kick goals. Weideman would also be an option if Brown off his game. Jackson can't.

In: Harmes, Weideman, Melksham

Out: Viney (won't happen what a statement), Jackson , Jordon (needs a rest).

I swung by for a brief time late Monday morning. Only a handful still there.Gawn, Brayshaw, Hannan, C Wagner and Chandler completing some fairly serious repetive 100m run thoughs.

Bennell was basically alone but fortifying to see him really striding out along the wing with numerous repeat efforts followed by multiple raking 50+ metre drop punts to one of the fitness staff. All class.One can live in hope!

17 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Current Injury list

	PLAYER	INJURY	LENGTH
	Angus Brayshaw	Elbow	TBA
	Kade Chandler	Wrist	TBA
	Kyle Dunkley	Ankle	TBA
	Max Gawn	Knee	TBA
	Mitch Hannan	Groin	TBA
	Steven May	Knee	TBA
	Tom McDonald	Knee	TBA
	Harrison Petty	Groin	TBA
	Joel Smith	Foot	TBA
	Aaron vandenBerg	Foot	TBA
	Corey Wagner	Knee	TBA
	Braydon Preuss	Knee	7-9 Weeks
	Harley Bennell	Calf	Indefinite
	Kade Kolodjashnij	Head	Indefinite
	Aaron Nietschke	Knee	Season

 

I was only at training for 45 minutes or so but Brayshaw was most definitely in the main group and fully involved. Suspect Smith was also.Barring unforeseen mishaps Gawn, Tmac & May almost certain starters for the Hawthorn game going by the banter in the rehab group. AVB no show. Petty is a worry.

Is there any possibility whatsoever that club can give us an update on KK? I understand that unfortunately it's pretty much a lost cause but reports on Smith and May recently were prompt and detailed. I think it has nearly been 6 weeks since he's been on the track. Would be good to know.

1 minute ago, bobby1554 said:

Can someone enlighten me on what the go is with Tomlinson? Is he, or has he been, injured, getting over surgery?

Calf strain just before our training commenced in November.

Here's my two bob's worth FWIW:

*On my way to training rode past Tomlinson, Bennell and Baker jogging the tan. All moving freely and looked in good spirits.

*Took note of the rehab group mainly. VDB & Petty started there but soon joined tha main group. Fingers crossed for VDB. He is ripped!

*Hannan looks a fair way off.

*Really hoping KK comes on. Not sure he is in rehab for concussion but , to me, looks detached from the group. May well just be his demeanour but all those around him totally foccused. Hope I'm off the mark.

*Having said all that, Jones cuts a frustrated figure. Not exactly sure of the problem?

*Rivers is a specimen. Tall mid, oozes confidence as has a body ready to go.

*Never seen Jetta fitter.

*Tomlinson would have to be the tallest and bulkiest og wingmen!

*Absolutely trying to be realistic but this is a massive group in main training. Only one not on the park at all was Spargo, I think.

6 minutes ago, Demonland said:

I did not see him. 

Thanks. Wouldn't be surprised at all if there is an announcement soon. Hope I'm wrong.

Any sign of KK?

I was standing no more than 5 metres from Clarry after he came off and he was clearly in discomfort favouring his left arm.

Having said that, he was in good spirits and heard him say to KK that it was only a 'stinger'. One can only hope.

Would say that the training thus far has been as tough, long and brutal as anything I've seen. 

Can't recall seeing joel Smith either but good be mistaken.

9 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Ed Langdon?

Yes, looks fit and in the time trial.

Stayed up untill the time trial.   Weideman, Petty, Bradtke and Josh Wagner only ones in rehab group.

AVB and KK in full participation. Tomlinson was there only as a spectator. Presume it;s due to the fact he played in the GF, longer break etc.  Unfortunately Charlie Spargo on crutches and in a moon boot.

Not sure that Jetta and Viney participated in the time trial. Could not sight either Baker or  Hannan.

Easily the biggest group I've seen for some time in the main group. Encouraging. 

Apparently reported in the NT News.

Apologies if this is old news but Sky just reporting that we have signed up for another four years to play games in Darwin & Alice Springs. Suns have the same deal.. Hard to believe. No doubt we will play 'crowd favourites' Adelaide in Darwin with no bye to follow. FMD

1 hour ago, Red and Blue realist said:

While agreeing there seems to be potentially more at play than just injuries, it surely has to be the major factor in what has happened this season. There are a couple of reasons:

- The pre-season surgeries naturally put teams behind, but we also had our shortest pre-season ever. With the majority of the core of the team sitting with between 50-120 games  (Gawn, Viney, Trac, Harmes, Brayshaw, Salem, Oliver, Lever, Weid and with the majority of the fringe players also in the same boat) means they don't have the 'miles in the legs' as some of the teams that have competed regularly in finals. We've seen in the past Geelong, Hawks, Richmond, the Eagles and the dogs have a down year/s when they've gone deep into finals with younger squads, those mentioned (with the exception of the dogs (yet)) have all come back again and been successful.

- Add on the in-season injuries, it was in another thread - and don't quote me on exact figures - but up until the Richmond game we'd lost something like 120 games to our best 22 players, the tigers had lost 90 and the Pies 60. Those teams were used as examples as they were discussed at the time as teams with large injury lists. On top of that the injuries seemed to be very concentrated at one end each week, early in the season we'd be missing 4 or 5 of our best defenders then as the season progressed it transferred to the forward half. Very hard to build anything in season when we've got such deficiencies. 

I'm not saying there aren't other factors but a limited pre-season and in-season injuries are certainly big factors. I'm very happy there'll be limited off-season hold ups and we've got Burgess to hopefully get them super fit. Only then will we be able to reliable assess if some of the issues are (as discussed on the many forums here) - the coach, game plan, the captains, selection, Pert, selling games to the NT etc. 

 

Very well summarised. How others can't see this beggars belief.

Best article I've read. Absolutely no guarantees but the hyperbole that has been spoken and written is generally is laughable.

The changes are excellent and needed .The club also needs to reassess to some degree and taking nothing for granted.

Having said that, no amount of change will insulate any team from failure given the horrendous pre season and subsequent multiple number and long term injuries that have occurred throughout. To think a any coaching staff etc  will make a difference should this repeat is delusional.

For better or for worse followed this club for over 50 years and I can't recall a,season this injury ravaged.It would be foolhardy to think this was the only reason for failure, however, far and away the the main factor. For some to 'blame' injuries at all for some folk is unpalatable, weak and unacceptable. That mentality leaves me gobsmacked. One of Ron Barassi's favouite line was "We are offering reasons not excuses". 

Interestingly, have been thinking about this and can draw one main conclusion. The main protagonists - Oliver, Harmes, Brayshaw, Viney and, to a lesser extent, Jones all had interrupted pre seasons in varying degrees. They also represent the few in the squad that have pretty much been untouched by injury 'in season'. I am of the belief that they have shouldered a very heavy load whilst being under prepared. They all look weary and the end of the season can't come quickly enough. Viney, in particular, looks shot. Harmes not far behind. Don't think Brayshaw's been right at any time. Oliver still very good but struggling a little atm.

Gven a longer break,  a full pre season, some luck, midfield additions through the draft and trade and things can turn around

On 7/24/2019 at 3:52 PM, binman said:

As I and others have been at pains to point out this is plain wrong and to be honest is a really unhelpful narrative to be pushing as a dees fan. Why? Because it is wrong.

You made that assertion a fee weeks ago and I posted the link of the article from may with the games missed by best 22 through injury ladder. I'm not sure if you read it but it showed we were hit hardest at that stage by a big, big margin. And things have got much worse since then. If that ladder was done now we would be so far ahead of second it is not funny.

And as noted by wrecker45 the injury issue has to be seen in context of our shocking preseason and resulting lack of a strong fitness base (by the by the tigers had a great preseason, as did not coincendally all the teams in the top 5. Saints didn't and have struggled all season. Go figure). Caro should stick to footy politics if she doesn't understand that.

Sure, debate the actuall impact of a poor preseason and injury. But please don't misrepresent how bad both have been for the dees. As I say it is an unhelpful narrative and just feeds all those lazy footy media people who love to reinforce such myths.

Great post. How people can't see this as the primary reason for this seasons woes beggars belief.

24 minutes ago, drdrake said:

So you can abuse your own team, just no one else.  Lucky we support Melbourne we don't need to yell at anyone else our side is protecting us from from this by playing so poorly that we only yell at them

You can't abuse your own. Just sit in a Melbourne member's area and find out why. So let me get this right. The AFL states that u cant 'abuse' your own or oppositon players, umpires or other supporters. What's left? "Come on Dee's"? FFS.