Previously known as LITD.

Your killing me.

Great to hear from you GW. I have high hopes for young Jeffo. Apparently did well at Casey with five goals He'll break through in the Seniors soon and then that.

Not over yet mate. Go Lions. ( Ouch)

Here's a bit more about the event. Did I mention that NSW Demons support players in our great club? In particular Matthew Jefferson. Kelly will provide an in-depth look into the club’s current recruiting priorities and methodology and future draft and trading. An analysis of the recruiting strategy will include insights into how the club is strategizing for the future to maintain competitive success. The Inner Sanctum event is an excellent opportunity for attendees to gain insight into the intricacies of footy recruitment and strategy, guided by Kelly O’Donnell’s extensive expertise. His career achievements and understanding of the game make him a pivotal figure in shaping Melbourne Football Club’s future. Kelly O’Donnell has had a rich and varied career in Australian rules football. Kelly played 80 games for Melbourne Football Club from 1979 to 1984. He then coached the Murray Bushrangers to a Premiership in 1998 and was an assistant coach under Chris Connolly at Fremantle in Western Australia in 2001. Kelly returned to Melbourne in 2007 as part of the coaching panel and transitioned to recruiting in 2012 and is currently the club’s pro scout, dedicated to identifying top talent for Melbourne Football Club Prepare for an evening of engaging discussions and unmatched expertise in Sydney on Friday, 20 June 2025!

Agreed. I would certainly like to see him in our team against pies. I'm not saying AJ is an enforcer but he could be if required. It's been a while since we have had players that dish a bit out. So he needs to play against the Saints. Jvr is probably a better choice but AJ isn't just there for his looks and marking ability. Vineys always dependable to stick up for his mates and Melksham certainly doesn't lack ticker. So if Viney plays forward it would make defenders very nervous. I'm tired of seeing Cwood rough us up. Time to give a bit back and see how they like it. AJ is certainly the bloke that could do it. I think he may be a gentle giant but only a fool would test him.

It's clear that shoulder injury impacted his form. Some players get a serious injury and bounce right back. Others understandably so, lose confidence. Perhaps fear of it happening again or reinjuring it. One could lose confidence in their invincibility and in the back of their mind not necessarily stop them from going hard but certainly it could give a little hesitation. He's gone from people here calling for his head back To AA form and hasn't it made a difference. May and Lever used to be our most important defenders and Salo. The latter was great last week but I'd argue Disco and Bowser are now our best. I feel sorry for Tmac. It could be a case of Tomlinson all over again if he's not back soon. Although is Lever injured again? He does seem to get a few these days. It's great to see previous greats back in form. Especially Oliver. His best game for ages. I mean on paper this team is as good as any. With a lot of younger players getting better. We have some decent depth. I'm hoping Jvr gets amongst them and Jeffo. But I feel conflicted about dropping AJ. In our current form we should easily account for St Kilda. I hope we're not over confident

Also if there are any supporters living near Wollongong please send me a message. I'm bored with forcing my basketball crazed son to watch games.

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Is Spargos injury due to Mills? And if so am I correct in understanding he only got a week?

That's so frustrating for Spargo. He's had a rough trot with injuries

These constant inconstancies not only promote justified cynicism, they must confuse and frustrate coaches and players. Especially those on the receiving end. Possibly turning a few off the game. They annoy the heck out of me.

Exactly. One week but. Surprised?

Hopefully. But I feel we have three more tough ones after the pieds. Power, Gcs and crows all on their turf. Lose those and it may be all over. Our next four of the season may be ours but two are at Marvel where North smashed us. I know it wasn't just the venue as I believe the Gws game exhausted a team which ( us) has since miraculously turned around its fitness very quick. Our last two are the pies and hawks again so our back will be against the wall. But that seems to bring our best. I like your optimism Roost it far. You are a genuinely passionate Dees supporter and let's hope, on the money. One thing for sure if we win the flag this year, it will be a comeback for the ages. If we don't, the only consolation will be beating cwood twice. And Maynard being injured in the first, so he can't play the second. He got off without any justice. And his victim doesn't play again. Nice work AFL. And the head is sacrosanct. Well restrospectively at least. I think. Then again maybe not. If that was a Melbourne player instead of Mills, I guarantee three weeks. It looked premeditated to me . Despite Spargos height, Mills launch would have collected most.

I thought I saw Bowser playing in the middle for a few moments. Was I seeing things? I think he'd be good there possibly anywhere but he's needed down back. Reading most of the pondering of changes , there isn't much consideration or talk of Tmac. Most of us were disappointed he was rested/ managed/ dropped and didn't hold back venting. But why now the silence? Everyone here seems to be contemplating Jvr for AJ, a very tough call. After the replay I keep flip flopping . Viney of course always in and most likely as mentioned previously for Spargo. And probably the same role despite a waste of Viney's midfield prowess. Lever was understandably rusty so do we continue hoping he gets to his best? Or swap for Tmac. I know Tommy has decided he can't play forward but we haven't really tested him on this. Not that our forward line isn't going well but I always think of one goes down, despite Toms objections, we could always shift him there. So maybe he offers more versatility. It's as tough as the AJ / JVR conundrum. And poor Jeffo with five goals at Casey maybe warrants consideration as an emergency. Not known for his ruck skill, I guess. Who else in our twos is pushing for selection? I'm keen to know our depth including injuries. Who do we have currently not in the team fielded against Sydney that have a lot to offer. Only players that have already played in seniors prior, other than the four mentioned? Thanks.

On the topic of opposition players....I thought Grundy was actually ok. But his lack of marking reminded me, he's no loss. Tackled hard with around nine...the same as Max and in fact both their basic stats count were similar, including clearances and hit outs, but Max seemed far superior. Surprisingly Max only took three marks...just one more than Grundy. And usually if Max's mark count is low it's not a good sign for the team. But for us he was again one of the best so basic stats don't always tell the story. Max did kick that beautiful goal and would have had two if AJ didn't touch one. But Max was everywhere as usual and I'm sure there is an unmeasurable, somewhat indefinable, inspirational factor to the other players he provides. He's the sort of bloke that would inspire one to get of the trench. God forbid. He so deserves a Brownlow. If not as a ruck, then a midfielder and or defender. Is Max as good as Jimmy Stynes was? And has anyone been watching Nibbler this year. Has he been playing and how well? I do know he's a big loss. JJ and Grundy not. Maybe that's why Sparrow played better showing Jordan up.

Tha kick to Tracca and resultant goal was a flashback to the 21 Gf. Then Sparrow booted one from fifty. Salem had a a cracker but your right, those ratings are well off.

He probably is doing it for the rent. But he seems to be enjoying himself out there. I saw a few smiles from him. My initial response was that he didn't dominate. In watching the replay, I still stand by this but noticed a lot more seemingly little things he did. Blocks, subtle holds, tackles and taps that set up a few goals. Things that really helped in the last 30 mins. Sadly for a bloke his size he only took one mark and achieved one hit out in rucking. So while I think he did more than enough, I've now swung back to replacing him with Jvr against the Saints. After the last two games Max must be knackered and I think Jvr would be a better option in Max's role. And hopefully Viney in for poor Spargo whose luck has been atrocious.

Where does Langers for in ATG,? Ed , that is?

Apart from the skill requirements for Kozzies first goal, I loved the way the Swans player was distracted. Goodness knows what KP said to him..."did you remember your mom's birthday,? ". But it worked. Swans player looking at the ground for a good four seconds while the crowd is celebrating a goal. Loved it. Someone on the game day thread encouraged Kozzie to perhaps slow down at his shots on goal but you can't alter his fashion That's the way it goes and he plays. Fast. Yeah great to see him kick a worthy bag of eight but if he slowed it all down , he would not have the five. Like that isn't enough. Don't go changing Kozzie. Especially clubs.

Thank you. Here's hoping he gives Maynard a warm reception. But I've been teetering between AJ and Jvr for selection this week. It's not an easy call. Those for Roo argue his marking prowess was back at Casey v AJ who you adroitly mentioned struggles in this area. I think with Jvr he may get down on himself in games when struggling so he gets worse. But with AJ I wouldn't say he doesn't care but he seems like he's just happy to be out there. I know who I'd prefer to have a beer with at least if that helps. No disrespect to Roo. I like the fact that AJ probably intimidates defenders more. And I'm not saying Jvr doesn't give his all but I do reckon you can definitely say AJ does.

Selection too difficult for me. Some wanting AJ out for Jvr. Consensus from the reports I read seemed the latter played well at Casey. Especially marking which has been an issue for him. But you've gotta love Ajs entertainment factor and the fear he puts into young defenders with all his bulk coming ful tilt at them. He certainly helped KP get his bag of goals. Hard to determine who is better to help out Max. I certainly think Jvrs marking would be his biggest criteria for selecting as well as his better kicking at goal than AJ. If fit Viney comes in as it always should be. We need him fit and firing for Kings birthday. To give a bit of his aggression back to those thugs. Probably Spargo goes out under a cloud of concussion doubt maybe. But that's it and that's all. Definitely one and maybe the other. Just always been a fan of Roo so this is a bias post. Maybe Jvr will play under less pressure. I've noticed with his body language he gets really down on himself after an error. I'd just like to see him enjoying a game this round and see if it makes a difference.

Wonderfully written post Whispering Jack and an insightful tribute to Kozzie and Langdon. The latter, I feel doesn't get enough praise in these parts. Im sure a few of us didn't know about the jumper design origins. Thanks. I'm glad your mate is on the mend along with this club. Can I politely suggest you keep great posts like this coming but in the interests of your friend's recovery perhaps talk about politics, religion or the rising rates of juvenile crime for a while? I'm sure his surgeon wants him calm. And your analogy of Goodwin as a medical professional is most apt. A clever metaphor for a coach on the ropes coming back. Yielding his scalpel well and pulling out some new balms and bandages from his first aid bag of tricks to reinvigorate and repair a previously poor pulse. And give your friend in a difficult time, and all of us, something to look forward to each week again.

Maybe . But he doesn't seem to be the player that would destroy opponents when he would take ten marks a game and mostly contested. And over the last three years or so has fumbled below his knees more. But time and tide and even after several off games by May warrants selection in most teams. So while some criticism is justified, generally, I concur that he gets too much flack. Like Salem does as well. These two defenders along with Lever firing were the reason we won a flag and made finals so consistently. But you just can't keep performing at those high standard at their ages. Injuries come and sideline you making it harder to maintain those levels. Having said that Salem looked like he was in his form of five years ago. And Tmac if Lucky probably only has two more years. But it's no real concern for alarm given we have Disco, Bowser and Petts around. And Mcvee. As for young man Rivers, I like having him in the middle.

Petty....new wrestling champion.

Spargo......lots of guts.