DemonDave

yes I forgot about him, #50 was Westrupp. didn't touch it that I saw and was out muscled in a couple of one on one marking contests

Saw the first half two-sixths of this game. Melbourne listed players that suited up were: Bail, Barry, Clisby, Evans, Hunt, Jetta, Kennedy-Harris, Kent, King, Nicholson, Salem and Viney. I assume that given they'd already played a partial game in the curtain raiser, Viney and JKH would play limited time. Of what I did see, wow Box Hill's forward line was like a land of the giants (not the GWS variety), Ceglar and Lowden at both 204cm and Grimley at 199 were all rotating through the middle and up forward causing huge headaches for a drastically undersized Casey back 6, that generally consisted of Jetta, Nicholson, Barry, Clisby and Hunt. Didn't know many of the Casey players without a record other than Gent, Best, Petropolous and Smith. If Panozza was playing I didn't notice him, as a young stringy beanpole was wearing his regular #1 guernsey. Of the Demons: Bail was extremely busy off half back, creating run and drive. Barry was busy and getting a bit more of the ball than in the past, but somewhat wasteful. Clisby, by virtue of the sheer number of inside 50s being generated by Box Hill (despite the scoreline being virtually even) was getting a ton of posessions and generally using them well. Could be a chance to leapfrog Strauss. Evans was only just going, didn't have much impact. Hunt did a couple of nice things from not many touches but was encouraged at times by his surrounding teammates which was good to see. Jetta was pretty handy, we know he loves the tough stuff and thought he was quite good at taking on the play. JKH was an absolute livewire, he was getting involved at both ends of the ground. already looks a step above this level. Kent was pretty decent on a half forward flank, his foot skills stood out. I assume this is his first run for the year so he'll be better for it. King was pushed around by the bigger bodied aforementioned Hawks talls had no impact whatsover. Nicho was Nicho. We had a break with 2 on 1 where the chip came over the top, instead of letting the player running with the flight take the ball, continue his momentum and bang it into the square, Nicho cannoned into him trying in vain to mark with zero awareness, and the ball was turned over. Salem racked up a few touches drifting down to the half back line from his HFF position, and didnt waste one, but they were only a few. Looks classy but a bit of a way off. Pleasantly surprised at his size already this is the first I have seen of him. Viney was good, overdid things on a couple of occasions, but his workrate means he will dominate clinches at this level. One more game for Casey next week could give him a chance of being selected for Round 1. Of course, I only saw 1/3rd of the overall game, so these assesments could change drastically in the ensuing sixths, but gives a small glimpse. Casey will I think struggle to kick goals this year if Tim Smith is our only big forward. He did play very well early on, but is the kind of player that needs to complement the AFL depth rather than be the focal point. I assume Pedersen will assist for much of this work. No sign of Troy Davis today.

While coming off a higher base than some others mentioned on here, I think our new game style will mean Frawley can recapture his AA form. He showed that with our style of deep posession and then releasing to the fat side that he could once more regain that dash and endeavour out of the backline that got him to his previous highs, he looked like he was encouraged to take the game on, while maintaining an awareness of what our game style still was. For the same reasons as above, Grimes will also thrive. His courage at times Friday night was supreme.

ah must have been on the carousel or something while roosy was on stage! Cheers

When I got there just after 9 as it was early, a lot of players were milling around waiting for the inevitable onslaught of attention. guys like hogan standing around relatively quietly. The one player with a long line of autograph/photo seekers? a certain young goalsneak who kicked a lazy 3 in the last quarter Friday night. I guess he'll have to start getting used to the hype. unless I missed it, but disappointing we didn't get to hear from paul roos onstage.

When was the last time we had guernsey numbers 41, 42, 44, 45, 46 and 47 all line up together statsfans?

Great result last night and enjoyable style of game to watch, what a difference having a decent midfield makes! Jones will love having Cross, Vince, Tyson and Michie to lean on. even Trengove showed a renewed hunger, removing the burden of captaincy may be his rebirth. Spencer was Spencer, I know he doesn't have a lot of fans on here but have a look at the tackles column and you'll see why I think the coaches appreciate him, none of our players had more last night. He had more hitouts than anyone else on the ground, and a richmond member sitting with us pointed out they selected 5 guys that were close to 200cm last night. he's never going to win a beauty contest with his disposals but that's not what he is there for. He provides a contest. Jeremy Howe as the sole genuine, albeit undersized, leading forward held his line brilliantly. Great signs with Dawes, Garland, Watts, Viney, Hogan and maybe Clark to still come back into the side

watching the game tonight really emphasises that we need to leave a good impression on prospective members/supporters by, if not winning, at least being competitive. if you were a lions supporter right now you'd be demoralised at the prospects for your season (regardless of circumstances and available personnel they have shown absolutely nothing)

No Fitzy! So a forward line composed of Howe and, erm Pedo? Expect a flogging here. Good luck to the 7 potential debutantes!

correct me if it's just the heat making me delusional, but did I not hear Paul Roos (at the AGM I think?) mention that they discovered Salem had a thyroid problem when he first came to the club that meant he lost 5 or 6 kilos? This would explain the perception that he has put on a lot of weight.

Someone get Mitch a glass of water, and count to 20, stat!

some bloke from Tassie called Russell Robertson was drafted, demoted to the rookie list and ended up with a decent career, so its by no means a certain death knell for a players career, but it is one step closer to football purgatory... Having said that I dont see Nev improving the necessary levels to justify promotion. I say we give all our rookies 2 out of the 3 games in the pre-season, see how they each perform at the relatively higher level, and based on the player that shines who fits our needs gets the nod...

Jeremy Cameron played 16 games his first season, Jonathan Brown played 13. I dont think its going to happen that he plays every game, he will be carefully managed, and given a rest at least twice during the year (possibly the week after a road trip to Perth to spend time with the family like he did this year?). Given we also have Clark, Dawes and Fitzpatrick that can play the tall forward role its not as if our forward line would be barren without him. I'd hate to see him suffer from OP or some other overuse injury that blights young stars pushed too hard too soon, but then again I think understanding managing fitness loads has got a lot better nowadays that those type of injuries arent as prevalent..

9 wins would be a jump of 7 extra wins for the year. Without looking up stats specifically, when was the last time a team improved to that degree? I assume Port wouldve improved 5 or 6 in 2013, but nowhere near 9. I think West Coast may also struggle this year, theyve lost Kerr and Cox is on his last legs. Of both "coasts" I expect them to finish below Abletts mob. Thus our first month or so, to follow the Port analogy, is crucial. Despite being at the Dome, we should be St Kilda, are a real chance against WC here, play the Giants, Carlton and then Gold Coast again at home. We are a genuine chance in the first 5 of these games to go 4-1. After that it gets much, much harder of course...

I thought Cross spoke really well on the night mentioned that football was as much about the wellness of the mind as it was the body, and in his mind he was still as hungry as ever. Also mentioned that the first day of training, the enthusiasm and energy about training belied the fact we were 2-20 last year. He mentioned that having characters around the place, motioning to Vince standing next to him, made it an enjoyable place to be.

That was a massacre! Right from that bewildering opening snap and safety it wasn't to be the broncos night. Very solid team effort from seattle epitomised their season, refreshing to see a defensive player named mvp too.

game day! the Millers beer is in the fridge, got my niners jersey on to jinx seattle and a couple of mates almost here!

The Superbowl starts at 1030AM! And thanks for the replies, the Commencement dinner sounds familiar now..I guess this is a subtle rebranding of the event...

As much as I loath the Seahawks thanks to Sherman and Carroll, this is a fantastic story that, when I showed the missus today, admitted brought a tear to her eye: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2549199/Deaf-Seahawks-player-treats-adorable-twin-girl-super-fans-Super-Bowl-tickets-surprise-meeting.html

Denver 24 Seattle 17 - MVP is almost always nowadays the winning QB (as the Brownlow is for midfielders) so I cant go past Peyton M. Long range forecast 49ers to win it all next year haha!

Has the club ever had an event such as the '2014 season launch' event,as per email that members just got today? This would potentially explain why the AGM no longer has the info night component, instead they can monetise it to the tune of $198 per head to hear pretty much the same thing ...

Sounds like a concession to the theatre goers that attend Swans, Giants, Lions and Suns games. So they now know who their players actually are. Its hardly 'Americanising, it happens in soccer around the world too...

Cracking game that one, plenty of big yardage plays, and crushing defence. Great last drive by Kaep, but a great play by Sherman. He's probably the best corner in the game, but he's also easily the most idiotic personality in the game, did anyone see his post game interviews? Gotta say even if Crabtree hadve caught that ball, wouldve been a huge ask next week for the defence with Bowman doing his ACL. Have taped the Broncos-Pats game so watching that now!

Broncos 38 Patriots 31 Niners 20 Seattle 10

Thanks for uploading the pics 666,appreciated!