QueenC

Necessity, if nothing else, should mean that at least one will debut. But I tend to agree with YM, in that I am not sure Daniher will debut two in one week. It would be great to see them though.......

Hee!!! That was meant to be funny right Nasher :D ?!!! And not really a high price put on defenders really is there? Do we underestimate their importance?

Man, we can only hope that he can keep up that kind of form (fingers crossed) ......

Excellent summation LT...... As YM said earlier in this thread - it all starts in the midfield. Carroll had one hell of a job yesterday on Pavlich, a job that gets failed more often than not by plenty of the more naturally gifted and well credentialed backmen in the competition. He was also unable to get too much assistance from those around him with the ball flying in with such ease, and the fact that the other Fremantle forwards are of high quality and also required very close attention. But he worked extremely hard in very difficult circumstances. As for Miller, his improvement from what we saw last year to the opening month of this season has been plainly obvious. He always works his ass off and will always give the best he can. For a lot here that will never be good enough, but he has kicked more goals, his field kicking is getting better and he is providing a great contest and presents all day long, giving us at least one route to goal. Marking is an issue, but it is a skill that can be improved. But the same applies, with the little mid-field pressure we are applying, the ball is not getting to the forwards or it is being delivered poorly, and the ball is being rained down on the defence, all of which has been happening in the opening rounds, then you can only do the best you can in the situation that presents itself, and both these two will always give their best, even in obviously awful circumstances. And that should be applauded not criticised.

Thanks for posting the link YM !!!

Well said YM...... Its not necessarily a case of how many missing, but a case of who is actually missing.

You definitely won't be alone in the red and blue deesrock..... And I wouldn't miss the boys coming to town, so we will be there with bells on (so to speak)!!!

Cheers Jack !!!

Thanks for giving your opinions to my questions guys, its greatly appreciated !!!

Apropos....... Kissing a tough week goodbye By Scott Gullan April 23, 2007 DES Headland has denied his emotional gesture during the final quarter of Fremantle's win over Melbourne yesterday was a reaction to taunting from Demons fans. The Dockers star was booed all day by the Melbourne faithful who were clearly angered he had been cleared by the AFL tribunal to play yesterday despite being found guilty of striking West Coast's Adam Selwood. After kicking his third goal of the afternoon at the 15-minute mark of the final quarter, Headland celebrated by blowing a kiss to the crowd and then provocatively pointing to the tattoo of his six-year-old daughter, Madisan, which had been at the centre of the week's sledging saga......... http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,2...3-23211,00.html

I posted this in a different thread but it does seem more appropriate here (sorry)....... This is a genuine question for those closer to the club and its internal workings than I am...... Does anyone actually believe that after 10 years without the ultimate success, a truly appalling start (injuries aside) to his last contracted year, a team that appears to be fairly unskilled and very unsure of themselves, and with what seems to be a very ineffective and reactive plan, that doesn't seem to suit he list that he built, that Daniher will be given any more time to get it right? For the record, I completely and totally agree with those that say that he should be afforded the respect that anyone deserves after serving for such a long tenure in a very difficult role, through what has been some bloody awful times for a relatively difficult the club (including board upheaval, financial restriction etc), and for doing a genuinley fantastic job being a spokesman for, and spruiking of, the club. But can the club really afford to give him any more time? Now that there is a hell of a lot more stability at the other levels, is it possible that the club can afford to take a chance and make a change (which seems to be the popular choice) within the coaching department? While this probably was not something that they were afforded in previous years. So back to the initial question, with all these factors in place does anyone think that Neale will have his contract extended again? And if they do, why? I am interested in all opinions.

Honestly fellas nothing has drastically altered for me in the last month...... It has been more like slow realisation over the past year or two that maybe we are going to need a change and this year seems to be the one. I guess the first month of 2007 has just accecentuated some of the holes that we do have and others here have been talking about for a while. And that is not to say that those issues would not have still been present if we were winning, but that they would be well covered up, and we would not be yelling at Daniher or our depth or the game plan etc with quite this level of verocity. Instead our coaching shortcomings are being dragged into the cold hard light of day. I hope that made some sense, as it is 5am right now, and I need to go and get some sleep !!!

His confidence and form have definitely increased this season, which can only be a good thing as both were well and truly shattered last season. Both really needed to be re-built. And maybe the goal kicking reluctance will decrease as it improves. But he has kicked more goals this season (of course with the current injuries this does mean that there is more opportunity, or pressure, for him to take the kick), and with Dunn behind him honestly I think the pairing could be a good and eventually regularly successful (six between them today) one. Then again, maybe there is meant to be a player running past to receive the handball ?!!!

Yeah, I guess with only one left on the bench the rotation system (whatever it may be) would have been screwed to hell. But a lot of the ball movement, in all quarters, still seemed to be stagnant at times. I don't really know, and am not going to pretend to know, if these two are related though !!!

Well said Rogue !!!

I think there will be a lot of eyes on our kids in the next few weeks to see who can make the next step sooner rather than later.

This is a genuine question for those closer to the club and its internal workings than I am, but does anyone actually see it happening? Does anyone actually believe that after 10 years without the ultimate success, a truly appalling start (injuries aside) to his last contracted year, a team that appears to be fairly unskilled and very unsure of themselves, and with what seems to be a very ineffective and reactive plan, that doesn't seem to suit he list that he built, that Daniher will be given any more time to get it right? For the record, I completely and totally agree with those that say that he should be afforded the respect that anyone deserves after serving for such a long tenure in a very difficult role, through what has been some bloody awful times for a relatively difficult the club (including board upheaval, financial restriction etc), and for doing a genuinley fantastic job being a spokesman for, and spruiking of, the club. But can the club really afford to give him any more time? Now that there is a hell of a lot more stability at the other levels, is it possible that the club can afford to take a chance and make a change (which seems to be the popular choice) within the coaching department? While this probably was not something that they were afforded in previous years. So back to the initial question, with all these factors in place does anyone think that Neale will have his contract extended again? And if they do (which is perfectly fine, there is no judgement in this post) why?

I totally agree with everyone here. He is definitely becoming, if he is not already, a very valuable and increasingly vital player. I'm with Jaded...... Go Belly :D !!!

Thanks Wayne !!! I said that he should have a run at Sandy dee'viator, but I also said that I am not sure that he will be afforded that luxury with the current injury toll we have. We are dealing with a very imperfect situation where the logical choice may not be quite that easy to make. That said I hope he does get the chance to find some confidence soon as I also believe that in time he will be valuable.

Well said Gouga....... And you are right the application was pretty good today, and was a vast improvement on other recent efforts. Perfection doesn't actually exist and mistakes will unfortunately always be made, but endeavour is almost as crucial. The skills do need improving though !!!

Thanks for your thoughts Mick...... I am with you in the "we showed some heart" today sentiment !!!

Amen to that. And that!!!

Which is unforutnately something that has been happening since the opening bouce against the Saints a month ago. Its improved a bit but....... There have been times over the last four weeks where our forwards could have gotten themselves tea and biscuits in the time it takes for the ball to get there

But this is what happens isn't it...... A player has a form slump (which happens, as hard as it is for some of us to come to terms with), or loses his confidence (honestly, who wouldn't right now?), or simply has a bad day (being human, in a bad team right now, is not a crime) and he is suddenly a dud who should be shot in the street instead of supported and nurtured until he again shows the form we expect of and want to see from him. This happens time and time again. Bate will be a fine player for the Demons but what he needs is some time and experience to grow into the role. This is unfortunately but obviously something way to many supporters aren't willing to give players these days. And there are plenty of examples over recent years. As others have said he is very young, and it is way to early to pass such extreme judgement on him and not auction off the future. But he has still showed a hell of a lot more in what we have seen than some of the much older seasoned vets out there. Is there room for improvement? Of course, as it is with most players, but especially those of his age and experience, and just for what its worth, I don't think all players automatically fall into the "superstar" or "dud" catagory. Most are in between and have to work (some harder than others) at the skills we expect to see from them every week. The problem is, the minute we don't like exectly what we see we jump and look for the kill. Could Bate do with a run at Sandy to regain some of what he has lost? Probably. But with the injuries we are carrying that is just not likely to happen And lastly does this mean I accept mediocrity, as is the war cry against those of us who don't automatically bay for peoples blood after a bad loss? No, but I am also willing to support the players, and accept that they are still human and make mistakes and give them some time to come good. Besides, I didn't think he was all that bad today anyway.

That thing is an absolute nightmare :angry: !!!