titan_uranus

2 hours ago, layzie said:

The social aspect of the game is diminishing and it feels more like an interactive video game machine you step into at Timezone when you walk through the gates. Can't even have a conversation at half time because something is blaring or they're doing one of those stupid 'are you paying attention' things.

Agree 100%.

Again, I would love the AFL or the MFC to point us to research or empirical data which shows us that the majority of fans enjoy this sort of stuff.

I'm quite confident it doesn't exist.

Instead, there is a pervasive thought that to attract new fans to the sport, this is what is required.

Put aside whether it works, it completely disregards the rest of us. As usual, rusted-on fans are taken for granted while the AFL panders to those who don't care.

Did anyone else just hear Garry Lyon on radio with some news on Kozzie being in Darwin for a family/personal issue?

I caught the end of it only, but I heard he missed training yesterday, is expected to be back on Thursday but it’s delicate.

What happened?

26 minutes ago, harveylangfordisthegoat said:

the new run out location will be the race near the ponsford stand/ opposite cheersquad. i believe we were the only home team using the smaller run out for a couple years

My understanding is that we and Richmond used the “smaller” race and Hawthorn and Collingwood used the “bigger” one.

Why did we need to swap? The “smaller” one was in the middle of the members, the one part of the stadium that’s usually full at our home games. It was uniquely us (except for once every 1-2 years when we were away to Richmond).

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Yeah that was ****house on Watson.

Worry about your grub of a club Timmy that havent made finals since the stone age.

Is it just me or did Garry groan when Watson asked that question?

I’d love to know if the other clubs who have done membership days on SEN have had questions like that thrown at them. It’s such a stupid question too - what do you want him to say? “Yeah [censored] I wish we hadn’t traded him”? Or “Nah [censored] that guy I couldn’t care less what he does now”?

As for the interview itself, like others I’m most keen in how much truth there is to the whole “we prefer to back our system in” when asked about tagging Nas. If we lose on Sunday and Nas gets a stack of it running unchecked, we’re going to look unbelievably stupid, and Demonland is going to riot.

9 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Not sure that Max will offer the same upside if we play a fast play on style game.

Even then I don't see him holding anyone back. Could and should we have traded him in say 2024. Culture aside (which probably precluded a deal) it should have been considered. A trade at end of 2026 might have some value but I doubt it.

You have a habit for being very critical/negative/displeased, and this post is again no exception, but the bolded bit is one of the most absurd things anyone has said on Demonland, ever.

You are seriously suggesting (in a critical tone, mind you) that we should have traded Max Gawn in 2024, or at least considered it.

Our captain. Coming off, at the time, his 7th AA season (the 8th came the year you think we should have flogged him off elsewhere). With what had happened with Trac that season, he was at the time one of our only marketable players. Whether we like it or not, he was also one of our only leaders. All because of some rule changes that were 12 months off being announced, and which you seem to think will hamper Gawn but which of course you haven't even seen him play yet.

And to back that up you're now also suggesting we should consider trading him in 2026 but that we've missed the "value" boat.

Seriously.

This has to be on the podium for worst things anyone says on Demonland in 2026.

I reckon, subconsciously or not, we got a bit of insight into what might have been going on behind closed doors last year.

He spoke of wanting the players to have fun playing footy, to not be afraid to make mistakes, and to play with more instinct.

I just can't help but feel those came to his mind because they are what he's been required to instil in the club after last year.

8 hours ago, bing181 said:

Agree on the first two, but Flanders: 28 possessions, 500+ metres gained? If Steele manages that we'll hail it as the trade of the century.

8 hours ago, adonski said:

Personally thought he was awful

Crumbled under pressure and butchered the ball

FWIW:

New and improved St Kilda?

Against a Collingwood side missing Moore and Howe, in the warmth of March, they kicked 9 goals.

I wasn’t a believer pre-season and I’m still not a believer now.

I hate this. I hate it so much.

I would love to see any data which supports the proposition that music after goals makes people enjoy going to the game more.

38 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I suspect when Rowell returns he’ll get less midfield minutes and therefore less output.

I’ve been completely blown away by this performance.

By blown away do you mean surprised?

If so, why?

30+ touches and 3 goals playing centre forward is quintessential Trac.

Doesn’t surprise me one bit that playing in an elite side with Anderson, Miller, Humphrey and Witts helping him, and up against a slow and undermanned Geelong in early-March in GC’s weather, that Trac would bring this sort of game.

If you mean more that you’re struck by just how good he is, fair enough.

I reckon we’ll have to get used to watching elite Trac again this year. It’s going to sting.

7 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

Some weird views and hatred on here. He rightfully called out our poor culture and poor standards. I hold no grudge towards him. He’s still a gun.

People here want to downplay him to make themselves feel better. Fact is he was our best player until he went down injured halfway through 2024. He was still amongst the top few players in the league at that point, and had been for years. Anyone claiming otherwise is outright lying. Last year was not his best as he returned from a very serious injury. It’s his only season this decade that hasn’t been elite. Even still, he was second in our BnF. It’s not surprising to see him fitter, healthier, and dominating like the star he is.

Even knowing all that, he’s 30 years old, so what we got for him was good compensation. Multiple first rounders helps us get more high end talent in to drive our rebuild.

The bolded bit is IMO so true.

Trac’s a star. It may well be the case that he could not have reached this level with us, but with Clarry, May and Goodwin gone, and King instilling a new mood at the club, I’ll always reflect and wonder what could have been had we been able to convince him to buy back into the club.

He was checked out though, and in the circumstances we cashed in as well, if not better, than we could have expected.

11 hours ago, Lowly_Worm said:

With the recent, season eve, retirement of Steven May the number 1 guernsey is available again.

Famously worn by team of the century ruckman Denis Cordner.

Would we consider giving this to another high draft pick or rest it for the season?

My preference would be to give it to Xavier Taylor currently wearing the number 19.

My preference would be to leave Taylor in 19 for his (hopefully illustrious) career with us, and give 1 to whoever joins us in the next off season.

1 hour ago, roy11 said:

I'm still scarred from last year though with that loss against GWS. They played opening week, we didn't. They were slightly sharper and fitter and stole the win from us. Hoping that does not happen again with the Saints.

Yep, a major disadvantage. They ran all over us late. It’s likely going to happen again this year, which is frustrating.

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

That was a blaring red signal that our last 2 minute drills and on field leadership was missing. It played out many times over the season. We learned nothing.

True, but we also got quite unlucky - the kick out from AJ’s point went to a contest and bounced perfectly for Callaghan, which led to the chain giving Keefe the mark. Who then kicked truly despite not being a renowned goalkicker.

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

After being 0-5 last year we were 7-9 for the rest with a percentage of 107

We aren't that bad

Ignore the media

It was 7-11 actually (not sure of percentage). 4 of the wins were vs West Coast, Richmond and North, too.

On the other hand, 5 of the 11 losses were by less than 10 points. Only 2 of the losses were by more than 30 (Hawthorn twice, one of which was level at 3QT).

I’d be staggered if we beat Fremantle or Brisbane. We also shouldn’t get close to GC, but that’s in Melbourne where maybe we get a leg up. IMO they’re three genuine flag contenders.

The other three - St Kilda, Carlton and Essendon - should all be considered winnable (at worst).

Getting Sooshi Mango involved is a great get I reckon.

The new ad’s a ripper IMO.

Such good news.

I foresee huge things for Langford. So glad to see him commit.

That’s a relief. Hope it progresses well and he can make his debut sooner rather than later.

5 minutes ago, bing181 said:

They're a year older and wiser plus they've brought in some very good and experienced players. Meanwhile, out of our side from last year we'll be without 6 first-choicers: Bowey, Viney, McVee, Petracca, Oliver and May.

If we're any points up at 3/4 time we'll be doing well.

So they’re a year older and wiser but we’re not?

They’ve brought in good and experienced players but Steele, Mihocek and Jiath aren’t relevant?

And our change in coach/approach doesn’t factor either?

Most interested to see what we do structurally - with JVR and Mihocek (assuming he's fit) locks, do we go with Heath (assuming Kentfield isn't fit)? If not, are we going to have a forward line with just Mihocek in it when JVR has to ruck for 5-10 minutes a quarter? Are we even going to be able to get away with Gawn rucking 90% of matches when other clubs are going to go with two rucks - including St Kilda, who will have Marshall and TDK.

The fact that most people are including 2-3 of Sharp, Laurie and Tholstrup in their sides for Round 1 is, though, a bit of a disappointing indicator of where we're at right now. A few injuries, but also just the reality of our list. Sharp really shouldn't be playing, Tholstrup hasn't really demanding selection during the pre-season, and Laurie is...well...Laurie. I just can't see him suddenly becoming capable at AFL level after what we've seen across his (albeit limited) appearances to date. Would love to be proven wrong of course.

Will be gutted if this is a long termer. He deserves a crack at it, and offers us something promising.

Fingers crossed for him.

Just now, Queanbeyan Demon said:

Just came out of a meeting - score update please?

58-35, we lead.

56 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

Cal twomey has said that our players expect to be moving to Waverley temporarily whilst Caulfield is built. Or words to that effect.

Like I had previously said.

Wrong decision.