Goodvibes

Jack, as you might remember, I'm one of the many teachers on Demonland. A much respected colleague of mine once suggested that a school's reputation is usually based on the things that happened 6 - 10 years ago. I think footy clubs are similar. The hard yards that are being made will be recognised in a decade and when, as others have suggested, we start winning, all the things that we want to stand for now will in fact be openly respected by other clubs and their supporters. Well, here's hoping anyway. What we stand for seems like another expression for 'culture'. This appears to be one of the key reasons for Goodwin's appointment. He is big on culture in Roosy's view. Hope he can walk the walk. Then we'll stand for something.

Maybe we can get them to wear lace up jumpers and unleash a few drop kicks . . . .

I've been playing ultimate footy for about 5 years in another league and would love to join my fellow Demonlanders if there's space in your league.

That's a fair call on Port. I just see them getting better. Their very good players are still quite young and that's why they had a couple of flat spots during 2014. I think we might have got them during a flat spot or two. I think the exciting thing is that outside of Hawthorn, I give us a chance against every other Victorian team.

These discussions tend to focus very much on us and the progress we've made over the past 12 months and the additions to the team over the off season. We don't spend much time analyzing the opposition. Outside of Hawthorn, Sydney, Freo and Port I think we can beat anyone. All other teams have serious flaws and lack either star quality or depth. There's been other years when I can list 8 - 10 teams who seem really well-rounded and have claims to top 4 status. Not this year. I think we can double our wins and then maybe then some. I think we'll win more in the first half of the year than the second because I think Viney, Tyson, Kent, Hogan and Gawn will play significant roles and at their respective ages I expect them to tire.

I suggested it was. Perhaps not an overwhelmingly prevailing view. But more people questioned the leadership group model as opposed to supporting it. What do you think?

Sorry for the bump but this thread interested me greatly at the time. I've spent a fair amount of time through work and as a footy coach analyzing this notion of leadership and the dynamic of the leadership group. The prevailing view in this thread is that leadership groups are over-rated. I'd like to ask those who've seen a bit of the Maroochydore camp what they've seen in terms of player-driven standards and displays of 'leadership'. I've got a fairly strong feeling that Roos and Goodwin are pretty big believers in the link between strong leadership and strong culture.Thanks in advance.

Just a few observations to add to the numerous reports above. I was really impressed with the coaching staff. We're in good hands. They seem to be providing the playing group with a consistent message. All the assistants I saw in action communicated in a really effective manner. They didn't waste words, were clear but positive. We have some leaders on our list. Jones, Dunn, Dawes, Cross, Vince, Jamar, Grimes, Garland and now Lumumba form a good solid senior group. Trengove's positive team first approach to his rehab is incredible. Our young leaders are also emerging. Watts is confident and positive. Gawn is vocal and surprisingly serious. Tyson just oozes class and is clearly admired by his team mates. Kent appears to have a solid work ethic and is developing nicely. Viney should be in the leadership group. He epitomizes everything I want this Melbourne team to be about. I don't care how old he is. I'd also like to make special mention of Neville Jetta. He is my smokey for the leadership group. He obviously feels like he belongs now. He understands our game plan and articulates it confidently. He communicates positively with his team mates but demands high standards from those around him. In terms of leadership and communication it was an interesting session to observe. The players are obviously working hard to understand the different elements of the gameplan and I really love the way the whole group seem confident to tell each other exactly what is required if someone is unsure or straight out makes a mistake. There appears to be no ego involved. Players understand the need for concise communication and don't seem to be slighted when a coach or a team mate sets them straight. They all move on quickly. Listening to the different lines during the breaks was also interesting. The forwards really do carry themselves like rock stars. There's a real confidence amongst this group. Hogan's swagger will be infectious. I love our defensive group. They're our bar room brawlers. The communicate really well with each other. Dunn, Garland, McDonald and Grimes have now played a lot of footy will each other. Howe also confident in these situations and shows quite a lot of leadership as well. I didn't get a chance to listen to the midfield group but just wanted to make one key point. As much as we all expect natural improvement from our young players and we're hopeful that the injection of Lumumba, Garlett and Frost and the emergence of Hogan will help us move up the ladder, most of us understand that we're not going to improve greatly until we start winning more midfield battles. Many on Demonland have suggested that little has changed in this department. Having seen Saturday's session I beg to differ. Firstly, with Newton on board and Michie and Riley more settled we have far greater depth. If one of these players becomes a serious B grade genuine midfielder then we're in good shape. Our ruck stocks are looking really really good. Jamar as has been noted, is in awesome shape and appears set for his best year since he was All Australian. I'm a big fan of Jake. If he's our third choice first ruck then I think we're travelling ok. He's now huge. Check out one of the snaps I took! I also come from the school of thought that injury is the only thing that can prevent Max Gawn from being a serious player. Hopefully he shows more signs this year, gets through injury free and may be ready for the number 1 mantle in twelve months time. I think the health of this group and the pre-season training they've already managed will be significant in our midfield improvement. But the biggest improvement will be provided by Jack Viney. Roos rarely played him in the middle last year. This year he seems set to have serious minutes in the middle and he is in incredible condition. His work in game sim was awesome. He reads it so well of the rucks and seems to have found another yard of breakaway pace. Improved fitness will also see less skill errors this year. Salem looks set to take a step but will still need time as will Toumpas. If both make it, we'll make it. Finally, I'd like to make a point about our battlers. Battlers is probably a harsh word. I think we're very lucky to have players such as Jordie McKenzie, Ro Bail and Matt Jones. All three are great clubmen. All three are working their respective backsides off to make our best 22. All three are ripping blokes. I really hope supporters get behind these guys. I'm more than happy in the knowledge that Brayshaw, Petracca, Stretch and Neal-Bullen are exposed to the training habits and team-oriented approach of these guys. I hope each of them has the opportunity to have a real crack at senior footy in 2015 despite the emergence of so much exciting young talent. It was awesome to see so many Dees supporters up and about. This is a well run club, with a hell of a lot of talent that is being guided in the right direction. We're going to be alright.

I took a few shots as well. Follow the link. I'll try and find some energy tomorrow and post some thoughts. http://imgur.com/a/r68Bd

I'm sorry I've had a boozy afternoon. Is there any chance we could talk some footy in a footy thread? I'm heading to tomorrow's session. Thought I'd take some photos and share whatever I get. Thanks to RB for keeping us in the loop this week. Shame he had to start a separate thread.

Long term. Possibly.

Probably because I was making a point about the readiness and development of Frost and not assessing the appropriateness of our Frawley compensation. We lost a proven key defender in his prime and replaced him (positionally) with a young, still developing player with potential. Frost expectations need to be adjusted. That was my point.

Gotcha. He certainly looks physically ready but I think we need to be patient. Dunn, McDonald, Garland should all be picked ahead of him come Round 1. Howe seems destined to play down back and I'm a Grimes fan so do really see a spot yet for Frost. Roos appears big on creating a culture where you have to prove yourself and not be gifted games. Going in his favour is the usually tall make-up of the Gold Coast forward line.

True. What's that got to do with the point I was making about Frost and his development?

James Frawley is a ready made player. Frost will need time. I'm worried for him. A couple of blunders (like the one he made against us this year) and he'll be very quickly placed under the Demonland microscope. He seems like a good kid with the physical tools to make it. Whether he can defend and read the play and make good choice with the pill remains to be seen. Give him a chance and be understanding of where he is at in his development. Frawley was far from the finished article after his first three seasons.

Yeah I've got no idea why more people don't contribute to Demonland.

2.7 million.

We spend so much time focused on the bottom six. I'm increasingly interested in who will push into the elite category and make up our top six. The list of possibles is longer than I am accustomed.

I'm sick of this younger generation. It's all me me me.

OK, it's a long way out but I'm going into prediction mode as opposed to how I would line them up. FB: Garland Dunn Jetta CHB: Brayshaw McDonald Grimes C: Lumumba Tyson Vince CHF: Kent Hogan Bail FF: Garlett Pedersen Watts Foll: Jamar N Jones Viney Int: Cross Howe JKH Sub: Salem Emerg: Gawn M Jones Newton I think that would be a pretty competitive team. I'm really unsure where to play Howe and putting him on the bench is a bit of a cop-out.Toumpas is the talk of the forum atm and I hope he makes it but no room in this team sadly. Nice to have solid, mature bodies in Riley, Michie and McKenzie outside of this team and young talent like Frost, Toumpas, Stretch, Neal-Bullen and Petracca as well and obviously the suspended Dawes. Casey might make for much more enjoyable viewing this year. Interested to see how close this squad of 25 will be come round 1 next year. Brayshaw off half back in his first year. Get around it!

Bit surprised by the lack of importance placed on a strong leadership group. Demonland has discussed the notion of culture at length. How does a club develop a strong culture? It's certainly not driven by a coaching group telling the players what they will be all about. It must be player driven and a leadership group is integral to this. Young men are more likely to learn through the examples of their on-field leaders than the words, feedback, analysis and video summaries of their coaches. It's all important but I know which type of learning I've found to be most effective with this generation.

It's an opportunity lost to empower players and to develop them as well rounded individuals. Good leaders within the playing group are more important than coaches. There, I said it. And that's coming from a footy coach.

Definitely. Salem, JKH, Tyson, Viney, Hogan, Toumpas, Kent, Brayshaw, Petracca. So much young talent to look forward to next year. I know we've been here before but this feels different.

Captain: Jones Vice-Captain: Dawes Leadership Group: Grimes, Dunn, Garland, Viney Roos endorsed Dunn last year when he added him to the leadership group. I see no reason for him to now be excluded. I don't understand the reasoning behind Cross being added to the group. His official listing as a leader won't change what he already does. Like Vince, if he was going to be an official leader, he would have gone straight in last year. I'm not a huge Dawes fan but in the short term I think he's the best option as Vice Captain. Jones is clearly the stand alone captain and like Trengove last year, I expect that despite walking away from the captaincy he'll be retained within the broader leadership group. During the Neeld/Craig era, I was impressed with the public face often provided by Garland. He struggled last year after missing the pre-season. He'll be fit this year, will re-gain form and should remain as an official leader. I'm not scared off by the Grimes/Trengove experience. Viney is a leader. A good, vibrant leadership group requires diversity. Sure he's young but he'll be a great leader for the young emerging players at the club. Stability throughout the club is important. This should be reflected in the leadership group. Chopping and changing greatly from one year to the next is counter-productive. Clark and Frawley have left. Dunn came in last year. Add Viney. Get on with it.

I thought we just needed to get 50 or 60 games into our high draft picks and then we'd be competing for premierships.