Deemania since 56

I'd reckon Milkshake is aware of the clamour for him to earn a spot in the team and would expect him to bear this ever-present in his mind. He is an asset when on song - a very good asset to the team and to much-needed scoring opportunities.

Agreed. I thought we missed Vanders in the praccy match against the Tigers. His impact (take that as you may) was sorely needed on a couple of opposition smart Are Says in their lineup. He instils a team-wide element of determination commonly known as 'mongrel' where brave contests might be calling ... and we needed his straightline forward entries, as well. Few take him on, so to speak.

Posts can be forwarded by a great many desperate journalists seeking controversy as wisdom. Jones should have a terrific sunset in the forward line, off the bench of eternal refreshment, making plays - not distance - with the ball and his teammates.

Gawn joins Robbie, Ronald Dale rather than exceeds them. There are others, different times, different games, different contributions across the history of the MFC who also served us with exceptional talents and drive. The variations are such that true ranking comparisons cannot be accurate, it is just a mantle upon which we acknowledge some of our players as 'special'. I agree that Gawn has a slot on that shelf, to share wholeheartedly and deservedly.

The overall broadcast for TV/Net was terrific quality; the vision crystal clear and camera work was spot on for the electronic audience. Well done, folks. Commentary was honest, enlightening and appropriate.

Jones' experience and game style showed out in the last half, particularly the last quarter. A generator of good decisions and execution was terrific to see, despite the long bomb now and again (alas). He looks a natural in the forward line, as well, crumbing and providing opportunities. Onyer, Jonesy!

Fully agree, Macca - our home game venue is and always should be the mighty 'G. With Casey capable of shaping up as the best option for training and development of players, we have ourselves a Win/Win circumstance to exploit. Perhaps one of the best in the AFL. It is time to put our foot down - let's get it done. Do we still own the Bentleigh Club - I do not know as I have lived interstate (SA) for nearly 20 years. When we started proceedings there, it was a great place to soak up the Demon atmosphere...

Feasible, practical, obtainable, suitable. WE can build from such a start more likely than not.

I feel under the possibly mistaken belief that we have the defending clearers covered with depth. Some classy kids are with us - with one more year of development and orientation that could be used well with nouse, played in a position to further develop as necessary and that is the key. At all costs, we must develop, not play versatiles in their incorrect positions, as we have seen ad infinatum across the past couple of seasons. Some of the names mentioned on the trade table in this thread are great defenders, sure; some of our younger brigade could be even better, depending on the coaching accumen we apply with consistency, to them.

Big consideration and easily 'read' by opposition players tap after tap.

Sure does! They muck up games enough as it is, these days. Very unfair modification for backmen near opposition goal.

As this new rule reads, this will be an outcome; another AFL black mark and gametime interruption. Additionally, it may negatively affect the 'mark and play on ... ' character of the game - most inadvisable.

Partially agree with that 'balance' perception with Viney in there, all the time. Often, it appears that Viney is 'anti-team-play', perferring to do more (or attempting to do more) with the ball than what his talents allow. Again, frequently, this results in a stoppage at best or worse - a turnover. His attitude seems to be '...I have the ball, take from me if you dare...' and this runs him into consecutive brick walls of opponents. (ie: it is a good bet that in such circumstances the opposition players are justly confident that Viney will not 'pass off' to another teammate, will not run in possession towards a teammate safety/shielding zone, will continue to progress with the ball until he is trapped - often the case.) Love his enthusiasm, his desire but shudder at its execution and the frequency of negative outcomes.

Critical issue, this happens to be. There is work to be done and it is all before the successful candidates. Are we to have another 'term' of homelessness and sub-standard self-identification?

Hear, hear! One of our most dangerous players from inside centre.

These are good ideas .. where A leads to B, leads to C. Provides manning up by the opposition and hopefully, also provides an abundance of opportunities for our smaller fleet.

ANB, Gus, Hunt and Harmes - if these players lifted this season coming, we are in for a stellar year. These guys are the feeders ... each has very good upsides in the game. I'd expect Yze and Chocko to work hard on bringing this out in this foursome.

He is a valued player in my book - gets in there and gets the ball, improving in disposal and team distribution. He can kick a needed goal, as well.

That ruck relief for Max is critical for our success this season. It will allow Max to be somewhere else on the ground dominating the play and requiring significant and courageous matching. Daw can also do a thing or two at the goal mouth and in defence.

I'd suggest that he could be the 'cake' as a c How close are we to having that degree of reliability in the midfield? Gosh! It could be something phenomenal! The supports seem to be there now; 'hurting teams' and 'mongrel' from Oliver and Tracca combined might be a revelation.

Jonesy in his prime did just that - and had to develop the 'long bomb' to get these teams up into the forward line, and that quantum leap to be in two places at once just cannot be done. With a slightly stronger team array, Jones could have been 'something particularly special' back then and into the 'now' at his sunset, rather than be seen as a mere 'special' player across the past couple of seasons. Jones' sacrifices have been enormous for the MFC.

Interesting and valid array, RJ. I'd add Greg Wells and Hassa Mann to this list of Demon midfielders - both displayed exceptional skills over long intervals for the mighty Dees. Denis Clarke was another-ee who showed great talent.

Agreed; public comments need to be utilised with caution. Eddie has presented our own 'Donald J. Trump' clone over many years of self-serving comment, acquired but unfounded credibility, insult, attention and media focus (for what may come next). His history at The Filth has good points and less than noble points - regardless, the footballing public benefitted from his endeavours.

Exquisitively posited point of view - it leaves all other comments on this topic just that little bit inferior and certainly, less meaningful. The emphases are astounding, too; hence, no need for punctuation. SWYL, you do expressive language proud!

He was a prolific goal kicker with the Doggies but was cruelled by two knee injuries from what I can remember, just before being acquired by the Dees. Nothing much was wrong with him with his ability to score goals for the MFC, however, the amount of goals that he had consistently kicked for the Doggies was not replicated at the Dees due to those severe and recurring injuries. Most of us, in the day, were jumping backward somersaults of delight at his acquisition; many of us were saddened by his debilitating knee and mobility problems that hampered a continuity of the many, many goals across many, many games that he was once able to achieve with Foot-is-cry. He truly was an absolute star forward - one of the best of all time - and largely unstoppable; his ability was observable from time to time in the red'n'blue - but was also short-lived and cut short a brilliant career. Up one week, down the next few, back in the team again, in recuperation. He was significantly handicapped by the longitudinal effects of the aforementioned injuries (the Doggies realised that he would struggle and traded him - otherwise, if he had not been so hampered in the legs, the MFC would have no chance of ever recruiting him off Footscray, and neither would any other team in the former VFL.) Templeton was one of the absolute greats who fell off the shelf in a time when knee injuries and subsequent surgeries were a very risky business.