Deemania since 56

I have always thought that he was a 'spaceman' and a runner with good disposals. I hope he hits consistent form to make the most of his flanking moves - these are quite extensive but out of the eyes of our backmen in 2019-2020 seasons; just the same, great qualities for a wingman - speed, space-seeker, feeder, marker, two-way animal.

It does appear that there is no alternative club for TMac at present - and/or he is undervalued due to injuries and contract details. If the Dees retain him as a consequence of this status, maybe he will be able to recover fitness and match readiness over the summer break, and move forward to his better performances akin to those seasons prior to the last. Tom can play CHB and can run, when well. His backline role needs some tweaking, however. He often relayed his intentions across the backline and into the forward line just that little bit too obviously in the past. Yet, he could out-run most of his opposition forwards, in circles at times as the game progressed, as well; he is also a strong clearance interceptor, both with the fist and importantly, marking the ball in packs. He has enough youth to rebound fitness-wise and is almost an adaptable player at both ends. Interacting and anticipating with our stronger backline personnel (May, Lever as 'intercept', Hibberd, Salem and a few of the newbies - such as Sparrow) could relieve some of the 'Rock of Gibraltar stuff' he had to perform in the past. His contract is a difficulty but he is a loyal, motivated footballer who has served us well, reliably and surprisingly. Tom may serve us very well once again. It is our risk; we set him on this path and package, we need, perhaps, to display some loyalty to him for his previous efforts and successes. If it does not pan out, then he will be of good value with Casey to near the end of his tenure should an alternative not emerge across a timeframe. Best wishes to Tom, it will be a difficult off-season for him at best.

North moved him to the market rather than re-sign Brown, Brown has subsequently and relatively early nominated that he wishes to play with the Dees. Easy scenario, start offers with $1.00, otherwise he may not play footy again - at a place he wishes to be re-located. Move slowly up to pick 26 but preferably 33, with a smile.

Farmer? Wouldn't otherwise have a clue....

He has nominated to be a Demon player. He's committed. We have satisfied the requirements for injury and 'soreness' evaluation and these are history. We must do it - big time - no delays. If we do not, some other furry club will - at any cost and the meat in the sandwich will be lost.

I like the concept, keeping players by the bunch in game-form. The real advantage is that these players you have mentioned, BBP, have considerable talents - and each talent almost exclusive to that player - providing a depth of application given the team and the conditions of the day against which we must prevail. Makes for a super strong bench, old-fashioned player versatility at its best, but with (at present) a non-creative and limited problem-solving Coach, I'm afraid.

That looks like the plan to me, as well. He is not trade bait until he regains form. Heavy summer of medical reviews and treatments may well see his form return. At least, his form as a CHB - he knows that game rather well. Fingers crossed.

Maybe that is the end of the Geelong slush fund? For equity, each other Victorian club is thus deserved of an equal allocation. That is, unless the finance was paid as a 'political' enticer - which would surprise no-one.

Too right! Should have happened far earlier than this current speculation but then again, Goodwin has his ideas .... refusing to budge.

SWYL, two posts upwards.

It has been suggested that the Coach will be gone midseason if we are not winning (but is that the only measure?) If that is to be the case, I'd support it, strongly. If 'the old excuse trail' prevails, once again, most supporters will be devastated and non-supportive of the Club, I'd suggest. Any unsuccessful game, series of games, longer poor elements of the fixture from the MFC point of view must be met with a ruthless and sacrificing Board decision to rid us of an unsuccessful Coach. Last legs, in other words, for Goodwin.

Agreed. I'd heard at the time of his recruitment (two seasons ago) that he had talents above most, mobility and courage. I'd wish him well with his recuperation, of course, but not discard him - he does deserve a chance to show what he's got for us - and several previous onlookers were most impressed with such talents.

Here we go again. We have already achieved a couple of good trades from other clubs. We are still attempting to 'buy' a finals berth for 2021 but transferring in more players from other clubs. We appear to ignore the cradle talent at hand - and our responsibility to develop, develop and then a little more development. We do have some guns, and many of these are young and inexperienced, but keen. Their chances of achieving improvements wither on the vine without drills, skills practices, game time used as a measure of the next step, not immediate success, necessarily. We can make great footballers who link with their teammates with purpose; however, we shy away from such creationism and responsibility. Hopefully, Yze may seize this melting pot and set it straight.

I like the sound of this post, complemented by the previous post from AF on 7th Nov. It makes very good sense and as such, provides an improved pathway for Harmes as a utility/forward/mid rotating with Petracca. Viney as a pressure forward is the way to go, as well - out of the centre, into the hot zone. All complements well, I'd say. Releases same-team midline congestion, as well as grunt and pace where critical.

Just about as significant as chat complaints. People raise a point, can relate it to the topic, express it and stimulate others to similarly comment on their thoughts. One-dimensional thought can be boring, RD.

With his limited game time experience, and being rather raw at that level, he cannot be expected to display 'seasoned' football. This is a case, I feel, where talents have been seen, albeit briefly, but do appear to be ready for that good old myth that we can develop players in a role - and do so rather well. With what he has shown, I agree that the ingredients are there; it is now time for the FD to get him up to a standard of reliability and application. Yze will be an asset for this achievement to occur.

I find this statement from Mahoney refreshingly responsible - we have a little clean-out, we select the best available/accessible, we get our team together and develop the youth to challenge in a meaningful way. On your toes, boys!

This is an annual problem ... we have the recruits and younger players and must concentrate not on the supermarket shelf but instead, on widespread youthful development to the highest standard.

We have more than a handful of younger players ready, willing and able to take the next step directly into the best 22 should our coaching and FD roles meet the required standards (ex-review by Pert).

... and a valuable, now experienced asset to the Club. Whilst the lofty mountain ash are populating our side, Hunt's run and pace - and very sound footpassing are critical. Game time, please.

Oskar Baker has immense potential for such a role. His sense of space mixed with his speed and agility in close are tremendous assets so it is strongly hoped that he is intensively developed by the FD for such functionalities. Game time will be critical.

I'd rather think that this is a part of the modern game (his aptitude for free kicks against infringements) in which the snot goblins have regularly failed to penalise some rather ordinary, unsportsmanlike spoils by backmen over a series of years. Brown does not tolerate these and because of his tenacity for the ball, it is not too difficult for backmen to put him off his attack and strident efforts for the ball under such circumstances with balletic non-poise. I do concede that some of his choreographed demises in such attempts are far more graceful and predetermined than expected when challenged, now that he is a Demon forward, absolutely all is forgiven and if he gets a six-pointer or enables another mighty Demon to so do, that all is well, as you suggest. Whichever way one looks at such circumstances and the respective outcomes of the competitive duels that emerge, if it's our team and our players that benefit, it has merit. Selwood, not so much a pure forward, is a classic example of the hundreds of favourable outcomes that can emerge from what was previously known as 'staging' - and there are a myriad of considered champions that we all can recall who have the same approach to the game. A bit of this, a bit of that to get a nod and free kick, that is all that is recalled. Yes, it has frustrated us for years; now it can delight us for a few seasons, I'd suggest.

Recommend: 'Ben Brown IS A DEMON!'

Agreed, and disappointed. At least it gives Yze a season to adjust, upwards against the strife that no doubt is about to continue.

I have similar thoughts and see him as an asset to re-develop into something forceful - such as a CHB or as a Half Forward. He does provide some chop for Max - and this is a good idea, I'd reckon, releasing Jackson from the role to focus more fully on Key Positions and mobile utility roles. McKernan may be useful as forward defensive pressure. I'd like to know more about his mobility, speed and bodily resilience (are there any injury concerns?) to support such a function.