Deemania since 56

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.

Yes, I see Oscar McD as a really good fit for North. He could possibly re-build his career there - developing skills, attributes, intensity, speed at the ball, competitiveness - all these factors in the hands of a better coach and FD than those of the MFC over the past (...how many years has it been?) timeframe.

Dress sense is a little shabby, too.

We have to develop 'mongrel' now. We have the personnel to win, we need 'mongrel' to get there comprehensively.

He's also going to be a decoy forward to some extent, at least. This is also very good; it will reduce the onus on the Weed and Fritta so they can get stuck into it as alternative targets as BBrown leads out or moves to space just a little, dragging one or two opposition defenders with him and with his mobility, speed and possible distance achieved from goal, congested gaps will disappear leaving space, space and fewer oppo defenders. It is all very good news. Now, for the midfield clearances ...

It was a time to remember, formative and successful. Ashburton? Head back down High Street to the Burke Road corner. That's where I grew up, on that corner. As for the Dees in those days, it was terribly difficult not the follow them avidly - such was the rate of success and the virtual control of the VFL, as it was back then. The names of the footballers in our team stand in the memory like monoliths. Moreso, the occasional outings to see a game at the 'G remain indelibly etched on one's brain, particularly after beating the Filth, Essendrug and Footiscray. Thanks for this little missive evoking happy memories, D3031.

Bluey was tough, skilled, keen and had a real go.

Certainly hope this optimism re: Brown pans out and quickly, too.

...and Frosty would be left to do all the work himself!

Joel Smith, most certainly but as a forward.

I think the wish to delist OMac has been held by more supporters than we may realise - terrible coaching/selection/expectation/ignoring of realities. How could this ever happen, for so long, so frequently, so expectedly?

In my surfing youth, Geelong was a nice place to drive towards from home in the SE suburbs of Melbourne, in my 351 GTHO (and Sandman before that). A quick feed, usually great hamburgers or a small pizza when these were made by great pizzariers in the Geelong hill strip, refuel at cheap prices, and off to the coast road for the waves, sands and sheilas. Never thought the old Geelong was a bad place; it was usually a great place filled with great people. Cannot say that about the footy club down there - but that was winter and on the weekends, it was Mt Hotham or a home game at the 'G. There were always good memories of Geelong as a town, a stop-over, a launching pad for some of my real interests 'back in the days...' I hope Geelong has not deteriorated since then. In summer, it was a hub of sheer delight.

Geelong will carry this handicap for some time - we will not. One less 'perhaps two years' on the table for the MFC, with another year at the respite home and medical guidance. I could not see Smith playing out a full season across four quarters each game with any likelihood. Handy, but not essential to our needs. Brown is another issue, a lock-step forward with potency. It is not a great problem that we missed out on Smith - it is a problem for the Cats, far sooner than later.

Heard a few done deals on the ABC radio here in Adelaide, around 1200 hrs today.

Uncivilized wait for news, isn't it? Delays - uncertainties - stuffing around with supporters' minds. Has it all been a failure? In weeks, the Club will be asking for more dollars and worst of all, more tolerance that 'they' are doing the correct thing.

Frost-esque? Frosty was becoming ice-cool, thoughtful and capable. Just what on-ground experience can bring. We sacrificed this advantage to our onfield successes to play the 'Oh-Must We' half of the TMac siblings. I'd still have him (Frost) at CHB for us, even though it is regarded as abstract by many, and is impossible, now that he has been traded to critical and needy observers and analyses at Whoreform where, in his first sojourn season in the new jumper was regarded as a member of their top ten players.

In his very limited exposure under Goodwin this year, I saw Baker playing an expanding game and thoughtful form benchmarks that cast aside the 'ginger ninja' cacophony, replacing it with a concept of 'predator' for the ball, for space and for the opportunity to run with that ball to good effect. When our team realises this attribute, he's going to be a target in space, early and rampant. Don't ya reckon?

How much longer are we going to chant this mantra in tolerance and patience of proven mediocrity from Goodwin and the hallowed FD? We have - or are - or maybe are not but remain forever disingenuous - conducting a resounding Club analysis through the top to the chewy-packet openers. If retention is being justified it ain't good enough. The broom must come into play now, sweeping away the cause of recent histories at the MFC to embark on a total build of success 'in an instant'. 'Getting sorted' has already been an annual mantra for years and has proven to be far from achieving.

Compo definitely further compromises an already questionable and uneven playing field in player trading that hamstrings the legitimacy of the AFL and every club so affected - both negatively and as it might be, advantageously.