Deemania since 56

Amid the gloom of the season that was, there is a true glimmer of light, hope and expectation.

These abstract decisions from the Club are getting more than annoying - Fullarton should be played in the forward line to release Fritta to the game he plays best and then pick up a few scores himself, in the process. The Melk can help him with this, if SG cannot.

Another reason to keep smiling.

Terrific chart, well done.

Tenacious Dixon, cannot forget how much he played '...above his weight' with an admirable degree of courage, 'mongrel' and speed. Lousey kick, but lots of 'em in the hard stuff.

Talent to burn ... with a thrill-seeker's outlook ... there was more to him than mere football, I guess. A man of diversified interests?

Well, it could be ... We have dipped our toes into the 'mongrel' puddle and whilst it was deep with much riding upon the wet-shoe outcome, we came out the other side absolute victors ...

Notice the surprise in Maysie's eyes ...

Dreams can be exciting - not just nightmarish. If we crew well, we will sail over the moon.

Brian Dixon's old jumper?

If it is wet, wet ... yes. If it is merely a fine dampness ... yes with a tall or two on the bench. If it is cold and drier ... yes with a tall or two on the bench, with attitudes to be 'mongrels' and blockers. Time to blood Jeffo and/or Verral (not sure about the spelling of the latter name).

Great questions. Interesting (not impossible) suggestions.

Dear SImon, I am looking forward to a fully defensive game for Petty. I'd like Jeffo to be played at FFwd, releasing a re-invigorated Fritta to the 'loose' ball and Chin to assist Kozzie with the clean-up for goals. I have received advice that Verral can hurt other ruckmen and would fit in well with a zonal 'around-the-ground' rucking series of responsibilities with our talls - Petty excluded. Thank you.

For the last two games, the players - particularly the enthusiasm of the newbies - find ways to look out for each other and make something resembling a machine to play decent footy as a team. Just like what happened after half-time in our grand final win, a few seasons ago.

particularly in the last quarter.

Such levelling, for Gawny and the MFC in general, is well overdue. Consequently, nothing will change; favourite advantage will definitely continue - such is based on AFL revenues and media contract revenues.

As a rule, I have worried about our form trailing to the 'also rans'. Our new look (that DL enthusiasts begged for, for months and months) has finally seen the penny drop as far as the coaches are concerned, and including our personnel loses of late, it is possible to feel confident that we can beat Essendrug whose ability is inflated. Dees by about 20 points. (Channel 7 commentators, commenting on tonight's game stated clearly that Essendrug would win the match, as they need only teams with large memberships to make it to the finals. This explains much of their commentary this year and perhaps, the influence that the bigger clubs wield over the media expenditures, umpiring decisions and game conduct assessments for the majority of the competing teams).

There are just so many instances of Cam's excellence - just about every single one of these, fond memories and terms of endearment to his efforts and skills. Boy 'o boy, could we do with another one of this fella given the No.21 to wear with pride.

We're blooding tall forwards for the bigtime ... I want to see more of this to herald in the AFL 2025 season. Take no prisoners, bring some 'mongrel' and develop extraordinary confidence!

Now, it's an ultimate challenge; whatever the result (which should see the Dees win), it is just phantastique to get ahead of the Filth on the ladder, particularly in the 'sharp end' of season. Is it time to say: 'Thanks, Essendrug'?

Slept like a log, myself. The subconscious relaxation of a Filth loss kicked in beautifully...

Good ol' Collingwood for never, they know how to lose a game ... even though the Cats won this ordinary, in finals they will certainly be lame ...

Brings back memories for me, too - in those pre-freeway times - giving up a morning of yabbying in Gardiners Creek for a good two-hour session of kicking practice and then on to Central Park for some distance running. My bike got a flogging in those days ' 50s - 65 ' . Wills Street fish & chips were the ideal nourishment for a budding footballer - as testified by Kevin Bartlett - but my debut was with the Chadstone footy team, and we were lousey! Just an aside, now back to the real stuff ... Carna Dees!

That is a resolute statement, PF; it is also quite reassuring and as such, relieving, so it will be - perhaps - a lesser load for us to bear as the game progresses. All we need now is for Jeffo to get appropriate gametime and he flings himself into the fray like never before. That would not be fumblingly reassuring, that would be plainly fabulous for the MFC. Your vote of confidence is working already!

Agreed, depends on the intensity our slightly 'lesser' rucks deploy across the ground and the related physicality that they may apply in Draper's direction. It must be remembered, Draper can be a reliable 'grab' across the ground, racking up possessions, so a little bit of 'mongrel' from our enthusiastic youth may well assist in his durational demise.