Deemania since 56

Dropping him flat would be equally enjoyable, though. Capping that off in the first quarter, he could dominate him across the rest of the game - coz Dangerfield is a softie after a knock or two.

He is really our most reliable player - it's just that he does so many things with the ball, particularly in disposal/disbursement. He usually delivers from well inside the midline - ie: rapidly - and then follows up a short distance following the direction of delivery. As second efforts, he is known to rebound the ball should it have been intercepted by the opposition. I, too, would delight in seeing him moving just that little bit forward in order to kick goals himself. Similar to what Greg Wells used to do from the 'centre'. However, his safety mentality places many tasks on his plate; keeping central in the midfield is one of these. With our team structure and its implementation, these are most probably the two most important things on his mind - delivery upfield and safety rebounding. We can boast that he has many talents and tricks in such processes; sometimes, we are surprised by the speed he employs in decision-making and execution as well as the methods he employs in crowded midfields to achieve positive outcomes so consistently. He is more than underrated, as well, his record clearly shows that he is one of the stars of the game and certainly, one of the best Demons, ever. With stronger linkages within the midfield and a few similar 'delivery and rebound' mentalities in the existing midfield, we may see Oliver become a prolific, forward driving goal-kicker. It would be fantastic.

Still reckon that we are taking the tall timber forward key positions a little too seriously at the moment, These players are not producing and do not lead well, hit packs, bring the ball to ground, create tight avenues for our small talent and do not appear to be doing much to improve their kicking skills. We have plenty of class (as forwards) six inches (bugger metrics) down the scale and some are natural leads and space finders. Against Geelong, I could imagine Hunt, for example, could be very handy deep forward finding space at pace, with grace, kicking goals with less waste.

Jordan does impress - a thing of the very near future, I'd say - so let's hope he is one who is being properly developed and experienced for the bigger games to come.

He was about to be tackled 60m out - Spargo looked serious about dropping him.

We should re-enter the discussions for his acquisition, if he is keen to '...get the top job somewhere...' as he is not forgotten by members and supporters, and has learned a great deal more at a very good school for footy, in Hawthorn. He is a cool cat, levelled-headed, capable of decision-making and in this regard, experienced quality. There cannot be many doubts of his credentials nor his footballing wisdom and skills understanding. An ideal, tough decision-making coach, I'd say. Like his own game as a player, there would be some mighty effective tricks up his sleeve for the Club to move forward.

Because the game has changed so much - almost generational - I'd take Stynes as his mobility was exceptional, let alone his skills. This choice also sits well with my Demons loyalties, of course. As for big Carl, hell ... he could mark, split a pack, provide screens and protection for his teammates, and tap-ruck to perfection against all comers with a ferocious intent and execution. Carl was unique, and evened scores as his opponents encountered him again and again. Carl sometimes appeared to lack 'gentlemanly' sportsmanship on a regular basis but as I remember him with the Saints and later with the MFC, he saw the games of his time in their true context. Footy was a game of physical dominance and effort, and power, and he had these qualities in abundance - even in his sunset years. The two of them, Jim and Carl, both played well very suddenly as we have suggested. It was a delight to watch them maintain such consistencies on the field and against what might be regarded as overwhelming odds, team wise. Different strokes for different blokes but significant parts of the history of our game.

I am actually proud of Frosty for his game with the Hawks against Richmond. Frosty was always going to be phantastique - the Demon excitement machine. Alas....

Fairy Nuff, it is a sound rule about positive testing and serves the footballers (and public) well. At the same time, it is another disappointment that we have to acknowledge, support and tolerate. Postponement is the wise choice and in reality, the only choice. Interesting how it is an Essendrug player arriving at training ... interesting that individual testing is not being conducted prior to training with the club and personnel prior to the assembly of players and 'hangers on' for that training session (ie: takes one out of the contamination risk prior to a gathering). If it was previously known that he had been overseas, the testing and its result could have been conducted/discovered without interruption to general (and massed) pre-game preparations. If he had been overseas then he should have been isolated before this late stage. If these factors apply, he is irresponsible and selfish, with aspirations of being bulletproof. If these parameters do not apply, it is very unfortunate and unlucky, yet in the past fortnight (the incubation period duration), he must have been in some circulation to have contracted the viral infection. Sad news all around, whatever the circumstances. On a lighter note, perhaps Essendrug could see a crippling defeat looming against the Dees?

Carl Ditterich didn't take too long - starred in his first game for the Saints.

For me, it is considered that: Our concepts of talls only for the forward key positions is askew, at best. Some of the greats of the past from all teams did not use a giant standing like a flagpole in the deep forward area. Some absolute champion 'mediums' with regard to height evolved - and plied their craft using mobility and effort to go to get the ball. That these champs could kick as well, was handy and a reflection of their physical attributes and skills. Just at the example level, I am thinking of Richmond's Riewoldt in the present day, but also of some of the following with many more examples in the annals of the history of our game: Robbo, Graham Osborne, Leigh Matthews, Warwick Capper, Jason Dunstall, Alan Jakovich, Matthew Lloyd, et al. TMac does not appear to have the drive to mirror some of these forwards but does have the frame and skills to equal some of them. He needs to go back ... CHB or Fullback, bringing May down to CHB for his mobility and aggression if TMac is played at Fullback.

Think this way, too. Pressure and taking a few opposition casualties because our 'mongrel' game is a very good one, slowing many big names in the process. Vanders, Tracca, Viney and May - think 'Damage'. This can assist our smaller fleet to be brave amongst the carnage, running through the lines, skirting the spaces.

Critical to our game chances, like a link road in and out of a troubled freeway.

That is true, wwsw, if only we played that brand of footy again. It is sorely missed.

We all hate statistics but it is true that Nibbler was quite effective around the zone. Score involvements were a bonus from his general play last week.

This is most probably because he appears to have nothing to contribute.

Vanders may not yet have the tank to last a whole game in its continuity; however, it would be good to see him in bursts, doing what Vanders does best (provided there is an Essendrug ambulance and medico team at the ready) to enable the Dees to gain ascendancy in the match.

There are a couple of Demons who received games regularly and/or unexpectedly despite game-day form and predicted ordinariness. It is well time that such generosities were not extended when, with a fuller list of talents and desires to play real footy, many waited patiently in the wings to be blooded. What a horrible footy year it has been; but at the same time, what a wonderful opportunity to brass-up this potential and hard-working talent pool. I would hope that these are the reasons for newbies to come into the side (not necessarily to show what they can do - that should be known already) but to provide the opportunity to develop one level upwards. It is tough on the Weed; it is also time for other trials with other players. One thing that is true about footy is that it is not a static game filled with the same old, same olds. Changes must occur to move forward from practical experiences; some have already had their time for this and have so done rather unremarkably.

I am not so sure about their worry for Gawn and Petracca. They are Essendrug fans, and anything above two syllables is a big sentence for them.

Frequently, Brayshaw is the runner out of the midfield utilizing Gawny's excellent taps; if not, he is on the spot to receive many handballs from other midfielders (notably Clarrie). Brayshaw, from the midfield, is a clearance man, usually running out of the midfield to distribute the ball forward. When other DL contributors suggest he cannot kick, that would be - in my eyes - an oversimplification. Out forwards are static, time and again. Brayshaw seldom has anyone forward of centre to kick the ball to and very seldom, on 'the lead' - other than the Melk leading out to the flanks from deep in the forward line. This has been a good distribution, time and again. However, its one-way delivery is now readable by opponents. It is used, less often, so far this season. I still rate Gus as a terrific midfielder. I only wish he had the benefit of initiative and support of our forwards. Our forward line over the past few years is so static that opposition defenders have no trouble massing to spoil on alleged, 'key' MFC forwards at their leisure - usually before midfield distribution can be enacted. That is why Hunt and the Melk have been so handy on the forward line - they get to space surprisingly well and quickly.

Many things have to be trialled this year. It is a great opportunity for Goodwin to bring out the competitive beast in the boys to elicit the exacting complexities of his mantra and its purpose - and for the boys to relish in the challenge so dictated by the coach for the glory of the Premiership Cup and the mystic Hope Eternal. Goody knew what he was doing - it just took us a while to catch on to his dream (about three days, actually). All is forgiven, now. He can continue to motor happily in his new sponsored Jaguar as an erstwhile Royal might,. Now that he has implemented the 'wipe your backside and hang in there' strategy ... ffs' (otherwise known as 'Goody Footy 101', we don't have to do that trick ever again (thank Heavens). Just cannot wait for the surprises and the gross advantages of Goody's revised mental toil and get a glimpse of his even newer arsenal of tricks against Essendon, next match. It will go down in history as 'Goody Footy 201'. 'Bound to be a crowd pleaser!

Hunt can be a deceptively good lead in the fwd line.

Hate to agree as I am loyal to Jones, but it is the case I am afraid. Jackson has to get game time and experience to adapt his known skills to the big game - so I guess, reluctantly, Smitty misses out. Vanders, if ready, will add that toughness to the contest in the forward line and this will assist Weeds to crash through those he regularly skirts. Weeds must lead long and hard - initiative must be experimented with rather than static observations. Should be a nail-biter if we co-ordinate the efforts - particularly in the deep defence area where communication and specific roles have been remiss.

SNS, these three and others have trained together across many hours for nearly two years, albeit sometimes (and only sometimes) interrupted due to injuries and other team priorities; they have also played repetitively together in the assembled and well-supported backlines, matches in, matches out and across elements of matches against many different opponents. Their performances appear to lack communications and thus, lack coherence and teamwork. Footy 101 dictates amongst the backline those performances that are known, linked and co-operative with lots of communications that will support and reinforce selected plays and roles. It is almost as if these players are alienated from one another at the present moment. This should not occur. Given that the game is not rocket science and there have been many, many outstanding deep backlines across decades of footy that got it down pat, variable and effective - why do they not learn to play and re-kindle increasingly efficient and effective core routines as links in a chain that pulls together? Arrogance, me thinks, leaving Jetta to wear the yoke of the opposing giants as seen in the match against Carlscum on Saturday.

Our 'Special Assignment Man' should pick him up - Tracc.