Deemania since 56

AF, there is the fact that the midfield seldom 'defends' amid an opposition's forward presses. This has occurred so frequently for a very long time - our midfielders attempt to move somewhere 'closer to our own action' (but not far enough) into interesting but ineffective attacking positions where the only contribution is the long bomb - then scramble to 'get back to the midline (usually exhausted and requiring recovery time) leaving opposition midfield sentinels to play the 'hog the ball' game, acquiring and possessing the ball, the play and the execution of relaxed scoring in their forward line. Surely this is a coaching problem that we display far too often ... I think your assessment is spot on!

Generally agree now that the match is done. Goodwin is the main issue, the players still do not know exactly what their options for successful football might be and when they have good ideas, it is often too late to actually do anything about it. Meanwhile, Goodwin stares without communication into the void - time and again. Really sad circumstances.

Two of my favourite players in the past couple of years - guys who could perform well yet given little chance for one reason or the other to settle and make the ground that they were capable of - have been Kent and Frosty. Miss'em.

Dees, by 32 points. New-look forward line very impressive. Vanders and Tracc give the Catty Puts the nervous Nellies. Danger off the field for medical reasons. Carna Dees.

Ken Oath! It's on for us ... I see a leading, three-pronged deep forward line with lethal crumbers and trailing Geelong players.

Ratu won't last a whole game, Vanders can deal with him.

Makes good sense, provides potential benefits and skills, keeps those in the picture keen and somewhat responsible towards the Club. I'd retain Hunt - seldom played in his most valuable position under Goodwin - he's a forward on the run, leading, and we know he can kick 'em.

On form and on paper, on potential and on probable potency, it is a more powerful forward line; it is mobile, hungry, talented and fast. There is no room for resting talls. A good thing for us, at the moment.

True statements. I also like the style of Hunt as a forward because of his kicking and his leads to space that precede possession of the ball. So he is not 210cm tall - who cares? He (and Harmes) can get by (themselves) out in front, within goal range. Both have been largely wasted in their applications as 'gap fillers' on matchday. There's two leads for the midfield, right away.

Fully understand where you are coming from, Clint ... he ain't no backman.

Preuss and the last resort - Weideman. The two are totally rotational at fairly rapid intervals. What I really want is the smalls creating havoc (not chaos) in the fwd line, with Hunt, Fritsch, the taller Melksham and Hannan providing a three-to-four-pronged lead machine towards midfielders and flankers. Old-time footy and running, running, running; I would doubt that the Catty Puts could keep up with, abreast of and opponent-focussed after quarter time. Harmes to tag out his preferences and join as a utility into the midfield distributions and hits as our possession count soars, exponentially. It would also be critical to have rovers handy, prepared to enter and rapidly leave the play. Without OMac, the backline looks good.

It is a good dose of comedy; however and unfortunately, with Goodwin as Coach, it might just be a reality!

We put TMac on Ratu. May on Hawkins, Lever left to intercept freely. Smith the play utility backman across the game, where needed. OMac to open the chewy packets and cut up the oranges, please.

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.