Deemania since 56

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.

Just about the smartest selection. Hannan?

Offer him to the Filth, then? As for Hore, he was only used as an example - a player we should retain.

Spat the dummy, alright! Imagine how we would have been at half-time if OMac had played ... game over right then. Tom needs to return to the backline - perhaps replacing May or in his accustomed position at CHB, supported by Hore and Rivers on the flanks, with Salem into the forward line; this would release Harmes to be a general utility on key players or across the midline, goal to goal.

There was very little communication happening, even after the first multiple three-person flight to nowhere...

Definitely swap Smith and McDonald. Smith needs to 'flank' it on the forward line, however.

One week in a football career he intercepts well and feeds out the ball adequately; the next week he is unsighted and gets no feeds for other players. That ain't what we paid for; neither is it what he owes us after expensive remediation and heaps of trust at the selection table. We have juniors who could learn such a craft and who could execute these skills far better.

The timing of his leads is excellent - not too early to pick up opponents like dust - not too late to run into trouble. Worthy of consideration as the decoy forward.

It was maddening. Goodwin knows 3/8ths of 2/9ths of far call.

...and lead to space in a way that is not initially readable by the opposition. TMac (and the Weed) are too static whereas Fritta is too slight and small.

Absolutely, fully agree.

Had OMac played, we would have lost the game by half-time. Notice Jones' long bomb - taken off the field. It was useless and set up another Carlscum goal. TMac - as a static forward - ain't the answer, once again. We need him in his original position at CHB. As for poor JSmith, pop him in the forward line where he is free to roam. Rivers was impressive and Jackson, once settled, came on rather well. Bennell - a good, injury-free run using the ball well with teammates. Still sense some absolute stardom from him. Nice to win, great start, team wore out rather quickly. Hunt is valuable.

Go Nev!