Deemania since 56

Healey , by far the greatest loss at a time when his potency was outstanding.

I, too, reckon that the loss of Cardwell was a key reason for the decline - it seemed to reinforce the terrible (and brewing) decline in so many other areas of the Club's history. To me, his last 'great act' was the headline on the front of 'The Sun' newspaper about the recruitment of John Tilbrook, for whom every club had a finger in the pie regarding his ascension to the VFL from SA. This headline simply stated: 'We've got him!', a testament to the dozens of extremely good and starring players that Jim acquired for the Dees above all other clubs in the competition. That Tilbrook was not an actual star for us was disappointing; however, his acquisition was clearly a marque of Cardwell - the best recruiter that the League ever had - and We had Him!

Selection is a little premature, at this point, I'd guess. Returns from injury/further developments/form status all make such a decision or series of decisions extremely difficult - I'd rather see some conservatism about the return to footy by the AFL/Club - rather than potential risk and an extended recovery across the playing group. We certainly need to have some fair dinkum match simulation batteries to get a better picture of what is - or may be - ahead. We must also assume that the players, themselves, have done the hard yards to achieve the readiness status that will be involved.

This was the one that I liked more than any other - Cam was all heart.

Without any hesitation, what a beautiful outcome for the Dees; Brad was all class.

Great. He'd still get a game at the Dees ... train him hard, watch him star.

It was a good interview; yet I guess that there is only so much that can be discussed in that format. They did a good job, IMO > but I would have liked to have heard some honest appraisals of those on the sidelines, not just those dead centre. They did cover some issues about Jones and Weideman but there are others tip-toeing far more lightly in the shallow waters of redundancy should the rest of the Club begin their rise to being a true footballing force. Quite a few of these players contribute to games lost despite the efforts of the core. Some, surprisingly, join the core group, usually as a silent sentinel to mediocrity that last year, appeared to abound. Goodwin must be more judgemental, as discussed, providing more real opportunities to younger players and recent team additions, and thus, create a new impetus across the field. It would be difficult for us to witness another Goody short-jump to mediocrity. 'Carna Dees!

Yep, both diverse, skilled, adept. This was a difficult one to separate, Demon3.

Neitz due to his diversity early-on. He was a star backman as a kid. He was moved to a starring role as a forward yet endured form slumps later in that career placing. Still, a knockout Captain in that process. Opponents were rightly afraid of Neitz, a man of great power, skill and execution. Lyon was a star - undoubtedly. Lyon had a strong team delivering the ball and the forward role for Lyon was well rehearsed and well coached. Lyon also had some slumps later in his career due to injury and his back issues. Lyon was a great motivator. Somehow, Neita's contribution was longer and more encompassing amid several weakened team lists - as well as the really great team lists from whence his goodly fragrances were sourced. As a forward, Neita had greater lethality than Lyon over and across the time frame, and for a goal or two.

It may be becoming more and more likely that Bennell is going to light up the 'G ... and put paid to some of his supporter critics. The young man needs a break; we should be offering nothing but absolute encouragement to him with open arms.

Alongside Robbie - for sheer talent (when not hobbled by injury upon injury) - I hold David Schwartz in absolute awe. He is up there with the greatest 5 players the MFC ever had since WWII.

Now, that Dad was a real champion for the Dees. Took anyone on, any time, with an attacking style to drive the ball as if we were 5 points down in the last quarter with only 30 seconds to go before the final siren. Graham had wonderful balance combined with a murderous intent with opponents - not Mr Niceguy, at all - just fair dinkum on the field. Great, mobile skills across many positions and as a utility across the ground.

Great, thanks.

These comparisons are really tough; agreed with your summation but it seems unfair at this point to discard BLovett, doesn't it?

It should be cancelled, too. There are still no guarantees of overcoming this virus in an absolute sense - and I do not wish to see any MFC supporters, players or Club staff suffer due to an untimely decision to re-start the competition. There is, perhaps, one exception: I could understand Eddy's frustration at not being in the limelight for so long with his incestuous Filth team and for the betterment of mankind, The Filth could be permitted to play practice matches with the (probably immune, vaccinated) Essendrug. The extended season cancellation may well give Goodwin time and space to come up with a viable, hopefully effective and certainly improved Dees' forward line solution; he has the players to make a difference with lots of talented youngsters to contribute in this regard.

Great viewing!

The Bizz was terrific in most regards, and very reliable as a fair dinkum all-rounder.

In relation to Gawny's letter, the player phone calls to Members, the Club correspondence and now, player-selected free music preferences online, the Club is doing well with regard to the 'rusted-on' Members. Many people are 'chuffed' that they bothered and did so at the personal level. My wife's adoration of Nev has now reached fever-pitch, for example. (He was just her favourite player once.)

Support you on that one! I remember just how elaborate and well-timed that acting performance by Roger Dean was, fooling everyone except those closer to the action - the latter seeing Barassi exhibit ideal defensive pressure. The white snot goblins (in those days) were after us, even then.

Just fantastic. All great players, but Hassa Mann remains as one of my favourite Demons of all time. Rutherglen boy, I think I can recall.

Robbie still makes me tremble in awe of his skills. The best footballer I have ever seen, and the most consistent. Perfect balance, kicking, evasion, run-with-ball, great marking and spoiling, tremendous nouse for the game and scoring cleanly. A total champion.

Jones, just ahead for me. Jones' movement and congested possessions have been remarkable in clearances. The same can be said of JMcDonald, who fed the ball beautifully across the whole ground when space permitted. Macca was faster, as well, with good anticipation to collect possession. However, Jones has been a consistent warhorse for the Club across many games where it appeared that he was the only midfielder in operation - or in a reflection of the 'old time' rover. He gathered literally tons of possessions and was difficult to overcome on his day. Macca exhibited the same skills and abilities but these were just under the tally that Jones provided. Macca made more intelligent use of the ball than Jones, the latter so often bombing long to a contest and a congestion. Closer in, Jones was much better with disposals but team balance had not always been optimal for Jones' disposals to be notably above average, as these factors were with Macca - and Macca tended to have less of these opportunities in terms of frequency. This is a difficult comparison, once again. IMO, Macca had the better game when on song. Jones get the nod because of his longitudinal efforts and tallies...just.

We do not need any of these changes. There have been enough changes in the recent past - these were allegedly more vital to our game and hence, implemented (already) to improve our game (but have largely failed). Those who have played or watched football, or both, still dream of the formative days now rendered inappropriate - yet the game was absolutely fantastic just a few years ago without such changes. The demise of the game to necessitate rule changes is now - and possibly often has been - in the hands of the umpires, their inconsistencies and their deliberate effect on the game/any particular game, including game levelling. Players adopt change and in the process, obviate a litany of rule changes that represent poor rule formation and limited application. IMO, 'Dirty' play rules may be excluded from this criticism for some player protection and team fairness; most of the rest seems to pan out in application as game-affecting umpire error and/or preference.

Two completely different players, both with critical skills for team success, developed, worked upon and displayed. Stynes gets my vote due to heart for the Club alone, if the hairs have to be split. Leoncelli was a big onfield improver, a critical ball carrier and distributor, a beautiful kick and fast as a road runner when it mattered. A nod for Stynes in an unmeasurable comparison.

Davey had game-winning form, and was capable of some of the greatest playing streaks in many, many games. His skills were sublime, whatever the aspect of football that was required (except the big grab, of course). From this skills base, and with his pace and determination, he created the attacking forward defence role as a marque of his own. His passing by foot was elite - underpinned by his 'eyes-up' tendencies and readiness. He contributed enormously to the team keeping the ball in the forward line by this means, opening up options amongst teammates for another possession to score. His defensive work was widely copied at both ends of the ground. An uncanny attribute of Davey was his reading of the game, with great talents to anticipate what an opponent would be doing next with the ball; Davey performed some brilliant intercepts as a consequence. Steve Febes was pure talent, as well. After a variable start in the early days, he was just behind the skills of his brother but progressively and over a couple of seasons, worked on his game to become a key interceptor and driver of the ball, gathering commendable possessions no matter who his opponent(s) was/were. Steve used the ball very well; his foot skills and handball were often sublime, and his pace and maneuvreability were just about as good as these qualities can get. Steve was a play-maker, his disposals were often accurately lengthy and unexpected. To measure the positive changes in team attributes of both of these players is very difficult; IMO, based on raw skills and impact on games, Davey gets my vote.