Deemania since 56

Good comment. Thanks for that. It is a mire of indecision at present so I guess I am looking one spot at a time, again. Cheers.

Don't want to see Lever's game being that of filling in for OMac and thus, losing its rebound advantage from his intercepts and freeing up (unmanning) another two opposition forwards when the ball is in that vicinity. This is what happened to Hibberd, Jetta and Salem in the past, week in, week out - leaving OMac to be 15 metres behind the play running into empty space (slow as a tortoise). Lever needs to work with May, not on behalf of OMac.

That would be an example of a lack of possessions, a compounding lack of defensive pressures and a complete slow-down of our defensive run and distribution, wouldn't it? It may suit Goodwin, but it does not suit me - he's had his chances so why waste a jumper on the field? I must commend you, Chook, on your loyalty - but there are others more keen to succeed, IMO.

Essendon had a great run with the umpires - it was a good team to start off with and had some great plays - however, its 'bash and crash', right jab to the head mantra ensured win after win after win through the season and in the final against the Dees. Footy and its outcomes is a tough game; 98 was the stage on which the Dees held the strongest spotlight, alas.

Absolutely correct. It ain't rocket science and the coaches are responsible - they have provided instructions and training drills for who, where, against whom (each match), how far, ad infinitum. Players are left playing to expected and time-honoured, proven dodgy instructions (readable) so they can get a game next week, too; on the rare occasion when the player does not have the time to dispose of the ball more effectively, it often works to perfection - hitting a loose man making the most of his opportunities - not his life insurance policy.

Thoughts and memories from the past ... for those of us who can remember, don't forget to take your blood pressure medications. The years between now and '64 have been nightmares, hauntingly irrelevant. Still get a buzz out of the Doc's game and Ron's driven intents.

So maybe the market is saying: The MFC has the personnel and potential but lacks the coaching and strategies to have a really good season?

IMO, we could take T and O Mac out of the team - both cannot perform as required. The two of them have received enormous, patient advantages over the rest of the list. Both are allegedly 'key position' players that we know can do much better on the footy field than what has been produced across the past two years - and often - quite a bit longer in terms of form slumps and aptitudinal lapses. Is this a problem with the players themselves or is it a coaching/Goodwin malaise?

It's all been part of the Demons' Syndrome - too much faith in ordinary performers who have been given chances and opportunities unlike no other, both on the forward line at goalkicking time and in the backline at solid defence time, with pacey intent. With this malaise, at both ends of the ground, I used to harken to criticism of the midfielders' delivery strategies and executions. No longer. Snap, crackle and pop for those 'weekly' inclusions who have failed us all, repeatedly.

That is a very practical and sensible answer. The Filth just didn't want to part with the refurbishment costs in the past. Now it is time for Eddie to pay the Tillerman. While he is at it, he can duck foff.

Some good, positive points there, L_36. Hopefully, a game plan based on OMac getting at least one kick by the third quarter just didn't bring home the 'bickies for us over the past four years and will wither on the vine around Goodwin's neck.

There was no retrospectivity in it with regard to ability and/or potential, at all. Fritsch was clearly the goal with our first pick; Spargo was and is way behind that marque. Totally agree with your sentiments and shared a resounding relief (when his name was called for the Dees).

As a spectator, you could actually see and feel Cam thinking about what to do - and when - onfield. He was a big bloke, not an all-day runner so he was selective in his contributions at critical moments, that were generally enormous. His drive and focus became essential tools to a struggling forward line; his presentation to and for the ball were surprisingly adept. 'Respect', with an uppercase 'R'. If someone amid the alleged stars was going to save a game, it would often be Cam Pederson.

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.