Deemania since 56

1. Collingwood (worst of all time including the future) 2. Geelong 3. Carlscum 4. Whoreform 5. Port Adel 6. Crows 7. Freo 8. Wet Coke 9. Essendrug 10. Suns

Agreed, but some of his grabs were magical from long-bombs into a crowd - watching the game against Carlscum, it was clear to reflect and see just what the Demon players initially thought of his skillset before his first game - absolutely astounding!

Lest we forget (hellos to JJ, (and a few others reaching the stars elsewhere). The run of both experience, increasing onfield abilities and regular selection has been missed.

Partners in the war against mediocrity for the MFC team.

YES, if he can take a mark, he's already better than compatriots who cannot. If he can lead to space or exploit the side-entry to packs, he is already better than compatriots who cannot. If he is mobile and gets 2-3 goals as a consequence, he is far better than compatriots who will not.

Rather than having a forest of tall timbers up front, we more desperately need more mobility up front to be creative targets for those to whom the responsibility, downfield, is to exploit their eyes, the opportunities and leads and space-making that result in goals, not clearances by the opposition (as our key forwards are pillars of salt who do not even bother to chase down opposition clearance exponents).

Too many of our forwards get too close to the man-on-the-mark, kicking vertically too late in the run-up, without the ball control splendours of Kozzie and Fritta. Even the Melk used to do this every second shot at goal. If the ball goes through the goals, it looks spectacular; most times, it misses the six points. The kicking coach should get this extremely bad habit under control, immediately. Snaps are different, but a set shot (free kick or mark) is NOT a snap-style delivery. Set shot accuracy is a matter of 'room of release' before the m-o-t-mark, plantar flexion of the foot, lowering the ball drop, leading the kicking action with rapid lower leg extension and an even more rapid follow through with a straight knee-joint through the thigh in the very direction of goal line. Most of our forwards do not practice this as one 'whole body' movement time and again. The great forwards always did ...

Something has to be done to restrict this haemorrhage in the integrity of our game. Very soon, in real time, a loss - for any club - will represent umpiring with a purpose, not an impartial responsibility.

Let's hope they are entirely stuffed after the travel experience and suffer from on-the-ground disorientation.

Oh, it's almost too much to consider getting another David Schwartz or Johnstone. It would answer a thousand prayers across the years. At his pre-injuries prime - even during those difficult post-traumatic days from recoveries - Schwartz was a glorious football talent, achiever, match-winner, commanding respect from anyone who ever watched football with an informed interest. Travis was also a supreme talent with skills and effects unmatched by most top-line players. My mind is suddenly swelled with recollections of some of the never-to-be-repeated things that these great blokes did onfield with the Dees. Just take a look at their highlights reels ... for refreshment.

It may also give the AFL prior knowledge across timeframes as to our awarenesses of being 'shafted by them' so often, so inconsiderately with very little compensatory breathing space ....

Great point - so close and it's a simple remedy. That's the realism.

A few things yet to go in our favour, and currently, the goal mouth is messing with our heads all the way to the halfback line. We have the artillery and desire to blow the beasties away but we must start doing it now. Focus boys, think hard and put it into action. 'Carna far Ken Demons!

I know that Peter Hudson read Whitten's pamphlets on goal-kicking thoroughly, even with an 'orrid flat punt style of kicking dominating his selections. His run-up for set shots was ideal, to compensate. :-)

Ball drop is too high - too close to the man on the mark - run-up on set shots (marks, frees) is always too short and the leg is always too bent at the knee to follow-through. Aiming at a spot beyond the goal-posts is left un-observable on approach to the kicking point. Plantar flexion of the foot at ball contact is minimal. Didn't read Ted Whitten's pamphlets on goal-kicking in the 1960s!

Petty also goes for height in the kicking action, where verticality is critical to getting the ball past the man on the mark without 'touching'. There is a subsequent lack of direction in the resulting kick, peeling off to one side of the intended direction - (result = missed goal). Whilst often regarded as 'excessive', the run-up of Brown counters this problem of 'too short a run-up, too close to the man on the mark at the delivery point off the foot'. In other words, Petty (and several other forwards) need to immediately extend their run-ups on set shots (from marks and frees) so that their contacts of the ball with the foot is well before the man on the mark, so that less emphasis is on the 'immediate vertical' and more on the 40 -50 degree line of flight so that the rising ball is markedly clear of the man-on-the-mark but not too 'suddenly vertical' because it was necessary to 'clear' such an opponent with such a critical proximity. With the subtle application of reasonable force in the kicking action, combined with an improved distance of a longer run-up for a 'clear' kicking point well-short of the opponent, so that the flight of the ball (for direction) is controlled, less likely to sway in the breezes or lose momentum, left or right, missing the the big sticks zone at the goal line. Summation: take a walk to a point where you can select a kicking spot well-short of the man on the mark, and kick firmly through the ball (follow-through) to control improve direction.

Mac could be enticed, surely, given the early loving spoonful of the MFC - territory of which he must have an innate fondness. He'd be a mobile, challenging forward in my view or as suggested, a deep backman.

I just love the inclusion of mongrel - so I'm with you!

That is correct. Imagine the recognition he would get if he wore a Filth, Carlscum or PussyCat sweater. From that recognition, the umpires would give the team he played for an enormous boost in free kicks and unseen tolerances for violations. At the end of the day, it would be an anointed financial windfall for the AFL attendances.

6. Viney 5. Pickett 4. Oliver 3. Rivers 2. Gawn 1. JVR

Not another one?

They all compete for attention, don't they?

Just initial impressions, MB38, these may not come through but it really was (for me) a solid series of comparators with a fish out of the Casey waters and still a few tricks to master.

There is a pleasing reality: these newbies punctuating our team nearly knocked off a very hot team (Brizzy) playing without good fortune and disrespectful umpiring.

He's got that 'Laurie Fowler' style on the run, straight into good tackles, takes the bump and emerges with the ball, kicks to improve the team positioning - now for the forwards to be able to read it all (with movement to make him targets).