Deemania since 56

Never before but this year with just one game query and ticketing, the response was rather abstract and uncertain. They must have changed personnel, hopefully, that will improve.

The tandem effect of Melk and Hannan is vital; these two look for opportunities and space, and Hannan usually lands on two feet ready to go and/or tap on to advantage. Other forwards need to realise this advantage.

This is what actually happens, so often. Analysis of the numbers that go up for a mark indicates confusion and appears to be uncontrolled. Jetta, whilst a good mark and effective at one-on-one contests would be better utilised down back as a crumber that stays on the ground, so to speak for rather obvious reasons. I so often conclude that in 'winning contests' from which we fare so badly to make it a 'losing contest' is because the players know that the primary big man won't win the ball - OMac, let alone go for the mark in a pack or clear the ball with directed punches to teammates on the ground. He just must be supported by a jumbled backline as he makes token gestures of the defence functions. After observations of deep backline playmaking that spans (for me) around 58 years, I cannot recall another KPD so inept who requires the entire backline to assist his singular team function, and this leaves the count of the backline marks category at very low levels and creates obvious panic amongst the players that is relatively easy for opponents to exploit and to fabricate scores from nothing.

Preuss is a must up forward against the Saints to enable the forward movement for marking cleanly by himself, for TMac and for the Weed. It will also assist crumbing goal opportunists, and Petracca and Melksham. We miss Joel Smith and AVB down there, as well. Our small brigade must be on its game big-time, ready for anything.

Nah, ANB already kicks better than Greg Parke, just nowhere near as good at marking.

Spargo did some great 'rover' work against the Swans. Make no mistake about that despite a few fluffs and fumbles in that game. He is showing opportunity teamwork, generally kicking intelligently and well; a few more games and we have Johnny Townsend on our hands, again. Possibly - but I am prepared to watch, analyse his play and wait.

Sure is a good commentary. Thanks for the link, earlier.

Like this young fella ....

Got the machinery up front in the AFL team for Garlett to continue to hand the goals out rather than just kick 'em himself.

Very tempting, it surely will produce confidence and form.

At least Keilty will have 'a go' repeatedly, closely, quickly and more thoroughly until the clearance is completed on each occasion.

You forgot the mention the two successive leaks in the 1 qtr ... resulting in goals to the Swans.

We all know but do not acknowledge: 'You can't do that to the Swans - and key players protecting their assets from Collingwood, Geelong, Carlton, Essendon, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, GWS'. So there we go again. Everyone else is open slather for umpiring and tribunal appearances to hear (only) the bad news of the football 'sages' in the AFL system.

A collation of some very good thoughts, not antagonistic towards general consensus.

Fully agree - Frosty with the full backline minus OMac - great combination.

Good observation. He'd otherwise be 3-4 metres clear with the ball if this was stopped.

Surely, surely, surely, the writing is on the wall, for OMac. If it ain't, then we must all contribute to a fund that sends Goodwin and the FD to Specsavers/OPSM for immediate remediation.

Most definitely - hope he is fine, but we are much better without him. The whole idea of OMac not being in the team is very appealing.

Fritsch was class - a great series of disposals to advantage, a great demonstration of how a space zone or a series of spaces could be used - and this bloke is a forward! Jones was inspiring and determined - he had a cause to pursue whilst blending well amongst the forwards from the midline. An old, old MFC trait - Brian Dixon-ish, Stanley Alves-ish, Aaron Davey-ish. Very impressed with Hore. Frosty was focussed and negating, so Buddy had every right to look muddled and tish-faced. Heeney starred but was given every umpired opportunity - apparently the holding rules and frontal contact rules do not apply to him. So often, Heeney still gets away with pushed in the back, head-dipping into legal tackles for the 'free' and forward dives into the turf for the free. Early on in the game, the Swans were not penalised for anything - just given frees - whilst the Dees tackled legally and were penalised. Umpiring errors (deliberate as expected) were wearing thin and eventually ceased, thank heavens. Preuss, not a bad start - showed some tricks so may that great Protector upstairs help future opponents when he gets to lead straight out in any line from FFwd - and he rucks like a pro with some really effective taps. His movement onfield needs attention and a speed addition, of course, but these will come with more efficient space usage. When he grabbed that throw-in in the pocket and converted a goal from a difficult snap, he showed the class that we were all hoping for; a few successive games and he will be 'on song'. One advantage of his game is that he does not over-possess the ball - he clears it very quickly and that includes long-shots with that kicking prowess. The run provided by Hibberd improved and was similarly supported by Stretch. The midline boys were lost early, but came back into the game strongly and assuredly as a chain of momentum gathered. I thought the Wagners were very good, attacking, intercepting. Good foot skills, as well. The pros in the team did their bit, all night and kept plugging away and blending as a team. Be good to have a fit Jetta back there again and the return of AVB, May and Lever will shore up the backline. Hunt and Harmes were good - a welcome return to form. Max was BOG for mine, easily. OMac has to go - 8 uses of the ball - always so slow and out of the play. Defensive errors and 3 main leakages resulting in goals to the Swans. He still does not have a clue. Spargo was lively and is starting to look like a linkage specialist with his teammates downfield. Some nice yet unpractised passing by foot was achieved over the shorter distances to very good effect - particularly when ball retention was required to start a play to the goalmouth. Good, yet unexpected win, Dees!

It is hard to fathom at the best of times. At the worst of times, it was not considered when OMac hit the team.

There is a cost-saver at hand, thankfully, and it works as a guaranteed reverse investment: sack OMac, stop paying him for wasting our time and good fortunes, and do it before the kick-off for the match against the Swans tonight. Our fortunes will swell from just one action.

It is an opinion, that is all. So, the next time I cannot reach a stance on a matter, can I give you a call for alms?

Strong statements like these are so very worth reading, SWYL. It takes some convincing for some readers, no doubt, but there are some deeper thoughts against which we are fighting but fail to recognise.

I wish the selectors had not picked OMac, using Petty or Keilty instead.

I'd go for double rotations of these two each quarter - changing at centre bounces with Preuss up front FFwd leading straight out in the last.