Deemania since 56

Not sure if I remember correctly, but didn't Dunny have a lingering, 2-season groin injury that came and went ad nauseum and it was considered that would characterise fluctuating reliability in his football career from then on? He seems to have recovered.

You would think that this had been drilled into him. Clean hands, clear direction, good disposal on each occasion. He'd most probably be in the elite company across the AFL in terms of running all game, every game. So often, the passed ball just flies over his head and well out of reach. One must admit that Vanders goes quietly about his business and has special talents nullifying opponents, creating screens for teammates and 'bobbing up' in the rougher stuff to effect a clearance or provide a clearance opportunity. It would be wonderful to see him go up another level.

Yes, you are probably correct about the agility outside a straight line. I'd like to think that Hunt could learn to change direction and side step that will add to his capacity to read the game. Hannan and Spargo may have to do it all. :-)

It would be interesting, getting the speed drop on his opponent/s with appropriate and general shepherding/clearance from teammates, if Hunt, playing at deep forward (pocket?) could lead to receive near goal, similar to Melksham and sometimes, Petracca. There could well be many entrances converted to goals; there could be an avenue or two when this might occur. Hunt could play a role in this as he is faster than - and an equally strong kick as - Rioli, for example. Straight leads from the bigger forwards are more likely to be of less depth and rely heavily on 'the big grab'; furthermore, the 'bigs' whilst nicely accurate, equally need support at ground level to both receive and create ball possession opportunities in fwd positions and additionally, will be less likely to make rapid changes of direction or prove desirably evasive as a well-coached Hunt (hint, hint). The above three are vital in all of these regards. It would also enhance our 'chaos' style of game that has fallen down in the past in the 'very likely' scoring zones.

Yep, for some of us, it was a pretty bad event - Port or Brizzy. Self de-sensitisation affects us all, at times.

Maybe the Club is attempting to exercise some 'cloak and dagger' secrecy at the start of the season, reporting just the basics and no further, particularly where recoveries and injury management processes might well be background scenarios that opponents might exploit. I think we'd all be keen to get the drum on key players and their return/readiness for the start of the season and the first few weeks into this fixture. However, in the words of the patient, trust the Club to do the correct thing.

Fully agree, this is the key to this game.

I think that people are concerned about the injuries and experience of team play and co-ordination, which includes a youthful brigade but I do not think it is cynicism, chicken-livered, scardy-cat sentiment; I think it is legitimate concern and recent histories have largely proven that is a concern at the start of a season that has some merit. We should win, yes; so much has to go in our favour to so do, in reality.

Just a little worried for this first game of the season that the 'hardness' of which you speak will not be on the field in several key areas; hope I am wrong but our injuries, returning players from injuries, a suspension and longer-term experience deficits may add up to a disappointing start. On paper, we are ready for Port and should take the biscuits.

That loss to Port was heavily assisted by the umpires - it is something that won't necessarily go away until we are consistently in the top 4 across a season.

Yep, covering up past verbal/written transgressions so he had to admit a fact this time, begrudgingly, strongly suggesting a bias.

The AFL and its preferred interests will cull the Dees by any means, to generate specific results in the fixture, for specific interests and already, it looks like this has begun in the pre-season and is very likely to continue into the start of the season under the auspice of 'once penalised', forever blacklisted.

Thank you. That is a fair summation. It is rubbish, so often, these days. Job justification for AFL 'officials'.

Without looking/reading any further, the young fella, Jay Lockhart, appears to be the epitome of all that is Tasmania - small, a fast trip coast to coast, learned to kick from a mule, and tough as a south-western mountain ash. Welcome, Jay. Could be the ideal type for a forward pocket, leading out and with that kick, able to successfully turn a 40-metre screw snap post high. Jay has the look of intent like an early Colin Sylvia, too.

Just a minute, now. 'Deserved' is a many faceted word, particularly for the Filth. All that making the GF '...despite one of the worst run of injuries in recent times' simply indicates that amount of AFL and green snot goblin assistance that they received week in, week out to: (1) appease Eddie; (2) guarantee gate receipts and hence, profits; (3) prevent smaller profit-generators in the comp from taking part in the finals, and (4) strengthen the continuous arrogance of the toothless underprivileged Filth supporters to perpetuate the myth that it is 'the peoples' game' and not an elitist dip into the pig trough. One could go on ... and on ... etc.

Brown is one of the current-day masters of staging frees; just one shake of the head and a whole reef washes from the smallest contact.

10-ish, I was just putting on the 18th, sunk it in one. I was thinking about the game against Port all of today's round. We need to come out roaring and then, play safely and brutally until the final siren. Plenty of rotations for our 'elderly' brigade.

That will make Ryder, if he plays Round 1, a warm-up for Vanders craftsmanlike 'welcomes'.

Virtually nothing; it is more important that both Jones and Viney train to advance their readiness for the game against Port - because with our injury list at present, we are going to need those two to work very hard, all game. Max is match ready, and good on him! He will be a good advocate for our Captains, and a pretty boy for the media coverage of such rubbish. 'Carna Dees.

Correct, '...supposed to do?' What he did not do saved Berry - and he chose not to do anything other than absorb the impact between two forces (thus reducing the likelihood of injury) and to protect his soft tissues in that process. Guilty of something? My RRRRRRs/

Fitzy, yep, I fully agree about his potential and some of his skills. Apparently, he had diabetes Type 1, requiring insulin injections. Hell, what a player with that disadvantage! The first time I saw him play he was inexperienced, nervous and at times, absolutely brilliant on the field (marking, kicking, finding targets, elusive to opponents, a surprising interceptor with real hands). All this whilst still an apprentice to the big league team. Sad outcome, traded to the Whoreform team, I believe and in his last match, kicked a goal from the centre ruck duel - just swept in, swept up the ball, swept an eye goalward, swept the record books. If ever there was an MFC player that you wanted to see succeed ........

Fantastic effort - there is no greater colloquial population than that of Perth, WA; an Eagles supporter at that!

I noted that this is next to impossible amongst players, although Gawn and Clarrie are stand-outs, with maybe Brayshaw moving up to that mantel across this year. I'd stick - myself - to the order I selected, if there was any need at all for such an order. It is just an opinion, y'see. As for your very good recommendation of Nev, DZ - who is absolutely proven to be absolutely essential to our team - I'd agree with you if it was not for what Melksham does for the team and what Viney is capable of (when and only when he if reliably fit). This does not place a limitation on my personal opinion of Nev because there are 22 selected each week whereby the first 11 (at least) of those rankings would be the absolute guns any way it was perceived (and of those 'guns', the limits of separation are absolutely minute). It is an interesting perspective - covering different players, different roles and positions, different interpretations from us, the masses. If it helps and if I needed to drag a substitute 5th, it would be Nev - with Viney taking his current appreciation at 6th. 'Carna Dees!

Cringe-worthy, just like sucking a lemon.

Agree about that summation of Westhoff - he has been a bogey-man for us for some years ... so I'd ask Vanders to have a rest on him across the game with some close pats on the back (of the head) and a few little run-throughs that will slow him down.