Deemania since 56

Yep, top of the class at present. Durrsma is one I would have liked to have seen recruited by the Dees - sadly it was not to be but I am expecting big things from him. Back to Windsor, he has some class that will further improve (and that class reminds me of Stan Alves, so much; and hence, keep him out of the centre, let him be the dominant winger coming forward as often as possible. With a bit of close coaching, he could learn the Alves' turns, twists, run-arounds, balks and blind-turns; he has the pace, the kicking skills and the opportunities thereof).

Chandler was terrific, many times. He is like ANB, small profile, big efforts, almost a team saviour presenting himself in opportunities and creative chances. Very good goalkicker, too.

We really ran the wind out of Port, with persistence, higher levels of fitness and a more achievable 'method' moving forward. Great effort boys, inspiring outcome.

Definitely, the umps ....

The Demons' outcome of a smashing victory will depend heavily on the small brigade running Port ragged.

Dixon will be physically spent by half-time. Go Dees!

SN, one of our reliable and talented heroes from the recent past. Loved his game play and relaxed style (talent). Wish we had an SN in the team today. Go Dees!

Visits to Victoria Park were ALWAYS most unpleasant; most threatening; most uncivilised; often dangerous from non-Filth fans' points of view. A trip to Adelaide Oval to watch Port is similarly coloured, yet to their credit, not as certain to lean towards fatalities. ('Carna Dees!' can still be a personal, hushed statement.)

Hope you're correct and sorry about the confusion. Thanks for the comment.

You are probably correct in this scenario. At times, however, we seem to be placing far too much emphasis on full forward dominance where, to my mind oftentimes, we really need a gun CHF (or two) and dynamic, super-optimistic smalls like Kozzie prepared to run amok, go the screamer when plausible, kick the ball a mile with lethal accuracy and unexpected aplomb - from just inside the fwd arc or closer in to the tepid zone, not the hot zone in a constant pursuit of optimism. Our game and delivery systems currently best serve the 50 - 40 metre arcs from goal; we all have seen the absolute goal square and fwd pocket shambles for nearly a decade. Just a thought, coz a gun FFwd might do the trick (with appropriate variations in our delivery and receiving circumstances.

Great questions - not even 'she who must be obeyed' could possibly answer until the regulations to the AFL Act clarify in a timeframe greater than that of any player in history could survive onfield.

He has passed all tests, improved his contributions to the team every year, is now a longer-term journeyman for our benefit. Well done, Jack. Heart and soul of our Club and a perfect fit for Max, Tracca, Clarry and ANB as a driver, experienced hand and talent. His sacrificial bravery and its 'team concern' forms a strong part of AFL history, progressive team improvements and sets benchmarks of what it is to be a Melbourne Football Club diamond.

He should improve down the track, overcoming nervous hesitancies and discomfort in his team roles. He requires experience and speed inputs, becoming a reliable 'feeder' in our improving 'team game'. I am OK with his re-signing but look forward to a more settled and thus, utilitarian presence from him.

Not worth the price, but convenient, comfortable and near facilities and bar/food/vendor-outlets and dunnies (although the latter have been well-hidden in the past). Lots of afternoon sun this time of the year, looking down the ground to the north-west. No, it's not the Southern Stand (MCG) by any means, but still good for individual occupation. Quieter, too, amid a stadium surrounded by the thousands of biased, overly-sensitive and thus rampantly noisy Port supporters with Crows supporters coming a close second. When we play there, Demon supporters tend to assemble providing a civilized collective of applauding reasonableness, good taste, civility and manners, and appreciative wins (depending on the umpires' moods and intents across the game).

History confirms your last two sentences, hemingway. As for the wines, I prefer a cabernet-sauvignon for smoothness and versatility with my preferred diet. The cheeses are good, as are the olives but lately, I have been enjoying the varied Italian cheeses on the market for flavour and the rangey complexity of depth. As for noisy football supporters, I do like to watch them pass by on shanks pony - particularly after a Filth loss - thanking God for his wisdom. The person I love will be hiking in her 'latter-years frenzy' to discover the true fountain of youth; she just loves energetic day-long strolls through the bush for days on end. Otherwise, she would be alongside me quietly reciting her latest tome to the Mighty Demons, their infallible successes and those amongst her favourite player list. Carna Dees!

Certainly.

Now I am back in Adelaide, I am also going to the Gawn-Petracca Symposium a few evenings ahead from now. Love these speeches and query sessions (remembering how good the Bernie Vince discussions were at the Sporting pub in Richmond, a few years ago) - plus winning the door prize of $300-worth of Demon accessories at the next gathering. See yas all at the Strathmore, Easter Saturday pre-game pith-up.

Blud oath! Almost a perfectly lethal forward line decoy, at that; he is an enforced coverage for most AFL teams, particularly when he has moved downfield for a bit of a run.

Thompson was one of the great improvers ... sorely missed at the time and capable of being a game-changer par excellence, as proven in the Sth Australia colours... and, perhaps, in the top 5 team-deductions of all time for the Dees. It broke our hearts and dreams.

He can be terrific, committed, yet sometimes, unlucky. I really like the way he can take the 'busy' ball, simultaneously assessing the traffic about and ahead, stop the game with such details, enforce a ball-up without losing too many decisions against him, all in the process of enabling (during such interruptions to play) his teammates to catch up, cover their opponents, make space upfield and win the resulting clearances. Clever, adept, reliable. Plus, ANB can kick some very nice goals unexpectedly; on the run, from the pockets or from a timely, well-read intercept in the Demons' hot zone. Combined with his fitness and running, he is a Demon great!

Grundy did not have the same drive to succeed with the Dees, let's face it.

My first thoughts, without deep analysis, are that Tomlinson must keep moving close to - but not within 'bumping space' - of Dixon, and such a circular waltz will enable him to compete in a mobile role with leaps and bounds to prevent Dixon taking the 'expected mark' so often. A tall jack-in-the-box with a good leap to spoil across multiple entry points. Tomlinson's mobility will eventually wear Dixon's aerobics and stamina to hopefully, that of a buggered big man so often out-paddocked by a tall beansprout with varying approaches. Our smalls and furtive backmen must be nearby for the spoils, of course, and the subsequent upfield possessions and deliveries.

This news smells like a conspiracy is about to occur - for the interim better.

Agree with you, Layzie. JVR does have a leap and reach to support rucking duties quite well; it really does seem - so far this season - that it warms him up to get into the game with these talents. In the longer term, it also might encourage his forward play (again, talented) to become more mobile and 'sharing' with his teammates.

Collingwood Geelong Essendon Carlton Hawthorn Port Adelaide Crows The rest should form a league with the Dees, becoming an improved competition operating without favour.