Deemania since 56

This is very reasonable; it will also give Nibbler the opportunity to straight-line his assets into the forward line; he does return to position and zone very quickly, and well. Wagner certainly could be snapper nearing the goal mouth, too.

Lateral movement is the key for him.

It has been a while - whilst in the interim, bleeding in the backline - that we have had a rebounding and speedy backline. Some of the tools were there on a variable basis, season to season but this current backline array looks poised to destroy opposition forwards and mid-fielders like fly-swatting road runners. Frosty, May, Hibberd, Jetta (and Lever when returning), will be a core - a mechanised unit of role players - a great defensive barrier and destructive for those who might attempt to get in its way.

As the games roll by, this is meritorious thought. Some support options now exist across the whole team.

Well, he has done well in the miasma of depth at this stage of the year. There are obviously going to be some week-by-week changes to a core team across the coming season. It is difficult to imagine that AVB, Stretch, Hunt, Preusse, Spargo, et al will miss out Rnd 1 but there just is not room for everyone. Hore is a worthy opportunity, it seems, pre-season form or no pre-season form - experience is another consideration. I don't mind at all that OMac is not picked.

Molly-Dookers rule! Bring back the drop kick and stab pass, I say.

Just loved this report from MR...clever and very funny.

Yep, remember that with Flower ... who was mighty adaptable ... do you reckon Fritta is as adaptable or skilled?

Many up-sides to this player and his capacities - just worried, as mentioned, about him being flattened with such a light frame.

Amazed at just how much attention and early respect Preuss is gathering from Demon fans ... if someone regularly going to training sessions has the inclination, could we please have a sustained and very well considered report on his strengths and weaknesses as these are interpreted from observations and other sources, and write a post to these effects on DL across the next few weeks? It would be very interesting for all, taking an individual player in for some scrutiny.

Fritsch is too valuable as a forward to play in defence ... he ain't got jostle power, for defence ... but he is a great mark, has some speed, kicks quite well for goal (s) and can lead into space quite OK. Great at passing across minus 40metres, too. Sound handballer. Definite forward.

Williams at Carlscum and the Swannettes proved that years ago - fast thoughts, fast actions, slow pace. Big points.

I have wondered if Jesse was approached by Ross Lyon to save his (Lyon's) job at Fremantle on a promise of a contract extension.

Had, not has.

Yep, great forward skills and intent that could be devastating if he went for goal, more often, preferably on the run in quick plays. Great in close to weave and deliver around opponents - or just find the starting point for his own line towards goal.

I'd think we would all agree on that because of the plethora of skills that Salem has displayed in a mixed team that rarely involves him in all aspects of the game; what he has shown is a superlative consistency in his application (when the team time aspect of his game was involved). Skills? Most definitely 'YES'. More game involvement? I just wonder about his previous injuries, medical conditions, body build for the rough stuff; so far, he has been more than useful and at times, brilliant. Team maturation will bring out his best, I'm sure.

Tend to agree with you, Chazz; there was some confusion that became more confusing amongst the confused supporters and no doubt, with the Club itself on Hogan's coming or going, for quite a few weeks with some very memorable media 'argy-bargy' and sensationalism in the very mix; this also contained the very exposing and somewhat contradictory statements from the inner sanctum of loud mouths and supporters. Loyalty to the Club was everything, in fact, and it collapsed as the nay-sayers suggested earlier, very sadly. Well, the cycle has turned with Hoges no longer at the Club, finding what he feels were greener pastures but we cannot despair, his game and the evolving game plan at the Dees were becoming less associable, less exacting and less effective. We now look to have a multi-pronged attack and better users of the ball. Let's all hope it can send us to heaven.

Vanders and Pike's style, good association. Add Preusse to the mix with a dash of Tracca and Viney and the year is sown up.

Yeah, sat right behind Brownless in the Ponsford Stand - with a bunch of his mates - and he hardly looked at the game after quarter time, just shook his head in disbelief, in between depressed comments and awe at the Dees' game. Great game....Weed was very good.

So that is the origin of my U14s coach's favourite put-down: '...it's no good being where the ball ain't!' Kinda sticks in the mind on game day.

Agree strongly with both MD and yourself; it is encouraging that - even if only in a couple of finals games - the Weed has started to make a difference but defensive skills in that extreme forward role will be critical to a really positive outcome. The Weed has had a few years to make the grade, or to ready himself for the grade, the role/s and the expectations which will continue to change and require minor adjustments as his game deepens and improves. I, too, reckon that we will again be the highest scoring team (kick the most goals) in 2019 and the big Preusse, the Melk and TMac are keys to this, supported by but freeing/releasing the Weed, Hannan and maybe ANB to run riot. Quite a few other forwards will have more opportunities due to the strengthening of our backline and potential penetration from that source, and the midfielders, in their tandem roles, will enjoy picnics on the rug in the shade of the two tall/mobile ends of the ground. Gus, Clarrie, KK and Hunt/Harmes are in my focus, already.

You have just opened the historical floodgates, Hemingway. Thank you. Connolly and Clarrie were highlights for me. It was a great recruiting zone for the Dees and I am sure that there were many more terrific Demons sourced from that League that neither of us have the capacity to remember. Vagg was also a standout - remember that kick and goal from way out at the final siren?

Life is full of extremely disappointing tangents, Eddie, in case you did not realise.

Yep, that is the memory jog that I required - Ky. Thanks, for that refresher, Ding.

I DONE REAL GOOD IN ENGLISH according to my teacher in grade 5.