Deemania since 56

Absolute cow tish ... what are the qualifying and preliminaries/semies for if not to lead to the final play-off. This would wreck our traditional, historical and practical finals series. Players at the end of the season whose teams make the GF are not to be expected to endure yet another 'round of finals pressure, both mentally and physically.

With what we have returning from injury and what we know to be short-term form lapses, we do not need another small as urgently as people may suspect. We need a bloody tough pre-season to develop attitudinal mercenaries with mongrel intent.

Williams is No. 1 for me. He can play tall and master rucking or develop into a KPF/D; outside with pace, movement and poise; and in the crush as a key navigator; and, is the owner of two very good hands somewhere up there in the stratosphere with a leap that would make a bullfrog proud. Bedford would be my No.2 who impresses me more than Rankine upon whom the eyes of the hopeful are transfixed. Just my opinions, nothing more.

I'd agree with this, as we do have speed in some young'uns at Casey who are on the verge of senior selection - and in reality we possibly need only two more ... in addition, the further development of a few (of the likes of Hunt, Wagner, Spargo, Stretch) - with the return to form and desire of Garlett - may well be the key as these guys know the brand, code, plays, teammates, set-ups and expectations across the field, already. KK will be a considerable asset, too, in this 'confirming' year of play and training to come. Given that we also have run from the backline now - with Hibberd, Frost, May, Jetta, Salem, et al, we are not going to need an overcooking of pace specialists, just open space finders and receivers with take-off skills and onfield space hogs. The quality of training and development for these bright sparks is perhaps most important to a stirring year of ball possession, delivery and opposition confusion.

My oath! Particularly Williams.

Pretty bloody damn good, Mate! Thank you times six.

Fully agree on all three criteria. Not in the same league and never will be in that league.

Bailey is the goods for us. Come hell or high water - get him.

We plea for Trac to make improvements. Is this fair? Trac is most probably more aware than we are about the directions and milestones of his game and its improvement than we will ever be ... it is rational that this is the case given his superior proximity to the FD and the coaches/players with whom he plies his trade. He needs the drive, determination and opportunity to pull out something consistently, stunningly and expertly and to my mind, these elements have been demonstrated as singularities quite well so far and hopefully, will become augmentations to his game in the future. Opportunity is one of these major factors onfield, alongside communications and analyses with the coaches. We all have confidence in him so just maybe, 2019 will be the year?

Cheney struggled with the Dees at that time, as he was not strong with the ball above his shoulder height, or in a challenge for the ball with a taller player (most). His time at the Hawks and certainly, the Crows seems to have given him alternatives to winning the contest in one grab; he is now a terrific spoiler, a clear punch-away with direction, a bring the ball down to the ground and run on asset with good disposal, solid intent and carry, and mongrel. I think he does have some current hamstring problems but watching him closely against the Crows in ADL, he was impressive across the whole game.

Bailey Williams impresses me as a strong prospect, given that he is also young enough to train into a role that exploits his given talents as these currently stand. We would be lucky to get him, I'd think, due to our picking/pecking schedule.

Fully agree. At best.

That is correct. It really is a matter of keeping up to date across a period to ensure and exploit your outcomes and attributes in equal measure. It is a matter of being reflective across that timeframe. Reflection includes not over-taxing yourself and learning to pace yourself across a whole period of studies. It also develops perspectives and strategies that perhaps you have not had to generate previously. Give it your best shot and best wishes for your aspirations and callings. A full adult life awaits and that may far more enriching and satisfying than merely passing these examinations, including university or college entry.

There is just enough variation between those two 'best 22 teams' to suggest much is going on at Essendrug on a hope and a prayer.

The Dees have just about the correct amount of 'mongrel' to knock off the 'Druggies....'

Possibly a brown paper bag syndrome in effect, again?

Just another example from the AFL of their sectarian interests rendering maximised profits, and underpinning poor decisions and judgement from the past. The whole fixture arrangement represents a chook raffle mentality in a crowded pub.

From the experience of past years, the AFL fixture for any year cannot be released until in private conversations, Eddy Maguire has approved that draw. His exacting criteria, not comprehensively included, seems to be: first game of the season for the Filth at the MCG at least 14 home games in a season no more than two interstate games in a season we only play the Dees when they are devastated with injuries gate receipts maximisation is configured based on which team we play at home and what crowd that team may draw we are advised - before spending our entertainment funds - on which umpires will be allocated to each match in the pursuit of cordial relations with those umpires prior to the upcoming game over a 'slap dang' lunch as our guests.

It would provide a sense of 'belonging' indeed; it would set a benchmark for the players to wear it, these days. Intellectually and perhaps, psychologically, it might mean a great deal more to be amongst a group of blazer co-wearers, where the benchmark is transferred into a culture of identity, pride, carriage, etc. etc. However, just wearing the tie achieves most of those types of sentiments, surely.

Welcome, FD, to ManDee's 'Killjoy Club', and I quote: ' I would like to suggest that those asking for a thread to be closed be banned for 1 month. If the thread is going after the month ban them for life. There are too many killjoys in life, don't come here if you don't like it. It is not compulsory.' Horse floggers, uplift your sources of glee for the sake of the civilised, joyful status quo.

Or, I wish I had Jesse's girl......

It would be a miracle if we got Williams at 23; he is a genuine target for us.

Valid points and agree with these often overlooked characteristics. Footy today is about disposal - not just possession. If Salem goes to the wing he may be restricted across a game with 2-way running for 100 mins and be too short to challenge in the air, whereas the idea of Frosty moving to the wing is a little more possible but only because some (a few) of us would not have OMac down back.

Any connection with him to the great John Townsend Demon rover?

Can we now close this thread? Castigation and innuendo serve little purpose and Jesse, the FD/MFC and our success may still warrant our respect?