Deemania since 56

Weideman's rate of progress was curtailed by the make-up of our forward line last season - IMO. Given more responsibility in 2019, he should be capable of bringing more attributes to the fore, more regularly. There is greater support for his role in the proposed availability of key talls that is floating around in supporters' minds for the 2019 season and this support, and its related decoys for opponents, should be of immense value to his 'eventual' emergence. The flexibility of the forward line now looks twice as functional and multi-dimensional than last season. TMac, Preusse, the Melk, Hannan, JSmith, Gawn, Petracca, Garlett (who will also benefit); all looks pretty lethal if utilised to effect.

The only aspect of a 'late' Sunday game that I enjoyed was if we had a big win, often jumping a couple of places higher on the ladder for that week (to start the coming week off in good or better status) when all the other teams in the comp had completed their offerings from the draw. It was particularly pleasing when we jumped over Port the Snort and the Belly Ache Crows, living here in Adelaide, surrounded by 'expert' comment and incestuous interest in the AFL. We did a bit of that leap-frogging last season; and by hell, it was bloody wonderful.

Nice little summation, that. Reasonable likelihood, too.

Just relax Gus, you'll bring it all out at the end of pre-season - fully fit, raring to go, lethal through the midline, impressive. No wuz....

...and we walked - back in them days, like ... barefooted over rough terrain for at least 20 miles, each Saturdee morning to play for the local footy team reserves and then a turn-around, same way and method, to get back home before Dad sent out the dogs to look for us after sunset...but at least, Mum had a bowl of hot, cabbage soup for our supper and after a quick bath in the laundry tub, it was into bed for the simpler walk, once a month, to church in the morning when the travelling preacher came to our neck of the woods. Gawd it was tough but we had no idea what was on the other side of the horizon, except for this big dam they called 'Cape Otway'.

Very sad times. I still remember his phenomenal improvement that prior season, from good to better, then better to fabulous - a real surprise package onfield. Much loved by supporters, his promise was huge for a good pre-season and a very big 2005 season. Never forgotten.

Yes, I think that I will miss him badly at the MFC and I suppose, so will many others. But a break to a new club was perhaps in his own best interests, providing an environment, perhaps, where he could concentrate on his football as he liked. I hope he does well over in the West, and achieves the type of satisfaction that he pursues. A great footballer with much to offer.

Problem is OMac in lock-down means being five paces behind his direct opponent, still moving evasively around a pack of opposition forwards to avoid the crush and the defensive role that would be expected, and is so lead-footed that he does not break away from opponents when he has the ball, 4 times out of 5.

He also gave me heaps of Demons' merchandise from the Demon Shop. Not that I needed any of it, having won the $400 door prize at the Interstate Visitors brunch earlier in the year, at the Sporting Globe pub ... nice tie, though. The flag will be the birthday present for me, this year.

You mean '..Merry Christmas to all ladies and gentlemen ... you too, Prodee'? Just an opportunity to make a festive joke but only moderately funny.

Mach5, smiling about points 1,2,3,6 and 8. Worried about point 4. Cannot lose him, replaces the forever-erroring OMac in all regards. Whilst many do not agree, many more do agree. As for point 7, without drive, ambition and effort, possibly correct. Still, have a great Christmas and New Year. ?

I just wonder why there is silence when all are very concerned about Gus - and we deserve the right to enquire. He is so important to the team and our game.

Best wishes to all for the Festive Season, and the forthcoming New Year. I little elf told me, as a Dees supporter, that our great big Christmas gift and wishes arrive next September.

Such an outcome is extremely important - obviously, Jeff Farmer thinks his son is going to be a good footballer, and that is pretty sound judgement in anyone's language. To encourage him to be at the Demons is another plus - displaying where Jeff's heart lies in relation to the footballing fraternity. Looking forward to the end of a long wait - when Kobe matures - for another Farmer in the red 'n blue.

Understandably with his footy pedigree so far, there will be things in the big fella to tailor, adjust, improve, develop, educate, transfer, augment, hone and many others from which further experience will dump in and on him. It is still a better heritage than that of Cox at the Filth. His enthusiasm is such that he may well be a fast learner now that he is among so many talents and positive vibes at the MFC; and additionally, in a place and Club where he wants to be after an uncertain baptism of what looks like disregard with Norf. My guess at this point is that he is going to be a tremendous player at the Dees - maybe even a standout player - and he does look like a team guy at this point, ever-useful onfield for his teammates, Those fortunate enough to be able to get to training sessions in this pre-season might comment on how he articulates and interacts onfield with the rest of the side; I am really looking forward to seeing and interpreting some of this during the JLT final warm-ups for the season in 2019.

Agree. Joel Smith has a package to develop some more and should become a colossal asset soon; game time experience is one of these elements where confidence can improve within the team function.

He played a 'muscle' game and barked continuous coaching tips and demands at the Carlton teammates.

Following Kent so closely, I was so happy that he got that one. I was also overjoyed before the kick that the ball was in his hands to deliver the subsequent goal. I was also very sad that he struggled with injuries and played fewer games than he should have played. To my inconsistent eye, Kent was the modern day lookalike and epitome in style of the very great Hassa Mann. Shame about the tough breaks injuries cause ...

Is that frontal, cranial dimension difference significant?

Partially with you on this, but it is not referring to '...intelligence...' so much but moreso, footy ' clevers ' that assist a higher frequency and quality of gameplay opportunities. Then again, I can recall some super minds that used these aptitudes to make consistently good decisions onfield: Mike Fitzpatrick, Brent Crosswell, Allen Aylett, Beazley, Parkin, .... .... ....

Yes, thanks rjay, that is the thematic that I was attempting to impart.

Gulp!

That footy IQ improvement would be a wondrous thing, given the great team that we have now. It really lends itself to a staggering improvement across the field in teamplay and anticipation - both giving good despatches of the ball and getting to where the ball is received.

Rather than being a 'pack crusher', I would like him to take those grabs that lead to scores and related crumbing pathways for his teammates. However, certain players can achieve a 'right of passage' in tight situations if they possess that mongrel factor - almost being too confronting to be regularly tackled or intercepted in the 'course of his game of football'. He has attributes that may (no pun intended) reduce the likelihood of that gross interference from opposition players that the Dees' forwards have experienced in recent years - such as holding and double-teaming with physical restraint - as occurred with Hoges, a younger Weed and each week, Melksham. Forget the BS from disgruntled NthMelb supporters, the big fella is not slow; instead, he is agile, mobile and virile. He also takes a good grab of the ball and is near-impossible to bump out of the way at the fall of the ball which he reads really well. Lotsa promise for us....

It is concerning that he is absent from full training - although over time he has had his issues - and although there is still plenty of pre-season time to have him ready for the coming season it is a concern that he may be behind his peers in that readiness for hard training that will be required. This young fella is shaping (based on his returns to play last season) up to be a considerable star for the MFC and possibly, exhibit a whole new dimension to his game and that of the team; a key focus for all supporter interests in what is really just around the corner, provided that readiness is uninterrupted.