Deemania since 56

Sam is the all-time worst of Australian TV - good onyer, Ox, legendary and deserved act - just like Biffen did to Newman years ago.

Great questions and certainly, a key thought in the next few years. Notice the son's height relative to the Ox? Developing nicely, no doubt. What an acquisition that would be!

Really like the options provided on the bench - particularly J, Smith. I'd rest Spargo I think. Jones could be lethal in the fwd pkt.

Probably correct, just a little concerned at this point about Fritsch on the backline not the fwd line, and JKH who played well against the GWS team (particularly tackling) being near there, too. For me, and it is an interim thought, JKH would be better on the backline against the Catty Puts from the bench to the backline and midline wings, roving and linking to aid his defensive pressure. I'd consider that JKH could contribute more to 'the Team' in such a role than Spargo at this point of the season, with Hannan and Fritsch fwd. The southern flank along the whole length of the ground must be utilised this game - far more than ever before - as was done by the Swans against us - providing a linkage up and down the ground for the smaller and more mobile runners. Space is enormous for our game style so I am hoping that we do not choke the northern flank against the Catty Puts who will outmark and provide clearances far more readily than we can. I'd consider this strategy to force Selwood and Dangerfield to run all day attempting to catch up and intercept rather than play their preferred tight crush where frees abound for them. A few random thoughts, again, but not concrete opinions for game day.

But, Hannan is better up forward at the moment, if fit.

Lewis surprised onfield - particularly in the first quarter with clearances, run and carry, expert delivery to forwards; he looked so natural in that rare role (for him, with the Dees) setting up the destruction of the GWS run and carry through midfield and outside space. A coach of the near future for the Dees, showing the way as best he could at this stage of his season. He set the tone without doubt. Keep it up, Jordan, it was terrific.

Perfect scenario but you forgot Dangerfield breaking a leg in the first quarter, Selwood with a dislocated jaw from Viney, Gaz with a ruptured knee attempting to kick Salem in the head, and Hawkins with a fractured face after running into Pedo off the bench.

Great to rekindle the memories that make one a true Demon supporter but go back into the 50s and then the lead-up to the 1964 GF! Then we won the game of games.

He could be enhanced with the experience and comms of Lewis as a 2IC of coaching in 2019.

Team looks strong, relatively mobile and the final players on the bench will need to be carefully and purposefully selected; we can win this one with pressure and tackling applied across 4 full quarters - and kick a few goals from that as a team-wide reward. Dees by 40 points, I'd reckon.

These pressure games are so important for the development of Spargo's skills, confidence and settling into the team. We have needed an old-fashioned roving type for quite a while, one who could learn to break free with the ball to cause damage and increase our controlled passing to teammates. One who could read the ruckman's craft; one who could cheekily take some space with the ball for team outcomes. Spargo does work hard and from this, it can only be expected that he will learn heaps to extend his range of skills - and to become somewhat more lethal in his execution of these attributes. So far, he is displaying such qualities, albeit in a restricted and conservative way. Time will be his greatest asset in game exposures and development.

Yes

Justice is a surprising reward, at times. There is no alternative - if the AFL is appropriately sensitive to performance enhancement substances as we must all expect it to be. Number crunching and escalation aside....

These were really noticeable observations from a handful of committed players.

Agreed, and it gives the Spark another full-on game for experience and orientation.

We've needed this triangulation and separation all season and yes, it was one of the most beautiful passages of play that you could ever see.

Kenty is going to be THE MAN!

Good observation!

That would be an excellent outcome. Confidence-boosting, as well. Now for the kicking technique and kicking for distance beyond 35 metres...

I guess selection is everything and it should be the 'rule' for the best players who are available to be in the team for the GWS game, as in any other game already played. I'd like to see the youth policy applied against GWS with J.Smith and Wagner brought into the running machine that we could apply on the noted movers in the GWS forward line. It would certainly help Frosty, Hibberd, Jetta, for example. With Jones used at HBFlank, this could be a running backline of some quality for fwd 50 entries. Both Fritsch and Salem could be relieved from backline duties, for fwd and midfield roles where their kicking skills and ball magnetism could be of immense value.

So that is why he learns so slowly, and yes, he is fine - so fine that he is bumped out of the way rather easily,

Fritsch is effective down back but gathers quite a few niggles and direct off-ball aggression from opponents. He is better at setting up and/or kicking goals - a surprise packet in many regards that is hard to contain and defend against - as he comes in so well from the side. Move him forward for a while during the GWS game.

Could consider replacing OMac with a younger tall runner/defender - Keilty? Wagner? Bugg for Spargo?

I am just hoping that Hibberd's hammy group was suffering from cramp - that was persistent yet not continuous. No news yet?

It is incredulous, so when it happens (often repeatedly and regularly), one is left challenging one's own credibility for the thought as if mimicking a cat chasing its own tail. It is a point of executed game and season interference without any revision; rigging or merely favouring occurs in a perceived balance across a whole game providing 'eveners' and 'kept in play' outcomes to appease crowd, club and predominantly interested party sentiments that benefit more than just the combatants - the gate receipts of the near and far future might well be at stake, otherwise - and the secular interests of the influential within the AFL structure dare not challenge what has been done for them, ultimately by them and their perceptions of the good of the game from their perspectives. Challenge to this irony is left virtually useless because such an episode would lead to severe 'black marks' on any immediate or longer-term success and the maintenance of an 100-year status quo that our game represents. It is now no longer a governance system, it is an entertainment industry with swinging moods and exemplars.