Deemania since 56

And have a little chat to the MFC officials, the players, the FD in private, the recruiters, real estate agencies and other essential contacts related to the relocation for the 2019 season - a fresh start!

He does present a strange target to opponents as if to say: 'Tackle me in possession of the ball if you dare!' This takes on too much, too often and loses the team's valuable seconds to move on productively with the ball. His best work is to see ball, get ball and provide an immediate (!) handball or pass to instant effect.

Kent, Vanders, Trac ... all good points that the FD should be analysing instead of Vince, JKH and Spargo, at present.

You're correct I didn't mention it, considering that it was irrelevant to the point discussed. Sorry.

Interesting figure, 70%, as you mention, DubDee. It tallies with my (see above) estimation that over the past 2 years - but certainly this year - around 25% of game outcomes for a Demon win have been taken from us by 'arranged' White Brethren decision-making to affect Demon surges, recoveries within games and dominance during games to the final siren.

Any opposition player that can see the man approaching for one of his trademark tackles and his drive for the ball will think in 'get rid of ball mode' and hurry to dispose of the pill before he arrives, because: he will attempt to get the ball he will interefere with any relaxed possession of the ball he will restrict delivery options on disposal he will hurt you and is fast and solid enough to dent more than your ego Given these parameters in singularity and/or various combinations up to all four outcomes, the possessor of the ball is going to want to do something 'fast' and thus, his options - most likely his best options for his team - are being toyed with, and interrupted and threatened so that the chances of 'stuffing up' the relay of the ball are greatly increased. That's why I like him as a footballer.

Yeah, I was thinking of you, demonstone. Glad you felt a need to respond.

Of our games this year against those that are currently top 8 from which we lost those games, it must be remembered (and this is a reality situation) that several wins were taken from us - through umpire interference and astounding decisions in front of opposition goals. Game flows were regularly interrupted merely to disrupt what had become MFC dominance and resurgent play. It seems impossible to believe but on a monthly basis, I'd estimate that 25% of games snatched losses to the MFC and hence the continued disappointment in such outcomes - across the past 2 years. Many observers (and of course Demon supporters) have seen this unfortunately occur. Our win/loss situation and percentage would otherwise be far higher than it is at present and allied to that, our current commendable but externally arranged ladder position at the hot end of the season.

Nicely posited argument full of fascinating aspirations for Dees' fans. It does look like panning out, well. Enjoyed you commentary, dimmy.

Agreed, and mandatory 'ducking' for a free, slipping into the hot contact domain that is so common, reducing the severity of the real offence when it is wilfully applied by an aggressor.

Fairy 'Nuff.

Still chase him for 2019 - less cost is fine. Players sometimes learn from mistakes, particularly big mistakes like Gaff's.

Gaff out, West Coast team emptying of important players to injury each week. Umpire scrutiny keenly challenged in the last few weeks. These are things that a Demon supporter at this stage of this season likes to hear ... it would be good not to play the Toiges in our first week of the finals...

You know, Bailey is going to kick the winner, sometime in the near future. He will possibly do it several times - such is his class.

It's a tough world but GC has not endured the history as poor as the MFC in recent years. The AFL must address disparity, where it exists but the GC team has plenty of younger, talented players - and has a good coach - and tides turn continuously. Preferential treatment from the AFL at the other end of the League of teams is the major problem, rather than stop-gapping the underperforming.

My thoughts are that he is improving so well that he is nearly there - a gun - a few more matches, some mentoring and coaching work on his deliveries and who knows?

Fully agree - in nearly every involvement. Slow, exposed, beaten, left standing, limited physical contact, not reading the play with virtually no anticipation; ball rebounded negatively most of the time. Possessions and despatch are both rarities - no more chances.

Big improvements and efforts from Salem and Garlett; some of Jeffy's shots were very near misses so it looks like he may be coming back towards lethal. Salem was terrific. Vanders was good for a return match and should stay in the side to fully recover his mojo for the game. Smith is already a great loss as he was really good for most of his game time - will be sadly missed with what appeared to be a broken clavical. Sydney is going to be a test and Franklin does appear to be the only avenue to goal for them at the moment. Their outside run needs to be quelled early so our use of the bench to match them in this regard across the game has to be very strategic. Frosty needs to be on his game to challenge Buddy body on body. His pace will help him stay in contact where Franklin can be spoiled these days with close attention. I'd like to see Kent come in to display his pace and aggression, and to contribute to the accuracy of passing inside 50 and goalward. I noticed before the Suns game in the clubrooms how 'left out of it' Kent looked as the players left for the ground - he was 'burning' to play, getting back to stinging any opponent, and he would probably be a better tool against the Swans than JKH. OMac on the wing was slow and stuffed up again several times but passing was serviceable and height was useful. I'd reckon Frosty is starting to 'ace' the Fullback position and is blending well with teammates. His disposals by hand and foot can be errant but his body work and positioning are very good. After the first quarter, we had a few players down on recent indicators so let's hope that such lapses disappear against the Swans.

Great game and always, it is fantastic to have a win - and one so convincing as this game against the Suns. However, we must all wish Joel a complete, speedy recovery from a 'dangerous tackle' slinging him to the ground. His game, today, was the best he has played for the MFC with some great intercepts and running pick-ups, good disposals and coverage of his opponents. Well done - best wishes with the recovery.

Any player is a realistic acquisition given the correct incentives, that need not be purely financial.

Might be worthwhile - we need an extra real defender and he could be blooded to our game and intent.

I'd add Kent to that wildcard(s) list; and Pedo, of course (it's just me) in either the backline for strengthening or as a loose cannon in the fwd line played off the bench regularly in each game.

Team selection, strategic use of the bench, finding space well away from the communicable (convincible) umpires. That is the strength.

JSmith does need a little polish on kicking, handball and passing - but his attack in packs and his hands/clearing were very good. He can certainly get up there to repeatedly spoil the opposition's big names! Tougher than his dad was, too. Keeps improving, game to game.

It did look like Lewis had found his mojo tonight. He looked very good in the fwd line and his long shots were terrific - true Hawthorn style from 50m. Overall, his kicking was fast, long and accurate; his passing was critically good.