Deemania since 56

Confused?

He not only went in for the ball and came out with it on commendable occasions, he also ran to space as a target for those who had not looked for a 'target' in the open for quite a few years. Blending with Melksham's fine passing, the future looks rosier for the MFC - and his cues assisted Fritch to do similar things, as well.

Some good comments and thoughts to awaken us all, keeping us on out toes, sensitively.

Like these considerations, beezle ... interrupted, of course, by atrocious and multiple umpiring decisions against us as Essendrug are in a cleansing, goodie-boy mode as far as the AFL is concerned, and this will be reflected in the umpiring, for sure. Such umpiring reflects the intended game outcomes as if the Dons have 'paid for their sins, already'. I'd like to see Goodwin shut up for a while, allowing the players to massage their game to fix any slumps across the timeframe. Goodwin has had his chances and these have failed the team - and us.

Krap.

Of those available for this week, you can do the bodmas of mathematica of omissions from my own preferred line-up that may add up to six, from the following: B: Hibberd, OMac, Jetta HB: Lever, Frost, Baker ? Tyson , Oliver, Hunt HF: Fritsch, Pedersen, Hannan F: Garlett, Hogan, Spargo Foll: Gawn, Jones, Weideman I/C: Melksham, Brayshaw, TMac, Salem E: Casey's best ....

Most are fans of Pedo...at 31 yo he is at his own peak level of fitness and resilience, match to match. He is bigger than teams expect - particularly on the move and he splits packs regularly taking that ball to ground and stays on his feet to shepherd the crumbers. Quite often his marking hits a purple patch either in a pack or on the run/lead as a chestmark. He is one of our best shots at goal anywhere from 50 metres out. He's no Watts at that but he is very reliable. The crumbers stick around him for the advantage he regularly provides. Rotated from the bench he hits a game like a rollercoaster with fresh legs and intent. Seldom is he caught with the ball by opponents without applying usually decent handball to his teammates. Pedo is in my first 6 at selection, if uninjured. Essendon are going to knock the sheet out of us - physically - and both Pedo and Frosty are two of our better options if this proves to be the case. The 'druggies get away with murder with the umpires as a token of support for their aggressive intent. We must have Pedo - although it is now too late - and Frosty to counter brain-fazed Essendrug. Both have been playing the 'new-brand' for three years at least, and may start something that stimulants cannot overcome.

I firmly believe that this team selection for the Essendrug game is highly flawed and that the Dees will get trampled in their own confusion. It is a product of inconsistent and careless team selection once again, retaining 'yet to' performers, long-bombers, statistics gatherers, grossly over-estimated utilities and flexibility dreamers. B: Hibberd, OMac, Jetta HB: Lever, Frost, Baker ? Tyson , Oliver, Hunt HF: Fritsch, Pedersen, Hannan F: Garlett, Hogan, Spargo Foll: Gawn, Jones, Weideman I/C: Melksham, Brayshaw, TMac, Salem E: Casey's best ....

That is a good statistic from Maynard; it is a shame that others were below expectation. What surprised me was the rapid way in which he was 'discarded' when he performed modestly against a group of active runners. Surely he has those skills that we need right now - particularly physical skills and clearances.

It was stated ages ago that Balic is moderately quick - only - but he runs into space well to receive and from there, can penetrate defensive space by hand and foot to pass or score within range. He appears to be a 'reader' of play in order to achieve these attributes. A skinnier Petracca without the real grunt and stunt.

Agreed in tota;. Pedo has a game that I like, obviously, and as you say, bringing others around him into the game, plus a capacity to exert his size - moreso now that he if fitter. Often that has been enough to carve a niche into many an opposition defensive line/s. It always was a shame that he could not contribute these characteristics for whole games, but c'est la vie, what he has done and could do is satisfying.

I see it the same way Rusty. There are both 'good' and 'not as good' elements of these two selections. I'd like the Weed in to learn how to play the Pedersen forward game - better for him to learn this and feel this than rucking occasionally to no particular effect; at least he can kick a goal or two, as well and take a mark. I'd also like Pedo in the side this Tuesday so that Hogan can roam as needed away from a deep forward position, and so Gawn can have a relief / respite ruckman in place for recovery purposes - and Pedo can also provide short spell wizardry in our forward line - a role of marking, shepherding, blocking and delivering to teammates with great effect - plus, the bloke can kick goals, too, anywhere from 50 metres out. The thing that I like so much about Pedo, some games he wins for us with these bursts and sets up many recoveries from both recent and past games since he has been at the MFC. Some of us actually go to the big matches just to see him do this again, as we had seen in the recent past.

Ronald, Brian, Hassa and Tassy...what a collection. Now they were players, one and all, that actually wrote history. Ruck Rover - Ronald Dale Barassi (1 Capt) - absolutely elite Wingman - Brian Dixon - elite Centreman - Hassa Mann (later Capt) - elite Full Back - Tassy Johnson - elite Just filled in the blanks for those who might not have seen these true Demon champions play. Makes your heart flutter to see these players, together - even in a photograph.

You asked, Prime Minister.

It means, LD-vC: The good opportunities were there with a manpower set-up ready to break out with the ball just about in possession (sausage) or to use it in a productive manner a little more often than what actually occurred - had a utility of some size and mass been there to help create a pathway or shepherd or legally and effectively bump an opponent to prevent a tackle or / and intercept a possession not held by a MFC player, or to get in amongst it (the hotplate part of the barbie) in general to exercise at his own free will as part of good teamwork those contributions that make an approach to the football, the gaining of increasing territory in possession of the ball, and the promulgation and positive maturation thereof for an infrequent anticipated scoring opportunity when such contributions might otherwise have been possible to enact, to reduce the mounting impotence of the way we (ergo: the MFC) were playing the game with delicate passivity and glaring incompetence.

Aha! Someone else has made that observation about Max's game - particularly tapping to nowhere or no-one, no-way, no-how. Not too keen to use the body for other player protection, either. Not too keen to get in for the sausage when the barbie was full...

I think he should play forward until the backline turns incompetent and then, take over Fullback, Oscar to the CHB, Lever HBFlank and Hibberd in last-ditch support with the re-located Tom. Jetta could then get a run-up to do his intercept work from the HBF, as well. The Weed should stick to the point post in the fwd line, learning what he can and trying everything that is possible.

Thought it was pretty unfair that no-one seemed to advise Fritsch to stay down so the big boys could go to work because Fritsch is just as good on the groundwork as he is, aerially. Agree about Pedersen bringing the ball down - even though he really only makes those dynamic, scoring spurts for 2 qtrs of footy, these days.

Did not see the game, but thanks for that advice.

Not a bad idea (suggestion) when all considered (overall) and certainly (most probably) a humbling (in your box) move (action requirement) once (the first moment) that result (positive scorecard) occurs (happens). I think.

Fully agree, Clint, their teamwork and support for one another is the difference. This enables their star power to come into the play so frequently on a red carpet of teamwork.

Pedersen just has to play to assist the forward line. Weeds cannot make that impact at the moment.

He was a great forward, for a very long time. He was a better CHB but needed for goal production.

Media interfere with the best intentions of Clubs who should be capable of better controlling media involvements. Gawn is a victim of his popularity across the AFL yet in many ways, it would be preferable if he said nothing and kept his great humorous side to his compatriots in the locker rooms. He is very personable and this would be difficult for him, no doubt. On watching, hearing or reading of player comments, it is often felt that these media exposures serve no valuable worth other than to align alleged journalists with particular players for the jounalists' self esteem or credibility - particularly if they can 'lead' that conversation. Such conversations lead directly down the gurgler, anyway. I'd reckon that the MFC could benefit from a ban from personalised interviews with players, similar reports and other exploiting episodes of public informational tripe. Most is just sensationalism or at worst, mockery disguised as legitimate enquiry.

Admire him for that 'niggle' to opponents - it really demonstrates his intent for his Club. A young player who performs well each game can aspire to leadership ambitions in the future - it is just a bit more than holding down a position regularly and well. I see that Clarry fits this criteria more than most others at present. On the face of it, leadership and Clarry seem to be a good mix in the future but Viney, with his youth and great contribution, may well hold sway at the ultimate Captain level.