Deemania since 56

Biffen was a rule-stretcher, yes; however, he was only protecting his team mates. He made a few opposition forwards shake in their socks and he was incredibly reliable at full back.

Highly supportive of Pedo in the best 22; he has the utility assets to change an opponent's game plan and this is generated from an outstanding attitude towards his contribution and that of players around him. He can change games on his very special gifts and skills, and with big fitness improvements, 'his tank' had enabled this attitude to shine through the past season. I am worried about the young fella who is the spitting image of the great Melbourne player and captain, Hassa Mann, on the field. That is, Dean Kent. Few athletes can overcome the damaging effects of a dislocated shoulder, a long-term weakness in the stability of the joint arises. To me, this is a real shame, as Kenty has shown plenty and if he can get up well for 2018, I'd reckon he has those attributes (in buckets) that we need on the half-forward flank both as a goalsneak and as a key linkman for other forwards. His kicking and running can both be excellent if he has game time to settle in this role. He is a killer short-pass exponent. He is also quite tough and hard at the ball. His head is always up, and with his fast on-field mind, zeros in on a team-mate to deliver the end result through a scoring opportunity.

We signed on, again. No worries. I'd like us to get at least 1/4 of the free kicks that the Crows got from the umpires in front of goal at Adelaide Oval during 2017! We would win the flag, regardless of how well the Tigers might play on the day.

We signed on, again. No worries. I'd like us to get at least 1/4 of the free kicks that the Crows got from the umpires in front of goal at Adelaide Oval during 2017! We would win the flag, regardless of how well the Tigers might play on the day.

Terrific analysis with some debatable items; however, we do need to think more about 'links' and 'avenues' from a team perspective. These are the things that made our 'great players' so great; the support that they received from '...whence the ball came...' were the keys to fantastic Demon football, across all of the past three decades.

Whispering_Jack raises an interesting point about playing the Crows vs Dees, first round. What a clash of two worlds! Lining Jake up to out-Lever the Texan Dunderhead would be classic retribution and may provide an avenue for true justice in this two-club circumstance. Lever has the mobility and talent to do this from half-back flank, where I might prefer to see him play; I'd reckon ol' Frosty might be a better bloke at centre-half back but who knows? Then again, poetry takes many forms: I remember the very sad moment when Balmey positioned and held the Big Nick against the Tigers at the 'G, and suddenly a perfect line was enabled for that very talented Tiger, Lawry Fowler, to both operate and anaesthetise Big Nick in the same split second. Jake owes Tex one, Frosty might be the ideal compatriot; however, the MFC is above this sort of thing; be better to see it all on the scoreboard, after the game.

It is an elite spine, if only Oscar was not being considered. The number of times he has lost possession or failed to gain possession is quite wrenching. The whole backline, centres and deep forward lines are elite, at last. Bring on the 2918 season. Just about to send in my MFC membership renewal, too.

I'd reckon this young bloke is worth the attention and the opportunity to be recruited to the Dees. A good summer workout, as hard as possible, followed by another across the year to come and he may well be the new Cameron with jumping beans.