Deemania since 56

It really is time - across the board for our team - for Goodwin to show some adaptive adjustments including improved skills applications for many of our players, stuck in a framework of uncertainty and clearly evident interactive restriction.

There is a good deal of common sense in this analysis. I wish such awareness could be a little contagious across most of our players, including our alleged 'stars'. McVee (and to a certain extent Kozzie) are players capable of playing anywhere on the oval due to their 'instincts' and execution.

Indications suggest rather strongly - and sadly - that a turnaround in just one week is too short a timeframe. An alleged comprehensive pre-season has produced no results of which we can be proud. There are no linkages, there are no opportunities to exploit, there seems to be very few coordinated 'systems' to support our players' strengths. We played like a team of individuals and were shown a Swans team system (by foot) that wins matches.

Play it hard, fast and with an ounce of mongrel brutality, guys, as a stamp of respect to Gus.

Get into a bottle of Rutherglen (preferably Morris) Tokay, with some sliced fruit cake. It's a combination suited to a Demon gentleman in the outer or sitting in the drawing room at home watching the game, (illustrating how the other 1/15th live). It is a celebration, as well; just for being a Demon phanatick.

Now were are talking. Such practices can assist to assure we get the recruits we need and want, as the icing on the cake, well-constructed by the layering, delicious recruiting talents at the MFC in an oven environment that is far too hot. Mentha also needs to be encouraged to put on a junkload of excess kilos across the next recruiting period, develop facial acne, get a really bad haircut and wear dark glasses in attempts to secure his place with the Dees - developing enormous loyalties to the Club in the process. A good, sharp and demanding pre-season will ameliorate such physical deteriorations, readying for a gentle reality check on how good it would be to be a Demon - and he should be Ours to snap up.

Adelaide is a great place, terrific city in which to live - kinda like Melbourne was in the 1950s. As for luring Sparrow, they can pull the other leg - Sparrow is going to be a Demon STAR.

We provide the Swans supporters a perfect reason and opportunity to spend all of Thursday morning in Church, praying for the impossible, atoning for their onfield sins and promoting their umpire preferences over the past decade, bearing false witness to their onfield talents and for injuring key players on the cusp of the season to be. Dees by 70 points, no wuz.

Got the same syndrome ... new Sony TV, new Flip6 speakers that just might be able to achieve a Ch7 commentary upgrade, hot dogs, rolls, Dijon mustard and Rosella dead horse, black pepper. Raring to go!

I had the ultimate respect and admiration for Gerry Humphries (...'oh Baby I love you so..') back in the early days, and held similar regard for those standing on Blueberry Hill in a 'red dress' and then 'walking' and coming to me...', etc. Just thought PFence was talking about unleashing vitriol to the new 'Loved One' in Maynard, and in terms of logic, I agree with that premise, intended or not by PFence (I should have read deeper into the topic for actual clarification, sorry)!

Nicely posited, representing many of us. I'm most probably much older than you, Picket Fence, so please excuse me if I do only the follow-up work after your dismemberment of the Loved One.

Yep. And win a few kicks as well.

Get Macca's on the way and a couple of Cokes in a can.

It really is an imperative that a greater percentage of our fwds take the hint, bite the bullet (in terms of bravery, alone) to tackle and harass and beat opponent backmen the way Kozzie does so consistently and chase, chase, interrupt, tackle and rebound with the ball. How many clues do they need?

Thanks for the unsolicited advice. I still reckon he performed well; I still reckon that he will go further, improve and be better than most opponents. Kind regards.

Hot to trot; big future at our Club, unsettles experienced opposition and prepared to play on for better options upfield.

Those few, early-season appearances might well be the difference for him as he has worked hard to elevate his presence off-season.

Gotta agree.

Thought the same, as if recent umpiring against Max being bashed are now a confession of unfair and dangerous conditions being tolerated, due to his abilities (that must be allowed to be stopped, somehow).

Great signs, yes.

I have been hesitant to consider Salem in the midfield, preferring his work in the backline. However, in this practice interclub match against Carlscum, he shone as a midfielder. This probably indicates his current fitness achievements and readiness for the season; yet, his footwork and delivery from the midfield was almost immaculate; he enforced plays to creative, lesser forwards who were prepared to find space, to move and to scrounge the ball with good hands. Salem brought many of our 'smalls' into the game wherein his foot-passing could be relied upon, opening chances instead of rebounds by the opposition, and strengthening the whole forward progression of the ball and the team intent. Great effort, Salo - great thinking. Also, Max was phabulous! All game.

Midfield minutes will be a plus for him to expose his wares in a newer role; however, his role and chartered history is to play a dynamic 'midfielders function' in the backline to the rest of the field before him and in so doing, exposing pathways for others to creatively exploit in the passing of the ball to (and through) goal(s). Hope he is fit and unencumbered with illness/injury and if so, should have a rip-snorter game ahead of him and into the season. He certainly has the class to achieve once again this season.

Ripper, WCW, I'm in Adelaide now, so I cannot miss this one - let's hope the game quietens those amongst us on DL who have early-season jitters, doubts and criticisms. I reckon we will knock a nervous Carlton into no-man's land.

Thanks, Werridee. I will watch it with enthusiasm.