Deemania since 56

One would hope so ...

We are truly well-served by our recruiting team. They have been seeing things in recruits that few others see, ever-saw, then quietly went about the business of securing with deliberation and wisdom. Kozzi, well done, we have all waited for this wonderful news whilst holding respect for your personal decision. That decision is wonderful.

Hunter is an exclusive specialist - the effective vibe hasn't really reached the others yet. Whereas Clarrie is the dive-handball specialist off the carpet and that one completes him as a very hungry ball-magnet in the thick of things.

I have been impressed with JJ - the thought of him linking to the very valuable Chandler seems imminently possible in the creation of an improved forward line. Some more time in the role, please, before the Casey guillotine drops.

Pride in performance outcomes. Let a few 'easies' through and shame creeps in. I thought that it was rather good sportsmanship to allow the struggling Kangas to grasp some dignity from the last three or four minutes of the game; it didn't matter, the game had already been cross-stitched up, ironed out and folded for the cupboard.

JVR seemed to 'under-run' many of his opportunities against North. Slight misinterpretation of the incoming weaponry but getting to the front is critical and he certainly achieved this, taking a key opposition defender with him, out of the hot zone.

On top of his unique, multi-faceted skill set, Chandler's work rate is remarkable, ground coverage unique and opportunist forays are silently outstanding. Nice sense of 'mongrel', as well.

Schache had an orientation match; agreed, he was quiet (and almost mis-placed in the team) but he will benefit considerably from the run - he really does have the tools, enough to come off the outer and some mongrel would assist him to so do, enormously. A fully fit and ready Petty would have had a field day against North last night, strongly reinforcing a thorough backline performance in which the co-ordination of forward ball movement and preventative remedies to opposition scoring stood out quite clearly. What really was noticeable were the links between players right across the field, right across the game - OK, so it was 'only' a re-building North - but it was a supreme 'team' effort with many variations in both 'expected' and 'innovative' role plays benefitting the outcome. Tremendous performances across the field and I'd suggest we would have annihilated any side in the competition with that profile.

JJ has just gotta play against North - whole game intended, not off the bench. It's a dream, but JJ and Chandler as a 'team' heading goalward is a very exciting prospect, one in which Kozzie and ANB can merge, now that we are merging on 'talls', as well.

We must focus on creating the plays across the ground. We should not enter the game with a 'defensive' mindset. That causes us to stand around waiting for something to happen, often too late. We are highly capable of establishing our own terms for the entire match - go out there and do it, Dees.

I'd like the Club to experiment with a tough-nut, take-no-fabric-softener duo in Viney and Dunstan operating out of the centre to free-up, relieve and re-configure the onerous burden we place on Clarrie for every second of the game. As it is, all midfield opponents rotate and feed off our rucks - centre clearances and ball-ups turn out to be raffle tickets from which we repeatedly have to make amends. A couple of G-men in there will help, surely?

IT IS IN MY HOUSEHOLD, REPRESENTING PAST REFLECTIONS AND EXPERIENCES WITH A TOUCH OF SOLEMNITY. LEST WE FORGET, THE SACRIFICE.

We all have our cultural observations - to many, some, a few or individuals, these are important for many reasons and for others, less important, perhaps. However, observations are respected, not banished. It's all part of the diversity of what it is to be an Australian, whichever way it might otherwise be interpreted.

Interesting observation. Fully agreed - he does see things ahead - and across. Plus, he can bob up against oppo players and take the unexpected mark.

I think the umpires were so bad attempting to maintain an interesting contest ad nauseum, that they came out onto the ground 'gone' and 'got' in the first place.

At this late point before gameday, all is a little intriguing. Shacka, Gawn, Oliver, Petty, et. al. Specific yet rather new forward drills, as if a revised attack plan could evolve.

One can just tolerate the GA seating allocated to members, but if you get up for a coffee or snack, or even go outside of the ground for a cigar (and your chauffeur delivering the cheese platter from the the boot of the Roller in the car park), whatever seat you initially chose will be gone and those selected by no-one will be the only vacancies. It would be most acceptable if in future football seasons the MFC demanded first-level frontal seats for Members GA (instead of FA) entry. We could all get together, then, and swap French bries, camemberts and other acceptable nibbles for the upwardly mobile citizens without flaw.

Geez, he was good, too.

Too much risk (and expectation) having Gawn return with only a short break, afterwards. It's more than physical readiness because if re-injured, his exceptional leadership skills are placed at risk - further at risk than if he was on the pines for this week - as Richmond really will be stretched against us. Your suggestion with Shack is a good one; he deserves a shot as a second ruck or forward target in-between rucking duties. In this situation, thank heavens for Grundy to continue with the Gawn mantel 'in recovery'. We have an assorted - albeit not solely focussed as one - series of leaders in Viney, Lever, May, Clarry, Tracca, etc., who by way of experience, can adequately steer the course of the game against Richmond and provide adequate encouragement where due.

I'd like to lay a bet that there will be two suspensions from the one game - the reason is that we utilise two ruckmen in games these days. sd

Something is going wrong - repeatedly - with the 'lessons' and what is taken away after the game as resolution steps.

Uneasy feeling about Richmond - despite watching their pre-season dismembering at the hands of the Dees. Maybe I will feel better closer to the game-day. A little onfield leadership and a vast increase in creative play may just give us the points. Nankervis tends to play well against us. We owe Cotchin a little discomfort around the throat.

It is their contribution for an exciting - and often pre-arranged - level of such entertainment, perhaps.

Was so ... 6 major turn-overs delivering the ball. Perhaps more, as I was not really counting but recalling, after the game.

' It is where they are given and when.' Fully agree - it is almost orchestrated. We are left wondering: 'WHY?