Deemania since 56

Worrying, actually alarming and to the general perception, unwarranted. It is all a prolonged media hype to draw attention to those for whom the issue can be aggravated and aggrandised. It makes one wonder who the AFL is attempting to represent - itself and its key personnel or the governance of its teams and the general public from whence it gains its support - not its obedience. Dangerous road, indeed.

Interesting commentary, hemingway (above). Powerful and supported by an observable tendency.

Don't forget how effective and unexpectedly creative/lethal young Melksham (again from the Dons) has become - and fairly consistently across a season, too.

Yep, up the favourite players ladder, mighty fast. Fair, creative, driven, hard-working, effective, team man, short recoveries, fast hand and foot teamwork, covering for an immobile fullback. reliable. How far can the accolades go? Happy birthday, Michael.

Hogan is a great possibility. He has endured a tumultuous series of interruptions to his game. He can still 'break out' without any reservations. He can be alarmingly attacking and contesting, with power and mobility. His fitness increase augers well for increased dynamism in his playing style and aggression for the ball. Two areas in which he may improve are: his kicking distances, and his leading to create space. He was often left static in the fwd line waiting for the long bomb that characterised other players' attempts at being effective. This did not help and soon, he was swamped against multiple opposition defenders - caught 1-out without the support from teammates. His improvement may well be linked to our game style and the support of other forwards to enable him to dictate terms of play with those about him and to do his 'magic' with less encumbrance. He would be an imposing and terrifying opponent to stop or slow down in a one-on-one contest when his blood is raging. SWYL is quite correct. Kicking 5 in a quarter may well release another raging bull to it again, and again, and again across the season. He has the skills to so do. It is a team game and whole side effort that will see this young superstar emerge to deliver his promising potential.

That seems a logical and simple request on your behalf, Moonshadow, one that we all piece together each year at the start of the season. If we can see it, why can't the bloody coaches? Just think how Norm Smith might simply manage the team for games ... turning Oliver and Petracca into Ronald Dale 1 and Ronald Dale 2. Two raging bulls onfield with one purpose!

We reckon you could, too

It would always be a measure of level of performance. One would think we would win the season opener.

The Richmond team was headed by the Dees most times and minutes of each game when the two teams clashed. Richmond made noticeable changes during games to rise from the mire. Melbourne did not.

Melbourne players must say to themselves, 'Don't let this happen yet again!' Clear reviews will confirm what happened, and why. Depth may help, but all players must be hungry continuously when they get a red n blue jumper.

Quite correct, Brendan. We did lose a player backbone at the time when we were playing consistently - and it went on for weeks until recoveries were possible. I even suspect that we played the injured a little too early for the good of the side, not the players involved. Had we used a full list not affected by injuries, we probably would have been a finals certainty ... given a perfect world. Depth was sorely tested and one must wonder why there were few prepared 'stand-bys' ready. I always thought that we should have played Spencer in the ruck as first ruck, and a few atom ants off the bench rotations for short periods. Still, that may also have been disastrous. The loss of Bugg was a big loss ... he was hitting his straps and showed great determination for the ball. Watts and TMac could have been largely released, including the great Pedersen, providing us with some targets that went missing. C'est la Vie!

Optimist !

And Ablett ain't tall ...

prima donna

We have recruited well in recent years. We have not developed playing styles and all-ground intensity, direction or communication. We allow our coaching staff to separate players into like-groups too often, without coaching for support, support and some more support whatever the position on the ground. Skills develop from on-ground linkages and common purposes. We have allowed clearances and fwd playmakers to 'bomb' as there are no runners getting into positions to make a difference. Our recruits tend to fade when these overt characteristics of our long-term game plan and problem-solving emerge, dictating and advertising our approach across a game. Some recruits on game day are good enough, now, to overcome these issues. It is far from a 'whole team' approach. This is not always the case but our Mr Reliability in the backline is about to become a forward in the coming season. Although he telegraphed his intent with disposal, often he did not thanks to the young breed who have come into the side. Patience and effort may make us more potent to play the game that we have seen as the Demons' Game, with the young brigade running, running and advancing the pill to our best advantage. Just an opinion, nothing more.

Cannot tolerate this thread, at all. Poorly managed alleged incident; poorly developed into a real witch-hunt. In Melbourne during the week, without encouragement, guys in a pub we convinced of some errant insider information that the player concerned in the allegations was identifiable and outwardly stated that case. Rather sickening, really. Speculation and all-knowing rumours destroy one's faith in the processes of law and/or the sanctity of innocence before proven guilt. Sorry state of affairs.

A tremendous loss for us all. He was a very rapidly developing player with some silky natural skills when, in his moment of glory, was taken. I hope the club can make some appropriate statement on his memory and behalf; he was certainly an impressive young man who happened to also be a very talented footballer. RIP

The game is now out of our hands, largely. One corporate ticket is worth more to the AFL than 10 general admission tickets - and the fanfare for catering and refreshments and ego-time seems to have surpassed the general principles of spectatorship and team loyalties. In a very short time, footy will be out of the reach of those who made it great with their loyalties and affiliations. If this is going to be the case and in fact, does eventuate, its 'goodbye' from me and 'farewell' from him. All we really wanted was a seat, a beer and a pie with sauce - for two hours per week during the season - or even more occasionally. Shame really, the AFL hierarchy seem to prefer to behave like politicians with their accumulated largess.

That would be great, FD.

Don't like to recognise this feature of Jack W but must agree...it could well be a laconic outcome in the coming season as he had plenty of opportunity last season to shine consistently. As for OMac, unless he improves at the contest, he will deserve to be a whipping boy amongst a growing consensus of supporter assessment. Unless, of course, he becomes a Casey regular where his alleged potential is further developed.

Be confident, folks. We have a reason to win - making up for the last round last season - and the way our players returned from their break fit, ready to train and their training at the standard (according to these epistles and reports) that is being achieved. If we run, we beat Geelong. We have proven players in situ to take care of whatever the Cats may throw our way.

Break open a game up forward? Against which Melbourne players? How likely are Hibberd, Clarry, Jetta, Lever, Frosty and AN-B to allow this to happen, at all? Will Viney go missing? Our backline is elite, at last. Terribly elite and many of these players are not part of this list that first came to mind. Our only weakness is OMac. I agree that these Geelong players are also elite but doubt whether they will be able to break the Dees in 2018. Fair dinkum.

ditto, ditto... Winning matches would be great, too - filling the 'G with Dee supporters when playing there. Reclaiming territory long lost to other teams with an AFL profits agenda. Match receipts, on an ever-increasing cycle of significant success. Developing a win mentality that is antagonistically arrogant to all opposition. Become a feared opponent, once again. Pass the rock'n'roll jukebox, Baby.

Two different games but a repetition of poetry in motion by Viney. Just like Vince on Dangerfield. Ablett can be next if he wishes, cos Petracca or Oliver will get his season off to a bad start and one must think that Frosty could artfully intercede at a critical moment.

Ripper photo, ripper idea...ripper year ahead. All fits...