Deemania since 56

No, it's not the 80s and all that went with it, but it was inspiring to see - just like Viney after the Brayshaw crippling - one or two such as Ditterich, Neita and particularly the smaller Rodney the Grunter stand up for teammates, challenge the aggressor and take responsibility for the ensuing 'lesson' on the outcomes of initiating foul play or a cheap shot. A true mongrel would have smothered down at the boot, and thus, interrupted the Demon progress of the ball - not the head. Maynard was just not 'good enough' to achieve that outcome so he took the easy road as soon as the ball left the hand for the foot.

Tomlinson is one of the enigmas of the recent team selections, for me. I have been impressed with his ability, build and mobility since he joined the Mighty Dees. I prefer him on the wing - where we once played him - for his talent to 'go solo' finding absolute space continuously and ready to receive. These were the days when our 'long-bombing' was our absolute stamp on the game ... and Tomlinson was always 'overlooked' by downfield defenders/midfielders striving to put the ball on top of the forwards'/deep forwards' heads in packs - another kicking statistic and metres gained marque for that distributor. We were just getting out of that poor habit but it has returned for unknown reasons to our modus operandi. Your suggestion of putting Tomlinson as a CHF makes sense to me, in the absence of two or three key forwards due to injury and the onset of '...[censored] on a bull...', aged weariness. What are the positives? Well, Tomlinson does have an impressive frame, is quite quick and mobile and finds space so well he decreases the prevalence of opponents that assists him to mark and play on with considerable ease (and these attributes characterised his game and applied talents for what was about 60% of his game time - when someone lined him up with a foot pass, eventually. So, we made him work out of synch as a backman. Heh? Just to interrupt the game flow of Lever and May, in a crowd. Tomlinson can mark, bump and is more mobile than most, is a remarkably agile tall, is very fit these days and in reality, is built like a brick xxxxhouse, quite good at freeing himself from tackles, holds, jarring collisions, episodes of holding. I repeat, he also finds consistent space and can do much within it. Now, as part of his baptism as a 'defender', he also knows a few more tricks with the old 'don't argue' tackle and those tackles that stick, within the rules. If he plays at CHF and gets three kicks, two marks, and two goals, he will have done more than those asked to step into the breech. He'd play a good wayside chapel for the long-bombers who attempt to move the ball effectively into the forward arcs. He'd most probably synch very well with JSmith, another agile forward with an ability to find space, take the grab and slot the goal - and play a defensive mindset within the forward line. Just some thoughts ... perhaps, worth a try?

TMac to back pocket, JSmith the GHF, smalls front and centre with paired run-throughs provided. Bit more from Viney, Tracca and Clarrie - not much teamwork between them. Rivers into centre, Sparrow takes on Sidebottom. NO BOMBS. JVR has got to lead to space. Gawn doing well.

In memory of Jeff, go out to annihilate Collingwood, Dees!

It would be fortuitous if our Filth brethren read our 'Cox Sausage' comments and informed him not to worry about it - it would put him right off his game, deliriously.

At 1415hrs, intermittent rain and heavy grey clouds coming in - here in Bendigo - moving towards the sacred MCG. At present, no wind to mess with our forwards' lines. There is an awesome silence about the town - same as when all of Toowoomba went silent at the release of election news that Bjelke-Pederson had been voted out of office; seems as though the whole town here has got high hopes for the mighty Dees against the Filth. Cox may very well limp through the game, after all.

Pies big Cox wilted ... ?

Best way I can determine and hope for an improved treatment from the umpires!

Beast mode - suits him. Put him on deGoo-ey.

Absolutely, absolutely, fully agree, these are the supports to which I was referring rather than mentioning; the role that could be played by JSmith is going to be our secret weapon up forward, doing all of the turning for TMac, turning on the respective jets and taking his entitlement of marks in his own right.

For this match, Viney, Clarrie and Tracca need to stay vitally invasive and interruptive with the Collingwood attempts to dominate, yet not to over-expend their energies in so doing. They should rely on support at all times; the teammates are there to assist - and to test black & white fitness, endurance and recoveries, particularly in the first half of the game when hopefully the Dees have kept in touch on the scoreboard. After the long break, it is time to go berserk with our game with all Dees' players exerting full pressure and our winning second-half power game. Clarrie, Viney and Tracca can then step on the gas to see us through - by 25-30 points, I'd reckon.

The types of questions asked can be highly specific, leading thoughts and matters not considered. It is a great shame that in the coaches' responses, one has to interpret what the original question might have been - because you cannot hear the question in full, in part and sometimes, not hear it at all.

It does not sound like much rain, anyhow. If it is damp throughout the game, McV and Ginger Bowey are going to be required to play some big footy all game - even Salem will be expected to lift for the occasion. Rivers might be required to take over once again, and he should be a great foil for all things 'Collingwood'.

That is an upside. Hope he is picked if he's still suspect...

Very true words. He could beat any opponent with speed and talent. Sadly missed.

Not a silly idea! Competitive learning, focussed objectives, great classroom for some of the local wizardry. All good.

It can only be speculation about the future of this young fella but yes, I would expect that with physical development, he would turn out more like TMac than BBB - and if it increased his confidence to be 'more involved' and 'inspired by movement on the footy field', it could well be an ace up the sleeve, down in the socks and flashed on occasion as a genuine, aspiring asset. It would be interesting to watch such development and to ascertain what the Club have in mind for his footballing future.

He still requires a few really good-sized steak dinners and months in the gym with weights and other resistance activities to build himself into a man-mountain. He certainly needs physical development and some pace (muscle pace like Tracca, Peter Moore, Neitz) and he certainly has the smarts and skills to take the big marks and line up the sticks; but, he needs some more mass to get in there with confidence. It will come. t

Jack and Sparrow, hit men right in the two-way guts. May is overdue for some maiming, as well. Just call it 'mongrel' - even Kozzie can dish it out and Chandler could try a few moments of close contact.

I noticed on the Ch7 item of the Filth training on the 'G today that in what was supposed to be a burst run-through by Moore, he looked slow, slower than desirable for a clearing backman; he also restricted the length of his running gait, not bringing the leg all the way forward and thus, not stretching the hamstring as it normally would be utilised. Get him to run at full pace, early, Dees - he'll get subbed if he makes the team.

Worth a try - our whole coaching/performance management team(s) have enough nouse to turn him into a competitive and further skilled asset and forward presence. Probably too lean for the backline.

Single-handedly! Thud! 'Leave the boys alone...I'm watching you from now on....'

Stylish, like the bloke.

Close, my count is potentially 14 MFC players. :-) But they will sacrifice this personal potential in their election to play 'team' footy, bringing every strength to the task of ensuring The Filth's capitulation by the third quarter.

Chandler could well go berserk, kicking several goals; he is just as accurate as Fritta, is faster and has a very big engine. He is also a rather reliable target when moving to space, from space and reading the incomings from downfield. He is, WCW, well-built, tough and plays taller on the ground than expected.