Deemania since 56

Nah, such brain stretching is a way to realise you are too old for your own good .... had no idea about this one.

Staggering, ain't it?

It is all so exciting, as you describe, that I feel like a three year old, once again. Off for a piddle once again, too, just thinking about the possibilities.

JT doesn't casually make strong statements like this one - he's too close to the pulse of the matter, as well. Kozzie will stay a Demon, thank heavens. He has fully earned everyone's respect and admiration - with that comes some dependency on him from the whole team - a group of blokes who have opened the doors to his incredible skillset and his development as a team player.

He is a talent at a level above most competitors - we do not want to overlook him (Fritta) at any stage of a game or season. Gutsy, highly competent, opportunistic and reliable. The only forward who bothers to find space, make space and get the job done - most times, effortlessly. With a strengthening forward line and hopefully, a better game plan through half-back to deep forward, Fritta will have even more freedom to cut loose. He is starting to look like - and be as effective as - Gerard Healy up forward when playing for the red'nblue.

Gotta be in it, to win it!

It may rouse the umpires into acknowledging all of the free kicks he should mandatorily receive each game in the midst of violent intent and maiming - yet they pretend (so far) to consider nothing untoward occurred. If he has that gentle touch as a personal image accompanying his ponytail, it may assist in this shirked responsibility of the snot goblins. It may be wise for Gawn to consider a ponytail, as welI? If Gawny cannot grow one, a wig might suffice. I'd hate to be the moron who sarcastically comments on a wig atop of Max's head - the whole team would crash down on him in an instant.

You mean, the scot-free, faking bag of detritus who heads the AFL Free Kick tally?

Double-phew!

Injuries will come into the reckoning for our '23 season. That is what excites me about our accumulating depth, our mix of youth with some experience and varied talents, and our stable of hard-liners with credentials scattered across the field. We've got this one!

There is a thought process that hopes these newly 'hatched' depth players - should they continue to shine and/or improve - are given opportunities to experience and blend into the senior AFL team across 2023. It may be only for minutes, from the bench, but it heightens every aspect of their talent and readiness, particularly whilst we have a few senior players nearing the sunset of footballing careers.

Maxy, a living legend ... great leader. I had a strong impression earlier, having read his book at the end of the Premiership achievement, that he really cares about the team, its individual components, and sets examples and marques of behaviour, and thereby, links components of the MFC to these standards. All these matters are achieved with humility, thoughtful care and observable benchmarks. The team has only benefitted from his extensive inputs and examples.

He's only human. He'll get fit faster than anyone now that he's back into training. Give him some room, he put in a terrific 2022 season for us and deserved a rewarding break; we know he'll go for another outstanding season as this short timeframe rolls by.

We cannot forget the additional freedom that may well be created for Fritta in the forward line; he's a damaging player for opponents - even in times of tough player arrangements. The impenetrable defence arrangement will require some fiddling in terms of the game plan where long-bombing is no longer the preferred option, certainly down the left hand side from fullback must be addressed with our more potent field-wide potentials. It is going to be an exciting season and I would expect that the streaming mosquitos and midfielders will be tremendously valuable and creative.

Max down back between ground ruck duals is a key, Nicko, to tremendous successes; it does free up Lever (and May, Bowey and Hibberd) on occasions to facilitate that 'impenetrable' defence, initiating so many opportunities for some tremendous drive out of the back half. We now have a swathe of players up front to create some equally powerful forward receives and this most probably doubles our scoring potentials through the sticks (comparatively to the long bomb desperation of recent predictability). Lever also has the smarts when it comes to intercept marks and clearance kicks to the best, industrious target downfield. You are spot-on about such an asset-building role for Max, Lever and general backline fortresses.

Yeth, shorely rite wif thys wun.

He us well respected for ability but it would be good to bulk-up some more - otherwise, heavy contact will be an ongoing issue and on-ground rigors may cruel his game. Anyway, congratulations Blake ... gobble up the road ahead.

It is the best policy and the wisest stance to take. We are fortunate with our recruiting in all regards, thanks to JT. We now have a supply of very good footballers - almost across the field of engagement - and from JT's point of view for us to all appreciate, a pool of decided talent that can mature, be enriched as footballers on the learning curve and be granted player-appropriate timeframes in which to blossom for the call. Healthiest start to a season for the Dees, unprecedented in the past.

We are getting the Mustang at the price of a Fiesta.

I remember as a young buck around 12 years of age, I was out on my uncle's farm in Western Victoria near Hamilton. We were going spotlighting, and he'd invited his lead shearer to come out with us in the ute. Well, we got a bagful! Your comment on '...shooting a rabbit...' triggered one of life's great mysteries for me: There, in the distance, was a small little rabbit on its own ... about 200m away ... and the shearer lined him up in his sights on his .22 ... and just before firing at such a large target, uttered to us all ... 'I am not going to kill this poor little thing (200 metres away) ... I'm just going to stop him having babies!' That statement took me about six years to understand, such was my general ignorance at that age. Rather funny.

Jack Schuback was an absolute champion for Sale in the Gippy League. Way back in the 1950s. He was the first version of Leigh Matthews, but tougher, sought by nearly every team in the VFL as it was known, then. Amongst many older residents of Sale, the man is still held in reverence and prompts several moments of respectful silence.

I was wondering about those words ('deadeye d*ck') appearing in the TMac section, and it leads me to ask: Just what is a 'deadeye duck'? Is it something out of the NZ All Blacks' Thesaurus that crept into our game? Perhaps it is a tackling procedure? ...I know what happens when they try to '...fix the tap with a new wusher...' - and that turns out all wrong, as well.

Continues to bulk-up; has the courage and now more body to get the job done.

Ok, who cares? Does the above mean that they have the back-end or second half of the season charitably committed to a higher than normal fixture held at their home ground? We knew it would come some way, to their very great benefit.

What is a mummer? New term to me ...