Deemania since 56

Living in the 1970's was a great time. I still have two dozen or so MFC players on my mind, daily, embedded in a permanent consciousness of footy wizardry. Each stands alone - everyone else in the team(s) tried hard but didn't meet the criteria very often. Still, happy memories over time.

Being mobile upfield makes a forward a target, maximises opportunities, draws out defenders and hopefully leads them for dead, exploits space or double-back-across, particularly if they are quick, agile, strong, can mark, can kick a mile and is accurate over 55m out. JVR has got all of these attributes. Plus, he's a team player and man. He can only improve. Congratulations JVR, rising star is a very good marque to reach, so early.

What does 'She, who must be obeyed think?

Ollie wants to beat The Filth. It's like putting antiseptic on a wound.

Cox is chest weak ... aim low, below the clavicles (collar bones) and hit with a shoulder, square-on with foot movements away from the target, rather quickly. Keep the head down - don't stop to help him up. Give it 4-5 seconds then ask '...are you ok?' One might not be enough. Someone else can give him one, just to finish the job. He's also pyss weak below the knees, and has a poor centre of gravity; thus, a timely yet firm hip clash will interrupt his centre of gravity - outside the base of support (feet) - and he will topple. Worth a practice at the training run.

Bowser was phabulous! Such bad luck. Committed, brave, robbed.

The longer we keep that quiet, the better. Just imagine, Clarrie a surprise inclusion. I have a feeling the leg has been causing some less than striking form for Clarrie, for a while and needed good resting - but he has been out training so it must be OK suggesting he is close to fully 'better' already . Looking forward to some Tracca/Clarrie magic, Petty back in and a royal flush in the mysteries of team selections. Let's not show our hand? We already have the Ten, the Jack, the Queen, the King and just await the Ace from the dealer. It might help to raise the table before we declare ...

I reckon Smith looked pretty comfortable, given the time he has experienced out of the big-League game. He is a point of difference, as well, with some precursors suggesting usefulness and linkages up forward. JJ should come in and could replace the injured Bowey, rotating with Brayshaw in a half-back to midfield roving, clearance and attacking first line. Disco could play tall in the backline, as well, and much depends on the availability of Petty in this regard, to free up Lever. I'd like to see Chandler in a more 'roving' role through midfield-forward - Kozzie must stay forward forever dangerous, whilst key forwards (ie: JVR and Smith - perhaps Sparrow) lead to space as targets, and link up with midfielders/flankers.

The writing is on the wall in so many examples yet there are talents that do work to keep the faith and hope - these attributes need to be investigated closely and ramified across the team and its talent supplies. A win against a very desperate Carlton is still satisfying - to say the least - yet it was our individuals (rather than our team) that had greater desire much of the time, resisting a Blues fightback and rebounding somewhat in the final quarter.

Bowey was outstanding. Plugged into a hole and holds his own - with knockout vision upfield.

valuable, he is very good and still going upward with his game and taking others with him.

He is one of the young fellas that NEVER should be dropped; it's clear to see that he is not totally out of the team but he has done his 'sub' apprenticeship a dozen times over. He really is a talent; coming onto the field at on-demand, unwarm-up haphazard moments , given a verbal briefing of a role to play (never the same, in terms of building attributes), with responsibilities to turn games on their head (particularly recently). He has talent, he shows talent and quietly, remains 'Mr Kool' going about the tasks at hand as allocated. He creates attacking space but as the young brother of his brethren - just coming onfield instead of at the start of the game - he is overlooked by teammates quite frequently. This young man is worthy of retention as well as legitimate game time across four quarters.

I am a fan of his as well; possibly sentimentally given that mark taken by his father (and the late-career efforts he made for the Dees ((in strife at the time:)) For those who like Joel being given a place in the team, let's hope he breaks free and has a ripper night on the field.

Me too. Really toey! Can our big boys stand up to be counted (as a victorious team)?

A great learning opportunity - what to do, how to read what to do, how to get into the game and beat your opponent. what to do next time - Badloss would love it. He could add it to his list of 'learnings' for the media briefings.

Long bombs over his head. Downfield, a lack of player awareness.

Yeah, he did play well - someone in the miasma of AFL HQ social contacts pre-empted the memory and decided he could stand down this week. After all, Carlton are in deep horse droppings that may take a few rounds to resolve.

BBB made his best moves with North leading for the ball. He no longer does that. His reach could well help against Carlton, either marking or tapping to advantage. He needs some guts (bravery) to make the difference. JSmith can lead. JSmith can recover and go again, aware of backline (opponents') tactics and methods. JSmith is not currently injured. JSmith must be the hungriest man in the whole of the MFC. JSmith deserves a coupla games to get conditioned as a leading forward - and so should Sparrow, holding down CHFwd with mobility and grunt. We have the scurrying mice to support leading forwards and tap-ons. Petracca needs a target, so its pink socks for JSmith and a gorilla mask.

Deep!

You missed a bit: Decision reached to dismiss the tribunal review achieved in 4 minutes ... clearly the charge could not be sustained.

We need another Liam Jurrah. Our forwards were always under pressure; he came in from nowhere, anywhere, even backing up to the melee and doubled the pressure in an instant by doing what is unexpected. His grip and extraordinary reach helped, but moreso, enabled him to achieve his flashy, brilliant and innovative ideas.

Highly reasonable. D50 has too much escape room for attackers. A50 is clogged - leaving nowhere to lead before or behind the ball (someone moving to a better position, fast as hell) including creative deep fwd flanking whence creativity is now stifling and always clogged.

Too bleeding right!

JJ in. Harmes to tag (perhaps, Cripps) - someone who is potentially prolific.

YEP! We need a target ..... who leads out to space (and teammates who support such initiatives).