Deemania since 56

As a club, I really hope that we can squash the jinx that the Swans have over us - it probably cannot be put down to some talent differential between 'us' and 'them', we just seem to capitulate at various points of games that we play against them. I'd hope that the coaching staff have been thorough in this assessment - onfield, we are a better team with a losing mantra, and our game plans and outcomes seem to lack buoyancy when it matters. Across recent encounters, we seem to situate ourselves in a sink-or-swim catharsis, the latter seldom producing recoveries and ascendancies that matter in order to achieve the four points. Why, for example, do we seem content to search for 'learnings for next time' rather than play consistently to dictate our terms of these encounters? We can humiliate most teams but the Swans, so often, have our measure and abundant luck in the conduct of the game after the main interval.

The mobility of the smalls in the forward line - and yes, we have plenty for the Swans game - could be very effective if they realised that will take very little part in the marking contests (but perhaps and only if the ball is consistently brought to ground) and in reality, that should in itself be a cue for the swarming and balanced ants to stream to the 50m line and beyond to spaces or leading to spaces for the rejuvenated ( ? ) game plan of the midfielders to hit any of multiple targets streaming towards them. Gus, Clarrie, Tracca and JJ all have the skills to do this as a strong aspect of the forward team retention of the ball. Ya carnt kick 'em goals if yas don't have the ball! FFS. Footiskry do it with 7m kicks, almost always paid as a mark by the snot goblins. So, let's win and keep the ball rather than have 'hopeful' retention from one possible target with fluttering wings up deep forward.

Really agree with all you have indicated. Exciting times ahead, multifunctional and dedicated across the field - a symbiosis that only the long-awaiting fans could (and historically did) imagine.

Yep, and he popped up across the game in isolated spaces quite regularly. Kicking, passing and backing-up have definitely improved and he seems to be on his way to some valuable consistency. Happy for him, a really nice fella underneath, as well.

Observed. Internalised. Just knew something would activate the snotty-goblinized 'string-pullers' and their attempts at showcasing.

We have a good deal to look forward to in the coming month and a bit. JVR in, Kozzie back, May back, Salem almost back, Gawn on the way back, Grundy getting re-settled as a decided talent, JJ coming in, Verral looking ominous, and so the story goes.

Nicely done!

There is hope. Mongrel don't come easy, but we need it in bucketloads.

No, Max cannot be covered. HIs talents are more than just his playing onfield; he is a true leader and statesman for his players; hell, when he is on the field, he is the perpetual role model and standard-bearer for the whole MFC. Let's hope that on his return from injury, both Max and JVR can play together as teammates. At the same time, hearty congratulations to young JVR for (finally, possibly too finally) making the team at AFL level - an outcome long-awaited and long-desired by us, the humble fans. You must be rapt, Jacob - we are so affected in support of your talents - go out an make yourself smile on gameday and the week that follows.

Fairy Nuff.

I'd think he does.

This game against the Swans is a baptism of fire (and what could be better training and development for some of our promising newbies when aged performers mellow as if the bottle has had a split cork for the past two years?)

Clarrie and Trac are going to have to be on their best form to tear the Swans midfield apart - it's not going to be a ruck superiority effect although Grundy will give his all - it is going to be a 'reading' outcome of Swans at centre bounces and around the ground, plus a rather impelling desire to win the ball and use it well. Could be a very good game for Chandler, JJ if he gets a guernsey and Sparrow. Harmes will be needed for shut-down roles; Hibberd is essential. Shattered from the performance last week up until the blackout, it is difficult to make a judgment on the outcome of the game; at least the drop in form is occurring at a stage of the season from which we can recover and live up to the reputations we all expect. Go Dees, hard, lethal and make the plays that matter.

I'd play a close-checking, defensive JSmith on him in the first quarter and see where that takes us in terms of 'driven' opportunities upfield.

Seems almost overly confident yet some bells ring in anticipation of the game. No Gawn, no Kozzie, no Salem, returning May, weakened TMac, several 'outs' at troop level, all adds up to a need for the Dees to excel themselves across 4 quarters, and apply field-wide close checking - and pace.

You get the drift, DD. Perhaps not as prominent a characteristic these days, but stuck in the memory across probably three decades. :-)

I actually reckon that JJ is ahead of Laurie. Great game from him at Casey against Footiskry. Goodwin needs to let him break loose for his development - a little like Chandler - otherwise, he'll be a lost cause, once again.

Let's stop this speculative discussion in respect for Max. Our thoughts are with him, whatever the the short and longer term outcomes may be - he will feel our concern anyway and the many thousands of good wishes that cannot be fully expressed. Overt speculation does not help, not one iota. So, shaddup and get on the bandwagon to support and further encourage those of His team that he is leaving behind for a while.

Still regard the Brisbane (ex-Bank) Hilton the best Hilton in the world - although those memories go back to my military days up to 1988. From distant memories, didn't the Valley have the greatest pub steak in Oz? Just cannot remember its name these days. Not as good as the Steak Stable in Ballarat, of course, but close. Fourex was the best beer to drink in Brisbane when the humidity rose to 3 shirts-a-day levels. As for the footy team in this modern era - sadly not as prominent or attractive as the Good Ol' Bloods. Always fun to go to Albert Park footy ground. I think the Dees are going to take some of that inherited blood from the Lions, tonight. Viney will be a raging bull looking for targets and misfits. We are going to kill 'em.

Excellent pre-game enrichment, there!

The Sorbent company is just made for those so suffering!

Thanks, Dazzle. I had heard of this before - but time plays tricks on recall/memory. At least he is pursuing something that he has an interest in - and is probably very good at as well.

These are some of the most interesting and worthy-of-consideration contributions to DL. Really well done, LH.

On the mystery childrens' thread, does one of the all-time ultimate Demons (David the Ox) have a budding, footballing son?

I'll support that! It might be over-ambitious, but it is feasible....hell, let's make it a 12-goal annihilation!