Deemania since 56

Sums it all up.

And, they are always second to the water-hole.

Beautiful mental image from this - I suspect you are quite correct.

It's all scare tactics. We will play with 'mongrel' and take no prisoners. We will uphold Gawn's integrity across the game where 'talls' are concerned. Sparrow and Rivers have a job to do - the two of them have the fortitude to create mayhem, havoc and casualties and our midfield will get a really good shake of the sav against the Bulldogs. Mark my words, it is 'get nasty' time.

I thought, firstly, that in order to reinforce our forward line, somehow they re-recruited Weideman . This is a sigh of relief: SIGH! It was clickbait.

Yep, he was one of the stand-outs for the Dees against Richmond - very busy with teaming, possessions and forward movement, and very unlucky to miss a few. I watched him closely in the game warm-up at Casey and he really impressed with about six consecutive shots at goal going through the big sticks midway - from about 55m out, well beyond the forward arc. Distance, no problem. Accuracy, surprisingly good. Height through the goalposts, excellent. Confidence and encouragement to 'take the shot' is all that is required with this young bloke.

Give him a chance, he is more than mere depth ... and now he is in the player development university wearing the red 'n blue and, from all reports, is keen to improve to land a regular slot in the team ... and won't that illuminate his existing critics where the sun don't shine?

Yep, despite the all of the glamour of our pre-season positives including two significant wins in the practice matches, we must remain realistic - it is not yet a forgone conclusion that we will get to the GF (and win that one, too). There are so many umpires' decisions and strokes of foul play ahead - in reality, we must realise that 'anything could happen' in this modern AFL watch.

Flawed call from the MRC. Looking a many past incidents, the similarity of the behaviour is the same. Dirtbag.

Soy, Tan, Lee!

Have a go ... but it may ruffle some: 1. Gawn 2. May 3. Tracca 4. Rivers 5. AN-B

Sensible, too. Our excellent midfield three would otherwise be subject to injuries, small and team-destroying. Physical tiredness leads directly to an ability to get caught by opposition(s) and be hammered; or, such consequences aptly being avoided by finding that extra yard of space ... with contactless interferences.

Richmond could not find a way through defensive coverage and related defensive pressure, plus the extraordinary ground coverage by the Dees' backmen, the midfielders and the opportunistic hunger of the forwards (smaller blokes, in particular). By attempting to get 'dirty' in response, they exposed themselves as 'the not so tough' and mostly, were again brushed aside by the Dees' mix of mobile muscle and brawn. This was an absolute delight to watch at the ground; those who could not attend really missed some enigmatic moments of Dee-resolve. Phabulous!

His performances have risen and he is 'sought' by teammates for his vision, passing and innovative ball retention. Sparrow and Rivers are producing great contributions, as well. Both are now 'courageous' interceptors, 'beautiful' kicks and surprisingly adept distributors. ANB was impressive against the Tigers, producing nifty intercepts and multiple area tackles to interrupt the flow of ball-handling and distribution amongst the Tigers' best efforts. His ground coverage was extensive, rapid and highly valuable.

This action seems to be Cotchin's modus operandi in so many matches - certainly, many times against the Dees over the past few seasons. He is a strangler, attempting to damage the larynx and trachea of players with that forearm, elbow and full body weight driven vertically into the sensitive frontal neck area when a player is on the ground. Viney did get a reprimand for this action a while ago and learned his lesson - but Cochin never does. It is a seriously dangerous action poorly regulated by umpires from a number of exponents across the 'popular' clubs.

When the players are under increased pressure with the ball in their possession - and they have to move it on, positively to a teammate ASAP / immediately to avoid losing a possession no matter how brief it might have been - Angus is your man. Today, against Richmond, he read the tackles and the set-ups in such moments and nearly always, positioned himself to perfection - particularly in the second half - to achieve or gather the wanton pass/handball/tap and move it on for the team to better effect. Mr Fix-it.

That is true - but I have that feeling that it will be more self-evident and be progressively addressed by the players themselves as the early rounds of the season get underway. Fritta's return will help address 50% of the opportunity problems in this regard.

Dusty got some stats but his overall effect on the game was low, unreliable and just that little bit 'slip-shod'. Against his normal and anticipated influence on games, he was 'well below par' in my mind and, was rather simply avoided by Dees' players.

Get the game info as it happens - radio; multiple coverages - two old trannies from the sock drawer Wait 24 hours for the screening on the AFL Website - not too difficult making game analyses more relevant Attend the home games as you can, through MFC Membership assisting the Club - on game day, drink at a good pub with Foxtel/Kayo as an alternative when we play away

Gulp!

Reckon Chandler and JJ are the knitting needles to shore up an unbeatable, multi-talented forward line - with occasional assistance from Kozzie coming through the guts.

...and it's been about time!

These are critical factors for us to perfect for the finals, before steamrolling the Catty Puts. So what if we are getting ahead of ourselves?

Once Gary had worked out the flight of the ball and leapt in its direction (as he so very often did - enormously successfully), I'd swear that he transferred his 187cms into 227cms such was the height he could generate mid-pack to take the ball in artful majesty. These are my memories, and I am going to stick by them. Thanks, however, for reminding me of his true height. :-)

Caulfield has so many, perfect options and would be an ideal location for the MFC alongside so much sporting history and reasonable access routes.