Deemania since 56

It may well have been in the past, seen in training sessions and onfield at times during games yet recently, I suspect that he is hamstrung by a niggle or two as his pace does not appear to be so astute. Hence, I questioned his relative running abilities for the game. He still remains one of the best talents we have and has been previously - a skilful exponent of the game.

Enlightening. Thanks.

Important point - one of several that could be mentioned. A few Viney-esque tackles and the Swans may well start gulping.

I'd doubt that a mother would seriously interrupt a son's career forcing change that is not fully necessary. He has an almost unlimited series of short and longer-term advantages staying with the Dees that can be measured by his inputs and potentials to date. My own thoughts are that Dogga will stay at the Dees, long-term. This is a shrinking world; distances are more than halved and for movement across the country, circumstances have never been better. He could have a weekly, monthly or extended visit 'home' and 'return' provided in his contract, if necessary, or some other arrangement, and still reach the heights of Demon participation and potential, meeting family needs and footballing career continuity. His independence as a younger man making his way in the world are also supported.

Lucky for Joel!

He can do wonders, the Melk. With his form returning, he may well do some stuff to our opponents. In many ways, I see him as a mini-Franklin, surprisingly potent, at times.

Wonderful use of the word 'staggering'.

Good training ground for Aussie Rules ... Jackson, Petracca, many others...

Bowey gets in there - gets possession - represents an elite disposer of the ball - has more hunger than Salem - can run further all game - whereas there have been limits to the form and consistency from Salem in recent times.

Smith has a variety of versatile assets, up back, down front, spoiling in packs from the side. His height is important to us, his leap and his aggression (from backline experience, mainly) and his rather pacey mobility would mean many useful things in a fluent and less-congested game than those played recently in the VFL (where entire games are congested and disarrayed). At AFL level, there is more open space to exploit his manoeuvrability and opponent coverage skills when the going gets 'thick'. At the least, he may well be able to cover, spoil and occupy a feathered Swan defender - and Smith is known for his tap-ons to smalls and other teammates.

If only there was a current-day clone ... absolute star quality.

...and just after the half-time siren sounds.

Wednesdays just don't go, Thursdays go too slow!

... and damage to opponents' bodies! What we really need, with JVR on the immediate future functions up forward, is more mongrel - big hearted, big bodied, big experience. Grundy could well do much of this, as a side-line to his real task. A better footballer than the Yank with a mission at cross-purposes.

Me too, OD. The interest wanes after about four pages, the vitriol heightens between contributing DL fans. Still, opinion and the right to hold these tenets of democracy must prevail. Who knows, maybe there is news on the front to consider?

Statements like that from the highest AFL official confirm that he does not see the benefit or right of passage provided by an even playing field and environment.

Agreed, No sorrow for the good riddance of the Cats. The arrogance - bred for years from assistive AFL officialdom in all of its worst forms to the detriment of all other teams in the AFL - can only be rewarded (or negated) by another finals collapse achieved as early as possible.

It's finals time. I am wondering if the umpires will finally acknowledge the amount of interference endured by Max, Clarrie, Harmes, Jackson, ANB, amongst others?

Tom - Mr Fitness - will be fine. Just imagine how 'hungry' he must be to get the job done for us. He's our leading forward and will run the legs off opponents across a game.

Carna Dockers!

Gee, WCW, you went lightly on Geelong. There are heaps of other primary examples of how they get there so often, whilst you have only mentioned the repetitive, non-even playing field ones. Did you contain yourself so you would not appear to have as many sour grapes on your plate as the rest of us? Fairy Nuff.

Four days left to prepare for the fifth. Geez, it would be good to spank the Swans. So many times this past week I have heard several astute commentators (ok, so there are only a few) refer quite openly to '...the juggernaut that is Melbourne...' relative to all other finalists. I hope they are correct. It is going to be a bewdy - keep the faith, folks.

Needs just a little encouragement and coaching on disposal options and techniques. These are some of the most difficult skills to master but upon settling into a side, due to his high rates of possession, for example, his role will be better defined and thus, you'd expect that process would be attended to by our remarkable swathe of coaches. Quite often, even Nathan Jones had this difficulty, for example - and that could really be the only criticism one could have of him - yet, it still improved nearing the sunset of his career.

Glad you enjoyed it. It is the absolute circumstance (of years ago) when one attempted to balance the scales of social interaction and pursuit by selecting either a weekend at Hotham or going to the footy. Leaving the 'G, a great fondness of the MFC was nurtured across the years in wintry conditions as the platform of Richmond Station approached, the throngs of rowdiness abated significantly for all travelling (from Platform 10?) to the SEastern suburbs on the Glen Waverley line whence, as the empty clouds of black and white diminished in a directional sense, dreams and visions of an eventual win for the Dees were nourished, scrutinised and confessed across what became incessant time. Glen Iris Station, hey? Its underpass footpath, Driver Bus Lines, the fish 'n chips shop, the tram terminus in High Street - all memories. Stan Alves worked at the Real Estate Agents on the southern corner at the intersection of High St/Lower Malvern Rd. Good Demon ground ... a hive and breeding ground of discriminating footy supporters.

It is all part of the ski season mentality - having sat in crowded football grounds across the winters surrounded by Filth supporters - amid the consistent bleatings that '"...Pendemberry" or "Day-Koz" done real good, like, at getting them frees!' One has to mentally interact with this language abomination whence the mind might otherwise be in full employment over a shiraz at Davenport estate between runs. With regret, so many times, the Dees didn't win the game so on the train back to Kooyong, one reflected on the overall negativities of the footy experience (over time) brought on by a reluctance to spend perfectly good Thursday afternoons climbing north-east with chains across the top of the Australian Geosyncline.