Deemania since 56

particularly in the last quarter.

Such levelling, for Gawny and the MFC in general, is well overdue. Consequently, nothing will change; favourite advantage will definitely continue - such is based on AFL revenues and media contract revenues.

As a rule, I have worried about our form trailing to the 'also rans'. Our new look (that DL enthusiasts begged for, for months and months) has finally seen the penny drop as far as the coaches are concerned, and including our personnel loses of late, it is possible to feel confident that we can beat Essendrug whose ability is inflated. Dees by about 20 points. (Channel 7 commentators, commenting on tonight's game stated clearly that Essendrug would win the match, as they need only teams with large memberships to make it to the finals. This explains much of their commentary this year and perhaps, the influence that the bigger clubs wield over the media expenditures, umpiring decisions and game conduct assessments for the majority of the competing teams).

There are just so many instances of Cam's excellence - just about every single one of these, fond memories and terms of endearment to his efforts and skills. Boy 'o boy, could we do with another one of this fella given the No.21 to wear with pride.

We're blooding tall forwards for the bigtime ... I want to see more of this to herald in the AFL 2025 season. Take no prisoners, bring some 'mongrel' and develop extraordinary confidence!

Now, it's an ultimate challenge; whatever the result (which should see the Dees win), it is just phantastique to get ahead of the Filth on the ladder, particularly in the 'sharp end' of season. Is it time to say: 'Thanks, Essendrug'?

Slept like a log, myself. The subconscious relaxation of a Filth loss kicked in beautifully...

Good ol' Collingwood for never, they know how to lose a game ... even though the Cats won this ordinary, in finals they will certainly be lame ...

Brings back memories for me, too - in those pre-freeway times - giving up a morning of yabbying in Gardiners Creek for a good two-hour session of kicking practice and then on to Central Park for some distance running. My bike got a flogging in those days ' 50s - 65 ' . Wills Street fish & chips were the ideal nourishment for a budding footballer - as testified by Kevin Bartlett - but my debut was with the Chadstone footy team, and we were lousey! Just an aside, now back to the real stuff ... Carna Dees!

That is a resolute statement, PF; it is also quite reassuring and as such, relieving, so it will be - perhaps - a lesser load for us to bear as the game progresses. All we need now is for Jeffo to get appropriate gametime and he flings himself into the fray like never before. That would not be fumblingly reassuring, that would be plainly fabulous for the MFC. Your vote of confidence is working already!

Agreed, depends on the intensity our slightly 'lesser' rucks deploy across the ground and the related physicality that they may apply in Draper's direction. It must be remembered, Draper can be a reliable 'grab' across the ground, racking up possessions, so a little bit of 'mongrel' from our enthusiastic youth may well assist in his durational demise.

Mesmerising, at this point ... already unsettling to what we might have fielded with Max fit. Zonal responsibilities will surely unsettle Essendrug wherein their ruck (perhaps 'two-some') will hopefully struggle to keep up with fitter younger blokes with area responsibilities, including TMac applying defensive wisdoms and his excellent reading of the play. Going to be interesting.

Yes, we have a challenge ahead this week but we can make the most of it - and we could take home the bickies.

Bare necessities are sometimes best - peanut butter is heaven-sent.

It is most likely to be rainy. Tall timbers' effectiveness will be down, considerably. One in from us is enough most likely, the game will be determined by the runners - who can run all day - suggesting mobile smalls to do the fleet-footed stuff and swarm at the ball for opportunities. Just a thought, 'tapping' wins will be less than effective, anyway.

Agreed. Plus, the run of youth, all game. Fiddling will be necessary due to the loss of Big Max, but I'd reckon we can knock Essendrug into a 2025 rebuild.

Keep Turner in the team - he is approaching full 'usefulness', his form has been quite contributory.

For all of the positives including the best 'mongrel' ever, Jack V does concentrate on the long bomb, sadly. He can use his great eyes to sight, sign and deliver passes to teammates, yet seldom shows this quality attribute; in other words, it would be good (if we are going to further generate a running stampede as we did against the Weagles) to encourage Jack to have a whisper to his flankers to make/find/exploit space for some higher-percentage passing in Jack's trot forward with the ball.

TMac played a terrific game - more than just experience, he led the way, so often. His reading of the play was an absolute bonus. Great to see him confidently moving us forward.

Big one for Clarry makes sense. Rivers and he should talk nothing but clearances this week, feeding detonators to Viney and possibly Kozzie to get the running breaks. Nice chance for the Kolt to set a few records in forward defence to prevent turnovers.

Calcium, skim milk by the gallon, vitamin D for bonding, elevation, rest, anger - and don't forget the fish oil, Max.

Ken oath. Our game against the Weagles, if it can be duplicated with a step-up by the mids, will annihilate the Bombers.

best wishes Max, hope it is only a short-term rest.

Windsor and Kolt, McVie and Bowser ... get Tracca back in when ready and we are away!

Similes with the above for The Kolt are terrific; I particularly like the Dean Chiron comparison. Fingers crossed for the future as quite a few of us can see longer-term workhorse in his inauguration.