Deemania since 56

Fully agree. That entrée of '...a bit of mongrel...' will be very handy in each match that he plays (it would be great if it was contagious amongst teammates, as well). He has a variety of rapid-action skills - for example, his successful snap for a goal against Weagles, his line of contact with opponents and a developing ability to last-second tackle (neutralising those in his way - or those of a teammate). Like the lad; experience at that level is going to do freakish things for him as time rolls by. He shapes as a prescription addition to our team and it will be sheer delight to watch that ongoing development.

We have to maximise the in-game rest that big Max needs, these days. At centre bounces, he is great; he is now even greater dropping back for (so many) intercept marks and additionally, the occasional forward hot-spot opportunities to put another six points on the scoreboard. JVR is the best choice in these interim moments to have a run in the ruck, producing some good tap wins over a variety of opposition pelican droppings who normally conduct a licence to maim big Max in abject ways to challenge his authority - without umpire interference in such acts (umpires must think Max is fair game for illegal contact simply because he is so effective over other ruckmen in relative terms). Fullerton, or even an occasional pirouette by Turner may well assist in the ruck production line to ease the bruising that Max encounters across a whole game, and free him to play more minutes in the '...no-one can outmark me, legally...' targeted and defensive intercept roles. Turner, additionally, uses his body and frame well - very well - in the blocking 'stop the bastard' intercept, entanglement or hindrance. With our new-blood theme, it is probably time to insert Fullerton into the fray to release the beast that Max's overall game contains, including the appropriate recuperation considerations that mount across a game to alleviate the slogging commitment that he contributes to the mighty MFC.

The Petty/Melk duopoly leading in the forward line could be very interesting, alongside/including JVR, with Chandler, Kozzie and Fritta sweeping up between the dead Essendrug detritus. There may be one other position trialled - that of a tall, thin, yet-to-be actioned marking and goal-kicking machine lingering at Casey?

He (Turner) has great hands on most occasions, and seems to read the play effectively. He can kick, and importantly, he can footpass well - both short and longer distances - again, reading the play (and providing excellent 'body spoils') for the best team advantage. It is obvious that he is learning the game but producing leaps and bounds in form as he so does. I'd offer an opinion on his possible future as a key backman with these attributes. Many great backmen have learned their craft as forwards, and vice versa. The important consideration for a soon-to-be key position player is that he is prepared to 'learn' the game he needs to play and matching/developing skills to achieve such needs. Looks like Turner is on the arterial road to the next stage, to me. Well played, lad.

Blind Freddie knew that ... Melksham added so much ... a blind man could see ... not just Goodie.

JVR moved today, and it served him well to find space, act as a lone target or otherwise, remain ahead of his chasing opponent, using his hands in unison to claim the ball. He still needs to work on his approach with set shots but he will get there - a real talent.

Eagle chicks are ugly, scrawny, lice-ridden, snotty, greasey, windblown and smelly. Even they grow up to be very close to perfection. We still have a way to go; it just happens that we are closer to that eventual point than the WCE...

Hard to argue against this selection, Demon Jack. 6. Rivers 5. JVR 4. Windsor 3. TMac 2. Langdon 1. Pickett

Forwards provided leads 😁😁 Forwards sought out space and overlaps 😁😁 Backs dispersed for clearances 😁😁 Set shot shooters generally increased their run-up delivery distances 😁😁 The wisdom of Demonland persistence to demand youth exposure to the team worked profitably 😁😁 Great outcomes that stunned the Weagles.

Chandler was very serviceable. What great ground coverage to advantage.

He had a sneezing fit and so, deserved a rest. He dominated the ruck duels and the occasional follow-up, but when he drifted upfield or downfield, he frightened the Weagles into desperate patterns.

1. Collingwood (worst of all time including the future) 2. Geelong 3. Carlscum 4. Whoreform 5. Port Adel 6. Crows 7. Freo 8. Wet Coke 9. Essendrug 10. Suns

Agreed, but some of his grabs were magical from long-bombs into a crowd - watching the game against Carlscum, it was clear to reflect and see just what the Demon players initially thought of his skillset before his first game - absolutely astounding!

Lest we forget (hellos to JJ, (and a few others reaching the stars elsewhere). The run of both experience, increasing onfield abilities and regular selection has been missed.

Partners in the war against mediocrity for the MFC team.

YES, if he can take a mark, he's already better than compatriots who cannot. If he can lead to space or exploit the side-entry to packs, he is already better than compatriots who cannot. If he is mobile and gets 2-3 goals as a consequence, he is far better than compatriots who will not.

Rather than having a forest of tall timbers up front, we more desperately need more mobility up front to be creative targets for those to whom the responsibility, downfield, is to exploit their eyes, the opportunities and leads and space-making that result in goals, not clearances by the opposition (as our key forwards are pillars of salt who do not even bother to chase down opposition clearance exponents).

Too many of our forwards get too close to the man-on-the-mark, kicking vertically too late in the run-up, without the ball control splendours of Kozzie and Fritta. Even the Melk used to do this every second shot at goal. If the ball goes through the goals, it looks spectacular; most times, it misses the six points. The kicking coach should get this extremely bad habit under control, immediately. Snaps are different, but a set shot (free kick or mark) is NOT a snap-style delivery. Set shot accuracy is a matter of 'room of release' before the m-o-t-mark, plantar flexion of the foot, lowering the ball drop, leading the kicking action with rapid lower leg extension and an even more rapid follow through with a straight knee-joint through the thigh in the very direction of goal line. Most of our forwards do not practice this as one 'whole body' movement time and again. The great forwards always did ...

Something has to be done to restrict this haemorrhage in the integrity of our game. Very soon, in real time, a loss - for any club - will represent umpiring with a purpose, not an impartial responsibility.

Let's hope they are entirely stuffed after the travel experience and suffer from on-the-ground disorientation.

Oh, it's almost too much to consider getting another David Schwartz or Johnstone. It would answer a thousand prayers across the years. At his pre-injuries prime - even during those difficult post-traumatic days from recoveries - Schwartz was a glorious football talent, achiever, match-winner, commanding respect from anyone who ever watched football with an informed interest. Travis was also a supreme talent with skills and effects unmatched by most top-line players. My mind is suddenly swelled with recollections of some of the never-to-be-repeated things that these great blokes did onfield with the Dees. Just take a look at their highlights reels ... for refreshment.

It may also give the AFL prior knowledge across timeframes as to our awarenesses of being 'shafted by them' so often, so inconsiderately with very little compensatory breathing space ....

Great point - so close and it's a simple remedy. That's the realism.

A few things yet to go in our favour, and currently, the goal mouth is messing with our heads all the way to the halfback line. We have the artillery and desire to blow the beasties away but we must start doing it now. Focus boys, think hard and put it into action. 'Carna far Ken Demons!

I know that Peter Hudson read Whitten's pamphlets on goal-kicking thoroughly, even with an 'orrid flat punt style of kicking dominating his selections. His run-up for set shots was ideal, to compensate. :-)