Deemania since 56

Very valid point: he is better at leading or running towards an incoming ball than most FFwds - almost unstoppable within the rules of the game. One might think that our team members would have known this; booting the ball for an on-spot landing was grossly ineffective; kicking the ball too long so that it went over his position was even worse. In most of these cases, he started off moving forward to the ball and was forced to retreat (or let it pass over him) hoping for a opportunistic ground recovery that statistically, was just not on. His trailing opponents were better positioned for a mark or tap-away as a consequence. It was also an indication of how well he can move and in that process, leave a defender increasing metres behind. Streamline this process into more exact incoming opportunities thorugh better footwork from teammates and he'd kick at least four goals per game whilst still releasing TMac, Fritta and peripheral forwards to roam, lead to alternatives and compete, deep into the midfield domains. The concept of triangulation from forwards needs to be considered, providing a triad of prongs to receive across the width of the forwards' zones with BB out front and TMac/Fritta more laterally. We have the smalls to rove in all these configurations (and bring these littler dynamos closer to the play and respective assaults on the big sticks).

This team will be too fast and too aggressive for Whoreform. Both Harmes and ANB will probably play an improved role in a team that moves the ball with some surety through the adoption of their running skills and physical pressure acts. AVB would also be an asset most probably in the role performed by Harmes. There is going to be a settling effect across the Dees' players, as well, in which increasingly rapid possessions, plays and clearances will predominate, and these skills need consistency of performers, techniques, and strategies. Limited - rather than 'no' change would be most beneficial. Carna Dees.

Viney also moved the ball on much quicker this week, he did not pause, hesitate or stop the 'flow' when in possession of the ball and certainly, did not retain the ball to draw a tackler. He did the team thing, and in that role - on top of his stopper role against Ollie - he frequently maintained the momentum his teammates had instigated, contributing, not exploiting.

...and the opposition were uncomfortably aware that Brown was always present!

Yes, Harmes has a proven ability as a tagger and that, within a competition that is largely fairly even at the top, is a very handy aquisition to utilise to advantage. Cleaner hands - one touch - rapid but effective disposal - all signs of milestones to achieve from Harmes. He is close but not quite polished - he certainly gets to the possessions and opponent-negating standards required to execute skills at this level. Once achieved, Harmes will be another reliable pathway to Demon attack.

The last sentence is astute predication.

Memory just recalls Smith as a ripper CHB against some astounding opponents - one of the few 'reliables' in those days for the Dees, in an era when things went any way but satisfactorily. I'd reckon Hardeman's record would exceed and dim that of Smith and the two were not too far apart in terms of playing timeframe. Could be wrong, so your clarity is encouraging, RN.

Steven Smith wore No.35, did he not? Memory is cloudy ... He was a great backman, too.

Been thinking that same thing for the past 20 minutes. Petty played a great game, looked confident in what he did, manned-up almost fully, nothing really passed him all night (except the umpires decisions), made a big impact on the effectiveness of the backline team. Hibberd was great, too - a seasoned defender with heart.

Well, folks, it's nearly game time. Best wishes to all. Suicide is not an option, whatever the outcome. The key to Demon success tonight is: mongrel, attitude, opportunity, heartlessness, execution skills, 2-way running and outside support. Carna Dees.

He owes us one, a blinder. He must concentrate on his roving, not be left in a one-on-one situation or worse. A rover like him is an asset to run clear to the ball, with the ball, accurately disposing to advantage, and repeat. He has these skills and we need these skills more than ever. Go Spargs! Give 'em a bit of short-Rs magic.

He owes us one, a blinder. He must concentrate on his roving, not be left in a one-on-one situation or worse. A rover like him is an asset to run clear to the ball, with the ball, accurately disposing to advantage, and repeat. He has these skills and we need these skills more than ever. Go Spargs! Give 'em a bit of short-Rs magic.

Time travel was discovered simultaneously at different points in history - however, for the Demons fanatic, maybe we don't want to go there? A win would be great - and we might travel back to something familiar that occurred in 1964. Then again ...

Things are such in the forward line that do not mean panic, just finer adjustments. Daw, playing such a role (as you suggest, "Hello..."), is a strategy that many of us DL fanatics have considered, repeatedly, as a roaming fwd pocket tall because he can kick them accurately and is a mighty presence, and is a fine mark. BB will have his role with greater support from the smalls; this frees both Fritta and TMac to do their things in a mobile mentality - all occurring each and every time the ball enters the forward line. Such an arrangement is not confusion for our overall attack but it will be for any opposition defenders - no matter who they are or how good they (and the media) rate themselves. The smalls' roles are vital and should be well-populated. I'd go for Viney out of the midfield and into a steering role from the other forward pocket with the likes of Kozzie and Spargo roving the hell out of opportunities, with Melksham and Hunt (the latter two from the HFFlks) and, from the bench, a mobile and now-fit JSmith. This function can be fortified by the addition - week on, week off - of the likes of our newbies with such talent until these younger players adapt themselves more fully to the rigors and experience levels required within/of AFL standards. We can do this.

Straightforward, top question, isn't it?

Inclusions are good, but it could be said that there is not a great deal of change - more 'same old, same old' in reality. The inspiration might well have come from the emergencies, the medi-sub and some positional realignments between backs and forwards who, down there, are relatively new to that confined environment. Brown should lead his opponent down the brellow-yick road as often as possible and some young smart Rs Demon should rush in nearby to whence he came, and Fritta, TMac and Gawn/Jackson should offer leads, as well. They all need the goal-kicking practice, anyway. I want you Demons to freak out, all game, at 100kph with a mongrel attitude and presence. Hear?

Williams has made a big impression on us all; however, my money and faith rests more heavily on Yze to direct us to a GF, a winning GF, and onward to greater success in terms of several seasons of great performance.

Bluddoath.

Wrecks my footy day tomorrow if he isn't on the ground against Port. I wanna see AVB go through Dixon, wahhhhhh!

Joel should play forward - if he has the opportunity. The backline is relatively fine and still borders on 'fabulous'. Petty could be let loose on the fwd line at some stage, as well. The two could swapsie-tango as both can mark, intercept, spoil, shepherd, kick, run to space, lead out, kick well and true. Then again, I may be the only person who thinks so ... perhaps it is something that I should keep to myself, in hindsight. Go on, abuse me!

Must agree. There were some impassable fullbacks in those days - far more than now!

Radical moves, these are needed, we have the weapons. Give Yze the call - please!

Spot on!

Nope. But sometimes - rarely - he does so once or twice to ensure a guernsey, next week.

It is noticeable that he is an enthusiast of the 'kick it to me' syndrome; if this is done in a fast series of plays, Viney will stop that flow as he receives the ball (from a mark or free) to make sure the crowd realises he has the ball (well, congratulations) and thus, we lose that initial flow/run/ball movement speed just long enough for the opposition backs to run back into position - advantage of 'team' excellence and forward innovation wasted in his hands.