Deemania since 56

That is most probably what is wrong with his grab. Too far forward in the competition and too early to occupy a space in the forming pack. He needs to consider entering the pack on top - he has the height and leap - but to come in from either side of the pack relatively late, at the front - he has a light frame to assist with the elevation required. Then he would be less likely more often to be brushed, pushed, bodied aside or into 'useless land' where the mark just ain't. He would also be less likely the suffer so many blatant 'arm chops' from opposition defenders. He would also be less likely to be injured as this is a key fear his body language portrays. If he was built like Greg Parke, none of the above would matter. But he ain't.

Agreed, Hibberd must be on Cameron - a real 'stopper' will be required - one that is a physical beast, as well.

His movement is what makes him potent. He's already a good kick, a good mark, a good anticipator and reader of the game. Same for the re-newed TMac - movement clears the zone and creates a definable target for his teammates.

There is one element of the free kick continuum worthy of consideration - in terms of handouts and game-levelers. Years of appreciating footy had taught me that it ain't the number of frees you get (nor the differentials between teams awarded frees during matchplay), it is really just a blatant matter of WHEN, WHERE and WHY the free kicks are awarded. Some teams are blessed with oodles of frees in the backline. Some teams are blessed with oodles of frees in the forward line - particularly near the goals when a 'catch-up' circumstance is required (this equates to rigging a win, in reality). Ask yourself: Where would you rather earn a free kick? When is it most important to be awarded a free kick near the goals in a game of footy? How many matches in an entire season are won from the award of free kicks or the contrasting 'overlooked' incidents that should be awarded a free kick in front of goal but were not for some unexplained reason that many experienced spectators cannot articulate - let alone understand? For the purists among us, '..heil, heil the conspiracy theory...' (simply because it is logical evidence of 'the fiddle' with games. For the optimists among us, '...it's all just fine...the umps did a good job...'

Cerra is OK, ready for the next step. The Dees may be that stepping stone, and there is a strong culture of competition and game structure(s) from which to benefit at the Dees - at present. He ain't no Brayshaw; the little brother would be an ideal asset onfield, and imagine those walks onto and off the ground (at the end of a game) holding hands with big brother, Gus. Just lovely! I am sure that Gus would ensure that he was well cared for in the Red'nBlue! As for Merrett, do we wish to enter into a contest of bidders for his services given our recent recruitments from elsewhere? Would he be so vital to our line-up? Nah!

These are simple - but essential - qualities that he frequently demonstrates. For very useful, good players, these qualities far outweigh the negatives.

Yair, they done real good, didden thay ?

Progressively, the attention that the Dees receive in the media has been extremely scant. Once on top of the ladder approximately half-way through this season, nothing has changed with lauded praise for the Doggies, Carlton, Geelong and all the interstate teams outside of Melbourne. This disregard - and that is all it could be called - has its origins in the attiutudes and preferences of the AFL itself, mirrored in the umpiring we receive first hand from the alleged 'rule experts', otherwise known in many circles as the 'snot goblins'; and, they do live up to their name. What we receive in the second hand is the oversight of our Club in the media who would support maximised moment-to-moment populations of the 'popular' clubs (and thus, the subsequent advertising revenues heavily proferred) attending to repeated coverage of such popular clubs and the [censored]-fringe addicted to the toothless praise of opportunists and bias-laden content. We become familiar with the drivel and its intent. Over time, such is the way of the Demon - left navigating a topography of exclusive neglect. The Kangaroos have the same problem, interspersed with occasional comment for success, albeit very unreliably anticipated. We ARE on top of the ladder. We receive minimal coverage for this. We are on our way to a Premiership play-off and it is most likely at this point of the season, we will prevail against the odds and win the bluddy Cup. Still, do not expect a fanfare in celebration of our footballing success to date, in future weeks of the fixture, nor in the GF from either the media or the AFL, nor the snot goblins on gamedays who will always keep the MFC handicapped so that we do not win matches too easily. Rules are rules, as we all accept. Rulings by umpires are another matter for another cause. These are additional reasons why our hearts beat true.

I have noticed this super opportunity, as well. It's almost a question of how far Pickett could penetrate to deliver directly to the forwards. The pack assembles around Gawn, however it knocks the hell out of him to: (a) get there, and (b) stay on his feet, securely. There are a couple of options available and these are highly legitimate and sensible; Kozzie positioning is one of these and secondly, Harmes' dash is often available, as well. Both of these options, in the absence of Langdon, are entirely feasible and provide more certainty of a possession retention than that long bomb to a contest (Gawny just ain't going to be able to take so many hits from behind and maintain his fitness, strike rate for a mark, ability to play on/relocate to better effect.

Those 'blocks' were very obvious yet not picked up by the snot goblins in the contest. Was it a case of score-evening by the umpires? (Yet again.)

Yes, Jordan is looking quite like a selection revelation - so much so that he could well be a champion for the Dees with that little bit more experience and opportunity. He's quite a reliable contributor; at this stage of his career, he seems to possess all the correct signs. Some 'wing-time' was only a suggestion for his diversification as a player as I feel that his attributes would manage the job rather well.

Fairy Nuff; just a possible option IMO; Baker would continue his aptitude development and has been playing quite well with Casey. An apprenticeship - short term at present - on that wing might speed the development of both Jordan and Baker most certainly. There is potential somewhere in that mix. Thanks for the re-jigging of my thought processes. Carna Dees!

Jordan is looking good for many things - developing fine. The vacant winger might well open him up with a new array of game tricks and tributes. He'd surely be keen for that! He can run, kick, pass, shepherd, screen and anticipates well. Could be the man for the job in Langdon's absence.

Since the days of the Hawks-Demons merger fantasies, Brereton has largely been a strong critic of the MFC and it might appear that these sentiments still reside somewhere deep inside his current impartiality as a commentator. Perhaps, he sees the current declining trends of the Hawks as an omen to some form of disaster ahead. However, a couple of years ago, he did at times seem to be more tolerant of the red 'n blue but this has largely disappeared. It's a shame as he is knowledgeable about footy, seems to be a reasonable tactician and game analyst, and certainly (in my mind) has more football credibility than the plethora of TV-type 'footy team experts'.

Some very good observations, here. As these happen, I wonder if the players themselves conduct a personal review on what might have otherwise been demonstrated (in an attempt to reduce 'sloppiness')? I am sure most of the DL contingent have these thoughts at that time (and are somewhat surprised by the ineffective decisions that are made by players in the heat of the moment). Still, it's one step at a time, one thought at a time that makes a team infallible.

Spargo's foot passing was often elite, hitting targets well and creating plays. His improvements have been considerable. Harmes' game was terrific - he screened well again, using his body well in contacts, marking contests and on-ground pick-ups. Sam - handy two goals but well short of convinced about his contributions ... one handball for an entire half of footy ... Fritta - great performance and do you recall that he missed 3 shots that normally, he would have sunk. It would have made the winning margin quite embarassing for the Doggies, plus two just missed by Kozzie ... All good, though. A great performance re-directing our game skills and readiness for the finals.

Gus is a talent, hanging back just a bit to read the play and then execute what we all know he can do on the ground, in the air, around the melees. No opponent is too good for him; he dismantles opposition reputations.

Nice, continuous application of mongrel, too, delivered without animosity, just an attitude of a classy team.

What about Fritta's next door neighbours on the forward line? The Weed owes the Club heaps ... he'd better perform as the sands run out of the timing device. As for the Melk, a contribution would be handy.

Mongel winning might be better defined this evening as we tear shreds from the Doggies unexpectedly - and why? Because the guys will have been told exactly where they stand after their performances last week - and how 'chicken tish' they were onfield, each and every one of them leaving the outcome of the match in the hands of perhaps three players who were showing how it is done. Dees by 10 points ... a bruising but heroic encounter.

I'd like to see other young player/s with potential given half the development time of the Weed readied down Casey way. Probably turn out a few 'guns' in such a process. Petty is one who comes to mind. Smith is another but there are others, there will be others; in fact, we could set up a forwards training school to meet such a purpose - like the US gridiron leagues with key positional players. Better unleash hell, Sam because the Demon world is watching with limited patience.

That it is turning nasty is not surprising, with so many players competing for spots and some not getting a run, whereas others get games gifted because of the way they might hold their mouth. It is confusing to many Demonlanders doing hypotheticals about their beloved Demon brethren, being left in the lurch of misinformation, silenced whispers and vague statements of non-committal - nearly every week. It is almost as if the team is in relapse to a worsened state; this is reflected in the comments and vitriole of DL fans and now, we are attacking each other anonymously in the search for clues as to what is actually going on with the team, the individual players and the outcomes of what has been an extremely successful season so far this year. We are attempting to shake, rattle and roll in the realm of recent, past seasons and latent change. Carna Dees!

Baker's main strength is his closing speed, enough to force opponents to take/make risky kicks and rapid turnovers in error. If Baker is ready to tackle everyone with the required zest and zeal, including gut-wrenching force, he will be a knockout asset to the team, replacing the pizzants that get a game no matter what.

Yep, BB could begin to turn it on and needs to save face after a doozy game with Casey. Weid has to be rested to play with Casey and thus test the consistency theory in his own time, not ours. TMac is now just mobile enough to hold down CHF and will draw defenders if that is the case. A floater or two and the midgets brigade will assist in scoring and confounding the Bulldogs' backmen. I'd also like to shadow Bontempelli with Hibberd, if it was remotely possible; Hibberd has the spoiling skills, guts and muscle to tag him closely and persistently. I'd also expect Hibberd to be able to run off the Bont when in possession, prior to some of his trademark clearances to targets. Still, I live in dreams ....

Agreed, defensive structure that: repels the opposition attacks forward, and initiates corridors and supports for offensive, forward progress to score sets up the midfield channels and depth/arcs to freely move the ball into outer and deep forward connections. We gotta do betta ... time is finite so delays will ultimately crucify us against most sides we play.