Deemania since 56

Fully agree. Just one step up (just one more week of match readiness after a spell) and he will be a driving force.

Every current commentator wants to sound entertaining (of self) and hip - most have descended into the Lou Richards category just above Jack Dyer. I listen to the commentary just for the names of non-Melbourne players and only a few ring a familiarity bell.

I miss Drew Morphett.

Great analysis. It was most revealing. The only two that I have noticed complete the screen/block from the centre have been Harmes (when in there) and Jackson (when not going in for the ball). Gawn has a problem at times in huddles bending to have an impact on the ball and yet on many occasions, he takes a hip-high possession with ease - or blocks an opponent's passage at that same level be it kick, handball or carriage. Viney was missed. Kennedy had a field day without Viney's 'player' and 'short carriage' foci. Both Tracca and Clarrie do the clearance bit to perfection but as Clarrie is nearly always held by an opponent without the ball (it appears to be a tactic favoured by the snot goblins, themselves, and is never penalised) it can go wrong; Tracca is usually screened out when an opportunity exists. Looking forward to your next analysis with Viney in the picture, or even Harmes with his screening abilities when in/within the centre.

Screening at centre bounces, please. Better reading of what Max is going to do, please. More fist hit-outs, please; less 'wristy' kitten taps, please. More pace at the contest - for the ball and for opposition bodies, hopefuls, play readers. Within the rules, mongrel needs to be applied and achieved.

For this game, I thought so, too, deever. Whilst TMac's mark and goal in the dying seconds was very important and exhibited pure class, as well as good fortune, I really thought we won the game on Clarrie's last quarter of determined excellence. He cleared, created and carried us home - absolutely no doubt. The rest of the team was important, too - supporting Clarrie to 'go for it' and enabled pathways for his efforts. A few players across the game were down but under constant pressure, some continuity of difficult games and good opposition tactics all take a respective toll. Great win just the same. Some focus still required to remediate weaknesses and centre clearances. Chandler might have been useful with his enthusiastic carry and attack as a teamed Chandler-Jordan assault. These two, with Kozzie nearby, are a source of talent and would be very difficult to stop. Eight - Zero. Who would have thought?

Predicting a big game for Brayshaw against the Swans, tonight. He's going to turn the corner a little to become a real driving force out there in the wild sides.

The Swans are coming up against a different team with a different game style this time - with different talents (widespread, at that) so the only real problem for us is the same old umpiring outcomes.

The Swans' most effective ball-winner identified half-way into the first quarter - wear the bugger like a glove.

Yep, the loss of Viney in a defensive sense is all important and Harmes is surely the best option in that place.

He will get less of the ball than expected as Franklin is not as mobile as he was and our backmen are tough and largely efficient.

Harmes does have a strong body and is practised at blocks and screens. These could be useful - but he is at his best when mobile and intercepting, so I hope he brings that game to the fore to help quell the Swans' carriers.

? One more hit-out with Casey for the two, several more stepping stones to an AFL career. It's OK.

What a shame, bad luck, almost a tragedy. Then again, one rather keen opponent down, who's next?

Bewdy.

Let them mouth off - their opinions are often inaccurate and to us, mean far call.

Both playing full-time in the AFL team, in tandem with one another, would be everyone's ideal provided that both displayed that kind of forward craft that was consistently excellent and prominently rewarding for the whole team. We do have the 'smalls' and the 'not-so-smalls' posted around the hot zones in our progress to - and within - the entire forward roster so, in all likelihood, it could be a fantastic asset where youth and skill abound. In any case, Carna Dees!

BB played less gametime (around one-third) in the VFL Casey team due to recovery from injury and time-proven resting strategies to ensure a fast heal from that which ailed him. Alongside this recuperation, the intensity of his game was naturally restricted to prevent a set-back in his AFL preparation. One must expect, under these circumstances in operation at the time, that Brown's contribution was restricted and could not be reasonably compared to that of another forward with so much additional gametime and intent, without a potentially limiting need to take care with a recuperation injury, without a limit placed on joint exertion and dynamics. As it is in the present moment, it was time that Weed began producing some form in the VFL team. He has had five years to achieve consistency and improved performance upon which the team and supporters could rely.

This worries me, as well. Can we afford such patience? Just look at the potential that our forward 'team' offers without even thinking of the Weed. It is enormous, both in the air, on the ground, around the ground, and out-and-about for the ball. Then there is the capacity for renewed forward pressure acts against opposition defenders who got lucky. Then there is the increasing capacity for our smaller fleet to unleash havoc with opposition structures and strategies simply due to their mobility and teamwork.

This probably depends on how the umpires observe his play relative to the attention he receives from opponents to put him off his game. Tough little nut in terms of bashings received. Same for Gawn and Fritta. Focus coud also be placed on the holding that is experienced by Clarrie before - well before - he even gets to the ball. I'd agree that in terms of Pickett's overall conditioning, a rest is perhaps soon due.

In Harmes, there is a bit of a tuff-nut against sides that huddle and break. His shepherding work is seldom seen overtly, but it is classy and effective, creating screens and handballing options for other Demon players. Harmes can use his body well, is difficult to stop when apace with the ball and has what can now be regarded as 'good experience'. It would be great if he could return to form and consistency.

A super-talented Demon shaping as a legend for the Club, like Robbie. Does the heart good.

When innocence has been convicted and badly labelled, sometimes the truthful road must be travelled by wiser heads. We - of the Wiseheads - rejoice. DL was an instrumental agency in this process of rectifying a very poor decision. Well done, folks.

Totally irresponsible oversight by the MRO.

Absolutely true, monoccular. Can we expect a continuing rise in its frequency? There appears to be several additional approaches to such a manoeuvre developing: front on, sidewards to the direct lateral advantage of the snot goblin, the good old wrap your opponent's arm and wrist about your neck where you reckon, as you fall deliberately and gently assunder, the umpire will get the best view of any alleged tackling brutality (courtesy of Selwood's mastery plans), and simply, just lead with your ducking head (I repeat, 'ducking head') into the possessor of the ball. Each of the above that I have noticed seem to work just fine. Another poorly thought-out rule from the AFL with a twist in variability.