Deemania since 56

Better question: How much was Hawkins paid for breaking May's eye socket?

A majority of comments announce that it is time for the Weed to have another shot at the big time, so what better opportunity might exist than a game against Carlton? He surely can make a greater contribution (other than just taking marks) than what the Melk has done? It will also provide a better decoy going into deep forward - in the hope that it may release an over-manned Fritta to play his more natural game foraging for crumbs and more meaningful scoring opportunities that has made us so potent 'down there' this season. With TMac and BBrown, as well, supported by some great smalls in every action and ground ball, the Blues just won't have the coverage that they will need to prevent us from (largely) free scoring. My tertiary thoughts seal the deal: dropping in for addition support are LJ and Gawn, one a terrific midfield-to-deep forward utility and the Captain, perhaps the most reliable mark and play instigator in the League. Carlton will be scratching themselves and losing their cool with one another for an entire game - then faced with attempting to break into our whole backline fortress to 'catch up' on the scoreboard. That just ain't going to happen. If the Demons' midfield play angry with mongrel and sheer cruelty as well, the blues ship is going to spend most of their time visiting Davey Jones and his deep kelp seaweed forests.

A good example of how important it is going to be to give some of our 'depth' Casey players (the young 'uns) a run or two in the AFL team, whilst we have achieved so much, so soon, in terms of wins and ladder position. Should key players get injured or suffer from some form lapses, then it will be imperative to have good list management in place, starting with experience for our depth players as they might stand at the moment.

K'noath!

Time to start training Chandler how to apply mongrel within the rules.

It is a real concern that he won't be giving heaps of mongrel to Cripps this weekend.

Very sporting of you, Sunkn. Yes, the Saints possibly do deserve a lick of the ice-cream as well. 1966 wasn't it? Their last double-scooper with a cherry on top.

It really was a good return for Harmes; he battled hard and kept working away at it all despite a loss of form and a few errors. His use of the body in close and in screens was terrific. His ball usage was sloppy at times and at other times, effective. His ability to run and link is a real asset to our game, and it will improve as he, too, adjusts to the new footballing mantras about him.

Absolutely! Just like the 'G is not our true home ground anymore. We silently endure change without request. We are the Redlegs, and proud of it. I don't give a rat's tonsilectomy about alleged uniform clashes between teams. The newbies on the block can revert to other apparel, let us stay as our historical bithright dictates should we so choose.

I'd like to see some intimidation swooped onto the opposition, sometime. It's all about mongrel, when you boil it down for a victory.

It's impressive. Sydney threw the book at us and they are a highly talented and well-coached team. They were better - and more dangerous - than any other team we have played this season. We took the pummelling and gave some back; we worked hard to regain a lead and then, maintain that lead. They got to within three points in the last quarter - we left them there - and then moved on with a final burst leaving Sydney 'not looking like getting the lead back to win the match'. Carna Dees!

Possibly needs a feed of pasta, does our Tracca. That will get him right quickly in seven days. Particularly if Nonna or Mamma make it for him to his favourite recipe.

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.