Deemania since 56

At the back of our minds, we knew the umpires would attempt at various times to keep Geelong in the game. No 'ifs', no 'buts' just in plain view.

Ya forgot Hawkins. It's a perfect day for him to take the forward dive as if he was pushed.

An unforgetable moment in Selwood's career - tried to smart Rs and got treated simply as an aside.

He has received more compensatory tolerance than most across six years. The well-clued, just-clued, half-clued, no-clued and Collingwood supporters alike all realise those six years were more than adequate to elicit appropriate improvements so mysteriously seen in him for such a longer term by observers. Even One-legged-Larry could show more improvement over that timeframe than has our eternal hope for the Weed.

Thinking about the Sparrow rest period and the re-ignition of Melksham despite game evidence, it has been a tough call before the game against the Cats by those who oversee what might be possible. Perhaps, just perhaps, training and preparation for the game against Geelong has established some good links between Melksham's accurate - at times, deadly - foot passing into the forwards and the exploitation of Fritta, for example, leading straight through the midline - instead of the wider pockets. This may apply to other forwards, as well, of course. There might be something brewing ... there might not be something brewing. At any rate, it will be a distraction for the Cats working against their 'slow' game in the backline, chipping and wide-ranging in defence to give their midfield/forwards time to re-set. Some neat Demon passing by foot would greatly assist the interruption of Geelong's geriatric progression of the ball from defence.

I've given him six years, as well. What a waste.

I have travelled the bumpy road many times in the pursuit of enlightenment about the Weed and his long-awaited improvements and missing competencies. Even with weaker opponents and backlines he has notoriously failed my expectations as reflected in so many commentaries from fans, members and footy purists alike and these, one and all, have been over a timeframe that is now beyond 'intolerable'. The team should move on without him - he has had his chances - he has failed to deliver that glimmer of hope we seek. Looking at our structure as a team and its newly annointed ones, there is no place for the hype supporting failure.

The beauty of having footballer options, as you state, is that you can start at No. 1 and finish at number whatever. It is the order in which you rank the players that is important, in selection terms. For example, I would have Weideman number 8, TMac number 7, Melksham number 6, Jackson number 5 (utility in the main), Mitch Brown number 4, Majak Daw number 3, Fritta number 2 , Ben Brown number 1. You start somewhere else, it's your right, loges, not your cynicism cue. Then you pick the 'fillers' and 'smalls' to match the dynamics of your preferences and omissions. Just because we do not agree on these positions, it does not make your decisions or mine incorrect. The decisions are just different for varied reasons. Goodwin had a go with his team and at this point, I am not all that happy about the longitudinal, evidentiary outcomes.

Ode to Majak: He gets to them, he holds them, he can kick 'em, he can tap 'em, he can and does intercept 'em. The Weed ain't done none of that after four years of mind-bending patience, deficient in any sign of consistency and/or reliability. Majak is a massive presence and obstruction, another difficult match-up forward, backward and in a jostle when umpires throw up. Who's going to be the opposition's lucky bunny if the bank of footballing wisdom selects the Weed, not Majak?

Looking forward to your report, MaH. There was so much of interest in this 'practice match'.

hells bells - that was terrific of you to keep us informed all game - it would not have been an easy task. Thank you for your efforts.

He does and can impact games, surprisingly well. I'd have him on the bench as a spare tap ruck, as a backman, as a forward within range.

Deserves a run in the seniors, does Daw. Useful.

How sad, what bad luck.

Sounds like the Casey boys are coming home ....

Well, that's four mysteries now ... BB, Weed, Petty and VDB...

Great effort on your behalf, hells bells. Thank you for your efforts. Many of us are deeply concerned about this game and its performers.

Here's hoping that is the case - resting, running, limited risk.

Thanks for this footage. Great team of great Demon players - wish we had this team, now. Really good.

It was great to watch W Dean, he was a very entertaining and stylish footballer after transfer to the Dees. His kicking was good but as mentioned, sprayed about, at times. He had a very good set of hands for a bloke without a great deal of muscle. There's still some great footage of him around - UTube, etc - back in the days when we were moving towards the repeat of '64. I often thought that Garry Lyon stylised his game on the influence and poise demonstrated by Dean; the similarities were clearly there - Lyon was the better footballer by far.

Speculative negatives, speculative positives across the DL board, this morning. It's getting difficult to pick a reliably worthy team from the advantage point of depth. As far a the Cats are concerned, we need mongrel - a team could be selected with this in mind.

Some of Jones' evasion from packs in possession of the ball have also been first rate and set up good plays.

Thanks heaps, KC, for this information. Hope we can get a report during & after the game.

Like your second point, in particular. Occupy Steward with Melksham as much as possible, enabling our other forwards to splash about in the happiness pool at various depths of competitive anihilation.

Sounds silly, doesn't it? Sadly, it's true. Umpires are the only negative of this game against Geelong this weekend.