Deemania since 56

Spot on. Spargo was consistently slaughtered and caught out of reach to his opponent, slow to get back to ground zero against Daniel and subsequently moved somewhere else.

This will be fascinating - he will free us up a little, too; I'd expect one 'marker' forward has just been released to create a ground space tear-away opportunity, now that BBB is coming into the attack. BBB also is a forward who leads and exploits his tremendous reach to snatch 'em. Majak may well figure in this procession, as well. That is how I would like to see our previously 'gravitationally handicapped' mid and deep forward structure coached from now on. More run, more space, more critical marking.

Thanks for the confidence boost, PF! I agree with your sentiments and this form improvement - despite his age, lack of match practices over time, his disappointments and his strident efforts with the mighty Demons in just a small space of limited time, he does seem ready for the dice roll #1with the other big boys. Been tracking your comments on training and Majak's progress has been a highlight. Bewdy, Newk!

Die-hard fans need better information flows that this pathetic oversight. Perhaps the MFC do not wish to increase/maintain the passionate support and depth considerations of both Casey and the AFL team listings, and respective prognoses. Pith paw effort - and thanks for the consideration.

Generally agree, except for Baker who has had a decent run and opportunity to 'pre-season' display himself. He is not setting the world on fire at the moment indicative of more time needed at the lower level. Also, looking at Action Jackson's suggested line-up, I'd reckon that Petty, at CHBack should swing to CHForward - and CHForward should be TMac, not Jackson. That way, Tom's defensive capabilities and experience can be utilised and hopefully, Petty's talent can burn a few goals or opportunities. Jackson is a mover moreso than a key position player at present. I suggest that he therefore be considered as a utility - albeit in the forward line - and importantly, in support of the smaller forward brigade rather than as an end to the forward penetration.Jackson has the ability, size and mobility to be a play-maker and a difficult object to hustle from the ball without umpiring penalties. ANB is deserving of a forward spot and in weeks to come, will most probably prove to be a great support to Melksham, on return. In the interim, we are getting some value and confidence from ANB - if he can sustain it, well and good as he is playing better footy so far this year than he has in the past. If we can beat Freo - despite the ramp of excuses that they project - we could be on the way....

...far call

The Demons need to sniff the bowl of chopped onions. Clear the head, make very serious and repeated steps to ensure that poor teamwork, lax but well-paid secondary work ethics and questionable decision-making fade into oblivion rapidly. The last few years have been immense opportunities to claw into a final. They failed. If it cannot be politely expected to be a coaching problem, then it is solely a player problem and yet, we have some of the best talent and team mixtures in the AFL. Get on with it, boys. Become men of the field.

It is disappointing, he does have much to offer our team when played in the correct position with teammates who, using eyes-up, bother to see him in forward line space(s) and when on a lead, or clear from an opponent, can mark and kick through the big sticks quite bluddey well. Hope he recovers from this set-back, well. He should be better used - he is the play maker type, not suited to throwing himself into the fray recklessly.

Tomlinson back to the wing, please. Petty to CHBack on a swing with CHF/TMac.

Looks like an apprenticeship in soccer, the ease with which he taps and re-taps the ball from below the knee ... skills for ground pick-up identified by PFence in his training reports. Hands seem fairly certain gripping this 'funny-shaped' ball known as the mighty Aussie Rules pill. Is there no end to this man's potential?

JG, I'd reckon you are correct about making serious progress this year - otherwise, the current senior coach and the club hierarchy can say a very timid 'goodbye' until they adopt an enriching plan for players, skills development, a suite of tactical/strategic alternatives that work, fitness maintenance and a player determination not seen since John Northey days.

My selection (above) as well. It seems balanced and agree with your discussion points. Petty surely must get a moment to step into the bigtime - he has talent and with an adjusting team mentality, he could be an answer; what's more, there is an option for him if he does not play well: the bench brigade having one stock backman, TMac moving back, Vanders stepping up. With our 'outs', it is going to be a big 'un and one that with which we will struggle anyway. Brown could be serviceable, as well - he gets to positions well and can take that mark. He does kick accurately. From what I have observed as a team member, Brown is sadly seldom 'seen' by out obsessed 'long-bombers' and anyway, it is time for shorter hit-ups into and across the forward line. Jones will be valuable for short-term ball aggression from the bench, and must keep the eyes down. His experience and ball nouse were well displayed against the Tigers no matter who they utilised to negate him. He does what Oliver should be doing - running to space before delivery using teammates as stepping stones in the chain. 'Carna Dees!

True, not interested in tags - particularly Spargo - more interested in the one or two chances across a game to go for a run with the ball looking like a rebounder or feeder. I was waiting for demonstrations of his alleged footy smarts. Still waiting after the practice game. He is not a good quality footballer and what he does not do actually proves that situation. My money would be on other smalls to tag and explode away.

Passengers not respecting the opportunity that they were given - even if given to substitute for better identities. It was a totally passive presentation across the game by the MFC, excepting just a few .

Most obvious characteristic of the game, keeping 'uncertain youth' onfield with limited support where the gameplan and teamed execution of Footy101 was obviously not emphasised or understood. The missed tackles, the missed passing, the pack marking attempts, the spatial supports and run throughs, the long bombs, the wasted spaces, the manning up and opposition coverage - all a repeat of the Goodwin years. A bad day made worse by the similarities of mediocrity and once the team was selected, a result we all expected. Sure, some of our players were requiring 'management' but not all. Lever and May were great. Sadly, our year is off to a bad start without change in game orientation. The Bulldogs clearly displayed the kinds of team supports that we need to execute.

Just word of mouth from a golfing friend - was not sure whether it was on or not. Hard to gather info over here in SA if you are not a Crows or Port fan.

Monday game against the Bulldogs - 2:30 pm Any information/team listings for this practice match? Hard to find material to preview and consider. Any salient advice would be welcome. ADMIN EDIT: Added Team

We need to hit moving targets with added variation and unpredicatability in our ball movement from the backline, midfield then into the forwad line and hot zones. More, better and sudden running, please. Combine these attributtes with a bit of 'mongrel' coz second don't get the ball and don't add to the scoreline we need.

Big Carl had everything! There has seldom been a better example. Even in his sunset Demon career, he was an immense driving force. It is fully agreed that at 17 years of age, Carl was a little rough around the footballing edges but that had all vapourised by the time he reached 18 years.

Provided that you mean '...glass...' represented as the opposition, and '...an emergency...' represented as static forwards happily waiting almost motionless for the perfect drop on their location.

Needs to be locked to a contract at all costs, matching his further development, of course. He does need to damage opposition sides more - at present - and maybe this could be achieved if he was permitted to go 'goalward' more frequently and 'run out the ball' just those few steps more often. He can kick beautifully in 'found' space. For example, this is where Gus can be lethal to opponents, quite frequently. Clarry and Trac, both on a par with each other and both the best in the League in their roles.

Chandler was so effective in the praccy match against Richmond - when he had the opportunity to go for it, hard - that it could be said his contributions added together turned our game up a notch; the Tigers, being the Tigers, were held across the game, beaten when it mattered and dumfounded by Chandler's capacities in a practice match. Chandler in for round one, for mine.

Agreed. Majak is also most probably itching to get back into footy; if he has the will, puts in the effort, hones his skills to our game planning under 'readable' new coaches - then all the best to him. He might also become the recruit of the year if things work out and his contribution is valued. He is a talented unit possibly out of match practice. PFence reports of his training efforts as impressive and skilled.

Clever, MD.

Yep, a necessity for this season.