Smokey

Can I just take the time to say that, even with our recent form, I've never seen so many posts predicting a win vs a team second on the ladder during my entire time on Demonland. What a time to be alive

To your own point, being "hunted" sounds pretty fatiguing to me ...

It's funny because Derm used to straight up belt people in the head when he played, and now he's the patron saint of fair play? The irony is simply too much. The bloke is an absolute moron. Someone should ask him if, by extension, that means he was a "faux tough guy" in his days as well ...

Why isn't Brown on notice in your view? He is a key forward who should be taking marks and kicking set shots. He hasn't done either really. Saying we are infinitely better with Brown feels like a huge exaggeration. We were 6-0 before he even got his first game, and during this period we started Richmond on their downward spiral with a big win and accounted for Geelong comfortably. Brown then failed to fire in games against North, Sydney (who weren't red hot at this stage of the season) and Carlton. Since then, he failed to kick a score vs Port and got a lucky one vs Hawthorn. I like the balance he brings to the team, no question. He draws a good defender or two every time, I get that. But in the end of the day, if he can't clunk the odd contested mark and kick his set shots then he isn't as valuable as people make him out to be. Based on that I don't see any problem with the view that he should be on notice over the next few weeks. Kick some bloody goals, Ben ...

Problem is his replacement hasn't inspired much confidence at AFL level this year. I'm far from calling for Weid again yet, but Brown can't survive forever without kicking his goals.

Not sure old mate has been watching much footy this year ...

I agree, I'm only saying he's on notice. My first sentence couldn't have been clearer in fact. Our forward structure looks better with a big tall like Brown in. But he can only go so many weeks of not clunking his marks and kicking his set shots before his place is in question (like any player).

I know it’s way too early to think about dropping Brown, but he’s on notice for mine. Yes, doing some good things, but if he doesn’t start clunking a few and kicking true I will start to question his spot in the team again

I get the point people are trying to make re: our group being in a great position to break our premiership drought, but I really hope the club isn’t foolish enough to pile that pressure on the playing group like many here would have done. It’s like lecturing a nervous driver on the dangers of driving a car.

Finally, a game vs a top 2 team. I can relax. Dee's by 5 goals.

On the contrary, I think the score involvement as a stat is pure fluff. Score assists are material. And I reckon he has a higher number of "involvements" than most of those players you've listed simply because he plays on the ball and is normally involved from the stoppage. It's really just a stat for the sake of a stat though, the score can happen 10 disposals away from the player and they are still "involved" according to the stat. Doesn't tell you much other than the procession of players that touched the ball after you didn't turn it over.

Lot of people praising Jack for his "toughness", "loyalty", "heart and soul" etc. but not many praising him for his ability to affect scoring chains, hitting targets or making good decisions. That says it all really. Heart and soul doesn't win games, skill execution does. It's time for Jack to reinvent himself. He is a liability in the middle now.

Clearly did not watch the game ...

Do you think the crushing weight of an entire generation of failure is helpful for the current group of players? Why would the club go out of their way to put further burdens on the playing group like this? This thread is trash.

These threads are just embarrassing, honestly. My 3 year old has better coping skills than some here.

There is too much money at stake, no way is the season getting called off. They’ll continue to find a way.

I love the way you put words in peoples mouth to suit your narrative. When did I say our forward structure is improving right now? Your predictions are wrong far more often than they are right, so I'm actually quite encouraged by the fact you think this draw is going to be "extremely costly".

Finally, a well measured post worth reading ...

Demonland: Lacks mental toughness

Not an ideal result, but here's some perspective for the doomsayers: We are not in our prime now, we are coming into it. We are not going to be at our best every week. Our forward structure is still gelling 2 points is as good as 4 in the context of the season at this stage The only stat we lost was tackles We are on top of the ladder We have beaten 7 out of 8 teams in the 8 right now. Anyone who says we are pretenders has a very low football IQ Bottom dwelling teams that have proven to bring us down to their level do not feature in September Just because we are on top of the ladder doesn't mean supporters are entitled to a season where nothing goes wrong. You'd think after the years of mediocrity that people around here would be more mentally resilient, watching some of you throw your toys out of the cot after a loss is embarrassing.

Surely us supporters can relax about this one ... ... right?

"Wait a minute, is that ... Richard Branson!?"

Go about the rest of my weekend like a well adjusted adult

Same species, different stage of evolution