D4Life

There is no doubt we are better than last year, just look at percentage and when we get going can massacre teams, we couldn’t do it in the past. A few areas where we need to improve: - Defensive running (Swans ran harder than Melb, we got caught out a number of times) - maximising forward entries (goal kicking against Swans and generally using the 60 plus entries we get each week better, lower eyes) - Backline sits too high and would just love to see one defender sit in goalsquare more (pity Lever went down, things were improving during the 6 win streak) - Missing Viney, he made a huge difference against Eagles & Port last year willing us over the line Reflect on the point we are the highest scoring team in the league! If we improve forward entry and conversion that’s another 2-3 goals a game! Anyway, 100% effort next two weeks, win then play finals, win one or more, and then we should be ready for something special next year!

Hannan can be very good, but goes missing a lot, that’s why he isn’t in the team!

Hannan is very inconsistent, can totally go missing. I’d rather Bugg! Both Bugg & Kent should be highly motivated to perform if they want to continue their AFL careers!

How many shots at goal did we miss during that run on. Seemed to be at least four. Kick two of them and makes a big difference!

After reading lots of comments and reflecting on the game, there were many reasons we lost: 1. Shocking kicking for goal, missed 6-8 set shots from 20-35 metres, all from not difficult angles, not under tackling pressure. 2. Team looked too big, with Pedersen in, am sure he was picked with Buddy in mind and Max sore, but it backfired. 3. Hunt picked when not ready. 4. Spargo cooked, there was a period earlier in year he should have been rested. Give him another preseason and he will be much better for it. 5. Jones was really poor. Did seem to just jog around the ground first three quarters. Even last quarter kicks inspirational goal, then ordinary disposal at other key times. 6. Add JKH and AVB struggle at the level. 7. Garlett wasn’t on, maybe due to Swans being great at closing small forwards down. 8. ANB disposal poor today. 9. Was Swans last gasp, lose today and it was season over! They played like it. Still I weigh it all up, we lose by under ten points, after blowing our early ascendancy, almost half team well down on form, so not a surprise we lost. This week assuming Hibberd and Melksham good to go, both come in and if Kent played well in VFL, he also comes in. Out Hunt injured, Pedo (he is either in as a key position player, otherwise is too slow), Spargo. A few others lucky to hold spots, JKH and AVB who stays for kicking key goals, he got slaughtered by Alir, but shouldn’t have been playing on him!

Just need to nail the set shots! Should be 9 goals!

I thought AVB looked proppy in the last qtr against Suns!

Tyson is rebuilding his confidence and his disposal has picked up the last couple of weeks. Aside from confidence possibly getting used to have a little more time on outside rather than rushing disposal.

The bottom six of any teams 22 on the field are often only just up to it, depth is having another 8 players who can come in and replace those bottom 6 players, or provide role coverage. To me Pedersen is a great example of role coverage for the Demons, being able to take a key forward or back position and pinch hit in the ruck. If you have to rely on him all season in ones you know your in trouble, but for 6 or 8 games, he can provide reasonable backup. Once you go past 30 players, a few who may be young, then rest of list can virtually be turned over each year, or try some development players.

Big day for the Demons, got to put away the Swans this week and break another recent drought!

29 in Feb, but can still really play. Agree may cost too much!

Interesting list, but what I like most about our list, is when you see the team really motoring along, it's: Clarry Brayshaw Max Hogan Petracca Fritsch Harmes Lever last six weeks pre injury TMac who all other than Max & TMac should play for the next decade. Salem and ANB getting better, Spargo clean and footy smarts, OMac getting bigger & better each season. Viney recovers and our future looks very bright. Aside from Lewis, Jones, & Garlett, the other key contributors of Melksham & Hibberd have a good five years, Jetta hopefully three Plus. Frost is improving! Our list looks pretty good, add a bit of outside speed and more backup for Max, and the next 2-3 years look really good. If we beat Swans this weekend and win one more to virtually guarantee finals, with a bit of luck we might cause a surprise or two in the finals.

I’m guessing Pedo got picked as the answer to your question.

Both the boys who ruck in the VFL don’t seem up to it, so that’s two. We constantly get smashed in the ruck in the VFL, yet still keep winning! Probably gives Pedo an extra year. Balic retired. Vince, it’s time. Club has a lot of reasons to thank Bernie, 100 games and ripping representative of the club! Someone will move and then one of the half dozen named above.

Spargo is a better user of the ball. AVB was okay for first week back, created a goal with his strength in the pocket, but missed two. Always had impression he wasn’t greatly skilled, but am sure there are other Demonland contributors who can give a better view.

Well Richmond haven’t beaten anyone above them this season!

Port up 18 and they all came in the last half against the Demons! I know it’s important to let things go, but that match still burns!

Totally agree. I’m not a big poster, but really enjoy reading all the posts, even those who have some very deep emotional scars!! Thank you Andy, great job! Minor suggestion, would be handy to have a spot where general posters could raise a topic they would like to turn into a thread, and Demonland could choose to run it if deemed fit! Go Demons! Feeling very confident this week, we beat GC by 96, GC beat Swans by 24, so combined should be a 20 goal win. Indisputable logic!?

Best 5 players for the day 23 or younger, future is bright!

Reminds me of the match against Carlton, even though we were virtually level at quarter time, you could see bigger more mature bodies of Demons, it was just a matter of time before we dominated the game. Hopefully similar type match up today, with Demons on from the first bounce could be a very big win!

Also how did Hunt go?

Congrats on 100 for the Dees. Given great service on and off the field. Saw him at the Duke with Roos one evening, seemed like a ripping bloke!

What is he doing now?

Ratten was a great midfield coach for the Demons. Wellman was a brilliant backline coach for the Demons, organised everything we currently struggle with doing: - Don’t all go up for the punch - someone stay near goalsquare - backline hold back six structure rather than getting too high - track the crumbing forwards around ballups & throwins in the forward line He also did the same for Bombers under Hird.

Has AVB improved in the two years he missed?