Neil Crompton

Thanks THBT, my comment was a bit tongue in cheek. And you will notice that the only derogatory comment I’ve made on this post is about that deranged Demon Army lady thinking she’ll take over Reece’s job.

Haha they’d never get you off the field!

Sorry, but I didn’t realise you actually had to have been to a game before you are allowed to offer an opinion on our teams performance.

Thanks WCW, i know all the reasons why he didn't get recalled, and I also understand the backlash Cummins probably would have received from some quarters in Australia if he had been recalled and we'd lost. However, i think Cummins' decision enraged Ben Stokes in particular, and because of this, I very much doubt we would have seen his magnificent innings - which would have been a tragedy - had Bairstow been recalled. I also think the boys are going to be in for a very hard time next test, both in the way the Poms will play it, and how the supporters will react to our team. I certainly hope we win this test convincingly for our own sake. However, it will not surprise me if we actually lose this test.

Despite Australia acting within the rules and in spite of all the hypocritical in-hindsight whinging spewing from the English players and their coach, I think there was a great opportunity lost by Australia in this whole episode. Australia don’t have the greatest reputation for fair play - think sandpaper gate and underarm bowling as two prime examples. Given this was an Ashes test, at the very home of cricket, Cummins, and this Australian team, would have covered themselves in glory if Bairstow had been recalled, and our reputation under this new Cummins reign would have been enhanced no matter the outcome of the game. I have to admit that watching it live, the dismissal did not sit well with me.

Sorry WCW but we were awful today, and not a performance that can be justified for any reason. (Don’t even try Binny, haha). Evidence also suggests that our goal kicking coach needs some skills’ updating.

How did SVR go Pennant St Dee?

I think Alice has got word of Uncle coming to town and has simply responded accordingly. This weather certainly cannot be a coincidence. And I believe it’s going to be more than the weather that gives Uncle the cold shoulder this weekend. I just feel sorry for his niece.

Jaded, this is exactly what our football department believe. Our Pres recently stated this, saying something similar to “ their belief is that we are unlikely to see the quality of football we played at the end of ‘21 again in our lifetime”. Disappointing to hear, but certainly doesn’t mean we cannot win another premiership, within this current window, with a less perfect scenario.

Haha casks do travel better than bottles, BBO.

D, Did you attend the supporters club function last week?

Titan, I appreciate that both you and Binman have gone to great lengths to explain your positions. Neither position is “foolish” as none of us are privy to the real answer. All I know is that we have lost 4 or 5 games this year because we have played poor quality football - for whatever reason, be it dumb wet weather football, poor selections, poor game management, or just poor execution of skills - and I am sick of it and we need to be much better than that. This “loading” may influence some of the reasons listed above, but only some. These are professional athletes that train to execute their skills under pressure and when fatigued, and under both dry and wet weather conditions. There just is no excuse for poor skills or dumb wet weather football. None.

This is the team I’d like to play with next week: B. Lever, Tomlinson, McVee HB. Rivers, Petty, Salem C. Langdon, Petracca, Hunter HF. Bowey, JVR, Fritsch F. Smith, May, Pickett R. Gawn, Oliver, Viney Int. Grundy, Brayshaw, Sparrow, Chandler Sub. D. Turner Tommo thoroughly deserves a recall (and shouldn’t have been dropped). Petty stays back and will be better for the run(couldn’t be worse!). The club believe he will become a better player than May, so has to stay back. Hibbo managed and have assumed Oliver is ok. The big call is to play May forward. I think he could be our answer to some of our forward line issues - particularly if Tomo and Petty are able to perform down back. I could be wrong but I have little faith that BBB will be an answer for us. Also time to see what our side looks like without ANB and Spargo. Both have not earned their spot for some weeks now, and it’s time they found their form at Casey. Disco has earned a call up and have him as the sub.

Jaded, I was at a function tonight in Sydney where our Pres attended and had a talk at half time. She made an interesting comment about Petty and Tomlinson. A pretty brutal one actually. She stated that the club really rate Petty playing in defence. He was only playing forward because there was no one else. Also said that Petty will be playing in defence in the finals. Tomlinson won’t be playing in September. I also had no idea Kate was so tall!

BDA - does that stand for “Banned from Demon Army”?

Try the channel 9 suite.

Wouldn’t miss it TfA

Thank you to the Sydney Demons Supporters' Group, MFC and The Pres for this meet and greet opportunity. Great initiative for us "mexicans" (as ex Victorians are known up here) and hope it can become a regular event. Also looking forward to attending Round 24 when we take on the Swans up here., which is likely to be a big sendoff game for Buddy.

I appreciate your comment about ANB, LDVC. As someone who lives interstate - and for that reason is rarely able to get to games - my assessment of running players like ANB is obviously clouded by what i can physically see on the TV. What i rarely get shown are his running efforts. This is unfortunate, because the running efforts of someone like Langdon are often highlighted. So, whether you get to the game or not, you understand and get to appreciate what Langdon does for the team. One explanation for this maybe that Langdon is usually very clean in his ball handling, so when he is involved, usually good things happen, and thus they are highlighted. On the other hand, when ANB is involved, he is rarely clean and assured in his ball handling - often resulting in stoppages or turnovers - so his running efforts are not highlighted. Thus, he doesn't often get the credit he deserves. ANB is an A-grade runner, an A-grade tackler, and a first-rate team player - no questions. But because his ball handling skills are not anywhere near the same level as his other attributes - and as this is what generally gets shown/highlighted on TV - it's no wonder posters can be critical of him.

It won’t be long before his nickname will be “Silk”.

I think they should forfeit DJ. and we take the 4 points. Hate to think what our guys might catch if the pies play.

Nearly all topics Red.

Interesting that no one is dominant post the bye. Wonder what the reason for that is?

Anyone else silly enough to have watched the cricket through to stumps this morning? I’m paying for it now, but what a joy to see us pound that Indian attack. Travis Head was superb. Steve Smith was Steve Smith. Hoping for another similar day tonight / tomorrow where we bat them out of this test.

I think it’s more simple than that Binny. And I think it all stems from confidence. A great pre-season, coaches paying you more attention and having them trust what you can offer, and suddenly, bang, Judd feels so much more confident in his own abilities. He now feels confident he belongs, and those innate skills that you mention are suddenly able to be let loose.