Go Lordie

Hi Alex NFn, I have to disagree. Ed Langdon has never been a bit player. From his time as the other member of Gus Brayshaw's Wingers' Club, Ed has been a major contributor at both ends and, crucially, in transition. On the weekend he fired us up after Freo scored first ( Admittedly from a free against Ed) with important assists. He has always been worth his weight in gold.

I think the odds are 14 to 4. Pretty obvious, really!

Bowey has actually been in top form ALL YEAR. And Chandler, too.

Hi Billy, I didn't mean to insult you or your passion. Apologies if I did. I'm 76, retired, live four train stops from the 'G and have been a supporter since I was 7 in 1956. I am as shocked as you are about our team at the moment, but I don't think knee-jerk reactions in the form of sackings will achieve what we want. Last time we were in a tizz, the AFL had to step in and organise a CEO, a president and a coach (Roos). Surely we can organise our way out of this without looking like headless chooks. Go Dees!

Hello Demonlanders. I am writing to let you know how much I appreciate the weekly Demonland podcast. Andy, George and Binman offer a lifeline of sanity compared to the blather that is presented on TV, radio and in one Melbourne newspaper. Of course, in good times, it is great to reflect on wins but, in our present position, the podcast and the Demonland chat rooms become a vital source of mental health, offering us the "talking therapy" championed by Freud. Without this outlet and the exchange of views it offers, we Demon supporters would be pent up, frustrated and gnarly individuals who would not be pleasant to be around at home or at work. Rejoice! We are better humans for participating on the website and the podcast. That's why I have kicked a few bucks so Andy, George and Binman can salve their throats after - oh, so gently - telling us the truth about our beloved team. I was very surprised to see that the current campaign aims to raise a measly $3000. You three are worth 10 times that, if only in the money you save us by us not having to get mental health checks. Keep up the good work!

Too early to assume we will finish last and give the Bummers the First Pick. Hold, hold...

Calm down, Garbo. We all have to stay the course. There are no silver bullets, just persistence.

So, you're a fair weather supporter? Not sure we need more of those.

I'm not quite sure what to make of this but at the start of one of the quarters in the Essendon game JVR was giving a last-minute rev-up to the forward group. I think Melky had a few words after JVR but, fair dinkum, shouldn't it be players who are senior and have earned some respect be giving the rev-up messages, not a bloke who has had a total of 16 kicks in 5 full games? It looks like he is only in the side to give Max a 5-minute break each quarter. Grundy was doing that AND Grundy could at least take a mark.

We are getting better ar least I effort. Dees1911 is right though, wegive the ball away too easily because of poor skills. Our powerhouse midfield can't hit the side of a barn. Even CP5 stank it up tonight , lthough the effort was there. But, but, but. Bowey is up and firing, Salo has taken a step Chandler has been good ( less so tonight) , Langdon was super, Fritter was better, Melky also. However our fourth quarters are garbage. Question: is it Selwyn Griffiths' fault, or too many spiritless players?

They get the frees because they are first to the ball, generally by leading at the ball carrier. Dear JVR, please take note.

What are you people talking about? He's trying to implement a new plan with faster ball movement, but the players aren't delivering. Kicks straight to the opposition, no-one backing up to take a quick handball, handballs to the feet of team mates, and kicking poorly at goal don't win games. Our skills aren't that good and we don't have enough players who can take a contested mark. Is that the coach, the recruiting department or the development coaches?

How many of the thousands of Nibbler critics are wishing he was still a Demon high half-ward? Come on, own up!

Poor start, yes. But we are going to storm into the finals when we start clicking. We are not done yet.

We were better tonight. In with a chance before another Q4 fadeout.

Please stop catastrophising. Yes, it's bad right now but we still have some powerhouse players. Goodie needs to blend the new guys into the team and its new game plan.

Rebuild? What do you think is happening? Six debutants in two games is not a rebuild? Geelong doesn't rebuild. The Swans don't rebuild. They add to what strengths they have. They don't sell Petracca, Oliver, Gawn and bring in teenagers. Look at Hawthorn, North Melbourne - they are playing with enthusiasm. Our problem is mental, not physical.

It was impressive to watch the Suns move the ball. There always seemed to be a receiver running into position as the team mate with the ball needed to offload. It was a sort of cascading support plan that kept the ball moving in the right direction. Each player knew what support his ball carrier needed. It looked co-ordinated. Something to learn from.

Trac's body language wasn't off ( looking from the MCC member's stand). At times he was frustrated, disappointed at his inability to contribute in his normal manner.

This comment was unhelpful.

So the new coach will bring a group of champions with him/her? Nope, it'll be the same cattle with - as of now - three, maybe four players in form, six kids trying to find their feet and 15 blokes who can't kick straight.

Yes, sorry Dice. I was a bit indiscriminate in my comment. Apologies to XL and Hendo.

Still on an F1 note, it's hard to win with a squad full of rookies. Just like the Dees, all the F1 rookies had terrible gamedays on Sunday, too.

Can we get Oscar Piastri in on a mid-season transfer? At least he knows how to lead...

I thought we'd go Top Four this year. I'm thinking Bottom Four now. I reckon Anzac Eve will decide the wooden spoon.