Swooper1987

Jordan was actually a pretty decent player in his first year with us (2017). He placed equal third in the Bluey, tied with Jones and behind Oliver and Viney. That was after being suspended for a couple of weeks as well. His 2018 season was mixed but he was an important player in the first couple of finals, and by 2019 he was cooked. Overall, he made a great contribution in his time at the Demons.

Saw it at the ground and just watched the replay to confirm my thoughts. 6. Oliver - his ability to move at speed from contest to contest is remarkable 5. Brayshaw - this move to half back could be a masterstroke. The Bombers showed him too little respect. 4. Langdon - the running man. He was everywhere. 3. Gawn - his best game of the season and his third quarter in particular was leadership personified. 2. Bowey - this guy is just so composed you are almost surprised if he makes an error. 1. Weidemann - He marked almost everything and was our only forward of any effect for the bulk of the game.

I don't recall Gawn ever starting the season well. His shocker against Port in 2019, last year when he struggled against Lloyd Meek from freo (Darcy didn't play in round 1) and only average against Paul Hunter in round 2 against the Saints (neither Ryder nor Marshall played that night). Both seasons turned out pretty well - AA in both. I'm happy to wait a couple more before even slightly being concerned. Plenty of credits in the bank for the big fella.

Gawn is the best ruckman since Cox, who was the best since S Madden, who was the best since Polly Farmer. Gawn is certainly the best Melbourne ruck in the modern era and is worthy of comparison to the greats I just mentioned. As a 5 time AA, twice B&F, AFLCA Player of the year 2018, Premiership Captain he's got most current players in the league covered. He is coming towards the end of his prime years in the game. I expect that Petracca and Oliver will both continue to have celebrated careers a little bit longer than Max's but I don't know that their impact on the club will exceed what Max has achieved as a leader. In my time, Flower is incomparable as a pure footballer. I'd argue Gawn is the most influential.

I rate the Suns. If they can stay relatively injury free they'll win a lot of games this year, especially at home. Can see them pushing around the 11 win mark which will have them near the 8. The midfield is excellent. I thought they defended well. In the fullness of time this will become a much better win than it currently looks.

Was remarkable that only 5 points separated the teams at the end of the game. The Carlton mids were dominant, despite Gawn dominating the ruck. Was a pretty decent hitout from Gawn - 9 marks (6 contested) and mid 20's in disposals in 88% game time. Would have liked to have seen a more influential performance from Jackson. Thought DeKoning was a much better second ruck tonight. Umpiring had way too much influence. We may have been undisciplined but the 50 against Petracca was a joke. Still shaking my head at that one. Fritsch was very good despite a sluggish start. Lever worked his way into the game nicely. Confident it'll be a different effort and result in round 1. May and Salem in particular will make a massive difference.

I coached this young fellow in a couple of junior cricket flags at YCW back in the under 14's. A decent medium pacer, gun slip fielder and a fantastic footballer even then. Not at all surprised Casey are signing him. For those who don't know YCW have long been a powerhouse in the MPNFL and for Roan to take the B&F in his first senior season (albeit abbreviated) is an outstanding effort. He's a very clever player and uses the ball really well.

Just magnificent. Really enjoyed the whole series.

Best non MCG experiences following the Demons - definitely round 22 1987 at the Western Oval tops the lot. Was the most remarkable atmosphere I've ever been a part of at the footy. 31,000 standing shoulder to shoulder, it might as well have been 100,000. Many good games at VFL Park - the night GF wins in 87 and 89, the 1988 elim and prelim wins and in non -Melbourne games was lucky enough to be at the 1986 elim when Fitzroy knocked off Essendon to halt the bombers charge at a threepeat. Also lots of unhappy memories there, none moreso than the greatest Demon I've ever seen play his last game there in the 1987 prelim. Didn't mind Windy Hill, other than the old ladies with their umbrellas which they used like some sort of martial arts staff. Princes Park was ok, saw a few wins there, the most memorable being 1998 against Carlton. Beat Hawthorn there when we weren't expected to a couple of times as well. Love the AFLW out at Casey Fields. It's a ripper home ground advantage.

Back to Geelong again! 2 trips to Perth, away games against the Suns and Lions and both Adelaide sides away as well.

A resounding yes. I still have a bit to do with Cam occasionally. His favourite time in footy was his early days at the Demons in the early - mid 80's when he was instrumental in the recruitment of some outstanding players in the Barassi/Northey era. His heart beats true and he couldn't have been more pleased for the club.

Reminds me of Stephen Powell the way he moves. Might be the left side bias but I reckon he's got a bit of Powell about him. If he turns out as good as that I'll be pretty happy.

He's a good footballer, with excellent leadership qualities. Highly regarded by Richardson and Aaron Hamill. He'll be an excellent addition.

It was a horrible day. Lyon withdrew with injury after being cleaned up at training by Strawbs O'Dwyer. The real reason we missed top 3 that year was our 127 point thrashing at the hands of North Melbourne. It blew our percentage apart and despite 16 wins we finished 4th. That year we beat Hawthorn in consecutive weeks and beat top of the table Essendon twice. We beat the Eagles in Perth and as has been mentioned earlier defeated Collingwood in both the 88 and 89 finals series. Such a waste.

My top 10 most watchable: 1. Kozzy Pickett - magic happens! 2. Isaac Heeney - if he's injury free he'll be nearly the best player in the comp. 3. Liam Ryan - pace, leap, execution! 4. Charlie Cameron - the next Betts. 5. Harry McKay - reckon he's in for a 70 plus season. 6. Christian Petracca - who wouldn't want to see more of Norm? 7. Dustin Martin - legend of the game. 8. Shai Bolton - always exciting. Can mess it up but won't die wondering. 9. Toby Greene - mainly just enjoy watching him self-destruct. 10. Scott Pendlebury - my favourite non-demon

Absolute lock we'll get North once in Tassie; Geelong twice with a trip to Kardinia Park; Eagles once only but in Perth. Premiership or not, that is our lot in life!

65,000. Our growth will come from kids who can't yet afford memberships - that'll pay off into the future. If we can grow by around 12,000 with not much guarantee of being able to see a full season that would be a tremendous result.

I reckon Maxy is in the Terry Daniher/ Sticks Kernahan mould. Leads on and off the field. A real unifying force.

That 1987 finals run was something to behold. 199.5% and still sitting 5th on the list above. The Demons hold 2 of the top 5 spots.

Lever for me. But it's Max's for the next two to three years and rightly so. He's an outstanding leader who is just so relatable.

Bontempelli being off the ground when we took the initiative in the second half of the third quarter was massive. Our mids assumed control totally and we got at least three goals while he was sitting it out. Jackson didn't do anything special in terms of hitouts but his ability to follow up and either clear a path or get the quick handball out was instrumental.

Interesting interview post game with Jake Lever on Fox footy where Oliver was called out for not being tight enough on Bontempelli. Honesty seems to work for this side. Rewatching the third quarter now, Beveridge having Bont off certainly assisted in that momentum change. And Oliver definitely lifted.

6. Petracca 5. Fritsch 4. Brayshaw 3. Salem 2. Gawn 1. Viney Apologies to Jackson, Rivers and Oliver

Thanks Ash. Great to hear from you!

I think Hunt covers more contingencies and would be pleased to see him selected, but I'm not unhappy if Jordon keeps his spot.