Fanatique Demon

So we were worried about the game being too defensive and we thought more fatigue would help. We reduce the number of interchanges. Now we might be adding an extra player. Huh? Meanwhile we were worried that standards were falling. But we’ll add an extra player to each team meaning 18 players who wouldn’t have been good enough to get a game, now are. And we can add another team, meaning a further 23 players will get a game. The way this is going, I’m a chance for Albury’s team in 2031.

Not forgetting the dual premiership player, the great Alan Rowarth. Only 70 games because of injury, but a great Demon with a 70% win rate. Thanks Alan.

The trouble with this post is that it makes total sense. There’s no place for comments like these on this thread. 😀

Maybe not, but he is a tool just the same.

And didn’t have a particularly good second half of the season.

I remember asking that one 50 years ago.

Our biggest backline problem is when the ball hits the ground. Neither Tomlinson nor Petty are the answer to that. Petty forward for me.

He’s staying. 🙂

Is anyone else a little concerned that we’re not making enough changes (on our terms) for 2023? Even Geelong seems to be turning over 4 or 5 on their list.

There are so many similar threads on here. Have we had all of our exit interviews and are just Rosman, Brown and Dawe going? Or have I missed something?

I was there that day. I love the way the players bounced the ball about every five metres. And the terrible kicking styles.

Surely he can’t maintain the pace.

Channel 7 just reported that Grundy is a “strong chance to land at Melbourne”.

Actually, SOME Americans say that. Others, like several of my American friends, are dumbfounded that those that say it think it makes sense. But overall, I could care less, but not by much.

I couldn’t.

Thanks for the contribution, Luke. I’d have been happy for him to stay but I’m not heartbroken that he is going. We won’t miss his contribution in the short term, and who knows what he will contribute elsewhere in the long term? There are no guarantees that he will be a star. Remember Weid’s great final series in 2018? Out of interest, I checked Luke’s standing in our B&F for 2020 and 2021. In the former year he came 19th, one position behind Charlie Spargo. In the next year he came 12th, one position ahead of Spargo. Yes, I know… different ages, different positions, etc. But still, it’s interesting. I can’t see Jackson improving on 12th this year.

I’m not sure what that means. How do we both win win?

Maybe Freo can teach him how to hold a mark.

I know the Weed hasn’t lived up to expectations, but he seems like a really good guy worth persevering with. Maybe as KPB or as second ruck. He has played that role well at Casey. (Btw, I met him at Chadstone last week and he was friendly and well mannered to a total stranger.)

About 45 years ago I played in the VAFA. There was one thing the coach said over and over at every training session and every match. “It’s a running game.” He was right then and he is still right now. Collingwood showed last night what a running game looks like. And it’s far more attractive than our game. Plus, they beat us and many other teams with it. If we can’t run or decide not to run, we’re playing the wrong game.

Reading this forum, I notice that a lot of posters think we have the AFL’s best list. I think that’s because we’re so familiar with our players. Here’s how I would group last Friday’s 23 on this year’s form: Great season: Petracca, Oliver, May, Petty. Good season: Viney, Langdon, Lever, Fritsch, Brayshaw, Gawn. Average season: Pickett (occasionally good, but too often missing or undisciplined), Harmes, Hibberd. Disappointing season: Brown, Melksham, Neal-Bullen, Spargo, Salem, Jackson, Rivers, Hunt, Sparrow, Smith (although often injured). Not everyone will agree with me, of course. But as I see it, 10 of our last game’s 23 had disappointing seasons. I can’t imagine that would be the case for Geelong, Collingwood or the Swans. It’s not surprising that we didn’t perform in the finals when we rely on so few. We have some top players, but hardly the AFL’s best list.

I don’t think Rivers improved this year at all. Went backwards if anything.

Remember the talk of a Demon Dynasty? More like a DEMON DIE NASTY.

Surely Freo and WCE will reassess and he’ll stay at Melbourne. But maybe then we won’t be afraid to drop him when he deserves it.

But many grabs.