Fanatique Demon

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.

Right there with you.

We need shorter quarters!

If Jackson leaves we might be better off. How can you be a third year AFL player who can’t take a one grab mark? He might as well take Rivers with him. Bowey is far better.

Looking like straight sets

Jackson, Rivers and Sparrow starring… for Brisbane.

Pickett late tackle again …. Goal to Brisbane. Get some Discipline!

Rivers is terrible tonight

Interesting use of tense, Sisso. (I’ve noticed this trend lately on Demonland. Frankly, drives me crazy.) But yes, they’re only in it because of his last kick.

A lot of those red line turnovers might tell the story.

Many of you are going to hate this, especially those making excuses or finding reasons why we should have won games we lost. Other teams could argue the same when we beat them. Our record against Collingwood, Sydney and Geelong this year shows we are probably the fourth best club in it. Yes, on our day we could beat all of them. But we have too few of those days. We don’t apply pressure, we fumble under opposition pressure, we miss easy goals and we can’t run out games. Let’s be realistic… Unless we fix those problems we won’t make it past Friday night.

I’m going on Friday night thanks to @Grapeviney. I haven’t been to a Melbourne final since Jimmy ran over the mark. Go Demons!!

Thanks. Yes, just checked. Too far up for me 🙁 Maybe someone will have a spare ticket closer to the action before game day.

Can’t be sure, but my wife will think of something.

If anyone has a ticket they’d like to sell, please let me know.

I used to tell you I’d be watching from France, but after a four month trip taking in Spain, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia and Bali, I’m actually in Australia! Phillip Island to be exact. Unfortunately I don’t have a ticket to the game so I’ll watch on TV. Enjoy, everyone. Go Demons!

Or are you just being layzie?

Probably better than skipping and joking. Maybe he’s serious about results.

I’m looking for the joke in that @Demonstone, but I can’t find it.

Thanks Dee Dee. I can’t find that anywhere on The Age site. Do you have a reference?