Fanatique Demon

A friend and I had an interesting WhatsApp exchange. He's a Saints supporter. His idea was to merge the two clubs to make way for a Tasmania team in 2020. Not suggesting that's a good idea or would ever happen. But he said the Saints had the better list and he could easily find 13 current Saints players who'd be walk up starts. I thought surely we'll have more than 13 in a combined team with the Saints. So, who are our 13+ players? On this year's form I found only 7: Gawn, Oliver, Brayshaw, Harmes, Salem, Viney and Melksham. Add Injured players May, Lever, Jetta in the hope they'll make good recoveries and recapture their form. Now I have 10. Maybe include Tom Mac because he'll put through this slump. So that's 11. After that it gets seriously difficult to find others. Conclusion? Maybe he's right. The Saints have the better list and we have 11 real players and a lot of pretenders. Perhaps we could offer the pretenders to the new Tasmanian team ?

Dee Zephyr, you have my vote for prophet and assistant coach.

You're right. The cupboard is bare. And he's the captain so it's unlikely he'll get dropped. Hardly the way to earn most games in the famous #2. In my humble opinion.

Yes Rolling Fog, our players are far too polite. Unfortunately they're more polite than some of the contributors to Demonland.

First, Nasher, I'm not "this dude" but a member with an opinion to share. Second, he shouldn't stand aside because I think he's unworthy of second place but because he isn't up to it at the moment. Understand?

Jones: two games short of Robbie Flower's 272. Have appreciated all Jones has done, but he doesn't deserve to pass Robbie. Or to hold the record for the #2 jumper. Stand aside, Nathan.

Lockhart - don't get caught oliver - handball it wider Jones - prepare for retirement Lewis - media career awaits Brawshaw - find a teammate Viney - try some skill Frost - think/act quicker Gawn - never gave up Tmac - much better effort Stretch - earned another game Garlett - worth a try Smith - that, and better Melksham - showed up mids Salem - one with class Hibberd - played fumble ball The rest - can't be bothered

And what's with his giant wide-open mouth when he stops running? Is he yawning?! His play could put me to sleep.

Hard to find winners, but Tmac and Hibbo did their jobs despite making plenty of mistakes. I generally love Oliver, but he played poorly. Yes, plenty of possessions but fumbled, missed targets and ran lazily. I thought he looked injured, disinterested, or both. 106 "Fantasy Points"! The name says it all. So my votes are 6 Gawn 5 Melksham 4 Tmac 3 Hibbo 2 Brayshaw 1 Salem

Not blaming anyone in particular, but I find too many posts turn personal. It's spoiling it for those of us who just want to understand the game and share our thoughts. Please!

He might be a bit slow Sisso, but check out his numbers for last year: Disposals 540 (4th for our team) Kicks 285 (3rd) Marks 115 (4th) Handballs 255 (4th) Uncontested possessions 349 (3rd) Intercept possessions 155 (1st) Not bad for an old man.

Hore - not yet Hooker

Frost? He was terrible against the Bummers. No way he is doing his job. Gives away free kicks; gets out marked by smaller opponents. I had to avert my eyes every time he went near the ball. Oscar isn't much better but makes fewer mistakes.

Both Gus and Clarrie need to use the ball better. Wasted possessions do not make a B&F.

I take it you mean "start thinking 2020". Sure, but those of us who are old don't want to wait, even for a year. I have lost 4 family/friends Demon supporters in the last few years who died living in hope since 1964.

Can't believe how many times we leave our opponents alone and go into a contest to aid others who are already there. Madness! And as for three flying to spoil one opponent! Give me a break. Forty years ago I played under 17s. We knew stuff like this.

Agree, Werridee. All or nothing.

I really like this three word summary, JB. Thanks. I'd add: Backs: 1. Guard a man 2. One man up Mids: 1. Run both ways 2. Kick to us Forwards: 1. Make some space 2. Mark one, occasionally Coaches: 1. Are you blind? 2. Earn your pay

So, is our game plan doomed? After three rounds, the two most "chaos" teams are... Melbourne 0-3; Richmond 1-2. Add Collingwood's semi chaos game plan... 1-2. Or is it more about last year's finalists struggling to find form early in the year?

First, thanks LH for a great summary. And Diamond Jim, I agréé. We can drive it in 37, 73 or even 100 times. The number makes no difference if we turn it over and it exits straight away. Last year we (mostly) marked it or crumbed it. This year we just watch it sail back to where it came from.

First, thanks LH for a great summary. And Diamond Jim, I agréé. We can drive it in 37, 73 or even 100 times. The number makes no difference if we turn it over and it exits straight away. Last year we (mostly) marked it or crumbed it. This year we just watch it sail back to where it came from.

People talk about "game plans". I would really like to understand each club's game plan in just 4 or 5 bullet points. We could start with our own and then address the others alphabetically.

Thanks for explaining, Skuit. It's somewhat difficult for a French resident to understand all that goes on inside the club and in this forum. Lots of things go over my head.

Why do you feel a need to respond like that? I asked a genuine question because I am not familiar with those nicknames.

Pardon my ignorance. Who are Neo and Stinger?