Deeko2

Everyone's looking good at present with the style we're playing so it's pleasantly challenging, but Viney - if fit and in form - still gets a game in front of: Laurie Sparrow Culley Tholstrup I've always been a fan of Sparrow and he's been great the last few weeks. But people forget that when Jack is fit and firing, the output that Sparrow has produced is on par with what Viney produces consistently. He also tags like a madman if needed so I think he has the Kolt covered. Also, I know Culley was the flavour of the month before the season started and he has some clear AFL traits but I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more from him - albeit he is playing a tough role as a high half forward where stats are hard to come by. The good thing is at present, there is no rush for Viney to return and we can make sure he's 100% ready to go. But if he gets back his best, I think he will remind a few why he is so important to our team very quickly.

I kind of get where you're coming from DFA but I'd like to think the locker room should be just thankful that the club is bringing in the best players to maximise the players likelihood of success. Not sure it would dirsupt too much unless the said player comes in and acts like a smug peanut. We always need to bringing in high end talent to improve our list. People may look back at some Grand Finals and think the big recruits might not have fired on the day but forget the lead up for a couple big name forwards. 2019 the Tiges got Tom Lynch after losing the 2018 Prelim. In the 2019 Prelim, Tom stars with a BOG and 5 goals where Jack Riewoldt couldn't catch a cold. They win the flag where Lynch is quieter (from what I remember) but they don't get this flag without him 2024 Joe Daniher was I think best on in a Semi or Prelim vs GWS in a game decided by less than a kick slotting a couple impossible shots late in the game. I'm a big fan of Walter. Reminds me a lot of Charlie Churnow in how he attacks in the air. This could be the last year we get him relatively cheaply as he's about to hit a peak age. I'd still rather Humphrey however as goal kicking mids who are good in the air should be everyones #1 target.

He's developed nicely into an ok role player. Seems to defend well enough and safe with the ball in hand when rebounding. That's all I want from him and it's great to see the young kids getting better and better with more confidence. He reminds me a bit of Col Garland in the fact he's out there, playing his role with minimal fuss and you can right now trust him to do it very well.

The air is always fresher, the sun brighter and the mood more enjoyable as I smugly walk into the office this morning wearing my demons scarf in a team filled with Blues supporters. Last night, on my third glass of Nanny Goat Pinot Noir, grinning like a Cheshire cat, I found myself getting into my old habit of lurking on the losing teams fan forums and just feeding off the sweet tears of there pain. The usual comments: Sack the coach The list is shocking The fitness guys have no idea Our stars wouldn't even get a game at another club I'm done with this club and this is the absolute last straw I came to the conclusion that I'm rather a sick person enjoying the pain rather than focusing on our positives and probably need to shake that habit.... but is always just so delicious and sweet against the Blues/Pies/Bombers for me. So I just thought I'd ask - what to other demonlanders do post a win? Are there any little traditions or quirks you'd like to share?

100%. All I could think about watching it was how have we so quickly returned to this game style. In reflection however, we got absolutely smashed around pill by an absolute red hot Freo midfield. I think our lads just basically crapped themselves with panic kicks everywhere. It looked boys vs men. We were definitely poor - no doubt. But that first quarter, they looked absolutely phenomenel. If they keep fit, get Hayden Young back then they really should be pushing for a top 4 finish.

Thanks Sydee - I was going to complete this exact comparison and you've saved me the work :) Excellent job. That's the only thing I'm looking at this year is the comparison of these two and comfortable we've covered our net loss with Steele coming in. I do believe Clayton's score involvements would be at another level playing at a club with better ball users around him and a more attacking game plan rather than the one we had over the last couple years. He'll be the same extractor as ever and the extra polish around him will make him look better than last year. So this stat maybe inflated due to no real difference in Clayton's game. The goal he kicked last week was classic Clayton. Looked like he panicked 50m out, slammed a mongrel on the boot and it some how floated through. He's still going to have some good moments as he was a champion player but he's still nowhere near his best and just looks like a solid B grade mid.

From the infamous 'Betsy' article that recently came out, I'm wondering if the MRC were expecting more benefits of the deal. The comment around the tunnel is one thing - that really could be mitigated if need be however the unwillingness to share the administration facility is interesting. Maybe they thought they were getting some new free gym area/office space/canteen/commercial kitchen bar usage via the Demons new HQ but we've told them that will 100% be ours. "There are many issues that threaten to scupper the deal – the main being the football club’s insistence a tunnel is built underneath the racetrack [which would shut racing down for at least a year], not to mention an unwillingness to share an administration facility." Nothing worse than an additional rooster in the hen house. If this is the case, I hope we hold firm.

I have always felt the same way BBP. I can imagine the drive out to Casey might not be the most enjoyable some days but its a small price to pay when you're raking in some decent cash as a full time footballer with a fair bit of time to spare. If I'm a best 22 player at a club and have options to move, I believe the location of a training facility would be a smaller part in the final decision making. Obviously I can speak for others, but I feel the primary reasons to change clubs would be based on: Chance of premiership success Dollars of contract Tenor of contract Playing a desirable/preferred role in the team. Moving back to home state. I'd have these 5 well over what we have in place at present.

Labushagne was dominating the shield competition prior to the Ashes commencing and looked to have been in great touch. I'm honestly not sure who else really deserved a call up to bat in the #3 position. I've loved the Weatherald selection as he was probably the best opening bat in the shield comp also but he hasn't set the world on fire here and this test could be his last if he doesn't fire in the second innings. Green..... well.... I almost feel for him how he's continually played when form isn't warranting. Should have been dropped with Renshaw in as the most in form shield player batting at 6. I'll never understand our real desire to select an all rounder. For the minimal overs they bowl, just roll with Head or Marnus. Furthermore, Starc & Cummins chipping in runs covers the need for an all rounder also.

His family lives in Mildura. Don't worry bluey, we're all proud Victorians and he doesn't have any 'go home factor' about him. All the people from Mildura follow Victorian teams, very rare for anyone to follow a NSW or SA team. We just more frequently travel across to Adelaide to watch the footy as the drive is two hours less. I'm an MCC member but have probably seen the dees twice at the G over the last 3 years where as I haven't missed us as Adelaide Oval. The advantage of Melbourne however is the direct flights in however that's getting pricier and pricier. But back on point, he's definitely not what I'd classify an interstater. Geographically rpfc - you're correct - however we don't really refer to them northerners as being from the same place. Wentworth/Dareton area..... well..... she's pretty rough there.

He's got a higher ceiling than Tommy Sparrow in that he has a great leap and a bit more flexible in that he can impact up forward with his marking. On his stats, he was rotated a lot more up forward during the year hence he's not just racking up 25+ in the midfield each week. I have no doubt if we was playing as a pure mid then he'd have far more attractive numbers but he was impacting up forward well so he was always going to be a hybrid. On the comparisons with Heeney, yes they play a similar role but Cumming is nowhere near the quality of Heeney. I have Heeney in one of the best dozen in the comp. Hopefully Sam gets to a similar level and he has so many positive aspects but Heeney was a jet and remains so.

I know Sam and the family well. Outstanding club people (mum and dad are both Life Members at Wentworth FNC) and he's just grown up with a footy in his hands. His old man, was not only a long term wonderful player (well before I moved to Mildura) but his mum was a great netballer. They run the largest commercial landscaping business locally and were the contractors who completed the three immaculate ovals AFL level ovals at the $40m + Mildura Sporting Precinct. So if Sam isn't getting a kick in the ones, we can get him and the family on the tools at Caulfield. The project also included 4 outdoor netball courts and 6 indoor basketball courts and offices. On Sam, he's an exciting talent and would like to have him but I have never seen much X factor that makes him a high end pick. I've always thought of him being a really solid mid fielder. I see him more of a James McDonald type.

Interesting thought. Surely they wouldn't have the cap space for both would they? May be a silly question, but do they have the same cap space as all clubs or is there some kind of advantage to GWS/GC as nepo babies still? Not sure how they're fitting everyone in anymore.

They may increase the trade currency if we increase our contribution of his contract. Might be an opportunity for us to snag P12 if we throw in some more cashola. Not sure who else we'll be paying if we don't get BH, Trac going and what, 50% of Clarries contract gone. I wouldn't be against 'buying' our way up the draft if there is something there we like.

The optics aren't necessarily bad in terms of value vs the results you presented above. The biggest issue I have is the so called low quality of this draft that people continually throw around in the media. Also - personally, I never rate draft picks. The risk is just too high with not getting a full return when you're losing a known star player. We must get a known player of high quality in return,. Out of your list above, Cameron, Danger and Neale - all known stars at the time - went on to win premierships at there new clubs. Shiel was just a horrible trade all around for the Bombers and the Judd trade broke even solely due to Josh Kennedy becoming a superstar. As the old saying goes, 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' which is especially prevalent around how the Cats traded Danger and Cameron noting: The giants return of draft picks ended up being Conor Stone, Ryan Angwin and Brayden Cook. The crows return of draft picks ended up being Wayne Milera, Dean Gore and Troy Menzel Could the Crows have won the 2017 premiership with Danger running around for them? Maybe. Would the Cats continued being a powerhouse without Cameron/Danger? Unlikely. Would the Lions have done as well without Lachie Neale? Unlikely Could GWS pinched a flag with Cameron still there? Maybe. Anyways, you're probably right that it looks a good deal and the draft picks above aren't as high as above obviously, but I just wanted to get my point across about how draft picks can really suck.