the fork

Cheers Titan. This is the beginning of what our side is hopefully going to see more of, players competing for spots, our forward line needs this desperately.

Thanks for your thorough explanation of your original post. It's helpful to have clarification for reasons which I'll get into. I certainly wasn't trying to decide if your remarks were OK or not. I was merely trying to discover from you, being a regular contributer to Demonland, something I ask myself a lot of the time when I'm on here: Does the poster really believe in what they have just contributed to the discussion? Or is is something that comes to mind and keeps the conversation rolling? I, like others I know, find myself scrolling through masses of posts written by people who really don't value or own what it is they are writing. It is tiring occasionally as often, just when a conversation is starting to get interesting and in depth, in comes the snipers with thoughtless one liners who hijack peoples attention into the same old game. When I first joined Demonland I read each post throughly, I considered each opinion and it really got me thinking. But after a while observing the way some people post, I have found most discussions to be full of flippant, off the cuff remarks, poorly thought out and therefore presented. It makes discussing topics, any topics on here, really problematic. Now this is obviously a problem I have with these forums, I understand that not everyone comes on here for meaningful discussion about footy. I think it's fine to crap on about most topics. But when players, their lives and their jobs are discussed with the same flippancy, it stirs me. I have merely used your post as an example, not as a particularly bad example, more one that just shone out because of it's potentially damaging (if the player were to read it) nature and because you are a poster who I am not used to reading this from. For the record your post didn't come across as negative, it was negative. I am not trying to suggest you or anyone else shouldn't post, I am really just trying to provoke an across the board lift in peoples attitude and effort when posting. Cheers Titan, please don't take this personally, as it was not how it was intended. Trust me mate if I was into emoticons I'd do a little smily one, but I hate the damn things and promised myself I'd never use one.

Your first sentence has to be one of the most flippant comments I have read on this site in the past two years. Lets get to the guts of what your trying to say. In a team that has finished on the bottom of the ladder two years running. In a team that has been beaten by over 100 points on numerous occasions, a team that still carries the burden of over $1 million dollars worth of debt, who is still at the mercy of the AFL. A team plagued by injury, lack of consistency and seriously under performing players, Addam Maric a 19 year old kid whose played 5 games is, in your opinion, your Biggest disappointment. Titan I want to know did you just type this or do you really mean this? In your opinion is Addam Maric really our clubs Biggest disappointment? And if you do mean it, do you mean it from the pit of your guts, or off the top of your head? I'm interested because I'm yet to decide what we're all getting from this. Do we just want to share each others passing remarks about players or do we want to in a constructive way discuss our club and make it into a better one?

Just like to chip in and say that Jordie Mc Kenzie being given an early number was a telling gesture given the sacrifice he has made for the club. I would not suggest that this was in anyway token either. I believe the club giving him Number 13 was done with the knowledge that he is going to be a strong contributer to our club in the future. Lets not forget this young fella, people like him make great clubs. Come Round 11 I hope we see him on the MCG. Go Jordie!

If by chance we lose and if by chance our next game was to be played in Alice Springs I would encourage you all to make the trip. Traeger Park would be a sea of Red & Blue with one name on it's lips... Jurrah. The frantic screams of excitement from across the ground everytime he neared the ball is something you'd never forget.

I feel sick in the guts when the recruitment of a young man to our club is met with such know-it-all arrogance, shock and dismay. So what, some thought we should have taken player X or Y or had seen a great clip on You Tube of player Z. Gysberts, has been suggested a first round recruit by some, and yesterday was by our footy department. Anyone got anything to say about CHRISTIAN HOWARD a defender from Glenelg taken by the Dogs at 15? Never heard of him? Does this mean he is crap and the Dogs have made a mistake or is it possible that those whose opinions flourish online may actually not know everything. Maybe Demonland has got more in common wiu BigFooty than it is willing to realise?

One more time for good measure: 1. Tom Scully 2. Jack Trengove 11. Daniel Talia 18. Vardy / Bastinac 34. Max Gawn 50. Dylan Grimes PSD Joel McDonald 18 = Whichever is available

From an article in the NT News: Jurrah has also noted the deeds of his cousin Liam Patrick and the interest he has attracted from the Demons, Hawthorn, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Asked if his cousin and 2005 premiership teammate was good enough to mix it with the best footballers in Australia, Jurrah broke into a broad grin. "Liam's got everything an AFL club needs, my first cousin is quick, has a good lead and can take a mark on the run or in the air when he jumps as high as anyone. "Don't worry about Liam on the footy field, he'll prove to everyone he can play football with the best players." http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/11/1...11_ntsport.html

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/11/1...11_ntsport.html LIAM Jurrah finds it hard to believe a quietly spoken man from Yuendumu in the middle of Australia is the talk of the football world. The 21-year-old marking forward is already a household name in Australian football after playing nine games and kicking 20 goals in his first season with AFL club Melbourne

1. Scully 2. Trengove 11. Talia 18. Melksham 34. TBA 50. Patrick PSD. Thorp Anyone who thinks that Tom isn't mature enough to hold the number one mantle should read about him in The Herald Sun this morning. Talia if available Vardy would be great at 18, but have read that Port will take him at 16. 34 - unsure, will update... 50 - Think Liam Patrick may still be in the mix at 50 and would be worth a punt

1. Scully 2. Trengove 11. Talia / Tapscott 18. Vardy / Melksham 34. TBA 50. Patrick PSD. Thorp Anyone who thinks that Tom isn't mature enough to hold the number one mantle should read about him in The Herald Sun this morning. Talia if available, then Tapscott Vardy would be great at 18, but if Melksham lasted this long I have a feeling we'll take him. 34 - unsure, will update... 50 - Think Liam Patrick may still be in the mix at 50 and would be worth a punt

Patrick to play for Eagles GREY MORRIS November 12th, 2009 LIAM Patrick's two-game exile from the NTFL will end tomorrow night when he runs on to TIO Stadium to play for Wanderers in the grand final rematch against St Marys. The "Lajamanu Lightning Bolt" has been told to keep a low profile by AFL clubs in the lead-up to the November 26 national draft and December 15 pre-season and rookie drafts. Hawthorn and Melbourne have been the main pursuers of Patrick, who several pundits have likened to another Warlpiri AFL player with the same christian name, Liam Jurrah. Wanderers president Steve Olsson said the ruckman-forward was keen to play after starring in Wanderers' early season wins. "He's trying his best to get to Darwin to train (tonight) before playing against Saints," he said. "Hawthorn is one club that don't want him to play but there are others who want to have a look at Liam. The new Gold Coast club will have someone here for the game and I know Brisbane and North Melbourne are interested as well." Olsson said Patrick's inclusion, combined with the return of inspirational skipper Shannon Motlop, Ali Bond, John Bonson and Christian Schild was important. "We need to start winning again with the Christmas break only six games away," he said. "Injuries and unavailabilities haven't helped us as the number of changes every week would indicate. But hopefully things are getting back to normal now." ------ From todays NT News: ST MARYS and Wanderers have brought back some big guns for tonight's NTFL grand final rematch at TIO Stadium. Saints skipper Peter MacFarlane is back for his first game since injuring his right shoulder in the Round 2 game against Waratahs. Shannon Rioli on a back flank and goalkicker Anthony Gardiner also return. Wanderers named AFL draft hopeful Liam Patrick in the ruck for his first game since Round 4. (Has been home in Lajamanu for a couple of weeks as I understand)

something I posted elsewhere: Those suggesting we take Ball at all are ignoring that if he cared one iota for the Melbourne Football Club he would have nominated for the PSD. He is asking us to pay for him by way of an early pick which ultimately harms the team he would potentially play for. This to me shows that our club is not in his interests, at all. Wasting a pick on him would be bad for team club culture. No argument there. Sorry if this point has already been made I'm over Luke Ball and have stayed ear of these threads until now.

Not sure. I've kind of contradicted myself I suppose. Suggesting that Carslile's recent injury may push him beyond clubs like Port then suggesting we wait until our fourth pick. Carslile at 11 and Vardy at 18. Those suggesting we take Ball at all are ignoring that if he cared one iota for the Melbourne Football Club he would have nominated for the PSD. He is asking us to pay for him by way of an early pick which ultimately harms the team he would potentially play for. This to me shows that our club is not in his interests, at all. Wasting a pick on him would be bad for team club culture. No argument there. The Meesen move I suppose has just impressed upon me our need for a ruckman.

Thought the following was interesting, might give some hope to the fact that Carlisle will last until 18. Injury concerns cast a cloud on draft prospects Emma Quayle | November 8, 2009 THE fate of two of the most promising key position prospects has been complicated by injury concerns less than three weeks out from this year's national draft. Jake Carlisle, considered a likely first-round choice from the Calder Cannons, has a back problem while the Eastern Ranges' Ben Griffiths, another potential first-rounder, will have his shoulder reconstructed a day before the November 26 draft, after any injury-plagued season. Carlisle, who has shown promise playing both forward and in defence, is understood to have a prolapsed disc in his back and some nerve restriction. AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said there was no evidence of alarming long-term damage. http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/in...7247793126.html Vardy at 11 for me, Carslile at 18

Article from the HS: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/bolt...f-1225795936756

Hey Rudeboy, if you're in Alice and you want to catch up let me know. Always keen for a footy chat, happy to show you around town. Would be great to hear how it goes. Hope the mighty Nyirrpi Demons have a win! Cheers

Caught up with some Nyirrpi (nearby community to Yuendumu) mob today who are buzzing with the news that Liam is arriving home in the coming week with a few friends! Rumour has it that Jimmy is coming as is Dean Bailey and a couple of players. Big event in the program is apparently a "scratch" match between the Nyirrpi Demons and the Yuendumu Magpies kids teams. Our friends at Mt Theo apparently facilitating the visit, should be great for the community and the club.

Watts was one forward picked amongst six midfielders/half-back flankers. Hence the "only". Remembering that Jurrah was not on our radar at this time. My comment does not infer a lack of talent as you clumisily suggest. As you rightly suggest, our midfield was was lacking this time last year. But to spend five of six picks to fix it is what I am questioning. We equally lacked quality forwards and perhaps failed to capitalise in a draft that provided many more potential forward/ruck options than we knew the 2009 draft would. Unlike wanting to present gospel like so many around here, I am posing a question rather that attempting to impose my opinion as fact.

Watts Bate Jurrah Maric Green Wonaeamirri interchnge: Pettard, Miller, Jetta. Watts: Should be ready for at least 10 games this year, Bate and Miller to provide some protection. Bate: Often underrated on here, when our team fires from the middle this bloke will be pivotal. Jurrah: I don't have to say much do I? So hard to match up on. Maric: Waiting for this kid to break into the dangerous player I think he'll become. Green: We need a little class and a reliable kick, a cool head with experience. Wonaeamirri: Highly rated internally at the club and will play cameos in the midfield next year. Pettard: Has a role to play, love his determination. Miller: Well we're not paying him to play for Casey. Jetta: Knows where they are, as shown previously. On another note, albeit a pointless one. It seems that in this years draft we are clambering to draft one if not two KPF. Does anyone not think we missed an opportunity to draft one last year? I thought it odd that we drafted so many vaguely similar players. It was a known fact in 2008 that the 2009 draft was lacking potential KPF's. That said we only drafted Watts and later Jurrah. Below is a list of players we overlooked, admittedly one or two are ruckman, but with the ability to play forward. In my opinion at least one of these would have been handy. Draft Selection - Team - Name - Height - Comments 22. Port Adelaide -- Jackson Trengove, 197cm, yet to play. 25. Brisbane Lions -- Jack Redden, 189cm, Dees apparently considered drafting Jack. 8 Games, Four goals. 26. Richmond -- Jaydyn Post - 7 Games, 2 Goals, Avg, 10.6 Disposals. 28. Adelaide -- Shaun McKernan, 196cm, 1 game, 8 Disposals. 31. Western Bulldogs -- Jordan Roughead, 199cm, Dees were apparently interested in him at Pick 19. 50. Hawthorn -- Jordan Lisle, 196cm 54. Port Adelaide -- Jarrad Redden, 202cm 57. Brisbane Lions -- Aaron Cornelius, 191.9cm, 1 Game, 2 Goals, 9 Disp.

Plenty of talk about Troy locally, plays for the Thunder who compete in the QAFL. On Taylor: Article with photo: YOUNG NT rookie Troy Taylor has finished runner-up in the NAB QAFL Rising Star award... http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/09/0...51_ntsport.html ----- "He is a Jared Brennan/Darryl White type of player," McLean said. "Troy is just one of those players blessed with great natural talent." http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/07/1...15_ntsport.html ----- It was another impressive display from Centralian young gun Troy Taylor http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/07/2...51_news_pf.html

I started this thread more as a point of interest really, rather than a 'let's draft this bloke". I think it is interesting and significant that a cousin of Jurrah's was driven to make a huge life decision (moving from Lajamanu to Darwin) in an effort to be drafted after being inspired by Liam's success with our club. This is an example of the positive impact Liam is going to have on players from the Central Desert region, who now know that anything is possible. I am providing updates just to keep those who may also be interested in the loop.

WANDERERS coach Paul Motlop is bringing the Lajamanu Lightning Bolt, Liam Patrick, to Darwin in a bid to increase his draft chances. Patrick has been a sensation in his first season in the NTFL, inspiring his adopted Eagles to three straight wins, including two momentous comebacks. The 21-year-old is already being spoken about as a draft prospect when the AFL's national draft is held in Melbourne next month. "We want to give Liam the best possible chance of getting drafted and getting him settled in Darwin seems the right way to go about it," Motlop said. The Eagles are also looking at relocating Relton Roberts to the Top End for the same reason. "Those two blokes are possible draftees and are also very important to Wanderers," Motlop said. Article with another photo: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/10/2...91_ntsport.html

Lajamanu's Liam Patrick again proved to be the magician with the potion that gave his teammates the incentive and passion to turn around a big deficit. "We must have some sort of power that lifts us when we are down," an ecstatic Patrick said after the game. "I never thought we'd come back again, Nightcliff was playing too well and we thought it wouldn't happen like last week. "But the boys showed a lot of heart and did it again, it's been an amazing couple of weeks." Wanderers 1.5 5.8 8.14 12.17 (89) Nightcliff 5.3 9.4 13.6 13.9 (87) Goals - A Beaumont 2 B Motlop 2 A Bond J McNamee L Patrick R Prendergast M West J Scrymgour C Wurramarrba B Marston. Nightcliff: T Motlop 5 M Derksen 2 T Parker 2 C Adams G Althouse J Koenig B White. Best - Wanderers: L Patrick H Calma J Erlandson A Beaumont M West. Comments from earlier game: Gundersen agreed that the move of Liam Patrick into the ruck had turned an unloseable game of footy on its ear. "Like I said earlier, it's all about playing some smart footy and looking for an opponent when the opposition has got the ball," he said. "Liam Patrick got under our guard in that aspect and it's part of the game we have to learn very quickly at this level." WANDERERS staged one of the biggest comebacks in NTFL history yesterday by coming from 65 points down early in the third quarter to beat the Tiwi Bombers. Patrick continued to give his players first use of the football out of the centre in the last term as the Eagles took advantage of some panic in the Bombers camp. Photo: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/10/1...31_ntsport.html