Dee man

If selectors recognise that newton is eligible, he should gain a nomination and hopefully give a good challenge for the medal Petterd should definitely be up there in the top 5 at the end of the year if he keeps going at the rate he was last year. I'm also expecting Buckley to get nominated, and possible Morton and Valenti if they play. But, as with every year, there are heaps that deserve nominations that miss out (Bell rings (mind the pun) to mind)

Miller should play CHF with Bate injured. It means that he won't be playing defence and that's all that matters. On a serious note, though, Bate has overtaken Miller as CHF and since he has not playing, this will be Miller's last chance to prove he can play key position forward. While we haven't seen his best in ages, Millers' best was at CHF and he must be tried there otherwise he is virtually useless on our list. By CHF, I reckon play him floating up the ground. He now knows how to kick, so now he hopefully knows what to do when he gets it 60-80m out.

That was a sensational little preview there... your comment in 'History' is particularly refreshing. I would think that making a top 10 and justifying it would be very difficult, especially considering the fortunes (or should I say misfortunes) of players in 07. I think Jmac would definitely be up there, and youngsters like Jones but other than those I don't think there would much cement...

Can't see a mass exodus like what you have suggested. Can see Neitz and possibly Holland or Whelan retiring, but Yze, McDonald and White still have more to offer, especially Jmac - he's been our best player by a country mile for the last two years!!!!!! Probably agree with the rest, but I believe that all of Miller, CJ and Bode (especially CJ) still have got talent to become solid contributors to the side.

I stole the 'Elite, Core, Depth, Fringe, etc.' model from the Herald Sun reviews a few years back, but perhaps you guys are right.. I'll start using it again once we truly do have 'elite' players as such. For those that are interested, here are my basic defintions for each category : Elite - The best few Demons who have consistently produced quality performances in recent times (while Bruce and McLean were not fantastic last year, they showed plenty in 05-06 to warrant staying in that category - players like Davey,White,Rivers,Moloney,Rivers and Robbo missed out due to lack of consistency or significant injuries) Core - Reliable players who are generally definite starters in the 22 - are capable of winning games but that is not their core responsibility or their expectation. Depth - Players either on the rise or decline that have not cemented their position in the team. Some of those would probably be considered 'core' if it wasn't for such a recent bad run of injuries. Fringe - Players that have not proven themselves yet, and need to if they want to stay on the list in 2009. (I included Meesen there because I have yet to see him play.) Youth - Players eligible for Rising Star in 08 Rookies - Couldn't be more self explanatory... The reason I put Neitz in the depth is because he simply isn't a player we can rely on anymore. Sure, on his day he is brilliant, but how many of those 'days' did we see in 07, and how many are we going to see in 2008? I'm not discounting the fact that he is a club legend, I am simply stating that he is past his prime, and has significantly fell beneath other players. It wouldn't surprise me if Newton replaced him at FF sometime during the year.

The reason I considered him to be 'elite' is that, bar McDonald, he is probably the most consistent of the Demons. He may not dominate games, but he always seems to be in our top 5 or 6 performers each game - hi B+f finishes exempplify that; he has been top 6 or 7 for the past 5 or 6 years and each year he has gradually increased his position. I actually had a lot of trouble determining who are the 'elite' Demons - initially I could only choose Jmac. Lets hope that in a few years, that will be a much easier task.

Gday Demonlandists. For those who use Demonology, you are probably aware that I write Season previews/reviews each year. This year, I have uploaded my 2008 Preview up on wordpress as Demonology is currently being re-written. Feel feel to add any questions or comments here or at the following link: http://hihathawkins.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/mfc2008/ Hope you all enjoy it, Kevin Hawkins

The best 22 looks almost spot on except for Miller, who is no longer out answer at CHF. Bate is.

goodoil, do you know what bus that is and where u can catch it from?

Is Round 12 when we start trailing off and 'thinking about the future'? Id like to see Morton out there next year and I wouldn't be surprised if Marric played a lot of games either. Him as a small forward means Davey can play as an outside midfielder/running half back which I can't wait for!

By the sounds of CAC, he may be the next Nathan Brown/Matthew Whelan whom I would be happy with. When I read he was a medium defender I was a bit disappointed (as we already have Bell, CJ, Petterd, Bartram, etc.) but reading about his hardness has changed my mind.

I rate him very highly. He was only behind Rivers and Davey in the Rising Star a few years back. Imagine having the top 3 Rising Stars from one year all in your team... I reckon he can make a recovery - it would be an awful shame if he couldn't.

that is one damn good team. however, i would definitely have chris johnson in the starting 18. hes won 3 premierships and i think another 3 or 4 all aussies. i would also have any of the 3 emergencies over rowan jones.

After his stint with Sandy, he came back and picked up a career high disposals and kicked on of the best goals I had ever seen. Despite his former consistency vanishing, his skill and talent and ability are all still there. IMO he will line up Round 1 2008 and expect him to only miss a few games throughout the year.

But surely Judd will be no.1... we did get him, right?

Believe or not, I don't mind him - simply because he was an outstanding footballer. Although he may seem a little arrogant, hes nothing compared to the likes of Akermanis, Cousins, or Crawford

Agree with most of your points and placings. However, you've probably rated Travis Johnstone too high IMO - he didn't really stand up when we needed him most. Plus, I would have thought Juice to be a rising star. Nonetheless, a great read and a very reasonable list.

Cough cough cough http://demonology.midnight.net.au/Index.iH...p;ArticleID=856 cough cough self-publicity cough

3rd round + Miller for either Adcock or Sherman? You obviously haven't seen Adcock or Sherman play much. They will be superstars. As much as I'd love to see Miller play for the Lions, the Lions won't want him. They've got Brown up forward and Merrett down back - Miller would useless for them. Nonetheless, I've heard way worse trade scenarios than that these past few weeks!

The thing I hate about all organisations is that they change things like logos when you don't need to. Making changes like a new logo cost millions of dollars for an organisation. I loved the Demon logo we currently have. They could have modified it slightly in some way to include a 150 year thing, but this new thing is ridiculous and was probably made in Ms Paint.

If Carlton trade Fevola to get him, then they will have the worst playing list in the history of the AFL discounting Judd. Who would they have? Carrazzo, Waites ok, Simpson can do a bit, Scotland gets easy Bowden possessions... oh and how could I forget their superstar Lance Whitnall.

Judd and possible Jolly -> Melbourne we lose TJ + another player to Sydney we also lose 4 and 21 to West Coast Sydney give 11 to West Coast

I think Holland has been a more than handy pickup. Whether he was worth pick 20 will be determined in the coming years, but he has given us good service up forward and recently down back. In his limited opportunities this year he was pretty good to very good in pretty much all of them. BOG against Bulldogs IMO and was close to it against the Pies. Remember, too, that he was in superb form as a defender mid-2006. When he, Rivers, Wheels were all fit, our defence was for once looking decent. Subsequently, Carroll was much more confident and was able to stick to his guns, and was one of the best full backs, and biggest improvers of the league in 2006. Look at this year, Carroll had virtually no one back there to support him (Bell and Brown playing more up field) and subsequently had a shocking season. I say if Bailey can turn P Johnson or Miller into the next Ben Holland, he will be very satisfied.

2. Don't jump the gun... but if we do get him, either Jamar and P Johnson are good enough to be backup ruckmen IMO, Johnson in particular as I see him holding down a spot up forward or down back 3. Bate, anyone?

Thanks guys for the positive feedback! Sorry to 'Deeman' for stealing your title! Just couldn't be bothered thinking of a new name; I'm 'Dee man' at Demonology (I was thinking about 'Double Dee' but hmm... that might be a little inappropraite...) I love the Mini Chief and would have loved to mention him (and Bell) more, but obviously I can't cover every one thoroughly. But don't worry, he'll certainly be a feature player mentioned in future articles (such as my 2008 piece 'Jones Brownlow the cream on Bailey's cake')