Lord Nev

I really like him as a player. No nonsense, tackles well, and never seen a game where he hasn't given 100%. Just not loving him on the wing right now. Not sure what his best role is though tbh, he's great as a utility though so you'd find a role for him somewhere.

Yeah, absolutely no argument he needs to lift. I just think when you're a team that's terrible going inside 50 you have to find a way to get it to him more to help that rather than drop him from the team.

Goes at 46% kicks retained inside 50. Our next best is something like 19%.

Yep. I like JJ, but I don't like him on the wing. Too slow for the pressure and there and ends up with just no look kicks (when he manages to actually get it away). 4 tutnovers, 3 clangers and only 177 metres gained is poor from a winger when we're going down his side of the ground a lot of the game. Poor from a pressure point of view as well, not because he doesn't try but just purely because his lack of speed isn't made up for enough by his reading of the play. I think we need to tip the balance of run and speed more and bring in Harmes for JJ. Personally I'd get Gus back on the wing, that's where he plays his best footy within the context of team performance (also he's averaging nearly 8 turnovers a game since going into the midfield). Agree on a second tall forward and Bowey, I'm keen on both, but can't see Goody doing it at this stage. ANB and Spargo both struggling for form, no argument there. But ANB is the best pressure player in a team struggling to get their pressure up this year, Spargo is (by a loooooong way) the best user going inside 50 in a team struggling with their inside 50s. Despite their dips in form I don't think either will even be considered for being dropped.

Sounds violent... You must be strong though.

OUT - Jordon IN - Harmes Really need a second tall forward IMO, but can't see Goody doing it.

Don't worry everybody, we're still 6 weeks away from being good apparently. No panic.

Gus' turnovers tonight... Geez

Where was Langdon most of that quarter?

Saad definitely looks sore - maybe ribs or something.

Brown's had 1 handball, 0 kicks, 0 marks. If that was Weid his thread would have another 8 pages by now.

Harmes the sub

Cerra a late out for the Blues.

Just a compilation of rumours and Demonland posts... Kozzy may miss with a sore knee. Chandler and Bedford have COVID. Some discussion whether the excited little crowd of players was excited enough to indicate a Laurie debut. Then it gets intriguing because if Kozzy was to miss Laurie seems a better replacement than Harmes, but should it be Harmes then you wouldn't think we'd debut Laurie (or JVR) as sub... Which then leaves Tommo as likely sub. It's a bit like an episode of Bold and the Beautiful this week...

Yeah, was more referring to where someone said they had the group cheer in the middle similar to when it's announced someone will debut.

Not sure if already mentioned, but there's some talk (not super reliable at this stage) Chandler and Bedford are in COVID protocols, so if Kozzy was to miss, and if the talk in the training thread is on point, then could be we see Laurie in for Kozzy tomorrow. All unconfirmed info.

My apologies, I forgot that we do an epic preseason over the next 7 weeks to get three quarters of our fitness! ;)

So he just randomly brought up that comment in the midst of having a crack at rpfc and his 'reckless' comment...? Yeah, not sure I believe that one.

Who are you saying said that then? I will assume you're referencing @rpfc's "reckless" comment, but that comment didn't necessarily mean it was in the context of player welfare, you're assuming that. It could have meant in terms of the impact on our performance and results, it could have meant in terms of it impacting the ability to get back to 100%, it could have even been in relation to how it impacts the ability to keep our depth players when sore/injured players are consistently picked ahead of them.

I mean, probably no different to you giving everyone on Demonland exact timelines around our loading program...

Also says in the article Hibberd is yet to be offered a contract, Hunt expected to re-sign, and club has told Bedford he'll get lots more opportunity in the next few years (which is intriguing to me tbh).

Just quoting a section of the article... Milkshake May get new deal Jake Melksham, the Demon at the centre of a mid-year stoush with Steven May, is mounting a solid case for a fresh deal after adapting to a new forward role in the past month. While Melbourne is likely to wait until the end of their 2022 campaign before deciding whether to recommit to the 30-year-old, Melksham’s role of locking down on opposition defenders in recent weeks has increased his chances of playing on in 2023. In the absence of an injured Tom McDonald, Melksham has not only worked his way back into the Demons’ AFL side, he has also kicked 5.5 across his past four games. Importantly, he has played a selfless role in trying to limit the impact of rebounding defenders including Collingwood’s Darcy Moore and Port Adelaide’s Aliir Aliir since his AFL return in Round 18. It is understood Melksham, who is out of contract this year, is keen to stay with the Demons. But he would consider his options at a third club if the club choses to go in a different direction. Melksham was thrust into the limelight in June after it emerged he had scuffled with May at Entrecote restaurant, resulting in hand surgery that cost him time on the sidelines. The Demons banned May for one-match and ordered community service work for May and Melksham – who is believed to have come to the support of teammates – after the incident. Melksham missed out on last year’s premiership success, but is working hard to stay in the Demons’ team as they chase back-to-back flags next month.

Yeah it's a fair point re finals. Feels like we haven't quite got the balance right this year, but fingers crossed we overcome those niggles in time for finals.