BDA

Excellent player. He had a very good season with Geelong and will finish Top 10 B&F, possibly Top 5. i'm sure he would have been a great addition for us. That said i'm glad things worked out as they did because Gus got the opportunity to play wing and has done very well.

Fair point re family commitments From some reason I thought it was agreed he would transition into a coaching role next year. I’ve done a quick google search and can find no reference so I must be wrong on that The club have done the right thing, and no doubt Maxy and Co will be brilliant standard bearers going forward but I reckon there’s a spot for him. It’s obvious the regard he is held in by everyone around the club so would be popular. Nothing wrong with developing our own coaching talent just like we do with the players

Happy retirement Chunk. Don;t think you'll have too much time to dwell on it for now. You'll have your hands full on the home front. Has he signed on in an assistant coaching capacity going forward? I thought he had. Our treatment of past players hasn't been good so if the club has really turned over a new leaf (i think it has) then he should be kept around the place. Ditto Nev Jetta. They are the embodiment our our culture and values. Can't think of better role models to have around and inspire the younger guys.

Reading in the HUN this morning that some epidemiologists from Melb Uni and Deakin support allowing small outdoor gatherings on grand final day. I really hope Dan listens to them

It's never too soon for trade talk. And besides, trade talk helps pass the time from now until the 25th

It appears not much "circling" is going on. He has no trade value so I say hold onto him. Hopefully he has an uninterrupted preseason and surprises us all next year

The Bob Spargo interview is a crack up. He's a ripper old fella

Congratulations to the Jones family. Welcoming twins into the world must be amazing. Jonesy will be remembered for the 300+ games he played during some very grim times. Missing out on a granny will not define him at all. His place was with his wife at this time not with the team, whether selected in the side or not

Luke Ball is the last player i remember who took the nuclear option, walking out on St Kilda and getting to Collingwood via the draft. They used a second rounder too i think. Not sure why another club didn't try to pick him up but i guess they knew he wanted to get to the pies so no point selecting a player that doesn't want to be at your club. Doesn't happen too often though

We'll have played 1 competitive game in 4 weeks prior to playing the Granny. that puts us at a disadvantage. If Burgo and the brains trust reckon a full throttle practice game is needed to keep everyone primed and in proper nick then so be it.

We are a properly run football now. Not only has our recruitment has been top notch but our approach has been reasonable, considered and respectful to all parties. We don't carry on like Essendon I'm pretty sure a) we're keen on Cerra and wouldn't waste his or our time if we didn't think we could get this done b) we won't compromise our cap (ala the pies) to bring him in c) we'll work with Freo to strike a fair trade. It will involve future picks but with little underage competition this year maybe the futures market makes more sense If Cerra wants to join a well run club (and hopefully successful one) there is only one choice. I don't think he's being dishonorable or disrespectful asking Freo to deal with us. We have a strong track record of fairness in our dealing with other players and clubs.

I organised a watch-along over zoom with 4 other Demon mates for the prelim. Along way from the real thing but at least we got to curse and cheer and drink together. I'll do the same for the granny.

Julia Gillard is the only one i know of

Man's a genius

Whats been their excuse for all the other prelim and finals losses over the past 10 years? They've consistently failed for a long period of time. Their list and game plan aren't up to it. I hope they continue to make excuses for themselves because as long as they do they won't address the real issues and will continue to fail.

Sounds like he was very poorly advised and probably signed up because the Costa's were involved. Make sure Folks you have proper financial and legal advice before signing contracts and be very careful about doing business with friends and acquaintances. Very harsh life lesson for Ling

Since the comeback at Kardinia in Rd 23 we've been playing with real confidence and belief. 2 dominant finals wins. Beat the Lions by the equivalent of 10 goals (if we kicked straight) and we obliterated the cats. We're on a mission and i have no doubt we will deliver a performance in 2 weeks time. Whether that's good enough to win time will tell, the doggies are worthy opponents, but i reckon they'll be very worried about dealing with our weapons. Maxy is in rare form. Our mids are flying, BB taking contested marks, kozzy will be buzzing about. We have the system and can apply the heat to take away their main weapon, their outside ball movement. We neutralised them in the game at Marvel this year and we will set-up to do so again. Their win at the G came when we were in a form slump and they benefited from some questionable umpiring, particularly in the first half. I'm confident we will get the game on our terms and end our drought Really looking forward to the next 2 weeks and can't wait for the game.

This one will be close but if we can halve the clearance battle we'll win

I'm looking forward to Kane Cornes take on this game

A fit list and home advantage and this is the best Port can muster. They don;t deserve to be in a prelim

I hope the doggies keep their foot on the gas and win by 100 points. Port deserve it

@Demonland reckon its safe now to remove Port from the thread title

What a load of rubbish. All huff and puff and no inspiration. Port fans will be baying for blood after this debacle.

I don;t want the doggies to have the extra weeks rest

The sensible thing is to play the Gf next week and we should petition as such. You just don;t know with covid