Rosso

How good was the 2008 drafting by the Dees. To get Watts, Blease, Strauss (none of whom have had a real impact yet, but definitely will), Bennell, Jetta, Bail, McKenzie and Jurrah is unreal. Especially when you look at the draft from Bennell (#35) onwards the only players who look anywhere near as good as the Dees players I listed are: Todd Banfield (#41) Liam Anthony (#43) and maybe Rhys Stanley (#47). In my opinion we scooped all the big fish out of the shallow part of the pool.

Lynden Dunn has kept Ablett quiet (Well quiet by Ablett's standards 29,22, 25 & 40 touches in his last 4 vs Dees) , to the extent that Melbourne is Ablett's 4th worst team (statistically speaking) across his career. To that end I thought Lynden might get a call up this week,, especially since we've dropped 3 midfielders, and only brought 1 true mid in to replace them. I wouldn;t be surprised if there's a late change with Dunn coming in. As far as others go, I reckon Chapman is our biggest problem, he will man handle Grimes if he plays on him, and too mobile for most others, I would play Bruce on him, but even still expect Chapman to be very damaging.

I'm coming 24th overall in Supercoach. Averaging 2330 a round. 471st overall in DT averaging 2107.

I just spoke to my brother Tim (Demonland contributor "Timmuns") who is in Darwin for the game. He said that he spoke with Jake Spencer at a promotional appearance at Casuarina shopping centre this arvo. He asked him if he was looking forward to playing in the slippery conditions. Spencer said he isn't playing as he is definitely an emergency. Lynden Dunn was also at the promo, and said that both he and Spencer had flown up earlier than the rest of the squad. Given that Strauss is in Yuendumu, presumably Neville Jetta will be the replacement, as alluded to by other posters on here.

I was at the Casey game on Saturday and the thing that struck me about Jack is how big he is. Seriously for someone who has just turned 19, the boy is massive, not necessarily in muscle, but in height and frame. Now for the exciting part, despite being 196cm (6ft 5) he was extremely agile (witness him selling candy to a hapless coburg player and then waltzing into an open goal) and his skills when the ball was on the ground were really good. Considering key position players generally take a few years to come good, I think everyone should stop worrying, cos Jack is the real deal.

Did anyone else notice that in Schwabby's photo of our new training ground that there were kicking nets........ But no bloody goalposts!

I love Noah for Trenners.... only problem is, shouldn't it be Only-one-ah?

I have heard a number of media commentators suggest that Richmond should be eligible for priority picks before Gold Coast get to plunder the draft next year, to save them from years of cellar dwelling. One of the arguments they make is that Melbourne bottomed out at the right time and so were able to reap the rewards of high picks just in time to avoid being screwed by Gold Coast's arrival, whereas Richmond are only now bottoming out. My response to this is that Richmond have had more top 10 draft picks since 2005 than Melbourne (Deledio,Tambling, Oakley-Nicholls, Cotchin, Vickery and Martin) vs (Morton, Watts, Scully, Trengove), so they can suffer in their jocks! What do others think? Should the AFL bail Richmond out for being crap at drafting, and allow them a priority pick before GC? Or should they reap what they have sowed and wait for pick 4?

I always sit on level 2A directly behind the goals in the southern stand. Level 2 is reserved seats for Redlegs members I think, but level 2A is public seating. They look as though they should be reserved seats, but anyone can sit there. I think because they seem as though they should be reserved seats people give it a miss, and head up to level 3.It is a Great view down the ground from a perfect height, and directly above our cheer squad. It would be great to have more fellow demonlanders there!

Everyone named on the extended bench for the seniors has been named for Casey also. Therefore, 4 of those named for Casey will actually play for Melbourne, I will bet my house that McKenzie plays on Sunday.

Funny this thread should appear. I had this argument with my brother pre-match on Saturday. Having followed him closely in the pre-season where he has kicked 2-3 goals at every outing, I suggested to little brother that Ricky would kick 45 goals this year. Little brother scoffed at my suggestion... we'll see.

Before the game on Saturday, despite feeling like we were in for a 10 goal hiding, I did tell any Collingwood supporters who would listen that the Russian would take care of business against Jolly and Fraser, it was so sweet having the big fella prove me right!! The thing I loved about the Russian's game, was his clearance work. From what I recall he had 7 clearances and 13 of his 14 possessions were contested. Exactly what this young midfield needs at the moment. For the record his shot on goal at the punt rd end was definately left foot, it was right in front of me.

For what it's worth I won't boo Brock, I'll leave that to collingwood supporters with more tattoos than teeth. As one of the 13 people at the Adelaide game last year (the one where they flooded the backline even though we didn't have any forwards, it was 3 degrees centigrade with a howling wind, and when we kicked our first 2 goals for the game in the 3rd quarter, we were suddenly back within 20 points!)I booed Bock, any man who smacks his woman deserves to be booed in my book.

The game was due to start at 4:45pm (seniors) and 7:30pm (reserves)

I was on my way there, but monash was a carpark, so bailed out at East Link

THis probably isn't massively interesting but I know for a fact that Col also lost two teeth as a result of the bump. Man I would love to see the footage and see how it is deemed as acceptable contact.

For more biased description of the game see http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/adelaide-crows-lucky-escape-against-demons/story-e6frecj3-1225837734526 I'm interested in Neil Craig's assessment that "for a long time we dominated the game"... and for a more balanced assessment try http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,26814854-23210,00.html happy to hear that Scully and Trengove "ran rings" around the Crows midfield!

Just need 3 more behinds...

Are we tanking?

Bail sounds like he's having a good game.

Sounds like is he destroying it, but these guys are all over him cos he's a South Australian

5 goals straight... polar opposite to last week. Makes a massive difference doesn't it.

Scully, Trengove exciting me.... R.I.P Jurrah.

NOOOOOOOOOOOO

Good to hear it's a grand old flag in the background!