mandeelorian

The most frustrating aspect of this game for me was our accuracy in front of goal. This has been a persistent issue for several years, with little to no improvement, and once again, our set-shot kicking was agonizing to watch. I have virtually no confidence in most of our players when they line up for goal. Whether it’s a technical flaw, nerves, or something else entirely, the fact remains that nothing has been done in any of our offseasons to address it. The only thing more infuriating than winning the inside 50s and watching the ball rebound straight out, a problem we’ve had in the past, is dominating inside 50s, generating scoring shots, but failing to convert them into goals. Winning the scoring shots by six yet losing the game by three goals is simply unacceptable. Sure, they missed some chances too, but we squandered some absolute sitters, and that’s inexcusable. And before anyone dismisses this as "just a practice match," I shudder to think how we’ll fare when the real pressure kicks in.

I was thrilled that we landed Harvey Langford. A friend of mine—deeply involved in the Under 18 competition (and not even a Dees fan)—believed Harvey was good enough to be the number one pick and could turn out to be the best recruit in his class. After attending a few training sessions over the break and hearing glowing reports from other Demonland Trackwatchers over the summer, I was impressed with his physique, work rate, and overall use of the footy. He seems ready-made for the role, and I was confident he’d be playing early in the season. Having watched him on the weekend, I’m now convinced he’ll feature in Round 1. We’ve discovered a real gem. Welcome back, and here’s to an exciting season of podcasting. Go Dees!

I really hope we haven't told him that if he plays for us next year we'll allow him to walk out on his contract next year and give us and other clubs longer to prepare a deal with better picks.

If an external review wasn't on the cards before this interview then it must now be forced onto the club by the AFL. A more horribly run organisation I have never seen and I've been involved in overseeing many voluntary and involuntary administrations.

6. McDonald 5. Gawn 4. Salem 3. Rivers 2. Chandler 1. Billings

Firstly I want to thank you guys, Andy, George and Binman for fronting up each week in a difficult and frustrating season. It really is the highlight of my footy week. Looking forward to a better season next year. Secondly I want to thank all the listeners who bring up some interesting questions and topics for the discussion each week. Well done to the Demonland Podcast Family. It really is a team effort. Thirdly I want to give props to TMac for a fantastic season. We all wrote him off last year and who would have thought he would have rejuvenated his career by going back into defence. He stood up week in week out. His disposal improved out of sight (with the exception of the occasional howler but hey this is Melbourne - it's in our DNA). By the end of the season TMac was holding the defence together and I thought he was outstanding on tonight. Best on Ground for the Demons.

I don't think he will be suspended. May go to tribunal but Darcy Moore fell. Would have been a fair bump if Moore had kept his feet.

Jack Viney was fantastic today. Heart and soul and bleeds red and blue. Please stay Jack.

Houston would have been a handy addition to the club but not at the expense of a low first round pick. Take pick 6 to the draft.

I'll also add that the club did put him on the trade table and couldn't get a deal done. Nibbler put his head down and became a Premiership player, an important role player and this year played one of his best seasons.

Possibly one of the worst [censored] takes I have seen on here. I commend the club for making lemonade from the lemon they were dealt by an early leak. Show a Premiership player, who bleeds red and blue and has been nothing but a loyal servant to the club and is only leaving for extremely personal reasons the extent of which you are not privy to, a tiny bit of respect.

Now that our 2024 season is officially over should we consider resting some of our star veterans who are or may be carrying some injuries like Max and Clarrie?

We haven't had many opportunities to see Laurie play a full game in the midfield. How did you rate his performance particularly as a replacement to Sparrow? Do you think he will hold his spot on the back of this game and Sparrow's 30 disposal performance for Casey?

Have we forgotten how to win games?

The only positive I can take out of this debacle is that in Round 13 of the year 2000 we lost to Carlton by 98 points and then went on to play in a Grand Final. That's all I've got.

Tom McDonald was also excellent in defence today. He was clunking everything and took 9 marks for the match. His disposal has improved out of sight. He definitely made up for last weeks effort. Granted they all did from that lacklustre game.

I've been impressed with TMac's renaissance as a defender this season but he got torn a new one by the in-form Waterman today. I think the move of Petty forward has been a complete bust and I think we need to swap them. Petty back and TMax forward. I don't think we'll make those changes but what do you guys think?

How good was Judd "Silky" McVee's first quarter? 7 intercept possessions in that quarter alone and 10 for the match. Thought he did a good job on Rankine. Do you think he'll get the gig on Charlie Cameron this week?

Another excellent podcast. Thank you for answering my question.

JVR is providing Max with a good chop out. Not too concerned about young Roo. Key position players take longer. His numbers are tracking well compared to similar players at the same age. Heard others on here roll out those stats but don't have them on hand.

Almost have to play May if Hore is out with sore ribs.

How huge was Max on Saturday night? 50 Hitouts and that monster goal on the 3/4 time siren is just massive. How lucky are we to have such an influential leader. Not getting into the whole Grundy trade in and out as I was bullish about bringing him in to assist Max and perhaps extend Max's career by giving him a chop out. That's all water under the bridge but Max is so much better as the solo ruck.

Lol at Geelong. He's not going anywhere.

TMac and Hore were great inclusions. Everyone is worried about TMac's disposal but with the exception of one howler which he should have just hoofed it I thought his disposal was pinpoint. He knows when to spoil and he has a great pair of hands and knows when to clunk them. I reckon he is a better option than Tomlinson who I thought was stiff to be dropped. Hore was a very adequate replacement for Bowey and was solid. How did you guys think the backline functioned given that we made two changes to players who haven't played a lot of footy in this backline?

I wouldn't mind see what Tholstrup can do. Perhaps a straight swap with Woey. Other than that no change. Give Petty another week to find his feet in the twos.