mandeelorian

I often hear Jimmy Bartel's name being thrown about in reference to overseeing Footy Departments. Can someone enlighten me as to what his credentials for this type of role are besides his illustrious career on the field? His name is always talked about like he has already had success in transforming a footy club.

I'm shocked that a coaching search panel hasn't already been formed.

I was going to raise this after the Saints game last week, but the same issue cropped up again in this match. What on earth is going on with the centre bounces at Marvel Stadium? To be fair, centre bounces have been deteriorating across all venues in recent years. It’s clear that the current crop of umpires just aren’t as proficient at the bounce, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we eventually see it scrapped altogether, or reserved only for the start of games and quarters. I don’t watch many non-Demons games and thankfully we don't play much at Marvel, so I haven’t been paying close attention to the games at this venue. Over the past two weeks at this venue, there have been a staggering number of recalled bounces. Is there something about the surface at this godforsaken stadium that’s contributing to the problem?

I have been super impressed with Harvey Langford all year and I thought that his foot skills yesterday were just superb. More drafting of kids with elite skills by foot please.

Would love to get the panels thoughts on our tactic of "chipping it around". It seemed to be effective for a quarter and a half. We kept the ball out of the Crows hands and were killing them in uncontested possession but it seemed to fall away after that. Are we simply not fit enough to keep that up?

Thoughts on potentially re-signing Kozzy on a $12 million 9 year contract?

Wondering what the panel's thoughts were on Salem's game. Was interesting to see him attend so many centre bounces. Despite a couple of errant kicks I thought it was his best game in years and loved the goal he kicked. Vintage Salem.

Despite a couple of undisciplined moments, I thought Melksham was instrumental in our win. He plays the defensive forward role so effectively that Brisbane had to shift one of the league’s best defenders to full forward. I still can't believe he was 'managed' for the game against the Hawks. He would’ve been the ideal match-up for Sicily. He has to stay in the side!

Early in the 2023 season, Kade Chandler was winning praise for his career-best form, regularly hitting the scoreboard as a dangerous small forward. In 2025, he’s gone to another level in a new high half-forward role. This week he racked up a career-high 26 disposals, and he's averaging three more touches per game than last year. With the loss of Nibbler , we've desperately needed someone to fill that high-workrate, two-way role pushing hard defensively up the field and still being able to work back to provide that pressure in the forward half and also hit the scoreboard. I'm absolutely loving what 2025 Kade Chandler is bringing.

What has happened to Christian Salem's once silky skills and his decision making? He turned the ball over on multiple occasions under no pressure and just seems to be bereft of confidence?

Just a reminder that Essendon have our first pick in the draft …

I’m sure there will be a lot of pile on comments and questions this week so I will contribute something positive. I thought Kade Chandler played a very good game this week. 25 possessions and 3 goals. Was our only shining light.

Super flat by the result but happy with the effort in terrible conditions. Five first gamers is the most of any team in the AFL era (not counting the inagural matches of new teams). How did you rate each of the debutants games including Harry Sharp?

I think the wind and the kickers are more to blame than JVR.

6. Gawn 5. Lindsay 4. Petracca 3. Bowey 2. McDonald 1. Lever

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.

I hear betting has been suspended. Luckily I cashed out early.

Honestly can't see us morally being able to not do a deal if the mental health card is played (not downplaying the MH angle as it is no doubt real just speaking hypothetically). We would be seen as the villains in this scenario and our own brand is already tarnished. Holding a player against his will who is suffering would force our hand to find a deal will a club of his choosing. We would have no hand in this situation and would inevitably get unders for him. Again not suggesting that this would happen or that there aren't serious mental health concerns from such a serious ordeal.

I really hope we haven't seen the end of the Brilliant Christian Petracca as a footballer. Get well soon Trac and can't wait to see you back on the G.

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.