mandeelorian

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.

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

I would be willing to bet that most of the people on here are part of the paltry crowds we have seen in the past few weeks. I have the frost bite to prove my attendance.

It could have been worse for him. He could have been drafted by St. Kilda.

There’s no harm in coming forward and addressing the situation openly—saying something clear and reassuring. In fact, staying silent is likely doing more damage. We've already heard reports that one potential recruit has backed out, and it’s no wonder why. If the perception out there is that our star player believes the club is a mess, it’s going to be nearly impossible to attract quality players who see us as a toxic environment to avoid at all costs. Right now, the lack of communication is only fueling the narrative that Trac is not just unhappy—which would be understandable—but that he's so disillusioned he wants out. If the perception is that our best player is looking for the exit, we are anything but a destination club. That’s a dangerous position to be in. No one expects Trac to sugarcoat the situation or pretend to be content with everything that’s gone wrong this year, whether it’s related to culture, coaching, the game plan, or the medical staff. What supporters are really looking for is a commitment from him to stick with the club through his contract period. He can work on improving those issues behind the scenes, but making that commitment publicly is crucial. Remaining silent only leads everyone—especially the supporters, the media and any potential recruits—to assume he’s already halfway out the door, even if that’s not the case.

I would be devastated if I heard that any player was happy with the way the club is tracking at the moment but I'm equally devastated to have that disappointment being played out in the media. Leaders of the club including players, coaches and admin need to sort this out behind closed doors. I would love Trac to come out and put this to bed. That he hasn't speaks volumes and perhaps he has played his last game for us. 5 year contract or not I can't see us holding him to that if he truly wants to leave. Also can't see us being fairly compensated for it in any trade.

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?