Hellfire Dub

IIt might be the best and funniest Kris Kindle present I've ever received. My Hawks colleague trolled me with a 40cm bobble head of 2021 Norm Smith medalist Petracca #5. It's still too soon. Bastad colleague and Bastad traitor. Apparently it was reduced from $100 to $10. At $15 dollars postage it cost more to ship than to purchase; plus a packet of crisps.

Who are you feeling?

Max is a hero for our premiership but he's not infallible nor above criticism. I admire his determination and wit, but I also want to offer a counterpoint argument... He leads by example and often tries to carry the team himself, but there were plenty of games where that self-determined mindset didn't work for him or Petracca. Sometimes what we needed instead was less selfless heroics and some smarter leadership on field, especially when we were lacking leadership through the coaching headset. Although we'll never really know what was going on internally, it's probably fair to say he was a bit too close to Goody. He put across an affable public face in the turmoil of the last couple of years. It would not have been easy trying to be diplomatic amidst all that external criticism; the unhappiness in the group and the chaotic leadership void at the club. Again we don't really know the machinations but the Clarry, Trac, ANB, Hunter, May and McVee stuff all happened with him as Captain and Goody's right hand man so they're blots on his legacy. I wonder if he seems too relaxed and good humoured, or if he is too concerned with popularity amongst the players? Would a more serious Captain would have served us better through all that stuff? Maybe a different captain would not have put up with the slipping professional standards and stubborn negative coaching? I know he tried helping Clarry like a foster parent and I'm sure the selfish Petracca stuff would have really cut him. It's hard to know if those two needed more stick than carrot; or more of the clip round the ear and kick up the [censored] than all the hugs and kindness and love. On bring too nice; there are plenty of instances where I wouldn't mind him running through players trying to impede him getting to contests. I think that as a team we were too soft when Langdon got bullied; or when rats like Zorks or Maynard or Moore or Cox deserved to get put on their backsides or worse. I think Max has enough respect in the league for him to speak out about rubbish umpiring and corrupt suspension decisions and appeals. I hate that we cop that stuff with niceness and humour. I do suspect he lacks tactically. An example was the St Kilda loss where a better footy mind would have shut that down. We've seen plenty of other games where he said stuff like we needed to learn how to win. Some of what we needed was more accurate tap work and mostly it was better field and goal kicking. Some of his own field kicking and his decision making around that is poor, cue the feedback from Maysie. His goal kicking is shoddy too and fades left which he should have fixed. He probably wouldn't tolerate that happening consistently in his golf game. So in my opinion he led us adequately through a few hard and thankless years, but I'd welcome someone else if only there was an obvious candidate. I would like someone tough with footy smarts too. In time Xavier Taylor will be a leader. Langford looks like another candidate. Steele could also be captain in the interim. In all likelihood Max will remain for this season.

That's all I took today. It's horrible news about Bowser. He's one of my favourite Demons.

Thanks Andy, I didn't realise I needed to go into my profile and delete the old unwanted attachments.

She did indeed! Her only disappointment was not getting getting to meet Big Maxy, but she cheered up when the cafe in Cremorne gave her 3 marshmallows with the babycino! Nice to meet you guys there!

@Demonland Andy I can't upload any more pictures of the session. It usually says 800kb, but now I get an error message about 267kb?

Lovely morning at the Paddock and nice to meet @Ghostwriter @old dee @beelzebub and a few others in person. The team vibe was good and seemed a lot happier than the few times I was there last year. Maysie was doing some resistance training by running with the big elastic band because he said he was a bit tight and sore after the other day. I didn't stay long due to the short attention span of a junior demon with me, but quite a few of the players signed the sherrin and posed for a picture.

Oh! Tom Mate Oh! But not a spud Potato!

Sorry I meant Eagles. And yes that makes sense, much better explanation thanks

I think it's because Richmond forced other teams to bring forward their intended picks by matching bids? Is that correct? The whole draft thing is a bit of daft numberwang

What a great fella and such a good attitude! Kozzy is the favourite player for one of my kids and me. I don't think there's anything as enjoyable at the footy as seeing him go absolutely wild (as my kids say) "skilling and ankle-breaking" his opponents. The kids were jumping on the couch with excitement at this news and at seeing Latrelle's highlights. That's gold and I know they're going to enjoy going to games again. I'm delighted with this positive attacking-minded selection that also honours family and Aboriginal culture. I hope Latrelle lights up the big stage and emulates or even exceeds those mercurial moments that his cousin has: You know when you're turning to people around you incredulously asking: "What? What did he just do, Nah he can't have!" And waiting for the replay to appear on the big screen because you can't believe your eyes. I'm looking forward to the cousins getting on some crazy buzzing wavelength where they dance through and around defenders making fools of them. The moments when opposition fans hate us, but can't help but have grudging admiration for the skills. Welcome

Apart from his marking and tough contesting, I really like how he looks up and around immediately upon gaining possession and then distributes well, often changing directions and cutting the play open. Something about how he instinctively does that reminds me of Pendles

LilG, I read that as another club could select him, not us as the nominated club if we don't select him.

To speed up the game just play a point for anything that goes through the outside posts and a goal for anything through the middle posts. It eliminates many score reviews. Play on for anything that bounces back inboard or play a free kick in for anything that goes out off the behind posts. It works so much better in Gaelic Football and soccer. That rule is asinine and the goal line cameras are the pox

Why? That kid looks good. He gets to the right spots, marks it and slots them. Lots of examples of playing it to teammates advantage and setting them up for scores too

In this instance the candidate actually seems worthy of a seat on the board

I know we're worried about injuries but as someone who loves football and Victoria, I'm delighted that state of origin is back. I loved watching the international rules growing up in Dublin. The Aussies looked like gods and the punch ups were mighty. However, for all the Aussie strength, fitness and professionalism, often they just couldn't kick straight! It was great to see a version of the wonderful AMATEUR sport of Gaelic Football played internationally and celebrate the links between the countries. I admit it was a bit harsh seeing our best players getting poached out here but a good opportunity for them and to be fair it's definitely one of the greatest possible places to make your new home. So as a new proud Victorian I'll be watching these games with my family. I'll be teaching my children that when it comes to the other states there's nothing more satisfying than squashing cockroaches!

Ciao Bella!

I am thoroughly impressed with everything Kingy has done so far. Next year will look very different across the ground and hopefully we'll play better football and get back to where we belong playing finals in the next few years. He has made brave moves in moving on many of Goody's protected favourites and facing down the selfish and unprofessional "me first" nonsense that crept in post 2021. With these trades and sensible delistings he's clearly looking to address our kicking woes and lack of forward connection that many of us have despaired about for ages. Forwards - I am pleased to see Spargo gone from the forward line and whilst not playing the same role, I rate Chekers much higher. He should be a good role model for JVR, Kenter and Jeffo if he works out. It will take pressure off Roo and Fritter and put an end to the nonsense of playing Petty out of position. Midfield - Moving on Claz and Trac is painful because they could have been truly great but for circumstances, handling and personal behaviours. Coaching was also lacking as we tolerated shocking kicking by them for far too long. Hopefully Steele can fill the role and a new more accurate game style that finally connects the hard working mids with forwards. Steele reputed professionalism and commitment seems like an antidote to the disappointing attitudes of Clarry and Trac and that's reassuring. Rucks - The Grundy move was a misstep, but bringing in Heath for Max is good timing and wise future planning. Defence - It was a pity we lost McVee as he might have felt differently about the need to move west after a season under Kingy with a better team atmosphere. His style and skills would fit right in with how I expect kingy to set us up and Jiath is fast, but he's not going to replace Judd's silky skills and confident decision making. I would have been happy with Maysie going because his off-field stuff is embarrassing, unprofessional and an unacceptable distraction. He looks like he's suffered too many cynical knees to the spine and ribs whilst flying our flag. He has always done that well to be fair and I never minded his mongrel aggression for us especially against guys like Hawkins and who deserved a clip! Unfortunately I think the pace is really dropping off, but again we now have the option of Petty back there. I'm not sure if Steven plays regularly next season, but I hear he's a good mentor and has a good mind for the game so hopefully this gives him motivation to get back to near his physical best and finish out his career with pride. Coaching - The consensus across Demonland seems to suggest he's bringing in good assistants too, not just old mates without proven track records or has-beens dialling it in. He has started with a thorough and much needed clear-out and on the basis of all this move I am really pleased with everything we've done before a ball has even been bounced (or thrown up)! Is anyone else feeling relieved and a bit positive or even blindly optimistic about the next couple of seasons?

It's sad, but this is the right move for the team and the club

Carryyyyyyst

Carryyyyyyst!

It's a small town and word gets around. In the fullness of time Demon fans who can't comprehend this trade will hear reasons that may shock them. When that happens this trade will finally make sense.