Old Time Demon

My observations, some of which may have already been posted: * Salem, and to a lesser extent Oliver, have not "come up" after their respective health crises. Throw an injured Max and Trac into that mix and there is around 4/5 goals per game or maybe 8/10 shots at goal as a result of their influence. Fritta, for one, relies on their ball winning/setting up skills. Further, don't forget Charlie Spargo, a premiership forward. * Tholstrup needs to think about playing football before he starts trying to thrown his weight around. Mouthing off and pushing and shoving oppo players off the ball doesn't make you a hard man. Put your head down and your body on the line son and get some credits in the bank. (Young Brown a better prospect at this stage) * Billings is a better footballer than Chandler. (I think Laurie is a better footballer than Chandler) * It's time to trial Judd McVee through the middle. Rivers has gone well but Judd is a classier player. * We need to persevere with Turner and Petty. Despite the knockers, they can take a mark and at the very least, make a contest. Keep JVR at FF. Don't play him in the ruck FCS. * Play Jack Viney as a lock down defensive forward to keep the ball in the forward half. Essentially, we are a team right out of balance. My concern is that the coach either doesn't know how or is too stubborn, to right the ship.

I think that is one of the most eloquent comments I have ever heard to describe the stain that is Tom Morris!

Older players on big dough knowing that they are not going anywhere and happy to play out their days and younger guys on a third of the money trying their guts out every week creating a rift. There is talk that a few of the senior players refuse to socialise with or even speak to some of the young ones. Simmo has been piggy in the middle.

There will only ever be one Robbie.

ANB should have hard handballed at the feet of the Lions players. Yeah, I know, coulda, shoulda etc...BUT.....for a bloke that receives a lot of love from Demons fans, unfortunately he is prone to making poor decisions under pressure. He usually manages one pressure error per game but this one cost us dearly. As valuable as he is to the team in terms of the role he plays, "a mans got to know his limitations" (Dirty Harry Callahan).

Different kennel. Same breed of dog.

On current form, who on our senior list would get a game at another club? I'd suggest Petty, Chandler, Sparrow, Howes, Laurie, Macadam, Billings, BBB, Turner, Fullarton and Schache would all be doubtful. A few might sneak into a North or West Coast team but wouldn't crack a game in a decent side. Digressing a little, my concern is that in the space of a few short weeks we have gone from contender to pretender. How??? I worry that there are things occurring internally of which we are unaware. I have ideas, but unfounded speculation is worthless. It frustrates me that Goody doesn't think laterally enough (or is too stubborn). It's been obvious to many of us that damaging oppo players need to be hard tagged yet it took the man 14 rounds to attempt that and lo and behold...it worked! With Trac seemingly gone for this year, perhaps the coach can finally give Judd McVee a run through the middle! Clean hands, a great field kick, calm under pressure....what's not to like? I'd also throw Viney into a forward pocket with the sole intent of locking the ball inside the 50 and to hunt down and tackle as hard as possible. Anything is worth a try.

My opinion, which of course doesn't count for much but alleviates some of the stress from yesterdays debacle. Ins: AMW, Tomlinson, Sestan, JVR, Hore, Langdon Out: Lever (inj), Billings, Chandler, Brown, TMac, Sparrow YES! I know this will never happen but some guys need a rocket or a push towards retirement. Further, people will say that AMW and Sestan are untried, not great at Casey....yes, I know. But after a loss like this, we need a shake up of great magnitude. Let players know that they are not walk up starts. Give the younger guys an opportunity. Petty stays forward. We all know that he can take a contested mark. McGovern and Barass are two of the best defenders in the comp. That and our poor delivery didn't help him (nor did BBB). McAdam stays. First game for the club, clearly underdone and should be given a few games to get it together. Give McVee a run through the middle. The guy is a class act. Cool under pressure and a lovely field kick. Somebody (anybody!) persuade the coach to move the magnets around to suit or change the situation? Please? It frustrates the hell out of me to the point where I was red carded by my wife three times yesterday afternoon.

Hello all. A few things from last evening: I thought we started to fire when Max got angry. That seemed to filter through the team and they all started to play with more aggression. The first quarter. Yes, the Blues looked good BUT....how many of their shanked kicks went straight to a team mate? How many times did the bounce of the egg shaped ball go their way? I can't recall which of our players was involved but we had a mark/free kick at CHF in the last quarter and there was a clear infringement by a Carlton player worthy of a 50 metre penalty. The player acknowledged it too but of course, it wasn't awarded. Woey. For me, the hallmark of a good footballer is one who rises to the occasion when the pressure is really on. He did exactly that and, at least in my eyes, has leapfrogged many. I'm loathe to knock the young man, but JVR needs a spell at Casey. Stick with Petty/Turner/Fritsch, throw a fit McAdam into the mix and consider Fullerton for ruck relief. Midfield. Rivers has been suggested by several as a future mid. For my money, McVee is the man. Clean hands, a nice kick and calm under pressure. Food for thought when Salem returns.