Alex No Fancy-name

1) Remember the good old days when the number one topic was the crowd number? They were good days... 2) Coming out of the re-build thread and stats files, are we (be design or is it out of our control) still in a "pre-season" mode? With so many team changes week to week, and during the game, are we still looking for the right combination? Especially in the middle of the ground, I would be interested to know (I don't know if this is buried in the stats) how many different centre / midfield combinations we tried. If there is hesitancy in the play, maybe this is in part due to not know who is around you (as a player) and what they're likely to do. Please feel free to respond with "yes, it's obviously part of the greater plan. In a couple of weeks we'll have settled on the side that will take us deep into September, by which time we can complain about the ground being packed with Band-wagon supporters."

I believe we are trying a rebuild / refresh of sorts on the run. One of the challenges we are facing is that with injuries to a range of players (senior through to very junior) and the odd suspensions, we are unable to establish a starting 22 / 23 who can build together. Looking back to the good old days - player x would look over his shoulder (or not look) and know that play y would be running through, ready for the hand off - at the moment, player x would be hard pressed to know if it's player y running through, player z laying a block (ha!), or player w setting up for the short kick etc. etc. It's a long season, and I remain hopeful that we can lock down a side that plays together for a few weeks in succession - they may even enjoy a win along the way... that would be nice.

Must admit I try to avoid the AFL official media just as much as I try and avoid the Gameday thread. But any danger someone from the AFL could drop by training one day and take a snap of the vice-captain and add it to the file?

I agree. And fortunately, we are blessed with level-headed media pundits and other experts who take a long, reasoned view, put results in perspective and certainly don't make outrageous statements about "season's done for..." after round two.

I was going to share a long-winded reply - as this was the topic that got me from "long-time lurker" to "occasional contributor" on Demonland. TL:DR I don't give a fig for attendance - and people who do, fall in the 'looking for a reason to kick a club' category. For what it's worth - Junior Demon and his brother took the one Kayo login for the brum-brum cars and I spent the afternoon with Brian Taylor c/- Channel 7. The fact he is still given a platform is a much more pressing issue than whether 25 or 30 thousand fans chose to turn up on a Sunday evening in very early autumn.

Not having given the top ten much thought (there were a few other distractions this week) - but seeing TMac at 10 has lifted the spirits - a player who's best has been pretty spectacular (Perth 2017), but who has also been in there for a lot of years playing his role and contributing both ends of the ground. A great example of looking beyond the stats for a contribution (thinking those up the ground moments in 2021). Thought he/we rolled the dice for once last chance in '22 but really looking forward to what he can do in '25.

Max is the guest on today's episode of "The Footy with Broden Kelly" It's worth a listen - always good to hear Max talk, but he talks about the effect of the shorter pre-seasons and how, for the first time in a while, they have a good headstart for season '25.

Anyone got photo of Viney they can send to the AFL?

I find 'The Edge' a tricky term; what are we aiming for "strength" (solid leadership) or "power" (force)? We certainly missed the strength this year, but as has been noted (and off field issues, real or rumoured aside) so many of our leaders and emerging leaders were struggling for fitness it was going to be a challenge to exert that element. As for power, if we're talking about payback or even "making them earn it", I just want to see this out of the game. To bring up the Bradshaw and Petracca injuries, while many (the AFL included) believe there was no intent to cause significant injury, I have no doubt at all that the instruction was to "go out and make 'em earn it." If this is 'The Edge', I can't wait for it to be gone from the game. As a counterpoint, if we're looking for what we miss from '21, for mine, it's the fun; the dash and the dare. I appreciate there is work required to get there, but focusing on "evening up" and "doing it to them before they do it to you" has (I truly hope) a limited lifespan.

Not that I care enough to look up the stat's. Thought he was very good early but don't recall him doing much in the second half and last 1/4

I like the team, and wish well for "our" players. Song is fun and their socials have made a good impact... however my impression from our last game against them is that a lot of their crowd (not calling them supporters) are a bunch of "merchant bankers" who seemed to spend the bulk of the match trying to make a more ironically-humorous comment than their mate came up with a moment before. (I guess after however many years of MFCSS I get suspicious of anyone who goes to a football match to have a good time.)

At what point will the AFL start to crack down on these over the shoulder throw-balls, and why will it only apply to our No.13?

I'm bored. Might dial up a replay of the last time we played the H's in a final. (One of the best trips to the footy I can remember)

Ok. So if Libba gets called for a throw you guess the organisation has issued a directive.

I'm feeling dogs are going to pull away. (Battle between Frost-ball and Harmes; Harms with the Big Game credentials) (Also, calling @binman, I am not convinced the Hawk's #loading took finals into contention.)