Alex No Fancy-name

Still getting my head around the win. Want to watch the replay but "we have to watch eurovision." Speaking of things European, loved the round ball practice paying off big time! Without watching the replay (see above), does Bowey get easy possessions, or does he just make them look easy?

Listening to SEN and the melt down from Collingwood fans who have just discovered that the umpiring in this game is inconsistent!

Can we have a discussion re what Ed Langdon is giving us this year? I feel when he came to the club we saw him as a "bit player" with the running capacity his one wood. This year, I feel like he is one of a few who've provided a consistent contribution, and we're seeing him evolve into a leadership role that was probably not expected.

On the train home, nice to see all the Freo supporters (who probably came expecting an easy kill) head to the Quiet Sulking compartment. And amazing to read their carry-on in the Twitters re how hard-done-by they were by the folk in green! (Or did I have my red and blue glasses on?)

In the last quarter, the blood pressure dropped whenever the ball made it across to Bowey.

First chance to get to a game this year, and with MFCSS-junior working I just get to chill and enjoy the game (really!) Hoping to see some genuine effort, a few moments to get excited about, and maybe some insight into what's going on outside the camera focus. And if it all comes crashing down, at least I just have the sound of the crowd and the voices in my head, rather than over paid smart-[censored], kick you when you're down 'experts' calling the game. (Oh, leaving Bendigo there were more Freo supporters than Dee's at the station... maybe the rest of the Bendigo contingent were on the early train, making sure they get a good seat at the game?)

Probably not the thread, but there are signs of things coming together. Or at least not being as dire as some folk imagine or expect. There was a mark in the forward line we didn't get, and if May was a forward they'd have given him that mark in the last quarter. Then there were a couple of last minute goals which weren't really reflective of the state of play. Basically, I have an overly invested 16 year old who flies from "we are the greatest" to "we are the worst team with the worst players ever" - he's been at work tonight, so will want a report on the game: I'll tell him that we had our moments, found our shape in the third, but aren't the basket-case some folk (internally and external) are wanting us to be. I watch Langdon's game and am reminded of that run of his in the '21 grand final, I watch Gawn and think, while there are 17 up and comers in the competition, he still finds a way to dominate and/or just lead, I see CP5: a slight adjustment and he picks up a couple of crucial goals. At the end of the day - I put my Dee's socks on on game-day and wear my MFC retro jacket when I walk the dogs. Soon it will be cold and I will pop on the scarf - prob 2021 but maybe one from the other years that #werentsogood. It's never as bad as you think it is. And for those folk who think it's the worst of the worst... meh, it's a dumb game we watch once a week for half the year...

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?