Alex No Fancy-name

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?

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.)

I guess it must have been after his 2016 break-out year that I imagined a scenario where max would disappear and go back to coffees and delivering pizza; a 'what could have been' or an answer to a trivia question for the MFCSS brigade (who was it who blew chunks on ...?). For context, I had a facebook memory today from 2014: going home from the MCG with my 8 year old (also a 'George) from a game where we kicked 3 goals against the second last placed GWS*. This was our lot and it felt like it would be our lot for ever, so we hung out for individual performances (Mark of the year, rising star etc.) in lieu of team success. A lot has changed in the past 8 years, and while there are other players who have played a part in that change (and a couple of very good coaches - a story for another thread!) the Gawn story is significant. His dedication and drive, but (thinking back to individual honours) his selflessness stands out. I am a believer in footy being ultimately pointless, except as an arena in which we create a crucible in which to see a person's character. Time and time again Max has been in the crucible and carried a whole group of players with him - it just so happens these are 'our' players and we should be darn (new to this forum, can I say "darn"?) glad to have followed this team at this time! Two years, five years, ten years... a once in a lifetime talent and leader is something to celebrate. *don't look up details - they are dire!

From the "if my Aunt had wheels she'd be a wagon" file - but just saw the pic of May in the sponsored players frame on this page - with him out there we win. We win a game against a side with everything to play for - we win a game that pundits and folk on this page had us losing by between 7 goals and 70 points. At the end of the day we get experience into some young players, a better look at the list, and something to avenge next time we play this lot (who know they just got over the line at the ground they need to own if they're going to do anything in September*). *they're not.

This week was the first time I was able to get to a game this year: living out of town and with family commitments - I actually did the sums and on Saturday traveled 750km to do children's sport and get to the game. It was Bl**dy cold - and only thanks to sprints at Flinders Street and then Southern Cross I got home at 12.30am rather than 2am. I felt those who were able to get there made a good noise - well done on the cheer squad (I was a couple of bays to the left). Why don't I attend more regularly? the AFL seems to tolerate really poor fan behavior - I can't see myself (and children) attending a game against a "big club" for some time. The AFL (this is a theme) are making a TV product*. The inconsistencies with the way the AFL enact the rules of the game* and the tribunal processes make it hard for a fan like me to get excited about something beyond the MFC. *one of my reasons for making the effort to attend was to get an understaing of what happens off the ball - Clayton being wrapped up and literally calling out to the umpire to pay attention was something the host broadcaster is happy to overlook. Also - it was so cold! I have some sympathy for fans who attended but wanted more to be there (for me - I don't like people, so loved having a few rows to myself) but footy pundits who are paid to attend are not good for the game.

(First time caller etc.) At the game (for the first time this year) I was really struck by the number of poor bounces at the centre square - I don't know if there are stats - but it felt like well over half the bounces were recalled. This seemed more the case in the final quarter. 1) it felt like Max expended a fair amount of energy chasing rucks that were re-called, and 2) the subsequent ball-ups/throws were pretty low and went straight to a ground ball. Both of these elements would (in my opinion) biase a team with a dominant ruck (especially with Clayton out on his feet - but anyone who bags his effort need to take AGHL) It's not a conspiracy theory - but I felt it really played against us on the night. thoughts...?