dee-tox

I wonder if Demonland is the website for you?

So we'll be missing three 'running' defenders, Salem, Riv and Hibberd. Obviously, Hunt can play one of these positions but it will be interesting to see if we lose any run from our backline in this game.

Decent promo. But what I don't get is this statement: 'The Demons spirit was forged in fire...'' Perhaps someone in the club really loves the History Channel's programme Forged in Fire, where a bunch of rednecks make swords/knives?

Really? He didn't feature in the top five voting. Petracca, Fritsch, Oliver, Salem and Daniel...

Agree. This will be difficult to swallow for many, of us but it's also how I see it based just one practice game. We have three locks: May, Lever and Salem. Then we have Rivers, Hibberd, Smith, Bowey, Tomlinson and Hunt (six blokes) competing for the remaining three spots. Maybe one can rotate on the bench? On what i saw, Hibberd, Smith and Tomo are in the box seat based on Thursday's practice game.

Good hit out obviously. Let's hope Salem is OK. Of the fringe players Smith was the one that stood out. His vertical leap and ability to spoil are great attributes. The others: Chandler kicked the two goals but not much involvement. Hunt, Weed and Bedford limited opportunities. Thought Rivers and Bowey struggled all game. Jordon was unobtrusive but contributed. Oliver, BBB, Max, Spargo, Langdon all good.

Keep it going blokes. The more descriptive the better.

Trac has definitely matured and shows great leadership .traits. But if selecting a successor to Max I'd be looking at Jake Lever.

More than the grand final: 61,300

After finishing third in the Brownlow we were forced to pay Gus at the peak of his powers. A figure of 625k sounds about right. Saving his best game of 2021 for the grand final distorts things a touch finishing 14th in the B&F and being no higher than eighth in the two years prior since his contract resigning. We've no doubt offered him less this time around which must [censored] the ego a little. But as others have mentioned we can't be paying a defensive wingman top dollar when we have the contracts of Oliver, Jackson and Pickett coming up. Let's hope that this doesn't distract the team throughout the year as there is no doubt he is a popular member of the squad.

Garbage. Duryea, Roarke Smith, Bont and Treloar were all good.

Easy to forget how good Tomlinson was for the first half a dozen or so games last year. Aerially Petty was brilliant last season but Tomlinson is also great with the run and carry. Shame for Harry to have such a strange injury but he'll get his opportunities again.

Well, given Jesse played the first 20 games and finished 11th in the best and fairest then it is fair to question this! 😀

Bizarre. Why give your players an out? What does that do for the psychology of the group?

Pfft!

Absolutely.

Without being able to read the whole story, it does seem like Choco has either gone off half cocked or is unable to prove what he said was true. With that said, the onus is on the journalists to get two sources for every allegation/story. They haven't done this. From a PR perspective, I mentioned last year that Pert placed a media ban on Choco. Maybe this is the reason.

Worth remembering that North offered Ben a contract said to be around 750,000 which Ben, through his management, rejected! They never apparently came back to him with a new offer and told his management he could look around for other options. They obviously didn't think he was worth paying more than 750k after his poor year in 2020 and North's realisation that he would be well into his 30s when they were competing in finals again. And one other thing. This whole no one wanted him crap is untrue as well. Essendon and one other club were said to be very keen.

Well not quite free Fence. For a second round pick which is hardly peanuts given the where the likes of Gawn, Fyfe etc have been drafted!

Interesting to see Kobi George training with Casey. Was, of course, a member of our Next Generation Academy along with Deakyn Smith. He is the son of David George who played for Dandenong in the VFA and was one of the smoothest movers on a football field you are ever likely to see. Turns 21 this year. I still hold out hope that he can make it.

I think draft time provides a fascinating insight into where clubs perceive their lists to be. Last year, we had our sights set on Mac Andrew until the AFL changed the rules. He may have been a great replacement in three years for Max who is now 30. Our current back up for Gawn and Jackson is Majak Daw who is also 30 +. We delisted Bradke. We don't have anyone else capable of playing ruck. One of the other targets appeared to be Gibcus who we were prepared to trade up for, but couldn't get any takers/get a deal done. I think we ended up settling for JvR as the next best tall. This was identified because May, Brown, Brown and TMac are all 30 +. The other guy we had our sights on was Howes who we snapped up late (thankfully). Wing depth seemed to be a priority and reading between the lines there must be queries over whether they think Baker will make it.

There's a distinct lack of training reports this year. Have Demonlanders found jobs, or something?

Yep, said Jackson was a second rounder! Actually, he has made some horrible calls over the years. Didn't rate Oliver, Pickett was too high, compared Salem to a slow plodder, etc. Because he spends so much time on drafting, people assume he knows what he is talking about. However, his assessment of talent and feel for the game are terrible.

For as long as Cameron Schwab is alive it will be hard to forget 186. Even now. Wanting to introduce American-style performance contracts had a massive impact on the entire playing group. Every player in the club made their feelings known at Geelong. Bailey was the fall guy but Schwab should have resigned. Stynes was also too reliant on Schwab. Whole episode was a shambles.

Think Tomlinson or Hunt could take Hibberd's spot. Depends on what we're after. Tomlinson perhaps has the better defensive skills but Hunt has that unique dash and chasing ability. Both played well last season. Assume they all have the same starting position come round one. Would love Bowey to be the one to mind the opposition's small forward. Will need to keep working on his defensive attributes.