demoniac

No offence Finks but the sentiments expressed by Ange about a former Melbourne Football club player who is suffering brain damage at least partially caused by concussion suffered whilst playing for our club are among the most disappointing I have ever read on Demonland. Tom Potter

One of the great Australian Singer/Songwriters. His first band Not Drowning Waving thanked Robbie Flower in the sleeve notes of an EP. His current band My Friend The Chocolate cake recorded an instrumental called Jimmy Stynes. Would love to here his Grand Old Flag version. Be great if the club could put in on the web site or facebook.

I think we are a chance. Watched the Hawks v Adelaide game and it was really evident that they lack marking medium forwards to act as genuine targets and alternatives to Franklin and Roughead. Jamar should also dominate in the Ruck against Renouf. Martin should match it with Hale in the ruck and can also play on him in defence if necessary. Hodge coming back will improve them but it will be interesting to see how many minutes he can play given his very limited preparation. Franklin will unfortunately have learnt his lesson from last week and get on his bike. The Hawks best players - Hodge, Mitchell, Sewell, Rioli, Franklin, Roughead, Burgoyne, Young - are quality but I'm not sure how deep they bat. Will be a pressure game for the Hawks for they have loaded up for 'Now' with their recruitment in of older players like Burgoyne, gibson, Hale and Bruce. A 0 - 2 start will see the pressure build at Mulgrave. The pressure on us is to be competitive for the whole game so we don't get blown away and really give ourselves a chance to win. Also if Cam concedes 2 goals directly from clangers, another from a free kick and then misses from 30 metres himself then our cause will be helped considerably. Only fair really that he assists his old club like he assisted the Crows!

Don't have a problem with it. Secured loan at around market rates to a key employee that was disclosed in the Annual Report.

The playing on into trouble was evident a number of times today. For mine he needs to be more conservative with his disposal. Kicking up the line rather than into corridor. Does not diminish him as a player. He reads the play well and takes great well judged contested marks.

Hale has to have stints in the ruck so Martin could simply play on him when he plays up forward then follow him into the Ruck thus allowing Jamar a sufficent rest. Bailey still seems to be a few weeks away for the Hawks so they will have to go again with Renouf and Hale. We should definitely have an advantage in the ruck against the Hawks.

Encouraging performance. Last year was disappointing but seems to have had a great pre season. With the sub role his athleticism allows him the flexibility compete in the ruck and have an impact round the ground. He can also go back or forward if necessary. Not yet the finished item but the signs are encouraging.

If we dropped every player who 'cost us so many times in defence' after today's game then we'd be struggling to field a defence next week. The positives of his debut far outweigh the negatives. Get his own ball on the ground and in the air. Beautiful kick short or long - Addam Maric should really have move to that swithc kick and protected the ball with his body. Aggressive. A player we have to get games into.

Out: Joel MacDonald In: Frawley Macdonald is physical and courageous but offers little apart from that. Can't really play on a genuine tall and not really quick enough for mids and does not make great decisions or execute well. Rivers at least reads the play well and spoils well. But much like Macdonald his decision making and execution are mediocre. Should not be given a licence to be creative because too often it leads to a turnover. Great Tapscott's decision making and execution were fantastic. Strauss was an emergency and he is another who executes well by foot so we need to get games into him.

The major query I have with a training base at Docklands is that it always appears to be one of the windiest places in Melbourne.

Drafted as an elite kick and a good runner. Had injuries in his first 2 years and admittedly has not looked ready for AFL level in his 2 senior games however has shown some good signs with his run and carry and ball use off half back for Casey at VFL level. Looked a bit more comfortable at the level against the Bombers in the NAB cup. Given the positives to his game and the fact that he is still young -does not turn 21 until June - the 2 year extension was hard to argue with. Has areas he needs to work on but if he develops will be an important player off half back with his ball use and ball carrying.

I would happily pay a voluntary 'Red, Blue and Casey' membership surcharge to help fund a standalone VFL team. Geelong and Collingwood have done it. Hawthorn and Essendon have effectively done it. Richmond want to do it.The West Coast Eagles and Freo want to do it in the WAFL. Its clear it is industry best practice when it comes to player development so its a no brainer for mine that we must achieve our own VFL team as soon as possible. The Fevola fiasco has perhaps just brought the issue in to sharper focus. If 10,000 members payed a voluntery surcharge of $30 then that would raise the additional $300,000 or so required to go it alone. In an ideal scenario we would simply take over Casey. Of course that may not be so simple but it is hard to see a stand alone Casey team devoid of the $250,000 we contribute and the services of our players avoiding Frankston status or even dropping out of the VFL. Would Casey City Council want to risk no Casey team in the VFL or a team performing like Frankston or would they prefer a well resourced Casey Demons developing the Dees young talent and the best young talent of the outer east and Gippsland. The Dees option is better for the Casey brand that they are seeking to promote and allows the best young local talent a chance at AFL level without moving out of the region.

A few thoughts Fev has had plenty of chances. However he has accepted that he has issues and has begun receiving mental health treatment so hopefully at 30 he is finally developing the skills necessary to negotiate the ups and downs of everyday life. It is generally accepted that a key part of a sustained recovery from mental health issues is returning to the workforce so perhaps now that he has admitted his problems and sought help it is good that he is getting a chance in the VFL. That being said Casey better have put some clauses in his contract: 1 - stays in the regular and intensive care of mental health experts 2 - does not gamble 3 - does not drink 4 - does not attend licensed premises 5 - gets a non football industry related job outside of football industry and holds it There is always tension with an alignment. Casey Scorpions want to win the VFL Premiership. We want our young players to develop at Casey. Certainly if you go to a game at Casey you don't have to be there too long to hear Casey fans airing some gripe about the alignment. The lesson in Casey signing Fevola against our wishes is that we must aim to field a stand alone VFL team in the medium to long term. To do that we have to keep building membership and revenue till we reach the point where we can afford it. That stand alone team may still be based at Casey for strategic reasons but be 100% controlled by the Dees. The reality for Casey City Council and Casey Scorpions is that no other AFL club will align with them and they will struggle without an AFL alignment to raise the funds to field a competitive VFL team. Certainly if Williamstown know they need an AFL alignment to be competitive then Casey most certainly do.

Best 22 (R1 Injury Replacements) B: Rivers Frawley (Warnock) Bartram HB: Grimes Garland Strauss C: Trengove Scully Bennell HF: Jurrah Dunn Sylvia F: Green Watts Pettard Fol: Jamar Moloney Davey I/C: Tapscott McKenzie Morton(Maric) Sub: Spencer E: Maric(Bail) Gysberts Bail In the mix: Jones, Howe, Bail, Wona, Jetta, Bate, Martin, Warnock, Campbell Depth Only: J Macdonald, Newton, McNamara Developing at Casey: Blease, Cook, Davis, , Evans, Fitzpatrick, Gawn, Johnston, McDonald, Nicholson General Notes We are still essentially in development mode as we assemble and put games into the players who will form the core of our assault on MFC PS Nm 13. To that end Strauss and Tapscott come in with Maric very much in the mix. All 3 have shown good signs in the pre season and they are all good kicks of the footy. Spencer and Martin are the obvious substitute candidates. Jamar can't ruck alone for almost a whole season again and is hard to match up on if rested forward. If Spencer is competitive in the Ruck then Jamar can rest at Full Forward. Spencer's marking has improved and he likes the physical stuff. Martin offers more positional flexibility particularly as a defensive option eg against opposition ruckman resting forward. Needs to improve his marking to play forward. Athleticism and speed should be an asset around the ground. Bate is at a key moment in his career facing stiff competition for a spot. Full Forward is perhaps his spot but the problem for him at Full Forward is the same as as a flanker - does he have good enough hands to mark enough balls overhead or out in front? Does he have the running ability/lateral movement for flanker/wing? Jones will probably be picked for Round 1. There is alot to like about him with his professionalism and ability to win contested ball but needs to work on releasing before/when tackled and his disposal. All in all our depth is improved as our young players have another pre season under their belts and will get more game time either at Casey or with the Dees. Shoulf hopefully be some long nights er afternoons at the selection white board this year - and for the right reasons! Go Dees

24 February. Very early booths indeed.

If there were online forums in the 80s there would have been many posts expressing similar sentiments expressed about Sydney and Brisbane. They were both going to non AFL cities and they certainly were circus like with their private ownership struggles and lack of support from the AFL. But the AFL learned from their errors and both Sydney and Brisbane were given sufficent support to allow them to establish themselves in non AFL cities. Yep $100 million is a stack of cash but for mine it is an appropriate expenditure for a business of the AFL's size and ambition to underwrite the expansion of our great game into 2 large population areas in western Sydney and the Gold Coast. Sure its going to be hard and we need to make sure that the money is well spent and good people are employed to establish good solid sustainable foundations but its the confidence in our code that saw us expand successfully into Sydney and Brisbane originally which has led us into western sydney and the Gold Coast. If we want Aussie Rules to maintain our dominant position in Australian sport we cannot rest on our laurels. Thats the same for the AFL as it is for any business.

I don't see why GWS is regarded as a circus. Yep new AFL footy clubs in these days of multi million dollar professional sport are not established by a few gentleman convening a meeting but there is not much today that we do similar to the days of the second half of the 19th century when most of the traditional VFL clubs were established. The expansion of the VFL into the AFL has underpinned Aussie Rules becoming the dominant sporting code in the land. GWS and the vast expanses of the west of Sydney represents the next logical step in that expansion. As for Scully I trust Tim Harrington will offer him a contract worthy of his performance and his undoubted potential and not a dollar or contract year more. Simply put GWS can afford to pay him more than we can given their extra million in the salary cap and the number of players in their first few years who will be on standard rookie contracts. We can't afford to pay him more than we estimate his worth under our standard salary cap or what do we do when our other exciting young talents come out of contract? Melbourne has a good story to sell Scully. The oldest club in the game, the club that created the game is poised to once again challenge for flags after almost 50 years in the wilderness. He knows the depth of outstanding young talent that surrounds him and that on and off the field we are building to something truly special. He has a chance to be part of that. Or he can take GWS's millions and ultimately be a wealthier man but a man NEVER EVER to be welcome at Melbourne. I hope he does stays to play his part but if he goes I don't see it as being a fatal blow because our playing list has plenty of young exciting talent apart from Scully which would be added to by the 2 first rounders we should receive as compo with Jack Viney on the horizon. Thats ultimately my point. This club is now in a strong position on and off the field and the words of Maloney at the 2009 Best and Fairest ring loud and true. Is he likely to go? Well the drums were beating about the identity of players going to the GC last year and they were correct. Then there is the disingenious nature of the statment released by his managment company re Scully not negotiating with the Dees until the end of the 2011 season. Presumably they don't consume any media otherwise they would know, as everyone else does that by not signing a new contract with the Dees speculation would build all year a la Ablett, Brown, Bock et al in that media that the Velocity Sports folks obviuosly don't cconsume. The words of Maloney at the 2009 Best and Fairest that ring loud and true. "We are on a straight line and we will not deviate . . . if you don't want to be on that straight line go to Carlton, go wherever,"

I am 40 and I have never been happier with the club's list managament. In the modern professional era players earn so much money that most of them will want to play on even when their form wanes and the game passes them by. As a result clubs have to be proactive in 'retiring' players because when the time comes the players generally will want to play on. Robbo, Yze and White were all finished when the club 'retired' them. If i recall correctly all were hoping to continue their careers at another club but no club came a calling. Tells you something I think. Mcdonald is one of favourite ever Dees players. Always gave 100% on the park and an absolute gentleman off it. Still he would have been 34 in 2011 and the old legs looked more than a little tired in 2010. Fair enough for me for the club to prioritise getting games into our elite young midfield than another season for Junior. Bruce is 31. Apparently a great role mode off the field but for an experienced player he never showed much poise or good decision making or good disposal on the field. If you believe Mike Sheehan he just finished a contract that had him in the top 15 - 20 players in the league. Well he was never in that echelon let alone in the top 50. Now at 31 he has looked at our list and he has looked at the Hawks list and like Cheney he has seen less competition for a place in their 22. Thats the certainty he has found. And of course for mine the reason both Bruce and Cheney see more opportunities at Hawthorn is that while their list does have some elite players it does not bat deep. To wit we have embarked on a thorough and sustained rebuild and we have a list deep in emerging young talent whilst the Hawks are paying for early draft shockers like Thorpe, Muston and Dowler with a lack of depth. Good list management all round for mine by the Dees. And the lesson for the players. After years in the wilderness the team that created the game is ready to take it back. The whole club is focussed on winning a flag and finally there are no easy rides for senior players. Spots in the best 22 have to be earned by consistent performance not reputation. Its probably been..oh.. 46 years or so since this was truly the case.

Just watched the presser and could not help but think that Brucey and his rug will be right at home at the Hawks. Can swap rug maintenance tips with Guerra and Hale. I am quite confident that our list is in much better shape than the Hawks. Bruce and Cheney both saw more opportunities for them at Hawthorn. The former a 31 year old fearing he would be pushed out of the team by more youthful talent and the later seeing too many players ahead of him and a spot in the best 22. Indicative for mine of a Hawthorn list that has some elite players but overall does not bat very deep. I look forward to Brucey showing his normal lack of poise and errant disposal in the Hawks jumper in 2011.

Cameron Johnston Height: 181cm Weight: 78kg DOB: 24/02/92 Club: Geelong Falcons (Vic) Kevin Sheehan says: Quick and versatile player who can play a hit-up forward role or go down back. Very athletic type overall and a long kick. In his own words What type of player are you? I consider myself to be a fast-running half-forward/midfielder who can kick goals. I can also play in the backline to rebound the ball either by foot or by carrying and drawing with speed. I run, carry and break lines. Which AFL player do you feel you resemble, and why? A few players - Ryan O’Keefe, Andrew McLeod and Brett Ebert. I can play a running half-back like McLeod, as a midfield/half-forward like O’Keefe, or be a hit-up target like Ebert. What are your strengths as a footballer? My running ability, both pace and long distance, and long kicking. I can run a 2.8 in a 20m sprint and continuously drop punt a ball 60m. My main strength is that I can play in a number of positions. What parts of your game would you like to improve? My game knowledge and set up. I'm also always working on my skills on both sides to be the best player I can possibly be. Which AFL team do you support and how did you come to barrack for them? Geelong - we live in Geelong and my whole family supports them. My favourite player when I was growing up was Garry Hocking. Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far, and why? My St Joseph's senior coach, Mark Havey. He has helped me in all areas of my game and has given me the opportunity to play key roles at senior level at a young age.

DAN NICHOLSON Height: 183cm Weight: 76kg DOB: 02/11/90 Club: Uni Blues (Vic) Bio: Pacy midfielder/running defender who has dominated Melbourne's amateur footy competition for two seasons while playing with University Blues. Grew up in Victoria's western district then went to school at St Pat's in Ballarat. Is 20, but has plenty of improvement to come. In his own words What type of player are you? Agile half-back player who loves to run and create plays. I try to stop my man and run off him, and make him accountable for what I do. Which AFL player do you feel you resemble and why? Robert Murphy, who doesn't have the heaviest build but plays bigger than he is. I offer run and creativity from the back half and can play as a utility. What are your strengths as a footballer? I have a decent engine when it comes to endurance but my speed over 10-20m is my greatest asset. Solid left foot. What parts of your game would you like to improve? Contested marking and mid-range kicking. Which AFL team do you support and how did you come to barrack for them? Hawthorn. Dad always tried to make me barrack for Richmond so that pushed me away from them. My best friend barracked for Hawthorn, so I did as well. Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far, and why? Dad. Living in the country, opportunities are hard to come by so Dad drove me everywhere. He eventually sent me to boarding school at St Pat's

One is not sure how your rating of the 'South Tassie competition' is relevant to a player recruited after a season with Hobart which was in its second year in the Tasmanian State League.

It is that flexibility that will be a key to causing problems for opposing defences. Its a forward line filled with genuine markng targets with good endurance who can all move between deep in the forward line and the wing. Its a potent recipe for confusing opposing sides as players drift up to the wing and back losing their opponents or making them wonder who they should be matching up on. Jezza Howes is listed at 190 and 80 with a 14+ beep test so with an AFL pre season can't see why he won't enter 2011 season at around 83 to 85 kgs and be a chance to play senior foooty. Seems to have the combination of good endurance, good footy smarts, great well timed leap, ability to mark out front or with arms fully extended and good goal and positional kicking to make an impact.

In short Bruce and his manager Ricky Nixon thought the Dees would crumble on the 2 year deal. Used to be that we would have. That is of course why Bruce got the just finished contract that landed him in the Top 20 money earners in the AFL when he would have been unlikely to be in the league's Top 50 players. Times have changed. Travis Johnstone learnt that. Brock Maclean learnt that. In short Schwab, Connolly, Harrington and Bailey have set about regularising our player payments. Elite players get an elite player's contract. Good players get a good players contract. Sensible TPP management. And of course players 30 and older get one year deals just like Crawford did at Hawthorn and Fletcher does at Essendon. Sensible risk management. Simply Bruce and Nixon were slow on the uptake otherwise they would have requested a trade and the Dees would have facilitated the deal and Bruce would already have been at his preferred club.

In the old days older players had to be cajoled in to playing on for another season. Most could earm more momey at a regular job or by playing/coaching at lower levels. Now they are payed so well that most will try and play on for as long as they can even when their form is faltering. I don't blame then for that but it does mean that it is necessary for the club to be proactive in getting players to retire when their time is up or to take 1 year contracts at a lower amount that reflects their declining form as they get older. In short for mine the Bruce decision is a good one. By all accounts he was very professional in the way he trained and prepared so his leadership in that regard will be missed but other players such as Scully can also provide that. On the field I never thught he displayed much leadership so I don't think that we will see an impact there.