Deeoldfart

Nev is the epitome of an honest footballer who knows his limits, plays within them, and gets the job done week in, week out, without any fuss or fanfare. Would be in the first hand-full Demons picked each week, I reckon. And just one request from me please Nev .......... no more serious head knocks or concussions!

I voted Clarry, because I've seen what he can do, and I think he has potential 'elite' written all over him. But I will say this: if Tracc ends up ahead of him (barring any mishaps to Clarry), then we will have a potential match-winner of the highest order on our hands, and the future of our great Club looks brighter than it has for 50+ years.

I love it! Wear it with pride boys.

He's going ok imo, but he still has a couple of gears left. Just slowly building confidence in his body and playing a role that probably isn't his natural 'go'. I had a horrible split second heart flutter on Sunday when he was trying to run down Varcoe, and he lost his footing and went to ground. I thought later that his lunge at Varcoe would have been a good test for his hammies, and fortunately they held up well.

Thanks nut ... an interesting stroll down memory lane.

Andy was recruited from down my way (Mentone Grammar) back in the days of recruiting zones. He played mostly as a HF flanker for the Dees, and my references show that he played 73 games from 1977 to 1981, and kicked 68 goals. Not a particularly distinguished career in another dismal era for the Dees. I have strong hope that his nephew will earn the family bragging rights over his career.

Agree 100% rjay. Subject to him maintaining his form and fitness, I reckon Clarry will be formally 'rested' twice during the season (one at the bye in late June when everyone will need a freshen-up), and another in late July / early August to avoid any possible burn-out. I'd also expect him to be given a rest if he gets a bit of a niggle, where a more seasoned player might push through. IMO, the rest of his season will be managed through a combination of time on ground and time in the guts.

6. Watts: Jack has arrived, and there's no better way for him to confirm his arrival than against the filth. 5. Viney: Ferocious at the ball and man. Simply bleeds red & blue, and might heading for AA selection. 4. N. Jones: Getting back to his best, and we all know how good that is! 3. Gawn: The linchpin for our emerging midfield. Another excellent game in the ruck and at critical times around the ground. 2. Wagner: Surprised me and lots of others around here. Calm under pressure and took the game on. Easy to see him as a 'regular' on that performance. 1. Lumumba: Getting back to the form we recruited him for. His run from defence suits our new game style to a tee. Unlucky: Great team effort today, but a few like T.Mac. Tyson, Pedersen deserve a special mention.

Garlett (if fit) and Vince are certainties to return ....... but no idea who the outs might be! Our Footy Dept got it spot-on this week, despite the widespread criticism / incredulity around this place. Very happy to leave it to them again ....... they are far smarter than me!

Well that was an understatement!

Nothing more satisfying than beating that mob, singing our song and watching the long faces of their players and coach as they trudge off. I'm currently enjoying healthy glass of the sponsors delightful red. Always a good drop, but superb tonight!

Brilliant! Thanks guys.

Anybody heading to the Holden Centre at 12:10 en route to the 'G'? As an 'interstater' I'd love to know how some of the Dees listed players perform for Casey.

Ditto to all the above posts that predict a win if we play like we did in Hobart. Unfortunately, recent history shows that it's not the Melbourne way to be 'up' for two games in a row, and today I'm as nervous as I was before my dental visits 60 years ago. Oh how I dream of a return to the days when we are 2%, off our best and still get the points.

So spot on that it's bleeding obvious JV!. I'll enjoy my red even more tonight now that I feel reassured.

The very last thing we need right now is to be involved in any sort of controversy. We are slowly but surely starting emerge from the 'dung heap' of the last decade, but we are still in a 'fragile' state. Any whiff of an odour emanating from what Barrett is peddling needs to be doused quickly, before it can impact in critical areas such as player retention and recruitment and memberships. We don't need setbacks!

We did spoil the Enright party at the Cattery in 2015.

Not for me poita! We need wins to build confidence and momentum within the playing group, not to mention my own state of mind and good humour.

This is exactly what has me dreaming of the 'impossible dream'. As Max continues to develop his game (as I expect he will), our talented but inexperienced midfield should develop and grow around him. Surely this will lead a period of sustained success, won't it?. The dream is growing some legs.

Out of your arzzzzz, I reckon!

Mixed emotions from me tonight. A strange mix of pride in my team for their effort and 'never-say-die' attitude, anger at some of the umpiring decisions and disappointment at the final result. At the end of the day we were right in the match until the very last kick, and were only just beaten by a physically stronger and more experienced Top 4 contender playing on their own dung heap ............. but with a little more composure in the last 10 minutes would have won against all the odds. We made a positive statement today. The task ahead of us is to bring the same attitude and ferocity to the G next Sunday, and make Buckley's start to the season even worse. Get it done Dees!

6 - Lumumba. Gave great drive from the back half and set up plays. His best game as a Demon imo! 5- Viney. Inspirational and fearless. Thriving as a leader. 4 - Gawn. The architect of our dominance around stoppages. 3 - Vince. Great clearance work, but disposal not quite up to his usual high standard 2 - Jetta. Gutsy and composed, and played within his limits (as he always does). Spoiled by a couple of frees against. 1 - Hogan. Very good team game. Kicked goals himself and contributed to several others. Very unlucky: Oliver. Great around stoppages and never intimidated. Outstanding for an 18 yo with three games under his belt.

Frost or Pedders ....... that's a major dilemma for me. They both bring totally different things to the table (crockery & cutlery) but we desperately need the full setting. It's pointless chopping and changing them week about, so I'd probably keep the faith with Frost. He is more the 'future' than Pedersen, and hopefully playing forward and back-up ruck will 'click' for him soon. Will Vince earn a holiday(?) ..... and if he does, will he be replaced by ANB or Brayshaw? .... another dilemma! Jeffie should be an automatic inclusion if he's fit so Bugg or Vanders might have to give way. Down to likely match-ups I guess, but I'd prefer to give Vanders another week, because we know what he can do.

Totally agree brfe. Lloyd is just repeating what most around here know in their red and blue hearts to be the absolute honest truth. If they don't they are in denial, and that's just being crazy.

There were 11 posts when I opened this thread for the first time, and I reckon that's an omen. Eleven for me!