Deeoldfart

"however and whenever you can" Geoff!

If you support our Club, you support it however and whenever you can. All the grandstanding about the 'Club owing me' is childish and pathetic (with sincere apologies to any children who have written above) .

Logical, but footy doesn't work that way. I think we are in with a bit of a chance, just the same!

Only those who are full of self importance, think they know everything, but in reality, know nothing!

A fitting tribute to an outstanding person. Jim's family and the Demon 'family' should be enormously proud. I know that's how I feel.

Revival of the former 'Demon Incentive Plan (circa 1980s). I'll be in again!

All of the above, with a decent slice if luck as well. While it is true that you make your own luck, I reckon we are owed a bit!

Well done GTG and PR!!

Dare I say it, but to me Alex looked like a real 'footballer's footballer'. Smart, very disciplined, team oriented and played within his limitations, just like Brett Lovett did for so many years. I'm not calling him as the next Brett Lovett just yet, but Roosy loves players of that ilk, and I have a gut feeling that he might be around the MFC for a fair while.

Great team effort with everyone playing their part ..... ie. straight out of the Paul Roos 'how to' text book. If I'm not mistaken, this Barossa red tastes a just touch sweeter tonight!

Congrats Jonesy and Jack. Lead on boys, and take us to the Holy Grail!

My guesses: Capt: N.Jones & Grimes VC: Frawley & Dawes Remainder of LG: Garland, Clark & Cross

Exactly!!

I live in Canberra (bugger it!) so I don't get to training very often ............... but I know we have improved because I believe the positive half of what I read on Demonland. Silly me!!

Time to take a hefty swig out of Bring-Back-Powell's glass.

Despite my best efforts I'm finding it extremely difficult to contain my excitement about the forthcoming season. I know all that can change with one injury or one game, but for now I intend to ignore od's repeated but well intended warnings to take a more balanced approach (probably to my longer-term peril), and to enjoy the excitement for as long as I can! I have to agree Jack 7. The training reports are excellent and greatly appreciated, especially by those of us can't get there in person. Keep the reports coming guys, and let the excitement continue!

No contest! Jim Cardwell, the "Prince of Secretaries". He assembled the greatest playing list(s) ever to represent the mighty Demons.

Great stuff 666. Almost as good as being there in person.

Mine is wife: ex B'dogs but tickled into submission. Now hard to imagine anyone more passionate about the Dees.. 3 kids: they had no choice but absolutely Dees forever. 4 grand kids: no choice like the kids. Still little tackers but they love the Dees to death and I can't wait till we string together some wins for them; 2 daughters in law and one son in law. One ex NM but now Dee for life. The other two are passive supporters (ie. on and off members) but I'm working on them. A few wins will help! best mate and his son (ex P'matta rugby league fans but now AFL followers and Dees for life)

Improvers: a fit Clark will reach 'folk hero' status (at least around here), and be competitive in the race for the Coleman; Toumpas will convert his recent track form to match days, and show enough to convince the 'Demonland doubters' that he will one day be a star; Howe, regularly matched by the opposition's 4th best defender, will show that he has a lot more more than just 'party tricks' to keep the MFC faithful on their toes. Sliders: no names, but a few who have found their way into our 'best 22' over the last couple of years will be found out and traded or delisted at seasons end. Having said that, I also expect Roos to unearth a couple of unlikely gems from the slag heap.

A roller coaster indeed! Just like at a fun park, the 'ride' titillated the imagination, took us nowhere, and ended with a feeling of nausea. Who among us after a string wins didn't dread a loss, because we knew in our hearts that it would most likely be the first in a string of losses?

... and I'd add improved teaching and coaching to that list mono.

After a holiday in Tassie, I broke my journey from Devonport to Canberra to have a look at training on Monday morning. I won't provide a comprehensive run-down, but a few specific points struck me as significant and probably worth sharing: the weather was wet and miserable, and I thought the overall skill level was reasonable in the circumstances ........ but of course, training is a long, long way from match day, but at the same time, December is also a fair way from March. I was super impressed by the intensity of the session. Far greater than anything I have seen on my few visits to training under Bailey or Neeld. Given that it's still 2013, this was a highlight for me. the coaches were heavily involved in all drills, yelling instructions and encouragement and having quiet one-on-one chats to players to make specific points. For example, one of the drills involved clearing the ball from deep defense with the designated kicker being required to kick the ball to a team mate and then continue running at full steam to provide a transitional option and / or a goal kicking option at deep forward. The coaches could clearly be heard yelling things like "keep running" or "push harder" or "stay involved" or "great work" followed by the players name. I loved this drill and keenly look forward to seeing how it translates on match days. Watts trained with the mids and impressed. In one centre clearance drill in particular, he regularly found space in a crowded setup, and delivered the ball beautifully by hand and foot. I found this interesting because I had expected him to be the outside receiver rather than in the thick of it in a drill of this type. Despite the hard work, intensity and miserable conditions, the players enjoyed themselves. For example in one arm-wrestling / grappling type drill the players were pitted against someone of similar size and build in what I assume was some sort of 'show of strength'. The banter between the players was clearly audible as each tried to gain the upper hand. At one stage Rawlings was pitted against Garland and he managed to get a hand free and give Garlo a solid clip over the ear. Expletives followed but it was all in good spirit.

................. and not surprising given his knee niggle.

If I remember correctly, we did something similar with Jimmy Magner, who was training with St.Kilda at the time.