Deeoldfart

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.

I refuse to jinx any of our players by naming them in this thread!

Based on my scant knowledge of any of the candidates, it's Scharenberg for me in the (unlikely) event that he's deemed both 'fit' and is still available ....... followed by Salem and / or Freeman. one of whom should still be around at #9.

Hang on a sec 'bub ........ your approach is far too logical!

I'm gunna hold off buying a new car for a little while, buy some AHG shares with the few dollars I currently own, wait for the share value to skyrocket on the back of the MFC sponsorship and buy a new car with the dividends.

This is fantastic news and we all owe a debt of gratitude to PJ, GB and PR. We have limped through Hell, but are now officially travelling down the road to recovery, both on and off the field!

Bugger you Maldonboy .............. now you've done the same to me! Thanks dazzle. Very insightful clips, albeit with juniors.

Mobile wingman playing between HB and HF. First or second receiver at ball-ups / throw-ins and finding space on his own is where he could (potentially) do a lot of damage with his disposal ie. playing to his current strengths and (hopefully) developing some new ones courtesy of Paul Roos guidance, increased confidence in his own ability and lots of hard work on the track.

I was a 'very average' rover at school and local levels (think a slower version of Simon Godfrey with no stamina). My 'career highlight' was captaining the local team for a year, with Barry Breen as vice captain (true story). Any thoughts about playing at a higher level were curtailed when it dawned on me that you could have more fun with girls than with 17 other blokes on a footy field .......... besides, playing on Saturday arvo meant that I couldn't watch the Dees running around the 'G'. ps. I'm fumbling around searching for excuses, but bottom line is I was never good enough.

I found Barrett's contradiction in relation to Hogan laughable. On the one hand he totally ridiculed our 2012 recruitment without acknowledging that Hogan was a product of that process, but when it was suggested that Hogan would effectively be part of our 2013 recruitment, he blurted out that Hogan can't be included, because he was recruited in 2012. Wants it both ways!

Hey 'bub, just a minor thing but I think the correct spelling of playets is playettes (lol)

Or for that matter, that 'being competitive for longer' will be ok!

I agree HT. Jonesy has become an outstanding warrior for the MFC, but there's no comparison between him and the handful of elite mids who could legitimately lay claim to a score of 9 or 10 based on 2013 performances.

We must have been watching different games over the past few years Mallee. I buggered if I can recall anything approaching mediocrity.

I've really enjoyed all these short off-season interviews with the MFC players, and this is one is my favourite. I really hope we can find a regular place for Fitzy in our best 22, but it's hard to find a way unless Hogan goes back. I'm glad Paul Roos is coach and head selector!

Skin fold issues?

It's a premature call I know, but to me, the recruitment of Bernie Vince is just another example of the excellent job our recruitment and coaching teams have done so far in this off-season. They have clearly identified the major 'holes' in our list, and seem to have made important inroads into plugging them ...... and at seemingly little cost. We haven't recruited established stars, but together, they might just start to light up the night sky a little bit, which is literally light years ahead of the bleak outlook we have been forced to endure year after year for a decade.

On the other hand, you could argue that Cross is the lucky one!

I don't give a toss about what Barrett says .... he's a dimwit, and everybody who knows football knows it. On the other hand, what I do care a great deal about is the fact that for the first time in more than a decade the signs are there that my club is starting to excel in a lot of what it does off the field, and I'm becoming bullish about what we might be able to do on the field as well.

Time to fork over a few extra bucks if you can folks. Demonland is the football lifeblood for Demon diehards like many (probably most) of us.