Deeoldfart

Alternately, doesn’t cream always rise to the top.

I’ve never been a Chris Scott fan (or any of the other panel members for that matter), but that was the best interview I’ve ever heard from him. This will b a controversial statement on here, but our Club could learn a lot from what he had to say.

Indeed, the Pod was our companion, while driving from Adelaide back to Canberra, following the gut wrenching disappointment of Gather Round. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the show, but perhaps even more so this week. Notably: the Panel’s ‘no holds barred’ assessment of our performance against Essendon, and the total lack of transparency by OUR club towards its members and supporters. It hurts enormously, but these things needed to be said! your unbridled and heartfelt passion for “the team we love”, and your anger with what has been dished up, both on and off the field, since the end of last season. I can only hope that somebody with ‘authority’ at the Club tunes in, and takes note. Great work guys. Thank you!

Sadly, very sadly (and probably belatedly), I’ve reached the conclusion that some drastic changes need to be made at our Club. This is not a question, it just a comment ….. but something is rotten at our Club. Any insights you fellas can give into this situation would be valued. Right now I think I would respect your views more than anything coming from inside the Club.

‘A picture tells a thousand words’

Back from the game about an hour ago. A couple of reds later, and nothing’s changed! broken system on the field; broken hearts off the field. I’m totally confused ……. perhaps even more so than what the players seem to be, although that seems unlikely! My heads in a spin, and it’s not from the two glasses of red wine! Something’s gotta change!

Langdon - a shining light. Head and shoulders above of our next best. Gawn - battled on tirelessly against the odds. Can hold his head up. Petracca - instrumental in our mini fight back in the second half. Bowey - solid, with (mostly) nice disposal. Perhaps our most consistent player this season. Pickett - provided a bit of spark, at times. Oliver - the best of the rest.

………. be very, very glum throughout the long drive back from Adelaide to Canberra.

Like Dusty Springfield, I’ve been doing a heap of wish’n and hope’n and pray’n this week. Fingers crossed that it pays off, but I’m not convinced!

Mrs DoF and I attended the Captain’s Run in Adelaide this arvo, but it’s definitely not worth starting a new training thread to report on it. Most players didn’t even do a serious warm-up, except for Tracc, who performed a very impressive calisthenics routine by himself, for all to see. Jeez, he has amazing agility! There were a few ball-handling games, a bit of goal kicking practice and some (mostly uncontested) marking practice. Sadly, not a soccer ball in sight! It was very much a ‘hit and giggle’ promotional event, with autographs and ‘photo opportunities with the players being the main priority. The players were extremely obliging on this front, and the 1,000 or so Dees faithful who were there really enjoyed it. Mrs DoF sat beside some of Pett’s family in the stand, and they told her that they support the Dees because Harrison plays for them, but their ‘heart’ is really in Adelaide 😪.

Thanks for fronting up for another very enjoyable and balanced pod guys. Mrs DoF and I listened to your dulcet tones while driving from Canberra to Adelaide for Gather Round. Two hours of what would otherwise have been monotonous driving, disappeared in no time. PS. We are convinced that our voices in the crowd will make a huge difference, and a win over Ess’don will prove to be the turning point in the season for our beloved Dees!

It’s been said a million times before, but VFL fixtures are ridiculous, and counter productive to the interests of aligned AFL clubs. Why the (expletive) can’t this mob get their act together?

Maybe Fullarton based on his decent goal kicking form at Casey? PS. I’m not holding out much hope for him, but we might as well try something different, because the way our forward line is currently malfunctioning, we have nothing to lose.

Like all of us, I’d love to have been celebrating 4 points, but it was at least a comfort to see several of our ageing leaders showing the way. My assessment: Gawn - Great to see our Skipper fight off adversity, and get back to some solid form. Work ethic was exemplary, and did lots of little things that often don’t get noticed (as borne out by his stats sheet shown by @spirit of norm smith above). Thanks Norm. May - The ‘dam wall’ would have broken much earlier if it hadn’t been for Maysie’s staunch defence. Great to have him back, and back in form. McDonald - Tommy wasn’t very far behind Maysie in deferring the inevitable last quarter breach in our once impenetrable defence. 3. Oliver - A fair way off where we know he can get to, but that just shows how good he is at his best. He’ll get there, I reckon. Chandler - Busted his gut all night, applied pressure and I don’t recall any significant errors. Our only season-on-season improver imo, and it’s mostly based around fitness, work rate and consistency. Langdon - Worked tirelessly as he always does, and disposal was ‘iffy’ at times, as it often is.

Well, at least we showed some heart ❤️💙 ,which is a huge improvement on the previous two weeks. Skills are another matter, but ……

I hope the following helps @jaydenh10 , from the MFC: "…….join the Dees for open training, player signings, giveaways, and family fun on Friday 11 April from 3–5PM at Hisense Stadium.”

Disappointing fade-out by Casey, after being very competitive for all of the first three quarters. Fullarton staked a claim with 5 goals and some solid work around the ground (but did no ruckwork). PS. Verrall is improving.

IF we can all get on the same page, execute skills to AFL level, and show genuine pride in the jumper, then we are a real chance! We will find out this evening whether our beloved Dees have it in them! ❤️💙

Jeremy Howe and Luke Jackson are two who moved to the ‘dark side’ for all the wrong reasons! On the other hand, I’ve moved to Demonland’s ‘dark side’ for good and valid reasons. Thanks @Demonland for giving me the choice.

We are all different, and each to their own. Personally, I love the ‘stats files’ and relating these details to the performance of the team we all love.

Another fantastic pod fellas. It’s obviously a very tough gig given our horrible start to the season, but you continue to front up with a very enjoyable and balanced program. Well done and thank you!

My (perhaps naive) observations: our ‘pressure’ across the ground has been abysmal across the last two weeks; likewise, our ‘skills’, often under no pressure at all; similarly, there seems to be a lack of ‘awareness’ and ‘communication’ and (perhaps) confusion between our players; and, (dare I say it) sometimes a lack of ‘endeavour’. I’d appreciate your thoughts on these observations. Is it a question of youth and inexperience of many in our playing group?, the new game plan?, lack of confidence?, players being played out of position?, lack of trust in teammates?, or some other obvious reasons? Perhaps all of the above? Sorry guys, but this is doing my head in! PS. I’m not asking you to speculate on anything controversial outside the field of play.

Outstanding news for XL, our Club and us supporters. I’ m about to open a fine old Shiraz to toast the lad, on behalf of all of us 🍷.

Sadly, contributing my ‘two bob’s worth’ to this thread is becoming harder, and harder by the week. Such a bloody shame, especially after a pre-season that had me brim full of confidence ……… but anyway, here goes: 6 - Bowey: stood up, where most of his teammates failed. Showed loads of courage, awareness and anticipation, and used the ball very well under pressure. 5 - Langdon: ran all day, put his head over it, and won plenty of hard ball. Might have challenged Bowser for our best if he hadn’t given up possession so often by ‘bombing away’. 4 - Langford: showed plenty to like in his first full game. Great footy IQ and skill beyond his youth. Lots to build on! Chandler: great work ethic, and a very solid performance following last week’s best ever game. Gawn - probably broke even with a very good ruckman. Oliver - never gave up, and fumbled and bumbled his way to a not particularly productive high(ish) possession count.

Any chance we can win a clearance, hold a tackle or even get on the same page a teammate? Simply gut wenching to watch!