Deeoldfart

Wow! I LOVE the pressure for spots.

There is no right or wrong answer to the issue raised in the OP, because it will vary from week to week depending on the the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. However, right now we are in a position of strength, having a very 'even' team, with high caliber (star) players across all lines (see the 10 or so mentioned earlier in this thread), as well as an exemplary list of role players who have shown that they can be relied upon to do their job almost every week (eg. Spargo, Hunt, ANB, Hibberd, Jordon, Rivers, Brayshaw, Kozzie, Jackson etc.). If we can maintain this ethos we will continue to be in a very good place, but if a couple of players drop off in this area, the structure / system will break (most of us would agree why Melksham was relegated vs Carlton, notwithstanding that we could always use his exceptional foot skills). Of the 'stars', it's obvious that all of them would be very important in a final, but then, the transition from Tommo to Petty has been seamless, as was Jordon stepping into Viney's role last weekend. The one ingredient that is incredibly difficult to replace is leadership, so I'd argue that the most difficult players to replace in a final would be Gawn and May. Let' hope (pray?) that the footy gods continue to be kind to us, and that this discussion becomes academic.

Repeating myself here, but another fantastic podcast last night. Many thanks to the crew.

I have a hunch he'll be watching from somewhere Chook.

Goody just said on 360 that JV still has some boxes to tick to play against the Crows, but if he misses, he’ll definitely be ready vs the Doggies.

What a wonderful resource we have in Demonland! I've been a Life Member ever since membership categories were introduced, and each season I try to toss in a few extra bucks to say thanks to Andy and the crew, who contribute their time, energy and 'hard-earned' to provide an outstanding service for us long suffering Demons fans. Given that I'm in such a good frame of mind about 9 zip, I hereby pledge to make an additional donation if we make it to 10 zip. ps I hope this post isn't out of line Andy / Mods. If it is, please delete. My donation will be forthcoming regardless.

Four in the top 12 from the coaches is pretty damn good in an 18 team competition ............. and it's not hard to imagine Langdon, Lever and May in there as well. The Bullies are the only other team with multiple representation (2) in the top 12.

6. Oliver 5. Salem 4. Lever 3. McDonald 2. Langdon 1. Jordon Spargo and ANB horribly unlucky in a very even team performance

Just ‘business as usual’ for our Demons ..... and how good it is!

Yes, we need to be intent on protecting that bit of real estate, that we’ve worked so diligently to earn.

This has danger game written all over it! The results earlier in the round clearly show that it’s no time to get ‘smug’ with our current position, and they also provide a great opportunity to (again) test our 2021 maturity and team-first mindset Carlton won’t let us have it all our own way, but hopefully this works in our favour, and brings out the best in us. I’m confident of a win, but it won’t be a ‘walk in the park’. Dees by 18 points.

No more favours, team picked on form. That’s what the best teams do. Love it!

I like it a lot. Chandler gets his chance as a small pressure forward. Needed IMO with the inclusion of Weid in our forward half.

Rippa! Under-manned but fought it out with G & D, just like our senior team can do. Well done Dees!

I’m really pleased that Weid will now get his opportunity. Further, I would love to see us get into a match-winning position somewhere in the second half on Sunday, to afford our coaches an opportunity to try a few different approaches (experiment if you like) to see what things might look like in the longer term. I just can’t see all of Weid, TMac, BBB and LJ in the same team, without giving up a very significant part of what has got us to 8 zip.

That’s true Grr-owl, and the same principle applies to most players in our current 22. Exactly as it should be!

Fantastic podcast fellas. Love the analyses!! Thanks

JJ is a ‘quiet achiever’. Good skills, great work rate, and I expect follows the coaches instructions to the letter. A great role player in a team that puts high priority on this attribute. I love the way he is travelling!

The May decision is exasperating to say the least! Enough said ........ if I express my unreserved views about the MRC, I'll earn a (Demonland) sanction for myself.

The Blues won’t be an easy assignment for us next weekend, but our last quarter fitness might be telling, given the way they fell in a hole late in today’s game.

Pure football ecstasy to be 8 zip after a Saturday night ‘blockbuster’!! It’s even better that today is Mother’s Day, and we have a family lunch planned. Our whole Demon ‘tribe’ will join us, for an afternoon full of good food, fine wine and Demon banter. Amazing how a Saturday W can transform a Sunday! ........... and a (very rare) bouquet to the AFL for scheduling a Saturday night game for the Dees, instead of the usual 3:10pm start against an interstate club, with a crowd of 12,000, that we normally cop on Mother’s Day.

6. Tommy Mac 5. Oliver 4. May 3. Harmes 2. Salem 1. Jordon

We have become the hunted rather than a hunter, and every other team will be trying to unpick our winning formula. It will happen at some stage when we are one or two percent off our game, but I doubt that will be today. The midfield battle will be pivotal, but I think the Max / Dogga combination, plus Tracc and Clarrie, and Langers on the wing, will give us the edge. If we win in the middle, I’m backing at least a couple of our ‘hard to match up on’ forwards to get off the leash, leading to another 100+ points score, and our miserly ‘team’ defence to keep them to 70 or 80 points. Pre-match jitters have already kicked in for me, but so far this season this has been a positive omen. Dees by 4 or 5 goals, but any way we can come away with the 4 points works!

Geelong went to school on Melbourne's win over Richmond, and proved that the strategy works. Numbers / pressure around the contest, and fast ball movement.

Mid morning DeeZee said: "It’ll be Harmes and Petty in Thommo and Jones out Chandler the sub" and a bit later "Going by today’s training with the main group. I popped by this morning." Great work DeeZee. Thanks!