Deeoldfart

What a player!! I still find it impossible to comprehend he is no longer with us.

I think we've all been waiting for Petracca to step up into this category, but he's disappointed so far. He has the tools, but maybe lacks the fitness right now, .......... or is he just a tease, and unlikely to meet the lofty expectations we had for him early on? I'm leaning (slightly) towards the latter.

I'm prepared to give our players the benefit of the doubt on this story. If there's one area where our Club has come a long way in recent years, its professionalism.

To me, the Melbourne Football Club is like family. You stick fat, regardless of circumstances. The love tests you, but it's unconditional.

IN Kent - played well and kicked three for Casey yesterday. Melksham - automatic inclusion if 100%. His ball use was sorely missed today. Hibberd - another obvious inclusion if he's right to go. His hardness and run out of defence have been missed during his absence. OUT Spargo - has a future, but was a 'rabbit in headlights' today. Some finals experience at Casey is due. Hunt - I liked his inclusion on Friday, but was clearly 'underdone' and way out of form today. My bad! Probably out injured anyway. Peddersen - again I liked his selection on Friday, but realistically, he was only ever holding the fort for Hibberd / Smith. Solid gap-filler over the years but time has caught up. Thin ice Garlett had a stinker today, but was among our best 6 to 8 last week. He gets a reprieve for mine JKH was just adequate, and I can't see an obvious replacement. Hannan maybe, but to me he doesn't seem to work hard enough, end to end. Others also had disappointing games today, but no point in 'throwing out the baby ........... '.

6 - Harmes 5 - Salem 4 - Oliver 3 - Brayshaw 2 - Frost 1 - Jetta

Those wanting a rebuild (trade Hogan, Petracca, Jones, Hunt) are letting their emotions control their clear thinking. I'm as gutted and frustrated as anyone, but please, let's be sensible about this.

Meek and weak for half the game. Other teams take note: you now have the recipe for beating Melbourne! Gutted!!

One good thing. We are close enough if good enough. Now show us what you are made of Demons!

Great article, great insights. Thanks Max!

Crunch time! I'm very 'on edge', but I think we will stand tall.

Oh no! What happened to our mantra of "one week at a time"? ?

At this stage of the weekend, we are one win and 15% ahead of Geelong. Hopefully after tomorrow, we are two wins and a bit more % ahead of them. Nice! On the other hand, we must win tomorrow to maintain a % buffer over Hawthorn, and our other potential rivals.

Another strong game by Dec, Drunkn. Based on radio broadcast, he was involved a lot, and was mentioned among the better players. My assessment from afar is that he stood up very well in defence, in the absence of Pedo .

Great win by Casey! 21 points at the end.

Goal Freeman. Casey now by 20 in dying minutes

Dean Kent now has three.

Pedo in for his versatility and 'insurance' value. I like that! Hunt in for his pace. I like that too!

Jonesy on 360 was very confident that Max would play. Party line? Dunno.

........... agree, and we could have a lot to lose.

No Melky for another week according to Goody.

Too young, too good, too soon. RIP Jarrod.

Either that's plain crazy, or my MFCSS just took a severe turn for the worse. Regardless, I hope our players don't see it and believe it.

For info: Tom Morris 'On the Couch' just said words like don't be surprised if J Hunt lines up for the Dees against the Swans. Roosy broadly concurred with this approach, saying something like Hunt for Smith speed for speed makes sense ....... followed by the qualification if Hunty's had enough time in the VFL.

Enjoy the Demonland banter; have a few (too many?) drinks; (hopefully) recover; review the game to death taking into account all the Demonland prognostications; move on to thinking about the Eagles game some time late in the following week. Perfect preparation.