Deeoldfart

I agree 100% guys, but the key for me is encapsulated in daisy's final sentence.

I'm proud that our Club has a social conscience, and applaud this decision. Too many lives and families are 'wrecked' by addiction to pokies.

6. Garlett. Stood up at the critical moments 5. Hogan. Great four quarters. 4. Oliver. Clearance king 3. Jones 2. Petracca 1. Gawn

Hope lives eternal od. Stupid by my own admission, but true none-the-less.

I think this captures pretty well what Lewis was saying. Just reading a bit between the lines (or maybe just being hopeful) I think the 'hurt' that the players felt at the end of last season might drive them to give that extra 0.5% when we are down during a game, and make them less 'accepting' of losses when they occur. Fingers crossed.

Interesting to hear Jordie quizzed about his transgression on AFL360 this evening. He mentioned that he let the emotions of the moment get the better of him (which he shouldn't have done, especially as a leader), and that several team mates made that point to him out on the ground. His lack of discipline was also raised at a post match discussions within the Leadership Group.

I have considerable respect for both posters. Webber presents some sound arguments, but I hope ProDee is correct.

Avoid the grand kids for fear of telling them that the Easter Bunny is a pretend story, put about by adults to keep them happy .................... just like the fairy stories about the resurgence of the mighty Demons.

1. The Gawn, Oliver and Petracca combo is very good. Add a fit and firing Viney (fingers crossed) and we could have a midfield that is widely feared. 2. Our mind-set and tenacity to fight back from the brink, even though maybe half the team had overall 'ordinary' games. 3. OMac was our best defender on the day. Who would have thunk it, given the more high profile team-mates that were all around him.

Thanks praha. I had assumed that 'The Demon Dude' was some sort of cheap but strong alcohol.

6. Oliver 5. Gawn 4. Petracca 3. Hogan 2. Jones 1. Vince

Gutted but not despondent. We could've / should've won but we didn't ........ and it would have been a 'get out of jail' win if we had done so. For much of the second quarter our defensive pressure across the ground was poor, and we will struggle to beat most decent teams if extended lapses like that are not rectified.

Gutted but not despondent ....... but it takes 4 quarters of our best, not three and a bit, to beat the decent teams.

Heart yearning, stomach churning, and Mrs 'oldfart tells me "it's only a game". What would she know about such things? It's nice to be among kindred spirits on here.

BUM!!

Outside the ranks of the Demon faithful, Jesse has become a bit of a forgotten man after initially bursting onto the scene with a fanfare. If he has anything to do with it, he won't be 'forgotten' for much longer. Headlines of a different sort this year for our Jesse!

Well I just love my footy team and their current administration. Go Demons, make Infinity proud to sponsor us. We have no limits!!

Disagree AW. I was thinking as I was working my way through the thread that the only way they could improve the original version would be to add the second verse. In the late 1950s and 60s, the players, and the supporters who crammed into the rooms after each victory (which was most weeks) would belt out both verses without missing a beat. Maybe memorising two verses would be too much for today's society.

Don't think so SWYL. Pretty certain that that's Big Bob on the far right. Memory fading, and struggling to recognise the others. Can anyone help me out? ......... or will this take the thread too far off track?

Most unlike you Andy, but yes, it is a silly question. It's impossible to even contemplate what Demonland might look like if we miss out again. Can Mods and Administrators be suspended?

Thanks, as always, for the report Earl. Apparently TMac has some sort of problem with a toe. Bruised, broken or whatever (I dunno). How long is it since we had an injury update from Misso? No mention of Hannan.

My excitement level for 2018 went up another notch last night. I'm not too phased by the 3rd quarter when they got on top in the clearances (while our 3rd string clearance players were being given some exposure through the middle). This gave them some momentum that took us a while to arrest, however I reckon their run-on would have been more easily halted if Viney, Lewis, ANB and Harmes had been on the park. What really excited me was: our start (which was a problem area for many games last year); our spread of goal kickers / avenues to goal; our improved skill levels (confirming training reports); the return to very good form of Hoges, Gawn and Gus after injuries etc. plagued their 2017 seasons; and the continued development of Tracc, Clarrie and Melky. All looks fantastic to me!

Totally agree Ernie.............. but last year the issue a little different imo. The 'burn-out' was exacerbated by 3 x 6 day breaks (with travel) and significant injuries to key players. Without the impact of these issues, I don't think "the team would have been physically and mentally destroyed". We may not have played deep into September, but I'm convinced we would have tasted footy in the Spring. C'est la vie.

On paper we can at least match it with any team in the AFL. Only time will tell if we can do that consistently on the park, but I'm very confident that we will. I read The Age writers predictions out of interest, but I prefer to stick with mine.

What an impressive young man Nev is. Humble and honest. A model Dee and a model citizen.