Its Time for Another

Don't know why no one responded. He was incredibly highly regarded at the Swans. Back when I was coaching juniors I attended a coaches session put on by the Swans and the stuff he did was transformative. They credited him with developing a whole philosophy they had adopted and then he developed training exercises to execute it. It was very simple, clear and easy enough to teach to juniors. I will say though that I love the idea of Ratten as midfield coach although he seems to have made it clear he is stepping away from footy for a while. I thought the best our midfield ever operated was when he was the midfield coach, even though that was quite a few years ago now.

The most frustrating thing about this is he has shown in the past that when he chooses to he is an excellent kick of low trajectory passes to leading players. Hope springs eternal.

Is speed of ball movement the missing key? The last few games it's really stood out that we are kicking into a far more crowded forward line much more often than the opposition. It appears to be because the dynamic speed of ball movement we had at the beginning of the season has gone enabling opposition teams to get back and choke our forward 50. We seem to consequently have to kick from further out and on more acute angles or attempt snaps closer in under great pressure which has led to our goal kicking accuracy dropping off a cliff. It was clear at the beginning of the season that our speed of ball movement had improved significantly and after a summer of goal kicking practice and shots closer to goal our accuracy went through the roof. Do you agree this is a key issue and can we fix them in time. Just saw you've cut off questions while I was typing. Second week in a row I've been too late.

I was thinking the other day about how much luck there is in AFL no matter how much planning etc you do. Richmond were in exactly this position at the end of 2018 having just like us won a Premiership and the next year missing out and desperately needing a key forward. And there was Tom Lynch just sitting there that year and getting picked up for nothing as a free agent. What would they have achieved without him. Same with Geelong and Cameron. Imagine what we'd be like if there had been a Tom Lynch sitting around waiting to be plucked for nothing as a free agent. We'll just have to do it without it. Go Dees!!!! It is indeed time for another.

I hate to even be saying this out loud and I accept any howls of derision sent my way. We all admire our supporter group for hanging tough over the years with the Dees but (Can't believe I'm putting this out there) but look at those Essendon numbers. After what that Club has put it's supporters through off field and how bad they've been onfield. Talk about "rusted on". Bit like Trump supporters. Doesn't matter what they do they stay devoted.

Something not right about these figures. Most haven't changed since your original posting in April. Ours is exactly the same but we had several massive games after that. Couldn't be exactly the same. I gather they must be home and away totals not just home games. There's no way GWS were getting average crowds of 18,473 more like half that on a good day.

LOL!! Ex Church DP. Now offices owned by a mate of mine. Fanatical Dees supporting family.

WJ thanks for this. Can I suggest that you pin this as the first post and update it as teams are eliminated in the finals so we don't have to keep wading through the whole board to get to the latest version.

Sponsorship and commercial $ rates are largely based on membership numbers. It has a trickle down effect in a lot of areas. Go Dees. Funnily enough one of the sponsors is a pet supplies business. I bought a great bed for our dog from them with a nice Demons discount.

Question for @binman. At some time over the pre season Goody talked about how momentum swings had become such a big factor in games especially in that 2022 season and that they were going to do a lot of work on how to stop them. It's safe to say he's achieved that brilliantly this year. Wondering how you think we are achieving this. I've been able to see the last two games live. It seemed to me that when Hawks then Swans got momentum swings they did it by moving the ball quickly and often short passing and it was effective at dodging our zone defence and avoiding our contested superiority. I thought we switched from zone defence to man on man and this amongst other things such as extra players behind the ball, is instrumental in stopping momentum swings. What is your view? If you agree, I wonder what the mechanism is for making this switch during games. Is it player driven or the coaches? As a side note Pies are masters at the uncontested quick ball movement into uncluttered forward line but we stopped it in the Kings Birthday game and they don't seem to have a plan B if stopped so it looks like it's going to be critical.

I can't understand how he wasn't picked up last year when he tried to leave. Hopefully a better outcome for him and us this year not that we'd get much but will free up some cap space.

The irony of this loss is that in 2005 they lost the first week and had to play 4 finals but won the big one whereas in 2006 they won the first week and only had to play 3 and lost.

His first season I believe. Bowser b4 Bowser

How do you know

Isn't the go home factor something to take into account with McKerchin. I would have thought once the Tassie team is recruiting he'd be a real danger of going. Especially if they get the right to take a contracted player from each club. As in Scully to GWS. Personally I wouldn't roll the dice on this risk.

ANB Heart & Soul might be a bit of a stretch. No other current player has done my head in more regularly than him for multiple reasons but I have to say his game on the weekend was a work of art. For me arguably his best game. He got to multiple contests and was effective in them, once he got the ball he didn't do his normal first options of either falling over or taking too long and getting caught. He made quick decisions, many of them were excellent attacks into the corridor and most importantly mostly didn't turn it over. I hate to sound my age and the father I am but I was proud of him for that performance. Well done ANB.

I assume for self defence if you have home invaders. I wear a few scars from those beauties from back in the day.

Ha! I saw this in action live end of May. I have video proof. And if you thought Monty Python's silly walks were ridiculous you should look this up.

With 67,943 members you'd think the Club could let us know what's going on. Why do we have to get it from journo's.

No No No Not the dreaded 426. They said 526. Come on.

I’ve watched quite a lot of hime up here in Sydney. The knocks on his disposal are a bit harsh. He’s not that bad. There are just a lot of similar players ahead of him at Swans atm. He’s not that tall and nothing especially stands out but he’s going to be a decent player. Having said that I’d take Liam Henry over him in a heart beat. Has some x factor and a bit more speed and class.

See you there. I'll PM b4

Will you be there Neil? I will be.

I present for your viewing pleasure Her Royal Highness, Princess Sassy. This was back in her prime when she was a famous fashion magazine model. That's who my wife sees. Me on the other hand. When I have to take her out in the middle of the night for a pee only see this. However, all is forgiven because she is a die hard Demons supporter. If she knew it. Although she does slink out of the room as soon as I start watching the footy and usually turn into a truly Demonic Demon. Alas the years haven't been kind to her. This was taken when she was down to three legs and two eyes. Nowadays it's three legs and one eye. But the old dowager Princess is loved more than ever. At least by her alpha, the missus.

Thanks. I'm wondering if this is a permanent thing with him that he is being managed like this every week. Possibly to manage his long term foot injury.