beelzebub

I expect to see some real improvement and emphatic games statements by around 25-30 games. Am not fussed if he doesnt set the world on fire this year...but would expect the step up by next. Quite happy if it all comes sooner rather than later though

touche !! was referring the the status as #1 ( fan site ) but funny you put it that way..

tis simply testament to the good work and great efforts by the powers that be here to provide us with such a fantastic forum. And despite the odd run in here and there and together with some good natured ( if pointy ) nudge and nudge backs there is much to value from the comraderie here at Demonland. Well done guys...well deserved... Now we just need the Dees to turn in a similar result out on the paddock !!!!!

yeah...where is it from ? am curious too.. and its true...

The encouraging aspect to all of this is that there are more than a few quite talented guys who will be vying for positions. Theres nothing on a plate. Bails has reiterated that often. All positions to be earnt, just some are easier to award than others. So out of this we get keeness to impress and perform...as well as depth to the list. win/win

as an aside to all this.. i dot see a need for a classic forward set up...i.e traditional positions. What you need is a forward unit that works together and orientates itself to the fall and incoming nature of the ball. Basically you need three taller and three midsize and then you can contest the air and dominate the crumbing all the while linking to a common purpose. its all about possession and movement... no static domains and unnecessary specificity in role

weve seen what Aussie can do...and possibly build upon... Im pretty sure we havent yet seen Marics best. Im fervently hoping as others suggest that this is his break out season. Hes just got something... with the body and fitness he might well feel more confident and able to deliver. On his day he will turn opponents inside out and upside down and all the whiles has that built in goal sense. Stick Maric in one pocket..Aussie in the other..and let Davey have a filed to play in. Could be very exciting times ahead if these guys can get switched on.....very !!!

in this day and age yo have to wonder why anyone would do it this way ??? silly to me. A lot may depend on those first 3-4 games. With momentum comes those still on fences and hiding i think we might just crack 35000 though Ive previously thought it would be 33,666.

amen !!!! the masses have gone stir-crazy in the off season roll on game 1

ahhh much better.... was having many hiccups with previous one but couldnt bring myself to complain..lol great job guys ( coming from a sys-eng in a previous lifetime lol ).. bet ya held ya breath a few times..

keep in mind there are separate issues here.. Drug Taking, drug trafficking..and calling the game into disprepute.

Defense can claim all it likes.. The onus is on the prosecution to prove and with an admission its all but slam dunk. Stokes will have fufilled any requirements as to disrepute. The AFL if it wishes can him properly. As before, the AFL doesnt require a legal verdict upon which to act. what does the AFL gain by mothballing any action ? just looks wimpish

The AFL might wish to act sooner rather than later as for the very reason you suggest it has media savvy.. It would show its lethargy in such things is a notion of the past.. It wont undermine the court system as that relies on evidence and the processes of law

I would have thought that given his (stokes) admissions and the course of events to date that the AFL was well within its ( a it sees it) rights to level a charge of bringing the game into disrepute against Stokes even now. The Criminal aspect is a parallel aspect to this and not one of the AFLs domain. Theres no reason for the AFL wait. Any action by the AFL is hardly likely to prejudice any judicial procedings.

Geelong forward questioned

thats pretty much it...what they do..not where as such

The other reality is that the game is very different these days with rolling zones etc.. its hard to actually pinpoint what a supposed position is often. There are really only a handful of near stay at home positions theses days

Strangely enough not everyone lives, breathes, eats and sleeps football. Some have lives outside of the oval realm, go figure huh!! Budgets are often stretched and priorities juggled. in this light a lot of members wont part with any monies till they have them, especially after xmas and holidays and getting kids back to school etc. So often its not until 3-4 more pays that some folk have the moula to pay for their beloved footy team's membership I tip 33,666 as this years tally

Thanks for the link also. definitely a spruiker..lol But I think we've now got the goods to be really excited. It doesnt suprise me that Grimes is thought of in a defenders role.(not all of us saw him moving directly into the midfiled, esp as its going to get crowded..lol ) He seems very balanced and poised as he guides the ball out of the half back line. I think his rolel will be a run through one. i.e initiate off of the half back and follow up and do whatever in the context of play, but not as a midfielder per se. This may change but thats where I see him this year. I agree with those suggesting Russian will be the key to the rucking this year.. , injury free he presents as the #1 option whilst others hone their craft. Just dont see where PJ fits in now. Meesen weve stil yet to see what he can really do perhaps this year we'll finally know. Bring on Freo....poor bastards wont know whats hit them

Martin to shoulder Dees ... "INJURIES to Melbourne's experienced ruckmen mean that forward Stef Martin could be the club's No.1 ruckman for the NAB Cup...................... " Seems hes the last...or first man standing at moment. Ought to be interesting if nothing else. He can definitely pinch-hit but we might be a little green in this dept 'til Russian returns

Without seeming to cliche a lot will depend on how they get out of the blocks..as will other teams. Even if not necessarily winning all and sundry but getting near...and being at the contest as well as making one then the Dees could get some real belief happening. Especially with G games early. Some have got 'impossible to win games"....rubbish.. on the day strange things happen.. Weve struggled to get 2 and 3 good quarters together. When that starts happening then youre every chance to win any game.

well im going for around 9..it could be 8..or ten.. . Many are espousing the view that they want the team to be competitive , but still expect many losses. Thats a very negative stance for mine. If they are indeed competitive then you go out with the view to win. As others have noted the drive and impetus are to be very different this year. its seems almost palpable from the club already and not a ball has been kicked in anger. We almost caused a boil over against the Sainters and were more than in there in some other games until the 'experimentation" took over. Im not saying this to be wildly and unrealistically optimistic but I think many are selling the club short already. Many games can spin on a coup[le of goals. If youre not that bothered to win ...then you lose.. if youre now playing fair dinkum and the whole modus of the club is geared to win, then you may well start to see some differing results in those tight clinches, Theres a wealth of talent coming through and weve got a year or two's jump on some other clubs. Expect to see players kept in positions where their talent suits, expect better craftmanship of execution, accept that they are now EXPECTED to win. Yep dont see why 8-9 isnt at all achievable,....and that may well be conservative. They are going from a team who's goal was to grab extra picks to a team who now have them in the bag and are now chasing a prize. Its a whole different ball game

Working ok off of my iPhone. Well done guys thanks for heads up Andy

have to say though ...im not too fond of having anything "teal' in here

Yep..very clean and smart just the same as before.. start by 'replying' to the post. You'll then see there is a start to the quoting which reads 'quote name=' it starts and ends with [ and ] then at end of quote there is '/quote' again in [ ] you just need to prefix and suffix any segment of a quote you want to use in this manner ( hopefully that made some sort of sense ....n.b if i tried to show you it would return a syntax error..lol )