Demonised

Winning last week with fast, exciting football. Winning this week with dour grinding footy. Winning two different ways is useful.

I got the feeling that opposition just a little better than Richmond would have found us out tonight.

The six day turnaround is a test for players and fitness staff, but does the AFL understand how hard it can be washing and drying a pair of lucky Demons socks with such a short break between games?

As much as I love him, we really need to have a set play for when Max has a set shot for goal. The old run past/handball receive by Riv, Salo, ANYONE would be a good idea.

Too early to talk about back to back flags?

Cutting us up with transition through the middle.

Attempted fend off is prior opportunity.

12.2. It's hard to believe. Good kicking is good football.

Silly Salem

And the worst thing - one of the worst things, anyway - is the smugness of the so-called experts sitting back, grinning and saying 'We tipped this, the Dees' plunge down the ladder!'

100 x this post.

It's almost like we have a bunch of players who aren't playing well and a bunch of players who may not be quite up to it.

Hmm, not sure about that. In my mind, the X factor belongs to very special players, and there are only a few of them. There is room for good, solid team players, the ones who notch up 200 games and opposition supporters have no idea who they are. In fact, I'd love to have a few of that type right now.

Is Blake Howes being played in the right position? Maybe he's not a backman, but better suited elsewhere?

I might have dreamt it, but didn't we used to be good? Once upon a time?

Can you show me the way to Fumbletown?

Like last week, they're walking it out of the centre.

Free kick goals are killers.

I have a radical, pipe dream suggestion: Jack Viney to become our lockdown defender on opposition small forwards. Hear me out. This could address two problems. 1. We lack a small defender for this role and his tenacity could work here . 2. JV is one of the main culprits in bombing into the forward line, a regular cause of turnovers. I respect JV immensely, and I know that this suggestion is far fetched. But, still ...

On the escalator to Level 4 of the Olympic Stand I always admire the old photo of the game's founders, Wills and Harrison. Some serious biceps on Harrison. I bet he lifted.

It's a grey day, the low clouds glowering over the MCG as if they're unhappy with the rejigged game plan the Demons are playing.

True, but that is a strangely exact estimate.

I would have preferred it if we'd won.

Set shot kicking. I know this is a well worn tune but when Sparrow missed that one in the first couple of minutes, pretty much straight in front, it was a taste of things to come.