Demonised

As I entered Gate 3, three old women were spinning, measuring and finally cutting a thread. The cutter held it up, squinted and said, 'Dees by 31 points.' I took it as an omen.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the Demonland podcast is the best, most measured analysis anywhere.

You know who we're really missing? I never thought I'd say this, but Joel Smith would have been very handy to have on hand the last few weeks.

And whatever happened to Ben Brown taking marks on the wing? Has that part of the game plan changed?

One too many injuries and our systems broke down. That second half ... I haven't seen as many panicked 'just hoof the thing out of here' kicks for ages.

At the ground, I was watching Weideman closely. As the ball came into the forward line, a Freo defender would make body contact with him. As soon as that happened he was out of the contest.

El Dorado.

I had this weird feeling before the game, one that I'd never felt before. I'd heard other supporters talk about it but I thought it was a myth. 'Confidence', I think it's called. I was 'confident' going into this match and it turned out to be well placed. Weird.

100% agree. And if any were positive, were they asymptomatic? Or sick?

Could we have a specific 'Concussion Sub' the way the discussion is going right now? Only allowed to be used for that purpose, none other?

If a team goes through a season undefeated, aren't they entitled to add 'Champion'? That is, 'Premiers and Champions'? Has a nice ring to it.

'Reigning premiers Melbourne are undefeated after Round 6.' So much in this sort of sentence that still has me bewildered. Is this what supporters of other teams like Hawthorn, Geelong, have experienced over the years?

The chapter on John Coleman is a cracker. Gives some insight into how good he was.

Caribou are deer, aren't they?

Mr Mojo Risin'

Struggle and win. Struggle and lose. I know which one I prefer.

You have a good point. Our game seems full of grey areas - at least, the way it's organised/officiated these days ...

In this scenario, all the player going for the ball needs to do is to initiate contact with the blocking players and he would receive the free kick? Or am I visualising poorly?

Only 72,000 at the "traditional season opener"? Will there be head shaking over this crowd size, too?

I won't agree until I see him in some other roles.

Makes me think Andy Dufresne was a Demons fan and he tunnelled out just so he could get to the Grand Final.

I only just realised that our 21.14 (140) GF score was our highest all season. A sensational case of peaking at exactly the right time.

He's a doctor, dammit, not a football coach!

Grand Final? It was the Grandest Final.