Dappa Dan

I reckon it's as much to do with ND, and the relationship between ND and CAC. Or even CAC on his own. I'm not too sure about the dynamic between the two of them, but I would assume that if ND were, hypothetically, to leave to the Dons or elsewhere there would be a gravitational pull for CAC to follow him, as their union has been a fruitful one. This, if my assumptions are correct, would be one of my greater concerns. One thing's for sure. If Neale leaves he won't be long without a job. He would either stroll into a gig with Essendon or do a Wallet/Eade and just have some fun in the media (he's certainly been practicing) until a plum job comes available. He's earned a solid reputation. The problem is we have recruited a "good" coach that's not sensational. We could do better, but we could do a LOT worse. IMO, if MFC's administrators were more ruthles they could possibly have pushed MUCH harder for Eade. As it stands Sheedy, Connelly, Thompson, Pagan, Williams x 2 and Viney are the only likely candidates for a job in the near future and I'm not fond of any of them for various reasons. Harvey, Longmire and Bond appear to have futures, along with Lyon who's the mega-coach from fantasy land. In all honesty I don't know whether I'd chase any of those besides, perhaps, Harvey. So in a nutshell if we can't/don't want to go for an established premiership winning coach we're starting at square one again with an AC with no senior experience. But I digress... a lot. If there is no vastly better coach coming available, then I hope the club doesn't let him go, at least for '07 and '08. After that, the list could look attractive to a new coach who wanted to come in post-Neitz.

And five pages of it, no less. For my part I'm satisfied that this is the embryonic stages of a different game-plan that Neale can implement when the time is right. People on this site have bemoaned ND's one or two dimensional game-plan for a long time. At least the coaching panel are trying to bring about change, and while I expect them to be criticised for it in the way they have been, it would be HEAPS worse if we did it during a home and away match. There's no way they would have allowed us to butcher the ball by hand for 3 quarters without ringing in SOME changes. Personally I'm stunned we kicked any goals at all with the amount of players we had out. And for those saying that without Judd, Cousins and Kerr we can't implement this game, I would remind you that guys like Brock, Trav, Byron (when/if fit) and Bartram all have cool heads and would perhaps be more effective at this game. For my part I saw no problem with being one of the better kicking sides in the comp. Last year we relied on far fewer possessions and we would punish teams with accuracy and penetration. I fully expect us to fall back on this when the time comes (round 1), and only to resort to over-use when the time calls for it. When we played against sides who knew how to deal with us, we looked second rate when going forward. I'm with Jaded, at least we get this garbage out of the way now, when no-one who understands footy could give a stuff what the result is.

And no Pickett... Not good signs. The guy needs time on ground to get his body right like last year.

Andy maher reported this? Tool of the highest order. Sensationalises a broken toe as career ending. I'll be stunned if he gets 12. As gsmith12 (I think) said on 'ology, give him a SUSPENDED 12 weeks sentence, or a smaller ban. 12 matches is over-doing it by a long LONG way.

I had to read that twice. Good stuff.

Does anyone know, or remember, whether or not these challenge hit-outs are covered by radio? I realise TV coverage is out, but is it possible that we could recieve a radio signal from the game?

Wow. Is that right? I vaguely remember having a discussion with someone once about the geography in Tassie playing a part iin the rainfall, or lack thereof. Interestingly, I was told by a resident of Cheltenham not so long ago that it's the rainiest part of Victoria, and I live only a couple of suburbs from there.

Fairly pleased under the circumstances. I have a sneaking suspicion that ND coached this to lose. In a H&A match would he have left Warnock on Frankin? Would he even have played him? ditto Biz? From what we've heard he wanted to see a few things happen and see a few young guys show what they're worth, and we saw that in a much bigger way than I expected. But also we saw a number of ok individual performances, but very little in the way of real team-work, of the kind we saw after round 4 last year. Oh, and our tackling was not up to 2006 standards. Not by a long shot. - CJ looked more like a player today than at any time so far. The first time I've seen him really comfortable in a senior match, albeit only NAB. - Buckley looked fantastic. Seems to have all the tools, and hardness. More meat for the demons midfield grinder. - Bell was sensational at times. In a backline where he didn't have all that much support, he was a standout. - I thought Bate went ok. Not scintillating, but ok. - Brown worked tirelessly. - Dunn looked good, then vanished. Overcrowded perhaps? Midfiled struggling? - Frawley seems ok, but I'd be concerned if he played more than 10 matches. Still has a bit more to learn. - Green's boot is back with avengeance. - MJ, PJ were pretty useless. Mark got his hand to the ball, but too often was sharked. PJ got heaps of frees, but didn't seem to want to kick. - Jones good, but lonely. - JMac blew the cobwebs out, and needed that one match to get it out of the way. - Yze and Miller. On VERY shaky ground. - Robbo's back. - Warnock. Drop him. - Ward did just enough. I'm stunned at this sentiment. He was fantastic today. Was VERY busy in the backline for the whole match. He and wrecker will be sensational. Twit. That was the only part that hurt. I wanted to get a clearer idea of how we are going, and if we play up woop woop, then we'll have fewer chances to find out. If we play at, say, Princes Park, I'm there. Posters (for the most part) have neglected to mention that we had McLean, Bartram, Davey, Holland, Trav, Moloney, Pickett, Sylvia, Whelan and White out, all of whom you could argue are in the starting 22. They had Croad, Smith and Jacobs out. With that in mind, I wanted us to show that we could go with these guys, and if possible show that we have what it takes to win the game. We did that easily. Also, when we play them again in round 2, we'll know just about ALL their tricks as they played a lot of their first 22 today, we'll have a vastly different side, and having lost today they won't have seen the way we win, giving them less background on us. You could argue that as long as Croad and Franklin are stopped, we have these guys beat. If you assume all of Brock, Davey, Trav, Pickett, Whelan and White have to come back in, then you have to drop at least 8 players (by round 1). So if you got rid of Miller, Yze, Warnock, PJ, Hughes, Frawley, Godfrey and Ward the side would be unbelievable. How we're going to find room for the 2-4 newish guys who played well today, I'll never know.

Yeah, I'm happy about that too. Crownies if you can afford them, but I'll take Carlton Draught. Because some of the people here spend a LOT of time on these boards. You can't skim through a members post as quickly if you're deciphering what they're trying to say. If there's the odd typo (teh instead of the) or spelling error on a huge word, or even a bit of poetic license (Toigs, Caaaahlton, Terry Wallet) then most can cope, but there are some who don't have the respect for fellow posters to do the right thing and go over what they've written and quickly correct it. One of the problems is that the posters making the really glaring errors aren't the ones who have to read those posts. Example, which one would you prefer to read - Mlebourne had a realy good year this seeson i thought neeta was really good and arron was awesome,, brad greens kicking has ben pretty bad too i think brock is is a champ and hes going to be their when the borwnlow is read out in big numbers go deesy ou rock I h8 essendon or Melbourne had a really good year this season. I thought Neitz was really good and Aaron was AWESOME. However, Brad Green's kicking has been pretty bad. I think Brock is a champion, and he's going to be there when the Brownlow is read out. And in big numbers too. Go demons, you guys ROCK! P.S. I HATE Essendon. Like you say, it's not the end of the world, but then people aren't ABUSING you by pointing out a spelling error. They're just being cheeky and having a bit of fun. If they were being insulting, then you'd probably be entitled to be a bit miffed, but the way this board is run, the offending post would hardly see the light of day. Incidentally, half the time I type it ends up like the first example above before I go through it and make it easier to read. Just from my point of view, I reckon Whispering Jack, Rhino, Jaded and the long lost Hannabal know how to type a thoughtful, entertaining post, among others. You only need to compare some of the worse posters on here with some of the abovementioneds' larger posts to see which ones are easier to read, and understand. Just my 2 cents worth.

Foxtel handling the Pies/Roos clash was better. Frightening huh?

Just watched him play against the Crows. His blistering second quarter reminded me of how he went against us last year, and how he played for the 22 rounds. Extraordinary player. I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts, even if it's only a few words. At one point he gathered after a ruck contest just on the defensive flank, ran up just past that big ugly fat line down the centre of the ground and booted a nine pointer from pretty much the wing position. Although he was clearly looking for a player it was still pretty amazing. When he gathered he had about 4 Crows within a few metres and after running at about 90-100% only McLeod was in picture. A few moments later he received a handball just on the fifty under the pump, and looped a 15 metre handball to 3 team-mates who had enough time to fumble, retrieve steady and kick a goal. He only had 17 possessions, but my goodness, he's just in a class of his own. One of my favourite players going around at the moment.

He didn't look too shabby in round 4 when playing a bit in defense. If he can't make it as a forward, why not give him a crack in Holland's role? When the time is right.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/team/default.asp I just went to bigfooty and found my way to this link. I reckon we should do something like this. Surely it wouldn't be THAT expensive. Lovett-Murray was the highlight. I know they do this in, I think, the NBA and NFl in America, and it looks fantastic. Having the players turn in live action and say their names, and maybe numbers.

Chuckle.

Ward, Whelan and Brown couldn't possibly all be in the same youth-oriented side could they? At least one, maybe two to miss there as we have a lot of smallish defenders who we could rotate through there, like Bell, CJ, Buckley, along with Bruce, Green and Ooze. It's a hard choice but you'd think Ward would be the unlucky one despite his apparently good form in the intra. Godfrey is superfluous, but probably needs a run. No need to play mature depth players now. Wrong side to play Holland, particularly with no Croad. So the last one is out of Whelan (interrupted pre-season, but may need the run), Brown (a little bit one-dimensional), or one of the tall defenders in Ferg and Warnock. I have a terrible time predicting NDs emergencies, so whatever you read above, think the opposite and that's what will occur.

So let's just say we owe each other a slab. I'll see you on Sunday, then I probably won't be able to see anything on Monday. PM me about the match, BTW.

Man, I hated the old one, but sort of got used to it. Is it really that hard to create an attractive webpage for footy? I feel like I'm going to get a migraine just from looking at it.

Take it easy RR. Firstly, yes I'm prepared to express an opinion on ANY listed demon, including one I HAVE seen play, just not as much as I'd like. I don't recall casting negative judgement, but I stand by my contention that many posters on demonland RELY on people like you and others based in Victoria to feed them information about kids that don't see regularly televised action. A fair enough assesment I'd suggest, and one I have some experience with having seen demonland from the vantage point of NSW, Victoria and o/s for months on end. For the record, once again RR, I HAVE NOT written him off. Read the first line of my last post again. Give him some more action in the big leagues where we'll be able to see where he fits, and indeed if he is capable, and then I'll come out with a truer position. Half a dozen games for Sandy seniors and some scintillating form in the ressies convinces me of absolutely nothing. Nothing positive, and perhaps more importantly, nothing negative. Give me my 8 rounds plus the NAB playing on AFL defenders, and then we'll have something to discuss. Look, there are plenty of positives about him, but my god do we need to go over all that again? Yes, he can jump, mark, kick, has oodles of talent and a slim frame. People mumble things like "Neitz replacement," which is premature, blah, blah, blah. Project or not, you have to see food on your plate at some stage. You and others (CAC among them, obviously) regard his talent to be substanital enough to wait 3 years for any tangible effect at senior level. On the surface, I agree. I would hope EVERY tall brought to the club would be given time. Look at CJ, Buckley and Bell who aren't even very KP players. My opionion, something I'm pretty sure I'm entitled to, is that now is the time to show something at SENIOR level. Simple enough? Fairly well in line with your "general gist" isn't it? Once again, we agree on the crux of the issue, yet you find something to disagree with. Am I supposed to go to more Sandy matches when I'm living in Kogarah am I?

I always flinch when Davey's name is mentioned in the same sentence as the word "midfield." A wing is about all I can see him doing. I love it when he drifts up the ground, and even wanders into defence. I'm not too dissatisfied with the idea of he and Bruce deciding where they want to go, a la Hird. But in the centre among the big boys in all that rough and tough stuff? He'd get trampled.

http://melbournefc.com.au/default.asp?pg=p...p;spg=browseall Highlights... They all seem skinnier than the last lot. Buckley's is a vast improvement, but it was always going to be. Nathan Brown - Looks like one of those celebrity mugshots. Chopper's somehow less threatening with the handlebar AND the surfie mop top. Dunn and Newton, I'm fairly certain, are a pair of cartoon characters. Godders' eyes have finally closed over completely. Chris Johnson is a Beatle. Trav.... Trav, Trav, Trav. JMac has returned to the crew-cut. Having looked at the last set of photos extensively when doing team-sheets and the like, Moloney is WAY slimmer than last year, at least in the face. For whatever that's worth. Most women I know are manlier looking than Neville. Ferguson looks just like Robertson!!! HA!!!! Bottom row hasn't changed AT ALL! And the award for best photo... your friend and mine, the ultimate role model, setting a fine axample for kids everywhere... Daniel Ward, with the mo' that looks like it's been stuck on, and the wry grin. He gives James Kelly over at Geelong a run for his money for silliness in photos.

Good post DW.

- It's simple really. One crappy intra doesn't make me write him off (nor does it make anyone write him off) But if by a third - a half of the way into the season he hasn't shown signs of at least getting a few games with the dees AND showing something, then I'm writing him off. Do we really know where he's at now? I know I don't. I'd like to hear where some people get their knowledge about this kid. Do some of you have a family member or best mate at the club that leaks information? If so, fair enough for you. My sneaking suspiscion is that for the majority of landers and 'ologists they are basing their knowledge of his bad attitude on the opinions of a select few posters, and that of the way he goes about his footy. So how about you RR? What do you base your opinion of his attitude problems on? It's an honest question. In order for me to be absolutely sure I most certainly am going to need to see what he does with his third and "make or break" year at the club. - Yeeees. I think my point was that with all the Bell/Sylvia/McLean/Moloney OP problems, it's nice to see a guy who is just as much crash-and-bash, but seems to slow down for no man. Perhaps it's his relative size and weight, but I've just about never seen him come off second best in a contest, despite being very quick to boot. The obvious exception there being when he did his knee.

Naah. Have a closer look. The bet is that the other 3 will play IF White doesn't get selected. If White plays, Neaves won't. When I read that article it seemed to me that he "could" play, not "will" play.

Can you tell how much time I spent on my 24? Very astute C. Don't forget, the bench is 6 players. Have I got that right? Nail on the head there J. If White doesn't play, then of the 3 others only Neaves is solely a ruckman at this stage. I reckon it's imperative that he get a quick taste for the real thing NOW, since barring tragedy he won't play this year. I want him to get some idea of what the pace is like, and change his game accordingly. And I would disagree VEHEMENTLY with anyone who reckons a 24-man NAB cup side Can't run around with PJ (backline or forwardline), Jamar (Gorilla forward) and Neaves, given their particular flexibilities. I'm willing to wager a slab with you, J, that all 3 will be selected in match 1. Probably won't come to fruition, but I hope it does. Oh, and that's a slab of breezers, naturally... Yeah. I remember last year he needed the NAB cup to get up and running. So while I expect him to get less than 6 touches, it's vital that he gets that old body ready for all that punishment that's on its way. Remember he was one player that was partially responsible for the first 3 losses? I read that article as "White is ok to play on Sunday." Not "White WILL play on Sunday." Happy to be wrong of course.

Yeah, I can see how you'd think that. I neglected to mention that he was a bigfooty member BEFORE he was drafted, and he was just being glib at the time. It was some sort of thread about who are the best CHFs or who are the best Power forwards in the last 10 years or some garbage, and it was posted months, maybe years before he was drafted a few months ago. He came on and mumbled something indirect about Neitz being fairly average as a Tall Forward compared to some of the greats. Wonder what he thinks of him now? To be honest, most of the football following public know NOTHING about Neitz, and the demons for that matter, besides the records he broke last year. Now that Colin has seen him work in the flesh i'm sure he's had his eyes opened. Probably worth mentioning also, before people get in a huff and Whispering Jack gives me a clip over the ears, that I have NO proof whatsoever that this fella was in fact Colin. Whoever the poster was that raised the point could confirm or deny, but I couldn't be stuffed searching through the threads on here or Bigfooty to figure it out.