Dee*ceiving

I think Jesse's future at the club really comes down to Jesse and the coaches. Prior to this years trade period, Jesse needs to convince himself that the coaches plans for 2019 and beyond suit his best interests, particularly considering the growth of Weid, return of Lever and maybe to a lesser extent the value of Frost experienced in the second half of 2018. The addition of Preuss is another interesting layer. Our current game plan and structure will need to change to fit them all in, I'd be of the view Weid wouldn't be pleased if he spent large chunks of next year in the VFL. Can the coaches conjure a plan that sees McDonald, Weid and Hogan function in the same side? My instinct would be to try lean Jesse off 5 kgs, not unlike Max did over last summer, and run him more through the midfield./ wing. Similar to Mathew Richardson late in his career. This would allow TMac to stay close to goal and Weid to change between ruck and forward. For this to work Jesse would need to run both ways, faster than he does today and work on his lateral movement and reactions, especially defensively

Plenty of positives for the Demons. The coach and players learnt several lessons throughout the year, the biggest one yesterday. I agree that not playing Frost against the Saints in all likelihood cost us top 4 but at the same time that disappointment showed us what this group can do with their backs against the wall. Next year top 4 is a must and we have proven we can win finals against hardened teams. Unfortunately we spent all out pennies doing so and came up against a powerful and rested side on their home deck. A side that sensed our trepidation, pounced early and enjoyed raucous support to a level you would be unlikely to experience in any other stadium in the country. I'd suspect more Demons would have made the trek to Adelaide than Perth and the northern states simply aren't as fanatical. Despite a terrible first half they did not turn their toes up, which would have been easy to do. Embarrassing none the less but a display of grit and pride we shouldn't underestimate. As for the team, we have a good coach with a steady hand and steely determination. He knows he made some blues this year, but they provide the opportunity to learn. We have 3 genuine A graders, Oliver, Gawn and T McDonald. They're class will remain. In Viney we have a powerful young leader, a bull that needs some luck with his body. He spent every ounce of fuel he had in those first 2 finals coming off no match practise. He will improve. Lever and Hogan back in will inject further talent, Lever a potential A grader if he gets a good run at it. Harmes, Brayshaw, Jetta, Hibberd, Melksham and Salem clearly belong. They are good enough to steer us forward.Likewise I am confident in Fritsch and Joel Smith Petracca teases, he was much better in the second half yesterday and I'd expect him to improve again next year. Weideman too has shown he can add value. it is time for Lewis and Tyson to depart (Garlett, Bugg & Kent too). For Jones a swan song year in 2019. Has been a loyal Warrior chunk but his time approaches rapidly. Frost, O McDonald, Neal-Bullen & Vandenberg provide the motivation for the young bucks to improve for it is their spots that will be threatened by those not yet drafted plus Hunt, Baker, Petty, Keilty; Johnstone & Stretch. Bring on 2019!

Agree Sydee, starting on the wing with his blistering pace and booming kick makes sense, particularly considering outside run is a weakness of ours. If he improves his (1) conditioning, (2) willingness to run both ways and (3) decision making he'd be a weapon. Even improvement in 2 out of 3 of those present him as a potential upgrade on the current setup

I was at a lunch where Goody spoke just last week. Our interest in Gaff one of the first questions he fielded. Response was a resounding yes, accompanied with a wry grin (my interpretation at least). ?

Clean hands, patient in traffic and a deft kick. Reminded me of a young Travis Johnstone...

Very harsh Jazza and I don't agree. Brad Green is a perfect example of a bloke that willed himself into being a courageous player. He was little short of kamikaze in the sencond half of his career.

And he has a couple of pre-seasons behind him and would be close to his man weight/size. Would be a good move even if completely unlikely

B) Not a good analogy, heck if their's money in it!

Above all else this thread displays what the MFC really needs and that is passionate people driving them forward. Hang tough, encourage and support. We've made it through harder times than these.

Neeld's spray was definitely about him choosing to use his non-preferred side to kick without any need to do so. That is the inexplicable aspect of the mistake he made, not so much the fact that he turned it over.

I just whacked another $50 on. Shhh, dont tell the mrs though, i took it out of the money i had put aside for her impending birthday present. She'll still be getting something nice, but it will be worth 50 bucks less.

Sorry mate you have really lost me now. Both those guys were fantastic, Wight for a number of years, a great brave FB. And Smith we picked up at a mature age and he gave us sensational service in a number of positions with better and more experienced players such as Shwarta and Lyon constantly injured

Richard Griffiths...ugh!

David Grant, he actually had a pretty decent career at StKilda i think. Wouldn't have played many games for MFC. Must have been about 30 when we picked him up. There has been quite a few player transfers between st kilda and mfc over the years. Stephen Newport & Stephen Powell come to mind immediately and of course Luke (the drink) Beveridge

i remember Prymke, actually I reckon he was a pretty good player before he had that back problem. What did the Dees do to deserve all those great players in the 90's having horrible runs with injury. Lyon, Schwarz, Charles, Tingay, G Lovett, Prymke, Jakovich. Man we were stiff. Also what was it with Melnourne picking up all those dud brothers? Both Cockatoo boys were dissappointing, not that Che was a superstar but he left them for dead. Damien Gaspar, possibly the worst AFL footballer every to pull on a jumper, makes Nicho look like full back of the century by comparison. Luke Ottens, come on! Allen Jakovich, not saying he was a dud because he was sensational when on the park but man we really could have used the 300 games Glen put on for the Eagles. Theres probably a few others that I can't think of ATM.

I also recall a Darren o'Brien playing for the Dees in the mid 90s. They picked him up as a mature age recruit from WA. I recall Luke Norman taking a big hanger in the goal square in one of his early games only to go back and kick it stright into the post. Apparently he was a black belt in tae kwon do or something. Is there such thing as an early game when you only play 10? Andrew Lamprill was another that promise plenty and delivered naught. He too took some big marks in the red and blue.

What a dissappointment Brent turned out to be. Looked a future superstar in his first 20 games until he progressively became more and more useless. My fondest memory of him was against the filth, he played CHF and took 12 marks and kicked 4 goals in a BOG performance.

TOA came over from SA with huge wraps. I remember Talking Footy showing footage of him taking a massive grab in an SANFL game

Another recruit that Garry gave a wrap only to see him go bust was Nick Pesch. We got him from the Crows in the mid 90's and he gave us nothing, he had chrinic hamstrings or something from memory. A similar experiment was Craig Turley, another one that blew up in our faces. He had a terrible back problem and never regained his early 90's form with the Eagles or the Demons.

I recall James Cook struggling to keep his fitness up and weight down which no doubt contributed to his injuries. I believe he took an absolute screamer in his early days playing for Carlton, may have won mark of the year? Not to cast any dispersions but I heard a rumour that Gary Moorcroft had a habit of thieveng from teammates at both Essendon and Carlton and that may have contributed to him getting the flick from both clubs.

I remember Matthew Collins having a reasonable season in a back pocket HBF in 2000. Was ok in the GF as well. He always wore the forearm protector which confirms the chronic arm injuries he suffered. Did he play another game for the MFC following the 2000 GF. Does anyone remember the Cockatoo-Collins boys from the mid 90s, absolutely useless both of 'em. Sean Charles played some great games for the MFC as well before his chronic injuries caught up with him. Actually had pace and a game style similar to our current Flash.

Ben Beams will have a special place in all Demons supporters hearts. It was he that broke his leg just before half time on Queens Birthday against the Pies that saw a previously dragged Jeff Farmer return to the ground to boot 9 goals in the second half. One of the most remarkable performances I have ever seen live, and ever likely to see. All the more special because it came against Collingwood and resulted in a 12 goal or so win. I have a feeling Ben never played another game for the MFC after that but he is currently the Captain of Tasmania in the VFL and a very good player in that competition.

Craig Smoker was a classic, he really came on the scene with a burst and blew away just as fast. Glenn Molloy is another I can remember, reckon he kicked a few goals in his early games and dissappeared soon after. I remember Cuthbertson taking a massive hanger in that game against the pies.