Dee*ceiving

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.