RalphiusMaximus

Magic.

Pretty sure Tapscott is on a three year deal, same as Trengove.

Is that a reason not to play him? It could be a good thing, away from the media and bigger crowds in Melbourne. Sure, the heat might be difficult, but it's not that big a deal.

Interesting the way the ladder looks right now. We've won one that I had down as a certain loss and dropped one that I had in as a winnable 50/50. All in all, we're still on track and on the good side of where I predicted us to be at this stage of the season. Even though it's shattering to have lost those two close games to the umpires, if we all look back to the start of the season and our predictions I don't see how anyone can not be happy with where we are right now. Still on track for 7-9 wins. http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17875&hl=predictions&st=0 http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18347 lol. I've got us down for a win against Freo. Could be wishful thinking the way things are going right now.

From Brad Gotch's player review this week: 24 disposals, 6 marks and 2 goals playing in the center? I'd say he's coming along quite nicely.

I'm not entirely sure I agree with the love for Cheney in this thread. Defensively he was great, but his disposal was well below par and some of his decisions were terrible. He really needs to work on that area of his game if he wants a regular spot with the Demons.

From Brad Gotch's player review: 20 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles 4 goals 2. I think we can all agree that that's a pretty good return for the game.

That would be the error whereby someone passed to an umpire who neatly sidestepped the ball, allowing it to keep going to the four buuldogs players who ran it down the ground for a goal right?

In all fairness, when the opposition fullback was getting stuck into Jack with elbows to the back etc where the umps couldn't see, Miller was right there to bully him into backing off.

Heh. A new article with an old picture. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jack-watts-is-one-step-closer/story-e6frf9jf-1225864041317

Getting back to Watts, I'll throw in another thing that comes to mind. Two actually. When he tried something and failed, he got angry. Like pounding a fist into the ground angry. He expects a lot of himself. He kept on leading. Had a passage where he led out from the goalsquare, and was ignored. The kick went to the boundary at around the 50-60m mark. He turned and led again at that player, was again ignored and then when the ball turned over was involved in tackling the opposition. Yes, both leads were into space and looked like pretty good options. He was screaming for the ball but the guys just didn't look in his direction.

The only problem with Freo is that their stars are all getting a little old. Right now they have a promising batch of young players supporting their big three in Sandilands, Pavlich and to a lesser extent Tarrant. These three are getting older though and will not be around long enough (probably) to play when the kids start peaking. They will still be a good side, but I don't know whether they will be a serious contender without the big three.

I really don't think any of the wish-list mentioned here is going to happen. We will play interstate more than our share, we will play at crappy undersized grounds and we won't get the Friday night games we deserve. Why? Because the long-term plans of the current AFL administration call for a Melbourne-based club to fold and we are one of the sides they have earmarked for this role. I don't think Vlad really cares whether it is Melbourne, Richmond or North who go, but one of the three is marked to fall apart, go bankrupt and be packed off to Hobart in the next decade or so. In keeping with this plan, the AFL will continue to apply subtle (and not-so-subtle) pressure in the form of poor draws, games scheduled when fans are less likely to appear, the worst available venues and ladder pressure in the form of umpiring bias. We have already seen this season that the administration is not above meddling in both umpiring and the voting for player awards (and why was there not more made of the text messages proving that they rigged a rising star nomination?). The sad truth is that despite all the Jimmy and Co. have been trying to do to get this club back on its feet, we are still on the hit list and will remain so until we have pushed ourselves into an unassailable position.

You did say you actually went to the game, right? I respect everyone's right to an opinion, but this one seems to be at odds with most other spectators pretty much across the board. Still, I will be very interested to see Gotch's player review next week.

I overheard a couple of guys in suits talking in the players race. They said something about a recurrence of an ankle injury. Never saw him play.

It was a very good game to watch from our boys. Loved some things. I admit I went mainly to see how Watts is coming along and I was very pleasantly surprised. My impressions of the Melbourne players as follows: Watts - Aside from the 4 goals (all from marks, 2 of the contested and one a ripping one-hander against two opponents) he had a few nice goal assists and one magic play on the wing where he was crunched in a pack of four or five opponents, somehow stayed upright, grabbed the ball and slipped out the side to find a passing teammate. He also very nearly pulled off a nice crumbing goal off a Newton spillage, but lost traction trying to turn before the boundary and wound up sliding across the line. Morton - Good game first up. They were using him in short bursts, so he didn't have huge impact. Kicked a very nice goal and showed no sign of being worried about contact. Got crunched a few times in contests and was always up for more. Wonna - His radar was a little off today. Got plenty of the ball and looked dangerous but couldn't quite get it through the big sticks. Jetta - I like this guy. His pressure is great and he can take a good mark for a small player. Newton - He was present. You noticed him, but he didn't really do much. His goal was from a behind the play free kick and 50m penalty. Miller - Looked quite good, but still can't kick. Missed a couple of shots he should have made. However, he kept presenting, took a few good marks on the lead and when the Coburb fullback was getting stuck into Watts he stepped in and got involved. Gysberts - He can't be far off his debut for the demons. Once again some very good touches. He's also a much better runner than he looks. Maric - I don't think he's going to make it as an AFL player. Did some good things, but too often didn't. Cheney - Was really good with his defensive efforts, but disposal let him down, both in terms of delivery and decisions. Spencer - Dominated. I don't understand why he can't do this at AFL level. Must be a confidence thing, because he was fast, athletic and powerful. Took some really good marks, acted as a link man and generally tore them apart. Healy - Honestly didn't notice him much. He missed set shot, but that's all I can tell you about his game.

Any word on the Blease injury from anyone yet?

Funny thing, I'm more bothered by the Green goal. We clearly heard the goal umpire tell the field umpire he was certain it was a goal, and he was still overruled. Where was the doubt there?

Went out to Casey to see him play today. I think we need to change the name of this thread to MR Jack Watts. He could have chased a little harder on his fourth efforts, but otherwise I was very impressed. 4 goals 2 and a few assists is a pretty fair return. On that one-hander, he not only took it against two opponents, he also brushed them off, ran to the goalsquare, stepped around another opponent and kicked it from point blank. On another day he might have had 6 straight, as the two he missed were gettable and not far off going through.

Bailey's comment on the games of Scully, Trengove and McKenzie. "Pretty good." What will it take to get a "great" or a "brilliant" from him?

Couldn't put it better myself. Our only Friday night for the season is turned into a debacle by the hardheaded blindness of the AFL and the ineptitude of the officials. Someone should be made to pay, and for mine Demetriou is a nice sounding name to head the list.

Warnock was outstanding tonight. I expected Hall to kick a few even with the weather, but Warnock was easily a match for his strength and so much faster around the ground. Amazing game from him.

I thought that was a really good game from Hughes tonight. The conditions couldn't have been worse for him, but he battled hard, took some good marks, kicked a goal and in general worked his ass off. I'm thrilled with his effort. Best of luck to him next week.

I'll back that. The other option would be no change. I think Dunn has fallen off in the last couple of games after a good start to the season, but I don't know how the coaching dept. are seeing things.

A very good post and a very important thing for all of us to remember. Our boys played like Demons tonight ( ) and very nearly got over the line despite the deck once again being stacked by the AFL and the umpiring department. I am truly angry over the crap that went on around this game, and a large part of this is that we played so well, pushed so hard, and truly deserved the win. Without a doubt the team deserve every bit of praise we can throw their way.