spalding

Agreed- I thought the role he played getting his body in line with the ball as a bit of a goalkeeper role just inside the centre square when we were inside 50 worked well. Especially as he could beat the first tackle and buy some time. The next step is to give the ball to a salem, May or even Fritsch (when in form and confident) and get them to take the kick back inside forward 50. If he does this role he has another year or two. This role requires smarts and body strength and not so reliant on speed - as required on the wing.

And a considered and optimistic post which has no place on this site.

It’s called sportshost. We’re already doing it. I have been part of it via our central Victorian supporters group. It was advertised during the Saints game. Lots of new arrivals from overseas being hosted at demons games by rusted in supporters. I did it last year with a group of Indian guys. They loved it - and hopefully now Demob supporters.

Weak as

I think the biggest issue with stretch is his lack of confidence with the ball. Watching the swans replay every time he got a mark he looked like he wanted to keep going, but ended up going back on his mark and then kicking long down the line. It’s a real momentum killer for a team that is at its most dangerous when it moves the ball quickly (ie second quarter vs the bombers).

harsh on Frost - I thought he did well on buddy. Was happy to let him get possessions on the wing, but didn't let him get out the back (which is how he usually kills us), and only got beaten once that I can remember (the one-handed mark) relatively close to goal. He was also better with the ball this week than the last few. Like Tmac, Jones, Hibberd in the second half, there were signs of an improvement in form and more confidence in the second half. I worry that Spargo is a bit slow for a small forward and not yet strong enough to stick his tackles (not for a want of effort though), but every time he gets the ball something good happens. We need him and Melksham getting the ball forward of centre. Special mention to Hore. Now I wish he played against Essendon - his intercept marking brought a calmness to the backline that has been missing.

Hoping it’s this - for 2020+ anyway

So has our medical team all moved to West Coast? WEST Coast goalsneak Willie Rioli has been ruled out of Saturday night's clash with Greater Western Sydney and is facing an indefinite spell on the sidelines as the Eagles continue to investigate his foot issue. However, in better news, small forward Jamie Cripps is a chance to make a surprise early return from toe surgery alongside star spearhead Josh Kennedy in his 200th club game. Rioli, who booted 28 goals in his debut season, is battling a stress reaction in his foot and didn't train at Subiaco Oval on Tuesday. Or maybe foot and toe injuries, such as we have seen with Viney and McDonald, are common in the AFL?

I was hoping we would draft him. I thought he had a touch of class from the Casey games that I saw. Bit like that skinny bloke we picked up a year earlier who is now close to my favourite Demon (especially forward of centre when he has ball in hand and time to spot up one of our forwards!).

Its true - and possibly more reflective in the lack stars we have had in the last 40 years, than how good Oliver is. If Brayshaw stops kicking it on his left foot, he might become the second best. All the best players in my lifetime, with the exception of Flower, have been key position players like Lyon, Neitz, Stynes and the Ox.

We are the Geelong of 2006 in 2019 - where a very young and talented list goes backwards after making finals the year before and after all pundits predict a premiership tilt. Results in serious club introspection about why things went wrong which then results Geelong of 2007-2012.

I’d do it just to avoid this circus continuing for another year and the risk of getting less next year (ie missing on May). We need all players as committed to success together as much as they are to their own needs. I don’t feel that Jesse is committted to team goals as our other young guns are. it might mean more chance of getting a free agent next year and also more cash for keeping the rest of the youngsters happy as well

I’d love Jesse to stay but I have never felt he has the total buy-in that a team needs for sustained and ultimate success - such as the hawks and cats whose players made contractural sacrifices to keep their dynasties together. The only way I think he can prove that he wants this as much as I think the other young demons do is to sign a contract extension now. If he won’t, lets move on and maximise what we can get to address our needs. Personally I don’t think May is part of this but I would defer to our football team who I think have traded and drafted amazingly well for the last 4-5 years.

I hope you guys are right and I’m wrong. It will be fascinating to see how it plays out on the next 48 hours

I bet he will get 3-4 weeks. Probably 3 so he is available for finals. The justification will be that Brayshaw lowered himself slightly as gaff swung his arm and I think he hit him with the base of his thumb - not the knuckle part of the fist. Therefore he will argue that he was seeking to shove him forcefully in the chest. Not saying I agree with this, but this will be the justification as to why it’s different from Bugg (as opposed to the real reason which is that Gaff plays for a marquee club, has no history of being a pest, and the AFL wants the best players in its finals).

Not a bad winning percentage either. I think he is 8 wins from 9 games.

I think the issue is more about the quality of the older experienced guys - who boost up the average. Jones, Jetta and Hibberd would probably get games with the better teams, but I doubt Vince, Lewis, Pedo, and maybe even Garlett would. Compare this to Sydney, Richmond, Geelong and their oldest players are champions. More clearly for us than perhaps anyone else besides Carlton and Brisbane, our best players (or potential champions) are less 23. having said all that I’m sick of bloody waiting like everyone else!