3183 Dee

Given Max’s great ability in front of the media, I don’t think we need to hear from Goody. Our system and culture is a player-driven one, so the players can speak up. More pertinently, I’m sure the club don’t want to take the spotlight off the Big Freeze and Fight MND. No doubt, some journos will end up hijacking the MND press conferences and build up, in the hope of snagging a sensationalist quote, but hopefully most will show some restraint and self-respect.

My opinion of Max Gawn just grows and grows. I don’t think I have ever seen a footballer handle a hostile press conference with such aplomb. Answered the questions calmly and intelligently. He will rightfully go down as one of the greatest AFL captains. As for those “journalists”, that is gutter stuff of the lowest variety: similar to what we saw in the lead up to the election. You watch the presser and see how the likes of Tom Browne twist it for clicks. Utterly shameless, really crappy, lowbrow stuff. Ugh.

I was just thinking the same thing! I love Entrecôte too and this story just made want to for a steak and a ballon of rouge.

No coincidence that Warner’s piece came out today - the Hun would’ve had this story, fact checked it with the club and allowed the club to release the statement before running with it. Pathetic behaviour on all accounts, regardless of alcohol being involved or not. These guys need to grow up. Doesn’t seem as though all is as together as we might wish: hopefully not the case.

I agree with this - ultimately, we gave that win to Sydney. We did, actually, have some great passages of play, where we cut Sydney up, but ultimately these were too few and far between. Players were very fumbly with the ball (while the Swans were clean) and, at the end, were trying to win the game themselves - a regression to seasons past. It’s no coincidence that we looked better when we lowered the eyes in the 3Q and locked the ball in F50, but then reverted to those frustrating dump kicks to packs, where the ball was largely marked by the McCartins. (Can I just say here, that for someone whose had well documented issues with concussion, Paddy McCartin at least twice whacked a Melbourne player across the head in the aftermath of a marking contest). Much as I want to believe @binman loading theory (it does make sense to follow the same recipe for success), I think the team has looked off for a few weeks now: almost as though the weight of expectation is heavy on them.

I would heartily recommend the Dyl and Friends interview with Nathan Jones - absolutely fascinating. No doubt that Jonesy's greatest achievement was being the unheralded prop for our football club, whilst the major cultural changes were taking place. It's almost bittersweet irony that he shouldered the burden all the way to the Grand Final and ultimately missed out on what most would consider the greatest prize. On the contrary - the greatest prize will ultimately be the knowledge that he sacrificed money and personal glory and was instead guided by his own moral compass, to help forge possibly the greatest chapter in our club's history.

I have no idea whether he will sign or not, but the problem is that we would have to replace a ruckman and a midfielder - it wouldn’t suffice to just pick up a ruckman, as Jackson offers so much more than that. If he did go, we would require two Top 10 picks minimum. I doubt whether he would go through to the PSD as there’s no guarantee he would get to WCE: North have the $ and could well finish below WCE. It would also be a dog act and would leave a lot of very bad blood for the player, the destination club and above all, his agent.

I always get the feeling that Andy Maher dislikes Melbourne, because he thinks that’s where Carlton should be right now.

Just looked back at their episodes - you’re quite right, my apologies: I must have been living in an alternate universe for a few days!

Such an enjoyable podcast - the tactical insight is so interesting to listen to. I also listen to the DeeBrief podcast, which is a different take to Demonland - great to have alternative views of the same game. They also did an interview with Adem Yze a few weeks ago.

One point he made, which I think is absolutely spot on, is that the younger players coming through don't need to do the 3 years o cultural change that ANB, Gawn, Petracca, Oliver etc etc had to do. They are now learning 'on the tools' from these guys, which I think is the key to a successful club and dynasty - look at how the Swans have stayed up for so long. You think about the likes of Garland, Trengrove, Sylvia, Watts etc - really, they never stood a chance to learn properly.

Fabulous interview. Honestly, I thought at the end of 2020, he would be on his way out. Since then, he has become one of our most important players - I thought he was the player we missed most in the Hawks game. His endurance and toughness has ensured that our game plan works from the front. Superb individual.

Not sure if you’ve seen the Gary Pert announcement to the players, but Goody left a lot of money on the negotiating table, in order that the current coaching set-up could remain despite the soft cap restrictions. He was entitled to ask for much more dough, but preferred that his team could stay as is. Probably also the reason for the 2 year deal. Thanks Goody!

I don’t understand why people think Dogga is so desperate to move back to WA.

Another fantastic podcast @Demonland@george_on_the_outer@binman - the depth of analysis and insight into each week’s game is absolutely fascinating and always a measured and balanced. The contributors really complement each other - keep up the great work

Bingo - exactly how I saw it. We could not expect to run over the Hawks with the outs that we had, so did really well to grind things out. I thought Melksham did some okay stuff Q1 but unfortunately let a few tackles slip and that kick from 30, he used to do with his eyes closed. You could see on each line that with the significant player out, the others had to lift more: Petty will make a huge difference, so will Jacko. For me, the guys we missed the most were ANB and Sparrow: their gut running pressure in the forward line would have stymied the Hawks transition out of defence. I thought the Hawks were good: playing the right way, they will be a force soon.

Preuss getting a lot of hit-outs, but is static afterwards - makes you appreciate our incredibly mobile ruck duo!

Playing on Sunday

Agree 100%. I thought that was pretty much his best game for the club: he seems to be playing a slightly higher role, where he pinpoints kicks into the F50, rather than just crumbing deep. His vision and kicking precision are excellent and he’s really able to use his reading of the game to great effect. In general, it seems as though our younger brigade are really beginning to shine through, but what an apprenticeship they are being given!

I noticed this, too - also after Trac’s second, where Harmes’ contest created the spillage - Trac was straight over to Harmes to congratulate him.

Agree on all 3 points @CYB - JUH looked deflated and lost out there - I’m sure he’ll work his way into the AFL, but talk of him being the next Buddy Franklin looks off the mark at the moment. Shai Bolton is fantastic - I was thinking the same re Kozzy: he has the smarts, skill and toughness to be as good as Bolton: something to aspire to.

Warning! Warning! A depleted Dons does not historically bode well!

You’re dead right - the recruitment has happened at the same time as the culture has changed on and off the field, which has led eventually to the flag. Every aspect of the club, it seems, is being run in the right way, which leads to harmonious outcomes. It’s been a long build, but hopefully one that will now breed sustained success. The fact that all these draftees, no matter if a defender, midfielder or forward, are able to learn their craft from (now) elite players is something we haven’t had at our club for many, many years. Imagine if the likes of Watts, Trengrove, Garland etc had the same opportunity…

I would urge anyone that hasn’t done so (or is sceptical) to get out to Casey, Covid permitting, and watch the women play. Absolutely fierce and an opportunity to get close up to the action.

Totally - Huddo is my favourite caller, along with Gerard Whateley - their call of those three goals was just awesome.