3183 Dee

He’s part of the problem - has not distinguished himself at all in the last two games.

Agreed, although the expectation of finals, which I’m sure most of us have, may actually be very different from the reality, which comes as a bit of a shock. From a team that expected top 4, we seem to be now looking at trying to scrape into the 8. It’s quite a fall, considering the list - you have to say we have underachieved so far, despite 2021 (which was magnificent). This is on the organisation as a whole - the reality is that the club hasn’t been run the best way it could be - on and off the pitch - since 2021. For me, that’s why all this ‘love and healing’ stuff wears pretty thin. Stop talking about it, create a system that gets the very best out of your current players, win games (or die trying) and you’ll soon find a happy and joyful playing group and supporter base. As I see it, this latest mantra about (to paraphrase) ‘there are still winnings, even if you don’t win the game’ as well as ‘it’s incredibly hard to win games of AFL’ is kind of accepting and validating defeat. Fair enough, your players will feel warm and comforted by it, but those of us who turn up each week, spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on memberships, expecting a certain standard of football and commitment are not going to wear it for too much longer.

100% - You can spruik or spout an ideology, but sprouting is just weird.

Claptrap, I'm afraid. It's so vague and cliched, that it makes it impossible to measure success against it, which in turn makes players and coaches unaccountable. I'm off the Goody train.

I haven’t been an advocate of changing coaches, but things seem to be getting more and more bizarre with Simon. Lots of talk of love and culture: of course you need to create a great work environment, but I start to get the feeling that Goody is ensuring the love of the players to cover his own back. Start winning, with clear attacking football and this will go a long way to creating the love, happiness and passion in the players (and supporters) that he talks about. I feel that the ‘feel good’ messaging is a bit of smokescreen to disguise a generally underwhelming performance on the field over the last three years.

Or Gitanes?

2019

We’re in the Shane Warne stand, so didn’t get to see X’s work up close, but could tell he’s pretty special. Looking at that footage, two things stood out to me: 1. He seems to be one of those players who creates time and space for himself, even in congestion (Judd McVee is another). Very unfazed and calm in possession. 2. As @binman noted on the pod, he handballs into space beautifully, so that the receiving player doesn’t need to break stride. Also, didn’t appreciate at the game how good his kicking is - mostly hitting the receiver on the chest, in space away from the defender. Tough as well - could be an incredible pick up.

Honestly, I was surprised the crowd was as big as it was. GWS would be lucky to have brought 500 to that game - you have to put this into perspective, especially considering the GP and the weather (it doesn't stop me, but many people would rather not be out in the rain). First couple of games of the year always seem to me to have smaller crowds, not sure whether that's actually the case but it takes a few weeks to warm up. Win a few games and the fence sitters will start coming...win a few more and even the armchair fans will turn up!

Hi guys - tickets have gone, thanks for all the enquiries, hopefully those that missed out will still go. Will do the same for future games.

Hi Demonlanders, As part of our Trident membership, we receive an additional 2 x General Admission tickets for most home games. I'd love to pass those on to any Dees fans, who might not otherwise go to the game. Please DM me if you'd like the tickets and I will transfer them - first come, first served, obviously. Let's get as many Dees voices out there!

He certainly was - the Marvellous Magyar. Apologies for derailing the thread.

Luggy is an Argyle legend - there’s always been lots of Scottish connections at Argyle, by the way.

Don't mention that man's name in front of me - single handedly stuffed our (Plymouth Argyle) season up. Back to League One we go 😭

That is so funny - absolute gold!

Bang on - I've only been to a couple of trainings this summer, but Sharp has really stood out - which surprised me. In that number 30, he already looks like a ready made ANB replacement: he certainly seems to have Nibbler's tenacity and endurance but arguably a better kick? I like Langdon in the middle - he's deceptively hard at it, and the extra speed out of the contest will be handy.

I dropped past briefly on my way back from Fitzroy to Balaclava, to catch the handball drill. As on Monday, I can’t help but be impressed with Langford: he looks so at home at this level and has great touch. Good to see him take the game on so confidently. Sure, he may get caught out a bit in his first few games, but with a bit of experience, he will be very special.

This guy is fantastic - the real deal. He did incredible work with Ash Barty, this would be a phenomenal get for the club, if true.

Went along today with my lad - I didn't keep detailed notes of all the training, but from what I saw: - Practice drills getting the ball from forward half stoppage and delivery into 50 - Close up 2v3 inside work/tackling - Stoppage drills - Part match sim, with the ball being started from a ball up in various parts of the ground - Short, full ground sim - Running exercises Some general observations: - JVR looking very commanding now. - Harvey Langford looks VERY likely - doesn't look out of place at all. Laid a couple of great tackles on Viney, which Viney loved. - Kossie looks very sharp - he just finds space and time and his kicking is elite. - I like the look of Tom Campbell - certainly a strong unit, who loves the contest. I'd imagine Max is quite happy having a legit ruck to contend with. - I thought some of the disposal was still not great, despite it being a practice, although the wind was very strong across Gosch's - Great to see Chunk out there. It was also interesting to hear Troy Chaplin coaching the forwards, very commanding presence. - Not sure who the coach was in the middle of the main sim, but seemed to be running the entire session. Barking out orders and instructions, had everything under control! - Good to see Spargs back in the fold - participated in the first few drills and then running for the rest of the session along with Xavier Lindsay. Poor Tom Fullarton running lap after lap. - I think Chandler will be the new ANB

I’m intending to come to training today with my lad - has there been a change of time announced?

I think the body language thing was something Darren Burgess was big on - ie never show that you're gassed in training or in a game as it gives the impression of vulnerability to the opposition. I wonder if Darren Shand has had any input yet, because this also has echoes of the All Blacks philosophy.

I know what you mean - although I think the Giants may have a G on one of their tops? Anyway, looks like they’ve tried to incorporate lots of things into one design. Looks like the logo of a 70s American cable news channel.

Suns?

The Duursmas have done it again. If Willem gets drafted, that'll be the 4 kids playing top flight footy - incredible.

That is VERY good - actually LOL'd