3183 Dee

That’s right - unfortunately, nothing of this will be resolved until the game after N Melb. We will have needed to beat both comfortably, for the FD (and players) to be back on a level playing field. It will be how the form continues after that, which everyone will be looking at. On the flip side - lose one or both of those games and the writing will be on the wall.

I was thinking this last night. How is it that our greatest asset is becoming our greatest liability? Most teams don’t have a ruck that can compete with Max, so they just effectively use him as their ruckman. This works for the good teams (Port, Lions) but not so much for the weaker teams. My question would be two-fold: - How do we get around this? Play Max in a varied role? - Do other teams with superior rucks (Collingwood, West Coast) experience the same issues? I can’t remember seeing this? So, what do they do, that is so different? I don’t actually have any solutions, but, knowing that there are some tactically astute Demonlanders, would be interested to hear what others think.

I was so looking forward to this game - as you say, you’d think that the Brisbane game was going to be the launch pad for great things. Instead, we got that. Almost the exact opposite of what I thought would happen.

Yes - Burgo really oozes a quiet confidence. Although it’s been a weird season, it’s notable that we’ve had no soft tissue injuries yet (touch wood). Also agree with your comment about Ben Gibson - he’s doing a great job of the interviews, not just PR fluff pieces and not afraid to go in-depth with some of the questions.

Great post @DeeSpencer - I hadn’t picked up on that. I’d noticed that, once again, Gawn is constantly hung onto by his direct opponent at a ball-up. Might be interesting to send this into the club?

Too soon - you’ll have to vape ?

Can you co-host and then call in on your cigarette break?

Yes, same here, I’m afraid. I think I shout at the TV either way. I realised last week that I ‘ride’ the team home, if they are winning, much like someone who has bet a $1000 on a horse!

Perfect - I should have added that a croque monsieur to accompany the flat Champagne is also advisable.

Flat champagne is perfectly acceptable with foie gras. Incidentally, a glass of flat champagne before bed is also good as hangover precaution, when you’ve imbibed too much of an evening.

Remember the school blazers? Whenever I see that dreadful Coat of Arms that Schwab cooked up, I feel ill. And the trumpeter before the games?! The club turned into a parody of itself, coinciding with one of the worst lists in history. *Shudders* That ridiculous episode, combined with the emergence of the two franchise clubs set us back about 10 years!

Glad to see Jonesy back, both for the grunt and the leadership. It’s a good sign that the likes of Jonesy, Tomlinson, ANB etc are struggling to get a game. Our depth is starting to grow.

He probably walked!

Yes - I thought this at the time, but when you watch the highlights, you see them all get round him.

I agree - it’s time to move forward, rather than having all these ‘line in the sand’ games. Bring the pressure and the smarts, build on last week’s effort and we should see a win.

I agree - Brown should come in as the more experienced guy. Plus, he is a good lead, so will help to drag the big Hawks defence around.

I know we’re almost onto the Hawks, but I think one of the key factors to this win, was the return of some manic tackling pressure. This has coincided with AVB and also Hannan returning into form. I think the key to our game plan working properly (as we often saw in 2018) is manic pressure on the opposition when they are in possession, but then clean and quick ball movement after effecting the turn over. I think a major problem for us has been a manic pressure, followed by manic, chaotic ball movement, which results in us giving the ball back again (or just lumping it into 50). If we can keep applying the tackling pressure and then get the ball out with clean disposals, we should be heading on the right track.

Yes! I noticed this too - in particular, two shepherds from Bennell, where he hand balled to a team mate and then shepherded the opposition player. There were a couple more instances too, around the contest. It has been conspicuous by its absence so far this year.

Absolute gold! Never seen that before - superb!

Any thoughts on the Tattslotto numbers for Saturday?

Et alors?

Luckily, I’m sure there will be plenty of “learnings“ from this whole debacle ?

I would argue that his 47 goals (before injury) was a key factor in the side’s momentum into finals and that we have been diabolical going forward ever since.

It’s an interesting article and provides a more balanced look at things. A lot of the recent supporter frustration and feelings of “guttedness”(!) comes from the fact that we have not recaptured our 2018 form yet, especially after such a disastrous year in 2019 and the promise of the off season. The Hogan argument is pertinent - yes, he was not playing towards the end of 2018, but he had played for the majority of the campaign (to great effect) as a mobile forward, with stints going through the midfield and wing. This was actually a master stroke, as it gave him more touches of the ball (which we knew helped him, from previous campaigns). It also serves to throw the opposition defensive structures off, which helped us going forward. There’s no harm in trying Tomlinson as a half forward as he is a good mark, but he will need to step up the defensive side of his game, which has been sorely lacking in recent games.

To add: I think Neitz was at Hawthorn for a while, but certainly was around the club for the 2018 finals. He’d be perfect for mentoring, you’d think.