Demon17

Terrific analysis which also states by omission the flip side. When we had flying starts IN the first 1/4, we blew those leads and nearly lost.!!! e.g Saints and Power. Overall flakiness and lack of 4 1/4 focus due to...........

Just been looking at where the wheels fell off, apart from Saturday , and thought maybe after round 14 and the swans the inconsistency started. But then looking at the whole season from Round 1, the trend is clear IMO. Inconsistency reigns. There were reasons, such as losing max in round 3 and THOSE suspensions following the Blues in Round 4. But, the entire season stumbled form heroics like west coast in Perth, then back to the Bombers giving them a start and catching them in Rd 6, but losing to under-performing teams (tigers and Hawks at that time) either side of that match. Rds 8,9 and 10 were poor (incl win against suns which could easily have been a loss), then barely beating the pies, thumping the bulldogs and then Perth and T Mac. Absolute inconsistency. After that flaky-central. Perhaps Wayne Carey is right, we are a year too early and will arrive in 2018. The good wins and comebacks show the talent is there. Its the head space and the glaring gaps that need fixing. Like Jayden Hunt's inability to hit a target- any target as an example. The FD have a lot of thinking to do over summer.

Probably just grabbing at straws, but Jobe Watson on Footy Classified last night believed this would set the team up for the next 10 years in the ' resolve' department and lay the foundation for success with the memory of the last performance against Collingwood.

Thanks Joe boy. I always look forward to these posts after each game. I am wondering if you would consider taking this list above and then doing a prediction for the same time next year for each as to what you think might be scored for players then. e.g. although Brayshaw was a 4 above, I am hoping he'll be an 8.5 next year. Just asking, no pressure to have a shot at this. Thanks for the efforts this season.

I asked for some enlightenment , not some base emotional outpouring. Check the threads after the more than numerous wins I mentioned and note the site's propensity for fickleness. This year WAS different for the above efforts. Need to lock in consistency. My question still stands.

I hear all the comments on this thread and agree but am confused now about a club that heroically beat Adelaide away, West Coast away, Port, last years premiers and the saints twice - yet produced yesterdays effort. The recent form lines against north and Brisbane shows they were definitely off the boil and yesterday was a real test. Gave the pies 7 goals starts and got to 8 points down.??? I'm still an optimist but how does this fluctuation happen. I was at the Adelaide oval it I can't believe the above successful games were aberrations. Bring back Frost BTW. Any form of enlightenment welcomed.

Was this part of a cunning plan to now finish 8th and avoid playing the swans at the SCG. Instead now probably Port at Adelaide Oval - a happy hunting ground for us?

At the g m team walikng off after a group meeting in the middle. jack viney. Walking ok with some type of support strap on upper foot. Seemed upbeat

Is Goodwin sending a message to him and Maynard as emergencies - not far away, keep perservering etc.??

At last. I also thought it was me. I watched Tyson do an individual skills/ball handling warm up at the G last week and just reflected that he seems to get the ball a lot in traffic and links well getting the ball out. That's his strong suit. Granted the team needs outsiders and that's not his forte but gee, he's not Robinson Crusoe either in clangers.

JV7started a post "Embrace it" yesterday and as a consequence I have also brought forward my post planned for next week. If we lose it might be too late then and the mood may not be conduicive.. I wish to express gratitude to the following for this season, in no particular order... Peter Jackson - enough said Paul Roos - for bringing an on-field foundation and respect Mr and Mrs Todd Viney - need I mention him Viney jnr.? Enough said Nathan Jones - This is for you Nate The Player welfare group - for looking after Jesse, Jeffy and no doubt many others for us in their times of need Daisy Pearce - leadership and professionalism The Board (and Glenn Bartlett) Simon Goodwin - coach of the year contender and all class. Max Gawn - for continuing the No.11 Guernsey with respect and humour. Robbo- for Hogan's Heroes Tom McDonald - Domain Stadium heroics Jack Watts - QB 17 heroics Jordan Lewis - making us a destination and THAT Carlton match mark at 30 seconds to go. Angus Brayshaw - for listening to your mum. Oscar McDonald - for perseverance Michael Hibberd - Nothing needs saying here. Apologies to many others. I shall sit back and enjoy this weeks game now.

IF we can get through with full available squad to past Collingwood, then use the 2 week rest to revitalise Viney and Petracca. The latter just has to suck it up until the pre-final break. Viney out if there is any danger he could miss first final.

This is just karma to the saints for when Nick reiwoldt tricked ( I think) a freo player a few weeks ago at Domain Stadium by calling for the ball when it wasn't his free kick. Saints awarded a 50m, and goal. Everyone on the saints team thought it hilarious. Just like I do with this one.

No matter. demons and west coast now control the final 2 spots but their draw is a killer. If they make it they will deserve to. Richmond beaten in first week to Adelaide in Adelaide, then knocked out by Demons in 1st semi final. Demons into prelim against ?????

There is a great interview with Jack Viney in todays Sunday Age. he refers to the blustery conditions in Hobart, and the unbelievable wind at Canberra last week. I went to that game and it was downright unplayable at times. The point Jack made was they didn't adjust and handle the conditions. Having seen them beat Adelaide and West Coast Away , this team has the ability for sure and back on the 'G' today on good conditions I reckon leadership of Nathan Jones and Jack Viney (and Lewis) will get them there and be the defining factor. The stats of the last 4 weeks, when not playing under the roof and in sub-artic conditions render the stats for this period meaningless. The swans game doesn't look so bad either in hindsight. A win by 24.

I like your thinking, but just think GWS loss but by a small margin. Protects what % we have , then win the next 3 all at the 'G'. .

Close. I have done numerous iterations, all with us losing to GWS but hopefully by not much, but see the last 3 as winnable to finish 6th. I have too much faith in Goodwin not to use last Saturday to galvanise the thinking. The talent is there and having seen them beat the Crows standing in the outer at Adelaide, I am a believer. Not to mention I saw all 3 wins at Etihad. Still one of the youngest teams that has weathered the most player challenges of all this season and yet are still in firm contention. By the Saints game Nathan Jones will have had a game, Viney will be less sore and the full engine room should be up and about. Probably will have the best 22 by rd. 222/23 except for Jesse Hogan. If they win against GWS then ignore the above and cancel September holidays.

A 3rd position finish is now real possibility for the Dees, IF they get up tomorrow.

We're flying up and back same day (with return flight to Melb. via Sydney first!), but booked GA on the Hill to at least save some money rather than seats never having been to the ground before, thinking we might be the only demon members there standing. At least there might be some company for us. Not sure what vocal support GWS get there?

Yes and he looked fine

Got here just as jetta being assessed. Hard to tell but he walked back without assistace. Watts worked with defensive group on hanball and short kick drills. Brayshaw looked solid. Garland ran laps solidly Nathan jones ran beautifully all session and looked really sharp on close in drills. Didnt kick, but then noone else was except jesse. All handballing by everyone. Viney not out there. Bugg fully involved. I may have missed him but couldn't find max out there. Really windy but skills still looked good. Oscar and tom played on each other for goals kiciin/defending drills. It looked like they were having fun, music playing etc. Just a really good vibe if you like. Goodwin very public in control over all.

Yes but opens up now a real top 4 chance for mfc. Bring on canberra. Thanks tiges.

Clayton oliver sends his regards.

Not having seen any of the game, can somone advise the style that seemed to put the scoring in lock down for quite a few minutes ?. What went on there?.

Much appreciated