Demon17

This quote from an AFL site commentary is laughable. Firepower - are you kidding? Clearly never watched a Dees game this year.

This is the conundrum. In our key losses we have been ahead by up to 5 goals well into the game. Freo, Swans, Dogs. Then its over and we fall away. For this reason, although not confident, we can still make the 8, there is reason to at least hope given there have been no beltings and the talent is still on the ground. Dogs must win 2 games, we must win one more game. Otherwise we're out on percentage. But on Friday, getting 27 points up some players seemed to behave as if its all good and game over. Sort of ".. we've got this..." The dogs to their coaching and team credit didn't see it that way. The recent Brisbane game tells me we still have it, but the talent has to perform all over the ground. The whole season I have been watching the team survive on 20-30 minutes of brilliance then relax (sort of) - Saints game was the best example of this year. Absolotely brilliant and powerful first half, then nothing much after half time. Not a top 4 attitude. I hope Goody and leadership group address this. I know Clarry will be. Jackson is a distraction internally, and realistically won't be resolved unless the team at least internally know the score. This will be Freo's demise if the purported deal proceeeds and I'm not fussed . Our keys are locked away, not on potentail which hasn't been on display this year in Jackson, but on hard results and history - Clarry, Trac, Viney, ......

I call this a 5 day break too. Finish last night at 10pm. Asleep maybe 2.00am sunday Break days Sunday to thurs only as at least a day lost travelling to Perth. Only a clear 5 rest days. Dockers played friday and home next day. No travel before the game. In what universe is this fair? We lose this I see the dogs taking our spot in the 8. Mandatory win one more game to ensure finals. Right now that looks tough.

I feel this way also. Playing terrible 2nd half yet ahead with 4 minutes to go. The first 1/2 commentary was all effusive about the Dees and we saw glimpses of what's achievable despite holes and players down on form. There's enough to work on but the game goes for 4 quarters , not 2. Sadly Weid didn't take the chance offered him. Clarry is a star going in as hard as ever with courage. He just shows up what Luke is really worth by comparison. Not nearly as much, and on potential only, he sure isn't doing it now. Clarry was at the same age. Interesting few weeks.

If this is a joke - its brilliant. If its true - then also brilliant. Thanks

Great pickup . Only 25 yesterday. We have 7 to 8 years at least of watching him play. A bit of trivia when looking this date up. In 2016 the Dees have 4 Rising Star nominations. Oliver , Harmes, Trac and OMac. 3 go on to be premiership players. Who would have thought back in Roosey's last year this was the future for these young men.

Spot on D35. This could be Weid's Jayden Hunt/Jake Bowey moment like 2021. Hunt injured same time last year ,sort of. Bowey in and makes it impossible for the MC to drop him in remaining games and finals. This is Weid's last chance and will get him into finals glory or at least contention if he can keep contributing - but not if today doesn't work. I hope he understands the opportunity the football gods (and BBB's knee) has given him for tonight. DON'T WASTE THIS SAM - FOR ALL OUR SAKES.

Leaving Melbourne - yes, staying in Melb but leaving the Dees - very real threat.

Wev'e got '..heart and soul..." as you say in spades. The GF had 22 players with it last year. Gus is one of them . He can stay part of this culture , - or not. He'll stay. In a Bombers jumper - ? Give me a break.

Thats it for sure D11. Angus' best position for the TEAM is in defence as shown by the AA talk about him in that role this year. Goodwin sees this and good on him for sticking with that approach. I hate Geelong like many on here, but they have the consistent history of their dynasty in players staying for less but reaping the team-first flags as a reward. I admire them for that and it sprang from the Costa style and approach in those times . Simply really. But Godfather offers will always lure some and that's business and who can blame the odd one moving. But apart from AblettJnr who did it for family reasons, no-one walked out. We have the mighty Oliver, Trac, Gawn , Viney..... and jason taylor. It'll work out fine.

He is for sure. Kane Cornes admits the media, and included himself, suffer from '..currency bias..' They agree with the last thing they saw. King is a master at this. Not an original thinker on football, Joey is his apprentice . Both have found their role/personality/brand in the media to stay relevant and working. The match summary courtesy of the AFL website after the game was a follows: "....A good win for the reigning premiers who dominated post-clearance ground balls (75-55) as well as contested marks (16-6). The Demons were also far more effective at generating midfield intercepts (55-41) and their advantage at scoring from these (53-27) was equal to the final margin...." No mention of luck. Not to mention the chaos in second quarter caused by Salem's injury and the way the Dees righted the ship and dealt with the Dogs 8 golas 5 to 3 goals 2 after half time.

Great post here picket. Summed up well in that Luke leaves for a life changing figure and best wishes to him , but an absurd, amount and leaves behind a club with great culture and leadership to lets face it to a club that will always come second to the behemoth that is the eagles in Perth. I would be mortified if LJ was offered more or even equal to proven elites in Trac and Oliver around whom the club brand is building nicely.

His was referring to current form now. A fair comment. But meaningless come finals time given multiple pf failures by the cats. Should they fail again this year their response will be fascinating

Great post, DJR, especially the Charlie Walsh comment above. I heard Blight speak at a function in 1999 and he talked about His apporach to planning, using a clock for the 97 and 98 finals series. The GF is played at 5 minutes to midnight he said. Everything in the club is primed to peak then, not 30 minutes to midnight. Charlie Walsh was part of that overall philosophy. Goody will know this intimately IMO.

David King this morning on SEN was emphatic. on Geelong. They have done nothing special until they prove themselves in September. Nothing has changed about them till then. They are a very good home and away team. He said they play "..tight.." in finals and this is Scott's challenge. He has - on current form and potential to improve - Geelong No. 1 PF seed, daylight, then Dees. Followed by Pies and swans. Doesn't see Freo or Lions and Blues now a threat to the top 4. Freo's defence now not finals standard. Just passing this on for what its worth.

But the concern for me is that after the Cats howler, he did it again yesterday, twice I think. Big chat with him today. He's a highly intelligent footballer (footy-wise) so why is this problem persisting?

Fully agree, and for Yze to head off could only help him return at a later stage much more rounded for a senior role. I worry about losing his strategic nous right now though.

I credit Yze for a small but vital part in the overall Premiership last year. With Goody on the boundary and knowing Yze is up in the box I suspect they were a powerful combination (including others also in coaching, but Yze in particular given his Clarkson background). Filled me with confidence all 2021. Going elsewhere only will strengthen him for an eventual return to the Dees as head coach. But I couldn't be more pleased for a favourite son if he gets a senior gig anywhere. He can't do anymore CV - wise to prepare himself for the role.

Fritsch's selfish efforts were shown up today by others doing the right thing. We need him at his best , but... I would be astounded if the Riot Act isn't read to him unless there are extenuating circumstances. "..sorry Goody, I didn't see Charlie over there..." (replace Charlie with any other player) Tomlinson was good enough today to risk giving Lever the week if necessary to help get him right. Petty back will facilitate this.

Thats what t reckon. Played poorly yet still with the cats 10 minutes to go. And at Kardinia park little league ground. We'll await them at the G

Your comments abobe are spot on IMO. Only 3 weeks ago we found the gear and demolished a supposed contender in the Lions. The media had us all back as flag favourites. The belief this season will be real, whilst last year given lack of finals experience it was more of hoping - probably for fans and maybe the team as well. Except for Goody of course - he'd seen it all before. They can now visualise success in Spetmember. last year they couldn't.

I don't know. But I'll bet you Jason Taylor and Tim Lamb do and they know who the targets are. Much more relaxed over this issue than the Hogan years.

Absolutely its a 50/50 game Norm. Could also be a watershed game for the season for players and the team. Win and finals secured and we can be on a roll in last 5 games 9esp then with Oliver and Petty back in). Lose and Final 8 then under threat and heroics required. Some players can cement their spot going into end of season on tomorrow's performance, others may be on a last chance.

I stopped reading this post at "...MMM..."

I hope your'e right too. But I still see Jackson has being average in general this year with some brilliant cameos. Granted the Jackson/Gawn fuutre could be awesome though. I hated losing Hogan, but I don't see jackson as that developed as yet. We did it to Freo, re: Ed langdon, and he still gets booed over there as a result so that move hurt them. Swings and roundabouts. Clarry and partners in crime which are the dynasty backbone are locked away ( as Gus will be I'm sure) so I see jackson as just a 'doing business' type of issue. In Taylor I trust.