monoccular

Ho hum

In what was has Spartacus’ body changed? Leaner, muscular, legs grown longer ?? Did he look “more athletic” or stronger? Did you see him in the kicking drills? Longer? More penetration? For a little bugger he had a reasonable debut season but seemed to have the second year blues. Hope he can gain some traction again.

Gil "..... its only Melbourne. Will anyone notice?"

They could go to DC and catch up with The Donald ! OMG - surely that cannot be allowed on the same plane ! Imagine ....

Any expert opinions as to his "best position"?

...and Kane, nobody actually cares what (or indeed whether) you think.

This is, to use a much overused word, tragic for young Paddy. Not just to lose a footy career, but for the lifelong issues that may develop. As mentioned above, our often criticised medical staff have handled Angus and Nev's concussion issues with care and patience. Certainly better that in an earlier era, Daniel Bell. I really look forward to hearing, for better or for worse, how KK is headed. Hopefully our medicos have kept him at a low profile as part of his recovery process, as well as respecting his privacy. Hope all turns out well.

Do you mean so he can be company for May and Lever in the medical room?

Not just odd - unique. Are the naysayers away this week?

Maybe Gill does that to his polo horses

Grapeviney - thanks so much for the update on sports technology. Very enlightening. So much to know. I did find this interesting "..In the NFL, Catapult data revealed that over the course of the 2012 season, 80 per cent of training was spent standing around, an inefficient use of an athlete’s time...." Only being a casual observer of NFL, one of the things that frustrates me is that there are only a few moments of "real action" lasting a few seconds, so I thought that 80% of the game being "standing around" would be a fair reflection of the game.

And what is the betting that they will allocate those WA umpires to ru(i)n the match?

? Even give the enormous limitations of highlight reels, the guy (at least then) knew where the ball was going to be and also knew where the goals were. We now have one of sports medicine’s very best doctors on our staff - if he gives the ok then the risk is worth it. Did that figure come from out new cutting edge stats guru??

....and EssUndone as an away game every year even if it is at OUR home ground! Was that the Allen Jakovich debut game - went into it very cocky and dropped the next week? Still, our recent record over there (PF18 aside) has actually been pretty good. Embrace the challenge.

Highlight reels usually impress, and this did. However the road is longer than a highlight reel - he can do it but can he do it?

Offence is talent, and defence is mentality. I like that one Hard work and teamwork can make up for deficiencies in defence. Build a defence that no other team finds easy to break. It was our mantra at the ­Demons — be the team everyone hates playing. (we are the opposite!) Wasn't that Mark Neeld's mantra, that he couldn't execute? Certainly 2019 we were the team that most looked forward to playing against - easy pickings. That must never happen again.

A little contradictory, or at least confusing. Does you actually mean that there cannot be Hibberd, Hore and Lever in the same side or that even if he displaces Hibberd he still couldn't. work with Lever?

Surely that is just a guess. There is more like a 88.2% probability that there will be between a -12% regression and a 23.7% progression, approximately. I just hope it all adds up. One concern is though, paralysis by analysis. dee-to. For those without grandkids what is the something you suggest they play with ?!

Has anyone with an ear close to the ground heard anything at all about Kade's progress / prognosis / plans?

I well remember the usual suspects after his far from flattering debut in a disastrous game, when he was in the company of many teammates who underperformed, writing him off as a spud, dud, list clogger etc. It would be great were he to make them all choke on their words. Showed some good signs as a forward.

I think #5 Neil, our 1964 hero, was well before the Madderns. Retired 1966. He was the back pocket successor to #30 John Beckwith I must say I don’t remember much about him until he succeeded JB but I see he kicked 11 goals from 11 games in 1959 so must have been a HFF I guess. Only 1 goal after 1960 but, hey, that one really counted.

His more famous historical namesake must have been a Demon supporter. As well as his better known “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” Freddie also noted “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”

Quite apart from his attacking roles as a forward and his ability to kick goals, his run and ability and willingness to chase defenders is really important. The more he works on this the better he will become.

Question is, will Clarkson have more success with frostball than he did with tunnelball? OMG. Moderators, delete immediately! Earnest. Are you alluding obliquely to Preuss 2019 version?

Eloquently phrased, as expected of such a great writer. Far more enjoyable to read than much if the venom seen here particularly regarding this particular player I would also highly recommend that if he has ever even in passing looked at this site he desists from doing so. The often personal invective cannot do anything for his self confidence as a player or indeed as a person