monoccular

thanks demonwithin - is that Mr demonwithin, FRACS (Ortho)??? Always glad of an expert opinion and prognosis even before xrays, scans etc. You must be a wizz!!!! Did you do Matthew Egan's operation??

The entire club is just plain WEAK - no other way of putting it. They just tolerate mediocrity, and have done so for decades, utter a few platitudes, and expect us long term fans to tolerate it too. RUBBISH. YES, IT IS A CROSSROADS. I CERTAINLY WON'T BUST MY GUT TO GET TO GAMES AS I HAD PLANNED TO DO THIS MYTHICAL SEASON OF RESURGANCE! ABOUT AS MYTHICAL AS DANIHER'S RUTHLESNESS. WEAK CLUB. (I STILL LOVE THEM THOUGH DESPITE IT!)

Absolutely NO WAY - the current position, what with byes etc and only round 6 doesn't matter much, but if you mean end of season will we deserve - NO, unless there is some sort of miracle turnaround as happened in the latter half of 2000 when I think we were absolutely disgraced by the Dogs and Carltank mid season but ran home to make to GF.

IF, IF, IF!!!!! He had talent, but was slowish even before his body failed him. Bad luck, but we owe him nothing.

I am particular excited at the prospect of getting Jordie McKenzie back into the fray, and Scully but only when he is 100% fit. For such a young and unsung player, not a high draft pick, I am just so impressed by Jordie's intensity, something we have lacked so far for most of this year. A fine example for any young low draft pick or rookie.

As long as they don't all go and see whatever that movie was that Grant Thomas took the Saints to see!

Much was spoken about Strauss' kicking ability, but he just didn't get the ball to show us, and from all accounts hasn't progresed much this year. I very much hope that we get a lot more from Blease - I haven't had an opportunity to see him at all. Where and when do Casey play over the Easter weekend?

Interesting to read DumbItriou saying that it would cost a club "only 250K more" to run a stand alone team. "only" 250k!! Well, sack him and they could fund 8 teams from his overinflated salary.

Re Strauss: No point in being an elite kick unless you get it enough to cause damage.. And, as a defender, what are his defensive skills like?

I too am excited, and cautiously optimistic about further vast improvements in 2011, though this may not always translate to the scoreboard. But as has been pointed out, a young very inexperienced side can be immensely exciting bit also cannot realistically be expected to show consistency and more so durability towards the end of a long season. Looking at 7-10 finish! Need to keep Jurrah on the field all season

He has skills and a bit of grunt and vision. Could envisage him as a running half back flanker prepared to follow up into attack.. Not sure as yet about his accountability though - that may be why he has only played 3 games, other than of course injury. I can't remember - were his injuries soft tissue strain type injuries or impacts?

Mind you, with these inspiring bios one wonders just how they were al overlooked in the first round!!!! I guess we can always hope that at least one will turn out a gem, hopefully more.

And we also pinched Jurrah from under the Magpies beaks!! Would be great to have Liam and Jeremy combine to cut them up on a few occasions, most of all a close GF! And Aaron was from under the Kangaroos paws as I remember.

.....and Healey and Hughes don't forget.

Good luck to the guy - just didn't quite make it. Cannot question his determination though.

I would expect that any diligent recruiter would 'think about him' - they would be failing on their duty were they not to. IMO though, MFC BP et al would say along the lines of ' maybe a year or few back ' but no way now.

A Robbo type who can mark and kick goals like Robbo - add on ability and willingness to chase and tackle - could be something special. Watch this space. When is the first practice game??????

Words escape me at times like this. We are all behind you, Aussie - the whole Demon family. Be strong.

Tell someone who cares!

Couldn't agree more regarding Nathan Jones as a leader - he leads by example every time. Not the most skilled player in the team, nor the quickest, but amongst the most determined and gutsiest.

IMVHO Stef did well as a defender, and adequately when asked to pinch hit up forward. However he is not likely to make it as a forward alone. He is mobile and, if /when fully fit could become a tall ruck rover.

At very least Q Lynch is a big strong bodied player who does make a contest - maybe not taking too much from the contest himself, but he does contest and breaks some packs. That alone IMVHO makes him >>>>> Newton.

Surely it means far too much to just hand it on to someone hopeful or unproven. Put it on ice for a year or two, or however long it takes for someone, probably a ruckman, to EARN it.

You say ruthless, yet they hang on to Newton who may well be a big body, possibly strong but yet to display any heart at all for a contest nor Footy smartshe has had what. 3 or is it 4 years to show something, anything at all yet other than one mark in a dead rubber, or worse, he has shown zilch!!!! IMVHO McNamara though smaller is 100 times smarter and shows 1000 times more heart and endeavor. I would far prefer Tom to be fighting for my life than MN.

WTH has Maric ever done to suggest that he is underrated? Agree re Bate, who I admit to rating very highly a couple of years ago. Not convinced one way nor the other re an uninjured Martin used as a defender. Still see a possible upside but definitely needsvto stake a claim 2011.