monoccular

One would have to say that pressure on delistings, and other defensive options including but not only the likes of Tom MacDonald, Joel may well be on his way. Thanks though for filling in pretty adequately when you were needed.

Michael has never come close to meeting his promise - has always lacked any fire in the belly, whatever his skills. Must move on surely - if there was ever a skerrick of doubt, Mitch has extinguished it.

Surely his main role will be as a KPP forward, freeing Watts, Jurrah, Howe and later Cook to take lesser defenders and less focus. We still have the very capable Martin, and the fast developing Gawn, plus very much longer term and longer shot Fitzy as ruck options to back TMR. It must also spell the end of the road for Jake and for Juice.

I would like to think that the signing of Clarke would slam shut and lock any tiny chink that there may have been in our doorway for Fev. What role could he possibly fill?

I think the Saints salary issues are coming to a head now because they are starting to see that the "Premiership window" is closing, or indeed has closed, so they had better set up their retirement asap.

We will be perceived as "having potential", as we have before from time to time: that perception will not change until we actually achieve, consistently, on the field. Let's forget perceptions and actually kick ass !

Well let us all hope that in two years time MFC will become THE place to be with guys willing to accept pay cuts just to stay.

I would say that this, despite the presumed intention to play him as a forward and not in the ruck, would be the death knell for young Spencer, and Newton. Jamar, Martin, Gawn, Fitz and Mitch are surely enough.

Well as regards the last few posts, Neeld has said the disposal skills ARE important, so it will be interesting to see whether either Clint can be taught to kick, or misses out.

.....you mean like Luke Ball. ;-) Of course it can ever only be speculative, but one has to wonder what maybe a different coach may have got out of what is / was a pretty talented Saints list.

Hear here! Like so many, too many threads, this has also degenerated into a slinging or slanging match between two intolerant egotists.

Well Addem hasn't shown that he can, at least under the last coach. Maybe Davey could be moved back to his original role?

As you say - a very special talent who has given us glimpses of sheer brilliance: Neeld's challenge is to get real consistency from him. He could turn out to be a superstar, or alternatively, just a passing meteorite. Question- do we have some sort of indigenous welfare / liason person on the staff? Someone who is widely respected, like Wheels for example, could surely be a great stabilizing influence on some of these young fellas, especially when they experience emotional or family separation / distance issues. I seem to remember reading about someone in that role, though can't remember if it was maybe at AFL or possibly another club. Is Wheels still even living in Melbourne?

Just what we need - emphasis on defensive skills of all players including mids and forwards, and disposal skills! If he can get those going right we are in for a hell of a ride! Go Demons. Bring it on!

So we could have had Grimrs and Taylor, and not Morton, then.........mmmmmmm!!

I was having similar thoughts - imagine had we paid the world for O'Meara, then suddenly in a couple of years when GWS were dying bloody Vlad changes the rules yet again and allows them to go on a poaching spree, and he ends up there with $cully. Then the pundits who only see darkness would be saying - "yet another squandered first pick"! You just can't please some folk.

KC -- thanks once again for helping us Demons who can't get to Casey games and events in the loop. It is very much appreciated by us all. I must say that I too am really very excited about Gawnius Maximus from that whole group - I am really looking forward to him becoming a regular and at very least "serviceable" player at MFC.

Lack of opportunity, and lack of grasp of those rare chances tells me that, once again the secret one-on-one with Neeld pending, he is very likely to be traded or if not in contract, delisted. Yes, we do need a crumbing forward, but unless Neeld has seen of with Addam devised a scheme, something that most of us haven't seen then......bye bye.

Agree wholeheartedly -- it is an excuse for a bit of a party, and there is a risk of injury. Wasn't it just another harebrained idea of the eccentric geriatric (now) from Blacktown, supported by Vlad who thought it would generate a few more $$$$$$ for his salary or maybe bonus?

Whether it was the burden of captaincy, especially in a year where really strong and decisive leadership was needed, or merely a long form lapse, Brad's 2011 was a shocker by anyone's standards. Will the one on one with Neeld reveal Amy hidden secrets? I am sure we will never know, but IMMHO he should show leadership by relinquishing the captaincy (or have it removed) and concentrating on playing consistently well especially kicking goals. Lead by example without the official title.

Going along pretty well, but hopefully MN will emphasize that pretty good is not nearly enough any more. It will bring out the best in some, and others who are not up to it may wilt and fall by the wayside - hopefully Ricky will be one of the former. (correction - I really hope they all will).

Sad but a true fact: if you can't get on the field and stay there regularly, you can never display your true worth. Go Jack.

Certainly the sports science / high performance guys have a huge challenge with the Master -- I as much as any would be over the moon should they be able to reinvent him. His work rate and efforts are exemplary, but are they enough?

Let's face it -- he came on the scene promising so much, yet has failed at any time to show any consistency whatsoever - he makes Col look good in that aspect ! Unless the secret tete a tete between Lynden and the new coach brings out some amazing hidden factors causing his lack of regular delivery, and factors that Mark knows he can, with Lynden's efforts fix, then bye bye Dunny.

This wonderful young man is just about THE MVP in our midfield. His attack on man and ball is exemplary -- #10 should have a bloody good long and hard look at him to discover just how much more important pure G&D is than raw talent!! Over the last couple of years whenever he has been unable to play we have been greatly the poorer for it. Go Jordie -- GO DEMONS.