binman

6 hours ago, Dee Viney Intervention said:

Our game plan and style especially our ball movement was slow, boring 

#Demonland myths

#I wonder at times if I'm watching the same game

I agree we were borderline unwatchable at times this year - when we couldn't effectively implement the fast transition game we were trying to implement or defend it. 

The latter was one of two most important reasons (the other being fitness) we regularly had opponents scoring 100 plus points and/or beating us by big margins up for the first time since 2021.

Ironically, we were often at most effective when reverting back to our slow methodical, predictable, clearance focused and down the line game plan.

54 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

Geez, I'm 11 minutes into watching the Q&A session from the other night online and it's a hard watch. Is it always complete peanuts that hog the microphone at these events? 

One and a half questions in and my head hurts. 

The first question felt like it went for 2 hours - 99% of which was the fella providing important 'context' to frame his question - including referencing mutiple articles.

Green gave an answer (of sorts) and asked if that addressed the question, to which Mr 'I have dealt with bs all my life' responded with something like 'well that's your answer, wether I accept it or not....'.

Jesus wept.

I'll bet green is ruing his commitment to transparency. 

1 hour ago, Roger Mellie said:

Demon Triathlon!

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/albums/1705814/gallery-the-demon-triathlon?modal=true&type=gallery&playlistId=1705814&playlistSize=41

 

When spargs reads a mean comment about him on demonland he be like:

4 hours ago, cookieboc said:

lets face it, at this stage, the club enjoys losing to Collingwood. There can be, literally no other reason. 

Is literally the most abused, misused word in the English language?

Does my head in.

The above post is literally a perfect case in point.

I mean, literally, there are many reasons that could be factors in why we regularly lose to Collingwood.

And ironically, another frequently misused word, us enjoying losing to the pies is almost certainly not one of them.

Apologies in advance for giving this absurd notion any oxygen.

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

Trac did a sensational bit of work to spoil a ball and then gather the ground ball with a nice contested possession amongst a group of bodies and get away with a burst of speed only for his handball to be intercepted beautifully by Clarry who dished it off with lightning speed to Laurie who was off to the races as he waltzed into 50 and banged home a goal. 

Build it and they will come.

4 hours ago, Demonland said:

Taj Woewodin the first one out on the track. 

The track watchers equivalent of a bowler sending a loosener down first ball of a new spell.

51 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Trac had a range of issues in his early career, think it was actually a broken toe from playing basketball that caused him to miss a chunk of the preseason.

He also had a fairly underwhelming start to his career and would drift in and out of games. He has been on record as saying he wasn't acting like a professional at times, however from 2020 onwards he has been an absolute professional.

It was one of the reasons I was disappointed with him last year, he seems to have forgotten the amount of time and work the MFC have put into developing him into the player he is today. Yes, a lot of it is due to his work ethic now but the club definitely helped him to work through issues early in his career.

Yeah, you're right, he broke his toe playing basketball in his backyard.

Harvey probably completed a risk analysis of all non football activity when he was 12 and long ago ruled out backyard basketball.

9 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

easy to forget that trac was a bit of a loose cannon in his early years, and far from as fit as langford appears to be

not to mention he missed his entire first season with an acl

And he injured his back playing basketball in his back yard (with some mixed info about exactly how).

Am I right in thinking tracc has never been in the leadership group?

That said, everyone matures at different rates and perhaps tracc has some personal growth opportunities.

Tracc is a natural on field leader, both in terms of his voice and actions

I wonder if having an infusion of young gun mids might help tracc develop his off field leadership, something that can only be a positive for him and his teammates.

1 minute ago, george_on_the_outer said:

One oval, and cannot use lights to train under in winter…..what a rubbish idea. No improvement over Gosch’s and AAMI..

Downgrade on Gosch's, which you can at least get to by PT.

13 minutes ago, DemonWheels said:

Anyone read this? Bloody terrible article and opinion piece. Peter Ryan is very condescending throughout, didn’t think he was like that.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/why-not-waverley-demons-should-take-over-hawks-nest-20241216-p5kyqm.html

 

How could Ryan write an article encouraging us to move to that [censored] hole ground and not mention the worst football experience many of us have had - the 1987 preliminary?

Mind boggling.

As is this line:

'Waverley Park is also close enough to Melbourne’s traditional zones to enable their supporters to watch training and socialise at the club.'

I mean, is he serious?

60 years after the VFL built that monument to stupidity there is still no decent public transport out there and it's in a Bermuda triangle for roads.

[censored] off Ryan.

Maggie mahoney and Molly Ohaire.

Are we selecting players for a football team or a Clannad cover band?

5 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Lynch's contract expires next year giving Rich $4.0m in additional sal cap over 2025/2026 and beyond.  If he plays on he would be on minimal $ having played only four games in each of 2023/204 and will be an injury prone 33 yo.

With the escalating TPP their kitty will be even larger.  Reckon they'll go hunting for FA's in the next few years.

They will come out of their downturn in a few years in great shape.  Lots of top end draft picks, sal cap space and FA's, thereby escaping the threat to list management posed by Tassie.

Great call luci.

A lot has to go right of course, but I can't recall a team getting a bigger, better haul of top end draft picks - remarkably they have also managed to get the roos' first pick next season which is likely to be minimum top 10.

With salary cap space to bring in a couple of senior guns they are def in a good position to fast track a rise up the ladder.

7 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

I only bet with Sportsbet, I’d be surprised if a cash out option was available after just seven rounds and if it was it wouldn’t be very much, possibly lower than the amount of the original bet. We’re talking about a 23 rd season with a lot to play out (including injuries), then on personal note out clubs finals campaign in 2022/23. 
 

Yeah, you're probably right.

Alternative suggestion:

Put 10 units on the dees to win the flag at $26. 

Don't lay off.

Make a profit of $250 units when we win the flag.

27 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

Work commitments haven't allowed me to get down to Goschs for a look yet but the more I read about Harvey Langford the more I wonder if we're looking at the next Trac and the thought of seeing in the same side has me salivating. 

If i was to compare the pair at the same age and stage id have to say Harvey is more mature than i reckon Tracc might have been in his first year.

Tracc stuck me as a big energetic kid, like an Alaksan malamute puppy, whereas Langford is more a Doberman pinscher pup.

1 minute ago, Demonstone said:

Don't wish to be a neighsayer, but this thread has turned into a 'mare. 

Better hope Kolt doesn't come in here than.

Selwyn will have them running Phar Laps.

20 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Wasn't sure where to put this but was having a discussion with a fellow Dee man and we were laughing at the odds for the 2025 flag

Those of you who are punters might be able to comment on how the Dees are 11th in line for the flag at 26 to 1 and the Hawks are 2nd in line at 8.50

Are you able to back Melbourne at 26.50 and cash out when they get to say 12 to 1 during the season? In the first 8 rounds we play North, GC, Ess, Rich, Weagles. There is a reasonable chance we will be at least 6 and 1 possibly 7 and 1.

And seeing as we are flying at summer training (!!).....

 

• Brisbane Lions 7.50
• Hawthorn 8.50
• GWS GIANTS 9.50
• Carlton 10.00
• Collingwood 10.0
• Geelong Cats 10.0
• Sydney Swans 10.00
• Fremantle 13.00
• Western Bulldogs 13.00
• Port Adelaide 18.00
• Melbourne 26.00
• Adelaide Crows 34.00
• Gold Coast SUNS 41.00
• St Kilda 51.00
• Essendon 67.00
• North Melbourne 126.00
• West Coast Eagles 126.00
• Richmond 151.00

Short answer.

The bookies set the initial price.

Their prices top to bottom would pretty much reflect the previous season's ladder.

After that point the prices are set by the punters. That's to say who punters put their money on.

The bookies change the odds to cover their spread and ensure a profit no matter who wins.

At this point there would be bugger all in the pool. So relatively small amounts wagered on particular teams would have an outsize impact on prices.

For example a bunch of hawks fans with hok ball fever puting $20 here, $50 there, brings them into second favs.

If one of us dropped 2k on the dees, the bookies would reel us in quick smart. How far depends on how much money is in the pool.

Winning on the punt is not about picking the winner. It's about getting a price over the 'true odds' (being good at determining the true odds is the other key to winning).

Betting on the flag at this point is a fools errand because it's impossible to determine the true odds at this point given the millions of unknowns and variables in between now and September next year (injury being the most important).

Which is why there's no money in the pool now  - no big punter is putting any coin in now.

That said, $26 in my opinion is def 'overs'.

And given our pretty soft draw early, backing them now and cashing out, or laying off, after say 7 rounds would be a smart play.

15 minutes ago, D4Life said:

Look at last few years flag winners:

2024 - Lions great run with injury and lucky Giants choked when 45 points ahead in Qual final. Still GF day won easily!

2023 - Pies lucky with injury, win 3 finals by combined total of 12 points! Snuck a flag!

2022 - Cats era finished too old, great draw, great run with injury, comfortably win flag!

2021 - Demons great run with injury, dominant finals campaign, run away with flag!

Today Demons are seen by many to be finished, but compare favourably to Cats of 22 in age demographic of stars.

May 33 (hopefully better run with injury, should hang on for one more year) Max 33 (with support this year, can look forward to another great year, he is not get any smaller), Viney 30/31 (fingers crossed). 
The rest of our stars Trac and Clarrie both under 30 and seem fully fit!

I rate Kossie and Fritsch as guns in their positions, I’d take Kossie over Charlie Cameron who is seen as best small forward in comp, does so much more defensively, as a mid forward Fritsch stats over last four years match up well with most.

JVR will be even better after another pre season and Turner with a little bit more confidence in that he belongs will have a good year!

But going back to the last four years premiers, luck with injury is #1, leads to having a fit team that can run out games, a good drawer helps with managing older players, luck in games that are close helps, perhaps that will to win is not luck!

Providing our luck holds over preseason and during 2025 we can give it a real crack, top 4 and then onwards! But Lions won from outside top 4 this year - Daniher injury free and holding up in the finals, who would have thought choking Joe starred in the finals!

Another thing the last four premiership have had in common,  one that intersects with injury, is clearly being the fittest team come Grand Final day.

1 minute ago, Ghostwriter said:

Believe me, I’m trying! I’m trying so hard. Not everyone is blessed with a thick skin. I don’t enjoy being so sensitive; it sucks.

 And while I’m not quite at Chris Tavarê levels of leaving, I’m trying to let more go through to the keeper. But even that’s no guarantee I’ll not get out. If I stray from my crease I’ll likely be Alex Carey-ed and even up the non-striker’s end I’ll expect to be mankad-ed. That’s a light-hearted way to describe something that personally is a lifelong struggle.

I’ve put known haters on ignore. This poster’s delivery caught me off guard ☹️

That's great you have been refusing to bite more often CW. Thanks.

And the training threads have been much better for that discipline.

Few of us have thick skins, certainly i don't.

Most people are sensitive to criticism and our honesty being questioned. I certainly am.

So it's not about being less sensitive or 'toughening up'.

It's about not responding and fuelling the angst.

You post lots of interesting snippets of conversations with mfc peeps.

Almost all posters like that content.

For whatever reason some don't, and for a small number of posters it seems it's a trigger. 

It really isn't possible on such a forum to stop people posting stuff that might get under someone else's skin - and that’s leaving aside the conversation about whether that is even desirable (ie policing opinion and/or criticism).

Keep up the good work on not biting as often.

Water off a duck's back.

Ommmmmmm.

42 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Groundhog Day  🙄 same sch!tt, different poster

I share (a small amount of) what I’m told. I don’t fabricate anything… ever. I don’t embellish anything… ever. Some players and staff read Demonland (that’s a fact) so I’d be an !d!ot to post “fantasy” right? I’ve been told negative things too but I choose not to share such.

Please understand that it’s comments like yours above that will drive people like me away. I’m not gonna deal with this every single [censored] week. You think I lie and/or embellish? Fine, that’s your belief (even though it’s inaccurate). But is it necessary to post these accusations? What have you achieved by doing so?

I can’t report your post since you haven’t broken any DL rules (being a jerk doesn’t constitute a breach) but honestly, read the [censored] room. 

 

GW can I respectfully ask that you simply ignore any such comments.

Let them through to the keeper.

Please.

I'd ask the same questions you as you do above - is it necessary to respond to these accusations? What have you achieved by doing so?

Responding simply invites a rebuttal from that poster, other posters and almost always another round of circular posts of the sort that simply clogs up threads, not to mention inevitably become more personal and unpleasant.

It's tiresome - and unnecessary. 

There is no need to defend yourself. People wil believe what they want to believe.

Lean into the fact that the vast majority of posters really enjoy your posts, take you at your word and enjoy the banter with players and staff you choose to relay.

The haters are always going to hate.

Of course you are free to post and respond however you want.

But by ignoring the haters you take away their the power  which is their ability to upset you.

And we will have less threads getting derailed.

13 hours ago, JTR said:

Keeping in mind that we still needed Petty in the side to help out JVR in the ruck, what was the alternative?

Don't say Jefferson (not ready), Fullarton (cant ruck, and offers less around the ground than Petty) or Schache (goes without saying?), cause none of them were even close to being viable options last season.

Exactly. 

17 minutes ago, Redleg said:

And then off to the Redleg Urinal.

If you miss it becomes the wet leg urinal.

A couple more random thoughts:

- As advertised, AJ is very competitive, the sort of player Goody loves. But I'm very surprised how fit he looked, AFL level fit. He was running laps at the end at a very fast clip

- Sparrow has changed body shape quite noticeablely, dropped size in the the chest and upper arms. His running group, which he was at the front of, included tmac and Brown (they started their timed laps in front of me and tmac said to sparrow, 'that's a fast pace you're setting'). Jibes with the talk of him playing a different role next season, possibly wing

- koz has also lost lots size in the chest and upper arms, which is why I'm dubious he will play much time as a mid this season. Kid is a dead set freak. In the match sim, which was surprisingly willing physically, running flat out he scooped the ball one handed off the deck, handballed beautifully to a teammate, putting him in space, somehow got involved in the chain again and then kicked a perfectly weighted ball accross his body, over the top of a defender to JVR. Thing of beauty.

- The boundary line work i mentioned tracc and clarry were doing after the session finished was led by Jonesy. It was fantastic to see he tracc and claz working together. Inspired move to bring Jonesy back. Has a similar energy to gus in his ability to connect with everyone 

- Kolt has got noticeably bigger and his hair looks permed. If he was dog he'd be bulloodle; a poodle bulldog cross

7 hours ago, BLWNBA said:

It was another non-selection special adding to some of the baffling match committee decisions we’ve seen over the past three seasons. 

Could not disagree more

You don't select players who don't deserve a call up.

Ever.