G'Day fellow demonlanders, I have read the match report 'the 25 degree sauna' and some of the following posts with a little bemusement. I am a resident of darwin and was at the game last night. I can report the evening's weather conditions for attending supporters and followers of the game were quite pleasant. Of course for players not used to the conditions with the possible exception of player # 24 it was very physically demanding. I sat with family and friends on the grandstand wing in close proximity to the interchange benches of both teams and was able to observe the rotations of players throughout the game. I was most impressed with the quality of the team management. The on field team is magnificently backed up by a mostly unheralded team of ancillary support staff of runners, interchange marshall(s), physio, water girls and boys etc. If I may indulge myself with a few observations about the game; The game was played at a frenetic rate throughout in a mostly attractive attacking style by both teams. Except for the final stanza of the last quarter with the power threatening, when the demons 'iced' the game by some powerful whacks and discreet taps of the ball to the boundary line and congested contesting of the ball ins. The demons commenced superbly and threatened to blow port away. To port's credit they regrouped and made a stoush of it particularly during the 2nd and 4th quarters. Excuse the pun the game in some sense reflects the team performance throughout the season a tendency to be 'hot or cold'. The demons were in the ascendency during the 1st and 3rd quarters where they exhibited some superb skills by hand and foot and teamed together splendidly. Highlights included Liam Jurrah's magical 2nd quarter cameo, (a graceful, supremely skilled athlete), Colin Garland's comprehensive defensive blanketing of his opponent(s), James Frawley's counter attack from the backline, Ricky Pettard's commitment to the contest and precision foot passing (contrary to some reports), Adam Maric's opportunist performance as a small forward, Stephan Martin's continuing football development (some great contested marks), James Strauss and Daniel Nicholson emerging, exciting new talent, Brent Moloney, Colin Sylvia on ball grunt and leadership, Jordan Gysberts , Jordie Mckenzie footy smarts and work inside the pack and Brad Green's and Jarred Rivers's experience and leadership. Overall all players contributed positively to a comprehensive victory at various stages. Kick outs were a concern though, frequently resulted in turnovers and port goals. Final observation we need a big powerful goal kicking forward to compliment our talented small to mid-size forward line and move the team into the top half of the competition.
