Tarax Club

Weetbix Hi-Bran Breakfast of Champions? Contraire SWYL just sugar free black label this AM

In the demon dreamtime legend says the young men of the melbourne mob had been cast out of (the afl) land of plenty (read finals contention). Some believe they were cursed by 666 the devilman’s number, others believed ‘big Gil’ a mysterious malevolent witch doctor had pointed the bone at the whole tribe. Spirits seemingly lost, the boys wandered the sparse desert lands, (the bottom four) where even the local bush mechanics could not get the sputtering reality bus going anywhere. The game plan was roadkill, traditional skills like kicking, marking and handball were disappearing fast and the injury toll continued to rise. Meanwhile on the horizon a flock of tip dwelling opportunistic seagulls (euphemistically known as eagles) hovered expecting some easy prey. Opportunity for payback now arises at the heart of nation contest. Be like the ariperenye beetles demons and leave these pretentious creatures headless in the red dust.

Of course McWilliams Cream Sherry or Port was the budget conscious alternative have no memory of price but dwelt distinctly bottom shelf at all good purveyors of fine fortified wines and spirits.

All in favour of a return to ankle high footy boots with screw in stops and quarter cut slices of ? at 3/4 time.

Took a towering one grab mark the night he equalled Carey for the most contested marks in an AFL match and to show it was no fluke, repeated the feat twice more for the quarter. Must be a ? in for mark of the year! Brings but memories of Shaun Smith.

Joeboy - express delivery today! Viney - battled manfully midfield Jones - puts team first Salem - regularly hits targets Oliver - clanger count up Brayshaw - yeah yeah nah Harmes - loose goose handballs Petracca - hot than cold Hannan - jury is out Fritsch - flawed inside delivery May - better keep mum Frost - all at sea McDonald - fluffed his lines Neal-Bullen - OK to indifferent Hunt - needs to fireup Lockhart - multiple by two Hibberd - struggled with tempo Petty - sacrificial lamb slaughter Baker - hesitation gets you Gawn - injury affected performance Hore - off song early Weideman - very limited cameo Smith - boiled lollies today Umpires - roughend of pineapple Gabba crowd - weagles on steroids MFC - back to 2019

The selection criteria (from the outside) appears unfathomable at times. JKH was selected after an extended period of recovery from his knee injury and performed credibly at Marrara v crows. To be omitted after one game in favour of Mitch Hannan for the big freeze game v pies. Who appears to have had an extended opportunity to gain match fitness whilst playing at AFL level. His performances thus far have not been particularly overwhelming. Michael Hibberd who has struggled at times to replicate a semblance of his All - Australian form post 2017, when available seems to be an 'automatic' selection. Whereas Josh Wagner (who has a chorus of detractors on this forum) is the first dropped but continues according to pundit(s) yesterday at Casey "to give 100%". Admire his attitude and commitment. Beyond the "gruppe denk", fair and objective observation, whilst noting his on-field performance parameters, suggest his contributions are overdue for some revision and perhaps grudging respect. On team selection the match committee would do well to defer to "reputation never has much to do with reality".

Today's Casey Demon's inclusions suggest Jordan Lewis is the travelling emergency to the "Gabba.

Dear Supermercado, Result on Demonwiki MFC history of non-premieship games for 24th February 2006 is incorrect. Was in attendance at the game v Western Bulldogs and Dees were the victors not the Bullies. Memorable wet season evening included a thunderstorm and tropical downpour late in the game. Russell Robertson's last quarter heroics turned the game in the demon's favour. Cheers! Tarax Club ps. My mistaken notion about attending every top end Demons match is now in tatters!!! Did not attend earlier game v NTFL at Marrara in the early nineties. Was not in residence in Darwin.

Joe boy - abiit ad nix? Jones - flying the flag Viney - finding his feet Gawn - midfield master class Oliver - go the hoof! Brayshaw - effective on-ball role Hore - unfashionable but efficacious May - athletic gorilla keeper Petty - boiled steamed mashed ? Fritsch - pressure disposal questionable Salem - neat and composed Frost - ice cream man T. Smith - blue collar guy Baker - has a side-step Harmes - kept opponent honest Petracca - dynamic with ball Hannan - eluded leather poisoning Weideman - can catch ball Lockhart - emerging demon tyro Neal-Bullen - handball lacked connection T. McDonald - last quarter clinic Hunt - slightly off radar Wagner - solid team contributor Tarax Club - happy to contribute

Joe boy - abiit ad nix? Jones - flying the flag Viney - finding his feet Gawn - midfield master class Oliver - go the hoof! Brayshaw - effective on-ball role Hore - unfashionable but efficacious May - athletic gorilla keeper Petty - boiled steamed mashed ? Fritsch - pressure disposal questionable Salem - neat and composed Frost - ice cream man T. Smith - blue collar guy Baker - has a side-step Harmes - kept opponent honest Petracca - dynamic with ball Hannan - eluded leather poisoning Weideman - can catch ball Lockhart - emerging demon tyro Neal-Bullen - handball lacked connection T. McDonald - last quarter clinic Hunt - slightly off radar Wagner - solid team contributor

A very rare winter's journey deep south last weekend attending our first big freeze. So here is our three word dispassionate analysis. Cheer up joeboy! Jones - lost a yard Viney - bust or crash Gawn - captain by performance Oliver - proliferate with ball Brayshaw - greater match involvement Hore - dwarf versus giant May - better late than ... Lever - commendable return game Fritsch - ying and yang Salem - uncharacteristic turnover king Frost - out for count Hibberd - recovery ward escapee Baker - learning the ropes Harmes - committed team man Petracca - can impose himself Hannan - greater connectivity required Weideman - stood his ground Spargo - tackling efforts improved Garlett - enigma within enigma Hunt - fluffed easier shot T. McDonald - scoreboard pressure needed Wagner - underrated, unappreciated soldier Kicking coach - kick up khyber! Collingwood supporters - surprisingly well mannered

Did not receive a free kick inside the forward fifty last night and cannot recall any in recent matches if not the season in totality. This season's 'interpretation' there is virtually no in the back rule a blight on the game. What passes for a Rules committee should shove it where fits and cease it's malign revisionist interventions which devalue the uniqueness of Australian Rules Football. Got that of my chest feeling marginally but not three behinds better already.

Cheers Joeboy!!! keep up the good work. Our take ringside with slightly tinted glasses. Post- game thread - for masochists only Jones - deserves club record Viney - determination belied value Gawn - stellar season continues Stretch - made little impression O. McDonald - no comment ropeable T. McDonald - missing in action Frost - athletic goal keeper Smith - compass unfortunately awry Hibberd - needed scratch match Baker - calm and composed Hunt - pedometer on speed Oliver - first half dynamo Brayshaw - field kicking mule Harmes - out of gas Spargo - better performance tonight Weideman - We rate him Petracca - fair objective assessment? Kennedy-Harris - run will improve Fritsch - lace out laser Garlett - group think pinup Wagner - lacks disposal polish Hannan - rushed back early

Totally agree with the sentiments expressed Wells 11, massive disappointment after a splendid first half. Went to the game with entourage of crow supporting friends they were all smiles of course. As we walked out one them said "Melbourne loss the game rather than Adelaide won it. Didn't salve the disappointment of course but fair comment. With better players returning from injury the worm will turn and I'm confident of a return to better days at the footy.

Breeze will not be a factor after dusk more concerned about which Melbourne team will turn up. On the direct flight from Perth hopefully. Team bus does not need to divert via Greater Western Sydney.

Clayton Oliver trained. Our limited observation time did allow us the opportunity to ponder the flight path of his goal kicks. Up there in the 'stratosphere' comparative to others more measured efforts and not always homing in to target. Something to work on for 2020.

Marty Hore was out there training and although he has some size on Bayley Fritsch when standing next to him. He's not a gorilla-keeper physique wise. Noticeably he was doing a solo long sprint through the centre of the oval. He appeared to moving comfortably at full stretch although he is not exactly running at express speed. Looking forward to seeing him and Oskar Baker play. Jay Kennedy Harris was the only named emergency observed at training and he looked sharp. After checking off the team sheet and this may set the hares off did not recall seeing Oscar McDonald at training. But our clandestine observations were discreetly located to the shadowy side of the scoreboard in the outer for about half an hour so he could have been easily missed.

Some here may recall the game the week Neil Balme was sacked as coach in a season probably more ordinary than this year. Todd Viney's performance was BOG and kicked kicked two dynamic goals for the Dees from memory (not the most reliable post -seventies!). I don't remember the name of the caretaker coach but did he get a gig at the blues subsequently?

Your ace reporting team has just returned from training today at Marrara to the Daily Planet desk to file this demonland exclusive. Todd Viney Demon Kicking Coach! In what was a 'closed' training session Christian Petracca , Jack Viney and Mitch Hannan were practicing their goal kicks under the watchful eye of former demon's champ Todd Viney. Whilst conditions this morning were not conducive to practicing goal shooting, (wind gusts up to 43 km from a strong dry season sou' easterly accompanied by a delightfully balmy top end temperature of 26.4 degrees celsius were observed by the Bureau). Consequently many of the goal kicks missed the major opening. The kicking actions were recorded to mp4 or similar for later review. Meanwhile the rest of the team were involved in the usual training drill variations at the michael long centre end of the ground. Michael Hibberd appeared to have fully recovered from his recent collision injury, Mitch Hannan was moving freely and Christian Salem looked in great shape. Training was supervised by various line coaches including Max Rooke who cast an imposing figure. Ben Matthews briefly addressed the team and spoke about opening up space for forward fifty forays which he said was "critical" . We assume in reference to produce opportunities to kick a winning score. As training wound down most of the team practiced goal kicking, Tim Smith and Tom McDonald were the standouts able to adjust to the windy conditions with low trajectory drop punts. Overall impression team morale and to use a "Goodyism" cohesion appeared to be on the positive end of the spectrum. It was touching to see the camaraderie between Gus, Frosty and young Clarrie.

Joeboy - closer to mark MFC - brave but flawed Jones - slowing but effective Viney - in and under Gawn - an outstanding game Oliver - exciting centre chain Harmes - great first half Hunt - some impressive cameos Garlett - goals improved performance Petracca - get kicking coach Salem - less influence tonight Stretch - tries very hard Brayshaw - lost in space T.McDonald - getting better ? Frost - confident but costly Hore - endeavour and composure O.McDonald - a serviceable game Wagner - jittery with ball Smith - dangerous tackle surely? Lockhart - some classy touches Neal-Bullen - average before injury Petty - was not disgraced Fritsch - yin and yang Baker - overawed but promising Umpires - some ordinary decisions Postgame - group think gripe

Our read of the tea leaves tonight suggests the season's trajectory has turned ever so slightly on an upward trend. Victory is tangibly close provided there is total team belief and commitment to the fundamentals.

A poor man's Steven May? ?

Guilty Your Honour! Deep into the last quarter at yesterday's match at the 'G exhibit "T" , timed at approximately 14 minutes and 30 seconds on the Fox Footy re-play. Jack Gunston's 'handpass' to Chad Wingard who went onto to kick the ball which Liam Shields would mark and goal from would make an NFL quarterback blush. The right hand holding onto the ball clearly provided the force to propel it 15 - 20 metres downfield to Wingard. The left hand 'fist' limply accompanied the action. Sam Frost's was in a hotly contested pack situation arms, bodies and ball being flung in multiple directions. Pleasingly the football gods favoured us.