Tarax Club

6 Max Gawn 5 Ed Langdon 4 Kysaiah Pickett 3 Jayden Hunt 2 Christian Petracca 1 Jack Viney Honourable mentions; Luke Jackson Clayton Oliver Jake Lever Trent Rivers James Jordon Adam Tomlinson Angus Brayshaw Overall; A comprehensive team performance led admirably by Captain Max.

After the massive disappointment of the previous year's Grand Final let down, enthusiasm still resided within, all be it deep and almost dormant. Got there just before the start of the game and unwisely decided to forego the purchase of a Season's ticket. (Although ultimately it was to prove was another disappointing season finale). Don't remember much about the game itself, although Richard Osborne was clearly a threat, but do recall the No. 52, Stephen Tingay's very first kick in league footy. A tremendous snap from a fair distance out, that sailed high through the goal posts for the winner. The excitement in the old Southern Stand standing room area was palpable. Possibly reminiscent of the effect engendered by Kossie Pickett's "X" factor performance last weekend. Of course Stephen Tingay went on to establish himself as a great warrior for the MFC and a fan favourite. Although his MFC career was markedly effected by footy's and life's vicissitudes.

Memory probably doesn't serve me that well HT, however this you tube tribute video to Killer Kowalski appears to show KK applying a sleeper hold to an opponent. Of course he was renown for his abdominal claw hold which has an 'infamous' Melbourne Demons connection. In 1967, the Australian television presenter Don Lane (expat yank and Demons supporter) irritated Kowalski during an apparently friendly interview and was attacked with the Kowalski claw hold.

Got a real Buzz out of that! Goody putting the sleeper hold on Rats! Brings back memories of World Championship Wrestling and the great Killer Kowalski.

Delivered in Spades against Saints!

1 Clayton Oliver 2 Christian Salem 3 Christian Petracca 4 Steven May 5 Kosiah Pickett 6 Jayden Hunt Honourable mentions; Tom McDonald Adam Tomlinson Tom Sparrow Max Gawn Alex Neil-Bullen Nathan Jones

While disagreeing with your prognosis. Concur about the underwhelming performance of small defenders with the exception of Neville Jetta. Trent Rivers had some rookie moments where he appeared all at sea. Jayden Hunt's contribution last week has been under some scrutiny here on DL, but #3 has seemingly eluded the heat of the spotlight. But from where we're sitting needed to be working much harder and had little impact. Of course the exemplary performance of the tall defenders 'plastered over' some of the obvious cracks. As a collective those aforementioned gentlemen will need to lift their performance to counter the threat of the saints small forwards.

Superior coiffure?

6 May 5 Lever 4 McDonald 3 Jetta 2 Tomlinson 1 Jordon honourable mentions; Spargo Pickett Oliver Petracca

Happy for the win. First round 1 victory in 4 seasons! Pleased to see a number of the usual suspects (aka the whipping boys) making team orientated positive contributions. Tom McDonald was a leading light (cream does rise to the top). Thought a number of the younger inclusions all had some good moments. That being said, plenty of scope for improvement particularly around the clearances and goal kicking needs to tighten up. Defence was the glue that won the day. Steven May, and Jake Lever are the wall, honourable mentions to Adam Tomlinson and Neville Jetta very solid games overall.

Jack Viney needed ASAP around the packs!

Tommy, Nibbler and Charlie all positive contributors James Jordon forward fifty pass to Trac sublime!

Kade Chandler named sub!

Keeping up with the Joneses. Its a given Nathan Jones will acquit himself in a superior fashion to the last Jones to 'grace' the 'G' too many blues. Kade Chandler named sub!

Interviewed by Ben Gibson as part of ‘Demons lock in first side of 2021’. As a normally young man of few words was articulate and quietly confident. A highlight reel is also there with Clarrie ‘kicking’ the ball a great deal. (vision of the complete champion!) Upwards and onwards Clayton! May your next ?for the MFC really scale the heights and attain the ultimate fabled grail.

Rain is just beginning to fall here in the northern suburbs, expecting a hard fought contest at the 'G" with the Demons to prevail.

Pleased for Oscar, he has made according to some pundits a spectacular splash in the big pool at the ‘G’. Opening game of season 2021, with a considerable covid compliant crowd in attendance(?). As would also be expected a sizeable TV viewing audience too. Did not do a count how often “Oscar” was mentioned by the commentators. In the heat of battle during the 3rd quarter, when the navy blues momentarily, wrested momentum from the tiggers, but would love a ‘tenner’ for each mention. As perceptively observed by Supermercado this topic has further dichotomised DL posters, into already stridently entrenched for and against camps on matters Oscar. A controversial playing career no doubt, indeed it’s perceived value to the club, has in its youth waxed and more lately waned here at the Tarax Club. On threads last year when Oscar’s selection and consequent performance was at an all time nadir (about the time of Custard’s last stand in Cairns). Debate waged hotly here with the pendulum of opinion swinging strongly towards the ‘delist’ camp. Some wags rather cruelly suggested Oscar was channeling the late, great Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau in a Pink Panther movie. “Give me 10 men like Clouseau and l could rule the world” That was the yin but how about the yang? After the blues # 39 (as historic first AFL concussion sub), was thrust almost unwittingly, centre stage last night. It could be said Oscar’s subsequent appearance was a bravura homage to the late Peter Sellars as Chauncey Gardner, in his final Oscar nominated performance in the movie Being There. Some observers have analysed Oscar’s performance and suggested stuff just seemed to happen with the #39 in the vicinity. Well no Brownlow votes here, but some opportune free kicks appear to have been awarded. So as astutely noted in the Boxer... ”asking only a workman’s wages l come only looking for a job but l get only one offer a come-on from the blues at princess park” Finally on last night's performance Blues have only marginally improved incrementally and almost imperceptibly. Beware the Tigers, they're a team to be reckoned with... Demons... ?

Is this numerologically propitious WJ? JJ’s debut is also slated for the 20th!

Here’s to an auspicious debut and a successful career. Do the jumper proud # 23!

Agree on that, gave a frank assessment. Either on the edge of greatness or a precipice ?

Pleasing to see some dinky dyed in the wool (red and blue) optimism can be still found here.

Just give us some of that old #28 magic Round 1 at the’G’

Picket your reports are positively blooming, loved the Colin Powell quote. Here's another one of Colin's "It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning"

With the seaside idyll of the post-practice match recovery session in full swing and the boys attired in down the beach mufti. As self-appointed resident fashionistas on DL, a few observations may be in order. Feed the Christians to the lions (bullies) look is definitely popular given the squad was taken to the sword yesterday afternoon at Marvel Colosseum. Not surprisingly that the two Christians, Petracca and Salem are leading the trend as sandal wearers but Gus, Austin Bradtke and James Harmes are amongst a solid representation of dedicated followers of fashion too. Special mentions to Jack Viney for his retro-homage Johnny Weissmuller look, speedos are making a comeback. And Tmac for having nailed the Brooks Brothers 'trackie dacs' style meister award .