Pates

Ironically given where Roos started with defence that is where our biggest issue lie right now. We lack class, poise, and smart footballers back there and we consistently give up silly goals down there. That said it sounds like we're targeting a good defender in the trade period so clearly this has been identified. I do love watching us get above 100 points more than once in a blue moon though!

10 wins for me, I can see us sneaking an unexpected win but regressing again for another unexpected loss. We'll finish 9th-10th.

The whole segment with them talking about it is just so incredibly bizarre. I mean I get that she's not well liked by many head honcho's, but the manner in which they spoke about it was so out of whack with current standards. It was like Eddie was channeling his old mate Sam. Funny thing is it could've actually gone a fun easy rout, Eddie could've simply nominated Caro for Big Freeze next year. Instead they went down a path that was pathetic and cringeworthy. Brayshaw and Caro have never liked each other so it's hardly surprising that he chimed in as well, while Frawley getting in on the act was just random. Would give me so much pleasure to see Holden withdraw their sponsorship of the Pies, would be a nice slap in the face to Eddie.

Yeah I'm kind of in the same camp, Dangerfield was an absolute star for the Crows last year and while his output may have increased with the Cats I think it's also had a lot to do with the personnel surrounding him. Compare that with Chip who while we played him in the forward line, was pretty useless in his final year.

I rate him, when he's been able to play with a clean run of injuries he's looked very good. Sadly he hasn't had a great opportunity at a clean run. I really hope we can get this thyroid issue under control and he is given the opportunity at a close to full season. We've barely scratched the surface of his potential. I just want to sit back and remember his match winning goal against Essendon!

Much as I don't want to see the Hawks go 4 in a row there is something sickening about the idea of the cats getting straight back up to winning a premiership that stinks. That said I don't want North to get it either! I spose Swans and Dogs are my choices!

If he's playing at Casey and playing well than he's right to come back, if he's not over his concussions than he shouldn't be playing anywhere. I agree there's no need to rush him back in but if he earns his spot (and someone under performs in the seniors) then there's no reason to keep playing him at Casey. Do Casey have a game over our bye week? I know in previous years it has annoyingly been the same, but if not I'd say Gus plays at Casey next week and if he continues his good for he can look at a possible return after the bye.

Gawn definitely in the squad and if things continue I think he'll be in the team, I reckon Viney and Jetta will get in the squad but not in the final team. [EDIT] Check that, I think Viney will get into the squad but Jetta won't.

Buddy will be the big match up, he's been doing some ominous things this year and has killed a couple of teams. The short SCG ground could suit our game style, but I think ultimately we will fall short this week. Experience told against the Hawks and I think it could be the same this week. I'm picturing a competitive game and the swans coming out on top by about 15-25pts. But then these are the sort of games that can change a team from being fringe to genuine finals contenders.

I gotta say, my admiration for Daisey Pearce is right up there with Nate Jones. She really loves pulling on the Red and Blue, and given she is the most marketable player in the womens league the club should be really proud that she's so dedicated to staying a Demon. I also agree that the idea of Collingwood and Carlton getting the first official fixture for points is sickening and wrong. These guys have joined this party after us and the Bulldogs (but us even more so) have laid all the foundations and put more into it than anyone to make this a reality. At worst it should be us vs Pies but I really think the right thing to do is to make the first official points game Melbourne vs Dogs.

Lol someone needs to get off the crazy pills!! Hibberd would be a good addition to our backline, it is a curious case with TMac putting contract negotiations on hold. Can't say I'm overly impressed with Irvine how much time and development we've put into him, and to be honest is still very prone to horrendous brain farts (basically gave Essendon their dream start earlier this year). I might be wrong but I think we treated our first round pick this year didn't we? So we would have to trade a player to get one. Either way I'm happy to hear we're keeping an eye out to improve our list, particularly our backline.

I feel like the A-league when it first came in was treated as a novelty but it has built itself into a legitimate league. I see the NWL being in a similar vain. I think there'll be the people that go to "just support the game" which to be honest was all I did back when Melbourne Victory first started, there'll be families that go with daughters who are interested in footy and will hopefully give them role models, and then there will be those that go just to passionately support because they love footy and they love the Dees. One thing I'm confident on is it won't be a smooth ride, there'll be ups and downs over the next few years. I feel the AFL just needs to cool their jets on expanding, 8 is a good number for the next 3 years I feel. Let the talent grow, let the teens in the 15-18 age bracket see it develop and you might find a few starting to pick AFL and hone their abilities.

Would have been a disgrace beyond comprehension if we didn't get a license given how much work we have put into a woman's competition. I keep thinking back to Daisy's speech at the B&F, the last 4-5 must be an absolute blur for her. Going from relative obscurity with playing woman's football on a suburban ground in front of mostly family and friends to now being one of the inaugural captains of the NWL and basically being the face of the competition. I wont be in Australia to go to any games but I really do encourage all Demonlanders to get behind them and go to games. We've worked hard for this, I don't want to see the likes of Carlton and Collingwood cashing in on it! I would also suggest the club make all woman's home games free as a part of our regular memberships, or at most a nominal additional fee.

I can't comment on his game but I'll give my two bobs worth on the Pedo v Dawes debate. Dawes at his best is better than Pedo, there can be do debate on it. Pedo provides a back up ruck and a flexible player who can play forward or back (neither with great skill mind you). Dawes isn't playing ruck, which concerns me given the workload we're expecting of Maxy and now Watts. But I think the match committed always saw this as the ideal situation. Gawn does 85-90% of the rucking duties and Dawes provides a big body in forward line to help Watts, Hogan, and Harmes.

Garlett's best 22, he had a shocker v the Hawks and BenKen was able to step in. It's what happens when Casey has a great season, we start to develop depth.

So I'm in Europe right now, I listened to much of the game, but obviously seeing is different to listening. I saw the highlights and I gotta say that goal from Petracca is a window into what he can and will be able to do with ease as he gains more experience. Such class, reminded me of Judd at his best.

Sensational, so happy for him.

I think for a long time many posters have said the Watts is a cream on top player, he will rise with others around him but probably struggle to be in games that others aren't great in. This isn't a criticism of him, there are many players that have been and gone in the game who are the same and the good news is as we continue to rise I feel like he will too. Theres zero doubt he's playing with renewed confidence and what's better is that he is bringing others into the game with his higher workmate and confidence. I reckon he would've enjoyed the win just a little bit more than some yesterday.

Wow I'm in Italy wanting read up on a big QB win and I read this!

Might work better for us . Listening to the game in Italy, hearing our misses and another stuff up by Tmac I'm very nervous!

I'm actually really happy the Pies have dropped Cloke, although his form this year has been terrible he always seems to get up to kill us on QB. Like the first time around this will be won in the middle with Gawn dominating the hit outs. Looking for big games from Jones, Vince, Tyson, and Viney (if he gets up). Would love Hogan and/or Watts to kick a bag. I'm cautiously confident, at least as confident as you can be with such an up and down team!

Getting away from agent99's incorrect assumptions about his pre-AFL form, I was so happy to hear through the week he was making his return. I'm over in Europe and would've loved to see him step out of the G over the weekend. I hope there was a huge cheer from the crowd when he did or when he touched the footy for the first time. Even better to read from Paul Roos that he slotted in OK and seemed to do some good things. In those conditions gaining 19 disposals after someone returning to that standard for so long is tremendous. I would love for him to kick on against the pies on QB and even kick a goal or two. The roar would be huge!

The last player I was this excited about at a young age was Hogan. He is very good, but we've barely seen what he can do yet. And the AFL owe him a goal, that was a disgraceful overturned call. The AFL Access All Areas video even featured the goal as a part of his highlights!

Sounds like a really crap thing to have, best of luck to him. Hopefully they'll be able to get this under control and have effective last part to the year.

You're not wrong but I feel in the past he lost a bit of trust with his teammates that he'll take the mark and use it well. Most certainly can't say that now, Hogan has commented that Watts is the one he wants with the ball delivering it to him. I noticed it in the Dogs game as well, people were commenting that he hadn't done anything but I was watching him and he lead hard all day for very little reward until the game was done and dusted.