FarNorthernD

I haven't ventured onto this thread in a number of years, perhaps five hundred hundred pages ago, but I'm pretty sure the same conversation about bananas and smoothies was going on then too and between the same posters. With all that has happened in the world in that time it is almost reassuring to see some things don't change. Will check back after Flag 14.

You are right, it was a good deal for both clubs We got Tyson Salem Hunt They got Kelly Lobb

Thankyou to Goodvibes. Reports such as yours make for a wonderful read at this time of year. This report below is sourced from a poster known as Brady over at Demonology "So I headed to Maroochydore this morning expecting the boys to have a pretty solid session, and it definitely was.Over 3 hours out in the 30+ degree heat. I would have left just before midday and they still hadn't finished up. The sessions started with some standard kick to kick and lane work before they got into some 12 on 10 full field match stuff. There was a group of 10 on the sideline in a resting group. The two teams would go full tilt for 3-4 minutes before one would swap with the resting team. Two players wore orange bibs and would always be on the attacking side to create an outnumber 10 to 12. The countdown timer on the scoreboard was set to 25 minutes and they went at it until it was up. Over on the other field was the rehab group which today consisted of Tyson, Kennedy, Kent, Spencer, Jetta, Wagner, Hibberd and Brayshaw. Not sure why a few of them were in this group but maybe they were just being managed or have a little niggle or two. They were doing laps at a pretty good pace to start with before moving into some 100m runs / sprints They then a little later moved into boxing. Out on the main field the group went into 15 v 15 full match play. Goodwin would kick the ball to a player in the back pocket then it was on. They went at it until a goal or point was kicked. The ball moved at a very good pace. You can definitely identify the game plan now. This went on for another 25 / 30 minutes, before the team headed into the cool room for 15 minutes, I think this was a "half time". As Brendan McCartney walked into the rooms he said to all of us supporters watching "don't worry guys, we aren't done with them yet, they've got another 60 minutes of hard work to go, you'll see some tired boys out there soon" he wasn't lying. They came back out and the mids split and did some boundary throw in work while the forwards and backs did some contested work inside forward 50, with the forwards trying to stop the backs getting it out. Once this finished I decided to head off as it was stinking hot in the sun but I heard one of the coaches say they had around 25 minutes to go "the last quarter" A very big session! Some individual performances I noticed - Lewis - well as everyone already knows, this guy is all class. He will add a level head out there, calm under pressure and time after time hit the target to a leading Hogan or Weideman coming out of the forward 50. Looking like he has dropped a kg or two. He will add a huge amount to the team. Oliver - He was in everything. In the match simulation he would of been one of the leading possession winners out there. Used it well too. I think it could be a good year for him to come. Knows how to find the footy. Petracca - Beast! I am so excited to see this guy out there this year. He moves so well and was another who racked up the possessions today. Played across half forward and pushed up into the midfield. He could absolutely dominate a couple of games this season. I really believe that. Others who caught my eye were Bernie, Hogan, Weideman (who has definitely put on a few kgs) Gawn who just did his thing. JKH got a lot of the ball but would have turned it over or shanked the kick probably 50% of the time. He needs to fix this if he wants any chance of making the 22 this year. Anyway, overall, having come and watch the boys train at Maroochydore the last 3 years. I can honestly say this has been the best I have seen them train. That might be to do with the time of year it is as we are only weeks away from games but there was such a positive vibe around the group and they went at it full tilt. You can tell they are ready to get stuck into the 2017 season now. Cheers and Go Dees!"

I think most on here actually believe that Trengove is an asset to the Club. He has shown resilience and dedication and is obviously held in high regard by the players. I think what many here do wonder is if he can reach the potential he showed in the first couple of years which is a fair debate.

It is difficult to think of another player who has improved as much as Oscar did in the course of one season. He was no where near AFL standard in his first few games earlier last season; he looked slow, seemingly had little agility, presence, urgency or physicality. To then go on and win the rising star in round 21 and be seen as an important part of our backline says a lot about him and also the ability of the Club's management skills to back him and get the best out of him. I found it interesting that Oscar stayed in the team whilst Clayton Oliver was sent back to Casey during the year.

I must admit I was surprised by how good a year Parish had. Averaging 21 disposals across 20 games in your first season in a poor team is pretty bloody impressive. Oliver averaged a tick over 19 possessions over 13 games. Parish had the more consistent first season. I doubt you would find too many bombers supporters who would be willing to do that trade. Having said that I think most on here would agree that Clayton's ceiling is way higher than Darcy's. He has the ability to eventually control games and on occasions he can do the impossible (that hand off to Stretch against the Hawks). These days you would actually back our footy department in to get him to reach his potential Oliver is going to give us supporters a lot of joy over the next decade. There is no way I would do that trade

Would like to add Stretch to that list

Interestingly the AFL draft article below (Nov 13 2014) lists him at 197cm and 94kg. So in 2 and a bit years of development he has shrunk. Is it too late to blame Mark Neeld for this? http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-13/oscar-firms-for-second-round Unfortunately the listed figures for players should be used as a guide only. It would be easier for us supporters if they were correct but all AFL clubs seem to play this game. Gut feel watching him run around during matches is he would be near 198cm these days. He certainly has his brother well covered.

My view is that I have supported the Melbourne Football Club all my life. The Red Bull Football isn't my team. I'm tribal, I wouldn't support it no matter how many flags they won.

It will also be interesting to see how Geelong goes both with this rule and the deliberate ducking-no free-play on rule. With Biclavs and the Selwoods being the rolled gold standard of both it may unfortunately negatively impact their ability to win games.

It may also give Spencer a helping hand. He has issues but his strength has always been his tap work.

I agree with you Ron and understand the way you are looking at it. I also believe for instance that had Lewis been in the side when we played St Kilda two seasons ago we would not have got rolled in the last few seconds as he would have had us better organised. Having said that I'm still for the one captain model and would prefer to just have Lewis in the leadership group but can understand your point of view too.

I'm not a fan of co-captains and even less of importing a player from another club and making him captain no matter how good his resume. I'm all for Lewis to be in the leadership group but not in either of the two top positions.

Beautiful

That was brilliant. Our coaching group have improved as much as our playing group over the past few years.

As far as I'm concerned that is a match made in football mentorship heaven

Think most CBDee thought Trengove was actually ahead of Scully from about 3/4 way through their first seasons. At the time I was much happier that Scully got offered the mega deal than Jack.

I wonder when they bought in point posts in if anyone said "why can't they just leave the game alone"?

Love the thread and that team. I know many won't agree but I would have Matthew Whelan over Steve Febey.

I'm guessing McQueen has Stuie but his 'just another puff piece with no real substance' comment is accurate. Most Demonlanders would have far more knowledge of our players, their failings and areas where they could improve than nearly any paid commentator. Remember when Buckley moved Howe into defence and it was almost universally hailed by the media as some brilliant and new left field move? How could they not of known that he had played his best footy for us as a back? Honestly as paid professionals, how could they not know? Because like any casual observers they only knew him as a bloke who could take a speccy and thought he must play forward. They know the bare essentials. Most commentators would know about 'Big Maxy' Gawn, 'Captain courageous' Nathan Jones, 'Parents used to complain when he played against their kids' Jack Viney and the 'Rising Star winner Jesse Hogan (who, by the way, is going into his fifth pre-season not his fourth). And that is about it. I bet very few scribes would know Billy Stretch's jumber number or what sort of season he had without looking it up. I bet most here do including you Stuie

Aside from the cash I can anyone think of a reason why any player would elect to go there? Surely the Blues are a middle of the road side at best for the foreseeable future. If it happens you could see a Judd scenario where he makes them a bit better but not near enough to legitimately challenge. Can't see it happening, doesn't make sense to me.

The only fair dinkum saviour I've seen come to a footy club and totally succeed was a guy we employed 3 seasons ago, although many could rightly claim his boss as one too. There may have not been a footy club at all without them. We now have a very strong management team, we are improving financially and have a strong coaching team. On field Hogan, Gawn, Petracca, Brayshaw, McDonald, Watts, Viney, Hunt, Salem and Oliver could all claim to be realistic chances at All Australian jumpers over the next few years. If a Fyffe/Dangerfield/Tom Lynch type choose to come play with us that would be very nice but we don't need saving anymore do we.

And if we could somehow get back to those one-on-one CHF V CHB, Carey V Jakovich or Wing V Wing, Flower V Greig match ups that would be a very good thing

The reason I am most happy about the no third man up rule is that it allows a different skill set to flourish. The game has been increasingly dominated by the 6'2" running midfielder. Hopefully now we can go back where two very tall unco blokes battle it out to see who can get it down to their more talented teammates. For the same reason i like seeing Caleb Daniel succeed. Footy should be a game for everyone.

I agree. I believe I rate ANB higher than most here. His problem will be trying to crack it into the midfield rotation of the seniors. At Casey he is a high possession winner who can run all day and then, when promoted, plays a small forward type role. He needs to take it up a notch if he is going to succeed. I think he can. Good luck to him and I hope he recovers quickly.