FarNorthernD

Favourite commentary call. September 1987 after winning 5 on the trot to close out the season including West Coast, Collingwood and that famous round 22 win over Footscray (who would have made the final 5 if they beat us at home). Then a 100 point win over North and a 70 point win over the Swans in the first two finals. A young Tim Lane on the ABC wondered excitedly "And who can stop them?" At that time I didn't think anyone could and I don't think he did either.

Wasn't "Up, Up and Away" T.A.A? Or on a beautiful ballon?

In footy speak having our big 3 forwards out gives an opportunity for their replacements to step up. In the past few years that would have meant nothing and ensured just an even more comprehensive drubbing than would have been the case Now obviously we would be are a way better side with Clark, Dawes and Hogan in the team, but if ever there was an opportunity for Fitzpatrick and Pederson to embrace more senior roles then this game against an undermanned Saints is the one to do it. Both will know they have a run of games to prove their worth. Fitz is athletically gifted with a decent set of hands. His kicking style is bog scary but it does not seem overly effect his accuracy in front of goals. Pederson has, by all accounts, been in the top group of trainers over the pre-season and has shown some renewed vigour for a contest. He is fit and can kick. He is lucky to have this opportunity to prove himself. The next few weeks will determine if Cam will be still playing AFL footy in 2015. I actually don't think it matters to Howe if the big 3 play or not. We know what he is capable of, is apparently as fit as he has ever been and will do his thing no matter who he is playing alongside. I also think he will get the same match up no matter who else plays with us. He is both old enough and played enough games to accept some extra responsibility. I'm not a fan at all but I think Byrnes will play over JK so he, Blease and the resting mids are going to have to provide lots of defensive pressure It is not all roses but not doom and gloom as well. This is an opportunity for players to step up and it isn't just down to the forwards. The midfield will need to ensure some quality and quantity of delivery If ever this makeshift forward line can find some confidence and perhaps even fire it will be this week.

The kid has the hugest set of legs. He is the immovable object and when he gets going an irresistible force And unfortunately his disposal is much better than I thought I like the Toump, but oh dear

The 8 year old me told my father in the early 70's that I was going to barrack for Hawthorn. He said that was fine except that I would only get to see two Hawthorn games a year (when they played Melbourne). If I had of stayed with the Hawks I would have seen many premierships but it was never really an option and I don't regret for one moment staying red and blue. Unless you are a Fitzroy/South Melbourne supporter or still in primary school I can't understand swapping allegiances Your Club is part of your identity, you take the rough and then more rough and hopefully, one day, we will sing our song on the last day in September

As others have said it is a long season but it would not be unreasonable to suggest that Hawthorn could be head and shoulders above all other teams this year. They could be the Essendon of 2000 (21-1 W/L) or the Saints of 2009 (20-2 155%). So whilst getting done by 110 points is never a good thing and the Geelong score definitely flattered us there will be many good teams thrashed by the Hawks over the course of the year. The difference for us this year is that Roos will make a positive out of the defeat. We will actually learn something from it unlike all those other "learning experiences" we have had in the past few years.

Oh dear, here comes the reality bus

Saints up 44-18 over Port at their practise match

Couldn't agree more Mono. It is because of supporters like Allen Jakovich who won't fly home from Thailand to watch a practice match at Casey that Port Adelaide has signed 150,000 members.

They don't have a midfield. We don't have a forward line. I know what I would prefer

But if a player is no hope to run out on the ground sans wheelchair why bother naming him at all?

Yes I saw the "Demons confirmed" quote too, but still doesn't explain why they named him to play tomorrow Honestly if he was in doubt and off having scans and likely to miss 6-8 as has been reported elsewhere, then the club may as well also named Clark, Dawes and Nick Smith to also play. The lack of transparency on injuries from the club serves no purpose, particularly at this time of year. It annoys me very much

If he injured his back during the Cats game why did the Club name him today at midday to play against the Hawks? Something not adding up

Jack Fitzpatrick rang tonight. Said he wasn't sure if he was playing against Hawthorn I congratulated him for his 2nd half of last year and wished him well for this one. Told him the team deserved some success He took my money Seemed like a fair exchange

Honestly that sounds brilliant. Congratulations to the organizers. Unfortunately I just miss the age cut off by 18 years

I'm happy that the Saints won't be full strength but I do want Riewoldt to play. McDonald is one of the few blokes in the AFL who can match him stride for stride. Tom has frustrated Nick in the past and I want the pleasure of seeing both a Melbourne win and for that sookie, dropped shoulders, I've been hard done by umpire Riewoldt gene to be on full display Who knows, perhaps after the last 7 years of layered misfortune, recurring disasters and constant darkness the sun will appear. I can't jinx us anymore that we are already so I predict we will be top of the ladder after round 1.

MFC article on Alexis: We shouldve defeated Cats: Georgiou He is not happy that we didn't beat the Cats. Says he has fitted in well with the rest of the defenders, sounds like he feels at home. Taking nothing for granted as a rookie who needs to prove himself I appreciate Georgiou has only played 2 practice games and other teams will start doing their research on him now, but he does seem to be blessed with buckets of football nous. He says, Its been reassuring that theyre happy with the role that Ive been playing. Im never going to be a player with flair, but its all about playing my role as part of the six defenders. My role is to be the lockdown defender and then offer a little bit of attack. Last night, I was a bit disappointed with the way I defended but its been good to get the reassurance [from Roos and Rawlings]. I love his attitude and if he keeps putting his body on the line and producing 80%+ efficiency he will very quickly become a Roos favourite At effectively pick 125 in last years draft he is already in the top 25 players at the club and it would not surprise to see him line up round one.

Good luck to all Demonlanders playing tomorrow. Given recent revelations I'm guessing the mood of the Bomberblitz brethren won't be particularly bouyant

Tatts bet has suspended betting on Essendon, top 8, premiership etc Good to see there is no mention of Trengove in that report

And to stay on topic, I would have Georgiou in the side before Strauss at this time

Riley can't play till Rnd 3 at the earliest. Georgiou hasn't put a foot wrong in the past two NAB matches. In fact I would say he has been the biggest surprise for me of all our recruits so far. Roos will be loving how he goes about his footy and I will be amazed if he isn't upgraded at least for those first two matches

It was always a high risk, high reward strategy to recruit Dayle. At pick 38 and with Hawthorn's list one well worth taking.

The Qantas version of Mark Neeld. Talks tough, makes poor decisions, ruins morale and is probably out of his depth

I understand where he is coming from, but after half a century of woeful on field performances, dreadful administrations and a history ineptness and bad luck it is incredible there is still 37,000 of us still willing to commit. We are a hardy lot and there isn't a supporter group in the competition that deserve success more than we do

Question for those who have seen the practice matches and training in general. If we had a full selection of talls would Fitz or Dawes be first selected?