Maldonboy38

As much as I am a huge fan of Sparrow, I have been one of his critics this year. A lot of clumsy football and poor disposal. But he was much better last night. He maintained his physical edge but made better decisions once he was in a place to deliver. Kudos to him - onward and upward for him now I hope.

Even though I was disappointed when Hunt was dropped, I understood why. But it was great to see him doing his thing last night. In patches I thought he was super. He will always have a few "Frosty" mind fades or mistakes but his line breaking is invaluable.

You gotta love Hibbo - he reminds me of a 1980's footballer. Socks down, unkempt, untidy but simply a natural footballer with a great brain and a great kick. I will never forget his run with the Premiership cup in hand.

Absolute shockers from Weid, ANB and Jackson (he had a few patches of good footy). 

I used to quote the phrase "OK boys, spread out" whenever Fritsch was kicking for goal. His reliability was atrocious. Not now. One of the classiest players we have produced in along long time. A very good mark, a wonderful kick, a better tackler than you would think with his slight build, and cat like reflexes at ground level. Nowhere in the same stratosphere, but he is classy in the way Robbie Flower was. 

I love Demonland after a win!! 

6. Viney

5. Brayshaw

4. Fritsch

3. Hibberd

2. Petracca

1. Spargo

Loved watching that. We were much cleaner in disposal and steadier than we have been for most of the year (except for a LOT of slipping over or running over the ball). A few passengers but even they had moments of being effective.

Best thing - this was a very Melbourne game. Stifle the opposition and kick classy goals. 

Viney the beast again, great to see Brayshaw in the middle, Fritsch is a freak, and our backline back to its best. 

I remember really clearly that Neeld was gobsmacked at our poor pre season training standards and returning fitness level. So he when complete nuts and made the training standards really strict. He actually did that well.

The rest was a total mess. 

Unhappy players, huge losses, dysfunctional play, really poor skills, captains too young, low membership, a coach who couldn't communicate, etc... I remember emailing the club (1st and only time ever) asking them to give me a reason why I should renew my membership.

On 7/23/2022 at 6:34 PM, Demonstone said:

I would also advise that posters don't use a big word when a singularly unloquacious and diminutive linguistic expression will satisfactorily accomplish the contemporary necessity.

At this stage, I should put my hand up and confess that I sometimes use big words that I don't know the meaning of in an attempt to sound more photosynthesis.

Does my memory serve me correctly, that the first line is a quote of Sir Humphrey from "Yes Minister"?

If yes, I applaud you sir/madam/insert gender neutral word here.

If not I applaud you with a quote from Mr. Edmund Blackadder" "you have my contrafibularities". 

All our play between wing and 35m from goal has lacked strength and power in most games. Fritsch and our midfield have covered over a really poor forward transition game.

We are desperate for a tall forward with presence who can be a definite target. With no TMac, and kicking into that zone possibly as bad as any team (including North and I am not joking by saying that), BBB, Weid. M Brown  haven't been able to physically dominate an area to help our forward effectiveness.

Our inability to stop other teams with momentum after half time is also an issue, but nowhere near as dysfunctional as our hlaf forward play.

How could those 2 Essendon players allow Elliot to mark that? Have a look at Heppell - absolutely furious.

If Essendon lose this my loathing of them will reach new depths. This weekend is killing me.

Apart from our default defensive strategy operating at 70% efficiency or less and some players making uncharacteristic howlers, we are in the same position as last year. We lost a close game to the Doggies and had a few of our weaknesses exposed. As frustrating as this is I just don't get the ranting about this player or that.

With 4 rounds to go, all finals aspirants should be shuffling and sifting towards their best 25 players to shape their finals campaign. For me we need to begin locking in our starting structural set up:

• 2 talls as our F50 spine
• Make the call between Bowey, Rivers or Hunt as our preferred 6th starting defender.
• Move Brayshaw back to the wing so that our starting midfield is Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, Viney, Langdon and Brayshaw.
• In almost every game this year, one (or more) of ANB, Spargo or Kozzie have played really badly. IF one of them is to be dropped, Chandler comes in and he stays in like Bowey did last year. 

So for Dees v Freo

OUT: Tomlinson, Rivers

IN: Lever, Hunt

But apart from the structure and personnel I would like to see the burning angry defensive grunt we saw last year possess every player so no more scores against us over 65 points. 

Great game of footy, great finish. But in reality, I feel  both teams lost it. 

It is sad to see modern defensive strategy now totally dominates, while forward play and in particular kicking, is losing its vitality.

Just now, Demonstone said:

Yep, Harry Beitzel was 3AW.

Hahaha, my bad! It's so long ago now it's all becoming blended.

I remember listening to the footy on those tiny trannies with the single ear piece. Still rather the simplicity of that rather than all the loud music, pop culture waffle and gambling advertising that surrounds the game now. 

12 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

“3KZ is Football”

Wow, where did you pull that from!! Now I can't get Harry Beitzel's unique voice out of my head. 

A cracking game of footy being totally ruined by atrocious F50 field kicking and goal kicking. 

Richmond fans screaming "ball" and "50" every 2 seconds. Entitled, dumb [censored], microwaving  nuff nuffs. 

That mark by Fyffe - breath taking. That's why I admire him - a one touch player. 

Cracking game of footy. A lot of sprinting inside 50 which neither team will be able to maintain for 4 quarters.

Probably best for us if the Tiges win, but I can't barrack for them. I really like the way Freo play and Fyffe is one of my all time favourite players to watch.

We might not be able to afford much, but I would be going after Bruhn. He gets so little attention and media but is a very good footballer. Taranto and Hopper will ask too many $, and Bobby Hill  is too inconsistent.

I would prefer to keep Bedford, but he is too good not be getting a regular game. If a trade to the Bombers is his preferred option, I would definitely be looking for a package deal involving picks, and going all out for Harrison Jones. Yes, still dreaming.

I fair dinkum puked when I saw Nev Jetta put on a Pies polo shirt. If I see Brayshaw in a Bombers top it's going to need 20 Minnesota police officers to restrain my rage and nausea.

Swap him for Harrison Jones. 

Yeah, I know, no chance... but it is nice to dream.

Daisy is so good to listen to. Articulate, accurate and insightful. My brother-in-law can't stand her voice which I just don't get. She is the best thing to happen at the Dees for 20 years (apart from the Premiership of course), the best person to emerge out of the AFLW, and the best thing the channel 7 commentary team have done since Bruce & Dennis were together. 

I also actually like the input of W Carey. It's people like Ling, Ricciuto et al whose special comments are simply to repeat the bleeding obvious we can see on the screen ourselves. 

The head must be protected. Glad it still is.

I hate ducking, dropping and milking head-high free kicks. It's a total blight on the game. I am so glad the "powers that be" are making an effort to eradicate it. 

I have major issues with both Kozzie and Spargo doing it, and although they rarely do it now, it was on display from them both against Port.

But the new rule emphasis is nearly impossible to properly administer. It is a nightmare for umpires, having to rule on intent in the blinking of an eye.  

31 minutes ago, djr said:

And what was Clarry like 2 years ago? Didn't he have the same issues?

Yes, and he fixed them, winning 2 B&F's while doing so. I hope Sparrow also fixes his shortcomings. Currently, he is yet to do so.  

6. Kozzie

5. Viney

4. Petracca

3. Tomlinson

2. Jordon

1. Hibberd

3 hours ago, djr said:

After watching the replay, I'm still baffled by calls for Tom Sparrow to be dropped. He was in everything yesterday, so don't be surprised if he gets coach's votes. Yes, some of his kicks and handballs were misdirected, but no more or less than others. He is a tackling machine which more than makes up for some errand disposals. He's only 22 years old, but he's building a tank that will be elite after another preseason. This kid has the potential to be anything.

Sparrow was my big pre season bolter. I reckon he has massive amount of potential and could be a real beast. He can be a great kick but often isn't. His handballing to a player/situation that brings pressure or causes a turnover is becoming a habit, and his decision making is simply off. For all his effort and possessions, he is a momentum killer at the moment which is ruining the hard work of himself and team mates. I don't think he can be dropped, but he has a fair bit of work to do to in terms of polish and impact.