Maldonboy38

At last I can stop checking Demonland every 20 mins and get some work done. This signing means a few things to me: 1. Strong leadership during games at important hinge/momentum times, something we lacked in so many games during Roos era. 2. Josh Mahoney and crew - a pay rise, a free case of Australia's best Shiraz, and a new contract until 2026. 3. Lewis does not solve every list issue we have, but it is an incredible boost. 4. I am not a fan of "destination club" thinking, but he had a choice of 17 others so that says a lot about how other teams see us. 5. Personally, I could not stand Lewis' onfield demeanour as a footballer, despising his thuggery and bullying. Something tells me I am now going to love it coming from a Dees jumper. 6. This will be the longest pre-season ever.

I don't want to take anything away from Clarkson because he has revolutionised coaching like other greats have done in the past, but it really looks like the presence of Fagan is being sorely missed. Hawthorn have not made these kinds of player and planning errors in a decade or more. Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere and I missed it but this is lookong so much like Brisbane in Voss' first or second year. An absolute operational basket case. And I am so glad it is not us.

The weekend could not have come at a worse time. It allows for an extended re-thinking time for Lewis who may reflect on just how good the green grass has been at Hawthorn, and decide to stay. The longer the time lapse on Monday befofe we hear a decision, the more likley he is to be staying at the Hawks.

I have to admit to despising Lewis as a footballer. He always came across as one of those pointing people, always pointing here and there for other players to do stuff. And his thuggery was often blatant, intentional and game changing. However, when he speaks to the media I really like listneing to what he says. He seems to understand all the nuances of what makes indivodual players tick, and was very team-oriented. I actually don't believe we need to import leaders from other clubs anymore, as we did with Daniel Cross which was a true masterstroke. What we need is a major progression from our younger guns like Petracca, Hogan, Hunt, Stretch, Oliver etc... But I have a deep down gut-feeling that Lewis would be a great addition, and would bring steadiness and leadership in game changing moments; something we have lacked terribly. I can't believe I am in favour of him coming to our club but it just feels really... right.

Enright is an absolute gun and in the best 10 backmen I have seen. But that does not immediately transfer over to coaching. We hear a lot about the natural influence/coaching attitude of people like Stevie Johnson and Sam Mitchell but I have not heard this talk at all, ever, about Enright. But we have more coaches than a Bendigo to Melbourne VLine train advertising free beer. Enough already.

The Mitchell to WCE sounds like it has been discussed and orchestrared behind the scenes, over a long period of time, and completed without media leaks or hype. I hate the Hawks for their success but this hs been handled brilliantly. However, knowing I am old fashioned now, the idea of moving on a decorated player, 5 time club champion and ex-captain just feels wrong. Even though I know Grimes' time at MFC is over, it felt similar, and he is not in the same ballpark as Mitchell in terms of ability and success. Why can't Mitchell stay at his club, take a pay cut similar to what he would get at WCE, and begin his assistant coaching career at Hawthorn? He can experience another club later. People ARE culture - and Mitchell moving on like this means business triumphs over culture.

This is exactly where I sit, Wiseblood. Our potential for 2017 is as high as it has been since the beginning of the Balme/Daniher era but it has yet to transfer over into consistent finals-worthy football. When we play at our peak we look brilliant. When we relax into mental lethargy we get the Carlton, Essendon and St. Kilda games. The difference now is that behind the playong list we have a fully functional, professional club that can operate quietly and efficiently, while making the main focus football and not survivial etc... Our coaching panel looks very strong, our list looks exciting, so the stage is set and all the players are in place. But I will continue to hold the pencil in my hand and not the pen for a little while yet. I see 13 wins, a few ridiculous losses, and we win one final.

There is a definite and specific place in our starting 22 for Pedo. He starts on the bench and rotates on the ground to relieve Gawn and Hogan when they need to rest. This rotation also may include Watts or OMac if required. He is a regular swing-man who does a lot of gut running and grunt work that does not transfer into possessions and stats. He will give you 5 brilliant games, 12 or so "played his role" games and 5 howlers each year. Great to see him with one more year.

Yep. In terms of leadership and influence, one person can immediately and personally impact 8-10 people, so the numbers stack up.

I am not a fan of huge coaching groups, and hopefully we will see a day when there are only five: head coach, development coach, forward, mids, backs. I understand the need for an older mature head but I can't understand why that can't be the devlopment coach. From my limited insight gained only from reading various things, Chaplin is respected and has always been touted as a coach, I am just unconvinced we need to pay someone good coin to coordinate the forwards, alongside the forward coach. Maybe his role includes a new emphasais on sledging - so when our boys have a go at a galumphing dick like Brendon Goddard or Heath Shaw, it will be pre-organsied and really effective.

I am a big fan of De Boer but wonder how he would fit onto our list. He seems to be a nuts-and-bolts type player with no stand out skill. Great team player though. I don't know too much about Hannath as a forward - can anyone enlighten?

Being a Demonlander sometimes feels like marriage; brilliant, frustrating, maddening, enlightening, cryptic, critical, sharing, interrogating, harmony and disunity all in the one place. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks Demonland community for all the trash and treasure that flows in you, and through you, to little old me. Thanks to the Demonland functionaries - your work is muchly appreciated.

He is an upgrade over Newton Michie etc... but surely not our highest priority. His best is very quick, very strong and very good.

We saw our own blueprint emerge this year. Very defensive around stoppages, accompanied by risk and adventure off half back, and strong use of the corridor. The forward set up that recieves from this allows for lots of different kind of goals. I am not a fan of "copying" anyone. The Hawks built their game plan around their cattle. Bulldogs did the same. Sydney did the same. Someone above mentioned fluidity - our basic game plan has variations on how we move the ball towards Hogan, Weideman and Watts; or Weideman, Joel Smith and Hulett etc... because their strengths are different. But around stoppages and halfback we rey and be predictable for each other.

A lot of things changed today. The pre-finals bye makes the GF accessible by the entire top 8. The old days of the coach being separated from the players was dying but was put to the sword today - Beveridge relates to the players as players, and embraces the emotional part of the game. You do not need a star to win a flag - you need sacrificial team footy. Cometti retires so commentary becomes less exciting and articulate.

Tom Boyd was immense in the second 0nd half. Earnt nis salary big time. Boyd, Johannisen and Picken were really good as were Rampe, Kennedy and Grundy for the Swans.

Tight and hard with no free space, and no time for elite skills. Buddy being managed really well by Bulldogs defence, and midfield battle even. If the Dogbies can stop bombing it in long, and work it into their forward 50, they have a better chance. Morris from Bulldogs and Grundy from Swans both outstanding in the first quarter.

Along with many, I would love to see the Doggies win after years in the success-wilderness. But the soppy, midday telemovie Bulldogs hype, and the absence of any genuine reporting on the Swannies over GF week in Victoria, are beginning to make me lean towards the Swannies. I reckon the Swans in front by 25 points at quarter time, the Dogs come back to within a goal by 3/4 time, then the Swannies to win by 30. Rampey for Norm Smith, Swans small forwards to be the main influence in their win.

I too grew up near Princes Park Caulfield, and remember the old grandstand. There was a hole in the wire fences on the north side and all us kids would sneak in free of charge. Dad would come through teh main gate, leave us to our own and go off for a few beers. We moved to the country when I was ten and when I came back to work nearby in 2008 I was saddened to see the old grandstand gone. I also remember watching the VFA footy on channel 0 on a Sunday, with Clem Dimsey commentating with the biggest microphone you have ever seen.

Yeah, I know, just makes me feel sad for Grimes who I greatly respected. We burnt a lot of potential footballers from 2008 - 2014 and at times Grimes rose above all the junk and represented the Dees with dignity and strength.

I know that Jack Grimes' limitations as a footballer made his time at the Dees over. But to see "delisted" next to his name just feels wrong to me. For an ex Captain who gave his all during those horrible years I wonder if there was a more dignified way to help him exit. Feels a little bit North Mebourne-ish and clumsy.

My goodness he was a good footballer. Him and Alan Johnson.

I love GF week and enjoy the Brownlow a lot. The fact that it is umpire driven means it by bypasses all the horrendous media overstating crap, and gives us the FAIREST and best, or at least it is meant to. The awkward interviews require the mute button, but I love the plays, marks and goals of the year and all the round highlights. But I detest with a passion the red carpet stuff. Meaningles questions asked by inarticulate ex-footballers whose only reason they are chosen as the interviewer is how good looking they think they are, how ridiculously blokey they can be without ogling, accompanied by stick-thin mannequins whose spray tans are so overdone they look like sunburnt ents. Dangerfield should walk it in. Viney or Tyson will lead our count. Jack Stevens from the Saints as a somkey.

Great result. Cannot believe how loud I was getting riding the Doggies home. I love the Swannies, but will be barracking loud for a Doggies win next weekend. At last, a GF with someone to really barrack for. And I am so relieved Scully is not playing in a GF. Seeing him moutning off, getting loose balls on the outside, and palying for that horrible synthetic GWS.

I llve watching Gary Rohan play. Stunning game from him tonight.