PaulR

I though Jesse looked over weight and underdone fitness wise, so it appears GWS/Jesse seem to have rolled the dice coming in as soon as he did. Calf injury is possibly a let off. Hope they can get him fully fit over the off season.

A while back, Mark Williams was very effusive about Sam, comparing him with Warren Tredrea. Was curious from that point to see what Mark could see in Weid, and when it would be evident to the rest of us. Hoping he was spot on, and Sam makes his move and flourishs over the coming weeks and months. Didn’t mind his first game, and with TMac, Jackson, Fritch and Gawn lurking should get opportunities to shine. We will have a fearsome forward line when it clicks.

Gone a little bit under the radar, but how good is this kid, that in his second season he’s straight back in, pushing out seasoned players (Ben Brown or Weid), and no one raises an eye-brow. Mind blowing how far this young man could go in this game...

Like to see our boys come out and play will full intensity and intent for four quarters, irrespective of what the Blues bring. Do that, and we'll win (easily) and hone the skill we'll need against the bigger boys later in the year. Dees by 50+ Go Demons

I’d have predicted we were far worse in that period... so sad for them. ?

Not wanting to derail your thread Hutchy... but I’m more interested in the question - How early is too early to sing the song (our song, A Grand Old Flag)? I sit with a rabid singer, and we love going early when we’re up in the last with a Chorus or two of it’s a grand ol flag, to bring the boys home with. But some, MFC supporters around us will look at us like we’re insane, inviting defeat or embarrassing ourselves (all valid possibilities). Sometimes others join in, and it feels really good... in as far as singing traditions to be established, this “the early singing of the club song” gets my vote. thoughts?

Shrek is an Ogre, not a troll. ?

Look at the ladder... No# 1 team in the comp Vs No# 13 team in the comp... should be a clear win to the No# 1 team, as it usually is. The weird thing, is that we're the No# 1 Team... 50+ Go Demons

Our recruiting in both draft and trade has been exceptional with few errors, and to a deliberate plan, player types and competitive mindsets. Tomlinson Langdon May Lever Brown all pieces in a deliberate build of a finals worth team, all good pick ups and good blokes. Only Harley Bennell was a fail, and it was a worthwhile low cost gamble. Jackson Pickett Rivers From 2019 draft was like drawing three aces from a deck of cards, all now being walk up best 22 with big futures. Lots of reasons, lots of work and a bit of luck has gone into building this team to where they are today (capable of winning it), and it’s encouraging as we’ll need more to win a flag. here’s hoping... ???

TMac is up and about, playing with focus and aggression for ball and opposition, Weideman should be taking note, and upping his agro accordingly, as he's struggled to produce that level of intent for 4 quarters consistently in his career. i.e. learn to play angry.

I'd be having this conversation at the Bye, when ideally we are sitting 12-14 wins and can clearly plan into finals (and holding a top 2 spot) without the prospect of it going sideways. Until then it's play our best 22 each week, and win them all. Surreal position for us to be in. Go Demons

I love that the media folk are also supporters, makes them human and more interesting. much as Gary Lyon can annoy me, I love it when he’s talking passionately about what’s working for Melbourne and is genuinely excited. footy media are fans and fanatics first and while they try to be level headed and objective, they are fans...

On that logic (and I don’t disagree), it was Mark Neeld that is the root cause of our current high..!? ?

Demonology anonymous... and who were you???

I agree, but I’d still like the club to table what appears to be a reportable incident behind play, that there is vision of, for the MRC and AFL to consider. oppositions have targeted Max and Fritta recently in this manner and its bs.

I’d like us to add to our defence, that Having just been decked behind play (by Bonar - show vision) without the protection of the umpires, Bailey concluded he was a) going to be hurt by the North players intent not to simply tackle but to hurt/injure, and b) needed to fend off the player before another attempt was made and him being injured further. I recognise it is a poor argument, but Bailey was well within his rights to believe North were out to target and hurt him, and do his best to protect himself.

For Dees fans we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. ?

Not disagreeing, but how did the same criteria not result in Hawkins getting a week?

When does the MRC spin their wheel?

... and don’t call me Shirley!

Petty would be my preference, simply because he’s trained all preseason with the defensive unit, and deserves a crack. TMac has been good forward and ok pitch hitting down back, I’d leave him further up the ground.

Bag of [censored] Geelong... Love the Swannies

Great team, and a tough decision to drop Nathan. Much as I was keen for Jones to be celebrated last week, swapping him out for Brown and keeping good delivery in Melksham makes us a much better team. Nathans future is in the hands of the footy gods now, and he’ll always get my appreciation and respect. Ruthless decision and a sure way to ensure no complacency creeps into our boys work tomorrow. Go demons.

If Lever and May went down, you would have Petty replace Lever and have Tomlinson roll into Mays role, Hibbard play last line ( in Tomlinson’s spot) and bring in Jetta as well as Petty... ... before you’d have TMac go to the backline again. Take him too long to relearn their system.