La Dee-vina Comedia

Bate showed us enough yesterday to suggest he might be able to do a Jobe Watson and be a slow but more than handy on-baller. (I stress "might".) I would give him a chance to do so but he (and Moloney and Trengove) need some help! Our midfield has been poor all year with great service from our ruckmen but an inability to maximise their opportunities. We need to draft and/or trade for pacy midfielders. And Bate shocked me yesterday. I'm sure I saw him kick with his right foot at least twice. If he can improve on his right side, he might actually become valuable.

No, we live in Demon-La-La-Land

Where in that article does it say Todd Viney wants to coach? Rather, it suggests that Viney expects to be interviewed. To me, that's not the same thing. I know I've been interviewed for a job I didn't want (and got offered it, too, although I subsequently refused) because it was politically expedient to go through the process. Yes, he may want to be the next coach. But the article doesn't actually say that.

I don't think this is 100% correct. My recollection is that Robert Walls "invented" the huddle with the idea that players would break left or right - but with a designated player to be the target. Other players in the huddle would try to block the opposition to give the designated player a break sufficient enough for him to run into space to be an easy and clear target. It was successful for a while until coaches worked out a tactic to overcome it...which is that players stand in fixed positions (the zone) rather than trying to play man on man. Because of the zone defence, there is no space for the designated runner to run into. And therein becomes the death of the huddle. Which will happen to us if we keep using it. Moral of the story: Have more than one set play for kicking out (kicking in?) but make sure the players know which one they are using each time.

You'd have to assume the Footy Department had doubts about Martin late last year, too. Why else rookie Robbie Campbell. Insurance we thankfully didn't need to use.

The journo might turn out to be correct, but there is nothing in The Age story which is watertight confirmation that Ward will leave. It is more prediction masquerading as "in the know" because "sources" have said it's true. Until Ward, his Manager, the Bulldogs or GWS actually announce that it's happening, everything else is merely prognostication - which sort of rhymes with another word meaning the journo has got his hand on it. For what it's worth, I think he will go to GWS - but I'm not claiming that I have any inside information or "sources" telling me anything.

Interesting, albeit confusing posts (he's contracted to end 2012 v he'll be gone at the end of the season). I'm not sure if it's been suggested elsewhere, but the debate seems to suggest Bate, Howe and Petterd are competing for one or two spots in the forward line. We've seen Petterd have a go in the midfield (which I like) but could Howe? Unlike Bate, he has speed and agility. And I don't think it's bigger bodies we need in the midfield. I think we lack leg speed and clean hands.

Meaning? So for MFC would that be kids born in postcode 3000?

Interesting that 5 posters have listed their team and each has included Scully without commenting about whether he'll be available or not. Blind faith? Optimism?

He's going to need to buy a professional grade, heavy duty GPS to get from Bondi to GWS. Probably better not to have one of those ones stuck to the windscreen. Would last 5 minutes in a parked car in western Sydney.

I think Sam Blease has him covered.

I like Bennell but want him to impose himself on games more. He's quick...which means his cousin is really, really quick because JB couldn't catch him on the burst.

Seriously? So, who would GWS have? or Port Adelaide? or Melbourne, for that matter.

6. Garland 5. Blease 4. Jamar (sigh...all that ruck domination and most of it wasted) 3. Moloney 2. Jones 1. McDonald And no votes from me, but the skipper did what he should do every week. Well done, BG.

What feud? And if Glenn Archer and Wayne Carey can get over theirs which was presumably more recent, surely any feud between Lyon and Viney can be overcome. In fact, I'll take a punt that there isn't and never was one.

I've been away so didn't see the game. But it's worth saying that a sacking of a coach mid-year must affect a club. It affects any other business when the CEO gets the chop (or just chooses to retire) so why should a football team be any different? In the case of Adelaide it seems it might have released some negative pressure which restricted the players' ability to enjoy the game or play with freedom. For us, perhaps it's just the other way round. With a team bereft of leadership among senior players it's hardly surprising to me that the loss of the coach has resulted in an apparent lack of direction. On the upside, 2012 will bring a new coach with a new attitude and gameplan (and, hopefully, a better understanding about fitness - I'm convinced our team is not as fit as others). Generally speaking, the same players will be there as now and they are the same players who showed they could play well at times during 2011. So, enough of the despair and let's look forward to a re-invigorated team next year.

Is anyone else concerned that there has been no official announcement? It's been quite some time since the sponsorship was mooted. I'd hate to think all this conjecture is for naught.

To be fair, Jones and Bartram (in my view) are each better than Ward and Godfrey respectively. Having said that, neither is particularly good. Great endeavour, poor skill execution.

And your Mark Williamses.

As a matter of interest, how has the Demonland voting compared with the B&F voting in previous years? Do Demonlander's get it more right more often?

Really? Hasn't Tom McDonald been named on the bench previously and not played? If so, I guess that makes him part of the 0.0022%

Less holistic? I'm not sure I understand what you mean here.

Is there some doubt about Jamar? The only point I can see in picking all of Gawn, Jamar and Martin is that the Russian may be a late withdrawal. Personally, I'd like to see Morton play and be on the ball - basically a straight swap for Gysberts. Pretty similar physiques, too. I presmue McKenzie and Petterd play, so I suspect the final choice for the bench is a small to replace Strauss. So for me it's between Blease and Nicholson. I like what I've seen from Nicholson so far, but surely it's time for Blease to get a full game.

You may care to re-word. Sounds like a suggestion that WCE should thrash us this coming weekend as some form of support for the removal of our former coach. I'll assume it's not what you meant. (Although perhaps you meant that we, as supporters, should get the whipping!)

And Matthews was a successful coach (at two clubs) and Ayres wasn't (at two clubs).