Colesy

I'm not going to get into a spat over this. I simply raised a series of news, issues or even sadness (which I did mention) that have surrounded the club in recent times. Of course Stynes passing was not a negative. Are you for real in thinking that I would even suggest that? To sum up the ENTIRE list as 'negative' was probably a poor choice of word. But most of them are...or at least not a good thing for the club. There a lot of areas that have been unavoidable and areas that we have handled very well. The Dees may lose like they did on the weekend (and have many times before), but I tell you what.....come Monday, I am always looking forward to the very next game. The whole week is then spent glancing over these damn forums, waiting for the teams on Thursday, watching endless replays of the past game, etc. etc. etc. Forever a Demon.

Can it get any worse for our club? I can't believe the growing amount of issues, news, sadness that is seemingly sending the club towards self-destruction. Hate to raise all the negatives, but this is my list of recent events: Stynes passing Poor on-field performance Criticised game plan Racism rumours involving Neeld Racism/Dumping of Energy Watch Jurrah Machete Sylvia Car Accident Moloney Bar Incident Senior players dropped from Leadership Group Senior player performance Green captaincy criticism and subsequent sacking Trengove/Grimes captaincy criticism Garry Lyon criticised over short term role Scully Departure Bailey Sacking Schwab/Connelly issues around the Geelong loss time The Geelong 186 Loss Reports Neeld has lost the players Neeld post match press conference criticism James McDonald exit Bruce exit Tanking Recruitment scrutiny Watts high level scrutiny Clark overpaid suggestions Wona departure Low Membership Players apparently worked too hard over pre-season On-field jumper presentation criticism Blease missing team meeting Bruise Free footy last year ????? ?????

Ha...oops. At least I didn't spell Blease...Bleeze. Or Petterd...Pettard!

Out: Blease Rivers Green Davey In: Bennell Sellar Couch Petterd B: Bartram Frawley Garland HB: Grimes Sellar MacDonald C: Trengove Magner Bail HF: Watts Martin Petterd F: Howe Clark Bennell R: Jamar McKenzie Jones I: Couch Bate Moloney S: Tynan MacDonald survives, only because of the WC forwards. Prefer him over Rivers at the moment, despite the fumbles. Can't drop Bate after 1qtr Bennell back to the fwd line. Reckon he can be more damaging up there with his 6-7 possessions. Petterd (if fit) can join him to replace Blease and Davey who have continually failed in the crumbing role. Had enough of Green. Reluctant to drop the reigning b&f after one round. Can start on the pine. Despite the changes, very worried about the one dimensional midfield and lack of run down back. Tom McDonald and Morton are very close to selection and Strauss and Tapscott prob need another Casey game under their belt. There ain't too many options at the moment. Depth is extremely weak.

Col just on OneHD, thinks he realistically could be back by Round 3. Is ahead of schedule.

Strauss was lucky not to have busted his face after that hit. I'm happy it's just concussion, but yes, the boy has been unlucky. Once he cleans up his defensive skills and gets on the park regularly, young James will be a weapon. Looking forward to seeing Williams, but Taggert's back at such a young age is worrying.

B: Bartram Frawley Rivers HB: Bennell Sellar Garland C: Trengove Maloney Blease HF: Watts Martin Davey F: Petterd Clark Green R: Jamar Jones Magner I/C: Howe McKenzie Gysberts S: Dunn Grimes, Tapscott not ready/fit Bail/Nicholson - haven't quite done enough Bate/Couch squeezed out. Got enough slowish mids. Tynan - like him, but not quite ready Personally, I don't like Frawley, Garland, Rivers & Sellar in the same side, but I think that's the way they'll go.

The decision to cut Junior (at the time), was the right one. He's body was beginning to fail him and I was worried about him pushing on again. In addition, his departure meant an extra spot on the veterans list which was supposed to be for Cam Bruce. However, obviously Cam decided to walk and had we known that before, Junior may have retained his place. Easy to say we should've retained Junior after playing one good game following a year off AFL. However, I just wish we knew Cam Bruce was going to be a nob a little sooner.

Strauss copped an albow to the face. Lay on the turf for a couple of mins before walking off dazed. He didn't return to the field, so hope it's nothing more than minor concussion. Mark Neeld left the balcony immediately to join him in the rooms. Watts came off the ground with about 4-5 mins to go with what looked like some minor knee soreness. The doctor was checking him over but I don't think it's anything to worry about. Started the game on the wing and moved forward before half time. Got better and better as the game went on. Was involved in a lot of the forward plays and finished with a couple of goals and a handful of assists. Loved watchin Tappy out there. Couple of big hits/tackles as you'd come to expect and spent most of the time around half forward. Had plenty of bench time but played the game out. 2 goals and can tell has trimmed down a little similar to Jonesy. Morton, not a lot to cheer about. Still frustrates me how long he takes to put boot to ball. Was involved now and then but nothing special. After a slowish pre season, Gys looked good tonight I thought. Defintely Knows how to find the ball around the stoppages. Didn't get a great look at Grimes as I spent most of the night switching ends to be around the forward 50. Played the game out but like Tappy, had a fair amount of bench time. First VFL game and didn't mind headin out to Casey. A bit chilly, but a good atmosphere and a good contest. You could feel the crowd hanging onto every Watts moment. Should play round 1.