Demon Dynasty

DL's own 'Dan Does Footy' but well ahead of Dan's time and much more entertaining. Mr Fence should demand some sort of royalty for pinching our man's M.O.

Seriously... no one deserves votes after that horror show. Where was the 'team' ethos, minimum standards and leadership against one of the worst performing teams (in terms of run of losses) ever recorded? Kingy needs to make a pretty big statement at the selection table this week. Bar a few who gave it some sort of crack, that was pure laziness and effort across the board and unacceptable at this level. The drubbing at clearance and contested, especially in the third when the match was on the line, tells the tale. Go hard or go home boys.

Third Quarter Clearances?

Crikey. As i said to bro during the week, "this is our biggest test for the year... we so often drop matches like this coming in as favs". And sure enough here we are. [censored] the bed as favs again and made them look like a top 6 contender. For whatever reason this club is unable to bring a professional 'big' game most weeks and i'm saying this in a cultural/ general sense not looking to put the blame on Kingy as he will need two to three seasons at least. Just when we appear to take a step or two forward we always manage two or three back and so often its when we're playing a badly out-of-form team. Playing them into what seems like 'great form'. Soft underbelly remains. There's a serious trust issue with too many players out there. Some are past their best and some may well be at or near their best but aren't quite up to the challenge at AFL level. Time will tell and its a long season but alot of air was let outta the balloon today.

Windsor kicking to a 2 v 1 I can't see the whole ground but no other options to maintain possession and chain the ball forward?

No there isn't. This club has a long history of too often [censored] the bed when we're favorites. It's an above the shoulders cultural thing now. We've had a consistent penchant for making the worst teams look as if they're likely PF contenders for many decades now far too often. This was our biggest test for the year so far and we failed to perform.

Horror turnover from Lindsay there The Bombers being allowed to play ' their way' for most of this match so far. Man v Man for the rest of this Q or we are a good chance of going 0 - 4 at Gathers

Max going ok but boy, that lazy kick off HB after the free was a doozy and real sloppy. He had player on further up the field also in a much better posi. T-Mac trying hard but struggling No answer for Kakoa when he gets close to goals? Lindsay is ok on the receive but just seems to run and kick in straight lines most of the time without connecting much or looking to change angles. Pretty easy to defend. Players that need to lift... > Rooh > Windsor > Langers > Lingers > Steele (disposal) > Kolt > Melky > Howes > Petty > T-Mac Pressure, pressure, run and desperation!!

Wasn't this his first game back post the knee issue? If so i personally feel this was a stand out performance under that circumstance. Especially given the minor chop out role, the VG pack mark at CHF, the odd incursion in defense and the accuracy in front of the sticks. If this is the 'return' on his first up game then i can't wait to see what levels he might go to once he's back to some sort of base level of fitness should he comtinue on injury free (touch wood) over the next few months.

Thanks to Ghosty & HW. Ghosty this may be the first time you've been ghosted!

'Mid Fielder's Only' Medal

Thanks Wheelo. Significantly more attacking both by hand and foot vs our 2025 version (looking at meters gained by hand & foot) Also ahead of AFL 2026 averages so far.

Yep that's a great point. I also felt he was something of a transition momentum killer in the past few years imv. I also thought he was too conservative with his kicks (mich of 24 & 25), which were mostly 15 - 25 meter round the back/ laterals. So far this season he also appears to have brought back a level of physicality in his general play, especially with tackles and contested loose ball stuff.

The body's spot on. The mind seems willing. He loves a run with role but has a huge tank that allows him to damage the other way. That last part plus the drive, second efforts and composure under pressure, especially his ability / agility to weave his way through congestion to find and get the ball towards outlets, has gone to a somewhat higher level vs the Saints so far for mine. Having said that i do recall a few games with the Saints where he was also outstanding. Emphasis on 'till now' as we obviously only have a few games to go on. Fingers & toes crossed he can bring this consistently as he'll be a huge bonus. Especially with Vines on the sidelines.

Still a rookie. Kept his clangers down to a bare minimum (2). 5 intercepts, 4 one percenters, no turnovers @ 100% DE and 80% game time. Solid as today. Back of shoulder pressure was great. Played the percentages without trying to thread too many needles and bite off more than he can chew with disposals, which he's sometimes been guilty of in the past. Starting to ratchet up his smarts, finish, decision making, tank on the rebound run and 2nd efforts at ground level. Really looking forward to seeing him develope and add a few more strings as the year unfolds.

Gonna be a beaut

I went ... Ran into a dingbat over officious power tripping security guard on the gate. And for the first time in 56 years wasn't allowed in after i simply asked him to calm the farm and not be so aggressive. But i'll take the win entry or no entry and this agro from a contracted security firm simply reinforces my reasons for rarely going to games anymore. What a beauty particularly that third quarter. This was a great team effort from all. Loved how Kingy threw Petty up forward late. He did pretty well down back but also held his own up forward. Steele, Koz, Sharp, Chin & Maxy were on fire for much of the match. Aided by so many great assists. Loved Vinyl's (LPickett) 2nd half where he really got involved and stood up in some key moments. Kolt probably had his best game in the red & blue. Just needs to keep building his tank to get to a few more contests, close down on opponent a tad quiicker and work on his HB. The snake's speckieee & goal. Mihocek's steadiness and strength early. The instinctive daring footy, the vision, the tap ons, the coolness in a crisis and the ability to shift up or down a gear as needed and recognise when to go or slow. The list goes on. The only blight on the game, apart from the silly security, was 22 who still appears to have us in the gun after all these years. Lid still firmly on but exciting stuff so far from Kingy & the boys 💪🏼👏🏻

I think that's something like 6 frees in a row for the Hawks and three of their last four goals came from frees.

He's kind of a utility and i guess most player's are expected to be able to play a number of roles as they gain experience. But by his own admission, during his last couple of years under Simon he wasn't sure what role / position he was playing from week to week. And it showed. He seems to look more at home once he goes into the middle and might be exactly the first use / extractor or extra inside mid we need, alongside Steele. Especially while Vines is out. King will need a season or so to sort all that out of course. Or maybe less time if today's second half is anything to go by.

Amazing come back. I have to eat my hat. 40 odd points down and playing like donkeys (bar a couple) and the boys found something. I figured we were goneski. Lead by Koz after a HT chat from King. What did he say i wonder "clean up your disposal and we're in this!" And Maxy of course. Hats off to Sharp who i thought showed the way in the 1st Q plus and persisted with his live wire efforts and pace throughout the match. Big Maxy amazing through the middle after Q time with assists from Steele, Koz & Spaz, who i thought found his mojo after he was moved there from about half way through the 2nd. The concerns from this game for mine... The lack of composure early, especially through the middle and just in general. The fumbles, missed targets and constant down the line kicking in the first half. Petty who was way off the pace the entire match. Turner a no brainer for him imv. Rooh, who improved after HT but was mostly ineffective for the second week running. Is it too early to start blooding Heath in this position in the short term. He may not last given he doesn't have the tank but for a few matches here and there he could give us and Max a genuine chop out ruck and a tall resting ruck up forward who can get the ball to ground for our smalls. Lindsay, shows signs at times but in the next breath looks completely lost. To be expected from a young inexperienced fella but surely Rivers is an option here playing a similar role? Kentfield will hopefully recover quickly and get going for a potential entre' at some point this season. We need a third medium - tall target to straighten us up and hit the scoreboard occasionally. Speaking of which, Melk would also be handy off the bench here if he gets over his niggles and comes into some good form via Casey. Greatest come back win since 2021 and super way to celebrate the 250 double!

Spread and hit up. Defend this lead

Kozzy BOG since HT

Stone the [censored] crows!

Wowee Umps on a roll!

Don't kick to him Rick.... put it out in front to run onto