Demon Dynasty

Yes partly this ...we did have two in Hunt & Baker but alas. This list does look pretty ploddy by foot now. Yes i know....the ball moves quicker in the air. But it ain't going anywhere unless you can break away from your opponent first, which then allows you to finish off the work in the chain and / or take a decent crack at the goals.

Short term.... Mids Amature view but FWIW.... Only one effective first use extractor in the last few weeks. That's Viney. With some assists from Max. The odd extraction from Grundy, Jordan with super rare ones from part timers like Kozzy & Gus. If the first two aren't firing we are toast at CBs. The oppo just need to shut Viney down for two quarters or so and any average midfield (or better) are either easily matching us or the better teams are beating us up. Stick Grundy in the middle and Viney's ability to extract goes down even further. Clarry used to be a gun here (previous two seasons). Not so sure so far this season (first use extraction at CBs). If i'm the line coach / coach i'd be sitting down with Clazz and asking a few questions on this as to why this part of his game has dropped away substantially the last 3 matches or so. Maybe the hammy was twinging a tad in the lead up to it going? Who knows. Regardless a short term solution here might be to 1. Get Clarry back to 2021/22 best asap. Recovery obviously crucial here. 2. Get Dunstan back to full fit and straight into the guts to assist Viney, Max and hopefully Clarry can also find his mojo here again. 3. Rivers on a short term trial (2 to 3 matches) to see what he can bring with clearance work on the outside 4. Woe in for Spargo .... as per Rivers above.... see if he can offer something as a clearance option. Core midfield group Group A: Max, Viney, Tracc & Sparrow (assuming we can fix his recent extraction absence). Group B: Max or Grundy, Dunstan, Clarry (clearance more than extraction) Sparrow & Jordon Group C: Max or Grundy, Dunstan, Tracc, Rivers (or Woe off the bench) Forwards Need a tall leading forward to draw the oppo's tallest/best defender from JVR. Not sure Macca is the answer as he appears to have lost a yard on the lead and struggling here. Probably go for BBB to ensure the oppo sends their no.1 defender. Benny will at least get the ball to ground and draw frees even if he doesn't mark all that often. Lastly maybe consider bringing in Joel Smith to replace Chandler and offer a medium tall mobile leading forward to compliment BBB, leading to the opposite flank.

He did land on it at one point and got up slowly. Seemed to shake it off as he got up though. Reaction was similar to that of a minor stinger.

Call me crazy but i've been wondering do we roll the die this week and rest big Maxy in prep for KB? Freshen him up, get him super primed and ready to rumble on the big stage. Just run with Grundy mostly in ruck with a few chop outs from Rooh at CBs & forward 50 stoppages. He will also get the buy after to freshen up for a big tilt at the 2nd half of season.

Ratings to Rnd 11, 2023 vs H&A Season 2022 Average Team Rating drops below season 2022 for the first time Player 2023 Rating 2023 Rank 2022 Rating % Change vs 2022 2022 Rank Change in Rank vs 2022 C Oliver 5.285 1 5.320 -0.66 1 0 C Petracca 4.836 2 4.456 8.53 2 0 A Brayshaw 3.745 3 3.839 -2.45 5 2 T Rivers 3.736 4 2.423 54.19 18 14 J Jordon > 3.641 5 3.164 15.08 9 4 Jack Viney 3.480 6 3.971 -12.36 3 -3 Steven May 3.242 7 3.971 -18.36 3 -4 A Tomlinson 3.233 8 2.079 55.51 22 14 T Sparrow 3.128 9 2.665 17.37 16 7 L Hunter 3.105 10 - - - - Ed Langdon 3.039 11 3.109 -2.25 11 0 Jake Bowey 3.027 12 2.856 5.99 13 1 J Harmes 3.001 13 3.082 -2.63 12 -1 B Grundy # 2.907 14 - - - - Jake Lever 2.890 15 2.703 6.92 14 -1 Max Gawn # < 2.875 16 3.215 -10.58 8 -8 M Hibberd 2.865 17 2.613 9.64 17 0 Alex N-Bullen 2.791 18 2.688 3.83 15 -3 K Pickett 2.731 19 2.118 28.94 21 2 C Salem 2.725 20 3.363 -18.97 7 -13 K Chandler < 2.505 21 - - - - H Petty # 2.418 22 2.392 1.09 19 -3 J V Rooyen # 2.192 23 - - - - Judd McVee 2.173 24 - - - - B Fritsch 2.148 25 1.936 10.95 27 2 T McDonald # 2.038 26 1.939 5.11 26 0 Ben Brown # < 2.033 27 1.759 15.58 29 2 C Spargo 1.934 28 1.981 -2.37 24 -4 J Melksham > 1.437 29 1.947 -26.19 25 -4 B Laurie < * 1.300 30 - - - - D Turner * 1.075 31 - - - - Team Rating 65.90 68.89 -4.34 * Played less than two full matches (in total) - player rating compromised # Hit outs to advantage not counted < Subbed Out at least once or more > Subbed In at least once or more Stats courtesy of footwire.com

In the last CB (or maybe second last) y'day we set-up with all forwards deep around the goals in an attempt to isolate whoever was placed at CHF and the goals. I would have thought we'd have Macca or JVR (or someone solid and tallish...Grundy/May, even Lever) at CHF with a crumber somewhere nearby eg; within about 5 meters. Instead we isolated and unleashed the towering Harmes at CHF. Everything was going to plan at the bounce, we extracted the ball and somehow managed to lollipop it on top of Harmes's head.... and errr... well that's where our cunning plan ended. (In a ball up stoppage if i'm correct!?).

100% needs fixing this week. If Goody doesn't act here with Disco or Tomo (& eventually Petty on his return vs taller oppo forward set ups) we will absolutely struggle on Friday and beyond imho and may end up losing 5 on the trot. Not only are we losing Lever's best in terms of intercept king down back, he just isn't that good 1 v 1 as you say. It's a double edged rolled gold win to the oppo. I haven't taken enough notice of Shack in defence to answer either way on the first part Sydee. No idea. Maybe someone else who's seen a fair bit of him at the Dogs in this role? Possibly yes.

That about sums things up as to where he's at right now Sydee. Physicality needs another pre-season or two (minimum) to start clunking the odd pack mark. More comfortable out wide and higher up offering options through the middle / around the arc etc. That also could be what's being asked by the Coach for him right now? Showing promise and a few nice involvements but very early days. No doubt the old saying with taller blokes also applies here.

Just on Schache... Appeared to go from boiled lollies in the 1st half to chocolates in the second. Alot more involved. Some clever work in the middle also. Presented nicely on a few occasions. Not sure what triggered this. Maybe some extra time in the middle/higher up the ground? If anything Casey are probably one tall too many with Joel, Shack & BBB running around. Hence you don't see any one of them in particular dominate the scoreboard all that often.

He's fine imho and on track. Just lacks the physicality. Another pre-season so he can hold his feet / positioning in a contest. Showing signs but does get brushed aside a bit too easy ....for now, and loses his feet a bit too often. Similarities to the Duke if he does add the physicality and works his butt off in the off season! Could be the tall mobile forward many on here are screaming for!

P.S. Disco, Sestan, Woe (along with Joel* & Melk*) should be elevated (if they aren't already) into training with the seniors from here. Need to send a message. "Keep pushing...on the right track and not that far off!" Also sends a message to those they're competing for spots with. *pretty sure they already do from my odd training attendance...Kev?

Casey are really missing Moose and remember that many players who played last season (and even this one) have either moved on, injured or now playing AFL.... Chandler, Baker, JVR, Dunstan, Weid, Mitch Brown & Bedford. Reckon we did ok without Dunstan & Moose. And while this most likely wasn't the difference, the umps did pay some insanely rediculous 'hand-of-god' frees on at least 3 to 4 occasions which helped keep Werribee within touch and pushed them ahead at times. If you need any convincing of this check out the holding the ball against Woe straight in front of their goals early in the 4th. Was literally tackled as soon as he took possession and taken to ground /sat on. Ventured to try and handball it but no way he had any prior. The other must see miracle free was at the 17 minute mark of the last against Roan Steele. He tracked the ball from a Werribee kick off HB through the middle, picked up, turned on a tight arc quickly to boot the ball back into our 50 or find a target. Slipped over, got straight back up (no oppo touched him and if they did it was a finger tip trip anyway) and the ump paid HTB!!!!

Yes at times as high as HB. Joel played mostly stay-at-home and BB obviously the roaming relief down the line. Both played their roles well. Joel held his positioning and presented well with good timing on the lead on a few occasions. Maybe didn't do enough for AFL call up but things can also improve your own performance at AFL level as you're sometimes getting more service... although maybe not that clean with us at present! BB was involved in quite a bit and played his role (assiming that's what was asked) very well. Melksham also had a solid game without setting the world on fire. It should be noted that their opportunities were limited with much of the delivery coming in dirty under pressure. My view after watching this match was that we couldn't do any worse with BBB & Joel in for JVR (managed/rested) and Macca (out). I also think Melk is in better form than Chandler / Spargo at this point and we would probably see at least a goal or two extra scored with him in the team coming off the bench or as sub. Obviously not a long term option but couldn't play much worse than the aforementioned. Both added nothing yesterday.

Turner was solid enough without setting the world on fire. Held his own and didn't do alot wrong vs a pretty star stacked forward line (for VFL). Most of his positioning, body work without ball and decisions with it are hard to fault. Reads the play beautifully. Would i bring him in to free up Lever? Would depend on the height of the oppo's 2nd tall. Yes if ok...otherwise Tomlinson till Petty returns. Tomlinson is much better higher up the field playing the old CHB posi imv. Not so good nearer the goals. If Goody doesn't make this move this week.... we're doomed imv as you are killing off one of our biggest assets in defence that helped us win a flag and handing the oppo coaches & players a free hit for the entire match. They will then look to enter our defence any which way they choose without having to think about how they're delivering so much. Laurie got to the right places and got on the end of things. It's the gives that are the problem here and lack of foot speed. Tended to overdo handballs and a bit too often selling players into trouble. Not a game of note by any means and was shut down quite easily on a number of occasions through the middle and elsewhere. Turned it over a bit. Woe was probably the best (in an ordinary day) of most mids. Gets caught a bit but starting to shine when he shakes off the oppo. In a classier AFL line up he might do better and add something. He's on track and if he did come in i suspect he'd be a lot handier around CBs than most of the other mids bar Tracc, Clarry & Viney in terms of clearances. Stoppages are another matter all together. Going from contest to contest and impacting requires taking the tank to another level. Not sure he has the tank to go more than a few quarters at AFL level but could be wrong. Another pre-season will serve him well here. Be very surprised if he isn't in the team in the next 6 mths (of play..not calender). Ollie Sestan had limited involvement but when he does... all i will say is he could be the bomb. But all will depend on how hard he wants to work. His work with ball in hand is mostly 1st class. Makes the right decisions in traffic and can hit a target short nicely with VG vision. Doesn't panic. A brute of a player in the clinches and when tackling. I'd be salivating if i was a coach watching this fella...needs to do a stack of work off & on the track but the upside could be huge. Subject to doing that work and impacting more often, i can also see him coming into the 22 in the next 6 months

There are a number of players who were too easily beaten in 1 v 1 battles today against mediocre opposition. Some were that ordinary even Goody shouldn't be putting his complete faith/trust in them from here, let alone us fans on the sidelines. Some will no doubt work their way back into form but need a spell at Casey, where they should not get another call up unless they do. Others had their 'jump the shark' match today however and appear to be on a slippery slope down. Possibly close to being out for the count Replacements needed from here when others genuinly earn a call up at Casey. Recruiting required at years end to bring in further talent and fill in some of the missing holes.

I've been saying for weeks that as good as Rivers has been much of the time, his skill levels by foot are, on a few too many occasions, not even VFL level. He started the rot today with the first turnover across HB which got them their first goal. He needs to clean it up or be told not to go for anything by foot from deep in defence and just play the percentages to numbers up the line. His turnovers are in the worst part of the ground (usually around the arc or just outside) and aren't defendable on the rebound. Costing us goals, and cheap ones, every week. Massive team deflator and momentum killers. People used to laugh at Frosty, and still do, at some of his mad runs and turnovers resulting in sling shot rebounds and quite often a shot at goal. Rivers isn't that dissimilar in terms of mucking the good work via turnover too often. If it was just a rareish occurance and he was improving as the weeks went on fair enough. I wish that were the case. Sadly it now appears to be regular part of his game.

And Gus

6. Tracc 5. Sparrow 4. Bowey 3. May 2. Hibb 1. Viney

Round 11, 2023 Adelaide Oval - Demons vs Dockers Team Rating 7% less than our average this season and 4% off our 2022 Season Rating. Tracc way in front here with his second highest rating for the season. His best against the Kangas with a 6.725 Very low ratings from Spargo, Chandler, McDonald & McVee. Lever a massive 31% off his season average rating of 2.983 Rivers even worse.... 45% down on his season rating of 3.901 Turnover king was Gus with a massive 9 turnovers. Player Rating Rank C Petracca 5.925 1 Ed Langdon 4.325 2 A N-Bullen 4.200 3 T Sparrow 4.150 4 J Bowey 3.800 5 J Harmes 3.775 6 J Viney 3.500 7 A Brayshaw 3.475 8 M Gawn # 3.475 8 B Grundy # 3.300 10 S May 3.175 11 K Pickett 2.900 12 B Fritsch 2.675 13 M Hibberd 2.375 14 C Salem 2.275 15 J V Rooyen # 2.275 15 T Rivers 2.125 17 J Lever 2.050 18 C Spargo 1.675 19 K Chandler < 67% 1.575 20 T McDonald 1.450 21 J McVee 1.425 22 J Jordon > 22% 0.850 23 Team Rating 65.90 Top 6 26.18 Bottom 6 10.30 # Hit outs to advantage not counted < Subbed out / TOG % > Subbed in / TOG % Stats courtesy of footwire.com

Stafford must go ASAP...forward craft under any degree of pressure hasn't improved since 2021. How you can have two TFs deep in the goal square and leading out towards the same contest multiple times after so many years in charge is beyond reasoning and unacceptable at AFL level. Also not sure why we continue persisting with three small forwards, plus ANB (who offered not much in this part of the ground today and not much in general). Chandler subbed for Jordy tells the tale there. Gone from chocolates to boiled lollies in the space of three weeks Can't play JVR & Macca in the same team. One of them has to go. As much as i love Harmes his performance was sub par and most likely he'll be straight back out. No run, no spark, very few forward handballs and play until the last quarter when we had to try with more dare and speed things up. CB work is still fried vs the better mid set ups with Max & Viney the only regular extractors. Unfortunately Max isn't the Max we knew in 2021. Can't play out a match. Limited to about 2 to 3 quarters at the moment. Grundy not the player i was hoping he'd be so far. Need a classy mid with foot speed / finish and one more extractor around stoppages.

Nowhere near it so far. Our smalls just don't get to the right places at the drop often enough. I reckon Melk would do a better job playing deep and snagging the odd goal at this point than all three smalls (Sparg, Koz & Chander) Will be a struggle against the Blues and def get smacked around by the Pies if we continue in a similar vein in the 2nd half. A big lift needed by many, especially Kozzy & Chandler up forward with the pressure. Rivers, ANB and Grundy need to reduce their number of turnovers, many of those by hand. There is also a hole that remains unprotected straight in front of the goal square top often. So when the ball gets out there either by handball, off hands or just bounces that way the only ones near it are Freo in numbers who clear with ease out of our 50. Hope the FD highlights this aspect at the break. Our pressure at CBs on the ball carrier if we don't get it was an improvement on the last two weeks. Also good to see a few slaps forward where we run onto it vs trying to tap down player's throats which usually doesn't work. More of this pls. Other than Hibb, very little play making and run off HB & through the middle i support. The lack of run from and through there is a huge worry.

I see it the other way.... they'll want at least one W.A. team there at the pointy end

I ask that you consider the nature of your future aspersions about Uncle's modis de transport, without further unnecessary ornamentation, whether simple or unrestrained. In your case i will assume simple. It be Scuttlebut.....pure scuttlebutt sir! A Rolls Silver Shadow or a Hum V stretch limo ty. Most likely the latter in order to ensure the safe carriage of the best of Le Romsey Chateau de Cardboard and Uncle's entourage of 'Manor help' who usually tuck in to his best carte de vins & poissons et crustaces without his knowledge once he's endulged somewhat. Only the best for our Uncle!

Be careful what you wish for...

Blues supporters having serious mental break downs on SEN 😄