Demon Dynasty

Was obviously never truly committed in either mind, body or spirit after he had checked out to heading back home (probably from very early on). I saw moments in games where i just shook my head that he was still out there taking up a spot that someone else would have thrown everything in on at certain contests (pulling out of marking contests, not wanting to be crunched in tackles and instead handballing to a player well covered or about to be wacked himself...turnover at HB... goal on turnover, 12 point turnaround....game lost) and at least given a yelp. Situation very poorly managed by Goodwin who should have sat him down about the half way mark after about Rnd 12, eyeballed him and assuming he wasn't continuing, just blooded or played any alternative (M Brown, Weid and/or JVR) from Casey. Goodwin's mantra of us being ruthless did not hold sway, even by his own actions or lack thereof here, and the team/club paid a massive price with Jackson contributing to a very ordinary second half and the club going out in straight sets after securing the double chance. And to the Lions of all teams. One of the worst clubs to make a finals series in recent memory.

I have it on good authority that on top of the medical he was asked to answer a multiple choice question. I'm pleased to inform D'landers that my sauce (whose identity i am unfortunately not at liberty to reveal) gave me exclusive access to the question asked which i present for your reading pleasure below... ...."You are playing a KF role starting deep in the goal square. However, Big Maxy has decided to push forward and drop into the hole at the top of the square. You recognise the situation (ie; too many talls/opponents). You are also under instruction to make space for Max to be able to either make a short lead or if he has a mis-match, for him to stay home in the square for a relatively easy contested 1 v 1 mark from a dumped bomb out of the middle. Do you"... A) Lead hard to the left pocket/flank (along with 1 or 2 others, including Max!) knowing you have about a 1 in 5 chance of converting should you out mark a pack of 5 to 7 players? B) Lead straight up the guts drawing your opponent to about 30 meters, feign as if doubling back but instead push off your opponent putting in a hard but short lead for a hit up option knowing you have a very high likelihood of converting from about 45 out either directly in front or on a slight angle? C) Lead hard to the right pocket/flank (along with 1 or 2 others, including Max!) knowing you have about a 1 in 5 chance of converting should you out mark a pack of 5 to 7 players? Apparently he chose the only correct options (A & C) and they are finalising the trade papers as we speak.

Unless theyve heard around the traps that the Eagles arent in play with pick 2? In that case they are then (possibly already are) going to try & royally do that to us!

Quite possibly Bing. Good points. Back to backs aren't common as you have said.

....Bang!

Mine started after Mr Leg used the term "bundling"

Yes but he potentially doesn't get to Freo... that's the point. Forces their hand.

I think a statement needs to be made here and an example set. Send him into the draft and he takes his chances. No deal!!

H&A 2021*.... Averaged approx 70% of time between the arcs as a winger LH (some mid field minutes probably mixed in). Pretty much evenly split between the arcs. Averaged roughly 35% in the back half of the ground (not inc. time inside D50) and 34% of time forward (not inc. time inside F50). The balance of time (on average) was roughly split either inside 50 or inside defensie 50. *Rough seasonal averages only. Which varied, sometimes substantially, from match to match. Spent the majority of the first final in 2021 in the forward half (just), including about 5% extra time inside 50 (52% in total forward) Spent the majority of the last two finals in the back half with substantially more time (vs his H&A average) in defensive 50 (averaging 65% in back half in total). https://dfsaustralia.com/afl-player-heat-maps/

SEN backing out of the Harmes chatter as we speak

Marginal time in defence in 2021 H&A. played 89% of time Wing/HF. 2018 he wasn't a FT (mostly) mid fielder from memory. More a HF/mid who played occasional games mostly in the middle like the match in Alice where he did excel (surprise change up). Angus appeared to be covering the Salem role prior to Salem's return and finding of form with JJ trying to cover the Gus role of 2021 IMV, maybe slightly more defensive. JJ vg in that more defensive role off the wing but anytime he drifted forward (which wasn't that often) he looked like a duck out of water. Gus drifting forward at least has some idea and can sometimes mark/hit the scoreboard and deliver the ball into more dangerous spots IMV. Watching JJ (delivery) coming inside 50 was terrifying in comparison.

Cornes loves sticking the boots into the MFC. Probably can't handle the fact we snaffled Choco who then played a part in us winning a flag while they continue to flounder. The other side to this is purely ratings based. He's paid to stir the pot and would be very much encouraged to do so by Jabba the HUTchy.

Sorry but other than cameo 'surprise change up' appearances for a week or two or maybe a few quarters, Gus has proven he isn't as capable at sustaining the consistent 'grunt' / burst efforts for a constant 'weekly' stint in the middle. Maybe if he trained differently for this position with a full pre-season. His game in there against the Swans was abysmal and possibly the worst performance (or close to it) he's ever put in in at least 3 to 4 seasons and easily the worst of the 22 who took the field on the day in our biggest match of the year (to that point). His follow up against the Lions was a big improvement (hard not to be) but no better than Viney who also had a pretty ordinary game (by his usual standards anyway). Compare that to Harmes (obviously different roles... but performance is still performance) who was in the top 3 to 5 players for us in both finals! Harmes stood up when the chips were down. Same as he did in the GF when things were looking a bit shakey. Gus did also (in the GF) but playing a different role.... Wing/HF.

100% BDA. Alongside chunk & to some degree Tomo, he was certainly one that would feel very unlucky to have missed out.

Beautifully said Maldon. My thoughts exactly. Maybe not the silk / finish we would have hoped for but still one of my favs to watch. A big thank you to Hunty for everything he gave in the red & blue. Including playing in the bulk of matches during 2021, most.of them wins, that helped us grab the ultimate prize. Will never forget. Going to miss the initial bursts out of traffic, the chase down tackles, breaking lines and ...the headband! Good luck son and all the best with everything from here.

Harmes out of major mid rotations and Gus in (other than the first couple of 'surprise packet' matches post his contract which were initially very effective, then reasonably effective, then finally not effective at all) was one of the reasons we didn't end the 2nd half of 2022 very well IMV. We lacked the extra drive and breaking more tackles, getting the ball i50 with quick exits. Doing so gives forwards a few more looks to convert. Goodwin & the FD need to seriously review this set up. Gus played his best most impactful footy (in terms of benefit to the team) in 2021 as a mostly wing/hf.

Signed till 2024. Let me say this loud and clear... Harmes is NOT going to that messed up sorry excuse for a club in a gazillion years!! The druggies may have approached but i'm backing him in to stay put. There is no current player that has more red & blue running in their veins than this loyal premiership minion.

Yes as Melk came in W. I dont think they're looking to play him in defence in 2023 (bar injuries to like sized defenders) but been wrong before.

Early days for Moniz & Woe but IMHO Bedford showed the most promise out of the three remainders. He was also the quickest player on the list IMV. So we are now down two speedsters for 2023 and i reckon that's one of the areas we appeared to suffer from in 2022 (not in a major way but sure felt it was one of the issues). Might need to invest in some of these...

The FD's been trialling Joel up forward (mostly) at Casey (and if my memory serves me correct i understand they trained him in this role also?) when he came back from injury. Unless there's a change to the FD's thinking over the break i can't see him playing back in 2023 (barring injuries).

Gus to Wing / HF where he played about 85% of his time in our 2021 premiership year, had his best season (in terms of what he brought to the team / game style and W/Ls) and was the most damaging IMV. Only played approx 15% of time across HB and even less time in the defensive 50 area in 2021 (ie; as a deep defender...most time spent in defense was shallow).

Congrats to Clazza ...what a legend!!!

That mic is rubbish

Doesn't appear to be slapping Uncle around with a wet gefilte fish....so probably not