Demon Dynasty

Not a chance for mine. Hibb has done the job on two of the most dangerous forwards in the business two weeks running. Not only does he do the job of a very solid Nev, he offers more in terms his rebound running (meters gained) and long raking penetration down the line or by hand in chains off HB. Nev is a great back up but coming off a 7 day break there's no need to rest piggy.

Sorry DS but that's been Harmes' strength when he was on in 2018. He'd cover off his direct opponent much of the time and keep him quiet and then punish him on the counter when the opportunity arose. Great players are often great one way players (not always), obviously mostly offensively and don't like to chase too hard too often the other way when ball is turned over. One of Harmes best attributes is exposing and punishing this weakness. Where he often lets himself down is decision making with ball in hand and finish. The area you are referring to in part is the instinctive give. Would seem to be room for improvement there as well. Hopefully some of his deficiencies (and most players have them) are being worked on by himself and those involved with his development at the FD.

We had no one playing the defensive sweeper role last night. Hickey won or neutralised many of the contests or appeared to so don't underestimate his contribution. Tapping/knocking forward or diagonally forward. No sweeper and most either at the contest or not goal side of their opponent allowed the Swans to exit front of stoppages far too easily under little or no pressure. In addition they seemed to have a bit of extra toe at ground contests. Adding Kozzie into the mix for short stints, as we've been doing prior to last night, may have helped even things up a little.

Im surprised we did not (from what i witnessed at the ground and i might have missed it) start with Kozzie in the middle at the beginning of the match or seemingly at any stage last night. I think the Swans had us for speed in those center bounces and worried us into playing on the shoulder much of the time instead of being first in more often. The need for speed and the hunt for ball was lacking imv R&B . Kozzie also brings an element of closing speed that may have resulted in a few tighter tussles and turnovers in our favour through the middle had he been played there in short bursts. The above could also be completely wrong ? Would need to watch the replay to be more certain. Regardless it's definitely a red flag that needs addressing. The return of Viney will probably help solve it somewhat. I just wonder why we suddenly changed our tactics (no Kozzie and apparently playing on the shoulder vs see ball get ball more often) from the winning one previously? Match ups no doubt come into it but would be interesting to hear the coaches take on this.

Yes i meant kill joy on the oppo 58. What an amazing game he had in one of the all time great forwards.

Rnd 8, 2021 MCG - Demons vs Swans Harmes, Clarry, Salem, May, Tmac & ANB the stand outs for me this evening. A few of the usual contributors seemed to be out of it for much of the night but this does happen against quality opposition and the Swans need to be given plenty of credit. Probably the best opponent i have witnessed live so far in terms of bringing the heat for almost four quarters and pushing us all the way. Top three for Clearances... Clarry 10, daylight the rest with Harmes & Tracc 5 each Top three for Score Involvements... Tmac with 7, Equal second Harmes & Melk 5 each Top three for Meters Gained... Salem 605, Clarry 534 & Ed 420 Top three for One Percenters... Lever & May 8 each, Big Max 6 Top three for Intercepts... Salem 10, equal second Lever, Harmes & Gus with 7 each Top three for Tackles inside 50... Kozzie 5, equal second Harmes, JJ & ANB 2 each Top three for Turnovers... Tracc 11 (Big number!), Clarry 8, Salem 7 Top three most Time on Ground... Lever & May 100%, Ed 98% Bottom three Least time on Ground... Rivers & Spargo 69%, LJ 70% Player Score Rank C Oliver 4.975 1 James Harmes 4.950 2 C Salem 4.175 3 Ed Langdon 3.425 4 Alex N-Bullen 3.350 5 Steven May 3.350 5 T McDonald # 2.875 7 Max Gawn # 2.600 8 C Petracca 2.525 9 Ben Brown # 2.500 10 M Hibberd 2.500 10 J Melksham 2.450 12 James Jordan 2.375 13 H Petty 2.175 14 Charlie Spargo 1.900 15 Trent Rivers 1.775 16 A Brayshaw 1.775 16 Jayden Hunt 1.750 18 K Pickett 1.425 19 Jake Lever 1.325 20 L Jackson # 1.000 21 Bayley Fritsch 0.700 22 Team Score 55.88 Top 6 24.23 Bottom 6 7.98

Another kill joy performance from May. I can only recall Buddy beating him in one contest.

Caleb Daniel reminds me a little of Callery at times. Was a very nice rover when he was on and loved playing in the wet where he often shined.

Fantastic last 3 quarters. The extra grunt needed and involved in many critical chains. little sloppy at times, especially in the first but coming back from a decent lay off. Broke plenty of tackles and worked his [censored] off to get to the contest. Welcome back son!

Never in doubt!

He'll have to turn it on in this last quarter for mine. Viney for Melk when fit and ready is the obvious in/out at this stage. Wishing we had a fit Marty Hore for Petty also. Tracc needs to learn that ballistic is good at the start...but not necessarily at the end of a possession. Find some more finesse and tale it to the next level son. Especially coming inside 50

Was ok in that quarter along with Nibbler and Salem

Kozzie's timing, positioning around the comtested packs tonight (so far) not as good as i've seen this season. Hopefully coaches can straighten this up a little for 2nd half. Same with a few other contests further out. Front and square pls fellas.

Kozzie was in space with no one on him coming from behind on his right side. No one within cooee...just off the bench maybe. Doesn't usually happen unless 50 out or more but with Maxy on a pretty severe angle (for him) they might wanna consider dishing off to a better kick like Kozzie on the run in this situation. Has to be a better percentage chance surely

Get Kozzie into the middle for a short stint and let's win a few clearances. Then forward again to do his best work. Back again in short stints when needed

Chowing down at the Barassi pub pre-match. Hoping the boys are hungry for a bit of Swan tonight!

Where was that....Mildura?

Haven't seen you on in a while Azz or have i missed a few posts?

Might be getting a little confused here with Radagast the Brown RGR. Although Gandalf did utter these famous words that befits the occasion you are referring to so i might be wrong...

Augers well doesn't it! Exciting stuff is our Mr Kozzie Two words come to mind... Game Changer!

Already better than peak Cyril? The stats behind Kozzy's stunning rise - https://www.afl.com.au/news/608299

Oh golly...went straight over Trig! Thx for clarifying

GrimesTimes?

Found it! Biffinator off Big Footy 2011 (Warning: R rated and not for the faint of heart, some readers may find aspects of this content offensive!)... https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/dees-v-the-tigers.839929/

Not sure who it was on there. Might have been someone posting a Big Footy link. It was an expose / parody on "the day i infilltrated the Richmond Grog Squad". One of the funniest footy tales I've ever read. I remember one highlight was the writer supposedely coming face to face with the legendary King Pin / leader of the squad.... Shazza!