Demon Dynasty

Would much rather have sideshow before Weid sorry (career averages courtesy of AFL stats pro)...

Wayne Carey, Piggy or plugger are the only three i would touch. Keeping in mind Choco ran a kicking skills school for quite a while i believe so he might be an option if thats part of his role. Unlikely though.

Nice to get the win. Nice transition off HB most of the time. Won the clearances and appeared to either win or neutralise the loose ground ball most of the time. The ability of the backline to protect / maintain pressure and clean up some of the rebound from so many awful choices / delivery inside 50 flattered that part of our game. Some issues to take away from the game. ? I'll keep on about it and it's a fact...Clarry is our No.1 player by a country mile ? Tracc is close to matching Clarry in a different beast style on the ground and has the ability to go forward and mark/shoot at goal and damage here but... boy that was one of the most wasteful 30 possession games i've ever witnessed. Had he been cleaner with disposal and smarter after taking those 2 or 3 marks (couple of blaze away shots on goal) around the paint in the last. Look for a short target or at least kick to the hot zone OR to our forward's favoured side FCS. The wayward handball to Viney after the bounce in the last 5 minutes resulting in a turnover and goal to the Saints. Had the chance to ice the match and put it beyond the Saints by about the 10 minute mark in the last. Had he just got one of those decisions/executions right. But instead fluffed it far too often. Sometimes the short give to someone 20 meters away in the clear is your best option even if it means going lateral around the arc or slightly backwards. No need to take the game on the burst so often. Had his moments where he did the right thing and hit up targets beautifully don't get me wrong but the waste.....oh the waste son! He is not Dusty yet and may never be. He will be himself in the end but there's plenty of improvement left with some minor adjustments. If he does he may be a great of the game but there's still just a little too much show boating going on upstairs. Possibly just a matter of fine tuning when to go long/short and when to go fast or slow. But the blazing away from outside 50, thats a must fix along with cleaner ball use around congestion, especially by hand. We've seen him do it before so possibly just a touch / instinctive issue here. ? Thank goodness for Tommy, Kozzie and to a lessor degree Sparrow up forward. The rest was a dogs breakfast bar a few cameos. ? Old man Jones wasnt too bad at all. ? Rivers redeemed himself ? Fritta gotta learn to nail more of those set shots son as there just isn't enough happening when the opp has the ball otherwise. 1 out of 4 just aint gonna cut it at this level and nearly cost us dearly. ? As much as i love LJs around the ground work in the ruck and attack on the footy up forward, his set shot work is damn awful and needs fixing, even at this early stage. Poor kicking from 20 to 35 meters out is poor footy. He also looks a little lost when ball is loose at ground level. No doubt the last bit will come with time but he's a fair way off the pace at the moment in this area in my view. Lots of work ahead. To be expected at this point. ? How many sitters did we drop, mostly in the third and mostly experienced players!!? Some of those brought the Saints alot closer than they should have been and gave them a sniff late in the third. Basic things to work on. ? Any chance we can attempt to hit up more targets around the 30 to 40 meter mark, instead of bombing it to the goal line so often or hitting them either on 50 or just outside? Fritta was on the receiving end of a few but didnt convert enough, which in some ways made this area of our game look worse but it happens far too often. We need a genuine leading target that can mark out in front on the lead and convert at a higher percentage vs Fritta and also put extra pressure on when ball hits the turf. It could be Fritta at some point but at this stage he's too hit and miss here. Possibly Petty if he is ever played foward again in the McGoos and busts the door down. ? Then there's Gus. Another that seems to be pretty wasteful given the amount of footy and opportunities he has to deliver. I'm not sure what it is. He looks like a million dollars at times. Other times he looks VFL standard at best. Possibly choosing when to push and when to switch off and gets a tad lazy upstairs. Never really hit his heady season form of 2018 other than in patches. ? Maxy was great but i'll repeat...stop trying to thread the needle when you're well outside 50 son. Too slow to execute and projected to the opp for too many intercepts in dangerous parts of the ground. Other than wide open targets just look for the give and barring that, just go long down the line pls. Play the percentages Max. Having said all that a win is a win and nice to be 2 - zip. Keep it going. Can't wait for sideshow to commence up forward. Might straighten us up a little more as well. Is there room for him, Tommy and LJ in the same team though?

Disgraceful umps tonight. Cats kept getting a helping hand many through non-decisions eg, throws, HTB, incorrect disposal and 50 meters x 2 (Hawkins) then the Blizarv one at the end. The Selwood blatant throw out of the middle. There was another one handed shovel not called by another cat at one point. The HTB that wasnt HTB where a Cat missed everything and Rich kicked in. The mis match on Hawkins was glaring. I wonder if it might have been better to sacrifice a forward (Hipwood?) as a spare down back in those situations, leaving Joe & Cameron one out up forward with more space to run in to.

Fair enough nac. Probably an abberation as you say

Is it only me that's worried about big M's form / fitness after last week? Looked a fair way off his best. Looking at the numbers as well...only 7 effective disposals, 1 tackle, 3 clearances, 2 contested marks, no marks inside fifty and 0 goals. On the plus side he did have 8 one percenters and 4 intercepts.

I think the only realistic way that's going to happen is more possession/control and less turnovers than them MF. Also i'm very pleased to see this match being played at Marvel as there just isn't as much space to run the ball and transition as quickly, especially through the "non Langdon" wing) vs doing so at the G. Whilst Langdon wasn't around in some of the comparative matches under the current format ie, 2019 and prior, at the G. Now we have him there it at least presents a somewhat more difficult prospect for the Saints to transition mostly through the non langdon side and even more difficult at Marvel vs the G. I'd say this makes Sat night a bit more of a coin flip vs at the G where i would back the Saints in to win by at least 3 or more.

Have to give them at least another game or two i would think. Worrying that we weren't covering the outliers very well and getting sucked in too often as highlighted. Hopefully they fix that in the reviews / on the track and it flows into this week's match. If Viney is in he needs to connect with our outliers more often as well. Tends to try and bullock his way through in straight lines a little to often and do too much. He certainly doesn't have the break away pace or agility of a Tracc or Clarry (when on). Although when he plays his best i've noticed he does play with more agility and smarts to make and take space at times instead of bullocking straight ahead. Fingers crossed anyway.

Who would have thought ?

Dazzle this line of sensibility has no place in a Demonland forum! I would ask that you refrain from any further posts along similar lines. I for one am used to seeing 8 to 10 rookies running out most weeks of most seasons, further increasing our chances of losing and continuing to break losing records as we maintain our decades long push for a place outside the eight (more often than not!). Last week we only fielded 6 rookies. The Dockers instead fielded 9. . And then we had the audacity to field 10 experienced players who had 100 games or more under their belt vs the Dockers 4. Deesgraceful selection form on our part. Nothing wrong with remaining mediocre and irrelevant is there!? How anyone would anyone want to improve our chances of winning by doing otherwise is just baffling. All power to blooding as many green youngsters as possible every year i say.

Failed attempt to point at my Avatar DP

?

One week at a time pls

Rnd 1, 2021 MCG - (Demons vs Dockers) vs Season 2019 A bit of a cheap shot showing one match in isolation vs season 2019 but i don't see why we can't throw it out there. I have used season 2019 as IMO i feel it more closely resembles the current season with reversion back to the old game times vs 2020's short quarter covid variant. Obviously there's been a number of list changes and new inclusions since 2019 so for some players there is no 2019 reference point. Interesting to note the team score was still slightly below that of our very ordinary 2019 result. Hopefully just a rusty first up start with significant upside to come. Apologies for the negative numbers not being in red but it would appear the site now no longer allows me to change colour of text or center either. Player 2021 Score 2021 Rank Season 2019 Weighted Score % Change vs 2019 2019 Rank Change in Rank vs 2019 Clayton Oliver 5.775 1 4.880 18.34 1 0 Steven May 4.175 2 2.618 59.47 14 12 Jake Lever 3.925 3 2.519 55.82 16 13 Charlie Spargo 3.825 4 1.513 152.81 35 31 Ed Langdon 3.550 5 C Petracca 3.325 6 2.843 16.95 9 3 Adam Tomlinson 3.025 7 Nathan Jones 2.975 8 2.907 2.34 7 -1 Christian Salem 2.550 9 3.658 -30.29 3 -6 Bayley Fritsch 2.450 10 2.809 -12.78 10 0 Angus Brayshaw 2.425 11 3.131 -22.55 6 -5 Tom Sparrow 2.375 12 1.275 86.27 37 24 Neville Jetta 2.175 13 2.264 -3.93 18 5 Jayden Hunt 2.175 13 2.092 3.97 23 10 Tom McDonald # 2.050 15 2.297 -10.75 20 5 James Jordan 2.000 16 Kysaiah Pickett 1.975 17 James Harmes 1.850 18 4.039 -54.20 2 -17 Max Gawn # 1.800 19 3.437 -47.63 4 -15 Luke Jackson # 1.550 20 Alex N-Bullen 1.525 21 2.120 -28.07 22 1 Trent Rivers 0.950 22 Average Team Score -Top 22 58.43 59.62 -2.01 # Hit outs to advantage not captured Stats courtesy of footywire.com

Yes yes and a BIG BLOODY YES. Sparrow is promising but just not quite there yet imv. That's if VINEy is ripe. Harmes may not be in the greatest of form finish wise but he's pretty close. He is getting to the right positions more often and confidence/belief slowly returning. Now its just a matter of finding more "clean touches" and finishing off a little better, including through the big sticks. And guess what. That improvement already appears to be coming with yes, probably a VG pre season, but also i believe it's no coincidence he was played through the middle and forward which seems to be a better fit for him (once he hits best form). Harmes was one of our best in 2018/2019 drifting forward. A step back last year but he is an elite two way gut runner, able to hurt his opponent occasionaly the other way, especially later in matches. Last year's shorter version of the game favoured burst type players and he was also played in a non-familiar role down back much of the time. I'm holding the faith here. He has credits in the bank and you don't go from a decent chocolate to boiled lollies in one season for no good reason. Stick fat with Harmes. While he may not be a match turner in most matches (occasionaly he might bob up though!), i reckon he'll find his best again, provided Goody doesn't revert to pushing him to a defensive role down back once again. Keep the faith fellow minions.

Petty needs another week or so at Casey i would think. If he can set it alight a little, especially on the scoreboard, and LJ fails to score much i would think he will be a chance to replace him in the short term. Can't afford to keep out of form players in for weeks on end any more at this level, especially rookies, regardless of promise.

You have my vote Never. Goes missing far too often in patches. Rarely lays a tackle or creates a turnover with pressure inside. While he knows where the goals and can hit a target coming inside when he's on ...its the other missing components that damage as we watch opponent waltzing out of 50 under little or no pressure.

Gritty win. Freo were great in the 2nd half but also our girls appeared to tire in the heat which is understandable. Aside from ruckman Pierce, Paxman (BOG) and Gay up forward they lost their structure/composure and run. Also stopped hitting up shorr targets and working their way up the field as they did so well in the first quarter and a bit and went with too many bail out kicks. They also need to hit up a few shorter targets with the kick ins on occasions. To predictable bombing it to 50 far too often where the opp just set up and picked them off shallow only to see the ball come straight back into the hot zone for more shots at goal.

If fully fit i would think Viney for Sparrow and Hibb for one of Hunt or Rivers. That's it for mine.

Don't even bother. It's called the mid fielder's medal for good reason. Farcical award now. Making your regular 22, AA and possibly top two or three in the Bluey is about as good as he'll get i reckon.

6. Stonewall May - the General does it again with 8 intercept marks, 8 Rebounds, 19 effective disposals and the most meters gained with 578. Was on record pace with 500 to half time! 5. Clarry - A quiet start for his standards for his 100th but redeemed after the 1st 4. Lever - growing in confidence and touch wood the match fitness / strength appears to be nearing his best pre injury 3. Charlie Spargooo - Was that his best match for the club in terms of involvements and consistency across four quarters i wonder? I've had nagging doubts he would make it and the lack of penetration on his kicking is still a worry. However, his poise, decision making, finish and attack at the ball went to another level yesterday. Let's hope this wasn't "Good Charlie" and he goes off the boil next week. One swallow does not a summer make 2. Mr Ed - what can you say. Certainly no nag! The banana was absurd but also shows the players appear to have been given a free reign to take the game on and play with instinct, flare and freedom when the opportunity arises once ball is in hand...amen to that! 1. Tracc - Looked like a BOG looming in the 1st. Might have copped a heavy tag afterwards, a change of player or a slight corky / niggle? Hopefully he trims a few kilos off through the legs over the next few weeks and finds a bit more zip. Should be fine but looks a tad "gym" heavy below the hips. No doubt Burgess/Tracc are all over any such issue if there is one in terms of the "power vs leg speed" balance

Worth a re-run. Couldn't agree more on both fronts. Kozzie should be blooded as a mostly small forward goal sneak specialist. That's where we'll gain the most from him with the occasional "Cyril" type cameo through the middle where he will be handy in short stints. Certainly a star in the making here regardless. The other wing is a real worry. I would personally trial Hunt here for a few matches. Outside of that we are lacking a genuine option with some toe and a genuine tank. I thought Hannan might have been the answer but lacked the latter and was too often injured. Thomo on occasions can hold his own but on the wide open spaces of the G we need someone with some toe and class by foot coming inside. Is Rivers an option at some stage once he builds a tank with another pre-season or two?

I would get him to focus on aspects of his game that need developing. Ability to roll out of a contest and hit up a forward or to his advantage from outside 50. Lead patterns. Marking on a lead. And obviously his kicking technique, albeit very early days here and might be fine with yesterday a bit of a blip. Another 3 to 5 games, as per yesterday then assess. Slight steady progression with a few hic ups to be expected....leave it alone steady as she goes. Flat lining or regressing somewhat? Give him a stint in the McGoos to work on these same aspects but under less pressure / more time & space to help him hone, fine tune and get the belief / confidence going. Looks the goods for mine with a few more pre-seasons behind him. Hoping the FD doesn't get ahead of itself leaving him in just through sheer stubborness potentially destroying his confidence early by refusing to do the latter through the McGoos for stints if needed. One Mr Watts comes to mind here.

Yes the ratings certainly aren't always a true reflection of match day performance 516 or who was BOG/spud of the day etc. Particulary when it comes to playing out the role required or asked by the coaches. Also the quality of the opponent isn't taken into account. Niggles and game day injuries might also be missed. The list goes on. So many real life variables. We also need to see a body of work over over at least 5 to 6 matches imv before using weighted average comparatives. Also need to compare like with like in terms of where they are playing/role being asked during a match. By no means a perfect science or a pure reflection of what happened in game. Just a bit of a rough analysis in a general sense to go along with what we observed on the day. As i say each year, watching the match is always the best indicator. The stats are however, a bit of a summary or rough guide as to how each player might have faired on the day, whilst also taking in the live game day factors above, among many other variables not mentioned or covered.