Demon Dynasty

Waverley Park will be free in 2022

I recall going to a training session the year after at the Junction and speaking to a trainer about our prospects in 95. He said they (I assume he meant the club) felt 94 was the one that got away.

We sure do. We are a slow panicky turnover king team that can't run the ball with link up play consistantly, cant hold on to the ball with possession footy (worst disposal team in the AFL), cant hit up targets or convert virtually any ground ball to goals inside 50 nor keep it locked in our 50 with whatever press we are attempting. The opp runs it out.of the press generally with ease and they're off to the races usually transitioning far too easily into an open forward line and converting at a high % as a result. Not hard as we are generally one paced and can't chase down (Hunt the one exception on rare occasions ...and now Jeffy IF he can get going) or close down quickly enough. When we do get it inside 50 (mostly bombing) our forwards aren't even taking many contested marks. T-mac & Weids averaging a massive 2.2 marks per game between them inside 50 prior to the Tigers match. Neither of them impacting the scoreboard. We get a stack of clearances and contested but that's about it. Very little on the outside spread to stretch and make our opponents chase us and fatigue. Leaving them pretty fresh when we turn it over...which we do alot as the worst turnover team in the AFL. The opp does exactly the reverse at stoppages. Having at least one (sometimes two) player/s sitting on the outside (skinny and/or fat side) waiting for the spilled or knock on ball to come out then linking up inside (or along the line) on the overlap for the easy hit up inside 50. We play the zone almost always and are too slow (or lazy...bit of both?) to close down space on opponents quickly enough to pressure or force enough turnovers. As a result we are the easiest team to play and score on in the AFL at present. Just a little bit of work to do!

As the original tenant of the G... why aren't we training on it??

Not quick enough at this point to play at HF. Bring him into the mid field now that Viney is out which might bring us a better slightly outside balance. If we could snare Cameron with Tracc and maybe throw O-Mac and Weid plus a few picks I'd take it, but otherwise no.

No we aren't our inside coal face is still fine at extracting the pill. Ranked 2nd in the league just behind Port and only averaging 3.8 contested possessions less than last season's averages (ranked No.1). Not sure where people are getting this impression from. All our woes are on the outside spread and run (lack of off HB and through the middle, outside of Frosty who is dodgy with his finish) AND our horrible disposal skills in general INCLUDING most of the guys running through the mid field. We are getting smashed with the loose ball on the run and spread, uncontested dropping from 9th position in 2018 to last. Is this a result of poor set ups at stoppages and too many see ball get ball mids all going at the pill at once not sitting off minding their opponent on the inside or calling for the clearance? More than likely. Some of the stoppage set ups and play are rubbish with no outside coverage. The opp just knocks it loose and they're off with a quick runner playing loose on the periphery. Poor set ups = poor coaching? Or just poor mid field I.Q. generally with an inability to learn on the run or leaders not leading? Turnovers (disposal skills when we are getting the ball back) the 2nd worst in the AFL compared to last year sitting 9 rungs better at 11th. Some teams can handle plenty of turnovers though as long as you punish your opponent more than they do when they turn it over. With our method of delivery so horrid coming inside 50 and our completely dysfunctional out of form Key Talls (who aren't taking contested marks & no quality smallish crumbers) forward line, we are suffering allover mainly due to this massive mid field/forward disconnect/crappy finish/connection scenario. We are where we are by the sum of all the above missing pieces, but contested isn't one of them.

On that basis Troy are you suggesting we would be better of trading out our recruiting team rather than Tracc ??

Specifically referring to that photo (like mostly engine room players) SW. Up until the Tigers game where so many are now losing confidence, our engine room has been getting it done albeit crudely coming inside 50. Even after the Tiges debacle we are still No.3 in Contested and No.3 in clearances (on averages). Our ability in the center not compromised (yet) with Maxy & the boys still firing!! .... No.1in Center clearances. No change on 2018! Some teams getting the better of us at stoppage clearances ...but we've improved out of sight here up 7 places to No .4 here from No.11 for 2018. Where we have dropped off a little is our inside 50 dominance. No.4 down 3 places from No.1 last year. Delivery shizen of course maybe not as shizen but forwards not taking marks or converting either a huge prob. No.1 for marks inside 50 last season...down a massive 16 places now...almost dead last! The engine isn't the problem SW. It's what's happening once it gets out and when the Opp wins their fair share which they are going to on occasions. No team is ever going to dominate clearances and contested 100% of time. As we know other teams are ripping us apart once they get it out. Bottom of the heap on uncontested vs 9th last season and same with effective disposals. We aren't able to effect/impact as many contests once the ball is out as we aren't capable of getting there often enough. Goody's game plan isn't going to work as it stands especially with 666 in play and especially on the wide expanses of the G (i know I'm preaching to the converted here). Outside run, run off HB and marking in general non existent vs the comp and where we were last season. Especially up forward. And hence forwards not converting in general. Forward line hasn't really fired a shot all year.

It's only a waste if we chuck the towel in BC and don't look to fix the causes of how we got here and improve in all aspects of the FD. And the coach has played a big part. The boys in that shot are still trying their guts out.

Yes. You have to move heaven & a bit of earth sometimes to get what you want and obtain the ultimate prize. The top line clubs have been doing this for decades. Even the Bulldogs did it, once, and snared one! We are still in a window if alot goes right from here. Lets get it done Demons. P.S. not the greatest brain at any point...especially with drafts/trade details! Proceed with caution.

Might spoon it if Goody doesn't swallow his pride during the 4 day break and review/revamp the zone/press part of the game style plus recognize the need for speed off HB & placing our best ball users with a bit of pace out wide. If he does we can salvage something but finals are a bridge too far IMO as confidence is completely shot with most players. The situation is that bad many have moved into survival 'flight' mode disposal decisions ie; "Here you have it! Nah i dont want it, you have it back!". My amature look at it... It's time to go man on man for good chunks of a match and see who really wants it. Zone off only if we get our noses in front by a decent winning margin. The Ruck / engine room is the only aspect of our game that's showing any resemblance to 2018. Everywhere else is almost flat lining and on life support. Start with the engine room. But no major change. Just a decent oil change. A bit of burst speed / agility inside. Who? Can Tracc bring a little in place of Viney? If not who? Bit of Melk? But a massive 10 turnovers against the Tiges on Weds eve. Needs more time? Other issue.is.he doesnt defend / tackle. The forward line will only start to click once Pruess is back (98%+ fit) and Jeffy / Lockhart are at his feet with a bit of Jones in the pocket also IMO. Very small bursts in a mid field relief role only. The remainder on the bench (eg; approx 20% to 30% to keep him fresh). Who plays CHF? I have no idea but maybe T-Smith for a block of 3 to 4 matches In the hope he can eventually play out 3 to 4 quarters. If that fails maybe Keilty for a similar block. Weids is so far off AFL right now he needs a solid stint at Casey before his next recall once he finds his mojo. Hunt returns to HB for a decent block and see if he can get back to somewhere near 2017 form. We need more line breaking run and pace there. Forward craft / IQ poor at this point. Lockhart to stay and play deep sharing the role with chunk off the bench building up his tank and experience for a decent block. Some pace and good disposal needed off both wings via Salem, Fritschkreig, Melk and Harmes. Drill disposal skills for the remainder of the year. Whoever can't get reasonably close to AFL disposal levels (for their role played vs other AFL peers playing a similar role) is moved on at year's end. Hoping for a turnaround in skills, speed of ball movement, lime.breaking run, effective transistion off HB connecting with our forwards and manic defending / attack on the footy and ball carrier. Preparing for the worst.

Not at all. Apparently using the extended time off to audition for a place on the next "Biggest Loser"

Prefer Jeremy Cameron... Has the edge over Patton where it counts playing as a key forward (career averages)... > Marks inside 50 (elite) > Marks on a lead (elite) > Score involvements (6.4 per game!) > Goals (2.6 per game... elite). Finished 7th for average goals scored per game 2018 (just behind T-Mac) and presently leading the Coleman. Free agent. No brainer. Stats: Courtesy of AFL Stats Pro https://m.afl.com.au/stats/stats-pro#/Compare?playerIds=CD_I291821,CD_I293845&comparisonTab=h2h

Again....this all points to falling behind the eight ball vs other clubs, even stock ordinary ones like the Saints. Pert needs to instigate a full review of the FD at all levels including a possible assistant to help out Goody, sports science / high performance standards, the present state of the list and our trade/draft performance ASAP!! Bottom of the ladder from a Prelim appearance 6 months earlier is unacceptable and inexcusable and smells of amaturish/eyes off the ball standards creeping in post the Roos era.

Strength & Conditioning. Off the line speed also missing. Just my op but from what ive witnessed this season, the FD hasn't gotten our boys (the ones who had a full pre-season) to a level that enables them to compete with the best. We are getting matched with intensity around the ball (vs last season) by more teams, burst speed away from congestion (and direct opponent) and endurance running by most opponents in most quarters, the Swans an exception. The above issues masked somewhat on a smaller ground.

Eradicated diseases in the last 40 years Smallpox. Rinderpest. Poliomyelitis (polio) Dracunculiasis. Yaws. Malaria. Hookworm. Lymphatic filariasis. Those we haven't eradicated.... - NSC - MFCSS ...........

Bloody hell guys....toughen the hell up! We need every miserable hell for saken poor sod we can get cheering and screaming for our lot (ok so some are bound to be screaming in fright at our deplorable skills, i get that!). Even new borns will do. Probably make more noise than most supporters, can go all day with no let up, and no encouraging required!

Isn't that the ideal replacement for Jack? ☺ Maynard's skills inside aren't that bad. He will probably run as well through there as chunk would at this point...possibly better. Similar bombing also lol

It's a split second decision. If he didn't take him on half of D'land would be up in arms accusing him of squibbing it. Would take a goer in the team any day over someone who blinks. Hardly poor football. Just part of the game.

Melk was a turnover king on Weds night probbably as a result of more time in the middle. Would rather he plays HF pushing high (wide) and/or off the wing where he theoretically has more time / space to execute. One of our best kicks coming i50 also so wouldn't hurt. Maynard's the obvious direct replacement as an insider but are we better off bringing in someone with a bit more outside speed and run going to HF if Tracc is playing as the insider? Not sure there's anyone like that (in any decent form) at Casey

All good points Nash. Unfortunately the mob mentality takes over at times. The AFL may have brought this upon themselves to a degree with their 'Nanny State' response to the Ablett "Boogate" a fair last week. Bit of protest booing in there as well?

I doubt it. Contract talks are an ongoing aspect for all AFL players now and handled by player agents/managers allowing the players to focus on playing while their agents manage. Have to say the body language generally from the playing group isn't great. No "togetherness" at all apparent before the Anzac game during the ceremony. We played like it was every man for himself and they were all on notice. Haven't seen anyone fly the flag and push back for a comrade all year. Pure speculation and probably wrong but something just doesn't feel right lately. Is it just the rub off from such a poor start or is there really something more happening down at the Demon' s lair!?

They were supposedly booing the umpiring generally as well as the Pendles flop after some contact while bending to get a ground ball with a few minutes to go. I wouldn't have been happy either. If you watch the last minute the ball goes deep to the hot zone. Pie player (whose name escapes me) gathers the pill but is immediately tackled by one arm. Gets chicken winged to the ground and then illegally disposes the ball throwing it away with one hand. Free kick to the Bombers....ignored by 4 umps or all blind sided??? That same ball is then in dispute...another Pie player flops onto it and feels some contact from behind. Goes to ground...push in the back? ...called straight away. Time clock ticks down...point. 12 seconds to go....game over. The top 4 Vic clubs ( inlcuding Essendrug when they play us) dont get to the top by accident...