Demon Dynasty

A bit in here on the Demons and what we are up to as well as some background on what game day and opp analysts are getting up to.... http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-22/bestlaid-plans-how-clubs-turn-tactics-into-triumph

The only player to have a bit of a mare on Sunday for mine was Vince (now sitting on the cusp of our best 22 IMO in current form or lack thereof...possibly tiring a little) but who do you manage him with? And then there's the timing against the old enemy. He probably lifts his output a cog or two against the old club so would have to have someone in damn fine form at Casey to warrant the change IMO. Personally i can't see who that "immediate" replacement would be at Casey unless Hunt / Wags or Frost had a stand out game and according to reports none of them managed this. From what i saw Smith did more than enough around the drop, in some of the contested packs and with his work rate to get to the contest and impact. In addition, weighted comparative stats had him ranked 12th on the day, which is impressive given his first game back in some time. Not even on the radar at this point. Spargo did enough generally and improved slightly on his game the week before (off a low base), although might be starting to tire a little (evidenced by his inaccuracy). On the flip side Jeffy didn't produce anything special to warrant a call up anyway if the reports are reliable. Spargo safe IMO. Looking like no change at this point. If so i feel that can only be a great positive as it sends yet another subtle message down and up the lines that you will need to perform at both AFL/VFL level if you wish to hold your place or get a call up AND allows the same line up to go around again chock full of confidence. If everything clicks again (fingers crossed) this allows the same group to add another layer to the trust and confidence that appears to be already building, especially if we come away with a win against a more highly rated foe. Go Demons!

I suspect that's because there's no Garret Bub!

His last 2 matches were off the charts work rate / output wise compared to the first 7. Also, statistically that was the 3rd best rated game by an MFC player all year, only bettered by Clarry's Rnd 7 & 8 games against the Saints & Suns. Has taken it to another level, but lets keep a lid on it a tad. The Crows are a whole different kettle of fish compared to the likes of the Suns / Blues. Good signs though!

Top 5 for tackles i50 only Rocky. Ranked No.4 of 29 guys who have played 2 games or more so far this season (for averaging purposes). Spargo seems to be the guy being compared, ranked 18th here. Obviously that's one pressure stat but there are others of course, such as 1%ers, Pressure Points (not publicly available accept via the Hun), Pressure Acts and no doubt others that the coaches get from Champion Data we don't have access to. The only other easily accessible publicly available pressure indicators are.... 1%ers where Jeffy is ranked 29th vs Spargo ranked 24th; and Defensive half pressure acts with Spargo just ahead here on 3.3 per match vs Jeffy's 2.4 So as you can see Jeffy is winning in one defensive stat but not so much (albeit still not far off) in the two others vs Spargo. Offensively Jeffy wins out in goal kicking averages 1.8 v 1.3 per match but then Spargo is ahead in other areas such as effective disposals (averaging about 5 more per game). Watching the two review videos from AFL StatsPro Spargo seems to get to a few more contests higher up the field vs Jeffy and working a little harder both ways. Maybe a work rate issue with Jeffy or could just be what is being asked from Jeffy by the coaches (eg., to play more time closer to the goals). Hard to compare the two reviews though given the level of intensity / pressure in the Tigers match (Jeffy) vs the Blues (Spargo) where it was obviously nothing near that level. Obviously the Coaches are looking at a whole lot of factors other than stats, including offensive / defensive work rate, how effective they're playing the role that was asked etc. They are also getting a whole stack of assistance from game/post game / opposition strategists who are putting together some interesting stuff behind the scenes to assist the Coach / line coaches. In the end they are in the best position to determine who is on track. We can only pontificate from the bleaches and try and take it in at the ground and on tv / replays etc where we are likely missing a fair whack of what's going on. Not to mention how they are going on the track during the week. http://www.afl.com.au/stats/stats-pro#/Compare?playerIds=CD_I270653,CD_I1002282&comparisonTab=h2h

Classic shirt front...considered part of the game. Can't recall anyone getting outed for that post Stan Magro...

Nor do I usually but the war office is AWOL on an offshore shopping assignment & wants every single piece of royal parafinalia I can get for when she returns. My driver hands it over after he finishes every morning. I usually throw it in the back of my Territory. Great for wrapping of antiques & other vintage matter when in transit. In answer to your question the two page spread covering the review of y'day has one page highlighting the Vince shirt front.

You wouldn't be happy with P42 of the Hun then Bub. Speaking of the Hun when was the last time the Demons had a 2 page spread in the Monday sports section!?? And the back page....T-Mac!

Think you meant Vince

The beatifully weighted kick to hit Big M on the chest in the 3rd, off the right foot through traffic ?

6. Melk 5. Lever 4. Jones 3. Gawn 2. ANB 1. Gus Tough to pick outside of Melk... great team effort!

Just the Demons Mono, although after today who knows!!

Sorry i was 1 off...subtract one place from each (see edit). They are averages so all relative comparisons SF

ANB in 9th spot for tackles i50 behind Hannan, Weids & Fritsch (6th, 7th & 8th respectively)

Yeh a chase down for holding the ball and a snap goal Is also in our top 5 for forward 50 tackles behind Pedders, Clarry, Jeffy, and Harmes

Is in our top 5 this season for score involvements (averages) at AFL level

Selectors have woken the bear

That was not so much the case early in his career Maldon. He went from good to sublime though spending many an extra hour after training (often under lights at the Junction...sometimes the last player off the ground!) perfecting his lovely left foot and alot of that from close to the boundary deep in the pockets / flanks. Took the odd speckie and i must have watched a diff career as i never thought of him as soft at any stage (more of an outside class mid / forward...i see a little of Yze in Fritsch at times).....

The one thing with Bugg is ....you know he's always going to give you a red hot contest and has an uncanny knack of getting to where the ball drops. Reads the play very well up forward.

Ok thx Andy i'll follow it up

I have it on good authority that the producer caught wind of a live ratings update during the match and had a word in their ear to start talking up the next Crows match DZ

Andy how can I tell when annual membership is due pls?

Not questioning his resting ruck capabilities W. Just don't think they'll risk him for the ones in the middle of the ground where the opposing ruckman gets to line you up and take a run at his opponent. Around the ground once the ball leaves that area? More than likely, especially forward of centre. Bull to cover off the middle and even a few up forward as required, similar to the Cats last year (sharing this forward part with Tommy).

This is one ordinary yawn fest at the oval. When does that wedding start again?

I just hope the forward line doesn't get too crowded Wise as Bull is more of a lead up forward and too many bodies in front (in particular Big Maxy lol) will block his normal running lanes plus the Blues are known to flood a fair bit! Anyways i really have no idea but we'll find out soon enough if the FD / line coaches (and forwards!) have all the t's crossed and it all clicks. Your view on T-Mac not being risked in the ruck is still valid IMO in particular in the middle. I reckon they won't risk him in any significant ruck role there either after the recent return from such a long lay off. Might see him in a few forward 50 cameos at throw ins, where bodies are generally not cracking in "front on" though and just body on body. No third man up is a big help in reducing injury risk here also. Thinking Bull takes the relief duties in the middle.