Demon Dynasty

Not an official record but I believe we may have broken another hoo doo. When was the last time the Demons were such a big favorite (both with scribes and the bookies) in a blockbuster game ...and got the chocolates!? Maybe it wasn't that long ago but im thinking back to a fairly big build up to a match against the Toiges in the 90s when Gazza & the Wiz were up and about. Seem to recall a big game build up but we were considered the favourites. The Wiz took a screamer in the forward pocket/flank in front of general members area at one point and we went on to win well from memory. Regardless, even though the Pies fielded a pretty ordinary outfit, we still had a huge mental girdle to break out of on QB and we did it convincingly. We also played at least one quarter of 'finals quality' football in the 2nd. We are a fair way off challenging the top 6 consistently but also not that far off holding our own against anyone from 7 down IMO, provided we have most of those who played on Monday fit & available. Another quality (experienced) mid in next draft would be very handy.

Disappointing fashion sense. Surely white socks are a pre-requisite with those sandles!

D u may well be right. Although some of us may have already mutated after partaking too often in some of these alternatives and might now be immune! Also if you consume enough red (or white or anything with grapes as a base) I'm sure most of the nasty "thingies" would have trouble surviving the massive dose of sulphur dioxide that accompanies such delights! That stuff could kill a rhino depending on the dose

Sounds like the cruise is working wonders! Possibly a tonic for all suffering landers

Have made the leap of faith and haven't looked back. A bit flexible though, occasionally throwing in a little stir fried chicken or a bit of fried whiting/flake to mix it up but even going off chicken now. Haven't touched meat in a year and can't handle the smell/taste anymore in any form. Although the smell of bacon is still difficult to ignore. Also drinking a fair amount of PH Alkaline water. Seems to give me a fair bit of extra energy and is supposed to create a horrid environment for nasty disease thingies (so they say!). Can't say i've tried many organic bananas however. Would go down well in a banana cake maybe with a nice cuppa (or a single malt lol).

Something along those lines. Many say the bottom 6 players define a team from week to week. As to whether it has any validity i have no idea. In the end i think general work ethic, talent at the top end (100+ gamers) and leadership (knowing what to do & how to win etc) are 3 critical components in successful sides. Roos would appear to have solved the work ethic issue and we have turned this around since the ugly years. Cross played a big role in helping here. Talent at the top end of our experienced 100+ gamers? We could argue that till the cows come home i guess but what we can't argue is that at present we don't have enough experienced/ elite talented players (especially by foot/cool head in a crisis etc) at the top end (100 / 150+ games). Really hope this is our focus for next season. With regard to leadership. outside of Jones, Vince & Viney through the middle and to some degree Tmac/Vince down back, we are still searching for a strong leader up forward (could be Hulk in future given enough games & to some extent Watts is offering this a little by example) and a very strong leader down back to command/organise the troops (Frawley!). Oh, plus we need 1 or 2 match winners (champs) who can take control of a game and win it through sheer will/effort and skill. They may be in the list now (eg., Clarry/Tracc/Viney/Hoges/Tyson) but no one has reached these heady heights ....yet. Fingers crossed.

Correct. The 3 most experienced teams this year were against the Tiges (75.1), Saints (75.0) and the Bombers (73.4) The 3 least experienced sides were against the Lions (57.9), the Giants (62.8) and the Pies (62.9). The 3 largest differentials (the first two no surprise) were against the Roos (-87.6), Hawks (-60.7) and the Pies (-30.6).

Hunt and Wagner are very good gets Abe. Even Omac at some point should be ok but is a WIP at the moment and needs to build an AFL body over a few pre seasons before he will be capable of playing consistently good footy/holding his own against the big boys (ie., top 8/top 6 clubs). To play 4 players who have all played on average less than 50 games in defence around some slightly more experienced players in TMac and Nev is always going to result in some severe bleeding down back against the better (top 8/6 clubs) most of the time. Might look good and win a few against those lower down but you need more experience and bigger bodies to get the consistency right. Sometimes the young blokes will all click, along with the older 2, and it will all seem like it's coming together and everyone will rant that it's working but this is usually only against the lessor forward lines/clubs. Play a few youngsters down back for sure, especially when short of options/talent at Casey, but we need to find one or 2 extra experienced guys to fill for next year as BZ said while slowly developing/blooding the young blokes in and out of Casey.

Rjay I wish he was only lost. He was stolen.... how the hell does a club's top 5/10 players end up at a top 4 club already winning premierships? Buddy to Swans. Like these clubs need another leg up. Struggling not! Top 4, from previous season, should not be eligible for free agency coming In.

So we are basically doing a CS blue print but under a new coach with new players. Love the kids but not going to threaten anyone outside of the bottoms 8 or make finals with such an inexperienced list. Time to top up with some experience and big bodies who can play decent possession plus run and gun footy off HB. We have a chance to become a serious AFL club that can beat even the likes of the Hawks of we get the mix of youth/experience right in the upcoming drafts. Hope we don't blow it.

This post is upsetting. Can anyone pls tell me what nation's flag that is? ?

I'm afraid Bud was as good as one can get Maple. Maybe the choices would have been better from business class but beggars can't be choosers. My biggest concern is, how do these travel companies determine that say, Bud, is a better brew than Coopers et al when it clearly isn't. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say or in this case the "beerdrinker"

That's an extremely risky option Maple. Are you sure there won't be major collateral damage assocIated with this zany suggestion?

I agree but the choices were limited to that or soapy water (Heineken) Maple :-S

He will need to be very careful turning corners If/when he gets a wheelchair heming

Emirates didn't have banana milkshakes but I found something beginning with B... endIng In "Weiser" does that count? Can I mIx 2 or 3 In milk? o_O

You can say that again Biff. Think he was very much in a big bubble at Paisley Park. Had a funny SOH once he allowed some to interview etc apparently. But very unusual character. Amazingly talented though. Purple Rain on the Superbowl was solid given his age. Lost nothing on the guitar. Don't know who arranged the intro/earlier part of that set though. Pretty ordinary. Not on his own with "Celebrity" weirdness though. Would be a pretty zany world i would imagine. Some of that weird brought out in this journo's visit to Paisley in 2010 here... http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/inside-princes-bizarre-life-paisley-233220

R.I.P. Prince ... another music icon passes

I don't think he was ever "not on track" PJ. Was just the frustration of wanting to be at a certain level all of the time. And then not letting his opponents see that frustration too much a la the match against the Bombers. That match was really the only "off" game so far and he had a few partners that day. The boys are on track and their improvement is showing on the scoreboard. The fact that we are currently ranked 6th in team goal averages is in no small part to his efforts and the ethos, belief, hard work ethic and leadership traits that Roos is instilling into this team. One week at a time though Demons!

The reach of your gaze is beyond my comprehension Iva. Mine goes only as far as this week for a possible 2 in a row. I admire your willingness to dream a little.

Referring to games during the season Iva (not all of them lol)... but yes that was a great effort on the day. I was at that game. Most players had a day out. Was a great finals series for us apart from the finish.

Yeh he was needing to be moe than a goal square sitter or moving around the 40 meter area. Still has a way to go in terms of knowing when to place himself higher up the ground when opponents are coming in under pressure from HB thru mid or wide (when he's sitting back there and not playing high). Doesn't read this part too well yet. WIll improve with experience and coaching here so just a matter of time and more games. Recall Brad Green doing the same in his first season or 2. Looks very comfortable and solid decision maker when up the ground so why not go there and take his opponent out of his comfort zone. Big body to have roaming around other mids also. Footsteps.

Great news. Need to leave no stone unturned with his development. A Carey lead finishing school will do wonders. It will also help towards a "lock" at the negotiation table. Some decent wins between now and then also needed though. Go boys go! Just go and dont look back!

Must have been late 70s. I recall our cheer squad being pretty big In very early 70s. Bro and me (too a lessor degree as a little tacka) were even In a small unofficial one In the 2nd tier of the southern stand. Small banners, floggers etc.

Can i have one with my profile pic on it?