Demon Dynasty

He was completely lost today in every sense from where i was sitting. We were effectively a man down up forward. Watched him for a good 10 minutes on end at one point in the 3rd and he simply doesnt have the tank, doesnt run enough patterns/doesnt bother or consider runnIng his opponent away from the contest from time to time, doesnt present on the lead or double back often enough to create space. Unable to get seperation from his opponent very often . The list goes on. Sorry i would love him to be ready for a big season but he simply isnt unless we are up against a so so or ordinary opponent and the rest of the team's skiiing downhill. Too raw and too many glaring weaknesses at this point. Not saying he should spend the rest of the season at Casey either but he needs to work on so many aspects of his game. Back to the drawing for a month or two at least before giving him another look.

Why are we rucking Watts and a cameo from Smith for the entirety in the centre!!!???? Around the ground i dont mind Watts 50 % but FCS at least give us a contest to neautralise the centre bounce. WEIDS into the Ruck for the bounce and we win!!!!

Ughhh.... well that puts a bit of a dampner on things. Pedo wouldve been handy If fit or Jake in hindsight. Time to play Weid in the Ruck, Watts only for the chop out on rare occasions!!!!

First quarter was putrid in terms of instensity and the way we allowed ourselves to be worked under the ball too easily. As good as Salem was last week thar first quarter was pretty ordinary down back. Doesnt appear to have a defensive bone in there and looks better suited forwar of centre. Weids will need to get on the bike in the break to warm up. Not sure how Omac ended up on Hawkins at one point early. Then nev at one stage also. TMac to Hawkins as much as possible. Keep Salem forward of centre. Get the Bull to lead out Higher up and leave weid Jeffy out back. We are quicker and better than them On The spread off HB. Hunt & Watts have been monumental. Has Tyson had a touch??? Just need Big M to start neautralising/winning a few more contests , keep up the intensity and kick a little straighter and this one is VERY winnable

The AFL have turned a blind eye to blatant throwing for years now pineapple. As you say the Doggies took it to another level last season and won and premiership on the back of it. Anything to keep the ball moving and game flowing apparently, even if it means we no longer play the game the way it supposed to be played. May as well start playing the odd scrum half, a full back and some wingers from here on.

Apart from the last 15 minutes Buddy was overly selfish on a few occasions earlier throughout the match and could have given off a few more by hand inside or over the top. He is Buddy I realise but IMO tried the fancy stuff around corners under significant heat a few too many times trying to kick the hero goal. He made up for it a little with that amazing kick inside in the last 10 minutes and another handball over the top on the run but too late to save the match by then. The other turning point was the free kick against Zac which 9 times out of ten would have been called 50 meters or play on. The man on the mark stepped over at the same time as Zac stepped off the line meaning he did not wait to hear the play on call. Umpires usually call a straight up 50 against stepping over before the call. Of course this is Collingwood we're talking about though.

So you also saw the 20 or more throws and double/one handed gives and tosses that I saw that weren't called Moon! Many right in front of at least one ump. Glad it wasn't just me ?

I can't recall many periods other than the Northy years and a few post that where we seems to get our house in order chook. We still have a fair way to go but it feels like we are finally on track to producing at a level that shld see us as making finals more often than not. And with a bit of luck with injuries to our list (and maybe not so for our opponents), who knows we just might get a shot or two at the big one in the short term. I also think this year is an outside possibility for that happening, subject to the above going our way.

Should have seen that one coming ?

You can say that again DA

Your questions pretty much answer all that he is capable of manny. Watched him a number of times with Casey and on his day he is a solid all rounder in all those aspects. Hard as nails and strong through body with tackles inside 50 as well as through the middle. Is a natural forward upstairs, reads the play up the field extremely well, knowing when/where to run to get to the drop of the ball and when to present up on the lead. He runs the angles well and is 'usually' super accurate anywhere inside 50. Stepping up to AFL level might take a few weeks though so not expecting a break out game or amazing accuracy in First game or two. Might need 3 to 4 weeks to find his groove. I think if he is given that 3 to 4 weeks he will easily be our most consistent effective forward and will play an important role in shaping our destiny into our first finals series in 11 years. Im predicting he will be our version of Podsiadly and have that sort of impact over the next 4 years or so, assuming he can stay healthy and remain on the park.

Finally!! Watching that surprise news from the club was the best feeling all year outside of beating the Saints. Another step towards Finals! Stomp on dem Pussys Bull !!

I think if we are ever going to give Smithy a try, assuming he is fully fit HH, it is now. With Hulk out for the next few weeks it's an ideal time to take a look over a few weeks. The stars may have aligned!

Big M is one of the most accurate kicks from inside 30 i've seen at his height or similar.

I think you might be right LDC. Although if my memory serves me correctly I seem to recall his accuracy in front (when he gets the chance) has a bit of a question mark over it? But if he is helping others to score who are better at it than him and giving it off most of the time instead of shooting himself then I guess it's not a major black mark. Can always work on his goal shooting skills as well. I could be wrong here though as I haven't checked his accuracy record vs other medium small forwards. Happy to stand corrected.

That last quarter by Harmes was some of the best football I've seen him play. His disposal efficiency was amazing (best on the day? Nev might have bettered him) for his first game as was his attack and intensity on the ball. Was involved in a number of scoring chains also. Let's hope he can continue that form into the Cats game.

Correct sitting at equal 8th. Brother at equal 11th. Tom also sitting at equal 6th for rebounds and Salem at equal 12th. Early days of course. In one of the few publicly available stats that I think has some meaning, clearances, Clarry is our leader here at equal 16th. Pretty amazing for someone who is still in his teens (age and games played)

I doubt he would go to Tomahawk for much of the game Steve. T-Mac surely with some chop outs from others on occasions. Hawk won't be able to go with T-Mac on the rebound but of course likely to win most of the one on ones if the Cats can get it to him quickly. Bit of a 50/50 if T-Mac can punish on the rebound effectively I reckon.

Everybody talking so much BULL on here....surely it's an omen!!!

He is a dead eye dick also HH.

I reckon Pedders will get his chance at some point JV. Not sure about this week tho given the venue and where his fitness/form is at

Not sure how they did at Casey but subject to putting in a decent performance..... - Kent for ANB for the extra pace and finish in front of goal - Bugg for Gus who just looks NQR for mine. - Vince for Lewis seems like a lay down - Tim Smith for Hulk - Pedders for Weids? but not convinced he is ready either. Prefer Weids in the medium term but he is still a fair way off holding down the 2nd string forward role and shouldn't be expected to at this point in his career. There's no way Weids & Watts (as our only Talls) along with a resting Big M, can carry that forward line alone and be effective IMO. A genuine forward is needed to provide structure and a target as well as be dangerous in front of the sticks from most angles. Tim Smith offers that plus he is handy on the lead and very hard to move off the ball. A medium tall that plays tall and small! This makes him a very tricky (valuable for us) match up on game day, although wouldn't be expecting miracles in his first up AFL game, just a solid competitive performance that helps feed the smalls.

If he played a half decent game at Casey he should come straight in big red. Is the best medium sized forward on our list by a country mile with buckets for hands and as accurate as Watts anywhere inside the arc. Accurate goal kicking = maximising forward 50 entries and scoreboard pressure.

Tim Smith Mgdee? How'd he go?

Hunt on Danger would be great to watch Maldon