Demon Dynasty

You willing to put a wager on that?

You mean 2010. Otherwise +1 Just wondering why we seem to wait till the games almost beyond us before getting fired up and doing the 'team' things (Sylvia excluded). Sorry about the negative but our constant poor starts suck the life out of this team/club. I guess it's the overweight rookie/youth thing and always having a few non contributors atm. The lack of any A graders/champions to lead when the chips are down isn't helping either. Oh, and one more, in the first half.... most of our attacking plays came from the back line...again. Lost the battle in the center in the first half.....back line did a pretty good job under fire but were overwhelmed by the forward press of WC (still too slow/indecisive far too often on the kick out transitions!!) which was helped (for them) by winning most of the ball from the middle. Pretty basic/obvious (not easy of course) but when we start winning the contest in the middle more often (particularly early in the game), we'll also get much closer to the better teams and start winning against them.

Bloody hell. Reality bites! On that note....i'm off to bed to rest my weary head!

Sydney will win their last against Brisbane. Finals chance kaput Time to focus on other things such as trade time, new coach, assistants. Oh shite, I nearly forgot Garry's review. Need that before we move on the above.....at least i'd hope so I'd also love to see as many Casey players come in who deserve it (or half deserve it....couldn't be anymore undeserving than a few who came in this week) for the last 3 games and start getting some of the leaner younger pups/and Green (our 1 and only veteran) who are going to be with us for next year, a few weeks off a tad earlier than usual. It's been a long year. We can then get them into the gym/fitness program a few weeks earlier, start pumping them up and putting better man size bods onto them in readiness for next year. I realise we can't replace every rookie (about 12 or so in most of our matches this year), but i'd like to see the bottom 4 - 6 (least experienced/youngest/leanest) replaced and put into some sort of early prep program.

I agree. Problem is, where is his position? Gives the impression he's either moved on (trade wise) or his heart isn't in it. Same with Davey. Totally disinterested for about 80% of game today. For mine i'd be happy at this point to trade those who lack the heart to contest and bring the intensity (including 2nd/3rd efforts) week in and week out for most of the game for hungry quality goal to goal line players who are willing to do so. Also like to see some who we'd like to hang on to and develop, shunted down to Casey to hopefully learn these lessons and develop etc. That's a big part of our problem too i feel. We don't have our own reserves team to control/drill/develop and provide direction as to the style/type of player and play we're looking for. A huge advantage to the Vic clubs that do IMO. At this point i'd be happy to trade Morton, Davey, Sylvia, Bennell, Wanna, Bate and Warnock for a big tall key pack marking/accurate kicking forward. A grunt/class in an under mid fielder like Mitchell/Selwood (or alternatively just get Judd...that's almost 2 players in one lol) and/or a solid tallish half back who can direct the troops down back and allow Frawley to play on 2nd best/Smaller defenders and run off etc. Should be easy enough eh!

Wow...an average of just over 1 possession each for the quarter. Nice. And in the 2nd quarter where we were blown away, again. Obviously a week at Casey had the desired effect on Davey/Sylvia/Morton (Morton had more i think...but still....he needed more lol. Davey might have had 1& a half). Frankly i see this as another demonstration of where we aren't at FD wise. With players coming in and out of Casey 1 week here, 2 weeks there, there's no chance of consistancy for those replacing them in the seniors, or to truly send a 'non-negotiable' message to those getting dropped (or allowing them to find a little confidence/form and a demonstration of true commitment by producing results at Casey before seeing them return). Was it KC who said in his review that both Davey and Sylvia had little impact on the Casey result last week? Yet the very next week.... they're back in the fold. Yet another demonstration of our FD/selection panel sending mixed signals to the playing group IMO. Might help to explain the roller coaster a little.

+1 I'd hate to miss out on our 50 year celebration!

Ummm....kicking is part of the game last time i looked yeah? Maybe you're saying here that you'd prefer him to hand ball more often than not given his turnovers/inaccuracy by foot. That aside, i agree with the rest of your post. He sure needs help to straighten up and get some accuracy/confidence/distance (when required) in his kicking for sure. And yes, he is a pretty good stopper and may i add to that, one of the few (if any) that can do it for pretty much 4 quarters for us atm. Had he not shut Kerr down today, I'd hate to think what the end score line might've been. And we'd no doubt be lamenting yet another blow out and asking for someone's head.... not that there's anyone bigger to scalp than the coach haha. I'm also fairly certain that he's not alone with his kicking accuracy. And until you can find me another shut down player who's also a more accurate kick, and over most of the four quarters, then i'd rather have him in the mix than not right at the moment. There's been many a rant and view on here about our lack of forward pressure inside 50 this year. There's been many a wish on here for a 'shut down' plan B/C when the blow out is pending in order that we keep a team at least to a lowish score and stay competitive thereafter. IMO he's one of the few players that's able to bring this intensity/shut down capability. Until there's others we present or trade for that can do this better, as well as bring the effective disposals into the equation, then Bartram is better than an alternative for this type of 'shut down' role....at this point. At least he has a red hot go and brings the close checking intensity pretty much every time he's on the park. In addition, i don't think the FD (at this point anyway) are expecting him to snag 2 or 3 every week going the other way and working off his opponent. Sure it would be a bonus, and lets hope they can fix this part of his game, but i'm guessing (and it's just a guess) that they're asking for him exactly what he's bringing at the moment.....without the unforced error/turnover count sure. I remember Spalding was also a pretty bad kick on goal early in his career with us. I recall the Blues getting hold of him afterwards and fixing his big hook kick a little. He wasn't an all time great, but he sure improved in this area and went on to play in their 1995 premiership team under Parkin. He also went on to eventually balance his kicking at goal ledger to a marginal positive of 169 goals vs 163 points. I for one thought he would never quite make it up forward as a result of his wayward goal kicking style at the Demons. I was right and wrong lol. He didn't at the Demons, but with a little work and adjusting, he did so elsewhere. I'm not saying Bartram is a potential Earl. Just indicating that maybe we can rebuild him (6 million dollar man!). There's many that need a fixin' in the disposal/goal kicking dept, including some who are more experienced and senior than Clint! One of a number of Bailey legacies perhaps? I'm not saying it is, but if it's obvious for all of us to see, then one has to wonder why it hasn't been addressed to this point in such a reasonably experienced player. Maybe it's not fixable, maybe we have tried everything. I guess i'll never know. The proof of the pudding will be in the kicking accuracy/efficiency from here though. I'm sure Old Dee will set me straight lol

Excellent point Robbie.... i'd like to see the cost benefit analysis on this one. I'm sure it's gathering dust and buried real deep, somewhere in the bowels of the AFL's castle of spin.

Lol Will. You putting your 'big boy' pants on now? Huh huh! Nice ring btw!

Man that was a seriously 'warped' star trek. Thanks for such a nice Sunday wake up call Dee. I really enjoyed that.... This lead me to watching the scene on the bus with the punk rocker courtesy of your you tube link.... i'm not even going there. Do yourself a favour and don't go there either! Seriously.....don't.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr82dZpCr48&feature=related

Hmmm....can't say i was ever nervous with Cameron the Bruce. I reckon you're being a bit harsh there. I always had faith in him either coming up short with some of his kicks on goal or kicking a floater through either side of the big ones on most occasions. He was pretty consistent!

now you're talking!! Wow, with the Ox, Todd and now Pat behind us.....it's gonna be a headband fest down there. I better stock up for next year!!

Darn it. How could i forget Juice. Nice one Bitter. At least there's one Demonoid who's seen the light on the leadership group. I knew i was spot on with these views. I'm sure Old Dee is also reading this and having second thoughts too. I reckon he'll turn shortly as will many other doubters on here!! Won't be long now! We'll be hailed as soothsayers next year you wait and see mate!!!

I'm nominating Cale Morton for 2012....and Bennell as VC Anyone 2nd that?

Greg Healy....Bah...Humbug! I've heard from a VERY reliable source.... Club's bringing in Peter McNamara as Football Director and Paul McNamee as CEO to replace CS from beginning of next year! Apparently they're going to serve up an ace of a plan to move this club forward. However, they're asking for a Prince of a sum to do so! On the other hand they're bringing with them a huge new sponsor and about to sign a HEAD of agreement. In addition, they're going to ensure 'new balls' all round at every training session. As well as some ball boys positioned behind the goals during practice to ensure that any shots on goal sprayed wide, will be returned to the boys quick smart. Something about an issue with accuracy with set shots on goal and more practice needed here (part of their cunning new game plan i'm told). When asked to comment on this, CEO Cameron Schwab was heard to respond.... "No comment boys, anyone for tennis?". With all the rumours and speculation on all matters MFC i've heard on here this year, that's all the confirmation i need to convince me...this is a dead set certainty!

Easy being a keyboard critic and looking from afar. Don't know if i'm spot on but thanks for sharing your view. There's been plenty of us seeing the missing links (for quite a while now) leadership wise in this team. Garry must surely see this as one of the key issues too. I'm pretty sure he'll have the aggots to make some recommendations here. Would be an interesting question that i'd like to hear put to him by someone on his panels. Not sure if he'd be willing to open up fully though given what's ahead and review hasn't even begun. I'm betting he must already have some idea though. My main concern is, if he's answering to the board, and the board isn't unified or there are factions etc...then his recommendations, or many of the key ones, wont be seriously dealt with. Will the board wipe most of his recommendations as they have supposedly done with the Andrews report? In many ways i'd love Garry's final recommendations to be publicly available to members of the club to view for ourselves. I realise this isn't how these things work but ...given the apparent parlous state politically, i truly think we as members deserve to see some detail. Even if it's an abridged 'carve out' version made more suitable for public/member consumption. I think we deserve to see something from the review. It's time for some serious transparency and honesty from the MFC to its members if we're to repair the nonsense of the last few weeks and move on and up as a unified club.

My only reservations was with the FD playing him too early in his development given his physical size/maturity. Thought his mind might get smashed along with his bod lol. But he's grown and grown and proved my worries were unfounded. I had a preference for Nick Nat before i saw anything of the two, but that was only on the back of hearing Buckenara's comments years ago that he felt Nick Nat was the stand out in the draft and that's who he'd go for as he hadn't seen anything like him. He probably hadn't seen much of Watts so on reflection it was a somewhat cloaked view of things. Mind you i think Nick Nat will also be a massive star and has shown glimpses of his potential this year But for me.....stellar year this year for Watts. I posted earlier on the Green post from Belze.... Captain for mine for 2012 with Mckenzie or Trengove VC (or joint VC's). Time for the seniors to move aside for the new crew in the leadership dept. The senior leaders all had their chance this year. I've seen enough. With Moloney maybe the only short term exception if we feel another year is needed in the youngsters prior to captaincy in 2013. Otherwise, no thanks. Watts for mine all the way. Wack another 3-5kg on pre season and look out! Well done mate.

Geelong vs Gold Coast Round 20, 2011 - Experience Stats Total games played by Team Geelong - 1,970 Gold Coast – 1,227 Average games played per player Geelong - 90 Gold Coast – 56 Average Height of Teams Geelong - 188cm Gold Coast – 189cm Average Weight of Teams Geelong - 90kg Gold Coast – 85kg Average games played by category 0-49 Geelong - 22 / 5 (average games/number of players) Gold Coast - 11 / 14 50-99 Geelong - 81 / 4 Gold Coast - 69 / 2 100+ Geelong – 198 / 13 Gold Coast - 156 / 6 Stats courtesy of footywire.com

Geelong vs Melbourne Round 19, 2011 - Experience Stats (didn't get a chance to post pre-match. Just thought i'd take a look....as ugly as the result was. I've also posted the Gold Coast match against the Cats for this week below as a comparison. The inbalance in rookies/seniors is pretty alarming) Total games played by Team Geelong - 1,981 Demons – 1,394 Average games played per player Geelong - 90 Demons – 63 Average Height of Teams Geelong - 188cm Demons – 188cm Average Weight of Teams Geelong - 90kg Demons – 86kg Average games played by category 0-49 Geelong - 16 / 3 (average games/number of players) Demons - 24 / 12 50-99 Geelong - 80 / 4 Demons - 73 / 4 100+ Geelong – 201 / 15 Demons - 136 / 6 Stats courtesy of footywire.com

Although it's a little too late and unusual to change Captains at this point, Viney's appointment would have been a possibility to do so. However, he's already said he's a temp coach so this means he would've been quite reluctant to make any 'major' changes such as captaincy. Would be another ripple through the playing group as well. One i think was needed when it was obvious to all earlier in the season. We missed the boat, yet again. That being said i agree with you BB. Lack of leadership on field and off this year (along with who knows what else has gone on behind the scenes in the admin/FD), has seen an ugly ending to our season. Having seen what's gone on this year, and the year pretty much done and dusted now.....my nomination for our long term captain from next year, is a young man who's shown great progress, heart, spirit and some wonderful passages of creative play. He also finishes where many others, including most in our senior group, fail to. In addition he shows me something i've seen sadly lacking in many of the senior leadership group so often in so many of the big games, especially at crucial times when the game's still in the balance. And that's 2nd and 3rd efforts and a will to get to many contests! He leads by example consistently week in & week out, with a few odd exceptions (to be expected given his age/inexperience), even when we're being pumped. By a country mile.......JACK WATTS!

Carlton vs Melbourne Round 20, 2011 - Experience Stats (didn't get a chance to do this prior to match so thought i'd include it here FYI) Total games played by Team Blues - 1,884 Demons – 1,499 Average games played per player Blues - 86 Demons – 68 Average Height of Teams Blues - 186cm Demons – 188cm Average Weight of Teams Blues - 86kg Demons – 86kg Average games played by category 0-49 Blues - 29 / 10 (average games/number of players) Demons - 24 / 11 50-99 Blues - 58 / 2 Demons - 77 / 5 100+ Blues – 155 / 10 Demons - 141 / 6 Stats courtesy of footywire.com

Carlton vs Melbourne Round 20, 2011 - Experience Stats Total games played by Team Blues - 1,884 Demons – 1,499 Average games played per player Blues - 86 Demons – 68 Average Height of Teams Blues - 186cm Demons – 188cm Average Weight of Teams Blues - 86kg Demons – 86kg Average games played by category 0-49 Blues - 29 / 10 (average games/number of players) Demons - 24 / 11 50-99 Blues - 58 / 2 Demons - 77 / 5 100+ Blues – 155 / 10 Demons - 141 / 6 Stats courtesy of footywire.com P.S. Apologies for lateness and missing last weeks (work commitments).

Our selections have often been bewildering to me in many cases over many decades. We simply aren't harsh enough and to me this tells the whole team, that it's ok to lose.....to a point. So what do they do week after week, until they're dead sick of it.....they lose. Take the Hawks game. Lost by 54 points in Round 18. This was 9 points worse than our capitulation in the 2nd half of our round 2 game against the same team. And they had Roughhead in the team in Round 2. So basically our result, 16 weeks later, was without doubt worse IMO. Yet..... what changes did we make to the team for the following week? Zero, Zilch...Null! And i say Zero as to me, the 1 omission was made only in order to return a previously crook Jurrah (a last minute ommission from the Dawks game) into the same, unchanged line up for the match against the Cats. Lose by nearly 10 goals and in effect no changes!! To me that message speak volumes to the whole group. Again, it's ok to lose....even by almost 10 goals. What a disgrace. And disgrace ourselves we did, the very next week. Our black Saturday wasn't all to do with off field politics and shenanigans.

Who knows. Not a bad article other than that last jab. Unnecessary and unfortunate finish IMO. Highlights much of what's been lacking in the last 15 years or so, with a few exceptions like Neitz, at this club. Pitty Todd doesn't want to continue on. I think he under sells himself here. With the right support staff and a senior quality mentor over his shoulder, i think Todd would make a good fit for us and turn us into a toughened/hardened professional outfit.