Demon Dynasty

So what you're saying is, all his bad days are behind him now and he's ready to get serious?

Without question....Adriana Lima..... Adriana for Banner!

Is this seriously possible? Aged Care list maybe?

Nothin wrong with online Holdem play mate....as long as you have disciplined bankroll management, lots of experience and you avoid sites that allow bots on em. I win in the long haul playing Holdem online. Awesome game at that. It's the horses/dogs/ and other casino games that kill ya B)

SUBJECT TO...... >> Meeting certain criteria pre season. A rolling short term contract with behavioral clauses. And a deal on the lower side $ wise but with performance incentive. >> The KPI side including a non-negotiable forward pressure aspect. Although not sure you can put this in a contract lol. However, If he brings this pressure side as well as a decent bag over the year, i'd be happy subject to the above being built in. The kids, as some refer to on here, as well as some of the seniors (McKenzie/Trengove/Jones/Moloney/Nicho etc) will also hopefully learn to deliver to and play with a real power forward. Hopefully in readiness for our next long term one post fev (which could be a matter of weeks away lol)....and a premiership shortly thereafter

Thanks mate. That's a good point. I still believe the biggest mistake we made during the later Danner years was trying for a repeat of 2000 (ie., a grand final ...but this time hopefully a premiership of course) by hanging on to basically the same team that took the field that day for as long as possible, give or take some marginal or forced changes along the way until Danners' retirement. I think he might've forgotten that we were 10 goals behind the best team on the day. This might suggest that some players on the day, just weren't up to it, and hence probably wouldn't be if we were to make it once more...just a thought. Dean probably saw the aging list as an issue as well, but then seems to have gone a little too boldly too soon with the broom to what was left when he arrived. We're now paying the price of the apparent 'steady as she goes' list management policy over many years through the 2000's IMO and Bailey's early boldness. Hopefully we've learned our lesson and will ensure that we never get so out of wack again when it comes to the mix of experience vs rookies in future. That's one reason why i'm reluctant to dump players like Bartram and Dunn for rookies, provided i see them fully committed to the cause, which they seem to be so far. Although they have serious flaws, they can still mix it a little on game day and stay in the contest when the heat is on. In addition they're only about 15 games away from breaking 100 games. Not easy to replace that sort of AFL bod/experience unless we secure some very sweet trades ie., not rookies. I'd hate to see more rookies running around on average next year instead of the 11/12/13 or so we had on most occasions this year. With all the ups and downs that came with about 12 in the team, an extra 2 or 3 rookies might result in a pretty ugly 2012

Firstly IMO in general we are in need of..... A TALL strong bodied key forward who can win the contested mark either on the hit up or when playing deep in a one on one around the goal square and can kick a goal from most positions within 50. Given the number of times our younger and more senior players bomb the ball in 'hail mary' style this is a must for me atm. Hopefully this changes as the execution skills improve and we transition a little quicker as well as doing the 1%ers around the ground, allowing ball carriers more time and poise to hit up the leading targets (Howe/Green/Watts? etc) more often. A strong TALL half back who can manage/body on body the likes of a Cloke/Roughead/Lynch/Tippet (Others like this.....who we are bound to face as the years progress) and who uses the ball wisely and has potential leadership qualities. More inside players (at least 2 or 3) who are solid through the body, fairly quick over the first 10 or so, but who also have QUICK ball use/reflexes, especially around the middle and stoppages around the ground. Many of our players around stoppages are just too slow/indecisive with their decision making/disposal (in particular handball) when compared to the top 6 teams, offering our opposition many opportunities to force the turnover and or force another stoppage where they eventually win out with players who are just better in these areas. Nicholson, Blease are 2 newbies who offer this potential, but aren't necessarily inside players although Blease might be once he's had a few more pre seasons. Haven't seen enough of him yet to see what he's offering up. Having said that i would like to see the club delist or trade the following...... Morton: 3rd year player, looks like a 1st year. Time waits for no one. We need bigger bodied hard nosed players like Tappy. Premiership windows don't stay open for long. Skinny boys who's skills/bods fall apart under sustained pressure/heat/physical contests, rarely assist in winning a premiership and i haven't noticed any change in him handling the heat on match day yet when it's applied. Nor have i seen any change in his body/physique yet that would suggest that's going to change either in the near term. On Sunday he looked like a 3 or 4 game raw boned rookie, and played like one for all but about 20 minutes once many others around him had already stepped up a gear after half time. I would have to see Robbie Flower type potential in him to change my mind. And i haven't seen anything remotely close to those skills yet. Davey: IMO he's damaged goods both physically and mentally now. He admitted to suffering from "Etiphobia" a few weeks ago. He demonstrated it in a big way IMO on Sunday. In fact he admitted to suffering from "Awayphobia" as well in the same interview. Which for him, is any game that isn't played at the G. I believe the younger indigenous boys and even some of the other young rookies would probably look up to him or have until recently. Seeing him leave would probably effect them in the short term i'm sure. We might even see a few follow. However, as far as our indigenous boys go, it's not like any of them have solidified their spot in the team with what they've dished up so far. So i'm more concerned with and looking to any new rookies who we bring in from here. I'd prefer they aren't scarred and end up catching the same phobias when they join. As Todd has already stated, this club needs a new "away" mindset...and that means a pretty big broom to those who aren't able to get their minds over playing away games. And i'm not saying Davey is alone here. He's just the only one who i've publicly heard state this so far. I'm sure there's others who will need to be asked openly and honestly if this is an issue going forward. Newton: As above, not sure why we relisted him. Spencer: Had a number of chances. Another tall skinny lad (ruckman). Sylvia: Looks disinterested and has gone backwards this year. Has never been a consistently solid player after many pre seasons and opportunities to show it. Doesn't lead by example often enough given his seniority. Provided we get a value option for him then this could be a nice win win for him and us. Warnock: Seen enough. Judgement through the air and footy smarts/skills IMO just aren't there. Maybe he needs half a dozen games in the seniors just to be sure though. Not that we can afford that luxury and we miss out on trading this year. Wanna: Uncommitted one trick pony. Very good at reading the ball off the pack and goal sneak though when he's fit and on. Maybe worth a pre-season just to see if he's going to build a real AFL bod/tank and get truly serious and commit to us as a small crumbing forward. Something we miss dearly at the club and have for years IMO. Hopefully they'll sus this out of him prior to offering him another year. Players i'm in 2 minds about...... Strauss Maric Evans Bate: Maybe one last try in a key defender role....Is about the same height as Tarrant and can roost the ball which might be real handy in breaking the press! Would need to turn things around big time pre-season though. Might be lost in defence though. Have we tried him down there before? I know he played off half back flank a few years ago from memory. But i'm talking FB or CHB maybe, depending on the match ups on the day. Jurrah: Needs to take a huge leap in work ethic (not just aerial speckys!) for me to believe he'll survive given the emphasis on all players needing to play their role in the forward press, along with the constant physical pressure coming the other way from his opponents now. Jetta: Worth one more year maybe. Gysberts: No tank and too skinny. Opponents just run him ragged, run off him and/or break his tackles like he isn't there atm. Needs 2 more pre-seasons at least. Grimes: Only because of his injury misfortune. Dunn: Needs to change into a more athletic player through the bod to survive i reckon, with a view to quickening him up over 20 - 30 meter sprints on the lead and to help when chasing. Leigh Brown had a significant change in his physique after joining the Pies and it's paid off after many years and a few clubs. Maybe Dunn is also capable of a similar 'sea change'. I also wouldn't like to lose him yet as he's one of the few players who has an AFL bod (weight wise), can hold the occasional mark, stick a bone crunching tackle and kick a goal from 50 or slightly more. He's also entertaining as he likes to niggle/sledge his opponent and does a few dumbass things from time to time such as the Chappy incident. I even saw him shape up to a West coast player on Sunday lol. Cracks me up sometimes. And yes i realise this is not a good reason to hang on to him. But in the end if we aren't winning, i like to at least be entertained a little...even if it means having a laugh at our expense. If i didn't, i would've gone crazy by now

Close being the operative word. IMO we are one pretty tall brutish player (who can play), from finishing off here. This is the type of player we need to allow Frawley to play on (and off) a slightly smaller opponent. Garland to cover the 2nd best taller opponent and Rivers across to the oppositions 3rd/4th key opponent. This might allow us to match up on teams who have a few brute forwards like the Pies/Cats and also take the odd pack splitting crucial mark at half back when the going gets tough. Haven't seen any of the other Casey boys to know if it's a potential there. In addition, what you see with Rivers is what you're going to get. He's better served when Frawley/Garland and Joel are about so he doesn't have to cover a better/bigger/taller forward where he often gets out bustled/played. Hence why the Pies were so happy to have him matched up on Cloke earlier this year and went out of their way to find that match up. Not Rivers fault though. Just lacking this extra tallish/brute backman as an option IMO.

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.