Demon Dynasty

Yeah, i see him as this 3rd man up/floater style wise too. Not a bad option against teams where we don't need a 3rd key match up in defence on a big guy like the Pies at present and while Garland is there and fit. I see him getting out muscled a little too often for my liking which may suggest that we do lack that other Chip size defender. With Garland back, this allows us to put Rivers on the 3rd biggest which he can hopefully handle a little better from here. Although i'm not sure the FD sees it this way. I think they over rate Rivers a little when it comes to body strength/height and he pays the price. He used to play taller before his injury IMO. I think Garland has substantial upside for us too and is under rated somewhat. Could be our Scarlett going forward if he keeps improving the way he has been and with another pre-season or 2 under his belt. He's a long way from Scarlett type output/form i realise, but at times he shows glimpses. Hopefully we can find one other big talented defender for multiple forward structures like the Pies, such as Tom MacDonald (~ see Diablo post above) if he comes on in the next year or 2. Either that or we could trade for someone. I personally wouldn't like to see Martin covering opposition key forwards on a regular basis unless we have to. More damaging as a follower who rests/pushes up forward IMO. I'd like to think he just might develop into a CHF, although he lacks the big pack/overhead marking ability at this point and isn't exactly a hit up type player either. I think we need someone who can do one or both as CHF. Maybe Watts is the man for this job when he's big enough. Only time will tell i guess.

Yep. That was a pretty poor option agreed. However, your assertions are incorrect. 1. It wasn't a hospital handball. It was delivered straight to Scully. My understanding of anything 'hospital' in footy terms is that it has some form of serious ballooning happening (whether a handball or kick) and serious height/loop, thereby leaving the receiver in a dangerous exposed/open situation where he can be split down the middle or cleaned up shortly after taking possession OR as he waits under the ball to try and take possession as it comes down from a height. Agreed though, it was a poor option to handball to Scully as he was well covered and tackled immediately after the receive. 2. You are correct. Scully was tackled, and was driven into the ground. However, without the benefit of watching the replay again (as i haven't the time or inkling just for this one incident), i'm almost certain this did NOT result in a turnover. Yes Sculls could've been killed in the process lol, but it didn't result in a turnover. As you stated, Scully was driven into the ground, but from memory this resulted in a 'no prior opportunity' ball up. Lastly, Bennell wont be the first or last MFC player (or AFL player) to have dished out some pretty poor handballs. I seem to recall Sculls dishing out some absolute shockers of late, some of which missed the target entirely and were also a little panicky At least Bennell's handball found its target, albeit a terrible 'panick' option in this case also with the timing a shocker. Was that a GWS handball from Bennell maybe!!? I agree, Bennell needs to improve substantially before we could say he's reaching an acceptable output/level (as do a few others atm) that would see him as a definite inclusion most weeks. I also don't believe he should be an automatic inclusion (along with others) as it will sometimes come down to match ups on the day depending on who/where we're playing on a given week. I just see him as a possible important option in the mid field/half back mix going forward if he does keep improving, rather than a complete hopeless right off that some others see him as.

I'm not convinced about Morton, Strauss or Rivers yet in terms of them being in our best 22 in the medium to long term. Rivers plays/looks great on the right match up and does push forward at times to create, but very exposed when mis-matched (which is far too often for mine and often seems over powered). Seems to lose his feet in the contest way too often for an experienced player, allowing his opponent to run off and create havoc. However, I can't see a direct replacement in the Magoos at present that offers us a better option. Maybe Warnock body wise but i don't rate Warnock higher than Rivers at this point. Warnock has less than half the experience of Rivers. Maybe a tad unfair to compare at this point in their careers. Big fan of Rivers and was one of my favs early on. But if we're going to make it to the top of the mountain... trade options (Rivers & Warnock) end of year maybe? Morton shows glimpses/flashes of promise/class. But then there's the short ball clangers. If he can get the muscle on a little, puts himself in to a few more contests and starts making the right choices with disposal more often, he could be a very nice asset. Lots of pieces missing in his puzzle for mine. However, If filled in over next year or two, then we got ourselves a sweet jigsaw to draw on. Strauss, just starting out so expectations shouldn't be too high, however, seemed to be chasing tails all day against the Tiges/Dockers and a little off the pace at this level from what i recall in last 2 games. Like to see Evans in for Strauss for a few games sometime soon if he's available for selection (and earned it) to take another look.

Although his possession count isn't the highest, next time you watch him, look out for his disposal efficiency which IMO makes up for the low count a little. He's a sublime finisher once he gets the ball and the options he takes are rarely poor. A little like Davey without the tank and AFL veteran bod muscle/strength wise. Class player slowly learning and starting to impact the game and improve a little more each week as he builds his tank. If he can build himself a little more through the body and improve his work ethic/tank over the next pre-season or 2 in order to get to more contests, he'll start impacting games much more than present. Big game/Big Crowd, big outcome on the line (final 8 spot in the offing) on the weekend..... he didn't let us down. Was involved in creating a number of forward thrusts and at least 2 goal assists, one at a critical time with his defensive punch over the top following the Tiger kick in up the guts. For those who still disbelieve, can i suggest watching the Richmond game one more time. A long way from being great atm, but little by little, he's starting to shine. Really just comes down to how badly he wants it from here i think. Don't forget he's still pretty much a rookie (ok, so he's about to graduate lol), with 46 games under his belt till now.

Gutsy, never say die, gut running game on the weekend. And by gut running i mean to get to so many contests all over the ground. He wasn't alone there, Sylvia, the Scull & Jordie weren't far behind. But he's like an angry bulldog that's always looking for that elusive meat bone. Maybe bowser is a more appropriate name lol. Agree as stated earlier, he willed his way to many contests and laid some awesome tackles (as did Sylvia). IMO his game, Watts, Trenners, Jordie, Greeny, Chiper + the super 2nd, 3rd efforts from some players up forward (including Bobby, Howeee and finally Air J!!) plus some amazing run and defence from the back line....were the difference. Only improvement would be yes, lower the eyes just a little more when breaking from the middle or around flanks. No obvious options, then yeah....bomb away to the hot spot..or just kick it through for a sausage lol.

His work rate is presently not up to an AFL type standard IMO. And i'm talking lead up to provide options for our mids and half backs as well as his defensive pressure work rate. Gives his direct opponent a free and easy role to run the ball out of our forward line with little i50 pressure. He's probably not alone in the forward pressure aspect but it's the degree to which he doesn't work that's a worry. You could argue that we probably have others in our forward line who also struggle with their forward pressure side, but i don't see it at the lowish level that Jurrah is at, or not at as the case may be. I really hope he turns it around somehow, but so far i haven't seen much improvement to this side of his game. He does do these things in very small doses when the mood takes him. But IMO he's one of our weakest links in the forward line given the above at present. No real alternative to pressure him to up the ante a little from the Magoos at this stage. I would love to see the FD try him through the middle a little more often to provide an outside 'class' option to the mid field mix in short bursts and just to see how he operates through here. That way he's forced to think about his work rate a little and is 'in the game' a little more often. His delivery/pace/kicking skills coming out of the mid field (in short bursts) might add a bit of an X factor for us there and get his mind switched onto the game early. I see him as Michael Longish potentially (work rate/output/and damage wise), IF he's willing to get his fitness/work rate up going forward and this might see him turn into a handy mid fielder who's able to push forward at times for the odd goal. I would hate to see him continue along his present path as IMO he's stagnating somewhat under the FDs apparent 'status quo' strategy. Although i have seen them switch him into the middle on a few odd occasions. I'd love to see more of this (off the bench in short 5 - 10 minute spurts) for the second half of this season and see how he goes. I'm not saying he wont kick the odd 4 - 5 goal haul in the odd game if they just keep playing him as is. But it's the work rate/consistency/value added/and gradual improvement that is missing atm for me. Yeah, i know i'll get ragged for saying this lol....so please, feel free to commence with your rants fellow deminions! B)

Gold Striker. He writes well eh. Scary thing is, some of those scenes remind me of my old drinking days with the boys during the dark days of the 70's & 80's. We had our own 'grog squad' before they were termed such i think. And yes, this involved smuggling in cans of amber ale, UDLs, flasks of scotch and anything else we could get into our jackets No bag checks in those days Our chant after any games at the G was "To the Hilton, To the Hilton, To the Hilton Hilton Hilton!". Which was our way of heading to the MCG bar at the Hilton where we mostly had to drown our sorrows and put up with the odd opposition supporter or a small group of them cheering every time they kicked a goal on the tube as the replay was telecast. Occasionaly we were treated with a rare replay of a Demon victory. Always made a huge difference to the whole night lol. On a few very rare occasions, the odd player would come in for a beer after match. I can only recall this on about 2 occasions. Although i was mostly smashed so my memory isn't the most reliable source. Definitely recall Jacko Jackson one time though. How would you be if that happened today. Beamer would've been booted! We certainly didn't have a Queen Shazza tho. Thank lucifer for that!

Fair enough Fork. I've made a mental note mate. I guess it's a random outcome sometimes, depending on where you sit/stand on the day and who's about/who you're with. I had a pretty tough/feral upbringing myself in my early days so maybe i just don't notice the knuckleheads behaving so badly as some others might. Anyways, i'll try and take more notice this time around. That's if i leave the ground alive!

Richmond vs Melbourne Round 14, 2011 - Experience Stats Total games played by Team Tigers - 1,287 Demons – 1,356 Average games played per player Tigers - 59 Demons - 62 Average games played by category 0-49 Tigers - 26 / 12 (average games/number of players) Demons - 23 / 13 50-99 Tigers - 74 / 6 Demons - 64 / 2 100+ Tigers – 142 / 4 Demons - 127 / 7 Stats courtesy of footywire.com

I think Richmond supporters, not all but in general, are one of the fairest bunch i've witnessed and experienced at the footy. Like all teams, including us, they have fair ones, feral ones, crazy passionate types and band wagon jumpers (and yes, plenty of females, including wives who are in some cases more passionate than the blokes, and whole family followers...and many who love to go skiing!!). I've got a good mate who follows em week in, week out. And i'm talking regular match attendance/membership every year not just a follower, like many of those Blues' supporters (at least up until last year anyway....yeh that's my stereotype for Blues' supporters...pretend they support em like they're members but when you dig deeper, they aren't lol). He loves em and hates em with a passion. I've been with him to many Demon/Tiger matches, including away games sitting/standing in amongst/behind the enemy, and let me tell ya, i've seen worse supporter groups generally than Richmond's. Yes, they've got their odd ugly knucklehead supporters, so have we, but nothing like what i've experienced with Bumbers, Dawks and Pies. Much more arrogance amongst these 3 given their recent history of success. And one of the worst groups i've had behind me ever during a match (and this was a final) was Saints supporters. Generally found em ok, but the group i witnessed this particular day was the worst ever lol. I remember going to the final Fitzroy game here at the G (final game in Vic) with me Tiger mate for the send off in 1996. And what a send off the Tiger supporters gave em (as well as other club's supporters of course). My 2nd team and i followed them as a toddler before i turned to the Demons. So i had a bit of a soft spot. When the Fitzroy song came on pre match the majority of the crowd (from what i can recall) stood up and sang their fab song as one. One of the most emotional moments i can recall at the footy. One thing i do remember that day was how loose/slack i thought Martin Pike was that day and maybe it wasn't such a bad thing to have traded him in the end. How wrong he was going to prove me in years to come lol. I sat with my Tiger mate in the members and I swear many of the Tiger supporters were happy to sit on the fence, half wishing the Roys would get up or at least put up a decent show. Albeit this was very early on in the game and once it ended up looking like the Roy boys were on the road to a belting, without much fight, they soon found voice for their own. Many Tiger supporters have done it tough too gang. I've found they aren't so arrogant as you might think. Angry, frustrated and [censored] at their efforts over past years sure (ring a bell lol?), but most aren't like the ones we read in the sneak posts on here, from what i've experienced anyway. Unless there's been a change in the last 6 - 8 months maybe that i have yet to witness. I'm going on Saturday night so i'll let you know if there's been a change lol. Also, this BS 'Silvertail' myth about our supporters may have been relevant pre 1980 when we were owned by the MCC. But not any more. It's a dumbass label portrayed and stereotyped week after week by 'the coulda beens' many decades ago, which was then carried over and grew legs through other ignorant mis-informed smart ass commentators. Success breeds success. And with a lack of success over many decades now, the MFC boasts more than its fair share of battlers and blue collar workers (me being one of them). I sat next to two of the toughest of em in Karen & her mate (i forget her mate's name...sorry!) at the G against the Bumbers 3 weeks ago. They were from Pakenham and Werribee. Hardly well to do burbs! 25+ years support/membership, and tough as nails! Some of the wealthiest/well to do clubs, and hence supporters, are those that have had success over many decades. These are the new silvertails of the AFL. We do have our share, don't get me wrong, especially at board/committee level no doubt (where the big money and bean counters thrive and are much needed in order to attract appropriate sponsors and have their roots in/with the MCC etc). But nothing like the well to do clubs, such as Essendon, Collingwood and Hawthorn at the grass roots level. Check out the stickers/car rego's on the Beamers and Audi's etc next time you're out and about. You'll find most of them are Bumbers/Hawks/Pies supporters and they're certainly not suffering under the weight of a heap of struggling 'blue collar' only supporters! More likely accountants, lawyers and big business knobs!

+1 for me Dermie commented on him recently. Said to become a great forward he'd need to be able to do much more than be just lead up in straight lines. Believes that's why the Cats have sent him back to the Magoos after much perseverance. If i was granted a wish i wouldn't say no to having an 'instant' quality power CHF in the team right now though. Anyone seen a genie lamp around lately?

Rhino for mine....definitely Rhino!

Ummm....could've been Freo supporters ....or maybe...BT!

Howe about that!!!! Nice. I'm taking everything a week at a time though. Sorry for the cliche' but it was a pretty deleted Freo, and at the G lol

Spot on. Although, i would still see Col pushing forward to create another option on occasions when it fits into the team plan/structure/match ups etc. Can play tall, and throws another dimension into our forward options, creating another headache for the opposition to try and cover with a tallish/quality defender rather than just a 'run with' option if he didn't push forward at all. Not to mention the scoreboard pressure Rather see Gawn, Martin, Rush & Watts through here most of the time

Melbourne vs Freemantle Round 13, 2011 - Experience Stats Total games played by Team Demons - 1,324 Dockers – 1,451 Average games played per player Demons - 60 Dockers - 66 Average games played by category 0-49 Demons - 25 / 13 (average games/number of players) Dockers - 24 / 13 50-99 Demons - 72 / 3 Dockers - 75 / 4 100+ Demons – 131 / 6 Dockers - 168 / 5 Stats courtesy of footywire.com

Melbourne vs Freemantle Round 13, 2011 - Experience Stats Total games played by Team Demons - 1,324 Dockers – 1,451 Average games played per player Demons - 60 Dockers - 66 Average games played by category 0-49 Demons - 25 / 13 (average games/number of players) Dockers - 24 / 13 50-99 Demons - 72 / 3 Dockers - 75 / 4 100+ Demons – 131 / 6 Dockers - 168 / 5 Stats courtesy of footywire.com

All good mate. Heyy does that mean u managed to have your cocoa? Got a laugh outta that lol. Lucifer knows we need more laughs after Saturday

I was being a little flippant...or trying to

Yeh, i heard from an inside source that he's moved away from 'chalk and talk' to 'differentiated instruction' ...so he must be a 'good teacher'!

First para....ya. Nice. 2nd para... ummm....not sure i'd rank Bailey an equal to or better coach than Sheedy at the time the decision was made. Whether he was the correct person for the job or not is another matter depending on the MFC's criteria/decision making processes/budget etc.

How about as Director of Coaching??

I find it offensive that you're connecting a player not quite right with my name. In future i would ask you to consider this before using it so loosely! B)

Nice lol. I have a strong feeling this may have happened to us and other lessor clubs a few times before BZ. Seems we haven't learnt much. Next planet China maybe?? Hang on we went there already didn't we Maybe that's what we were planning/doing while the AFL was shafting everyone over the GCS/GWS arrangement

Which double standards lol? What guilt lol? You're use of the word guilt implies that anyone that doesn't quite respond in the manner which you (and RPFC) approve of must be guilty of a Demonland offence! (teehee) Wasn't saying you're denying them a right as such, just comments from you and RPFC that allude to the fact that most comments on this re: Scully not being played if he hasn't signed are crap and those writing them are full of crap lol. I was one of them although what i was saying was press for a more definite outcome by pushing for an 'in principle' agreement in the next 4 weeks. If it falls over, and he refuses to sign, IMO he's shown his hand. If so, we then look to get 8 -10 games into alternatives. Nathan Thompson said exactly the same this evening on SEN just out of interest. Not that his backing makes it a sound argument. As for my use of comic sans.....heyy....it got a response out of you Rhino. That's a pretty good reason i reckon! Oh, if you dislike it so much.....you could always get it removed as a font option! Ummm....the IMO bit means you're kind of joking yeh?