Demon Dynasty

That's an average turnover number so he also had a miserly 3 against the Swans Mr Bin. Agree re meters gained which is why i don't use this in my player ratings. If i had access to "Meters Gained Assisted" though i would be throwing this into the mix. Plenty of other Champion stats i would use in preference to what i currently do if available as well but alas. FWIW Lever also rated high in my weekly player ratings, coming in 5th and posting a 37% improvement on his season 2023 average rating on Sunday. These composite ratings also include a weighted adjustment for turnovers on every player, which tends to boost the rating of those who are cleaner with their ball use (somewhat)... Player Rating Rank 2023 Season Rating % Change vs 2023 C Petracca 6.000 1 4.707 27.47 Max Gawn 5.275 2 3.350 57.46 J Billings 4.575 3 - - C Oliver 4.300 4 5.002 -14.03 J Lever 4.275 5 3.131 36.54 Jack Viney 4.100 6 3.707 10.60 T McDonald 3.950 7 2.054 92.31 C Salem 3.825 8 2.993 27.80 S May 3.750 9 3.213 16.71 Ed Langdon 3.475 10 3.057 13.67

Another solid episode thanks gents. George highlighted the structural aspect with T-Mac down back & BBB up forward which helped straighten and right the ship from the week before. T-Mac wld've also pleased the coach & Chaplin. Hitting a number of sharp short passes exiting 50 vs Tommo's longer attempts and dumps that may have resulted in a few more turnovers & immediate slingshot rebounds / repeat entries the week before? Also worth noting that, according to some scribes, the Swans tend to play a much higher press than the Doggies. Is this correct? If so, we may need to take this into account when comparing why we didn't do so well the week before. Not just rusty in implementing the new strat but could it partially be due to the Swans not allowing us to do so as a result of their higher press? A higher press results in a more crowded defensive 50 and our defenders having more difficulty finding free short targets due to the extra pressure coming from more numbers around this part of the ground and their ability to close down space quicker due to closer proximity. That in turn might (in theory) result in more turnovers closer to our goal and more scores / goals to the oppo from those turnovers sources yes? It's only a theory but i think we need to at least consider this against teams that are looking to bring a higher press (more effective disruption of our defensive exit strat) vs those that might not be (yet) such as the Doggies?

Earl Spalding - The Duke / Duke

Bowey - Bowsa Fullarton - Fullcream (nick at Lions) Pickett - Kozzy Spargo - Spargy Pants / The Little One ANB - Nibbler Woewodin - Joey? (Offspring of Woe Snr) Hunter - Hunts

Couldn't agree more. I've learned to switch off the ear splitting music but pretty sure its still happening. One thing that was an improvement was a solo Robbo on the mic for the entertainment between quarters. His screachy side kick that sounded like nails running down a chalk board in 22 & 23 was NOT present. Small mercies!

Is there any reason or need to rush Petty back? We are just settling in with a new (using old stock) forward line up. We win by over 7 goals. Then we want to bring in another new (old) face in the hope that will work as well or better. Unless BB's struggling to recover and needs managing then maybe. Regardless, after hearing Mr Fence's report on his progress in the praccy, sounds like Petty is in need of a mini pre-season similar to what was asked of Salo last year. Pretty sure that was around 6 - 7 weeks of reloading and building prior to his return game. Ok so Petty isn't playing a HB running role and probably won't need as long to come up to speed. Different injury as well. But surely a bit premature to be attempting a return after a miserly 3/4 warm up in a Casey praccy where he apparently barely had a touch yes? That's not to say it won't happen. Anything's possible and we have to put our faith in the FD. Just my take as an amature outsider looking in.

"Windsor" Enfield Rifle... Bullet?

Ship started to slowly turn upon the arrival of Roos. Roos obviously driving much higher standards. Long overdue and Wattsy certainly copped the rough end of the pineapple in his first 5 seasons. I recall meeting Jack at Chaddy on the eve of the season that Roosey took over... early 2014. He was sitting in a photo studio waiting to get his promo shots done for the club. I said hello and asked him how he felt after we'd landed one of the best coaches in the land? His response was the usual happy-go-lucky one with a big grin. One of the great smiles (on anyone) which i remember to this day. I thought he improved under Roosey somewhat but by that stage the old habbits (under a very poor system/culture & just a lack of support / talent in general) may have been too hard to break. Jack gave me the impression he was just happy playing the game and having fun doing so. He had oodles of talent but the madness & intensity of the high performance side and pre-season slog might not have been his cup of tea. I'll never forget the QB 2016 match and his great run around the southern stand finishing with the sealer. One of the most satisfying moments i'd had in 45 years of watching the mighty Demons to that point. We let the Pies supporters behind us know about it who'd been ragging Jack all day! I really thought he might have turned the corner at that point but sadly it wasn't to be. The old saying "you can lead a horse to water...."

Honestly don't know what his role was against the doggies Mono. That's not to say he didn't achieve them etc but from where i sat he appeared to be one of the least 'involved' players on the day. He had 9 tackles against the Swans and didn't do alot else so maybe tagging someone? Possibly a defensive forward role against the Dogs but with zero tackles i find that hard to believe. Maybe a decoy forward or attempting to put blocks on for Chin, Tracc, Fritta as the more mobile forwards? The FD no doubt have specific roles at times and the bulk of the time there's no knowing what these are unless you were inside the four walls. Possibly carrying a niggle into the Bulldogs game from the week before? Against the Swans... 12 effective disposals (his '23' season average was roughly the same) 31 pressure acts and 9 tackles CBA ... 54% 3 clearances Against the Bulldogs... 9 effective disposals 16 pressure acts and zero tackles CBA ... Zero! Zero clearances (keeping in mind you can rack up clearances in other parts of the ground other than the CBs) The FD appeared to favour Salem at CBs this week going from 38% - 76% attendance and of course Kozzy on his return who attended 24% of CBs. There was talk of the FD looking to Sparrow to take another step up in his progress & development this season correct? Plenty of time for him to do that of course.

https://www.zerohanger.com/two-roos-make-top-five-as-demons-hold-the-lead-afl-rookie-rankings-148479/?fbclid=IwAR3thypR-HeT8-hj5EuaJGGKl-seW0aI2LYLBEs0hIOUjS4kM6kZLCF9x2c

BBB - Hair is back! Howes - plays like Mcvee? Mcvee - plays like Howes? Clarry - Mighty Fine Sight Windsor - Lightning Bolt Colt Billings - Connection Dissection Resurrection Hore - Belated Party Marty Chin - Billy Goat Tough May - Took Angry Pills? ANB - Added Some Tricks

Would have thought you don't tinker with a 45 point win. And with a buy coming up you have the 'managed' side covered for now. Unless there's a serious niggle or two post match? Sparrow & Fritsch need to lift. A fit (and in form via Casey?) McAdam would put some pressure on Fritta but he still has plenty of credits. Moniz same for Chandler but not after his performance vs the Doggies. Sparrow also has credits but has opened with two pretty poor performances. And who replaces him? Petty needs further time at Casey & at training according to Mr Fence. No need to rush him back in. Sounds very much like he's still two to three weeks away from being match ready (minimum).

Moose, Buntine & Gray are all big outs. Dunstan another and that leaves our mid field pretty light on for experience now. Who comes in to replace Moose & Dunstan? We will probably need White to play more mid minutes to assist Laurie, Brown dog & Kolt (assuming they're attending CBs and stoppages). Sestan when the ball's inside 50? Woe when he isn't getting a seniors guernsey? Who else is capable of covering some stoppage work?

Yeh.... nah. What was that all about anyway? Two former premiership comrades and Demon immortals. By all means play hard uncompromising footy but this felt like May was on some sort of vendetta and out to prove a point. Did Harmes tick him off earlier in the match or something?

I'm not sure Sparrow knew either DZ!

Team & Player Ratings to Rnd 1, 2024 vs H&A Season 2023 Player 2024 Rating 2024 Rank 2023 Rating % Change vs 2023 2023 Rank Change in Rank vs 2023 C Petracca 5.125 1 4.707 8.88 2 1 Jack Viney 4.388 2 3.707 18.37 4 2 Steven May 4.200 3 3.213 30.72 8 5 C Oliver 4.050 4 5.002 -19.03 1 -3 Max Gawn 3.988 5 3.350 19.04 7 2 T McDonald* 3.950 6 2.054 92.31 27 21 C Salem 3.363 7 2.993 12.36 12 5 J Billings* > 3.279 8 - - - - B Howes 3.200 9 - - - - Judd McVee 3.200 9 2.320 37.93 22 13 A Tomlinson* 3.175 11 2.915 8.92 14 3 Jake Lever 3.175 11 3.131 1.41 9 -2 K Pickett* 3.125 13 2.101 48.74 26 13 T Sparrow 2.725 14 2.811 -3.06 16 2 Ed Langdon 2.650 15 3.057 -13.31 10 -5 C Windsor* < 2.488 16 - - - - K Chandler 2.488 16 2.265 9.85 23 7 T Rivers 2.400 18 3.696 -35.06 5 -13 Ben Brown* 2.375 19 1.941 22.36 28 9 M Hore* 2.325 20 - - - - J Bowey* 1.950 21 2.820 -30.85 15 -6 J V Rooyen 1.950 21 2.170 -10.14 25 4 A N-Bullen 1.825 23 2.532 -27.92 20 -3 B Fritsch 1.575 24 2.324 -32.23 21 -3 C Spargo* 1.200 25 1.886 -36.37 29 4 B Laurie* < 0.775 26 2.235 -65.32 24 -2 J Schache* 0.700 27 1.525 -54.10 33 6 T Woewodin* > 0.550 28 1.406 -60.88 34 6 L Hunter - - 2.939 - 13 - H Petty - - 2.718 - 17 - D Turner - - 1.825 - 31 - J Melksham - - 1.599 - 32 - Team Rating 69.57 69.86 -0.42 Top 6 25.70 24.43 5.20 Bottom 6 13.49 15.17 -11.09 * Played less than two full matches (in total) < Subbed out at least once or more (player rating could be somewhat comprised) > Subbed in at least once or more (player rating could be somewhat comprised) Stats courtesy of footwire.com & wheeloratings.com

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Round 1, 2024 MCG - Demons vs Bulldogs Before i get to the Dog's ratings i forgot to post the Demon scoring efficiency numbers. Much improved on last week... Disposals Per Goal 24.50 % In50s Goal (AFL ave 27%) 30.20 Conversion % 55.20 Bulldogs Player Rating Rank M Bontempelli 4.975 1 J Johannisen 4.825 2 L Bramble 4.550 3 A Treloar 4.300 4 T English 4.225 5 T Liberatore 3.750 6 Ed Richards 3.525 7 Bailey Dale 3.125 8 B Williams 2.900 9 R West 2.400 10 J U-Hagan 2.300 11 C Weightman 2.050 12 H Gallagher 1.950 13 N Coffield 1.900 14 Liam Jones 1.750 15 C Daniel > 29% 1.600 16 B Khamis 1.575 17 L McNeil 1.550 18 R Sanders < 55% 1.450 19 A Naughton 1.100 20 J Harmes 0.975 21 L Vandermeer 0.900 22 Rory Lobb 0.625 23 Team Score 57.68 Top 6 26.63 Bottom 6 7.55 < Subbed out TOG > Subbed in TOG Stats courtesy of footwire.com & wheeloratings.com

No worries DZ. May is often taking the oppo's best / baddest (higher rated?) forward most weeks. This ratings system doesn't allow for these factors. I thought May was ahead on the day also (at the ground and on the replay). Would need to watch the replay again to be sure. If i had the time! Although i think there is a drill down of player highlights somewhere from memory on the AFL match day tab where they show all their involvements. Is that still going?

Round 1, 2024 MCG - Demons vs Bulldogs A nice uptick from many vs our first week. Team rating nearly 4% up on Season 2023's rating. Tracc, Maxy, Billings & a rampaging Clazz on the improve leading the way. The return of Pickett made a big difference up forward with a few decent cameos through the middle as did BB. Petty & McAdam on the mend plus Moniz apparently having a decent praccy hit out with Casey. Petty still a ways off according to Mr Fence having barely touched the pill in just over a half of footy? Lurved Windsor's game. Not getting too carried away just yet and much work ahead but that was a nice MCG debut. Had some tulip feels to it. Not taking much notice of ANB's rating. Thought he played his role well and finished nicely when the opportunity arose. Bit of a run with on the Bont yet? No easy task keeping him quiet. The rating most likely missing this important aspect. T-Mac very solid down back along with the defensive line as a whole. Chandler's best game in quite a while! Serviceable return from Marty. The not so great? Sparrow & Fritta a long way off the pace in this one. Rivers had some moments but seemingly a fair way off his best as well. Player Rating Rank 2023 Season Rating % Change vs 2023 C Petracca 6.000 1 4.707 27.47 Max Gawn 5.275 2 3.350 57.46 J Billings 4.575 3 - - C Oliver 4.300 4 5.002 -14.03 J Lever 4.275 5 3.131 36.54 Jack Viney 4.100 6 3.707 10.60 T McDonald 3.950 7 2.054 92.31 C Salem 3.825 8 2.993 27.80 S May 3.750 9 3.213 16.71 Ed Langdon 3.475 10 3.057 13.67 K Pickett 3.125 11 2.101 48.74 K Chandler 3.075 12 2.265 35.76 B Howes 2.975 13 - - J McVee 2.975 13 2.320 28.23 T Rivers 2.850 15 3.696 -22.89 C Windsor < 63% 2.675 16 - - Ben Brown 2.375 17 1.941 22.36 M Hore 2.325 18 - - J V Rooyen 2.200 19 2.170 1.38 T Sparrow 1.925 20 2.811 -31.52 A N-Bullen 1.325 21 2.532 -47.67 B Fritsch 1.050 22 2.324 -54.82 T Woewodin > 14% 0.550 23 1.406 -60.88 Team Score 72.40 69.86 3.64 Top 6 28.53 24.43 16.76 Bottom 6 11.20 15.17 -26.17 < Subbed out TOG > Subbed in TOG Stats courtesy of footwire.com & wheeloratings.com

Yep ditto Mr Fence. In the end we / he couldn't quite correct his wayward set shot kicking for goal so we moved him on. Everything else was good imho. Unfortunately he improved that aspect to a fair degree at Carltank & as you would already know, went on to play in their '95' flag.

Dencorub! (yes i've tried both and i'm an old bugger with a creaky BB knee)

"Duke' is taken already...

If we get the likes of Billings (maybe not so much a small crumbing forward but just the delivery coming inside and work rate around the arc), Chandler & then Moniz pressuring hard for a spot i reckon we can afford to loose Kozzy for reasonable minutes (without going overboard... say up to 25%-30%) successfully from here. In some ways it makes it harder for the oppo to try and match up both forward and mid as well, adding another issue for them to try and sort. He's a slippery customer in both positions so all the better for us and more headaches for them imv!

Roughly 20% - 30% mid field shared with Tracc in mid / forward roles? Not sure how much time he spent there today (felt like about 15%? ish) but he was very effective and the mix felt closer to being something close to about right. Goody would be mad not to continue down this path imho.