Demon Dynasty

... Erratum, left Hibbo out

I also called for this earlier this season. However, after asking Bowsa he said he would need to train for it as it's a specialist role. Personally i think he would be the best of the lot (Kozzy, Spargo, Chandler & AMW) if Simon & Co. saw this as an option and trained him for it in the off. I would pull the trigger on this over the off season and bring Deakyn Smith into Bowsa's role. Deakyn's a competitive animal/beast and now has two full season's and a permiership under his belt at Casey. Albeit he'll make a few rookie mistakes as they all do, he's ready to go in 2024. Come on Simon...be daring. Bowsa has all the attributes and will kill it in this position if given the chance imv.

According to Razor.... If it initially goes straight, parallel with the line, then it take a turn and bounces out.... then no. If the ball is handballed (or kicked) from inside the line towards the line and no fellow player in the vicinity then yes it's technically deliberate even if the angle is slight, let alone right angles etc! I haven't watched the replay and didn't have a clear view on the night. A please explain needs to go into the AFL for the Petracca one vs the very obvious Blues version that wasn't called.

Again.... if the ball goes through the goals and does NOT touch either post (as per the Arc) the option of "i think it was a point but i just need to check" should be taken away from the goal umpire. The only option is "i'm unsure i just need to check it wasn't touched or hit the post". That is.... the default us always a goal unless the technology proves conclusively that it WAS touchex or hit the post. The alternative means that any genuine goal is in danger of being called a point purely because the goal umpire said he is "unsure" (or even unsighted!)

Unfortunatley yes. The cupboard was bare. However, was it truly bare? We never contested the JVR penalty. I believe most other finals clubs would've hotly contested that. And i reckon select clubs may have gotten the penalty lifted. Carlton have success here almost every time and they contest as a matter of course. Too meek and mild. Step it up MFC!! Club needs to conduct its own exit interview from this finals series. In particular... 👉🏼 The sub par performance from about 2/3rds of the team vs the Pies in a final which may have seen us sitting pretty right now waiting out for our rival to be played at the G this Friday/Saturday! Reasoning? Club psychologist may need to get involved here. 👉🏼 The selection of Schache as the sub against the Blues. Reasoning? Given the refusal to sub him and continue with T-Mac while rucking Tracc up forward. Kozzy to FF!!?? 👉🏼 The last 2 minutes debacle 👉🏼 The non - contesting of the Roohey penalty. 👉🏼 The constant desire from Simon to play smalls / small mediums in key positions such as CHF & FF for stints? I'm not talking post Petty injury either. This was happening througout the season and even in some matches in 2022. 👉🏼 The constant failing of the forward line vs the rest of the team, injuries aside, how are players still consistently missing set shots from directly in front within about 30 meters? Small forwards not making the distance from 30/35!! Another example, Salem missing from 35 ish on the run vs the Pies directly in front. Max & Joel choosing to kick a straight punt when tight on the boundary on their preferred side in the third against the Blues when the around the corner snap is surely the more accurate and preferred method by most players now!?? Just one of those goes through and we're into a prelim! It's a constant theme with so many of our players. Not a Simon witch hunt either. The entire FD needs reviewing. Where can we improve? Can we get better line coaches and or skills coaching in in order to improve!?? Stick some massive speakers out at Casey and hit the boys with wallls of crowd noise while they practice their shots including full on booing! Leave no stone unturned. A full and comprehensive review of the list also. No more ball hackers and sluggish mids pls. If we don't conduct a serious review of the 22/23 debacle i can assure you many clubs will go past us and we will rue this period and generation of players as a massive lost opportunity to snare a second cup within years of 2021. It's by no means panic stations but substantial improvement and some adjustments to FD personel and clever list management are needed from here IF we're to stay near the top and remain in the hunt.

We can use Razor's very own descriptions / explanations (via SEN Whately segments) to come at them though Clint. The deliberate non-call for the Blues (with no over rule by the other three umps) is not a mistake. That's a free every time except this time. There's no grey there. Razor has said on multiple occasions if a player kicks the ball towards the boundary (a straight kick along the line or from skinny to fat side is fine) and it goes out it's considered insufficient intent and should be callled deliberate. Even if the player kicks somewhat along the line but goes from fat side to skinny (angle wise) and it bounces out.... it's deliberate (according to Razor). Both versions were both massively obvious deliberates on Friday night but only one was given. This has now happened to us on multiple occasions. We are going to accept that the rule is only different for us and that four umpires all got it wrong? If you do then they'll think it's ok to keep sticking it to us as 'oh well it's a grey area and hard to officiate'. We are the loser if we don't speak up. The club has to make a stand. We are on the receiving end of far too many supposed 'controversial' decisions. While we're on the subject, i didn't and probably won't watch the replay but was Nibbler's shot at goal genuinly touched? The vision on the big screen at the match seemed inconclusive.

Exactly and why we need to find a KPF and should've attempted to at the end of 22. Max doesn't kick many goals. 1 goal every second match (on average). Jackson had pretty much switched off in the second half of 22. His mind was in Perth, body in Melb. I suspect Goodwin learned from this and that's why he refused to play Grundy latterly. In hindsight, Jackson's disappearing act in the second half of 2022 was very costly for the whole team and club. We were basically playing a man down in most of the matches he played. In 2021 Jackson averaged 0.7 goals per match 2022 0.5 2023 1.0

Are you saying we don't have a 2 or 3 minute to go (ahead or behind) 'play book' that's signalled to the playing group by a big sign off the bench like most other clubs appear to? Park the bus with 3 to 4 players deep in the 50 and another 2 on the arc (at least!). And as to why Rick didn't head for the boundary. Not placing this solely on him. Goals should've been kicked. Especially Kozzy's from 30 out directly in front. While i'm on that is there any chance ssomeone could pls get hold of Kozzy's set shot kicking action and fix it. The one he has at the moment .... 35 meters max....really!!?? That's it? This is a whole of club review issue but ultimately the blame lies with the coach for that complete shambles at the end. We have multiple years of finals experience but still can't get the basics right in the close games nor structure up to protect a lead with minutes to go!!?? You don't just excuse that and look forward sorry. Alot of big footy clubs around the world would sack a coach on these performances (especially the same outcome two consecutive years). How the hell did we not use Shacky in the ruck at all in the 2nd half and left a completely shot T-Mac (obvious to thousands of supporters yet apparently not in the box with so many highly paid experts) still on the park! !!? Tracc running around rucking inside 50 when he should be attempting to recieve/crumb for a snap goal (that potentially wins us the match!!). The entire footy dept needs an overhaul. There are two senior coaches, three if you count Choco (Flag coach) on the bench and we're still making glaring errors that may have potentially cost us at least one Prelim, and maybe a shot at another title. You don't just "look forward" from that Simon. Sorry mate. Complete and utter cow padding. And if the hierarchy don't get that we at least need a full review, especially the forward line coach (Stafford) and lack of mid-field cohesion (been losing far too many CB clearance battles) on top (Yze), then we are about to blow what would appear to be a genuine window for a second cup with this generation of players. Who knows, we might have already missed the boat through general complacency. I'd also be asking the list management question... how the hell did we let all the speed go (Baker, Hunt & Bedford) and why didn't we replace any of it? The recruiting in the off season.... bottom line.... Speed Speed Speed on the outside and / or built into a mid fielder Players that can kick the pill both in general play and at the sticks (more than 40 meters!), no more mid field ball hackers or anyone that can't kick fairly accurately from 45 or so from basic set shots on reasonable angles. Botton line ... VG to excellent skills by foot with decent decision making/composure under pressure. If those aspects aren't there don't even bother. A genuine KPF that can take solid comtesteds, crash packs, out muscle opponents occasionally to win a fair share of 50/50s and kick straight from 45/50 out. They don't grow on trees but we'll be badly exposed next season IF Petry can't stay on the park. Roohey still young and a work in progress and can't manage alone if Petty breaks down again. I love what T-Mac & BB brought to our club and forever grateful for the 2021 flag but both would now appear to be done and dusted.

100% this needs addressing. We're getting pumped every time in the big/close games. All the big controversial decisions, including the arc review in Rnd 22. If the goal ump is unsure you don't call a soft call behind. It's always a goal if it goes through the sticks without touching the post using the arc sound thingy.... then you must prove it was touched. Not try and prove that he didn't touch it. Faaark me. Anyone can stick their hand up and say "i touched it'. We're going on that!!??? Players lie lol. The AFL are completely faaarked. Even in 21 vs the Crows no deliberate when it was obvious to the whole nation cost us that match. Tracc gets pinged for a toe poke in a contested situation. Ok fair enough. The Blues do a more obvious one on the other side.... nup that's different apparently.... BECAUSE!!????? The free to the blues player in the back pocket in the 4th who was clearly caught holding the ball or incorrect disposal but instead goes therir way for high contact that was not there ...plus a 50 on top. Get stuffed! What"s going on?? The Demon hierarchy needs to stand up and step up here behind closed doors and thump some tables. The umpires will just give the same old 'mistakes happen' line. Needs to go to the top not via the umps. NO. 22 in particular should never umpire at AFL level again. Ask the question..... what the FAAArk is going on!!???

I hope you're giving them an allowance for the extra callisthenics classes Uncle

I'll second that. Vn addition that digs deep

No worries LZ & for your contributions also. Enjoy the off season ✌🏼👏🏼

Yes this should at least be on the radar in the off season. Trial Bowsa, Salo and also AMW as HFs in the off season competing for the Chandler & Spargo roles. Chandler was super ordinary in the 2nd half of the season and needs to go back to VFL and work on some aspects of his game. Particularly crumbing and goals. Rarely hits the scoreboard. Spargo also rarely bothers the scorer but can add value in other areas. But is that enough. Can we get similar output from Bowsa or or Woe (both!!) and occasionaly hit the scoreboard!? Start blooding Howes and / or Woe onto one of the wings as soon as they show some solid form in the VFL. I'd even consider playing both if Lingers doesn't hit the ground running early in 24. There's no transitional run or overlap happening on the Hunter side so i'd start there with Howes. Even if we don't trial Woe on a wing i'd still have him on rotations through the middle behind Sparrow. Still a little ways off but with another pre-season and a bunch of early games at Casey to tighten up the decision making / disposal and improve the tank. Kids got some decent toe & classy by foot when he's in form. He'll take time to get used to the tempo and physical side but lets get some games into him once he hits form at Casey and see where he's at.

Exactly. So many in the box getting paid the big $$ and none of them could see it from half time onwards. Shacky had to come on for T-Mac and take the ruck while Maxy rested up forward (or on the bench resting) Visa versa when Maxy rucked. I didnt write much in the game day thread but certainly mentioned this at half time. We even trialled Kozzy at FF for a large chunk of the third. Not sure about the fourth as i was behind the goals Punt Rd end

Semi Final, 2023 MCG - Demons vs Blues As i've said a number of times this season... "My kingdom for a decent KPF". A better effort than the Pies match. However, it came down to kicking accuracy...again! That was the difference on the night along with some very questionable umpiring on a couple of occasions. The Blues just kicked straighter and took their chances as you always need to do in the big ones. Conversion Rate vs the Pies 39% vs the Blues 35% The Blues nearly doubled our conversion rate at 61%! Massive for a final. Still scratching my head over the Schache sub debacle!?? Some solid to great ratings from the boys in the top 8. Steven May excelling in these two finals. Lingers not as bad as i felt he was on the night (statistically anyway). However, the overall team rating was a mile off our average seasonal rating ... by 15%. No doubt finals pressure and some being a long way off their best on the night. Statistically that included Tracc, Rivers, Lever, Sparrow, Bowey, Chandler, Jordan and T-Mac (horrid). Some may have played a run with role though, or may have been tagged, so that needs to be taken into account. The bottom six did ok vs their season rating (bar T_Mac). The top 6 still off their seasonal numbers by a fair wack, suffering from the loss of Gus (average rating 3.88) and Rivers dropping out of the mix (average 3.69). The loss of Gus out of the middle should not be under estimated. Probably cost us a Prelim at the very least. You also the injury gods looking over you. Wasn't our year here i'm afraid. Couldn't overcome the the loss of Melk and Petty. Game plan needs some tinkering and must bring some outside speed, skills and a KPF into this team who can kick the air conveyance accurately and from distance. The KPF might be Petty but seems injury prone. Do we need a back up or do we use all our draft leverage to go after some outside speed and class? A classy speedy outside mid who can also kick a few goals. We don't have any dangerous goal kicking mids unless we move Tracc inside 50 (out of the middle). A Treloar type as an example. Demons Scoring Efficiency Disposals Per Goal 40.89 % In50s Goal 17.00 Conversion % 34.60 Blues Scoring Efficiency Disposals Per Goal 32.82 % In50s Goal 21.20 Conversion % 61.10 Player Rating Rank Season Rating to Prior Rnd % Change vs Season Rating C Oliver 4.650 1 5.002 -7.04 Jack Viney 4.475 2 3.707 20.72 S May 4.375 3 3.213 36.17 Max Gawn 3.475 4 3.350 3.73 K Pickett 3.375 5 2.101 60.64 L Hunter 3.300 6 2.939 12.28 A Tomlinson 3.150 7 2.915 8.06 C Salem 3.100 8 2.993 3.58 Ed Langdon 2.900 9 3.057 -5.14 B Fritsch 2.725 10 2.324 17.25 A N-Bullen 2.675 11 2.532 5.65 C Petracca 2.625 12 4.707 -44.23 T Rivers 2.450 13 3.696 -33.71 J McVee 2.325 14 2.320 0.22 Jake Lever 2.125 15 3.131 -32.13 Joel Smith 2.025 16 1.863 8.70 T Sparrow 2.025 16 2.811 -27.96 J Bowey 2.000 18 2.820 -29.08 C Spargo 1.950 19 1.886 3.39 K Chandler 1.575 20 2.265 -30.46 J Jordon 1.350 21 3.431 -60.65 T McDonald 0.500 22 2.054 -75.66 Team Rating 59.15 69.86 -15.33 Top 6 23.65 26.25 -9.90 Bottom 6 9.40 9.26 1.51 Stats courtesy of footwire.com & wheeloratings.com

10 kgs then a 12 month ban

Sorry to dissapoint LZ but as nicely put as this is i doubt it will result in your annual subscription being waived. Come to think of it... i haven't paid mine yet....sshhiiiTTE

With a fair chunk of foot speed and agility that we don't have much of at the mo.

These concocted pre-game chants, mantras, rock songs and themes (possessed!) do my head in. Enter the sandman i think is used by about 80% of clubs as their teams run out.....booooring! Anything but pls. Maybe Hells Bells or just play a different song that each player gets to choose beforehand? The theme song on its own. Can we just be the Mighty Demons with the caricature up on the screen and the mascots running around taking each other out!!??

Orange juice with the pulp (Bedford & Hulk) vs the no pulp alternatives in the filth, Blues or Lions?? Hard call. Let me come back to you after a serious mull over.... Ok done... it's a GIANT yes from me!!

Giants are up and about. Tough ask to get over the filth at home but they have nothing to lose and will go in as rank underdogs. But a stack of belief and a fantastically balanced side that's set for finals footy. Can only hope the filth go in super cocky.

Devastated. What a horror weekend. My late dad was a Blues man but his favourite player was Ron at Melb and he was thrilled when he came over. Played a year behind Ron in the Preston scouts. Or mighr have been the other way around! A long time ago now. Much admired and very much revered by everyone at Preston. Dad always said he was leaps & bounds ahead of anyone else he saw playing at the time and super fierce. Dad and a few mates met RDB at Princes park. They (pretty sure it was dad) carried his gladstone bag from his car to the Carlton rooms where he gave his intro speech to the players. The old Preston boys weren't allowed in and could only listen within earshot from outside. Dad stayed in touch through the social club there and even beat the great man in a social club table tennis tournament GF one evening. Ron wasn't happy, competitive beast in all areas. We still have dad's tiny pewter trophy from that night many decades ago. My mum will be upset with this also. He always remembered her flaming red hair when i met him in the street, at his pub or on one of our best & fairest nights when he was coaching us back in the day. Always very amiable and seemed down to earth / cheery. Mum took this studio photo of him in 1963 prior to some sort of OS trip (mum says to the U.S.). Courtesy of the Australian Sports Museum website. The tribute last night probably no coincidence? R.I.P. Ron and commiserations to family and friends.

To be fair i haven't read everything here but with regards to Yze being forward coach if he stays. Yes it's an upgrade to Stafford imv but tbh he's been out of the modern game as a player for some time. I'd much rather see a more recent forward come in and show them the ropes / set things up differently in terms of methods, craft and cohesion. For mine (if he's available) i'd be desperately aiming for Ablett Jnr! His kicking skills and knowledge of forward craft from both sides (as a small forward and as a mid) would be second to none imho. If you want to be the best.... get the best!

They had the opportunity to do same with Shack but ignored it for some reason. However, you have to ask did they ever intend to bring Shacky on at all from the get go? It's just the weirdest sub choice and outcome. A huge question mark on this that i'd be asking as President. We were already effectively one player down in the first half. Then a fresh player in the second. Has to be the worst coaching performance (sub management) i've witnessed so far although i caveat that with the fact i don't follow every single game of AFL so there may well be a worse example somewhere since its inception. Happy to be corrected.

Not really a bad i idea as such but only if Max needed the break and volunteered it. The better option for mine assuming he wants to continue with it... Rick as Co-Captain Vices Viney & May Takes some of the pressure off Maxy and Rick is def a natural leader. May needs some recognition imv assuming he was interested. Stonewall down back and rarely lets the team down. Fabulous in both finals and stands up under heat and in big games almost every time