Demon Dynasty

Selectors have woken the bear

That was not so much the case early in his career Maldon. He went from good to sublime though spending many an extra hour after training (often under lights at the Junction...sometimes the last player off the ground!) perfecting his lovely left foot and alot of that from close to the boundary deep in the pockets / flanks. Took the odd speckie and i must have watched a diff career as i never thought of him as soft at any stage (more of an outside class mid / forward...i see a little of Yze in Fritsch at times).....

The one thing with Bugg is ....you know he's always going to give you a red hot contest and has an uncanny knack of getting to where the ball drops. Reads the play very well up forward.

Ok thx Andy i'll follow it up

I have it on good authority that the producer caught wind of a live ratings update during the match and had a word in their ear to start talking up the next Crows match DZ

Andy how can I tell when annual membership is due pls?

Not questioning his resting ruck capabilities W. Just don't think they'll risk him for the ones in the middle of the ground where the opposing ruckman gets to line you up and take a run at his opponent. Around the ground once the ball leaves that area? More than likely, especially forward of centre. Bull to cover off the middle and even a few up forward as required, similar to the Cats last year (sharing this forward part with Tommy).

This is one ordinary yawn fest at the oval. When does that wedding start again?

I just hope the forward line doesn't get too crowded Wise as Bull is more of a lead up forward and too many bodies in front (in particular Big Maxy lol) will block his normal running lanes plus the Blues are known to flood a fair bit! Anyways i really have no idea but we'll find out soon enough if the FD / line coaches (and forwards!) have all the t's crossed and it all clicks. Your view on T-Mac not being risked in the ruck is still valid IMO in particular in the middle. I reckon they won't risk him in any significant ruck role there either after the recent return from such a long lay off. Might see him in a few forward 50 cameos at throw ins, where bodies are generally not cracking in "front on" though and just body on body. No third man up is a big help in reducing injury risk here also. Thinking Bull takes the relief duties in the middle.

With Viney's pending return the timing of Tyson's ordinary game last week obviously didn't help his cause FD but might still play a significant role yet in this year's proceedings, depending injuries / form etc. Smith hasn't had a fair run at it yet at AFL level to really see what he can bring. I see him as a somewhat different style of forward to Pedders and even Hulk / T-Mac to some degree. More of a traditional lead up medium forward that might offer us a good optional mix between the 3 plus "maybe" a bit more pressure at ground level inside 50 or a tad higher up field when needed also. Like the idea of giving him a block of matches, as we have given Pedders & Weids in the past (more than once), to see what he can bring individually & whether the forward set up clicks at some stage. If he turns out ok (or better!) what's to lose? We potentially find yet another decent "go to" option and start building our scoring potential / depth even more. Providing even more possibilities and headaches for our opponents. If he is getting a 3rd string defender he might be the one on the day that takes the opp to the cleaners and kicks 4 to 6 goals once in a while! But as we all know the AFL is a tough caper and the complete reverse could happen. Hoping he can bring his best 'brand' of game on Sunday though! Go Demons!

Spargo stays this week if you believe Goody's presser DV. If you are referring to the period the week after from the Adelaide match i think that is really dependent on the form of both players. Sticking with your maturity/experience line then it would be either a retention of Pedders from this week or Pedders for Bull if he gets the nod ahead of Pedders this week. Having said that i think the FD will more likely select on form at both AFL/VFL level (match ups / injury aside) based on the messages / hints coming out of base camp / Goody.

Weid has 2 kilos on Pedders if you believe the MFC stats deever. Would like to see Weid slowly up the ante on the crashing / throwing weight bit from here now he has the weight on. Not saying he doesn't or hasn't tried a little but a bit more of it would be a very handy addition.

Bit of diplomacy on my part Steve

That was a big fail for mine vs the Hawks Drunkn but yes it's possible. The alternative is you play Bull and just don't have a resting ruck. Extra ground level player / mid fielder at the drop. Pretty sure the Bullies and Tiges have done this in the past on occasions. Would think the aim is to half the contest at ground level while Big M is resting.

That is very true also. Bull might miss purely on the "team first" role factor. The only thing i would say against Pedders coming in is that almost anyone with some height (like T-Mac) is the equal of him in a resting ruck role. But as you say they won't want to risk T-Mac.

No arguments from me on that policy Drunkn. Would really love to see Bull get a fair run at AFL level (provided he performes obviously) after such crappy luck against the Tiges last time when taking one for the team.

That is probably more accurate bing......whatever it is it ain't great!

If that is the case, and i'm not saying it is or isn't, Bull would have to feel himself a tad unfortunate given his form against the then top of the ladder Box Hill.

If we win again Saturday hopefully the wins will start having the same impact Chook

4 to 6... club media speak for... "not sure really but if it makes you feel any better"

Looking like Ins: Viney, Bull Outs: Weids (inj), Tyson (managed?) Edit: Spargo is back doh!....just listened to Goody's presser. Jeffy close but no cigar!

.... or just ask/watch Hibberd. As for training it, isn't that part of Misson's high performance role?

A couple of major issues that Hunt needs to work on IMHO. Some have said kicking isn't great. I would argue it's above AFL level @ 72% efficiency this season....BUT...there's a good reason. He is now playing a cautious / safe style! I believe It's his decision making and where he is running / kicking to that's getting himself (and as a result the team & its game style) all muddled (see below). Most of his running to receive is in low percentage areas of the ground, out wide very close to boundary. He is making life hard for himself by not going to dangerous parts of the ground often enough for the receive which will leave him nearer the corridor, in a better position to attack / run off or find other targets ahead of him on various angles. (playing too safe means he then limits himself and the team with his next available options) By receiving close to boundary most of the time he then either has to take a risky kick inside OR go up the line short or long. He is mostly going long often to players who are also very near boundary line continuing the slower / less direct route towards goal. If they do mark by this stage the opp is getting many numbers back to defend or the ball is knocked away over the line for another stoppage and again the opp is able to set up and defend. The coaches must be hating the frequency of this and the effect on slowing down their desire for the quickest sling shot possible. Occasionally Hunt tries to go short and is often effective but is usually going laterally to a player out wide (for example even when Hunt is reasonably well positioned further inboard between HBF and true CHB he will go short laterally with the next receiver ending up in a wider / worse position and having gained no yardage ....and defence getting even more numbers back, limiting the next receiver's ability to impact) As some have said already, Hunt doesn't have a side step or shimmy backwards step (a la Hibberd) to get around opponents in front or avoid tacklers coming from behind then kick around them on the arc. He is all ahead full and often all ahead full when he should have assessed and disposed well beforehand (knowing his limits....if he can't sidestep etc). He is then putting himself under pressure and ending up giving off a few too many hospital handballs. Confidence. With the above issues Hunt is losing (or has has already lost) much of his confidence and hence his ability / instinct of knowing when to run / when to go slow. Maybe also trying to over compensate!?? Often doing things in exactly the wrong way to which he once would have been. Ie., Taking an uncontested well in the clear and stopping to go back over the mark when it would be more damaging to play on and use his biggest weapon (pace) with options in front. Or playing on when he has multiple defenders around / in front of him instead of getting back quickly and giving off a very quick handball to someone running adjacent (yes others can assist with their run....he doesn't have to do all the run & carry!) or finding a short target etc up the field as quickly as possible. In short, i feel If Hunt uses his greatest weapon to more effect and starts running to more dangerous areas of the ground to receive more often..... then along with a stack of hard work (including learning how to side step / shimmy!) he will slowly find his mojo and be the damaging player we know he can be once more. So good to watch in full flight! Fingers crossed.

Not to be confused with the Devil's dumplings! .... .....

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