Young Blood

Worth the risk IMO. We have a bit of history in bringing in players for second chances/fresh starts. Hasn't always worked but I feel our culture within the four walls (not in the hyperbolic media) is pretty sound and there aren't too many repeat offenders once they're in the red and blue in terms of off field stuff. We're getting some credit now with how well the club dealt with/supported Clayton through his struggles as a perfect example of the clubs cultural integrity. As we saw on the weekend we can take it right up to the best in the comp. We have a top four backline and ball winning/contested midfield. We're just lacking some extra skill/kicking across our mid/front half which I feel we're slowly addressing as well as a genuine natural tall forward. Our backman-turned-forwards in Petts and JVR are going OK but imagine a fit and firing Jamarra in the mix.

I know a mad demon supporter dentist that can cover his bills for the next time he loses teeth again playing for us 🙂

Exactly this. There is simply no one else who would be performing Petty's role better. I thought he looked off all day, heavy legs, wasn't able to get separation at all, and just got locked in wrestling contests. We kicked it on top of his head time and time again with predictability leaving their third tall or ruck to come and pluck it. Petty didn't finish well yesterday but was fine otherwise I thought considering the circumstances. People expecting the natural key back to play as a dominating forward who kicks bags each week are delusional. He's there to contest, create spaces with his physicality and hopefully kick a few which he missed yesterday.

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Weird assumption. He's absolutely filthy with himself whenever he makes a mistake or error. I always see him putting his hand up or is visibly frustrated with himself when he stuffs up. Have also seen him bring up his mistakes in pressers. Perhaps he gets a little too emotional at times in the heat of the moment. However, he simply holds himself and his teammates accountable. Why is this a bad thing? I think anyone who knows or has seen interviews with Maysy off the field knows what sort of supporting team first character he is. I have no doubt he would have been wrapping his arms around Lindsay and Max post game when the dust settled.

Wholeheartedly agree. The pure joy on Trac's face in that changeroom before the team song was so heart warming.

Welcome to modern-day sports media. These are the guys that are the most successful and sought-after these days within the media world. Its taken a while but the American Sports writer/pundit approach of stretching a story or fabricating has now fully reached AFL via the likes of Morris/McClure who don't care about integrity/reputation as long as they're getting the clicks and attention from the supporters and greater AFL landscape. Its been a smart, cunning move to have them on shows like SEN feeding these stories to the more respected ex AFL announcers who feed into the game of it without tarnishing their reputations within the AFL, this seems to be giving people a sense of validity within some of the nonsense stories being spread around by these muppets. Sadly, we're going to have to get used to it as it's only going to increase. I've managed to build myself a filter of anything reported by Morris and the likes to simply block it out.

or AJ I think Campbells lack of mobility is probably keeping him out of the side along with the fact he's really just a true ruckman, less so a forward. With Max fit we really just need someone to pinch hit in the ruck who can provide a contest and PRESSURE up forward so I think it will continue to be JVR or AJ picked over the next few weeks. Maybe if the oppo plays two genuine rucks might we look at TC.

Great take. I see this too as someone whose played/watched a lot of basketball. There's a real difference between using the body in basketball and football. I can see Tom being great at boxing out, he holds his ground OK but in footy you can bump and use your arms more in a marking contest and he just doesn't seem to be able to create space for himself to compete in the air. I think it's hard to critique ruck/forwards in terms of intensity. You have those the natural instinct like the Xerri types it clearly goes a long way and you can build your skills/craft off it. Then there's the Max types who I wouldn't say play with great intensity, he relies more on his work rate and positioning to stay engaged and impact each contest. I'm not sure Tom has enough of either of these key traits to really make it as a full-time AFL player unfortunately. What I will say is unlike this week, I thought Tom worked well in terms of simplifying our structure/positioning. I think there's some merit in having a bigger body who holds position and creates space for others. I think that both JVR and AJ get sucked into contests or where the ball is sometimes and could do more to hold their position and create space when needed. Hoping especially JVR can learn this and not have to fly/attack everything to create space for others and/or be an option off the post contest clearance more with more space to work with.

I was at the game watching them from the members with bino's. I'd say 3/4 of the team looked impassive or stoic after the siren and understandably so. It made sense to me and was my kind of feeling as well. I'm sure they were all feeling a bit of 'why has it taken until round 6' like we all of felt. Also looked more like relief or a bit of weight off in the change rooms.

Kozzy in his post game interview mentioned a few times how he was given freedom to 'have fun' and hunt the footy due to other players 'having a role'. I know Viney was holding off Serong most of the game but I noticed quite a few times our mids keeping their opponent locked a bit longer then usual after the tap to allow Koz to really hunt the footy. I think Goody will persist with more Kozzy midfield time as he alluded to in his presser. He's starting to really learn the craft, timing and positioning to have a big impact there. Almost untaggable and if he was to be this would open up opportunity for Clarry and Trac to take over more. I think moving Kozzy into the midfield has been a terrific move by Goodwin. Gotta give him his flowers there.

Anyone know why Clarry is still throwing up at quarter time breaks? I saw this happening at pretty much every game last year, often as he was walking back to position at quarter time which I thought was simply due to him being underdone with no preseason. But I saw Clarrie again today on the outside of the quarter time huddle throwing up most of the drink he had in his hand and looking a tad uncomfortable. Just curious if anyone had seen this prior to 2024 or with other athletes as a regular occurrence and potential reasoning. He doesn't seem overly phased and just walks back into the centre square for the next quarter. But it can't be good for his hydration/energy losing that much fluid/electrolytes every game. Could be meds or something other health related of course and understand we don't talk about those here. Just asking out of care for the fella as its always a concern when you see someone being sick on the ground. Hope he's OK.

Even more forwardline time coming for Trac. I know he can be effective there but we need him firing in the middle. We can't be relying on a 19 year old each week with that responsibility. I reckon there's fitness concerns or maybe they're protecting him somewhat after last years events. All I hope is now with Lindsay back in playing HB/Wing with Windsor that this will finally free up Rivers to go into the middle.

Apologies for this. This was not my intention at all I was just having a bit of fun with it and its been taken the wrong way I think perhaps. I have coached under 16s footy and basketball. Its that old thing where we don't admit it to many if anyone. but we as coaches certainly have a few players that we are close to and bond with that hold a special place I certainly have a few favorites that I connect with and respect (I certainly won't tell others though). Thats all I was asking based off your observations as I know how much you see Goody connect and get behind all the players. Just your guess really but I hear you. For the record I don't think Goodwin picks players based on who his favourites are, I think its childish to think that way about a professional coach at the highest level (nor would I do this at junior level). I was playing off this false Demonland narrative in my previous post mainly because I liked the meme. I think Goody selects players like Melksham because he has a good relationship with and trusts him, having a longer history of coaching him and giving him some key roles of which he's been very successful at Melks time at the Dees. Thats why he's thought of so highly by Goody. I know he feels the same for many other players at the club. Sorry Ghosty! Huge fan of your work and all your contributions to the Demon Army and this forum ✌

OK Ghosty @Ghostwriter I see you disagreeing haha. I'm sure you've been asked but right as of now who do you think are Goodys top five faves from watching on? Also this has nothing to do with the speculation of him playing senior players over others etc. Just that we all have faves (even if we can't admit) and wondering whom Goody is warming to most atm.