dpositive

On 25/04/2026 at 21:20, BoBo said:

We can only really play who’s in front of us and we are where we are. The conventional wisdom is our younger guys will struggle later in the season as they will get tired, but whatevs, this year is a free hit for mine so I’m just enjoying watching us play and our younger guys progress. We’ll finish where we finish.

Yeah agree with "We can only really play who’s in front of us" but we must be ware of who we play next

King stated that he set Koltyn for three weeks to tag in his first game. It worked that day and has introduced his good form. Younger players need that direction and support, they also need to be rested, as do the older players do they can produce their best all season.

Im hoping that we will see a rotation of players through the squad based on who we are playing and the skill set that is required to beat them.

Im especially hoping we play our biggest hardest and most experienced bodies against the Pies. That also means keeping them rested and fittest to play their best on that day. I dont want to see them crucify another Demon star. May need to send Kozzie out with a security detail.

12 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

No, Kolt. Just… no. This isn’t Farmer Wants A Wife

Same goes for you, Trelly. Unless you’ve got a house-painting side gig.

12 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

No, Kolt. Just… no. This isn’t Farmer Wants A Wife

Same goes for you, Trelly. Unless you’ve got a house-painting side gig.

12 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

No, Kolt. Just… no. This isn’t Farmer Wants A Wife

Same goes for you, Trelly. Unless you’ve got a house-painting side gig.

Hey Ghosty ddint expect you to be critical.

As long as they are comfortable and play like they are they can wear whatever they like.

Good that you can have a laugh about it though.

You must be enjoying Koltyns good form, I reckon you supported him earluer and stronger than anyone.

Keep up the good work

On 22/04/2026 at 21:55, monoccular said:

or better still, relocate Kangaroos to Hobart once and for all - it would also stop the bloody byes that we will be stuck with.

The Kangaroos should be focusing on Darwin. They are already North.

they could program games outside the most advers weather and schedule them for TVtime slot, maybe even providing a double header for TV coverage.

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

What is this Friday night footy of which you speak? Footy in the dark? What a foreign concept!

Folks have been saying this is our only Friday night gig this season, but they need to add “thus far” to that.

This is the solitary good thing about the floating fixture, ie. we may be given more prime time slots in the second half of the season.

Sure, it makes planning ahead and booking flights etc. difficult but if it means getting to shine on the big stage it’s a big bunch of YAY from me!

I thought King addressed this pretty well in his press conference. It is what it is and the efforts of you Ghosty, the Demon army and those supporters who get to every game are to be admired and appreciated. Sunday 3.00 has some attractions as Kingy said and may even make it easier for me from the country 4 hour trip on train or road to attend

My mates who I normally go with said that the atmosphere and crowd noise last week was fantastic and it even translated to the screen with the waving of the scarves, jigs etc.

Apparently this game was one of the highest rating and that could be a good thing and I note that again our crowd sizes relative to our member numbers are amongst the highest in the league so well done.

1 hour ago, MoreFreesForTheDees said:

He's gone and everyone is happy with the 'divorce' outcome. Neither party was 100% to blame for the breakdown, but both were responsible. If we acknowledge our issues and learn to do better, we will all be better off and the club will be greater. If CP5 can't acknowledge his failings in the situation then that's his problem to deal with. Thanks for the memories and the flag.

On 21/04/2026 at 21:34, dees189227 said:

He decided to move us into the other rooms because they're bigger & we can do more, he also decided to put the songs on after each goal to get more people to come to games & provide entertainment.

I know he didn't come from a football background, but you know what brings people to games, the team playing well, winning & playing good football which we are doing. We don't need the other stuff

Agree winning and playing well is most important but marquee games also add to marketing .

The biggest game in NRL is the State of Origin (this is easily promoted as the game is effectively NSW and Queensland) despite the success of Storm and their attempts to bring NZ and New Gunieu into the fold that State of Origin will remain. We Melbourne should leverage off that by making Melbourne V Sydney Melbourne V Brisbane as state of origin events. Melbourne v Adelaide and Melbourne v Perth would also be promoted

As the oldest club and the owners of the MCG we could easily build a significant marquee, and also entrench Melbourne into league structures.

21 hours ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

I'm appreciating your continued interest and reporting, Red - and that of others.

If Hawthorn's Kennedy Centre is any sort of yardstick, there are other facilities to be accommodated:

• a 54m x 28m indoor training field

• dedicated, fully-equipped AFLW facilities

• a 140-capacity function centre

• 'community meeting areas'

• a flood-lit oval with covered spectator seating, changerooms, coaching and medical spaces, and full TV and radio broadcast capabilities, for hosting AFLW home games and other 'matches at the highest level'.

I'm presuming current and further-developed Casey facilities might provide some of this?

Anyway, thoughts?

That can be a good start but we will be restricted by the spaces available at both Caulfield and Waverley.

You are probably aware of my advocacy for a greenfield site at Fishermans Bend/ Port Melbourne site. This allows a much more innovative and creative approach incorporating retail, commercial, transport, entertainment, community, facilities to complement the basic training administration etc options we are pursuing. Such a facility could also future proof the club.

26 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Max was resting in the fwd line at times during the 2nd half and that gave Andrews some grief - you can't not play close to Max in the fwd line.

Thanks all track watchers for reports.

One thing I have noticed from attendance at games ( I get to some occasionally) and on tv is that we structure often to guard grass and corral players and we also seem to press deep into defence at times.. Commentators on TV often refer to the structure forcing down the line release as a positive.

When I looked at this more deeply it seemed that this created situations where the opposition can run to the space between the two players guarding grass and take an uncontested mark. This was particularly obvious against bombers and at times against Brisbane. Some players give opponents too much space and often see them pointing to the next teammate to pick up the player between them. When we play close to our opponents and apply pressure was when we controlled the game and created scores.

I understand the need for tempo but letting opponents drive into their forward line through uncontested possessions doesnt inspire me.

Are you seeing the players training to be closer to their opponents or are they training to guard and structure..

2 hours ago, sisso said:

Interesting to see how all our young blokes go, I thought we went in too old last week but it’s flipped the other way now! I reckon if we play our best run and gun footy on the wide expanses of the G we can be competitive, but expecting a win is probably a bit of a stretch today.

I agree with this. Last week we should have rested TMac, Melkie Fritta and gone with Jefferson , Kentfield AMW. Maybe run Heath.

Even Windsor Kolt Langford who all played ok could have been rested and saved for this bigger game.

The older experienced bodies should be playing against the older bigger body teams.

It6 does depend how they turn up, I reckon our best is as good as Lions and sorry i wont be there.

GO DEEES

6 hours ago, Jibroni said:

Lost for words, a terrible effort from too many.

And dealing with histerical bombers supporters, [censored].

I was able to mutter to Essendon fanaticasises ( made up word combining fans ...fanatics...and fantasisers) that they are bound to win one in every 18

But that was a really horrible performance by us . especially the last quarter where we appeared to just give in.

at 3/4 time bomber fans in front of me yelled come on bombers embarras them.....I said to him they already have..... Hoping for a last quarter fight....... didnt happen ....... we were humiliated.

Well my selection comments are still based on little knowledge so Ill take the coaches and selectors team as a winner.

Im going over invited by my Bombers supporting mate, he's actually the husband of my friend, but has endeared himself to me despite that. He does love his footy and has again prepared a weekend of football fever, with multiple matches including in the box and special events. His wife doesnt really care for footy and is happy that I can distract him for the weekend.

BUT I really want the Dees to continue his misery, although in his defence he is more frustrated than miserable criticising many of the actions his club has taken.

Still I would like to see a few rested with Jeffo, Kentfield, Heath and anyone else who played well at Casey given a run. Id include Laurie even though he didnt excell.. Petty provided a really good role through back and forward and does ruck well but we know what he can deliver. Id still like to see some work into JVR as full time forward only NO RUCK. Rest any player who may have a niggle and get em cherry ripe for Brisbane.

But given I didnt think Milky would play given his Casey appearance and how well he played Im prepared for anything.

It does make the trip more interesting but gee winning is way better than losing.

GO DEES

my only concern arises from the vision of Melksham against the doggies.

I do like ghosties scenario of the 150 lead up and am now going to scour the training reports,

19 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Matthews got a chance for swap with Lattrelle?

19 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Matthews got a chance for swap with Lattrelle?

19 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

MYeatthews got a chance for swap with Lattrelle?

Yes thats a good get in line with exposing the next generation resting them back to work on specific features of their game

Sorry about the multiple quote seems auto generated.

14 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Kentfield was going to debut before he hurt his knee. Can't see why he can't debut now. A month is not a long time out. Petty has been out of form.

Yeah agree Petty has been out of form which is why I think he gets last chance as burst impact replacement, a role which he needs to be coached positively to do.

As i said in other post Im just a bit concerned that Lukar had a significant injury which might affect his confidence and impact which I would like to see built and evidenced in the lower level.

Both these thoughts are deeper coaching and development matters which I really will leave to the coach who is closer to the players.

15 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Give Luker a go.

Just a bit worried that the significant injury he sustained may affect his confidence and impact which I would rather see built and evidenced at Casey.

We do not need a white silver or grey border

Just a few changes Werridee

B: Lever, McDonald, Salem

HB: Tholstrup, Turner, Howes

C: Langford, Sparrow, Windsor

HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, Culley

F: Fritsch, Mihocek, Heath

FOLL: Gawn, Steele, K.Pickett

IC: Lindsay, Langdon, Sharp, Petty, Moniz-Wakefield

EMERG: , L.Pickett, Kentfield prefer both to play limited time at Casey

Petty the ultimate emergency can pinch hit for Turner if he is short of a run or can cut out for max in the ruck and JVR who must be played fulltime forward and Heath who may need exposure to AFL..

Mw can replace Tholstrup if he is needed to tag or cut out Salem

Heath played well at Casey last match and can provide support for Max and an xtra tall to create space

Latrell is exciting but I reckon can have run at Casey to build up his presence not just impact. Use his pace at that level to cut them apart and force his way into the team against Essendon.

Rivers may need an extra week recovery same as Kentfield

We do need to see how player perform at Casey Jefferson and Kentfield l

Not sure that Melkie will make it, the way he looked last week.

I would leave Petty in ones as the ultimate replacement forward or back. Hes not slow and can ply tall. seems to play better when he is a burst player. He makes and creates space and can tackle pretty well.

23 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Aside from the FACT that eventually the buddy/mate attitudes within the hallowed halls of the AFL will come back to bite, don't ask me how, I've got a feeling that we have just witnessed. with one almighty backdown by the MRO, a pick and choose, laissez faire slap with a wet lettuce.

They ( the AFL) need a bloody good kick up the Khyber in my book.

23 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Aside from the FACT that eventually the buddy/mate attitudes within the hallowed halls of the AFL will come back to bite, don't ask me how, I've got a feeling that we have just witnessed. with one almighty backdown by the MRO, a pick and choose, laissez faire slap with a wet lettuce.

They ( the AFL) need a bloody good kick up the Khyber in my book.

23 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Aside from the FACT that eventually the buddy/mate attitudes within the hallowed halls of the AFL will come back to bite, don't ask me how, I've got a feeling that we have just witnessed. with one almighty backdown by the MRO, a pick and choose, laissez faire slap with a wet lettuce.

They ( the AFL) need a bloody good kick up the Khyber in my book.

Youll get 2 weeks for that, Sidey would get nothing and Kozzie would get life.

I am a redleg member which I consider a donation to the club as I dont get down to enjoy the games with my melbiourne based mates who are all also redleg members. I get to sit with them and enjoy the pre and post match events.

Its easy to do as I just pay a fortnightly amount on automatic instalment.

It is fortunately supported by the really friendly membership staff who also assist me on match days when I bring friends along (usually at the last minute)

15 hours ago, Kev said:

Most of the game involved us holding the boundary line, with little looking inside for a central corridor, or spread to find space. If you can't get the ball it is difficult to manage the tempo/momentum. Freo sat on us waiting for our errors as we guarded the grass. It looked like we were hoping to get turnovers and then swarm the contest. We started fumbly and they were just too good, and our confidence fell.

There was no plan to change tempo or momentum. Would have liked us to chip it round a bit, get each other into it without the opposition rushing us. Need to make space and time, and that inability affected our ability to play to our plan.

Where was our change of strategy change up, when it would have made a difference?

Where was our handball game?

We couldn't create, didn't swarm or make overlaps. Looked like more fun in the last, where we seem to have a licence to take it on. Hopefully that fits us well, more of that as we take on the Blue.

We seemed to be too far off our opponent when they had the ball and didnt create space when we had the ball, Both of those features were noticeable last week.

We burnt ourselves when all going forward when turnover happened with poor handball or missed target

Possible Team

B: Howes McDonald, Salem

HB: Rivers, Lever, Jiath

C: Windsor, Langford, Langdon,

HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, K.Pickett

F: Fritsch, Mihocek, Sharp

FOLL: Gawn, Steele, Tholstrup

IC: Petty, Lindsay L.Pickett, Culley, Heath

EMERG: Moniz-Wakefield, Taylor, Sparrow

Windsor Langford takes centre clearance Windsor Langford outside Tholstrup tagging

K Pickett also run through centre for burst swap with Tholstrup

LIndsay chop out Windsor Langdon THolstrup Chandler Sharp Salem ( lets see what hes got)

L Pickett burst swap with Chandler, Sharp

Culley swap with Mihocek, Van Rooyen Fritsch (Van Rooyen, Mihiocek rotate FF and CHF)

Heath chop out for Max Mihocek, Van Rooyen (Forward role)

Petty is a better ruck than both Roo and possibly Heath but can plug in for any defender needing chop out (Lever Howes Mc Donald) and can chop out for Max jn defence role

Theres plenty of flexibility around some core who have little rest Langdon Rivers Salem Jiath Mc Donald Steele

Van Rooyen must be just forward rotatindg and leading with Mihocrk. both providing contest so ball comes down to crumbers. Fritsh plays deep and behind contests.

I did wonder if that was another holding the man free gone missing.

Watched the Casey boys where only Heath looked reasonable so knew why King made no changes.

Ive had a gutful of not manning up when opposition has the ball.

On 14/03/2026 at 17:08, whatwhat say what said:

no, it's a pro-racing industry proponent

it has vested interests, to say the least

meanwhile, fisherman's bend was first proposed as a conversion from industrial about 15 years ago - the tram line to / from it is at least 20 years away from being developed, with no business case proposed, as is the same with the bridge connecting it to the city

90% of the land in it is privately owned - good luck getting developers to commit to open space when they can make money on it instead

On 14/03/2026 at 17:08, whatwhat say what said:

You are dead right WWSW. It really needed some vision and forward planning years ago. The body tasked with implementing was ineffective and had no influence. With a destination entertainment business hub I have suggested there may have been support for improved transport. Communication failed previously. I hope it does not fail with Caulfield.

On 14/03/2026 at 17:08, whatwhat say what said:

Thank goodness someone can make sense of these statistics.

I was perhaps totally wrong . I felt in watching all games so far that pressure was high . I commented many times that you just could not afford to fumble as opponents were close checking and turnovers occurred. Turnovers also seemed to lead to chains that led to scoring.

The pace of the game looked faster as well, which affected the precision of disposal.

I will keep watching and hoping that we continue our winning results.