dpositive

Is it any surprise with he way the umpires protect the heads of Melbourne players? Have been saying for many years that we should call in the umpires and ask what we are doing wrong with our positioning and tackling when we give so many free kicks away and receive so few. That the frees often seem to disadvantage our flow may be becUse there is a fault in our structure.

Plenty of great analysis on this thread and some good proposals. A great (and I struggle for the most appropriate word) servant, performer, player? He was often our sole contributor during our darkest times, but he has been targeted and suffered so much physical attention it is amazing that he can still stand upright. He has never been exceptionally skilled and had plenty of limitations and despite his inspirational play could not inspire consistently or effectively. He however still has plenty to provide and perhaps does not need to do that every week in the team. How about choosing an opposition player or team where his style and presence will be most effective. Rest him in Casey to inspire the next generation, or even use him at training to bring match day intensity to other players who are younger and fitter and can recover more quickly. It ain't that hard, manage him and every other player in the squad to play them only when they are at their peak physically and mentally. Matching opponents, alternative game styles of opponents and adherence to our game patterns when appropriate should select the side. Jones will never leave without honour he already has it. Playing at Casey or even not playing will not affect his status as clubman. He can still be captain presence from the coaches bench.

Too true junior. It seems the same structures, the same patterns, the same intensity, the same skill levels. Most disappointing. Stretch at least showed he should step up, but perhaps he can't get a game coz he gets the ball and delivers it to a teammate, provides an option for teammates and can run and kick to advantage. Not our current style.

Agree with buck na led, we needed something to support. The first quarter was just developing . 2nd Quarter was shock 3rd Quarter disbelief and sporadic attempts to rouse some action after good passages was limited and received no acknowledgement through performance final quarter I was as exhausted as players from emotion only and certainly had no reason for sustained volume support

In the first quarter we moved the ball with handball and short low kicking. We also spoiled and cut off port releases. We then seemed to lose the flight, spoils didn't work and Port had an outside player and created an overlap as we had players crowded together. Port players were 3 metres from their opponents which was too far in advance of our player, they seemed to get the match ups and our players didn't know the speed of their match up. We also kicked to contests where we were outnumbered, bombed the ball high in a swirling wind. When the ball fell we were outnumbered, rushed to the contest and crowded together leaving an opponent free outside, they then created an overlap, often by switching. Jack Watts engineered such a move directing his teammates through the overlap, switch and run through the centre, late in the game. Our players conceded space an ran round chasing an opponent who knew what both they and their opponents were going to do. Hinkley out coached Goodwin it seemed. our Structures and tactics seemed lacking and our skills disappeared in the 2nd quarter. i forgive Frost for his stupid run on and frustration as at least he was trying to create something, no one told him he was hot but no forward anticipated his run and provided a target. We seemed to be a team of individuals after Quarter time. The fact that none supported Max was just one display of this. The huddles of backs and forwards after scoring occurred did not seem to result in any structure based on an awareness of what was going on. Perhaps Lewis could have remedied that maybe the lack of runners on field was responsible. oh well it's only week 1. Let's see what happens at the Cattery. Oh and can someone make sure the right boots are worn for the surface. Our slipping over in the first Quarter was part of not being further ahead Both sides were falling but in 2nd Quarter Port seemed more sure footed. I didn't see them change but wonder again if we were out coached as Port reacted to that feature, we did not.

While an admirable theory, surely it would be best to use the whole 42 squad with some playing kamikaze footy for critical times to allow the finalists to be cherry ripe as the season progresses. Prepare for the finals over the season and work backwards to allow the appropriate rest and recuperation at appropriate times. Surely this is why we have Pruess to support Max. Play them both if needed but one or the other to provide appropriate r&or. It's called tapering and peaking. using the squad is essential. Don't be worried if Casey finishes last if the players in the side are playing in accordance with their required role in the ones. Develop them to replace someone in the ones but expect to be used only if they are better than that player. Keeps the primary player on their toes as well.

Well still no clearer after the return train to Wangaratta. Several fans on board all too disappointed to talk about it with any consistency. Plenty of passion from the supporters to get there but I don't think many will be rushing down again. Fair dinkum this sort of performance will cost the club supporters and members. The players showed some passion at times but usually an individual after individual effort. the forwards backs and defenders all gathered as groups but what did they talk about as they all played loose with seemingly little understanding of their teammates or their opponents. Where was the side after the first quarter. In that quarter the team worked together and kept the ball low with short disposals. They smothered and tackledand kept close checking on opponents when they had the ball and separated when we had it. After that quarter break we disposed high and long as the game slowed down. Port quickly sized it up and played the low sort delivery until a player was in the clear when a long kick would be sent ahead of the player. We bombed to contests . We never returned to the system of the first quarter. Max was belted and so were some of our other players. We did not support our teammates with vigour when needed ie did not respond to vigour and were intimidated most of the time. Players did not seem to communicate after each other after 1st quarter. I knew it was over when Jack Watts began to direct play from the backline telling players to switch and run . They ran into space while we ran into each other. We can only improve. I want the team that played those first few finals last year back please. Send the prelim finals team away.

Your comment your comment on TMac partly correct "get ball go for goal" was shown so many times as his accuracy surprised most. However one of his strengths was his ability to run his opponents off their feet through endurance running. Hunt also has a speed factor as he ran away from offensively or up to defensively opponents applying pressure. Weird seemed to display some of both initial speed and some endurance. i reckon a mobile forward churn with the players rotating and dragging their opponents out of their structures and into mis matches is what we are now capable of. Other teams have done this to us and we have not seemed to be able to use our resources so effectively in the past. with Gawn or resting tall and small crumbers and mids swarming into the forward area there can be more options created. I like the personnel, I will watch the structure and hope that skill levels are there. I am always concerned about our ability to retain structure and skill under intense pressure. I hope we have trained for that intensity as I think we will now attract greater intensity from our opponents. We are in for an even more exciting year. GO DEES!!!

I agree and refer to my previous that May made a statement we would not shirk and would not be moved. Berry does appear to have hit his head on Mays shoulder. The head is sacrosanct. The look is important. The club should now make a statement that we expect the same consistency when any of our players is hit in the head or when they are the recipient of any incident that looks bad.. We must insist that we will refer similar events to the Commission for similar action. Particularly we will look at the team we are playing next

Didn't see the game but viewing the short replay here, Yes he needed to do it. Unfortunate that Berry looked up late and couldn't protect himself from immovable object and was opened up. May did not have time to avoid or anticipate what action Berry would make he prepared for the collision but did not charge or hang out and arm or elbow. We have been accused of soft football and this sort of statement is needed. We will not shirk, we will not be moved. It's why we must appeal. If Christian is going to charge on the look of things the charges will be endless. Don't bring the vibe into it.

Wanted to reinforce my past, present and future aspirations for the club, players and Dland . I was a slow contributor to Dland having followed for many years

Christmas seems to be a more extended event these days. The usual excesses no longer able to satisfy an insatiable desire to embrace demon success. And so I return to Demonland where dreams are manufactured and destroyed in every thread. Thanks for contributing to The enjoyment. May we all have the pleasures of our illusions converted into a more tangible result. May we have more training reports, accurate and inaccurate projections and just plain silliness to keep us appropriately diverted and allow us to enjoy the results. If the team is to take us on that successful journey we as supporters must also raise or standards. Coming from a low base I've already completed a PB

Although they may support an AFL plan or a local community plan or any other plan after they are elected

Jones has earned the respect for his position. He must be treated with respect. That includes not being selected if team balance or structure requires. No one should be gifted a game or expect automatic selection, we must have enough depth to allow competition every week. Jones has provided a fine example of dogged determination and resilience, he can continue as co captain and inspiration until he accepts his performance is not matching the requirements. He must be treated with dignity and gratitude and acknowledged for his total journey.

Without google I am pleased you did the research that confirms the thoughts. Also that you landed in the same ambivalent spot I am trying to avoid. With the same basic premise I am prepared to still think that this might be the year it finally comes together for us.

Brilliant concept. IP it. Register the brands. Sit back and collect due rewards. Of course that approach may discourage Gil etc from acting.

Hell busted again Hell busted again!

I'm busted. As a youthful peasant, with vulgar, loutish tendencies, veering into oafish boorish and ignorant behaviour, my scepticism leading me to atheism, I gathered together with a bunch of heathen brutes to form the Plebians and wrest the Traralgon basketball title from the reigning elites. One of my esteemed number was Bernie Quinlan. Aah those were the days, short term pleasures indeed. I still recount that I played with two browlowmedalists having also played tennis with Kelvin Templeton.

Well it seems to me that he should just be offered a continuing contract based on success. If we win the [censored] next year a bonus following years based on continued success or failure. No need to put a time on it. The time will be dependent on review, by both sides. i would like to see it continued for six flags in the next ten years but realise this may be unrealistic.

Audi sponsor Mt Hotham!

Thanks again KC. Hope the Casey have a squad that can go beyond the performance of last years. No disrespect to last years squad which set a pretty high benchmark but improvement is demanded and needed. Your own contribution has always been fantastic and much appreciated

To diverge. On a research trip to WA Beer wine food and tourist infrastructure not Dockers Eagles or Hogans, have just experienced the Albany whaling station. Only recently abandoned and restored as tourist attraction. The harpoonist is the Skipper and was able to despatch the whale with an accurate delivery under what must have been quite arduous conditions. Just made me reflect on the same philosophical metaphor. Difficult to reflect on football draw related issues as the WA media cannot report on any issues outside the overwhelming significance of the Dockers and Eagles. Fascinating

A couple of things I mentioned during the season and reinforced during finals. 1. Pressure and intensity must be recognised and countered. Kicking skill is affected by both. Second, third and even fourth efforts in a passage created pressure and must be established as a natural impulse. Shepherding and creating space for a teammate to get balanced when disposing must be developed. 2. Use of the total squad. Select teams to counter opposition and release players for resting when appropriate. Lewis and Jones can be rested to recover when younger bodies can be bought in to get exposure to top level when match up allows. Support and backup for Max seems pretty obvious to keep him at his best particularly against teams with similar ruck strengh or depth Hogan is a real star who has gone through intense personal issues that would divert focus. He is almost always double teamed which shows how opposition regard him. If he is double teamed someone should be free and someone should always be at his feet. Flying against him is wasted effort. Structure with Hogan should be different than when he is not on the field so wider use of the squad must be considered on selection.

Fantastic site. I am pleased to recommend it to any supporters I meet as it is not only a great source of information but contains some of the best humour you will find anywhere. Professionally and tirelessly run. I have found it the most reliable system I have ever used. It has been a companion and vital information provider when I have been in remote and overseas locations. When I have attended marches or been able to get a full media cover of the Demons I often struggle to keep up with Demonland but always find it worthwhile. Don't have to contribute often as it is such a transparent array of emotions. Keep up the great work. Happy to maintain membership of the most cost effective communication I have seen.

Didn't know personally but saw the outcomes of his efforts. Thankless task always done professionally and with genuine emotion and interest of those that I saw. Displayed passion that I hope is real and he can continue his allegiance. Having endured the lows it would be great if he also enjoyed the future highs. wish him well and hope that the time at the Demons has added to his skills experience and helped him progress in work and life.