The heart beats true

Are Carlton wearing a jumper tonight with Orange on the shoulders? Surely not.

The Whitten Oval development is so good. I sometimes go and have brunch at the Alfa cafe that’s in the facility during the week and I can see various Bulldogs teams training out on the ground. It’s really made me realise the value of a training facility and its connection to community to develop culture. I imagine how good it is for the Dogs players to live in Yarraville, Williamstown or even Port Melbourne and be at the club in 10 minutes. They’ve created a pretty appealing lifestyle to sell. We seem a long way off in that department.

I think the Xerri case will be fascinating. He has gone passed the ball, and is not even looking in the direction of Sparrow. If it goes to tribunal what he argues will have to be pretty unique, because based on previous ‘eyes on the ball’, ‘contesting the play’ arguments he is in real trouble.

What? That’s a nuts call.

Honestly it’s fantastic. I rocked up to the Kings Birthday game literally 2 minutes before the bounce knowing that my seat would be there, and that I had great access to the game, and had real Demon die hards around me. If it’s just one seat you’re likely to get a good spot. I sit between the wing and half forward flank and absolutely love my spot on level 2A. Call the club when ‘26 memberships go on sale and they’ll likely be able to help.

The average losing score across the last 5 Thursday night games is 50 points. Tonight’s was actually the closest. Horrible way to start each round in what is already the least competitive season in years, with 9 teams out of finals contention by round 17.

Shane Warne Stand, and that’s the only information I’ll divulge. I LOVE going to the footy by myself, not having to talk to anyone, and getting fully engrossed in the game. 😂

What is the point of the floating fixture if, in a round with a lot of critical games, we are instead getting 12th vs 2nd as the prime time Thursday night game? Why not 3rd vs 6th, or 4th vs 8th, or 5th vs 9th? All crucial games in what is other wise a dud season for the AFL, given that 7 weeks out from finals only 9 teams can make the 8. But no, instead we get Carlton. The desire for existing eyeballs is coming at the expense of growth for the game - by putting on better games of footy in more visible time slots. The last month’s narrative has been ‘Pitchforks for Voss’ as the lead story, instead of the actual games. I’m so bored by the AFL. They’ve mistaken ‘constant content’ for entertainment, and it’s so dull.

Nope! You’re doing Demonland all wrong. You got to write em off early so you can say ‘I called it first’. Anyways, I don’t have time to explain how it all works. I’m off to start an ‘Is Kalani White The Right Guy?’ thread.

So then in answer to your question ‘Can we talk about Kolt?’ The answer is… ‘Yes, he may be discussed, but not in any rational context with comparative examples, and only if it’s disparaging’. Ok I’ll try again. ‘I can’t stand the guy. He’s my least favourite 12 game player, playing predominantly in starvation corner in the AFL’s worst functioning forward line.’ Am I doing it right?

Boooooooo. People having a crack at Windsor, Kolt and McVee need to realise they’ve all had very interrupted preseasons, which has hampered their development. It takes a while to develop an AFL level body for most players. There are exceptions to the rule, but look at Bowey. It’s taken him 60 games to consistently be at the level, after such a good start. He looked awful at times last year - because injuries disrupted his development. Have a crack at the senior players if you want to aim at anyone. They are producing 50% of the output they are being paid for, but leave the kids alone. It takes time, and they are often being asked to do more because the guys earning the big money can’t get the job done.

I soiled myself a few times in that opening quarter.

Members dropping off can be an opportunity. I upgraded my membership from a Reserved Seat to a Trident this year, and it’s been so good. The Trident seating is brilliant. I love having access to the premium members rooms. I love sitting on level 2A. I love sitting with other absolute Melbourne nut jobs, and I love that the area I sit in is only for Melbourne members so I’m not constantly moving on other supporters from my seats like when I was a Reserved Seat member. The website will say that it’s waiting list only but call the club next year and have a chat with them. When people drop off jump in. Sorry if this reads like a chatGPT written promo from the clubs membership department. I just really like my Trident membership and reckon others should jump in while they can. It’s not like ‘not going to the footy’ is an option for me, so I may as well despair in comfort. 😂

Shout out to the young Carlton supporter who made wildly inappropriate hand gestures to my 70 year old mum as we left the MCG in 2023 after the Semi Final. Your team is absolute garbage, and every time you lose it makes me so happy to know your footballing life will be meaningless. No pain is enough pain for Carlton supporters. They are somehow smug even though they’ve achieved absolutely nothing for 30 years.

Watch the umpires come hard here.

We are going to finish bottom 6 2 years in a row, so you’d have to think that significant player changes will come at seasons end. The game has gone by our midfield, and we refuse to let forwards lead up at the ball carrier - instead deciding that kick to one spot and everyone huddle together is our best option to kick a goal. The coach has been too slow to see the shift in the game and far too loyal to his players, and in return the players have let him and the club down on and off the field. In the end I imagine they’ll all go down together. The AFL doesn’t want teams to win kicking 8 goals, they want 16-18 goals. The game has changed a lot. I fear we are in for a serious rebuild.

Second half needs to be all about giving players confidence - particularly forward of the ball.

I like it. Make them defend in the heat. There’s nothing to lose from doing that in a game like this. It’s a new look for us and now’s the time to see how it works.

Back spasms in the first minute of the game.

Don’t want to derail the thread here, but very often now when @Demonland posts a story from a linked source I just get a blank white long post. I then read the replies to deduce what’s been posted. I’d say it happens to 80% of all linked posts - regardless of poster or source. Been this way for a few months. Is this occurring for anyone else? (for context I’m on Safari on an IPhone 15)

I hope he’s as a good a throw.

I too am most definitely not bot. 我也绝对不是机器人 #notabot, #followmeforfinancialadvice, #instantmillionaire, #nigerianprince, #localgirls

It’s not untrue, but if it is true you have to acknowledge the same about Oliver.

Anti sausage roll propaganda. It’s Un-Australian, and I won’t stand for it.

If it makes you feel better - I definitely don’t know what I’m talking about.