Lucifers Hero

It helps to have 'rusted on' sponsors who indulge a bit of (extra) nepotism. These days the AFL seems to turn a blind eye to such things.

That is what I meant as your post implied Kozzie to the eagles. Houston left the club in Vict open. Hmm, not sure why it changed thread - I noticed it also but decided to not argue with a computer 🙂 @Demonland could you move the Kozzie discussion back to the other thread please.

Because players get to club of choice. Not sure a small fwd, even as talented as Kozzie, is high on their shopping list just yet. Warner is their top priority this year. It is fair to say that since Bell left Freo seem more amicable traders. If Kozzie goes we will get full value. And given the draft pick landscape of the next few years our best chance of getting full value is 2025. btw that isn't proposing we trade him - just outlining the practicalities.

We need list spot for George but sadly atm it doesn't look likely for 2025.

It may be click bait but not sure we should dismiss this. A poster who is usually well informed (can't remember who) mentioned in a training thread that Goodwin was annoyed last year at a recruiter closely watching a particular player. That club got the player's trade request on a 7yr, multi million $ deal. I guessed his reference was to Kozzie. The club and his manager shut it down pretty quickly. But, I feel it is only a matter of time. If he helps win another flag he's done his job and I'd wish him well - but I wouldn't like it.

Ahh, now we know why @Demonstone gave up authorship of quizzes - he wants to claim the Gold Medal every time ... 😉 Maybe give him a quota of Gold Medals then no longer eligible ... 😁 Thanks for compiling the quiz, Roger M.

Fair enough. One of the rare times we see things a bit differently, kev.

That quote wasn't a media clickbait headline. It wasn't a throw away line by Goodwin at a press conf; he said it at the AGM which isn't a forum for flippancy. imv we need to accept it as correct.

Fans including dee's fans need to move on from using injuires to explain unsatisfactory results. Perhaps valid in 2019 and 2022. But in 2023 we kicked ourselves out of a Prelim and probably a flag. Yes, I know there were some injuries and other factors but we kicked 16.28 in two finals! The second semi was 9.17 with leaders having collective brain fades in the last minute and we lost by two points!!! A waste of a season imv. For 2024 injuries might've contributed to missing finals. But not 14th !!! To summarise our 2024, Goodwin: "... right now we aren't great at any phase of the game which means we haven't got an identity..." Believe him folks !! 14th wasn't injuries !! Anyway, lets move on to 2025 where I'm optimistic of making finals and going deep into Sept.

Some are here: https://demonland.com/links.html/

A cry for 'Help' @Fanatique Demon ? Allow me to assist. See Blue comments: So realistically… Eleven teams are starting 2025 in front of us. Some have had a better draft result (eg Brisbane). Langford is a pretty good result. Some have players coming back from injury (eg Carlton, Collingwood). Petracca and Oliver say 'hi' Some recruited stars from other clubs (eg Collingwood). Houston? 👎 Some had great years but just fell short (eg GWS, Hawthorn). Give you GWS, Hawks, yeah but nah Some have young guns who are ahead of ours (eg Geelong) Ouch! Windsor, JvR. McVee, Kozzie etc ?? And of those below us… One has a gift-from-heaven 2025 draw (ie, the GC Suns). Our draw isn't too shabby! One failed to meet expectations in 2024 despite a good list, and can be expected to bounce back (ie, Adelaide). Ditto the Dees Hope that cheers you up a little! We have the players. If coaches bring and teach a more effective and versatile method we will be playing finals and imv go deep in Sept.

The comment from Goodwin should end the rationalising on DL that finishing 14th wasn't too bad because ....... fill in whatever excuse people want. The ladder doesn't lie. But that was last year. I am quite confident of top 4 this year and a smokey chance to take out the GF.

🤣 Thereby eliminating a significant part of the DL community 🙄🤷‍♀️ !!!

iirc Roos wouldn't select him for his carelessness delaying his debut game and (I think) Trac played at Casey. Discipline/standards/tough love? It was a bit of a lesson I suspect.

'Mindfulness' played a big role in 2021 and the premiership. iirc players and coaches did their own thing in this space. Without wanting to sound critical maybe we lost our way a little in that regard. It is often said on here 'its all between the ears'. His appointment most likely results from the FD review. I'm rapt we have a 'mindset' coach who will bring some structure to this critical aspect of elite performance.

It was a surprise to me as, like you I thought there was an unspoken agreement not to especially if you want to trade with them again. Very risky to blind side them if we indicated we wouldn't bid so I assume GCS weren't surprised. No idea what the purpose of us bidding was.

touché

Having traded with GCS for pick 2, I was surprised that we then bid on their player at that pick ... ...so much for the theory of 'deals' when trading!

A mere technicality, dc !!!

I see you 'betrayed' your muse, e e cummings again! 😉

Thanks for the anecdote, GW and I don't doubt a word. This: "... he looked out at the rest of the players who were coming off the ground and said, “I [censored] love these boys. I love them so much.” And I saw he had tears in his eyes and that quivering bottom lip thing that’s involuntary..." didn't surprise and made me tear up a little 🥹 What our team has experienced together, the mighty lows and mighty highs can't help but leave an indelible mark and create a special bond. Sometimes it takes a catastrophe to realise it is relationships and sharing that matters. Sounds like Trac is in that space. It won't be long before team mates embrace him again and hopefully so do dees fans.

Sadly, I can't find the pic of Trac's 'beast mode' moment. I think he had just kicked a goal, deadpan expression, lips pursed, fierce eyes with nostrils literally flaring. His face said: 'over my dead body do we lose this game'. Edit: found the pic It was just after his soccer goal (ably assisted by a Kozzie bump on Dunkley). Trac was excited for a second then went into this 'beast mode'. That goal extended our meagre lead and was promptly followed by Sparrow and Oliver goals, giving us the iconic: Bang, Bang! Bang! cry of that special quarter! The game wasn't won but that last minute broke their spirit!

I'm guessing the last 6 months were not only life threatening but also life changing/life affirming. Maybe he realised the grass on the other side isn't greener and the supposed 'riches' (crowds, exposure etc) are not what matter. And, realised that he has as much chance of premierships at the Dees as elsewhere. He is unlikely to win a Brownlow with an in form Oliver in the team. But reckon Trac will settle for another premiership or two. And throw in a couple more NSM❤️💙😉. As you say he will be driven to give his all which will be an awesome sight reminiscent of his 'beast mode' switch to deliver the 2021 premiership.

Ahhh, this thread is again 'On Track' !!! 😉

They'll be in the best position of Vic clubs to get Reid at the end of 2026: More than most to offer WCE. Tick all the boxes of Big MCG clubs for Harley. Massive TPP space to offer him mega millions. He can grow with their recent top picks as ours from 2013 to 2015 did. Add a few mature key players like we did and they will be contending before the end of this decade.