Lucifers Hero

Yes, again!

On second thoughts the puddy cat will be charged with striking: deliberate, severe impact, head high and suspend for 4 weeks!!

Early in this thread I mentioned Geelong are going under the radar. They have quite a few talented youngsters: de Koning, Holmes, Stengle, Henry, Parfitt, Kolodjashnij, Miers, and some pretty good players in the 26-28 age group. I would say Gutherie, Stewart, Menegola, Duncan etc have a few years left in them. They will be a different team this September than last. Good enough to go all the way, I doubt it but it would be a mistake to sell them short.

Having a DL 'holiday' - something to do with 'facepalms'.

After a few notable faux pas in post game press conf Beveridge has probably been told to keep his mouth shut. Even then he did a fair job of playing it down: “Hopefully there’s nothing in it... whatever it was.” Touhy now saying it was as much his fault as Smith's! Even if Smith isn't suspended, the Bulldogs finals charge is over. That is a good thing, I think...

Weightman will rue the day he said it was a skill to milk frees ie con the umpires. He has had 2 frees in about 6 games since then. Weightman dives for free kick ‘The football gods will get you...Umpires are warned pre-game by what players have a tendency, and Weightman has a tendency for accentuated contact. Umpires are aware of that". It is about time umpires were made aware of who are the repeat 'milk-a-free' offenders. Could be why the bulldogs aren't getting as many frees in recent games. On his football, he has had a very ordinary year, just one good game vs North. In the games I've seen he seems to just run around without much impact. Wouldn't be surprised if he finds himself in the twos for a while.

What, a tiny tap from a puddy cat and the big bulldog falls over! Nah, he took a dive to milk a free!! The doggie's name must be 'Cody'.

As an aside, what is Max feeding baby G: Baby G is Gorgeous!!

In the G n G podcast Max said he has moved out of home because baby G has covid for the second time in his 7 months😢. I'm glad Max didn't get it and can play this week and he did say baby G is doing ok but its heartbreaking for a bub to get it, as one did in my extended family. So wishing baby G a speedy recovery!

Gus and Gawny 'friends' t shirts. ttps://shop.melbournefc.com.au/melbourne-demons-gus-gawny-friend-of-the-podcast-tee/ Proceeds go to MND. Not many and not many sizes left.

I not a fan of a 'Nominations Committee'. Even with external people, the Committee members will be selected by the Board because they are 'friends of the Board'. At least with the current method members can vote for whoever chooses to stand with no prior vetting. Otherwise we may never even know the likes of Peter Lawrence want to stand or their credentials.

It looks like Freo will have a weakened team vs Lions this week with injuries to some key players. Taberner who kicked two goals before being subbed out for half the game Walters who was damaging buzzing around the fwd line Chapman a key tall defender who took 14 marks and gained 436 mtrs. That game may not give us any clearer picture of the top teams than last week did.

I've read of that advice by Goody from a few players. It reminds me of an interview Cam Pedesen did a few years ago. He became very fit in the preseason after being told that he has to be ready if needed. Sure enough he was needed when Spencer and Gawn were both out for quite a while. It was Cam's best season of his career. Opportunities open up all the time. The great thing is the players see that the coaches 'walk the talk' with selections.

Geelong are going under the radar a little bit. They have made a few changes to youth and player roles: de Koning is doing a great job at FB which has freed up Tom Stewart who is doing a sterling job as a mid-fielder, rebounder or behind the ball. Still able to play The General. Stengle is a really damaging small forward. Great kick i50 and kicks plenty of goals. Holmes is injured but coming on in his second year. They are getting better at switching between their 'control' and their 'territory' game plans. Scott is doing a lot of experimenting with player positions and ball movement to ready for September. They will undoubtedly make the top 8 and most probably the top 4 so no harm done if they win this or not. I'd rather not see the Bulldogs in the top 8. Feel ill to tip Geelong to win...

Updated for Bailey Laurie's two year contract extension.

Fair enough. I dare not ask what you think of her co-commentators like Taylor, Brayshaw et al,

Great focus for development: "I try not to focus on how I'm going to fit into the team or whose spot I'm going to take because I feel like if I do, it will negatively impact my performance and I'll start worrying about the wrong things. The conversations I've had with 'Goody' (coach Simon Goodwin) have been around becoming the best player I can be and when I do get my chance, I can come into the team I'll stay there and won't just be there for two weeks and get dropped. "I'm just focusing on the process of what makes me a good player and becoming a really good player and if that takes a bit longer than other people I'm more than happy with that, I'll just keep working as hard as I can." Well done for another two years!

Methinks you are joking or thinking of some else. Our Daisy is a star commentator.

LOL at the 'Team' announcement headlines: Demon's dump/axe four not Demons recall 4 premiership players! Talk about going for the negative/click bait headline

Seriously, the side and snide references are completely unnecessary and poor form. Thanks for changing your post.

Thanks Rob, you're a gem! I'm great. Lots of water under the bridge in the last few years, eh? Hope LA is still great for you.

I think coming back via Casey depends on how long a player has been in the system. After 5-6 pre-seasons and played most games per year they are 'battle hardened' and as long as their rehab has been thorough which I undoubtedly think our medic/sports scientists make sure it is, they come back in. A player with a lesser body of work would come back via Casey. In Salem's case, even a 70% match fit Salem is far better than most other players at 90%.

That is true but woe betide a player who gets within tackling distance - they stay down while Salem keeps his feet and takes off, at not great speed, with the ball.

Its made worse by stretching it out by doing the ranking in lots of 5 rather than 10. A few paras summarising each video would be most welcome but the AFL seems to want us to watch their boring commentators on videos and podcasts. Who has that much time or interest.

🤔 My post noted his injuries: "...attributed to his pre-season foot injury and the corked thigh a month or so ago...". I was defending not critcising him.