Lucifers Hero

This week's summary for the last four rounds (and I've shown the number of 8 point games for each team). Comments: Tigers entrenched at the top. WCE have probably done enough to keep 2nd spot. Port (not playing well and a really tough draw) and Pies (lots of injuries) can certainly slide out of the top 4 with GWS best placed to replace them. Melb have a tough set of games but should make the 8. If Hawks roll Ess this week they will make it. Thanks to us the Cats will make it. Sydney will struggle to get back in the 8. Roos look to have an easy draw but they go to the Gabba (Lions) and AO (Adelaide) so I reckon they will miss the 8. Ess: Need to win all 4 to overcome low %. We are one of the inform sides so I think we can win all the games. But will be happy with two good wins and two small losses to keep our % up. It would be very funny if the Roos get in the 8 and push Scott's twin brother's Cats out!! My dearest footy wish is for Ess to miss the finals!!

Goodwin has made a habit of surprise player positioning at the start of games eg starting TMac in the middle usually to our detriment...without checking I think we have rarely won the first quarter when that happens. So, I don't like his attempts to confuse the opp coaches. But to give him the benefit of the doubt with Oliver at FF, I wonder if that was to give him a chance to 'warm up' after his quad tightness during the week. Just a thought. As an aside, we certainly need to fix our slow starts as playing catch-up is a fraught with danger! Putting players in best positions would be a good start.

Jones still does! Agree, ANB won't be one of our stars and he plays his role well. And as you say, we don't notice all the good things he does as it is often when 'he doesn't have the ball'. But we notice his turnovers which are usually by foot as his handball isn't bad. Fix his kicking to teammates and especially to goal and he will be an Impact Player. I also think he doesn't yet have full belief in himself. He looks a tad nervous and hesitant when about to kick. Eyes darting everywhere - could be just looking for options. In time he will gain full confidence. I haven't been a fan but now think he is a bona fide best 22.

That is exactly what the Crows did to let the Eagles into last year's finals. (I reckon they feared us in the finals as had said how tough we were to play against earlier in the season so they tanked). They had the last game of the season so knew exactly where every team was on the ladder. At Sunday 3.20 pm we have the 2nd last game. I believe the last game will be Freo vs Coll but it starts while our game is still going. Whether GWS treat it as a dead rubber depends on whether there is a chance for them to get a top 2 spot (and 2 home finals). They will assume that Coll beat Freo. If there is a chance of a top 2 spot they will show us no mercy. If there isn't they may just decide to rest a few extra players and we get the win. Given how badly Port are playing and the Pies injury woes there is a good chance GWS will have a top 2 spot locked in before the last round.

I reckon it is really important for us. Giants would have a full 7 days if the game was on Sat and we would have 6. If played on the Sunday as mooted that will be 8/7 day rest with us returning from the West. Either way Giants will have an extra day advantage - round 23 on a Sunday game evens up the odds just a little.

You are right on the money JV7! The AFL will release the round 23 fixture in the next week. Channel 9 just reported our game is most likely the Sunday 3.20 time slot (to give us a week's rest). And yes, it means that game will be on FTA. Which reminds me, all our remaining games will be broadcast FTA and our past 2 have been FTA. While not premium time slots, that is 6 games on the trot FTA which, if they get good audiences, help our FTA premium time slot chances next year...we can happily take all the Thurs/Fri/Sat nights FTA gifted to Carlton this year.

That is the crux of it. Our structure relies on 2 talls up forward. We are down to one tall when Tom relieves in the ruck. Given that Weideman and T Smith haven't done to well when given a chance I think Jesse plays. Its a similar situation to Buddy. He plays each week because without him their forward structure falls over. Buddy has trained for 20 minutes all season. We may need to do similar to help Jessie. Light duties till his ankle, knee, back improve. And stop him playing up the ground to minimise aggravating his injuries. Even if he just stands in the square and takes a key defender he will be an asset up forward.

Thanks ET. Loved the sight of his little boy clapping his dad. And heartwarming to see Melksham and Petracca indulging the little guy. Reminded me of this precious moment, when Brayshaw carried Cross' young lad

Did anyone else see the footage of Jones revving up the team at the 3/4 time break? He didn't wait for the coaches to arrive, just got players together for what looked like an impassioned pep talk. They didn't let him or themselves down and fought it out to the very last moment. Jones had a poor first half but that footage showed what he brings to the team. For someone whose leadership on field is often questioned that pep talk showed good leadership by him

You could be right their Uncle. I recall reading that Dusty doesn't partake in any substances during a season and he has certainly reaped the rewards. As Oliver said - its about sacrificing a bit now. If all our players buy in to these 1%'ers and are totally professional with their preparation and their recovery (especially when away from the club) then we can become a very good club and maybe one day a great club again.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-29/oliver-among-dees-banning-the-booze Oliver is among the Dees to give up alcohol for the rest of the season: "I won't be drinking until the end of the season, just want to make sure if we're there in September that I'll be fresh and ready to go," Oliver said. Clearly Lewis is highly respected among the players. "I think he (Lewis) might have mentioned (that the Hawks went on a booze ban)," Oliver said..."When he says something, you do it. If he says don't do it, you don't do it..."It's pretty simple." I think we are developing a core of serious and committed players. And kudos to Oliver and co to have the maturity to listen to the Lewis voice of experience.

It will be a real shame if he puts in two years of hard work and doesn't get an AFL game. How good would it be for him to run out on the G, eh? Hope he gets another year. And, I hope that whatever happens you keep posting on here. Your measured and insightful posts are often a steadying presence amongst many emotional Demonland supporters.

Update for Jetta and Brayshaw contract extensions. Both critical extensions. Where would we be this year without these two. Jetta has held up the backline and Gus shouldering the load (with Oliver) in the middle when the more experienced haven't. Couldn't be happier with both of them sticking with the Dees. Especially pleased for Jetta because he has been through all the tough times and done it the hard way. Both have shown tremendous class and resilience. Their reward will come (and I don't mean $). It is generally said that a player needs 5 preseasons (ie about 100 games) to a have an AFL match hardened body and experience. With the likes of Oscar, Hogan, Salem, Oliver, Brayshaw and Lever barely half way there, it is scary how good we can become. Especially with the 'more experienced' Gawn, Viney, Tom McD, Hibberd, Melksham (and with the less than 50 game players yet to make their mark). If not this year, the Day of the Demons is coming!

I'm curious od - why are the Crows the only team on your hate list? Agree, very special to beat them twice this year especially after we beat them on their own dung heap last year. That almost means we own them on Adelaide Oval?.

In the Game Day thread I posted that Goodwin teared up when Fristch kicked the goal and seeing that confirms it. He may be cool as a cucumber in his press conf but that was raw emotion from him. That was a game to instill huge belief for the players and the coaches. Very happy for Goodwin, the team, the club and us supporters.

Fair comment.

I wonder if boy wonder, Cripps, gets off for the tackle that rammed Swallow's head into the ground and he didn't come back on. But Cripps is in the running for the Brownlow and the AFL would love to see him win it so the MRO may well weasel word an excuse to get him off. Can't believe Carlton beat GCS who beat Sydney last week. It is a very strange game, this aussie rules!

Very gracious of you dd36

WOW! Lewis just said Oliver reminds him of Simon Black. Huge compliment.

I don't think we are weak in recent last quarters. Both Geelong and Adelaide have recently had 10 day breaks. Whereas we have had 7 day breaks after a Darwin game a few weeks ago. Huge effort to almost hold on last week Adelaide should have been much fresher than us and we had a few walking wounded tonight eg Hogan and Harmes. A mammoth effort for the team to hold on. Very proud of the lads.

Emotional singing of our great song - everyone in.

Had to laugh at Oscar doing up his shoe lace to run down the clock- learnt from last week!

Eddie always dangerous - where was our goalkeeper/sweeper!! Bring Max back on!!

Am really enjoying the praise Oliver is getting. His brilliance cannot be ignored, not even by the most biased commentator. 7 goals 4 in that quarter. Go dees!

You are right doc. I don't condone playing injured players but we need him out there just to take a key defender even if he doesn't have an impact.