Older demon

Clubs that off load high picks have recently done so when they have Academyplayers where they don't want to have to spend a high pick on one of them. This season we have Ka White and another academy lad. Could this be the strategyfor seasons end. In the last 2 seasons we have loaded up high end with Windsor, Tholstrup, Lindsay & Langford. That has been a pretty good return. On this basis I honestly don't think we have plans for recruitin any big fish this season.

6 Langford 5 Bowey 4 Langdon 3 Oliver 2 T MacDonald Clarry for having a go

I cannot remember a game where I have not felt 1 minute of enthusiasm or excitement in our execution. Too few great passages of play and a skill level not acceptable at AFL level. Lets be honest, running around with 4 first year players is an inducation that we don't have the cattle ( 5 if you include Jefferson last week. Is there a team with finals aspiration that bloods so many newbies. They have stable teams where they slowly add new blood to an existing structure. 2 from a VFL club and 2 first year players has not worked. The skill level today was deplorable. Is the transition to a new style of game showing that our players don't have the skill to execute it especially under pressure. We have been poor for the last 2 weeks. The run and yards gained by Noble and Rioli and others wasn't matched by us who are locked in a chip, chip possession game which is so slow. We are so slow and the years are catching up with Max & Viney. Our clearance work is shocking when it was once our weapon. Out tackled and unable to make one stick or pin the arms so they couldn't get of a handball. Nearly every goal we got was replied to at the next center bounce. I only hope that Windsor, Picket, McVee,Lever and Jefferson get back quick (and Lindsay isn't too serious) because their replacement are out of their depth or not up to AFL standard's. The midfiekd coaches have a huge mountain to climb to get things back on track. At no stage did we manage to lock down and stop the ball getting out the back and cleared.

On reflection I thought we did pretty well to still be in the game at thre quarter time. For 3 quarters we kept coming back which shouldn't be overlooked. The 6 goals in 7 minute burst has made everyone forget the effort put in for 3 quarters. We gifted goals from some awful turn overs, and on 2 occasions being to slow to kick and got run down. Its not Goody fault that Langdon kicks it over Claytons head to the opposition who goal or Bowser shanking a kick into the middle of the ground straight to 2 North players nor is it his fault when Woewodin butchers a bounce in the middle of the ground when all our players are running forward. It happened last week and again Sunday when players over run the ball, miss handballs or have the tackle broken. Non of this is Goodwins fault and it rests entirely with the playing group who should own it. Structurally we were too short. AJ was replaced by Spargo and when Jeffo busted his hand and is replaced by Woewodin we are too small. Small wonder Comben had 8 intercept marks, he was on a midget (not helped by not lowering our eyes when delivering the ball). It was error to expect Max to solely compete against Xerri . Last time they met he was out muscling Max and they had no plan B despite Campbell handling Xerri fairly well in the practice game. Windsor covers a lot of cracks with his blinding speed as will Picket on return. Howes was all Australian under 18 as a wing/half forward. He is to slighlty built to hold down a key back post. Fritch & Disco aren't strong enough to hold down key posts and I doubt they ever will The issue is our best 6 are very good but as stated by Adam Simpson our bottom 6 players is where the issue lies. Injuries happen and last year the Pies struggled untill they got their best side together. May, Windsor, McVee, Picket and to a lesser extent Melksham will make a big difference. The have backup ruckman in AJ and Campbell use them Windsor, Kolt, Lindsay & Langford are the class we need to develop but they are babies in the system but are part of the rebuild

It was a horrible day, stating the obvious. What was the medical report on Jefferson? Hand or wrist? Woewodin as sub was never going to end well having to cover a key forward. With May, Windsor, McVee, Picket, Melksham out we don't have the depth to cover. Spargo clearly underdone and perhapos the plan was to sub him out early and play Woewodin. I didn't see a lot at Casey who can step up except perhaps Langford Brisbane lost their first 4 last year when they couldn't get their best on the park. We have 2 first year players Lindsay & Henderson who have a go and weren't our worst. No AJ left us with sparse ruck options and JVR in the ruck left us undersized down forward. Its week 2 and last week we pushed the premiership favourites and this week struggled all day. WE know who the stragglers are and our turnovers were horrendous and amateurish but we can only improve

1. Chandler 2. Clayton 3. Salem 4 McDonald 5. Lindsay the rest were passengers

Seriously the kicking for goal is amateur standard and that isn't being fair to the ammo's. I can see a different style with more ball movement but not sure we have the skilss to play this style. So many turn overs. The best passage was Sestan kickout to a target and then 2 beautiful kicks to position and a goal. The 2nd quarter could get ugly though as the Roos will have the breeze . Despite months of training still too many skill errors from the same serial offenders. No names but Billings could not hit the side of a barn from 20 meters.

As a volunteer who handed out scarves for years I can tell no! All scarves are mailed out with memberships and I believe the option is a scarve or a demon shop gift voucher. We are no longer required to hand out thousands of scarves.

AJ IMO had a red hot go in his first game of AFL footy, cannot ask for more. Jeffo presented well and kicked 2 goals in his first game and JVR always presented. Note Buckley and Taylor their opponents are the best performed key backs in the game. We had 9 players contribute goals something we have needed, a spread of goal kickers. If anyone should be under the pump for under performing it is Fritch who has continued on his ordinary form from last season. Someone teach him how to tackle and chase please.

Yes the wind was diabolical down that end. In retrospect I wondered if a set play would have been to keep posession, kick backwards and chip it around to get a better angle. GWS wouldn't have expected that. I always thought a point was a bad option at that stage given their ability to transition from kickout to the other end without us touching it.. I would love to hear the coaches thoughts on our inability to lock the ball in with under a minute to go.

Agree! 2 shots out on the full and 3 missed set shots.

1. Gawn 2. Salem 3. Trac 4. X 5. Lever 6. TMac Fantastic first up game from Lindsay and his disposal is superb

At the pre Christmas captains run I had a chance to chat with him as he was standing alone with most sponsors unaware who he was. He is such a level headed athlete. He towers over me, as you can see and I am 180 cm. He is 200 cm and still growing, can jump 2 metres and signs autographs "Kal White #34". He was happy to talk about his dads exploits and was quick to point out he has his dad covered in all the metrics mentioned ie height (he is taller), leap(he can jump higher), athletics (state rep) and jumper number (draw from that what you will). He is currently playing as a key back and has a burning desire to play AFL . He did not look out of place training and was delighted that a supporter knew who he was. He is very much his own player and certainly not relying on his dads abilities.

Weatherzone predict 27 degrees with 80% chance of rain @ 10-20 mm. Not condusive to too many talls or having an F1 race at Albert park

OK a lot has been said. What is the benchmark. Lohman & Rayner are marking half forward, Bobby Hill as the speedy small and crumber and with Mihocheck the reliable marking forward and Elliot as a marking half forward. Cameron Stengle are proven goal kickers. Papley and Heeney or Curnow. Green at GWS All of the above are expereinced forwards, matchwinners and go to players when needed. Who in our forward line fits this description? Maybe Fritch and Trac when he plays forward. Chandler is a bit player as is Spargo or brown if he gets a game. Roo needs some class arounf him. Nibbler filled a role but perhaps we need a change in game plan where we rely less on a defensive forward and have play makers and goal kickers instead.