Older demon

I suspect all will become clearer in the next week. Vince and Balic have retired. Bugg, JKH, Kent, King, Johnstone, McKenna & Pederson out of contract and not sure of Vanders. I took this from the list posted early September on another post. Filipovic and Keilty out of contract on the rookie list. To me it doesn't make sense to move on both King and Flip I cannot see us letting 10 players go after 1 season as we only have 5 draft picks. Contracted next year and their age next season in brackets Tyson (26), Garlett (30), Jones (31) & Lewis (33). We could trade for extra picks but not sure who has any currency. I included Jones and Lewis only because of their respective ages and am not suggesting they be moved on.

I believe I read today that Tim Smith has been offered a 1 year contract that is yet to be announced

Nailed it. At Casey today it was never more evident of the serious need for a backup ruckman. Pittonet had 55 hit outs and Box Hill 80 to our 22, resulting in winning clearances and giving mids an armchair ride. Pederson and Smith are not ruckmen. If Preuss wants to come to Melbourne then get him. I suspect King and Filipovic won't stay on I feel the need for speed. West Coast and Pies have blistering speed and run. We were 1 tall short yesterday in finals conditions as WC marked everything Jones on one wing and Tyson on the other with Lewis down back leaves us susceptible to pace and teams that switch quickly out of defence It is a great effort to get to the prelim but to improve and maintain momentum there are lots of gaps open. It will be interesting exit interviews this week

West Coast were slick and sharp and clearly benefitted from their week off. We made too many mistakes and costly turnovers resulted in goals. 12 Eagles played in the last grand final and this is their 4th year in a row in finals. They are a mature big bodied team with a good mix of talls and speedy smalls. This is step 1 for us after 12 years in the wilderness. There are a few gaps to fill and you learn more about your players under this intense finals football than in the season. Any talk of trading Hogan should dry up immediately as he is needed as a big bodied key forward. And the rehab for Lever is so vital, we need him down back. Some outside run as Spargo is our only small. I will be interested to hear Goody's take on things. I hope today drives the club and playing group forward. Finally I would like to thank Peter Jackson as in his own words his tenure finishes once the season is completed for us. sadly it was more abrupt and disappointing than I hope Go Dees

Bad post full stop. We got to a prelim final and were over awed and out played by an experienced very good team. My 3 word analysis is for our team is "Too many turnovers" Not fair to individualise players the TEAM played badly.

Whilst I feel bad for Fritsch I think you will see if you review the replay that last week was not his best. At times he rushed and was panicked and turned the ball over, especially in 2nd quarter. He was luck Gunston hit the post in the third as Fritsch rushed at the loose ball over ran it and allowed Gunston to swoop and miss what was the turning point of the game. At half back who was minding Gunston who almost turned the game and kicked 3.5 and got coaches votes for 2nd BOG. I can see the need for the extra tall as Vardy had a big influence up forward in week 1, while Lycett was battling Grundy

This finals series has shown we are now in "Hunting Premierships" mode. We do not need to trade out our guns for speculative draft picks. Fremantle can come up with whatever they like but Hogan stays put and enjoys playing finals for the next few years, not travelling back and across the country every 2nd week and living through a rebuild.

For those advocating another tall can I point out that Collingwood went in with a shorter backline than us and coped with Lycett, Vardy, Darling and Kennedy. The key to that stadium is the midfield and it was only in the last 10 minutes when Shuey, Jetta and Yeo got on top that the tall forwards got any supply. Let them worry about how they are going to deal with our structure, speed and toughness and forward line now they have lost Shepherd down back The game will be won or lost in the midfield. No change

No change unless in case no-one noticed Salem grabbed at his hammy late in the 3rd but played out the game. I anxiously await his medical report. remember Melk tweeked a hammy against Adelaide and played out the game then missed 3 weeks. Tysons last quarter was great, leave him alone and remember he still cannot pick up any weight with that broken arm, so for him to be playing is a testimony to his determination. Go back and watch the replay and you will see Fritsch made a lot of poor decisions and was a bit off especially under pressure in the 2nd quarter. Played on when didn't need to, turned it over and in the third look how he misjudged and overran the ball that let Gunston run onto a loose ball in the third. Be grateful Gunston lairised and hit the post.

It is rumoured that GWS have to offload about a mill off their salary cap next season. This is why there is all the noise around Shiel and Scully. Ironic that Scully's hefty contract may come back to bite him.

My concern will be Geelong tactics especially at Max. The Scott boys didn't get nicknamed the Cray brothers for nothing. Scott is a brilliant coach and possibly the hardest to coach against as well as being seriously nasty. His team has a habit of jumping into the back of opponents in marking contests, with Hawkins having being suspended already this year. Likewise don't forget the corked bum Hogan copped at GMHBA stadium in a marking contest. Do not be surprised to see Geelong players constantly jumping into Max or trying to nail him in a marking contest, I want our guys to provide support and be aware who is in the aarea around Max. Another thread has already mentioned Guthrie's crash into Nev in the past. I seriously hope we come out tactically and play like the anti social hawks used to in their premiership yearsand assert some physical pressure on Geelong as I guarantee there will be plenty coming our way

Not my best camera but not an IPhone. Compact Canon camera that takes great pictures

And some more pics. In the last lot you can see the crowd and Dom running laps. In these few the group were working hard with sprints

Attended this morning and thought the club did a fantastic job with the setup and I was impressed with the size of the crowd. A slick session and the odd torp being bombed at the goals. Some photos attached

Correct it was Jake, he is much taller than I anticipated as well

Sam Maclure did state that Freo were preparing a massive offer to throw at Hoges. And they may well be doing that but I think they have missed the boat. Goody stated on Monday "On the Couch" that Hogan is a Melbourne (city) boy now and despite his injury is everywhere at the club embracing the finals. This is his home. The players all know where we are at and what success brings. At a function Sunday a rehabing demon said he expects to play finals with us for the next 9 years. Freo are a rabble with an ageing list and all Hoges mates are at MFC.

It just goes to show how speculative drafting 18 y.o's is. This is the 2012 draft list and there are some good footballers but at this stage no-one I would classify as a champion. Whitfield has finally shown his wares. O'Rourke is in hawks 2nds and like Toumpas ready to be delisted. Plowman is with the Blues & Stringer the Dons. Picks 6 to 11 have done OK. I believe the pick of that crop is Grundy taken at 19 and Viney father and son at 26.

A St Peters boy along with I think the Fidge boys and Darren Loutit

Kane is a former player with no relevance or credability. He needs to make contraversial comments or opinions to try and be head above the other media throng. His team of the week is a nonsense and not worth wasting time on

I am not sure who believes in omens or signs but Max has played 96 games. Wouldn't it be fantastic if he plays his 100th game in the Grand Final Go Dees

I can see why everyone is discussing who we put on who but consider that we finished 5th, our midfield of Max, Oliver, Brayshaw and now Harmes is A grade, so let them worry about us and our weapons. Viney and Vandenberg didn't play and Garlett, Hogan and Vince were in for the last Geelong game. An inexperienced midfield contributed to the loss at geelong and we can add experience and grunt. Remember Hogan was lame after he got a knee in his back in the first quarter. I am starting to believe that we are much better than we all realise and yes we have days and quarters when the team loses its way but they are becoming fewer. The last 2 weeks highlight what we can do, so let the Cats worry about us and what stategies THEY need to combat us

Well done Max thoroughly deserved and reward for daring to want to be the number 1 ruckman in the comp. Congrats to Oliver and Brayshaw. Worth noting Harmes results getting votes in 3 of the lat 4 games. The midfield is looking more and more A grade.

6 Gawn 5 Harmes 4 Brayshaw 3 Salem 2 Oliver 1 Frost

The coaches go into camera for the last 2 rounds ie they keep them a secret. I hope Max got 10 for last week and plays a blinder thi week to win. nnounced after last round

Harmes - outstanding Gawn - 12 kicks (twice bursting thru a pack) 8 handballs, 5 marks, 41 Hit outs Melksham 4 goals and 2 goal assists Brayshaw - 26 possessions and 10 tackles and went hatless in the desperate dying moments Oliver - coined a new description best player in a telephone box, his ball handling is sublime Hannan - went hard early like he wanted the ball Apologies to Salem, Jones & T Mac a fine team effort