Older demon

I too had a bad feeling post game. It was due to expectation and that isn't something I have had for a while. I expected to win and was frustrated that we damn well could have. Unlike last year when statistically we got blown away we actually registered possessions, won contested ball and had more 50 metre entries than the opposition. The stat I didn't like was the 70 turnovers and the poor kicking for goal. Another stat was the new midfield with Michie and Tyson have a combined total of 16 games, Michie playing his 2nd game. Key forwards win you matches and Riewoldt was the difference simple as that. In a little while the list cloggers will move on and we all know who they are. I was also surprised how much taller the Saints were than us and that showed. I may be more comfortable next week as I have no expectation at all of the result against the Eagles

Despite her protests has anyone given thought to Rawlings being the one in an ideal position or out of left field Brad Miller. Brad has leadership written all over him. carl has missed the point IMO, as this exercise is about continuity of what we hope is a successful game plan based on defence. In order to do this appoint a successor from within not throw out assistant coaches and start again as we see every time a new coach comes on board. Lyon, Clarkson would want their own confidants. Look at Mick when he went to Carlton all the assistants went. I trust Roos and Jackson!!

Very very sad. So young. Would be happy to chat with anyone about football Harshly treated by AFL My condolences to the family

On SEN this arvo Col came up in discussions as he has not flown over for tonight's game having sustained a knock to the head last weekend. The Perth correspondent was of the opinion that Col is a long way off the pace at the moment and nowhere near the best 22 and that he is a long way short of their expectation. Based on the statement quoted earlier my guess is that Freo and Lyon will take a long approach and make Col earn his spot and embrace the local culture. This may mean he is in the WAFL for a while and we may not see him till mid season. I also guess that it much harder being a little fish in a big pond than it is to be the big fish in a little pond. Not sure if this will end well for Colin as I really thought the change in environment would see him flourish but he appears to be struggling to lift.

I got there late but echo the sentiments of others. Roos spoke well and I feel we will here more of the term 2/20 and the 50% club. This is referring to our win loss ratio and percentage of last year and as a measure indicates we are a basket case with no hope. All speakers expressed surprise that the structure, enthusiasm and playing personnel did NOT reflect a 2/20 club. Vince, Cross and Tyson spoke, I believe, because they could offer their perception of us from outside. All re-iterated Roos point that once on board we are not the train wreck they perceived. Dawes said it last year and they agreed the training ethic and fitness levels are as good as anywhere and do not reflect our 2/20 status. In post meeting conversations the club officials happy to chat all agree that this group want to learn, are desperate for success and will give us something with a great group of kids. I really hope we get of to a good start and that the missing 12,000 see a reason to return Go Dees

Dear WYL and Rhino read chapter 24 of the "Red Fox". I believe Cardwell was the prince of recruiters but his role in Norm Smith's demise has had long lasting repercussions. In particular page 609 and the recollections of John Lord who was confronted by Cardwell about an address to the players. Cardwell was checking up on Norm and a statement he was supposed to make to the players about hi support of the committee. When he believed this didn't happen, based on mis information from Lord he called a players meeting and was clearly talking to the committee who sacked Norm and gave them the feedback resulting in his sacking. It shouldn't have happened and when I re read the chapter I could not believe how much Cardwell had been involved. Smith was sacked then re instated but the club has as many said been cursed ever since.

The suggestion is that they are appealing the leniency of the the penalty not the severity. The implication is they want Saad to get the full penalty not a reduced one!

Suggestion fro Greg Venom that the story has been leaked by James Hird in yet another pathetic attempt to tarnish the AFL and Vlad. Sadly fits the suggestion that Hird thinks he is above everybody else and has a vindictive streak. Agree with SRO that Robinson is a Hird lover

Just heard Mark Fine talk about Jayden Hunt on SEN. He noticed him at a Caulfield Grammar v Old Brighton game and said that Kelly and Salem gave the ball to Hunt as he was the go to man. In his opinion if Salem and Kelly were in the top 10 then Hunt had to be No 1. He reckons the kid is an absolute GUN! Robert Shaw knows a lot about him and footy wan't his primary sport - I think tennis was and he has spoken with Fine a lot about this kid. He has had a growth spurt and Finey reckons he has somehow flown under the radar and may be the smokey of the draft when we look back..

Brief grab on ABC news with John Fahey as he left for O.S. Stated that the only punishment imposed on Essendon was by AFL for governance issues. He declares he is patient and that the case is still open. The meeting he is attending is to consider extending bans from 2 years to 4 years and I suspect Essendon is yet to feel the sting of the drug testing agencies.

Harley led the change in culture and success at Geelong. Not the most fashionable captain but his legacy is still present. I have long thought Colin to be our Harley.

I can see why JT & JG were elected by the group as having outstanding leadership qualities and JT has shown he is all class with his withdrawal from the captaincy this week. There is however more to captaincy than just having leadership qualities though and at Sydney, Geelong and Hawthorn the captain has also set the standard for the culture. Dealing with team mates who don't adhere to the not negotiables and team rules, who lapse off field or play selfish footy on the field, needs leaders who are at the top of the pecking order and get buy in from those below them in the pecking order. JT will still lead on the track and he is an out standing young man but needs to become the best footballer he can without that burden. Roos has stated " The players will determine where the club goes this season" so to my mind Grimes, Jones and Garland will be the ones to lead this irrespective of whether one or all of them are captain. The likes of Dawes, Cross an even Byrnes will provide the benchmarks that were set at other clubs to develop and create our own Demon culture as their form of leadership but I wouldn't give them a title.

I have asked myself the question why I am sorry to see Taggert delisted. He hasn't played a senior game and was never consistently in the best at Casey so why so sad? If I look at who will be in the midfield and on ball could I see Taggert or Magner getting a game? No! Jones N, Jones M, Viney, Tyson, Vince, Watts, Cross and Trengove are all in front of Toumpas, Evans, Kent and Mckenzie, not to mention the young gun who will be taken at pick 9 and I haven't even mentioned Bail, Nicholson or Blease. I think it is because we have had such high hopes for the new recruits especially the higher draft picks to come in and lift the team and their failure to kick on dashes our hopes. That this has happened so much in the past 5 years only adds to the despair and don't even mention Moneyball!!! Teams are not building on their young high draft picks right now and this year may see the lowest number of under 18's selected ever. I hope Taggert gets rookie listed but realistically he is a long way down the pecking order. What I would like to see is 1 marquee' player rise from the group. The Chris Judd, Gary Ablett, Buddy, Goodes etc and I really hope that player will be Jess Hogan.

Michie to Melbourne for pick 54 just announced on SEN. First trade of the week Go dees

SEN were playing games asking listeners to give complex trades ie a quadrella. made up fanciful scenarios to create discussion on the radio nothing more

I have some bias here as I know him but I think Luke Beveridge is an outstanding candidate for the future. Hasn't been spoken to by MFC but his credentials are excellent. Player coach in ammo's a year at Collingwood under Malthouse but got out and then was sought out by Clarkson. Coached the backline at the Hawks and has a another flag under his belt. Held in high regards at hawks but his contract is till the end of next year. Got a wonderful write up on AFL.com

Correct, his dad is Marty and Jarryd is a good footballer who appears to be the first dropped and the last to be promoted

This link is from an article in the Sun, http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-coach-paul-roos-says-clubs-could-start-trading-their-stars-early/story-fni5f91a-1226735616834 Roos makes a couple of very interesting points. With lousy compensation for free agents clubs will trade players in the last year of their contract if they don't want to extend their existing contract. Is that a message to any of our players in this position? The article then goes on to quash any thoughts of Rockliff being recruited, saying "Roos adamant Melbourne will part with selection two for a young midfielder. The Demons have inquired about Brisbane’s Tom Rockliff who has declined their offer, with West Coast’s Luke Shuey also not available despite overtures". Fairly definitive statement IMO

Note Taylor Adams is on record as saying he may not move if Buddy doesn't go to GWS. The dominoes will fall but not the way everybody thought

I will start this post with "Don't shoot the messenger" Just got home from final clean up function at my local ammo's club. Nearly got into a blue because I refuse to believe the rumour. 2 different sources that Nathan Jones is off to Geelong deal done before Roos came on board. NO. Say it isn't so!!! Heard same rumour at Ammo G.F. last week so if it is so widespread why hasn't it appeared here? Same source has Jeremy Howe off as well which I posted elsewhere. C'mon team tell he it isn't true

I keep hearing Howe's name come up in footy circles as the bait. Lots of chat at a local GF last weekend

Spot on call Tough back pocket players or lesser lights make the best coaches. Don't forget Sheedy in this list and look at who is coaching the Pies and who was coaching Brisbane to see that Brownlow medallists may not make the best coaches Give him a break

I have said all along who will be our Tom Harley his influence on Geelong was immeasurable. He was the best Captain and I think Colin Garland is the right personality, his article the other day about hating losing and everything he does tells me he is a leader who men will follow.

Garland is my Tom Harley, the man who led Geelong on and off the field. I expect leading teams to clarify who or whom will be the leaders. Grimes, Garland and Jones are all good candidates

When the Swans beat Melbourne earlier in the year and young Jack kicked 4 wasn't it Roos who stated that it was no good getting 25 touches as a backman if your opponent kicks 4, a comment directed at Dean Terlich. Terlich may not relish Roos as a coach just as McKernan left the Roo's to escape Pagan and then had the misfortune of Pagan moving to Carlton. Coaches rarely change their opinion of players they don't rate.