btdemon

I think to draw a line, is too definitive. If we go close to Geelong, Carlton, Hawthorn and WC, without actually winning, it would still suggest real progress, and a vindication of Bailey's strategy. What will tell us that Bailey is on the right track, is the slow but steady cohesion of the team. We wouldn't expect to beat Geelong at Geelong, Carlton or Eagles at Etihad, or Hawthorn at the MCG. A win in any of these games woud be an unexpected bonus. To be 'competitive' and not get blown away is a more realistic expectation for supporters.

Sylvia has fundamentally good kicking technique. Morton's is flawed.

Well well, isn't this interesting? All those who said that the game plan would develop when the players were able to actually execute it, take a bow. Those who reckoned Bailey had no idea, have a look at the team he has built. Bate, Dunn, Juice et al were given the chance to show whether they would be part of the future. Currently the cream is rising to the top. Don't expect miracles this year, but think about how many thought Hurley or NikNat were better than Watts, Martin better than Scullgove. All those who thought Bombers and Tigers had a better gameplans than us etc. Maybe Bailey's deadpan delivery hides a raft of good strategies. Sit back and watch how the season pans out and may we not call for his premature sacking again.

Having played with the Bailey ladder calculator for some time I think we will need to Beat the tigers tomorrow and at the end of the season to make the final eight. That is also assuming we beat teams we should beat, like Port and GCS. Otherwise, we would have to win some unexpected games like Geelong, Carlton or Hawthorn to do it. I just don't have that sort of confidence yet. We run into Hawthorn, Geelong, Carlton and Westcoast in that order from round 18-21. I can see us stalling at this point and confidence being tested. If we can hang on to make the finals it will set us up well for next year. I certainly wouldn't expect to go much beyond the first week. We and the Tigers may be playing for that last spot in round 22 assuming we beat GCS and Port in the last two rounds. Port at home will also present a challenge.

I agree that Jones sometimes over estimates his capabilities but would never question his courage or commitment. I also agree that Morton is trying hard to counteract his natural instinct to avoid heavy contact. So is Watts. I do admire this and know that it takes real courage to do so. I suspect Jones always attacked the ball from the time he first played footy and his first instinct is to get the ball. I disagree with the assessment of Morton's kicking. It will always be flawed. As I have posted before, he kicks well when he is out on his own and has time to balance, but under any pressure, physical or perceived, it falls apart.

Many people have commented on Morton's lack of appetite for the physical contest. He has shown improvement over the past two matches. What worries me is not his softness at the ball, but his approach to the ball, iffy disposal and slow reaction time. Did anyone else notice how he sometimes waited for the ball to bounce kindly to him or attempt to round the ball up like a sheepdog so he can break away quicker. As he took this circuitous route to the ball his opponents gobbled it up. He used to have very good hands but now tends to be juggling marks. He really is playing like a guy who has lost confidence, purpose and direction. These issues may resolve as he regains his confidence to perform at the faster tempo of today's game. However, I don't necessarily believe that he can solve the problems with his kicking technique. I watched intently on Sunday as he took both hands away from the ball rather than guiding it down to his foot. Basic stuff really, but i know from personal experience that it is really difficult to correct this problem (think Cam Bruce). Many see the great potential of Cale Morton and tout him as being a future star. He has good size, speed, mobility and endurance. Unfortunately I can only focus on his flaws.

Gutsy and smart. Kamikaze at times. Disposal lets him down occasionally but I reckons he's great. Refreshingly honest when interviewed by Matt Burgan. He seemed aware of the number of cliched responses that players normally give

MEGASPUD!!! Reminds of Baby Huey (for those old enough to remember)

Interesting that the mods on Demonology have pulled the pin on Scully talk. Probably a good idea. I must say that all this talk is making me unhappy and there's not a damned thing we can do to effect the outcome.

I reckon he was a B-B+ player, but gee he is a negative, carping pain in the ar$e as a commentator. He is a less egotistical and slightly more mature Sam Newman in my opinion.

Spot on. I know I am constantly bagging Morton's disposal, but although he played ok on Sunday, his kicks floated over the heads of team-mates or floated out of bounds. Gysberts, Jamar and Tapscott must come in if fit.

+2

Watts, Martin, Howe, Nicholson,but especially Jordie McKenzie. We have our own Paul Kelly, and I'm not talking the 'gravy making' type. I saw him smashed at several stoppages today, only to get up and make another contest and clearance. The guy is a rare gem. You can't teach that kind of grit.

Enough with the "breakout game" stuff already! The boy is improving incrementally. If he continues like this he will be very good. Players don't usually 'breakout' after one particular game. I was pleased with his game today. Opposition teams seem to think that he is easily intimidated. It is a before-game ritual for the opposition defenders to go straight to him and harrass him. He is learning to absorb this but it must be very annoying. It will fade away as he becomes more dominant and consistent.

Seems to have lost all confidence atm. Spilled so many marks that he would normally eat, missing shots on goal, miss-kicking when passing to team-mates. I wonder if he is doing the same at training?

I agree with this setup. I think Cook will be more of a FF target and has less pace than Watts. Howe may prove even more versatile due to his excellent ground skills. He and Sylvia could rotate into the midfield. I agree that Aussie is our best small forward option if he is fit and focused. Aussie can mark. Maric is not great overhead. Aussie, when in form, rarely wastes a kick (I know he hasn't used it so well this year). Jurrah is able to do anything. He is so strong in the air but can play the opportunist small forward as well as anyone. This provides enormous flexibility with Aussie and LJ either side of a tall marking forward. This setup also provides reasonable forward pressure (providing everybody does their job).

No way is Blease ready. Disposal is iffy and he doesn't have defensive skills yet.

This post was in Jon Ralph's blog on this morning's HS site. "Demon from Hell of North Western Australia Posted at 3:38 AM Today GWS , have got Rich ,Walker and Palmer . Rich is the gun Sheedys talking about, Scully is a furphy, remember I wrote this , on this day,,,there are some yher decent ones , on his list ( Bate has beeen talking with them, Morton as well, Warnock will go, there from Melbourne, others are from WCE, Bulldogs,Essondon and one suprise from Carlton and Collingwood." I hope this person knows as much as they appear to. Losing Morton would be a shame but I have no confidence that he will reach the heights that many say he will. I have also heard a rumour that Bate was planning to chuck it in at the end of this season and pursue his musical interests, especially if he couldn't get a regular game. He is certainly playing like he doesn't really care too much. I could easily cope with the above scenario if it meant that Scully stays.

Isn't the leadership group decided by a player ballot?

I am very reluctant to come out and bag Dean Bailey. I am still not sure that he can't produce the goods, and I like the way he handles the media BUT, when he continually uses buzzwords like "competitive" and now this season, "consistency", it really undermines my faith in his ability to do the job. In my working career I have always been sceptical of people who relied on jargon and buzzwords. It often hid a lack of ideas. I know that what we see of Bailey in press conferences is just the tip of the iceberg but I want him to produce a creative and effective game style, and strategies for the future that are not merely reactive to the current trends. He may actually be implementing these things as we speak but we will never know because all of his comments are couched in such cliches. I don't like seeing his carcass picked apart, but he needs to say and do something to indicate that he is on the right track and give supporters some confidence. At least something more than "competitive" and "consistent", or that the young players are learning slowly. We know that.

Strolled past the SEN tent yesterday. I was tempted to walk up and demand info from the Ox about his "98% sure" source, but i was too embarrassed. I came back later there was a big crowd listening to the panel interview Jack Grimes. Gee he was impressive. If he can manage to stay on the park and eradicate a few disposal glitches from his game he will make a great captain. Maybe not next year but as soon as he can string a season of relatively injury free games together. Trengove also has "skipper" written all over him. Aside from Moloney, Rivers and Sylvia, senior leadership is pretty thin on the ground atm. The younger crop may bare more leadership fruit.

"98% sure" is an expression of speculation. In other words, he is speculating because he has heard something. If he was "sure", then he would be "sure". In other words,100%. I read the Ox's comments as more hearsay.

Spot on. It would be silly for him to sign anything now. His currency will climb steadily between now and the end of the season.

Interesting article in The Age today re: Martin. Certainly explains his drop in form last year after showing so much potential previously. Also explains his improvement this year.

Looking at the vision it would seem that he definitely has a case to answer for. I guess its a matter of how many points are racked up. I wouldn't surprise me if he got off, being a Collingwood favorite.