btdemon

OK, you're right, I'm Pollyanna.

After some really encouraging performances early in the season we've had a series of about five shockers (varying degrees of shockers) in a row. Well DUH! We are the bottom side and we are rebuilding from a very low base. We are relying on enormous effort from players who cannot yet put the skills together consistently to just stay competitive. Our experienced players are not natural leaders or match winners. That's why we've had such a merry-go-round in the leaqdership group. This rebuild is going to take time. The new leaders will appear, providing we are drafting the right type, and I believe we are. I see leadership in a number of them already. Watts, Martin, Grimes, Fawley. Next year we will have at least two new additions to the midfield. Scully and Blease, with the likelihood of more. These are quick, skilled deliverers of the ball. Yes, it is horrible and disheartening to watch but remember six weeks ago everyone was excited about the future and the great perfomances of our young players. It is not the time to be calling for DB's head. This is a work in progress. We're just going to have to ride this period out. Things will turn. The club is putting things right in terms of finances and organisation and this should set us up for the future. The playing list should be pretty awesome after this year's draft, no matter whether we finish last third last. Prendergast has made much better choices than CC already. All of the media have been crapping on about Watts vs Naitanui. NN was fantastic last night but his goals were all fairly flukey. Rich was great too. Watts has shown enough to suggest he will be a fantastic player and a great leader. Grimes will be a leader also. This will take time. Yes, I do think some players could gain some confidence back at Casey but after watching them yesterday I think that bailey is correct in not playing Newton. The guy can't even kick a bag at VFL level. I must say that nobody in yesterday's Casey game demanded selection but I don't think Cheney should have been dropped in the first place. Anyway, we are going to get many more beatings this season and some of them will be embarrassing and disheartening. I find it wierd how quickly people call for blood. I would rather see the positives because that's where we are atm - rebuilding. In 2007 we were a team with expectations but we were in decline. That was horrible to and frustrating to watch. Now we are on the up. Hang in there, be strong, things will turn. Call me a Pollyanna but I'm still excited!

Every criticism directed at bailey in that article could have been directed at Ross Lyon in his first two years at St.Kilda. The only difference is that Ross Lyon inherited a team with some genuine stars that had failed to live up to expectations. He taught the Saints a new game style and a new work ethic. No-one's calling Ross Lyon boring and uninspiring now! Bailey will have his time in the sun with a team brimming with talent. He is like Lyon, a teaching coach who I have no doubt will take the Dees to finals quality football. GARRY LYON on the other hand, is an ego driven media personality, who while he may have some good people skills, has no proven coaching record except three games at the helm of the international rules team. Talented players DO NOT necessarily make good coaches. The best coaches of the last forty years have fallen into two categories. One group are the more talented, smart and carismatic team leaders - Matthews, Blight, Roos, Barassi*. The other group is much larger. These are fiercely determined, usually very smart thinking but battling players who relied on committment and brains raher than sublime talent. They are often defenders. - Kennedy, Jeans, Hafey, Parkin, Malthouse, Sheedy, Malthouse, Thompson. I think that bailey will eventually fit into the second group if he is successful, and I believe he will be. Just for interest sake, here are some of the sublimely talented and high profile coaching flops - Watson, Hart, Bartlett, Baldock, Walls (some will dispute this one) There is another group. Its the coaches that may have had moderate or limited success - Eade, Wallace, Northey, Shaw. The current crop includes Ratten, Bailey, Lyon, Clarkson, Voss, Clarkson, Craig, Williams. All thinkers with varying degrees of football talent but only Voss would fit into the first group. The others would be more likely to fit into the second. Garry Lyon should have put his hand up two years ago if he wanted to coach the Dees.

Horrible! Just as bad as the silver one!

After last night I think we in less danger of dropping draft picks.

These 3 word analyses are pointless and meaningless. Also, while our fwd lind was not great last night, I think we lost it in the middle. Very few kicks into the 50 and whwn we did it was often under pressure, a hacked kick out of the middle. We were smashed in the middle, by Paddy Ryder and our lack of ability to lay a hand on any essendon player with the ball. We really missed Jones and Junior. Junior's brains around the contest are greatly undervalued. We also looked slow in the middle as well. I've been a big rap for Moloney this year, but he had an ordinary game last night. The sooner we get Scully, the better.

I agree Jarka. Yes he may have dropped his head. Big deal! He's 18. His general body laguage and engagement is fantastic. He is talking, getting invlolved and obviously has a belief that he can play and make a difference. He has great hands, great kick, makes good decisions but hasn't quite learnt where to be on the ground yet. he will. He is smart, gifted and as his body matures his tackles will stick and he will be able to match it with the big guys. He'll be sensational. Just relax. He's only 18 and in his 2nd game!! Added to that, he doesn't have the fitness base of the rest of te team yet and hasn't adjusted to the pace of senior AFL footy. I'm still just as excited about him as I was.

In fact, HAPPY JOOKADAY!!!!!!!!

JOOKADAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Robbo is Full fwd. Miller is CHF

Why would we consider Juice atm when he is not kicking goals at VFL level. Jurrah has kicked 12 in 3 weeks. Jurrah will be something special. Let's put him in. Jurrah and Watts should play as many games as is practical this year. Juice must dominate at VFL level before he gets back. Somehow I don't see this happening because I just don't think Juice has got it. I hope that he proves me wrong. We are desperate for a tall, physical, marking forward. I don't see why we couldn't play out the year with this fwd line. Adjustments need to made when form drops, or VCE exams get in the way. Aussie could come in when ready as well as Jetta. Try Martin up there again also. I'd also like to see Hughes given a chance. Maric, Robbo, Green Watts, Miller, Jurrah Also take into account that Sylvia has been rotating from midfield to half forward.

NicNat looks like he has put on quite a bit of bulk. Should be a great player. So will Jack. Its wonderful to see great players. If Watts was a dud then we should be concerned, but he has too much natural talent and is too smart to think he will be anything but a great player.

The players know who the leaders are and ulimately it is they who will choose them. We can only speculate.

Newton's problem is that he is not very good, especially at football. He is good at jumping but not good at football. You know, kicking and running and tackling and handballing and stuff.

People who would think of trading Steph martin have no idea. The guy is 198cm, super quick, great hands, great leap, fantastic anticipation and is still learning the game. WTF!!! Why don't we give Jack watts away too!!! Martin can be anything and may end up the power forward that we need or one of the most attacking defenders. I think I better have a lie down. The whole thought of it has made me very stressed.

Too much for me tonight. Very Excited about Monday though. Go DEEEES!!!!

No Steph Marftin is not a new russian recruit. Just typo after two glasses of red.

I got nothin'

177, fast and classy sounds like Davey. We need a Judd like player who can play inside but can explode out of stoppages with speed and great disposal. Scully is a bit small but fits this description.

Cale will be very good. Cyril will be great. Should win a Brownlow. He's one of the most balanced and skilfull players I've seen at such a young age. He's just small. While I think Cale will certainly be tasty, Cryril is DELICIOUS!

I reckon that resting Bennell is very sensible. With Wheels back we should be OK in that dept. Valenti is too good a player not to give another opportunity. With Garland, Meesen on LTI, can we promote another. Hughes maybe?

Maybe they have let Jurrah go home for a few weeks to see family. It would seem that this is important for him. Maybe, I dunno?

Two players with stress fractures of the navicular bone! What are the chances of that in any given year?

We are building our team from a solid defence through to a grunty midfiled and hopefully, courtesy of watts, Jurrah, Butcher, Aussie and Maric, a portent forward line. This is not a bad way to go IMO. Premiership sides are always built on a solid defence and a dominant midfield. The bombers look exciting but lightweight and flukey.

I assume it is Bruce you are alluding to. I thought Bruce was great today and has been pretty good all year. His kicking wasn't even that bad. He is certainly one of the smartest players we have and while I too get very frustrated by his disposal, he stil gives excellent value.