return of the dees

There are three occasions/memories with me/my family where his qualities as a person shone, firstly at an after game function at the tennis centre where he took the time to chat with my mother in law who at the age of 85 had a long discussion, and at the end of it he was calling her Nanna- made her night she still has the photo, secondly at a pre season function at Caulfield racecourse where he was kind enough to share a tip which duly saluted and thirdly where he came to our school and talked to my year 12 PE class regarding training and game preparation. To his family and friends my prayers and thoughts are with you. RIP Colin

R.I.P. Hibby, I enjoyed teaching him at Warragul Regional College, not many Dees supporters in Warragul. Always passionate about the Dees, former player with local club Dusties and enjoyed his cricket with Western Park. Sympathy to his family and close friends.

It is also a result because we are playing a lot more team orientated football rather than blazing away. Jeff Garlett has been super impressive in regards to this, he is always looking for someone in a better position which can create these opportunities.

Emergencies Anthony Miles and Simon Lloyd did not play in the VFL game against Sandringham. Common to hold one player over, not two. Could we see a late change to the Tigers team, maybe Dusty is still struggling with his groin.

Good example on the weekend, we are prepared to play Sam Weideman over a Cam Pederson where Carlton are not prepared to play Harry Mckay over Daisy Thomas.

Did Garlett ping his hammy when he kicked his final goal yesterday, seemed to grab at it and ran straight to the bench and did not reappear.

Not one of my favourites, I don't think Peter Giles and Stephen Smith enjoyed being taken out behind the play either, Lethal became an expert at taking out a player who was beating him. Still baffles me he how he got a statue at the " G" when he faced criminal charges for an incident on the football field.

Played football with my son at Warragul, plenty of upside- December born so nearly doesn't make this draft- moves well for a tall- his twin Ben also has the potential to develop.

Unfortunately Jake did not kick any in the grand final, although was the leading goal kicker in the league- he kicked bags against the minnows of the league which included Warragul where my son played against him. Leongatha lost the grand final to Traralgon, Heppell was named best for Leongatha. On his day Best is too good for this league, however I don't think he would make it at the elite level.

The debutants, Hogan, Brayshaw, vandenBerg and how they handled the situation and left me looking forward to watching their future development. In regards to a previous post regarding Toumpas becoming the whipping boy. Toumpas would benefit from a few lessons from Jack Watts. Toumpas has the skills, however at the moment, whilst he is trying to do the team things, he is rushing, which is resulting in skill and decision making errors. Watts was similar in his early days.

Not much mentioned about Cross with how many years experience, did he call for the ball or was he just playing the loose player near the goal square in case they tried to dribble one through. I know it is frustrating with young players when they make mistakes, it is how they respond to the mistakes that count. Judge Viney on his future actions, not on that one kick. One big problem I think we have at the moment is that play that Viney attempted is always the first thought players have in the backline and we are missing opportunities down the line/ through the corridor, watch footage of Garland/Grimes(especially after marks) , ball in the range of defensive 50m to the square they and others often look sideways and kick sideways, missing out on better opportunities closer to goal.

I bought my first membership as a 16 year old in 1981, there were days during that season and following seasons that despite a loss I would still leave the ground with a feeling that I had witnessed something special. There were things that Robbie did that no others could do, he was a true champion and always played the game showing the utmost respect to the jumper, the opponent and the game. R.I.P. Robbie

Evans played footy in the Ballarat Football League when it was a strong league(not sure what it is like these days), surely he understands from a footballers point of view, that this was not a bump but rather bracing for the unavoidable contact that occurs when players are attacking the ball. If players are outlawed from doing what Viney did then you change the spirit of the game.

Barrett " In footy in 2014, if you break someone's jaw. no matter how, you need to know you will be sanctioned". Not quite sure this is a rule in the AFL. George Burbury, Viv Michie and probably others have broken jaws this season, these incidents involved other players and no reports came from the incidents(I think). Just reinforces what a poor journalist he is. To get the message through about his ineptitude people should send a message to the AFL, so that he does not report on the status of rules as he does not understand them. Also a message to Channel 9 Footy Show. A mass turning off during his segment on Thursday night would send a suitable message.

Based on tonights tribunal decisions it is now allowable in the game to elbow an opponent in the head when the ball is not in play however it is not allowable to attack the ball in play and protect yourself.

Arrived a bit after 10.00, some good signs from the new recruits, Salem- good skills, well balanced, JKH is the real deal- plenty of pace, 2nd efforts, skills, X factor, Hunt- speed and more speed, plenty of upside(easy to see why he was a smoky late draft choice) Harmes- well balanced, good skills, King- moved well, good mark, weight room, protein shakes beckoning Georgiou- football brain, awkward kicking style but it ends up in the right place Jetta- not new- but worked hard, good to see him get back and support Westrupp( physically struggling) at the finish of the timed runs Overall the most pleasing things to see were; a coach who was out in the middle and coaching, an upbeat feel about the session. Bring on 2014

Played junior footy in the Southern Mallee League with Rainbow, family moved to Geelong and played with South Barwon, last junior season with Modewarre. Senior reserves football with Belmont G.D.F.L and Sebastapol in the Ballarat League. A few senior games for Warragul Industrials, too many injuries and not enough ticker brought the career to an end. After seeing a few peers faced with knee transplants and other long term injuries, glad I got out and spent my Saturdays watching the Dees when I did.

The power of a song can unite people, Wed. night at the G is an example of this. Not sure if this is the right song to do that, a simpler song lyrically would be needed.

Interesting to observe Neil Craig take over the 3/4 time mid field huddle from Brian Royal, obviously not happy with what was happeining, and a obvious sign of a lack of confidence in Royal delivering the message. Not sure of clearance stats in last but seemed to be more effective.

My first year I had a membership with this club was 1981, for those old enough they may remember Rd.3, a win by one point at the whitten Oval. I still have fond memories of that game and the atmosphere(not quite as good as the Whitten Oval in 1987). It turned out to be our only win for the season. It is easy to follow a team when they are flying, the true supporters show their support when the team is struggling. I will be there tomorrow, hoping that the DEES can start to turn things around.

In simple terms the game plan can be divided into three areas; firstly when we have control of the ball, secondly when the ball is in dispute and thirdly when the opposition has the ball. Watching the first two weeks live and also video footage, our problems are: 1. We are not getting first use of the ball enough, partly due to inexperienced midfield and Jamar is often beaten in the contest. One possible solution Gawn to take centre bounces, then drop back to forward line,Jamar to do the leg work whilst Gawn's fitness level develops. 2. Ball in dispute, this comes back to work ethic and relates to 3. Need to ensure when 3 happens that their second or third possesion is a contest, far too often on Saturday night we allowed Essendon to have non contested possesions. 3. Our biggest failure in this area is an aspect that can be coached, we have far too many players who spectate/watch the contest from a distance rather than moving into the correct positons. How often did a Melbourne player react too late and allow an Essendon player to receive the ball under no presure. Need to learn when to go the contest and when to stand on the oppositions toes/ stand where the ball is going next.