An unwavering passion
Some may say it was ‘only’ against GWS but their form of late has been sound and the demolition job our boys imposed upon the newbies I am certain will be the precursor of our return to our rightful place of ‘Masters of the MCG’. In a win of this magnitude it isn’t difficult to find players whose performances warrant mention but as it has been all year some Demons continue to stand up week in week out.
To save myself time I have written an algorithm whenever I begin by mentioning our highest disposal winner {INSERT NATHAN JONES HERE}. Jonesey finished with a game high 33 touches and once again was arguably our best player on the day.
No more knockers for Jack Watts! He is having an amazing year and 27 possessions and 7 marks across the half back line was another great game. It isn’t just the amount of touches he gets its the way he uses it that has many Dee fanatics salivating at the mouth.
Matthew Bate had his best game for the year with 28 touches, Jack Grimes continues his rich vein of form getting his hands on the ball 26 times and Colin Sylviawould be pleased with his return to form with 23 disposals and 2 goals.
Mark Neeld continues to show just how good a coach he is and his move to play Jared Rivers up forward to further help out Mitch Clark paid off in spades with ‘Old Man’ kicking a career high 4 goals. Col Garland kicked 3 and not to be out done, Mitch Clark also kicked 4 all in the first quarter! Sadly we will miss Mitch for the rest of the year but Neeld’s masterstroke at least gives us confidence that we have some capable options for what is an almost impossible player to replace.
Moving two of our key defenders up forward has also had another huge benefit. It has given Tom McDonald the opportunity to show the football world just what he is all about. And show them he has! 26 touches on Sunday has seen him rewarded with the Rising Star nomination for the week. A fitting reward for a rising star for the mighty Demons. Talking about rising stars, a final mention to Jeremy Howe who had another outstanding game and who Neeld has mentioned has the ability to be an elite midfielder.
This week it is the Lions. Brisbane are coming off a great win and the boys are sure to be smarting after losing to them in Round 1 this year so this game will be a cracker! Can we make it two in a row??? Of course we can!!!
Go Dees
Darren Spence