What Brings Happiness? – Round 11 Match Review
By Darren Spence
‘Bruise free’ footy they say??….Bah Humbug. From the time the boys ran through the banner which read “Whatever it takes – mongrel or brilliance, go hard, go Dees, push the limits” the Demons had only one thing on their mind and that was to prove to the football world that this side is no push over and a side to be feared and reckoned with. And didn’t we how!!! Frank McKinney “Kin” Hubbard once was quoted as saying….”It’s pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness. Poverty and wealth have both failed”. Well Frank I know the answer!!….Nothing brings more happiness than beating Essendon on the big stage of a Friday night. And what was just as pleasing was how the boys fought back into the game after going behind in the 2nd quarter. That showed great intestinal fortitude and a strong desire to win – cornerstones I am confident that will be the hallmark of the club for the future.
The game had many highlights and it was very difficult to find a bad player on the night. All the more pleasing was that this was the youngest team we have had on the field since 1982 and, as hard as it seems to believe, our side on Friday night had actually played a combined number of games LESS than the Gold Coast Suns!!…AMAZING!
Some of the highlights…
Dean Bailey – let’s start at the finish. How good was the scene with Bailey thumping the roof of the dugout after the siren? A man not normally known for sharing his emotions, his public display says just as much about the media pressure he has been under as it does for his reward for all the hard work he has put in for this young side.
Bennell – Probably his best game for the Demons. He was quick, his disposal was top rate and basically he looked dangerous every time he had the ball.
Eyeballing Evans – Another great game from the rookie. He seems at ease at this level and his set up for Sylvia’s goal was a gem. He had 56 dream team points at half time and is showing great promise for the future.
Gawking at Gawn – how great was it to see big Maximus get his first game? Bound to be a cult hero at the club, he did some pleasing things on the night and another showing promise for the future. A player I will keep an eye on for the rest of the year.
Green – The skipper led from the front and kicked a goal in each quarter. I must say I love seeing him playing up forward and I think we will see more of that as our key midfielders get back on the park.
Heeding Howe – An amazing first game from Jeremy! His marking and kicking were first rate and he set up many key passages during the game. In the game turning 3rd quarter, Jeremy had 9 disposals. Another player under my watch for the rest of the year.
Manlove 1 update – Sadly another week confined to the rehab room at AAMI. Hopefully it won’t be too long till we see Luke back in the red and blue.
Manlove 2 update – Now where do I start! My manlove devotion is being paid back in spades with Jordan BOG and nominated for another Rising Star award. The Gys had game and career high 30 possessions with 11 to quarter time. The way he gets into packs and gets the ball is a pure delight. My manlove is growing.
Jetta – Neville is really starting to show signs that he belongs at this level and this is great to see. He is tackling well this year and playing with much more vigor and hardness.
Martin – just when you thought you had seen it all from Stef he continues to rise and rise. I would say it was his best game on the weekend. He ended up with a career high 25 possessions. Up against the three Bomber talls he took the points on the night and if there was ever an example of a breakout season this is it.
McKenzie – This man is an integral part of our side and I don’t think people realised how much we have missed him until he came back. He is so hard, tenacious and provides so much grunt for us. He had a career high 13 tackles on the night.
Morton – Cale got better as the match went on. He backs himself and is surprisingly fast for his size. He would have been happy with his game on Friday.
Rivers – Old Man had another stellar game! He was hardly beaten, was confident in delivery and is in career best form.
Scully – now where do I start???….to come back after 1/2 a VFL game all year and to put in that kind of performance shows the world why he was taken No.1 and why we must move heaven and earth to keep him. Most players take weeks to get up to speed but not our Tom – he is a gun!
Strauss – ‘Johann’ had his best game for the Dees by far. It was pleasing to see as he has been on the fringes for a while now. He had a career high possession count and hopefully will be able to string some great games together.
Trengove – Jack showed on Friday night how critical he is to our side. He brings that touch of class with everything he does. His disposal and decision making is beyond 1st class (if that’s possible:-))
Watts – How was his marking??…How was his decision making???…..How were his foot skills??…..How was his speed??…..How on earth did anyone question his status as No.1 draft pick????
We now draw our attention to the QB Monday and our traditional clash with our traditional enemies. Our record of late has been more than admirable against the Pies and we will go in with a great deal of momentum. Yes we still have a few key injuries but so do the Pies and anything short of a similar effort on Monday as was shown on Friday night would be a disappointment. I finish with a confession…..when I said nothing brings more happiness than beating the Bombers – I lied…….beating the Pies on QB Monday….I think that will take the cake!
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