Round 20 - Non MFC Games.

[radar 1,848]

Gunna drop one soon - may as well be against us. 

 

[Deemania since 56 6,132]

23 hours ago, Demonland said:

Huge week for the Dees this week in Non-MFC games.

Obviously we want the Tigers to win.

We need the Dons to do us a few favours in the run home and this is a huge one.

The Lions are the only real chance of a team knocking off the Kangas in the run home.

No brainer that we want the Crows to win.

We want Sydney to win if we can win 3 or 4 games but Collingwood if we're only going to win 1 or 2.

If you want to go down the rose coloured glasses route then Freo knocking off the Eagles would help out my Top 2 dream.

Now that the Toiges have beaten the Cats, I have a confession to make: My heart bled for poor old Geelong. It seemed as if their hip-pocket umpires deserted them across this game, with the loss forcing them well down on the Live Ladder - and the two showings against the Cats by the MFC were - despite the results - very impressive in 'finals-type' football.

We move up to sixth as a consequence, and should be at least in 5th position by Sunday night. Things are getting exciting and there is a possibility that with a little more confidence and biff, we could be finishing around 3rd on the ladder prior to the start of the finals. Carna Dees!

We'd be second had we beaten StKilda, Geelong x 2 games, and one or two others interrupted by the White Brethren.

[Whispering_Jack 27,960]

It seems to me that the outcome of last night’s game really does demonstrate how close Melbourne is to becoming one of the powers of the competition.

A fortnight ago, on Geelong’s turf, we lost by 2 points in a game that took an incredible last quarter comeback effort from the home side to beat us. The Cats scored 8.0 to 3.5 in that term, finished with an incredible 16.4.100 (80% shooting accuracy for the game) and needed everything to go right for them in the dying moments to get up (including our AA ruckman to miss two important patches off the ground when Geelong scored heavily) - yes, we obviously contributed by failing to apply enough pressure on their forwards when they were rampant but there were so many little fine lines that contributed to our downfall.

Fast forward to last night where the premiership favourite was the home team and the game flowed in much the same way. This time however, those little fine lines were moved somewhat. Geelong had seven shots to four and still kicked accurately but their 5.2 for the final quarter represents a 71.4% goal scoring ratio and their game score came up at 54.5% - well below the 80% they managed against us. 

The end result was that, against the same opposition, the Tigers won at home by 3 points while we lost away by 2 points. That tells me we’re not so far off the pace.

Of course, every game is different and we appear doomed to rue the result of that game, but it tells me that on our day, we are now capable of beating anyone in the competition, which gives us plenty to look forward to in the future (naturally, at the moment, I’m looking forward only to tomorrow).

[Lucifers Hero 36,991]

Geelong played high risk football down the corridor for much of the game and it nearly worked. 

It was a good surprise tactic to which Hardwick didn't respond.  Richmond enjoy getting the opp to play wide and running the ball down the wing.  The cats denied them that.

Geelong playing the corridor won't surprise Hardwick again and any team trying to copy it might just play into the tigers hands.. 

Edited August 3, 2018 by Lucifer's Hero

[Lucifers Hero 36,991]

The way Geelong played is a bit of a lesson to us: We have lost only 3 games by more than 10 points -  Hawks (67pts), Tigers (46pts) and Pies (42pts).  What do they have in common?  They were at the G and we played almost exclusively down the wing and the members wing at that. 

We still play the wing in most games and works against a lot of sides.  Geelong showed that to have a decent chance against the Tigers, playing the wings plays right into their hands so other coaching tricks are needed to beat them.

Edited August 3, 2018 by Lucifer's Hero

[What 18,810]

What a day of footy for finals implications....  its on like donkey kong folks.

First two games could see two teams have their season ended (Bombers and Roos).  But if they win, or even just one wins, the cluster of finals contenders becomes even tighter and the mighty Dees will have to dig deep, deep, deep.

As much as I hate North, I wouldnt mind seeing them in the 8 if it means Geelong, Hawthorn and Essendon are all out. That would be very nice. 

So many permutations.  And we still have three rounds of footy left after this one.  Best finish to a season in AFL history is coming, for sure.

[Pink Freud 325]

12 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

What a day of footy for finals implications....  its on like donkey kong folks.

First two games could see two teams have their season ended (Bombers and Roos).  But if they win, or even just one wins, the cluster of finals contenders becomes even tighter and the mighty Dees will have to dig deep, deep, deep.

As much as I hate North, I wouldnt mind seeing them in the 8 if it means Geelong, Hawthorn and Essendon are all out. That would be very nice. 

So many permutations.  And we still have three rounds of footy left after this one.  Best finish to a season in AFL history is coming, for sure.

And what makes it so nice is the fact that Carlton is playing no role in the finish to the season other than to sit on the bottom and hold up the rest of the teams on the ladder. 

[Deeoldfart 7,720]

I agree Whispering, last night showed that we are not too far off the pace.  It also showed that Richmond are beatable, even at the 'G'.  Some important learnings for opposition coaches, I think.  I trust we will do our homework. 

[Deestar9 1,402]

Not sure if anyone else has listened to Scott’s press conference.....after reading some of his comments I had to listen to it.  Is it just me ......I couldn’t believe his arrogance.  Whether you believe some of his comments about Richmond.....not sure you come out & state them.....we only lost by a similar margin & after the siren.....not too much humility from him then !

[Demonland 64,761]

7 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

Not sure if anyone else has listened to Scott’s press conference.....after reading some of his comments I had to listen to it.  Is it just me ......I couldn’t believe his arrogance.  Whether you believe some of his comments about Richmond.....not sure you come out & state them.....we only lost by a similar margin & after the siren.....not too much humility from him then !

Nothing would give me greater pleasure than seeing him sitting in the stands with the rest of the punters during September. 

[Pinball Wizard 272]

1 minute ago, Demonland said:

Nothing would give me greater pleasure than seeing him sitting in the stands with the rest of the punters during September. 

And his twin brother too ...

[Dr. Gonzo 22,412]

1 hour ago, Petraccattack said:

What a day of footy for finals implications....  its on like donkey kong folks.

First two games could see two teams have their season ended (Bombers and Roos).  But if they win, or even just one wins, the cluster of finals contenders becomes even tighter and the mighty Dees will have to dig deep, deep, deep.

As much as I hate North, I wouldnt mind seeing them in the 8 if it means Geelong, Hawthorn and Essendon are all out. That would be very nice. 

So many permutations.  And we still have three rounds of footy left after this one.  Best finish to a season in AFL history is coming, for sure.

Can anyone explain to me why Brisbane are favourites against North? Easy money isn't it?

[Nasher 33,047]

By far the most interesting game this week is Sydney vs Collingwood. The 8 gets totally reshape if Sydney win, including Geelong dropping back out, and Collingwood would drop to 6th if GWS, Port and Melbourne win as they should and 7th if Hawthorn win too. If Collingwood win you would have to think Sydney are close to done.

[Demonland 64,761]

21 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Can anyone explain to me why Brisbane are favourites against North? Easy money isn't it?

This one baffles me. I have been impressed with Brisbane's young brigade standing up late in the year when many teams are lying down and taking their lickings. I have no doubt that this young team will rise up fast in the AFL ranks. Having said that I think many underestimate North. I don't believe they will challenge in past the first week in September but I do believe they should be able to take care of Brisbane or at the very least be respected enough because of their form this year to be favourites on paper. Go Lions.

[whatwhat say what 18,898]

10 minutes ago, Demonland said:

This one baffles me. I have been impressed with Brisbane's young brigade standing up late in the year when many teams are lying down and taking their lickings. I have no doubt that this young team will rise up fast in the AFL ranks. Having said that I think many underestimate North. I don't believe they will challenge in past the first week in September but I do believe they should be able to take care of Brisbane or at the very least be respected enough because of their form this year to be favourites on paper. Go Lions.

i reckon north can go all the way to preliminary finals weekend

their core of senior players - higgins, ziebell, cunnington, waite, atley, tarrant, thompson, williams, goldstein - is good enough and experienced enough in finals to take them a long way

plus sideshow bob is the best tall forward in the game

[SFebes 4,692]

Just watched Chris Scotts presser, what an arrogant pig of a thing he is. Even a lot of his own members hate him. And the way he conducts himself in the box is pathetic with the carry on. 

[Demonland 64,761]

6 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

Just watched Chris Scotts presser, what an arrogant pig of a thing he is. Even a lot of his own members hate him. And the way he conducts himself in the box is pathetic with the carry on. 

I often wonder whether Chris and Brad are clones and not twins. 

[Dee Zephyr 17,425]

19 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

Just watched Chris Scotts presser, what an arrogant pig of a thing he is. Even a lot of his own members hate him. And the way he conducts himself in the box is pathetic with the carry on. 

Come on Febes....Scott says he does no such thing....

 

 

[SFebes 4,692]

13 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Come on Febes....Scott says he does no such thing....

 

 

You’ve now ruined my day DZ, and Melbourne haven’t even lost yet ?

[Dee Zephyr 17,425]

4 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

You’ve now ruined my day DZ, and Melbourne haven’t even lost yet ?

? Oh My, don’t tell me we lose this week....apologies for ruining your day. 

[Whispering_Jack 27,960]

7 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

You’ve now ruined my day DZ, and Melbourne haven’t even lost yet ?

Rest easy. There is no way possible that Melbourne can lose today. We don’t even play until tomorrow.

[SFebes 4,692]

2 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Rest easy. There is no way possible that Melbourne can lose today. We don’t even play until tomorrow.

We'll still find a way!

[Mondê 525]

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Can anyone explain to me why Brisbane are favourites against North? Easy money isn't it?

Higgins is out. Easily their best player this season

[What 18,810]

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Can anyone explain to me why Brisbane are favourites against North? Easy money isn't it?

Brisbane are not a bad team, in fact they are quite good and have been competitive most of the season....   and apparently its going to be warm and sunny up there today,  conditions the Lions are accustomed to. North, not so much.

Add to that Higgins is out, and Harris Andrews is a good matchup for Ben Brown.

Lions by 17.

[Tom Dyson 1,492]

(Richmond vs cats) starting off the week with a richmond win which is what we wanted!

(hawthorn vs essendon) we want essendon to win. they have a very hard run home including tigers at the g and port at Adelaide oval and on the other hand Hawthorn have an easier run home and they are competing with us for one of the bottom four finals spots. 

(lions vs North) we want the lions to win as again north are competing with us for one of the bottom four finals spots. 

(crows vs port) crows to win however it it is unlikely 

(st kilda vs bulldogs) does not matter 

(sydney vs pies) if we win we want Sydney to win and if we lose we want the pies to win 

(carlton vs GWS) we want carlton to win this however that is very unlikely 

(dess vs suns) come on dees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(west coast vs freo) freo to win but at the end of the day won't effect us that much 

interesting week of football...