Opposition Watch: Rd 1 vs Port Adelaide

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

26 minutes ago, Smokey said:

Wattsy may also require surgery to a damaged septum. More to follow. 

Was waiting for it....

 

[Sydee 3,612]

3 hours ago, Smokey said:

Yes. Comments on an internet fan forum have a direct correlation to how the team will perform. The players probably look to DL to gauge how confident they should be and we therefore have a great responsibility of ensuring we never get excited or portray any sort of confidence whatsoever in the boys.     

Thanks for handing us a round 1 loss with your irresponsible comments @Ethan Tremblay. 

Calm down and stop trying to be everyone's dad Sydee, we are allowed to be excited and expect greatness this year. Enjoy the ride, or at the very least, allow others to be excited if you insist on being a wet blanket. 

Apologies - not trying to anyone's Dad just a bit of good old fashion realism and caution. I never said any player reads the dribble on here or that it might influence their attitude or performance 

Enjoy the ride whatever it is that's served up but try to resist being condescending to people who may have an opinion that doesn't perfectly align to you own  

[Skuit 9,109]

6 hours ago, old dee said:

Simple they don't!

I was a cynic too Old Dee, until the last test match vs. India when at least four of the wickets were taken when I got up to fetch a beer or take a beer-related toilet break. Now I'm certain that the fate of Australian cricket revolves around my every move.

[DV8 2,271]

5 hours ago, Smokey said:

Yes. Comments on an internet fan forum have a direct correlation to how the team will perform. The players probably look to DL to gauge how confident they should be and we therefore have a great responsibility of ensuring we never get excited or portray any sort of confidence whatsoever in the boys.     

Thanks for handing us a round 1 loss with your irresponsible comments @Ethan Tremblay. 

Calm down and stop trying to be everyone's dad Sydee, we are allowed to be excited and expect greatness this year. Enjoy the ride, or at the very least, allow others to be excited if you insist on being a wet blanket. 

arrogance is not confidence smokey... and the tone spreads across the faithful, to form a snowball of tone, leading up to the game. Any disrespect of the opposition, that opposition will use to further fire up their emotional drive to beat us.

It is simple, basic, and coaches use this all the time to pre-load their players, who are on the receiving end of the arrogance.

 

... getting excited is great,  being arrogant is fools gold.

.

Edited February 7, 2019 by DV8

[DV8 2,271]

4 hours ago, hemingway said:

We need to keep our powder dry (

?

4 hours ago, hemingway said:

Existing inside a footy bubble is not always a good thing. We all know about bubbles. Snap, crackle and pop.

Just ask Darren Weir. 

Roosters today and feather dusters tomorrow.

And they do learn some things from forums... every now and then.

And so does the AFL, itself.

Edited February 7, 2019 by DV8

[DV8 2,271]

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

I was a cynic too Old Dee, until the last test match vs. India when at least four of the wickets were taken when I got up to fetch a beer or take a beer-related toilet break. Now I'm certain that the fate of Australian cricket revolves around my every move.

We can only control our own actions sku...  stay in that toilet will you, during the Ashes series.

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

I was a cynic too Old Dee, until the last test match vs. India when at least four of the wickets were taken when I got up to fetch a beer or take a beer-related toilet break. Now I'm certain that the fate of Australian cricket revolves around my every move.

You are hereby officially banned from all beer-related activities during the Ashes Sku.

[Smokey 4,112]

2 hours ago, Sydee said:

Apologies - not trying to anyone's Dad just a bit of good old fashion realism and caution. I never said any player reads the dribble on here or that it might influence their attitude or performance 

Enjoy the ride whatever it is that's served up but try to resist being condescending to people who may have an opinion that doesn't perfectly align to you own  

And please accept my apologies for the over-the-top sanctimonious speech

 

1 hour ago, DV8 said:

arrogance is not confidence smokey... and the tone spreads across the faithful, to form a snowball of tone, leading up to the game. Any disrespect of the opposition, that opposition will use to further fire up their emotional drive to beat us.

It is simple, basic, and coaches use this all the time to pre-load their players, who are on the receiving end of the arrogance.

 

... getting excited is great,  being arrogant is fools gold.

.

I agree with this, and would be concerned if I saw any indication that the players were showing signs of arrogance. 

The original comment in question was around ET saying he thinks we'll win by 10 or so goals. How have you decided this is "arrogance" and what metrics are in play here? Are we not being a little sensitive here? 

[dl4e 5,578]

Our 1st finals appearance in 12 years has in no way wiped out my MFCSS. Port will be tough and look at the next 2 after that.

[old dee 22,802]

3 hours ago, pineapple dee said:

All right, let's try this for something a bit blasphemous. "I defy God to sink this ship, the SS Melbourne Football Club."

Well there is a surprise... It is still afloat!

[Neil Crompton 4,672]

5 hours ago, pineapple dee said:

All right, let's try this for something a bit blasphemous. "I defy God to sink this ship, the SS Melbourne Football Club."

FMD, i put $100 on demons to win 2019 premiership yesterday - and you come out with a comment like that today!

Now i have to try and get my money back.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,095]

For those disrespecting Port, they were actually 11-4 last year before they fell off the cliff.

They’ve also won 5 of their last 6 round 1 encounters, with that one loss being a respectable 8 point loss to Freo away in 2015. So they tend to start the season like a rocket.

[DV8 2,271]

8 hours ago, Smokey said:

And please accept my apologies for the over-the-top sanctimonious speech

 

I agree with this, and would be concerned if I saw any indication that the players were showing signs of arrogance. 

The original comment in question was around ET saying he thinks we'll win by 10 or so goals. How have you decided this is "arrogance" and what metrics are in play here? Are we not being a little sensitive here? 

What i was getting at is... the old adage about being a bit nervous about a game is a good thing to keep sharp.

Arrogance creeping in amongst the large portion of a supporter group, can impact players subconsciously, when they come across this comfort socially... or in words/tones on forums. IF they come here during the week...  leading to being a bit to comfortable going into a match buildup.

It could rub off on the team, or even just one or two players...  either is too much.

 

We supporters are far better being a bit nervous about our possibilities going into seasons, and into games, with some caution in our minds.  This helps our team to stay focused on the weeks job right in front of us.

The players subconsciously pick up this tone, from all who engage in our footy world across the AFL. 

It's the supporters... mixed with their playing group, that combine to produce this "chemistry"....   A mixed combination of emotions & expectations, anticipations, rolled up, and then expressed.

The media and other supporters, clubs, etc...  all pickup the tone, the air of,  fear/confidence/arrogance/,  whatever it happens to be, about this new club who are forging their path onto the competition.

 

This collective tone from US supporters... hopefully stays just a little bit Humble, but with aggression, not fear.. 

Let's be a Hungry club in 2019.

 

BUT, can we manage to be 'hungry',  'aggressive',  without slipping into becoming arrogant ???

.

Edited February 7, 2019 by DV8

[rjay 23,846]

2 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

For those disrespecting Port, they were actually 11-4 last year before they fell off the cliff.

They’ve also won 5 of their last 6 round 1 encounters, with that one loss being a respectable 8 point loss to Freo away in 2015. So they tend to start the season like a rocket.

Not disrespecting them...but an ageing list. I think the window has closed for them.

Predicting this will be Kenny's last year at Port.

[praha 10,267]

On 2/6/2019 at 9:01 PM, Little Goffy said:

Round 1 had a pattern of delivering some of the most miserable moments during our most miserable period, so I'm still a little wary of it.

But... on the one hand I'm much more confident in our team's ability, and on the other hand I'm much more confident that our team has the resilience to carry on with a strong season even if we do stuff up round 1.

It is a bit like, I'm looking forward to round one as a big deal, but only because it is the start of the season, not because I feel like it is any particularly crucial, tone-setting game.

Interestingly we lost round 1 for a decade then managed 3 years in a row winning round 1. It took one last bout of round 1 misery last year before we could break through and play finals.

[Guest]

On 2/7/2019 at 5:44 AM, whatwhatsaywhat said:

All I remember from Round 1s of the last few years is the ‘that’s SO Melbourne’ of my daughter exclaiming as Gawn missed the monty goal, Wines debut destroying us, and Rockliff booting a bag as his then Lions mauled us

Of course there was also Clayton’s glorious debut but that is somehow not nearly as strong in the memory banks

I approach every season with a mix of complete joy and utter dread 

The Lions game was also the day Neeldy proceeded to give a masterclass(?) in how to handle the media. It was so notable that it has been used in AFL media training materials since....

[pineapple dee 2,892]

Mods, can you please delete my previous post, no. 54. 

I don't want to provoke a Titanic type result to befall the dees, though arguably we have already been punished from that source.

[Deemania since 56 6,119]

On 2/6/2019 at 7:58 PM, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Any word on Charlie Dixon’s recovery from a broken leg?

Wines, Polec, Wingard and maybe Dixon would be handy outs from the side that beat us last year.

Mind you they’ll include Hartlett and Lycett into the side.

I reckon that the big Braydon P will handle them all - and if May can play and does - Port are complete history - with Tracc and Clarry and Brayshaw running wild.

[Deemania since 56 6,119]

On 2/6/2019 at 9:55 PM, DeezNuts said:

First hit out for the season.. both teams would need to iron out some wrinkles, and get used to a new set of rules if anything - I hope I can get down for Rd 1! But, Port do have a team of champions right?

Port are in trouble this year...bad start will again be the cause. Loss of confidence in the coach will be another cause. Everyone I talk to about footy considers the Dees to be the team to beat this year - almost all are assured of a Demon GF play-off with a solid win going to the RednBlues. 

[DV8 2,271]

On 2/7/2019 at 3:28 PM, Smokey said:

And please accept my apologies for the over-the-top sanctimonious speech

 

I agree with this, and would be concerned if I saw any indication that the players were showing signs of arrogance. 

The original comment in question was around ET saying he thinks we'll win by 10 or so goals. How have you decided this is "arrogance" and what metrics are in play here? Are we not being a little sensitive here? 

Here... this sums it up of where I was going with my posts.  >>>  ://demonland.com/forums/topic/45565-do-not-to-believe-the-hype/?do=findComment&comment=1665728

 

Although we are a bit ahead of the Lions development curve...  it's not all that far ahead,  that we can fall for the old trick of believing the hype that will be around us all season long.

 

Luke Hodge : >        http://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-02-07/hodge-warns-teammates-not-to-believe-the-hype

.

In the original posts, there was an element of skyting,  big noting, and we have not even kicked a footy in any sort of competition just yet.

 

That is getting ahead of things.

Edited February 8, 2019 by DV8

[Smokey 4,112]

On 2/8/2019 at 5:27 PM, DV8 said:

Here... this sums it up of where I was going with my posts.  >>>  ://demonland.com/forums/topic/45565-do-not-to-believe-the-hype/?do=findComment&comment=1665728

 

Although we are a bit ahead of the Lions development curve...  it's not all that far ahead,  that we can fall for the old trick of believing the hype that will be around us all season long.

 

Luke Hodge : >        http://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-02-07/hodge-warns-teammates-not-to-believe-the-hype

.

In the original posts, there was an element of skyting,  big noting, and we have not even kicked a footy in any sort of competition just yet.

 

That is getting ahead of things.

I get it. My point remains - if players are seen to be becoming comfortable with our position and "believing the hype", then I have an issue. 

Fans sharing their opinions on DL has no bearing on how the team will perform, therefore it's not up to you to tell people what they should and shouldn't think. Have your opinion (which you obviously feel strongly about), but allow to others to have theirs. 

I choose to be arrogant and I'm enjoying every minute of it! 

[DV8 2,271]

4 hours ago, Smokey said:

I get it. My point remains - if players are seen to be becoming comfortable with our position and "believing the hype", then I have an issue. 

Fans sharing their opinions on DL has no bearing on how the team will perform, therefore it's not up to you to tell people what they should and shouldn't think. Have your opinion (which you obviously feel strongly about), but allow to others to have theirs. 

I choose to be arrogant and I'm enjoying every minute of it! 

the players can take the lead... from the supporting masses. and vica versa.   This has happened to us in the past, in the 90's.

 

It can become a silent negative snowball that 'feeels grreat' in the midst of it...  But is a disaster in the end result.

 

It is up to me to say in a forum what I think and have learnt.    I  cannot make people do anything... so telling people to do something is not something I have the power to do.

 

"telling" is your interpretation, for you to inwardly explore, for your own personal inner meaning of it.

 I am allowing you to have yours, or I wouldn't be responding to you.

I would just arrogantly block you.

 

 but I choose to read with interest, your thoughts and feelings.... cheers.

Edited February 11, 2019 by DV8

[Smokey 4,112]

1 hour ago, DV8 said:

the players can take the lead... from the supporting masses. and vica versa.   This has happened to us in the past, in the 90's.

 

It can become a silent negative snowball that 'feeels grreat' in the midst of it...  But is a disaster in the end result.

 

It is up to me to say in a forum what I think and have learnt.    I  cannot make people do anything... so telling people to do something is not something I have the power to do.

 

"telling" is your interpretation, for you to inwardly explore, for your own personal inner meaning of it.

 I am allowing you to have yours, or I wouldn't be responding to you.

I would just arrogantly block you.

 

 but I choose to read with interest, your thoughts and feelings.... cheers.

The game has grown quite a bit since the 90's man. Players weren't expected to be anywhere near the level of professionalism as they are today. Footy ain't a part time job anymore, and players are now coached accordingly. Training isn't just physical anymore, players also have their minds trained. This is why I find it hard to believe that a professional footy player these days would take any cues whatsoever from myself or any other fellow fan of the club. In fact that just sounds downright insane to me. 

With all due respect, I think your MFCSS is so deeply ingrained that this feeling of expectation from the team simply doesn't compute with you, and your mind is desperately looking for ways to prove to yourself that this will all come undone and we will soon return to mediocrity (which you may strangely feel more comfortable with).

Clutching at straws would be a huge understatement here if your honestly trying to convince me that my arrogance could start a chain reaction that would see the Melbourne footy club back on its knee's. 

 

[DV8 2,271]

46 minutes ago, Smokey said:

The game has grown quite a bit since the 90's man. Players weren't expected to be anywhere near the level of professionalism as they are today. Footy ain't a part time job anymore, and players are now coached accordingly. Training isn't just physical anymore, players also have their minds trained. This is why I find it hard to believe that a professional footy player these days would take any cues whatsoever from myself or any other fellow fan of the club. In fact that just sounds downright insane to me. 

With all due respect, I think your MFCSS is so deeply ingrained that this feeling of expectation from the team simply doesn't compute with you, and your mind is desperately looking for ways to prove to yourself that this will all come undone and we will soon return to mediocrity (which you may strangely feel more comfortable with).

Clutching at straws would be a huge understatement here if your honestly trying to convince me that my arrogance could start a chain reaction that would see the Melbourne footy club back on its knee's. 

 

I think you would be surprised Smokey.  I've been close to that action, and other areas in my life.

I've learnt a lot of things that most would never go anywhere near in their lives.  So those things have shown me a different prospective to most, in thinking about things.

Players, even today's, are still human beings, and especially so when in their first 25 Yrs of life.  They do and think much the same way as ordinary lay people.  They are Not super humans.

And so don't think of many things differently.  They will usually only think of things that come to their Minds naturally, or are taught to them, or they learn as they read... all things of life.   papers, books, mag's, internet, even forums.

 

Attitudes spread around, like virus's do... by word of mouth. IF the word is of arrogance, that can catch on... and it can go unchecked, and it can rub off on all humans... like footballers,  without them even realising the changes, before the postmortem at end of season.

Yes, it is a fine point to discuss this... but we are nearing the pointy end,  the business end of the rebuild... & the smallest percent of gains are critical, from this point on, for us.

 

Everything from this preseason onward,  is huge for our future, right now...  more-so,  than after the 1st H&A bounce of the season.

Edited February 11, 2019 by DV8

[640MD 2,742]

Smokey I do like your positivity,  not sure I can embrace it fully,  though.  I know damn well, that nothing I do, can influence the team or football department. Not even cheering at the ground would make a dent. 

But others here and myself have seen too many false dawns and under achieving, from the team to individual champions come and go quietly.  So allow us to be cautious in our approach.

But just as we could do big things this year,   If you cant enjoy last year and hopefully this coming season, then when the hell can you.

Life sucks sometimes.   Then you die !   So allow all here to enjoy the footy on show this year, as they see fit to enjoy it.

 

I got to 4 regular games last year, 3 wins I think and then the finals.   It was a good year, just need another one or two finals wins.    Enjoy your footy !     Go Dees