Etihad - the bogus bogey

[mrtwister 650]

Looking back over MFC's apparent curse at Etihad has made me realise that it really is a load of rubbish. Let's face it, there were very few wins in 2008 and 2009 anywhere let alone at Etihad. And last year we played Kangas (now that's a curse) and Saints there. So really, have there been ANY games at Etihad that we were really expected to win? Surely if, in the last 7 or 8 games at a certain venue, you were expected to win 1 and you didn't win it then calling the venue a bogey ground is rather ridiculous?

I think this Friday is finally a game at Etihad that we can actually say that we have close to a full side, and are playing a team that is performing well below us at the moment. Dare I say we should.....................ahhhh! I can't bring myself to say it.

[45HG 1,539]

I think we've lost 17 of our last 19 there.

[DemonDing 56]

not confident this week for some reason, last two weeks ive told mates we'll [censored] freo and richmond and they have laughed at me now there taking more interest in what i say but these are the games we drop, we should win have a good opportunity to go up the ladder, other teams outta form, most will tip us, some like a gia or hall or someone thats outta form will bob up and kill us! i really really hope this doesnt happen but when ever you get ya hopes this happens!!

[Lost Highway 31]

I think we've lost 17 of our last 19 there.

For several years this was not far off our normal loss:win ratio, and deviation from that could be easily explained by examination of the teams we played there, as the OP has suggested. How many of the the teams that defeated MFC were below us or at the same level on the ladder?

[Bates Mate 3,974]

not confident this week for some reason, last two weeks ive told mates we'll [censored] freo and richmond and they have laughed at me now there taking more interest in what i say but these are the games we drop, we should win have a good opportunity to go up the ladder, other teams outta form, most will tip us, some like a gia or hall or someone thats outta form will bob up and kill us! i really really hope this doesnt happen but when ever you get ya hopes this happens!!

I agree another 6 day break will not help either.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I think we've lost 17 of our last 19 there.

I may have heard the sound of a penny dropping after the Queens Birthday game. If we can sustain the forward pressure then we will win and win well.

[titan_uranus 22,797]

Nice attempt to put a positive spin on it.

Fact remains, we can be in top form, go to Etihad, and lose. It's happened both this year and last.

Coming off our big win against Adelaide, we faced North, who at that stage had just one win. We led them by 30 points in the first quarter. And we lost.

Last year we'd won three in a row and again came up against a mid-table team in North. And lost.

[Redleg 38,053]

This might do it. Win the clearances, apply pressure all over the ground ( tackle hard and often ) forwards play in front, dispose cleanly and take a positive attitude onto the ground.

[titan_uranus 22,797]

This might do it. Win the clearances, apply pressure all over the ground ( tackle hard and often ) forwards play in front, dispose cleanly and take a positive attitude onto the ground.

In other words, play like we do at the G?

Sounds so simple, but if it were, we wouldn't be in this situation to begin with.

It's all in the mind.

[Sir Why You Little 34,950]

No excuses this week. The MFC are good enough to win.

It depends on the players minds...upstairs.

[SJX 6]

We will beat the Dogs this week.

[harry 1]

This is not a bad point. We haven't won many games over the last few years and we can't beat the Kangaroos or St Kilda at the G either.

If there is a curse it's going to end this weekend. We're going to win by 5 goals.

[45HG 1,539]

I too think we'll win.

This year's game against North is a bit of an odd one given the injuries and outs we sustained (and who came back in). I also think we're hitting form.

[titan_uranus 22,797]

I too think we'll win.

This year's game against North is a bit of an odd one given the injuries and outs we sustained (and who came back in). I also think we're hitting form.

We certainly do match up better against the Dogs than the Kangas.

I think we can win, and if it was at the MCG I'd be quite confident. But there's always something about us at Etihad that makes me suspect a collapse in form.

[nutbean 8,837]

When was the last time we won there ?

I went to us play the doggies there - ( half expecting a loss as they were on fire) and we won - cant remember when that was

[titan_uranus 22,797]

When was the last time we won there ?

I went to us play the doggies there - ( half expecting a loss as they were on fire) and we won - cant remember when that was

2007, when we beat the Dogs.

We've lost our last 10 there.

[Rogue 585]

I think we can win, and if it was at the MCG I'd be quite confident. But there's always something about us at Etihad that makes me suspect a collapse in form.

I think one of the problems we've had is that teams have been better at preventing us from switching the play out of defence, and we've not had the penetration/run to break the wall of players that move from one side of the ground to another.

We should be a bit better in this regard on Friday, and this would definitely be the case if Tapscott was fit.

[Fork 'em 6,576]

Nice attempt to put a positive spin on it.

Fact remains, we can be in top form, go to Etihad, and lose. It's happened both this year and last.

I remember late in the Daniher era , we we're looking at top4 late in the season and met Carlton who were last .

Guess what , we got done .

I was filthy .

Wheels fell off from there and were lucky to hold our spot in the 8 .

[45HG 1,539]

Wheels fell off from there and were lucky to hold our spot in the 8 .

Not quite - a win in round 22 and we would've finished 4th.

But yes, two Dome losses to the Blues were painful that year.

[H_T 2,941]

It's all in the mind.

It depends on the players minds...upstairs.

Bingo. Whilst the form is up, the foot must remain on the accelerator. Four quarters too. The players should be going all out considering there is a bye next week. So this match has much at stake. Better to be with our noses in front at 7-1-6 than back in the pack with a bye coming.

Mindset, intensity - contested ball and tackles will win it again.

[rpfc 27,646]

Just on what a few others have said - players minds.

I have no worries about the kids - they look like solid leaders who take pride in their performances every week.

If we are to win - Moloney, Jones, Green, Jamar, and Rivers will have to do something they rarely do - play a good game of footy at Docklands.

[titan_uranus 22,797]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jack-watts-says-demons-will-change-game-style-to-break-etihad-stadium-hoodoo/story-e6frf9jf-1226084708086

Watts talks about changing our game plan and potentially picking players who are more suited to Etihad.

[Fork 'em 6,576]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jack-watts-says-demons-will-change-game-style-to-break-etihad-stadium-hoodoo/story-e6frf9jf-1226084708086

Watts talks about changing our game plan and potentially picking players who are more suited to Etihad.

Couldn't give 2 hoots about pre-game talk .

Just show us the baby .

[rpfc 27,646]

Couldn't give 2 hoots about pre-game talk .

Just show us the baby .

We all love to see 'win babies' but there was some value in that article.

[H_T 2,941]

Just on what a few others have said - players minds.

I have no worries about the kids - they look like solid leaders who take pride in their performances every week.

If we are to win - Moloney, Jones, Green, Jamar, and Rivers will have to do something they rarely do - play a good game of footy at Docklands.

Good point. Leadership is very important. And when I recall back to the North Melbourne game, yes there were costly turnovers and some bad decisions, but most of all there was a lack of leadership when required.

I think that was the time when we had the Leadership lacking thread about. So good call.