I've seen this team play strong, accountable, defensive football twice this season: against St. Kilda and now against Essendon. Both games were wet and bogged down.

The Bulldogs game was cold, wet at times, but the Bulldogs' run towards the end of the game had us beat.

That "defensive" style of football has its home in wet weather footy. But playing that brand in dry conditions takes exceptional levels of fitness and commitment to the gameplan, as skills are silkier, transition is faster, and delivery is smoother. I think that's pretty obvious.

Without taking too much away from last night, which was a match against a flying side that has been playing great footy, I don't think it's at all surprising the way they played. I am certainly not surprised it was a close game, although I admittedly predicted a 5-10 goal loss.

The team's real growth will be how it performs in Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, in dry conditions, against teams that know dry weather football.

Feel free to disagree. Boy was last night awesome! But there's still so much to learn in making that transition to a clear, dry day of footy.

Thread is going great guns Cudi.

I agree with you mate, but gonna savour this one a few more days me thinks.

I agree, but the Dees turned an important corner last night. In the 1st quarter we turned it over horribly by foot when there was no pressure. But in the 2nd half when we were supposed to "unfit and disorganised" we were hitting targets and taking our chances. We weren't excellent but we were better, much better.

Dry weather football may test us but I am not as worried as I was.

I believe we will be better on a dry track. But first everyone has to lift again next week for the Filth. There due to lose and we want to win.

I don't know... but I'm not getting on the "Reality Bus" for a few days yet

We will need to break the 10 goal barrier to win in the dry. So far this has been beyond us. As defensive as we play, we need to now start enhancing our attack if we want more than a sniff of the chocolates. I think we have the capability, but it is definitely a next step for the squad.

It's a fair point, but I do like that we are developing a side that can handle the wet conditions.

For years and years I've dreaded rain at the footy, as we've traditionally been a side that struggles in a dour defensive scrap.

Now we seem to relish such a contest.