RD 1 2014 - v St. Kilda @ Etihad Saturday Night

[demonkeaney 61]

Herald Sun reporting this is our first up match..

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-reveals-2014-fixture/story-fni5f22o-1226749858096

Thats about as good a result as we could hope for first up.

Go dees

[Glenn Molloy 494]

And we have GWS at Skoda in Round 3. Chance to make a really good start to the year.

[Dees2014 2,377]

Herald Sun reporting this is our first up match..

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-reveals-2014-fixture/story-fni5f22o-1226749858096

Thats about as good a result as we could hope for first up.

Go dees

I can only say I told you so......

Now can I ask the question I posed yesterday in a thread which was unceremoniously merged with another thread which had little to do with my question, which is::

Who are the key match ups in our opening game against St Kilda and where are we going to win it?

Edited October 30, 2013 by Dees2014

[Pennant St Dee 13,301]

Anywhere any place anytime, I am over this looking at the draw and predicting how we will go, Saints and GWS fans are probably thinking the same. FFS lets just knuckle down and worry about week to week

[What 18,810]

Glad we are playing in Melbourne round 1

Would have sucked to be sent to Perth

SMASH THE SAINTS

[Kiss of Death 755]

Wonder if we will get a single Friday Night game next year? Signs are pointing to a 2 year exile..

[McQueen 17,867]

Wonder if we will get a single Friday Night game next year? Signs are pointing to a 2 year exile..

There's always the Finals.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

our chance to make a good statement and start to wipe the stench away.

everyone will be watching.

dont ruin it dees.

Edited October 30, 2013 by The Song Formerly Known As

[Dr. Gonzo 24,271]

Much better than being sent to Perth to play Freo which is what I was expecting. Is it true we haven't played interstate in round 1 since 1998?

I think we'll know very quickly how next season might pan out - a disappointing performance against the Saints will make for another looong winter.

Not too fussed about the Friday night thing - what's the point if we just get embarrassed on national TV in prime time anyway? As a neutral I hate watching rubbish teams on Friday so can understand not getting any games until we've shown we can at least be competitive.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

If we lose at least we can all hit the panic button early.

[low flying Robbo 979]

Wonder if we will get a single Friday Night game next year? Signs are pointing to a 2 year exile..

unlike the scum who get it every second week

[Demoneyes 562]

Hmmm, our bogey ground! Would be nice to start off with a win and also get the monkey off our backs!

[beelzebub 23,382]

two birds ...one stone

Saturday night....de de doo de do do

Saturday night.....

[Nasher 33,617]

Wouldn't it be nice to start the season on the giving end of a smashing for once? I know, getting way ahead of myself, I'm just day dreaming.

[45HG 1,559]

Hold your horses, people.

We haven't won a 1st round (or second round) match since 2005.

0-15-1

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

I'm guessing over pre-season Nick Riewoldt will again be practicing his "exasperated/I've been hardly done by/shake my head around in frustration/give me an easy free" look for when Tom McDonald spoils a mark and then runs off him

[hells bells 2,023]

Just like Port round 1 this year an 'easy' game.

[Its Time for Another 4,284]

For the past three years leading up to round one I've said the same thing.

"At least we won't be as bad as last year."

I'm not going to say that anymore even with the Messiah at the helm. Players will be learning the 7th new game plan in 7yrs. Plus around 7 players they haven't played with before. It will take time. I have very low expectations for the first round, especially after the past two years. I don't want to feel that gutted again when I think they might have a win first up. If they do I'll be ecstatic but I'm not going to expect it next season.

[hardtack 10,612]

Hold your horses, people.

We haven't won a 1st round (or second round) match since 2005.

0-15-1

Not to mention our record at Etihad.

We had better pick up some good rookies now, because the biggest fear with Etihad (and particularly so early in the season) is injuries... long term leg injuries. I know I am sounding pessimistic, but I would love to see stats on the numbers of long term injuries occurring at Etihad, compared to any other ground.

[beelzebub 23,382]

Dont want to put the mockers on this but I think we have this. No certainly but a very likley

Hoodoo ground aside I think the Saints are one on the teams that might well struggle in 14 as they regroup and rebuild. Im inclined to think Watters is a bit in the Neeld mould too. Great intent ....struggling to get runs on board.

Much has be suggested it was a coup ( inversely ) to deliver McEvoy elsewhere but he was a fair presence for them out there and I cant see Longer stepping into that void quite so completely. NDS whilst a bit long in tooth was a steadier and driver out there. I think the Aints will sorely miss the imput of that serial pest Milne. Love him or loathe him ( I'm the latter ) he was their second highest scorer for 13 . Often vreating something from nothing. They dont grow on trees. Saints will miss his scoreboard pressure

The Saints are loading up on kids. That might work eventually but it will take time to gel and give them firepower.

Back to us for a moment. We have the backs and the forwards: getting them to stay on the park is another thing. It was only the engine room that ran like a wonky 4 cyl with crappy leads. Im not suggesting it will rumble like a Cleveland ( or windsor if that your pref ) or even purr like a 12 from Coventry but we might get a bit of grunt happening like a slant 6.

If we can deliver into the forward arc the Saints, indeed many teams will struggle to contain. We dont like Stinklands but I feel sure in the belief that Roos will devise a new perspective to this.

[drdrake 3,185]

The way the Herald Sun has it looks like we will be the Home team, great value on a reserve seat membership with 2 games in the NT and our first home game at Docklands. Leaves us only 8 home games at the MCG.

[dazzledavey36 55,315]

Dont underestimate the saints next year.

[beelzebub 23,382]

Dont underestimate the saints next year.

why ??

I think they will struggle big time enduring much pain. Tell me why this wont be ..Just asking your opinion

[jnrmac 20,154]

And we have GWS at Skoda in Round 3. Chance to make a really good start to the year.

Just like our opening rounds in the past 3 yrs....

We haven't won an opener since 2005. F$%#*)(_) disgraceful.

[jnrmac 20,154]

Wonder if we will get a single Friday Night game next year? Signs are pointing to a 2 year exile..

Yeah the broadcasters will be lining up to show the dees in prime time.....