Lots of water under the bridge since our humiliation almost 12 months ago in the equivalent fixture at the MCG.

The Suns came out playing with great intensity and pushed us aside with their midfield dominance which lasted throughout the 120 minutes. Their midfield led by Garry Ablett but consisting also of Bennell, Swallow, Prestia and O'Meara (147 touches between them, Ablett with 38) with Zac Smith heading the ruck simply put us away. Nathan Jones had a relatively quiet day and Gazza's influence was sublime. I was sitting almost at ground level when at one stage I saw him surrounded by Demons. He somehow found space to get through and wheel away then land a pass on a teammate's chest. He didn't beat us in his own - Campbell Brown and Smith booted three each and he and his mates made sure that the Suns dominated the stoppages.

So what's changed?

On the Suns' side of the ledger, they don't have Brown, Smith or Bennell today - they were the danger men around goals.

On our side, we have a new coach, a new mindset and half a different team. It's a new midfield and a vastly different forward line set up and while it's been slow in getting its act together, the new look team started showing some positive signs of a turn around last week. We know we can move the ball more directly towards goal and we know we can win.

I think we can expect big things today from Dom Tyson and Bernie Vince and Jack Viney is starting to imprint his influence on matches. I've been impressed by Nev Jetta's work at Casey and I have a feeling he has something to prove now that his career has received a boost with his elevation off the rookie list.

Last year we were shamed off our home ground by these young upstarts from the Gold Coast. It's time to reclaim it back with intensity and aggression that was lacking in our makeup last year but under Paul Roos should be a given every time we take the field.

Jack Watts time dominate a whole game.

Sorry, forgot we stuffed his debut up just under five years ago.

After the Saints last night this club and every player on the list are out of excuses.

What's changed......the biggest thing should be mindset.

When we tackle, try not to let your opponent still dispose of the ball.

Every player(bar the sub) to lay minimum 4 tackles.

When we tackle, try not to let your opponent still dispose of the ball.

An issue that concerns me. Good tackling ensures that most of the time.

An issue that concerns me. Good tackling ensures that most of the time.

I think last week there was a noticeable difference between the first and second half. The second half seeing us lay effective tackles. The thing that frustrates me is the player had made the decision to tackle , made the effort to get to the ball carrier to lay the tackle but then fails to execute the tackle.

There is a trend within top clubs winning games also dominate the tackle count.

2 in a row, come on boys

No more excuses

the Saints are 3-2 and they have done it with heart and passion.. we should have rolled them in round 1 though!

We are slowly resembling a proper AFL team

SMASH THE SUNS (or just beat them plz)

Spewing I can't go today, I think it will be closer than some expect. Had a look through the Suns team and the only guys that really worry me are Ablett, O'Meara and Prestia. They have some others who go alright but if we can match them in the middle it should be a 50/50 contest.

We win the tackle count. We win the game.

Perceived pressure is the killer.

Get your opposition to dispose of the footy in a rushed and haphazard manner and you create turnovers.

That comes from the entire team have a focus on tackling pressure (and not worrying too much about their own bloke) and not letting a team have an easy out.

When the other team has a G Ablett that is hard to do...

He gives those around him more time because a couple of our blokes will always be overly concerned with him and not the ball.

Try and get the ball and tackle the bloke who gets there first would be my advice.

Go dees, looking for the same tackle intensity as last week

What's the weather like in melbourne today? Good for footy?

Go dees, looking for the same tackle intensity as last week

What's the weather like in melbourne today? Good for footy?

Cloudy and a bit blustery. Should clear up a bit. Rain not expected

I'm going ...and will be having a moderate punt on Melbourne. How many other nut jobs from Dland are going? It's a shitty day and time so I don't think we'll have a great day financially/crowd wise. any guesses.

I'm going ...and will be having a moderate punt on Melbourne. How many other nut jobs from Dland are going? It's a shitty day and time so I don't think we'll have a great day financially/crowd wise. any guesses.

I'll be there as always. I reckon about 15-16,000. Only 13,000 at the game last year, which was a 4.40 slot. I'm attributing the extra 2000-3000 to the fact we're coming off a win.

I'll be there as always. I reckon about 15-16,000. Only 13,000 at the game last year, which was a 4.40 slot. I'm attributing the extra 2000-3000 to the fact we're coming off a win.

I though maybe 18k but even that is about 4k short of break even, as I understand it.

I expect Bernie and Dom to get off the chain this week as Gold Coast rarely tag one let alone two. Don't underestimate Ben Matthews input into our strategy today due to his time at GC. Very curious to see if Jones goes to Ablett. We harrass and tackle like we did last week we should win well. We don't show up satisfied with last week (very much the expected MFC response) they will run us ragged.

Historically Melbourne would lose this game. A win would convince that things have seriously changed.

Edited April 20, 201411 yr by big_red_fire_engine

Perceived pressure is the killer.

Get your opposition to dispose of the footy in a rushed and haphazard manner and you create turnovers.

That comes from the entire team have a focus on tackling pressure (and not worrying too much about their own bloke) and not letting a team have an easy out.

When the other team has a G Ablett that is hard to do...

He gives those around him more time because a couple of our blokes will always be overly concerned with him and not the ball.

Try and get the ball and tackle the bloke who gets there first would be my advice.

We put Carlton under immense pressure last week. GC are a fast flowing team that likes to break away. If we can build the pressure on them we are a very good chance. I am unable to go this week but would be keen to hear the comments of others who attend, particularly about set ups and pressure. Hard to gauge these when watching the TV coverage.

I think last week there was a noticeable difference between the first and second half. The second half seeing us lay effective tackles. The thing that frustrates me is the player had made the decision to tackle , made the effort to get to the ball carrier to lay the tackle but then fails to execute the tackle.

There is a trend within top clubs winning games also dominate the tackle count.

Yep it picked up. In fact first quarter I'm looking at the game going we are tackling but why aren't we getting the ball. Then you realise we aren't sticking them. The problem is most teams and Gold Coast are one of them are strong and much better than Carlton at getting the ball back. So whilst our effort to initiate the tackle was consistent last week, this week we have to make them stick as well.

I expect Bernie and Dom to get off the chain this week as Gold Coast rarely tag one let alone two. Don't underestimate Ben Matthews input into our strategy today due to his time at GC. Very curious to see if Jones goes to Ablett. We harrass and tackle like we did last week we should win well. We don't show up satisfied with last week (very much the expected MFC response) they will run us ragged.

Historically Melbourne would lose this game. A win would convince that things have seriously changed.

Not sure Chunk will be quick enough to go with Gaz defensively

Not sure Chunk will be quick enough to go with Gaz defensively

Are you saying that McKenzie is quicker than Jones?

We win the tackle count. We win the game.

Nope. Gold Coast are very good at the clearances (one G.Ablett helps for that, but so does Prestia, O'Meara etc). We could win the tackle count by plenty and get smashed in the game.

Contested possession + tackle count and we go a fair way to winning.

I'm going ...and will be having a moderate punt on Melbourne. How many other nut jobs from Dland are going? It's a shitty day and time so I don't think we'll have a great day financially/crowd wise. any guesses.

I had a multi on last week with the Dees in it. Forgot to add the Pies on Friday night due to heavy drinking. Picked the rest, stood to win about $940 from a $12.50 bet until the Swans decided to loose. Lots of hard to pick games this week.

McKenzie to Ablett again

Want Jones attacking this week

Nope. Gold Coast are very good at the clearances (one G.Ablett helps for that, but so does Prestia, O'Meara etc). We could win the tackle count by plenty and get smashed in the game.

Contested possession + tackle count and we go a fair way to winning.

My point was about intensity at the contest. For the entire game.

It beggars belief to think any team can win a game if they get smashed in the contested possession and clearances count.

My point was about intensity at the contest. For the entire game.

It beggars belief to think any team can win a game if they get smashed in the contested possession and clearances count.

I think we lost both last week and made Carlton look terrible for 3 qtrs.

I'll be there as always. I reckon about 15-16,000. Only 13,000 at the game last year, which was a 4.40 slot. I'm attributing the extra 2000-3000 to the fact we're coming off a win.

Last years game was also on Mothers Day which would have affected the crowd figure. I look forward to the day where we don't get scheduled to play the franchises on day's and in timeslots when no one wants to go.

We will lose by 8 goals.