POST MATCH DISCUSSION - Round 18

[Adam The God 30,112]

He's only credited with 6 disposals, but I find that very hard to believe. He seemed to get a lot of it in the first half. Maybe he had a lot of involvements that didn't register as disposals or something?

Michie was good, but ultimately, didn't get enough of it himself.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,218]

So much friendly banter! So much amicable chit chat! Demonland is full of love!!

I might Pm Stuie and invite him out for a drink!!

[Bitter but optimistic 22,218]

Just joking.

[picket fence 17,033]

Did I miss something?? Was watching my sons playing!! sounds like we were pretty good today!

[Adam The God 30,112]

6 touches at 52% DE.

Got his chance and, unfortunately, didn't take it.

I wish people would stop using DE as evidence. It's not. It's rubbish. I bet Grimes had something like 80% DE today and yet he was horrible. Were you there, WB? Michie was decent and was involved in quite a few nice things, but he didn't do enough clearly. Sometimes the eyes tell a better story than stats.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,218]

Did I miss something?? Was watching my sons playing!! sounds like we were pretty good today!

You been on the porn sites again picket?

[Je Roos Salem 661]

Congratulations all. It's fair to say that last quarter was the biggest surprise, almost seemed to be following the script till 3QT. But the Pies were at a loss, total domination.

Improvement in decision making, fantastic game from our defensive 6. Won so many crucial contests. Watts was just magnificent, made himself handy everywhere.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,130]

Great win.

Vince really should be pushing AA this year. Plenty of other positives.

I have been a fan of Grimes' year so far, but he was poor today. Also, Michie was also poor when he finally got the opportunity.

Grimes was terrible but can't agree on Michie - he won several clearances early and was contributing. Was surprised he got the vest instead of Grimes or Neal-Bullen.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Dawes was good today but still, those marks he misses......must be 4 for every 1 he takes....

In his defence the umpires forgot about the chopping the arms rule, or it wasn't in their weekly email from Wayne Campbell.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,130]

It's almost entirely above the shoulders, I reckon. We just need to keep getting wins, whether ugly/indifferent/scrappy/impressive, and continue to eradicate the losing culture of the past.

It's completely above the shoulders.

[What 18,810]

How about the play where Brayshaw bursts off the halfback line and sends a thumping kick inside 50 to Garlett who then goals

Happened twice on Queens Birthday and again today... beautiful to watch!

[Wiseblood 24,637]

I wish people would stop using DE as evidence. It's not. It's rubbish. I bet Grimes had something like 80% DE today and yet he was horrible. Were you there, WB? Michie was decent and was involved in quite a few nice things, but he didn't do enough clearly. Sometimes the eyes tell a better story than stats.

Grimes was horrible? Go home mate, you're drunk.

Didn't realise sticking the DE in there would get your knickers in a twist either. Do you know Michie personally? Didn't get nearly enough ball and as someone earlier pointed out he doesn't run hard enough both ways. No idea how you can bag Grimes who did some terrific things (with a few of his usual dodgy moments) and almost defend Michie who was basically unsighted for 3 quarters.

[Webber 10,454]

Chris Dawes was huge today. He is a MUCH better footballer than given credit for on here. It was a Brereton like old fashioned centre half forward performance. Yes, he has limitations, blah blah. He was outstanding today.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,130]

lol people still being negative after we beat the fith for the first time since 2007 and shown we are genuinely improving.... Demonland never ceases to amaze

Also how good is Angus? He mightn't be winning a heap of the ball in his first season but everything he touches turns to gold

Gus is such a competitive beast, I seriously don't know if I love him or Hogan more! If Petracca is just as good they are a formidable trio to build a club around for the next 10-15 years. Edited August 1, 2015 by Dr. Gonzo

[scarlett 247]

we've beaten 4 of the current top eight. this is a good stat. a stat that matters.

[What 18,810]

Hogans second goal, he kicked it from just inside 50 and it cleared the fence, kicked another one outside 50 that cleared the fence vs Brisbane too

Didn't take him long to fix his only weakness

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

There is something in the way Brayshaw moves. When he gets it, the way he steps and twists, its very hard to grab him...

[Deestroy All 14,262]

Whilst I haven't seen much from Harnes to get excited about, I think this is one of the rare times we've got the sub right. Your more athletic running types is the way to go, not the in and under plodders who come on and there's no athletic running types to get it out to.
Hopefully Roos has seen the light, right before they get rid of the stupid fuckin rule.

Edited August 1, 2015 by Deestroy All

[Je Roos Salem 661]

Chris Dawes was huge today. He is a MUCH better footballer than given credit for on here. It was a Brereton like old fashioned centre half forward performance. Yes, he has limitations, blah blah. He was outstanding today.

Outstanding? pfft. I thought he was decent in the 2nd half. He miraculously held on to a pack mark on the final term

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

Who'd of thought beating Collingwood could get any better?

Post game in the lift with mostly Melbourne fans. Stop at level 3 and in walks none othen Eddie Maguire. You could hear a pin drop. I asked him how the call went to which he replied " yeah! ". More silence followed before i replied geez i knew i should have taped press red for Ed! His reply.....Hhhmmm! ......Followed by more silence.

All is well in the world tonight!!!

Would've been brilliant if all you blokes started singing the song.

[Adam The God 30,112]

Great game. Blew some easy shots in the fourth and really should have won by 50, but that last quarter was utter domination from a team that look out on its legs late in the third.

Vince is just incredible, Garland improved considerably, Dawes was great, Howe looked interested for once, and Garlett got far more involved than recent games. Senior players today actually performing to the required level, what a difference it makes.

Two things I noticed structurally:

1. We made huge efforts to keep forwards forward of the ball. There was a stoppage on the wing in the first quarter where we would usually have Hogan or Dawes at the 50 and no one else forward of centre, but today we had Hogan deep in the 50, with Garlett and Dawes at 50. Clint Bizkit would have been impressed.

We employed Jones (and others at times) off half back at centre bounces, running in at the bounce to provide a runner towards our goal and blocking their run towards their goal. I really liked this strategy; although we didn't dominate centre clearances, I thought it added an attacking flair to the side.

There are still issues of course, and I'm disappointed Michie got the opportunity and didn't take it, but today was another example that the talent is there and the gameplan is perfectly fine, when we execute it. Four quarters of pressure and application and we are a totally different side.

Yes, you will. Before the season is out, I'm sure.

I'm sorry. I don't want to keep bagging players, but Dawes was terrible. Took two contested marks in the last when it was pretty much over. The players look up now and actually look for another option when they see him leading at them. He doesn't take enough marks, impact the contests enough and rjay's right. His man usually gets the ball. I've watched Dawes closely for the past month and have decided we need another KPF. Pedersen is a better player than Dawes, but isn't as aggressive. Neither are consistent foils for Hogan though.

With the rest of your post, I agree. It's just about consistency in the contest and learning how to win regularly.

Loved Vandenbergs tackle smash on Pendles just before half time.

Me too. Vanders was a lot better today. Last week he was putrid, but I'll give him one week off. He needs to tidy his disposal and if he does, he's a really exciting prospect.

Another observation - Elliott clearly wasn't 100%, or else he wouldn't have started as the sub. Conclusion - Collingwood arrogantly thought they could carry him through the game as the sub. Makes the win better.

He was clearly the worst on the ground for us when the time came to make the sub move.

Someone had to be subbed off and today, when the side lifted, Michie was the obvious choice.

If it had been Newton, or M Jones, or McKenzie, it most likely would have been the same - start them, see how they go, and if they don't perform, sub them for Harmes (who took his chances I thought).

Someone has to be the sub, and someone has to be subbed off. Fringe midfielders who aren't improving and don't take their chances are prime candidates, and the system will keep being like this until the sub is removed.

Disagree. If Elliot hadn't been Collingwood's sub, I would have subbed Grimes, but we needed that extra small defender in the last. Incidentally, I was pretty happy with Harmes as the sub. Did his job really well. Impacted.

How good was Dawes with the pivot and evading three players in the middle of the ground? Ol twinkle toes Dawesy. I hammered him this week but he was a solid citizen today. Hit his targets by foot which helps.

Watts had a great game which in some ways was a tease. His burst of speed over 20 metres is elite when he really decides to hit the gas.

Bernie won't get an AA nod because Melbourne, but he sure deserves one. Just an OUTSTANDING game.

Maxy Gawn is starting to get a profile across the league. Contested marking is becoming a weapon, just needs to build an understanding with the back six when he's back there,

Jonesy lead from the front as he always does.

Special mention to Nev Jetta. Won some crucial one on ones in the first half and was excellent for most of the day.

Thought Nev was terrific. Love him as a player nowadays.

[CityDee 738]

Great win.

Grimes got better as it went but needs to know when not to run and carry , running himself into an awkward position , guys like Watts and Salem stand whilst creeping foward / sideways giving themselves room to get a decent kick away .

I'm hoping Grimes will make it but Salem is coming.

[dees_fan22 5]

Hahahaha I believe it said "finals over"

Where's that "SEASON OVER" banner we used to have ?

[Skuit 10,030]

I've eaten some words re. Watts. Won't do so re. Dawes, Grimes and Garland. They gave it their all - and that's a real concern.

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

Didn't take him long to fix his only weakness

Dunno about that. Apparently he's an absolute mug at Scrabble.