24 minutes ago, SaberFang said:

There's something immensely dislikeable about Tom Boyd. Can't even put my finger on it.

His bank balance.

A millionaire before the age of 21. [censored].

That and the fact his career to date has been so underwhelming, he is getting lauded just for being aggressive.

1 minute ago, P-man said:

His bank balance.

A millionaire before the age of 21. [censored].

That and the fact his career to date has been so underwhelming, he is getting lauded just for being aggressive.

Disagree P - man. Was fantastic against West Coke and perhaps beat Mumford tonight.

Something I'm noticing watching the replay, the Dogs disposal actually isn't that great. Players generally renowned for being good kicks being pretty average, but the key here is players who just mop up the mess and get on with it.

They really do play like a team who look after each other, despite the mistakes. They take risks regardless of whether or not they pay off, because they know their teammates are looking out for them.

And most important of all, you never see teammates hurling abuse or showing poor body language to each other. They get on with the job. Once again, lessons our team could learn from.

Like him or not tom Boyd showed huge heart tonight after roughead went off

1 minute ago, Abe said:

Like him or not tom Boyd showed huge heart tonight after roughead went off

Beverage is responsible for that. I've no doubt.

3 minutes ago, SaberFang said:

Something I'm noticing watching the replay, the Dogs disposal actually isn't that great. Players generally renowned for being good kicks being pretty average, but the key here is players who just mop up the mess and get on with it.

They really do play like a team who look after each other, despite the mistakes. They take risks regardless of whether or not they pay off, because they know their teammates are looking out for them.

And most important of all, you never see teammates hurling abuse or showing poor body language to each other. They get on with the job. Once again, lessons our team could learn from.

Finals Pressure

4 minutes ago, Return to Glory said:

Disagree P - man. Was fantastic against West Coke and perhaps beat Mumford tonight.

He was good against West Coast. He wasn't fantastic. The media said he was fantastic. His stat sheet said otherwise.

Like I said, the bar has been so low prior to now. That's mainly why he's suddenly getting praised.

They can go all the way. Sydney's also banged up. This may truly be the 'Year of the Dog'

3 minutes ago, SaberFang said:

Something I'm noticing watching the replay, the Dogs disposal actually isn't that great. Players generally renowned for being good kicks being pretty average, but the key here is players who just mop up the mess and get on with it.

They really do play like a team who look after each other, despite the mistakes. They take risks regardless of whether or not they pay off, because they know their teammates are looking out for them.

And most important of all, you never see teammates hurling abuse or showing poor body language to each other. They get on with the job. Once again, lessons our team could learn from.

Competitiveness. They have created a culture where they are expected to compete.

We have seen 2 prelims won by teams that were just more hungry to win. I believe the Dogs have a lot of positional weaknesses but they make up for it with unrelenting effort.

We will make a meaningful move up the ladder when the expectation of competitiveness at the MFC matches that of the current Dogs squad. Not just on the days when the ball is bouncing our way and thing are falling into place for us, but on the days where it's not.

Just now, P-man said:

He was good against West Coast. He wasn't fantastic. The media said he was fantastic. His stat sheet said otherwise.

Like I said, the bar has been so low prior to now. That's mainly why he's suddenly getting praised.

Have to agree. For mine, he's been putting up Jake Spencer type performances. Can't recall him doing anything constructive other than competing in the ruck. He's miles off being a good footballer.

29 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Crows won from 5th in 98. We were the only side to beat them in September 

Not the current top 4 system though.

Since they changed to the current finals system every single Grand Finalist has finished the home and away season in the top 4, until today.

16 minutes ago, juzzk1d said:

Gee, Boyd offers absolutely nothing. When Roughead went out of the game I thought for sure GWS would capitalize with big Mummy in the ruck. Whenever Boyd gets the ball he would just hospital hand pass in the air without even thinking. Over 1 million dollars a season for a plodder. Imagine what that team could do with that salary cap space if they hadn't spent that much on such a nothing player,

The salary cap issue can be debated forever and he's not playing the role they envisaged, but he was hugely important tonight.

Once Roughead went down Mumford should have dominated the ruck. He didn't. Boyd is the reason.

Boyd also throws himself into packs and makes repeat efforts even when out on his feet.

I wouldn't want to be paying what the Dogs are paying for that sort of player but he's vitally important regardless.

1 minute ago, P-man said:

He was good against West Coast. He wasn't fantastic. The media said he was fantastic. His stat sheet said otherwise.

Like I said, the bar has been so low prior to now. That's mainly why he's suddenly getting praised.

See above.

Stats aren't the story with Boyd's current role.

2 minutes ago, P-man said:

He was good against West Coast. He wasn't fantastic. The media said he was fantastic. His stat sheet said otherwise.

Like I said, the bar has been so low prior to now. That's mainly why he's suddenly getting praised.

I going to disagree there P Man. Possession Stats in finals can be misleading. His aggression in the contest that night kept the ball in the Doggie's half. If you looked purely at stas last night Dangerfield was bog...except most of his possies went to the opposition.

1 hour ago, america de cali said:

And they were widely tipped for the wooden spoon in 2014.

David King predicted this year that the Dogs and North would both slide out of the 8. North started with 9 wins on the trot and now the Dogs in the granny..

4 minutes ago, Samael said:

David King predicted this year that the Dogs and North would both slide out of the 8. North started with 9 wins on the trot and now the Dogs in the granny..

...and people still listen to what he says.

Last years beauty was St Kilda wouldn't win a game for the year.

...and now people worry when he says the Saints are ahead of us at the moment.

Tom Boyd nullified Mummy so was an important contributor. Thought the Dogs were gone when it was clear Roughead was gone. Mind you Callum Ward was a bigger loss for GWS - he's a gun.

3 minutes ago, rjay said:

...and people still listen to what he says.

Last years beauty was St Kilda wouldn't win a game for the year.

...and now people worry when he says the Saints are ahead of us at the moment.

Listen to what he says and place a bet on the opposite

Great to see a foundation club in Vic make the GF!  A reward for all their loyal supporters & members who have stuck by them for so long with little success & heartbreak prelim losses.. As Dees supporters we undestand & lets hope they can do a Lecister city & go all the way & show the AfL that perhaps they need to shift focus back on the foundation clubs!

41 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Hamling has had a great finals series Kennedy Gunston and Cameron 3 weeks running all well beaten 

Hamling is a great story and proof that you dont need 22 superstars to make a solid contribution.

Got delisted by the cats after 0 games then rookie listed by the dogs who showed great faith. Worked his way up and is now part of the doggies back 6 and an important member.

21 minutes ago, Return to Glory said:

They can go all the way. Sydney's also banged up. This may truly be the 'Year of the Dog'

Dogs.

5 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Dogs.

Got it. Dog

32 minutes ago, SaberFang said:

Something I'm noticing watching the replay, the Dogs disposal actually isn't that great. Players generally renowned for being good kicks being pretty average, but the key here is players who just mop up the mess and get on with it.

They really do play like a team who look after each other, despite the mistakes. They take risks regardless of whether or not they pay off, because they know their teammates are looking out for them.

And most important of all, you never see teammates hurling abuse or showing poor body language to each other. They get on with the job. Once again, lessons our team could learn from.

Amazing how a team can make up for deficiencies just by running and making it to every contest that they humanly can. GWS had all the thoroughbreds but the Doggies just wore them down. 

3 minutes ago, Return to Glory said:

Got it. Dog

Plural.

I wonder if Travis was in the rooms sucking up.

2 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Plural.

Got it. The Year at the Dogs.

9 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Plural.

Think it was intentionally left singular is that quote.