Some weeks ago, I wrote something on one of these Gameday  threads to the effect that I would really like to see Melbourne get off to a big start and then maintain that momentum for a full four quarters.

It hasn't happened all year. 

I thought about that post on Saturday night when I was out at dinner with friends and I caught my first sight of the score in the game between Essendon and Port Adelaide. It was during the first quarter and the scoreline read:

"Essendon 40 Port Adelaide 1"

My first thought was -

UNREAL - that never happens with us (at least not with us being in front).

Perhaps, it might happen on the day we celebrate Her Majesty's birthday because, like everything else that's happening in this round of football, it seems the prospect is so unreal (after all, her real birthday is 21 April).

Let's do something unreal today.

Melbourne Demons legend David Neitz says Queen's Birthday win would be club's 'next step'

Greetings from Tiananmen square....

where i hope to listen to a fine win in my Melbourne jumper today

1 hour ago, Cards13 said:

Melbourne Demons legend David Neitz says Queen's Birthday win would be club's 'next step'

From the article:

'The combination of Daniher's stunning MND advocacy, the traditional public holiday and the ladder predicaments of both sides have made 2017 one of the biggest Queen's Birthday games in recent memory.'

Ladder predicaments of both sides? Both knocking on the door of the top 8 with a win putting them in it? Thats the sort of predicament dees and pies fan can only dream off. That's what happens when you cut 80% of your subbies

I'm in the UK, luckily have the day off on Monday so I'll be able to watch it, but I am really struggling to get to sleep. I haven't been this excited about a queens birthday match in a long time. Really wish I was in Melbourne for this one!

Don't think I'll be sleeping too well tonight, probably play the worst case scenarios in my dreams!

1 hour ago, Whispering_Jack said:

"Essendon 40 Port Adelaide 1"

My first thought was -

UNREAL - that never happens with us (at least not with us being in front).

Nathan Buckley and his gang will be thinking the same thing ... MFC don't get big starts and the reverse is more likely.

They'll throw everything at us to stop us getting off to a start. Their plan will be to strangle us with ugly packs and stoppages until we panic and make errors galore.

However we have prevailed in such matches this season, so hold your nerve, shelve the MFCSS, and wait for our boys to prevail. We can and do score heavily when we're on. An easy thrashing would be hugely enjoyable but this is more likely to be a slog.

Getting the friends and family together to watch this one. Including those who stray and follow the pies.

I am looking forward to this one.

Carn the f'ing dees!!!!

10 minutes ago, Ted Fidge said:

Nathan Buckley and his gang will be thinking the same thing ... MFC don't get big starts and the reverse is more likely.

They'll throw everything at us to stop us getting off to a start. Their plan will be to strangle us with ugly packs and stoppages until we panic and make errors galore.

However we have prevailed in such matches this season, so hold your nerve, shelve the MFCSS, and wait for our boys to prevail. We can and do score heavily when we're on. An easy thrashing would be hugely enjoyable but this is more likely to be a slog.

They might take that approach but if they do they will struggle to score enough to beat us. I reckon to beat us oppos will usuallt need at least 100 points given our attacking game plan

stuck at work..... for now

bloody Queesnland! make all public hols national!

guess I'll be keeping the tread open all morning until i head home at 2 to watch 

 

 

First live game for myself in 2017. Just want the win, so we get an extra week to get a ruckman back, not fussed about percentage at all.

Play hard from the start, let us be the team saying how the game is dictated.

Belt them dees and start our march to September.

I'd love to say we should win but our record at the G has been shitouse this year.

This will be our biggest test of mental maturity or lack of. We concede the initiative far too often to teams that come to play. And Collingwood will come to play today. Its got to be done right today even if it goes down to the last kick of the game.

1 minute ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I'd love to say we should win but our record at the G has been shitouse this year.

Poor old Bitter cant make it today and

....................... I have a feeling I'm going to regret it.

I'm tipping a win for the ages. A turning point. A season definer. A march to the finals ............. and any other cliché you care to add.

Drove down from Canberra to watch this one.   Been walking around the streets of Footscray since first light this morning, just to ease the tension and reflect what might be come 6:30 this evening.  Amazing to see Bulldogs scarves and beanies still adorning letter boxes and front fences after last year's success.  Makes me envious and tells me that occasionally dreams do come true!  First steps first.  A win today is the first priority.  Kill 'em Dees!

 

Night shift Sat night, late night last night, early flight this morning. Might have to ask you all to keep it down a bit at the ground so I can have a nap, if you wouldn't mind?

I think we will win this one , think Cox might play to try and stretch us fwd / ruck, need to win the midfield battle and hit them hard ....GO DEE'S 

Someone reassure me that we will win this game, as I'm horribly nervous to the point of potentially not even watching it on TV and doing chores around the house.  So much on the line in this game and playing the Filth makes it worse.  

We SHOULD win, but we have struggled in these positions and it has shown.  I've got faith, but I've lost it somewhere over the bye round.  If someone can find it and send it back then it would be greatly appreciated.

And it's nice to be back on Demonland.  The break during the bye has recharged the batteries.... well, a little anyway.

18 minutes ago, america de cali said:

This will be our biggest test of mental maturity or lack of. We concede the initiative far too often to teams that come to play. And Collingwood will come to play today. Its got to be done right today even if it goes down to the last kick of the game.

Adelaide in Adelaide was it for me, we usually give those games up.

6 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Someone reassure me that we will win this game, as I'm horribly nervous to the point of potentially not even watching it on TV and doing chores around the house.  So much on the line in this game and playing the Filth makes it worse.  

We SHOULD win, but we have struggled in these positions and it has shown.  I've got faith, but I've lost it somewhere over the bye round.  If someone can find it and send it back then it would be greatly appreciated.

And it's nice to be back on Demonland.  The break during the bye has recharged the batteries.... well, a little anyway.

LOL mate, as if you'd be able to focus on the chores. Who are you kidding?

49 minutes ago, Ted Fidge said:

Nathan Buckley and his gang will be thinking the same thing ... MFC don't get big starts and the reverse is more likely.

They'll throw everything at us to stop us getting off to a start. Their plan will be to strangle us with ugly packs and stoppages until we panic and make errors galore.

However we have prevailed in such matches this season, so hold your nerve, shelve the MFCSS, and wait for our boys to prevail. We can and do score heavily when we're on. An easy thrashing would be hugely enjoyable but this is more likely to be a slog.

I think the same. I reckon it will come down to making the most of our I50's and kicking straight. If the mids are switched on then we should get enough of it down there, so we need to put it on the scoreboard when we are on to make up for the inevitable bad lapse.

Just now, Nasher said:

LOL mate, as if you'd be able to focus on the chores. Who are you kidding?

Ha ha, I know, I know.  It won't work.  If anything I'll be constantly checking my phone for score updates and giving that up 5 minutes in to watch it.

Have no idea what to expect. If we lose I really wouldnt be surprised it will be typical melbourne. But today is so so important. We can go into the 8 and get clear of the pies. We need to get off to a great start, kick accurately and maintain pressure. 

Looking forward to the pre game big slide stuff. What Danners has managed to do is just fantastic and the best thing he is still here with us to see it. 

Come on dees get the job done. 

I can already see tomorrow's Herald Sun headline:

SEASON DEEFINING

Th pies fans will pull out the injuries excuses. Never mind that we have been without our best ruckman and our best forward who was diagnosed with cancer. I may add.