This and the next two weeks "defines the season" from so so many angles.

Win them and we go some way in gaining respect in the football world.

There was talk in another thread about whether it was better to end up fourth or fifth. It brought back memories of 2000. One of those memories is that of Jack Elliot the then president of Carlton saying that the preliminary final the week before the GF between Carlton and Essendon was the "real Grand Final." No respect.

Time to match it with the big boys !!

2 minutes ago, At the break of Gawn said:

Dogs play Etihad better than anyone. I reckon it'll be a tough game. The boys have to be 100% on. They were rusty last week due to the bye but came back strong. I predict a very solid hit out and a 5 goal win ?

Dogs barely got over the line against North there and trailed for 3 quarters against Brisbane. Not to mention Etihad has been our fortress this year 

6 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

Dogs barely got over the line against North there and trailed for 3 quarters against Brisbane. Not to mention Etihad has been our fortress this year 

True, but they did smash the saints there (but so did we), beat Richmond, and Swans who were pretty good that night.

If T-Mac starts forward and Vince in the backline I can tell you how this will go and it wont be pretty.

Pedersen forward to give us some shape. Vince in the middle on The Bont. Bugg to go to JJ and give him hell all day. Lewis to quarterback the defence and play his best game for the Dee's. Petracca to start out of the goal square and prowl the forward 50. Melbourne to show from the start to the end why we are the best pressure team in the AFL. 

Dogs have been Pounded "no pun intended" in the press this week they are going to come out breathing fire. We need to come ready to play. 

1 hour ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Big game - I'll be there in spirit but as I'm heading off to the colonies in Asia I'll be on a flight for the entire game. I will however, fire up the ipad as soon as I land in KL hoping to read of another famous victory.

I am sorry to say Mr Bitters but I think you may be heading to the wrong country.

I know you must be severely depressed after the death of your long time mate Miss C  the sloth in the Adelaide zoo a few weeks ago,but if your after a new mate,you will have to travel further abroad to south America. 

I hope Bugg has been kicking at goal all week at training and Lewis redeems his poor effort of last week.

Will be a tough game but we can almost cement a finals birth today. 

Dreaming of the day of seeing Max and Jesse in a game together but injuries aside we have shown we can do wonders so: Go Dees.

loving the support for lewis here today and expectations of him having a belter - couldn't agree more! 

go dees!

Easy to think about it from a Melbourne perspective. From a doggies perspective: out of form, lots of changes, playing an inform team, against a midfield that is up for the contest. 

Go demons!

We seem to really set ourselves for games like this  

I wish people would stop talking about top 4 etc.  With  so many teams either on the same number of points or 4 points behind us and many weeks to go anything could happen from glory to despair. A week at a time please.  Don't set yourself up for bitter disappointment.

39 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Pedersen forward to give us some shape

Need this so very much.

The big payoff if we win is not so much 5th place.   

What is really at stake is a win gives us one game clear (on 7) plus a %'age break to the other four teams with 6 wins.

Win today and it almost cements a position in the top 8.  Lose and its like 'snakes and ladders' - we slide down to fight it out with the other teams in the pit! 

So lets just win this one and the ladder and will take care of itself.

Going to the game with wife and her family, all mad Bulldogs supporters. Could get ugly ???

2 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Fifth spot is up for grabs with a win, what an amazing position that would be considering how close the competition is this sesson. I'm not an emotional person but seeing us in fifth at this point in the season, I think I'd cry.

Demons by 73 points. 

I have the tissues ready Ethan. Won't be the first time I've cried happy tears after a game. I'm hoping today I will be crying bucketloads for the right reason.

I suspect we may get smashed by the umpires this week. Given they love the bulldogs and we got smashed by pies supporters about umpiring last week.

2 minutes ago, --coach-- said:

Going to the game with wife and her family, all mad Bulldogs supporters. Could get ugly ???

Oh dear, just found out it's with my wife's family and two of their friends, also mad dogs supporters ?

2 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Fifth spot is up for grabs with a win, what an amazing position that would be considering how close the competition is this sesson. I'm not an emotional person but seeing us in fifth at this point in the season, I think I'd cry.

Demons by 73 points. 

I have the tissues ready Ethan. Won't be the first time I've cried happy tears after a game. I'm hoping today I will be crying bucketloads for the right reason.

So does this make three or four season defining games in a row?

While the implications of losing this game aren't as drastic as losing to a Collingwood or Gold Coast, a win today will be a monumental step forward and make finals a far more likely equation.

I didn't have us playing in September this year. Demons, prove me wrong. 

Edited June 18, 20178 yr by Demon Jack

In a season so close it's going to be about which teams win the most 50/50 games 

this game is 50/50, so are the next two after this one

I'll place more emphasis on a win today against the Dogs than the win against the Crows due the bottleneck of teams trying to break into the top 8.

There's just no longer any margin for error this season and games against opponents such as the Dogs present that chance for a win that is unlikely but would be incredibly meaningful in the context of the run home.

Treat it like a final Demons

that is the pressure that will be needed. 

We can win....

I haven't recovered from last Monday yet, can't handle another heart stopper. 

huge game with a massive fillip for the winner either way

pressure is all on the dogs to perform

can't wait for the game, shame it's at docklands!

At least we won't have to contend with going up against a dominant ruckman today. We should draw level or win the clearances. If we can do that we are a fair show.