GAMEDAY - Round 18

[M_9 2,125]

17 minutes ago, bobby1554 said:

Exactly what I thought after reading that article. I just cant see who is going to kick our goals, because Geelong will strangle our forward line. You really need goal kicking mids to beat the type of defence the article alluded to, which we haven't had to date. I really hope I am wrong, but I see tonight as the beginning of the end.

I'm not sure about that. Henderson is playing his first senior game for the year after playing four reasonable games in the VFL. We know that's a huge step up. Jack Henry is showing signs of fatigue. Harry Taylor showing signs of age. There was even debate early in the week of Henry holding his spot. Kolodjashnij .... meh.

The blokes I worry most about are Dangermouse, Hawkins, Menzel, and Narkle (3 games). They could easily boot 12 goals between them.

We need to win the midfield and cut their supply to these guys in particular. Our defence is our Achilles heel. 

[dees189227 12,453]

It's Gus's 50th today and Jonsey's 100th as melbourne captain. Nice article on him in the age. 

Gee I hope we can play like we did a couple of years ago down there. Lets win and snuff out there finals hopes. 

[Brownie 6,067]

I'm feeling excited and confident about this game for no logical reason whatsoever 

[Demon Dynasty 17,132]

Pure Stats Form Guide & Predictor

Last Round Statistical Comparison

*Includes this weeks Ins & Outs

Top 10 Players Comparison (Last Round)*

* Scores do not account for ruckmen's 'Hit Outs to Advantage'

   Team Form Comparison (team score last round adjusted for Ins/Outs)

    Demons:  68.59   Cats:  58.02

    Team Differential:   Demons +10.57

                         Pure Stats Predictor:  The Demons by 22 points*

                             *Does not account for potential umpire bias or late outs!

Edited July 21, 2018 by Rusty Nails

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 771]

We lost narrowly Rd 1 and that was at the MCG, Cats dominated the first half we dominated the second, at KP they won't give us that opportunity. A bridge too far I'm afraid.

[In Harmes Way 7,840]

3 minutes ago, 1 red eye 1 blue eye said:

We lost narrowly Rd 1 and that was at the MCG, Cats dominated the first half we dominated the second, at KP they won't give us that opportunity. A bridge too far I'm afraid.

We did win 3 quarters at the G. It was the 5 goal loss in the second qtr that killed us. If we can play 4 solid quarters,we can do this (like we did in 2015).

[dl4e 5,851]

Geelong are a 5 to 6 goal better side down there. I hate them.

We have a better forward line than theirs but they have a better defence. Midfield about even. Home ground advantage with the umps will see us struggle.

We have to win one of the next 2. Geelong harder ground but Adelaide with their players back a much better side.

[Converted Dee 115]

Who is the player or the collective group of players who are going to say "follow me boys, let's get this done"?

 

North had Carey in his heyday, along with a group of players who all played their role.

 

Pies have had Pendlebury who is a gun that has always stood up his whole career when it matters.

 

We need those internal drivers to propel this club to the next level. Oliver is a great start, but we need others to consistently jump on board together when needed in these big games.

 

I'm not convinced yet that we have after so many failures, but come on, these players need to get fair dinkum to be a 'GREAT' team.

 

 

 

 

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 771]

2 minutes ago, small but forward said:

We did win 3 quarters at the G. It was the 5 goal loss in the second qtr that killed us. If we can play 4 solid quarters,we can do this (like we did in 2015).

That's true but in that 1st qtr  we burst out of the blocks and then midway through the first the Cats worked their way back into it and then carried the momentum into that 2nd qtr debacle. They are proven to be a much more efficient team down there and this is equally as critical a game for them as it is for us, they are going to be formidable make no mistake. I will be the happiest man alive if we get over them but in the meantime I have the bit in a vice like grip between my teeth.

[loges 6,767]

3 hours ago, MSFebey said:

What did they say Ox? Haven't had a chance to look, poor form if so and goes against the Goodwin mantra of being humble. Will await a reply

It's just the normal interviews they're required to do before the game. FFS

[D4Life 2,579]

28 minutes ago, 1 red eye 1 blue eye said:

We lost narrowly Rd 1 and that was at the MCG, Cats dominated the first half we dominated the second, at KP they won't give us that opportunity. A bridge too far I'm afraid.

We’ve played far better away than at the G, smaller grounds seem better suited to how we play.

Last year we won a number of games I really didn’t expect, Crows & Eagles away automatically spring to mind. We have not done that this year, so we are due to deliver one against the odds win, would be great if it’s today!!

Blind faith in the unexpected, Dees by any margin will do!

[Chook 15,023]

40 minutes ago, 1 red eye 1 blue eye said:

We lost narrowly Rd 1 and that was at the MCG, Cats dominated the first half we dominated the second, at KP they won't give us that opportunity. A bridge too far I'm afraid.

The fact that we just barely lost at the G is actually.a good sign for us; we're a shambles at the MCG.

[Billy 2,563]

I’m hoping & expecting a Port Adelaide like game, hoping we convert our inside 50s, & hoping the umpires don’t get sucked in by the parochial crowd.

if this happens we’re a big chance, watch the pussiies succumb.

Geez l wish JV was playing 

Cmon let’s be positive & get behind our boys & hope like crazy!

[praha 11,253]

This game will showcase both Goodwin's coaching prowess, and Melbourne leadership capabilities.

Pushed around by the Cats for more than a decade; we've lost pivotal games we should win; and we appear to struggle when applying plan B.

We can either play to Geelong's game, slow it down and hope for the best.

Or, we can back ourselves in, play aggressive and attacking, and trust all 22 players to do what's required.

This game will either be a turning point and propel us into finals, or it will hit us hard like a freight train and signal a spiral. This is an absolute MUST win.

[Jaded No More 68,975]

Nihaou from China

Hoping I can wrap up my meetings by 5 today so I can watch this must win game. 

Confidence is about as low as when I eat street food here on the off chance I won’t die from food poisoning. 

[SFebes 4,884]

22 minutes ago, loges said:

It's just the normal interviews they're required to do before the game. FFS

Well maybe direct it at the OP then FFS

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 771]

20 minutes ago, D4Life said:

We’ve played far better away than at the G, smaller grounds seem better suited to how we play.

Last year we won a number of games I really didn’t expect, Crows & Eagles away automatically spring to mind. We have not done that this year, so we are due to deliver one against the odds win, would be great if it’s today!!

Blind faith in the unexpected, Dees by any margin will do!

I agree re the smaller grounds and that will help us, I think we'll play it well but I think the weakening of our back line will result in them kicking a few more goals than us.

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 771]

21 minutes ago, Chook said:

The fact that we just barely lost at the G is actually.a good sign for us; we're a shambles at the MCG.

I know Chook fortunately we have 3 more games to practice it.

 

[D4Life 2,579]

1 minute ago, 1 red eye 1 blue eye said:

I agree re the smaller grounds and that will help us, I think we'll play it well but I think the weakening of our back line will result in them kicking a few more goals than us.

Last year we dropped the two to North, and losses against Freo, Hawks & Pies that we expected to win. But won 3-4 against the odds.

This year we’ve been the opposite, flogged most of the weaker teams, except Saints, yet not had an unexpected win.

I’m not confident against the Cats away, but hope today is one of this years unexpected wins. It would be a big win for the Dees!

[DemonOX 8,837]

3 hours ago, MSFebey said:

What did they say Ox? Haven't had a chance to look, poor form if so and goes against the Goodwin mantra of being humble. Will await a reply

Both Gawn, Jones and Lewis saying something like  how important the game is, what a big game it is and it’s another opportunity to beat a top 8 side. Also how well we played against port and should have won the game. 

I just want us to show our actions on the field rather than just talking and not producing on the field  

 

[Demon Jack 7,141]

This has shades of the West Coast game last year where we traveled to Perth without Jones, Watts, Hogan.

We all know what happened that night. There's no reason we can't replicate the effort at the Cattery without Viney, Hibberd and Lever.

Dees by 9 points.

[Ethan Tremblay 31,243]

51 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Confidence is about as low as when I eat street food here on the off chance I won’t die from food poisoning. 

You can’t get sick from dog meat. 

Edited July 21, 2018 by Ethan Tremblay

[jnrmac 20,276]

1 hour ago, M_9 said:

I'm not sure about that. Henderson is playing his first senior game for the year after playing four reasonable games in the VFL. We know that's a huge step up. Jack Henry is showing signs of fatigue. Harry Taylor showing signs of age. There was even debate early in the week of Henry holding his spot. Kolodjashnij .... meh.

The blokes I worry most about are Dangermouse, Hawkins, Menzel, and Narkle (3 games). They could easily boot 12 goals between them.

We need to win the midfield and cut their supply to these guys in particular. Our defence is our Achilles heel. 

My predictions that Harry Taylor won't touch the ball today.......

[Ethan Tremblay 31,243]

Stanley could be a late out according to a Geelong supporting mate. 

Edited July 21, 2018 by Ethan Tremblay

[loges 6,767]

50 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

Well maybe direct it at the OP then FFS

Sorry wasn't directed at you, just my frustration at some of the negativity.