I'm pretty flat after that.  The Eagles mugged us from the opening bounce and everything they did turned to gold, both from a coaching stand point to even parts where we would smother a ball and it would still land in their lap.  Everything that has made us so good in this finals series abandoned us and we didn't know what to do.  That will come with experience.  BUT...

I am still super, super proud of the boys for not only fighting on today, but for all they have achieved this season.  Every single supporter would have taken a Prelim Final appearance at the start of the year, and we KNOW how good this side can be.  We have shown so many positives this season, from the emergence of a variety of players, to how much our game plan has improved and evolved throughout the year.  

So, even though this is a really tough pill to swallow, stand up and be proud.  The Demons are back, and while we might have been vanquished this time around, I'll be backing in the coaches, players and us as supporters to come back bigger and stronger next season.  I can't wait for 2019 already and what the future will bring for this club.  Even facing a loss like this, how couldn't you still find a way to smile about just how good things can be in the very near future?

It's great to think about, even as flat and disappointed as I'm feeling right now.  

Bring on 2019 and a Demons premiership!

Well, I thought that went well.

 Typical Melbourne.

Just when you start to see a light at the end of the tunnel - the [censored] thing caves in!

Edited September 22, 20186 yr by Bitter but optimistic

Big gains this year, plenty of potential, but we're not Top 4 stuff yet

We lack real class and polish, as well as pace, and we need to bring this in.

Without picks this year we'll need to trade, so get ready, I'm tipping a few tough calls

It was like watching men playing against boys!

 

Today’s performance tells me we still have a bunch of players who are not up to severe pressure

0.6.6 at Halftime says it all

Big tough decisions must be made. 

Up there with 186 and 148 for embarrassment levels. We just spoiled a preliminary final for all neutrals.

34 tackles and Eagles players were at times literally walking around with the ball...bizarre.

This club is still broken in my opinion.

1 minute ago, rufus said:

Up there with 186 and 148 for embarrassment levels. We just spoiled a preliminary final for all neutrals.

34 tackles and Eagles players were at times literally walking around with the ball...bizarre.

This club is still broken in my opinion.

Nah

The dream is over, but not angry! Just sad it had to end like this. Lot’s of “learnings” from today, but a fantastic ride over the last 6 weeks. This team will get better and better - especially by referencing the disappointment of today.

My optimism for 2019 just went down the toilet. Before this game I thought, no matter the result, we’ve got a huge few years ahead of us. But this result hit me for 6. So many gaps in this playing group.

3 minutes ago, Big Carl said:

It was like watching men playing against boys!

I said that to my husband. The size of some of those blokes compared to our young boys. It really was like men playing against a bunch of school boys.

We had a great year. Im ok with it. They jumped us at the start and it was gone by q/time. Looking forward to the next 5 years. Delist a few and add Lever Hogan. Bright future. Go Dees.

2 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

 

Today’s performance tells me we still have a bunch of players who are not up to severe pressure

0.6.6 at Halftime says it all

Big tough decisions must be made. 

Rubbish. We have the players. Add Lever, Hogan, a recruit like May and the natural improvement of a young side, top 4 for certain.

David King was right 

Cant understand the lack of intensity at the ball and man.

Maybe we hit the wall physically and emotionally. It comes down to will in the end. At least we got some experience and my thoughts to this point had been that we are so young and we are rising.

6 minutes ago, Big Carl said:

It was like watching men playing against boys!

It was. 10 or so of their players played in their last grand final in 2015. 1 of our player has played in a grand final. Only 2 played in a final before this year. 

The positive thing is this should burn in the gut of every player and give them something to strive for next season.

Also Bayley Fritsch didn't have to experience this and can play in a flag tomorrow.

The disappointing thing is the lack of composure from some of the leaders. Lewis, Gawn, Jones, Viney in the first half. Buck stops with them.

Our finals campaign started in Round 21 and we won four on the trot.  Dropping games we should have won cost us a top four spot and a more viable finals campaign. We burned out bad on this difficult road trip. Too big an ask.

Edited September 22, 20186 yr by america de cali

It’s a long time to same time next year. What a disappointment.

Just when you’re looking for anything to try and turn the game in the first half, Viney gets punched in the throat right in frint if Nicholls who ignores it. [censored] I hate that blind/cheating [censored].

i hope he gets the grand final, and does the same poor job. I won’t be watching, couldn’t give a rats arse.

Good effort second half boys, you could have taken an early flight but you played for the jumper at least. 

Outclassed and outplayed by a side that had 12 premiership players from a few years back - and it showed. We were nervous and overawed, and they punished our mistakes.

The only real positive out of the game is that our weaknesses were exposed, and we know what we need to work on.

The barely a whimper first half was about the worst ive seen us play.

Completely over awed. Slips, fumbles and turnovers - particularly the horrendous handballs. That summed it up.

We are still are way off top 3-4. Big difference.

A few guys will have to be close to getting the tap on the shoulder come exit interviews. Tyson and Lewis were so costly.

We desperately need some speed and silk. Sheil would be such a great addition.

Hopefully they can use this to fuel the finals run next year. Gutted by the performance - but proud of the year.

Onto 2019.

Edited September 22, 20186 yr by DSP

Let the smoke settle. Gonna check out this wine tasting thing next to Fed.

5 minutes ago, jane02 said:

I said that to my husband. The size of some of those blokes compared to our young boys. It really was like men playing against a bunch of school boys.

And has been since the 80's.

We won the inside 50's lol...... LEADERS a DISGRACE AGAIN