I still can’t understand how we lost the contested ball so easily? It’s our bread and butter and we beat them with their same midfield group in rnd 22. Is it just not turning up? Was it the tackle pressure? 

18 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Listen I’m all for the premiership or bust theory. I want a flag and nothing else really pleases me much. However to say that not winning a flag is a bust, is an absolute joke. Richmond can say that, but not us. We wanted to make finals and we did. We were hopeful to win a final and we did. We won two against experienced mature teams who have weathered this storm before. We went to Perth and we failed. It was a mammoth task against yet another very experienced team. 

We do not walk away from this season as losers, even though we lost the game. 

We now have a better understanding of what it takes. And we are as well placed as we have been at any time in the last decade to win a premiership. 

Couldn’t have said it better, this is a process towards a premiership. Of course the dream was for it to happen this year, the fairytale was there unfolding in front of us but this is the real world and it doesn’t just happen. 

I had us in the 8 this year between 5th-7th, never really thought we were good enough for top 4. I hoped we would win a final; we won two, against teams that have given us so much pain for so many years, in front of two 90,000+ crowds, where we had the better fan ratio.

I’m disappointed that it ended on such a low note, but it’s up to the individual on whether it takes some gloss off the year and the improvements we’ve made. For me it doesn’t. 

Bring on 2019!

I’m not unhappy. We had spent all our tickets and weren’t ready for this. I think we won one final too many.
We were out of sorts, overawed, cooked, whatever you want to call it.
I’m ecstatic over the year. Most enjoyment I’ve had in god knows how long..

Gutted but still very proud. List capable of much more than this year, beat stronger clubs well (end of year) whilst still very unsettled. 

 

Good season making the finals and winning 2 exceeded my expectations. Pressure and intensity in a Prelim goes up another notch, most of our guys hadn’t experienced that and they weren’t ready for it today....today will have taught them a lot.

I recall Richmond getting smashed by Port in a final 2014; they learned and bounced back in only 3 years. Things change quickly in this game; a lot of positives to work with.

1 hour ago, titan_uranus said:

Agree with the sentiment.

We cannot approach football by saying it's the flag or it's bust. To make a prelim after 12 years of not even being able to make the finals, to win four consecutive games against the top 8, to win two finals in front of 90,000+ against sides we traditionally lose to, all with TMac, Viney, Lever and Hogan missing 5+ games each this year, makes this season a resounding success.Obviously we had our chance this year and we don't just automatically get that chance again next year, but we cannot simply write off all of the amazing positives this year gave us because of today.

Damn straight. Whilst I'm shattered with today's result, I was more shattered with last year's result. Point is: we're on the up! I'm rapt with being able to see us win two finals this year. Spewin' we didn't go further this year but...can't wait for next year - GO DEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 hour ago, Docs Demons said:

I'm not happy with the season. If we had of won the games we should have we would not have been in Perth today!! The season is just not the last few games. It is all year and we blew heaps of chances to have the 2nd chance and play all games in Melbourne.

Of course if we had won extra games we may well have finished third, played our first final in Perth, received the same belting and gone out in two.  

Would those now carping have accepted a season where we won two finals against vastly more experienced teams when setting their expectations in February. 

Look after r23 last year when we were disappointed, if someone said to you we will finish in the 8 win 2 finals and play in a prelim we would have taken it. Yes we started poorly but West Coast learnt from last time they lost to us and made sure we couldn't do anything.

We still have young players who have bettered there game for this experience. Next time we play finals they will know what to expect. Its a great experience for Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw, Spargo etc.

But it was a great ride this season, we put out the cats and hawks in the finals in front of crowds over 90,000. 

Yes im disappointed about today but we will learn from it. 

Lets hope Casey win tomorrow and hopefully Max can go close monday night. 

Just now, Deevout said:

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-22/bitter-end-to-a-season-of-promise-for-the-dees

Well worth a read.

 

That article is [censored] brilliant. Makes sitting in the Qantas Lounge for how ever many hours more a bit more bearable.

37 minutes ago, Deevout said:

You left out the Semi against the Hawks. 

My point was we played like the Demons of old today. Do I think we are on the right path. Absolutely. 

Tomorrow the sun will come up and off to watch Casey in the GF. After all tomorrow is another day. 

Bring on 2019

We played poorly but that doesn't equate to a return to form. Were the Tigers last night the Tigers of old? Or did they just have a shocker?

Thank you, Demonland. You always make me feel better after a loss. 

It's been a real rollercoaster this year and as much as today was embarrassing, the season overall was a success.

I just hope we can take these lessons into 2019 and continue to improve.

25 minutes ago, Pates said:

Couldn’t have said it better, this is a process towards a premiership. Of course the dream was for it to happen this year, the fairytale was there unfolding in front of us but this is the real world and it doesn’t just happen. 

I had us in the 8 this year between 5th-7th, never really thought we were good enough for top 4. I hoped we would win a final; we won two, against teams that have given us so much pain for so many years, in front of two 90,000+ crowds, where we had the better fan ratio.

I’m disappointed that it ended on such a low note, but it’s up to the individual on whether it takes some gloss off the year and the improvements we’ve made. For me it doesn’t. 

Bring on 2019!

Of course the dream was for it to happen this year, the fairytale was there unfolding in front of us but this is the real world and it doesn’t just happen

WRONG ……… FOOTSCRAY, RICHMOND...

NUP not up to it and for the forseable future will not be 

Too many NQR players 

NEED TO MAKE EXTREMELY HARD CALLS FOR NEXT YEAR

MASSIVE FAIL 

NO GOALS IN A HALF OF FOOTY 

MASSIVE MASSIVE FAIL!!

1 hour ago, Deevout said:

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-22/bitter-end-to-a-season-of-promise-for-the-dees

Well worth a read.

 

I agree - well worth a read.

34 minutes ago, Pates said:

Couldn’t have said it better, this is a process towards a premiership. Of course the dream was for it to happen this year, the fairytale was there unfolding in front of us but this is the real world and it doesn’t just happen. 

I had us in the 8 this year between 5th-7th, never really thought we were good enough for top 4. I hoped we would win a final; we won two, against teams that have given us so much pain for so many years, in front of two 90,000+ crowds, where we had the better fan ratio.

I’m disappointed that it ended on such a low note, but it’s up to the individual on whether it takes some gloss off the year and the improvements we’ve made. For me it doesn’t. 

Bring on 2019!

I love reading these posts...I am a realist but I believe in this team ...I don’t regret a cent of what I paid to get to Perth...after today for me the footy is finished ..zero interest .. no reading or listening to media ..I put that blanket ban on this year & enjoyed my footy much more.... we have the players...game...supporters...farewell till 2019

7 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

We played poorly but that doesn't equate to a return to form. Were the Tigers last night the Tigers of old? Or did they just have a shocker?

They are the Tigers of old every time they play it’s in their theme song. They had a shocker and played Dusty who was not fit to be out there. 

Today we played like we did against the Hawks and Pies in the home and away season. Smashed around the ball then we panick and our game plan falls apart. I also think the players were cooked. 

Life goes on. 

It hurts but reality is 2013 2x wins & club on its knees vs 2018 16 wins inc 2 finals wins, young list with improvement 

I just wanted to make finals so that period from when Kent kicked the sealer against West Coast to today was the most I've enjoyed football for a long time.

Having said that, we can't just assume we will improve next year, we must learn from our mistakes and continue to be bold.

Before the Geelong and Hawthorn games I was really relaxed, the only time I started to get stressed in the finals was when we dropped Fritsch and kept Tyson because it felt we were making the same old Melbourne mistakes. It didn't cost us the game but it put us on the wrong foot and it's just a shame to finish the season that way.

 

1 hour ago, Nasher said:

You should know by now that on here, if you're not homocidal/suicidal over the result, it must mean you're happy with it.

Try disappointed. If your happy with today’s result there are medications available for the affliction. We have had a great ride for the last 5 weeks. Today no. 

For the living life goes on. 

4 hours ago, Gorgoroth said:

Been a disappointment today, but I think this club has had a great year and while we had an opportunity it didn’t pan out our way.

welcome back Lever, Hogan, Tmac and Viney for full years and I think we go one step further next year.

Must Hunt top four and stay in Melbourne for all our finals.

 

GO DEES!

Yup.

If you want to find things to complain about, you're welcome to... But if you talk about stepping stone years, you really couldn't have asked for much more. We've got it where it counts across the whole 22... The heavy lifting is being done by 22 year olds who are winning multiple finals off their own boots. We're the envy of the entire competition list wise (except for Pies, Tigers and WC)...

It's good to be a demon, even today.

16 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

I just wanted to make finals so that period from when Kent kicked the sealer against West Coast to today was the most I've enjoyed football for a long time.

Having said that, we can't just assume we will improve next year, we must learn from our mistakes and continue to be bold.

Before the Geelong and Hawthorn games I was really relaxed, the only time I started to get stressed in the finals was when we dropped Fritsch and kept Tyson because it felt we were making the same old Melbourne mistakes. It didn't cost us the game but it put us on the wrong foot and it's just a shame to finish the season that way.

 

That, I suspect, is how the majority of die-hards feel. The inroads made during weeks 1 and 2 of finals will be felt for seasons. I wanted two finals for us this year, and we got three. You could argue that today was a huge setback and could hurt us long term... But missing finals on percentage last year led to us redoubling our efforts. So you never know, it could be just the reality check they needed.

If anyone on here isn't excited about 2019 as a demons supporter, then they don't know football.

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Of course the dream was for it to happen this year, the fairytale was there unfolding in front of us but this is the real world and it doesn’t just happen

WRONG ……… FOOTSCRAY, RICHMOND...

NUP not up to it and for the forseable future will not be 

Too many NQR players 

NEED TO MAKE EXTREMELY HARD CALLS FOR NEXT YEAR

MASSIVE FAIL 

NO GOALS IN A HALF OF FOOTY 

MASSIVE MASSIVE FAIL!!

You make me laugh so much Picket Fence, thanks for cheering me up! ?

Slobbo in the HS writing he thinks we will be scarred from this loss....

4 minutes ago, deefella said:

Slobbo in the HS writing he thinks we will be scarred from this loss....

 

GWS 5.4 9.7 15.10 19.11 (125)
WEST COAST 3.0 4.2 5.2 9.4 (58)

Last years semi result.

Scoreline looks familiar....

Obviously it scarred the Eagles so badly they are in a GF next weekend...

It 'aint necessary so Robbo

 

1 minute ago, Dappa Dan said:

That, I suspect, is how the majority of die-hards feel. The inroads made during weeks 1 and 2 of finals will be felt for seasons. I wanted two finals for us this year, and we got three. You could argue that today was a huge setback and could hurt us long term... But missing finals on percentage last year led to us redoubling our efforts. So you never know, it could be just the reality check they needed.

If anyone on here isn't excited about 2019 as a demons supporter, then they don't know football.

It’s only a setback if we allow it to be. Last years missing the finals by percentage could’ve mentally scarred the team, instead it drove them to bigger highs, losing to the cats in two close games could’ve made us doubt us in the elimination final instead we took confidence from it. We can fly back to Melbourne with our tails between our legs and bemoaned that we were overawed and got stage fright or we can learn from the experience we’ve gained in three finals and think about how we can overcome these obstacles in the future. 

I’d love nothing more than for us to be in the Grand Final but we take what we’ve learned and apply it for 2019.