Was it just me? Today (actually yesterday) I saw - with my own eyes - at the MCG - the Demons return like the phoenix rising from the fire. There is hope! Go the MIGHTY DEMONS! 

25 minutes ago, Demonia said:

Was it just me? Today (actually yesterday) I saw - with my own eyes - at the MCG - the Demons return like the phoenix rising from the fire. There is hope! Go the MIGHTY DEMONS! 

Best thing about today was that we dominated them in the 3rd quarter.  That was our trademark last season.  If we hadnt missed some fairly easy shots it would have been a 7-8 goal quarter.

Perhaps the fitness is almost there and the tide is turning.

1 minute ago, Petraccattack said:

Best thing about today was that we dominated them in the 3rd quarter.  That was our trademark last season.  If we hadnt missed some fairly easy shots it would have been a 7-8 goal quarter.

Perhaps the fitness is almost there and the tide is turning.

it seems that this is the case...

I reckon it was the argy bargy between Hunt and Sicily and other skirmishes in the 3rd that got the adrenalin going.  Players were getting aggro which was great to see.  It was a far cry from the passiveness of the first game players let Max get mauled and gave not a whimper let alone some aggro. 

Early in the season Goodwin spoke of 'playing grumpy' and I suspect the second half is what he meant. 

People speak of our DNA being 'the contest' and look at contested possessions/tackles.  I reckon our DNA is much more than that.  It is the aggressive/vicious edge that we saw in the first two finals.  That is when we play our best footy and the second half was a good example.

We haven't quite reached the edge of the first two finals but it was a good sign.  Lets keep it going!

Edited May 4, 20196 yr by Lucifer's Hero

It was our best quarter of the season. But look, we kicked 12 goals in a quarter in a year we won only 2 games. We need consistency over a long period.

First time we’ve seen our attacking handball run and gun game from last year all season: we’ve looked so slow and tentative this year. Hopefully it gives the boys the confidence to keep taking the game on.

4 hours ago, praha said:

It was our best quarter of the season. But look, we kicked 12 goals in a quarter in a year we won only 2 games. We need consistency over a long period.

That was against a under 18 GWS side.

Made slightly sweeter by the fact that the 3rd has been easily Hawthorn's best quarter all season. Before this weekend they were something like +50 points in third quarters.

12 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

Best thing about today was that we dominated them in the 3rd quarter.  That was our trademark last season.  If we hadnt missed some fairly easy shots it would have been a 7-8 goal quarter.

Perhaps the fitness is almost there and the tide is turning.

... and so are many injured senior players.  soon.

We have 3 weeks,  to play some kids in the team,  before the returns come back.

 

I want to see Sparra in at some stage,  in a side returning form.

13 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

Best thing about today was that we dominated them in the 3rd quarter.  That was our trademark last season.  If we hadnt missed some fairly easy shots it would have been a 7-8 goal quarter.

Perhaps the fitness is almost there and the tide is turning.

Match fitness improving for sure.  Some run happening, Goody dropping the crazy high press and playing a plus one behind the ball early to stop an early run on occurring.

Putting more players into roles that enhance and utilise their strengths a little more such as Salem to a wing.

Tracc into the middle after half time was important, getting him involved and creating a little more space and mobility in the forward 50 for Hunty and others to lead into.  Have to persevere with this!

Getting more balance with the inside/outside structure around stoppages and as a result players not getting sucked into the ball as much and more effectively covering the opps fat outlet options.

Turnovers down 18% from the previous week also a huge help.

Players starting to run forward of the footy and others looking for them on the clearances as confidence grew was a great sign also.  Can't recall seeing much of that so far this season.

Some starting to bring great 2nd efforts more often, like Harmes, Chunk and Jeffy (late, pressuring inside 50 for the critical turnover close to goal).

Downside is there's still a fair number of players well off their usual standard (not even their best) from 2018.  Lots of work still ahead to get many of them back somewhere near their 2018 form but nonetheless, a great result against the arch enemy.

Edited May 5, 20196 yr by Rusty Nails

23 hours ago, don't make me angry said:

That was against a under 18 GWS side.

that's my point.