Can the Dees cause an upset in Alice Springs?

It’s hard to fathom exactly what’s gone wrong since the last time that Melbourne ventured into the red centre when it comprehensively demolished Adelaide a week over recording that 100+ points win over Carlton (we sit today behind both on the ladder).

 I suppose the troubles began immediately upon our return home when Jake Lever twisted his knee at the former Etihad Stadium but, apart from a couple of wins late last year and the euphoria of those two home finals, it’s never been the same. 

The win against the Eagles at Optus Stadium in Round 22 last year was in the minds of many, our finest achievement of the season.

Here’s hoping we can reach those heights again in the near future and provide them with a contest today.

18 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Can the Dees cause an upset in Alice Springs?

Yes. 

There's a good chance we'll all be upset tonight. 

Be a tough ask against them on the rebound.

The result, whilst a win would be nice is secondary to me seeing us give a full 4 quarter effort and play some smart football. 

I don't want to see us dominate the clearances only to bomb it inside 50 down the throat of McGovern and Barrass.

I don't want to see us over handball leading to turnover after turnover and I want to see Clarry, Gus, Viney and Harmes running both ways for 4 quarters

Go Dees

Optimism is currently an endangered species at The Manor, so no, I'm not bothering my Sportsbet account to try and make the Dees favourite.

However, I do expect we will give a jolly good account of ourselves and probably lose the four points through an excruciating turnover in the last seconds.

It's the Melbourne way.

Anyway, I shall keep the maid on notice - just in case.

A year’s a long time in footy.

The last time we played in Alice , Alexander Neal Bullen kicked 3 goals and got the 3 Brownlow votes.

Last week he almost made the distance from a 25 metre snap on goal.

Astonished we are paying under $3 for this. Among the shorter odds for non-finals playing finalists this round. 

1 hour ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Optimism is currently an endangered species at The Manor, so no, I'm not bothering my Sportsbet account to try and make the Dees favourite.

However, I do expect we will give a jolly good account of ourselves and probably lose the four points through an excruciating turnover in the last seconds.

It's the Melbourne way.

Anyway, I shall keep the maid on notice - just in case.

You're  in luck today BBO.... i see a jolly good flogging one way or another. 

That which the Pies were able to bring to bear ( against WCE ) we lamentably lack..i.e a forward line.

Eagles HAVE a backline.

We're  playing deckchairs currently  to the sounds of a Three penny  orchestra. 

Simpson will have reloaded and re-sighted.

Id love to win but this doesn't  bode well.

Eagles in a canter

1 minute ago, beelzebub said:

You're  in luck today BBO.... i see a jolly good flogging one way or another. 

That which the Pies were able to bring to bear ( against WCE ) we lamentably lack..i.e a forward line.

Eagles HAVE a backline.

We're  playing deckchairs currently  to the sounds of a Three penny  orchestra. 

Simpson will have reloaded and re-sighted.

Id love to win but this doesn't  bode well.

Eagles in a canter

By the length of the straight. 

12 minutes ago, McQueen said:

By the length of the straight. 

We’ll still be getting pushed into the starting gate

In the demon dreamtime legend says the young men of the melbourne mob had been cast out of (the afl) land of plenty (read finals contention). Some believe they were cursed by 666 the devilman’s number, others believed ‘big Gil’ a mysterious malevolent witch doctor had pointed the bone at the whole tribe. Spirits seemingly lost, the boys wandered the sparse desert lands, (the bottom four) where even the local bush mechanics could not get the sputtering reality bus going anywhere. The game plan was roadkill, traditional skills like kicking, marking and handball were disappearing fast and the injury toll continued to rise. Meanwhile on the horizon a flock of tip dwelling opportunistic seagulls (euphemistically known as eagles) hovered expecting some easy prey. Opportunity for payback now arises at the heart of nation contest. Be like the ariperenye beetles demons and leave these pretentious creatures headless in the red dust.

8 minutes ago, Tarax Club said:

In the demon dreamtime legend says the young men of the melbourne mob had been cast out of (the afl) land of plenty (read finals contention). Some believe they were cursed by 666 the devilman’s number, others believed ‘big Gil’ a mysterious malevolent witch doctor had pointed the bone at the whole tribe. Spirits seemingly lost, the boys wandered the sparse desert lands, (the bottom four) where even the local bush mechanics could not get the sputtering reality bus going anywhere. The game plan was roadkill, traditional skills like kicking, marking and handball were disappearing fast and the injury toll continued to rise. Meanwhile on the horizon a flock of tip dwelling opportunistic seagulls (euphemistically known as eagles) hovered expecting some easy prey. Opportunity for payback now arises at the heart of nation contest. Be like the ariperenye beetles demons and leave these pretentious creatures headless in the red dust.

Wtf did you have for brekky?

1 minute ago, McQueen said:

Wtf did you have for brekky?

Im thinking a few frothies !!!

13 minutes ago, Tarax Club said:

In the demon dreamtime legend says the young men of the melbourne mob had been cast out of (the afl) land of plenty (read finals contention). Some believe they were cursed by 666 the devilman’s number, others believed ‘big Gil’ a mysterious malevolent witch doctor had pointed the bone at the whole tribe. Spirits seemingly lost, the boys wandered the sparse desert lands, (the bottom four) where even the local bush mechanics could not get the sputtering reality bus going anywhere. The game plan was roadkill, traditional skills like kicking, marking and handball were disappearing fast and the injury toll continued to rise. Meanwhile on the horizon a flock of tip dwelling opportunistic seagulls (euphemistically known as eagles) hovered expecting some easy prey. Opportunity for payback now arises at the heart of nation contest. Be like the ariperenye beetles demons and leave these pretentious creatures headless in the red dust.

What the [censored]

Tarax Club = Sugar Overload...

4 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

What the [censored]

I'll  give him this...he painted doom and gloom into something akin Starry Starry night. ..? ( that didn't  end well though eh .. )?

I wonder how much support we will get from the locals up there? All the NT supporters seem to favour any other team over us over there. The Crows, Port, Freo and WC always seem to be the home crowd favourites and we are the Washington Generals to be humiliated. I hope the umpires don’t fall for the home crowd effect if we somehow are in the unlikely position to win late in the game. The only Melbourne supporters appear to be a few locals that seem bussed in and kitted out in brand new Melbourne colours who appear to confused to cheer or not when we score a goal. 

Edited July 21, 20195 yr by america de cali

18 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Wtf did you have for brekky?

VB longneck

9 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Wtf did you have for brekky?

Weetbix Hi-Bran Breakfast of Champions?

2 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Tarax Club = Sugar Overload...

Contraire SWYL just sugar free black label this AM

9 minutes ago, america de cali said:

I wonder how much support we will get from the locals up there? All the NT supporters seem to favour any other team over us over there. The Crows, Port, Freo and WC always seem to be the home crowd favourites and we are the Washington Generals to be humiliated. I hope the umpires don’t fall for the home crowd effect if we somehow are in the unlikely position to win late in the game. The only Melbourne supporters appear to be a few locals that seem bussed in and kitted out in brand new Melbourne colours who appear to confused to cheer or not when we score a goal. 

Wouldn't  have anything  to do with WA and SA being more relevant  to the Outback ??

4 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Wouldn't  have anything  to do with WA and SA being more relevant  to the Outback ??

That’s true. Also just shows how much of an irrelevance we are that we gift our home games to interstate clubs. 

Edited July 21, 20195 yr by america de cali

Anyone in Alice for the game? Is there any pre-match gatherings planned? Drinks and walk to the game??

I get this feeling the eagles will enjoy the alice ground. Strap yourselves in this could get nasty.

4 minutes ago, dl4e said:

I get this feeling the eagles will enjoy the alice ground. Strap yourselves in this could get nasty.

sadly i agree , think we be lucky to get within 60 points ...  

i can never work out why we have to player interstate sides in NT , its a advantage to them. I know re $$ but we need wins. 

I’ve think I’ve got to the acceptance stage of grief a lot earlier than many on this site, who still seemed stuck in anger at the club and those who still support the club but don’t think we have to sack every coach, the administration and trade anyone of draft value before starting on another 10 year re-build. I guess because I don’t,  I’m a typical weak MFC member who is part of the problem in their eyes.

that being said I’m looking forward to the game for the following reasons.

I want to see is Petty can show more signs of being an option in the forward line.

hope Fritsch play the whole game forward, and even one out if possible at ff in a brad green style

as bad as Anb’s year has been I thought at least he got involved last week. Can he show better touch, calmness and a bit of finishing this week to show he may be getting some form and still have a future with us

another game into our backline who should match up well with their tall forwards.

how do we try and cope with Ryan and Rioli. Thankfully no Cripps gives us a chance to come up with with a plan for 2 of then and not three small forwards that usually kill us. 

can either of Preuss or max show anything forward - even if it’s just negating mcgovern

any sign of a bit more defensive effort and skill from the midfield.

i think it might be a reasonable game.

go dees.