4 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

As I think I have said many times before, Tomlinson is such an endurance athlete he is always looking for and moving to space from opponents - and he does this very well from the wing with 2-way excursions into the old Stan Alves' territorial extravagance.

Our team do not look for him, trying to propel their backline ball possessions in the direction of Gawn, time and again.

To provide alternatives and direct support, Tomlinson has to run into the play from somewhere else - this makes him appear 'behind' the play' but in reality is coming frequently from an open space that has created an unused corridor into our forward line. Gawny's big bomb usually gets intercepted or another type of turnover occurs from the mark, kick or alternative taps to advantage. Tomlinson then runs back to his idle opponent to await another opportunity. 

A few 'eyes-up' coming from defensive efforts might well create an enormous advantage from these efforts and provide options from the predictable, sorely worn path to the LHS flank (from the backmen's perspectives). When on the wing, Tomlinson is doing exactly the correct thing - making 'something' out of what previously was 'nothing'. It also squares our play more towards the midline where we can be assessed as being particularly strong as an avenue to goal. Our deep forwards will be less inclined and compelled to lead or clear to the flanks from whence the percentages for goal-scoring are significantly reduced.

 

Agree with that

I couldnt believe how much space both teams made for themselves last night

Looks like we have the wrong game plan for 2021

Went for a run past Goschs paddock this morning.  Noticed Brown and Weiderman doing some run throughs.  When I came back from the Tan I saw that there were a few other players there too - Smith and someone else.  To me it looked like Baker but I didn't know he was injured / in rehab.  It may have been someone else but I couldn't think of who.

Watched Brown and Weid taking shots at goal after that.  Both looked to me moving freely but at the same time weren't streching themselves (kicking from around 30-40m out - although for Brown he still starts a long way back from that).  They both kicked some nice goals - Brown in particular seemed on target.  

Can't wait to have them back in the side - they are both very big units!  I wonder whether the fact that they are injured and recovering at the same time might help build a bit of chemistry that translates on field.

Just now, deelusions from afar said:

Went for a run past Goschs paddock this morning.  Noticed Brown and Weiderman doing some run throughs.  When I came back from the Tan I saw that there were a few other players there too - Smith and someone else.  To me it looked like Baker but I didn't know he was injured / in rehab.  It may have been someone else but I couldn't think of who.

Watched Brown and Weid taking shots at goal after that.  Both looked to me moving freely but at the same time weren't streching themselves (kicking from around 30-40m out - although for Brown he still starts a long way back from that).  They both kicked some nice goals - Brown in particular seemed on target.  

Can't wait to have them back in the side - they are both very big units!  I wonder whether the fact that they are injured and recovering at the same time might help build a bit of chemistry that translates on field.

thanks for the insight @deelusions from afar

3 hours ago, praha said:

I had a nightmare. In it I had a nap and woke up at half time. Scrambled to get to the MCG in time. Got there just as the 4th was starting. Score was weirdly specific: Freo 8.3.51 Melb 4.4.28

Horrid dream.

Hopefully your premonition is wrong

I'll be returning to this post tomorrow Praha.

3 hours ago, praha said:

I had a nightmare. In it I had a nap and woke up at half time. Scrambled to get to the MCG in time. Got there just as the 4th was starting. Score was weirdly specific: Freo 8.3.51 Melb 4.4.28

Horrid dream.

Well, on the bright side at least theres a quarter to go Praha. It wasnt definitive. Dees to roll over the top in the 4th! 

It will be a draw.

2 minutes ago, dl4e said:

It will be a draw.

What score line?

4 hours ago, praha said:

I had a nightmare. In it I had a nap and woke up at half time. Scrambled to get to the MCG in time. Got there just as the 4th was starting. Score was weirdly specific: Freo 8.3.51 Melb 4.4.28

Horrid dream.

Sounds like the Cairns game, except they kicked accurately in your dream.

Scary thing is I can see us with 4 goals at 3 qtr time. They have a very good defense.

Here is my prediction....several choice, colourful, and profane exclamations will be uttered by fans.

 

Hopefully in joy, not agony

I reckon we'll get done - gut feel

15 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Who’s going to kick our goals?

Fritsch 3

Petracca 2

Pickett 2

McDonald 2

Jackson 1

Neal Bulleen 1

Harmes 1

Oliver 1

Brayshaw 1

Gawn 1

The question you should be asking is who’s going to kick theirs?

Edited March 19, 20214 yr by Roost it far

Gee, the day before the game and no team announced yet?

Weird times.

2 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

Gee, the day before the game and no team announced yet?

Weird times.

do you know what time the announcement is?

4 minutes ago, The Swimming Dee said:

do you know what time the announcement is?

No idea

43 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

I reckon we'll get done - gut feel

That feeling in your gut. It's MFCSS.

We'll win

7 minutes ago, The Swimming Dee said:

do you know what time the announcement is?

Someone on the Freo board said 3:30pm.  Not sure what their source was though sorry.

Is the team line up announced yet?

The match is tomorrow...

5 minutes ago, Better days ahead said:

That feeling in your gut. It's MFCSS.

The most destructive parasite known to man.

all 23-man squads for saturday games should, i think, be announced at 6.25pm on friday

then the squads for sunday games should be 6.25pm on saturday

On 12/20/2020 at 9:53 AM, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Not counting any chickens by any means, but this is a must win game for the MFC.  So sick of the excuses rolled out by sucessive MFC coaches in recent years (including Roos) that Rd 1 is just another game. 

Getting on the front foot and off to a winning streak of 4 or 5 games first up would setup our season entirely differently to the usual MFC act of loosing 4 or 5 of our first six games and playing catch-up for the remainder of the season to make finals.

Hahaha...

Just doesn't happen!!

Ever.  

I have no faith.  hahahhah.  sad, but true.  

2 hours ago, old dee said:

What score line?

6.9.45 a piece.

1 hour ago, BigFez said:

Someone on the Freo board said 3:30pm.  Not sure what their source was though sorry.

3.30 Perth time is 6.30pm here  so that lines up

48 minutes ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

The most destructive parasite known to man.

Don’t know about a parasite but for me it’s chronic depression with a few brief moments of hope and if I’m lucky joy. The joy doesn’t last long. But each year, my wife sympathises with me, treats me kindly on the weekend, and my psychiatrist readjusts my medication. 

Yet strangely, I start each season with hope and love for my team. I love seeing the same expressions of Demon supporters on the train and the walk to the G.  Mood is bright and conversation flowing. With lots of comments like .....do you remember that game in......or we will need Gawn and Oliver to fire...or the backline will be the key. 

But it’s a good feeling. I feel part of an army, an army that has gone through the same highs and lows, that feels like I do. That celebrates and hurts. Whether we win or lose, we love our club but winning makes the love come much more easily. 

However, defeat makes the return journey a downtrodden road to Hell. Disappointment and sometimes despair. However, irrespective I will react angrily and sometimes aggressively to our supporters who rubbish and criticise the team. Don’t bother coming you [censored], I say. 

I try and practice mindfulness but it’s not easy. 

But hope and that sense that this season we may surprise the critics and the naysayers remains for the time being. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Just reflecting on our losses to both Freo and Swans in Cairns, seems we start these type of games that we're expected to win, very cautiously as though we're too scared to stuff it up. Play reactive football and finally get our act together but too late. Need to get on the front foot early and make a statement that the game is going to be played on our terms not theirs, and keep the pressure on, no dropping off. Last night Carlton , the younger side, seemed to drop off late in quarters and in the second half. Hopefully this favours us.

21 minutes ago, dl4e said:

6.9.45 a piece.

I think you are wrong it will be 5.15. 45 each.