POSTGAME: Rd 04 vs Geelong

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

What were the stats for Kozzie goal assist today? And also for the season so far? Seemed like he was on the end of everything at one stage...

[Skuit 10,031]

When Spargo got a dicey free from Selwood for high contact. 

And then when Pickett executed a pass so slick that even Clarry missed it. 

Haha and when Selwood was caught holding the ball by a flexing Pickett.
 

[Dr. Gonzo 24,271]

2 hours ago, A F said:

The way we are setting up defensively is outstanding. We are strangling teams and they have no answer. We need to start kicking straight because it will cost us eventually, but being 4-0 is brilliant!

Terrific team performance. Viney, Oliver and Petracca in the midfield were tremendous. Lever and Tomlinson were great behind the ball.

I felt our forward pressure was much more like it in the second half. We really lifted the intensity with Spargo, ANB and Kozi really ramped up the frontal pressure and it is vital to how we're strangling teams.

 

Our defensive structure has been outstanding all year. I could feel it against Freo with the amount of intercept marks we had, particularly with opposition kicks out of our 50 but it wasn't until the Saints game I could actually see what we were doing.

It's been immense and I hope people will actually give some credit to Goodwin instead of saying "it must be Choco/Yze" - of course they'll be having an influence but I think what we're seeing is the culmination of a couple of years of Goodwin's gameplan coming to fruition and a huge part of that is the forward pressure we have with Kozzie, Spargo and ANB.

Our stoppage work has improved significantly though with players keeping their width and no longer getting sucked into the contest and I think Yze can probably be given some credit for that.

33k is a poor turnout but on a crap day and playing Geelong on a late Sunday arvo it's understandable. Cats fans don't like travelling down the highway late on a Sunday and when you add in the weather it would've kept a fair few of them at home.

[leave it to deever 17,517]

1 hour ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Pity Max didn't rip the [censored] 's  [censored] head clean off!

Calm down.

Na...Rip his bl74dy arms off as well.

 

[DeeZee 7,445]

Lever is in some kind of form isn’t he?

[640MD 3,426]

12 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Agreed, I thought it was accidental at first but looking at the replay just now he definitely meant to throw his arm back. Obviously didn't mean to smash his face in but it was reckless and when you do that sometimes there are consequences like what happened to May.

No way it gets looked at though.

Whether it was deliberate or accidental should not matter.  The outcome of his actions reckless, severe, high contact should be out for 3 weeks, only reason why not.  Sorry two, one he is Geelong and two it was against us,  and we don’t matter, or did not up until now. . 4 wins means they are hunting us now,   Go Dees

[leave it to deever 17,517]

1 hour ago, Garbo said:

If Petty or another tall comes in for May, does Melksham hold his spot, thought he was quite ordinary today, while Sparrow looked good once he came on

Was Jordan on the bench a lot?

[titan_uranus 25,042]

An excellent performance and a hugely important win.

What is noticeable about us this year is that when opposition sides get momentum, we stick with our structures and fall back on how we're drilled and trained. And it works. St Kilda, GWS and Geelong all fought back against us and in each game we relied on our structures and systems to overwhelm them.

May going down is disastrous news, but the satisfying thing was the way Goodwin and the players reacted. Tomlinson stood up and played his role, Lever knew he had to play well and did (he dropped two easy marks in the first quarter but then didn't do a thing wrong and starred), we dropped Brayshaw back and he played his role, meaning we mad minimal changes to the side. We didn't throw TMac forward (and won't next week). We didn't mess around with backs/forwards. We had confidence that if we kept at it our way, we'd get it done, and we did.

Already mentioned Lever but Gawn was unbelievable today. There's all this debate in the media about hit outs and their worth: well maybe the answer is Grundy is just out of form, because Gawn was turning plenty of hit outs into clearance wins for us whilst spanking Stanley around the ground. Petracca, Oliver and Viney all played well and when they're all on song, we're a good midfield.

Spargo, ANB and Pickett are a joint pressure unit and each week it works. Thought Sparrow did his part when he came on, too. Hunt played even better this week, Salem is now producing consistent A-grade football, and TMac returned to Rounds 1-2 form.

Based on what Goodwin and Lever said post-match I think Petty will get May's spot. Makes the most sense. Pressure will start to mount on Jackson, Jordon and Jones at some point (edit: and Melksham, too. Not sure he owned that spot today). That list pressure is a good thing, I think.

The lid has to stay on a bit though: don't forget Geelong were missing Dangerfield, Cameron, Parfitt, Higgins and Rohan from their best 22. If May goes down and they have Cameron as well as Hawkins, that game plays out differently. 

But we're now two games and percentage clear of the majority of the competition. Last week our vanquished opponents didn't look so good but look at them this week. Maybe our form is starting to stand up. Maybe we are actually deserving of being in the top 2. Maybe we are a contender this year.

Edited April 11, 2021 by titan_uranus

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

Sorry if posted already

 

 

 

[Dr. Gonzo 24,271]

2 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

 

Sparrow is always in the top bracket for pressure acts.

Maybe we should leave him in the team...   even though I didnt mind Melk coming in.

I was surprised Melksham got a gig and even more surprised it was at Sparrows expense. I thought he'd been good this year with his defensive work hopefully they back the kid in and keep him in the side now.

[DEE fence 5,039]

1 hour ago, monoccular said:

 

Reckless is the most charitable label one could use. 

.... and today without our two preferred KPP forwards (and our KPP defender most of the day, thanks Tom). 

Interesting combination of words.  I guess Michael Christian might be influenced by your words. 

It was best way to sum it up I thought, put the mitt out there but maintain deniability.

[faultydet 7,619]

Been watching the Dees for almost 50 years and that was easily one of the best games I've ever seen in regards to relentless defensive pressure. When we've lost to sides like St Kilda recently it's been because we failed to handle this type of defence and now here we are dishing it out..

This is a seismic change in the way the team goes about its job and the type of pressure that can win big games.

 

Well done Dees.

[Cards13 9,117]

15 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

Lever is in some kind of form isn’t he?

Buuuutttt but but didn’t we over pay for him?

[Dr. Gonzo 24,271]

2 hours ago, ucanchoose said:

Can anybody find out when we were last 5 and 0 to start a season?

1994 and before that 1990

[Docs Demons 1,792]

11 minutes ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

Sorry if posted already

 

 

 

Isn't that fantastic. Love it. These guys just want us to get back up the top like the rest of us. Great effort today and looking forward to many more wins.

[Nasher 33,617]

Loved the moment in the last when Lever was by himself in the D50 with a wave of Geelong players on the way in. Had started chasing the player about to get out the back, but at the last second went towards the ball carrier instead. Got there just in the nick of time, with the help of dud bounce by the carrier, and held the ball up before the cavalry arrived. Saved an absolutely certain goal and got a massive cheer from the crowd, and me at home. 

[640MD 3,426]

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

Goodwin and his coaching staff deserve a lot of the credit.

He has picked a team that has not changed in the first 4 rounds

When the opposition gets on top, we now have a plan B and C to counter this.

Our defensive set up is the best I've seen in recent memory.

The team is playing for each other and for their coach.

As much as Goodwin has pizz Ed me off over a few years. They are playing well at the moment. I do not have footy smarts to work out why, so he deserves respect as well as Choco and ouze. 
 

but some lesser players are stepping up, Spargo,, tackles so well ,  Kossie. Never stops presenting must be a nightmare to play on, 

Tmac  coming good, AnB better than last year, likewise Hunt, Tomlinson was second to the ball against Hawkins, but he was recruited for the wing, playing as third tall, he got promoted, did  sort of OK, Salem played as well as I have seen him play, Jetta held the ball up and did not allow the cats to run away with it. Hunt and Langton pair up well, Sparrow, Jordan and Rivers did good stuff and were tight on their opponents. Tmac great game, likewise Jackson, Spargo, kossy, anb, and Frittata kicked straight. Jones is actually deserving of his spot,  not sure how long that will go for but you may as well retire when you are playing good footy at long last, maybe in 6 months. 
 

the selectors are going to have a dammed hard job fitting in Harmes, BBB and Weideman, plus our first picked players are playing well and must have a huge self belief and confidence.

I am starting to get it back after about 20 odd years as well,   Now to put the sword to those hawks and make it 5 zip

We are good enough,  Go Dees

[Dr. Gonzo 24,271]

1 hour ago, Dees2014 said:

I am a 50 year MCC member and a die-hard Dees fan. This side is certainly better and more versatile than 2000. More strings to the bow, but also a very different era. 
 

What l like about now is that everyone seems to be playing their role, and the effect is just fantastic. No doubt there will be down times, but it is very encouraging nevertheless.

Go Dees!

2000 probably better offensively 2021 clearly better defensively and far more grunt around the contest

[Swooper1987 3,322]

5 minutes ago, Nasher said:

Loved the moment in the last when Lever was by himself in the D50 with a wave of Geelong players on the way in. Had started chasing the player about to get out the back, but at the last second went towards the ball carrier instead. Got there just in the nick of time, with the help of dud bounce by the carrier, and held the ball up before the cavalry arrived. Saved an absolutely certain goal and got a massive cheer from the crowd, and me at home. 

Probably the moment of the game for me, Nasher. Summed up Lever's influence to a tee.

[DaveyJones'sLocker 647]

28 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

Lever is in some kind of form isn’t he?

Getting into great positions ... has dropped a few sitters but very solid otherwise 

Viney has really straightened us up in the middle and his tackling pressure has been underrated IMO

[bobby1554 1,261]

Couldn’t go to the game today because of other commitments, but just watched the replay on Kayo. So impressed with the defensive pressure and running, something that has been missing in the past couple of years. This is a better side than 2018. 

 

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

 Deja vu

 

 

[titan_uranus 25,042]

3 hours ago, A F said:

The worst part of the day was the crowd again. 33,000 is pathetic. I know there were mostly Melbourne supporters there, but bloody hell. 40k should be the floor expectation for a game between two Victorian teams at the MCG. I know it was raining and cold, but that's a weak excuse. Lift, MFC supporters, we're 4 zip now, get behind us.

40 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

33k is a poor turnout but on a crap day and playing Geelong on a late Sunday arvo it's understandable. Cats fans don't like travelling down the highway late on a Sunday and when you add in the weather it would've kept a fair few of them at home.

I don't think 33,000 is that bad for the game, given the weather and the timeslot.

The trend is down with crowds. St Kilda v West Coast drew 16,710. Yes, St Kilda lost badly last week, but that's still terrible. Collingwood didn't crack 30,000 against GWS (the first time ever they've failed to do so at the MCG). Our crowd was only 14 less than what Port Adelaide got vs Richmond on a Friday night.

With those trends in mind, 33,000 isn't so bad. However, in a "normal" year, you'd want to see that figure above 40,000.

Next week is an away game but I believe a replacement game for our members. If we get some better weather you'd hope to see 40,000+ there.

[Robbie57 2,022]

2 hours ago, david_neitz_is_my_dad said:

 

Chuck Duckwood is no match for Gawn and Kossie. The umps are finally onto his antics. 

[old dee 23,870]

It's really weird! After watching, listing to the radio and reading reviews I feel like I am watching someone else's team.

Is this really the MFC? 

Or will I wake up soon? 

Edited April 11, 2021 by old dee