53 minutes ago, Salems Lot said:

This Guy:

"They're actually looking really good, and some of the areas they excel are areas we aren't so strong at....
I think this is a better match up for us, and tipping the Tigers to shake some of the early season cobwebs and flex a bit of muscle to win a great contest by 8 points."

 

Leppa also believes we are more prepared than ever to take them on

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/04/20/why-melbourne-is-as-ready-as-theyve-ever-been-for-richmond-challenge/

Edited April 20, 20214 yr by Commissioner Dreyfus

3 minutes ago, JTR said:

It's the passive arrogance that annoys me the most.

Had a Richmond supporting friend ask me earlier today whether I'd be surprised if we could get within 50.  To him, a win is a given. All that's in question is the margin.

?

Yeah that is the worst kind for sure. 

All things must come to an end. Tigers’ will experience theirs. I just hope to hell that I get to experience going through it with the Dees.

Proper comedy, the 'we are the best of all time' comments.

We just beat Hawthorn and Geelong, both of whom have players still in their team leftover from the time they were better than Richmond's best.

Oooh, I'd love for Melbourne to be the classical nemesis to their hubris.

1 hour ago, Salems Lot said:

This Guy:

"They're actually looking really good, and some of the areas they excel are areas we aren't so strong at.
Gawn will dominate against us, especially if we only play Nankervis. He will need additional support and even then, Gawn is likely to be the best big man on the ground. So they excel in our ruck weakness.

Also without Prestia, their midfield has the potential to smash us inside. Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Jones will be very formidable inside and doing the grunt work. We probably have them on the spread if it gets out, but there's every chance they dominate the clearances so I think their strength there is challenging to one of our weaknesses without the Meatball to help. To mitigate this, one of RCD or Ross has to come into the 22. I think we are going to need that extra player in the mid rotations and hope they are ready to have an impact.

The areas I think we are on top, is that I think our forward line stacks up well, particularly if May misses again. I rate the firepower of Lynch, Riewoldt, Martin plus our rotational smalls compared to their team. Ben Brown could be a danger if he plays, but he could also be coming in for his first game and not have a big influence or synergy yet. I also think our back 6 has the edge, and just need our mids to break even. The danger is if the mids are smashed the back 6 will be under siege and missing Vlastuin still will hurt.

A lot of our forward strategy depends on if May plays. If he doesn't then Jack and Lynch need to play as far away from each other as possible to isolate the other against the lesser KPD, and force Lever to choose one or the other rather than sitting loose and zoning to cover both of them.

We know that in the first 10 or so rounds, Richmond are more of a grind and get results rather than playing our best football. I feel the Demons are on a higher level than that at this point of the season, and so wouldn't be surprised if they get up. The final thing in our favour though is that Richmond do generally turn up in the big games, and while the Demons will not lack motivation, in front of a big crowd (unsure of the capacity limits?) on the big stage Richmond have to have more trust in them.

It's a genuine 50/50 game for mine. IMO we need to split the Demons/Dogs 1-1. It would be a big ask to win both on current form of all 3 sides, but we can't afford to lose both either.

I think this is a better match up for us, and tipping the Tigers to shake some of the early season cobwebs and flex a bit of muscle to win a great contest by 8 points."

Some really good analysis in that lot.

Interesting comment about their midfield.

1 hour ago, Salems Lot said:

This Guy:

"They're actually looking really good, and some of the areas they excel are areas we aren't so strong at.
Gawn will dominate against us, especially if we only play Nankervis. He will need additional support and even then, Gawn is likely to be the best big man on the ground. So they excel in our ruck weakness.

Also without Prestia, their midfield has the potential to smash us inside. Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Jones will be very formidable inside and doing the grunt work. We probably have them on the spread if it gets out, but there's every chance they dominate the clearances so I think their strength there is challenging to one of our weaknesses without the Meatball to help. To mitigate this, one of RCD or Ross has to come into the 22. I think we are going to need that extra player in the mid rotations and hope they are ready to have an impact.

The areas I think we are on top, is that I think our forward line stacks up well, particularly if May misses again. I rate the firepower of Lynch, Riewoldt, Martin plus our rotational smalls compared to their team. Ben Brown could be a danger if he plays, but he could also be coming in for his first game and not have a big influence or synergy yet. I also think our back 6 has the edge, and just need our mids to break even. The danger is if the mids are smashed the back 6 will be under siege and missing Vlastuin still will hurt.

A lot of our forward strategy depends on if May plays. If he doesn't then Jack and Lynch need to play as far away from each other as possible to isolate the other against the lesser KPD, and force Lever to choose one or the other rather than sitting loose and zoning to cover both of them.

We know that in the first 10 or so rounds, Richmond are more of a grind and get results rather than playing our best football. I feel the Demons are on a higher level than that at this point of the season, and so wouldn't be surprised if they get up. The final thing in our favour though is that Richmond do generally turn up in the big games, and while the Demons will not lack motivation, in front of a big crowd (unsure of the capacity limits?) on the big stage Richmond have to have more trust in them.

It's a genuine 50/50 game for mine. IMO we need to split the Demons/Dogs 1-1. It would be a big ask to win both on current form of all 3 sides, but we can't afford to lose both either.

I think this is a better match up for us, and tipping the Tigers to shake some of the early season cobwebs and flex a bit of muscle to win a great contest by 8 points."

I’ve never even seen in all of demonland a pregame comment that balanced tbh

1 hour ago, buck_nekkid said:

Most of the big footy post is inarticulate garbage.  One or two thoughtful additions.  To sum up- they certainly have bragging rights, but are a cocky bunch of tossers.  Best ever?  
Win and we will be taken seriously.  Lose and it is the ‘how’ we lose that will matter.  We are starting something and there may be a few bumps.  The maturity and style of play needs to be on show, regardless of result.  Still think that we will win, but probably the toughest test we face to date.

I reckon if we win a few flags we would start to get cocky.

And like the Tigers its been a long time bw them.

I say enjoy it.

10 minutes ago, Click_Bate said:

I’ve never even seen in all of demonland a pregame comment that balanced tbh

Of course you have !!!

Balanced , well reasoned commentary is what demonlanders are well known for. 

Well, me anyhow !!

2 hours ago, Salems Lot said:

This Guy:

"They're actually looking really good, and some of the areas they excel are areas we aren't so strong at.
Gawn will dominate against us, especially if we only play Nankervis. He will need additional support and even then, Gawn is likely to be the best big man on the ground. So they excel in our ruck weakness.

Also without Prestia, their midfield has the potential to smash us inside. Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Jones will be very formidable inside and doing the grunt work. We probably have them on the spread if it gets out, but there's every chance they dominate the clearances so I think their strength there is challenging to one of our weaknesses without the Meatball to help. To mitigate this, one of RCD or Ross has to come into the 22. I think we are going to need that extra player in the mid rotations and hope they are ready to have an impact.

The areas I think we are on top, is that I think our forward line stacks up well, particularly if May misses again. I rate the firepower of Lynch, Riewoldt, Martin plus our rotational smalls compared to their team. Ben Brown could be a danger if he plays, but he could also be coming in for his first game and not have a big influence or synergy yet. I also think our back 6 has the edge, and just need our mids to break even. The danger is if the mids are smashed the back 6 will be under siege and missing Vlastuin still will hurt.

A lot of our forward strategy depends on if May plays. If he doesn't then Jack and Lynch need to play as far away from each other as possible to isolate the other against the lesser KPD, and force Lever to choose one or the other rather than sitting loose and zoning to cover both of them.

We know that in the first 10 or so rounds, Richmond are more of a grind and get results rather than playing our best football. I feel the Demons are on a higher level than that at this point of the season, and so wouldn't be surprised if they get up. The final thing in our favour though is that Richmond do generally turn up in the big games, and while the Demons will not lack motivation, in front of a big crowd (unsure of the capacity limits?) on the big stage Richmond have to have more trust in them.

It's a genuine 50/50 game for mine. IMO we need to split the Demons/Dogs 1-1. It would be a big ask to win both on current form of all 3 sides, but we can't afford to lose both either.

I think this is a better match up for us, and tipping the Tigers to shake some of the early season cobwebs and flex a bit of muscle to win a great contest by 8 points."

A very switched on assessment of where both teams are at.

May is definitely a big out and not having him in could be the difference on the night if the match doesn't break open.

Hope we don't go "too many talls" forward and muck the balance into their defensive favour.

The other areas we need to look at most of the match if possible to try and limit a few of their strengths....

? A defensive sweeper but not the traditional one.  Defensive fat side sweeper slightly goal side (for them) covering their inside run through the corridor, where the Tigers love to run to (in waves) on the break from ball ins.  Small/medium forward as plus one at many of these contests?  Might also open up our forward line a little on the break when we win here.

? Hibb to go with Dusty (again) with occasional chop outs from JJ & Kozzie.  Or....JJ runs with Dusty until he gets picked up by Hibb when he drifts forward.  Bit of tag team needed.  Unlikely to stop Dusty of course, just looking to limit the damage.

? At least one mid goal side of as many contests as possible.  The Tigers looove to handball over their heads backwards and knock the ball forward from contests at any opportunity in congestion.  Controlled chaos designed to gain yardage but also to gain momentum under chaos knocking / handballing the ball forward then swarming on to it/tackling in numbers.  They are going to win their share of these battles as they're so hard to stop but we must try and unsettle/limit the potential damage here and their (chaotic) rhythm.  ANB & Gus?

1 hour ago, buck_nekkid said:

Most of the big footy post is inarticulate garbage.  One or two thoughtful additions.  To sum up- they certainly have bragging rights, but are a cocky bunch of tossers.  Best ever?  
Win and we will be taken seriously.  Lose and it is the ‘how’ we lose that will matter.  We are starting something and there may be a few bumps.  The maturity and style of play needs to be on show, regardless of result.  Still think that we will win, but probably the toughest test we face to date.

I'm sorry but what's the difference between this season and the 2018 season where we were supposedly starting something? Let's bank a win against a good team first 

50 minutes ago, pineapple dee said:

Of course you have !!!

Balanced , well reasoned commentary is what demonlanders are well known for. 

Well, me anyhow !!

Special shout out to @Axis of Bob who is the only semi-regular poster to not say something completely whack that I can think of over the years. @binman probably fits into this category as well ? ? 

The rest are entertaining though ?

Edited April 20, 20214 yr by Click_Bate

The best bit about the Richmond board is their comments that we haven't beaten anyone good.

Richmond's beaten Carlton, Hawthorn and St Kilda.

We've also beaten Hawthorn and St Kilda, but instead of Carlton (11th) we've beaten Geelong (8th), Fremantle (9th) and GWS (12th).

So yeah.

33 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

I'm sorry but what's the difference between this season and the 2018 season where we were supposedly starting something? Let's bank a win against a good team first 

So are you saying if we win this weekend you'll think this is different to 2018?

Interesting they are boasting about their forward line.

Sure its full of firepower but if Wied comes in after seven goals, tmac kerps firing and our smalls do well....ours aint too shabby.

4 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

If we bring our pressure and intensity like we did against the saints they are no chance. Let's be honest guys when we are on and hunting no team in history can be beat us let alone the comp. That's why we have won 3 flags out of 4 . Because our best is by far and away the best in the comp and of all time.

No doubt we will get smashed if some of our players drop an easy chest mark then get comfy on the recliner and watch it all unfold like Brad Hill did last week. 
The one thing that has stood out to me so far is our ability to play right until the last second of the game. I think we will be in this for a long way. 

4 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

How I would love to take these [censored] apart. Piece by piece 

Anybody here remember The Grog Squad at the Punt Road end in the 70’s?

Could you still drag an esky full of beer in at that stage or was that just the cricket?

[censored] ‘em!!!

16 minutes ago, Cards13 said:

Could you still drag an esky full of beer in at that stage or was that just the cricket?

The big esky’s mate. 40 cans

I'd love to have their success

I’m genuinely surprised to learn that they have a fan forum which does not resemble a comic book.

 

If we win 3 flags in 4 years, I too will turn into an arrogant [censored]. I promise. Just give me those flags!

6 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Obviously not a visitor to this forum

It's crazy. God I hope they beat us, there heads will explode and then ill sit back and watch when they lose a final. No supporter group drinks the coolaid like melbourne supporters

 

 

and finish it off with this modest statement

If we bring our pressure and intensity like we did against the saints they are no chance. Let's be honest guys when we are on and hunting no team in history can be beat us let alone the comp. That's why we have won 3 flags out of 4 . Because our best is by far and away the best in the comp and of all time.

Obviously not

If he was he wouldn't dare make a their/they're/there error...

I want this to be the breakout game where Christian buries Dusty, and all the talk is about Petracca and how quiet Dusty was.  Whether or not it is that career defining game, i'm not sure, but I hope so.  Similarly, I feel like Kozzie has been on the edge of a 5 goal performance for a long long time now (hitting posts, missing gimmes etc), I feel like he could go very big here on the big stage.  I am tipping him to explode in this game. 

3 hours ago, Click_Bate said:

Special shout out to @Axis of Bob who is the only semi-regular poster to not say something completely whack that I can think of over the years. @binman probably fits into this category as well ? ? 

The rest are entertaining though ?

What? The guy who said Oscar McDonald would never get dropped again?

?

I'd love to know how many of those bathwater consumers have microwaved their memberships in the years before '17.

I am looking forward to it. We have nothing to lose and we may learn how close  we are to being a realistic challenger. A loss would not hurt as long as we are in the hunt. A win would be a credible step towards finals.

41 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

What? The guy who said Oscar McDonald would never get dropped again?

?

Got me. Ah well ?