While I really think we will win this easily (24+ points), in some ways I hope we don't. Sound crazy? 

Winning this will have the media jumping all over us (and our supporters daring to look ahead to the last game of the year). Not sure we are ready for that kind of pressure yet.

However, losing this game will keep all of that bandwagon stuff off our backs, will allow our players to know that we have improvements to be made, and will thus allow our season to build progressively onwards and upwards.

Ah, WTF! Blow them away Dees!!!

We are in form as are the Tigers coming off a long break and big win. 

Hoping for a good performance but reality is that The Tigers are 3 or 4 years ahead of us in terms of development, experience, consistent performance etc. And winning. And Dusty. 

My concern are the umpires and goal kicking. 

Will the the Demons embrace the big occasion or will it be too much ? 

50 minutes ago, FlashInThePan said:

There is no doubt that standing up to their pressure and applying our own will be a key aspect. But Sydney showed very clearly how to score against Richmond and it has nothing to do with tall forwards. We have to assume that this is why Fritsch is in for M Brown.

We need speed in the forward area and to spread their defence so they can’t roll off their direct opponent and help each other out... kicking straight would help too ?

This is a really good point. I like the fact that, injuries aside we can adjust our forward line to suit the opposition defense. Is it possible we have flexible forward set ups now.

Love the feeling, good to be a contender to be a good side. Great day.  
Excellent comments and conclusions 

Go Dees

Sacrificing a goat as we speak for straight kicking.

4 hours ago, DubDee said:

Tigers are a massive step up from the previous 5 games. 

I reckon we’ll go alright but we might be taught a lesson

If we bring premiership heat our structures and methods will stand up, kick straight and were balls deep in this game.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_in_Australia

53 minutes ago, sue said:

I'd add that rather than wait till someone's form drops, they may be waiting to play a worse team (like North) before they dare change the mix.

I did go to add that, then decided against it. I’m not sure a match committee would make these decisions based on strength of their opponent - feels a little bit like not respecting the opposition, but then again, you do see strong teams “rest” players against weaker teams, so maybe that would happen.

All things we’ll never know without sitting in on a match committee meeting. I find it fun to try to reverse engineer the thought process though.

I'm feeling calm about the game. I'm not expecting a win, and as good as 6-0 would be, 5-1 is still a great start. We are going to drop some games at some point, and the tigers are still a champion team.

If we lose a close one, I'll be disappointed but not too disappointed. If we get smashed, I'll be concerned. If we win, I'll believe it's our year.

Feeling Confident we will play well tonight 

is it enough to beat the Premiers

i really don’t know. But we will play well

How strange that we are playing in the match of the round.

50 minutes ago, Grapeviney said:

I’ve decided not to go to the Anzac Day dawn service.

Much more exciting to attend tonight’s gawn service! 

“He’ll be here all week....try the veal!”

*microphone feedback, a smattering of applause 

Kozzie the wildcard today.

Is still slipping under clubs scopes.

Will have a massive input.

 

Guys/Gals i have a spare free ticket up for a genuine MFC member.  Sitting at Ponsford end.  It is in the open behind cheer squad. You will need proof of membership pls.

PM me if interested.  Keep in mind i barrack pretty loudly but I'll try & be on half decent behavior mode

Pissing down in Yarra Park.

Can’t help but think the rain plays into the Tigers rolling maul/chaos game

5 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Can’t help but think the rain plays into the Tigers rolling maul/chaos game

They won by 86 points on a dry deck last week

4 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

They won by 86 points on a dry deck last week

Not saying they play well in the dry, I just reckon their game plan is more suited to the wet than ours

I'm up in Qld but looking at Melbourne's radar it seems to be clearing so let's hope by 7.25pm it is clear and a good game beckons with us of course in front at the final siren.

Will we be flat?

High emotional game with the build up, Anzac, Chunk and 5 nil start. We have been training with the smile on the dial, which must help with reducing anxiety. So hoping for the right amount of stress to get us up, and playing good footy. 

A player buy-in (selflessness, confidence with system) is going on and we have some mature players and leaders. So if we are looking off, the adjustments of strategies and change of mind set could happen.

Will the tigers dominate at some stage?

They always seem to have a couple of 10-15 minute periods in the game, when they get a run of goals. Seems to come from their pressure causing turnovers or unforced errors. 

Play our style not theirs, be perfect most of the time and stay angry. Hoping they fall off the pace and are not up to the combat we may create, this early in the season.

When they score or after we do dumb things we will need to stay switched on and play harder and smarter. Otherwise they hurt us, don't drop the heads, keep the confidence, get the ball and make the tempo appropriate to the situation. 

Hoping Vander's, has been showing them how to straight line the tackle and not to let them start dancing.

Remaining anxious, as my expectations sway between yes and/or no.

Go Dees

 

  

Edited April 24, 20215 yr by kev martin

About to head in now, not sure what the rain means we seemed to cope pretty well against the cats in the wet but different class of opposition. Cautiously optimistic should be a great game and occasion

3 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

Sacrificing a goat as we speak for straight kicking.

Ablett, Carey or Matthews?

7 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Ablett, Carey or Matthews?

Matthews.
Just saw a clip on FB of some of his dog acts throughout his career.
Not inlcuding the Steven Smith one which was right infront of me.

Edited April 24, 20215 yr by Fork 'em

A look at the live ladder indicate that we have beaten 2 teams in the eight and three outside. 
richmond have beaten 3 teams outside the eight and lost to 2 teams in it. 
I merely mention it to show that we have beaten top 8 teams and they can’t.