1 hour ago, dees189227 said:

Yeah but then he did what no none has had the guts to say out aloud. He pointed out Nic Nat and his work ethic around the ground and how he probably isn't fit enough and has only taken 7 marks for the season. 

Most AFL talking heads must only watch the highlights of most wc games, Nic Nat is always in them but if you watch the games he has always had large chunks when he goes missing. To me he has always been the most overrated player in the competition. Has way to many deficiencies in his game to be in the top echelon of players 

Edited April 25, 20214 yr by Garbo

44 minutes ago, Cards13 said:

Really?!

Yes, just withdrew $2k. Still got $50 on the dogs placed when Treloar signed

14 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Glad Spargo is getting some recognition- he and Nibbler, in no small measure, have been crucial to making us the best forward pressure side in the comp. I’m also so rapt in Nibblers  vast improvement with his ball use and finishing in front of goal. That snag from the boundary was a turning point in the game.

Neal-Bullen was awesome last night. One thing I’ve noticed recently is that his tackles are a lot more likely to stick, and get the ball loose than they used to. Not sure if it’s the strength of a fully developed body or improved skill, but it’s improved his value immeasurably. First time since 2018 that he’s an automatic selection and arguably in career best form.

I'm 54 years old now and I don't think I've seen a Melbourne team play like they did last night. I'm still a little stunned.

So good to see so much joy on this forum. So good to see the team do it for chunk and to hear him acknowledge the long suffering fans for sticking with this club.

How good was it to watch Gawn sprinting through the centre as a midfielder taking handball receives. Ruckmen don't do that but our captain does.

How good was it to watch Petracca reach a new level in the third. Complete beast mode. It reminded me of watching Carey turn a game through sheer will and power. He's turning into one of a small number of elite players that can change the course of a game by himself.

How good is it to see Tommy Mac back to his best. The last year and a half must have been quite horrible for him.

How good is our backline. Steven May just even making the match after that injury. Salem's calmness and class.

ANBs goal from fifty metres.

Spargos mad tackling

Lever's intercepts

Jackson's growth

Hunt and Langdon's afterburner runs.

I'm going to sit back and watch the replay.

Enjoy the day everyone and enjoy this bloody fantastic team. Go Dees

 

  Christian Petracca is now averaging 30 disposals this season.   Everything we dreamed he would become he has become.

One thing I noticed in the replay was some of the hands jonesy gave in close that cleared the traffic and allowed run from the outside. He still adds a lot of value to the team, he's more than just a symbolic milestone. Love ya jonesy!

Was at the G last night and just watched the replay.

Some observations;

Gawn is currently the best player in the competition.

Dogga is Jr Max. What a future!

Going to the football is a strangely calm experience. I have been to the last 3 games and have felt that we were always going to respond and wrest control back.

Richmond are a "tough" team. They really went after Pickett physically. Didn't work tho!

The fox commentary team know very little about football and the laws of the game.

Forgot to mention most improved player;

Alex Neal Bullen!

7 hours ago, Jymothy said:

At the moment we don’t need Ben Brown or Weideman.

We do, because they're keeping the pressure on the guys in the 1sts. You always need pressure coming from the 2nds.

Richmond had an extra 3 days rest and couldn't keep up with us after the first 20 minutes (even before their injuries in the 3rd/4th qtr).  They didn't give a meow let alone a roar. 

Our fitness and ability to run out games is astounding.

And I like the new ruthlessness we have.

Great to see the players absorb the physicality early and then respond with a sustained effort back at them. This is something we haven't seen since Northey days.

It's amazing how applying sustained physical pressure opens the game up for your own scoring opportunities. We still made bad skill errors (dropped chest marks and fumbles mostly) but because of our relentless pressure we still created good quality scoring chances. 

The players look like they may have finally cottoned on with the intensity. Long way to go though.

6 hours ago, CBDees said:

That’s why 75% of the tipsters went for Richmond. Hard to beat a team above you on the ladder when you share top spot. ? It will be different next week when we play North and we will probably be favourites for the first time this season. A worrying position to be in when we play our best footy as underdogs. ☹️ If we will, let’s hope that it is a massive win to boost our percentage however with the Dogs playing Richmond without Dusty it doesn’t help that.

We were certainly favourites against Hawthorn and we got the job done by 8+ goals. I think we're now seeing a different maturity to this team.

2 hours ago, Cards13 said:

Really?!

 

I have this feeling that all is right with the world..... Is it "serenity"?

Dusty concussed. 
You’re welcome, Bulldogs. 

30 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Richmond had an extra 3 days rest and couldn't keep up with us after the first 20 minutes (even before their injuries in the 3rd/4th qtr).  They didn't give a meow let alone a roar. 

Our fitness and ability to run out games is astounding.

And I like the new ruthlessness we have.

Yes. The work of Darren Burgess has been immense this year. We have finished strong in every game

I’m still stunned, but actually realising I’m now following a serious team. We’ve all seen plenty of momentum builds and promising moments with waves of good form over the last 34 years with a couple of good September runs, but IMO not this.

This team is different seriously different and dare I say it they have a lot more improvement in the forward 50 with their finishing.

After watching the replay earlier I took the dog for a walk and on returning home had a quick chat with my neighbour ex Saint George Young, who said you don’t win flags in April, but geez they are very good. They are so hard at the contest, tackle with ferocity and just defend well all over the ground. 
 

I said I’m not getting ahead of myself(trying to be humble) and he said no mate enjoy this they are going to get better they are tough, hungry, well organised, can play have some real star quality and the core are now 100+ games in

I felt good after a chat and it wasn’t just me thinking I’d seen something different since Round 1 this year which has built

Edited April 25, 20214 yr by Pennant St Dee

1 hour ago, Brownie said:

I'm 54 years old now and I don't think I've seen a Melbourne team play like they did last night. I'm still a little stunned.

So good to see so much joy on this forum. So good to see the team do it for chunk and to hear him acknowledge the long suffering fans for sticking with this club.

How good was it to watch Gawn sprinting through the centre as a midfielder taking handball receives. Ruckmen don't do that but our captain does.

How good was it to watch Petracca reach a new level in the third. Complete beast mode. It reminded me of watching Carey turn a game through sheer will and power. He's turning into one of a small number of elite players that can change the course of a game by himself.

How good is it to see Tommy Mac back to his best. The last year and a half must have been quite horrible for him.

How good is our backline. Steven May just even making the match after that injury. Salem's calmness and class.

ANBs goal from fifty metres.

Spargos mad tackling

Lever's intercepts

Jackson's growth

Hunt and Langdon's afterburner runs.

I'm going to sit back and watch the replay.

Enjoy the day everyone and enjoy this bloody fantastic team. Go Dees

 

I am 57 and have watched the Demons since 1971

I have never seen a MFC Side play like this. Even in the days of J Northey, we would often get 5 goals up and then hang on, just to win. 
This side accelerates through the game. 
 

Last night I thought we were gone 15 minutes into the game. We looked nervous (scared) and 2nd to the ball. I am not sure what turned the momentum without watching a replay. But it was incredible to watch. Slowly we got back into it. 
This is a side that now believes and knows what has to be done 

my only concern last night was Mayzie 

He was not himself and i am glad he got through it alright 

3 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

I’m still stunned, but actually realising I’m now following a serious team. We’ve all seen plenty of momentum builds and promising moments with waves of good form over the last 34 years with a couple of good September runs, but IMO not this.

This team is different seriously different and dare I say it they have a lot more improvement in the forward 50 with their finishing.

After watching the replay earlier I took the dog for a walk and on returning home had a quick chat with my neighbour ex Saint George Young, who said you don’t win flags in April, but geez they are very good. They are so hard at the contest, tackle with ferocity and just defend well all over the ground. 
 

I said I’m not getting ahead of myself(trying to be humble) and he said no mate enjoy this they are going to get better they are tough, hungry, well organised, can play have some real star quality and the core are now 100+ games in

I felt good after a chat and it wasn’t just me thinking I’d seen something different since Round 1 this year which has built

I saw George Young play many games at Moorabbin and VFL Park

he was a gun forward and a really nice guy

 

Amazing night at the footy. A real test that we not only passed with flying colors but we gave back better than we got. Even from some of our younger players.

Their sniping and clips to the head is a disgrace but we held firm and didn't take a backward step.

I have to comment on Umpire 22 who is the worst in the comp. He made at least 12 blunders and in particular during the first 15m of the first qtr. That we were able to remained focus and hard at the ball gives the team a huge amount of belief.

Well done to all. Enjoy the ride. We're going places.

5 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I saw George Young play many games at Moorabbin and VFL Park

I remember even further back when he was in The Easybeats.  Thankfully that's not us any more.

Just now, demonstone said:

I remember even further back when he was in The Easybeats.  Thankfully that's not us any more.

Yes indeed 

Talented Family 

10 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

They are very good. They are so hard at the contest, tackle with ferocity and just defend well all over the ground...... they are going to get better they are tough, hungry, well organised, can play have some real star quality and the core are now 100+ games in

The perfect summary of where we are at. 

When did he play? I can't recall his name.

25 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I am not sure what turned the momentum without watching a replay.

Spargo's tackle on Bachar Houli (I think it was Houli)

Edited April 25, 20214 yr by Better days ahead

I have always thought that the real difference between teams is belief and the ability to execute. We are finding that belief and we now have that sprinkling of elite players Max, Tracc, Clayton, Salem, Jack & Gus being supported by a very capable group of tough, hard working and skilled team oriented players.

Our recruiters have delivered in spades and all of our recruits have made us a much better team. Lever, May, Tomlinson and Langdon all class. Our kids in Spargo, Fritter, JJ and our prized youngsters in Jackson, Rivers and Picket have all gone up another notch along with our regulars in ANB, Tmac, Hibberd, Jones and Jetta and that’s not all we now have depth, real depth, Sparrow, Harmes, Weid, BBB, Brown, Daw plus another bunch of youngsters developing out at Casey. How good is not to have to rely on your youngsters to get you through games, they have time to develop and learn under a bunch of Coaches that boast over 1000 games experience between them.

I was Bullish before the year started but now the sky is the limit for this group and our supporters.

Go Dee’s.!!!!!!!!!!