3 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Try test of us will be against the dogs.  They killed us for outside run and pace last year through JJ, Smith and even Crozier down back to propel attacks.  They evened out and then beat us on the inside after half time.  We have improved and so have they.  Guys across half fwd like ANB, Spargo, Melksham and Fritsch will have to step up big time to stop their rebounds.  No matter where we sit, that’s the match to test us imv.  

There is, but there was also against the Tigers and the Cats. If we bring our “A” game there is no reason why we are not  competitive, even superior, and in all cases this year and that has proven to be. We need fear no-one!!!. 
 

Remember, we beat the Tigers comfortably when they were supposed to be unbeatable, then they came out  and beat the unbeatable Dogs. Our reputation, and fear factor is building rapidly. We should be, and are, using  it to our advantage...

Edited May 9, 20214 yr by Dees2014

Hey guys, is anyone worried about our lack of ability to switch on at the start of every quarter. Almost every week the opposition kicks a goal in the first minute of every quarter. And quite often in the first 30 seconds. Its bloody frustrating!

Oliver and McDonald were our two best players, but our system is so bloody strong. We ground out that win in a very Sydneyesque way. 

Jackson in the ruck and around stoppages was so important. I thought Max was dreadful again at the game and I presume he's carrying something, but watching on replay, he was better around the ground than I gave him credit for, but Hickey beat him for the majority of the match and Max's tap work is nowhere.

Oliver, Jackson and Jordon are three of the cleanest players under pressure in a Melbourne jumper I've ever seen. Clarry has been a one touch footballer since his first game, but Jackson and Oliver are so impressive.

May played a great game on Buddy and I thought after a poorish kick under no pressure to McDonald early in the game that cost us, Petty was very good. Was beaten in a contest or two, but deep back he looked solid and his intercept game will grow with more continuity back there. 

Petracca had a nearly night. Tried to take the game on as he does, but it just didn't quite work.

Hibberd will brilliant on Papley, McDonald and Brown worked really well in tandem. Tom seemed to be playing much higher this week and then doubling back inside 50 (see his first goal). Fritsch was appalling and played like he was guilty he'd gotten away with one at the tribunal midweek. He wasn't being tagged or blocked by Rampe, he was just really ordinary. He didn't look fit to me and put in multiple soft efforts at the contest and failed to cover in the system a few times.

This is another game I expected us to lose, but it was one of the sweetest wins of the year. If we bring our pressure and move the ball like we have done, we'll genuinely strangle any opposition in the competition and get them going the other way.

Our centre stoppage set up really needs work. We've invented a system that allows us to win when we lose clearance, but if we could just get our clearance work functioning better, we'll blow sides off the park.

Brown's height will worry a lot of teams this year, while at the other end, Hibbo's resurgence will give us a great mid sized defender to cover the Gary Rohan/Fritsch third tall/medium.

We're playing football that will stack up on the big stage. We just need to.remain healthy and tidy up a few areas of our game. Mainly our starts and our clearance work.

Thrilled to be 8-0, but now worried about losing to Carlton. They match up well against us, but if we bring our system and physicality, we'll get them.

23 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

Hey guys, is anyone worried about our lack of ability to switch on at the start of every quarter. Almost every week the opposition kicks a goal in the first minute of every quarter. And quite often in the first 30 seconds. Its bloody frustrating!

Without looking at the stats it seems to be first quarter - not often right away, but sometimes, then particularly third and fourth quarters very quickly after the bounce.

Apart from losing centre bounces there doesn’t seem to be any particular reason for it. It’s not one on one defending. It seems to be a balance of team defending and turnovers.

James Jordon - sloppy handball out, and Brayshaw - fumble and Hollywood handball - were the main culprits in the 1st and last. Both mids did their job of getting back to support then stuffed it up. 

8 hours ago, Gorgoroth said:

By games end I was pretty deep into the beers so I thought it best to not post ?

The centre clearances need to be fixed. It was always the side where Viney normally stands that they were waltzing it out.

Gawn needed to stand up and get some mojo back in the last, he got some. Hopefully it’s back by next week.

One thing I’m loving is the fact Langdon and Brayshaw both hold their wings and it’s obvious that the players are instructed to play through Langdons wing

Yeah I wonder if Sparrow standing in for Viney might have helped last night.

I do wonder if Petracca will pull up ok or it they'll rest him next week.

If so, Sparrow should have his chance but Yze has some work ahead of him this week.

 

6 hours ago, Webber said:

I saw that, and am still struggling to believe it. Worst bit of umpiring I’ve seen in living memory. I’d love to know what he was actually thinking....maybe he forget which team was going which way. 

Clearly thought he was umpiring a West Coast game.

Sydney's the team I barrack for against all the other clubs as a neutral, so last night's match was less tense for me, as i wouldnt mind so much losing to them, as i would say a Selwood, Cotchin or other flogs of the comp. 

They play with an admirable spirit, fierce at the contest, stable in defence. A strong will to win. They've been a highly respected club for decades. We very much share the same DNA, given Roos was so instrumental in turning the club around by laying out these foundations back in 2014

So to slowly grind out the win in a tight defensive tactical tussle, was like sipping a fine wine. What a great game, I didn't want it to end.

I hope they or Brisbane can go deep in September and take out Richmond or Geelong along the way, and we can meet em again. Go Dees!

Edited May 9, 20214 yr by John Demonic

Brown looked really good yesterday. Think after a few more weeks to settle we'll be laughing with getting him for pick 30 odd.

3 hours ago, Dees2014 said:

There is, but there was also against the Tigers and the Cats. If we bring our “A” game there is no reason why we are not  competitive, even superior, and in all cases this year and that has proven to be. We need fear no-one!!!. 
 

Remember, we beat the Tigers comfortably when they were supposed to be unbeatable, then they came out  and beat the unbeatable Dogs. Our reputation, and fear factor is building rapidly. We should be, and are, using  it to our advantage...

Was listening to the radio commentary of the Bulldogs game today.
When the Blues kicked out to a handy lead the commentators declared that this will be a good test for the Dogs to see if they can come back.
"The good sides .... Like Melbourne just seem to have another gear when they need it.", was the statement from Ross Lyon.
Hearing things like that I feel like I'm living an alternate reality at the moment.

And I was spewing when the dogs did come back.
I was licking my lips for 2 games clear for abit there.

 

Edited May 9, 20214 yr by Fork 'em

That number seven umpire made a few dodgy calls.

24 minutes ago, Fork 'em said:

And I was spewing when the dogs did come back.
I was licking my lips for 2 games clear for abit there.

If we beat Carlton next week and Port beat the Dogs, we will have that two game buffer... and that’s a scenario that is not so far fetched.

8 hours ago, Deeoldfart said:

Pure football ecstasy to be 8 zip after a Saturday night ‘blockbuster’!!

It’s even better that today is Mother’s Day, and we have a family lunch planned.  Our whole Demon ‘tribe’ will join us, for an afternoon full of good food, fine wine and Demon banter.  Amazing how a Saturday W can transform a Sunday!  

........... and a (very rare) bouquet to the AFL for scheduling a Saturday night game for the Dees, instead of the usual 3:10pm start against an interstate club, with a crowd of 12,000, that we normally cop on Mother’s Day.

Only 15k turned up for the Hawks v Eagles game today…. The family club indeed, must have all been at Mother’s Day lunches. 

Something caught my attention Saturday night whilst mincing down through the bleachers to take a nature break end of 3rd....

...... caught glimse of tellie, you know the ground broadcast which is generally free of the garbage on Ch7, & spotted Williams circling possibly the back 6 huddle, chewing his gum, intense yet steely composed, & giving instruction yet not using any eye contact whatsoever - like the guy in Apocalypse Now during a napalm strike.

It was frigg'n impressive - regardless of possessing no lip-reading skills - & a 'rutheless vibe' I've never seen in my 50 years. The kind that makes you either burst into tears (me) or switch into overdrive (us). Stuck with me the rest of the night even though it was probably 20 seconds of footage.

I now believe.

 

Just watching the replay.  The Swans' first clearance of the second quarter has just leapt out at me as a blatant and obvious throw in full view of the presiding umpire.  This is getting beyond a joke. 

Gee I wouldnt have picked swans supporters as being ferral but there looked to be quite a few mongrels in the crowd.

23 minutes ago, Monocology said:

Something caught my attention Saturday night whilst mincing down through the bleachers to take a nature break end of 3rd....

...... caught glimse of tellie, you know the ground broadcast which is generally free of the garbage on Ch7, & spotted Williams circling possibly the back 6 huddle, chewing his gum, intense yet steely composed, & giving instruction yet not using any eye contact whatsoever - like the guy in Apocalypse Now during a napalm strike.

It was frigg'n impressive - regardless of possessing no lip-reading skills - & a 'rutheless vibe' I've never seen in my 50 years. The kind that makes you either burst into tears (me) or switch into overdrive (us). Stuck with me the rest of the night even though it was probably 20 seconds of footage.

I now believe.

 

Love having Williams with us.
Has been around top level footballers all his life and knows what makes them tick.
Just breathes ruthless positivity.

Watching the relplay  I thought Harmes was excellent.

21 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I

I was screaming for Jackson to go in the ruck early in the 4th, we've been much better in recent weeks when he's in the middle.

I was grinning from ear to ear when he was main ruck towards the end when the game was up for grabs. Absolutely nothing phases that kid - already a star.

37 minutes ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

Just watching the replay.  The Swans' first clearance of the second quarter has just leapt out at me as a blatant and obvious throw in full view of the presiding umpire.  This is getting beyond a joke. 

I thought we had the rub of the green for the duration but there was some pretty ordinary decision-making from the umps.

Watching the highlights I thought that Tmac threw the ball to Trac to set up his goal.

59 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

Gee I wouldnt have picked swans supporters as being ferral but there looked to be quite a few mongrels in the crowd.

The image of the Swan's supporter with the big red hand, putting the yips onto Tmac and then applauding him when he nailed was great sportsmanship. 

A bit like, quite a few MFC supporters, who can enjoy good footy from either team or still support past players in the opposition. 

Setting standards for others.

We have some ferals as well.

Hoping the reasonable supporters well outnumber the fools of life. 

1 hour ago, Monocology said:

Something caught my attention Saturday night whilst mincing down through the bleachers to take a nature break end of 3rd....

I saw Williams doing something similar at the start of the game.

He gets in their heads, makes fire (emotion) and reduces anxiety.

He was nearly punching them. If that is his public actions, what is he doing to them behind doors.Hoping not rabbit punching (hit to back of head) like the opposition do. (Just joking about back room Williams)

 

Edited May 9, 20214 yr by kev martin

34 minutes ago, bingers said:

Watching the highlights I thought that Tmac threw the ball to Trac to set up his goal.

Good sides get away with that kind of thing

1 hour ago, leave it to deever said:

Gee I wouldnt have picked swans supporters as being ferral but there looked to be quite a few mongrels in the crowd.

I remember strolling over to the Western Oval one grey day in the mid 90s. Plugger versus Fitzroy. Sydney were poor that year and Fitzroy were Fitzroy. Plugger kicked 16 and boy did the Swans fans give to the Roys fans. I had imagined that with both teams being so bad, there would have been some kind of commiseration for the Roys plight, but no, the Swans gave it to them like Richmond or Saints fans at their worst.

And of course who can forget the old ladies behind the goals at every game at the old SCG. The only thing missing was an umbrella to whack the players with.

2 hours ago, adonski said:

Brown looked really good yesterday. Think after a few more weeks to settle we'll be laughing with getting him for pick 30 odd.

I love the way he leaps up with those gangley arms spread out and moving up towards the ball to 'catch' it in his mitts. It's a thing of beauty... when it's in the red and blue. 

That pack mark he took in front of the goals, I shouted out "Ben Brown!!" And laughed as he ran back to take his long run up. It was just a funny moment where he's finally become a Demon Full Forward Taking big marks and doing what he did best against us for all these years. Very surreal.

Edited May 9, 20214 yr by John Demonic