3 hours ago, RedButMostlyBlue said:

up talking to JV on the phone. He said he was hoping to be

Not above doing the team thing. Great stuff.

1 hour ago, FritschyBusiness said:

How good is Trent Rivers

PLays like a veteran. Outstanding young player.

I saw earlier a comment by @Diamond_Jim that there was little to excite about that win. The fact that we are doing things in a clinical, business like manner without the razzle dazzle is the thing that is so very exciting for me.

Over the last 20 odd years, we have seemed to have only 3 ways of playing: Showtime (seen mostly during the Balme and Daniher and partially in the Bailey eras), Sleepytime (seen often in the Daniher years and mostly in the Bailey and Balme years) or Sh**house (the entire Neeld era).  We have transitioned during the Roos/Goodwin era from the latter into a unit who lapsed between the former two modes of playing.

Our efforts against Carlton (short of losing) since 2018 have been emblematic of this. We've gone 108 points and staggered over the line by a point the last two times. All games were highlighted by streaky football, defensive lapses and breathtaking highs. This time around it was reassuring that we increased our winning margin gradually over each quarter to run out comfortable winners.

The reassuring thing now is that the maturity of the group is on full display. When teams have come at us (like Carlton did in patches yesterday), we haven't tried to switch to a run and gun, Showtime style to pull the lead back out to where it was (and ironically making it more likely the opposition would be able to keep their run on). We have been smarter, slowed the game down and continued to smother the opposition defensively via the structure we have created. Another positive is that if we don't come out and kick 8 straight to start the game, we don't just throw our hand up in the air and think it's all too hard.

And yes, BT is what they would call in the pro wrestling business a 'mark for himself'.

Two of the better commentators of any sport in Australia over the last 50 odd years, Richie Benaud and Drew Morphett, were both strong on two ideals:
1) The commentator's voice, if they are doing a TV call, should add to what is already being presented visually. Don't try to fill in dead air if you don't have to
2) Don't be critical for the sake of being critical (this was more Morphett than Benaud). 

BT basically took those principles, set them on fire and did a dump on their smoldering remains during yesterday's call. Constant waffle about how quiet the stadium was, passive aggressive rubbish about how he doesn't trust Melbourne, idiotic banter with JB and roaring at the top of his voice like a pillock were the hallmarks of a terrible call. 

Why don't Seven give Brenton Speed a chance? He focuses on the bloody game at least and doesn't come off as an annoying buffoon.

Edited May 17, 20213 yr by Colin B. Flaubert

It's funny how the mind works.

Pre game I was nervous as hell thinking this is the game we could easily drop.

Yet throughout the game I did not once feel threatened.  Thought we had the game in control and when they looked like they wanted to get on a roll we just pegged it back to our level.

Signs of a bloody good football side.

17 hours ago, Better days ahead said:

I liked the fact that Kozzie showed some sportsmanship. He should be applauded for that.

What if that was the last shot a goal to win The Grand Final

Wasn't until I watched "all the goals" that I realised we only kicked one goal in the last quarter - total score was 1.7. I felt at the time like we were far more on top than the scoreboard suggested; this confirms it for me.

The best thing about our game at the moment is our defensive running. By slowing the ball movement of the opposition and running hard to deny the switch to the Langdon wing, it means they have to inevitably kick to a contest involving Max Gawn. And if it get through the Gawn contest, they have to beat Lever and May. No team we have played has been able to break this down.

When we have the ball the system also has a fast and slow sides of the ground and the team knows to play either ultra conservatively or aggressively depending on the side.

I have enjoyed the replay far better than actual game, apart from the umpiring decisions and commentators barracking for the Blues, BT in particular l was extremely proud of our team today. Our A graders all stood up and we’re well supported by our second echelon experienced players but I was even prouder of our young group of Spargo, Rivers, Picket, Jordon, Petty and Chandler, what a tough talented group we had out on the park today.

9-0 So proud of our Team. go Dee’s.!!!!

1 hour ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

I saw earlier a comment by @Diamond_Jim that there was little to excite about that win. The fact that we are doing things in a clinical, business like manner without the razzle dazzle is the thing that is so very exciting for me.

Over the last 20 odd years, we have seemed to have only 3 ways of playing: Showtime (seen mostly during the Balme and Daniher and partially in the Bailey eras), Sleepytime (seen often in the Daniher years and mostly in the Bailey and Balme years) or Sh**house (the entire Neeld era).  We have transitioned during the Roos/Goodwin era from the latter into a unit who lapsed between the former two modes of playing.

Our efforts against Carlton (short of losing) since 2018 have been emblematic of this. We've gone 108 points and staggered over the line by a point the last two times. All games were highlighted by streaky football, defensive lapses and breathtaking highs. This time around it was reassuring that we increased our winning margin gradually over each quarter to run out comfortable winners.

The reassuring thing now is that the maturity of the group is on full display. When teams have come at us (like Carlton did in patches yesterday), we haven't tried to switch to a run and gun, Showtime style to pull the lead back out to where it was (and ironically making it more likely the opposition would be able to keep their run on). We have been smarter, slowed the game down and continued to smother the opposition defensively via the structure we have created. Another positive is that if we don't come out and kick 8 straight to start the game, we don't just throw our hand up in the air and think it's all too hard.

And yes, BT is what they would call in the pro wrestling business a 'mark for himself'.

Two of the better commentators of any sport in Australia over the last 50 odd years, Richie Benaud and Drew Morphett, were both strong on two ideals:
1) The commentator's voice, if they are doing a TV call, should add to what is already being presented visually. Don't try to fill in dead air if you don't have to
2) Don't be critical for the sake of being critical (this was more Morphett than Benaud). 

BT basically took those principles, set them on fire and did a dump on their smoldering remains during yesterday's call. Constant waffle about how quiet the stadium was, passive aggressive rubbish about how he doesn't trust Melbourne, idiotic banter with JB and roaring at the top of his voice like a pillock were the hallmarks of a terrible call. 

Why don't Seven give Brenton Speed a chance? He focuses on the bloody game at least and doesn't come off as an annoying buffoon.

I apologise that I could only give this post a love reaction.

Top stuff Col. Particularly in articulating BT’s failings as a commentator. It’s not merely the fact he’s taking the [censored] out of Melbourne. You could sense Brayshaw wanting to disassociate himself from his inanity but having to pretend that something remotely resembling valid contributions were being made.

I suggest “Steadytime” as the working title for the fourth mode that we are witnessing. Not too sleepy. Not too showy. Just right.

Edited May 17, 20213 yr by P-man

A key factor to our improvement is of a generation of best 22 home developed players now reaching the sweet spot of experience and games played.

Salem-115, Petracca-111, Harmes-107, Brayshaw-103, Neal- Bullen 89 and Hunt 83.

Edited May 17, 20213 yr by John Crow Batty

1 hour ago, don't make me angry said:

See the Carlton think it was not a bad loss 26 points, happy with the win, but Gee we are missing out on  opportunities to burying and humiliating sides, kicking 1 goals 7 in the  last quarter was just so disappointing. Is it bad in wanting to kill sides, not just beat them?

I agree - we need to take the opportunity when presented to bury teams and get the %. It could mean the difference between 1 and 2 or 4 and 5.....

You can't sit back waiting for a team to make mistakes. What if they don't.

8 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

You can't sit back waiting for a team to make mistakes. What if they don't.

When was the last time a team didn't make mistakes in a game of footy?

6 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

When was the last time a team didn't make mistakes in a game of footy?

Excellent question Bob, I can report that not in any game I have watched in the last 62 years. 

1 hour ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

I saw earlier a comment by @Diamond_Jim that there was little to excite about that win. The fact that we are doing things in a clinical, business like manner without the razzle dazzle is the thing that is so very exciting for me.

Over the last 20 odd years, we have seemed to have only 3 ways of playing: Showtime (seen mostly during the Balme and Daniher and partially in the Bailey eras), Sleepytime (seen often in the Daniher years and mostly in the Bailey and Balme years) or Sh**house (the entire Neeld era).  We have transitioned during the Roos/Goodwin era from the latter into a unit who lapsed between the former two modes of playing.

Our efforts against Carlton (short of losing) since 2018 have been emblematic of this. We've gone 108 points and staggered over the line by a point the last two times. All games were highlighted by streaky football, defensive lapses and breathtaking highs. This time around it was reassuring that we increased our winning margin gradually over each quarter to run out comfortable winners.

The reassuring thing now is that the maturity of the group is on full display. When teams have come at us (like Carlton did in patches yesterday), we haven't tried to switch to a run and gun, Showtime style to pull the lead back out to where it was (and ironically making it more likely the opposition would be able to keep their run on). We have been smarter, slowed the game down and continued to smother the opposition defensively via the structure we have created. Another positive is that if we don't come out and kick 8 straight to start the game, we don't just throw our hand up in the air and think it's all too hard.

And yes, BT is what they would call in the pro wrestling business a 'mark for himself'.

Two of the better commentators of any sport in Australia over the last 50 odd years, Richie Benaud and Drew Morphett, were both strong on two ideals:
1) The commentator's voice, if they are doing a TV call, should add to what is already being presented visually. Don't try to fill in dead air if you don't have to
2) Don't be critical for the sake of being critical (this was more Morphett than Benaud). 

BT basically took those principles, set them on fire and did a dump on their smoldering remains during yesterday's call. Constant waffle about how quiet the stadium was, passive aggressive rubbish about how he doesn't trust Melbourne, idiotic banter with JB and roaring at the top of his voice like a pillock were the hallmarks of a terrible call. 

Why don't Seven give Brenton Speed a chance? He focuses on the bloody game at least and doesn't come off as an annoying buffoon.

This times a million.

As much as anything BT just seemed bored out of his mind. 

I wouldn't mind so much if i could have got to the game, but watching it only on the box was infuriating. 

I watched a bit of a game over the weekend (can't recall which game - perhaps the dogs game?) and Brenton Speed was calling it.

So refreshing just hear someone call a game properly. No theatrics, no attempts to force some wordplay/puns into the call (note to derwayne - please stop it: repeat after me: i am not Denis Cometti), no meandering and no stupid blokey jokey routines with his mates in the box. Just a fella doing his job.

2 hours ago, In Harmes Way said:

A shout out for Petty who has copped a bit on here for some time, I thought his game was really solid yesterday.

That kick from the guts in the last favouring Nibbler who ran off his man and goaled was a total ripper. Hoping he grows in confidence of that game, if so I reckon he'll more than cover the loss of Tomlinson 

Will only improve with confidence and assurance that is already in the defence.

He will be ok and is doing plenty of team things now with the inevitable improvement in marking etc.

Will be every thing we have hoped for as he develops.  Doesnt panic either Jake goes a bit !!!  But what an interceptor ! 

I thought you guys were just complaining but Jesus BT was insufferable on the commentary in this game. Not just cringeworthy like McLachlan or Basil or Ling but downright unprofessional in his constant belittling of the MFC. Surely the AFL can't be happy with their product being represented in this manner?

3 hours ago, bananas said:

Getty Images have no idea who Harry Petty is ...

Yes total ignorance of our new under threat new backman  with the job to replace Tommo for this season !

Or totally make a name for himself on his own!!'  

1 minute ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I thought you guys were just complaining but Jesus BT was insufferable on the commentary in this game. Not just cringeworthy like McLachlan or Basil or Ling but downright unprofessional in his constant belittling of the MFC. Surely the AFL can't be happy with their product being represented in this manner?

Their top of the Tree product too...

However a little shout for Hunt who is vastly different player to previous years. The kick is there and the accuracy is tip top.

3 hours ago, Demon3 said:

The commentary was flat out amateurish, insulting and embarrassing. Its such a blight on our game and its at an all time low. 

 

 

Absolutely agree, it was pathetic BT needs to be told that he’s a commentator not an amateur comedian 

No credit to the football club being undefeated, making jokes about how quiet the crowd is(just waiting to lose)

And JB and Bartel not much better 

 

1 minute ago, Billy said:

Absolutely agree, it was pathetic BT needs to be told that he’s a commentator not an amateur comedian 

No credit to the football club being undefeated, making jokes about how quiet the crowd is(just waiting to lose)

And JB and Bartel not much better 

 

In my opinion the club should make a complaint. Im absolutely sick of commentators making it all about them. Jimmy Bartel hass a really good footy brain and i like him, he was relegated to a bit player a sidehow. Its simply not good enough and the media landscape in the country when it comes to covering sport is so far below credible its not funny.

1 hour ago, one_demon said:

What if that was the last shot a goal to win The Grand Final

Tough one but i'd rather win fair and square. 

19 hours ago, Nasher said:

I actually thought it was a great win. There were long periods of the game where there wasn’t much scoring - that to me says the game was a genuine arm wrestle. We scored heavily in the periods where we had ascendency and defended like Demons(!) during the period where they had it. 

I reckon the “meh, just a win” people are ratcheting the bar up a tad too high.

Agree with all of this mate, but I felt hollow leaving the ground because I wanted 100 points and our last goal was 3 minutes into the last quarter. We really should have put those scores on the board in the last quarter. 1 goal 7 behinds.

Still, happy to get the win in what I felt going into the game was a real danger game.

As soon as I saw we were bringing our work rate 10 mins into the game, I knew it was very unlikely they'd be able to kick a winning score. Or more that I felt if they couldn't score, their inability to defend would lose them the match. But we were very good in front of goal for the first three quarters. Our set shot kicking over the last few weeks has gone through the roof.  

There is huge scope for improvement in this team though. That's what's so exciting. We're winning games without our clearance work and forwardline that has not quite gelled yet. I think we'll sort out our best forwardline come round 15 or so. I just hope we can get our clearance game going at some stage.

19 hours ago, Mickey said:

Jimmy had 13 tackles to go with his standard 20 disposals. Only 50% DE, though.

The kid is fast becoming one of my favourites. Such a hard worker and usually super clean. 13 tackles was a mile ahead of anyone else. I've been thinking he'd need a rest in the next few weeks, but you can't rest him when he's bringing that sort of tackling pressure nearly every week. Poor old Sparrow will have to wait. It's a great problem to have.

34 minutes ago, binman said:

This times a million.

As much as anything BT just seemed bored out of his mind. 

I wouldn't mind so much if i could have got to the game, but watching it only on the box was infuriating. 

I watched a bit of a game over the weekend (can't recall which game - perhaps the dogs game?) and Brenton Speed was calling it.

So refreshing just hear someone call a game properly. No theatrics, no attempts to force some wordplay/puns into the call (note to derwayne - please stop it: repeat after me: i am not Denis Cometti), no meandering and no stupid blokey jokey routines with his mates in the box. Just a fella doing his job.

The last two sentences says it all. 

53 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

When was the last time a team didn't make mistakes in a game of footy?

You know what I mean.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

It's funny how the mind works.

Pre game I was nervous as hell thinking this is the game we could easily drop.

Yet throughout the game I did not once feel threatened.  Thought we had the game in control and when they looked like they wanted to get on a roll we just pegged it back to our level.

Signs of a bloody good football side.

I am sure it is not going to a game since 2019 but I am less connected / excited than any time in the last 20 years.