POSTGAME: Rd 11 vs Western Bulldogs

[Engorged Onion 9,345]

Aside from Demonland and the afl website, on a Saturday morning, where do people like to get their post game info?

What radio stations/programmes?

What websites? 

The lid is off...

 

[Dee Zephyr 17,666]

56 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

BT is a peanut but I agreed with his assessment that we weren’t over-the-top celebrating during the game.

Not sure if it was a conscious decision or not but it was the most clinical no fuss win from a Melbourne team in a long time.

I just love that we were in front for 100% of the game.

There’s definitely a different vibe to this team Clint. The over-celebrating after goals has been missing all year after goals and even after games. It’s all about focusing on the next play with the boys it seems as they now realise how hard it is to be successful and boy are they working their backsides off. 

We cover the G so well defensively and I put it down to fantastic coaching last night on a skinnier Marvel. We absolutely bamboozled the Dogs defensively, forcing them to attempt pin-point passes across the ground resulting in costly turnovers. 

[Guest]

I wanted to post after our win last night, but I thought it was appropriate to finish an extended blog post outlining my life as a Melbourne supporter (which can be found here if you are into shameless plugs).

As strange as it sounds, the aftermath of last week was ultimately reassuring in hindsight though I would have much preferred us win than lose.

Were we down by 2 to 5% compared to previous weeks? No doubt.

Was the loss disappointing? Unmistakably.

Did it set up last night's win? I'd also say yes.

Nick Riewoldt summed it up well in the pre game. Melbourne turned up to play last week. It's just that the Crows played brilliantly as well and found a way to cut through our midfield pressure to get clean entry into the forward fifty.

Others may not have noticed it, but what Goody said in the post match presser impressed me when he was asked if this was the loss we needed to have. He usually plays a fairly straight bat, but on this he was unequivocal. There is no such thing as a good loss, and we like having that winning feeling. He refused to blame the deliberate decision and we moved on.

Appreciate what you did well. Fix what you didn't. Come back better and stronger. And boy, did we do that last night or what?

I believe the roots of last night's win were berthed in that response right there. And I believe this gels with our newfound ethos as described in the Age article so many have cited. It's so rare to know that when we get on top of a team, we mostly stay there.

As for individual efforts, we can talk about Clarry and Tracc. They deserve all the kudos they get. However, I would also like to shout out to Bailey Fritsch who recovered well after his mare in Adelaide. I noticed his pressure was up last night and best of all, he did the job he is paid to do: bob up for 2 to 3 goals. He rebounded well.

I really don't get the pile ons on Max during game day threads. He has developed a habit of dropping marks (and that needs to eradicated), but the rest of his game is still tracking All Australian. His tap work was brilliant last night and his dropping back into defense and into the wing at kick outs is still first class.

Also, Gus' game on the wing was symbolic of what we are now achieving as a team. This is a bloke who ran third in the 2018 Brownlow, who is just as capable of racking up 25 plus touches a game and playing the role that Tracc or Clarry could. However, he sacrificed his game to play the role of defensive winger. 

Gus is the only one playing a brand of footy that is selfless, hard and disciplined. Since I've followed us, we've always been flashy mercurial and dynamic when we've been on. I much prefer the former to the latter, as that is what gets results.

 

Edited May 28, 2021 by Colin B. Flaubert

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

12 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

There’s definitely a different vibe to this team Clint. The over-celebrating after goals has been missing all year after goals and even after games. It’s all about focusing on the next play with the boys it seems as they now realise how hard it is to be successful and boy are they working their backsides off. 

We cover the G so well defensively and I put it down to fantastic coaching last night on a skinnier Marvel. We absolutely bamboozled the Dogs defensively, forcing them to attempt pin-point passes across the ground resulting in costly turnovers. 

It more noticeable last night after the Adelaide debacle I feel.

[Webber 10,115]

20 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

Aside from Demonland and the afl website, on a Saturday morning, where do people like to get their post game info?

What radio stations/programmes?

What websites? 

The lid is off...

 

Coodabeens....

[Lou C. Fur 914]

58 minutes ago, Webber said:

By biological calculations, (and, more squiffily, according to my mother) I was conceived mere days after our last flag. I could debate your claim on purely materialist terms relating to ‘existence’, but I won’t. If being alive is ‘breathing’, you win. Love how a win leaves such room for the existential things. More please...

Happily I concede the title is yours!

[Megatron 834]

9 hours ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

I agree

Tonight's win is a massive downer! 

 

9 hours ago, dees189227 said:

I meant it in the sense we would be sitting 2 games clear. I'm rapt with tonights win. We were great. Don't get me wrong. sitting top spot 1 game clear is not what i expected at the start of the year. Now we just need to keep winning and stay there. 

On another note I see Daisey Pearce and Jeff Farmer are going down the slide queens birthday. How Good will it be to see the Wiz back at the G queens birthday. The event better go ahead. 

It’s funny you say that. I’m positive a read a poster (can’t remember who it was) but before the Adelaide game they wouldnt be surprised if Adelaide won, if it meant that we’d beat the bulldogs the week after, or something along those lines. I thought at the time, yeah I’d have to agree. Who was that?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Centre clearances and the goals we kicked from them, especially early in the game were crucial and a massive reason why we were on top.

 

 

[Ted Lasso 16,825]

It all seemed to come together last night, i felt like we were quite good out of the middle, which we haven't been this year. and some really good deep clearances 

i was really impressed with Trent Rivers, he looks an absolute ripper. he may end up being the best of the big three we drafted that year, i'd put some consideration into him moving to the Wing with Langdon out as he's got the pace and skills to be that attacking winger 

the coaching was brilliant. Goody and co absolutely out coached the dogs, tagging libba was a masterstroke, pressure on the ball carrier killed the handball game (high handball game styles don't stand up against sustained pressure teams) and Jordan i felt kept Bont under control for large patches 

The Dogs have a lot of talent, but they have some glaring weaknesses. the fact our three marking forwards all kicked multiple goals and got a paddock to work in shows they're a bit like us in 2018. look amazing offensively but the best teams will make them look really easy to score against. 

I said this during the week and got some unhappy responses but the dogs flat track bully status is confirmed to me. good teams will follow this blueprint and they need to do some work 

[Lou C. Fur 914]

34 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

I wanted to post after our win last night, but I thought it was appropriate to finish an extended blog post outlining my life as a Melbourne supporter (which can be found here if you are into shameless plugs).

As strange as it sounds, the aftermath of last week was ultimately reassuring in hindsight though I would have much preferred us win than lose.

Were we down by 2 to 5% compared to previous weeks? No doubt.

Was the loss disappointing? Unmistakably.

Did it set up last night's win? I'd also say yes.

Nick Riewoldt summed it up well in the pre game. Melbourne turned up to play last week. It's just that the Crows played brilliantly as well and found a way to cut through our midfield pressure to get clean entry into the forward fifty.

Others may not have noticed it, but what Goody said in the post match presser impressed me when he was asked if this was the loss we needed to have. He usually plays a fairly straight bat, but on this he was unequivocal. There is no such thing as a good loss, and we like having that winning feeling. He refused to blame the deliberate decision and we moved on.

Appreciate what you did well. Fix what you didn't. Come back better and stronger. And boy, did we do that last night or what?

I believe the roots of last night's win were berthed in that response right there. And I believe this gels with our newfound ethos as described in the Age article so many have cited. It's so rare to know that when we get on top of a team, we mostly stay there.

As for individual efforts, we can talk about Clarry and Tracc. They deserve all the kudos they get. However, I would also like to shout out to Bailey Fritsch who recovered well after his mare in Adelaide. I noticed his pressure was up last night and best of all, he did the job he is paid to do: bob up for 2 to 3 goals. He rebounded well.

I really don't get the pile ons on Max during game day threads. He has developed a habit of dropping marks (and that needs to eradicated), but the rest of his game is still tracking All Australian. His tap work was brilliant last night and his dropping back into defense and into the wing at kick outs is still first class.

Also, Gus' game on the wing was symbolic of what we are now achieving as a team. This is a bloke who ran third in the 2018 Brownlow, who is just as capable of racking up 25 plus touches a game and playing the role that Tracc or Clarry could. However, he sacrificed his game to play the role of defensive winger. 

Gus is the only one playing a brand of footy that is selfless, hard and disciplined. Since I've followed us, we've always been flashy mercurial and dynamic when we've been on. I much prefer the former to the latter, as that is what gets results.

 

Felt the steely determination from Goody when he made THAT comment in his presser after the Adelaide loss. Thought the boys would come out furious against the Dogs as a result, and how impressively and consistently over the 4 quarters they did!

[Marco 69]

Salem looked like he played injured last night. Anyone else thought the same? 

[old dee 22,927]

56 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

Aside from Demonland and the afl website, on a Saturday morning, where do people like to get their post game info?

What radio stations/programmes?

What websites? 

The lid is off...

 

Try the HUN it is full of praise for us.

[old dee 22,927]

It would appear our FD changes this year are bearing some fruit. 

[adonski 9,157]

7 minutes ago, Marco said:

Salem looked like he played injured last night. Anyone else thought the same? 

Yeah, the BYE can't come quick enough for him

[FritschyBusiness 1,455]

I am just so happy

[Gorgoroth 12,331]

9 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

Reckon the Weid can build on his 2nd half tonight.
Needs a confidence boost and might've got a little hit tonight.
Got a couple marks to stick.
Kicked 2 from 3.
Gets his hands on just about everything.
I'm backing him in to start holding a few more.
Reckon he's gotta relax, trying too hard.
Feeling the pressure to hold his spot.
 

He seemed to berate himself early.

But even early he competed hard and caused spillages. I thought he had a good game.

[leave it to deever 15,681]

3 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Gus is a talent, hanging back just a bit to read the play and then execute what we all know he can do on the ground, in the air, around the melees. No opponent is too good for him; he dismantles opposition reputations.

I thought his first half was average but his second was very good. 

Aside from Oliver who is always starring  Anb and Harmes were the best performers. And great work from Spargo.

Oh yea and the backline was back to its best.

Sam W was not great but full credit for those two important  goals whrn it would have bern difficult to keep himself motivated. Kept his place with those I think. And Fritta pulled himself out of his slump.

So impressed we have fixed our slow starts.

 

Edited May 29, 2021 by leave it to deever

[Dr. Gonzo 22,489]

9 minutes ago, old dee said:

It would appear our FD changes this year are bearing some fruit. 

You're a believer now od?

[Swooper1987 2,751]

43 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

 

 

I really don't get the pile ons on Max during game day threads. He has developed a habit of dropping marks (and that needs to eradicated), but the rest of his game is still tracking All Australian. His tap work was brilliant last night and his dropping back into defense and into the wing at kick outs is still first class.

 

 

Thanks Colin for this sensible and accurate analysis.  If we sat to down and analyzed the performance of every ruckman in the league this season, and their influence on their teams performance, and their capacity to assist the midfield, the defence and the attack, then Gawn comes out miles in front. His work rate to move up and down the ground, in comparison to any other ruck in the league is in its own dimension.  Despite dropping the odd mark, he takes so many more than other ruck. Last week he took 10 marks - that was one less than Naitanui took for all of 2020.  Think about that.  He gets back to create confusion in the minds of the opposition trying to enter 50, he provides the down the line option to our own defence, he goes forward and hits the scoreboard.  His hitouts to advantage are elite, his score involvements etc etc.  And then you add his leadership on top of that - read Michael Gleeson's article from yesterday - then you have just about the most influential player in the competition.  He is underrated on here, almost taken for granted. He was excellent again last night.  When an opposition ruck breaks even with Max they are lauded (Hickey for example).  Imagine that - being acknowledged just because your opponent doesn't dominate you!  That's the sort of player Max is.  The guy is nearly 7 foot tall, he's going to have the odd skill error and drop the odd mark with 10 players crashing into him at most contests but he is a genuine star of the game and we are lucky to have him.

[JTR 2,657]

Interesting stat for those who feel Gus lacks a bit of pace.

[Gorgoroth 12,331]

The only downer for me was Pickett not getting a second goal. My multi demanded it ?

Went for a run at 7am in my white melb jumper, now I’m watching the replay. Saturday morning is great after a Friday night win.

[Bang Bang Bang 5,504]

Just watching the replay. Man, Trent Rivers is [censored] special. Goody’s raucous applause when he runs off late in the second says it all. 

[leave it to deever 15,681]

Some interesting stats.

Dogs had seven players with more than 25 disposals.

We had one...Oliver.

Dogs won the clearances.

Dogs more marks.

Dogs more tackles.

Dogs 1 more free kick.

Dogs more inside fifties.

But we won quite convincingly.

Trac was interviewed post match and said he thought the boys were cooler and smarter than the crows game. They didnt rush themselves or panic.

We showed that its about playing smart.

The dogs were like us last week and second guessing themselves.

Lever, May and Rivers are a great combination. 

Max Gawn played a big part as well for mine.

Edited May 29, 2021 by leave it to deever

[buck_nekkid 5,496]

11 minutes ago, Swooper1987 said:

Thanks Colin for this sensible and accurate analysis.  If we sat to down and analyzed the performance of every ruckman in the league this season, and their influence on their teams performance, and their capacity to assist the midfield, the defence and the attack, then Gawn comes out miles in front. His work rate to move up and down the ground, in comparison to any other ruck in the league is in its own dimension.  Despite dropping the odd mark, he takes so many more than other ruck. Last week he took 10 marks - that was one less than Naitanui took for all of 2020.  Think about that.  He gets back to create confusion in the minds of the opposition trying to enter 50, he provides the down the line option to our own defence, he goes forward and hits the scoreboard.  His hitouts to advantage are elite, his score involvements etc etc.  And then you add his leadership on top of that - read Michael Gleeson's article from yesterday - then you have just about the most influential player in the competition.  He is underrated on here, almost taken for granted. He was excellent again last night.  When an opposition ruck breaks even with Max they are lauded (Hickey for example).  Imagine that - being acknowledged just because your opponent doesn't dominate you!  That's the sort of player Max is.  The guy is nearly 7 foot tall, he's going to have the odd skill error and drop the odd mark with 10 players crashing into him at most contests but he is a genuine star of the game and we are lucky to have him.

Max also gets smashed by opposition teams.  Blocked, held and scragged at every contest, without any protection from the maggots.  Once last night he got the first touch in a marking contest, his opponent simply grabbed him on both shoulders from behind and dumped him backwards.  No free.

max is superb, and I love the big fella

[WalkingCivilWar 32,083]

Me, coming home from the supermarket this morning..