36 minutes ago, CYB said:

Yeah im not sure i agree with you 100%. I thought that our mids were quite poor in the 1st half and 4th quarter. We really lacked the defensive presence that Viney would have bought. 

The WC midfield is honestly 2nd tier and yet were made to look 1st rate with their clearances and contested work. Harmes is a little too offensive minded and doesnt play his role (assuming it is [censored]-for-tat with Viney). 

One thing i will say was Nic Nat is something else, he can be the #1 ruck in the competition when he wants to be. But is far too unfit, lazy and unwilling to do the hard yards. If Gawn had his athleticism boy oh boy. 

Much to some people's chagrin, Viney will come straight back to the midfield once back.

Harmes will then move to whatever role they need to him play - which i suspect come finals will be to tag a gun opposition mid.

On gawn, i amazed how athletic he is for such a tall fella. 

That goal he set up after coming out of the centre and kicking on his left was unbelievable. As was an earlier ground ball collect and evasion before another inside 50 kick (which i think also set up a goal).

11 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Call me a negative nelly all you like but we're top of the table, we should at least act like we know how to close out games and are disappointed with mental errors and poor preparation.

Petracca could've iced it straight after the restart. Spargo should've. Jackson too.

But out real issues were defensively were we still can't work out that 1 short kick takes 10 seconds, which can then be followed by the long bomb down the line that hopefully takes 30+ off the clock.

We could even do 3 or 4 short kicks, then the long bomb! Imagine that.

And the senior players who came out flat as a tack in the restart isn't acceptable. I'm looking at one Jake Lever. Seriously, get your head in the game mate and get some balance on those legs.

Nice enough first quarter and a good 3rd term. But the Eagles are absolutely making up the numbers this year and we gave them a genuine sniff whilst also letting the rest of the league know we're still not a mature outfit.

Negative Nelly

Anyone know How many 50 metre penalties did we end up with?

How good was Bowey last night minus the error at the end. We've found a good one!

7 hours ago, dee-tox said:

I don't agree with this. Not sure why you single out Fritta week after week and regularly call on him to be dropped. Thought the whole forward line's chasing and tackling was great tonight. Back to the standards we saw in the first month of the season. Fritta was an integral part of this.

Opposition teams put a lot of work into Fritta these days. As leading goalkicker that's par for the course. Take McDonald out and it's tough for a skinny bloke to play as an undersized key position player.

Agree, Not the conditions for Fritta last night and also had a AA defender on him in Sheppard, who also had to play out of the goal square and not across half back which with Hurn subbed out took the 2 WCE  half backs out of the game.

3 hours ago, Swooper1987 said:

I've been listening to the summary of the last 15 minutes - how the WC big dogs got them back into the game.  Isn't that the major problem with them?  In the third quarter, when the game was essentially won, Gawn smashed NicNat.  NN didn't trouble the statisticians for the quarter in terms of disposals, whereas Gawn was dancing around like a ruck rover.  Some of his field kicking (including on the left) was amazing.  Same with Yeo - a great last quarter no doubt, but again only when there was nothing to lose.  No doubt we'll hear from Gerard Healy about how great they are but in reality they are generally a lazy, conditional footy team.  I can't see them making finals now and had we not had the interruption last night, we win that game very comfortably.

The 2 WCE players that the extra break would benefit the most would have been Nicnat who struggles to play long game time and Yeo who is playing off a long break with no pre-season. Both played well after the break.

54 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Leppa was weird tho.

Praised Melksham as 'the ultimate competitor'.

Seemed to think Ben Brown was playing an absolute blinder - had good moments interspersed with being unable to break out of a jog.

He clearly has more of an idea of what's going on than most of them, which is hardly a surprise. But overall I wouldn't be racing out to sign him as an assistant from his commentary. And I could kind of understand why he's a good assistant but didn't work out as a head coach.

also mentioned at one stage how Melb where changing it up with starting Kozzy in at the center bounce???? 🤦‍♂️

I was at the game last night with my wife and two kids (5 and 7)...a very late night for them but well worth it.

A few observations without listening to radio commentary or watching the replay (yet):

- The control we gained in the 3rd quarter was our brand and was reminiscent of our 1st half of the year. West Coast could not penetrate their forward line and were constantly held up off half back. We choked them

- The last 15 minutes we lost our ability to win ground ball and clearances. Whilst this is a concern we had done enough to get over the line...still something to learn from. Natanui beat Gawn in this period and all up I believe that Jackson produced a better rucking game the Gawn

- Bowey is a real find as are our other kids - Jackson, Rivers, Kossie, Jordon...all had very good games. Pickett was maybe a little quiet but some very important moments

- Nibbler played a blinder

- Ben Brown is the key forward we have been looking for - outstanding workrate

It was an excellent performance. The umpiring was very poor and that clearly assisted West Coast with their late run.

Fingers crossed for Hunty.

We are well placed to go really deep in September. We should fear no team  

Three perhaps unpopular (on DL) things that came out of that game for me:

1. Jake Melksham provided more than a little something in the forward half, and has done enough to get another game. 

2. Ben Brown has convincingly shown he is a superior forward now to Sam Weidemann - as if his track record didn't already play this out.  He approaches form at the right time. 

3. The midfield - looked better without Jack Viney.  The difference between Harmes and Viney was even apparent when Harmes showed an ability to pick a target and hit them up on the lead.  I can't see Jack doing this. We might be better without Jack.

1 hour ago, Pates said:

I had to laugh hearing them boo the umpires at the end of the game, seriously they are in their own world over there. We got a bizarre 50m penalty that I still have no idea what it was for, but right at the end the umpires were plucking the free kicks out for them left, right, and centre. 

Assuming that the umpires are local, It is that response from the crowd that will linger on in their minds and subconsciously alter their feelings on personal safety / welfare. This no doubt will carry forward onto the next game and hence the bias will continue... I think you can no longer accept a local umpire to rule over the games in WA or SA. Fly up an alternative states umpire (SA is probably the most cost effective) to officiate the games. 

2 hours ago, CYB said:

 

One thing i will say was Nic Nat is something else, he can be the #1 ruck in the competition when he wants to be. But is far too unfit, lazy and unwilling to do the hard yards. If Gawn had his athleticism boy oh boy. 

Luke Jackson says hi...

Edited August 10, 20213 yr by Allus Monk

3 minutes ago, Altona-demon said:

Three perhaps unpopular (on DL) things that came out of that game for me:

1. Jake Melksham provided more than a little something in the forward half, and has done enough to get another game. 

2. Ben Brown has convincingly shown he is a superior forward now to Sam Weidemann - as if his track record didn't already play this out.  He approaches form at the right time. 

3. The midfield - looked better without Jack Viney.  The difference between Harmes and Viney was even apparent when Harmes showed an ability to pick a target and hit them up on the lead.  I can't see Jack doing this. We might be better without Jack.

Agree on all three. 

For all the talk how finals are different and need guys in the guts. In present day,  teams are usually pretty complete football teams and wouldn't be there if they didnt have enough 'hardness'. Its really about finishing 50/50 opportunities and efficiency. Dusty has shown that three times. And Sheed.

Imo i doubt Melksham is the reason we lose a final but he may well be the reason we win it. 

Bizarre night, no thunder to be heard or lightning to be seen, just a faint breeze blowing around the ground and an occasional fine spray of rain. Still can't believe it. We were disappointed with the way the game finished up actually, felt cheated out of a hearty celebration. We all know the schit we've endured over the years at the hands of this mob and 7 minutes into the last we were feasting on them and a crushing looked imminent, even the booing which is escalating was tolerable. Their supporters are getting worse with every visit I make it sours what is a magnificent Arena. They have helped boo A Goodes out of the game and have seen the free kick count well in their favour and as a result unleash the booing in a war like intimidating controlling manner, it's feral and ridiculous, you just have to laugh! 

Luke Jackson, wow he is impacting the game. Rarely loses his feet and is clean below his knees, he's getting to so many contests and is starting to clunk marks. In one centre square contest v NN he jumped early, high and gave NN no chance to affect the contest. He has superstar written all over him and although kozzie and Rivers have flown out of the blocks he is absolutely flying down the outside. 

James Jordon, so reliable, I feel a sense of calm when I see that #23. So fitting that James McDonald presented him with his jumper. Of course Bernie Vince too, fantastic players and a number I love.

Harrison Petty is getting better, he goes when he has to, is reading the play well and has an edge to him. He is playing terrific defensive footy and I noticed him a lot.

Bowey looks slick, kozzie and Rivers impacting, the youth look to be outstanding prospects and has me very excited. I wonder if a couple more of those draftees between Clarry and 2019 will be able to step up.

So happy with our team, woke up feeling chuffed this morning, we are a very good football team and will improve and get stronger as time passes. 

 

6 minutes ago, Jjrogan said:

Agree on all three. 

For all the talk how finals are different and need guys in the guts. In present day,  teams are usually pretty complete football teams and wouldn't be there if they didnt have enough 'hardness'. Its really about finishing 50/50 opportunities and efficiency. Dusty has shown that three times. And Sheed.

Imo i doubt Melksham is the reason we lose a final but he may well be the reason we win it. 

Agree - I don't know how many of my friends who have listen to me rant about MFC.  But pretty much all of them have the same critique of our team - we butcher the ball and don't have clean disposers.  Adding Jack Viney into our team does not make us more efficient entering forward 50 or converting scores, or even making more scores, he reduces all of those key metrics.  Arguably he increases our midfield pressure and tackling - but so does James Jordon, while positively impacting our disposal efficiency and composure. 

I thought Gawn played a really good game. He got toweled up by Natnui last year in round 1 and I was worried it might be a similar showing last night. I thought Nicnac started stronger but Gawn outworked him as it went on. He got some good taps to advantage. 

5 hours ago, DeeWiz said:

At the ground last night after the full time siren you would think the handful of Dees fans would be a little disappointed with the umpiring performance. No, it was the Eagles fans en masse leaning over the fence and hurling abuse at the umpires. One of the most disgusting supporter groups in the country. Make Essendon supporters look half decent after that effort. 

Talk about entitled. I do believe their booing does impact the umpiring and is the reason they do it.

Its the booing of opposition kicking set shots that does my head in.

Edited August 10, 20213 yr by leave it to deever

2 hours ago, CYB said:

….. One thing i will say was Nic Nat is something else, he can be the #1 ruck in the competition when he wants to be. But is far too unfit, lazy and unwilling to do the hard yards. If Gawn had his athleticism boy oh boy. 

NicNat is a cameo footballer. He does a couple of neat things in the first few minutes of the quarter and then you don’t see him till the next quarter. 

6 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

NicNat is a cameo footballer. He does a couple of neat things in the first few minutes of the quarter and then you don’t see him till the next quarter. 

Unless you have a 30 minute lightening delay in the middle of a quarter to have a rest.

8 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

NicNat is a cameo footballer. He does a couple of neat things in the first few minutes of the quarter and then you don’t see him till the next quarter. 

Hes touted as one of the best ruckman about but we all know that is Maxy as demonstrated last night. Max may be a shocker at set shots although has gotten a little better ie his banana against gc, his crumbing, marking and tap outs are par excellence and he shows a huge ammount of leadership.

Edited August 10, 20213 yr by leave it to deever

That was a most unusual 5 quarters of footy that I have ever witnessed, we were all over them in the 4th but the Magoos got them off to a flyer in the 5th after stopping the game for 30 minutes (what a bizarre joke). Our third quarter was fantastic and it was really great to  see our lesser lights play so well all game. Milkshake was a great inclusion, Alex was brilliant in his 100th we stood up all over the ground, Bowey is all class and we beat the Eagles, the Umps and the Boo Hoo supporters over there in totally hostile conditions.

Brave effort DEES.!!!!!!  

Great to see some players return to great form. The only ones struggling are spags and fritta but thats ok ...theyll pick up.

Anb, Harmes , Rivers, bb and Jackson are back playing their best and just in time.

And we bought in Bowey just before finals.

Edited August 10, 20213 yr by leave it to deever

1 minute ago, leave it to deever said:

Great to see some players return to great form. The only ones struggling are spags and fritta but thats ok ...theyll pick up.

Anb, Harmes , Rivers, bb and Jackson are back playing their best and just in time.

Fritsch is a poor wet weather footballer. It’s hard enough to be a tall marking forward in the wet but when you’re a medium marking forward it’s even harder. 

4 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

That was a most unusual 5 quarters of footy that I have ever witnessed, we were all over them in the 4th but the Magoos got them off to a flyer in the 5th after stopping the game for 30 minutes (what a bizarre joke). Our third quarter was fantastic and it was really great to  see our lesser lights play so well all game. Milkshake was a great inclusion, Alex was brilliant in his 100th we stood up all over the ground, Bowey is all class and we beat the Eagles, the Umps and the Boo Hoo supporters over there in totally hostile conditions.

Brave effort DEES.!!!!!!  

I noticed with the camera in the rooms we seemed to spend a lot of time during tge lightening break excercising while eagles sat still for most of theirs. I was wondering if we wore ourselves out. At the end of the day eagles had the momentum of ours rubbed out by the break. They stormed home with manic play, bad umpiring, the wind at their backs, nothing to lose and some bad misses and a little panic by us but no cigar. Poor eagles fans. All wet and no points.

2 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Leppa was weird tho.

Praised Melksham as 'the ultimate competitor'.

Seemed to think Ben Brown was playing an absolute blinder - had good moments interspersed with being unable to break out of a jog.

He clearly has more of an idea of what's going on than most of them, which is hardly a surprise. But overall I wouldn't be racing out to sign him as an assistant from his commentary. And I could kind of understand why he's a good assistant but didn't work out as a head coach.

Couldn't help yourself, could you.

Brown played well last night. 

4 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Fritsch is a poor wet weather footballer. It’s hard enough to be a tall marking forward in the wet but when you’re a medium marking forward it’s even harder. 

Agreed. Which is why I thought doggas and bb marks were fantastic.