While I’ll have a much more enjoyable Saturday night watching the Demons pump the Cats, a close loss wouldn’t be end of the world.

Potentially playing Port in Adelaide next week is still a very winnable match and even losing that match, we only have to win three in a row!

Top 4 is the key and no injuries.

Dream scenario, win our next four matches!!

But three may suffice!

Go you mighty Demons!

 

Surprised there's so much optimism about tonight's game. People do know it's at GMHBA?

2 hours ago, Kent said:

there are no crowds tonight Right??

Was there going to be? I'm unsure. But with regional Vic going into lockdown again in just under an hour their definitely won't be now.

Another long day in lock down waiting for this game to roll around

13 minutes ago, one_demon said:

Surprised there's so much optimism about tonight's game. People do know it's at GMHBA?

I think it’s combination of confidence in the team, lack of rabid cats fans at the ground, and that Geelong’s form has been pretty meh the last couple of weeks. 

16 minutes ago, one_demon said:

Surprised there's so much optimism about tonight's game. People do know it's at GMHBA?

It’s a weird one tonight. Will be good to win but nowhere near as important as it is to win next week. Go in hard, don’t get injured. 

playing Port away next week is nothing to be scared of but playing a team not at home is preferable. 

most important is to play well tonight and go into next week confident. 

Ok this going to sound weird….

I am genuinely excited about tonight’s game….

I really don’t understand this feeling 

I feel strangely confident about tonight but the key is no injuries. 

It's a glorious day outside so I'm keeping busy with some landscaping until beer o'clock at around 4pm. Then I'll put my feet up and have a look at the warm up act at the Gabba before the main event at KP. How good is it having the best Melbourne side any of us have probably ever seen and knowing they will probably only get better. 

My game day secret - a combination of beta blockers, Valium and ethanol in various forms. Works every time.

8 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

I feel strangely confident about tonight but the key is no injuries. 

or reports....

3 hours ago, Jaded said:

The one thing to look forward to while I wait to hear if my husband is out of work (as are all his employees) for the foreseeable future due to further lockdowns. 

Can’t say this game is at the forefront of my mind but I am really hoping we can win and bring a much needed bit of joy to many Melbourne supporters stuck in Covid hell. 

Have same problem out of work due to covid hope you come out of it ok.Good luck

Can't handle this.  Me thinks if we win the Cats know what to do next time, and if we lose they have already worked it out.

Back under my rock.....

Another who’s never experienced a minor premiership in 50+ years a supporter.

Hoping for it to all click and our boys to reveal to the top 8, that the team at the top of the ladder is indeed the team they’ll have to beat to claim the flag this year.

Shock and awe, drizzled with champagne.

Go Demons.

Edited August 21, 20213 yr by PaulRB

8 minutes ago, Jontee said:

Can't handle this.  Me thinks if we win the Cats know what to do next time, and if we lose they have already worked it out.

Back under my rock.....

Don't stress too much Jontee!  Methinks Goody will keep a few tricks up his sleeve for the next time we meet with them.  No need to play our full hand tonight.

Edited August 21, 20213 yr by Deeoldfart

Just now, Deeoldfart said:

Don't stress too much Jontee!  Methinks Goody will keep a few tricks up his sleeve for the next time we meet with them.

I can see us never playing Geelong again and potentially a straights sets exit for the Cats. Port & Syd/GWS or Bris & WB. Pick your poison.

I do think we're good enough to beat Bris, but talk about a tough bracket if you lose and then play WB in a semi.

 

 

I think it definitely would have been nicer if the Dogs just won last night but really there’s going to be fools gold littered all over this finals series. Tonight’s match does mean a lot more now but do agree it’s not lost if we come up short. 

44 minutes ago, Deeoldfart said:

Don't stress too much Jontee!  Methinks Goody will keep a few tricks up his sleeve for the next time we meet with them.  No need to play our full hand tonight.

Thanks for that 

Methinks these tricks must be the one that the coach has had up his sleeve for 6 seasons because thus far he's been a one trick pony

16 minutes ago, layzie said:

I think it definitely would have been nicer if the Dogs just won last night 

Agree.

That said I think it helps that there is a lot to play for in this game.

The loser plays port at home. And port is the only team who will be able to play at their home ground in front of their fans.

This should help avoid the situation of player subconsciously holding back, which might be a risk if it was more of a dead rubber.

37 minutes ago, layzie said:

I think it definitely would have been nicer if the Dogs just won last night but really there’s going to be fools gold littered all over this finals series

Also agree but I’m fairly philosophical about it. Between our lack of injuries this year, timely injuries to opposition players and other results often falling our way this is about as lucky as I can remember us being. So much so I have dropped the toast on the floor a couple of times just to make sure it still landed butter side down. 

Never ever have we won 17 home and away games in a season….time to make history tonight ❤️💙

1 hour ago, IRW said:

Thanks for that 

Methinks these tricks must be the one that the coach has had up his sleeve for 6 seasons because thus far he's been a one trick pony

Can't agree, the change to coaching staff and associated game plan options has been a revelation for us.

We now change up the structures, style and mindset during the game. The maturity is shown by our capacity to get back on top when teams get a run on.

The players have "bought in", and trust the game plans. We have a few different gears, can go defensive and now we can be offensive (good timing to get this part of our game rolling). We can hold the ball, rebound it and get that important answering score. Get some of our contested and clearance work consistent then we are a very well rounded team.

One trick was in the past (see and get ball, move it quickly).

The game tonight will be primarily about the coaches.  Will they show all the different strategies so keep the opposition guessing as to which style or will it be one style for the entire game?

I suggest it will be a very defensive style, dogged and dour, with the occasional flair to get some score on the board.  Though would love to see us take it on all game, so we have a hard hit out. I presume they will be saving something in the tank and mindset for the final series.

 

Edited August 21, 20213 yr by kev martin

1 hour ago, IRW said:

Thanks for that 

Methinks these tricks must be the one that the coach has had up his sleeve for 6 seasons because thus far he's been a one trick pony

Well, that’s one helluva trick he’s got right there! He makes David Copperfield et al look like amateurs. 

Draw.