Far too good .... a thoroughly professional job by the boys ... other than goal kicking accuracy.

For some reason, I'm not buzzing. But quietly contented. 

Thanks boys. Is it possible??

We didn’t even play our best. Second quarter we looked deadly, but we can play better. Certainly not our best night in defense and yet… 

Decent player-by-player ratings here, hard to disagree. Tom Mac the only real non-performer, perhaps Smith but what do you do with Cameron?

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/melbourne-demons/afl-finals-2021-melbourne-demons-player-ratings-vs-brisbane-first-qualifying-final-reviews-stats-best-and-worst-players/news-story/2de934808b2d6d893f6d98f7e3b4d5d0?recommendedCount=0

 

Thank you boys and the whole MFC.  Such a shame had to be alone at home,

 

never been prouder …go deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees

23 minutes ago, Redleg said:

I thought Sparrow came of age tonight. I thought he was great. Another hard nut who doesn't take a backwards step.

Another full pre season and hitting the weights will do Petty wonders. He belongs.

Surprised how much midfield Sparrow played, especially in the first half. Whilst they sent Harmes forward to keep an eye on Rich and Birchall.

Was a bold call given how strong the Lions midfield is. 

Just now, Demonland said:

 

I need to know the percentage of teams with a 209cm captain to have won a flag please 

Well I'll be damned..

3. Christian Salem

Started the game on Zac Bailey but took on other Lions players throughout the night. Won a stack of the ball (23 disposals), but also won a lot of it on the inside (11 contested possessions) to add another strong to his bow. Very solid game. 7

 

'; };

 

1 minute ago, Demonland said:

 

Interesting stat.
I noticed the size difference when they shook hands before the game.
 

Won’t be able to sleep tonight just a perfect performance

A Prelim at Optus Stadium, what could go wrong?

2 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Surprised how much midfield Sparrow played, especially in the first half. Whilst they sent Harmes forward to keep an eye on Rich and Birchall.

Was a bold call given how strong the Lions midfield is. 

Harmes did a great job then.
Rich had alot of ball in the 1st half and was near unsighted in the 2nd.

1 minute ago, sisso said:

Won’t be able to sleep tonight just a perfect performance

Game style was fantastic.
Goal kicking .... Not so much.

Kick straight and we'll take the flag.
 

2 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

A Prelim at Optus Stadium, what could go wrong?

You're in pole position over there man.
Who woulda thought.

24 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I don't think so, no.

Based on my admittedly rudimentary review of the footage, looks to me like Smith was on him from the start and was on him for two of his three first quarter goals.

I’m pretty sure the commentators (on the Fox broadcast) made mention that the switch was made on Cameron from Salem to Smith. Perhaps in the quarter time break. 

17 minutes ago, bingers said:

Far too good .... a thoroughly professional job by the boys ... other than goal kicking accuracy.

For some reason, I'm not buzzing. But quietly contented. 

Thanks boys. Is it possible??

Exactly how if feel. Probably because we both know MFC hasnt actually schieved anything yet, and we are keeping our powder dry until the flag is ours (if it actualy happens)

Just a step along the journey, but there are only a couple of steps left to negotiate.........

Edited August 28, 20213 yr by ding

Bit of a negative, but jeez Tom McDonald looks absolutely cooked.

He won't get dropped, but I honestly think the week off is probably the worse for him. He's put in 2 ordinary games in a row now and I think he's someone who needs game time and continuity.

 

It seemed a Dees crowd - who was there? thoughts please. 

Tell us everything!

1 hour ago, In Harmes Way said:

Holding them to 60 points and 5 goals in the last 3 qtrs was a terrific team defensive effort.

This has been the theme pretty much all season with us IHW. The opposition will move forward at speed but our boys lead the charts ( average speed in defence) for top 5 on ground in this particular stat all year. 
 

 

Edited August 28, 20213 yr by Dee Zephyr

1 minute ago, Mel Bourne said:

I’m pretty sure the commentators (on the Fox broadcast) made mention that the switch was made on Cameron from Salem to Smith. Perhaps in the quarter time break. 

They got this awfully wrong. Smith was standing next to Cameron before the siren went in the first quarter. 

A few have gotten sucked in by [censored] poor judgement from the commentators. Not only did they fail in this regard with delivering the right information but it made Salem look like he was copping a bath from Cameron when in fact he didn't play on him.

Salem played a fine game. 

10 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

A Prelim at Optus Stadium, what could go wrong?

Have you started recruiting your wolfpack yet?

Out: Smith

In: Hibberd

Firstly, each and every one of you Demonlanders out there give yourself the biggest pat on the back you've ever given yourself. You are the true fans and whether I know some well or not I've got so much respect for the people here who stuck fat for so long. It sounds silly but I'd really be struggling without this forum during these times and I'm really stoked to be sharing these moments with you.

How proud, how proud I am of this club. When you've been down for so long it becomes more about the current group setting the culture and identity of the club. Getting the right people in helps a lot but at the end of the day it's the 22 that runs out there that gets it done. 

The last final we played in we got jumped from the start and we were not ready. Several trials and tribulations later we were back and despite some jitters early from some youngster which is totally understandable, we were ready to play footy on the big stage.

That first quarter was close to the best quarter of all round footy this year. While we were vulnerable when the ball hit the deck I did wonder if Brisbane were going to be able to stay with us without getting a mark inside 50. By the way, Brisbane took 5 marks inside 50 for the night. On the flip side we had 15. In stats that matter we really did have all the answers.

A 5 goal lead at half time didn't mean a massive deal for me, I still felt Brisbane would come and that we probably needed one or 2 more at the end of the second. I think if Brown kicks that first shot we roll on to another one after that and put it well out of reach. This is really the one blemish on the game for me, 13 goals 15 behinds, may sound harsh but it probably won't cut it in the next game or 2. I never ever worried about our back line, keeping Brisbane to 2 goals in a quarter is a good effort, what I felt we needed was that steadying goal. Even in the 4th quarter I was riding every bump and at 2 goals apiece I still felt the door was open. Enter Christian Petracca, I leaped pretty high out of the seat at that moment. Almost as high as after Maxy's winner last week.

Clayton Oliver is playing lights out football. That man loves playing on Adelaide oval and when he charges forward with the footy you best get out of he way or learn to live with the boot marks in your neck that you see in the mirror getting ready for that important meeting. This was the best kicking display I've seen from Clarry.

I really liked Harmes' game, he threw himself into 50-50 contests like each one was his last. Gus Brayshaw was a significant contributor, plays the defensive wing role perfectly now and never took his eye off the ball. Langdon on the other side, gee we'd struggle without this bloke. He gave us exactly what we needed, even without the ball he just helps us stretch oppositions over and over again.

Jack Viney I thought started slow but then went on to have a typical Viney game where he chipped in and led by example. Alex Neal-Bullen your game was immense, up there with his West Coast game. Sparrow cracked in, Rivers very shakey early I thought battled back really well to have a solid game as did Bowey. Big Benny Brown provides the foil and works his opponent into the ground a fair bit by getting up and providing marking options at the wing which is handy. No longer do we ever get slaughtered in the air on the wings. May had no issue with Daniher. Daniher really had little impact, most his possessions were up high and he just couldnt get into it. Easy win for May there. Fritta, Kozzie, Bowey to hell with it the whole team played really well I thought.

Well, almost. Joel Smith had a good effort to prevent Cameron from kicking another, but I just don't know if he quite offers enough in that back 6. Hibberd has to be strongly considered. T-Mac, I really hope the week off helps this guy. We need this man fit and firing!

Spargypants, what a little gun. Works so damn hard, you just have to love him.

I'm getting pretty tired, I'm just so happy. These are the times we were waiting for oh lordy. I love you all, enjoy the rest of your weekend peeps, bring on the prelim. Not even focused on who we're playing. Unfortunately no trip to Junction Oval training this time during the bye week to see the Ox and Neita go round. Maybe the club can live Zoom our training sessions? Haha. Ok that is well and truly enough from me. Gonna be bouncing off the walls for a while yet. GO DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 hour ago, Webber said:

He’s not going to be swayed, Watson11, he doesn’t rate Nibbler because he can’t, for reasons known only to him. 

I did say "kudos" to him. Great game . Maybe  a bit picky, easy from the armchair. It's a game of mistakes; felt he had a couple obvious howlers. Let's move on and share the love. Go Dee's. And I love wild Turkey.

 

Edited August 28, 20213 yr by The Stewster

1 minute ago, dazzledavey36 said:

They got this awfully wrong. Smith was standing next to Cameron before the siren went in the first quarter. 

A few have gotten sucked in by [censored] poor judgement from the commentators. Not only did they fail in this regard with delivering the right information but it made Salem look like he was copping a bath from Cameron when in fact he didn't play on him.

Salem played a fine game. 

Wow, ok. Yeah that is poor commentary  

Some more classic fake news from our friends at Fox then.