Is this the best Demons side of the last 57 years?

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

52 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

While I am in agreement with what we have seen so far... my MFCSS tells me this thread is going to come back to bite us if someone knocks us off.

I imagine Adelaide in 2017 had similar types of threads

From my op I'm not saying we are guaranteed to win the flag. 

Im asking if there has been a better MFC side in our more recent history? Flags excluded.

I am too young (not that young) but i reckon in our history we wouldn't have had a side with so many well credentialed players and have had such an amazing season. 

I don't think we are guaranteed a flag and I think this team has a lot of development but wow what a great season so far.....

Has any MFC team in 57 years had a better year?

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by COVID Dan

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

2 hours ago, At the break of Gawn said:

I was thinking about starting a new thread but this current topic is pretty much the same.

My question:

When was the last time we were unequivocally the best team left in the finals series and favourites for the flag?

From my limited recollection:

2018 - Richmond/WCE the clear favourites

2002/2004/2005/2006 - Certainly not us.

2000 - Essendon hands down.

1998 - North

1994 - West Coast/Geelong

1988 - Hawks

1987 - Carlton?

1964?

I’m of firm belief that this flag is ours to lose, and anyone else who wins it is the underdog.

 

I agree 

I don't reckon we have seen such a highly rated footy side in 57 years.

 

[jnrmac 20,108]

Our 2000 Season (Check out some of the scores!)

 

rd 1  Richmond 14.10 (94) Melbourne  13.14 (92) MCG

rd 2 Melbourne 23.7 (145) Kangaroos 17.18 (120)

rd 3 Sydney 19.12 (126) Melbourne 17.12 (114)

rd 4 Melbourne 25.15 (165) St Kilda 11.9 (75)

rd 5 Fremantle 10.15 (75) Melbourne 14.22 (106)

rd 6 Geelong 15.19 (109) Melbourne 12.12 (84)

rd 7 Melbourne 20.18 (138) West Coast 12.5 (77)

rd 8 Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) Melbourne 20.10 (130)

rd 9 Melbourne 13.15 (93) Essendon 15.16 (106)

rd 10 Melbourne 15.12 (102) Brisbane Lions 11.18 (84)

rd 11Adelaide 15.15 (105) Melbourne 8.22 (70)

rd 12 Western Bulldogs 16.12 (108) Melbourne 13.5 (83)

rd 13 Melbourne 9.7 (61) Carlton 25.9 (159)

rd 14 Melbourne 22.11 (143) Collingwood 12.6 (78)

 rd 15 Hawthorn 10.12 (72) Melbourne 22.9 (141)

rd 16 Melbourne 16.14 (110) Richmond 14.16 (100)

rd 17 Kangaroos 14.19 (103) Melbourne 14.18 (102)

rd 18 Melbourne 19.11 (125) Sydney 15.9 (99)

rd 19 St Kilda 14.14 (98) Melbourne 17.14 (116)

rd 20 Melbourne 25.10 (160) Fremantle 11.11 (77)

rd 21 Melbourne 18.18 (126) Geelong 17.6 (108)

rd 22 West Coast 15.10 (100) Melbourne 26.14 (170)

 

QF   Carlton 12.15 (87)  Melbourne 15.6 (96)

PF Melbourne 23.18 (156) Kangaroos 17.4 (106)

GF Essendon  19.21 (135) Melbourne 11.9 (75)

 

 

[Delusional demon 82 1,197]

Yes, it definitely is the best team we’ve had and by far the best chance to break the Norm Smith curse and because of that my MFCSS is absolutely raging at the moment. 

My brain is seriously struggling to process us now logically being clear outright favourites vs. our often illogical historical intuition and veil of negativity (I know I hate that phrase but that’s the only way to describe it) 

it’s going to be a nervy few weeks ahead, I really want to enjoy this ride and i have a lot of faith in this team but at the same time I’m now absolutely petrified at blowing this chance. Better non MFC teams in our position have blown prelims or grand finals (think Cats 08, Bombers 99) I just hope the stars align and this d-train keeps on going right to the finish line ! 

 

[Fritta and Turner 4,435]

Certainly the best TEAM I have seen.  Defence and on ball division, and interchange for that matter, the best.  Forward line, no, and wingers....Robbie is a hard act to follow.....

[picket fence 17,181]

If we win the Premiership YES if not who cares

[Half forward flank 1,022]

By a long way. 

[dazzledavey36 55,001]

 

[Fat Tony 5,252]

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

Our 2000 Season (Check out some of the scores!)

 

rd 1  Richmond 14.10 (94) Melbourne  13.14 (92) MCG

rd 2 Melbourne 23.7 (145) Kangaroos 17.18 (120)

rd 3 Sydney 19.12 (126) Melbourne 17.12 (114)

rd 4 Melbourne 25.15 (165) St Kilda 11.9 (75)

rd 5 Fremantle 10.15 (75) Melbourne 14.22 (106)

rd 6 Geelong 15.19 (109) Melbourne 12.12 (84)

rd 7 Melbourne 20.18 (138) West Coast 12.5 (77)

rd 8 Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) Melbourne 20.10 (130)

rd 9 Melbourne 13.15 (93) Essendon 15.16 (106)

rd 10 Melbourne 15.12 (102) Brisbane Lions 11.18 (84)

rd 11Adelaide 15.15 (105) Melbourne 8.22 (70)

rd 12 Western Bulldogs 16.12 (108) Melbourne 13.5 (83)

rd 13 Melbourne 9.7 (61) Carlton 25.9 (159)

rd 14 Melbourne 22.11 (143) Collingwood 12.6 (78)

 rd 15 Hawthorn 10.12 (72) Melbourne 22.9 (141)

rd 16 Melbourne 16.14 (110) Richmond 14.16 (100)

rd 17 Kangaroos 14.19 (103) Melbourne 14.18 (102)

rd 18 Melbourne 19.11 (125) Sydney 15.9 (99)

rd 19 St Kilda 14.14 (98) Melbourne 17.14 (116)

rd 20 Melbourne 25.10 (160) Fremantle 11.11 (77)

rd 21 Melbourne 18.18 (126) Geelong 17.6 (108)

rd 22 West Coast 15.10 (100) Melbourne 26.14 (170)

 

QF   Carlton 12.15 (87)  Melbourne 15.6 (96)

PF Melbourne 23.18 (156) Kangaroos 17.4 (106)

GF Essendon  19.21 (135) Melbourne 11.9 (75)

 

 

We certainly had a great brand of footy to watch in 2000.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,816]

I think it's the best Melbourne team I've seen. I was too young to remember the 1964 team.

What I particularly like, though, is the balanced quality between the experienced and the young. To have five All-Australians (and seven in the squad) in the same year as having four players all not just being nominated for the Rising Star but all getting votes from one or more of the judges (who could only choose five players each) is quite astounding. That Bowey got votes after playing only four(?) games is extraordinary. 

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

Our 2000 Season (Check out some of the scores!)

 

rd 1  Richmond 14.10 (94) Melbourne  13.14 (92) MCG

rd 2 Melbourne 23.7 (145) Kangaroos 17.18 (120)

rd 3 Sydney 19.12 (126) Melbourne 17.12 (114)

rd 4 Melbourne 25.15 (165) St Kilda 11.9 (75)

rd 5 Fremantle 10.15 (75) Melbourne 14.22 (106)

rd 6 Geelong 15.19 (109) Melbourne 12.12 (84)

rd 7 Melbourne 20.18 (138) West Coast 12.5 (77)

rd 8 Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) Melbourne 20.10 (130)

rd 9 Melbourne 13.15 (93) Essendon 15.16 (106)

rd 10 Melbourne 15.12 (102) Brisbane Lions 11.18 (84)

rd 11Adelaide 15.15 (105) Melbourne 8.22 (70)

rd 12 Western Bulldogs 16.12 (108) Melbourne 13.5 (83)

rd 13 Melbourne 9.7 (61) Carlton 25.9 (159)

rd 14 Melbourne 22.11 (143) Collingwood 12.6 (78)

 rd 15 Hawthorn 10.12 (72) Melbourne 22.9 (141)

rd 16 Melbourne 16.14 (110) Richmond 14.16 (100)

rd 17 Kangaroos 14.19 (103) Melbourne 14.18 (102)

rd 18 Melbourne 19.11 (125) Sydney 15.9 (99)

rd 19 St Kilda 14.14 (98) Melbourne 17.14 (116)

rd 20 Melbourne 25.10 (160) Fremantle 11.11 (77)

rd 21 Melbourne 18.18 (126) Geelong 17.6 (108)

rd 22 West Coast 15.10 (100) Melbourne 26.14 (170)

 

QF   Carlton 12.15 (87)  Melbourne 15.6 (96)

PF Melbourne 23.18 (156) Kangaroos 17.4 (106)

GF Essendon  19.21 (135) Melbourne 11.9 (75)

 

 

Was a great year and possibly the best candidate to compare.

Interestingly we have already won more games this year (18) and beaten every team (except pies).

Wowey won the Brownlow - Oliver a big chance this year.

How many AA did we have in 2000? I'm too lazy to look.

I'm still rating this year (2021) as a better year.

 

[ucanchoose 1,816]

29 minutes ago, COVID Dan said:

Was a great year and possibly the best candidate to compare.

Interestingly we have already won more games this year (18) and beaten every team (except pies).

Wowey won the Brownlow - Oliver a big chance this year.

How many AA did we have in 2000? I'm too lazy to look.

I'm still rating this year (2021) as a better year.

 

Only Farmer  in 2000

[loges 6,767]

4 hours ago, picket fence said:

If we win the Premiership YES if not who cares

It's the only thing that matters really isn't it ? No matter how good this year has been, if we don't win it will be a wasted opportunity.

[SPC 3,551]

From mid 1990s onwards we have had good sides, but poor defences. We are now more consistent across all lines. Probably not as much individual brilliance, but certainly a better team with better team players.

Edited August 30, 2021 by SPC
Typo

[Jibroni 5,004]

The 1998 team was a very good one, at least a better forward line but weaker midfield and defence.

 

 

[Supreme_Demon 3,885]

In the end, it all counts for nothing if you don't win the Premiership.

All Australians, individuals awards, minor Premiers, Rising Star Award etc etc are nice achievements.

 

But it's that Premiership cup that we all desperately want! 

People only remember those who win! And we haven't won since 1964 so we need to remedy that and end this 57 year drought!

Remember, if you're ain't first....you're last!

 

[bobby1554 1,244]

If they can beat Geelong on Friday week, then I would say yes. Because there is no way they would be pasted in the GF like 1988 and 2000

[DeeZone 9,879]

I have watched a lot of games over the years since 1964 and we as a Team have never achieved what this 2021 team have achieved and we are the favourites at this point, that has never happened before. Our Best and Worst is now so much closer than previous years, we are never embarrassed or ashamed of this team. Two games to go boys make yourselves proud, Legend status is so near yet so far.!!!!

[Sir Why You Little 37,052]

Potentially Yes…Got to keep going, nobody remembers 2nd Place…

2 more games, then ask

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,861]

8 hours ago, At the break of Gawn said:

I was thinking about starting a new thread but this current topic is pretty much the same.

My question:

When was the last time we were unequivocally the best team left in the finals series and favourites for the flag?

From my limited recollection:

2018 - Richmond/WCE the clear favourites

2002/2004/2005/2006 - Certainly not us.

2000 - Essendon hands down.

1998 - North

1994 - West Coast/Geelong

1988 - Hawks

1987 - Carlton?

1964?

I’m of firm belief that this flag is ours to lose, and anyone else who wins it is the underdog.

 

If Port have an emphatic prelim win and we fall over the line, I get the feeling Port will almost be favourites to beat us.

They’d be on an 8 game winning streak including beating the Dogs at Marvel and are full strength and playing brilliant footy.

Like us, I get the feeling Port are on a mission this year and have well and truly bought in after blowing it last year.

[Fork 'em 6,984]

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

 

Pfft .... I should be special comments.
Been saying this for months.
This flag is wide open.
Whoever holds their nerve will take it.
If we can kick straight it'll be us.

[Fork 'em 6,984]

Had a good side during the Daniher era with a killer forward line but for one reason or another couldn't get their act together.

But this is the best consistent team football from the club I've ever seen.
Having said that .... 5AA for us is unchartered territory along with a bunch of unsung roll players all on the same page.
Most opposition supporters haven't even heard of half our side.

[Little Goffy 14,583]

I've decided to wait until we can discuss whether this is the best Demons side of the last 58 years.

It's going to be a long week off and I am going to shrivel without a Demon game to focus the anxiety.

[Wrecker46 2,997]

On 8/28/2021 at 11:57 PM, monoccular said:

Without waning to get ahead of ourselves, we were desperately unlucky that our 2 GF appearances were against possibly the two most dominant teams of their era playing hard brutal take no prisoner footy.  
Both 1988 and 2000 we  fell into the finals without ever being considered by most people a decent chance. 
2021 is very different.  We play as a team every week and if one has a downer, others step up.❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙 

In 2000 we had Whelan miss through injury and Brad Green get punched in the throat by Dean Wallis while Hardwick had his arms pinned 

They both went on to be two of the best players of the generation..

Troy Simmons got knocked out in dirty play by Michael Long.

this is our year and Gawn, Olive, Mar and Petracca will do it in good taste

[Guest]

Best midfield in my lifetime easily.