Out of interest, I just tried to find tickets in the public sale. I got back ~200 results for single tickets. Less than 20 seemed to be non-restricted viewing so looks like there will be a great crowd - hopefully mostly Dees supporters. 

I think we should roll them.

By biggest concern is Clayton Oliver. If I was Scott, I'd physically target and to try hurt him.

Geelong are grubs enough to do it. Selwood, Dangerfield, Hawkins have a free pass to hurt people and I reckon they'll try and take him out of the game.

I just want to see us get through this with a win and unscathed.

I'd almost consider giving Jones a run to go out and just tear Selwoods head off. 

I'm feeling good about this game. Not worried or nervous, just pretty damn calm and expect to stay that way right through the game.

Why is that you ask.

Simple.

While I have confidence in the team leadership, their structures and the coaches, more importantly, I believe that the players have that same confidence in these things. That will give them the ability they have shown in past games to respond to the situations that arise in the game, just as they did the last time we played Geelong.

I think we will out play them for at least 3 quarters of the game and a have a lot more run in our legs in the last.

Dees by 45 points

Haven’t posted here for a while. Very excited for Friday night. But seems so bloody far away. They’re going to play the extra tall and try and make Lever accountable. No doubt means we’ll try Smith on one of the big boys and manipulate a better match up for Lever. Probably the smaller forwards worry us more but cats don’t have a Charlie Cameron level player. Or anyone really near it. 
Danger looks wounded but could will himself on being the champion he is. But the likes of Viney Oliver and Petracca seem built for finals and we can certainly win the midfield battle with Gawn getting on top to. 
Without Stewart they look a lot less scary down back. We just have to make sure we make the most of our chances and lock the ball in. 
We can do this. Go Dees!

Edited September 6, 20213 yr by Hunt29

Big shout out to James Harmes. I'm sure we all know he was/is a dyed in the wool Melbourne supporter. Running out in Prelim... must be amazing for him.

Also... hope he gets a run with role on Dangerfield, but also happy if he is on Duncan.

3 minutes ago, Brownie said:

I think we should roll them.

By biggest concern is Clayton Oliver. If I was Scott, I'd physically target and to try hurt him.

Geelong are grubs enough to do it. Selwood, Dangerfield, Hawkins have a free pass to hurt people and I reckon they'll try and take him out of the game.

I just want to see us get through this with a win and unscathed.

I'd almost consider giving Jones a run to go out and just tear Selwoods head off. 

There’s this bloke called Viney who may have a bit to say about that

2 minutes ago, Brownie said:

I think we should roll them.

By biggest concern is Clayton Oliver. If I was Scott, I'd physically target and to try hurt him.

Geelong are grubs enough to do it. Selwood, Dangerfield, Hawkins have a free pass to hurt people and I reckon they'll try and take him out of the game.

I just want to see us get through this with a win and unscathed.

I'd almost consider giving Jones a run to go out and just tear Selwoods head off. 

I get what you’re saying, that would have worked in 2018, but we’re too mature and tough for that [censored], imagine Selwood or Danger tried that, Viney, Harmes, May, Gawn would be into them in an instance.

if Geelong try that, it takes them away from their own game plan and they’ll lose, they’re just as nervous (if not more) then Melbourne are, it’s going to be an absolute cracker of a game.

Maybe we'll bring Hibberd in for Bowey, allowing May, Petty and Smith to take Hawkins, Cameron and Ratugolea, Hibberd goes to Rohan, and that lets Lever run free? Rivers and Salem with Clark/Miers?

Does Hibberd allow a bit more flexibility than Bowey for a taller Geelong forward line?

5 hours ago, binman said:

Ethan (and other Perth based posters), what's the vibe like over there atm in terms of the footy?

I was amazed the Cats v Giants game had a crowd of 44, 000. Incredible, particularly given one assumes there is no historic giants fan base.

I was even more amazed people were still booing the iumpires!

Prelims are the people’s finals, you don’t get all the hangers on and fat cats like you do the granny. When Eagles or Freo have played home prelim, which has only been 05, 13, 15 x2 and 18 outside of members you really struggle to get a ticket. There’s quite a decent vibe to be part of it this week and great for footy lovers. 8 of us going and can’t wait 

I just saw the grab of Selwood's post-game interview from On the Couch, where he smugly (literally with a smile on his face) told the camera that they didn't care about their loss to Port because they'd won 11 straight in the middle of the season (which wasn't true, it was 11 from 12).

[censored] if we lose on Friday it's going to be so hard to stomach.

1 minute ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Prelims are the people’s finals, you don’t get all the hangers on and fat cats like you do the granny. When Eagles or Freo have played home prelim, which has only been 05, 13, 15 x2 and 18 outside of members you really struggle to get a ticket. There’s quite a decent vibe to be part of it this week and great for footy lovers. 8 of us going and can’t wait 

I'm dreaming of getting to a Dees prelim eventually for the same reason. It's about the fans rather than the Gran Final corporates

4 minutes ago, Brownie said:

I'm dreaming of getting to a Dees prelim eventually for the same reason. It's about the fans rather than the Gran Final corporates

3rd time lucky I hope for me 98 and 18 weren’t happy memories 

23 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Maybe we'll bring Hibberd in for Bowey, allowing May, Petty and Smith to take Hawkins, Cameron and Ratugolea, Hibberd goes to Rohan, and that lets Lever run free? Rivers and Salem with Clark/Miers?

Does Hibberd allow a bit more flexibility than Bowey for a taller Geelong forward line?

NO

Garry Lyon just said on the couch that he got a text message from Tim Gossage that Friday night's game is expected to be sold out 60k by midnight tonight!

Big stage.

Our time to shine boys.

7 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Garry Lyon just said on the couch that he got a text message from Tim Gossage that Friday night's game is expected to be sold out 60k by midnight tonight!

Big stage.

Our time to shine boys.

That would be 60k more than attended their last game just a few weeks ago.

25 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Maybe we'll bring Hibberd in for Bowey, allowing May, Petty and Smith to take Hawkins, Cameron and Ratugolea, Hibberd goes to Rohan, and that lets Lever run free? Rivers and Salem with Clark/Miers?

Does Hibberd allow a bit more flexibility than Bowey for a taller Geelong forward line?

I got crucified the other day for suggesting in dropping Bowey, so just watch yourself..

My reason was pretty much exactly yours. I simply don't see a match up for Bowey and with Geelongs much taller line up, it's not a risk I'm willing to take on a 5th gamer who looked overawed for 3 quarters against Brisbane.

For me I think Hibberd has to come in. He's experienced, and adds further leadership down back but also plays a good negating role. I have every confidence Hibberd could take Rohan because Rohan has been in poor form and the guy crumbles against extreme pressure and finals heat.

GWS barely applied any pressure on Geelong hence why Rohan was able to get a bit more of the ball this week.

My match ups. 

May > Hawkins

Petty > Ratugolea 

Smith > Cameron

HIbberd/Lever > Rohan

Salem > Miers 

Rivers > Close

6 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I got crucified the other day for suggesting in dropping Bowey, so just watch yourself..

My reason was pretty much exactly yours. I simply don't see a match up for Bowey and with Geelongs much taller line up, it's not a risk I'm willing to take on a 5th gamer who looked overawed for 3 quarters against Brisbane.

For me I think Hibberd has to come in. He's experienced, and adds further leadership down back but also plays a good negating role. I have every confidence Hibberd could take Rohan because Rohan has been in poor form and the guy crumbles against extreme pressure and finals heat.

GWS barely applied any pressure on Geelong hence why Rohan was able to get a bit more of the ball this week.

My match ups. 

May > Hawkins

Petty > Ratugolea 

Smith > Cameron

HIbberd/Lever > Rohan

Salem > Miers 

Rivers > Close

I should say I didn't suggest it because I'm worried about Bowey, or that I think he doesn't deserve his spot in the 22.

It's more that I worry that if we need to mix things up Hibberd and Smith can be flexible and take Rohan or Cameron or Miers or Close. Bowey doesn't give us that flexibility as much.

It's not a massive concern - I think Geelong will be going in too tall and I think that plays into our hands already. Provided we bring the same level of defensive pressure in the forward and middle thirds of the ground as we've done all year, that's as much a part of how we stop them scoring as the individuals in the back six are.

46 minutes ago, BrisbaneDemon said:

I get what you’re saying, that would have worked in 2018, but we’re too mature and tough for that [censored], imagine Selwood or Danger tried that, Viney, Harmes, May, Gawn would be into them in an instance.

if Geelong try that, it takes them away from their own game plan and they’ll lose, they’re just as nervous (if not more) then Melbourne are, it’s going to be an absolute cracker of a game.

Yep, it's part of the worry for me about coming through unscathed.

Viney elbow to the head / throat equals two weeks.

Selwood elbow to the throat equals nothing to worry about.

I could see the likes of Viney sticking up for Clarry and getting reported.

Anyways, you're right about them being tougher and more mature. I just reckon Selwood will match up on Clarry and be a complete grub even more than usual.

I hope we just run them off their legs and completely destroy them.

4 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I should say I didn't suggest it because I'm worried about Bowey, or that I think he doesn't deserve his spot in the 22.

It's more that I worry that if we need to mix things up Hibberd and Smith can be flexible and take Rohan or Cameron or Miers or Close. Bowey doesn't give us that flexibility as much.

It's not a massive concern - I think Geelong will be going in too tall and I think that plays into our hands already. Provided we bring the same level of defensive pressure in the forward and middle thirds of the ground as we've done all year, that's as much a part of how we stop them scoring as the individuals in the back six are.

The other key is that with Geelong going really tall, this this dilutes forward pressure from Geelong.

If the ball hits the ground I'm backing the likes of Salem, Rivers and co to mop up and give us some good drive off half back.

I swe your logic dazzler about hibberd.

But I reckon there is zero chance he comes in.

In fact I don't think there will be any changes.

8 minutes ago, binman said:

I swe your logic dazzler about hibberd.

But I reckon there is zero chance he comes in.

In fact I don't think there will be any changes.

I agree, I don't think there'll be any changes also.

7 minutes ago, binman said:

I swe your logic dazzler about hibberd.

But I reckon there is zero chance he comes in.

In fact I don't think there will be any changes.

Bowey seemed a bit nervous to me on Saturday night. I still think he lacks a bit of awareness and has been caught htb a few times. I’d be bringing in Hibberd in my opinion. He’s reliable and you know exactly what you’re going to get and I think he has the smarts to play on Rohan. 

36 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Garry Lyon just said on the couch that he got a text message from Tim Gossage that Friday night's game is expected to be sold out 60k by midnight tonight!

Big stage.

Our time to shine boys.

And unlike 2018, it won’t be as hostile. I think we will have the neutral support 

4 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

And unlike 2018, it won’t be as hostile. I think we will have the neutral support 

And playing in front of a big crowd has worked well for us as well. Take away the prelim of 2018, we stood up really well in the two finals that year in front of 90k.

There will be a massive Demon crowd here. Trust me. 

There won't be much noise for the Cats.