7 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

The round 23 commentary is interesting.  Geelong say it was one bad qtr.  We know it was a 20 min bitz.  iirc we were tried something new in the first half:  an extra at stoppages and one less in defence.

That's right.

Montagna said on First crack that Salem came up to the stoppage in the first half (something you just can't see on TV - be nice if one of the 12 commentators they having calling the game actually pointed that out!). I think we have only done that once previously, so clearly Goody was trialing something. 

And as you say they went back to their normal set up in the second half.

And i suspect they were also trialing different set ups at the center square bounces in the first half - and or the positioning of the half back flankers - which might help explain those clean clearances in the second quarter. 

We have given up very few such  clearances this year ie where they have so much space to run into goal side - and i can't see us doing so in the prelim. 

On the round 23 match, i cant believe the amount of commentary suggesting it was game of two halves, the cats dominated 3/4 of it etc etc. 

2 minutes ago, binman said:

That's right.

Montagna said on First crack that Salem came up to the stoppage in the first half (something you just can't see on TV - be nice if one of the 12 commentators they having calling the game actually pointed that out!). I think we have only done that once previously, so clearly Goody was trialing something. 

And as you say they went back to their normal set up in the second half.

And i suspect they were also trialing different set ups at the center square bounces in the first half - and or the positioning of the half back flankers - which might help explain those clean clearances in the second quarter. 

We have given up very few such  clearances this year ie where they have so much space to run into goal side - and i can't see us doing so in the prelim. 

On the round 23 match, i cant believe the amount of commentary suggesting it was game of two halves, the cats dominated 3/4 of it etc etc. 

That Melbourne won 3 quarter

22 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I think we can deal with those challenges and the likes of May and Brown will keep their young charges calm.  And, Geelong comments this week make them sound rattled.

The round 23 commentary is interesting.  Geelong say it was one bad qtr.  We know it was a 20 min bitz.  iirc we were tried something new in the first half:  an extra at stoppages and one less in defence.  They walked straight thru our defences.  Late in the 2nd qtr or at 3/4 time we reverted back to our normal structure: extra behind the ball, even numbers at stoppages.  They weren't ready for the switch and we ran them down.  Their scoring dried up and we went on a scoring spree.

Scott was out coached but no one will say it publicly.

You're bang on here! I think yourself and Binman have mentioned the change in tactic in the first half. I recall watching the First Crack at the time with Montagna - who also gave some clarity around that.

I'm both surprised, and not really - that this insight is not spoken about - not just in the media, but here on Demonland. We deliberately went to either - test what would happen with a change in structure/philosophy, or at least were 'foxing' a bit and then reverted back to type in the second half and annihilated them. 

Geelong would also know this and be acutely aware.

So then it falls to Rhys to give them the best opportunity of getting the ball at a minimum 70%-80% of the time to capitalise.

BUT we go in setting up the way we do, because we DO expect Max to win most centre bounce taps - which means other sides anticipate this and set up that way...which is why WE set up the way we do with an extra back a kick.  (sorry about the circular)

So even if Rhys 'halves' the centre bounces, it still falls in our favour, because even the Cat's midfielders have uncertainty to deal with... whereas we don't - if we lose it - great, we will mop up - and if we win great... 

I truly believe Geelong really have their work cut out to stop us structurally, and aside from injury, really really poor pressure or inaccuracy, I cannot see us losing.

Edited September 9, 20213 yr by Engorged Onion

4 minutes ago, Grimes Times said:

That Melbourne won 3 quarter

 

Q1: I would call this quarter a dead rubber 2 goals a piece. 

Q2: Clearly Cats albeit the damage was really done in the 2nd half of Q2 - we actually kicked the 1st goal of the quarter.

Q3 3.2 to 2.1 - i'd say that Melbourne takes the chocolates  with 5 to 3 scoring shots

Q4: Cleary Dees. 

2 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

You're bang on here! I think yourself and Binman have mentioned the change in tactic in the first half. I recall watching the First Crack at the time with Montagna - who also gave some clarity around that.

I'm both surprised, and not really - that this insight is not spoken about - not just in the media, but here on Demonland. We deliberately went to either - test what would happen with a change in structure/philosophy, or at least were 'foxing' a bit and then reverted back to type in the second half and annihilated them. 

Geelong would also know this and be acutely aware.

Not sure where I picked up the tactical change as I don't watch First Crack.  I recall mentioning it somewhere on DL but it didn't take off in the discussion - so many other exciting things to talk about.

Agree, Geelong would be acutely aware of what happened.   It isn't easy to out coach Scott but Goodwin and co did.  I would say that could be a little bit of why Scott sounds rattled, clutching at straws, deriding the good doctor Larkin etc.  

Updated weather forecast. This hasn't changed all week so we can expect some rain at some stage throughout the game. This would certainly disadvantage the Cats control game. 

15 minutes ago, CYB said:

 

Q2: Clearly Cats albeit the damage was really done in the 2nd half of Q2 - we actually kicked the 1st goal of the quarter.

 

Not even the second half of Q2. They kicked 5 goals in the last 5 minutes of the second quarter.

Watching the replay of that quarter is surreal, becuase with 90 seconds to go you realize they still get two more goals!

48 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I think we can deal with those challenges and the likes of May and Brown will keep their young charges calm.  And, Geelong comments this week make them sound rattled.

The round 23 commentary is interesting.  Geelong say it was one bad qtr.  We know it was a 20 min bitz.  iirc we were tried something new in the first half:  an extra at stoppages and one less in defence.  They walked straight thru our defences.  Late in the 2nd qtr or at 3/4 time we reverted back to our normal structure: extra behind the ball, even numbers at stoppages.  They weren't ready for the switch and we ran them down.  Their scoring dried up and we went on a scoring spree.

Scott was out coached but no one will say it publicly.

It was mainly they walked out the 'front' of our centre square bounces i the 2nd qtr. The rest of the stoppages I seem to recall weren't that bad...we then made the appropriate adjustments at half time.

31 minutes ago, Grimes Times said:

That Melbourne won 3 quarter

We won the 1st, 3rd and 4th quarters

For Geelong to say they controlled the game is bunkum. They kicked 8 in the 2nd and 2 more for the game

We kicked 2, 3, 6 and 6

 

 

 

"bunkum", now there's a word that is very underused in today's day to day.

Nice one Jnr. 

Geelong are bunkum.

Does anyone know what time the team is announced? I am expecting Hunt or Hibbo to replace Smith and am just as keen to see Geelong's changes

I am [censored] myself. Glad the game is on at 11:15am here so I don't need to deal with these nerves for long tomorrow. I have taken the day off work so I can either drown my sorrows or go on a bender afterwards. CARN THE DEES.

Edited September 9, 20213 yr by AmsterdamDeesFan

2 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

Jeez....I'm nervous

Nervous?? I am Bloody PETRIFIED!😵

The media seem to be all over the cats.  No real insight into ‘how we win’.  All about the forwards for the cats, That rat fella and of course the midfield.  They all fail to mention the umpires, how Hawkins is emboldened to injure, or the fact that the Dees are 2-0 and better placed to win this one.

In fact, I will go so far as to say if we play 80% of our best or better, we will win.  Commentators be damned!

1 hour ago, CYB said:

Updated weather forecast. This hasn't changed all week so we can expect some rain at some stage throughout the game. This would certainly disadvantage the Cats control game. 

0 to 1ml is by bugger all. Not enough to worry a pommy’s towel. If it rains in Perth it will be localised showers. Its a 5% chance any rain will hit Optus during the game. Conversely I believe ideal conditions suit us more. The Cats always have done exceptionally well in inclement weather at home 

Edited September 9, 20213 yr by John Crow Batty

1 hour ago, At the break of Gawn said:

I think I have too much time or nervous energy this afternoon so I decided to look up historical betting odds to see what they were for the PF in 2018.

Want to hear a scary yet surprising fact?

WCE were $1.76 to win and Melbourne was $2.06

As it stands, we are $1.49 and the Cats are $2.65

I'm really surprised we were only $2.06 in 2018. My memory was that we were massive underdogs but maybe that's just skewed because we got belted. 

We rolled them in Perth late in the year and had serious momentum.  That's why we were shortish.

While we are on 2018, hopefully our boot selection is better this time around.  I've never seen so many people slip over in such an important game.

Expert tips finals week three

Marc McGowan (144)

Melbourne 12, Port Adelaide 15. Last Week: 1

Liz Walsh (138)

Melbourne 18, Port Adelaide 6. Last Week: 1

James Hird (137)

Melbourne 6, Western Bulldogs 4. Last Week: 1

Scott Gullan (137)

Geelong 1, Western Bulldogs 2. Last Week: 2

Martin Pakula (137)

Melbourne 13, Port Adelaide 22: Last Week 2

David King (136)

Melbourne 12, Port Adelaide 12. Last Week: 1

Jay Clark (136)

Melbourne 6, Port Adelaide 6. Last Week: 1

Jon Ralph (133)

Melbourne 27, Port Adelaide 28. Last Week: 1

Gerard Whately (133)

Geelong 1, Port Adelaide 10. Last Week: 2

Rebecca Williams (133)

Melbourne 8, Port Adelaide 10. Last Week: 2

Tim Watson (131)

Melbourne 11, Port Adelaide 17. Last Week: 1

Glenn McFarlane (131)

Melbourne 5, Port Adelaide 1. Last Week: 2

Nick Riewoldt (131)

Melbourne 15, Port Adelaide 5. Last Week: 2

Brad Johnson (130)

Melbourne 2, Western Bulldogs 4. Last Week: 2

Michael Warner (129)

Melbourne 27, Port Adelaide 7. Last Week: 1

Chris Cavanagh (129)

Melbourne 12, Port Adelaide 18. Last Week: 2

Simeon Thomas-Wilson (129)

Geelong 3, Port Adelaide 12. Last Week: 2

Sarah Jones (128)

Geelong 6, Western Bulldogs 3. Last Week: 1

Mick Malthouse (127)

Melbourne 5, Port Adelaide 6. Last Week: 1

Mick McGuane (128)

Melbourne 7, Port Adelaide 27. Last Week: 2

Matt Turner (127)

Melbourne 12, Western Bulldogs 4. Last Week: 1

Sam Landsberger (127)

Melbourne 27, Western Bulldogs 7. Last Week: 2

Mark Robinson (126)

Melbourne 22, Port Adelaide 11. Last Week: 1

Dermott Brereton (124)

Melbourne 24, Western Bulldogs 3. Last Week: 2

Michael O’Brien (120)

Melbourne 10, Western Bulldogs 3. Last Week: 2

Sally Capp (114)

Melbourne 13, Port Adelaide 17. Last Week: 2

Kiss of Death (77)

Geelong 13, Western Bulldogs 13. Last Week: 1

34 minutes ago, The Swimming Dee said:

Does anyone know what time the team is announced? 

41 minutes ago, The Swimming Dee said:

Does anyone know what time the team is announced? I am expecting Hunt or Hibbo to replace Smith and am just as keen to see Geelong's changes

It's either 6.20 or 6.25