GRAND FINAL: Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs

[Clayton van Oliver 1,829]

  On 13/09/2021 at 06:48, longsuffering said:

I see in the West Australian that there is a petition to have Neale Daniher at the GF to hand over the Cup. Does anyone over here know about it.

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Yep, here

[Deemania since 56 6,810]

  On 12/09/2021 at 11:34, Earl Hood said:

And I would assign Spargo to CDaniel to chase, tackle and harass at every opportunity to stop his drive out of their backline. 

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I agree, but in a 'swapsies' arrangement with ANB. This is because we also need Spargo's skills nesting in the forward half to 'read' and deliver those lethal forward opportunities against a pith week Bulldogs defence. ANB feeds, but also his snapshots - these will be very valuable, as well. Hence, the swapping - but the two of them could run CDaniel ragged across a whole game.

 

[Demon17 5,262]

  On 13/09/2021 at 08:10, Mickey said:

Recency bias, even when the Dogs game was only 24 hrs after ours.

I am never confident on the Dees winning. I am now

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Brilliant terminology that sums up generally how media types and other short term thinkers see the game. 

Thanks for that mickey

[leave it to deever 17,621]

  On 11/09/2021 at 23:18, At the break of Gawn said:

I didn’t know McKay played for the dogs? If you’re talking about Naughton then he’s no where near it. Fritsch has kicked 7 more than him and played 1 less game.

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Also get the feeling Tmac is going to finally kick a few.

Gf is the perfect time🤩

[spirit of norm smith 16,680]

Hi all. I’m excited. I’m scared.  It’s like we are all about to go on a rollercoaster together.  A terrifying spiraling rollercoaster.  It’s exciting but terrifying.  You have to give your heart and soul to the Demons, to feel the hurt of defeat but the exhilaration of victory.

We are so close.   So close to that premiership we have dreamed of.  All the dedication.  All our time and thoughts.  All the posts.  All our potential strategies. All those trades and recruiting suggestions.  This is what we do it for.  To aspire.  To dream to get the Dees that premiership.  To feel the glory.  It’s so close.
 

Let’s ride it together and no matter what, we hold ourselves together and ride the wave.  We might get dumped and we might ride the perfect tube and feel the exhilaration. That’s what we signed up for when we give our hearts to the Dees.  

Let’s keep the belief.  2021 is our year.
 The premiership we dreamed of. 

[radar 1,867]

Youthful US Open winner

[Coobs 174]

At the end of the game no matter what the score I'll still be proud of what this team has produced this year. 

 

In saying that I think we are better than them and will win.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,468]

  On 11/09/2021 at 14:09, 1 red eye 1 blue eye said:

Hmmm not sure, I'm thinking more Spargo I just want to see his possessions pressured.

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Get Viney to run through him early on to take the wind out of his sails

[Guest]

  On 13/09/2021 at 11:14, radar said:

Youthful US Open winner

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And wearing our colours too. ❤️💙

[Guest]

  On 13/09/2021 at 11:00, spirit of norm smith said:

Hi all. I’m excited. I’m scared.  It’s like we are all about to go on a rollercoaster together.  A terrifying spiraling rollercoaster.  It’s exciting but terrifying.  You have to give your heart and soul to the Demons, to feel the hurt of defeat but the exhilaration of victory.

We are so close.   So close to that premiership we have dreamed of.  All the dedication.  All our time and thoughts.  All the posts.  All our potential strategies. All those trades and recruiting suggestions.  This is what we do it for.  To aspire.  To dream to get the Dees that premiership.  To feel the glory.  It’s so close.
 

Let’s ride it together and no matter what, we hold ourselves together and ride the wave.  We might get dumped and we might ride the perfect tube and feel the exhilaration. That’s what we signed up for when we give our hearts to the Dees.  

Let’s keep the belief.  2021 is our year.
 The premiership we dreamed of. 

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Beautifully put. ❤️💙

[Fork 'em 7,052]

Spent near the whole year on top and come GF day the boys will come out and show the football world why.

[radar 1,867]

  On 13/09/2021 at 11:41, WalkingCivilWar said:

And wearing our colours too. ❤️💙

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Don’t believe in omens but nice look. 
The colours

[Northern Summer 292]

Gotta make a quick irrelevant point here. It's amazing how many 'new' Demonland members with one post haven't contributed anything on this page, yet flooded the GF barcode page. I'm sure we will never hear from them again, unless, of course, we make the Grand Final again next year and it's unexpectedly played interstate!

Totally agree with what many have said - we are a more rounded team than the Bulldogs with no obviously deficiencies. We just have to be careful of the ball hitting the ground too often in the backline, particularly if it's wet, because it's not our number 1 strength dealing with it.

Frankly though, the only things I think will cost us winning are:

(1) a ridiculously lopsided free kick count, which we've become all used to with games involving the Bulldogs; and/or

(2) inaccuracy - we were the 17th most accurate side in the H&A season, but things have looked a little more promising recently. We need to nail our shots at goal, particularly early on.

Edited September 13, 2021 by Northern Summer

[Monocology 1,109]

Matthew Lloyd is on us (as he has been for most of the year & we rarely let him down) - & that's helped settle me.

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,354]

Sportsbet odds      Demons  $1.64    Bulldogs  $2.26

[dee-tox 4,835]

  On 13/09/2021 at 11:26, Dr. Gonzo said:

Get Viney to run through him early on to take the wind out of his sails

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Didn't the AFL introduce a red card for grand finals to prevent Gaff-like hits? Knowing our luck Stevic will be one of the umpires and keen to put himself in the limelight by issuing the first ever red card! 😀 

Edited September 13, 2021 by dee-tox

[Gorgoroth 13,220]

  On 13/09/2021 at 18:24, dee-tox said:

Didn't the AFL introduce a red card for grand finals to prevent Gaff-like hits? Knowing our luck Stevic will be one of the umpires and keen to put himself in the limelight by issuing the first ever red card! 😀 

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Did they? I know nothing of this.

I know they double suspensions and massive fines for those who retire.

Dont remember anything about a red card system.

[dee-tox 4,835]

Can't recall the outcome now but remember the debate two or three years ago. Google tells me Gill backed down at the 11th hour.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I’m far less nervous about the Grand Final than I was last week.

I’ll be shattered if we lose but just seeing Melbourne make the Grand Final is a thrill and something I am still gettting my head around.

Side note, I think winning the flag having been minor premiers will be even more satisfying than if we came from fifth like the Bulldogs have. We have been the best team all year, we just need to make it official.

 

Edited September 13, 2021 by Clint Bizkit

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,335]

  On 13/09/2021 at 12:25, Northern Summer said:

Gotta make a quick irrelevant point here. It's amazing how many 'new' Demonland members with one post haven't contributed anything on this page, yet flooded the GF barcode page. I'm sure we will never hear from them again, unless, of course, we make the Grand Final again next year and it's unexpectedly played interstate!

Totally agree with what many have said - we are a more rounded team than the Bulldogs with no obviously deficiencies. We just have to be careful of the ball hitting the ground too often in the backline, particularly if it's wet, because it's not our number 1 strength dealing with it.

Frankly though, the only things I think will cost us winning are:

(1) a ridiculously lopsided free kick count, which we've become all used to with games involving the Bulldogs; and/or

(2) inaccuracy - we were the 17th most accurate side in the H&A season, but things have looked a little more promising recently. We need to nail our shots at goal, particularly early on.

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I think you are on the money here NS with points 1 and 2. These will be critical.

However, even if these 2 things happen I believe we will still win if we bring the manic pressure we’ve seen in both our finals, along with our never ending running both ways.

The matches this year where the Dogs struggled were when under relentless pressure. They lose all composure.

We bring that and we bring home the flag. Been saying it for a while now but…..It’s our time!

[sue 9,277]

  On 13/09/2021 at 07:08, Nasher said:

I trust this means the two jumpers won’t be deemed as a clash in subsequent H&A games, then.

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Why this concern that the 2 jumpers will look too similar and be confusing.  Seems our best hope of evening the free kick count. 😀

[Jaded No More 68,976]

  On 13/09/2021 at 22:14, Clint Bizkit said:

I’m far less nervous about the Grand Final than I was last week.

I’ll be shattered if we lose but just seeing Melbourne make the Grand Final is a thrill and something I am still gettting my head around.

Side note, I think winning the flag having been minor premiers will be even more satisfying than if we came form fifth like the Bulldogs have. We have been the best team all year, we just need to make it official.

 

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I agree with this. We’ve achieved incredible things this season. More than I think anyone expected. 
We are just hitting our prime now and I think we have a few very good years left in us. 
Losing would of course be devastating and a huge opportunity missed, but I also think that we need to appreciate how far we have come as a club and a team and how much more we have left in us. 
The ride is just beginning. If this year doesn’t end in the ultimate success, we take the hunger into next year and make sure we go one better.

Having said all that, we better win!!!

[leave it to deever 17,621]

  On 13/09/2021 at 12:25, Northern Summer said:

Gotta make a quick irrelevant point here. It's amazing how many 'new' Demonland members with one post haven't contributed anything on this page, yet flooded the GF barcode page. I'm sure we will never hear from them again, unless, of course, we make the Grand Final again next year and it's unexpectedly played interstate!

Totally agree with what many have said - we are a more rounded team than the Bulldogs with no obviously deficiencies. We just have to be careful of the ball hitting the ground too often in the backline, particularly if it's wet, because it's not our number 1 strength dealing with it.

Frankly though, the only things I think will cost us winning are:

(1) a ridiculously lopsided free kick count, which we've become all used to with games involving the Bulldogs; and/or

(2) inaccuracy - we were the 17th most accurate side in the H&A season, but things have looked a little more promising recently. We need to nail our shots at goal, particularly early on.

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Last time we played the dogs the free kick count was 25 to 12 on a wet night in their favor. It had a huge impact. Doubt that will happen in a GF.

We were surprisingly very accurate for once in our prelim.

Since we played the dogs we are a lot more settled up fwd.

Im wrapped Jack Viney is in form. He could well be the the x factor.

 

[Dr. Gonzo 24,468]

  On 12/09/2021 at 13:38, Jaded said:

Probably but it’s incredibly frustrating to be stuck at home for months on end and watch the Covid numbers tick up every single day in areas with low compliance and even lower vaccination rates. 
We can’t get to the MCG to watch our team play in a grand final because so many people in the north and west of Melbourne continue to do the wrong thing. It’s infuriating for those of us who have done the right thing for 200 plus days and lost so much in the process. 
I live in an area with 3 active cases. I can’t see my sick dad or watch the game with him because half our city has decided that Covid restrictions no longer apply to them. And here we are giving away our bloody GFGs instead of going to the game!
Of course my comment was tongue in cheek, but it absolutely hurts to miss out on a grand final. Dogs fans got to experience it recently enough. We’ve waited 57 years only to be stuck at home and miss out on all of it!

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Don't worry Jaded I live in the north-west suburbs and I didn't take offence - in fact sometimes I wonder how I ended up here after growing up in the north-east! 😂

[Dr. Gonzo 24,468]

  On 13/09/2021 at 02:53, Pollyanna said:

I think featuring the opposition in the posters is pretty tasteless

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No way I love it!!