POSTGAME: GRAND FINAL vs Western Bulldogs

[The heart beats true 18,145]

I just brought a [censored] premiership cheeseboard!

The lid is off. I’m going to be insufferable for the next decade.

🤣

[napster 191]

Ecstatic, but it was such an extraordinary turn-around, I think I was too much in a state of shock and/or disbelief to cry, even though I always thought I would when I previously dreamed of this day. For me the emotion hit when I saw things like Kozzie trying to put his medal on Neville Jetta but Nev didn’t let him, ‘it’s yours’ he seemed to say. That Nev and Nathan Jones had got to that point in their careers where they missed out on playing. When Majak Daw was hugged in the rooms and the thought of all he’s been through. The thought of Michael Hibberd’s brother, the memory of Troy Broadbridge. Thankyou so much to all of the players, past and present, and staff who have made this possible.

[Guest]

Just woke up. Still absolutely ecstatic. 

Usually this thread is for analysis and review so now we are 24 hours post the final siren, I’ll attempt some.

That second half will go down in Melbourne history. Absolutely stunning.

Our defense as far as intercept marking seemed down. As things turned out, we found another way to will our way to victory as the ability to get the ball out of the center was insanely good. I don’t think any team could have beaten us with how fluid that was; even the dynasty teams like Geelong, Hawthorn or Richmond.

The game felt like the Brisbane game in Sydney on steroids. The distinguishing feature of both games being a greater willingness to move away from conservative and tentative ball movement. It’s easier said than done, but if we are allowed to start kicking aggressively across lines, we can really open teams up. Having Choco Williams work on our kicking has been a game changer.

Luke Jackson was also another game changer for mine. For some reason, I put Langdon in my votes (for what reason, I’m not sure). I think it was because I was deliriously happy and not thinking straight. This bloke will be first ruck likely in the next 3 years, but right now, he is the NikNat to Maxy’s Dean Cox. We can attack with two flavors of ruckman should one approach lose ascendancy. Wouldn’t that have helped in the ‘18 Prelim? 

There were a couple of players I was thinking of giving slightly critical appraisals of, but shag it. We’ve finally won it. That can wait for another day.

I fear for Uncle Bitter’s maid…. 😉

Edited September 25, 2021 by Colin B. Flaubert

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,878]

25 minutes ago, SPC said:

But boy was Tom Sparrow excellent. Might have a player

Built for finals.

I've thought he looked like a solid player since he's played senior footy for us, but I thought some of his performances towards the back end of the home and away were a bit ordanary.  But the coaches could obviously see something, because boy has he turned it on for finals.

[CBDees 3,167]

First 🏆 of 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 in a row!

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I love Jason Taylor.

To paraphrase Peter Jackson, the three things you need to get right are “list management, list management and list management.”

Yes, our player development was woeful but you need to pick the right players in the first place which we did not do, but Jason Taylor doesn’t miss.

Edited September 25, 2021 by Clint Bizkit

[Deeoldfart 8,061]

Still pinching myself, and brushing away tears this morning.

[DemonOX 8,800]

Jack Viney, PREMIERSHIP PLAYER. 

Has a nice ring to it. 

The drought is over and curse has been broken. 

Love ya DEMONS

 

[DemonOX 8,800]

1 minute ago, Deeoldfart said:

Still pinching myself, and brushing away tears this morning.

Same here dof 

[Graeme Yeats' Mullet 6,778]

100pts to 7pts

In 29 minutes of grand final football

❤💙 🏆

[old dee 23,871]

We had a very good run with injuries this year. When you can constantly put your best on the field it makes a hugh difference. Go Dees. 

Edited September 25, 2021 by old dee

[Demonland 73,140]

 

[one_demon 826]

The Dogs were strange in the third quarter,  they started playing like Geelong 

[sue 9,142]

It's all the sweeter after years of struggle.

MFCSS need to be redefined.    What words start with 'S'?  Success? Superiority....

[Swooper1987 3,322]

Interesting interview post game with Jake Lever on Fox footy where Oliver was called out for not being tight enough on Bontempelli.  Honesty seems to work for this side.  Rewatching the third quarter now, Beveridge having Bont off certainly assisted in that momentum change. And Oliver definitely lifted.

[At the break of Gawn 4,460]

Hats off to Darren Burgess. We had so much running power in that second half. He won’t get a medal but his fitness regime changed this football club.

[Hampton 22 519]

2021 Premiership 50% better than all the others as we are top of an 18-team competition rather than the old 12-team competition.

[Deesprate 1,324]

Congratulations to the Demonland podcast team. George and Binmans analysis has been spot on. So called experts flogging the once every 28 days (2 in 29) rubbish and calling it a 50/50 game. Dees have been head and shoulders best team but no one wanted to acknowledge it. Not any more it will now all be about dynasties. The podcasters were spot on about defensive system (some expert equating that to being boring) and I for one was convinced after we beat Tigers this team was different. Rushed out bought grand final guarantees but COViD and WA premier stuffed that (I will never step foot in WA again). Andy please tell me your MFCSS is busted the boys were right all along. Finally after 57 years Deesprate no more. Thank you to everyone on this site it has helped me through the dark times but hey wasn’t last night worth it. Simply incredible 17 goals to 1. Petracca for PM or Premier at least. #Deespratenomore

[Demonland 73,140]

 

[monoccular 17,573]

Totally stunned by the turnaround.   I know we did v Brisbane and Geelong in the home and away, but this, in a GF!!  The three goals in 80 seconds leading in to ¾ time blew my mind (and Footscray’s will) … bloody amazing. 

[Gorgoroth 13,016]

10 minutes ago, one_demon said:

The Dogs were strange in the third quarter,  they started playing like Geelong 

No. We started playing like Melbourne and did what we did to Geelong to the Dogs

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,878]

2 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

The significance of this moment will never be lost on me:

The connection between Stynes and Gawn and the heartbreak of 1988, there was something poetic about it all.

Sure, we probably still win the flag if Gawn misses but I just love that we fininshed on top of the ladder. We were the best team all year and it just proved it and makes this premiership (still can’t believe it) all the more sweeter.

I honestly think the belief that the team built with that comeback and Gawn nailing that final kick of the game has propelled our finals campaign to the extent that we have witnessed.

Having said that, the team's ability to hold their nerve and know what it takes to chalk up the wins from almost any position has been impressive pretty much all season.  For most of the season once we got into a winning position of leading by 30 or so points, I thought we started to play a somewhat boring conservative game and just bank the 4 points. 

Since that Rd 23 game Vs Geelong it's like we broke the shackles, went up a gear and said we are going for the jugular here.  For the first half of the season, the Bulldogs were credited with being the most attacking side in the comp, with the best %.  Would be interesting if finals were included, I think we would have finished with the superior % as well as wins - not to mention winning the big ones that counted.

[Wells 11 5,422]

3 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Totally stunned by the turnaround.   I know we did v Brisbane and Geelong in the home and away, but this, in a GF!!  The three goals in 80 seconds leading in to ¾ time blew my mind (and Footscray’s will) … bloody amazing. 

3 goals in 31 secs, and as you say in the GF!!!! and not just that fully in crunch time of the GF. We went from 1 goal up with 1 min to play  in the 3rd ...and the cup absolutely in the balance, to win by 74. Its un frikn believable!! I think im still drunk lol. Might have to stay that way all day. 

Edited September 25, 2021 by Wells 11

[Redleg 41,427]

1 hour ago, old dee said:

My God Mr Leg we have been through a lot of crap this last 57 years. How sweet is this morning. To be honest I am a bit Flat this morning  after half a century of losing I am well equipped to handle it. Winning is a whole new ball game! 

I see there is an event in Perth today with the team. To the Supporters in Perth enjoy guys we will get our chance next year!!!!

Congrats OD enjoy the spoils of long awaited victory. How good will our next draft get together be?🏆

[Dees_In_October 3,495]

1 hour ago, Dee Zephyr said:

How’s the head going Demonlanders?
Every bit of vision you watch over the coming days will most likely cause you to shed some tears. It’s probably been mentioned but seeing Kozzie trying to hand his medal to Neville Jetta on the boundary celebration got to me big time. 
 

Oh wow I missed that at the time (a bit distracted!!) and haven't watched the replay yet. Thanks for the warning because this will get me big time too!