How far off were we from a perfect 2021?

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

7 minutes ago, deegirl said:

We were the best team all home & away season

We were the best team of the finals

To me, that's perfect

AND we've still got a few scores to settle. Geelong, Hawks, Ess come to mind. Also Collingwood, Carlton, Tiges, Dogs, Eagles, Crows, Lions, North, Eagles, Swans, Freo, Port, Giants and Suns a few others.

[leave it to deever 17,511]

On 10/3/2021 at 1:45 PM, JTR said:

I am irrationally bothered by the fact that the only team we didn't beat all season was the Filth.

Was the only game I got to see so Im with you,

Was aslo surrounded by crazy pies fans

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,754]

A Tale of Two Seasons. Charles Dickens knew what he was talking about. This opening line is like he's comparing Melbourne 2021 with Melbourne circa 2012 

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way--in short, the period was so far like the present period that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

[FritschyBusiness 1,478]

I got a feeling next year will be better. I don't think we've hit our peak yet

[Pates 9,660]

Our combined losing margin is outrageous, we went through period where losing by that much in a week would’ve been standard (and accepted). 

The Adelaide game was our “we was robbed” moment, a draw would’ve been fair that night. 

The Hawks game we should’ve found a way, but didn’t.

GWS and Dogs we kicked ourselves out of it. 

The Pies game was for me our worst performance, we looked slow and disinterested. It was the only time that I was concerned the old Melbourne could return. 

[Pates 9,660]

1 hour ago, FritschyBusiness said:

I got a feeling next year will be better. I don't think we've hit our peak yet

If I were fans of the other clubs I would’ve taken note of our finals form, that is the closest to our best we’ve played and we never put in a 4 quarter performance. I wish we had Burgo for our off season recovery. 

[dworship 3,342]

When Roos came to the MFC his first job and stated aim was to fix the defence.

One of Leigh Mathews rules/ observations is; first to 100pts wins.

For me the fact no team scored 100 against us all season is a perfect season.

Anyone know how many other teams have not had 100pts kicked against them (including finals)?

[Fork 'em 6,983]

3 hours ago, FritschyBusiness said:

I got a feeling next year will be better. I don't think we've hit our peak yet

Reckon you're right.

In that timeless classic Kung Fu Panda.
Po spends his time trying to get the Dragon Scroll because legend has it whoever reads it will get the final knowledge needed to become the Dragon Master and gain limitless power.
After much trial Po unrolls the Dragon Scroll to see that it has no writing in it just a reflection of himself causing him much confusion.
Only later does it dawn on him that he's already done all the training, he just needs to realise in his mind that he already is the Dragon Master.

I reckon finishing the season on top and smashing the finals games like we did will be our Dragon Scroll moment.
Performing their best footy in the Grand Final they will now understand that they are the Dragon Masters and play with the confidence that knowledge brings.

 

Edited October 4, 2021 by Fork 'em

[John Crow Batty 8,863]

1 hour ago, dworship said:

When Roos came to the MFC his first job and stated aim was to fix the defence.

One of Leigh Mathews rules/ observations is; first to 100pts wins.

For me the fact no team scored 100 against us all season is a perfect season.

Anyone know how many other teams have not had 100pts kicked against them (including finals)?

The Bulldogs didn’t concede 100 points a game until we kicked 100 points against them in a quarter and a half.

Edited October 4, 2021 by John Crow Batty

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

29 minutes ago, Fork 'em said:

Reckon you're right.

In that timeless classic Kung Fu Panda.
Po spends his time trying to get the Dragon Scroll because legend has it whoever reads it will get the final knowledge needed to become the Dragon Master and gain limitless power.
After much trial Po unrolls the Dragon Scroll to see that it has no writing in it just a reflection of himself causing him much confusion.
Only later does it dawn on him that he's already done all the training, he just needs to realise in his mind that he already is the Dragon Master.

I reckon finishing the season on top and smashing the finals games like we did will be our Dragon Scroll moment.
Performing their best footy in the Grand Final they will now understand that they are the Dragon Masters and play with the confidence that knowledge brings.

 

Quick, forward that on to Goodwin, for the theme for the year 2022. I think that is brilliant Fork Em.

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

10 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

I reckon finishing the season on top and smashing the finals games like we did will be our Dragon Scroll moment.
Performing their best footy in the Grand Final they will now understand that they are the Dragon Masters and play with the confidence that knowledge brings.

Interesting thing, confidence in sport. The boys got some belief through the early part of the season, meeting challenge after challenge and rising to them all. Round 23 gave them a huge charge -- against a bogey team, on a bogey ground -- and turned out to be important a second time, lending hope when 19 points down in the 3rd in a GF.

And then the GF win itself. The nature of it. So emphatic, against a quality team.

No-one can beat us. No lead is big enough. Everyone saw it.

It works the other way too. Opponents also get the belief -- that they "can't" win. Sometimes the difference between winning and losing is the expectation that team A will somehow "find a way" to win, when what is happening is both teams are playing out a pre-determined script. Team A scrambles a goal, team B thinks "oh-oh, here they come" and heads drop.

When the great West Indies cricket team was on the decline in the 90s, it still took a long time to finally beat them in a series. Such was the belief of their invincibility, for us AND for them. When we finally cracked them, looking at their team retrospectively, you realised they weren't that good any more, on paper, and confidence and belief was an extra player (or three) for them. Moreso for their opponents.

Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus have won golf tournaments they "shouldn't have", because of the confidence and belief that somehow they'll find a way, and their opponents also believed that, and then a ball gets a lucky bounce, or unlucky, and "Tiger's making his charge", "Joe Blort is being stalked by the Tiger", and BANG BANG BANG, Tiger Woods is holding up the cup and it seems pre-ordained. Nicklaus said something like, he's won as many majors with good play as by his opponents giving it away mentally in the final stretch.

Season 2022 is going to be very very interesting seeing how we deal with our new reputation as the dangerous team who will destroy you in 10 minutes, and how our opponents cope with also believing that.

[Fork 'em 6,983]

8 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

 

Season 2022 is going to be very very interesting seeing how we deal with our new reputation as the dangerous team who will destroy you in 10 minutes, and how our opponents cope with also believing that.

Kick straight and they won't get near us.

[Guest]

On 10/4/2021 at 11:47 AM, jnrmac said:

Clubs have adapted that to football and If I recall correctly Neil Criag and CHarlie Watts (the Olympic cycling coach)  introduced it to Adelaide under Malcolm Blight. They won back to back flags in 97/98

Glad you clarified that. I was picturing the Rolling Stones drummer. 😁

[Demonstone 22,507]

I think jnrmac may have been thinking of Charlie Walsh.

[jnrmac 20,060]

Some interesting stats....

2021 Percentage

• 1st Qtr % 131.52    w16 L9
• 2nd qtr % 101.38    w13 L 12
• 3rd qtr % 182.58    W20  L5
• 4th qtr % 139.42    W16 L8 D1

We are seriously fit.

 

Since Glen Bartlett's bake against Port we are 

23 wins 7 losses and 1 draw

Average winning margin in finals 63 points.

 

[Clayton van Oliver 1,823]

I am worried that the heart-icon on my phone is going to wear out from over use