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The intangibles that won a flag

The Stigga
in Melbourne Demons

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Apart from the obvious- talented list, great coaching staff, terrific form leading into the finals, I've been thinking about the list of luck coincidences if you like, that helped us lift the cup:

- a great comeback against Geelong that guaranteed top spot, the kudos of a minor premiership, as well as minimal travel 

- three unexpected Footscray losses that made the above much easier 

- the intervention of Pert and Roffey to keep Goodwin entrenched as coach 

- an extra break before the Grand final that allowed May to play 

- the respectful way the Jones situation was handled, which could have had the potential to derail things 

Please add to the list!

 

 

 

 

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    Casey and quarantine ended up well for us in the sense that it provided consistency

    Location in WA for 6 odd weeks at the end was a big plus.

    Would we have won in a normal season.

    Probably but GF day in Melbourne was cold and damp so it might have been a lot closer.

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    Good umpiring???!!!WTF

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    An excellent run on the injury front (for a change).

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    Just read an extract from Max’s diary to be released on 10 December. I’m not usually one for books published by sports people. They are usually rubbish but this is intelligent thoughtful and informative. Definitely will be getting a copy. It’s easy to underestimate Max - he is much more than a great footballer. 

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    The number of young players who played above and beyond their number of years and games and the clubs faith in them.

    Bbb to show glimpses of his old form heading into and during finals.

    Fritta to reveal he is the best forward we have had for a while.

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    15 minutes ago, Deeoldfart said:

    An excellent run on the injury front (for a change).

    Honestly our lack of injuries to key players had a huge factor in our success. I think it is our single biggest threat to success next season. 

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    2 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

    Honestly our lack of injuries to key players had a huge factor in our success. I think it is our single biggest threat to success next season. 

    100%.
    To win flags ya gotta keep the guns in working order.


     

    Edited by Fork 'em

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    I was talking to a Dees fan whom I met at the supermarket a couple of days after the grannie. He works for the MFC as an accountant and this very subject came up. He believes that last year’s interstate bubble situation is a huge factor in this year’s success. He said while the players were close as it was, that time together truly cemented the bonds like nothing else. 
    Edit: Didn’t wanna give the wrong impression. Talking to strange men at Coles is not usually my wont. He approached me when he spotted my beanie. And it’s a given that when two Dees supporters discover one another in our suburb much gushing ensues. We’re as rare as hen’s teeth around here. 😁

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    28 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

    Just read an extract from Max’s diary to be released on 10 December. I’m not usually one for books published by sports people. They are usually rubbish but this is intelligent thoughtful and informative. Definitely will be getting a copy. It’s easy to underestimate Max - he is much more than a great footballer. 

    I can’t wait to get into this chook, I’ve got it on preorder from Amazon, delivery on the 10th.

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    31 minutes ago, Deeoldfart said:

    An excellent run on the injury front (for a change).

    Apart from May with a torn hammie, Hunt with an ankle, Tommo with a knee and Smith with a hammie.

    Can I downgrade excellent to good?

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    Because for the first time since 1950's we have 3 of the top half dozen players in the comp and probably 6 of top 20. We have never had champions in numbers like this. 

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    3 minutes ago, Wizard of Koz said:

    Because for the first time since 1950's we have 3 of the top half dozen players in the comp and probably 6 of top 20. We have never had champions in numbers like this. 

    Got 23 champions now 😎🏆

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    A lot of the sides we played did have unfortunate injuries when we played them, in fact teams used their sub 14 times.

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    10 minutes ago, JAG001 said:

    A lot of the sides we played did have unfortunate injuries when we played them, in fact teams used their sub 14 times.

    Because we hit hard. Ain’t bruise free anymore.

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    52 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

    I was talking to a Dees fan whom I met at the supermarket a couple of days after the grannie. He works for the MFC as an accountant and this very subject came up. He believes that last year’s interstate bubble situation is a huge factor in this year’s success. He said while the players were close as it was, that time together truly cemented the bonds like nothing else. 
    Edit: Didn’t wanna give the wrong impression. Talking to strange men at Coles is not usually my wont. He approached me when he spotted my beanie. And it’s a given that when two Dees supporters discover one another in our suburb much gushing ensues. We’re as rare as hen’s teeth around here. 😁

    Never been a better time to wear a beanie or scarf and flying the club's colours.

    # Demonpride.

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    2 hours ago, The Stigga said:

    Apart from the obvious- talented list, great coaching staff, terrific form leading into the finals, I've been thinking about the list of luck coincidences if you like, that helped us lift the cup:

    - a great comeback against Geelong that guaranteed top spot, the kudos of a minor premiership, as well as minimal travel 

    - three unexpected Footscray losses that made the above much easier 

    - the intervention of Pert and Roffey to keep Goodwin entrenched as coach 

    - an extra break before the Grand final that allowed May to play 

    - the respectful way the Jones situation was handled, which could have had the potential to derail things 

    Please add to the list!

     

     

     

     

    All clubs had their fair share of easy losses, Dogs just had theirs at the wrong time of the season.

    Edited by Bombay Airconditioning

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    The respectful and understanding way we supported Kossie when his mother tragically passed away before the season.

    Though he wasn't a huge scoreboard contributor on GF day, he still had a huge presence in the game, the preceding finals and season as a whole.

    I think having guys like Matty Wheelan and Nev around would have been a big help in this regard as well.

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    40 minutes ago, Wizard of Koz said:

    Because for the first time since 1950's we have 3 of the top half dozen players in the comp and probably 6 of top 20. We have never had champions in numbers like this. 

    Absolutely! In middle Max, Trac, & Oliver - Viney a top 4th! 
    FB - May & Lever

    HB - Salem

    Wings - Langdon & Brayshaw

    HF - Fritsch

    FF - BB & Pickett

    Add Jackson

    5 All Australians another 4 in Fritsch, Salem, Langdon & Pickett who could have been picked and after the GF, Jackson would get on the bench!

    Most talented Demon team by quite a bit. Then add the youth not mentioned above:

    Rivers, Bowey, Petty, Sparrow, Spargo & Jordan!

    Depth in 22 - TMac, Harmes, ANB, Hibberd

    Future is brilliant!

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    The Grand Final umpires, who largely refused to pay coodabeen-paid frees to the Dogs. Although, that was the Dogs' own fault for overacting earlier in the finals (and all year).

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    14 minutes ago, Jontee said:

    My Libba voodoo doll.  Came good in the GF.

    Complete with stupid tattoos, I trust. 

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    1 hour ago, FarNorthernD said:

    Honestly our lack of injuries to key players had a huge factor in our success. I think it is our single biggest threat to success next season. 

    I’ve been banging on about this for years…..injury ladder parallels real ladder.   Objectively the biggest sole determinant of success. We have an injury free year like this again and we’ll be primed for a repeat run. 

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    No crowd at Geelong - doubt they’d pay Close’s punch out in front of full house. 
     

    For once, hard work was rewarded and  everything fell our way

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