On the crowd: yep, barely 20k sucks. But it is Easter, which doesn’t help. I also reckon that our supporters just generally aren’t used to night games. We’ve barely had them in the last 20 years. For some, I suspect the routine of football feels better in the day but doesn’t suit at night. 

48 minutes ago, Demon17 said:

Great post on goodwin.

Ross lyon stated before gf last year that goodys boundary line coaching could cosy us a win.

 

Ross Lyon giving advice on winning grand finals, Terry Wallace giving advice on nailing drafts, what a strange media landscape we have….

Anyway, great win! But for 3 incredibly dodgy goals from frees to GWS and Trac’s disallowed goal it was the perfect evening, smashed them all over the ground (with the exception of some clearances), kicked straight to put them at arms length early and then put them away after! Loved it! Loved being there!
The complaints about Melbourne supporters not attending are overblown, there were 50 GWS supporters there tops, any other opposition team (except GC) and that’s easily a 30-35k crowd on an Easter weekend night game. It actually compares very well, especially given the suppressed crowd numbers across the comp post Covid.

GO DEES!

54 minutes ago, Razor said:

Was it a coincidence that after the ridiculous 50m penalty against Clayton in the 3rd the boys fired up and slammed on the goals?

Oliver was clearly angered by that and proceeded to get the next two clearances and set up the goal that started our run. Do your worst umps!

9 minutes ago, Fork 'em said:

Sparrows goal.

https://www.afl.com.au/video/743556/fritsch-goal-caps-off-brilliant-end-to-end-piece-of-play?videoId=743556&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1650110095001

There were a lot of highlights tonight but that is just an amazing piece of play by Sparrow. Got a standing ovation by many at the ground.

Superb

On the umpiring: it was atrocious but not all one sided. We got a holding the ball when Hunt didn’t tackle the opponent, another one when De Boer clearly got a boot to it, and a tripping free to Bowey when he appeared to trip over his own feet. 

1 minute ago, titan_uranus said:

On the crowd: yep, barely 20k sucks. But it is Easter, which doesn’t help. I also reckon that our supporters just generally aren’t used to night games. We’ve barely had them in the last 20 years. For some, I suspect the routine of football feels better in the day but doesn’t suit at night. 

The 20k crowd deserves some serious discussion.

Perhaps separately from the joy of the win.

In 2018 we drew 37k

About the low crowd, lots of people seem to be out of town at the moment...

Recorded the ch7 coverage & saw Hamish interview Goody before the game & he said to Goody about bowey being a good luck charm & what happens if he ever got injured. Goody replied I'd make him sub & sit him on the bench next to me.

1 hour ago, Jontee said:

Spargo was everywhere - I thought i saw him getting a drink out of my fridge....

He was brilliant, maximum damage when Charlie touches the ball. 3 goal assists and 9 score involvements, he’s a beauty.

Gawn and May were both outstanding when the game was a genuine contest. Spargo played a great game too. The crowd was terribly disappointing.  This is a fantastic team who deserve to be playing in front of 40,000 plus every week.  I certainly enjoyed myself there tonight.  Was a great night for footy.

1 minute ago, Diamond_Jim said:

The 20k crowd deserves some serious discussion.

Perhaps separately from the joy of the win.

In 2018 we drew 37k

Was that over Easter? Covid also didn't exist then & you could rock up & buy a ticket. I think a lot of people miss doing that.

I'll see what we draw against hawthorn in a couple of weeks. 

 

2 minutes ago, dees189227 said:

Was that over Easter? Covid also didn't exist then & you could rock up & buy a ticket. I think a lot of people miss doing that.

I'll see what we draw against hawthorn in a couple of weeks. 

 

It's for all those reasons it deserves discussion.

But not to distract from the win.... this is not the thread

It’s going to be sad when we’ve one 4 premierships on the trot and we start losing again. 

15 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

On the umpiring: it was atrocious but not all one sided. We got a holding the ball when Hunt didn’t tackle the opponent, another one when De Boer clearly got a boot to it, and a tripping free to Bowey when he appeared to trip over his own feet. 

Trip was there 100%.
Got him old school with the hand.

What a dominant team performance. We are on fire I can't see anyone beating us.

2 minutes ago, Swooper1987 said:

Gawn and May were both outstanding when the game was a genuine contest. Spargo played a great game too. The crowd was terribly disappointing.  This is a fantastic team who deserve to be playing in front of 40,000 plus every week.  I certainly enjoyed myself there tonight.  Was a great night for footy.

It was a privilege to be at the game tonight. Rarely do you ever see 10 goals kicked by a team in the AFL. The third quarter was sublime with everyone playing their part. This is a truly great football team . So many highlights , Sparrow’s gut running and goal assist, Mays incredible game at full back, Kozzie’s kamikaze run and goal, Maxine’s superb captain’s game when we needed him, Spargo’s unbelieveably tough and intelligent game, Petty playing his tough and relentless role down back, Mr Ed’s “energiser bunny” game on the wing, Harmes and ANB providing toughness and gut running, Trac and Clarrie lifting in the second half and putting GWS to the sword. The whole team contributed. I am still gobsmacked at what I saw in the third quarter. Unforgettable. Thanks lads.

6 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

It’s going to be sad when we’ve one 4 premierships on the trot and we start losing again. 

Which is why we need to enjoy what we've got right now.

18 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

The 20k crowd deserves some serious discussion.

Perhaps separately from the joy of the win.

In 2018 we drew 37k

Completely agree. I don’t want this thread to be detailed, but 20,000 people was a pathetic attendance on a perfect weather night while we are 4-0. We can’t demand prime time slots and then have 20k turn up. It’s not profitable for anyone. Really disappointing. 

What is not disappointing is the poetry in motion that is our team. When they flick a switch they are a joy. 

32 minutes ago, Demon4Life said:

Oliver was clearly angered by that and proceeded to get the next two clearances and set up the goal that started our run. Do your worst umps!

Yeah, there was a shot of Clarrie with Tracc as they headed back to the centre. Reckon the conversation went something like:

”These umps are a fecking joke.”

”Yeah, don’t care what Goody says about saving it for September. Time to go through the gears.”

Also, the “umpire respect” rule should be renamed the Melbourne Rule cos we’re the only team it applies to.

 

22 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Completely agree. I don’t want this thread to be detailed, but 20,000 people was a pathetic attendance on a perfect weather night while we are 4-0. We can’t demand prime time slots and then have 20k turn up. It’s not profitable for anyone. Really disappointing. 

What is not disappointing is the poetry in motion that is our team. When they flick a switch they are a joy. 

Completely agree. Couldn’t be happier with the win, and where our season is at.

but 20k is a real hit, when we are at the peak of our powers :- A Richmond, Hawthorn, bombers, Coll etc simply don’t produce a crowd of 20k when they are at the top of ladder. EVER. No matter what the excuse

 

46 minutes ago, The Lobster Effect said:

About the low crowd, lots of people seem to be out of town at the moment...

Who cares. We are a generational team, defending a flag. Embarrassing for our club. 

59 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

On the crowd: yep, barely 20k sucks. But it is Easter, which doesn’t help. I also reckon that our supporters just generally aren’t used to night games. We’ve barely had them in the last 20 years. For some, I suspect the routine of football feels better in the day but doesn’t suit at night. 

Pathetic. Embarrassing. No excuses. We won’t gain respect as a club, when 20k turn up to support our top of the ladder team. 

The snow jokes and fair weathered supporter banter will be out in force :- and is deserved. 

 

2 hours ago, Maldonboy38 said:

What a great team game. So many contributors. 

As much as I love Benny Brown, I don't think you can drop either of TMac or Weid - both contributed really well.

Very tricky.  After watching both very carefully tonight it was almost impossible to split them.  However, neither are capable of putting regular scores (2 or more goals) on the board and stretching the opp's No.1 defender, freeing up others around in the process (as they will get the next best defender and BB will often draw two defenders), the way that BB does.

When both are in the team i've also noticed that neither usually worry the scoreboard with more than a goal each (on average).  There appears to be very little synergy between them within the 50 arc.  When one is pushing up high and the other stays deep or is off the field...we look a much better team IMV.

BB is also more lethal on the lead, can roost a goal from 50 - 55 ish quite comfortably and draws more frees in the marking contests.  Whereas both Weid & T-Mac are probably more restricted to 40 odd meters and under in terms of length / accuracy and don't have the reach / marking / goal kicking capability of BB when he's on.

Coin flip as to who comes out but i would still be bringing BB straight in, he's a decent improvement on both IMHO and we'd be mad not to take our best 22 in if he's fit & available.

Edited April 16, 20223 yr by Demon Dynasty

Really could rename the second quarter Steven May vs the umpires, some diabolical calls in there. 

In all seriousness, great to finally put a team to the sword, the efficiency going forward was phenomenal.

Steven May is a veritable wall in defence, looked at his best tonight!

1 hour ago, Seraph said:

An Easter Saturday evening game vs GWS was never going to be conducive to crowd numbers. Not sure what it is with the AFL and scheduling our Easter weekend games vs GWS or Suns. Either way, who cares.

20k is a worry though. That should be 30k minimum really with an aim of 35k-40k, if people aren't showing up after winning the flag and undefeated when will they? Our goal is for 50k average home crowds how will we meet that target?

Obviously if we keep winning I couldn't care less at the moment but it must be a worry for Pert, Roffey et al. Must say I was surprised at the lack of marketing for this game by the club too.