12 minutes ago, faultydet said:

I'm starting to think that way also. It certainly does not have the same feeling as last year. 

I was thinking we could crush teams coming into the finals last year. Now I'm not even confident that we could make the prelim.

The only difference is last year we had those two wins mid-year against Brisbane and Footscray. This year we haven't really had the same level of performance other than the Brisbane game. We are still yet to really "click" this year yet still sit 2nd on the ladder a game and % clear of 3rd.

I still have the belief we can do it, whether we will of course remains to be seen. If we hit our straps I still think we are the best team in it.

22 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

We want top 2

Ideally, yes.

Next two weeks are pivotal. Dogs at Marvel isn't the same proposition as playing them at the G, and they will want to do some damage to help step towards trying to heal the GF loss. Dockers at Optus is also huge - quality team at a hostile venue. 

Loading or poker tactics no longer can be used as excuses.  We will get a good read on where we're at against 2 quality teams at less than ideal venues with top 4 on the line.  

Edited July 20, 20222 yr by DemonWA
Typo

6 minutes ago, DemonWA said:

Next two weeks are pivotal. Dogs at Marvel isn't the same proposition as playing them at the G, and they will want to do some damage to help step towards trying to heal the GF loss. Dockers at Optus is also huge - quality team at a hostile venue. 

Loading or poker tactics no longer can be used as excuses.  We will get a good read on where we're at against 2 quality teams at less than ideal venues with top 4 on the line.  

We’ve got just about the best record in the league at Docklands since about 2018. It holds no fears and no more concerning than the MCG.

1 hour ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

We want top 2

3-2 with our percentage will almost certainly guarantee us top two, unless our wins don’t include Freo or Bris. 2-3 should almost guarantee top 4 given teams are playing each other in the 8. In saying that, we want to win these games against fellow finalists and build momentum rather than limp into the finals.

7 minutes ago, Glorious Day said:

3-2 with our percentage will almost certainly guarantee us top two, unless our wins don’t include Freo or Bris. 2-3 should almost guarantee top 4 given teams are playing each other in the 8. In saying that, we want to win these games against fellow finalists and build momentum rather than limp into the finals.

Exactly, one scalp would be nice.

22 minutes ago, Glorious Day said:

We’ve got just about the best record in the league at Docklands since about 2018. It holds no fears and no more concerning than the MCG.

I must be scarred because I'd feel alot more comfortable if the game was being played at the G

2 hours ago, one_demon said:

Personally I don't think we're winning it this year.  Something just ain't right.

Why not? 

It was this coming weekend last year when we lost to the Bulldogs at the MCG and ‘experts’ were writing us off because of our forward line woes. We then went 4-0 before the finals.

Granted, this season we have a harder draw on the run home, but we’ve set ourselves up very well for a top 2 spot, and at worst a top 4 spot. We travel very well too, so winning in Perth/Bris isn’t a concern (as I’m sure we will see in coming weeks).

We have almost a full squad to pick from. Unless we cop a bad injury run on the way home, or have games where our perennial inaccuracy actually costs us games, we will be fine. 

Last year, most couldn’t decide between about 4-5 sides for the flag a week or so out from the finals. This season, once all has been said and done, it’s probably down to two sides (Geelong and us). I can’t see Freo or Bris winning a final at the MCG, and ultimately I don’t think Syd are talented enough. 

I still don’t know why people are getting carried away with Geelong being a different team this year, except their players being a year older, which isn’t a positive with their ages group. They don’t play a finalist this year twice, whilst they get double-up games against Nth and WCE, which is automatically two extra wins plus percentage gift over other similar sides (such as us).

I saw enough in the Brisbane win to know what we will do when it matters. That wasn’t long ago. Geelong won’t be able to defend this. When we are at our brutal best in the midfield and winning clearances with quick ball movement, all of a sudden our forwards have space and we get shots on goal - this will happen.

2 minutes ago, DemonWA said:

I must be scarred because I'd feel alot more comfortable if the game was being played at the G

I guess you’re in WA? I just booked myself a ticket to the Freo game next weekend. I happen to be in town for the game. I can’t believe how ridiculous the stadium’s prices are! Hopefully we have a few supporters there converted from last season.

Talent wise we have the best list. the most talent in their prime.

It is all down to the coaches and see if their plan to get us peaking at the right time.  We have form issues, fitness issues so can we click?  I think we can.  The Cats are firing on all cylinders right now, but the GF is 2 months away.  No way they can go 16 games unbeaten.

I cannot wait to play the Pies and Blues. I think we will show them who can handle the heat at the pointy end of the season

16 minutes ago, Glorious Day said:

I guess you’re in WA? I just booked myself a ticket to the Freo game next weekend. I happen to be in town for the game. I can’t believe how ridiculous the stadium’s prices are! Hopefully we have a few supporters there converted from last season.

Yes mate, I'll be there. I wouldn't count on a big contingent of dees support tho. Was at the Eagles game earlier in the year and thought we might have a decent showing of fans but it was relatively small amount - perhaps all of the finals converts were Eagles fans?!

Having just listened to David King and Joey Montagna on Fox Footy, the Bulldogs are certainties this week. In fact, according to King, the Dogs exposed us in Rd 1 and it was only luck we won. This bloke is a complete tool. He flips his opinion weekly. Can’t stand him

Edited July 20, 20222 yr by Kick_It_To_Pickett

30 minutes ago, Glorious Day said:

Why not? 

I know people can give all sorts of reasons and statistics why we can still win it, but I just feel like the players aren't in the same frame of mind as last year.   There was a feeling of something special brewing last year that galvanised the group and I'm just not seeing it this year.

Edited July 20, 20222 yr by one_demon

On 7/19/2022 at 12:42 PM, MrFreeze said:

Woe to those who underestimate our opposition

Collingwood are in ripper form currently, they are quick, hunt the ball and have class across the ground. McCrae is a good coach and their ability to win tight games is very good. 

Geelong are also in very good nick but historically cant get over the line. Even with their vets slowing down, they managed to pummel us at the contest and will be full of energy come finals time. 

 

Cats always make finals given their quaintly shaped home ground where very few opposition fans can attend. 
But what is their record at the G this year? Or any year and at any normal shaped and sized ground for that matter

9 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Cats always make finals given their quaintly shaped home ground where very few opposition fans can attend. 
But what is their record at the G this year? Or any year and at any normal shaped and sized ground for that matter

They're 4 and 1 at the G this year (the only defeat being an upset loss to Hawthorn), and 3 and 1 interstate (admittedly against some poor sides).

The only side in the 8 they've lost to is Sydney.

They're playing seriously good footy, have tweaked the game plan to a method that will stand up in finals, and have unearthed a few genuinely good young players.

They are a completely different team to previous years. Not saying they'll win it - but if they don't, it won't be because of finals performances in years gone by.

4 minutes ago, Accepting Mediocrity said:

They're 4 and 1 at the G this year (the only defeat being an upset loss to Hawthorn), and 3 and 1 interstate (admittedly against some poor sides).

The only side in the 8 they've lost to is Sydney.

They're playing seriously good footy, have tweaked the game plan to a method that will stand up in finals, and have unearthed a few genuinely good young players.

They are a completely different team to previous years. Not saying they'll win it - but if they don't, it won't be because of finals performances in years gone by.

they were 10 wins out of 11 around this time last year

Nobody remembers it, just what you do in finals and Gawny is the only one they will remember

Was never going to look like last year. 

The next month is big, but it's the following month that counts...

Geelong are hot now, will they still be in 7-8 weeks..?

I feel we have paced our build to perfection, and we'll only see it a week or two out of finals.

Go Demons!! 

Edited July 20, 20222 yr by PaulRB

15 minutes ago, DubDee said:

they were 10 wins out of 11 around this time last year

Nobody remembers it, just what you do in finals and Gawny is the only one they will remember

Whether they can maintain their form is another question - premierships aren't won in July - but they look like a completely different side to last year.

They made our full strength team look silly 2 weeks ago. Despite the fact that we didn't play terribly, Hawkins and Cameron kicked 1 goal between them, and they were missing arguably their best player in Stewart. The margin flattered us - 13 more scoring shots probably should have been an 8-10 goal shellacking.

I still think our best is better than theirs, but their best is a big step up from last year.

If we can rediscover our top form, it doesn't matter where we finish and none of these permutations are relevant. I reckon there's been glimpses in the last few weeks and we were leggy for the cats game. I think we're about to see a magical couple of months.

1 hour ago, one_demon said:

I know people can give all sorts of reasons and statistics why we can still win it, but I just feel like the players aren't in the same frame of mind as last year.   There was a feeling of something special brewing last year that galvanised the group and I'm just not seeing it this year.

Sure but if your punch your ticket to the tournament you're every chance!

8 hours ago, DemonWA said:

I must be scarred because I'd feel alot more comfortable if the game was being played at the G

Really??? Our performance at the G has been average including last year. We are almost unstoppable at marvel. We have won the last 5 games at the ground 

It's time to gear up. 

We need momentum running into finals which we'll get on the back of strong form and a swell of excitement from supporters and media. We'll thrive off that because the headlines will be all about how much of a different beast we'll be come finals. 

But if we don't have form, I think it'll have the complete opposite effect. No momentum, supporter worry, media worry and oppo sides will smell a kill come finals. You can't just turn it on in september. 

Hoping the players understand what's at stake over the next 5 weeks. 

3-2 gives us a top 2 or 3 finish which is a must. We either host a home qualifying final. Or most likely play Geelong at the G for redemption. 

3-2 minimum. 

Please. 

Edited July 20, 20222 yr by JimmyGadson

3 hours ago, bandicoot said:

Really??? Our performance at the G has been average including last year. We are almost unstoppable at marvel. We have won the last 5 games at the ground 

I guess I must just hate watching games there because it feels like a shoot-out on the smaller ground

11 hours ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

Having just listened to David King and Joey Montagna on Fox Footy, the Bulldogs are certainties this week. In fact, according to King, the Dogs exposed us in Rd 1 and it was only luck we won. This bloke is a complete tool. He flips his opinion weekly. Can’t stand him

And just a week ago he was “sticking fat” with us as his number one seed because he believed our best could beat anyone 😅 God he’s a joke - but hey, at least he always has his laptop with him so he can get his facts straight, right?

12 hours ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

Having just listened to David King and Joey Montagna on Fox Footy, the Bulldogs are certainties this week. In fact, according to King, the Dogs exposed us in Rd 1 and it was only luck we won. This bloke is a complete tool. He flips his opinion weekly. Can’t stand him

He is for sure.

Kane Cornes admits the media, and included himself, suffer from '..currency bias..'

They agree with the last thing they saw. King is a master at this. Not an original thinker on football, Joey is his apprentice . Both have found their role/personality/brand in the media to stay relevant and working.

The match summary courtesy of the AFL website after the game was a follows:

 

"....A good win for the reigning premiers who dominated post-clearance ground balls (75-55) as well as contested marks (16-6). The Demons were also far more effective at generating midfield intercepts (55-41) and their advantage at scoring from these (53-27) was equal to the final margin...."

 

No mention of luck. Not to mention the chaos in second  quarter caused by Salem's injury and the way the Dees righted the ship and dealt with the Dogs   8 golas 5   to 3 goals 2 after half time.