GAMEDAY: Rd 18 vs Port Adelaide

[Lucifers Hero 37,072]

Melksham and Tomlinson are playing for their futures as wouldn't be surprised if they are asked to look elsewhere at EOS, ala TMc and ANB two years ago. 

They both need to impress suitors if they want to be more than depth.

Hopefully, they both bring their best; we need them to.  And that Tomlinson leaves the sulks in Melbourne.

[Winners at last 4,733]

I'll be watching the match at the Sporting Globe in Richmond. 

Not at all confident. 

[spirit of norm smith 12,919]

Missing Melb. Oliver Petty Tmcd 

Missing Port Lycett 

Melb. Tall def.  May Lever Tomlinson. 
Port Tall fwds.  Dixon Marshall Georgiades 

Melb. Small-mid def. Hibberd Salem Brayshaw Rivers
Port smallmid def  fwds  Rozee Gray 

Melb. Inside Mids .  Trac Viney Harmes Sparrow
Port inside Mids   Wines  SPP Boak Drew Mead

Melb. Outside Mids. Langdon Jordon. 
Port outside Mids  Butters Amon Bergman Farrell

Melb. Tall fwds.  BBB. Jackson/Gawn* Fritsch
Port Tall def. Allir Clurey Jonas Burton

Melb small-mid Pickett ANB Spargo Bedford Melksham 

Port  small def  Houston Byrne-Jones Bonner 

Melb. Rucks Gawn/Jackson* 
Port rucks Finlayson
 

1.  Guys like Harmes and Sparrow need to stepup

2. Drew will tag Petracca.  
3. Our small forwards will need to kick goals. Perhaps at least 7-8. That’s Kozzzy, Bedford, Spargo and Milkshake
4. Gawn and Jackson will dominate the ruck, but we need ti win clearances 

5. Butters and Rozee are now key players for them. do we tag Rozee ? He’s been excellent over last few weeks as a running midfielder 

6. ANB had to earn his spot.  Ports runners might worry us.  He needs to play a more midfield link runner. 

[Diamond_Jim 11,772]

Last week's scoreline flattered us due to the Cat's inaccuracy. When they put the foot down we couldn't go with them.

We should account for Port easily but forward line functionality is the key.

Port will pack our backline and attack in waves. The waves were mere ripples when we last played them. Let's hope they haven't learnt to surf in the meantime

Melbourne by 26 points with behinds exceeding goals as usual

[Caligula's cohort 1,014]

Big game today... with six games left in the home and away season, we will need at least two more wins to secure a spot in finals and four wins to remain in the top four by seasons end. It's a must win game today!

I'm not so confident we can beat the Doggies next week when they had an extra two days break on us and haven't travelled. From there, we have another short turnaround and head west to take on Freo at Optus, which will be another tough match with Freo likely being favourites... Meanwhile clubs like Geelong get the easiest arm chair ride into finals and finish on top of the ladder thanks to the AFL gifting them games to North Melbourne and West Coast twice!!! unbelievable!

I'm hoping for Harmes and Sparrow can step up to the plate today and have a big game in Olivers absence, as Petracca will most likely be tagged all day. Viney will do what he always does and hunt the ball and opposition, racking up 30+ disposals and 10+ tackles. Let's hope Melksham can show a bit of class from his golden days and slot 2-3 goals and deliver some nice kicks inside 50 to his fellow forwards. 

Let's go Demons!

[old dee 22,854]

Zero confidence. Our zip has gone and with no KPF's I cannot see a win today. 

[Demonstone 19,166]

9 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Port will pack our backline and attack in waves. The waves were mere ripples when we last played them. Let's hope they haven't learnt to surf in the meantime

We won't have to worry about Charlie Dixon being part of those waves.

 

[Diamond_Jim 11,772]

9 minutes ago, old dee said:

Zero confidence. Our zip has gone and with no KPF's I cannot see a win today. 

Come on OD a little confidence please. On the other hand lose today and many of us will be with you.

The selection astounds me but I've given up. Post season might see some interesting discussion on our selection policies

[Demon4Life 599]

Before the game today I'll be dropping in to the place I was house-sitting at back in July 2017 when McDonald kicked THAT goal. That might be one of my most vivid football memories. I'll be moving in with their new dog for the first time since '17 on September 26th this year, 2 days after the GF. Let's hope it will be equally as memorable. And let's hope we break our NT drought today

[ANG13 1,446]

Max has developed into one of the best leaders in the competition the last few years he had a shocker last week I expect him to make a statement this week and the rest will follow. A gritty hard fought win coming up. 

[Lord Travis 10,167]

Port are in better form than us obviously, so they should start favorites IMO. Our mids need to ramp up the pressure this week and lower the eyes going inside 50. If we can withstand their pressure and do that, then we’ll win. If not then it’s going to be tough and top four looks less likely.

[Demon Disciple 10,955]

42 minutes ago, old dee said:

Zero confidence. Our zip has gone and with no KPF's I cannot see a win today. 

That’s the spirit

[WalkingCivilWar 31,794]

1 hour ago, Winners at last said:

I'll be watching the match at the Sporting Globe in Richmond. 

Not at all confident. 

I’ll be watching it there too, Bingers. 

But I’m hella confident!

[Winners at last 4,733]

1 minute ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

I’ll be watching it there too, Bingers. 

But I’m hella confident!

Kewl .... I'll be the bloke wearing a Demons' scarf !!!

[Pates 9,537]

Bring the pressure game and the rest will fall into place. Our defence, even with Petty missing (who's arguably been our best defender this season), knows what to do. Our midfield is weakened with Oliver missing but I reckon we could see Brayshaw have a run in there with Rivers back. Our forward line is out of form, but we just need to lock the ball in with pressure and the opportunities will come.

I really feel like the "Melbourne Brand" that we had going last season has only existed a few times this season. The Saints, GWS, and Brisbane. All other wins we've got through on bursts of class, and our losses I can't really say we were anywhere near our best apart from one quarter against Freo.

That fills me with hope because we are still in a good position for the season, and we haven't hit our straps. Today needs to be a statement day to come back from losing last week. We win today I feel like we get top 4.

I'm backing in the players coming in to be desperate to keep their spots.

[dees189227 10,776]

We just have to win

[WalkingCivilWar 31,794]

8 hours ago, CHF said:

Bit of a different pre game for me this week as I am away from Homebase. 

Spending the weekend in the Champagne area in a luxury hotel in the hills above Epernay to celebrate my birthday. Champagne tasting and buying, Michelin starred eating, spa treatments etc. I will be watching live with a hangover.

Dees in The Alice by 6 goals.

First time I have started a GAMEDAY thread. Hope I have not stood on any toes. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHF! ❌❌❌

🎉🎂🍰🍺🧁🎪 💥✨🍧🎂🥳

Here’s wishing you the best birthday present ever… a merciless belting of Port at the hands of the Mighty Dees!

Or a win, anyways. Even by a point would do  

 

[bobby1554 1,132]

54 minutes ago, old dee said:

Zero confidence. Our zip has gone and with no KPF's I cannot see a win today. 

Agree. Missing Oliver. Our bottom 6 are nowhere near last years level. Forward line not functioning. The mental effect of the Jackson and Brayshaw situation. Port now with a real chance of finals. Port now into $2.45 from $3.10 a week ago. I hate to say this, but I think there is a possibility we miss finals altogether

[WalkingCivilWar 31,794]

11 minutes ago, Winners at last said:

Kewl .... I'll be the bloke wearing a Demons' scarf !!!

Shouldn’t be hard to spot you then. 😁

I’ll buy you a 🍺!

*goes home stone penniless broke having bought every single bloke wearing a Demons scarf a beer*

[John Crow Batty 8,255]

Been concerned with our lack of hunger. It  seems oppo sides just want the ball  more than us. Port are desperate to keep their finals hopes alive and in good form. We are still in a top four comfort zone, key outs and average form. Not confident at all this round. 

Edited July 17, 2022 by John Crow Batty

[WalkingCivilWar 31,794]

3 minutes ago, bobby1554 said:

I hate to say this, but I think there is a possibility we miss finals altogether

Wow, I thought Old Dee was a downer. 😜

[dl4e 5,585]

MFCSS has bolted out the back door. Can't see us winning this. Final selections have me baffled. Players like Rozee, Gray and georgiwhatshishead will have a field day. Hope I am wrong.

[At the break of Gawn 3,498]

Just have to win today. If we lose we’re pretty much back to the rest of the pack and top 4 is in real danger. Genuinely nervous someone like Rozee or Boak will run riot.

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,636]

Beautiful day here in Alice, not a cloud in the sky hardly any wind to speak of, looking forward to walking up to the ground later, nervous but expecting the team to step up.

[dees189227 10,776]

35 minutes ago, ANG13 said:

Max has developed into one of the best leaders in the competition the last few years he had a shocker last week I expect him to make a statement this week and the rest will follow. A gritty hard fought win coming up. 

I expect jack will pick up the slack of Oliver's absence today & play an awesome game & lead the way