31 minutes ago, durango said:

I watch the highlights and the ball movement was better than 2021, the handballs were over 10 metres long giving the clear receiver a  better go at disposal under less pressure.

If we can replicate this in the season we will be a much better side than 2021/2022.

The young players like McVee and Woewodin did not look out of place. 

We've looked like we want to honour those overlapping runs a lot more. There were so many times last year when we had guys in space but only keen to kick long. 

Need to keep opposition teams on the back foot, chasing back and not just setting up their structure waiting for the bomb. 

Richmond excuses from various sources

1. Melbourne going full pace - Richmond in second gear

2. Melbourne know Casey better than Richmond

3. It's Melbourne's Grand Final (WTF?)

4. Melbourne full strength - Richmond had outs

5. Melbourne looked more tired by the final siren

6. Umpires crucified Richmond

7. TV commentary biased against Richmond

 

5 minutes ago, Deepfreeze said:

Richmond excuses from various sources

1. Melbourne going full pace - Richmond in second gear

2. Melbourne know Casey better than Richmond

3. It's Melbourne's Grand Final (WTF?)

4. Melbourne full strength - Richmond had outs

5. Melbourne looked more tired by the final siren

6. Umpires crucified Richmond

7. TV commentary biased against Richmond

 

It's a practice match! 🤪

8 minutes ago, Deepfreeze said:

 

4. Melbourne full strength - Richmond had outs

 

 

I love how they don't let the facts get in the way of delusion 

8 minutes ago, Deepfreeze said:

 

5. Melbourne looked more tired by the final siren

 

 

Thats coz before the game each dees player did 100 200s as a warm up on the athletic track next door (jokes)

1 hour ago, binman said:

Agree.

The other positive is fans could see firsthand the more aggressive ball movement, in particular heaps more kicks to the corridor (and to the top of the goal square) that had been flagged by the club. 

Just watched Fox footy where King and Montagna both picked the Dees for the flag.

Said the Dees were 18th for moving through the corridor in 2022. Pre season games showed us aggressively moving through the corridor and changing angles to straighten up our attack

We will be much harder to play against this year and we will get a good chance to see that in action when we play Sydney in Round 3 - a team we have struggled against for years.

How do you measure a degree of tiredness on TV? Is there a stat for it? Did a Melb player walk a bit slower than a Richmond player? Did Melb players look like they didn't apply as much force in the after game handshake as Richmond players?

Edited March 8, 20232 yr by layzie

On 3/7/2023 at 12:28 PM, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Also, from SEN:

"Despite the noteworthy performances [ of 'Gawndy' ], Melbourne convincingly lost the hit-out count to Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo and was also defeated in clearances."

Any concerns there? Or surprise, at least?

Gawn and Grundy kicked 6 goals to Nankervis and Soldo 0

Post clearance is more important

 

Edited March 8, 20232 yr by jnrmac

Let them worry about the hit-outs and stats, we'll worry about the goals and wins column. 

1 hour ago, DeeZee said:

Before we recruited Langdon and Hunter, we were desperate, and I mean DESPERATE for decent wingers and some outside ball movement.

Such important pieces of the puzzle now.

28 minutes ago, Deepfreeze said:

Richmond excuses from various sources

1. Melbourne going full pace - Richmond in second gear

...

7. TV commentary biased against Richmond

 

It's the TV commentators' fault that Richmond lost? Wow!

1 hour ago, DeeZee said:

Before we recruited Langdon and Hunter, we were desperate, and I mean DESPERATE for decent wingers and some outside ball movement.

Such important pieces of the puzzle now.

Just boring down a little more ....... Hunter got his own little tricks, takes up a different ground position wise, quick to nullify and uses all his area. langdon....just quick. Grundy likes the follow up contest and he is very quick as well.

34 minutes ago, Deepfreeze said:

Richmond excuses from various sources

1. Melbourne going full pace - Richmond in second gear

2. Melbourne know Casey better than Richmond

3. It's Melbourne's Grand Final (WTF?)

4. Melbourne full strength - Richmond had outs

5. Melbourne looked more tired by the final siren

6. Umpires crucified Richmond

7. TV commentary biased against Richmond

 

Just add one more...please keep Riewoldt, he is such a fillip to you being in bottom four, and not just with his mouth either.

2 hours ago, Deepfreeze said:

Richmond excuses from various sources

1. Melbourne going full pace - Richmond in second gear

2. Melbourne know Casey better than Richmond

3. It's Melbourne's Grand Final (WTF?)

4. Melbourne full strength - Richmond had outs

5. Melbourne looked more tired by the final siren

6. Umpires crucified Richmond

7. TV commentary biased against Richmond

 

Want to add a few more.

The game was played on grass.

There was no roof.

Was played in daytime.

Had to wear footy guernseys.

Ball was made of leather.

Only allowed 18 on ground for them.

A plane flew overhead.

The car park was full.

There was no grandstand on the outer side.

They ran out of hot dogs.

Dusty wasn’t feeling like it.

Etc, etc, etc.

Edited March 8, 20232 yr by Redleg

On 3/6/2023 at 9:46 AM, 640MD said:

He hates the Dees. Must have been the vitriol directed towards him when he chased the money in Sydney.  He deserved every bit. We were becoming a good combination and then he defected . Stuff I’m or words to that effect 

I must say, I just don't see it that way. I feel Gerard Healy is often supportive and keen to see us do well 🤷‍♂️

2 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Just watched Fox footy where King and Montagna both picked the Dees for the flag.

Said the Dees were 18th for moving through the corridor in 2022. Pre season games showed us aggressively moving through the corridor and changing angles to straighten up our attack

We will be much harder to play against this year and we will get a good chance to see that in action when we play Sydney in Round 3 - a team we have struggled against for years.

Yes, the only team that fills me with dread whenever we play them.

28 minutes ago, Dee*ceiving said:

I must say, I just don't see it that way. I feel Gerard Healy is often supportive and keen to see us do well 🤷‍♂️

I agree. Healy is great mates with Jonesy by all accounts (they surf together), so perhaps that is a factor. 

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

Want to add a few more.

The game was played on grass.

There was no roof.

Was played in daytime.

Had to wear footy guernseys.

Ball was made of leather.

Only allowed 18 on ground for them.

A plane flew overhead.

The car park was full.

There was no grandstand on the outer side.

They ran out of hot dogs.

Dusty wasn’t feeling like it.

Etc, etc, etc.

Cotchin wore his forearm out on Harmes' face

1 hour ago, Dee*ceiving said:

I must say, I just don't see it that way. I feel Gerard Healy is often supportive and keen to see us do well 🤷‍♂️

Well I guess we can all change and grow. 
but I have my opinion on his words etc from the late 80’s and 90’s. And he turned his back on Melbourne stuff him !

did you like my joke ?

7 hours ago, jnrmac said:

The two practice games couldn't not have gone any better. Good experimentation hard running no injuries.

Wins are nice but secondary. We want some early wins as our draw is challenging but its a long season.

Yep, despite the all of the glamour of our pre-season positives including two significant wins in the practice matches, we must remain realistic - it is not yet a forgone conclusion that we will get to the GF (and win that one, too). There are so many umpires' decisions and strokes of foul play ahead - in reality, we must realise that 'anything could happen' in this modern AFL watch. 

2 hours ago, Redleg said:

Want to add a few more.

There's always the virus excuse.

3 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Just boring down a little more ....... Hunter got his own little tricks, takes up a different ground position wise, quick to nullify and uses all his area. langdon....just quick. Grundy likes the follow up contest and he is very quick as well.

"Even though it was only  a practice game " the following to me were apparent about Melbourne: 

1. Hunter is a first class footballer smart clever persistent plays footy on his terms with composure and his stylish left foot. Seems a great team man and will have the all the members side of the ground to become a Dees fan favourite just like Lingers is on the outer Warne wing. An A grade addition providing valuable running and disposal depth plus scoring potential. 

2. Grundy will also provide and bolster our ruck midfield and forward divisions. Is quick on his feet and is quite skilled on the ground. Contrary to perception he can mark down forward. I can only think he is not regarded as a competent resting ruck from his efforts because he has not been asked to play that role much or not at all. In essence he needs a top defender to be minded and providing our forward entries are consistent and quick he is a danger just like all our other talls mids and smalls who in their own right are from A graders to role players to multi skilled and different styles as 2021 proved. Also Brody will provide our defence with marking and blocking assistance. Another A grade team man who knows the game. And will give Maxy  at least 2 years more footy in the red and blue. 

3. Improvement  in game style and form from Spargo Sparrow ANB and Promising effort from Chandler who moves well  didn't take his opportunities on the day. McVee is an addition who again looked up to the speed and flow of our game and defensive style as did Woey in a shorter context. Laurie not so much but great for him have a run and knows what is required now to be in AFL contention. 

4. Overall fitness looked great and ball movement and game style plan far  superior to 2022 late season. All kicked in and it looked smooth and sharp. 

5. From Casey Schache and JVR did no harm to their senior aspirations. Josh is a big sized player in the reserves and just needs some good footy basics and a few tricks plus his size to have a decent chance of being a contributor in the Firsts.when yhe time is required. JVR will debut at some round no doubt snd all Dees fans can't wait to see him get his opportunity. Let's hope he is ready and is not overawed that he can't show his ability on the big stage. 

6. A very good preseason now for the real  thing with Viney Fritta Salem Dunstan and a couple of others fitness to decide when their season will start and where. 

 A List on song  and very hungry looking super dangerous and determined to avenge our disappointing and  underwhelming flag defence in 2022.
 

3 hours ago, Redleg said:

Want to add a few more.

They ran out of beer!

8 hours ago, Deepfreeze said:

Richmond excuses from various sources

1. Melbourne going full pace - Richmond in second gear

2. Melbourne know Casey better than Richmond

3. It's Melbourne's Grand Final (WTF?)

4. Melbourne full strength - Richmond had outs

5. Melbourne looked more tired by the final siren

6. Umpires crucified Richmond

7. TV commentary biased against Richmond

 

Are these actual excuses or made up?

1 hour ago, AzzKikA said:

Are these actual excuses or made up?

😉