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PREGAME: Rd 01 vs Western Bulldogs

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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On 3/4/2023 at 9:20 PM, Dee Zephyr said:

Would love it if we could get 60,000 there. We managed 58,000 on a Wednesday night last year.

I would go, but the with the works on the Belgrave line, it makes it painful to train in until the end of May!

 

Will be a tough match as it usually is against the Dawgs (post bang bang bang in the '21 GF aside!)....they are a bit of an unknown quantity to me lots of talls and a strong midfield but how many of those talls are proven performers in big games? Jones, Lobb im not too sure and the rest are pretty young.

Have to make sure the Bont and Naughton don't completely dominate and we should be OK.

After what the team has shown in the two competitive hit outs they have had so far I am looking forward to the season and this first round match up in particular. The first round always is exciting for me. Footy is back for the next six months and there is always a touch of the unknown about how the Demons will perform and what the opposition will bring to the table. 
 

The Demons look fit, well drilled, stong and mature in the way they have delivered in the competitive games so far. The game against the Tigers without 3 of our starting 22 (or should that now read 23) in Viney, Frisch and Salem showed great depth and a strong playing structure. A strong defence even without Salem with a couple of very handy players ready to step up when required. Same in midfield without Viney. A number of rotation options inside with a couple of top class runners on the wings. As it was last season, the forwards could be a problem. Against Richmond we kicked a good score in the heat without Frisch, our best goal kicker over the last two seasons, there will be some head scratching in selection over how to set that area up and how to make sure we have match day flexibility in that area. 
 

as for the Dogs….. well I think they will struggle a bit this year. Lost a few over the off season and gained a few. There will need to be a bit of them having to work out how to play to the different strengths of the different players. Plus they have had one competitive hit out against North who, as we know, are like the Demons of the past, struggling and undermanned. I will be interested to see how they hold up when the pressure of 4 points is on. Looking at their team now against their 21 grand final team, I think they are a step or two weaker. Whereas I believe we are a bit better than what we where in the last match of 21.

Plus the Doggies still have the porn star as coach and I just do not rate him.

we have them covered in defence and the midfield and I think we will generate enough scoring opportunities to run out winners by 5 goals.

go Dees!

 

    • Like 7
    • Haha 1
     
    5 hours ago, Garbo said:

    There is a reason no one plays 4 talls, if you don’t mark it the ball will just come straight out, they will be severely lacking ground ball and tackling pressure up fwd if they go in like that. I’ll enjoy if they try play with that setup and watching it blow up in there face

    Also probably because very few sides have had 4 talls of sufficient quality that are worthy of a game. 
     

    They get a fair bit of mobility through Jamarra and Naughton so they space quite well. 
     

    But yes, if it isn’t working then it offers the perfect opportunity for sides to set up well from Half back.

    11 hours ago, picket fence said:

    If Oscar Baker plays we will know the Dishlickers are TANKING!!

    I watched a bit of his game on Saturday and he performed way better than I had ever seen him perform at AFL or VFL level, so perhaps he has taken the step.  His disposal was particularly impressive. Time will tell of course.

    2 hours ago, layzie said:

    Their midfield group was out of this world with those guys in it, even with them gone I still see them as a unit to be not taken lightly. 

    I've always felt their midfield was very much a team of champions rather than a champion team.  Given their individual reputations and awards like AA selection, the team as a whole has badly underperformed.

    • Like 1

    19 minutes ago, Vipercrunch said:

    I watched a bit of his game on Saturday and he performed way better than I had ever seen him perform at AFL or VFL level, so perhaps he has taken the step. 

    Against Norff.

    Wait and see how he goes in the real thing.

    • Like 1
    20 minutes ago, Deebauched said:

    Against Norff.

    Wait and see how he goes in the real thing.

    We smashed North in last year's practice game and won 10 in a row.

    What's your point?

    • Like 1
    • Haha 1
    6 hours ago, John Demonic said:

    Thinking of all the ways the opposition can beat us is already a little anxiety inducing and stressful 2 weeks out. And another 28 or so weeks of this!

    A Buddhist monk once said "Relax, nothing is in control"

    • Like 5
     
    2 hours ago, Vipercrunch said:

    I've always felt their midfield was very much a team of champions rather than a champion team.  Given their individual reputations and awards like AA selection, the team as a whole has badly underperformed.

    May well be the case, still shouldn't be underestimated though. 

    On 3/5/2023 at 12:59 PM, Willmoy1947 said:

    Dogs can either stack their forward line with talls and hope they kick enough goals, or their mouth from the west goes to their backline to nullify our height.

    Or both.

    I am worried now that they have added Lobb to their forward line.

    C999D265-4DD2-4E51-87D5-F4718786E629.jpeg

    •
    • Haha 6

    2 hours ago, Vipercrunch said:

    I watched a bit of his game on Saturday and he performed way better than I had ever seen him perform at AFL or VFL level, so perhaps he has taken the step.  His disposal was particularly impressive. Time will tell of course.

    Baker was a link player except at VFL level he could not dispose to his advantage. Perhaps with better AFL level receivers his disposal to advantage will improve. As you say, time will tell

    • Like 1

    Will be there, one of the very few games I can get there in the year, with my darling wife and perhaps two foster lads, All of which now support the Dees.  My wife cos she loves me the lads cos they wanted to stay under our roof, matter of principle, we all support the Dees.

    I think it will be even till half time then more to us in the third and then an easy win.   Hope so anyway   Go Dees

     

    • Like 4

    Also please   Do we have to download tickets

    or can we just wander along and flash the members ticket 


    5 hours ago, Earl Hood said:

    I am worried now that they have added Lobb to their forward line.

    C999D265-4DD2-4E51-87D5-F4718786E629.jpeg

    But they don’t have Weightman

    It Chapter 2 Hello GIF by The Addams Family

    • Haha 3
    • Shocked 1

    As somebody on Twitter said... looks like the centre square area in Delhi.

    They are cutting it fine having a concert 2 weeks before the first game but I suppose they know what they're doing

    Move it to Casey.

    • Like 3
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    22 hours ago, ANG13 said:

    To be fair Lucifer they didn’t get many games out of Hunter last year, so there not losing much from him off last years team. But Dunkley’s loss is a big hole from last year. 
     

    I personally think the Bulldogs have a strong list and won’t be surprised if they finish top four. 

    They haven't finished top 4 under Bevo yet....

    • Like 2
    2 hours ago, 640MD said:

    Will be there, one of the very few games I can get there in the year, with my darling wife and perhaps two foster lads, All of which now support the Dees.  My wife cos she loves me the lads cos they wanted to stay under our roof, matter of principle, we all support the Dees.

    I think it will be even till half time then more to us in the third and then an easy win.   Hope so anyway   Go Dees

     

    Maybe even one minute before ¾ time - then BANG BANG BANG and the rest is history.


    10 hours ago, sisso said:

    Will be a tough match as it usually is against the Dawgs (post bang bang bang in the '21 GF aside!)....they are a bit of an unknown quantity to me lots of talls and a strong midfield but how many of those talls are proven performers in big games? Jones, Lobb im not too sure and the rest are pretty young.

    Have to make sure the Bont and Naughton don't completely dominate and we should be OK.

    Naughton has kicked 10 goals against us in 8 games. Seems unlikely he will crush us.

    • Like 2
    49 minutes ago, 640MD said:

    Also please   Do we have to download tickets

    or can we just wander along and flash the members ticket 

    AFL Members have 2 options regarding entry to a game: General Admission or a Reserved Seat. To access General Admission seating, members can either scan their membership card upon entry or scan the ticket loaded on the AFL Membership app.

    https://am.ticketmaster.com › FAQ23

    FAQs 2023 | AFL Membership

     

     

    • Like 1
    20 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

    They haven't finished top 4 under Bevo yet....

    I hope that continues, I really don’t like Bevo or the Bulldogs. But I do think there are pretty strong side. 

     

    Petty to let his inner mean streak run amok Game 1


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