On 18/03/2023 at 23:02, hemingway said:

Sadly there are going to be players who play their hearts out and deserve their place in the team, who get dropped.  That’s good for team selection but I can’t help feeling sorry for those who will miss out. How do they develop confidence and maintain motivation?  How do you keep a young kid like Laurie motivated if you drop him after one game?  

A few like Bedford will leave for opportunity but that is price of having a good list and being at the top. If you are young and playing for a very good team there is the chance of playing in a premiership e.g. late in 21 Hunt gets injured and Bowey gets in and plays in a winning GF. 

Great Sub choice.  Milkshake is a very smart footballer that can play middle and ahead of the  ball, but might not be as fast or have the legs of the others.  Bring him on as a sub when others have slowed a bit and let him get to work.  He contributed straight away.   A tactical masterstoke? (I think so) 

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:05, old dee said:

Amazing is the only word that comes to mind. It amazes me how people are down on Tmac. He does a lot of un noticed work. The opposition knows if they don’t put a good player on him he will kill you. They say you don’t appreciate someone until they are not there. Witness last year we were never the same without him in the second half of last year. 

 When the ball is kicked to congestion and TMac is there, and doesn't mark it, he at least creates something for the crumbers. I need to go back and watch the replay but he was instrumental in at least one goal last night when he bullocked his way through the pack.

  On 18/03/2023 at 21:26, Clintosaurus said:

Classic oppo nuffies want Kosi out until after we play their team. Media can STFU. It should be a fine only. Potential impact is a joke and sounds like the latest HQ way to punish non 'stars' while Cotchin and Cripps get let off.

100% - the amount of Geelong fans commenting tells you how worried they are about him 

Witch hunt well and truly on 

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:17, buck_nekkid said:

Great Sub choice.  Milkshake is a very smart footballer that can play middle and ahead of the  ball, but might not be as fast or have the legs of the others.  Bring him on as a sub when others have slowed a bit and let him get to work.  He contributed straight away.   A tactical masterstoke? (I think so) 

I reckon we could have one a few of the close games we lost last year if we had Melky as the super sub.

Thought we did the 'tempo footy' game pretty well last night.  Played defensively and slow around the boundary when things were tight and we didn't have the options on, but then flicked the switch and moved it fast when the time was right.

There were alot of times the Dogs tempted us into switching across half back, leaving a few of our players faurly open, but within striking distance of their opponents, but we were smart and didn't take the bait.  Even in at the start of last quarter when we a good 30 points up, we didn't rush any attacking moves and let the Dog's desperation to score play into our hands and pounced on the turnovers and opportunities that created.

When we did attack, I was pleased with our quick ball movement and ability to run back into space.  The number of times guys like Chandler, Spargo, Kossie and even BBB had a good paddock to run into because of our willingness to take the game on at those times was most refreshing.  Loved that long goal of Melksham's that bounced through - he's a smart and more than capable player around goals and his last quarter cameo last night bought back flashes of his 2018 finals series form.

Edited March 19, 20232 yr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Folks have talked about fitness but did you see Petracca flip off the ground, off his back onto his feet. Never seen that happen on the footy field. Now try doing that in the backyard. It is impossible for most of us,  it requires incredible strength and flexibility in the core. That was my highlight. No wonder he is impossible to tag. A raging bull. Once in a generation. Oh, maybe we have two or three once in a generation players. It’s like looking back and saying how lucky you were to see Barassi or all those other champs from those days. We are very lucky to see our current crop of players. 

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:24, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Thought we did the 'tempo footy' game pretty well last night.  Played defensively and slow around the boundary when things were tight and we didn't have the options on, but then flicked the switch and moved it fast when the time was right.

There were alot of times the Dogs tempted us into switching across half back, leaving a few of our players faurly open, but within striking distance of their opponents, but we were smart and didn't take the bate.  Even in at the start of last quarter when we a good 30 points up, we didn't rush any attacking moves and let the Dog's desperation to score play into our hands and pounced on the turnovers and opportunities that created.

When we did attack, I was pleased with our quick ball movement and ability to run back into space.  The number of times guys like Chandler, Spargo, Kossie and even BBB had a good paddock to run into because of our willingness to take the game on at those times was most refreshing.  Loved that long goal of Melksham's that bounced through - he's a smart and more than capable player around goals and his last quarter cameo last night bought back flashes of his 2018 finals series form.

Great observation. 

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:04, Dr. Gonzo said:

I don't think the Dogs are a fellow contender, a genuine middle of the road team with that defense.

Crowd was 48k last night, for those there what do you think the split was? On tv the crowd looked good and seemed like we were far louder than they were. Our games often look bad on tv because our supporters are all in the northern stand but the southern stand seemed pretty packed last night on level 1 and 2.

Majority was dees.

It was [censored] poor turn out by the doggies supporters. Probably around 12k of them and the rest Dees.

 

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:26, hemingway said:

Folks have talked about fitness but did you see Petracca flip off the ground, off his back onto his feet. Never seen that happen on the footy field. Now try doing that in the backyard. It is impossible for most of us,  it requires incredible strength and flexibility in the core. That was my highlight. No wonder he is impossible to tag. A raging bull. Once in a generation. Oh, maybe we have two or three once in a generation players. It’s like looking back and saying how lucky you were to see Barassi or all those other champs from those days. We are very lucky to see our current crop of players. 

Good call Ernie - I noticed that. It was near the end of the game and about 1 minute after I commented to a friend that "Petracca looks buggered" !

 

  On 18/03/2023 at 22:49, Neil Crompton said:

One aspect that impressed me compared to last year was the forward half pressure. We had 21 tackles in our forward 50. Dogs had 9. (Pies had 12, Tigers 16, Swans 12 and Port 6 by comparison). Kozzie and Chandler leading the way. Great improvement.

Good it's back , that's where we fell away last year

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:31, dazzledavey36 said:

Majority was dees.

It was [censored] poor turn out by the doggies supporters. Probably around 12k of them and the rest Dees.

 

Was impressed by the noise the crowd made last night. We didn't need the embarrassing make some noise snippets that come up on the big screen that we used in last years finals.

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:26, hemingway said:

Folks have talked about fitness but did you see Petracca flip off the ground, off his back onto his feet. Never seen that happen on the footy field. Now try doing that in the backyard. It is impossible for most of us,  it requires incredible strength and flexibility in the core. That was my highlight. No wonder he is impossible to tag. A raging bull. Once in a generation. Oh, maybe we have two or three once in a generation players. It’s like looking back and saying how lucky you were to see Barassi or all those other champs from those days. We are very lucky to see our current crop of players. 

Not sure if it's quite the same thing, but I've seen Viney do standing front/back flips.  Perhaps a few of our players could make good professional gymnists or circus performers when they retire from footy?

  On 18/03/2023 at 14:14, heath55 said:

You’re kidding? He’s so crucial to our structure - outside of kicking goals. Go to a game and just watch how and where he moves; no coincidence that the drop off last season started after he was out….

A slow tall forward that can't turn, doesn't kick goals, and flies at every mark one handed is critical to our team? Nah... 

I'll take a forward that marks and goals thanks.

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:36, He de mon said:

Was impressed by the noise the crowd made last night. We didn't need the embarrassing make some noise snippets that come up on the big screen that we used in last years finals.

Calling out the players by number at the start of the game reeked of American sports hyperbole though - absolutely hated it.

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:35, Bitter but optimistic said:

Good call Ernie - I noticed that. It was near the end of the game and about 1 minute after I commented to a friend that "Petracca looks buggered" !

I notice that often in games Bbo he is one of the few that actually show it after a torrid period of play. I should be as tired! 

Whilst there was some change in ball movement and I'm sure as the season rolls on it will get better but we will not get within six goals of the pies at this stage, I was impressed (hard to say out loud)  with how they fling the ball around, made passes inboard over the opposition heads where we could not, next week will be a test, the lions will bounce back hard.

But is is good to start the season off with a win and percentage.

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:18, He de mon said:

 When the ball is kicked to congestion and TMac is there, and doesn't mark it, he at least creates something for the crumbers. I need to go back and watch the replay but he was instrumental in at least one goal last night when he bullocked his way through the pack.

Actually, i was wrong, i just watched all the goals, and it was Ben Brown. 

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:39, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Calling out the players by number at the start of the game reeked of American sports hyperbole though - absolutely hated it.

Me too, I thought there was too much hype last night. It seems like in the 21st century the game isn’t enough. 

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:26, hemingway said:

Folks have talked about fitness but did you see Petracca flip off the ground, off his back onto his feet. Never seen that happen on the footy field. Now try doing that in the backyard. It is impossible for most of us,  it requires incredible strength and flexibility in the core. That was my highlight. No wonder he is impossible to tag. A raging bull. Once in a generation. Oh, maybe we have two or three once in a generation players. It’s like looking back and saying how lucky you were to see Barassi or all those other champs from those days. We are very lucky to see our current crop of players. 

I was worried he'd hurt himself flying for that speccy a few mins earlier as he got up gingerly.
When he flipped back onto his feet I knew he was ok.

I can't remember a better ruckman than Gawn.
Teasdale and Round won Brownlows when I was a kid.
Simon Madden was a great ruck who went forward, took big marks and kicked goals.
Footscray had a big ruckman they used wax lyrical about but I can't remember his name.
Had burn scars and always wore long sleeves.
But I can't say I remember too much about their games.
Doubt Trac, Gawn or Clarry will win a brownlow as they take too many votes off each other.
But they'll deserve one.
Multiple flags will just have to do I s'pose.

Edited March 18, 20232 yr by Fork 'em

  On 18/03/2023 at 21:42, old dee said:

Sunday morning and I am still in bed reason it was after midnight when I got home. From the time I left to go to the game till I got home was 7.5 hours. Now admittedly I left early to make sure I got into the G car park. Ridiculous! The upside ?

We slaughter a team that was supposedly a top 4 contender. I have to say rarely have I watched a MFC team play as well as this one and we had 4 of our 21 premiership side out. I know it is only the first game but how could you not be excited. Bring it on Dees we have all waited decades for this team. 

Very taxing day/night for you OD, but good on you for making the effort to be there. 💕

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:48, Fork 'em said:

I was worried he'd hurt himself flying for that speccy a few mins earlier as he got up gingerly.
When he flipped back onto his feet I knew he was ok.

I can't remember a better ruckman than Gawn.
Teasdale and Round won Brownlows when I was a kid.
Simon Madden was a great ruck who went forward, took big marks and kicked goals.
Footscray had a big ruckman they used wax lyrical about but I can't remember his name.
Had burn scars and always wore long sleeves.
But I can't say I remember too much about their games.
Doubt Trac, Gawn or Clarry will win a brownlow as they take too many votes off each other.
But they'll deserve one.
Multiple flags will just have to do I s'pose.

Gary Dempsy

Thats him 👍

  On 18/03/2023 at 23:42, demon3165 said:

Whilst there was some change in ball movement and I'm sure as the season rolls on it will get better but we will not get within six goals of the pies at this stage, I was impressed (hard to say out loud)  with how they fling the ball around, made passes inboard over the opposition heads where we could not, next week will be a test, the lions will bounce back hard.

But is is good to start the season off with a win and percentage.

Yeh....Nah. Pies game may be different to ours but that doesn't make it better

Edited March 19, 20232 yr by Roost it far