16 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Great moment for Chandler.  He missed an absolute giveme against the dogs when we were already well in control, but I felt for him a bit, because of the pressure he would be under to make an impact and numbers against the goals column in his position count.

But today he kicked at least a couple of really good goals from set shots and snaps when the team really needed to kick goals to get, the  keep the game on our terms.  That on top of his great tackle pressure, hard running, creativity and involvement in other chains that resulted in MFC goals.  Also find him really selfless in the way I've seen him repeatedly dish off to others in better positions when he could have taken a shot himself.  Everything that's valued by our team.

Really important game today for Chandler, when he really established his credentials.  He's been building, but I thought today he was huge.  So happy for the guy.

Agree with all that.

He was the one that kicked the steadying goal at the 15 minute mark of the third quarter after Sydney got within 6 points and looked like they were about to overrun us. It was a tough set shot to make as well.

I think I saw something that resembled the Melbourne team of 2021. Resilience. There were many times in 2021 our lead was challenged but we rose to the occasion and had a good win. I believe I saw this again on Sunday. 

3 hours ago, old dee said:

I haven't seen the game so a question from no knowledge who goes out to fit in Kossi? 

Ben brown? 

And to think that I almost passed on going to the game. A bad case of MFCSS and a very low mood all week.  Encouraged to go by son and wife who both predicted a win. What got me over the line was when my son said, “Dad imagine how bad you will feel after they win”. When I walked into the ground, saw the colours and the expectant excited Dees supporters I felt good and my cyclonic depression lifted. It was as if the Dees fans willed that win. And let’s face it, the boys looked pumped. They had come to win and not just compete.  By quarter time I knew I had made the right decision and thanked wife and son.  And learnt a lesson in having a positive attitude. Despite all the TV coverage and commentary, there is nothing like being at the game and absorbing all the raw emotion and excitement. We were up and about and the Dees fans noise and fist pumping incredible. And for 120 minutes we forgot our own worries and the worries of the world. The sun was shining on our beloved Demons. 

43 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Sydney is a very good team and they played well yesterday. They had our measure in the clearances in the first half, and they transitioned quite easily out of the back half on many occasions.

They are an exceptionally well drilled side, with a lot of high quality players.

This was by far our most formidable opponent thus far, and we beat them comprehensively.

I still do not rate the Dogs or the Lions. I have a suspicion that something went wrong pre-game against the Lions, and then the Gawn injury caused further disruption. If we play the Lions another 10 times, I think we beat them 9 times with a fit side.

Completely agree with all of this. Especially given Gawn's absence, probably best win for a long while. 

It still burns that the Lions got that W, they're nowhere near the side we are. 

We play again in R18, so we'll have the chance to set the record straight!!

Swans had a few big boys out of their side and also they could have thrown Reid in to CHF and we could have wilted a bit, so things in perspective and good win nonetheless.

50 minutes ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Swans had a few big boys out of their side and also they could have thrown Reid in to CHF and we could have wilted a bit, so things in perspective and good win nonetheless.

Shirley, you can't be serious.

A good win?

We beat one of last year's gf teams by 9 goals.

By the by we had a pretty good big boy out too.

No disrespect to Reid, who was their only big out, maxy he ain't.

We had a pretty good small out too - not to mention a handy half back flanker.

Edited April 3, 20232 yr by binman

Does anyone know the Expected Score yesterday?

It always feels great when we kick straight but there is always an element of luck.

We had 33 shots from 60 inside 50s compared to Sydney 29 shots from 52 inside 50s.

Piece of cake. Who needs Gawny and Kossie.? They’d make great trades at the end of the year.

43 minutes ago, hemingway said:

And to think that I almost passed on going to the game. A bad case of MFCSS and a very low mood all week.  Encouraged to go by son and wife who both predicted a win. What got me over the line was when my son said, “Dad imagine how bad you will feel after they win”. When I walked into the ground, saw the colours and the expectant excited Dees supporters I felt good and my cyclonic depression lifted. It was as if the Dees fans willed that win. And let’s face it, the boys looked pumped. They had come to win and not just compete.  By quarter time I knew I had made the right decision and thanked wife and son.  And learnt a lesson in having a positive attitude. Despite all the TV coverage and commentary, there is nothing like being at the game and absorbing all the raw emotion and excitement. We were up and about and the Dees fans noise and fist pumping incredible. And for 120 minutes we forgot our own worries and the worries of the world. The sun was shining on our beloved Demons. 

God forbid when I get to the stage when I cannot go any longer Ernest. Could not agree more.  

45 minutes ago, hemingway said:

And to think that I almost passed on going to the game.

You could probably write a book about your wonderful experience on Sunday, Mr. Hemingway.

Suggested title:  "The Old Man And The G".

4 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

You could probably write a book about your wonderful experience on Sunday, Mr. Hemingway.

Suggested title:  "The Old Man And The G".

Well you left out the word string at least.

Could be the sequel.

Edited April 3, 20232 yr by leave it to deever

7 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

You could probably write a book about your wonderful experience on Sunday, Mr. Hemingway.

Suggested title:  "The Old Man And The G".

Did he wander off to the royal? 

15 minutes ago, old dee said:

God forbid when I get to the stage when I cannot go any longer Ernest. Could not agree more.  

For Whom The Bell Tolls OD. Well not until another flag. 

15 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

You could probably write a book about your wonderful experience on Sunday, Mr. Hemingway.

Suggested title:  "The Old Man And The G".

The Sun also Rises. It did on Sunday both the weather and my mood. 

Sam Reid is a loss but you can do worse than a forward line with Buddy and Logan Mcdonald in it. 

I think having Petty play as a defensive forward was a great move by Goodwin. It meant that when we Brown was subbed for Melksham we weren't undersized, leaving JVR to battle against either or both of the McCartin's. 

With the danger of Petty drawing one of their three talls away, it meant Melksham could be influential and do little things like in the link below... look for his bump on Paddy McCartin just as McCartin is about to jump to mark and spoil out to the pocket...

https://app.screencast.com/WpHJunqcvKFf9

Edited April 3, 20232 yr by Stu

28 minutes ago, binman said:

Shirley, you can't be serious.

A good win?

We beat one of last year's gf teams who were had won both their opening two games, albeit against rubbish opposition, by 9 goals.

By the by we had a pretty big boy out too.

No disrespect to Reid, who was their only big out, maxy he ain't.

We had a pretty good small out too - not to mention a handy half back flanker.

We have a habit of making Reid look very good, and he has a habit of kicking his set shots against us when he often can't hit the side of the barn. Amartey got to play the Reid role of getting some easy touches but luckily his radar wasn't on.

The Swans talls - whilst capable - have often beat us because our midfield drops away. Some times at the contest against a strong and consistent Swans midfield, but more often and more dangerously when they get their running game rolling with their deep collection of skilled mids and flankers. Apart from some short periods in the 2nd and 3rd when they found space we did a good job of keeping them contained. The likes of Warner, Gulden, Florent, Mills and so on will run and gun through a lot of sides

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Agree with all that.

He was the one that kicked the steadying goal at the 15 minute mark of the third quarter after Sydney got within 6 points and looked like they were about to overrun us. It was a tough set shot to make as well.

I reckon he featured in at least 2 of the top 5 important plays of the day. Thrilled with his game!

20 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Speaking of JVR and family the youngest brother is only 14 and not much smaller than the two older siblings. He’s also potentially the best of the 3

we need to bring in a brother rule. 

20 minutes ago, layzie said:

Sam Reid is a loss but you can do worse than a forward line with Buddy and Logan Mcdonald in it. 

Max Gawn's [censored] > Sam Reid

 

With all due respect to Reid

1 minute ago, Jaded No More said:

Max Gawn's [censored] > Sam Reid

 

With all due respect to Reid

Oh yeah for sure, with all due respect but also not too much respect!

1 hour ago, Demonstone said:

You could probably write a book about your wonderful experience on Sunday, Mr. Hemingway.

Suggested title:  "The Old Man And The G".

At half time the old man buys an enormous cup of chips, but seagulls keep swooping down and stealing them one by one until the cup is empty. The man's dreams are ruined. 

Flashback to 2021! All our ingredients were back.

Hard at the ball, sorely lacking against Bris. I suspect it was "their grand final". (Brisbane's, that is.) That ferocity might be maintained for a whole match but certainly not a season. Something about the MFC sparks them up.

Choking the oppo. They work to get the ball and lo and behold, there's nothing to kick to. Cue chipping back and sideways.

Good movement around the field, constantly making options, even fake ones that the oppo must cover just in case.

Comparing to the other games played on Sunday it was night and day, the amount of clean ball handling and kicks and handpasses to advantage.

Picking our way through their defence. Not taking the easy short option, but the longer, more penetrating one. Rarely chipping sideways, but choosing the direct option with a precise kick. More than anything else, to me this is the key to "the Melbourne way" of playing. Sadly lacking in the rump end of 2022. Great example in the clip posted earlier in this thread of JVR's second goal (the kick to Tracc).

Good finishing. Not exactly a strength of ours in the past handful of years, but an avalanche of 50 entries can add up to an intimidating score. Kick straight on top of that .... "we were only a goal down and .... what happened???"

A wake up call to the rest of the comp and only one or two teams won't feel put off by it.

And ... how refreshing to see new faces in the 22. Renewal essential for continued health.

Some nervous boys at Casey & on the injury list wondering how or when they might make it back into the seniors.

 

58 minutes ago, Bay Riffin said:

we need to bring in a brother rule. 

I like this rule. MFC gets to choose the best King brother, the best Curnow brother, and (hack ptooey) the best Daicos brother. In exchange for 3rd and 4th rounders.