Docklands is a hell hole.

Really struggling to get the interest up to attend.  Might just watch at the pub

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Posters refer to Goodwin as being one of the more honest and transparent coaches in the AFL via press conferences.

I think he's been anything but this year. Your Petty example is a prime one and he was adamant May would play in rounds 1 and 2. Not to mention his weekly updates on Clarry. 

Do they? Who?

I feel like most/all posters acknowledge that he talks in cliches and gives very little away.

19 minutes ago, ElDiablo14 said:

He's the only fwd and probably player (regardless of position), that is kicking above 50% efficiency at goal, nuff said.

It's a little frustrating that we're leaving out a player that can kick the clutch goal on the big stage (Anzac eve, KBDAY). Clearly the coaches are of the opinion that a lovely set shot here and there isn't enough at the moment to justify his spot in the side.

I can't envisage Joel Smith kicking a clutch set shot from 45 with minutes left to win the game on Saturday night. 

I predict this will be Smith's last AFL game of the year and JVR will come in to replace him for Brisbane if his plays another cracker in the VFL. 

 

4 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Do they? Who?

I feel like most/all posters acknowledge that he talks in cliches and gives very little away.

Can't recall who said this to be honest.

However I'd contend that he's usually been pretty honest with his selection and player positional expectations for the week ahead. That's why I always looked forward to his pressers. Not so much anymore.

21 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Docklands is a hell hole.

Really struggling to get the interest up to attend.  Might just watch at the pub

This isn't supposed to be a personal attack however If we expect the players to show up week in week out with effort the least supporters can do is tough it out and attend a slightly inconvenient stadium. This is what makes pies the envy of the comp. I know ppl have lives and families, financial hardship etc (all fair and reasonable), but if the reason to not attend is cause we don't like a stadium... It's a bit soft imo

It's often used but the cliche 'this will be a very interesting/telling game' is extremely apt.

Neither side renown for giving up much in their back halves..... both can craft a game through the guts.  Scoring ???... hmmm.

The Saints might endeavour to use the corridor more . Our mids defensive games will need to kick in, and up. If the Aints find paths into their scoring half without allowing May and Lever their opportunities then we might have a spot of bother. It's a fairly quick track. The pockets arent as fat which ought to bring us closer to goal by default ( if no intent ). But also the sme for them. 

In a fashion i see this as some bizarre  shoot out of sorts...  not a bang bang ....for bang type ... but with similarly miserly defences whoever can create a way to score...will.  Now i know that sounds ridiculously obvious ...but neither team will have a easy day on the scoreboard.  I suspect two differemt modes of attack. I dont expect a high scoring game..   maybe 12 goals to the winner...  and there lays our biggest challenge ....kicking 12.... its been a while.

 

Go Dees

1 hour ago, JimmyGadson said:

Can't believe we're favourites heading into this. And by some way too. 

St Kilda odds look juicy. 

It's also weird that posters think playing on a dry deck will sort our kicking out immediately. If my memory serves correctly, some of scrappiest and low skilled games have been when we play under that roof. 

Our form-line gives no confidence. Players nor coaches. Goodwin pick teams from a top hat every week, doesn't reward VFL performers and continues to play underperforming senior players. 

If we win this, it'll be amazing. 

Are you going this week, Steve? The team really needs your help with their arousal levels.

We own Docklands

I'm just happy we're not playing in ****ty weather

38 minutes ago, A F said:

Are you going this week, Steve? The team really needs your help with their arousal levels.

His names not Steve, it’s Big Fella to you

8 minutes ago, jumbo returns said:

We own Docklands

I'm just happy we're not playing in ****ty weather

I thought we owned Adelaide Oval...☹️

1 hour ago, RedFox said:

This isn't supposed to be a personal attack however If we expect the players to show up week in week out with effort the least supporters can do is tough it out and attend a slightly inconvenient stadium. This is what makes pies the envy of the comp. I know ppl have lives and families, financial hardship etc (all fair and reasonable), but if the reason to not attend is cause we don't like a stadium... It's a bit soft imo

I would argue this the other way. AFL football is a professional sport and as such those who run it need to respond to the wishes of the people who pay to attend. If the public are saying they don't want to attend any particular ground, the AFL should do something about that. Either don't schedule games there or make the venue more attractive to encourage people to attend.  

1 hour ago, RedFox said:

This isn't supposed to be a personal attack however If we expect the players to show up week in week out with effort the least supporters can do is tough it out and attend a slightly inconvenient stadium. This is what makes pies the envy of the comp. I know ppl have lives and families, financial hardship etc (all fair and reasonable), but if the reason to not attend is cause we don't like a stadium... It's a bit soft imo

Agreed.

Like people have anything better to do on a Saturday night in the middle of winter anyway.

I for one can't wait. School holidays have gone on for what feels like several decades, and I am ready to escape to Marvel. 

19 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I would argue this the other way. AFL football is a professional sport and as such those who run it need to respond to the wishes of the people who pay to attend. If the public are saying they don't want to attend any particular ground, the AFL should do something about that. Either don't schedule games there or make the venue more attractive to encourage people to attend.  

That's fair. I guess I just don't see a massive issue with Marvel. Easily accessible, protected from the rain, view point and visibility arguably better than the MCG.

If one of the issues is cost of food and beverages, welcome to every professional stadium in Australia. If another issue is atmosphere, well that's ironic.

1 minute ago, RedFox said:

That's fair. I guess I just don't see a massive issue with Marvel. Easily accessible, protected from the rain, view point and visibility arguably better than the MCG.

If one of the issues is cost of food and beverages, welcome to every professional stadium in Australia. If another issue is atmosphere, well that's ironic.

Redfox, I find parking a bit of an issue with Marvel and my kids refuse to travel there. Personally I find the place to be lifeless and lacking a soul and would never travel there if not to support my team.

1 minute ago, chookrat said:

Redfox, I find parking a bit of an issue with Marvel and my kids refuse to travel there. Personally I find the place to be lifeless and lacking a soul and would never travel there if not to support my team.

Yeah agreed parking is expensive compared to the MCG. If you able to use public transport it's quite convenient.

What do you mean lifeless and lacking a soul, can you elaborate on that? If the stadium was packed full of dees fans getting around the team wouldn't that alleviate the concern?

The Demons desperately need a win against the Saints.

Hopefully our rucking dynamic duo of Gawn and Grundy can fire like we did in the Pre-Season game down at Moorabbin against the Saints and they both kick 3 or 4 goals each.

No excuses for inaccuracy against St. Kilda at Docklands Stadium either.

Get the job done Demons!

41 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

I thought we owned Adelaide Oval...☹️

Weather, LH, weather

We are no good on a Heavy 10

Just now, jumbo returns said:

Weather, LH, weather

We are no good on a Heavy 10

jr, I don't buy all the talk about the (wet) weather.

I think it is used as an out by some fans...

53 minutes ago, jumbo returns said:

We own Docklands

I'm just happy we're not playing in ****ty weather

I thought we were ordinary at Docklands last year.

Just went against North and blew a 5 goal lead against the Dogs.

1 hour ago, RedFox said:

This isn't supposed to be a personal attack however If we expect the players to show up week in week out with effort the least supporters can do is tough it out and attend a slightly inconvenient stadium. This is what makes pies the envy of the comp. I know ppl have lives and families, financial hardship etc (all fair and reasonable), but if the reason to not attend is cause we don't like a stadium... It's a bit soft imo

no problem with your comment mate.

I expect the players to turn up coz they get paid very well and they have that responsibility. Me on the other hand, pay to watch and cheer. Footy is my hobby and it's my right to watch/attend as it suits me.  Docklands is a cold, empty soulless place with no atmosphere.

by the way, the Pies are the envy of the comp as they have 5 times the supporter base as we do.  If their supporter base was the same size the attendances would be the same

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

Agreed.

Like people have anything better to do on a Saturday night in the middle of winter anyway.

I for one can't wait. School holidays have gone on for what feels like several decades, and I am ready to escape to Marvel. 

speak for yourself there JNM

2 minutes ago, DubDee said:

speak for yourself there JNM

27 minutes ago, DubDee said:

 

 

27 minutes ago, DubDee said:

no problem with your comment mate.

I expect the players to turn up coz they get paid very well and they have that responsibility. Me on the other hand, pay to watch and cheer. Footy is my hobby and it's my right to watch/attend as it suits me.  Docklands is a cold, empty soulless place with no atmosphere.

by the way, the Pies are the envy of the comp as they have 5 times the supporter base as we do.  If their supporter base was the same size the attendances would be the same

Thanks for the explanation @DubDee. You are most definitely within your rights to watch and attend how you want, but not sure if you have a leg to stand on complaining about the atmosphere if you're part of the supporter base that doesn't want to show up. A full Marvel stadium is a great atmosphere, see Carlton v Sydney last year. 

Irrespective of supporter base volume, pies fans burning desire to go and cheer for their team and will them over the line seems more unconditional than ours (we are not alone).

Edited July 6, 20231 yr by RedFox

35 minutes ago, RedFox said:

Yeah agreed parking is expensive compared to the MCG. If you able to use public transport it's quite convenient.

What do you mean lifeless and lacking a soul, can you elaborate on that? If the stadium was packed full of dees fans getting around the team wouldn't that alleviate the concern?

Can't quite, put my finger on it, or properly explain it, but I agree with the feeling the place is soulless.

I find the lighting weird when the roof is closed - which it is all the time now.  Too dull.

And with the roof closed creates I find the acoustics are a bit weird too.

And funnily enough, games are now often scrappy, congested and low scoring.

I say funnily enough, because it used to be high scoring ground because of the controlled conditions.

But all team defence and zones creates congestion because the ground is so narrow.
 

I’ve just watched the 21 GF, (sick atm) Brayshaw isn’t a butcher. He kicked many beautiful pin point kicks, let’s Hope he finds that again.