On 27/08/2023 at 08:36, DeeSpencer said:

I’m not confident. Was a good win today but;

Our talls at either end are uncertain. Disco didn’t lock down the spot. No idea what our best available forward mix is. We need as many talls as possible but also as much pace as possible as we’ll get exposed for transition pace if the Pies get to the outside.

Hunter and Langdon both got killed by Gulden and consistently leave too big  a gap behind themselves in the zone with the half backs struggling to patch it up. Especially with Salo’s lack of speed.

Gawn is a liability at centre bounces if he can’t win the hit out and we look slow and top heavy in there. De Goey’s power and Pendles ability to hold space for himself are both going to cause huge issues. Oliver showed some good signs today but isn’t exactly in peak form and Gus is now getting squeezed out and having his weaknesses exposed by being more in space.

If the Swans kick straighter they might’ve had a match winning lead rather than 3 goals which would could peel back quickly.

Strong win, good win, no big reason for optimism in to next week 

Disco was terrific if you ask me

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:36, DeeSpencer said:

I’m not confident. Was a good win today but;

Our talls at either end are uncertain. Disco didn’t lock down the spot. No idea what our best available forward mix is. We need as many talls as possible but also as much pace as possible as we’ll get exposed for transition pace if the Pies get to the outside.

Hunter and Langdon both got killed by Gulden and consistently leave too big  a gap behind themselves in the zone with the half backs struggling to patch it up. Especially with Salo’s lack of speed.

Gawn is a liability at centre bounces if he can’t win the hit out and we look slow and top heavy in there. De Goey’s power and Pendles ability to hold space for himself are both going to cause huge issues. Oliver showed some good signs today but isn’t exactly in peak form and Gus is now getting squeezed out and having his weaknesses exposed by being more in space.

If the Swans kick straighter they might’ve had a match winning lead rather than 3 goals which would could peel back quickly.

Strong win, good win, no big reason for optimism in to next week 

You are right about Gawn he struggles against anyone who jumps early and need to change his technique and timing, Cameron next week will test him.

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:36, DeeSpencer said:

I’m not confident. Was a good win today but;

Our talls at either end are uncertain. Disco didn’t lock down the spot. No idea what our best available forward mix is. We need as many talls as possible but also as much pace as possible as we’ll get exposed for transition pace if the Pies get to the outside.

Hunter and Langdon both got killed by Gulden and consistently leave too big  a gap behind themselves in the zone with the half backs struggling to patch it up. Especially with Salo’s lack of speed.

Gawn is a liability at centre bounces if he can’t win the hit out and we look slow and top heavy in there. De Goey’s power and Pendles ability to hold space for himself are both going to cause huge issues. Oliver showed some good signs today but isn’t exactly in peak form and Gus is now getting squeezed out and having his weaknesses exposed by being more in space.

If the Swans kick straighter they might’ve had a match winning lead rather than 3 goals which would could peel back quickly.

Strong win, good win, no big reason for optimism in to next week 

Thanks for the reality check. A few things.

DeGoey simply doesn’t bother us, he’s just not as tough as he thinks and contest the Melbourne way will silence him.

Gawn will destroy Cameron and Cox

Collingwood don’t have anyone in their wings the class of Gulden.

Brayshaw was excellent today so not sure what your concern with him is.

Disco could easily play on one of their forwards, they’re hardly elite. Hibberd a good chance to come in. 
 

It’s only over confidence that looses this match and I think we’re pretty level headed. 

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:38, layzie said:

Laurie played the best 28 min game I've seen 

He's an excellent footballer.  When the game was at it's hottest he looked very comfortable.  Great skills under pressure and a great footy brain.  

Looks like an ACL for Melky

Edited August 27, 20231 yr by Mickey

Sydney fan: "Gee Melbourne's midfield throw it a lot"

 

Me: Clarry moves faster than your brains ability to process his movement!

Edited August 27, 20231 yr by John Demonic

  On 27/08/2023 at 07:53, Bitter but optimistic said:

Magnificent win !!!!  We toughed it out finals style!

Fritta - he's back ! What an effort. Fairy tale stuff.  Simply outstanding.

Melky - sadly a question mark.

Umpiring - inconsistent.    

That Grand Old Flag a coming .  I can feel it in my nethers.  

Sorry Uncle, that's probably a result of your recent BKK spiritual awakenings

All the key metrics for the season point us out as Premiership material.

In a dead rubber match, that was damn impressive and showed all the hallmarks of a premiership team.

 

I did think our backline tackling was poor today. Between Rivers, May, Lever and Bowey there was a grand tackle of one tackle. It was very unusual.

Props to Anb who had twelve.

And Kozzies in our fwd line was great.

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:49, FireInTheBennelly said:

Sorry Uncle, that's probably a result of your recent BKK spiritual awakenings

True enough Fire - there were various awakenings !

Absolutely shattered for milkshake, but geez we just have that look about us 

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:36, DeeSpencer said:

I’m not confident. Was a good win today but;

Our talls at either end are uncertain. Disco didn’t lock down the spot. No idea what our best available forward mix is. We need as many talls as possible but also as much pace as possible as we’ll get exposed for transition pace if the Pies get to the outside.

Hunter and Langdon both got killed by Gulden and consistently leave too big  a gap behind themselves in the zone with the half backs struggling to patch it up. Especially with Salo’s lack of speed.

Gawn is a liability at centre bounces if he can’t win the hit out and we look slow and top heavy in there. De Goey’s power and Pendles ability to hold space for himself are both going to cause huge issues. Oliver showed some good signs today but isn’t exactly in peak form and Gus is now getting squeezed out and having his weaknesses exposed by being more in space.

If the Swans kick straighter they might’ve had a match winning lead rather than 3 goals which would could peel back quickly.

Strong win, good win, no big reason for optimism in to next week 

Gulden was tremendous but Hunter and Langdon were also very effective and important to our win.  They aren't playing a negative role specifically on Gulden.  Note that for all his efforts his team his team was comprehensively beaten with everything to play for on their home deck.  It's about the big picture.

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:47, John Demonic said:

Sydney fan: "Gee Melbourne's midfield throw it a lot"

 

Me: Clarry moves faster than your brains ability to process his movement!

Apparently in between gathering and his hand hitting the ball he calls for some water and checks the clock.

I really feel for Melksham. Hopefully it’s not an ACL. 

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:41, BoBo said:

I'm actually glad they're favourites. Increases the chances of those Collie's being wobbled.

They would love nothing more than to be considered underdogs.

haha true! I think the odds will narrow and by time the game starts it'll be dead level, if we're not favourites. Punters will realise we're good value and get on us.

shocking luck for Melks.  and he was in close to career best form as well over the last 6 weeks or so. could be career ending if the scans confirm the worst. gutted for him.

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:38, layzie said:

Laurie played the best 28 min game I've seen 

Agreed. I thought he was an odd choice for sub, but did a great job when called on.

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:04, Engorged Onion said:

- me... swallowing my cynicism.

I love this team like that lad and his snack!

Fingers crossed for melk

goodwin wouldn’t be saying that if they didn’t have a fairly good idea.

that truly does suck if the case though

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:55, Jaded No More said:

I really feel for Melksham. Hopefully it’s not an ACL. 

Especially after missing out on the 21GF side

Who said one week at a time....?

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:45, Roost it far said:

Thanks for the reality check. A few things.

DeGoey simply doesn’t bother us, he’s just not as tough as he thinks and contest the Melbourne way will silence him.

Gawn will destroy Cameron and Cox

Collingwood don’t have anyone in their wings the class of Gulden.

Brayshaw was excellent today so not sure what your concern with him is.

Disco could easily play on one of their forwards, they’re hardly elite. Hibberd a good chance to come in. 
 

It’s only over confidence that looses this match and I think we’re pretty level headed. 

I wouldn’t write off De Goey, at anywhere near his best he’s a devestating center bounce and forward half mid. He can easily break open a game.

Gawn has a 50/50 record against Cox and the Pies rucks the last few years, again, not sure where the blind optimism is for that.

Gus was fine, but now he’s less at the contest and less on ball he’s less at the coal face and it would be nice to have someone who can kick a drop punt in that role. We might have to use him to tag De Goey or Pendles to get maximum value out of him. He’d be soft tagging Neale if we were playing Brisbane 

Disco did some good but there was a lot of being caught out forward or unable to jump or hold position at a big marking contest. He looked like a promising young tall in his 3rd game who’s main strength is intercepting and is a shaky as a deep defender. That’s not a negative, just the truth.

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:36, DeeSpencer said:

I’m not confident. Was a good win today but;

Our talls at either end are uncertain. Disco didn’t lock down the spot. No idea what our best available forward mix is. We need as many talls as possible but also as much pace as possible as we’ll get exposed for transition pace if the Pies get to the outside.

Hunter and Langdon both got killed by Gulden and consistently leave too big  a gap behind themselves in the zone with the half backs struggling to patch it up. Especially with Salo’s lack of speed.

Gawn is a liability at centre bounces if he can’t win the hit out and we look slow and top heavy in there. De Goey’s power and Pendles ability to hold space for himself are both going to cause huge issues. Oliver showed some good signs today but isn’t exactly in peak form and Gus is now getting squeezed out and having his weaknesses exposed by being more in space.

If the Swans kick straighter they might’ve had a match winning lead rather than 3 goals which would could peel back quickly.

Strong win, good win, no big reason for optimism in to next week 

So that’s finally confirmed it for me ..you are a secret Pies supporter. No supporter who watched that game today could fail to be impressed with our win. And NO I am not wearing my rose coloured glasses ..,

 

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:53, leave it to deever said:

Apparently in between gathering and his hand hitting the ball he calls for some water and checks the clock.

Thought Laurie was outstanding. Much more confidence this week