On 27/08/2023 at 09:25, Grand New Flag said:

Make no mistake, Premierships are won from the self-belief created from wins like that. 

A truly outstanding victory with parallels to R23 2021.  

All the more impressive, that we were playing for nothing.

I have said it before but the other teams will be worried about meeting melbourne in finals. We have been to the big dance, we have won a flag, our defence is first class, we have talent to burn, we have multiple weapons and now seem to be able to switch gears or game plans during a match.

we are building nicely and will mess with their heads.

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:28, layzie said:

When was the last time we beat Sydney twice in a row?

In 2010 we beat Sydney and in 2011 we drew with them

In 2001 we beat them in round 5 and round 20

 

  On 27/08/2023 at 12:46, jnrmac said:

In 2010 we beat Sydney and in 2011 we drew with them

In 2001 we beat them in round 5 and round 20

 

Ah yes, the Robbo show in Rd 5. 

Pretty sure round 20 was a Steven Febey BOG performance?

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:37, Dee-monic said:

Barnstorming and impressive final quarter but yet again we were slowish starters. Is Goody feeding them sleeping tablets that last until we're down by several goals? We can't afford a sluggish start against the Pies or we'll be history by halftime.

What I have come to appreciate is that we have a really good coaching staff that can assess how the other team are playing, make adjustments and communicate those adjustments to our leaders that know what to do.

We back our system, are well drilled, have a lot of trust in each other and take away the oppo's strengths. Sydney tried the keepings off game and we managed to shut it down but also punish them the other way. It was a very mature and good performance today. 

And I am sure I read recently that the pies have been down at 3/4 time in something like 17 of their last 32 matches. SIf that is correct then they aren't that good a team to be in that position are they? 

Laurie's taken a few games to pick up the pace of AFL, but I thought it clicked for him today. A bit like Chandler's sudden emergence this year after a few ordinary cameos in 21 and 22.

The Petracca we saw in the last 40 minutes of game time today is the Trac of the 2021 Finals all over again. If his form stays like that for another month, we win the flag.

Gutted for Melk, obviously. He's been massive for us, and deserves a premiership medallion if anybody does. Unfortunately, as Chunk and Nev can attest, "deserve ain't got nothing to do with it." 😢

I’m absolutely gutted for Melky. In career best form so late in his career and a real shot at some glory gone, for what was essentially a glorified practice match in terms of importance. I’m struggling to take away anything but that tbh.

What a weird day of footy watching. Went out for coffee this morning and  didn't watch a second of the Port v Richmond game. As soon as the result came through and we knew it was a dead rubber, I knew I was just going to sit back with the game on in the background and not have a stressful Sunday for a change. 

And for the first half although we didn't look fantastic, it looked that way. We come out in the 3rd quarter looking as limp as a charity wristband as the Swans bang on 3 straight goals and are slicing us with clearances out of the centre. Coinciding with this is vision of Fritsch hobbling off and that familiar sick feeling we've been getting a lot as of late. Fritsch begins to jog up and down the boundary line but just to make sure the air continued to be suffocated out of us as fans, in form man Melksham has that ligament twinge looking injury. I said a few weeks ago that Petty felt like the most heartbreaking injury of the season but this could be right up there as well. I'm absolutely shattered for Jake who missed out in 21 and was in good form. I love what he can offer when the ball is in his hands and I felt like this could have been his finals series. It will take an absolute miracle for this is be anything other than a serious knee injury. Somehow Fritta comes back and the man who so many here hate for his kicking at goal ability comes out and snares one to get us going again. Laurie came on and had instant impact, that kick to Pickett absolutely sublime. 

We come out in the last quarter and bury those cockroaches. Fritta excellent, just hope the foot is OK. 

We could have wilted, we did not. We dug in and showed that winning is important. If we had a tanking culture once that taught us how to lose then let's give credit to a team that now wants to win at all costs. And make no mistake this was a great win with our backs to the wall. Winning for is good form and we will be there with good form. Thought Trac worked his way in to just about BOG, Viney relentless in the last, Brayshaw has been amazing lately, Mcvee, May all outstanding. 

But Alex Neal-Bullen take a bow. I used to think of Simon Godfrey as 'Mr Endeavour' I think ANB is the modern version of this. He just works so damn hard and I think his worth has shone through this last couple of weeks  (obviously a better kick than Simon too haha).

Bring on Collingwood, much prefer to play them in this final than later on. Make it a blessing to finish 4th? It's just a number. This one is for all the marbles, go out there and win.

Another home and away season done, top 4 is no mean feat. It's been great being on here with all of you. There's people you get along with great, there's people who disagree with you but the one thing I love about DL is that if you're here it's because of one thing. You bloody love this footy club and regardless of anything else, that's good enough for me. 

Going to bed now, take it easy all GO DEES!

This team have gears & burners again - cannot wait for Thursday fortnight.

Devo'd for Jake though. 

I was at the game, high up in the Bradman stand end (behind the goals to the left of screen), so had a Birds Eye view. A couple of observations.

our ability to run and spread, get extras to the contest in the last quarter was too much for the swans. Teams have to spend so many tickets to compete with us that they are usually cooked at some stage in the last quarter (or earlier). 
 

horrible for Jake. When he and bayley went off in the third and also on the last, we played kozi out of the square. He looked very dangerous  from there playing a very similar role that Elliot plays for pies. Most importantly he is really nasty - and twice in the last quarter he totally smashed swans guys who dropped into the hole (hickey was one of them) in his mark of the year attempts.   It seemed to get him into the game more too, and he did get on the end of a couple of passes when he lead from the square. Perhaps we can use this on Moore and Howe in a similar way that melksham has played - even just as a shock tactic for a quarter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  On 27/08/2023 at 11:58, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Not wanting to sound ungrateful but attending a game in Sydney is so different from Melbourne. It’s as if only half the people are there to actually watch the game. The other half (groups of men, groups of woman, parents with kids, kids by themselves) are constantly in and out of their seats during the game, standing in the walkways, back and fourth for drinks, photo opportunities with other families. At one point a man who was constantly going to the bar stopped in front of wife mid game to talk to someone in the row in front of us, we were the first two seats of that row so he could have just passed us to have the chat whilst standing in the aisle but decided to stand in front of us and lean over. One group didn’t even come to their seats until early in the 3rd. Grateful to the club for the free tickets but next time I’d rather pay and sit up higher, ground level, fwd pocket at that ground is not great for viewing. Really need to watch the replay on Kayo. 
Did the Swans have their supporters behind both goals? It seemed that way.

Absolutely gutted for Melksham. 

Yes this!!   I usually get seats in the no booze, bay 11 - at least it reduces the constant beer runs.   

  On 27/08/2023 at 11:58, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Not wanting to sound ungrateful but attending a game in Sydney is so different from Melbourne. It’s as if only half the people are there to actually watch the game. The other half (groups of men, groups of woman, parents with kids, kids by themselves) are constantly in and out of their seats during the game, standing in the walkways, back and fourth for drinks, photo opportunities with other families. At one point a man who was constantly going to the bar stopped in front of wife mid game to talk to someone in the row in front of us, we were the first two seats of that row so he could have just passed us to have the chat whilst standing in the aisle but decided to stand in front of us and lean over. One group didn’t even come to their seats until early in the 3rd. Grateful to the club for the free tickets but next time I’d rather pay and sit up higher, ground level, fwd pocket at that ground is not great for viewing. Really need to watch the replay on Kayo. 
Did the Swans have their supporters behind both goals? It seemed that way.

Absolutely gutted for Melksham. 

I had the exact same experience in the MCC against Carlton.  Watch the game you numbskulls!

 

We are fjhfrgfdyhfing awesome

Pressure meter (believe in it or not) from the 20 minute of the 3rd Q to the final siren was at 210 - elite

Swans were hammered into submission

What a team

  On 27/08/2023 at 22:26, kryton101 said:

Yes this!!   I usually get seats in the no booze, bay 11 - at least it reduces the constant beer runs.   

So true and for some reason I've never thought of this. 

  On 27/08/2023 at 23:07, jumbo returns said:

We are fjhfrgfdyhfing awesome

Pressure meter (believe in it or not) from the 20 minute of the 3rd Q to the final siren was at 210 - elite

Swans were hammered into submission

What a team

While Gawn, Trac, Clarry and Fritta all sat on the bench for at least the last 8 minutes. 
Gawn was only on the ground for 74% of the game. Viney 75%, Trac and Clarry only 80%. 
That we won when I saw Rivers and Hunter take centre bounces and JVR and Smith did so much of the ruck work just shows you how incredibly balanced we are across the ground and how easily we can switch on and crush sides. 

Wish Kozzie was a crumber and not an aerial specialist

He would be twice as dangerous Also just love his rundown pressure seemingly comes from nowhere

 

  On 27/08/2023 at 13:39, Nasher said:

I’m absolutely gutted for Melky. In career best form so late in his career and a real shot at some glory gone, for what was essentially a glorified practice match in terms of importance. I’m struggling to take away anything but that tbh.

I get the sentiment entirely but there is a huge amount to take out of that game. 

Brisbane and Port won home games. Carlton lost. Collingwood beat an on form bottom 3 side. But we went on the road to a finalist on a 6-game win streak, farewelling Buddy, and with a home final to play for. We could have given up or not cared. But we treated it like a dress rehearsal for finals, we found the football we all want to see us play, and with 1.5 quarters of it we turned a 3 goal deficit into a 4 goal win. 

IMO, the confidence and belief this game gives us is enormous. 

Losing Melksham is terrible news, don’t get me wrong, but players get injured at training so nothing’s guaranteed. 

Edited August 27, 20231 yr by titan_uranus

  On 27/08/2023 at 21:24, spalding said:

I was at the game, high up in the Bradman stand end (behind the goals to the left of screen), so had a Birds Eye view. A couple of observations.

our ability to run and spread, get extras to the contest in the last quarter was too much for the swans. Teams have to spend so many tickets to compete with us that they are usually cooked at some stage in the last quarter (or earlier). 
 

horrible for Jake. When he and bayley went off in the third and also on the last, we played kozi out of the square. He looked very dangerous  from there playing a very similar role that Elliot plays for pies. Most importantly he is really nasty - and twice in the last quarter he totally smashed swans guys who dropped into the hole (hickey was one of them) in his mark of the year attempts.   It seemed to get him into the game more too, and he did get on the end of a couple of passes when he lead from the square. Perhaps we can use this on Moore and Howe in a similar way that melksham has played - even just as a shock tactic for a quarter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The old saying of get close to your enemies. You know the feeling when are close to another competitor and actually want the contest. You want to see what ticks. Only gonna get nastier..

A wonderful win that illustrated great resilience and tenacity.

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:16, The Stewster said:

Kosi looks more comfortable leading out of the square. Pace and leap a real threat.

Kozzy can play anywhere.

  On 28/08/2023 at 00:22, Binmans PA said:

Kozzy can play anywhere.

And boy he sinks the knees when he flies at the ball. 
as exciting as it is now, with he, JVR and Petty in our forward line for years to come (I hope) there will be some nervous opposition intercepting backs 

Any questions raised as to why Gulden was allowed to run freely. Clearly no accountability to try to restrict him.  
42 possessions. 28 uncontested.  2 goals. He would run, kick or handball and then get to the next contest. Commentators also queried him being allowed to run free.

We won due to the collective Will to Win, team ability, Trac lifting and some Fritsch magic. 

  On 27/08/2023 at 14:02, layzie said:

What a weird day of footy watching. Went out for coffee this morning and  didn't watch a second of the Port v Richmond game. As soon as the result came through and we knew it was a dead rubber, I knew I was just going to sit back with the game on in the background and not have a stressful Sunday for a change. 

And for the first half although we didn't look fantastic, it looked that way. We come out in the 3rd quarter looking as limp as a charity wristband as the Swans bang on 3 straight goals and are slicing us with clearances out of the centre. Coinciding with this is vision of Fritsch hobbling off and that familiar sick feeling we've been getting a lot as of late. Fritsch begins to jog up and down the boundary line but just to make sure the air continued to be suffocated out of us as fans, in form man Melksham has that ligament twinge looking injury. I said a few weeks ago that Petty felt like the most heartbreaking injury of the season but this could be right up there as well. I'm absolutely shattered for Jake who missed out in 21 and was in good form. I love what he can offer when the ball is in his hands and I felt like this could have been his finals series. It will take an absolute miracle for this is be anything other than a serious knee injury. Somehow Fritta comes back and the man who so many here hate for his kicking at goal ability comes out and snares one to get us going again. Laurie came on and had instant impact, that kick to Pickett absolutely sublime. 

We come out in the last quarter and bury those cockroaches. Fritta excellent, just hope the foot is OK. 

We could have wilted, we did not. We dug in and showed that winning is important. If we had a tanking culture once that taught us how to lose then let's give credit to a team that now wants to win at all costs. And make no mistake this was a great win with our backs to the wall. Winning for is good form and we will be there with good form. Thought Trac worked his way in to just about BOG, Viney relentless in the last, Brayshaw has been amazing lately, Mcvee, May all outstanding. 

But Alex Neal-Bullen take a bow. I used to think of Simon Godfrey as 'Mr Endeavour' I think ANB is the modern version of this. He just works so damn hard and I think his worth has shone through this last couple of weeks  (obviously a better kick than Simon too haha).

Bring on Collingwood, much prefer to play them in this final than later on. Make it a blessing to finish 4th? It's just a number. This one is for all the marbles, go out there and win.

Another home and away season done, top 4 is no mean feat. It's been great being on here with all of you. There's people you get along with great, there's people who disagree with you but the one thing I love about DL is that if you're here it's because of one thing. You bloody love this footy club and regardless of anything else, that's good enough for me. 

Going to bed now, take it easy all GO DEES!

I thought ANB in the last couple of games has played like the shackles have been released and I mean not being a defensive first type of player, yes it's a shame about Melk he seemed to have had a spring in his step and a good focal point and if it's an ACL that might be the end for him.

Has anyone got word on Fritsch's foot following yesterday's incident? It is positive that he was able to run out the game, but was it a foot or ankle injury? No doubt he will be getting scans today to get an accurate picture of the damage done.

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:21, Roost it far said:

We all appear very confident of getting over the Pies. That’s my only concern. Where’s Jimmy Gadson when you need him?

He never turns up when we win...

  On 27/08/2023 at 08:22, dazzledavey36 said:

Was Kozzie playing a Charlie Cameron like full forward role?

Was pretty impressive to watch.

It seemed like we revealed a few cards yesterday. A few positional tweaks and set plays. One in particular completely caught Sydney off guard, where we went wide to the right and got it to centre wing with uncontested possessions. 

A bit like we did against Hawthorn with the cluster from the defensive side of the centre square.

I think we'll have an array of ideas that we'll now look to unleash during the finals series that we know can come off in big moments, in high pressure finals, because we've seen it happen before in '21. 

Due to injury, our forward half is more unpredictable than any of our competitors. 

What do our other competitors have up their sleeves?

  On 28/08/2023 at 01:21, Binmans PA said:

He never turns up when we win...

It seemed like we revealed a few cards yesterday. A few positional tweaks and set plays. One in particular completely caught Sydney off guard, where we went wide to the right and got it to centre wing with uncontested possessions. 

A bit like we did against Hawthorn with the cluster from the defensive side of the centre square.

I think we'll have an array of ideas that we'll now look to unleash during the finals series that we know can come off in big moments, in high pressure finals, because we've seen it happen before in '21. 

Due to injury, our forward half is more unpredictable than any of our competitors. 

What do our other competitors have up their sleeves?

Glad I'm not the only one noticed the significant adjustment to our game yesterday.

Good get.