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My player run down for the night. Now i was there with people, so didn't pay as much attention as usual. Also a lot of the players wore different numbers then usual that didn't help. Christian Salem: Played well and used it cleanily. Kicked a couple of goals which was nice to see. Is probably ready for a senior recall when required. Jack Trengove: Did a lot of work inside and won a lot of contested ball. He and Neal-Bullen were big reasons for Casey's dominance in the engine room. Lyndon Dunn: Didn't have a lot to do tonight, and despite giving away a soft 50 and goal i thought he defended well and provided good leadership and direction out on the field. Ben Newton: I didn't spot him at all. Will allow others to confirm if he played or not. Colin Garland: Did his job. Defended well when needed, however didn't stand out at all. Didn't really have the opportunity to. Viv Michie: We know Viv will likely be delisted at seasons end. But he's a much improved player for mine despite this. Got plenty of ball on the outside and provided a lot of run. Something he never did 2 years ago. He played a good game. Jay Kennedy Harris: Best game i've seen him play in 2 years. Was busy around the contest. Linked up well to provided run, used the ball well and finished off his good work with 4 goals. A performance that could put pressure on Jeff over the final weeks of the season. Liam Hulett: Was the main forward target and he did it well. Competed all night long, kicked a few goals and was physical at the contest. With him, the weed and Hogan, our young key forward stocks look good for years to come. Alex Neal-Bullen: Like Trengove, Nibbler was dominate around the stoppages. He seems to have a bit better ability to get the ball out in space, and i still think he could become a very good player. Jack Grimes: Was also very good tonight and his ability to win ball not just on the inside but also outside was a highlight. I have no doubt Grimey will be on a AFL list somewhere next year. Still has plenty of football left in him. Ben Kennedy: For mine he was best on ground after 1/4 time. It's a comment said a lot about Kennedy on this forum, but he's too good for VFL. Was involved in everything, and it's having players like Kennedy as depth that will help us climb the ladder. Mitch White: Best of the defenders for mine and he didn't miss a kick all night. The week off certainly did him some good. I keep high hopes for Mitch and expect him to be promoted at the end of the year. Joel Smith: I didn't spot him until the final term, so didn't have a big night, but as i said earlier, i probably didn't pay as much attention as i usually do. Matt Jones: Typical Matt Jones game. Got plenty of it. Provided plenty of run. Didn't use it overly well. But his spread is very, very good it must be said. Dean Terlich: A busy game. The half forward pressure role seems to suit him. His ordinary disposal isn't on show as much this way. Happy for him he's playing good football. They did it in a canter the Scorpions in a match i thought they may be tested. The Dees had a great win today also, the Olympics are on and the egg & bacon roll was brilliant as always. What a great day is all i can say!

To be fair, I considered leaving if Neeld stayed.

There are two highlights for me that don't involve the goals and bode well for the future Rioli irons out Oliver, Clarry bends on one knee for the moment, thinks hmmm that's what it is going to be like today and proceeds to attack anything in brown and gold Mitchell trying to bump Petracca, Petracca didn't even notice

Everyone is toasting Roos and the players, naturally. But my thought tonight (past midnight London time) is thank God for PJ. The man who saved the MFC

Trying to recover from my hangover is my initial target. I just slurped down more water than I usually need to shower.

Imagine winning a gold medal for Australia at the Olympics and it only being the second best thing to happen on your weekend? Congrats to Mack Horton.

GOODNIGHT DAWKS

Rubbish, Tom's been pushing up the ground and attacking his entire career. Tom does far more attacking than Oscar does, and Tom is better at it than Oscar, too. You are so off the mark.

Some interesting stats on the AFL app - - Clayton Oliver spent the least amount of time on the ground of any Demon - 78 minutes - yet racked up 23 touches, 11 tackles and 8 clearances. - Dom Tyson led the team with 11 score involvements - next were Watts with 9, Viney with 8. - Top 5 for 'Pressure acts' - N Jones 21, C Oliver 20, J Viney 19, C Petracca 15, J Watts 12

It's understandable that most of us have focused on the young talent that was on display yesterday but I'd like to acknowledge the work of the coaching staff. They've copped a fair whack from Demonlanders regarding their game day tactics throughout 2017 but they got it spot on yesterday. Our structures held up impressively. Hawthorn very rarely had the ability to move the ball laterally across halfback. This is their bread and butter but we forced them either into error or to kick long regularly. And they love to use their kicking skills to pin point targets inside 50. In addition to working our backsides off to pressure their halfbacks, the defensive run from our midfield was excellent, rarely allowing Hawthorn time to deliver with purpose. We were well prepared, well organized and the team had the right mentality to action the gameplan. What excites me most is that it is a gameplan built around winning clearances and working hard into space and having 22 players understanding their role when they don't have the footy. We now have a critical mass who get it and believe in it. Hard at the contest and hard running is not new but is so much easier to talk about than to implement on match day. We implemented it for four quarters against Hawthorn and we did it with a bunch of kids.

Just did the ladder predictor. We beat Port by 5 goals Carlton by 10 goals Geelong by 2 goals. AND St.Kilda lose to Sydney. AND North lose : Hawks by 2 goals Sydney by 2 goals GWS by 2 goals. We make the 8

When I saw the title of this thread I just assumed that Max Gawn jumped on a plane to Rio last night and won a few events.

I had a dream we beat Hawthorn yesterday.

Never in my life been so happy to be wrong. I even watched a fair bit of the game at work. As promised, i just purchased a membership. Thank you for joining as a member of the Melbourne Football Club for Season 2016. Name Package Red and Blue 3 Game Adult $99.00 Amount $99.00 Status Authorised Receipt no Facebook Twitter Instagram This message was sent to you from Melbourne Football Club Membership Contact Melbourne Football Club Membership at [email protected] if you have any concerns Powered by MemberHQ

Unfortunately I can't hug myself dad...

First of all i'll address what i heard re: Hibberd. I was there tonight with a good mate and his old man who bumped into this relative of Hibberd at the ground. Now they played some footy together at Crib Point in years gone bye. This relative said Hibberd would be at Melbourne on a 4 year deal. Essendon had offered him 3 with a trigger for a 4th for what would work out to be 30K a year less. Now the money wasn't the clincher according to the relative, more so Essendon's pitch. Essendon said that they'd be up and challenging within 2 years, to which Hibberd said, and i quote '[censored] that, i'm 26. Melbourne are ready to challenge now'.

Jetta taken high by Rioli, no free kick. Rioli ducks into Jones, free kick. Even the peanut gallery in the commentary box saw the irony.

Contested marks Max Gawn - 8 Hawthorn - 7

Sam Mitchell -Go [censored] yourself. Luke Hodge-Go [censored] yourself Josh Gobson-Eat a bag Ben McEvoy-Maxys Lil beatch Luke Bruest-Parasitic front runner Alistair Clarkson-Grumpy Oompah Loompah

It's because Watts is now a gun, he takes the contest on, he isn't afraid to go in hard, and his skills and footy brain are elite. Isn't it so bloody wonderful to see this guy blossom into a star?!

What is wrong with you? its a footy discussion forum. Dear god.

We've come a long way... to think 3 years ago all we could ever discuss on here is if we would survive. Now every Joe blow is talking us up as a genuine dominant team in the next couple of years. I look at Brisbane now and feel what they are going through right at this minute. If its one guy that desperately needs Paul Roos its Brisbane. Btw i dug this thread up to show the journey of hardship we have all been through. Im sure we have all thought of giving up but we all came through together. Go Dees.. Good times ahead!

I got up at 5am and went for a 10km run,saw Melbourne then Casey,now watching the replay at 12:30am and don't feel tired.What a (natural)rush!

I can confirm, I have today been told by a reliable source within the club prior to the match that Tom has indicated he will sign on to stay within the next month. Finer details still to be worked out, and it will be for less than he could have got elsewhere, but he believes in the direction of the club and wants to stay here with his brother and mates. Fantastic news.

Umpires- tried but failed

Hey Dunstall, did ya see that? Now [censored] off to the snow ya muppet!

ANB is a keep for me. He just needs some time.

Saty don't you get it? People on this forum have opinions - right or wrong ! We don't just trot out the company line.

After cheering myself hoarse (to drown own an exceptionally obnoxious conglomerate of Hawk fans), I did get a lump in the throat singing the song with my 8 & 6 year old girls after the game. Neither could fathom that we hadn't beaten the Hawks in their lifetime. The look of wonder on my 8 yo's face when I told her we just beat the top side was gold. She's already seen her fair share of losses, so yesterday was pretty special.

Watched from Brisbane, and if Eddie mentioned Wiedeman's Collingwood connection one more time, I would have put my fist through the television.

Funny you should say that Bbo I may have had one Glenfiddich to many last night. Panadol has already been in use. i have this is feeling we are due to experience this a lot in 2017 oh well panadol is cheap pity Gelnfiddich arn't.

Nathan Jones - 30 touches, 11 tackles, 18 contested possessions. That's why, my friends, he is our captain.

5 things that indicated this was going to be a different demons performance: 1. First year player Hunt grabs ball sprints forward and goes for home kicking the first goal 2. First year player Oliver gets cleaned up by Rioli who immediately gets a free kick - other players get around Oliver as if to say we are not going take it today 3. First game player Weideman runs to good position calls for ball and assertively flies for mark 4. First year player Petracca is pressuring Hawks defence when errant mark spills and he kicks an easy goal 5. Senior players get around Brayshaw after turnover resulting in Gunston goal - just like good teams do all of these things inspired the other teammates - and indicated ' we are not scared of Hawthorn any more' - as illustrated by the quote from Weideman after the game " we believed we could do it" you beauty.

I can't believe Clarkson used inexperience as an excuse. That is absolutely laughable and I hope someone in the media brings it up this week. News flash to Alistair. Number of Premiership players for Hawthorn yesterday: 16 Number of Premiership players for Melbourne: 0 What a peanut!

Hey od... Very reserved in his commentary, but quick summary: said that the game changed since Jack was drafted and the coaches didn't adjust the players to the contested style there were no leaders at the club, hence his development was thwarted too many inexperienced coaches Jack loves the club, but he's quite reserved. CP5 is, apparently, the life of every party! Was ready to walk if Neeld stayed Footy will never define Jack as a person Jack was frustrated at the ball movement...Dawes gets the ball kicked to him on his head and there 3 players on him...Jack is usually free in many instances Very reserved and measured....

If i was a Dorks supporter, i couldn't really care less if that was the case. Played in 5 GF's in the past 8 years (4 in 4) and have won 3 in a row. As much as i hate their arrogance, their recent success has given them reason to be. I for one am [censored] envious. When will it be our turn?

With Dad in hospital and looking the worse for wear I decided to take mum in and get around the old fella. So glad I did as we got him out of bed for first time in a few weeks, sat him up and we listened to most of the match together while I got some decent sustenance into him. He's a Blues fan but also loosely followed the Demons through the Barrasi years and then when he went over to the Dark (navy blue) side! Even said he carried Ron's bag into Princess Park on his first day, Ron changing into full Carlton regalia to address the charges as fully fledged Blues captain/coach. I couldn't wipe the smile off Dad's face when we hit the front in the last and went on with it and he even shed a tear of joy as we sung the song at the end. To Mr Roos and the boys thank you for making today a special day for my dad. I wish I could have been there but it's still a day I will never forget. I salute you. One small but very important step for the boys.... one meaningful leap for the Club and its long suffering supporters! The Mighty Demons are back!!!

I'm still at the 'G and the umps have just paid another free kick to Hawthorn!

I Am NUDE! #GoDees!

The turd has been flushed

The way Oliver kept the ball in play which resulted in Bugg's first goal was sublime.

I've given you some stick for your support of Neeld, so it's only fair I give you your due pat on the back for your unwavering support of Watts. Even on his absolute worst days, you were adamant he would come good, and boy has he come good.

Some great stuff from watching the replay - Vandenbergs physicality on Hodge. On more than a few occasions he out muscled and straight up disrespected Hodge and made him earn everything. - The tall backine trio of O Mac, T Mac and Frost. So much potential here. - The James Harmes double don't argue and kick to Kent for a goal - Tom Bugg the ultimate team player, does a lot of work off the ball that can go unnoticed.

A lot of people had written JKH off, not me. Garlett hasn't exactly cemented a spot as the small forward in the team at the moment.

when you watch the replay. late in the last quarter they show a shot of him where I reckon he was close to tears. today he and PJ achieved what they set out to do. I feel so indebted to those two and the likes of Jonesy Watts and Jetta for sticking through the dark years. we've transformed

The laughter when the name "Melbourne" is mentioned, just stopped. The embarrassment when you front up to work with the team sticker on the bumper has been erased. Was on the road for all bar the last 25mins. Walked in the door to watch the friggen hawks take the lead, and assumed my normal position in front of the TV, with head in hands (God I hate hawthorn). My nervous little missus snuck off to another room, sensing the impending footy rage. After 5 brilliant goals on the trot, I now get to sit with her and troll the supporter sites and drink mass amounts of my whisky, while waiting for a replay. Thank you Melbourne. My faith is restored. Oh, and my sad sack brother owes the club a membership. Good times!

Was okay, I guess.