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The icing on the cake MEDICAL ROOM Melbourne: The Demons got through unscathed, with their luck finally turning after repeated injuries and suspensions to start to the season.

It's a Noongar word, means strong/great. Jeffy and Nev are both Noongar

I thought Watts' post match interview was very good. Dedicated the win to Hogan/Hogan's dad and said Hogan was one of their brothers and that they love him.

I thought this might be the game after which Demonland gave rightful praise to Tom McDonald. I now realise that's never going to happen. Those people who continually (zzzzzzzzzzz........) criticise him for his imperfections are clearly unaware that the football world at large sees him as one of our most important players, our most important backmen, and one of the league's best. He got media votes today, but still gets shamelessly and pathetically pilloried on Demonland.

Thank God this bloke kicked 1.6 today

Fine china placed in top cupboard & cat given to neighbour.

My dislike for Ess knows no bounds. So of all games this year this is the one I desperately wanted us to win. And we did - without 2 of our best players. A real four quarter effort. So proud we rose above all the setbacks. A win that will be a huge confidence boost for the team. Demons take a bow.

There is no better feeling than beating those [censored]!!!!!

Is doing a mammoth job atm and several times i have seen him completely jump over Daniher and Hooker and tap it to our advantage. Does pretty well around the ground too. Well done Pedo!

Clarry needs to stop throwing it. Oh wait...

Time for a laugh & visit the happy campers over at Bomberblitz. lol

Give the reserves a run and rest up the stars. Its only Hawthorn.

Probably time to move on...

Anyone else notice how good Frost is at smothering?

I wonder what our win loss record would be if we had started playing Pedersen three weeks ago? 5-1 but almost certainly 4-2.

Seriously considering not watching this and working around the house. Less stressfull.

Was practicing his goal kicking at half time and was still missing them. Kicks as well as he looks, bloody awful

GuzzLG 2h Oliver > Parish Just took the above gem of Bomberblitz. Gotta love it.

We are 2-1 at Etihad stadium, beating two of its tenants plus a game we should have won vs Geelong. How times have changed.

Can someone please make a GIF of Daniher celebrating after his one goal?

I think we need to all pretend the first half didn't happen. Second half was the Melbourne we've seen this year. Much better efficiency going forward today, and to see Watts, Trac and Garlett snaffle 11 goals between them is proof of that. Our midfield stood up well and Pedersen got better and better as the game went on. JKH had a mare and looks way off the pace, ANB was quiet and Melksham has his moments - he might not be the best player but he certainly did his job on their small defenders who had no influence at all when the game was on the line. That's easily forgotten. Would love to back it up again next week with a win over Whorethorn. What a double that would be.

Should have been in round 1 instead of Weideman. It just shows how the coach doesn't always know best.

He's a lump, athletic, and fit. Gives his all. Should've been in instead of Weid a long time ago in my opinion.

A real exhibition of fast paced, exhilarating football. The skills of both teams sublime. Essendon just looking slightly sharper. Joe Daniher is a star. Really looking forward to backing it up in the second half. Just a great game of football. Honorable mention to the umpires. The best umpired games are the ones where you don't notice them.

Shout out to CP5...you're a beast...a beast on one leg Get that knee sorted and you'll kick 10 one day, young man

He's like a medieval page boy from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

No change.

Unpopular opinion, but I think Garlett is close to our most important player in 2017. His goals, pressure and consistency make him irreplaceable.

It is the CLUB that is systematic as drug cheats. Individuals have paid their Dues. They will be forever tarnished.

Pedersen in the team and Vince in the middle. Two things that fans have been calling for all year, two things that worked very well today.

If we get anything out of today, it's that we made the right decision taking Oliver over Parish. Another 33 touches for Oliver today.

Sink is unblocked. What have I missed?

Anyone mentioned Lewis' goal? How the [censored]? The old ball wedged between the goalposts, what a kick.

Massive mistake, wasn't it!? Let's hope we don't miss the 8 by a game or two. Got it wrong with Weideman, who should have to kick consecutive bags of goals for a month at Casey before he displaces Pedersen. Heck, I'd have even preferred an undersized Pedersen to Spencer! Pedo is a mature body, gives a contest, can play anywhere, and he's one of those battlers that is always playing for his AFL life so of course he's going to give 100%. I wonder why Goodwin had his card marked so early?

Tommy Mac owes Nev a car

What rubbish. The old everyone is against us go and eat worms conspiracy. Dunstall is an excellent special comments commentator. Probably the best.

Things I've learnt watching this game from the skies at Etihad 1. The TV screens they think are useful are not. I have a bigger tv in my bathroom. Thanks for nothing. 2. Melksham is a double agent who is secretly trying to make us lose games 3. Salem, Watts, Lewis- there's no substitute for class and kicking ability 4. Tyson- just no. His kicking is not even under 6 standard 5. JHK fumbles galore. Goodbye 6. Pedo always comes in and does his best to play a role. And he did. And he helped us win today. Very happy for him! 7. Jetta so deserving of a win for this milestone game 8. Etihad is the worst stadium. The food and facilities in a third world country stadium would beat it hands down

Everyone has their bucket list and as well as an MFC flag mine includes visiting the graves of all Australia's deceased PM's. Started it off today with a trip to see 5 at the MGC (Melbourne General Cemetery)... well Harold H Holt is not really there but his memorial is closest to the fountain which is somehow appropriate. Anyway after wandering through the cemetery, reading lots of tombstones and dwelling on one's mortality I headed for Docklands only to find that it seemed I was still at the cemetery. What a woeful first half. My seat in the Gods only allowed me to see one end of the ground and frankly the sounds of Go Dyson and wonderful Jobe were getting to me. Accordingly at half time I sought the solace of the standing section behind the MFC cheer squad. Little did I know what was going to unfold. Joy to my old eyes. For the last quarter I wandered the outer reaches like a lost soul daring to dream until with 10 minutes to go the Bomber faithful gave up and I scored a seat. Ten minutes of bliss..... Thank you MFC Now... do it next week as well !!!

Not by me.. He was very good. I actually like the Pedersen/McDonald combo better because Tommy with his huge tank gets around the ground like Mark Blicavs and he plays like an extra midfield. Really hope this stay because Tom's work rate and endurance around the ground could be a huge factor for us going forward.

Don't watch the first half.

Jack Watts said in his after match interview that Pedo always performs like that and gets the job done for the team every time he is brought in. Seemed to me that Jack firmly believes Pedo belongs in the team. Was a glowing endorsement, and nice to hear.

Parish will be a very good 250 game player imo but Oliver is one out of the box

Garlett really picked himself up after a poor first half. His persistent chasing and tackle which resulted in him getting a free and kicking a goal was the turning point.

So where is Pro Dee? Pretty clear that Pedo best 22 in the absence of Gawn and Hogan yet there are still knockers based on his mobility . I thought he "was everywhere" today and gave Watts a better run up toward. Most of us knew this prior to the event. Goodwin made selection errors and may have cost us 2 games. Looking to the future is great but leaving it so late to select him idiotic.

I loved that Bernard finally went back into the midfield today and got a couple quick clearances. Can we please leave him there and never have him back again!! He uses his massive leg from the centre circle to full forward with minimal fuss as a weapon instead of turning the pill over continually down back. T Mac had a shocker today with his kicking, I was almost laughing at the end it was that bad. Then he spoils Nevs 'mark of the year' attempt!! Keep it simple Tommy. Tyson I thought looked better than previous but I'm still concerned by his kicking. Is definitely lacking confidence. Finally, JKH. What is the go with him over Kent?? Very ordinary player

Surprised. He was cheering for Essendon today. Picking Oliver over Parish has to be one of the best recruiting decisions we have ever made. Parish looked like a lost boy.

WATT happens when you play more direct football with a heap more kicks than handballs and don't play WATTS in the ruck for long stints, preferrably not at all. And you don't have a wet kid who isn't ready yet trying to play a tall forward role and leaving us one short up forward and can't play in the ruck either....Watts again. Welcome back Pedders. Job done.

Should've been straight in when Gawn went down

In the footy record the 'pocket profile' is with Jack watts. Q: Etihad Stadium roof - open or shut? A: MCG please. Gold.

First they take an acid trip and then they read the tea leaves - its the same way I make most of my important decisions. Never fails.