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That, my fellow Demons, was a finals type game. At times it was super to watch, at others times it was a scrappy affair where you needed to put your head over the footy and do the hard stuff. And we won. When Port had a real dip at us, and we all knew it would happen, we didn't drop our heads or move away from the stuff that makes us a good footy side. We stuck to the task, rolled with the punches and got such an important victory for us. One person who I'd like to single out is Melksham. Yes, guys like Hibberd, Jetta and others were absolutely fantastic today and you would argue both would go close to best on ground. But when we needed goals and a calm presence forward of the ball when we struggled to hit the scoreboard, he was the man. He's been criticised this season, and in some ways it was justified, but he is more than proving his worth to our side right now. I'm stoked for him. We are a couple of wins away from playing finals and we've got so much more improvement to come in many players who have missed lots of footy, not to mention our captain returning in a week or two. These are exciting times and how good is it to be a part of? DEMONS!

How good is Hannan in his first season? His sidestep and general athleticism are such an asset. Got his trademark millisecond hand to foot goal. Becoming a nice midfield rotation already. And ANB's last month has been very impressive. Proving me wrong and playing some nice footy. Lost that panic mode and showing some really nice touch.

That last quarter was brave. The boys refused to get beaten. They make you proud to be a Melbourne supporter this lot.

It's here and I'm excited about this game and our inclusions. I haven't been to the G in about 5 years to watch a game so I'm looking forward to seeing the boys live with my kids and hoping we play a hard contested game and come out on top. Firstly I'm off to a pre match function where Bernie (slugger) Vince will be in attendance. Should be interesting. Hope he doesn't hit me! One final thing GO DEES.

I've just started listening to the stream and just heard, "Brayshaw, having some sort of a game . . . "

Such an important win. Lose and we were out of the 8, as low as 10th. We are now in the frame for top 4. Melksham 6 goals in two weeks and two months of solid footy, very nice.

It's how poor form manifests itself for Jack. His intensity goes down and his attack drops. When Hogan is out of form, he drops marks, shanks kicks and sulks. Jack Viney when out of form tries to break a tackle every time he gets the ball. An out of form Nathan Jones gets all his kicks from running around behind other players and hoofing it forward. Lesser players just don't get near the ball when out of form. All players react and respond differently. Watts looked out of touch today, but I don't consider it any more contemptible than any other player who has been out of the game and takes a while to get in the groove. I think your criticism is excessive and unwarranted.

Was at the Prematch function today and spoke breifly with Vince (slugger). Said to him we need him on the field and stop smacking opp players. Also asked how bug was going and he said he is good and training very hard which is good to hear. Another positive I won one of th door prizes being $100 voucher to the dees shop which was great. I never win anything! Was an excellent day all round.

Angus has 20 disposals at 3 quarter time.

Hibberd is recruit of the year. 36 touches, rarely wasted, and that [censored] tackle at the end of the third. We are not worthy. Neville 'brick wall' Jetta not far behind. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Dixon you giant ugly turd.

I'm so rapt. As promised $50 is on my way to Demonland.

Thats what makes me happy today. Seeing a guy come back from horrendous feet injuries, play in teams that were repeatably thrashed, handed the captaincy when he wasnt ready and at no stage did he ever give up. Loved the ovation given to him when he ran on today and after the game when Robbo interviewed him. Know Watts was rapt to have him play in his 150th. also nice to see Goody go up to him after the game and give him a hug. I still think he can play in this team maybe forward or int he backline.

People are way too harsh on Trengove. He played the team game, defended superbly, gave us a little drive, and was calm and collected with the ball. It was a Jetta-esque game. I reckon he can find a place in the squad as a small wingman and loose defender. Not sure he keeps his spot when Jones comes back but he needs a string of 3-4 games to cement himself.

Positively the worst umpiring ever seen. We should've won by 80. Hibberd and Jetta are brick walls. Have we ever had 2 such consistent defenders? Stoked that the ins got through unscathed. Watts was terrible but he'll be better for the run. Tyson's disposal will end up killing me. Viney, Gawn and Hogan's first half got it done for us. Huge win. So happy.

Judging by the crowd,Melbournes fans are more successful ,urbane and sophisticated than any other team in the AFL. Our female fans are the best looking in the AFL. Port in the other hand look like they have just rolled up from a homeless shelter for the mentally deranged.Rough as guts . Kochy can barely hide his disgust at his track suited cheer squad . We are winning the fashion stakes already you will all be pleased to hear.

If you two geriatrics settled down for a second, you might just put the silly argument aside and bask in the glory of being equal 4th and on our way to our first finals appearance in a decade.

As expected Casey utilise the wind in the final quarter to remain undefeated in 14 months at Casey Fields to beat Essendon 10-12-72 to 7-14-56 what a roost by Dec by the end in the way, travelled 80m I reckon will do a full right up when I get home tomorrow morning

Gus getting thru the game will be the best news since we beat Port 4 hours ago!

As for Trenners, I'm not a fan at all (though like everyone else I wish him success) but I thought he was fine. Considering it was his first game in how [censored] long? (When was his last win?) He didn't look off the pace too me and made no stupid Bernie mistakes by foot or elbow.

Nothing special but made some good decisions in hot situations.

We have at the moment a potential 200 game very good player in number 29. This guy is fantastic to watch and very competitive. If he can lower his eyes, improve his kicking, he will go from very good player to AFL elite! Hope our coaches develop this side of his game and he will be a complete player.

Well this day just got a whole lot better. Good stuff drunkn.

What I think also gets overlooked is how tough the kid is. He can stick a tackle as good as anyone else and he never shirks a contest. A fantastic weapon to have in our side.

Just because I like doing it most weeks: Clayton Oliver - 30 touches, 10 tackles, 20 contested possessions and 5 clearances. And this is on a day where you could argue he wasn't at his best. Gun.

You are a *%#^. Watts comes off a 4 week break and is a little rusty. You should be ashamed calling yourself a demon supporter.

Guess who we play next week---- Norf--- at last,I hope we give them the biggest hiding ever seen on the planet earth. Thump the living daylights out of them for all the grief they have caused us in the past.

Percentage or not, there's no underestimating how important that win was for us. I just did another ladder predictor with our win today and wins against North, St. Kilda and Collingwood, I have us finishing the season in that coveted 4th spot. We have it all ahead of us now!

No, I think he's sober.

Hannan is streets ahead of vandenBerg. I liked what AV brought to the side but he was essentially a straight ahead truck with minimal skill. Hannan has an elite skill set, fantastic 1-on-1 and goes as hard as any. Very good player.

We did it! it was a must win!!! And ... to top off the day ... Daisy signed my member card!!

That's a relief. Most important win of the year by a mile. If Jones is back next week then look out.

Am I the only one who wants to pull these dog umpires through the TV screen?

I have met and spoken to Jack once about the topic of being #1 pick. What many don't know is that he is extremely hard on himself, and is always critiquing his own performances. He is a superb person and we are absolutely privileged to have him at our football club.

So with the name of Flash this is the mascot that will take chasing and tackling of oppositions mascots to a new level, thus inventing the defensive mascots role.

Just watched Goodwin's press conference. Reporter: When did you lock Viney in as a definite starter? Goodwin: Monday LOL

I watched Trenners pretty closely today from level 2 behind the goals. Most of the above are spot on but ill add some thoughts: - he only played 90 minutes (of the >120 minutes), about the same as Mellsham and Salem, with JKH our lowest at 82. -he effectively played on the left back pocket on Sam Grey for 90% of his time on ground. Picked up Boak a couple of times. - Acted as a structural general, pointing and setting players and positions constantly - Didn't attack much: only left his place in the zone when his direct opponent ran into the contest. This happened less info the second half. - Mostly got possessions linking across half back either when we switched our as a safe option. Got involved a couple of times when he was in the play. - I saw him get beaten by his specific man twice. Once by Grey up the field on the HFF (the ball went out of centre bounce, Grey got their first, and got an inside 50 that resulted in a goal) and once during a run on play by Boak I think, as a chain of possessions caught our structure out - He obviously isnt fast. That didn't matter when our structure was working. He wasn't going to chase guys down but was fine in general play. My thoughts are he offers more than many. I think there is a role for him when Vince and Lewis decline but unsure where he sits in the coaches eyes behind Wagner and Smith in the longer term. Does Melksham fit into this group too or is he a forward now? Trenners didn't play mid, and he didn't attack much, so it's clear to me what his role is at the moment. Just wait and see if they think he is handy depth.

Harmes attack on the footy today was exemplary. Maybe a few untidy disposals but he always has a dip!

Jeez, I came on here to read some positive comments about a great win setting us up for a good run at finals , not a Watts bash-fest circa 2012. Fair dinkum.

Now all we need is for Gus to be BOG for Casey

Casey Twitter:

You [censored] beauty! 5.15am here in the Bahamas and am having a tremendously good time reading everyone's posts!

Haven't seen the gameday thread and just saw it briefly alluded to above but WTF was Dixon doing sledging Jetta when he took him over the boundary line? (2ndQ maybe) Could he pick a less deserving person to sledge? Jetta was absolutely magnificent again!

I would be really really happy just for a win. We were challenged. When they kicked the first 2 in the last quarter I started to get very worried. A team like the Hawks would know how to slow the play down and make time their enemy, I thought we didn't have the skills or experience to do it. But we did! I cant remember the last time we calmly shut the game down like that. Great work team! So proud of the boys today!

Was absolutely dominant in the 1st half. Playing as well as his best games last year. Had an injury worry which slowed him down just before half time.

I'm totally bloody exhausted. Can only imagine how the lads must be! thank god for hibberd and jetta and lewis' finger tips! Massive. Massive. Massive. Go dees!

The club must step up and make a complaint about that cheating dog Nicholls....Blatantly favouring Port.

I'll be teeing off at 9am them it's home for the game then off to a poker tournament. Wife is worried about my alcohol consumption, don't know why only have to keep count till half time, after that I won't remember a thing, satdys for the boys. Also one final thing GO DEES

So I guess the anti Darwin brigade will be conspicuous by the absence tonight. Go Dees!

We won but your days of tax evasion are over. Regards to the other criminals!!!

What a strange time to start a game of footy. Sat around 2pm. ... Oh, hang on, there's something strangely familiar about this. (In my mid forties, things start to flood back) I remember son, at quarter, half and 3/4 time, filling in the footy record, A v B, C v D etc, taking a tram to this other that suburban ground, the thermos of soup my aunt and her friends brought. ... (Shaking myself back to today) It feels good not to have to wait too long into the afternoon for the game to begin.