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So let's recap this week's posts in the Hogan thread: 1. We are better without Hogan in the side 2. He should earn it in the VFL like everyone else 3. Our fitness and medical staff are incompetent and negligent for letting him play

Must admit I hate most of the commentators but Jono Brown is really good and balanced. Eventhough is was Brisbane I thought his commentary was unbiased and worth listening too. It was a very just nice change.

Must acknowledge the form of Lewis over the past few weeks. Has been a constant, effective presence down back and along with Hibberd has been crucial to the organisation of our backline. He will be a great asset come finals.

By the way, Brisbane aren't crap. You could see why they're last - they drop away for periods of the game - but I by no means consider this "getting away with it". We had a tough win against a team who brought it, and have a couple of genuine stars in their side in Beams and Zorko.

My oldest son was 5 months old the last time we played finals and is now a Pie. We have never played finals in my youngests life. He turned to the Hawks but asked to wear an old Dees jumper to the Meth Coast game and cheered like crazy but stated it was only because he hated Meth Coast. He is starting to waiver back to us September action will IMO do that. Make it happen Dees

Just do it!

https://twitter.com/CamPedda87/status/898460634483793920

My cardiologist, psychologist and my advance hair specialist are all hoping for a comfortable win. Me too, solid 4 quarter effort.

No hard feeling on Dunn from my end, but totally agree on your sentiments for Howe ?

I bloody love Pedo! Compare this to the old elite at the MFC (Moloney, Sylvia etc) who'd post off season gangster shots of themselves from some cheesy pool party in Vegas.

Please, please, please, please, please may the good version of the Demons run out there today

It's time for the return of the greatest statistic in footy: The #Pedomyths #PedoFACTS win percentage comparison. Since R1 2016, we've won 15 games and lost 8 with Pedersen in the side. We've won 7 games and lost 13 with him out of the side. So over the last 43 games we have a 65% winning percentage with Pedersen in the side and a 35% winning percentage with him out of the side.

Pedo out for Watts. Also, Hogan came back too early and should have week off - Weed in.

There was a thread during the week about players reading/posting on demonland... If there for some reason is a current player out there who reads this please show your other teammates. Us supporters have been to hell & back following this football club the past decade, the majority of this list & coaching staff don't fully understand what it's like to be a Melbourne supporter, to go through rebuild after rebuild, false dawn after false dawn coach after coach, failed draft pick after draft pick, number 1 picks been taken by expansion sides, top picks having career ending injuries, past players and coaches losing battles to illnesses, the only team to be fined of tanking but not actually tanking, been the laughing stock of the competition & friends for 10 fricken years! Rocking up to the G week in week out knowing we'd be lucky to be within 5 goals at quarter time, travlleing across the country to still show our support.. There's been times we could have all thrown it in and said "I'm done with this club" but we stuck through the tough times knowing there'd be brighter days and when those days came they would be sweeter than any because what we have been through... So today please if the going gets tough and it feels like it's all too much just remember what one shot at a finals series means to all us supporters... Go Dees

Have you considered throwing your faeces at him?

Sydney are the best team in the comp. Playing them at home would be the worst possible fixture.

What did you like about the game today, Steve? Anything? Must be tough constantly looking for the worst in things, even after a win. You are welcome to enjoy it.

BrisVegas are much better than their ladder position suggests. Hogan is better than many had recalled. Melksham onto Zorko and Trac into the middle changed the game our way. Lewis showing his worth and Jones showing his want for September action.

Buckley said that Daniel Wells and Taylor Adams likely wont play next week. Both got hurt today.

And what did you omit? 14 contested possessions, only just behind Beams and Oliver, and ahead of 41 other players out there today. Confirmation bias in action.

Apologies if mentioned- we kicked over 100 points today. That's encouraging, it been a while since we have.

Out: Wagner, Stretch In: Watts, Salem Doubt Viney is in the frame.

How does Wagner get a game?? Blows my mind

Bloody Hell MELBOURNE Hows a chap to pour his red or cut his cheese when you play heart stoppers like that !!

For the love of all that is red and blue, thank every God in existence that we were able to win that. Brisbane are no pushovers but we made it very, very difficult for ourselves. We put the cue in the rack when we got 5 goals up and learned a very valuable lesson today. But, we won. We won it and have put our destiny in our hands. There was still plenty to like - Pedersen's form, Hogan's 6 goals, Melksham's game... but we also played some poor footy at times and allowed ourselves to be hit on the break. It's something that better and more experienced sides will make us pay for, but I would rather us go through this now than go through it in an elimination final. It also showed us that we can never, ever switch off, no matter who we play. But, having said all that - we won. We are one step away from playing finals and then, anything can happen. I loved how the club dug in at the end to ensure we turned it around and won the game. Now to seal it next week against the filth.

Jesse Hogan! Everyone who has doubted him or wanted to trade him, hang your head. All year he’s been Resilient and Courageous. Today he was Inspirational. A terrific 50th game from him. Virtually won the game from his own boot. 6 goals. Welcome back, Jesse.

Just important that both Dunn and Howe play so that they can share the excitement of (us) making the finals with their (former) teammates! ?

Can we bring in Lumumba for a farewell game?

The Southern Stand where's that?

CP5's marking was amazing - his hands were vice like

People can have a differing opinion. No need to label someone else's as laughable

Melksham did a great job on Zorko when we decided to tag him and collect 29 possies himself and a goal. Certainly in a good vein of form

Mathieson has a very slappable head

Jake Melksham showed his worth, tightening his control on Dayne Zorko after the Lion was prolific in the opening term. Zorko finished with 26 disposals and a goal but his influence was limited after the first change, while Melksham had an impact himself as he picked up 29 disposals, a goal and 472m gained. The Melk rules.

From what I saw today Wagner and Stretch would be nervous, with Viney and Salem waiting in the wings.

Pedo has kicked more than his fair share of crunch goals this year.

One week at a time.

Wheeeeeewwwwwwwwwwww!! Got out of jail. Will take it. We have work to do to go deep into September. Great return game by Jesse!

Great day at the G. Today is about leadership. With Viney out, I hope we've got enough of it.

Hate Essendon with a passion. Always have, always will.

Can't name them. Not fair on them. Not sure what i can add other than I broke B.Mac coming and wouldn't post if not 100%

A myth Round 1 - 30 pt Win v Saints - Hogan 21 disposals, 8 marks, 3 goals Round 2 - 22 pt Win v Blues - Hogan 22 disposals, 10 marks Suspended Round 5 - 11 point loss to Tigers - Hogan 11 disposals, 3 goals - Tigers only beat us as we were two men down Jesses father passes away Round 7 - 3 point loss to Hawks - Hogan 16 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals Diagnosed with his illness Round 16 - 18 point win vs Blues - Hogan 10 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal Round 17 - 46 point loss to Crows - Hogan 11 disposals, 7 marks Round 18 - 23 point win vs Power - Hogan 23 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals Round 19 - 4 point loss vs North - Hogan 11 disposals, 2 marks, 1 goal - injured during game Hes played 8 games, our record is 4-4. THe RIchmond loss was unlucky, and we would have beat North if he didnt get injured. He was dominant in 3 games. He started strong vs Kangas before breaking collarbone. He was understandably rusty for a couple of games coming back from his illness. Hes had the most interrupted season you will ever see from any player for so many different reasons. We are much better when hes in the team and you're right, he is incredibly valuable.

All he needs is a couple of good touches early and you know he's in for a good day. Massive confidence player but gees he's a gun! Goal kicking was on point today too. Really helps when we lower our eyes as well when we deliver the footy. Kudos for ANB for being a deadly kick inside 50!

As long as Wagner goes out. For anyone. He's so far off it it's not funny. Salem's absolute worst is better. Vince wont get suspended for that. Surely. 6 weeks.

Hannan is crucial for the team. Won't be dropped. Can't see Watts coming in unless a tall is injured.

Phew, not sure I'd say I enjoyed that but hasn't ruined my Sunday! Wagner out, Salem in.

We'll take it and move on. We now need to beat Collingwood to make it a certainty; but we should be doing that anyway. We want to go into our elimination final with 3 on the trot and some good momentum. Let's do it against the old foe.

Why do we have to do it the hard way all the time. Thankfully we won.

Just about to leave freezing Daylesford after a weekend of good food and lazing in front of the fire to make the trek to the G. Gorgeous day here. Go Dees❤️?

Great news! Has really embedded himself as a regular 22. In the top 3 in the league for forward pressure acts! He is also very unselfish, doesn't try to be the hero and actively looks for teammates rather than bomb away at goals. Epitomises 'team first' football. Reckon he would be a favourite with both coaches and teammates and increasingly with fans.