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Stewie Dew to get stuck half way down the slide.

After the Melbourne Football Club was bundled out of last year’s finals with their Round 23 loss at the hands of Collingwood, Nathan Jones declared that the team would not forget the bitterness of that defeat. Today is the day to atone.

DJ, you must be really jet-lagged, a dangerous combination with the vodka . The game was yesterday, we won by 83 points, Hogan kicked 8 and now leads the Coleman by 5 goals. Fritsch was BOG. The news will get there soon, comrade.

I'd be more concerned with Bernie Vince then Lewis.

Cannot deny that today was a huge disappointment. Big game, big crowd and big stakes at play... and we failed to show up. It's not good enough from many of the players out there today, and no doubt over the break they'll take a good, hard at look at what went wrong today. Our clearance work, for the second game in a row, was very poor and our want to run hard both ways fell away at crucial times. Too often we had quick kicks forward that just landed in their laps, and then they were away. But it's not the end of the world. Seriously, it isn't. I know this thread will be filled to the brim with over the top statements, people slamming players, questioning Goodwin and so forth. But before you slam your keyboard, consider this: If you were told we would be 8-4 at the bye, would you have taken it? Of course you would have. It's okay to have bumps in the road as we won't win every week. It just won't happen. And so what if we're taking a little extra time to get there? Just because we may not win the flag this year is no reason why we aren't in prime position for a tilt over the next 3-4 seasons. And last time I checked we're still right in the eight and in a fantastic position to make some waves in September. We've fallen over a few times and we have things we need to address, but really, this is only a small stumbling block for the club. We have already shown the ability to get better and change the way we play - the previous 6 weeks are a testament to that. And I'd rather have a game like this now than later in the year. Hopefully the boys take stock of where they are at today and do all they can to improve upon it over the second half of the season.

Did you just suggest trading Hogan for Lynch? I can't even believe what I'm reading. We say some rubbish after losses but this sort of stuff classifies as toxic waste.

Just arrived. There’s a [censored] load of people wearing North Melbourne beanies.

The good news is that a few posters we haven’t heard from in six weeks are back with us again!

First post in a couple of years... but hey, today's game will do that to you! Couple of comments: 1. Too many players sucked into the contest. Doesnt take 3 blokes to tackle. Allowed Collingwood to overlap perfectly. 2. Lost everywhere. Mid, forward and back. 3. DeGoey unmanned for 3/4 hurts. Should have been shut down. 4. Pedo should have gone to Cox, and told to play in front. 5. Felt like we had the wrong team. Too tall forward, so small down back, not enough support in the ruck. Bye will do them well. Need to step it up from here on.

Moscow Calling... One of the advantages of being overseas is that in Mellbourne time you are up all night. I thought it was very nice of the Socceroos to schedule their opening game against France during the MFC Bye. FIFA was obviously scared of a clash with the Antipodean power house the MFC has become. QB has always been special and it is even more so now because of Neale Daniher. The Pies think they are travelling well but we know a team who is travelling even better. Dees by 30 ...Go Dees PS If you want to drop over to the soccer thread on Demonlands Other Sports forum I will be posting about my time in Kazan where the socceroos are based and where they play their opening match next week.

Collingwood can’t play any better than what they did today, everything went their way, the umpires, the bounce of the ball, we can improve, we won 6 in a row, we’ll come back, but reality is we are still a year away from being real dynamite

Two big milestones today. Trac plays his 50th game, and Jordie Lewis , with his first disposal of the day, will hit 7000 disposals in the AFL. (Who keeps track of that stuff?? LOL) As I've said many times in the past, there's two things that bring me joy. The first is Melb winning, and the second is Collingwood losing. When they happen in the same game I am ecstatic!! May today's game be the one!! GO DEES!!!!

Hogan’s been fantastic all year, top 3 with Max and Clarry, has one average game and you want to get rid of him. Fair dinkum some people have no idea

Just arrived home from the G. Have had a little time to collect myself. I am not happy about today, but not gutted. I suspect most of the team feel similarly. We played a Collingwood side that was on. Really on. They did to us what we did to others over the last 6 weeks. Like a train full of steam they rolled relentlessly forward and made us look very ordinary. In an even competition, especially at the pointy end, there were always going to be days like this, much as we hoped they were behind us. I don't want to single out any players. Many were down but the usual suspects held their end up. The coaches undoubtedly tried whatever they could, without success. For me, on the big stage with the footy world focused on us, we exposed our vulnerabilities to the comp. That will be costly. Other coaches will have noted our relative lack of speed, when we don't have the ball. We were hopelessly outpaced by most of their young midfield types. Our game style works well when we have little pressure, but leaks opportunities to opposition mids and forwards when we are under the pump. Not much has really changed from the Hawthorn game, except we now have belief that the team is greater than the individual, and the team can be good. That newly acquired confidence does not always win games, but is a necessary ingredient to winning flags. Our time has not yet arrived. Both players and coaches are still learning. Today's experience is skin to losing a final. For us it was a final and we were found wanting. We get 10 more rounds to pick ourselves up, and work on what we were unable to do today. Then, if we are good enough, we will get another chance to play in real finals, where there is no next week. I admit to being a MFC tragic for nearly 6 decades. I believe we have a better collection of talent today, than we had in the late 80s and the 90s/00s relatively successful eras. Today's loss was a reality check, a lesson needed to be taught. It will haunt the players for many years that they failed when asked the question in 2018. Have we not all been taught lessons like this, at sometime in our lives? My face bears the signs of a life of experiences, many l wished not to have had. I would like to think my words and actions now reflect the lessons learned from those experiences. I for one, will cut this side a little of the slack they have earned without forgetting the lesson now taught. I look forward to meeting a few players tomorrow evening at a club event. It will not be a wake, but it will be a wake up call. Bring on Port Adelaide, they now have reason to be fearful of our lesson.

Lewis was one of our best

So you want to trade Hogan after 1 poor game??? Enough said!

We were well beaten today by a very good and well drilled team. Collingwood's gameplan held up to the pressure much better than ours and their skills, positioning and run will hold them well in September. Whilst it's great that so many of our young players are getting some 'big game' experience, it's a worry that some repeat offenders are wilting under the pressure. Too many not willing to do the hard running and simple, quick disposal. Is this the end of our season? No. There's a lot to learn after today's match and if the players and coaching staff can take that on board, we can improve on where we're currently at.

Shout out to Tom McDonald who has now kicked an amazing 25 goals in just 7 games. Too bad he missed the first 5 games, he would be on track to kick 70+ and win the Coleman. He now leads the league in goals per game.

They were far better organised around the outside of the contest and stoppages. We have 11 weeks to fix it.

Of all the players to criticise today, and you could be justified in criticising plenty, I don't feel Joel Smith is one of them. Was terrific in the first term when the Pies were all over us and contested really well all day. He got first crack and filling in for Lever and did so quite admirably. Has 16 touches and 6 tackles - the only players to have more were Oliver and, believe it or not, Spargo (who someone else potted a little earlier as well). He'll be in the side for the rest of the year if he keeps putting in performances like those. Petty might get a run at some stage but I feel more confident with him in the backline than I do with either Frost or Wagner.

Smith - battled pretty well

He can't fill the void straight away as we don't have another Lever waiting in the wings. Unfortunately, we can't clone the bloke. I actually think they made the right decision with Joel Smith who was one of our better players, especially early when the pressure was on. But having these guys working together will take a little time. Lever was the general who organised the defence so well, and now that's gone. It won't fix itself overnight, it will take a few more weeks to get right.

We were always going to lose the battle on the outside. But Collingwood smothered us all game and shut us down on the inside. Well played Collingwood. I believe we will learn from the loss.

I reckon the loss of Lever hurt more than we realise, and goes back to what Goodwin was saying earlier in the year. It took a month or so for Lever to settle, find his groove and play great footy. Now that our most important defender has gone down for the year you would expect it to take a month or so for us to find the best way of covering for him going forward. I thought Joel Smith had a real dip and earned another crack in a fortnight, but our structures were back to what we saw in the first 4-5 weeks. Tightening this up and finding a way around Lever will take a little time, hopefully as little as possible.

The teams who have beaten us badly this year boast an impressive array of small forwards. My main concern today, surrounds our ability to deal with their small to medium forwards. Really hoping I don't see too many Collingwood speedster leaving Lewis and Vince trailing behind as they run in to goal. I'd like to think we've made the appropriate structural changes since the Hawthorn and Richmond games to ensure we don't get exposed out the back. Our forward line should be too good for them and our midfield should beat them at the contest. It's scary to consider what the rest of the season will look like if we win and win well today.

Thanks to all that have posted on this memorable occasion! Hnmm nearly 4 years gone !! Still think of him, he was a sensational footballer, but I have to say, a more sensational person in life you could never find! as many have alluded to on this site. As a mate of his I posted some days later 4 years ago my thoughts . Happy to share on Demonland! again, Rob loved days like today. He probably would have thought it a tad hot for footy, but would have played and dominated, anyway. His greatest pastime on days like to day would be cooking a BBQ for family and friends, playing golf, or on his boat catching a few "Flatties" and maybe the odd "Schnapper" in Port Phillip bay, or just shooting the breeze on his sundeck at Sorrento. Rob was at his happiest when you were happy, it seemed as if by some magical formula he had the "knack" of making you feel as if you were the most important person at that moment he was speaking to you. He loved his family and he loved and valued his friends! Charismatic people have this gift. Some use it for gain, and power, Rob used his charisma because he was genuinely interested in you and your family. Yes Rob was a "Superstar" footballer Bernie Quinlan so rightly said yesterday. But Above and Beyond he was a "Mega Superstar" person! Is this not a better, more substantially satisfying legacy to leave? In private life he was a generous with his time and expertise, as he appeared in public life. I have seen and been lucky enough to witness the way he gently and compassionately met people who at the conclusion of an interaction walked away much happier for the experience. Floating on air is as real as an experienceI have seen and been a part of, and just as euphoric! Just ask any who met him and knew him. I count myself extremely lucky and enriched by knowing him as a friend and mentor! The Euphoria stayed with you and lingered on and on. Over the 35 odd years I have known the man, I have been extremely fortunate to have been welcomed into part of the fabric of his life. He had many "Brothers" in arms and his own two brothers, Tom and Jim must have thought that they had won tattslotto every day of their lives having him as a brother. I can tell you he felt the same way about them! A more gentle, humble, empathic, generous, selfeffacing, humorous, genuine person you could not find than Rob Flower. I was at his funeral yesterday, and I will be at his public funeral tomorrow. Each time I look up at the sky on a clear night I will seek out the brightest star. If all stars represent great people, then Rob's star will surely be the brightest! With more people like Rob Flower in the world, it would be a more sensational place to be! Vale Rob Flower, a shining light in my life, never forgotten, always remembered "No Regrets" Thanks mate

Yes, it was an ordinary performance but fair dinkum, some people on here have no idea. FWIW and IMO, Smith and Spargo did OK. I also read we should trade Hogan? FCS get real! The bloke had a quietish day. Ben Brown didn’t snag a goal over the weekend and there is no talk of him being flicked! Collingwood cannot play much better and we really could not have played much worse. We have played some brilliant football in recent weeks but today looked really tired and beaten by quarter time. It happens. We had a bad day. Move on. I am very confident that we will re-group over the break and come back. Some times things fall apart so better things can fall into place. Go Dees.

The ball should never have landed in Cox's hands so easily Midfield was hammered

Question for those who claim we still “haven’t beaten anyone”, what would you expect from 8-4? More of the 8 to be against good sides, and a bad loss or two against poor sides to make up the 4? Anyone who says now that they wouldn’t take 8-4 at the start of the season is flat out lying. We’re an imperfect side that put in an imperfect performance, against a team poised to smash us with it on the day. We aren’t going to smash everyone all the time. Nothing but a speed hump for mine. The impact on my belief that this is a good, capable side is negligible.

Tom Lynch? I take it the poster hasn't watched the last couple of suns games? His "attitutude and performance" has stunk. He has already mentally checked out.

Don't take the bait. You'll be on here all night. For some reason I'm very calm about today. Much to learn from the game and we will.

Lewis was gutless today - second to the contest and unaccountable. Not sure what game you were watching

I should add a couple of other notes. Collingwood constantly manned up our anchor and usually with a quick player like Wells or Stephenson. This also meant our zone was constantly compressed and far too high, and like Hawthorn, they used their pace to continually exploit this. But they also had an extra man off the back of the stoppage (as most clubs do), but it was also someone with genuine pace (ie Cripps or Treloar). This helped them murder us around the ground in stoppages and because we failed to apply any real pressure at the contest for long enough, they repeatedly gave to players in space with plenty of time. We refused to work for the switch too, just as happened against Richmond and Hawthorn. This meant we kicked the ball to contests we rarely won, Collingwood would hold it up, reset and then win the around the ground clearance. It happened over and over again. We have banged on about building from the contest out and yet the last two weeks we've managed to get mauled at the coalface (Max, you handed that horse-looking muppet the AA jacket today too). The umpiring was terrible but often it follows that the team getting to the ball first get the better go from the umpires and we never looked like it today. Half way through the second, the scoring shots differential fluctuated between 7-8 more scoring shots and you could tell we'd lose by 7-8 goals and that was a fair result. We were as disappointing as we've been all year. It would have been a lot uglier if it weren't for Tommy's brilliant game. As with all games where we are comprehensively beaten, it's always our bottom 6 who are simply terrible. ANB, Harmes and Pedersen all offered very little and fumbled or let us down at crucial moments. Unfortunately, Charlie Spargo was shown up today with ball in hand and seemingly just overawed by the occasion and contest, however when the ball wasn't in his hands he was a lot better. His chasing and tackling was solid. I think it might be time for Petracca to have a spell in the twos. He's so ineffective, goes at marking contests with one hand, trails his opponents to contests and seems to completely lack concentration and a tank. And then there's Vince. I'm really not sure what he offers this team. I'm convinced he's getting games based on his experience and his occasional attacking kick into the corridor that comes off. I'm really hoping a break is all this team needs to get going again, because they weren't there today (apologies to Tom McDonald, our backline and the super consistent A grader, Clarry).

In a rut??? The blokes done sweet [censored] all the entire year this far. Needs a monumental rocket shoved up his ass!!

Lever would have made little difference today. The weight of I50's would have smashed any defence. Our mids and half forwards got slaughtered and too often the Pies went forward under little or no pressure

I wouldn't be too critical of Brayshaw - Tom Phillips has been huge for them all year, but Brayshaw shut him out of it today. But then that cost us as we lost Brayshaw's drive.

McGuire knew exactly what he was doing when he invited him onto the footy show before this game it's all gone to his head. We got built up to be knocked down by all and sundry, we looked tired today no excuse i hope my observations of today are right and we come back after the bye firing on all cylinders.

I would have zero hesitation in replacing him with Tyson right now. Absolutely zero.

Hasn’t gotten over his chance encounter with Lebron James and is too busy writing his AFL Hall of fame speech.

There were two sides on the park, and one of them was awesome. I’m disappointed but I’m not ready to call us pretenders yet; Collingwood’s pressure then outside spread was immense and we couldn’t match it *on the day*. Losing our only tall to concussion when their big forward was already on top definitely didn’t help. Our streak was bound to end eventually. We hit the break, dust ourselves off and hit the back half of the season with vigour.

This place is unrecognisable with all this optimism. Dees by 15 goals.

Might help get everyone a little more excited for the slide.

Beautiful day outside, will go in early to hang with thousands of Dees fans in Fed Square and get around Neale and walk to The G. I can`t remember the last time I was this excited about a game of footy. Will be a hard fought game but we will get the job done today. #whynotus

Endure them? There's nothing better than watching them all trail out lf the 'G' at 3/4 time!☺️

I’ve come to terms with the fact I will never be confident of a win. Thanks for that MFC. Go dees.

Just read it’s Petracc’a 50th game today. No more cameos please, time to tear it apart.

I hope we bury these fools and make them eat a [censored] taco. Grundy the creepy looking oddball can eat two.

Imagine going into the bye in second place with about as many wins as we usually cobble together in a season. Tell me I'm not dreaming.