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Hi, Just wondering if anyone maybe interested in a Ticket for the game on Saturday. Unfortunately I'm now in NZ for family reasons and cant attend. Don't want any dough, just barrack F.cking hard like I would I have, that and a MFC victory would suffice! PM if you are interested. Cheers

What a ridiculous and stupid thing to say.

Hey mate, Thanks for the tag. I'm still around (been swamped with work, sickness, my little girl got sick as well etc) so I haven't been around much lately. I'm hopeful that it's all passing now though! I've been enjoying every bloody minute of this and what makes me even happier is that I know everyone here has been enjoying it as well. No matter how negative, positive or in between we've been, we can all enjoy this together as passionate and faithful Demon fans. It's just amazing. Thanks for thinking of me and I'll hopefully have more time to enjoy this with you all in the next few days! Go Dees!

Germans ranting about camps never ends well.

“How do you feel about being dropped Dom?”

I can see the logic behind this. While we will miss his ball use, he's been pushed off the ball easily down there and was beaten comfortably by Lecras last time. Smith is taller, quicker, stronger and has a huge leap that could combat a Vardy or float across and take a mark in front of Kennedy or Darling. All he has to do is beat his man like Frost and keep it simple. Get the ball into guys like Lewis, Salem and Hibberd and he'll play his role perfectly. Good luck Smitty!

At the gate lounge with the flight polo on.

It's understandable. Match up with WC tall forward line and the step up of the contest from last week. JKH mised the finals and now it's Fritsch. If we get through it may be against Richmond who have a completely different structure so we could make a change there too. Or there could be injuries. Just a comment overviewing the system - taking MFC out of the equation - this is why at least everyone on the list who plays a game in the season should get a premiership medal.

We are essentially the landlord of the MCG, the original owner of the land and the stadium (in addition of course to the the traditional owners, being the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin Nation). It’s about time we showed some of the current tenants (i.e. Richmond and Collingwood) who actually owns this ground. I’m a little surprised this hasn’t been discussed, but, when we last won the flag, this was our home ground to the exclusion of all other clubs. Since then, we have shared our home ground with several other clubs, and have essentially been shown no respect or gratitude for this. It’s time to show these squatters who owns this ground. Let’s bring this ship into port - the landlord is back in town.

They’ve gone for simplicity - defender for defender. It’s no surprise they’ve gone for Smith. There was an obvious need for another tall defender this week and Smith is the next best thing. I can only guess, but I suppose if they were decided on Fritsch or Tyson in the middle, they decided that the more imperfect disposal was outweighed by the superior contested game. Tyson has his issues and limitations, but at the end if the day would anyone be that confident Fritsch could deliver as a midfielder in the heat of a PF? I’m not that sure. Or maybe the option was never even on the table because Goodwin rates Tyson more than Demonland does. Who knows. Feel for Fritsch though. I reckon we can all agree that he’s bloody unlucky.

There is absolutely zero credibility on the line. Pull the other one.

Wow, if that doesn't bring tears nothing will. Spine tingling.

We are in a preliminary final. We're not going to lose this game at the selection table because we dropped a 23-odd game, first year player playing in a bit-part role.

lol they could at least have tried to make the rumor realistic.....

Hey all, About to head to the airport!!! I'm driving and parking the car. If anyone is on the red eye (Jetstar) JQ981 - 1:45am Sunday morning and wants a lift home (assuming its on the way through to Bentleigh), I'm happy to help out. This weekend is costing us all enough as it is. Might as well try and save some $$ where we can. If you're interested, just shoot me through a message and we can exchange numbers etc.

This. He looks and plays tired.. 1st half to mid half of the year he was by far our cleanest player. But towards the end he's just started to look tired and his game day performance and kicking skills have deteriorated significantly the past few weeks. Smith is not in the side for his clean kicking skills, thats for Salem, Lewis and Hibberd. Hes in the side for added height and his giant leap and marking ability to defend their tall forwards. Goodwin and co know what they're doing.

If we drop Fritsch I'll spew up. I'm all for bringing Smith in but doing so it will allow Fritsch to move to the wing.

Only the saddest of individuals use hindsight to lambaste strangers on the internet. Jog on mate, you're full of s|-|it.

We’re building very nicely without having overpaid for a free agent.

In those days there was a massive banner affixed to the exterior edge of the ‘outer’ stand , now called the Southern Stand , and in the vivid colours of red and navy blue it read: FOREVER FORWARD DASHING DEMONS , THE GREATEST EVER EXPONENTS OF PERFECTION FOOTBALL. Then, from recollection ,there were some words about how the MCG was ours❤️ It was a huge and imposing banner that adorned OUR ground and we were proud and unforgiving landlords?

There are always bad luck stories in finals, just as there are good luck stories. I feel for Fritta. I feel even more for Hogan and Vince. Fritsch has been with us for a year and has done a lot more than I bet he even expected. Joel Smith is lucky, just as Weids is lucky, that Lever has gone down (and so has Hogan). This is the right decision, without the benefit of hindsight. West Coast are very tell, it will be a dry day and we need to try and limit their talls. Smith will free up Hibbo who got a nice touch up last week (lucky his opponent couldn’t kick straight hey?!), and that only makes us better. Prelims don’t come around often. You gotta make tough calls to win tough games and there are few tougher than a trip to Perth to make a grand final. Go Dees!!!

Dee Zephyr is leading the way! I bought plane tickets before they were crazy just after the Geelong game as I have family living out West. I'm hoping the direct Qantas flight to Perth at 19:10 tomorrow is going to be full of red and blue!

I think the selection trade offs revolve around these factors. We're trading contest and pressure for disposal efficiency with Tyson and Smith in and Fritsch out. The FD reckon it will be a super hot contest and that's our "brand" http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-05/the-stats-files-the-three-keys-to-winning-games-in-2018

Don't worry Adam-they're weak as Pi55 in Adelaide. You and the Mrs will be able to handle the lot of them.

We've lost one of our best kicks. In a game that will be hot on a fast track, who would you prefer kicking the ball into the forward line, Fritsch or Tyson?

Martin Flanagan is a king of the Odes. Great work, very powerful stuff!!

The last few games before injury Joel Smith was showing some really good intercept marking across half back. I really hope he rediscovers that on the weekend. This is also a chance to free up Hibberd in a way who had his hand full last week with the taller Jack Gunston. Opportunity for hibbo to now play on the smaller LeCras instead of Vardy now.

Do they boo you at the airport?

Missing the crucial detail there.

Maybe Casey just want Fritta back to win them the flag on Sunday only for him to come in next week against the Tiges and Fritta can win two flags in the one year.

He will flourish once he gets out of that disaster of a club.

Slap yourself for even passing that on. Disgusting.

hogan > may

Both Richmond and Collingwood blood and bone left on the MCG turf...

Viney shouldnt have to go to anyone. If anything its Redden that will go to Viney. Let Oliver, Viney and Brayshaw be the one let loose.

Agree 100% on Tyson. One thing thats probably not talked much about Tyson is that he has over 100 games of experience. Yes he has his moments, but also at times he shows that class and midfield nous that we just desperately need in these finals games. I feel a big game coming for Dom.

After reading the ins and outs thread a majority of people thought Dom Tyson should be on the chopping block. The word coming out of the club is they really rate Joel Smith and he is pushing for selection. I imagine Dom Tyson would be in danger with that selection as a specialist midfielder who will never be in front of Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw or even Harmes for midfield time but is not really a back flanker. I watched the replay paying particular attention to Dom after the negative comments on Demonland and I struggle to see what he did wrong. Infact, he created two goals with his kicking into the forward line. Am I missing something and Dom had a shocker? Please tell me where he went wrong. Is it Demonland groupthink? Or is he just the last player picked of a very, very good bunch?

Absolutely fire trucking powerful. I'm not a believer in motivational talks....but by jeez, this is compulsory ...and I hope the players have had a listen also.

Given he can play forward as well as back or mid and take a grab too, I would not be dropping him.

Just play 19 men. That seems to work allright

And Max and Jonesy as per a friends photos. I would presume that Lewis is on that flight too as those 5 were all on my flight last time a day earlier than the rest of the team.

Boooooooooooooo!

Our Cheer Squad has the idea. Posted elsewhere but relevant here. The banner last week: Image deleted 28/07/2022 It reads: Our Town. Our turf. Our Team. Our Time! Unfortunately the tenants are there to stay but we can and will show them to whom the hallowed turf really belongs.

When I was a wee lad it read: MELBOURNE MASTERS OF THE MCG

As an aside, I couldn’t be prouder of the Club in how they’ve reached out to all the fans - the lady post heart attack, James Harmes with the disabled boy, the kid who was overjoyed getting finals ticket. I’m not sure I have seen any other Club do it as well. I hear a lot of it has been driven by Goody and so massive cudos to him. He has brought grass roots front and centre, as it should be. So, whatever happens on Saturday we have been winners.

At the start of the week I was not confident at all, I think this is more from disbelief we are in a prelim and thinking this season couldn't possibly get better... Now I have sat back & really thought about this game I think we are probably the favorites, for one reason, our midfield. We have some seriously tough, talented & elite boys in there fed by one of the greatest ruck men in the modern era. We really seem to gel as a team & our run & carry is what has significantly approved in the past month. (Just look at the passage of play from our first goal from last week). If we implement that style of transition this is exactly how you either make Hurn & McGovern accountable for a man or you will get goals over the back like we did 5 weeks ago. They wont be able to drop off and intercept how they want to and will become quite frustrated. The ONLY way I can see Meth Coast winning is if they can limit our slick hand ball game & force us to bomb it long to Hurn & McGovern, where they can then slingshot and move the ball quickly the other way catching our mids off for a split second. This will leave OMAC & Frosty quite vulnerable. To me this sounds a lot more like a game plan hoping your opponent stuffs up rather than making the play yourself, its almost seems a little to safe (especially in finals) & sure it got them pretty far this year but I think this will ultimately lead to their undoing. I also think Meth Coast will be much to tall for a ground which plays similar to the dome.... Hurn, Barass, McGovern, Darling, JK, Lycett & Vardy are all KPP. I really think this 2 talls to many especially during finals where the game naturally becomes more contested. It is amplified against a team like us who thrive on that contest & also have of players that are so diverse for instance Hibberd & Jetta can hold their own in a marking contest, Frosty can chase down a small running into goal. I could just be waffling on here in hope of a Grand Final dream, I was only 6 in 2000 & didn't really care about the game, I was just keen on the Micky Dees my Dad bought me. I hope you all share my optimism!! GO MELBOURNE!

This guy and a few of his demon mates will be proudly watching from far above: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/melbourne-fan-places-scarf-on-jim-stynes-headstone-in-irelands-wicklow-mountains-ahead-of-preliminary-final/news-story/c3ac1073c01861a33d0245120c5c692f A moving picture from the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. Brings a tear or two to the eye.