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Smith isn't in for his disposal count, he's in for his speed, size, agression and athletic profile. He's a manic tackler. He's a better "defender" than Fritsch. Smith isn't suited to being the second tall, but is a quality third tall. His selection also provides versatility. Smith is 191cm. He's the same height as Darling. When Vardy is forward Oscar can take him and Smith has the size and prowess to nullify Darling, while Frost takes Kennedy. It's all about matchups. It's a very good selection.

Well Done for mine, super impressed at how the club has managed the media and made itself available. They have absolutely harnessed everything positive about the finals campaign, am still working my way through the videos (love seeing shots of happy fans). I haven't seen it as drinking bathwater or any of the similar tall poppy type comments, but allowing everyone to enjoy the positives of the journey. I also think Goodwin has really given of himself which must be pretty tough, but he has demonstrated allot of nouse, he kept a lid on it for the season but has shown the insight to make himself available and tune into the vibe going on around the club. He has built a team of hockey players not downhill skiers for mine, they have demonstrated courage all year and am super proud of the club. Win, lose or draw on Saturday very happy with how the club is travelling.

Are there? You and a couple of others doesn't constitute 'many' in my book.

At the time of writing the odds for this game are eagles 1.80 and dees 2.05. Which is about right. No question that the eagles deserve to be favorites. They've had a great season, have a good system and a very dangerous forward line, particularly their medium size forwards. And it goes without saying they have a huge home ground advantage. How big an advantage? Well, i reckon the odds would be reversed if this game was at the G. Leaving all that to one side i really believe we will win this game. And if we clik we could even do a number on them. The key reasons for my confidence are: Momentum: we have it in spades Confidence: see above Belief: see above Settled team: since the west coast game we have had only three players out - Kent, JKH and the dreadfully unlucky Fritter. Super important from both an injury and team synergy perspective From our best possible 22 we only have Lever and hogan not playing (with Kent close) They have 3 of their best 22 out in Nik Nat, Gaff and Sheppard (and arguably 2 of their best 3 out) and these outs hurt them more than ours do us as they can't cover them as well, particularly Nik Nat and Gaff McEvoy held his own against Max, unsurprising given he is a top shelf ruckman. This was big factor in them leading clearances and inside 50s at half time. Lycett and Vardy will struggle to come close to containing maxy let alone match him. Gives us a huge advantage in terms of clearances On clearances, we are third in the AFL for clearances (WC 13th) and 1st for center clearances (WC 10th) We travel well. I think i am right in saying we have won 6 of our last 7 interstate games, with the one loss being the Port game we should have won The ground suits us as it is narrower than the g by some 30 metres and will make it hard for WC to find space, chip it around and escape our suffocating pressure - not to mention get through our press The perfect conditions suit us as quick, clean hands are so critical to our quick transition and ball movement, which are the key factors in our high scoring game style (and conversely a reason why we struggle in the wet) As has been noted by many commentators WC win if they get within a -11 differential for contested ball. We average +18. They will have to bring some serious heat to stop us winning the contested ball. Hawks did and kept with us - until we got on top in contested ball On that point our contested ball, high pressure style matches up well against their more traditional style of accurate, surgical kicking as it disrupts their kicking accuracy and creates damaging turnovers Our style is built for finals and theirs is susceptible to finals pressure (like GWS last week) Tackles will play a big role in creating pressure - we are number 1 in the AFL for tackles. 70.7 tackles a game to WC's 60.6 a game (15th) Yes Kennedy in is huge and obviously having Darling play a full match helps (though it is worth noting we already 3 goals up when he was injured i think) but Sheppard is a big loss for them as Hanna, Spargo and Trac are dangerous But more significant is our in - the raging bull. I admit i am guilty of underestimating the value Viney would bring to the team in the finals. He has been incredible and is a critical addition given how crucial contested ball will be And whilst Weed played in the last game he is almost a different player now such is his form. Certainly a bigger threat Yes Kennedy and Darling represent a major threat (though i worry more about Jetta, Rioli and Ryan) but since we played WC we have kept three very good sides in perfect conditions to an average of 58 points. Our all team defensive game is working and our back six have been terrific That all team defensive pressure will ensure Kennedy and Darling won't get the silver service they have got in their 11 wins together Besides for all their supposed forward line strength we are the number one scoring side, by some margin, and average almost two goals a game more than WC Add to that we are the number 1 side for marks inside 50 with 14.8 per game. WC are 7th with 11.5 - they better worry about our forward line! We have yet to hit our straps and as Moncology noted before the hawks game we still have gears we can go up. If we click on Saturday there is a real chance we will, at some point, kick 4,5,6 goals in quick succession as we have done all year If we do that in the first quarter we will take the wind out of the sails of WC and their fans and we will be very hard to beat The crowd noise will be pure Fugazi to the dees The 2, 600 demons fans - demonland posters among them - will carry the torch for all demon fans around the country It's the vibe

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-21/the-behindthescenes-guy-who-rebuilt-the-dees Good article on a bloke who has been instrumental in our rise from the ashes

I’m no Collingwood fan but I have to say I loved that. The Richmond fawning all year has been spew worthy. Seeing them trudge off was the best thing ever.

Four teams left yeah?

I've never seen Joel Smith take a ruck contest. Are you confusing him with Tim Smith? I've never seen him "shat his dacks", which usually means fail to show courage. He is crazy brave in his attack on the ball and the man and partly why he has had impact injuries.

In my experience most Cox tend to shrink in stature when it gets frosty, so that might be a good move.

I think we've got this. I just got allocated locker no.64 at the gym.. Sorry to be that guy.

Two of us having a quiet beer then this.....

Jones and vandenBerg have been playing the wing role in conjunction with Tyson. The three of them have been rotating through there for about 6 weeks. I want continuity with all players knowing their role. Fritsch has recently been playing in defence. I don't want him now trying on a new role in a cutthroat final. So, to answer your question, Tyson. 2019 is a whole new ball game and it will be interesting what roles the coaches decide to give to certain players over summer. Fritsch is yet to have a full preseason, so I expect a better, stronger, fitter version of him next year in whatever role they decide to give him.

Bailey Finals selections can be horribly tough. You have had a fabulous debut season and it is only match ups that have denied you the preliminary final. IF we win GF match ups may well see you back, otherwise I am looking forward to an even better 2019 and beyond. You are already my second favourite #31 of all times and it is no disgrace to come second to the great RDB GO DEES

Chanting ‘USA’ is fully [censored]. I take back everything I’ve said. Eat a dick CollIngwood.

As a positive, if we do win tomorrow, we'll get to play the GF out of our home rooms (we share with Richmond, Collingwood share with Hawthorn, so if Richmond had won we would have had to play out of the other rooms).

1. Smith will take Vardy. 2. Salem on Ryan. 3. Jetta on Rioli And Hibberd will go to LeCras, leaving Lewis as our general quarter role. Oscar will take Darling who has the endurance levels to keep up with him. Do not underestimate Josh Kennedy on one leg. Regardless of what the media says, he is a bona fide star forward and this will be one Frost biggest challange ever. Shut him and limit their forward supply entrie and we'll win the game. Just on Joel Smith in regards to a few comments on him coming into our side on the back of 6 disposals at VFL level. I will absolutely bet every single dollar that Goodwin and McCartney could not give a flying [censored] about how many disposals he gets. If he comes out of tomorrow's game will 1 handball and shuts down Vardy then his done his role in my eyes and the coaches. Hes not there to win 20 plus possessions off a half back. Thats why we have Lewis, Salem and Hibbo down there doing that because they are our best distributors, and Smith's role will be to defend first, and then attack 2nd by offering a bit of run but also getting the ball into these guys hands. He is still pretty raw, but he also shows fantastic defensive traits and power with his speed and tackling. It's no wonder he is so highly rated by our coaching staff. The biggest test for him will be not to be overawed by the occasion. Backing him all the way! Good luck Joel!

Real insight into the inner details of trying to get Stewy Dew to the club as Roosy's successor. Only to turn down the offer and pave the way for none other then our beloved coach Simon Goodwin https://coupler.foxsports.com.au/api/v1/article/amp/afl/afl-finals-2018-the-sliding-doors-moment-in-a-secret-melbourne-board-meeting-that-led-to-simon-goodwins-new-role/news-story/3a3e4c782e916091e0c4a8df3df5b7d0?__twitter_impression=true

Kel and Derm can I have those 5 minutes of my life back?

Seeing Richmond trudge off the ground sullen faced makes me so very happy.

If we get up tomorrow I’d be happy if we go in the GF as underdog.

We are concerned because no matter who wins tomorrow, a Pies premiership is highly likely. And you don’t live in Melbourne so you don’t understand how awful that is!!!!

Seeing Bucks’ smug face makes me sick. I hate this team so much. Please please please let us win tomorrow, because honestly West Coast are no chance. We are the competition’s last chance of saving the world a Pies victory.

If we lose tomorrow, I wouldn’t be against the Grand Final being played in Texas.

We interstate members purchase our memberships in the knowledge that we will be lucky to have a game to go to (nothing in Sydney or Canberra this year) and, if we choose to attend home games in Melbourne, in the knowledge that is is going to hit the bank account big time. I find it somewhat offensive that you consider us not “real members”.

Great article written by Jeff himself. https://www.exclusiveinsight.com/jeff-white-book-a-ticket-to-the-big-dance/

Jason Taylor you say that is the best thing you have done in your life is by coming to Melbourne fc and you love the people you work with here. We are fortunate to have such a great recruiting manager and to be successful. Thanking you for being part of our great club.

http://www.hpnfooty.com/?p=30708

Dew has never impressed me all that much when I've heard him speak. Admittedly, he's overseeing a basket-case of a club and any positivity is in very short supply. From an image perspective (and I mean this with best intent) he needs to trim down himself because I believe that will provide a healthy layer of leadership cred that the Suns need. Watching Goodwin get physically involved in training is a huge variable in fostering friendships and the culture we now have. It's pretty hard to do that when you're morbidly obese.

Not having a go at you but his play is much more influential than just the stats he gets. For a start he is a hard match up. He is quick, can jump and take a good mark, tackles well and can kick. If you watch closely he, Spargo and Melksham will often be the front and centre players for when the ball gets spoiled. He is part of the reason we are unpredictable in our fwd line.

I reckon there is a good chance Smith plays on Darling, and Oscar takes the resting ruck with Frost on Kennedy. Just my two cents, but I think Smith could be the perfect match up size wise and pace wise for Darling.

I’m really torn with whom I want to win, I suppose I’m pretty impartial. But to see CollIngwood lose after being 53 points up would be pretty satisfying.

WHOS READY FOR SOME COLLIWOBBLES?

Ahem. Nicholls.

Gotta admire his recovery though. Most blokes are one and done but Bruce keeps getting it up for another climax, all night.

Bruce swallows his own happyjiz. He gets sucked in by the emotion of it all. He is not a rational analyst

But they won't be ...

God Rance is overrated

Pathetic. Every time he gets beaten he whinges to the umpires. I can't stand Collingwood and the thought of them making the GF makes me sick, but at least watching Rance get flogged is immensely enjoyable.

I don’t really care who wins tonight. Then I see Eddie’s sons after CollIngwood kick a goal and hope like [censored] Richmond win.

JT - you should be knighted for bringing Clarry to our club. You night like to work behind the scenes, but trust me when I say that you are highly recognised and lauded for the good work that you do.

I’m so sick of this thread popping up. Enough already.

Qjartermain said on 3AW this morning that the rumour around WC was that Kennedy was playing on one leg. Geez, it'd be a bonus if he didn't see out the game.

Beautiful work by Flanners again. I had a catch-up with him last week at a footy art exhibition in which I’ve got a couple of pieces. He doesn’t support any one club, but Flanners love for the Dees is entirely one with his love of football. He, more than anyone, knows there is no football without the Melbourne Football Club, and as the game’s essential truth-teller, he feels duty bound to romanticise on the reasons why. This is why so many of us love him, because he gives a voice to our emotional investment in the game and the club like no other in the media today. Believe it, he wants us to go all the way, because football needs that story. If anyone’s interested, the exhibition is at Glen Eira Council Gallery, until 7 October. Called Aussie Rules: Passion and Pain. Lots of good stuff there, excluding my own ?. The only footballers to turn up were Alex Neal Bullen (his sponsor had a piece) and Billy Stretch. Very classy boys both, remarkably engaged for 22 year olds. Impressive. Had a good chat with Billy, particularly as he’s studying physio. He was fresh from his surgery, and is itching to get back out there. They too are fully invested in the Club’s legacy. Go Dees.

This.

What the f*** is this [censored]? That style went out on Tuesday. We (every Melburnian) has already moved on from that dated sh*t. We've moved on to an eclectic mix of Versace, Dimmey's, bin liners and Stravinsky. (Although we are still all web developers, and always extraordinary.)

This analysis is key to the selection of Smith. Roughead, Schoenmakers and Gunston - 3 talls and Gunston got away and was best Hawk. Kennedy, Vardy and Darling - even taller. The choice betwen say Tyson and Fritsch looks like a choice between the contest which is "our brand" and kicking efficiency. It's a trade off which focuses on what we value. I can understand the FD thinking.

There resting you for the Granny Bayley! ??#31

This finals series has shown we are now in "Hunting Premierships" mode. We do not need to trade out our guns for speculative draft picks. Fremantle can come up with whatever they like but Hogan stays put and enjoys playing finals for the next few years, not travelling back and across the country every 2nd week and living through a rebuild.