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We will never lose again.

It's funny how the mind works. Pre game I was nervous as hell thinking this is the game we could easily drop. Yet throughout the game I did not once feel threatened. Thought we had the game in control and when they looked like they wanted to get on a roll we just pegged it back to our level. Signs of a bloody good football side.

Every game is a danger game in this competition.

I'd drop T-Mac, he is playing too well, we need to make sure he doesn't get ahead of himself, and it sends a message for he rest of the list that no-one is safe, not even one of the best key forwards in the competition.

After 40 years all I want is one just one time to see them lift the cup Already told the missus and kids if we do I'll be missing for a month Just one time

When we win a grand final, be it this year or next, the whole demonland community should meet to celebrate! Joking. Not joking

When (if) we do lose a game: If we lose to a bottom team - Drinking bathwater. If we lose to a top team - Not ready for the pressure of big games. If we lose to a middle team - Never as good as our wins made us look and really the middle is where we belong. Similar commentary will align with it being a big loss, small loss or middle loss. The only realistic option is to not lose again. Ever.

Oliver has shot up the Leaderboard of the Coaches votes after a perfect 10 this week. He is now on 42 votes outright second to McCluggage on 44. The Bont is 3rd on 40. Doesn't get enough credit in the media.

Certainly don’t miss McAvaney, do we? Only cared about his favourites, didn’t he? More suited to horse racing commentary, isn’t he? Annoying how he ended every statement with a question, wasn’t it? ?

How good is Trent Rivers

The commentary was flat out amateurish, insulting and embarrassing. Its such a blight on our game and its at an all time low.

Dare to dream ...

Brayshaw has become a very important component in the team. His kicking can be a little wayward at times, but he is Intercepting alot of traffic coming into our forward line.

I have enjoyed the replay far better than actual game, apart from the umpiring decisions and commentators barracking for the Blues, BT in particular l was extremely proud of our team today. Our A graders all stood up and we’re well supported by our second echelon experienced players but I was even prouder of our young group of Spargo, Rivers, Picket, Jordon, Petty and Chandler, what a tough talented group we had out on the park today. 9-0 So proud of our Team. go Dee’s.!!!!

PLays like a veteran. Outstanding young player.

Yep, where are all the comments on Lever's game? Easily in our top 4 or 5 for mine. May was good and got all the accolades, but did have 3 kicked on him despite blanketing McKay early. However, Lever was in his 2017 Adelaide form. Those spoils are becoming so confident. He's seeing it so well. I've never loved a backline so much. Along with May and Lever, Petty is playing his role really well. Rivers was outstanding, Salem has become such a beautiful reader of the play. I now expect him to win his 1v1s, which is a great feeling. Hunt provided a bit more dash this week and I'm glad he got that goal back after coughing one up earlier. I thought Hibbo was a bit patchy this week, but still did some good things. Gus and Langdon defended brilliantly all day too, as well as provided a great outlet to break onto the wings. The best defence in the league. Keep it going. The mids transitioned pretty well for most of the day but coughed up a few cheap stoppage scores. Our defensive mechanism, structure and organisation is so strong that it continues to win us games when our offensive game is a bit off and our stoppage game is struggling.

It was Jimmy Bartel who had a great answer to a question from BT during one of his many digressions. BT was talking about Elvis songs for ages (during play, of course) and he asked Jimmy what’s your favourite Elvis song? Without missing a beat Jimmy says, “A Little Less Conversation.” ?

my spleen is enlarged - i haven't been able to vent it for some time.

Already won as many as last season. I've been to 7 wins this season, loving it.

A shout out for Petty who has copped a bit on here for some time, I thought his game was really solid yesterday. That kick from the guts in the last favouring Nibbler who ran off his man and goaled was a total ripper. Hoping he grows in confidence of that game, if so I reckon he'll more than cover the loss of Tomlinson

Blessed are they who are not BT, for they are not stupid, ignorant, deckhead buffoons. GO DEES!

Yes. Robert Flower was definitely A+. Anyone who saw him play will agree. No question about it.

Jackson averages 15 pressure acts a games over his last month. Weid had 4. Jackson can play against the primary and secondary ruckman for as long or as short as is needed. Jackson allows us to rest Gawn forward or more on the pine or a kick behind play. There is no question that Jackson is straight back in as soon once he is ready to go, the only question will be who for.

I don't think we've peaked at all. Working out what is our optimal forward set-up is very much work-in-progress.

Sorry but that is bunk.. Jacksons competitiveness in the air is outstanding. He is not clunking his marks yet but neither has Weid ever done that except from memory in that final against Geelong.

I understand there was an interview with Kate on the ABC this week, where she stated she had travelled and observed pre-game entertainment, and was encouraged by the US model. Personally I don't like all the hype that is the "Match Day experience" , Can you ask her why she thinks we need to suffer this intrusion. i.e Flashing lightning strikes and loud booms when we kick a goal, and blaring music during all the breaks. (I don't think I am alone here)

Boy, there's some tripe written at the start of this thread. I haven't bothered to keep reading. Anyone complaining about that needs to think (if they ever did) again. It was clear from the opening minutes - and bleeding' obvious by half time - that we were a class above them. It showed in ball use, marking and organisation. Their supporters knew it too. The only time they were excited was when Eddie pinched Langdon's handpass and goaled in the first. By the third term we're opening up a five goal break until dodgy decisions led to a McKay goal and moments later he had another thanks to the only bit of system they showed all day - man with ball bandpasses to Saad who nails a 40 metre pass to McKay. It was a set play and their best of the day. For our side McDonald was great again, Fritsch returned to form, Pickett was dangerous all day, Weideman did well around the ground and in the ruck, Oliver played one of his absolute best (BOG for mine), Lever and May did their thing and Petty showed he is going to fit in well. The only blemish I found in our game was that the forwards need to play together more. It was annoying seeing three talls flying simultaneously in the first half, but they seemed to have worked that out by the second half. On the same note one of Carlton's city end goals came from all the defenders going up together but that was an error not repeated. I worried that we might be 'due for a loss' as they say, but this was a game that said to me the group just sets itself for this moment, and this game. Very focused and well organised. Had it not rained at half time I think the margin would have been greater but in any case I am happy to have dominated an opposition that was supposed to be on the rise. The margin flattered the Blues and so did the umpires who were appalling. To have every player stop and wait for the whistle, then restart when the most obvious free all day was let go says it all. A 26 point margin that would have been in the 40s if the lime green fools had done their job properly. I'm looking forward to the replay to see what I missed. Maybe the dud comments are from people who watched on the box and weren't at the game because if they were there they'd have seen how well we set up around the ground. Or maybe their expectations were excessive, but this is a hard game and Carlton have some good players that make a contest. Anyway, a fine win, six in a row against the Princes Park Ponces.

It was so good to be back in our own reserved seats today. Hello old friends! As I took my seat I noticed a large weed flourishing between the cracks of the painted concrete directly below me. Hmmm.... is that a sign? Will the Weid play well today? I was looking forward to the game. Like others have said, it wasn't pretty, but it was workmanlike. The job was done without much fanfare, although there were enough exciting moments to make the win enjoyable. Never doubt the Big Mac when having a set shot! Hey Eddie, anything you can do, Kozzie can do better! May and Lever, take a bow, two Mr Reliables. ANB pops up when least expected to do some damage. Lots of love for the Weid every time he contested the ball. Trac wasn't his usual self but never mind, we still had a good time. Got the win, take the points, look to next week. Yes, getting used to this winning caper. Feels good!?

Their best jibes I agree Melbourne are exactly like us lose the games they are supposed to win easily. We are on here. Nothing to show for 70 years except a blown opportunity to get smashed in the 87 GF and a public humiliation in 2000. Now the Range Rover crew are giving us lip? Wait for the snow to melt before cracking wise. May I interest you in Aldi's snow gear sale ⛷ Melbourne home game, and we will still outnumber them 3/1. Melbourne are due for a loss. Their performance against Norf was deplorable, and were lucky to get away with a win. Petracca will be sore, and Melb are renowned for banking the points before a game is played. If we can shut down Salem, we are in with half a chance. Their despair Murphy one of our worst performers in the seniors this year but too good to play VFL. Pathetic. If all players were accountable no way would Pittonet and Casboult be getting a game. Some of us are trying to pretend that last Sunday didn't happen. Murph is nigh on useless. Bringing Murphy back in won't help at all. Round the grounds Gawn will slaughter pit. Pittonet needs to watch how Goldstein & Gawn play and then get 50% fitter. If you'd seen us play last week you'd know that our mids can't even read our own taps, let alone the opposition's. From 2015 we have, through draft, trades, FA and rookie, brought in 68 players, 31 of those are no longer with the club and worth noting that not one of those 31 were traded, all were effectively busts. We are sitting ducks on Sunday - in fact I hereby name Sunday, sitting duck Sunday. I am 99.9% confident we will lose. I can't see us getting anywhere near this mob. Their madness We are going to smash them this weekend , I've already placed my winning bet. The difference between Melbourne us is that have been through a few of years of learning how to win and it is starting top happen now. Who is to say Carlton is really years away from this - there isnt that much talent differential in the sides- experience yes talent no - Carlton may actually develop faster - we've got serious talent to come back in to this side - more than any other side with injuries can boast. Cripps to CHF on Lever … make him accountable otherwise he will be the difference. Their discernment Luke Jackson is not playing thankfully. If Melbourne stick to their usual M/O they will start their strongarm tactics. We just don't have anybody that can give it back to them. Pickett terrifies me. If he cuts loose we will be in a world of hurt. Deas are a bloody good side, not unbeatable but they are real quality. We need to go out all guns blazing, bring some genuine physicality and get the jump on them. Then we need to implement a good physical defensive game which we haven't yet. Pickett has a few tricks but averages just over 14 touches a game and about 1.75 goals a game this year. despite the Gary Lyon hyperbole he won't beat us by himself but we need stay on top of him. Pickett is crazy good. Do we have someone who can go with Petracca? Not really, but I think Setters is the best option while Petracca is in the middle. Does Ed go to Petracca or Oliver? Answer: Yes! Oliver - need to keep chewing his ear off about coming to Carlton. An out of form Gawn is still the best ruck in the AFL. From Leppa yesterday "they’re really competitive in the air, but if Weitering or Liam Jones don’t mark it and hits the deck, they’re not winning that ground level ball in their back half".

Hi all, It's the 100th episode of the Deeluded podcast this week, and we're very excited to interview President Kate Roffey. The club's flying at the moment, but there are plenty of big questions for the Board, including finding a new home base. We'd love to know what you'd like us to ask Kate—please leave your questions below, and we'll feature the best ones on the show. Thanks! Kiran & Nita

No point risking him. I would be happy to give him half a game at Casey and see how he pulls up. These feet of his are an endless issue and we can’t afford flare ups in finals.

Only now getting the chance to watch the replay and I can see why so many are talking about BT. Between him and James Brayshaw I don't know who is the bigger bellend. Was lucky enough to meet Kelly O'Donnell, Peter (Max) Maynard and Mark Weideman in the bar during the game (a friend of a friend knows them). Not withstanding the horse trading with Adelaide, Rick Lever had pretty much agreed to come to us months before it could actually be announced. It's common knowledge of course that we were into him before he was initially drafted. As for Weids there is little chance he'd end up at Collingwood even if he did want out at seasons end. Their salary cap is still a complete mess apparently. His dad was wearing a Melbourne scarf by the way.

Wasn't until I watched "all the goals" that I realised we only kicked one goal in the last quarter - total score was 1.7. I felt at the time like we were far more on top than the scoreboard suggested; this confirms it for me.

It is the only way I will avoid a heart attack.

Getty Images have no idea who Harry Petty is ...

Salem mentioned this in his post game interview. First person he had to thank was Mark Williams, talking about how calm they were with the ball now.

Interesting to note the absence of Viney correlating with our sudden drop in centre clearances.

I've watched good teams play ordinary football and keep racking up wins for years. It's pretty bloody exciting to finally follow a team doing the same. Great signs. And Viney makes us better. He's important.

Back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to backto back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back

Brayshaw's stats on the AFL website: 26 Disposals at 58% efficiency - agreed can be better but it was also wet conditions 12 Contested possessions - equal 5th on the ground 12 Intercept possessions - best on ground, this meant he stopped a lot of Carlton's moves forward 10 Clangers - your knock on him, Oliver had 11 to top the list with 2 more disposals, are we dropping him as well? Gus stays, there is nothing more certain.

Who knew how fun it was to follow a genuinely good team I don't think I've ever been this into footy

I don’t get the hate for weed in here. For his first game back in a long time I thought he held his own and did a number of really good things. No one comes off an extended period on the sidelines and rips their first game apart. He’ll be better for the run and I still think he is about to surprise a lot of people.

I thought you guys were just complaining but Jesus BT was insufferable on the commentary in this game. Not just cringeworthy like McLachlan or Basil or Ling but downright unprofessional in his constant belittling of the MFC. Surely the AFL can't be happy with their product being represented in this manner?

When was the last time a team didn't make mistakes in a game of footy?

The main question to ask new Melbourne Football Club President Kate Roffey has to be the progress of our home base (including administration, training, and a social club) in the MCG precinct area. I would also ask her thoughts about how to make the club stronger? What are we doing to increase our membership to 70,000+ in a few years time? How are we looking to grow in the Casey area and possibly look to building a social club at Casey Fields? What are the long term plans to make the Melbourne Football Club financially sustainable so that we don't have money issues ever again? Are we looking to ask the AFL to increase the soft-cap for football departments again? Or are we happy with where it currently is? I know that the Demons coach Simon Goodwin mentioned in an interview that it should be increased to pre-COVID (2020) levels again. Are the Demons going to consider lobbying the AFL to keep our Next Generation Academy (NGA) players for this year seeing as Mac Andrew may be a top 20 draft pick and it is unfair that the Western Bulldogs got their NGA player as the the number 1# draft pick last year and yet the system will not all the Demons to benefit from having the NGA this year? And the last question needs to be what are we doing to continually strive for success so that both our men's and women's team have the best opportunity to win AFL and AFLW Premierships?

Oath. I couldn't believe BT. I've never like his commentary but yesterday was an all time low. It was a disgrace.

Thanks mate but geeze that format of text destroys the ol eyeballs

Never looked like losing that one. Gritty team effort and we answered all they threw at us. Had it not been for Saad, Cripps & McKay and being a tad top heavy up forward on a wet day (IMHO) i think we probably win that by plenty. What a special first half that was from Tom! However, i reckon the Blues were in the main, better at us with their delivery inside 50 today as well as making space for their forwards to run in to. I feel there's lot's of room for improvement both from a line up / balance point of view, player methods / execution (Clarry & Tracc) and also pressure in terms of recognising when to retain shape in the zone across HB and when to attack the ball carrier coming through the middle (Tracc on at least two occasions which hurt us on the scoreboard both times i think). We also could have pulled the trigger a few times in defence, kicking out from the Punt Road end to a one on one with Ed & Hunt on the Southern wing when well ahead on the scoreboard with plenty of time on the clock. Instead we ignored and played it too safe a little too often, kicking long to a congested well covered Northern wing/boundary or too short to a player hemmed in deep in our 50 on the boundary/back flank northern side. Coming inside 50 we need to clean up delivery and hit the hot zone / higher conversion areas vs the pocket. Looking at Clarry here a bit. Put the opp under more pressure and allow the talls to contest, bring the ball to ground and the smalls to do their work. Instead we far too often hit that pocket and released the pressure valve on the opp's defence IMHO allowing the cavalry to arrive. I know we are looking to lock the ball in our 50 and have repeat entries but with such a tall line up i would hope to give them some more chances to impact by hitting these zones a little more often. Weid & Chandler should be better for the run but from a trust POV a fit Viney (or even Chunk/Melk) & LJ in for Chandler and one of either BB or Weid seems to be a big upgrade. And i'm not convinced with playing both BB & Weid together even on a dry day, but especially in the wet. Onwards to the the City of Churches to take on Tex Dubbo & his mates for a shot at 10 in a row. Go you Mighty Demons!

superstar best mid at the dees we've ever had since i started watching footy in 85 or so