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The dilemma for the Cats is whether to keep their chip-and-possession game, rack up the wins at Kardinia, and get walloped in finals again. Or change to a more bruising finals-ready style and have their senior citizens beaten up every week, then get walloped in the finals.

Finally, after so many years, it’s a bloody good time to be a Melbourne supporter living in Geelong.

@Deemented Are Go!sent this when it was announced, it’s appropriate. And I can confirm, cats fans are not happy.

The Kardinia Park scoreboard was running on Preliminary Final night.

It's the right thing to do. A captain shouldn't desert his sinking ship

A shout out to Col Garland. In the article he says: "The club means a lot to me. I was there from age 18 to 30...After your time, you just become a supporter...And it's just like anything in life. When you see close friends, who are good people, achieve success in whatever field - that's a really good thing." I always was a fan but he went to the top when he commented on (his good mate) Frawley winning a premiership. He said something like: If I don't win one with Melbourne it won't mean much'. Little doubt Garland's heart still beats true.

That game was wiped from my demon history when over. What I can't forget is the distress at watching a terminally ill Jimmy struggle though the press conf to sack Dean Bailey. And then watching Bailey all alone to front the media, stripped of club colours and of a sponsor board. He was a good man, gave us his all and deserved better. I had tears all the way for both of them and for our beloved club. For mine the aftermath of 186 was more ignominious for our club than the loss itself. Any lingering feelings about 186 were wiped with the rnd 23, after the siren goal to give us a redeeming win at the scene of the crime. Ultimate redemption was thrashing the Cats in the penultimate game of our season; a Preliminary final on the second biggest stage of all with the footy world watching. All was atoned that day.

Lol

May has delivered precisely what we recruited him for. He is a prime example of our outstanding list management and player development of the last few years

The Rock of Gibraltar in Melbourne’s defence throughout the season, May overcame the pain of a hamstring injury in the Grand Final and restricted the Bulldog danger man to nine touches and a single goal in what will become part of club legend. Date of Birth: 10 January, 1992 Height: 193cm Weight: 100kg Games MFC 2021: 23 Career Total: 171 Goals MFC 2021: 0 Career Total: 23 Brownlow Medal Votes 2021: 1 All Australian Premiership Player

Marvellous News

Sometimes I only watch it for 31 seconds

My husband just said to me “maybe we should watch the grand final again”. God I married well.

We're really inside their heads Reality is going to hit hard over the next few years. They had their chances and blew it. Melbourne is only going to improve given age profile and recruiting - I honestly can't see anywhere where we are likely to improve. We did not look competitive against Melbourne... It was embarrassing... Tell me where the team is going to improve. Chris bet on recruiting old blokes for short term success and failed. Now we are stuck with a list full of blokes who can hardly run out a full season and little if any young talent. What isn't to like about his strategy and success??? If Melbourne had have lost the GF would we be highlighting their poor H&A performances too? After all they drew with the lowly Hawks, lost to GWS at the ‘G and were thoroughly outplayed in a loss to the Pies. If we fielded 22 players who came through the falcons and played their entire careers with the cats, Gawn wouldn’t have torn us a new one in the prelim. The ball would have known what it was up against and behaved differently. Based on the GF, Melbourne are the better side. Looking at Melb we are nowhere near it. Interesting watching on the couch Goodwin mentions in one of his breaks he told the team basically get it on the boot and go for distance. Common theme this year in finals with the other top teams is that they worked hard on both quick breaks from the centre clearances, and often getting territory especially up the middle of the ground. The emotional high of 10/10 season and winning a premiership (no guarantee of this either) feels better for everyone and does actually impact the bottom line (as Melbourne have found out). Melb are the Premiers and then you have got daylight to the rest. Looking at Melbourne 16 other teams were also no where near it. And those teams aren't relying on 30 years olds going forward but are looking to youth. They are better than us and have more top-end players in an age bracket where they will be able to continue at that level for several years, where we do not. Is there much star power? You have Cameron and Stewart who are both high-end players still in their prime age bracket. Dangerfield, Hawkins and Selwood are big names who have performed to a high standard but are very much on their way down. Other than that, it's pretty barren. It's a long way from Melbourne who have a group of top-end players who will be in their footballing prime for a number of years yet. We are yesterday's news. We have a better forward line than Melbourne but its pointless if the ball either doesn't get down there, or gets down there after the other team has had 3 minutes to flood numbers back while we play kick to kick on the half back line. Psychotic and mood disorders related narratives Oh please tell me if we can have 16 minute quarters and 17 rounds a year for the next two years of Scott's contract extension. I told the club 2 years ago I'm not renewing my membership until Scott Is gone and that was after 38 years of being a member. Looks like I'll have to wait another 3 years. I can remember at the after match coaches press conferences at the conclusion of the 2011 GF - and Mick Malthouse said – quote " This will be my last day at the football club " Well when Scott says that - it will be music to my ears. Ummm so without Stewart MOC Parfitt a banged up Danger and maybe a virus hanging around you expected the team to perform to a level to topple the best in September? Seriously? Isaac Smith said it best, the most embarrassing game he has ever been apart off. That coming from a person who only knows what winning and success means. The lions have proven to be bigger finals bed ****ters than we are. Terrible decision... Didn't expect anything else though - getting reamed and embarrassed in finals is considered a success by the club lololol. How dare anyone suggest a thing called change could lead to a better outcome - it's not like Chris has had enough time to control every aspect of the list and game plan. Captain Ahab continues at the helm. Is it April the 1st today. What a laughing stock our club is becoming. Good luck getting membership renewals. Long may we say God save the Queen, but nothing will save the coach. Damn was hoping we could chase Buckley … then again being Melb based he probably wouldn’t want to drive down here for the job anyway

I can't have Geelong in that group. $15 to $20 is more like it.

"Luke, could you spare the old man another million? I wanna buy another couple of Lamborghinis. Good lad." My actual daughter is vaguely aware of a sport known as football and has been informed by her mother that Dad is quite pleased about it, because his team the ... the whatever they are ... won something recently.

In the preliminary final Geelong's 2nd youngest player was Gryan Miers, who was 22 years old. We had 8 players in that game younger than Miers, whilst Geelong had 1 (Max Holmes). Our second oldest player in that game was Max Gawn, who was 29 years old. Geelong had 11 players older than Gawn, whilst we had 1 (Hibberd). They're probably right to try to keep wringing whatever performance they can out of this group because, really, what's the alternative? They have 11 players under 22 on their list and they have combined for 42 games in total .... of which 29 have been played by Jordan Clark who is leaving. It's pretty dire.

Buy now pay later. I don't care I've seen a premiership.

An 80 year contract but in dog years?

I get that articles will be printed and you want to start a conversation but we are all now in a happy place now rather than in a vale of negativity. Personally I am looking forward to next season and going back to back rather than going over old ground. 🏆

He was 19 when he won those, can’t stand them entitled teens these days.

Luke flats with my mate's son. Said the other two clubs that interviewed him basically said the same thing - "what can you bring to us". Luke said Dees said to him "this is what we can offer you". My friend said Luke is a ripping young man and was hoping he'd land at the Bombres (her team).

Fan made

We have done this so well the last few years. The 'Afterpay' kings: How Demons have mastered future pick tradin

14 days ago A glorious night in Perth The Demons were Premiers 2021 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

Isn’t it great having a trade week where none of the available players are better than what we’ve already got.

My main reflection about that game was that it triggered the sacking of Bailey. And my main reflection on that decision is we were still well in the hunt for a final's spot. Yes, 186 was obviously a sign things were crook in Tilabrook, but getting sacked when you still have good chance of making finals past the mid point of the season was really tough on Bails.

I was thinking the same thing. Mitchell might have made himself look like a naive, incompetent newbie and that will hurt them, but he at least has the right idea. Signing Chris Scott for another three years is an endorsement of his top-up with senior players strategy. They’ve developed very, very little young talent as per rpfc’s post a month or so back. Once the team loses its competitiveness, it won’t be an attractive destination for those senior players. The fall will be accelerated as a result. The cliff is coming. Scott doesn’t see out his three years, and Geelong are set back further by not having recognised the need for a strategy change earlier. It is going to be magnificent.

In the 2021 finals series our winning margins totalled 190 points; I like to think that with that symbolism, and winning the flag, we consigned the 1979 Fitzroy and Geelong 186 results to the shizen hausen - way down past where they can creep up and cause us mental fragility about whether our club could ever climb the mountain again.

Its important that nursing homes have good experienced management. The quality of care for ageing footballers is exemplary down there.

Just make sure he has the teeth in for the Tinder profile - after all, he plays for the MFC, not Collingwood!!

I would not recruit a ruckman with a top 10 pick, I agree waiting 5+ years for them to hold down the job is a huge expense. But Luke Jackson isn't really a ruckman (or isn't only a ruckman), and I'd still have some worries about Jacko holding up a full time ruck job until he's 22+, fortunately we haven't asked him to do that. Josh Fraser didn't last doing it. Grundy's not tracking on the same level after a lot of getting belted early in his career too. Even though he'll almost certainly end up a ruckman and came in to AFL footy most confident as a ruckman there's a reason Simon Goodwin played Jackson for a rotation or two as a centre square midfielder (as well as a ruck) in his first AFL preseason game. And a reason Jackson gets asked to play as a key forward a lot too (apart from because that's where the ruck spells). He's a super athletic competitive footballer who can provide huge value in so many ways. His hit outs rarely matter, but his follow up is amazing, his ability to clunk marks or force contests across half forward is huge. With an obstructed run at the ball Jackson isn't getting beat by key defenders and is starting to beat them back. His ability to chase, tackle and pressure is vital to us playing 4 tall rucks/forwards and Fritsch. If Mac goes top 20 and especially top 10 it's because he's not a ruckman but a super athletic footballer who can ruck and do other things. GWS have Matt Flynn (solid and improving), Preuss (solid if healthy), Briggs (promising) and might get Lobb (hates rucking but can do it) back. They aren't chasing a primary ruckman any time soon. What they're looking for is a guy in the mold of Jackson, but also in the mold of Nik Cox and Zach Reid at Essendon, Aliir Aliir, Harris Andrews, even the King twins. Sure there's a risk that means they become Rhys Stanley or Rory Lobb, but 200cm + can seriously move + wins the ball + can use it. Doesn't matter what position you play in juniors if you can do those things you're a rare talent, which means an early pick and let the coaches work out the rest.

For anyone worried he isn’t up to our standard, watch the Rnd 14 replay against the Tigers. Wet and cold Friday night big stage, lined up against Dusty often in the middle Luke had 32 quality touches, 1 goal and 3 Brownlow votes. If that is your injury cover, that’s sensational

I’m not convinced yet. Seems a bit selfish winning Rising Stars and Premierships at 20.

The experience I had with with dad and uncle was enough in itself. After the first quarter the smile on my uncles face and my dad saying things like “last time we were in front in quarter time in a grand final, we won.” Second quarter my dad leaving for half time show, my uncle saying “we had them, we were so close…” Third quarter from my uncle declaring it over and my dad being on misery to the turnabout. Dad saying, he’d be very happy going in with a one goal lead, to the burst. They both erupted. It’s never seen them like that in a long time. Fourth quarter, both men shedding tears. Neither are much for hugging men (I’m the only one who still gets hugs, my brothers don’t) they actually hugged each other. It was extraordinary. Being able to experience that moment with them is something I’ll never forget. Knowing my uncle doesn’t have much time left, it’s a family memory we'll always treasure.

Admins please note that I’m not encouraging anyone to bet, just providing the first 2022 premiership market as an item of public interest - $5.00 Melbourne $7.00 Western Bulldogs $8.00 Brisbane $9.00 Geelong, Port Adelaide $11.00 Richmond, Sydney $15.00 West Coast $17.00 GWS Giants $21.00 St Kilda $26.00 Fremantle, Essendon $34.00 Carlton $67.00 Adelaide, Collingwood $81.00 Hawthorn, Gold Coast $101.00 North Melbourne

I think Luke is young man who in his 2 seasons has achieve only what other players could dream off, listening to some interviews he does not come across as a player with tickets on himself. He sounds level headed and when thrown into the deep end lifts his game rather than drowning in expectation these are characteristics that make a champion compare his 30 game career to Jack Watts who basically was thrown to the wolves and drowned in the expectation.

That was on my birthday and my wife booked tickets for the game and a hotel in Geelong for the night. Worst faarken birthday ever. Standing behind the goals with a cousin who lives in and barracks for Geelong watching the ball fly over our heads over and over again and my cousin checking phone to advise me if it was going to be a record margin and updating me constantly. Just to be clear my wife is not my cousin they were both there.

Unlike you to pull the wrong rein WJ, but I really don't think two weeks after the club's greatest ever triumph in a Covid affected, 18 team national competition, where we finished top and smashed the finals, away from our rightful home, is the time to start headlining our greatest ignominies. Yeah we've come a long way baby - we all know that. Now's the time for countin' coz the dealins done.

I couldn’t back against us for the premiership but, for the grand final, Essendon would be the smoky there!

With Mitchell out shopping his only decent experienced players and getting donuts, the only good thing about Hawthorn is they are not Geelong.

The question is he a good coach or has had good cattle because of the recruiting of Stephen Wells and free agency players wanting to play finals. In the 11 season to date he has coached Geelong to one premiership, the first after Thompson retired, with a team that lost the preliminary final to Collingwood the eventual premiers. Has now coached the teams to multiple preliminary finals 2011 winner, 2013 lost, 2016 lost, 2017 lost, 2019 lost, 2020 won and 2021 lost, it seems like a great record but is it the players or the coach. The Geelong team seems to be able to recruit good players in the twilght of their careers and then promise them they are a part of the premiership squad but fail to deliver 2020 they lost the qualifying final and had to get to grand final the hard way Richmond also did the same they were 15 points in front at half time but old legs become tired in the 2nd half of matches and lost by 31. The game at Geelong this year 44 points in front 10 minutes into the 3rd quarter and lost by 4 points, the preliminary final Melbourne kicks 8 goals in the 3rd quarter and win by 83 points. He has not refreshed the side using youth mixed with experience but more old experience players disadvantaging players like Clark and Constable. I realise they lost Parfitt before the Preliminary final but they were the oldest team in the finals and MFC was the youngest.

I wouldn't😉

Very apt. The Cat's season was like a souffle gone wrong.

Not sure if anyone put this up yet: AFL Trade Exchange - Melbourne List Manager Tim Lamb https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=913703

Seriously though, no one with any choice in the matter is leaving the MFC in the next 5 years. it's going to be bloody exciting.

He would be bonkers to leave now, if he really wanted to go home you would stay with us until he hits his prime in 5-6 years. Take the 1.5 mil from freo and head home with 3 premierships draped around his neck.