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Minor premiers. Only team to be in the top four all season. Started the season with nine straight wins and ended the season with seven straight wins. Fewest points against in home and away season. Five All-Australians including the captain plus the coach (most of any team). Total losing margin across all games of 47 points (Geelong’s in 2007 was 45). AFLCA Award Winner (Oliver). Rising Star winner (Jackson). Average finals winning margin of over 10 goals without playing a single home final at our home ground. Won the Grand Final by 74 points. There’s probably a heap more but but I can certainly see why some people weren’t convinced.

This was my favourite Gawn comments on BigFooty from a Cats supporter. This was before the prelim… “Melbourne aren't that good. Their forward line is hardly scary apart from Pickett - smalls trouble us - and we have a stronger midfield. I don't think Gawn scares Stanley either.”

When our backline is talked about May and Lever have been fantastic and get the glory but anyone who doesn't have Salem in the same picture hasn't watched enough of Melbourne.

In all of my 45 years 2021 was, by a very long way, the best Melbourne team I have ever seen. Which i know is easy to say because we won the flag, but it just is. There have certainly been times throughout the decades where I have seen us play amazingly well. The QF against Carlton in 2000, times during 1990/91 before we [censored] the bed in the finals to the Eagles etc...we all can recall certain games or weekly periods where we were just "on" - only for the wheels to fall off But in 2021 we just got absolutely everything right and everyone peaked in terms of skills, fitness and mental strength right at the time of the season when they had to. Every player just went to another level as they all pushed each other there. That has never happened before and may never again. The way we dismantled Geelong and then the Bulldogs was utterly merciless and brutal. It was the most perfect, relentless football I have ever seen in my life. And as for Max, his game against Geelong was the best game I have ever seen a ruckman play. Like ever. And I am old enough to remember the individual brilliance of Stynes, Madden et al. It was just extraordinary.

According to Gawn at half time in the prelims Hawkins came up to him and said “you guys will choke”. After Gawn kicked his 5th he told Hawkins that it looks like they’re about to choke for the 11th time in a prelim. Nothing will compare to winning a flag, but smashing Geelong in a prelim is just about the greatest feeling one can experience in football.

Don’t know about midfield, but our 2021 backline was surely one of the best.

Except for the occasional Bont trick, their midfielders are accumulators (how often do Macrae and Hunter just lurk behind or on the side for easy possessions) not power players who can dominate and influence the game. Note how important Viney was in the third quarter in the centre square battles. That's power, not possessions. None of course can compare with CP5 or Clarrie.

Theres an old saying " trust leaves on horseback and comes back on foot" We have been busy losing trust for the last 56 years...and been walking back with it only in very recent years. All teams supporters want to hope we're a one hit wonder as it opens up larger possibilities for their team to win...and they're used to laughing at or at the least discounting the dees. Looking at the bigger picture we deserve it. That being said I don't believe we're anywhere near done. We were unbelievable in the finals this year and I honestly think that that was just a collective waking up to how good they really are. I dont think we've near peaked yet. This side, with a bit of luck could win 3 flags or more in the next 5 years.

All of my friends who support other clubs have said that we were clearly the best team in 2021...some even pointed that out to me during the season. They also said they had never seen a better display of football than the GF, best football they had witnessed in their time watching the game. Only a fool would be saying same old Melbourne now...that's old news. Whatever happens from here on I will look back at this year happy to have seen a premiership win by a great team and a performance for the ages.

So, as a reminder: Bris 2003 had Keating, Black, Voss, Hart West coast 2006 had Cox, Judd, Cousins, Kerr Cats 2009 had Ottens, Selwood, Ablett Jnr, Ling Hawthorn 2012 had Hale, Mitchell, Hodge, Sewell Melbourne 2021 had Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, Viney Before I started researching I didn't think we could be put up with the great midfields of this century. Now after listing them, I'm thinking we are right up there. Cox is the only ruck who would give Gawn any legitimate competition, in fact the West coast starting midfield is the only one there I would say could provide serious competition.

I don't think we'll ever be blessed to the extent we were in 2021. Hopefully blokes like Weid, J Smith, Hunt, Dunstan, Melksham and Tomlinson can slot in seamlessly the way Petty and Bowey did in 2021.

The Doggies midfield is deep and they have an excellent group of skilled players. But apart from Bontempelli, in my opinion they don't have the elite "power" midfield players (including rucks) that we are accumulating. You can see it in our players' strength and build.

I go back further to Shultz, Farmer, Nicholls, Dempsey, Moss, Thompson and others. Maxie's all round game in the air and on the ground was by far the most dominant of any of the above. He is worthy of being considered in their company.

Mays opponent lived up to his name, had Naught impact on the game....we won by 74 points; what else was may supposed to do....

3 reasons we flogged the dogs in the GF ........ Our Mids are far better than theirs Our Backs are far better than their forwards. Our Forwards are far better than their backs.

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I wouldn’t include the ‘06 Eagles midfield/team. Not because they weren’t great but because of the ‘assistance’ that was being passed around.

Petracca's obviously more explosive and more exciting to watch in significant games (e.g. Anzac Eve and the finals) but I feel that Oliver produces his best football on a more consistent basis. That being said, the Petracca/Oliver debate is probably redundant. We should just feel really lucky to have both. They're easily the best midfield duo I've ever seen.

Yes indeed! Not wanting to put the Moz on him but Sparrow is going to be special. He IS really an elite kick, delivered to Brown perfectly, nearly got two, and in a couple of other score involvements, kicks really long and got a few long bombs on the run through the season.... and ...he gets inside. And only approx 30 games at 21yo....? Going to be an unreal asset!!!

I went with the Dennis Commetti commentary version tonight. Loved this call when Clarry kicked the last of the third. Enjoy from Petracca's goal.....

Um dont ever forget ROB FLOWER EVER

I really hope Marty can get a clean run at it with Norf.

Realistically, the wing options we have are: Langdon Brayshaw Baker Rosman Howes None of the others on that list have ever proven themselves to play on the wing, or would have the running capacity to do the role. Of that list, I don't think Baker's disposal is good enough and for him to become a realistic option he needs to get a lot better in that area. Howes is very light on at the moment, so I would be surprised to see him play much this season, especially early in the year. Rosman looks like the most likely to get a crack on the wing next should we need to shuffle things around. Edit - I think we could also add ANB to that list, as he absolutely has the running ability to play the role.

Au contraire - I would hope that each and every one was.

On the biggest stage, on the last Saturday of the season when it counts, the performance of the Viney, Harmes and Brayshaw was irrefutably superior to the purported Footscray trio. VENI VICI VIDI.

We'd be doing seriously well if we can start 5-0 given we have the Dogs and Port in Adelaide. GWS at the G won't be a picnic either.

Was going to post the same but you beat me to it. This season the players hoped they could do it. Now they know they can dominate the best sides in the comp. Confidence you cannot buy.

It's the most consistent I've ever seen us and I think its because it was built on a solid foundation of a sound defensive structure and supreme fitness allowing us to run up and down the field all day. I've never seen a Melbourne team with such strong defense as 2021.

It appeared to me to be above padding height when it went through. Another of Sparrows massive one step kicks which is never mentioned was in the prelim when he kicked the ball long and deep with a lot of hang time to the goal square that enabled Pickett to get the sit on the contest, mark and goal without missing a beat.

My old man is 73 and declared during the finals it's the best he's seen them play since he was a kid. I know for sure it's the best I've seen them play. The way we defend the whole ground is brilliant and then when we attack it's fast and aggressive. The work rate is amazing.

I feel like there will be a few oppo fans with sour grapes that try to taint the achievement of last year. I think the funny thing is the quirk of the AFL is that it’s not unusual for the best team of the year to not win the Premiership. We defied that trend by being the best across the board the whole season, how Geelong almost snatched the minor premiership is beyond me because they were very ordinary early on. Port were pretenders. The Lion’s best was very strong but they couldn’t sustain it. Dogs were the only true challengers but [censored] the bed at the end of the season making it hard for them. There can be no doubt: we were absolutely the deserved premiers. Now comes the next challenge, backing it up as the hunted!

Got that whole game on USB that regularly gets a run in the car, the yard, the shed .... Whenever, wherever 😎 I don't mind the 3AW version either. I get a kick out've listening to Lloyd have a chuckle in amazement as Oliver slams his through. Enjoy from Petraccas goal 😉😀

Maybe that's why Stanley left Gawn alone to mark and kick the match-winning goal in r23 😛

I am with your dad, about the same age as well. There have been times in individual games where the Dees were supreme. But for consistency over the season making me smile. This lot are by far the best. Perhaps individuals you could argue but the team is the best I can remember. looking to repeat in 2022. Go Dees

Agreed. 😆 I reckon another awesome fictional character and Western Bulldogs player lookalike pair is Basil Fawlty and Josh Bruce.

The challenge to hang onto the players in this group will be the biggest this club has faced. There is no doubt there is another flag in our future if we do. We need to replicate what Geelong and Hawthorn did.

Think I will work my way through the season looking at games through the prism of a Premiership and our quality of play in the final series. Posted in the Post grand final thread my round 1 observations. I remember that there was a lot of pumping up of the Saints early in the season and I was not confident prior to the game and I have to say that watching the replay of this game and knowing the outcome did not mean that the frustration levels were any less than watching it live. 12 goals 19 behinds with us scoring 3.6 in each of the last two quarters. 9 different goal scorers and 9 different behind kickers. not sure how many we missed completely. Frustrating and it highlighted what would become a theme in the first half of the season with us winning games with a dysfunctional forward line. My observations: - Viney in for Harmes who was injured jack kicks a goal with his first touch.... - Players in the team that did not play in the GF Jetta, Tomlinson, Hunt, Jones and Baker. - Commentators talking up Saints every opportunity. - Umps pulled the trigger on play on calls very quickly.... I seem to remember that this happen a few weeks before it settled down. - Oliver was a clearance machine and his connection with max was obvious. Also started to see the Oliver/Petracca combo being built. - Langdon smooth mover and his disposal quality was better than the 2020 season. - Support in both defence and attack was something I saw a lot of off the back of some excellent pressure. This was a developing theme for me during the season. - Salem crazy good with his positional play and support efforts. - Forwards all over the place like a mad person's breakfast except for the Kossie/Spargo combination. They work well together. - Petracca's strength. He really stepped up and continued to develop during the season. - I also saw the team's turnover reaction as a big plus. Their reaction to adjusting their structure to switch from defence to attack or from attack to defence was fast and well drilled. - There was a growing awareness of the potential of the quality of our defence. Second game that the defence dominated with intercept marking. As I said, a frustrating game to watch live and a no less frustrating game to watch on replay.

At least he has some value.....

To be fair I'm still not convinced by Richmond and they've won 3 flags 😂

II think it is nonsense to say we suddenly drop out of the 8 if we lose particular players. One of the things that l love about our list building is we now have such depth, and our recruitment has been not only geared to our long term future, but to give us an insurance against injuries. We now have most positions covered. I love in particular the recruitment of Dunstan: unwanted by the Hawks because of his poor kicking skills, but in most other aspects elite particularly his hardness at the ball. We have several players who were recruited from other clubs because of lack of skills, but had great strengths as well (eg Langdon). Just as Choco’s academy taught him to kick, so it will for Dunstan. It is very reassuring that we have such smart people running our club. Brilliant list management by our guys, and just gives further credence to the confidence we have built for the future.

How nice must it be for draftees coming to Melbourne thinking, “these guys have been good at nurturing and developing players”. It’s such a removal from what we were pre-Roos. Allowing young players to come into their own at a steady pace is such a beautiful thing. Hopefully this coming season they have a full VFL to get match practice and game time.

Picky arent you

Uh May was a almost a liability in the GF. Such a competitor that he was able to beat his opponent but there were quite a few moments where the hammy was limiting him. I wouldn’t be using him as an example that it’s ok to play unfit players.

McCrae is a ball magnet. He just doesn’t have the acceleration of Clarry which is why he isn’t as good. Oliver can gain 5m on his opponent in a flash, which is why he is so damaging and so hard to stop. McCrae is a very very good player and I would love him in our side. But Oliver is a once in a generation freak of nature.

Alright. Here's the first installment. I have work to do you know! O gather round ye people be rich or be poor And hear the lay with which I now ye bore The tale of a man bearded, tall and lank And of another constantly running the flank And of yet another e'er under the pack And yet of one more holding down the back I sing of a man both painted and hairless And of some other weird-haired and fearless And so many more of whose tale I sing And yet I forerun this tale I bring Forebear me my friends to start at the start And list to the saga of which I will chart The tale I tell is one of great gladness Yet borne of long years of many a sadness Of years of tanking and losses and death And how the great club near took its last breath I sing of long years under shadow of dark Of Flower and Wells and Alves and Parke When glory was ever a long way far And club was learning of failure and scar I sing of the coaches, Swooper and Neale Who made dreams of glory appear almost real And yet this same glory was proved to be wrong The team failed September, many a year long I sing of the years of a man named Bailey When teams of the demons were made to play fraily The rumours of tanking were wild and rife These sorry tales cost Dean his life I sing of the tragedy of hundred eight six Of Schwab and of Szondy and sad politics I sing of the years of a man name of Neeld When weekly the teams of the demons would yield But lo, all my lay is not sorrow and drear For man name of Jackson did sudden appear And soon thereafter the man known as Roos Who 'gainst all good reason the Demons did choose This saviour shored up our leaky defence And brought some degree of respect and hence The start of a sense of belief was born When down at the Cats emerged the Gawn Then in year sixteen the Hawthorns were downed To end their fourpeat, Dees were back in the town Then Paul turned over the team to Simon Who sent the demons the ladder a-climbin' Yet stumbles appeared in our rise up the ladder To make the top eight was proved to be harder A saviour appeared in the man named Hogan Who sadly turned out to be but a bogan Then on the Queen’s birthday in year seventeen The Demons with Watts arrived on the scene The party got started the following year The Demons in finals announced we were here The Cats were demolished in very short fashion And next week the Hawks were trounced with no compassion At this point the party was halted so sadly And next year the Demons performed rather badly In twenty the fortunes did barely arisen With no sign of what was just over horizon

It's really tempting to project all kinds of stuff onto that guy's reaction, but it was ALL just written so clearly on his face. That the cup was in reach and that we were maybe really finally going to do it, and all the elation of how we were playing...but also that familiar little voice saying, "But what if we lose it from here?", will I ever see us get so close again? I've said before, would love to know this guy's story. I hope he doesn't feel embarrassed by his display of such raw emotion because I find it very moving every single time and it brings me right back into that moment as it first happened.

Not sure non one-eyed supporters would agree with you on every aspect of this. Still think Libba has Viney covered. Treloar is much better than Harmes and Smith is ahead of Brayshaw.

The Dogs list is deep with talent but it’s not balanced. They have a lot of very good ball winners in the middle but they have a poor backline, no good ruck and their forwardline is suspect without Bruce taking away a tall. The issue with the Dogs midfield is they are us in 2018. Bees to the honeypot. Too many players doing the same thing. It’s why we were able to get so many center clearance goals in the granny. Nobody defended. They all tried winning the stoppage.

Some other samples just came in.

Whilst the Doggies probably edge us out in their midfield depth (Bont, Macrae, Libba, Dunkley, Treloar, Hunter, Smith), they lack a major weapon in the ruck department and we have two of them in Max and LJ. So overall, the Demons probably have the better total midfield setup. THE DOGGIES DONT EDGE US OUT IN THE MIDFIELD AT ALL. WE ARE AND HAVE THE BEST MIDS GOING AROUND.