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Listening to Ben Gibson on Gus & Gawny he stated a documentary on Goodwin mic’d up during the GF will premiere tomorrow night on AFL, by AFL I’m guessing on AFL live. About 36 minutes in duration and this would definitely be worth a watch for insights. Apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere and wondering if anyone else has any details or heard about this.

Bont should have got a week for his head bump on Oliver in the gf. But hey let's not rub out any big names.

Imagine the equivalent ‘what they’re saying down at Demonland’ thread… “they seem to be fascinated by a Carlton player and the machinations of a trade that never happened.” ”well at least they ain’t obsessed with bananas like they was a few years ago!” ”that rpfc is astute! If I knew what that word means”

I got a message during the week on our Facebook page from one of the guys involved in producing it and he said it's amazing.

From the moment the Melbourne team decided to celebrate its 2021 AFL Grand Final premiership victory with the same song the Bulldogs sang after their Preliminary Final win over Port Adelaide, it was game on. Legend has it that the losers were so incensed at what they considered a sleight on their character as footballers that the teams almost came to blows at a Perth nightclub just days after the premiership decider. As an interested observer of human nature, I was intrigued about how far the game had come in the 57 years since the Demons had won their last flag. Back then the Magpies dealt with a grand final defeat in the traditional way of getting sloshed and returning to work on Monday a little worse for wear but otherwise getting on with life. On the other hand, the Doggies have done it hard and never forgot the alleged theft of their favourite song. They’re champing at the bit and clamouring for revenge which makes Wednesday night’s opening round rematch at the MCG a little bit of a danger game for Melbourne. Melbourne supporters have continued to celebrate in various ways ranging from a month or two’s stint in a Perth prison to nightly replays, hoisting red and blue flags over their balconies and turning up at the G in December to lift up the premiership cup, the Western Bulldogs fans, their players and coach have been seething in silence, plotting their revenge. While coach Luke Beveridge claimed that he wouldn’t use that nightclub incident to motivate his group before the season opener, it keeps coming up whenever the game comes under discussion. The pity for them is that they showed more fight on the dance room floor than on the grass of Optus Stadium because the trauma has lived on rent free in their minds for far too long after the event. And the news for the Bulldogs is that come Wednesday night, it’s going to be the same old song (but with a different meaning since the premiership’s been gone). The reason is that games of football are rarely based on emotion these days but on ability and talent. The Demons look set to go into the game with a couple of solid defenders missing through injury in Harry Petty and Trent Rivers but they look to have the depth to replace them. The main battle will be fought as usual in the midfield where the memory of the dominance of Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney, assisted in the ruck by skipper Max Gawn and Luke Jackson has managed to haunt the Bulldogs throughout the summer. Their own midfield, led by Marcus Bontempelli, is pretty, pretty good but it won’t be enough to cover the chinks in their armour elsewhere around the ground. The only thing that will hurt the Demons is their own hubris and the boneheadedness that blighted them in the pre season Challenge Cup when they decided to take on the umpires and gave away well over half a kilometre of territory through their own stupidity. On Wednesday night, it will be a case of back to earth, the unfurling of a long-awaited and well earned premiership flag and back to business on the home turf of the MCG. Melbourne to win by 19 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at The MCG, Wednesday March 16, 2022 at 7.10 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 90 wins 1 draw Western Bulldogs 78 wins At The MCG Melbourne 46 wins Western Bulldogs 29 wins Last Five Meetings Melbourne 3 wins Western Bulldogs 2 wins The Coaches Goodwin 5 wins Beveridge 3wins MEDIA TV live and on demand on Kayo and live on the Seven Network and Foxtel. Check your local guides. Radio - check your local guides. THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 21.14.140 defeated Western Bulldogs 10.6.66 at Optus Stadium in the 2021 Grand Final One of the club’s most famous victories. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: J.Smith 44 S.May 1 C.Salem 3 HB: J.Bowey 17 A. Tomlinson 20 J.Harmes 4 C: A.Brayshaw 10 C.Oliver 13 E.Langdon 15 HF: C.Spargo 9 T.McDonald 25 A.Neal-Bullen 30 F: J.Viney 7 B.Brown 50 B.Fritsch 31 Foll: M.Gawn - C 11 C.Petracca 5 T.Sparrow 32 I/C: L.Jackson 6 J.Jordon 23 J.Hunt 29 K.Pickett 36 Sub: T.Bedford 12 Emerg: S.Weideman 26 L.Dunstan 27 WESTERN BULLDOGS B: E.Richards 20 A.Keath 42 B.Williams 34 HB: C.Daniel 35 Z.Cordy 12 B.Dale 31 C: B.Smith 6 J.Dunkley 5 R. Gardner 43 HF: C.Weightman 19 J.Schache 13 A.Treloar 1 F: L.Vandermeer 23 A.Naughton 33 L. Hunter 7 Foll: T.English 44 J.Macrae 11 M.Bontempelli - C 4 I/C: H. Crozier 9 T.Liberatore 21 M.Hannan 29 R.Smith 37 Sub: J. Ugle-Hagan 2 Emerg: S. Martin 8 R.McComb 27 J. Lever came out of Melbourne’s and J. Johannisen came out of the Western Bulldogs’ team - injured. Injury List: Round 1 Michael Hibberd (calf) — Round 2 Jake Lever (ruptured plantar fascia) — Round 2/3 Harry Petty (knee) — Round 3/4 Trent Rivers (knee) — Round 3/4

I am surprised Malthouse has Melbourne in his top eight.

It's important to make a statement, not only to the Bullies but to the competition. Get the season off to a flying start. But it's no certainty. The GF aside, we split the honours last year with us losing the second contest due to failing to take advantage of our opportunities. The two we won on the other hand saw us start fast and take them by the collar early. A solid win here would be some way towards establishing a psychological advantage over a team that is pretty good at believing its own hype, so there's plenty to gain beyond the four points if we get it done.

I don't have an issue with Bevo giving that message to the club nor the message he gave players which I quoted in my first post. For the 3rd time: I was comparing approaches by the two coaches. Complex and ambiguous vs KIS. I'm out on this topic.

I for the life of can’t work out why the media narrative isn’t about the Bulldogs over-celebrating the preliminary final. That should be the story, we were even accused of over-celebrating the round 23 win over Geelong which resulted in us winning the minor premiership!

Liverpool better hope the Dogs don't get promoted to the premier league. It'll be on.

Dropped on form? More like buckled at the knee's.

All footy journos are the same. They pick the best team to slide, one of the close contenders to win it and the middle and bottom teams to stay where they are. Jake predicted we would finish 9th in 2021. Literally where we finished in 2020. Brilliant insight. His opinion is worth less than that of us random posters on here - bias be damned. Not a single journo picked us to rise even to top 6 in 2021, which shows how little attention they pay to the details - it was all there to see if they looked closely enough, irrespective of the luck we had with injuries. The clairvoyants are now saying Carlton to rise and Hawthorn to fall - literally a continuation of JLT form. Oh how easy a job it must be. Don't get me wrong - I agree on Carlton but for different reasons - no pundit or journo has spoken about their vastly improved body language & team unity that was on show against us. There was a lot of connection, support & selflessness. It wasn't until we added these elements that the other pieces clicked. They'll do Ok. I don't have the time to watch all the teams that closely & only watched Carlton because they were playing us. Other teams may be similarly poised. But the journos are paid to watch it & still not one can really nail some out of the box predictions.

Hello to all the Dogs fans. Welcome. Please don’t feel special we make these threads for every game. Enjoy your stay. Petracca says hi

Lack of strong umpiring helped a lot. Throw it to me, throw it to me.

I expect a Red Hot contest early and then the Boys will break them The noise will be glorious

So to avoid being a victim of technology we should have the membership cards instead of this phone rubbish. The ticketing system is a pathetic fiasco.

Make no mistake. I boo my heart out. Goodwin wants our home ground to be a hostile environment. I try to help him out. All part of the theatre.

Whilst we're on Jack, he was the guest on the recent Gus and Gawny podcast. He revealed that he approached Goody and Richo before the GF, and asked if it was okay to line up a Dogs player at the opening bounce, and accept whatever suspension. Goody and Richo said no. He still cleaned up Macrae, and didn't cop a suspension.

I didn't like her insinuation either that many of the coaches and people from other clubs would have frowned upon what was said by Kate. i heard snippets from her speech and thought it was fantastic. I think Kate is very well spoken and her passion shines through. Nothing arrogant about anything I ever hear her say. Seems like Caro was making something out of nothing.

It was a Jake Niall statement based on practically nothing. Poor form for a journo I regard. Having said that he tips us to go back to back. And if we don't get another flag we'll be seen as underachievers. (like the Bombers in 2000 IMO) Who would have thought the Dees being in this conversation a few years ago. Caro on the other hand was excellent in her views on the GF replay and the Dees as a team. Said nothing was going to stop the Dees in the GF and the Dogs even now are a long way behind MFC. She admitted the Tiges got cocky after 2017, and what's wrong with that anyway?

At Liverpool FC right now: "Lads, I've 'eard there's this Ozzy football cloob that's tekken our song. The Booldogs. Can you believe that, eh? Booldogs, an' they're not even British." "But cap. It's not our song. Every fooken sports cloob in the fooken wairld sings that song." "Well, yass, that's true. Ah suppose so. But let's --- oh, what the hell. They can fooken 'ave it. It's a daft song anyway. Now 'oos coomin' down the poob?" Aye." Aye." Aye." Aye." Aye." Aye." Aye." "Aye."

Viney: "Apparently there is going to be the biggest fireworks display going on at half-time as well, so it will be pretty spectacular.” That should be fun to witness from close range.

Taking the bride down to see this game. First time to see the Dees live since the ANZAC eve game where Jesse Hogan tore the Tigers a new one all those years back. Excited......

Just for bulldogs game, they are on mcg website and put up about 5 days before any game.

Messaging from the two coaches is interesting. Beveridge: has invoked Marxist heroes Che Guevara and Rosa Luxemburg, as well as Mahatma Gandhi and Indigenous humanitarian Shirley Coleen Smith, to help the club become a consistent force. Talk about being ambiguous... Goodwin: I don't know his motivational theme this year. But last year it was a simple: 'This is Me' which he and Gawn lived and breathed setting the example for the team. The team played with purpose and clarity of roles, system etc. If Goodwin chooses a new theme this year I would think it would be just as simple and relatable. As an aside, the AFL has adopted the theme 'This is Us' for 2022. They aren't using the soundtrack from The Greatest Showman like Goodwin did in their promos but to me it looks like a leaf out of Goodwin's book.

I posted this in the game day thread as well, but here are the general admission areas. Get in nice an early and head straight for M5-M7 imo. Great Southern Stand M5-M7 Q1-Q12 Q13-Q15 1/2 (rows K-DD) Ponsford Stand M28-M32 Q28-Q36 Olympic Stand Q49-Q52 (rows T-MM) Q53-55 (rows K-MM)

@Mods. Pretty please.

Couple more for ya from after the GF.

I went down to Casey Friday half expecting no training, because of the Wednesday opening fixture they might vary training times and venues and that, is what occured! There was no one there except Snakes, Giant Gila monsters, Pteradactyls, Mosquitoes and the odd Dalek and Wookie!

Ok he is a goodish coach, BUT Ill tell you why... If he was EXCEPTIONAL he would have gone Back to Back or at least 2 in 3 to 4 years. Leigh Mathews did it , Hardwick did it and our very own Norm Smith did it as well! The doggies coach tinkered too much and injuries occur... but you must have solid reinforcements. The Doggies although good in 2016 had absolutely everything go right for them including having the boot polish at the right level of shine and the meat pies at exactly the right temperature for comfortable fast eatability

Ffs these flogs genuinely need to get over this.

Not a lot of posting happening, maybe more as the game gets closer. There is a bit of talk about not going to the game, arriving after the flag is unfurled or retreating to the bar so they don't see it. And a it of reflection on the GF result. Overall they have been fairly tame. Some selections from bf and 'woof': I want to see a more defensively-minded midfield. Someone tag Petracca or Oliver for the whole game. I don’t care who. Q: What bay is our cheersquad in? I bought a couple tickets in M3 but I think that might be with the Dees’ fans…. ?? A: I think you are smack bang in the middle of the Melbourne cheer squad We had and still have multiple deficiencies/weaknesses in our team especially in our key position roles, had to travel to 4 states, had to win 3 finals in a row to get to the GF, had a third of our team sh*t the bed in the GF from the start of the first quarter, yet we were still up by 3 goals at one point in the third quarter. Another year of development and fixing key weaknesses goes a long way. We are still the second best team in it even with these apparent faults. How about we stop discussing how we have little chance against this "juggernaut" and start discussing tactics to actually win. The pessimism is ridiculous. I don't blame the tactics\coaching instructions so much as the players' over zealous reaction to those instructions. The road to ruin is always paved with good intentions. Moving forward we need to back ourselves to adjust to the opportunities that Melbourne's defence will give us on the ground rather than focus too much on the ones that we think they will prior to the match. I'm pretty fatigued still from last year, and watching on tv again with all the pitfalls that brings does not excite me. Also don't like the idea of getting done by Melbourne first up. I'm excited for round 2. I just want round 1 to be over. Some trepidation. And the fact that we STILL don't have a ruckman continues to concern me. But I'll probably have the lid off at first bounce. I'm looking forward to having a different game to dwell/celebrate over. *!*!*!*! that GF memory off. Let us make a Round 1 statement and rain on Melbourne's parade. Yeah, I reckon our blokes hate those Demons flogs. Would love to see us start some biff next Wednesday. Besides Libba who do you expect to take it up to Melb from a physical stand point? I can't think of many as we have a quite a few 'nice boys' in our team... and not many with any mongrel. Would love Libba to lead the way and the nice boys to drop the halo and take a stand. Nothing stupid or over the line but I want to let those flogs to know we’re coming for them. I think my favourites the last few looking for some mongrel from their palers. It wasn't that long ago that we were the ones that played nice bruise-free footy. Now we have Salem, May, Viney, Picket, Spargo etc who know how to hurt without hurting themselves or getting reported. WB were soft in the GF, May, Salem and Viney knocked the stuffing out of a few key players in the first 10 minutes. They may tinker with their game plan but I don't think they are going to find 'mongrel' overnight. Its not in their DNA.

My heart bleeds.

Mosquito fleet was everywhere

Agree with this Of. and as for 2021, they didn't have a Premiership-standard defence and they still don't in 2022. Unlike Dees, Cats(with Stewart), Tigers with their system and personnel and Lions led by a fit Harris Andrews. Last time a losing GF team played in the GF next year was 10 years ago.

you said that about us winning a premiership too, hanrahan

There's usually a pre-match function. I've attended functions at Royal Pines Resort and Emerald Lakes GC. Both within walking distance to the ground. I think the latter is more likely to be the venue if there is a function. I've tried phoning the club but have not got through. Close to a dozen of us travelling up from the Surfcoast.

Enjoy Wednesday night BD….wish I could be there too! there’s usually no problems parking at Metricon if you want to drive - the car park is across the road from the stadium and you can usually buy a car park pass prior to the match. display it on your dash as you approach the car park. There’s normally pretty good signage for the car park. not sure about premium v general admin but if you’re not under cover make sure to take sunscreen and a hat if you’re planning on getting there early before the sun goes down! ☀️

They are too busy singing that song they sang after they won the premiership.

Can’t agree with this. The reason he didn’t win back to back premierships has exactly for the reason you spelled out in your last sentence. In other words, they weren’t a particularly great team, there were teams that were better equipped that year – e.g. Sydney – and he coached them to win the GF despite that. He didn’t have the fire power to go back to back.

I must admit I didn’t know the song at all until I searched for it today. It’s not good, and certainly not worthy of a feud (if that’s what it is).

I can not believe they are still going on about that song! It's one thing to get inside the oppositions' heads, it's another when they seem hellbent on keeping us in there. I hope we put them to the sword on Wednesday.

hmmm, dunno... i don't see how any coach who can get two sides who finished outside the 4 into a grand final, and one won a premiership after traversing the country to play away, can be overrated he seems to be able to get the absolute best out of his group and get them up for the big occasion

Well since the players can’t even look at the umpires anymore, it is important that we have a large Demon crowd making a lot of noise, which we know affects umpires in close calls.

They're a good side and may win. I think it's a blessing we didn't walk all over Carlton. This is an opportunity to really put the cat amongst the pigeons at Barkly St and potentially finish their season. GO DEMONS!!!

I hope we run out to that song.

Dogs will be hungry and they will be angry. I expect a very tough game. Hopefully a strong home crowd will get us home, but honestly wouldn’t be surprise to see us lose this. Dees by 10.

Spoke to a few club people about this. We need to bide our time. Its all happening behind the scenes but the club can't say anything lest they upset one of the 20 or so stakeholders. Part of the problem is that there are so many fingers in the pie with regard to getting sign off. Melbourne Parks Trust, Olympics Park Trust, the City of melbourne, the State government, the Tennis Centre trust etc etc. There are 3 separate Ministers that have to sign off any proposal and given its location there are no votes in this at all for the Govt. We have all heard it before but I am comfortable giant strides have been taken towards a solution.