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I really enjoyed it. Not for the tension and excitement, because it wasn’t that type of game, but for what it represented - a thoroughly professional performance that didn’t give the opposition a look in. It’s never easy away from home against a team with pressure to win. And Port came out and had a crack, tackling hard and putting pressure on. They even changed their style of play against us, refusing to kick long down the line to a contest and constantly switching the ball and chipping it around to nullify our midfield intercept/turnover game. It worked in terms of limiting defensive half turnovers but I love how we just said, fine, chip and switch it around, we’ll just set ourselves up so well in D50 that you won’t score. And that’s what happened - the time it took them to switch and chip and take uncontested marks just allowed us to set up so well deeper behind the ball. We didn’t panic or look to force the issue when it was a bit of a stalemate early. We just focused on our defence and not letting them score and knew we’d eventually get chances at the other end. This just totally broke Port Adelaide, shattering their confidence and belief. In fact the whole game we didn’t seem to care about offence - and as they say in soccer, you can’t lose if you don’t concede. And that’s what it ultimately reminded me of. A top soccer team travelling away to a difficult ground and just not giving the other team a sniff of scoring. A clean sheet, a couple of goals and a mature and professional performance to go home with the points. Nothing fancy, just strangle the life out of the opposition. That’s what the best teams do. The last quarter we just seemed to completely put the cue in the rack but let’s not forget early in the last it was 10 goals to 1. Sure Port had some forwards out, lost Wines and Lycett was hampered, but that was just about as dominant and complete a defensive performance as you could see. And if you appreciate and value good defending, then that was an enjoyable game.

Contest and defence. We are so bloody good. What a team. Other sides are terrified of us. They park the bus, chip it around. So what? We’ll out work them, be patient, grind them down. They take a risk, we’ll exploit them on turnover in devastating fashion. They score? Who cares! We’ll reset at the centre bounce with the two best rucks in the league, and the two best offensive mids (and also arguably the best defensive mid) - all in their prime - with the field set at 6-6-6. 100 points to 7 in 45 minutes of football in a GF has spooked the comp. They don’t know how to play us. No lead is ever safe. Fall behind and you’re stuffed. It was a while coming (my whole life!) but what a time to be a Melbourne supporter.

Spot the f on. I mean c'mon, that is the sort of win the great hawks sides during their premiership run and the lions in theirs strung together. They deliberately tried to suffocate the game, as did the bombers last week. Because they both clearly felt thst was their only chance of being close to competitive. Two finalists from last year start a game of football knowing they have zero chance of beating us with THEIR OWN game plan. That is the mark of a great side. And please, if I read one comment along rhe lines thst the lions will destroy us playing like that my head will explode. The goal is top 4. Percentage does not matter when you win as many games as we will this season.

This is a classic example of focusing on a stat without having any regard for context. Their shots were misses because they were taking shots from awful positions. Take a look at the shot map. 8 of their 12 behinds were from 45+ metres out, most of which were on a 45-degree angle or more. Another two behinds were hard up on the boundary. They were taking shots from outside 50 because they couldn't work out how to take a mark inside 50, because of our defensive dominance. If you think tonight was just "some good defence" I'm sorry but you have no idea what you're watching. Tonight was elite defence.

Rubbish. He is a bull. Booming kick. He’s a baby and he gets limited minutes playing in his true position because he is competing with Oliver Trac and Viney. Has a lot of talent and will be a great player.

Kozzie will never be dropped as long as he's doing the team/defensive things; especially if the next best is Kade Chandler, and I don't mean that unkindly. For the type of player Kozzie is, you just wait for the form to come, because it will.

I honestly think some people still can't quite get their head around the fact that players can have very low possession numbers, and if a forward limited scoring, and still play great. This is true in spite of our coach and players taking about playing the assigned role being the key performance metric all last season. And in spite of the fact that goody continues to select players like kozzie, spargo and tmac even after stretches of low possession, no goal games. You don't need the coach to tell you what the role of such players is - it is obvious; pressure, contest and work rate. All three of those players did so much up and down the ground running last night it was insane (check out their vision on afl staystpro for evidence of that). The equivalent player at Port to spargo and kozzie was amon. How often did you see him in our forward half? How many goals did he create though his pressure? I don't think weed worked as hard as tmac, but that might be confirmation bias on my part. What he definitely did do was screen and block really well for Max and tmac. Watch tmac's goal - weed puts a great block on to give him protection to take the mark. (which by the by is why, seemingly to the frustration of some, our talls so often fly for the same ball - that and having two or three genuine talls fly for a mark in our forward line means if not marked it almost certainly comes to ground) Applying the role playing logic, it is possible goody was happy with weeds game.

Some of you be tripping. Can't recall such a dominant display of defensive football in my life-time - including years of watching Melbourne being [censored]. Port never looked like scoring. Their first goal was a 50-metre bomb from the boundary stemming from a questionable free - close to three-quarter-time. I don't think they landed one structured goal throughout, and couldn't move the football all night. In the last quarter last week Goody said we didn't need to bother about scoring - just defend. We owned this game from start to finish against a top-four-touted team, with none of our stars having much of an influence. What do people actually want? I think our backline and all-team defence has reached a height previously unseen in the history of the AFL. It's starting to win battles based on reputation alone.

I actually thought kozzie was good tonight, so many plays where he wouldn't have got a stat but neutralised the ball or caused a turnover from his pressure. The goals will come. I'd watch the replay again to reasses his game but I don't hate myself that much.

So much wrist slitting. We conceded 35 points We are 4 and 0 Plenty of people have short memories, not long ago we were rubbish. This was a complete defensive effort

Also, that was some terrible umpiring. There were so many instances of the players from both sides having no idea who the free kick had been awarded to. Also, the decision to pay a mark to Drew after it had clearly bounced in and out of Viney's hands may well be the single worst umpiring decision I've ever seen. (But the two deliberates against us for moving the ball forward, but then not paying it against the Port player who picked the ball up in our forward line in the fourth and just walked over the line, that was also bad).

Amen Ben. I’m 38 and this is the first time I’ve had the luxury of a team that is the real deal. And it could just as easily be the last. I remember as a teenager in 2000 watching the Essendon juggernaut roll us in the granny, thinking, who’s ever going to stop these bastards? Vossy’s Lions did the next year, I blinked, and suddenly Essendon have been in the wilderness for 22 years. Here’s hoping they stay there another 22. Screw being angry or setting impossible standards. I’m just enjoying the ride. We’re 4 games in and I’ve spent zero minutes entertaining notions that we’d lose any of them. We just haven’t looked like it. The last two teams have hoisted up the white flag before the bounce and have tried to outscrap us - lol. Good luck with that. The thrilling footy and dealing out hidings will come. We had to wait a while for it last year too. No team ever plays like that every week, I’m more than happy to settle for coasting to 30 point wins without breaking sweat until the purple patch comes.

May - Rock solid defence Harmes - Hard running + goals Petracca - 48% disposal efficiency? Jackson - Marks both ends Viney - Effective at clearances Lever - Quiet first game Spargo - Played his role Brayshaw - Solid and effective Gawn - Back in town Oliver - Not his best Langdon - One of our best Bowey - Much quieter tonight Tomlinson - Very, very quiet Jordon - Career best game? Rivers - Doesn't look 100% TMac - Hardly sighted Weide - Well blanketed Hunt - Bright start, faded ANB - Played his role Fritta - Leading goalkicker + chasing Sparrow - Some good clearances Kozzie - Only little glimpses

Tmac worked harder than weed. And weed dies himself no favours with his lack of second efforts

BECAUSE WE DESPISE THE CATS AND THAT OVERRIDES ANY LOGIC sorry for yelling

Melbourne CEO Gary Pert has “no doubt” that Demons duo Angus Brayshaw and Luke Jackson will re-commit to the club for the long term. “You talk about Luke Jackson – right at the moment we don’t know what he’s capable of because he just gets better and better. “Angus Brayshaw is playing some of the best footy he’s ever played and he’s a superstar. “I have no doubt these two players will be playing for us for a long period of time.”

Goody in the presser; 'I couldn't be prouder of the group' tonight DL posters: "They plsyed like rubbish'

Port Adelaide Football Club have announced a new phone number for angry supporters to vent their frustration as the switchboard at club headquarters is being overloaded with calls from disgruntled fans. The new number is 1800101010. That's 1800 won nothing won nothing won nothing.

Just adding our game review from last night - expect a little blowback from the comments about Pickett ducking into the tackle, but you gotta call what you see... and it is more in relation to the plethora of players employing this tactic. Anyway, hope you enjoy. https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2022/2022/04/08/melbourne-v-port-adelaide-the-good-bad-and-the-ugly/

Our off-ball defence is football porn. Mesmerising.

Did you hear Max's comment about May having a hard time getting Smith to stand in the right spots the last few weeks? I chuckled.

SACK GOODWIN amirite? Far out. The bar has gone through the roof with some of you people. It was a good, strangling win. Not great, not particularly exciting - the Jordon touch on the line was the only time my heart rate got above resting, but we got the job done. I'm just waiting for someone to say we're the worst 4-0 side of all time or something.

Started out well in control I thought, game was completely on our terms and while Port were bringing intent I couldn't help but feel we were letting them get pressure on our ball carriers with average execution. In other words I didn't feel like Port were really taking the game to us and threatening to cause the upset, they were more just treading water with actions you need to be doing at AFL football level to stay in a game like this. I did feel for Port slightly with their large number of outs, but then I also didn't. Gray, Fantasia, Duursma, Dixon I feel like most of these guys are injured all the time anyway. Tom Mcdonald looked a lot more sure of himself and pulled in some good marks. Unfortunately Weid couldn't keep it up this week and looks like the one to make way for Brown. Thought James Jordan was super consistent during the game even through our lulls, solid attack on the footy. The running machine Langdon just keeps showing his importance to the side. One thing I find incredible right now: We used to throw Angus Brayshaw to Half back often and it never quite worked out, he was seen as a guy who just had to be in the middle to get the best out of him. After working his tail off to perfect his role on the wing last year I find it a little ironic that he has now gone to the back flank but now taken to it like a duck to water. That just shows you the confidence and selflessness of this team right now. It was tough and dour, at times it looked like they were playing with a flat footy. But we got it done and at this point that is what matters. It's encouraging to see that if Clarry and Trac are down we can still come up with the biscuits. Enjoy it for what it is, let's kick back and watch the AFLW Grand final and hopefully get Daisy a medal!

Positives are that we clearly have the best defensive system in the AFL and another win to add to a long home and away campaign is all you want this early in the season as well as no injuries. I disagree with the notion that we didn't get out of second gear. It's such a pointless throwaway line and it contradicts those who congratulate our defensive system. You can't play a first class defensive game in second gear. The negatives are that our forward half game and our connection going forward continues to struggle. Brown's leading patterns and forward craft have been sorely missed the last two weeks. Our entire forward 50 function so much better with him in the side so he can't come back soon enough. I think Brown helps our ball movement going inside 50 also. Last night our efficiency going inside was awful and again Tom Mac and Weid were tangled up going for the same balls. Weid did himself no favours with his game but T Mac was hardly any better. And a fair bit of blame can go to ball use going inside. I think Trac and Oliver went back to blazing away inside 50 with no real care at times. Overall, it's hard to complain given we're still banking wins whilst still having areas that need clear improvement. Looking forward to coming up against a full strength quality side to really give us a test. It's almost as if we're waiting for a challenger to get our arousal levels up! Cant believe I'm saying that as a Dee's supporter.

Let me guess... Kick some Goals???

That was the first Melbourne game I can remember watching where my arssse was firmly planted in the back of the couch for four quarters. We were in total control throughout and nobody stood out. We are turning into a beautiful systemic machine that just strangles other sides. How did barracking for MFC become a relaxing pastime? I'm loving this feeling. We did the same thing early last season. Nothing pretty, just keep banking the points.

I swear we have supporters who’d be furious if we had an ugly 4 goal win in a Grand Final! Last years finals series spoiled everyone

So much whining about a win, sorry people but good teams win. Full stop!

That was like watching 2022 Melbourne play 2014 Melbourne. Ruthless.

Gus is critical to our culture, a selfless team-first player and a very likeable character. The ultimate glue guy. He has also been brilliant since the finals series last year. I would be shocked if Gus didn't end his career as a Demon.

The Demons are now a well-oiled machine. Not a lot of benefit in finding squeaks from three years ago.

Bumping for tonight. Isn’t it nice being able to enjoy the whole weekend of footy basking in a Thursday night victory. Also do we want to the Cats to win t to claim top spot or Lions to win just so Geelong lose?

That's how you destroy him. Brown in and Tom managed, giving Weid another crack. Weid just needs to get a few games and build confidence. He could have kicked 6 last week. Tom hasn't looked like that for quite a while. Our delivery into the forward line was poor last night and didn't help Weid.

Interesting after following this club for over 25 years how different it feels to be a Melbourne supporter right now. It's great to have success, but the success has also given rise to a new feeling - relevance. In the weeks after the Grand Final when I overheard footy conversations, I was struck that people not only knew the names of our players - but to hear the WAY they spoke about our players. To hear them speak about Petracca, Oliver and Gawn with that same reverence usually reserved for the likes of Judd, Ablett and Dangerfield, is not something I was used to. We've had many great players in my time supporting Melbourne, but I felt I always had to make a case for them and whatever I said about Yze, Robertson or Neitz would always be met with dubious eye rolls. Increasingly, Melbourne players are front and centre of newspapers, referenced in commercials and random media snippets, celebrities who never seemed to be footy fans are suddenly loud and proud Melbourne supporters. Obviously, this can't go on forever. And these stars will eventually retire, but I sincerely hope that something from this period can be captured and embedded into the fabric of the Club for a long time to come - so even when we do fall down the ladder, we know what it takes to climb up again and know we will. There is no real blueprint to attaining this level of success - it's really that mysterious thing we loosely refer to as 'culture'. It instructs people what to do and what to expect without having to say it. It's probably one of the most important thing there is.

Nobody post a thread about our 100% Win Record.

I think that is what people are missing from this game when they complain about us not thrashing them by 10+ goals. A bit like Essendon last week, we were forced to play on their terms. And unfortunately for those watching, those terms were based around playing a mind numbing unconstested possession game. That game style was an admission by Port that they knew they couldn't take us on in general play, and that their only path to victory was to make it a low scoring game where they might have been able to sneak a few goals and keep the score close. That in of itself is a testament to us. So yes, while we could have (perhaps should have) had cleaner entry into our forward 50 and scored a few more goals, we were never going to score a tonne with Port playing that style of game. And the fact is, we didn't need to.

Oliver and Petracca don't have bad games, just good ones and great ones. Last night they merely played good games but others stood up. I'm loving it.

Just read the 'Votes' thread. Who would have thought we would thrash a team with Oliver and Petracca getting only 1 vote each from the 'trillion'* possible from about 25 DL'ers. Have we ever won a game in recent times with neither among our best 6. It is like they were rested for the game but on the field. That must frighten the bejesus out of the rest of the comp. Take both champs out of the game and still be thrashed. Happy days for a team not reliant on any player(s): Us.

His best game I reckon. Loves a contest, has time, makes great decisions and disposes really well. Only thing he can add is growing confidence in his attacking potential/ability, and there were signs of that tonight. Love the boy, pure footballer.

Poor old Port are suffering a bit of an injury crisis at the moment and are hoping to bolster their list by recruiting some players from State leagues. I believe they are particularly interested in Nat Fyfe's younger twin brothers. Should they lose to Carlton next week, expect to hear a lot about Owen Fyfe and Norton Fyfe.

JUST REMEMBER WE USED TO BE TRASH

Port flooded hardcore they were trying to minimise the damage all match…off 2 short breaks and 2 interstate trips not sure why any of our supporters could be upset by that…

That is a huge benefit for us as it enables us to rotate our mids and 'sore' players more often. Ops don't have that luxury. Tomlinson hasn't had enough credit on here for that effort mainly because none of us have noticed.

Tonight I kept thinking back to round 1 2019, coming off a prelim, sitting at the G and we got pantsed by port and their new brigade of butters drew rozee and dursma. Interesting now looking at their progression and how little impact they have on games.

I thought James Jordan was great tonight.

People are complaining? That was beautiful to watch, our defensive structures are so sound both Essendon last week and Port tonight had NFI what to do. Clinical, once our ball movement starts clicking watch out.

Percentage won't matter if we never lose again. We clearly put the cue in the rack at the end of the game, and if you don't believe that, Ed Langdon was on the bench at the end of the game.