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Fair dinkum, it’s hard to please some people. Those who want to keep digging for negatives good luck to you, Mondays are always better with a win. No one said doing a repeat is easy, most should be happy we are at least giving ourselves a chance.

Just quietly, Michael Hibberd may be playing himself to another year on the list. Really has barely put a foot wrong since he has come into the side and has done some good shut down roles. Did the job on Robbie Grey today who had little influence up forward. It was only when Grey had to go into the midfield then that's where he had more influence.

Those thinking the win was average or not too impressive. Port were 7-3 coming the game. If they lose they are basically out of finals. They had only one injured player enjoy the win guys

Legend

Was lucky enough to be at the game today, why is was not our best performance we got the job done in warm conditions. After the game about 300 kids wanted a photo with Kozzy and he spent at least 30 minutes taking selfies and signing autographs. He was due for a big day out and delivered.

I thought Jordon and Langdon worked their guts out all game on the wings. Both played great IMHO

Aside from winning us the match, great to see Kozzy lighting up in front of a large crowd of Aboriginal admirers. What a day to turn it on!

Kudos to ANB in the pocket for extracting the ball from somewhere in the Earth’s core to feed out a handball that led to a goal at a vital time.

When we were a crap team it never occurred to me that our supporter trauma would be most on display after we'd become successful.

That was a good gutsy win without Clarry Port were playing for their season I will take that win happily

Round 20. Really terrific win today. Super proud of the boys.

I guess we won away from home against one of the in-form teams of the comp (they are only outside the 8 because they lost the first 5), without Oliver and continued forward line problems. Put it in the bank and move on.

Of all the games in the AFL’s history, that was one of them

Take a second to realise how lucky we are to watch Kozzi play

What a great venue, we were sitting in a small stand not far from the cheer squad, Kozzie did some of his best work right in front of us and we got right in behind him as did the locals. I was surprised how easy Power were able to beat us at clearances, they have a very good game plan that is well drilled and they always have players in the clear and hit them up with monotonous regularity. We really had to grind this win out. Kozzie and Tracc were clearly our best two players out there. There are a lot of distractions at the game, eagles soaring in the background, the locals and toilets that would bring a tear to your eye if you were female.😳😳.!! Forgot the west McDonald Ranges that run east west for 620km’s.!!

Melksham - 7 tackles including 2 great run downs. Kicked a goal and unselfishly gave one off to Ben Brown.

Koz! The difference. Let’s not forget we had our best clearance player ever missing. We will continue to get better.

Far out. A significant bunch of posters went into this game telling us about how Port was in form, we were not in form, we weren't playing well and that we would likely lose. We then proceed to win, and those same posters then complain about the way we won. FFS. If you thought we were going to lose before the game, you should be celebrating right now.

It's almost as if some Melbourne supporters have watched other very good teams over the years and react with 'Gee, the always find a way to win in a tough match, that's what makes them such a good team' style admiration, and then when watching Melbourne, toddle off to the kitchen find a torch, a knife and some wetwipes and perform a DIY lobotomy.

Hard to drop Tommo after that performance. Was better than May.

What a grinding win that was. Kossie, you are a little ripper. 3 Votes for you. Forward connection still a problem. Thank heavens for our backline. Melk.... your chase/rundown was something i didnt think you had in you. I'll take that.

I just came back to praise Kosi again. What a game. Absolutely magnificent in front of a crowd full of young kids who would be so inspired by him. A privilege to watch this kid in a Melbourne jumper.

I’ve only read the first 3 pages, but surprised there hadn’t been a little more praise for Tomlinson. Thought he was pretty good today. Had one moment where he was out marked too easily, but otherwise he was really reliable. Played a good linkup role at times too.

I thought it was a decent win. 5 goals up with 5 minutes to play in pretty warm conditions. No Petty, no Oliver, Lever injured early and rendered pretty much useless (was a good effort to stay out there). Mids smashed at clearance, Gawn second up after an injury that most players take 6 weeks plus to recover from and he played an impactful second half. Tomlinson proved that his still capable of playing well at this level. Pickett played a game for the ages. Port are a very good AFL side and were in very good form coming into this game. We'll get better from here

Brown starting to hit a few straps.Early days but some signs

WTF? Was great in the trenches today.

I think the only thing that tree on the outer is famous for is BT forever saying it’s famous.

Bit of a different pre game for me this week as I am away from Homebase. Spending the weekend in the Champagne area in a luxury hotel in the hills above Epernay to celebrate my birthday. Champagne tasting and buying, Michelin starred eating, spa treatments etc. I will be watching live with a hangover. Dees in The Alice by 6 goals. First time I have started a GAMEDAY thread. Hope I have not stood on any toes.

Just a reminder for all the sad sacks on here

Do you know what I took out of the game from what I've just caught up on. Neale daniher going. My god for him to make that effort & trip just shows us more of the remarkable man he is. I doubt he'd be complaining about our performance

I won’t be in the woodwork. I wish we were playing better too, I just wish the supporter base would enjoy things a bit more. We are reigning premiers, just won a game, are equal second on the ladder. We have been [censored] my whole life until now. I say enjoy the wins whilst they last.

With our 13th win we are now assured of playing finals. This is the first time since 2005/06 that we will be playing consecutive finals series. And is only our third finals series since that time. Enjoy it.

That would really test his aerobic capacity.

I'll go out on a limb. Oliver might sneak back in.

Outrageous performance from Pickett, as good as any game from any player in the league this year.

Very few people in history can step into Oliver’s role

Read the game day thread, then look at our position on the ladder, then shake your head and decide whether to laugh or cry.

Geez you lot jump off quick. Grow a backbone FFS. Win today and we are equal first a game clear of 3rd. Win by a lot and we could pinch top spot back. Sydney did us a huge favour last night, up to us to take advantage of it. Our only losses this year have been to sides sitting 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th. Port are not a very good side and missing a ruckman. Looking for Max to have a day out and Viney to step up in Oliver's absence. Despite our loss last week Petracca has been back to some of his best hitting the scoreboard with 3 goals in consecutive weeks. On a dry track I expect Kozzie, Bedford, ANB and Spargo to bring the manic pressure we were renowned for last year. Demons by 24+

Just to add to our great day we had dinner with four Dee supporters at our Hotel restaurant and our whole team had dinner in a function room next to the restaurant. Tracc’s mum and several other parents were seated several tables over from ours so got to see Tracc, Sparrow, Salo and a grumpy Clarry up close. We didn’t get to speak to them but it was fun seeing the boys wanders around whilst we ate and kept an eye on the scores. It was a bit surreal to be honest.!!!!

My observations from being at the game. ANB was big, just relentless pressure. Hibberd was great, Viney was strong as usual, Tommo looked composed, Brown competed hard and obviously Kozi was amazing. It was quite warm sitting in the sun all day and the boys looked stuffed early in the 3rd, so great to take control and win comfortably in the end. Pro Dees crowd despite lots of Adelaide people living in Alice.

Bloody love watching Kozzie play. Brilliant performance with goal of the year contenders! He got the job done for us today when lots of his mates showed a lack of skill.

Just glad to get the win against a plucky Port without Clarry.

BT always barracks against the Demons. Worst commentator ever.

Loading first quarter? no loading 2nd Q?

Just back in Bangkok after a very pleasant week in Chiang Mai - lovely place. I have accepted an invitation from @Sir Why You Little to again view the game from his "respectable saloon" in Nana. I have some reservations in this as my last visit resulted in 2 or 3 days being erased from my my memory........ ah well. To the game. What can said but we simply must win to keep clear of the logjam that is forming at the top of the ladder. I reckon Trac and Jack will set the tone but I also hope to see some centre bounce breakaway from Kossie. Max to kick 3. Dees comfortably in the end.

Beautiful day here in Alice, not a cloud in the sky hardly any wind to speak of, looking forward to walking up to the ground later, nervous but expecting the team to step up.

in Kuching…An omen?

Think of me with my Sao biscuits, plastic cheese, kabana and VB

No Clarrie so it’s time for the Captain Jacks to make their stand