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Before we get bogged down in all the finals hoo hah, I really just want to take one darn second to acknowledge what an excellent home and away season this was from our club. Some clubs fall off a cliff in their title defence, some might skim by and make the 8 but our boys backed up and saw off the challenges to finish in an optimal position for another shot at success. Onto the bigger business but for now thanks MFC, that was a real joy to be part of ❤️.

He has this list fit and firing for September We finished 2nd with a % of 130 Definately the Toughest draw of the entire competition. Selwyn has been well trained by Burgess. Let’s get this party started…..

The first club since Essendon in 2000 and 2001 to be in the top 4 for every round for two consecutive seasons.

2nd on the ladder, 16-6, led in 5 of our 6 losses by at least 4 goals and was within a goal in the other with only 10 minutes to play. Really only blown out in one game (Freo at the G) - it has been a remarkable season!

Kicking 50 goal in a season probably had something to do with it...

Was thinking that the team made a bold promise to us fans at the flag celebration day last year, when they committed to winning a flag on the G for us. That they have now delivered a Qualifying and subsequent finals at the G, means they have delivered on the first part and set them selves for the second part, winning through to the GF and Premiership. Kudos to the club for putting it out there and delivering. Love this club. Go Demons ❤️🏆💙

Can we get the whole crowd at the G doing this when we are 5 goals up in the 4th qtr?

No it doesn’t. As the offended party whatever Harrison Petty considers as appropriate for an outcome is where it should finish and his wishes should be respected

If you believe we are still struggling to run out games, particularly against the Blues and Pies, you will find that we had the same issue at the same time last year. We were nearly run over in the fourth quarter of both the WC and Crows games. The Meters Gained stat is very interesting. It demonstrates which teams are the most effective at moving the ball with run and carry and breaking lines from their defensive zone. To be best requires high levels of fitness. This year, we are #2 (avg 6128m per game) to Richmond (6167m). Last year, we were #1 with 6083m. Our MG against the Blues and Pies was 5672 and 5682, respectively. Last year against WC and Crows our MG's were 5998 and 5708 respectively. When we are firing and running on top of the ground our MG is well north of 6000. We move the ball forward at all costs in order to gain territory. At the same time, we put the opposition under extreme pressure, forcing turnovers, and their MG drops significantly as a result. Our MG over last year's finals were insane - QF 6840; PF - 6545; GF - 6499. On Friday night we were moving into that territory with 6450.And it looked like that.

The enequities of the Fixture were really shown up this year, like no other. Jeelong basically played in 2nd Division. Just another reason to Hate them venomously

Agree 100% Especially when you consider this - Top 8 record v Top 8 sides in 2022 We've had by far the hardest run of any team (followed by the dogs who just scraped in). A number of our losses happened in our flat patch in the middle of the season (Freo, Swans, Pies) when May was out and we were battling injuries etc. All teams have flat spots so it's not like we can discount them. But to have played 3 or 4 more matches against the top 8 than almost everyone else and still finish 2nd is a pretty bloody brilliant effort! I think this is especially so when you consider our tough finish to the season and we look to be finding our form / touch. It's all coming together. Compare this to the Cats / Tigers last month and they might get a shock in September!

Braden Quartermaine: Time to fix uneven draw as AFL’s annual fixture farce highlighted yet again | The West Australian

As a few Demonlanders know i work in high performance outside of my career on here, and the reputation Selwyn Griffith has is amazing, he's especially highly regarded in injury prevention and management which is a huge part of why Burgo was so keen on him. I think we've had a few more hurdles this year than last year in terms of managing injuries and so on, but the fact we can hit QF week with a fully healthy and fit list and in good form is a credit to the entire program. I know the media are obsessed with the cats, but i 100% guarantee we have their measure and will beat them if we play them. The only thing that can stop us going back to back is ourselves, we're perfectly placed.

End of Home and Away Season Update Firstly, thanks @Demonland @binman @george_on_the_outer for briefly touching on this thread in last week's podcast. Here is an update to the Premiership Metrics following the end of the home and away season. I have updated the methodology to look at the past ten premiers in home and away matches only and removed some measures which were effectively duplicates. I have also grouped the metrics into categories to make the tables easier to read. With these updates, there are 20 statistical categories in which at least eight of the last ten premiers ranked in the top 6. Eight of the last ten premiers were ranked in the top 6 in at least 17 of these 20 categories (the Western Bulldogs in 2016 and West Coast in 2018 ranked in the top 6 in 14 categories). "Premiership Metrics" ranked in the top 6 in 2022 (out of 20) 19: Geelong 19: Melbourne 14: Sydney 11: Fremantle 10: Richmond 10: Brisbane 8: Collingwood 8: Western Bulldogs What are the Premiership Metrics? Where do teams ranks against these metrics in 2022? Melbourne Here are Melbourne's rankings for rounds 1-10, 11-19, 20-23 for both 2021 and 2022 and finals in 2021. In addition to the so-called "Premiership metrics" (in bold), I have included several other stats of interest. If anyone has any requests for inclusion of additional stats (from https://www.wheeloratings.com/afl_stats_team.html), let me know. Please note that Melbourne's comparatively harder fixture in the second half of this season compared to last season will have an impact on the rankings.

Very late in the last qtr.

Collingwood supporters do it anyway

Gotta smell those roses sometimes and with a bye this week there's the perfect chance to. Still have to picnh myself sometimes that we finally have a competitive footy club that you can go and watch week after week and know you're going to get a decent game.

Not if it's against Collingwood

I'm glad thad Fritsch's season has been recognised. I'd go so far as to say that he's been the best medium forward for two years.

AA selection committee meet mid year and Kossie wouldn't have rated a mention. Far better 2nd half but not enough to crack the squad. Jack Mccrae is a surprise. Had an average year.

If we don't win the ultimate prize it will be cold comfort, but I rate this seasons H&A as better than leat year. Shorter comparative preseason, more injury impact and a much harder draw and still only 1.5 wins less is a wonderful achievement.

This year’s Cup will be extra sweet if we can pull it off I have no problem with last years GF Winner having a Tough draw, but the rest of this year’s Finalists have been given the Red Carpet This is on you Gill

Great thread Layzie. I'm enjoying the veil of positivity! Amazing season, so hard to go back to back especially after an emotionally draining flag. We had the hardest draw and every team wanting to knock us off and plenty of unfit/injured players. Goody and the coaches must be applauded for preparing the squad over preseason. Mentally showing up this year was so important. If we lost the first two games of the season we may have just squeezed into the 8! After the Freo and Lions results I am feeling confident Goody and the team have us where they want us and we are ready to go!

I mentioned this preseason but was a function with Yze, Jonesy, TMac n Trac in attendance. Was taking a leak and they all walked in and Trac stood next to me. Asked him if we'd miss Burgess and he said no we are in real good hands with Selwyn. And no I did not take a peak 😃

Flights booked. Hotel booked. Tickets tomorrow.

Here’s hoping we’re not loading throughout the finals 🤞

C'mon mate, you know sides can score 3 goals in 30 seconds these days - well actually maybe that's just us? 😂

6 Dees named. Angus Brayshaw Never previously All-Australian. Bayley Fritsch Never previously All-Australian. Max Gawn 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 All-Australian. Steven May 2021 All-Australian. Clayton Oliver 2018 and 2021 All-Australian. Christian Petracca 2020 and 2021 All-Australian.

Have been told from a very reliable source that Yze’s parents have been spotted shopping for Real Estate in Western Sydney. His mum was also wearing an orange top. Make of this what you will. *Can confirm it’s a done deal. **Told by a reliablish source. ***It’s a done deal but it’s not yet. ****Will be announced shortly, unless it’s not. *****Disregard the above. Kingsley has been announced as GWS coach. ******Have been informed by a source within the coaches box that Rutten being fired lead to GWS reneging the done deal with Yze.

Full credit to him, one of the more unexpected storylines of the year.

I just found out my best mate has organised dinner for my god son and his sister's birthdays on the Friday night. Such a shame I'll have to miss out, I'll make sure to send them a nice photo of me at the G though 😝

And sure as night follows day Robinosn will blab on it about on 360 instead of talking about the actual football match and how brilliant we were What Zorko did or did not say said is absolutely not news worthy in so far as it not racial vilification so is not breach of the related rules. So there is zero justification for going into any detail. Its enough to know Zorko was way out of order and leave it there. But Robinson will want to give it oxygen. For one things it distracts from the complete embarrassment his beloved bombers are, and his part in the latest circus. And it all gets stirred into the click bait pot that masquerades as news at the Hun and on 360. He'll justify doing so by criticizing the AFLPA and/or AFL and demand some sanction. And he and Whatley will have some pathetic back and forth about it, with 'gerry' landing on let it be. The clubs have sorted it between them. And Petty wants privacy. Any chance the Robinson and his cronies can actually respect the wishes of the victim in this sad episode?

Especially against Collingwood

Love to hear you guys wax lyrical about our efficiency going forward and how we turned 26 I50s into 13 goals in the first half. The age old unanswerable question; was that more about the opposition than us? I think that is does say more about the Lions but, nevertheless, it was a great habit to get into to lead into space more and lower our eyes more and be more patient. They are obviously running in waves and fitness is very high. Utilising that, they gave it to that runner laterally a few times and they also kicked it better with less blazing away.

Could we run some sort of "Go fund me" on Demonland to ensure that @picket fence has an adequate supply of booze and valium to keep him calm up to, during, and after the Brownlow vote? PS. Should Cripps win it - emergency supplies will be needed immediately

Think Langdon's second half of the season not as impressive as his first. He was very unlucky in 2021 - only unlucky in 2022. Not sure if it is my inherit Dees bias, but Papley over Pickett? Know he had more disposals etc but a little surprising for mine

Lingers very stiff to miss to the squad

Exactly. Anything else contradicts what Petty wants and risks causing him further distress. And in terms of a penalty, the damage to Zorko's reputation is penalty enough. Like Carmen headbutting an umpire all those years ago, people won't forget the transgression and the stain will remain forever, no matter what Zorko pursues post football.

Absolute joke that Geelong who finished2nd and made a prelim last year, had a significantly softer draw than the remaining prelim finalists. I totally understand the top 4 and premiers from the previous year getting the harder draw, but WTF is with the dream run that Geelong, Brisbane and Sydney got? Hopefully it catches up with them in finals. We would have finished 1st if we also got to play North and West Coast twice, including two games at the MCG.

Good article Its a blight on the game Remarkable how many times commentators refer to the ladder saying things like Geelong are the stand out without doing the most rudimentary analysis of the fixture. A bit like Brisbane and their home ground advantage

It this is all in the plan. Very similar to Burgess in as much as we have this hardening up period in the third quarter of the season (ie very tough training and conditioning) when we do expect to lose some games, but cherry-ripe for the last weeks of the year. Happened this year (and last). Watch our game go up several notches in two weeks against the Swans…..

A Couple of minutes on Kozzie if you could gents. 15 goals in the first 11 rounds, 23 in the last 11 rounds with 18 of those 23 coming in the last 6 rounds which arguably was the hardest part of our fixture. Not many of us have seen finals at the G since 2018. If he carries this form into September us Melbourne supporters will be in for some treat, he's been sublime.

Dogs game - 6 day break, Alice springs Pies game - post Perth in the wet and blowing chances in the first half Carlton game - mental fatigue and game plan. Some of our prime movers aren’t as healthy as they were last year. They get the week to freshen up now. Burgo effect was mostly mental IMO. Time for Griffo mode

And only because our 2021 was marginally better, do we view the 2022 season through a potentially more negative lens.

They only beat us by 2 goals FFS and we were in the middle of a form slump (aka loading). They can have all the confidence in the world, but I saw us and them play this weekend and I know who kills who at peak form (and we played a far more formidable opponent at a ground they rarely lose at!).

My prediction: My productivity at work will drop by at least 25% during September. Impossible to properly concentrate at work with a finals campaign to think about

Can’t see the tigers making the GF. But tbh, I won’t be thinking past week one, beat the swan it’s, then relax for a week.

Not me. My hatred of Geelong has surpassed my hatred of the pies. I want the Cats out as soon as possible to wipe the smugness off their faces.

Thought of you when I saw this @picket fence