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I've said it before and I'll say it again. Clarry Oliver is going to be the best Melbourne player to ever play the game.

Judd McVee what a find!

The Demons thrashed fellow contender the Swans by 50 points at the MCG on Sunday in Clayton Oliver’s 150th match earning back a Top 4 spot.

Club made the right decision with JVR. He is now ready.

the most enjoyable win i’ve watched since the 2021 GF!

We are a better side than the 2021 version. Doesn't guarantee anything but I'm bloody excited. What a luxury having Brodie Grundy take over the #1 mantle from Max and absolutely dominate. Meanwhile McStay will be Collingwood's #1 ruck for the next month. LOL!

Really good changes by Goodwin, Hibbo does so many little things well, refuses to go quietly into the night, May was a reincarnation of Glen Jakovich, McVee playing like he's a timelord (reminds me a little of Pendlebury but he doesn't have a basketball background). JVR epic debut, Chandler will have so much confidence. Jordan looked good. Petracca warmed up nicely, was a bit off timing wise early, but never stopped working and eventually things went his way, loved that he didn't drop his head. Truly in love with the set shot kicking - take a bow Williams. As a side note JVR thanked Stafford for his work, sounded very genuine, coaching is not a zero sum game. How much fun is it watching the team celebrate goal kickers. Horse didn't respect our wingers and they paid for it. Grundy is adapting really quickly to the team, looks like he belongs, and the coverage for Max is epic, Collingwood will rue his departure. Also a shout out to Viney did some epic work in close, great wingman to Oliver, will probably have more to say after the replay. Other sneaky good was Spargo, got some reward for hard work. Goodwin won tactically over Horse, I think I might like this more than anything, Goodwin continually proves that he can adapt, so excited for the coach, this really was an 8pt game. 150 GAMES OLIVER - a billion contested possessions, in the 3rd there was one passage of play where they were smashing into each other and the DEES DID NOT GIVE UP, I knew we had the game they, that run of play broke the swans and Oliver was at the heart of it. Goodwin said we would be a contest based team and this passage in the third was the best hammer and tongs footy of the year so far. after that Swans rolled over. Oliver > Flower/Barassi/LaFontaine, never thought I would say this but we are looking at the Michelangelo of contested footy. Just a beautiful game to win, huge team performance, wanted this over the Swans so bad, massive flex on the comp, bring on Kings Birthday.

A crucial game for Goodwin in my opinion. He’s 7-9 since the North win in round 10 last year and coming up against a team and coach he ostensibly can’t beat. This despite every man and his dog continually telling us that our list is generational. On another matter, St Kilda have ruined the injury excuse for every other other club this season.

One of life's great pleasures - getting home from watching a win like that, and watching the replay.

18 disposals and 88% efficiency. Great game. Great decision making. Always seems to have time.

Kade chandler starts every week. So does JVR. Rivers has arrived.

Good start Gained the ascendancy in the centre Improved cohesion between Grundy and the mids Soaked up Sydney pressure Impressive counter attack rebound footy Dominated second half Really good coaching performance today Plenty of boxes ticked today Back it up next week

Goodwin clearly out-coached Longmire arrested the clearance issue. team was focused and intense all gone

Grundy was great today

Grundy excellent around the ground....his tap work, not so much... Oliver unbelievable JVR a positive debut McVee excellent Langdon & Hunter both elite James Jordon should never be left out of the side again

Also I know Viney on Maverick Weller exists, but May's tackle today is up there with the best I've seen in our games.

What a game! JVR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that was a win and a half. We looked mentally shot early in the third quarter but the way in which we halted Sydney's momentum was reminiscent of 2021. Our midfield responded brilliantly after last week. Grundy was BOG in my opinion. Oliver was back to his best. Petracca started slowly but got going in the second half. More importantly, I'm loving our forward mix right now. Chandler was excellent. Frtisch was vital. Van Rooyen looks a player. It feels so surreal watching us beat up Sydney like that.

Kozzie to come back though the magoos

Today’s game told us a fair bit about our team. A mighty victory. Go you Demons !!!🔴🔵

C’mon guys… where’s the positivity??? I woke this morning (earlier than I wanted thanks to Langers crowing at the top of his voice. Langers of the feathered variety, that is 😁). I was brimming with confidence and enthusiasm… until I read this GameDay thread. We’ve got this!!!!!! Us by (at least) 30 points. CARNA MIGHTY DEES! ❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙

Three beautiful kicks in that scoring chain. The first was Oliver istreami.t foreard in tbe centre, realising he had nothing forward, kicking laterally to hunter. Didn't hit him, would have been all but impossible to do di,but it was just such a clever kick. Summed up the situation immediately, kicked it with the outside of the boot in front of hunter, who didn't have to break side. Then hunter's beautifully weighted kick to Chandler. Then Chandler nails it. Tbat was so critical because tbey were on top, had all the momentum and had just missed a similar set shot that would almost levelled the scores. Absolute game changer.

You are wrong - Grundy’s ruckwork was terrific.At the end of the game , when he walked past Melbourne supporters, he got a standing ovation.I was there - cheering .

Spargs doesn't amass a lot of possies. But he sure uses the ones he gets incredibly well.

Grundy absolutely phenomenal. Work rate was through the roof for a guy still regaining fitness. Loved his little tug of the jumper as he ran past the members wing post game. He’s been a brilliant trade, as has Hunter. JVR what can you say. Did exactly what you wanted from a kid playing his first game and then some. Goal kicking superb. My only negative today was Viney. Horrible horrible horrible ball use. He needs to step up now as captain.

Emphatic performance! How often so we not only get to beat Sydney but smash them!

What I really loved about today, was the in experienced players who played well. The usual suspects provided their usual influential games. Clarry, Trac, Viney, May, Lever etc etc. when they play well it allows others in the game. Chandler is a pocket rocket. When he doesn’t have the ball, he harasses, gets in good positions, defends, and has impact. He is the Goodwin mantra - defence equals attack… 3 goals from limited possessions, but was BUSY all game. Mc Vee. Did not see this coming. Love how he plays to his strengths and has influence. An AA under 16 year old player and Taylor picked the teeth and got a player here. JVR, We all saw this coming. His cameo’s were at important times in the game. Experience will create consistency. 3 goals, WOW!! JJ, important and unassuming as a midfielder. Keep him. Meat and pototoes. I love protein and carbs. Sparrow was good too. Was he tagging? He was in centre bounces a lot today. Petty is a tall strong athletic KPP. I thought he was dangerous. As a forward you never discount him. In the air, on the ground, or as defensive forward. He can compete, he can run. Naughton like. But not saying he is as good. The dynamic up forward was dynamic with him there. We were more mobile.

And just like that we’re in Melbourne, we caught the first flight as it’s never delayed. Got a few hours to kill in the CBD. Looking fwd to a big response today, Oliver’s 150th and JVR debuting. Carn the DEES

Some of the best footy we have played since during 2021

Melksham is a weapon as a sub. Stiffled the influence of that ugly mofo Lizard Blakey......

I think Nibbler is having a good year so far. No doubt he's playing his role defensively getting up and down the ground with his elite endurance, but I actually think his offensive game is better this year than last too. I think he's getting involved in more goal scoring plays and kicking the odd one himself too, by pushing forward into space and really following the ball forward and crumbling. In 2021, I thought Nibbler had a pretty good year, so hopefully it's something of an omen.

Mc Vee is an absolute cat! So much has changed from the bad old days in how we blooded guys like Watts and with the handling of Trenners and Grimes etc Van Rooyen , Mc Vee , Chandler Bowey, Spargo , Rivers , Sparrow and Jordon are ready to not only play but to excel.

When sydney was really pushing hard and got close I thought hunter had a gf harmes like moment with the perfect kick to chandler in the pocket and that goal steddied us big time

We finally beat Sydney!!!!!!

Hard on Viney - he had an ordinary first half but was important after that. He’s a long way from being dropped.

Grundy a collosus in the ruck today. We'll done young man

He has really stepped up in both our wins. JJ also does so much better playing in the guts. I’d have him in there before Viney (whose form is a worry). Sparrow came into it more as the game got older. Spargo gets a very bad wrap on here. The numbers crucifying him for his attempt near half time, he was at least 5 meters away from it. He had a good game (and I’m not his biggest supporter). Need to keep up this momentum. Go Dees

It means Geelong will finish bottom so its pretty close to perfect

Phenomenal response by the team. A real statement game without the skipper. A lot of teams will take notice as the swans are top 4 material. Hopefully BBB was a tactical sub and not through injury.

Grundy v Jackson reckon we got a clear answer today. Great performance

Highest win at the MCG since 2018, well done boys!!

Was an interesting match today. Considering the Swans kicked a couple of junk time goals and Casey still won by 7 goals, one would think they completely dominated the match, however at stages it felt like Sydney could have easily won the match. Sydney dominated the first quarter and large portions of the 3rd term, however they missed some gettable shots and Casey were very good at getting goals when required against the grain which was the difference between the two sides. I was more impressed with Casey's win this week then I was last week. Last week we pretty much dominated the game and it was only as close as it was because we kicked 1.9 to start the match. This week Sydney were right in the match and dominated sections of the match. We also only had 11 senior listed players in the team this week compared to 16 last week I think it was. A great team effort in the circumstances. A few things of note today; 1. Both Tom McDonald and Adam Tomlinson played like men desperate to get back in the seniors. McDonald marked everything that came his way and was a constant presence, while Tomlinson was a real general down back. Tomlinson had his hands full at times, as the battle between he and Hayden McLean was a good contest to watch with them out-bodying each other on different occasions, but if you had to award the points one way or the other, you'd have to give them to Tomlinson. Also their leadership and instructions to team-mates and where to go was top notch. 26 minutes into the final term and 7 goals up and Tomlinson was still telling the midfielders off for giving up 4 clearances in a row. Was great to see. 2. Both Sestan and Moniz-Wakefield have real x-factor about them. Sestan didn't get much of it, but he kicked 2 and created plenty of opportunities for others. He's a natural goal kicker by the looks of things and I can see him keeping the pressure on someone like Fritsch as a mid sized forward. While Moniz-Wakefield looks really clean and dangerous whenever he's around. He also looks pretty good in the air. Just needs to get a left foot IMO. 3. Matt Jefferson has sticky hands. Love his marking ability and I expect that he'll have a strong year at Casey before getting a bit more muscle on his frame before he can put his hand up in 2024 and beyond for a senior chance. 4. I like Hayden McLean from Sydney. A few years ago I'd suggest we target him as a potential target. Though with Van Rooyen and Jefferson coming through the ranks and Setan a good mid-sized developing player as well, he probably isn't on our radar. One to keep an eye on though. 5. The egg and bacon rolls were back!

Even at this early stage in the season, I don’t think it needs to be emphasized too much how important today’s game is against Sydney - it truly is an 8 point game. A win keeps us in close touch with the top teams in the competition and leaves us well in contention for a top four placing. And we really need to know whether last week’s form was an aberration after such a strong pre season and the big win over the Bulldogs in Round 1.

Also, the first time we've kicked 21 goals since the GF. What a ripper today was. JVRs debut was so exciting. I loved the Petty move and he'll be better for the forward game this week. All of a sudden, JVR and Petty could be the power forwards, with Jefferson developing and waiting in the wings. Grundy, Clarry and Trac all excellent. I reckon Trac has at least another few gears to go to as well. While Clarry was Clarry. Loved Grundy's work around the ground, once the ball hit the deck and I thought his ruck work for the most part was very good. The mobility of Grundy and JVR at ground level in ruck contests was really noticeable and Petty's mobility compared to Brown makes us a more dangerous prospect forward of centre too. Note, I do think there is still a place for Brown as well, but today showed we can afford to give a TMac or a Brown a rest and still kick big scores. Finally, two other special mentions. I'll start with Charlie Spargo. He's really stepped up his game. I've always been a fan and defender. His ball use is elite, but now he's starting to be really dangerous at ground level and he's getting involved more. The other is Chandler. I didn’t think he'd make it, but today he won me over. A top notch performance with great tackling, neat and efficient kicking. And like Fritsch, he knows how to generate scoring shots. A week's a long time in footy and can't wait for next week.

Spargo out WTF

Well done Brodie Grundy. Ia was still critical of his performance against the Lions but je certainly played like the Brodie we know he's capable of. Gave us some good use and provided some good follow up work. Jordan's performance means Harmes is now depth imo. Came in and did a role and did it well. His work rate is extremely high and works hard defensively. That was the Langdon we know. Good to see him back to form. Hunter is a bloody gun! That kick to Chandler completely turned the game our favour. I've never seen a kid never panic like McVee does. Super composed and some of his one on one's battle that he won was incredibly impressive. Honestly I'm blown away by his development. Some would easily say that if you watched some of his Casey games last year you wouldn't have been surprised if he was playing suburban footy this year just purely how raw and out of his depth he looked. Well done Juddy. Rivers intercepting marking was very impressive! Very courageous player and doesn't take a backward step at all. JVR.. enough said, the kid is a beast! Has cult figure staus all over him. So happy for Chandler. I was screaming for his inclusion last year but he's worked extremely hard and is now getting rewarded for good form. His pressure and defensive work is impressive. My only negative is Viney. He was incredibly poor and just completely butchered for a senior player. It's time the coaching staff start getting midfield minutes into Sparrow (who was impressive in limited time as an onballer) and use Viney more up forward because when Sparrow comes in I feel he generates good clearances and drive in our midfield. All in all probably one of our best performance since 2021. Watching West Coast now and they currently have one on the bench half way through the 3rd quarter. Percentage booster hopefully.

Great coaching by Goodwin with the changes at selection. Jordon was sensational and should never be underestimated. The move of Petty worked well. Bringing in of the Roo was exciting. Also competed hard in the ruck. Sticking with Chandler and McVee was inspired. Changing the fwd line structure with BBB being subbed off worked. Hibberd brings solidity. Langdon was back to the Langdon we know. Some of the comments in the game day threat were ridiculous. Particularly aimed at Viney, Tracc and Oliver. Some nice intercept marks by Rivers and was a tad unlucky Papley kicked three. Lever would be leading the B&F at the moment.

Brodie Grundy take a bow.

That was seriously fun to watch!