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Huge news that just popped up out of nowhere. Though Max is our captain by title and spiritual leader, I see Lever as our main onfield leader. His voice and onfield coaching is critical to this teams success. Great news he’s extended without fuss!

Agree, winning territory is key. For us scoring from turnover and a positive turnover differential is also key, as of course is winning contested ball and pressure. Those things are key in all our games. But the most critical element for us is our defence system - and by that i mean our all team defence, not just our back seven. Leaving aside the fact we want to negate the pies ability to transition fast any time we play them, there's no way we wanted to get into a fast transition game with the pies on KB because the Pies have us for pure leg speed and we were not fully wound up fitness wise (though nor were the Pies it must be said). So if i was to pick one thing we need to replicate from the KB match on Thursday night it would be our brilliant all team defence and defensive system. We worked really hard to deny them time and space. We did this by: working really hard to get players into the corridor and take that option away (and as the game wore on pick off their efforts to go thru the corridor) working really hard to cover switches compressing the ground and creating density by having our defenders push up creating frontal pressure and having players run hard at the Pies ball carrier. That latter element is critical because it gives them no space ahead of the ball carrier, making it really hard to run and carry forward (ie the way rivers has been playing in the back of the half of the season ie receive the ball, run and carry for 15-20 meters and launch, or even better hit a target in a dangerous spot). But it is a system that has to be spot on because when a player runs at the ball carrier to shut down their space, another dees player has to work hard to cover off the Pies player left free. And when they do so, space is created behind that player which also has to be covered. That is a very sophisticated, complex defensive system that requires a commitment from all players to do the defensive gut running it demands, great synergy and 100% confidence in your teammates to do their job (not to mention elite fitness). Get that wrong and the Pies just tic tac it down the ground. And that's how they carve teams up on transition, particularly any team that hasn't got their all team defensive system sorted. Our brilliant all team defence and defensive system on KB meant the Pies could never get the game looking like a 'Pies game'. It also allowed us to control the tempo of the match and frustrate the Pies because you could see they wanted to get the ball moving and we constantly stopped them from doing so. It also meant the game was very much played on our terms and in a way that played to our strengths. That is the art of coaching - negate the oppo's strengths and maximize your teams' strengths. I think there are two big difference between the KB and QF: we are now in our optimal shape and will run out the game i don't think the pies are in optimal shape and are struggling to run out games - they look so similar to us last season If i'm right the Pies running power won't be the advantage it would have been if we had played them in say round four. When at their best the Pies have blitzed teams in the first quarter with speed from the back half, set up a fast game, then idle in the second and third quarters before using their superior fitness and leg speed and drop the hammer to blitz tiring teams in the last quarter. The KB was a mild version of this approach - they were on top the first 10 mins the last 10 mins of the game. But they haven't been able to implement that method since the bye, and my theory is that is because they are running out of gas - as reflected by the fact they are no longer outscoring opponents in the last q, unlike the dees who have the best 4th quarter record in the AFL over the season and the last 6 weeks. But even though their running power is less a threat, i'm sure we will look to employ similar tactics in the fist half as we did on KB in terms of our all team defensive structure, denying them time and space and controlling the tempo. And of course we will also look to cover the receiver to stymie their efforts to chain out from stoppages and contests (eg cover Sidebottom and pendles). I say the first half, because my tip is the Pies will try do what we did late last season (i think because we knew we didn't have the run in the legs) - come out hard, play fast ball in motion footy, try to a get match winning lead and hang on for dear life. So, i could see us stymie their ability to get the game on their terms in the first half, hold through 20 mins or so of the third quarter, and then, using our fitness advantage, do what we did to such devastating effect in the 2021 finals - drop the hammer and make it a fast transition game where we start taking more risks, use the corridor more and run in waves to create free players ahead of the ball. Put the acid on the pies to go with us. Bang, bang, bang. I cant see the Pies winning if they do not have at least a three goal lead at half time as we will run out the game better and roll over them.

Kynan Brown put in a mammoth performance yesterday in their wildcard round against Northern Knights. 25 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 marks and kicked 5.2 for the day. We have a beauty on our hands I reckon.

This is the most bizarre stat… collingwood haven’t played in the rain in any of their 23 games this year. Melbourne have played 6 games in the wet. How can a side go all year and avoid the rain? in any case, Thursday night might be the first time all year collingwood have played with a greasy football.

Would love to see a banner that read ... WE'RE DEMONS, YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE. WE COME FROM HELL AND WE'RE TAKING YOU THERE !!!

Could’ve been a premiership player if you had any resilience Howe, ya bogan.

So much MFCSS creeping in.... Get a grip fellow Dees. Whether delusion or an epiphany it strikes me we have been a little cagey all year. Im no expert on horse training...though somehow im a collaborative part owner of a number lol.... but one thing you don't do is throw all your effort at the leadup races. You set yourself for the big one(s). We've been caught napping at times...and weve flicked the switch when had. Imho the FD have /are playing two seasons...the h/a.. and finals. H/A ..get into finals..get there as intact as possible ...get into a box seat. Finals...bring the A game. First bounce....flick switch. I'm quite confident....so much my Collingwood wife wont watch the game with me ....lol..... The wobbly barbs from filth relatives and friends are being return of served straight back past them. They're nervous... and so is McRae. They would want to be. Yes... would be great to have Milky...or Petty...... they can play Daicos...i don't care. This is finals...they're not winning this... they don't know how. We DO !! Bring it

Strengths and Weakness analysis from AFL site. Collingwood v Melbourne, qualifying final Collingwood STRENGTHS: The Magpies' ball movement is among their many weapons, generating an inside 50 from 32.2 per cent of their defensive half chains and scoring from 13.8 per cent of their defensive half chains (both ranked No.1). They are also among the best pressure teams, leading the League for pressure rating differential this season and applying a pressure factor of 182. While some teams collapse to apply pressure before a clearance but get caught on the outside, the Magpies lead the AFL for applying pressure before and after a clearance. They have a balanced game in terms of score sources, ranking No.3 for points from turnover differential (+11.2) and No.2 for points from clearance differential (+8.7). WEAKNESS: Collingwood's weakness leading into finals has been ball-winning, losing the contested possession count by 8.7 per game (ranked No.16) and the groundball gets differential by 12 (No.17) since round 17. Melbourne STRENGTHS: The Demons remain among the best defensive teams in the AFL, ranking No.2 for points conceded (72.2) and No.1 for scores conceded per opposition inside 50. Defending transition is a key and the Demons have allowed their opposition to generate an inside 50 from just 24 per cent of defensive-half chains, and a score from just 9.1 per cent (both ranked No.1). With a strong turnover game, the Demons have scored 53.1 points a game from turnover this season and conceded the fewest points from turnover of any side (41.1 per game). WEAKNESS: Melbourne's weakness is its kicking, recording a kicking efficiency of just 63.9 per cent (ranked No.17). The 2021 premier's kick rating of -3.5 per cent for kicks going into the forward 50 ranks last.

We are a turnover team, that is true. But since when are we not a stoppage and contest team? For the season we are number: one in the AFL for average contested possessions (pies are 14th) eight for average center clearances per game (pies are 10th) seventh for stoppage clearances (pies are 11th) Those are our season numbers, and I'm pretty sure i read somewhere that we are top 2 or 3 for centre and stoppage clearances in our last 6 games, and the Pies are near the bottom of the table in both areas in the same time frame. The train hurts us becuase it negates the impact of our most impactful player - maxy. And i agree that our disposal is an issue and the wet exacerbates that issue. But i would argue the wet hurts the Pies way more than it does us. Their whole game plan is built around chaining out from contests to an outside receiver and that player executing of high risk, difficult kicks. And wet weather really impacts that model as every handball and kick is at risk of getting messed up and creating turnovers as a result. Conversely our game plan is built around getting territory, dominating time in forward half, winning inside 50 count and keeping it trapped in our front half. In other words the foundation of how to play wet weather football And wet weather means more contests and more ground balls. As evidenced by the contested possession numbers (#1 v #14) we will smash them in the contest, and as these stats suggest smash them when the ball hits the ground inside the defensive and offensive 50s: Dees are second for ground ball gets (pies are 15th) Dees are second for tackles inside 50 (pies are 16th) The blues dees game was the classic wet weather game. And the most intense, brutal game i can recall for a very long time. That's how we will play on Thursday night. Good luck to the Pies chaining up their little slick handballs trying to feed it out to a receiver or hit a target in the corridor in the wet under the sort of pressure we applied against the blues. The Pies won't know what hit them. Stats by whello: https://www.wheeloratings.com/afl_stats_team.html?year=2023

I’ve felt that since he left us he’s had multiple digs at us. Really not a fan.

The news I didn’t know I needed Well done Rick! Captain in waiting.

Channel 9 have exclusive vision of Fritta, who is now in 2 Moonboots.

Had a quick dip on the Collingwood BF. They are saying we are the most overrated 4th placed team of all time! All those nuffies can't understand why the media rates us so highly... Maybe it's because we are the only team in the top 8 with recent premiership success? Or Maybe it's because we are the only team that has finished in the top 4 in the last 3 seasons? God I hope we smash them and win by 60!!

Well I just listened to David King rave about us on SEN. We are doomed

We've waited a long time to smash Collingwood in a final. This is going to be brilliant.

He was down at Box Hill yesterday watching Casey and wasn't wearing a moonboot and at all and looked fine.

As long as we don't get beaten by what we know.

Really good point. Maxy has less impacting the wet because he cant clunk his marks, and his ability to take contested marks around the ground is what makes him such a difference maker. But taking thta strength away just means he has less impact - he still remains a brilliant athlete who can win his own ball and of course ruck brilliantly. Cox and Cameron and average players in comparison to maxy. Neither have maxy's athleticism or ruck craft. And they won't be able to mark either - and without clunking marks both are bog ordinary players.

I read with interest in this morning's Age that Pendelbury was sprucing that the Collingwood unwashed faithful will make the MCG their Colosseum, presumably with the noise they make. We matched them on Kings Birthday for noise so lets make sure the boys hear us and make the MCG the Collywobbles "living hell".

So funny. everyone at mfc and demonland knew howe going to collingwood as a forward wasn't going to work (except howe and collingwood of course) people in glass houses ffs

Colly's have been picking and choosing when to play most of the season. Finals have to be for the 4 quarters. We will push the entire time. Will the Colly's be able to sustain a full game when having to work hard? If we stop or neutralise a few of their take it through corridors and angle changes, we will get them. As their high energy exertion moments, are not sustainable. I think they have a power game, and aren't going to do the bread and butter. If they give us the momentum I believe we will run away with it. A comeback is unlikely for them as we will half expect it (given their history this season). We are flying under the radar at the moment. I imagine the players are focused to get this first one under the belt. Clarry has to work through the tags, which he did last year. Our wingers are smart and won't give the Pies an easy out. Our contest will give them little ball use, we get the ball first, problem could be not getting the ball to the outside, where the Pies will be lurking. Cause turnovers, get intercepts, be smart with ball and don't give it back to them. Go Dees!

If I’m watching footy and it’s a non Demons game I barrack for the following players: Jayden Jesse Hogan Toby Bedford Those 3 always gave everything for us. Jayden’s story is well documented here, Jesse had far too much to deal with personally before he turned 23, and Toby had a frustrating few seasons of limited chances with us, and has been great this year. I have a ‘mafia’ mentality with certain players. If you gave your all for the family then the only way out of the family is in a pine box.

If you look at the two weaknesses when it comes to finals intensity, I know which weakness I'd prefer over the other. If you can't win contest and the team you're playing against is the best defensive team in the league, you're going to have to feast on every turnover by foot, but given the strength of the defensive system you're playing against, the odds are not in your favour. While finals pressure tends to reduce all DE.

He's only 27?! Seems far more mature than that. Jesus, the things I was doing at 27... ...very lucky to have him at the club, embodies everything we want to be. Really hoping we can hold onto him in leadership and growth capacities in the future.

I find this incredibly irritating. Howe has put the boots into our club at every opportunity. [censored]. Hoping this gives our players a bit of extra edge.

@Demonland Andy, please could we rename the thread, ‘Bailey is fine’, fair dinkum it ages me seeing it with new posts. When there is something to worry about, then adjust accordingly so that I can hyperventilate as required.

We've spent most of 2023 illustrating that we can win in different ways. Slogs, shoot outs, slingshot contests etc. So the suggestion that we rely on May or Lever to intercept or our game falls over is nonsense. We can be utterly dominant if those two get going, but that's the 2021 model, we no longer need them intercepting to score and in fact are more about all our mids ands defenders winning intercept possessions and going back the other way. No doubt our ability to neutralise/defend ground ball contests inside defensive 50 is the biggest threat when wet weather arrives, but the opposition has to deal with the same threat. In other words, I completely agree.

Yes, we’ve lost a bunch of times in the wet this year. But did we lose because of the wet? I’m not sure we did. The GWS game is a great example. Our game plan stood up all say despite the rain. It wasn’t the game plan that led to the loss, it was goal kicking. Our “contest and defence” was fine. We were a kick off beating Port in the rain and played one of our best quarters of the season when it poured. That loss didn’t at all suggest to me our game doesn’t work in the wet. We just got beat by a fop 4 side with an AA mid playing out of his skin.

I'll ask my daughter Siobhan, who lives in Cockburn 🙄

I saw Kiss last year (got a free ticket and only went to honour the memory of me when I was six). I can tell you from experience that this band really needs a lot of explosions and a very dark arena to pull the whole thing off. Going by the weather trends this year, I have a feeling the GF will be a warm one. Get ready for lots of high-definition close-ups of some 70+ year-old dudes with black and white streaks melting down their faces, and with nary an explosion to hide behind. Could be “Meatloaf:The Sequel”. (Mind you, I get a real thrill out of watching disastrous live performances, and thoroughly enjoyed Meatloaf’s set that year)

Ex Melbourne players I actively barrack against J. Howe

Relax listen to him Thursday he will have changed his opinion by then.

Nice one future Skip! Should see out his career as a Dee 🙂

Pies fans are nervous. they deservedly finished first but get the worst draw of all. suck it. Mates i’ve spoken too are not confident This QF for me is as big as a PF. whoever wins has one hand on the premiership cup [censored] im fired up!!!

From memory, Adel quickly announced him as Lever’s superior successor. I don’t even care if he’s any good - let’s get him just to give Tex grief

The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 4th September @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we preview the Demons upcoming Qualifying Final against Collingwood on Thursday night. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat LIVE: https://demonland.com/podcast Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31

They can bring the four horsemen of the apocalypse... i don't care... It won't matter..

The melts on this website that we overpaid for him. Classic Demonland.

Grundy is a competitor. If a spot opened up to go and win a flag you don't think he'd give it his all to win one? Of course he would. He's 29, this may well be his only chance. I have no doubt that if Gawn is injured Grundy will come straight in and give it 100%!

Now if 'Kiss' isn't incentive enough to get to big dance, I don't know what is. 🤟

Underweight key forward who does not have senior level running ability plays every game of the year (the most of any player in the VFL) and struggles in a final where his team is pummeled. Is that the issue? Am I getting that right? I think people significantly undervalue the difference between a professional AFL environment and schoolboy football, and the toll that takes on your body over a long season. This is particularly true for a player that was nowhere near senior running ability when he came to the club and the amount of stress that his body will be going through to adapt to the changes in workload. You could see in previous games that he was running on fumes at the end of a long season, as you can for a few other young players.

One the best acquisitions the club ha made. Crows fans are still seething that he left :)

Brilliant news. Lever could easily be Captain of this club has leadership in spades.

Interesting that he's running off the mouth. Last time Langdon did that, they hit him.

Some dodgy umpiring calls arguably cost us the Port game. The bump ball mark in the last quarter; a few questionable high tackles on the 1/4 and 3/4 time sirens... That being said, Port had enough chances to put the game away in the first half before we switched on in the 3rd quarter - we were lucky to still be in the contest at 1/2 time. The Essendon game - I just put down to it being 'one of those games'. Probably the only game we've played in the last 3 years where we were never in the game. Happening in Round 5 is no big deal. There's no other side that's only had 'one of those games' in 3 years. We were all over Geelong up until 3/4 time. I suspect we were following a heavy 'loading' program around the time that game was played, and the reason we ran out of legs in the last quarter. We won every single aspect of the GWS game, bar the scoreboard in the end. If that same game was played again, we would win it 9 out of 10 times the way we played that day. Unfortunately, our forward line wasn't functional, GWS kicked goals against the run of play and from very difficult positions (namely, the Josh Kelly winner), when we couldn't even compose ourselves to win the game in the dying minutes (Neal-Bullen just kicked it nowhere with no pressure on him when he had teammates free 15 metres out from goal). We may play better in the dry, but I wouldn't be too worried playing in the wet. The 'contest and defence' ethos aligns itself with more chaos ball movement, which means skills are never going to be pretty anyway. It'll be congested throughout, like finals generally are. I watched the replays of the Swans and Lions finals losses last year - they were exactly that way. We just have to play four quarters and run the game out and we will be ok - something we couldn't do in the finals last year and the only reason we lost both games.

You do realise the last time Hibberd played on Elliott was last year round 21 and Elliot taught him a lesson and kicked 4 on Hibbo right... So many are so fixated on Hibberd playing when he's clearly just about done as a footballer. Goody not playing him in a full game since Geelong where Gary Rohan also taught him a lesson is why he hasn't been able to break in. Some serious lack of respect for McVee who's done the big jobs on the likes of Dusty and Charlie Cameron. He'll play on Elliot and do the job just fine.

Dean Terlich was one of those players plucked from nowhere who had noticeable limitations, but gave his all every time he pulled on the jumper. Certainly didn't die wondering and gave it his best crack.