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Got my tickets. Go Dees!

Just f**king win

I have noticed this also but I think it is deliberate from the Cats. I think they think their best chance is for us to choke on the big stage. That swarmy smile from Selwood was a give away. they have been dismissing the round 23 choke from them as not mattering as they were already in the top 4 - even though they go smashed by Port away. and they have not acknowledged the loss to Port either. Man I would love to see that smile wiped off Selwood's face

What's there to be nervous about? We win - brilliant. We don't - the sun still comes up on Saturday. Us supporters have 0 influence over the result. No point worrying about what one cannot control. We are going to win anyway.

If Ralphy reckons we're no chance, Cerra is guaranteed to be in the red and blue next year

There is a great article on the ESPN Australia website about the MFC past players association for those who are interested. How Melbourne's past is inspiring the new generation to success

Game officially sold out 👏

2018 has also been brought up on here as have curses and other such. In the end the only relevance it had was to reinforce to Goody the need to fix our key defence posts. We went and got May & Lever... This team will be judged on it's own performance, so far it looks pretty good to me. It's the first time since '64 that we've had a realistic chance of winning a flag. It doesn't mean we will win it, but we're well in this race. 2018 will have nothing to do with anything now...

The way I look at it is that we wouldn't be going to all the trouble of actually sitting down with him and having a meeting if we didn't think we could strike up a deal. Ralph is just trolling.

Agree everyone I've spoken to are on us I think we'll have great support at the game. It's going to be a whole different experience to watching us against the Eagles and their rubbish, very exciting. Myself and my 5 Demon supporting mates you can add to the tally.

I’ve been pretty calm thus far but I’m just watching Trac on 360 FMD. The nethers are starting to tingle

I hope my daughter can stay awake for it. I have no concerns for Nadia Bartel, she will stay awake to see it.

Another point to add to the mix when considering what Round 23 says about the prelim. When Geelong hit 44 points up, the scoreline was 11.2.68 to 3.6.24. So that was 13 scoring shots to 9. Four more scoring shots does not often equate to a 44 point lead. But it did that night. So much of what they did in the second quarter just...worked. We were off, sure, but they could not have capitalised any more. They didn't miss a shot on goal, the ball bounced the right way (literally, for the Cameron goal in the goalsquare), frees went their way both in terms of what was paid and what wasn't (e.g. Dangerfield running very close to the limit, if not beyond, twice in succession). I'd argue that, 9 times out of 10 (or more), Geelong wouldn't get up to a 44 point lead with the amount of time we spent "off".

Yesterday I was calm. Today I am quite anxious. This is already one of the longest weeks of my life.

I am scared out of my brains. For football I have never known fear like this before. The fact that this is our best chance to win a premiership in this lifetime and the possibility that this might be our last game for the season is terrifying. I’m almost too fearful to watch the game

I admire your optimism. But for some it’s more of an issue here. Not to get too personal, but my uncle (a lifelong demon fan) has terminal cancer. We know that this will definitely be his last grand final (we’re really hoping he makes it to Christmas.) My dad is not in the best health either. For many demonland fans here, time is running out. This may be the last chance for a few of us. If not, I’m sure I have a few here have relatives that don’t have a lot of time left. Many people see that chances don’t always come around. Seasons 1989 and 2001 proved that. If we don’t make the best of this, we may not get a better chance and this is by far the best chance we’ve had since 1964. If we don’t win it, this may have been the one chance to win that we lost. I’m certainly not going to do anything drastic if we lose, but there will plenty of tears in my eyes and I will be inconsolable for days

There's no doubt they are trying to put the pressure on us after our last PF. All their talk is centred on it. They have played in 11 of the last 15 prelims but their finals record is really poor since Scott won the flag in his first year in 2011.. Make no mistake, if Geelong lose the monkey on their back will be massive. But it wont work. We're a well drilled unit and if you go back to all our big games this year we have been 'under the pump' in all of them. Rd 4 against Geelong Rd 6 Richmond on Anzac Eve Rd 11 The Dogs at Marvel Rd 12 & Final The lions Rd 17 Prt at Adelaide Rd 21 v West Coast at Optus Rd 23 v Geelong at Kardinia Our system gives the team belief. We have been building our 'big game' form and are relaxed and rested with a full list. The pressure is all on geelong that is 1-4 in the last 5 prelims. Scott is trying to avert that pressure on to us. It won't work

Not sure if its me but in all of the interviews of players, club officials etc that i have seen are in stark contrast to the Cats. The Cats seem to be quite casual and bordering on arrogance about the PF, whilst we seem to value and respect the difficulty and enormity of the occasion. Our desperation just seems to come through a little more. If it not just me, then it is is an interesting insight into the opposing philosophies. Particularly where we have come from in times gone past. Im not sure how to read it and what it actually means, but it is interesting nonetheless.

Agree my friend. I am already getting tense and nervous. My stomach churns. And it’s 3 days before the preliminary final, let alone the Grand Final. This is our year. I have to believe it. The opportunity is there for us. For so long we have watched other sides enjoy the glory and their supporters mock us. (How many premierships have you won in colour!!). We have the team. We are as good if not better than anyone else. We can win it. We have to win it.

you think I'm choosing to be nervous/anxious??

Me and my mate

I just can't see Geelong winning in the middle. Selwood has been poor for a while; rated one of the worst vs GWS. Parfitt out. Connors out (breathe easy Clayton), Duncan just getting some match practice, Dangerfield has broken fingers. Stanley needs to back up a good game last week which was against a battered Mumford. They are patching up their midfield on the run with new additions each week. Stanley, Danger and Selwood had a great 20 minutes vs us in round 23. Cameos really. We will need most of Viney, Gawn, Oliver, Langford, Petracca and Brayshaw to have poor games to lose the mid-field battle. Just. Won't. Happen.

Dead set one of the best articles I've read this year. I made note last week about Brad Green tearing up to the Norm Smith Curse promo from channel 7 and how much it means to these ex players as much as supporters. Reading that Stephen Tingay was crying after our first finals win back in 2018 and then Clint Bizzell losing his voice from screaming with delight against his old mob this year is just terrific. Well done to Rod Grinter. Once again, a fantastic article!

Cheers for that. I've just told myself to relax and I'm in a world of bliss! not even anxious about covid, work or homeschooling anymore!

I'm feeling sick because I hate Geelong so much I can't cope with the idea of them beating us and then potentially winning the GF. I don't think I will feel as bad as this if we get through to the GF, particularly if Port win their PF, as I have a couple of really good friends who I could be happy for even If I am devastated. I am starting to feel that Optus may be better for us than the MCG, as I think the crowd will be 90/10 our way (and pretty feral against the cats) and I'm hoping they will influence the umpires like they do for West Coast games.

Apologies if a re-post...

Still confident about facing slooooooow cats - but, incase it goes otherwise - how many would be allowed to attend my funeral in person, being Victorian?

So Ralph did state he thinks MFC is Cerra's main priority ... he just forgot how creative MFC are at moving up the trading order and that they can make it happen 9 times out of 10

There is no crossing of the mind. No way is Majak Daw playing in a Preliminary Final.

I have just seen this OP. I’m in Sydney so can’t go. I also spoke to membership dept last week and was told I can either get a refund for my $150 GF Guarantee or can pass it on to someone in Perth. If we make it I’ll be passing on to a family member. If people are thinking of pursuing the refund I encourage you to try and find someone who will pay you the $150 for your GF Guarantee. That way the Club keep the $150 and the team get extra supporters there.

I've got five extra Demon supporters going Friday night. It will be great if we can drown out any Jeeeeelong supporters.

Prelims are the people’s finals, you don’t get all the hangers on and fat cats like you do the granny. When Eagles or Freo have played home prelim, which has only been 05, 13, 15 x2 and 18 outside of members you really struggle to get a ticket. There’s quite a decent vibe to be part of it this week and great for footy lovers. 8 of us going and can’t wait

Young and Bold v tired & old

The 1954 season was the beginning of a great era for the Demons, and we beat Geelong in the Preliminary Final. Of that team I think there are six surviving members:- Ron Barassi, Clyde Laidlaw, Noel McMahen, Noel Clarke, Laurie Mithen and Brian Dixon. Friday night’s game may provoke memories for them of a great win, which hopefully will be repeated!

Great article, thanks for sharing

No knock on him having impeccable mail, just the whole I know there is an injury, but not telling who it is. It's not positive to the psych of the supporters particularly right now

here it is

Cerra in for Sparrow would be a real ambitious play in the team changes this week

ANB would change the balance. Is a key player, not least because there isn't really a clear replacement for his role with his aerobic capacity

I hear last Friday's pitch included a #positivelingers keep cup and t-shirt as well as the free muffin offer down at Olive at Loch. No wonder his manager was impressed.

for front-ended contracts i can't believe they wouldn't have a claw-back clause if player breaks contract early especially after beams, but it's just common sense anyway.

We are going to win lads, just get used to it.

I'm pleased to announce that the winner this week is Timothy Redden-A'Blew who was first in. Timothy wins the Zookeeper Award for his efforts and takes home a team of ANIMALS!! B: Wayne Henwood Brent Crosswell Peter Everitt H/B: Alec Epis David Mackay Luke O'Sullivan C: Phil Maylin Bobby Skilton Matthew Febey H/F: John Longmire Nick Reiwoldt David Schwarz F: Allen Aylett Jason Dunstall Wayne Carey R: Paul Salmon Dale Weightman John Platten I/C: Phil Baker Damien Monkhorst Brian Roberts Tony Buhagiar. Or, if you prefer, Moose, Tiger, Spider, Kookaburra, Swan, Rhino, Shark, Chimp, Mouse, Horse, Roo, Ox, Toad, Piggy, Duck, Fish, Flea, Rat, Snake, Monkey, Whale and Budgie.

That's 4 words Joe!!

Great to hear. I’ve got the ticket, G2G pass (from SA), flight and accommodation. Just read sold out. Wish all Melbourne members/supporters could be there. Cannot wait till Friday evening. Go Dees

I couldn't even get a ticket in the members section for myself so ended up settling for a group of 3 in a section our the wing. WA is a footy loving state, and i'm seeing a lot of neutral support for Melbourne. The boys will be well supported.

Im taking 2 more neutrals who will be Dee's fans for the day.

Just booked five tickets for the game. All Eagles supporter mates coming but they’ve all agreed to wear Demons scarves.