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Been pretty crook for awhile didnt think i would make it to today .Got to go to the Alfred today already told them i have to be home by 7 .Go DEES

Wishing you all the best, fd … I’m into the second week of an 8 week break in treatment, and figure that a win tonight will have me in top top condition!

7am. ✈️ just went past this on the Tulla… … and got goosebumps!

There are some truly garbage hot takes in this thread, but equally there was some ridiculous overconfidence after beating Carlton in a practice match (say it with me one more time - it was a [censored] practice match). I was there. The humidity was telling. We simply didn't cope. That's understandable, but disappointing. Grundy was good but the key difference was he wasn't being blocked, checked, hit and kneed at every contest. Gawn was. We know this happens when we go in without proper ruck support. This has been happening for 8 years. We were also visibly cooked about 5 minutes into the last. That will partly be because we were a player down plus May appeared to be hobbling, and partly because we struggled with the humidity. But it's also concerning. We pride ourselves on our fitness and specifically running out fourth quarters, but we were gassed too early. Having said all that, three things really stand out to me as areas of significant concern: I never, ever, want to see Spargo, Chandler and Laurie in the same side again. On the understanding that ANB is a walk-up best 22 player, there will never be a situation in which we need all three of these players alongside ANB. Sadly, I do not see anything in Laurie to suggest he's good enough, but IMO Spargo was atrocious tonight - I watched him and he appeared lazy, pointing without manning up and waltzing between contests. I didn't like that we picked him off no practice matches and I think it was a massive mistake. I think we conceded that we stuffed this up by subbing so early in the third, which we don't normally do. The worst bit was that this robbed us of a rotation when Bowey went down. Spargo will probably be suspended but I'd be happy to drop him for Kozzie next week We can't play Schache again. Not after that. That was so, so weak. They ignored him most of the night, allowing McCartin to blanket JVR. Fullarton or Brown have to replace Schache next week. We lost CPs and clearances to a side missing three first-choice midfielders. That is enormously concerning. We do not have a good enough forward line or forward half game to be that bad in the middle, and if a side missing that much midfield power can beat us in the middle, then we are in for a tough time. I loved Howes and Windsor, Viney was incredible, and Oliver was so good for someone with the summer he's had. May was dominant in the air and Salem in the midfield clearly works. I won't write us off after one summer's game in Darwin-like conditions, but enough went wrong tonight to give me a lot more doubt than I want.

Goodwin continues to be the worst match day coach in the league. To say he’s even reactive is overselling it. He absolutely has to go. If people want to drink his bath water from ‘21; fine. But he had a Ferrari and he’s continued to treat it like a lawnmower. The selection committee isn’t far off either. There’s absolutely no transparency or authenticity of selection. To bring Spargo in after his off season was a joke, not to mention the decision to play Laurie, Chandler and Spargo in the one side.

Clarry completely gassed by the end. Not his best game tonight but still pretty serviceable. 29 disposals and 6 clearances off bugger all preseason and other issues to overcome is a strong effort from a champion. Chin up Clarry!

🥳 GAMEDAY!!! GameDay brekky… 😝 GO THE MIGHTY DEES! ❤️❤️❤️💙💙💙 Hashtag Longest. Off-season. Ever. EVER!

Outstanding use of the sub by Goodwin yet again. Billings came across to Melbourne to seek a fresh start and regain some much needed confidence. So nothing surer than our master mind coach starting Billings as sub and denting whatever confidence he gained in the practice matches. We looked unfit and unskilled. The large rehab group throughout pre season was reflective tonight. We badly missed Kozzie’s spark while Sydney didn’t appear to miss their three mids at all.

She’s fine, thanks fd. She’s just woken from a much-needed nap and she’s about to head on over to Watson’s for an hour or so (til gates open at the ground). She’s also wondering why she’s third-personing herself 🤷‍♀️

Hope they win it for you. And Hardtack.

Of all our pre-season drama, this flew right under the radar. Our forward line output has been garbage for years now but Stafford remains. We don’t have a great forward line but [censored] it’s not awful either, Fritta walks into any team in the comp, JvR is a rising star, Pickett is Pickett, Nibbler works harder than anyone at the club, and Chandler/Spargo have shown they can hit the scoreboard. All the while we also have Trac as a mid/forward who’s one of the best players in the comp. I’m sorry if you can’t make something of that you’re not a good line coach. Petty will make a difference but he’s returning from a serious foot injury, we can’t rely on him being the answer.

Cracking day here in Sin City, knocking off work early, leaving home at 5. Was flat for moths after the Carlton game and the off season didn’t help. It’s amazing what a week in footy brings…. So pumped! Dees by 53

Only 10 days til round 1! im pumped!

The only Sydney I’m a fan of right now is Sydney Sweeney!

Interesting stat I saw on Twitter. Since we lost to Port by 50+ in 2020 we've only lost one other match by 30 or more points (Freo at the MCG in 2022). We've also only lost 24 games out of the past like 96. It is an outstanding record but it does have me wonder what it's all for. Feeling we are in for a tough, long season. I just can't see us pulling a Geelong or Hawthorn and suddenly coming good. I don't think Goodwin has the coaching prowess and I feel we are a bit too raw still. The confidence is there but I think this mob needs a revolutionary leader. Someone to really inject some fresh ideas. We've got another season of this to look forward to and to be quite frank it's not appealing and not good for the fans. Tonight was ugly and we simply aren't ready. I hope for Goodwin's sake that this doesn't snowball into another 2019 because he won't survive.

I believe that today is Melbourne's earliest start to a season ever, beating the game vs Richmond played on Wednesday 8 March 2000. The season started and ended early due to the Sydney Olympics which opened in mid September 2000. The Demons lost to the Tigers by 2 points and went on to play off in the Grand Final that year. Richmond 7.1 11.6 14.7 14.10 94 Melbourne 4.3 6.6 10.9 13.14 92 Attendance: 41,648 Venue: M.C.G.

And to you HT I feel the same way about a win

Get well and Go Dees.

Terrible handling of the wet footy. Cost us 4 or 5 goals. Was an issue last year too.

Oliver prowling around the centre circle looking like a [censored] gorilla checking it's territory

From the training, I forgot to mention that Williams has been supervising Traccs goal kicking at the end of the sessions. I mostly see Choco emphasising the spin the right hand gives to the ball as it leaves the hand and drops to the foot. It is the slow spin for Tracc that he slams home. Occasionally gets the ball spinning too quick or with a wobble, and the ball will go a little left or right. The lovely drop happens when not much thought or he starts kicking them. Hoping his constant repetitions and hard work have paid off and he gets 3 or 4 goals tonight.

I'm a lifelong Dees fan, but have lived in Adelaide for 20 years. Most of you may say unfortunate, and I'd agree that the city itself doesn't offer a great deal apart from big blocks, little traffic and is great to raise a family. 20 minutes to an hour out of the city and it is simply unreal. Adelaide Hills, Wineries, Restaurants, very few people and some of the countries best beaches. Gets a bad wrap I think. Visit with a local and you will have a different view. I also detest Adelaide Crows supporters. Not only do they have no idea about the rules, boo everything, and are horrifically one eyed, they are also unaware that the name of their team is factually incorrect. There are no crows at all south of Port Augusta (3.5 hours north of Adelaide). All ravens........... Haven't seen many demons in Melbourne before mind you. Not before midnight anyway. Anyway congratulations Tom Sparrow.

Shows you what they know - I can confidently say we’ve never lost a game by 7.9 points

I’m more than happy to go in as the underdog, and come out smiling! 😀 Dees by 20.

Cote de Ivorie - West Coast Africa, post unfun surgery, cannnnnoooootttt wait, 8.30am here which is reasonable all things considering. Daughters surfing lessons will have to wait.

The only thing worse than boring football is watching losing boring football

Why school girls? Rubbish analogy

When I don't understand something, I find it useful to to do some dot points and diagrams to better my understanding. I think I've cracked it!

Only one game but looks like the same issues as last year. Just no forward line connection.

I’m normally a very half glass full guy but that was the most pathetic showing I can imagine. Im done with Goodwin. Mini-rebuild now please.

It's Game Day and today our 2024 Premiership Campaign begins. The Dees have traveled up to Sydney to take on the Swans to take their first step in their redemption arc to bury their consquecutive straight sets finals exits Demons and strive to reclaim the flag on the last Saturday of September.

I detest Thursday night football. Ruins your Friday as well as the weekend.

Disappointed that we debut Billlings as sub, particularly after our media team made a big deal over our three debutants this game. Surely he deserved his spot after the praccies over a couple of others out there.

Windsor is a player. Great vision there

Absolutely cannot do well if Frittata and Spargo cannot nail those. Reminiscent of last years finals.

Given our off season, this will be a defining game. Get em Dees, give them nothing. I want to see scorn on their faces, no laughter or pats on back until the end, or unless a bit of magic happens. Angry and ruthless, us against them. Run out the quarters, get those late goals and go into the break on a high, and definitely to not concede in the time-ons. Pressure, contest and causing turnovers is the modern game and our DNA, plus holding it in our forward area and playing roles. The Carlton community game showed that our zone is still working unless the opps 'take it on'. Be interesting to see if we use fast and powerful plays down corridors, and some blitzing to create a string of goals. Feeling confident. Go Dees

Sydney is your second favourite city? Really? I reckon I have 100 ahead of it. (It used to be about 70, then Peter V'Landys happened.)

Arriving in Sydney in one hour then on to the game tonight, pumped.

I was shocked by the odds yesterday?! They're missing Adams, Parker and Mills from the midfield and were still tipped against us strongly... Feels like everyone has bought into the "melbourne is a dumpster fire" narrative this summer. Time to prove it wrong i guess!

It looks like your Boomer coffee plunger is lecturing your recalcitrant Gen-Y V's on the quality of caffeine/i50s over quantity.

Faaaaaark, are we keen or what? 😂😂😂😂😂

remember we used to be afterthought in this comp and again we are now opening the season in a blockbuster All eyes on us tonight. give ‘em hell!

Yes, the Eastern Dark were a great band (I have both them and The Deadly Hume on my Apple Streaming service). I vaguely know Bill Gibson as he plays with a good friend of mine, Bernie Hayes, and was this year involved in the Elvis birthday celebrations at the Marrickville Bowlo in which I’m also involved, but couldn’t play this year because of my condition. I’ve probably mentioned this numerous times before (combination of old guy syndrome and chemo side effect), but our two guitarists were playing in The Lime Spiders (Ged Corben - later started The Cruel Sea with his brother) and Grooveyard (Ian Little - also played in The Bambalams back in those days).

Get to use my interstate supporter free ticket tonight…. Live 15 mins by car down the road from the SCG. Struggling to pay attention at work, butterflies, reading anything about the game that pops up - yep it’s game day!! Looks like there are not many tickets left online so should be a good crowd. We need to make some noise!!

jaysus, i’d need a Gavascon chaser after that brekky! maybe a defibrillator too!

Headed up the Deadly Hume after watching the Dees at Casey versing The Tiges. Spent 5 days coping with 39 degrees and a tsunami of Taylor Swift fans, visited my demons supporting brother ( member) before flying back to Berlin. Beside myself waiting for this game, Go Dees!

Feeling very confident Clarry to dominate. Fritschy to kick 5. Dees by 20 points

In Sydney with 30 close mates from the Surfcoast. Unlike them I’m in the cheap seats - behind the Demon Army. Last time I sat with the cheer squad ‘Froggy’ Crompton kicked the winning goal. I’ve got a feeling Blake Howes could replicate the feat tonight.