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At the 9.43 mark of the third quarter, after Hopper had injured his leg again, I noted Oliver giving a pat to the injured opposition player. I turn 74 today, and the older I get, the more gestures like that impress me. With regard to Oliver's performance, he's slowly but surely getting there. he has come from a long way back. All power to him.

“If we play like that next week vs (whomever), we’re done.” ”Had we been playing against a half-decent side we would’ve been flogged.” Same old, same old. 🙄 We’re not even a third of the way through the season, and the season is long. There’s gonna be ups and downs and even sideways. Nothing is decided in April. Take the win ffs. Moreover, ENJOY the win. Enjoy each and every win, even if only for 24 hours. Please and thanks. 👍🏽😃

I don’t know much about Andrew Wu it his views on us but this reads like it’s laced with disrespect. Never mind that it’s Caleb, not “Jacob Windsor”, or that our ability to score in 2021 wasn’t confined to just the last two finals. He writes about Turner kicking goals as if it’s a bad thing, that it reeks of desperation. If it were Geelong who had found 3 goals from a kid, what’s the bet the commentary would be “they’ve found another one, how do they do it?!”. And the gratuitous reference to “smoking them” at the end, when the article has nothing to do with May, or Collingwood, or anything related to that story, just to me feels like disrespect. End rant.

Here I was coming on to demonland to enjoy the win. Sheesh. I’ve seen enough dees games over the years to know you celebrate 42 point wins.

Is TMac "one goat"? Seriously, one shanked kick trying to create attack through the corridor in a season of excellence so far and some people are calling for his head. He played well again last night too. I thought Woey was good and I'm pretty sure he'll make it. He's very strong, nails his tackles - ask Dusty, and he's got a bit of toe. Part of a great back seven with Salem and Bowey out. ANB was great again last night, he's everywhere and has somehow become hard to tackle - an amazing transformation. He also sticks his tackles which he didn't used to. Lingers is back to his motoring best. We're a work in progress with a lot of youth in our side and it's an interesting season. Heaven help us if Max gets injured though - what an awesome player and captain - the best in the league IMO.

10 goals to 2 in the second half and only gave up 5 goals all match. Demonland can be the absolute worst sometimes.

We did what we needed to and won by 7 goals. With Lever allowed to play on a small, he was hugely influential all match with 15 intercepts and 26 touches. Crazy stats. He was best afield for mine. Disco Turner was fantastic. Not only did he hit the scoreboard, but he presented really well. Kudos @binman. Pretty sure you called this. Anyway, I hope Disco gets real confidence out of that game and takes on the Geelong and Carlton defences now. You could see his first set shot was quite tentative, but once he got the gimme in the square to open his account, his looked confident in his other two set shots, which were really excellent kicks. Especially his second goal. Kozzy's front half pressure and unpredictability is so, so important. He's becoming a top 5 most important player for what he brings to our forward half, occasional midfield bursts and the way we want to set up on slingshot. I thought the trajectory of the game was interesting too. We conceded territory and had them kicking long into our crowded D50 for much of the first quarter and looked dangerous on the slingshot, which is exactly how we want to play this year. Concede territory if we can't get a clean, cutting centre clearance and play counter like Collingwood last year and Geelong for however many seasons. The problem with the first quarter is we fumbled and failed to switch the ball when we were often set up for the switch and had some potential scoring chains break down through taking the wrong options in tight and on those angled kicks. In the second quarter, we refused to switch the ball (I think our first switch for the game incredibly came in the last quarter) and tried to play fast and took the wrong options or failed to execute the right kicks or handballs. This fast play has McQualter's fingerprints all over it, although maybe it's Goody? Many have been crying out for more offence, well, this is how you get it, but you have to execute. And yes we do have the players to do it, because look at the second half. Our aim is to slingshot straight away with angled kicks or handball releases off half back, but as we all saw, we kept picking the wrong options. I think with time (hopefully at the back end of this season), we'll get this balance right and it will become more instinctive and if we do, look out. With the second half, we started hitting targets and stopped fumbling and our 'potential' scoring chains turned into scores. It can be a relatively simple game when you hit targets and play quickly. I do really think we need to utilise the switch way more than we do. An incisive switch opens up teams in the modern game. We didn't set up for it against Brisbane because we were knackered, but in this game we often set up for it, but didn't look to switch at all. If we're going to be a serious contender this year, we need to add this move to our arsenal. Anyway, all we needed to do tonight was win comfortably and despite the first half scoreline, we did. Huge fortnight coming up. If Geelong beat Carlton and we go 2 zip over the next 2, we'll be a game and percentage ahead of Carlton, who if you listened to the media or their supporters already have the flag in the bag. I suspect Geelong will account for them and Geelong may well be the bigger threat this year. One final point, whilst he struggled, the 1 centre ruck contest Petty attended was really fascinating. He halved the tap and then his follow up work at ground level was something I didn't think he had in him. Super nimble and explosive. He almost created a score out of it too. I hope we alternate Petty and JVR in the 2nd ruck position from now on, because it means JVR isn't as knackered when he's forward, and gives us a bit of unpredictability with three different rucks. Plus, it gets Petty into the game if he's having a quiet one. Same with JVR. Onwards, go redlegs.

He was just Clayton. He’s a bit of a left of centre thinker, and he’s honest, almost to a fault. He’s been handling himself extremely well, and I think he should be really proud of himself. Just because people are different doesn’t mean we should question everything they say and do. He’s not a robot, and that’s why he’s so valuable.

Disco’s third goal was largely due to the skill and professionalism of the person in the cheer squad holding the target. 😁 Redemption for her dreadful error in last year’s round 22 match vs Carlton where she held the target up between the goal and behind posts. She thought she’d never again be asked to hold up the target. But her comrades backed her in and she didn’t let them down. Now to work towards getting her giant flag licence back, which should be soon. I mean, it’s not like she took anyone’s eye out.

It was a light blind-side gut-punch, maybe caught a rib, off the ball. Clarry went down and will get accused of overplaying it once again. But people don't appreciate that those hits to the mid-section can hurt if unexpected/unbraced. A couple people laughed at my previous post on the matter. I like contact football. There's nothing tough though about swinging an arm into anyone when they are just standing there. Deliberately punching someone should be an automatic suspension in my opinion, whatever the outcome. It's not related to football.

Another Friday where my team has won another game. 5 wins from 7 games is a good start to any season. It sure beats 2 from 7 which was our performance for decades. Enjoy guys and gals. We dreamt of a team like this for seemingly forever.

Oh right, yeah, I hate it when young players play their roles really well and we win… What effing planet am I on? We are 5 and 2 and just doubled a teams score while possibly unearthing a possible medium tall option that could answer a few questions in the short, medium and long term. And we are obviously struggling to get our new gameplan focussed on back half turnover and quick movement from there because Salem and Bowey are missing and it can expose Lever, May, TMac more than we would like. I am glad we are persisting and not succumbing to what ‘better suits’ our defensive stars because it will benefit us in the long term, even if we drop a few games getting there.

After being frustrated last night with the game, waking up today I'm thinking how good is it to follow a team that plays a "bad" game and wins by 43 points.

Was at the game, haven't seen a replay yet. I know I shouldn't be surprised at some of the negative commentary on here, but here I am, surprised again. The first half was an arm wrestle and there were certainly some skill errors, but the Tigers were competitive and have a lot of quality players in that side not withstanding their wretched injury run. 11 premiership players took the field for the Tigers, and that's not counting guys like M. Rioli and Hopper who both played very well. We were off in the first half with our skills and sometimes decision making, and that can sometimes happen in AFL footy. We don't have a great record post bye and we were maybe a little fortunate that we played another team coming off an extended break. But we did have Gawn, and boy is he in some great form. Along with our defence, he really stood up when the game was there to be won. Some nice cameos from some of the younger, less experienced players, a rollicking performance from Ed Langdon and a real injection of speed and sure ball handling from Pickett made the second half a pleasure to watch. Petracca, Viney and Oliver once again not as influential as we'd like but that's also a silver lining. Our improvement is right there for all to see. The night itself was great as always. This has probably turned into my favourite footy night of the year and well done to both clubs for the way they put the show together. Appropriately solemn and respectful and the atmosphere before the game enables some serious reflection about what the evening and the following day means to us all.

I thought I our defensive structures held up really well all game and our intercept game was in full effect with 12 marks for May and 11 for Lever. There was really no other way for Richmond to score other than hope for a turnover when we were sucked up the ground. We simply just didn't execute in that first half but you can really just put the memory of that in the bin. We know that's not a reflection of this team's skill level and I think you and I know this team a little better. May and Lever outstanding, Rivers and T-Mac did their job. Howes continues to go unnoticed, no news is good news in the role he plays. To see Trac heavily tagged and try hard to work through it rather than crack it was very encouraging and he did come into it in that second half. Clarry looked better but maybe still not quite 100%. Here's an interesting stat: Inside 50 count was dead even at 50 each, we had 26 shots 52% and they had 16 32%. I just wanted to show that while we've got our issues going into 50 and makikg the most of chances, this is a reasonable return. How much better is this side with Kozzie in it? Thought Max deserved the BOG, a lot more hitouts to advantage this week and great around the ground stuff. Ed Langdon was great, maybe one of his better games for the year. I think we're a work in progress at the moment. It's very much to the finished product but you can see what they're trying to achieve with the way they are moving the footy. The measuring stick will be right there next week but I do think we can go up a gear. Coach Eddie will be satisfied. Have a good ANZAC day everyone and tale care. Go Dees!

I watched the first half after working some VPN magic then had to board a flight. I could tell we were a smidge off with execution but I was so sure we would open the game up in the second half and win. Imaging landing and seeing that’s exactly what happened, getting a text from my dad to say nobody was injured, and then coming to Demonland to see the wrist slashing. Worst game we’ve ever played? Surely anyone who says that has only lived max 4 years. I am looking forward to watching the second half of the worst game ever.

I just came here to say @Mel Bourne told yas all! Absolutely bang on the money .

Fritter and Disco interview

Best thing? Not hearing either of their putrid theme songs.

The first half was simply incredible. It was almost like we'd been teleported back into the Neeld era for an hour. WTF was that? It was far from his best game but Windsor intercepting that kick with a couple of seconds left, not messing it up by playing on, and then nailing the 50/50 set shot was not something I've grown accustomed to supporting this team over the journey. Superb effort. The win sucked, absolutely no sugar coating that, but I remember in 2021 when we kept winning ugly everyone on here was banging on about "if we play like that against the good teams yadda yadda yadda". Enjoy the wins, bank the points and hopefully don't [censored] it up in September this time.

Fritsch is a fascinating player. maybe the most skilled kick i’ve seen for the demons could end up our 2nd highest goal kicker of all time most underrated player in the comp

We are 5-2 with a healthy percentage, with the most difficult part of our fixture in yerms of scheduling (eg interstate travel and breaks between games) done and dusted. And we are not playing our best football. The other big factor is we are trying to implement a changed method, which is always a challenge. On that front we are number one for rebound 50s (tigers second, cats third). Laudable given better transition from the back half is the foundation of the new method. You see doom. I see upside. As clarry said in his post match interview, we started hot in previous years and fell away. He said they are focused on setting things up to plsy our best footy come finals.

Interesting how you never see Clarry whacking other players in the tummy. Weird, that.

From Clayton to Hoopers Crossing. Difficult to be an altruist in the cut-throat, ultra ambitious world where he participates. Many go after him, and he usually laughs. Rarely gets the compassion of umps, just goes deeper into packs as a response. One tough, sensitive dude. Well done Ollie.

He's coming off a 6 month injury, I think judgement needs to be held until the mid way point of the season

This re JVR. Attention everyone he's a second player 21 years old trying to make it as a key forward. How many do you know of that dominated in their second year ? Some of the comments here are way over the top.

Impressed by the growing maturity of some of the younger brigade. Augers well.

Agree, it seems like so many of our supporters are so used to following a [censored] team that they can't get the enjoyment out of being a good team. We massively boosted our percentage, we won on a Wednesday and now there's a long weekend of footy to enjoy in the afterglow of a Dees win. Cheer up everybody.

Ta. Our percentage is now 126.1. Some would have been thrilled if we won that game with a score of 113 to 70. Because if we played like that against (insert some supposedly unbeatable team here) and all that. But we win 85 to 42 (kicking 10 in the second half mind you) and despite gaining 1.5% more it's somwhow a fail. Like you get a percentage boost or an extra point for style. We missed finals by 0.2% in 2017.

Two weeks ago, when the curtain came down on Melbourne’s game against the Brisbane Lions, the team trudged off the MCG looking tired and despondent at the end of a tough run of games played in quick succession. In the days that followed, the fans wanted answers about their team’s lamentable performance that night and foremost among their concerns was whether the loss was a one off result of fatigue or was it due to other factor(s) of far greater consequence. As it turns out, the answer to the major question is still blowing in the wind after the traditional Anzac Day Eve clash between the Demons and the Tigers with the fans forced to wait a little longer for the big reveal. Not surprisingly, the match up between teams in different stages of development was never going to be a definitive guide to those perplexed by the team’s reversal of fortune after such a good week in Adelaide. There were however, some encouraging signs of work in progress towards resolving some of the puzzles presented lately to Simon Goodwin and his coaching panel. Admittedly, they only came later in the game. Circumstance made this event one that most of the 72,840 fans who turned up to the MCG would rather forget. Given the plight of the Richmond Football Club and its ever-expanding injury list and the fact that new Tiger coach Adem Yze was intimately familiar with the way the Demons play, it was inevitable that the game would turn into a slog which is precisely how the first half turned out. The crowd was treated to congested play, skill errors in abundance and a low scoring battle of the defences. A single point favoured the Tigers when the major break delivered us all to twenty minutes of respite. There was nothing more to say other than that Demon fans were entitled to feel a little despair. They had come to the football after a fortnight reflecting on a truly abysmal effort from its much vaunted midfield engine room and even worse from its forwards. Skipper Max Gawn had again been solid and key defenders Jake Lever and Steven May, their usual dependable selves as they marshalled the backline but overall, the team was faltering. Leaving aside the final term against the Lions who slammed on the brakes with the game well and truly won, scoring had seemingly stopped to a trickle. The line of attack was once again looking helpless and impotent. Whatever Goodwin said or did at half time, it worked to great effect. Or perhaps, it was simply his regular game style finally forcing the Tiger hand. The team was suddenly imbued with something - call it the Anzac Spirit if you like - but they lifted their intensity and produced an inspirational ten goal to two second half that witnessed the arrival in football terms of a new key forward. Daniel Turner will definitely be one of the few who will remember this match, along with Jason Taylor who recruited him with a late selection in the midseason draft almost three years ago. The man they call “Disco” announced himself with his three goals on a night when both his side and the opposition managed just three each in the first half. He could hardly be described as an overnight sensation. His progress since he was drafted mainly as a defender has been slow and painful, marred by injuries and a measure of disappointment along the way. And he was almost there when the club prepared him to go forward on the eve of last year’s finals but, alas, others were preferred. Then came another injury setback in the month before the start of this season. Fans will be hoping that he’s not going to be a one hit wonder. The Melbourne cause was aided by two goals each from Bayley Fritsch, Kysaiah Pickett and another newcomer to the club’s goal kicking ranks in the tactical sub, Bailey Laurie, who also will likely not forget the night. Suddenly, there was some versatility in the forward set up adding to the undoubted talent of Fritta and Kozzie. Now for a repeat of that for the full four quarters against the big guns! What we witnessed after half time was a bolder Melbourne emerging upon Max Gawn’s Frank 'Checker' Hughes medal-winning performance in wearing down Toby Nankervis and thereby, the rest of the brave Richmond line up who were by now constantly turning the ball over under pressure. Gawn finished with 23 disposals and 10 marks to go with his 26 hit outs and a goal when it really mattered to start the scoring with the match still an arm wrestle six minutes into the second half. Jake Lever’s game in defence built up to a crescendo and his 26 disposals, 11 marks and 15 intercept possessions were sublime. There’s also a lot to like about how Trent Rivers is maturing into a player of high quality. The Demons got out of the night with a percentage booster and now sit on a 5 - 2 record. They hold a much happier disposition than the one they had at half time. The midfield is still nowhere near its best but no injuries were reported either, which augurs well for their next two matches against two of the competition’s best performed clubs. Perhaps then, supporters will finally discover the answer to the big question troubling them since that problematic game against the Brisbane Lions. Bring it on! MELBOURNE 2.3.15 3.5.23 8.7.55 13.7.85 RICHMOND 1.3.9 3.6.24 4.8.32 5.12.42 GOALS MELBOURNE Turner 3 Fritsch Laurie Pickett 2 Gawn Petracca van Rooyen Windsor RICHMOND Rioli 2 Bolton Lefau Martin BEST MELBOURNE Lever Gawn Turner May Langdon Oliver RICHMOND Lefau Broad Dow Hopper Baker INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil RICHMOND Jacob Hopper (hamstring) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil RICHMOND Nil SUBSTITUTIONS MELBOURNE Bailey Laurie (replaced Caleb Windsor in the final quarter) RICHMOND Kamdyn McIntosh (replaced Jacob Hopper in the third quarter) UMPIRES Fisher, Stevic, Broadbent, Adair CROWD 72,840 at the MCG

Logging in from China to say suck [censored] to both Pies and Bombers

To be honest, it feels as if you are simply searching for proof we are no good. Clearance numbers mean squat. It's about the score from clearances differential. As I noted above we have smashing teams for scores from stoppages. I've no idea what yoy are talking about with our pressure. We had one quarter out of 28 with a pressure rating of 150 and that's evidence our pressure had been off? Apart from the lions game, when blund freddy could see we were gassed, it has been largely fantastic. Go check out the stats file thread. The pressure numbers are there for every game. And even less idea what you are talking about in terms of our last 3-4 weeks. Poor against the lions, but we still only got beaten by 22 points. Poor in the first half last night, we piled on 10 goals to 2 in the second half to win by 43 points (against the same team who rolled the swans a couple of weeks back). We beat the crows. At Adelaide oval off a five day break. And in one of the games of the season, and arguably one of our best games since our flag, we beat Port at Adelaide oval. But we all see what we want to see i guess. You're not a Smiths fan by any chance?

I tipped this

On the 7plus app all the post match interviews are there. Edit: link without app https://7plus.com.au/melbourne?video-id=AFME-D0O9W-J75FP&autoplay=true

I'm sorry but this is such a nuff nuff argument. We weren't playing Geelong. We were playing an injury depleted low rung opposition and we knew that. Not to mention, you don't think Yze is a smart enough coach to bring the game down a few notches to make it an arm wrestle? Yes, play like the first half against Geelong and we won't score much and will probably concede more, but next week is a totally different game. The field umpire was right there. He saw the hit and instead of issuing a 50 to Fritta who had the ball 45m out, he just watched the players go after MP. Pathetic umpiring.

joeboy- (spot on) espresso after halftime A few observations; Langdon watch; Mr Ed is a bit like Max runs his own race. Harrison Petty uncharacteristically playing without confidence. Jack Billings 3rd quarter purple patch showed how it’s done. Dan Turner trust thats not a flash in the pan. Reads the flight of the ball superbly and his kicking was excellent overall. Bailey Laurie knows how to thread the needle. Well done! Taj Woewodin strong tackle on Dusty, struggled to match the younger Rioli fleet of foot. Clayton Oliver a better impact after half time. Blake Howes performing like that instills belief and self-confidence

Richmond’s lowest score against us since the week before Kevin Bartlett played his first game. Gotta love our defence.

Good to see Kozzie get into the action more often and pick up an equal career high 20 touches which is almost double his average as well as a couple of neat goals.

Kozzie, please do not get suspended again this season. You showed why we need you in this team.

Gawn - what a heart Viney - seemingly playing injured Rivers - prolific and talented Langdon - an important component May - continued monstering opponents Lever - was essentially impassable Pickett - more rounded performance Turner - lively and impressive Neal- Bullen - in and under Howes - hard ball gets Billings - showed more endeavour Petracca - powerhouse when required McDonald - was impressive again Woewodin- not a defender Windsor - probably needs resting Oliver - seemingly still restricted Fritsch - important but nonchalant Sparrow - limited tagging performance McVee - some untypical errors vanRooyen - can’t hold marks Chandler - had limited impact Laurie - took his chances Petty - slow, rarely noticed

C’mon, let me have my moment. 😉

Terrific stuff. It's worth noting that the standard 7 day break program as detailed in that article includes two all team sessions (not including the captain's run) - a recovery skills session and a main session Goody said pre game that after the lions match they gave the players a 4 day break and then did three 'quality' sessions (which i think he said included a match sim). We had a 13 day break into the tigers game. The players had a 4 day break, meaning back on deck Tuesday before last, and the captains run on Tuesday this week. Meaning they had 3 sessions in a seven day period, with at least a couple of weight sessions too no doubt. In other words, they did increased training loads in the lead up to the Tigers game (ie more work than they would do in a standard week as per the article). They could have flipped that and done the increased load in week one of their break and then given the players their break. That would have meant being fresher against the tigers. But i would suggest they did not do so because they are targeting the cats and blues games. Maxy said post game that they will have just the (standard) two sessions this week. I assume they then have a very light load in the 5 day break into the blues game. On weight sessions, it is worth remembering load management involves two elements - aerobic (wrong word I think, but y'all get the drift) and power/strength. Increased power/strength loads, done away from the prying eyes at training sessions, mean some players (particularly young players, like Windsor for example) will feel the effects (eg jelly legs, sore muscles etc) on game day. Which will likely negativley impact their skills, for example their kicking.

The Clarry interview was the best part of the night. He doesn’t often get in front of the cameras but as long as he isn’t being bombarded, he generally gives us an insight into his character. Funny, self-effacing , generous, and just basically very likeable. Also a rare props to Seven for not overtly probing into his mental health and “how he’s doing off the field”. Only he truly knows if he’s in a good headspace or not. But it certainly seems like he’s doing just fine.

On that form can’t see how Geelong or Carlton get close.

Any chance to bash Schache, huh.

Clever tactic from Goody - bamboozle Yze by putting Disco in the forward line. Think you know us? Think again.

The first half turnovers were awful. At one point I thought there was a jumper clash, we were kicking it straight to them. But if it wasn’t for the turnovers they otherwise barely troubled us. Fewer second half turnovers saw us blow the game open. I get the whole “play like that next week and we get destroyed” thing. It’s obviously true. But I’ll bet we won’t play like that next week. How often have we found these ANZAC Eve clashes to be tight, scrappy and contested early on? Feels like most years. The Geelong game isn’t going to look like that. Plus I’d account for us taking a bit of time to adjust after the bye. The backline is going gangbusters. Windsor’s turnovers aside, he’s doing so much right off the ball. Contrary to some on here, I liked Howes’ game and feel like he is reliably holding down a role without fuss. Turner could be a revelation. I noticed that Trac, Oliver and Viney all had around 76% TOG. Something feels up with their fitness - whether they’re injured, “loading” (shudder), or we’re deliberately resting them more in game. But it’s a bit weird. Woey was poor, sadly, and we barely gave Laurie a look. But I’m far more concerned about Petty and, to a lesser extent, Sparrow. Looking forward to how we follow this up next week.

Week in week out the AFL has another tribunal controversy to deal with as it attempts to address concussion issues and balance player safety with the contest. I'm quite torn, as I enjoy the heavier aspects of our sport, but recognise some of what went on in the past is not really okay. I don't enjoy the AFL's bumbling efforts at a fix but I also don't have a magic formula. The one thing though, no matter how inconsequential or not, Marlion Pickett should take at least a two-week break for striking Oliver. We can't get the other stuff right, but if the intent is there in a non-playing action, it should be an immediate suspension in my opinion.