Demonland

I would assume there are ongoing behind the scenes negotiations going on. There are announcements left right and centre for other games being announced but nothing in regards to ours as yet with the exception of Sydney being floated as an alternative should we not be allowed into the NT. You'd assume any exemption would require negative COVID test, hub-like isolation and a strict fly in fly out scenario.

Why not do it for the Essendon vs Melbourne match on a Saturday night given Neale's Essendon connection? Edit: Not our home game.

15 Days. There is no way we go back to crowds straight away. Certainly not 50% in 2 weeks time. I seriously doubt there will be any crowds at that stage not even 25% even if we are out of Lockdown. I posed the question in another thread but where would you prefer this game be played? At the G with no crowd or interstate with some crowd and gate takings? I doubt we will be given the QB home game next year again.

Given it appears all Victorian teams will be taking the show on the interstate road it's likely we'll play QB at an interstate venue in 15 days time. Would you prefer to play QB at the G with no crowds and no gate or at the SCG or some other interstate venue and take some gate?

Would you prefer to fly in and out of Alice Springs (if permitted by NT) or hub in Sydney (meaning better preparation) for the Lions match? I put it that way because if we are allowed to play in the Alice it would likely be a fly in fly out situation like we did in Cairns. However if we hub for a week or two in Sydney and play at the SCG or Giants then our preparation is more settled.

It’s 15 days so 2 weeks tomorrow. I simply cannot see lockdown ending this Thursday and things just going back to the way they were straight away.

There is no chance we are playing at the G in front of crowds on Queens Birthday.

Threatening harm on other posters is totally unacceptable and is not tolerated. I know I have been lenient in the past for some of SWYL's long list of other indiscretions but this was a step too far.

I’m doubting lockdown will end in Thursday night and as someone else said that does not change the QLD government’s policy on letting Brisbane come to Victoria and return when there might still be a risk. it might be 2 weeks of no cases before any states allow their teams to return to Victoria.

And here are the uneditorialised progressive votes after the club’s round 11 game:- 117. Clayton Oliver 85. Christian Petracca 69. Max Gawn Jake Lever 66. Christian Salem 53. Ed Langdon 44. Tom McDonald 36. Steven May 26. Kysiah Pickett 25. Luke Jackson 23. James Harmes 17. Bayley Fritsch 12. Jayden Hunt 11. Angus Brayshaw 10. Jack Viney 8. James Jordon 7. Michael Hibberd 5. Trent Rivers 3. Charlie Spargo 1. Alex Neal-Bullen Adam Tomlinson

Looks like we’ll have some choice of the options are QLD & NSW.

Anyone pick this up?

“No-one let the Dogs out” was the Demons response for the (former) top side. The Melbourne defence, capably lead by Steven May and Jake Lever simply suffocated any hopes that the Western Bulldogs might have had about leading the competition at the mid-way point. Instead, it is the Demons who now sit at the top of the ladder, again a game clear, while their supporters are starting to believe that this side is the real deal. Pity is that those same supporters couldn’t watch their team demolish the opposition live, due to the latest Covid19 outbreak restrictions. But the eerie silence at the ground would have been in contrast to the excitement being displayed within Demon households throughout the State. Right from the start Melbourne was obviously fired up. A goal within 30 seconds to James Harmes should have served as a warning to the Bulldogs of the fine form to come for the night. Tom Liberatore became his direct opponent for the majority of the game, and was physically attacked and smothered at any opportunity he had. Averaging nine clearances a game, he was held to a mere four and without that, the Bulldogs wave of runners simply didn’t get the ball. Harmes on the other hand cleared the ball five times and laid seven tackles stamping out any Bulldog flicker of hope. Bontempelli was similarly attacked, and denied the freedom he has usually experienced. Without their usual style of attack, the ball was often sent skyward under pressure, but into the waiting arms of the Demon defensive lines. Time and time again, Lever and May with 20 intercepts together, were on the end of the opposition balls into their forward line, with the rest of the defenders taking care of Bruce and Naughton. Harry Petty has now slotted into the system down back, and Michael Hibberd and Trent Rivers were the strong reliable sweepers who denied any crumbs that may have fallen the Bulldogs way. It is too easy to forget that Petty and Rivers have barely played 20 games, yet both have already cemented long term places in the side. With the mids denying access to the ball, and the backs cleaning up the forward moves, the Bulldogs simply couldn’t get any meaningful score on the board. Meanwhile the Melbourne forward line enjoyed a night out, particularly as the Demons pressure caused multiple turnovers in the forward half, and this week Melbourne took full use of those opportunities. The four goal lead at ¼ time was to be ultimately the difference for the rest of the game, as the Bulldogs couldn’t find an avenue that wasn’t blocked by Melbourne players. This season we have witnessed their fast transition and flicking it around to open up gaps, but all too often they stood flat-footed looking for something that wasn’t there. Credit must go the wingers who covered the ground to frustrate the switch that was being attempted, as it gave the rest of the defensive structure time to swing in behind them. They don’t get a statistic for that, but in this game Angus Brayshaw and Ed Langdon had six intercepts between them, showing how hard they were working. The forwards in this game were kicking more goals than behinds, but in all honesty, the Bulldogs backline without Easton Wood lacked any real composure. Goals to Tom McDonald, Sam Weideman and Bayley Fritsch had come from uncontested marks, showing the structure just kept breaking down. Still, Melbourne exploited that situation. Unfortunately, Weideman showed little to commend despite two goals, as he had amassed only 1 handball up to half way in the third quarter, and finishing with six touches in total. As a full forward he needs to be demanding the ball, and holding marks, something he is yet to show on a consistent basis in his career. Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca ... well just the usual day at the office for them — 33 touches for Oliver, 24 Petracca and Max dominating the ruck, along with his partner in Luke Jackson. They move onto the next job with the opposition coaches still unable to work out how to stop them. The Dee-fence of the Melbourne kept the opposition away from the ball, but we are hoping that the Covid fence currently in place will not stop their fans being able to watch their side, on their relentless march to September action for too much longer. MELBOURNE 6.5.41 9.6.60 12.8.80 13.9.87 WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.2.14 6.5.41 6.8.44 8.11.59 GOALS Melbourne Fritsch McDonald 3 Weideman 2 Gawn Harmes Jordon Petracca Pickett Western Bulldogs Bruce 3 English 2 Daniel Naughton Weightman BEST Melbourne Oliver Petracca May Harmes Gawn Lever Western Bulldogs Macrae Dale Smith Daniel Bontempelli INJURIES Melbourne Langdon (concussion) Western Bulldogs Garcia (concussion) REPORTS Melbourne Nil Western Bulldogs Nil SUBSTITUTES Melbourne Sparrow (replaced Langdon) Western Bulldogs Butler (replaced Garcia) UMPIRES Andrew Stephens Ray Chamberlain Nathan Williamson OFFICIAL CROWD 0 at Marvel Stadium

Case numbers in the next few days could be a factor.