At the break of Gawn

Hats off to Darren Burgess. We had so much running power in that second half. He won’t get a medal but his fitness regime changed this football club.

I thought we were gone for all money 5 mins into the third qtr. The greatest second half I’ve ever seen. It still hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s unbelievable ❤️💙

I felt it didn’t look like a Melbourne game the first qtr. We got a few flukey goals and a couple from first half turn overs, we didn’t get too many through our conventional method which was a worry.

That’s true. I don’t think they can replicate this.

Dogs defence is playing extremely well. We can’t seem to win a ground ball if we don’t win the contested mark. Stark contrast to the Geelong game.

[censored] me. Here we go

Been watching a lot of the Fox coverage. One thing I’m looking forward to is for no one to talk about that rnd 19 game ever again. It’s a terrible reference as well. This game will be nothing like it.

Richardson saying it’s unlikely we tag Libba from the start and we’ll play our own game first. Good call?

Let’s just be us. Defend really strongly and apply enormous pressure. Don’t let Bont have space, don’t let McCrae have space.

Actually had a decent nights sleep, but I’m filled with anxiety and excitement now. The more I think about it, the more I worry this is really a 50-50 game. I am desperate for us to avoid being the St.Kilda of 09/10. However, after watching Adem Yze on Fox before it sounds like the boys are nice and relaxed. We’ve played this time slot before, we’ve played a prelim on this ground, we’ve had an extra weeks break. I haven’t allowed myself to think about after the siren, all my thoughts are on the game and winning that, but geez, imagining Max holding that cup up is just so tantalising!

This feels like Christmas Eve when I was an 8 year old. Absolutely pumped, but some nerves kicking in now. As long as the rain doesn’t come early, I think we’ve got this.

Do: Deelirious - Dees break the 57 year Norm Smith curse. Don’t: Sons of the west. Dogs claim second premiership in 5 years as the norm Smith curse continues for the Dees.

Looks very light on. Reminds me of the warm up before a game, probably even less intense. Everyone is looking pretty relaxed (watching on Fox)

First time I’ve seen the majority pick the Dogs. Reckon it’s been about 75-25 towards Melbourne I’ve seen.

Ross Lyon hasn’t rated us all year. He would hate the fact if Goody broke a massive premiership drought but he couldn’t at the Saints. Lloyd to be fair has been on us from about rnd 18 or 19. I was surprised Cornes tipped us considering two weeks ago on the Sunday Footy show he had picked the Dogs to win following their win over his beloved Port.

Ryan Gardner has been dropped for this Saturday. Keath to replace him. I’m ok with this. Dogs have a pretty good win/loss record when Gardner plays.

Sounds like a good omen to me. #raisehell #giveemhell

Just saw this on ‘On the Couch’. It’s a really interesting decision on whether we will equal them at the stoppages or not. We equaled Geelong at the stoppages in Rnd 23 in the first half and out back 6 looked vulnerable against the likes of Hawkins and Cameron. Given the Dogs don’t have the same firepower as the Cats I think it’s something Goody will be willing to do. The question is, will Goody equal them at the stoppages at the start of the game to ensure the Dogs don’t get a fast start, or will be back our system in first? The other factor in all of this is Gawn. If Gawn is dominating hit-outs early, we probably don’t need an extra person at the stoppage. If he can give us silver service and first possession post clearance we will probably be ok. Port Adelaide last week actually won the first possession post clearance but they were so fumbly and error ridden they couldn’t take advantage of it.

This is just a random stat that has no meaning. It’s like the roulette wheel landing on black 5 times a row, and people drawing the conclusion it’ll definitely land on black again.

The weather is looking very good for this Saturday in Perth. 25 and sunny with 0% chance of rain.

Probably due for a correction then.

It’s disappointing, but honestly if they win it, I won’t care all that much. It is one of the biggest monkeys on the back in sport and for us to rid ourselves of it will be a mixture of joy and relief. I also think this group of players are special and they seem like good people in general. Yes it’s disappointing that we’re not there, but how good would it be if Max Gawn is our first captain since Barass to hold up the cup? Or seeing the likes of Petracca, Oliver, Viney, May, Brayshaw all become premiership players. Aside from the jubilation of long suffering demon supporters like myself, the smile on these players faces will be something special.

Spargo is a massive loss if he misses. Our best tackler, doesn’t waste a possession and kicks goals.

100% agree with this. If it’s not a wet night on Saturday, I think we’ll win by 5-6 goals.

Very similar talk on the Geelong board last week but less confident. Talk of Duncan, Tuohy, Ratagolea etc changes the rnd 23 result etc etc. What did it mean in the end? Nothing. The rnd 19 game will be nothing like the GF. I’m with David King on this, the rnd 11 and rnd 19 games aren’t great reference points. In fact, the rnd 11 game is probably a better reference. What are the factors this time in our favour? - No Josh Bruce, their leading goal kicker (kicked 3 in rnd 19) - Melb will most likely win contested possession again - It won’t be a wet game (based on an extended forecast) which means our aerial prowess will be an advantage this time - We are fitter and in better shape compared to the rnd 19 game. Factors not in our favour: - Treloar and Dunkley in the side which extends their midfield rotation, however each player has been down overall with their 2021 output - Stef Martin playing, however this could be our advantage as Martin is very unfit.