RedBlueandTrue

Not much else to say other than I completely agree and continue to shake my head when 'forward connection' is brought up as the reason we've lost games! I feel like I'm living in a parallel universe where 2021 Melbourne scored 140 points in every game. Every time we play, everyone is subconsciously judging us against our prelim slaughtering and 1 and a half quarters of perfect football in the granny. It's all fugazi! Tune up our contest work behind the ball and we're in it up to our eyeballs.

Rose tinted unfortunately mate, when we beat Essendon last year half our cheersquad booed their players off, it was disgusting

While the guys that came in generally did ok and had some really nice moments, I think the team defence was way down. In particular, ANB and Pickett were massive outs in this regard. Can also throw in that ANB is also arguably our most important link up player forward of the ball as well as being ranked elite for score launches and ground ball gets - on paper the guy is one of the best in the league at what he does. While our system and depth are strong, losing the players who are best at maintaining the structure and creating pressure is always going to hurt. While Hawthorn did very well to hurt us on the switch and cut into the middle, I think that with our better system players out there, their aggressiveness would've invited more turnovers and it would've been a more comfortable game. The fact that we can have the outs that we had and still do enough to bank the points is awesome. I really think that while we didn't lose any of our "key players" (although I think the club would rate ANB in the same category of importance as the superstars) we were still greatly impacted and our ability to constrict and suffocate the opposition was heavily reduced - although was clearly good enough to get the job done! I think the game will be great for the club from a learning perspective and was great to get another game into Bedford and Dunstan. While Bedford's pressure output was way down on what we usually get from Kozzie in the role, he still worked hard and kicked some vital goals. I think his pressure output would shoot up with regular experience although am not sure how he will get it. Saints may be more trouble although I think Hawks style was perfectly placed to pick us off while we were down. Hopefully no more covid outs and the boys that missed don't have it too bad, go dees!

Keen!

Hey friends, did your tickets come through to everyone's phones as you ordered? Still waiting on mobile delivery

Love it. Dees in the first round? Never in doubt

Petracca goal in the third, it was just so perfect and instantly felt like an all time Melbourne moment, then as sparrow kicked his I couldn't believe it was really happening and then my favourite player who's number I got on my back before he'd played a game ran in and did it again. My eyes were stinging and it felt like a dream seeing these wonderful people we've ridden all the bumps with creating history and etching themselves in folklore before our eyes! After 2 or 3 goals in the fourth I called my sister to say "I think we're gonna do it" and she was already sobbing... Will never forget how that third quarter made us all feel

I think there's appeal in going to Carlton with the opportunity to be part of turning the club around. Had we lost the flag I almost think we may have been a more attractive option, as he could've been part of the special team to break the drought. He gets to try and forge his own path of success at Carlton, whereas he's walking into a ready made superstar team with us. I don't think the pull of the reigning premiers tag is as strong as believed. Would love to have him though! It's so lovely to be able to watch all the run arounds of trade week this year as teams fight to grab their 'missing piece[s]'. We don't have any! Any one who comes in is cream on top or depth!

In the 3 hours of sleep I managed last night, I dreamt that the Bulldogs reeled our 50 point lead into 2 goals before Dogga kicked an almighty settler and we ran away with it. My heart rate is steadily rising now. I want to it to be over but want to enjoy it. Glad to know there's so many of us feeling all over the place at the moment!

Yeah has to be either blatant of most blatant throws or right in the umps face or they aren't called.

I see Clarry as having next to no chance of winning. He just doesn't pole well. The fact we rate the Brownlow as the highest honour is stupid. Highest honour should be coach and/or player voted. Petracca is a better chance in my eyes. I'll be very happy with a Clarry Norm Smith!

We could literally have 5 - Clarry, Trac, Gawn, Lever, May. Fritta also a chance.

Thank you, got ahead of myself. Would like saints to lock in top 2 for us with a win against Geelong.

A win next week and we lock in the home final as well!! Keep pushing Dees!

Glad we're all sitting together, was worried they'd disperse us amongst the others. Will be a lot of fun if we can get up. C'mon you demons!!!!

Just got my ticket as a standard home and away member so don't think they're sold out yet. It changed from saying no tickets available at about 12.01. M35 anyone?

6 Lever 5 Brayshaw 4 Harmes 3 Oliver 2 Trac 1 Rivers

Yup, right after Gawndog had missed his

You just know if we ever make a granny it's gonna be Gawn on a slight angle from 30 out after the siren...

Only positive of the soft cap reduction is that there's less people being paid to figure out how to stop us!! Can't remember who said it but heard a coach or player say one of the big differences post covid is that there's a lot less time and resources for opposition analysis.

The streak is challenging for mental state. Increasingly I've found myself going to the footy hoping not to lose rather than to win. Makes it slightly less enjoyable when we do inevitably grind out our predictable 4-5 goal win. Such strange times! Loving it though, can't wait to see how we go in the Bulldogs game. Every chance they get roadblocked by our impenetrable defensive walls and our big boys turn on up the offensive hurt factor.

Not necessarily, if they are to be competing for spot 7-8 then the only game they have lost you would expect them to win was Collingwood. You would also have hoped to nab one of the unexpected ones. Just the way the fixture falls, hard to build up momentum when you're playing top 4 sides every other week. Get a good run for a few games and they'll be right back in the mix.

Was incredible, an awesome response to one of Gawn's all time most dominant quarters.

Will depend on his whole game rather than stats - if he gets double teamed all day and finishes with 4 touches but allows Brown/Tmac/Fritta get off the chain he'll hold his place!

I think Baker in for Viney put the balance off today. If it had been Harmes or Sparrow then we may have looked better. Sparrow looked a class above in the VFL on Thursday, hoping he's ready to take on some more responsibility and go up a gear.