John Demonic

Clerance indeed. Clearing the forward fifty, I suppose it needs to be renamed to a goal-clearance then.

Other teams dominant tactics most certainly have needed to be copied to some degree throughout modern afl history. Zone defences, forward press etc. Reading the opposition spoils is quite a different beast to the tap on. No doubt we have to be able to contain a ball that has been spoiled. But i'm talking about a deliberate concerted effort to get one outstretched hand to a pack contest where a clear mark is not an option, and propell it towards our crumbers, just like the way Max does with a ruck contest. We control its movement. I just don't think the Hogan at the top of the square has worked well against decent opposition, perhaps due to injury, but more so in that the opposition has more control over where the ball lands. Our players flying for the ball perhaps need to think more about conceding that we cannot pull off a miracle mark, and just try and tap it to advantage. A mindset change more so than going overboard with tapping everything.

You on a toe transplant waiting list Mel?

As being perfected by Jack Riewoldt and Mason Cox of late with their ability to leap up and get an outstretched hand to the ball and propell it towards the small forward brigade who are there reading the tap, or more often to just 'bash n crash' the ball in a certain direction where they outnumber. We too often have two of our players compete for the mark and spoil each other. If we're more confident that one player can bring the ball to ground, then there will perhaps be less confusion and more numbers at ground level. I think more so for Hogan who is often out numbered and when Max is up forward and crashing a pack from behind. TMAC does not need to be concerned with changing his marking routine as he seems to have on a pair of invisible gloves. We obviously don't want to be too cute or hollywood about it. I think Richmond have really excelled at just predicably getting it to ground at whatever the cost as that is a higher goal scoring probability than the probability of taking a pack mark against the 3rd man up bane of our existence. I think Hannan and Petracca in particular are the kind of players who would really feed off the ability to take a quick snap on goal or side step an opponent upon recieving the tap. And Garlett could be reinvigorated by feeling that there is much more predictability with the marking contests. And then you've got Oliver who can shark a tap from a forward while he's playing more forward minutes. Whatever the solution, i'm sure the coaches and players are exploring all options. Thoughts on emulating this tactic? Or more broadly how we can convert more inside 50's?

I was about to say I hope TMAC holds up in his old age, but googled his age and realised he's only 25. Im shocked, he looks and acts like he is 27/28

Just an idea, but maybe we could trade Garlett to North or any other club for one of their old age key backs like Scott Thompson, Grundy if they've got one or two years to give etc. Clubs who may need a small forward, we need a defender. Or at least pick up a free agent key defender. Edit: Steven May seems like a really outside shot at coming here tbh

Jetta has been down on last year obviously, but i'd have him just off the 40. I know he does so many elite things, but i've felt he's been off a pace in regards to his on on one contests. I hope he's not slowing down with age, given we signed him for until 2021. Probably just had a few heavy knocks this year i think.

4pm sunday game seems totally out of character? It's always been etihad 1pm, 3:20 sunday game no? I think the AFL [censored] are giving a team one last crack at us if we somehow are hinging on the result.

If he wants to bamboozle opposition coaches, go all out with Spargo in the ruck

I'm still haunted by his 2017 mid year "Why can't they win the premiership?" speech

Tex was the best goal assist player in the AFL by a mile last year, and the year following he was 2nd. He's not your standard KPF. He's a very crafty forward general that makes things happen. A player who's creativity i want to see Hogan emulate as a roaming CHF. Injury has cruelled Tex this year, pretty unfair to call an individual soft when the game plan breaks into pieces on the big dance. Rank Player Team Games Total 1 Taylor Walker Adelaide 23 33 2 Robbie Gray Port Adelaide 23 30 3 Dustin Martin Richmond 25 29 23

Did some predictors and have us beating GCS/SYD and losing to WCE and then playing GWS in round 23 for 5th (W) or falling to 9th with a Loss. However GWS could actually be 4th without any chance of moving from the position, so who knows if they'll rest, play bruise-free footy or if they use it as an MCG rehearsal and we have a big fight on our hands, which is a rehearsal for us too. On the other hand, if we pull off the miraculous and win all 3 games, then Us v GWS is a battle for 3rd or 4th place, loser gets 5th or 6th. I don't even want to bother with calculating finals with a loss to Sydney & WCE, that will definitely be predicated on many upsets for teams in contention.

IN: K.Hartigan, P.Seedsman, W.Milera OUT: D.Talia, H.Greenwood, T.Walker That's not even to mention the bruise-free resting they did within the game.

Based on my predictor, I think it all comes down to Melb v WCE. If we lose that then we're not in top 4 contention, if we win then our game v GWS will be a top 4 game. The interesting thing (If we lose to WCE) is that Coll beating Freo cements GWS in 4th, or a Freo win gives GWS opportunity to go for 3rd. Interesting quandary for them. I would guess that GWS will come out to win the game as a September MCG rehearsal and if they do, then we can finish 9th with a loss. [censored] [censored] [censored] [censored]. Edit: I can't see WCE losing to Port away and conceding 2nd

If we're not in contention for top 4, then GWS may have 4th spot locked and it could be a dead rubber, which would be nice karma for last year. Change the fixture to simultaneous next year instead ?

Or if Petracca has put down the dogs?

Glad we held on in the end. I couldn't watch the first and last qtr after last weeks catastrophe. Just fast forwarded through to see when the score changed before rewinding to see how it came about. A most unsatisfying way to watch. At this point im not even watching footy, but spending more time reading and discussing it. I'll be back to watching it next week I think. Embrace the pant [censored] & nerves again v Syd/WCE/GWS and hopefully a final.

Worst possible matchup given our recent form. Maybe we should tank a game for 4th /s ?

How has Jenkins form been recently?

I'm sure there were plenty of miserable old farts for the Dogs and Tigers who had "seen it all" and were asking "when will we change?" until the end of the regular season before it all clicked. Maybe even after the Tigers took a pounding at Kardinia last year too ?

So the answer is No? And No, i haven't seen many lose from that position because they weren't good enough to get into it there. Only Sydney in 2016 were good enough to thump the Cats at home. Of course we have our faults and have shown mental weakness in finishing off that game, but if you think 3/5 games will be harder to win than Kardinia Park then you're deluded. Edit: And I fully expect us to have a red hot crack against Adelaide and WCE and potentially win one.

Have you seen any team up by 29 points in the 4th qtr at kardinia park recently? ?

Gold Coast, Sydney and a GWS team that will be resting because they can't move from 4th. What's the big deal with finding 3 wins?

Yeah. I've done plenty of screaming and fist pumps when a non-melb team i'm rooting for scores a goal or wins a game. Dogs v Hawks in 2016 from memory also a Pavlich goal in 3rd qtr v Hawks in the GF. I don't think I've betrayed the Dees...

I know Zak Jones was quite a nuffy today, but i'd still take him for his pace and contested work - And being trade out of Sydney would be a wake up call to pull his head in. I have to wonder if he has lowered his trade value tonight and we could get in on the cheaper (than before). For eg a sydney fans over the top response: "I’m sick of this [censored]. He’s fast becoming a liability and yeah, not worth it. Would gladly give him away, [censored] a trade."