John Demonic

Big Ben Brown hits up the lead in front of goal, my first thought: I still can't believe we got him so cheap lol

Seems like the ultimate 'killing time at work' or 'waiting in bank queue' thing to do. I haven't yet, but I think I just might. Ill start with reddit here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AFL/comments/pv27lc/match_thread_melbourne_vs_western_bulldogs_2021/?sort=new It's pretty messy to get through. Not even sure if it will load every comment. Below is the post-match thread for more relevant comments. I find reddit a little more witty and less vitriolic, with the way the upvote filtering works: https://www.reddit.com/r/AFL/comments/pv5i8d/post_grand_final_thread_melbourne_are_the_2021/ @Dr. Gonzo

Loved the extended shots of old mate here after the Petracca goal, wish we'd seen his reaction after the following goals. Because this felt like the beginning of the 'Is this real? is this happening?" thoughts, where we were all close to tears, but the result is still in play, so the dam has not burst. Mix that in with the excitement that a superstar from our club is ripping a grand final open and declaring himself the best in the comp. Epic moment.

Just watching back that 3rd with SEN synced. It's a great call, but gee wiz, Healy needs to get his special comments in a little bit faster, he's finishing up right as the ball hits the deck for Petracca dribble, or right when Jackson has gone up for the bounce, leaving Huddo to rapidly get out his call as we're streaming forward. Though Huddo isn't as quick as he once was. I think I preferred when Whately was calling, he really focuses on each possession, gets out it rapidly without being bogged down by a phrase.

Looks like Earl Spalding

The topic I replied to was who from the bottom half of the ladder could pop up and displace any of the others. I should imagine we have any of them easily covered for the next 2 years at least! As for the "Danger game", well I thought leading into the Crows game in r10 that it was, it doesn't mean we don't have them covered on every line. It's just that the rare upset can occur from time to time. If Carlton get their [censored] together, they have the spine that could potentially have a fluke day where everything goes right for them. McKay kicks 6-8 etc. We know a thing or two about finals upsets against Carlton going back to the 90s.

Feel the same way. The only caveat is the Dogs, by good fortune of genes and their academy, will go into next year with Sam Darcy who looks like he could have an immediate impact on their ruck/forward stocks, in much the same way we have had with Jackson. Then you add Bruce and a years development into Ugle-Hagan who could be a wildcard hybrid forward, and their forward line looks very dangerous going into next year. A stacked forward line would have flow-on effects in improving their defence too if someone shifts back. It's very much a wait and see. I don't think they have as strong a culture as we do, the cracks showed between 2017-2019 or so, so who knows if their club will get stronger or massively underperform on expectations, while other teams rise.

Carlton are a curious watch (Yeah yeah, I know, they are talked up every year) But this year we will find out: Voss a competent coach? Can he make a radical impact and achieve a big first year push up the ladder? How will they look with Cerra in with Walsh & Cripps. McKay & finally a fit Curnow up forward. They should be pushing into 6-8 range and further if others drop down. They could be a dangerous matchup with a big crowd behind them in a final at the G. Defence will be their weakness, so it will be interesting to see how they change in that department over the next 2/3 years.

I think a Dees v Tigers GF isn't that unlikely. I mean, which other matchups are more betting odds likely at this stage aside from maybe v WB or v Port? I can honestly see all of our competition from last year falling away, such was the deflating nature of how ALL of them exited. Leaving the door ajar for Sydney and a few others from lower down to pop up. I can see the Tigers with one last scrap, knocking them all off with their superior pressure and high footy iq game... and getting into the Big Dance. They had a lot of injuries last year, so they are still a top 4 team at their fittest imo. Even the WB with their talent, could start the season terribly and never quite catchup. We've seen it happen to them before. Melbourne v Richmond, what a fitting GF it would be. System v System, it's a juicy matchup, better than last year. And the Best spectacle atmosphere wise we might ever witness. Bring it on!

Another 300-400 pages to pass the Hogan & Goodwin threads. Though it might never get there, given we'll all be re-locating to the 2022 post game Premiership thread in 9 months.

You've got this feeling, you know it's real it's got a hold on you. You've got this feeling, you know it's real, that we're about to make history.

I think Weid can be a backup for Fritsch too, in case of injury. Or you'd shift Tmac into that crafty role, then have BB & Sam as key forwards. Would be preferable to trial it before bringing in Mitch Brown over Weid in that Fritta role 🤷‍♂️

They might be getting bored of Doggy style though. Perhaps we could introduce some bondage? @Bitter but optimistic

Do we have any anti-vaxxancies?

@dazzledavey36Although I think most clubs fans over on some forums, seem quite satisfied with obtaining players they initially wanted. Makes me wonder how much of the draft is secret handshakes between clubs sharing info on who they want, and who they will leave for other clubs. A fraternity of goodwill emerging. That's why we get trade and pick swaps done with no fuss. So we can actually form relationships that get us opportunities to trade up, and have the players we want still on the table.

I tuned in as we were on the clock for pick 17 and Cal Twomey or Whoever the young expert was, thought we might have picked him up then. That he had slid to our later pick is fantastic then!

I think it may have been a kick out goal that went the full length of the field, in 2030. Though don't worry, Gawny had his hand in it, ruck coaching Big Maccy to punch it over the line for the opposition behind.

Bowey to Howey to Woey to Rooey. Goal!

There was a guy that wrote an article full of justifications for why he was changing the club he supports from Melbourne to Sydney on one of the decent AFL blog sites about 4-5 years ago, maybe it was the mongrel punt. He posted it on Reddit's AFL sub and was instantly met with mockery from memory. Wish I could find it, would be a great read now.

Howe, Hore & Smith would've been an aerially dominant VFL backline, but just imagine the loose players at the back after all 3 go up for the mark

ESPN's Mike Breen for the BANG! after every goal. Reminds me of Huddo. On the topic of commentary, having Luke Hodge on special comments was fitting. Reminded me how far we've come from watching him dominate at the G in the GF. And how deflating it was knowing how far Hawthorn were not only ahead of us, but ahead of the nearest competitor.

Craig Smoker

The Goodwin Gambit

Duplicate

Usually id say this should be reserved for round 4-7 or so, but I think this rivalry will be at its height in terms of drawing a big crowd, big audience. And someone has to replace Collingwood in that slot. Going forward. If we instead played r7-8, the Dogs will probably be mid table after a lacklustre start to a season that will have them slipping back to the pack, and that game will have half as many eyes on it.