Mazer Rackham

This is real. There's a grand final tomorrow and we're in it! Our team is at the centre of the football world. It's really happening! GO DEMONS!!!

"Bontempelli just dropped it like a hot spud! Again!" "Libber just straight up ****ing threw it! The umps have put away the whistle!" "Gee, they throw the ball a lot, don't they, the Dogs?" "All the fizz has gone out of this game and it's still early in the third quarter." "Brown could set a record for goals in a grand final here." "It is indeed a GRAND OLD FLAG."

Did he take 15 minutes to say it? Not known for concise pontifications, is Dermie.

Savour it! We don't get in this position often. I'm loving all the attention the guys are getting. THIS IS THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. An entire show dedicated to the mighty Demons. GO DEMONS!!

Cheer on our boys, WA Demons!

One thing I noticed in this strainium was that Robbie actually had TWO games of no disposals, and in one of them, he kicked two goals! (according to afltables) As DS said, was there nothing he couldn't do?

Yes, thank you DS, for your entertaining diversions. Much enjoyment.

The point is, I DID come up empty handed.

If the Dogs try to rough us up, it's a change to their normal style. We don't need to change anything. Going in hard IS our normal style. Let 'em go for it. It will distract them more than us.

Holy cow. Nothing comes to mind.

Tell him no, we're out of form and soft as butter.

They're definitely good enough to win. It's fitting that the season's best two sides are playing off. Port relied far too much on Aliir against the Dogs. He had a blinder the match before and they thought he'd do it again automatically. They forgot they've got 5 other defenders, all of whom did bugger all. And they seemed to not realise that Bevo would pull some stunt in that area. Bevo is a crafty coach who will undoubtedly have some tricks prepared for us. But the tricks aren't guaranteed to work. When Richmond were winning flags, everyone knew how they played and what to expect. Didn't matter what stunts were pulled against them ... when they executed properly, they won. Our way of playing reminds me of recent Richmond at their best. Teams look downfield ... nothing on. Wait for a lead .... nothing .... switch play ... still nothing on ... switch back. Still nothing. Stalemate. Kick long and hope ... contest, Demons ball. Swarm all over it driving the ball forward. Goal. Execute our style of play and we win.

So, bad news. Kevin Bartlett on the Marngrook radio show has picked the Dogs to win. On the other hand, he also said the "one game in a month" thing is a furphy because in olden days (when he was winning flags) that was routine for the top club. Didn't stop them in the least. Also, Andrew "Sky" Walker, ex-Carlton, picked the Dogs. But what would he know.

It's GAME DAY!! The mighty DEMONS are playing an in-house practice match to keep their form up. One fair dinkum match in 28 days or whatever. It's the same here on Demonland. One game day thread since Aug 28. I propose a mock GAME DAY thread to keep our posting form up in preparation for next weekend. Some suggested matchups: Smith is not a defender's wazoo vs. Spargo should be delisted ANB is not up to AFL standard vs. Hunt is fast but so what if his disposal is so poor Some suggested drills: McDonald is cooked Oliver cannot kick straight Umpires have it in for us We're running around like under 9s Suggested initial post: Melbourne B can't win against Melbourne A. Two goals down already. I knew this would happen!

Very well summed up. What's the use of unremitting quoting of stats if you can't find any predictive value in them? Exactly what you find in any ladder, in any competition, any sport, anywhere in the world. The number of "wins" is the same as the number of "losses". Rocket surgery from King.

40 point win to the DEMONS. We will harry and harrass them in an even first half. in the second, we will pull away with our superior system of pressure and team first play. By the end they will look as old and slow as Geelong.

That's just Tracc in his jamies.

It's entirely possible that Weid has the confidence yips. He might never get it back. It's a long slow road even if he does. Sending him back ... why not pick up a bloke whom we already know can play back. Persist with him forward ... why not develop a youngster who can take a one-grab mark. There's an opportunity cost in keeping him on the list and hoping. He's gone backwards and it might be best for MFC and Weid to send him to a new environment.

It's September and the grand final is coming up. And the mighty magnificent DEMONS are in it!! This is something to celebrate and enjoy in and of itself. September football, with Melbourne. GO DEMONS!!!!

Happy for this to continue and hopefully it filters through to the Doggies' bathwater.

The original spelling was "program". Then some English sailed a boat to America and lived there. They took and kept the original spelling. Meanwhile the English decided to fancy up their spelling and make it "more French". And we here in Oz (all British citizens until 1948 I think) naturally used the English spelling. Now that our language is becoming more American than English we have adopted the American spelling and it's come full circle.

Rainwater and grain alcohol

http://bilbo4.economicoutlook.net/bill/Football/1964_Grand_Final.pdf

Someone's got a meteorologist in the family! Dear Sue, 'twere but a joke. Best regards, Mazer.

Given the reputation of weather experts, can we get them to forecast a Dogs win?