BenJamin on Deesy St

BOG Queen's Birthday, I would have thought. Looked like a breakout game to me. 3 goals, some assists, broke the lines and, most importantly, changed the momentum our way when we were almost on the canvas.

Drawn a long bow there, VP, but glad you're coming around - in effect. To me, Lewis has been a consistent performer all year. Wouldn't surprise me if he's around the 5-10 mark, if not better, in B&F. I pointed out his efforts of the last month, in particular, not to highlight that he's been cruising beforehand - far from it - but to show that he's been one of the few who have stood up during a time when many of his teammates have dropped off.

Yes, that was a massive cheer and a key moment in the match (from which we got a goal and effectively snuffed out the Saints' challenge). It never ceases to amaze me how umps can change the momentum of matches with their decisions. Third quarter case in point - Razor seemed to single-handedly will the Saints back into the contest.

No surprise. The guy is a champ and we're getting to pointy end. His incredibly brave acts in final qtr alone have hopefully put to bed some ridiculous commentary on here about him not going in hard enough. Arguably our best performer over the last month.

Not sure why Oliver's name continues to get thrown around in this way on DL. The guy is a hardened competitor and our best-performed and most consistent mid. Would the Bulldogs rest the Bont. the Tigers Dusty, the Cats Danger? No.

Hibberd - pretty bloody gutsy Geez, our boys put their bodies on the line in the last quarter. Was clearly the mantra coming into the game. Lesson learnt from North Melb game.

To the Saints supporter sitting behind me today - the one who belatedly found his voice in the 3rd qtr on the back of Razor's charity and shouted "you're nuthin' but soft cnts, Melbourne, and have been for 10 years" - I hope you enjoyed my daughter's post-chips farts as I held her aloft time and again in the last!

Disagree on all fronts. Big Maxy is one of the few players who can hold his head up over the last two games, and his performance v Port before that was the reason we won that game. About time the mids - other than Oliver - work their [censored] out and take advantage of Max's work at the stoppages, which remains elite.

Prior to season, I thought we'd win 12 games and finish around 9th. I had the Saints above us. During the season, my expectations have grown higher in line with some red-hot form, never-give-in attitude and innovation - all in the face of significant challenges. Those expectations (is it shattered hope?) have dramatically changed again in the last two weeks, with half the team seemingly checking out (why?). What will be a failure is if we capitulate in the next few weeks like we have done at critical moments in the last two games (4th quarter v Nth, 1st quarter v GWS) and like we did late last year v Carl and Geel. Even for a diehard Dees' supporter, that would be hard to take.

Growing up, I wore number 7 (Brian Wilson) on my back, while my brothers had 2 (Flower), 3 (Gerard Healy) and 9 (Alan Johnson). If we're going to include these guys in the conversation as best MFC midfielders over last 30 odd years, then Clarry - as good as he is - has a bit to go. Willo won a Brownlow as a 20 year old centreman. Johnno was a 2-time B&F winner as a wingman (later a champion back pocket) with Robbie in the team. Heals was all silk and a fantastic goal kicker. And Robbie, well, he remains a class above any Melbourne player, let alone midfielder, I've ever seen.

Arggghhh, the 2000 GF. I remember lining up overnight to get a seat. 'Twas pissing down with rain, all huddled together in a ramshackle queue, slab of VB and fatalistic mutterings (that only Demons fans understand) to keep us company. I think a Bombers supporter had a tent - we may have appropriated it. For me, that and the '88 GF were bloody awful, like watching a train wreck two hours in the making. But they were nothing compared to the '87 prelim. That broke my heart. RIP Robbie.

Yes, I got that comment thrown at me on the TIO ground immediately after the game in Darwin of all places, and from a North Melb supporter - go figure! He also asked me how the snow was in Buller, and I said, "I don't effing know, I'm here in Darwin supporting the Dees, having made the trip from North Melb, where I live!" I mentioned to him smugly the Roy Morgan research paper (about how loyal Dees' supporters are), then casually had a shot for goal from Jayden's flank outside 50 with my daughter's ball and popped it straight through the middle. (Ok, it was 30 metres out, but on a similar angle.) He gave me a modicum of respect after that.

From a selfish perspective, I want Melbourne to win a premiership (not the pre-season variety) in my lifetime.

You can say as many 'Cunningtons' as you like this Sat

I'd like to congratulate the supporters who were able to make it. The noise, shouting, barracking, heckling - whatever you want to call it - was just as ferocious and manic as the boys' efforts on the field, particularly early. The sniff of September was in all our snouts, and the atmosphere in the crowd was as rabid, parochial and electric as it's been all year. And this was in the supposed polite confines of the MCC! (Back still sore from throwing my daughters in the air - and just starting to get my voice back after a few days hoarse!)

I'd never rest him. Didn't agree with last year's management of him (missing games when available, playing low minutes when selected). He's a hardened competitor who thrives on more contests, more game time. Such a consistent performer too. A 'quiet' game for him is 25 touches. The inside players you mention coming back in the team can give him the necessary chop out during matches anyway, if he needs a breather. On another matter, the first quarter and a half yesterday was so manic, electric and purposeful from the boys. It was as though they sensed the significance of it - right from the first bounce - in our push towards September. No one was going to beat us yesterday. I know it gets mentioned a bit around here, but I was feeling the spirit and vigour of Aug-Sept '87 in my bones, and it felt bloody fantastic! Go Dees!!

A begrudging but welcome acknowledgement of Lewis' contribution. I would add that his last quarter performance - as a Hodge-like general a kick behind play - was even more important than what he did in first half. Having said this, game was won in the first quarter and a half, with four players in particular setting the standard and splitting the game open: Gawn, Viney, Tyson and Hogan. Great to see, especially from Max and Jesse, who emphatically answered a few DL doubters in the process. The extractor Tyson too. Massive win. Now for the Kangaroos, whom we owe in more ways than one. Pity Vince is not playing. His recklessness wouldn't go astray this time around.

On a brighter note, attached is a pic taken earlier tonight at TIO in Darwin. Carnival atmosphere here, but too many Crows.

Outclassed tonight, like the Sydney game. That's what happens when you don't have 4 of your top 5 B&F place getters (from 2016) on the field.

Very light session this arvo. Boys were out on ground for about half an hour, in small groups doing kick-to-kick for a while before standing in zone formations for different positional stoppages (not using ball). Only things to note were that Billy Stretch was running about, JKH appeared to be part of midfield group and TMac part of forwards (no surprise there, I guess). Low-key and lots of mixing with the crowd afterwards. Very inclusive. Kids happy. Well done, Dees. Crows out on ground now (including Lynch). Got a couple of boos from my girls. Time to go!

Sure thing. Will be heading there with the girls. (3.30pm hot time of day for a training run - not expecting to see much.)

Interesting comparisons here. Once he got going, Rhino was quicker and also invoked a great primal, guttural chant from the crowd - loved it! As others have pointed out, can see a bit of Jarman in the Trac (in terms of balance and seizing moments, early days though), but DJ was simply the best kick - left and right - I've ever seen. For me, Trac is unique in his ability to enter a contest at pace, keep his feet (mercilessly knocking a few players over in the process - teammates/opposition doesn't matter!), extract the ball cleanly and release it forward of the play to someone in a better position. This, together with his rapidly improving outside play, tank and disposal by foot, makes him, to put it mildly, a bloody hard match-up.

Funny, that's exactly what I have chosen to do this week. 'Tis a cracking place, lots to do and see. Perfect time of year as well. Who would have thought a mid-Winter family trip to Bali and the Top End would coincide with our beloved Dees playing the Crows in Darwin?! Expecting a big crowd. Lots of interest up here.

In Sanur, Bali, for this one with the 7 year old. Looking forward to the Max-Clarry-Jesse combo on the blurry TV screen!

Walker has form with this type of cheap (some would say nasty) shot, having pushed Cat, Lonergan, into teammate Henderson last year. In that game, Lonergan went off with concussion and played no further part. Tex got off then, so will probably get off again.