DeezNuts

I think I’m going to have to slam a few beers at the motel across the road from Jolimont station on my walk in... i need to be numb for this one...

Are they really expecting that many?

3x coffees today was not a good idea, maybe I’ll have to bring in a cheese board to clog it all back up (sorry if you’re having lunch)... in reality, had a nice breakfast in the bloc arcade, wandered around town, bought some long-johns for under the jeans tonight - it’s a bit colder here than Sydney! Glad to be here but terribly nervous ?

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Clarko made a great comment in the presser tonight, one Goody should hear: “tactics don’t make premiership teams, systems based teams win premierships.” Melbourne is a systems based team, high pressure, contested ball, good set up behind the ball, ball played in forward half. We should stick to the 6:6:6 and back our game (system) in, and not get too creative Re: 8 behind the ball etc...

Nibbler debut against cats in 2015 resulted in 3 goals. Hope he does it again!!

Correct, I feel I’m not qualified to respond - except, Go Dees this weekend!!!

Do continue..

Tend to agree, the ranking by @Maluski wasn’t bad either. The last 6 chipped in and held up their end of the bargain, WC and GWS are excellent examples of that, but I do agree with @Skuit, if our top six aren’t playing their part, we’re doomed.

My preferences: B - Jetta OMAC Lewis HB - Salem Frost Hibberd C - Brayshaw Oliver Jones Foll - Viney Gawn Harmes HF - Melk Weid AVB F - Fritch TMAC Spargo Int - Trac Nibbler Hannan JKH The blocks of 6 look really intimidating on paper. Trac and Nibbler give a lot of flexibility, Gawn can rest with Weid moving around. We’re not short of firepower up front either. It’s gonna be and interesting game! The only question I have here is JKH, maybe Smith to give the backline more flexibility if there’s an injury? Go Dees!!!

That is a huge boost! Add to that, they’ll likely play ruckman Abbott who will get thrashed by Gawn. I suspect Geelong will be doing plenty of ruck-sharking drills in the lead up.. Gee I hope we don’t get umpire Nichols...

Dom should keep his spot surely?

The smiling assassin. Absolute legend of a bloke. Will be missed, but his legacy lives on in a club that has now become tougher, more fierce and more respected due to his efforts on field. The weekend at Bernie’s on Dangerfield has to have been one of the most satisfying games I’ve ever seen. He really gave our players a social licence to back themselves in and make themselves accountable. Best of luck Bernie!

Culture is a real thing: it seems Adelaide’s culture is extraordinarily poor. But it’s been sustained over a number of years, how many of their guns have left since Vince?

Absolute flogs can be right sometimes - I agree with him

I’m on level 4 - I’m just happy to be there...

After watching the last two games against Geelong, here are my top 5 matchups that I'm worried about: 1. It's not Hawkins - Menzel is more mobile than Hawkins and can take a good grab: (I say Frost here due to mobility, OMAC has done well on Hawkins and should continue his progress). 2. Selwood - Duck central, can pull a free or four, needs an honest tag - need consistent but fair attention: (Harmes) 3. Danger - not number 1 or 2 because he's proven to be easily spooked/emotional when tagged: - (P.S. I love you Bernie!) Need someone who could continuously annoy him and then play their own game when it breaks out: (Viney) 4. Kelly - a feeder on loose balls, I don't have an obvious identified opponent for this one... 5. Blicavs - X-factor in defence, seems to be able to intercept, pinch-hit, spoil like no other and run it out. One of our forwards needs to be aware of his mobility and figure out a vulnerability to exploit. Ultimately - I say we back our game. Geelong tends to push the wings, short chip in the back half, and then go to traditional key position players and marking up the ground. For us, we're harder at the contest, we confuse the opponent with quick handballs and clear the stoppage. Our fire-power in front and our recent 'eyes lowered' entrances into 50 give us a good chance at putting on scoreboard pressure. Further, over the last two (2) weeks, we've demonstrated an ability to force - or at the very least - create doubt for the opponent, by applying constant pressure to the ball carrier prior to delivery, which has regularly translated into a turn-over. However - Our ability to gut-run back, after a heavy forward press, tends to leave us open in the back-line, and creates opportunities for the adversary to capitalize on. Although we've improved in this area, it's not yet convincing and is a weakness that I don't have the knowledge or experience in how to combat. 6. Ablett - Jones will have his measure. But a Viney chicken-wing will suffice Happy for other views, thoughts, corrections and other issues that I've neglected. Cheers, DN

Bugg is not allowed to punch the coach

Been a big fan of Frosty since he joined us, I’m not too fussed about others only now getting on board, I’m just glad the cat is out of the bag now! Someone said earlier that he’s probably the most pure athlete in the game right now, I agree, teams must really be scratching their heads looking at our list over the next few years.

I’m loving the man-love on VB! He was a bull in a china store today, smashed everything ?

Really bizarre outcome there

Has a great fend off too, a sign of confidence in the traffic

Dolla fitty- I’d still bring him in (in round 5)

I think we need 14 wins to make the finals based on everyone’s run home. Tough conditions. Vs Syd (Win) vs WC (win) vs GWS probably a loss. thats my hope...

One question to ask is this: Can we afford not to get Gaff? I.e. can we handle another team getting him instead? I would argue that the answer is no, and I’d keep everything on the table until at such time, any prospective deal doesn’t benefit us in totality.