Red But Mostly Blue

If Melskam is ever omitted from this team again (I know he was rested last week). ... we riot.

WE JUST NEED TO TAKE OUR CHANCES WE CAN WIN THIS WE BELIEVE

Team has been pretty good. Lacking polish and not as skilled as the Lions. I don't think we'll see Spargo next week. Viney in, Spargo out. And I have backed Spargo in the past, just don't think he is up to AFL standard right now. Needs a good block of time in the 2s. No shame in that. Has not played a lot of footy!!

We have not been able to shake this 2-goal margin, despite our best efforts. ...and the dreaded final quarter awaits. Ah well, there are no more quarters after this, so may as well throw everything at them. We CAN win this. We have threatened, but just lacking some polish and consistency. (If Darcy kicks one more, I might actually throw up)

We’re right in this. Be great to snag one or two more to go into the break with our noses in front.

THAT GOAL BELONGS TO CLARRY ❤️

That’s why Melksham is there. Just about the only guy who can do that.

Hate starting quarters like that.

We’re in this. Boys are having a crack but so far it’s just that the Lions are a better skilled team. Simple as that. But they are not unbeatable. We can win this. ‘Just’ need to clean up our skills, make sure we take our chances and keep up the pressure until the very end. AND DO NOT THE LIONS GET ANY CHEAPIES. Just that, and we could be a shot.

We’ve started well. Good pressure. Moving the ball pretty well just got to be cleaner by foot and make sure we make them accountable. No easy goals on turnover. And keep it up for the game. Because the lions won’t snooze. And they won’t let up if they get a snooze.

Kozzie ❤️❤️❤️

Come on, Doggies, 100+

For what? More punishment??

This could not happen to a better team. Can’t believe anyone has talked them up, even a little. Their last 3 wins have been a 2 point win against the eagles, 3 point win against the Roos, and an 8 point win against a really poor swans. lol may the doggies feast all night 🤣

lol this is the ‘real deal’ bombers 🤣

Love the positivity of this thread. Hard to see sometimes, and while there is a parallel to be drawn with the hawks, we would need to lift off NOW and maintain. And that includes correcting a lot of stuff that is a non-negotiable - like running games out, and being competitive in the last quarter. Kicking accurately. And it's hard to see those things just clicking out of nowhere. But, I am an optimist. You have to be following this club. Therapy is too expensive haha So, I agree. We are not dead. I believe we can still play finals, then it's anyone's game. But we can't afford many slips (like the Hawks, who were flying last year).

We were right in it on the weekend, and failed to turn up in Q4 (again). This narrative that the Hawks only needed to play 15 minutes is just pure baloney. We could have won that if we were a) fit enough and/or b) hungry enough. They certainly were. And it wasn't the umpires. They were terrible and cost us a few goals, but they didn't miss our shots for us, and I refer again to the comment above re the final quarter. The game was there to be won, and it was. By them. Anyway. This week, we need to focus on who we want to blood this year. I am getting tired of the revolving door selection committee. There are guys who underperform, sent back to the 2s to regain form, and are returned to the main team after one week (usually where they were OK, if that), then replace the other guy who was returned to the main team too early. And the cycle continues. JVR is the best recent proof. His confidence is SHOT. Give him 3-5 weeks in the 2s. 1 week won't cut it. I still think he is talented and believe his development was stunted by having to ruck because we have/had no second ruck! I get it, but send him down there with the message that we believe his an important future member of the team, but he needs to regain form, confidence and work on his skills. He is not alone. Jefferson and Kolt (the latter lots of promise) just need to find some consistent form and skills. Not just for one week. Many weeks. A body of work. That said, I don't think there should be too many changes to the team other than Viney and Petty back in. Maybe AJ (ruck support and mongrel - can't do much worse than 0.1). Out Kolt, Jeffo and JVR - for a continued stint in the 2s! No more revolving doors. Once Lever is back, and provided May is healthy, that is pretty much the best side we can field this year - STICK WITH IT FOR A WHILE. If things get real bad, then we start looking to play in some of the guys we need to see more of - Kentfield, Culley, Adams, and (*gulp*) Laurie (since we extended his contract), because right now, we are actually still in it to play finals. It's not over. But this one week in, one week out revolving door selection stuff is [censored] and will not help us. Reassess in 5-6 rounds. For now, we have the Lions. Anyone is beatable. Just need to play better.

Poor goalkicking. Wasted opportunities. Last quarter fade out (Copy and paste from any game, really) Umpiring was corrupt but it’s not why we lost. We were in it at 3Q but didn’t turn up. Again. Apparent we are not a real team and won’t beat any real teams this year. Blood the kids, get ready for 2026

What a disappointing end to the game. Level at 3Q, in it. 5* goals loss and out without a whimper. Lame. Can’t blame that on umpiring.

Between horrible corrupt umpiring, our poor goal kicking and last quarter fade out, very frustrating.

We are very annoying I hope our many, many misses don’t cost us. The hawks take their chances.

Gah. Imagine if we were 10.4 instead, would have been pretty much game over against these pretenders.

And shared by Clarry. Mutual sentiments haha

I agree. They play an appealing brand of footy, but they haven't really been tested by any quality sides this year, and have been beaten when the pressure has been applied. We just need to come out at 200 pressure and hold. They will fold, and we continue the streak. Can't stand the team or its supporters. Would love to beat them, but also because this will be a solid turning point win, 4-5 ahead and within sight of the 8 - with our tails up - essentially mirroring what they did last year. Just got to play with belief and keep the pressure up, and take chances.

I'll never forget that night at the G - and same, here one of the best wins I have ever seen.