KLV

33 minutes ago, binman said:

Of course he does.

Every player does.

That's why we coughed up so many turnovers last night. 

Steve may regularly complete shanks 20 metre kicks under little pressure.

Barely a word is said.

Lever is average one on one.

Gus butchers it frequently on both feet.

Tracc is not always one touch.

Etc, etc

Dimmy makes a great point about the estem his team mates hold him in. Jonsey made the same point in a recent game he was calling. 

It's about the package. The sum of the parts. Not a set of weaknesses..

And besides, if he is going to cop a wack for a skill error or poor decision then it's only fair he is applauded for some of his really smart ball use and sharp score involvements.

And maybe even a pump up for kicking 12 goals and the first goal four times (the last 4 games?).

Absolutely, no issue with any of that. And also very aware of other team members mistakes. 
 

3 hours ago, binman said:

Remarkable he gets keep getting  selected.

I suspect there is not a single dees player who had played more games since the start of the 2021 season.

He had missed just two games of 75 games, inclusive of 5 finals and a premiership medal.

It is just flat out an insult to suggest goody would pick players because he Plays favourites.

For petes sake goody is a among the true elite of coaches.

150 games at 58% win ratio. And a premiership medal.

And his whole focus is winning more flags.

And nibbler is a lock in his best 22 because he believes nibbler will help us win another flag.

But sure posters on a football forum know more about nibblers ability, how critical he is to our team and what he brings to the team than goody.

 

I think that is all understood. Most of us appreciate Nibbler’s important role in the team, however some of his turnovers are absolute shockers. He’s a good player but he has flaws.

4 minutes ago, praha said:

Third quarter.

Brisbane kick their 5th goal for the quarter. 

My mate (a St Kilda supporter) and I head outside so he can have a vape. I've seen enough.

We chat about who fills the top 8 outside of the top 3.

We can't settle on list.

I hear the crowd roar.

"Brisbane has kicked another," I quipped.

No, it was Kozzie.

Another roar.

"Surely that was Brisbane?"

Right I was. Hipwood.

And again, a roar. 

"Damn... Brisbane?"

No: it was Gawn.

"Okay... Okay. Are we on?"

Roar.

"Again!"

Alas, a Brisbane goal.

Roar.

"What is going on? Who was that?"

Another Petracca goal.

We head inside for the final quarter. Shortly after the quarter starts, Daniher, having an annoyingly good game, kicks a goal.

"You're done," my mate tells me.

"Yeah, obviously," I admit.

10 minutes pass, a Pickett goal.

Five more minutes, and another.

I joke to my mate.

"There's five minutes left. We could do a Collingwood."

He laughed.

"I can't see it," he says.

"Me neither," I say in defeat. 

A stoppage... or so I thought? 

"Viney...Viney... VINEY!"

I proceed to absolutely lose my [censored].

"GAME ON. GAME OOOOON. LET'S GOOOOOOO."

My mate, now on board, is slightly more optimistic. 

"You need this clearance," he says.

"We have time," I snap back. "We got this."

Kick. Stoppage. Kick. Stoppage. Kick....MILKSHAKE!

"He's got it," my mate whispers.

"He's got it," I whisper back.

He lines it up. Cool. Calm. Collected. A little tap. A straight kick.

"LIIIIIOOOOONNNNNSS," the drunk Melbourne supporter next to me starts chanting, jeering the surrounding Lions supporters who, merely 5 minutes earlier, had prematurely started their victory chant.

"It's not over yet," I calmy said.

"How much? HOW MUCH?!?" My new drunk friend was suddenly anxious.

"33 seconds."

The remaining seconds are a blur... Lever's mark/high free kick seals it.

I lost my voice in the preceding seconds as the siren rang and A Grand Old Flag rang through the speakers.

Hello world. I now have a raging sore throat and no voice.

Yeah similar with us, except we went to the bar towards the end of the third, despondent and confused.

How could Brisbane find so much space? Why can’t we kick with their pinpoint accuracy? What the hell is going on with our defensive zone?

the bar was deserted apart from a few others like us. Then, as slowly it looked like we wouldn’t lose by 8 goals but maybe just a couple, hope was rekindled and back out we went.

what happened in those last 10 minutes or so of the game was possibly the most exciting and courageous football, I have ever witnessed in person. 
With so much riding on it, it was truly memorable and inspiring 

4 minutes ago, Jjrogan said:

He had the equal 2nd most clangers and 3rd worst disposal efficiency. In other words, the less he has of it the better.  And I'm not having a go, I'm just stating facts. His strengths is when the opposition has it. 

His missed handball to Brayshaw running past inside 50 with under 2 minutes left was a wtf moment. 

Yes it was a head in the hands moment 

I apologise for my bad language during the second and third quarters and then in the last half of the fourth, actually I apologise for it throughout the entire game 

6 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

No, rpfc. No they can’t. Even in matters other than footy. For example, I didn’t drop/dump my ex. He was being managed for a while then unfortunately in September last year he was delisted. 😁 I told him not to hang up his boots just yet since he’s not too old to be picked up by another club. 😁

Hilarious, wcw, you are a hoot!

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

I watched that footage and my husband was like “wow he must be upset about his injury, he’s given up on his hair”. 
He is basically me when I’m having a bad week. The hair is the first to suffer 😂

I missed it any chance there’s a photo out there?

In my top 5 favourites. Well done Christian 

6 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I'd entertain the option if you've got the liquidity now. You'll absolutely get reimbursed (in theory) if Collingwood make it.

Not that I encourage scalping as it's illegal, but grand final tickets are going to be the most in demand in the history of the AFL/VFL due to Collingwood's phenomenal crowd pulling factor.

Collingwood supporters who don't have GF guarantee will have only dreamt of paying $1,500 in July, as people will be willing to fork out astronomical amounts during grand final week.

And if the Pies don’t make it, the rest of us will have a good laugh 😆 

I think chandler is ready for a reset in the 2s. He’s been using a lot of energy for minimal results and lacking composure. Spargo will provide some space and options. 
 

13 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Their despondency is matched only by ours on bf and on our very own on D’land!

• We will get absolutely smashed next week.
  • Highly doubt it. Dees coming back from a slog in Alice Springs, it’s at Marvel, and their form has generally also been far from convincing. 
• Reckon we'll beat the Dees. Can't show up to a game against division 4 bush league footballers but will turn it on against a top four side. We're bipolar, it's in our nature.  Saints by 27
  • I can't see it happening, mate, but that would outstanding. Yes, it would be a very St Kilda type of thing
• Gawn and Grundy will work Marshall over.  Their midfield will have an absolute day out against Crouch and the Witches Hats. May and Lever will take a billion marks between them.  Demóns by heaps.
• Melbourne will be a class above.  Dees by 35
• We almost certainly be 4th if we win… if Collingwood beat WB, we’ll be 4th and a win clear of 5th!  Could be the worst top 4 team at this stage of a season ever! 💪
• We need to do something different up forward. May and Lever are going to have a field day if go out with the same set up we've been sticking too that we know doesn't work and only leads to opposition defenders dominating.
• If you have a quick read of their preview thread, the sky is falling and all hope is lost for them as well. You’d think the two teams were 4th and 5th bottom:
• We’re gonna win this and lose to suns the week after… literal lock.
• Stroll in the park for Melbourne.  May to get 25 intercept marks and 300 supercoach.  Couldn't get on fast enough for a demons bet.
• Melbourne may be struggling to score/kick straight, but they seem to be doing almost everything else pretty well. Their rucks and mids will be too much for us alone I fear.
• I would be pretty surprised if we don't lose this by 30+ points. We have lost all run and dare...they are going to absolute torch us through the middle and our defensive unit has been very ordinary of late. Unless they kick 5.25 we are not winning this game
• Just our luck the media get stuck into Melbourne before we play them!
• We are going to get destroyed here if we can't find a spark on the track this week.  Melbourne by 60+
• Melbourne is the only team we haven't beaten since 2019.
• As it'll be under a roof instead in all liklihood, Dees by 47 and May to both look like he sucked on a lemon in disgust on his way to the same amount of intercepts and us to maybe kick 10 goals, maybe.

No idea what this is about but gave me a good laugh:

• You're forgetting to factor in the Dougal pirouette. It's like a boxer that has no skill but insane KO power. If it lands, we're in business.
• Could not believe my (piercing blue) eyes when he attempted another.  Leave-without-pay type operator.
• There was a moment in the 4th where he picked the ball up inside our 50, without anyone on him (maybe an Eagles player 15m away directly infront of him) and instead of shifting his body from front-on to the Eagles player to the right of the Eagles player so he could get the kick away, he instead spun around on the spot and then as he turned back around, went to the right. Literally sat there and said 'What the *??'.  He's incredible.

 

Favourites:

• A round 17 clash between 4th and 5th on the ladder and both Melbourne and St.Kilda fans couldn't be any more pessimistic.  I'm sorry Melbourne, but we're going to lose harder then you!
• You guys need to step up your game, the woe and despair in here is a pale comparison to the Demons board at the moment.
• We should take care of their form slump for them. They should start paying us to return teams to form.

 

The dees poor kicking have made a mess of my predictions lately but will go out on a limb one more time:  Dees by 3 goals!

One thing is for sure; with two very defensive coaches this will be a dour game to watch☹️.

Hilarious. Saints fans have do it hard more than any other supporters, (after we have won the flag in 21). Love their pessimism and black humour.

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

 

Fantastic! Well done Taj!

Lots of advice on here, I’m sure much of it useful. My contribution - Tracca, whatever you do, don’t go to Harry McKay’s coach for advice 

11 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Also ...why is fatigue any more a factor/excuse/contingent with the Dees and not 17 other clubs ?

Its a furphy.

Agree

Shame. Was looking forward to hearing binner’s extending his theories to explain the loss 

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

1 hour ago, A F said:

I would have preferred he played the last 5, plus finals, but I'll trust the FD and fitness team.

Maybe they want to see how he goes the next fortnight and then we know what we're dealing with heading into the last 5.

Are we talking about BBB here or lance franklin in his prime?

Why the hate for Kel underwood? Really? you’d prefer Brian 1980s brain Taylor?

3 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

I’ll give him my hamstrings. They’ve barely been used. 

Love it jaded!

Very disappointing loss. We exert so much effort in our forward 50 for little or no result. No wonder we were completely outrun in the last.

Poor danger supposedly on death’s doorstep with punctured lung, cracked ribs and overinflated ego, seems to be the true superman and able to play this week.

not just his ego that’s overinflated, but reports of the severity of his injury 

2 minutes ago, david_neitz_is_my_dad said:

No Oliver

Well! Let that settle in…

1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Oliver doesn't have a leg to stand on if he is told he can't play.  He disobeyed doctor's orders and left hospital impacting his recovery thereby disadvantaging the team. 

It is similar to breaking the rule of not drinking while injured for which players have incurred a suspension.  May comes to mind.

For that breach alone Oliver will be damn lucky if he doesn't get a club suspension or leadership group suspension.  He put himself before the team.

How do you know this LH? Under what circumstances?

thanks

3 hours ago, Redleg said:

David King before the game said Dees no chance and Pies will win, now after the game said he said all along Pies were ripe for the picking.

Does he listen to what he says?

That’s his gig and no one ever calls him on it, so he continues each week to blather out contradictory views. He’s a joke 

13 hours ago, layzie said:

Can't believe Andy swore on the show!

 

Not the first time 

4 hours ago, speed demon said:

 

I’m a “reader” and not a “poster” as evidenced by my 144 posts in 13 years. I’ve also never taken a fellow Demonlander to task before. Yet, your post kept me awake last night. I only post this now because of the high regard I hold for the quality of your posts and your influence on other Demonlanders. As an additional preface, I want to make clear that I share your concerns with all the issues you have raised about the present state of the game.

I have not followed the game for as long as you. However, in the 35 years I have followed the game, people have always complained about the umpiring, the rules, the tribunal and the administration. Furthermore, there have always been those who have claimed the game is at its lowest ebb. I suspect it has always been such and always will be. This discussion need not be restricted to football. People make similar comments about the state of society generally. So, I am naturally sceptical of such claims.  

What is missing from your post and similar lamentations is balance. For all the negatives you have identified – and with which I agree – there are positives. 

Most obviously is the phenomenal success of women’s football and the explosion in participation. This is great for the game, gender equality and public health more broadly.  

Football clubs and matches (AFL/VFL and local) were once places of open racism that was not only tolerated but encouraged. Racial slurs were seen as a legitimate way of putting an opponent off their game. Whatever you think of clubs taking a stance on the Voice, surely we can agree that there is less racism in football today and that is a good thing. 

What was once glorified as toughness has been better identified as thuggery and the game is cleaner. Does anyone really think we need more players running past the ball to shirt front an unsuspecting player? Toughness is better appreciated as playing the ball and never shirking a contest. Viney, along with Oliver and Petracca, are outstanding examples of tough and clean players.  

The players are bigger, stronger, faster and more skilful. The tactics and strategy are more complex. Fundamentally, when you strip away inconsistent umpiring and ambiguous rules, the game is still fascinating and spectacular.  

I look at my young boys. They love playing this athletic and skilful team game with an odd-shaped ball, just as I did at their age. They have no awareness of the concerns I have about the direction of the game. Though I’m sure they will when they are my age, when their own kids develop their love of the game and I bemoan how the game is not what is was in the 2020s when the MFC won a cabinet full of premiership trophies. 

My point is, just as the game and society change, so do we. Psychological research shows we have a tendency towards preferring to maintain the status quo as we age. We also have a cognitive bias towards negativity and we weight losses more than gains (i.e. the negative effect of losing $100 is greater than the positive effect of winning $100). Evolutionary psychology theory argues we have evolved thus because this confers a survival advantage (at the expense of our happiness and with the burden of anxiety). 

So, the negatives are easy to identify and we tend to overestimate their magnitude. We may need to look harder, but the positives are there as well. Across the course of my life, on balance, both football and society have changed for the better.  

Thanks for your great insights and humour over the years. I trust you will receive this post in the spirit with which it was intended. 

 

 

 

 

Speed Demon, your post was just what I needed, thanks for sharing some perspective.