kev martin

For sure. I haven't mentioned another under the radar player, Bowey. Finals after, what, 4-5 games. What a story, reliability, efficiency, selfless, supportive. Keep that cool head, give us an out and hit up those mids. Would love him to get a goal. Go Dees!

Norm Smith and Barassi, are our own gods we should do a sacrifice to and the curse is lifted.

I am not too concerned. A couple may get overwhelmed, become fumbly and make errors (could be the experienced players as well), but I think with the balance (old and new heads) of our team they should be fine. It may also help our youngsters, as there are no preconceived ideas and may free them up. Some could stand up as being made for finals. Hoping that is Pickett, Rivers, Petty, Sparrow and Jackson. Am I hoping for too much?

We have a few players made for finals. Tracc and Oliver for sure, May, Lever and Viney will give everything, I think Sparrow (power) and Langdon (endurance) will have good games. Can see BBB bringing the ball down for our front and centre, smalls. Jackson has been given some positive feedback with the rising star award, that should fire him up. Gawn has shown great leadership, he won't give up and could perform some inspirational acts. We have some players who bring pressure to every game, they also maintain their roles. Our defensive structures are the best and only a few teams have broken us down for anymore than a quarter. We have belief and the group has bought into the Goody culture. From the small amount of finals we have played under Goody, I believe his finals games are when he is at his best, and bringing the best out of the team. Hoping Tmac can turn his game around. Will Pickett play his best game? Expecting us to hit them early, then play a bit more conservative and dour. Bring the heat Dees

Kozzie seems to have a go at any of the opposition who have the ball and are near him. Has got great closing speed.

Would like to see her play as a captain and assistant coach, possibly looking after the forward line. With a lead up to being the head coach of MFC AFLW when she finishes playing.

Sparrow has shown he can dispose of the ball well. His inconsistencies in the delivery of the ball, must be about anxiety, feeling rushed and or being inexperienced. You can see fast development happening as he gets more games and becomes more instinctual. I am with you, believing we will be impressed by him.

The young ones won't know much about the struggles to get into a final, and being in one (though there will be guidance, such as; absorb the experience, be in the moment, play your normal game, do the simple things well), though after last week's effort they will have belief. I imagine they will play with plenty of energy and confidence, as will the rest.

Daniel Rich, I can see Sparrow having a go at him.

Great for our young players to get a go at it. Give them hell, Jackson, River, Bowey, Pickett, Petty, Sparrow. Spargs. Surprised about Smith, thought he may have been a bit underdone. Hoping he is match fit after only a few games. Tracc has been setting himself for the finals, (guessing). I expect a dominant performance. May will be in the same boat Langdon and Salem could be the difference. C'mon big game players, step it up. Go Dees.

Why settle down @dazzledavey36? I can give my opinion without statements that are derogatorive. But, if that is your way, then good luck to you. Just mentioning why I think MCG would have been a better venue for us. So the Lions can have a normal build up and we sit at home talking about the game on zoom, then being let out for a run and back into isolation, and when in Adelaide we are locked in for 24 hrs . Are the Lions locked in as well? There is also a good chance we are on the road to Perth after SA and therefore away from home for the entire finals series. Makes sense to me that we should have stayed in Melbourne for as long as we could.

I think I heard on 360 AFL fox show, that we have a different quarantine regiment to that of Brisbane. We get locked in when we arrive and are in isolation already. The same as Geelong. Did not hear them talk about any restrictions on the Lions. There is an uneven playing field that favours the opposition.

Thanks for taking the time to discuss. I think prime time is more relevant in the home and away series. Finals however, all the games are interesting at whatever time. I still advocate for Sunday. We seem to play better with some adversity. So I am not overly concerned, more disappointed that we don't have any advantages from finishing top. Hoping we can jig and fine-tune our game for a finals series. May and Lever to dominate and lead our backline in an extremely stingy display and to rebound everything.

That is right, the script is for the benefit of the AFL not MFC. My argument is not about the effect on this game but on the finals campaign. We are on an even playing field against Brisbane. That is why I feel the Dogs get a hand up. Nine Days to prepare for the next phase of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if they turn their form around and give the finals a shake. I understand the choice for Adelaide. The beautiful stadium, neutral crowd, accessibility, but it still involves that quarantine. Which again disrupts our pre-finals preparation. You can keep saying, my arguments are obviously wrong, but it is my opinion. We are being shafted. The last 4 weeks of Home and Away were tough, good teams, excessive travel, quarantines, we did alright finishing top. Though, no benefits what so ever, from it. My preference would have been, play Brisbane at the MCG on the Sunday. Allow fully vaccinated spectators in, or no crowds.

Yes understand that. Though would like to win. An extra day will have have given us more time for the team to recover from niggles and to prepare for the final series (a small advantage). If lose, then we are in the back of the pack and 6 days is fine, given we would have had more prep time for the final series. Again, what did the Dogs do to get such an advantage going into a final series. They will have more time to refine problems and allow sore players to benefit, Nine Days, no quarantine! We have been subservient to AFL Corp, no benefits at all, for our position on the ladder. As Bobby1554 said, Zilch!

The Dogs got 9 days. They also don't have quarantine procedures, fly in fly out. Would prefer at least some advantage to being top of ladder. We have had flown a fair bit in the last 3-4 weeks. I care! Why did we not get the Sunday game?

Of course will not happen. Gee, it would make a big difference to the eastern area and one of the worst roads (Punt) in Melbourne. Would still like to see that artery buried underneath the existing road.

Bandwagoners won't deminish my experience. If we become dynasty, perhaps we will get some more true believer's. Share the joy.

With such a hectic finish to the home and away and there are not many privileges for a top of ladder. How did the Dogs get an 8 day break going into the finals?

I watch on afl overseas, a fox stream. There was no pre-match lead up to our game. The change up from the end of Bris v WC, had me a bit exhausted, after the 1 point to get the percentage above the Dogs. Then straight to the bounce of Dees v Cats. Would like to see games every day/night of the week eventually, so the clashes don't occur.

Cloud 9 or maybe 11!

Agree, you can only see his intent for it, but to have any control of a fast ball that bounces off the deck and hits the chest, wow.

The MFC players looked so happy at the end of the game. What a beautiful release valve for this seasons challenges. How about Williams jumping into the songs huddle. Knows the moment and gees them up for a celebration. My guess is a day off and back to business Monday.

Spargs, Pickett, Brayshaw, BBB, Rivers, Bowey, Sparrow come to mind as doing a bit. Harsh judgement on the team, I reckon.

Roped the dopes. Great momentum and belief to take into the finals. Top of the ladder, woo hoo.