58er

Agree our mids were stagnant and Dogs had a free run for a while. But we stabilised and from say halfway through 2nd quarter we kicked those 2 goals and as in the GF only conceded 3 goals in the second half. Brilliant work by all the players in defence and the others who assisted by repositioning or just getting back to help.

Our replacement most likely would be Tmac at this stage. Maybe Tommo at FB or later in the season Turner when fit may be a possibility. Even JVR might be a chance down the track.

Are you serious ? There were plenty of kids there on Wed. Sat night who wouldn't go out in aSat night to the footy with their kids Let them live!! Kids would watch from home any way so May as well go.

Surely you are saying we will struggle without Lever and Salem not WITH them. Dont necessarily agree as Tmac Tommo Maysie and possibly Smithy can all play tall. Our Achilles heel is often our Lack of small defenders matching opposition smalls. Reckon we got a bottle of self belief with our backline and all seemed to play their role once the mids proved too tough in the centre and our backs tightened up. 3.2 in a half ( 3.1 in the GF) is our mantra. And 11.5 is same as 10.6 in the GF also. And look at the changes in personnel on the night and before.

I am also a 64 year supporter and couldn't get a ticket but we are risking too much good footy from this team possibly our best ever ( we don't really know now) Good as GF was and I was in Perth and still pinch myself but it's now and the future and 2021 to have fondest memories of.

One swallow ....please ...... but he was sound and played team footy not individual flying with everyone getting in their road etc. Disciplined and skilful on the night and promising start to 2022. Hope he gets an injury free run to show his craft.

You have forgotten 2007/14 far too quickly. Winning with difficulties gives the side so much more dimension.

More like 50,000/8,000 really. In the lower level Gt STH Stand which is not normal the GA ticketing increased our support all around the ground. And our takeover completely of Level 2 with Corporates plus the total domination in the MCC members makes a huge difference when you get that many Dees fans. We will be lucky to outdo the Bombers fans in Round3 if we are not careful.

I estimate (from forward pocket Punt Rd end in Gt Sth Stand lower level ) that Demon fans were 50,000 and Dogs the 8,000 rest. The whole Level 1 in the ground ( except the Ponsford Stand )were Dees fans. Great to have ground to ourselves almost. Pretty well confirmed on TV later I reckon. I predict 75,000 minimum vs Bombers and we will do well to have an advantage in support if we don't prepare and get tickets plus get there early. Don't dilly dally getting your tickets or getting to the ground GA, Demons members, AFL members or MCC Members. Like in 1964 late round fixture at the G there was 86,000 I think. We won with a big last quarter and we had to sit on the top level of the Northern Stand. Heady days Dees.

And I also believe we are truly starting a new life for plenty of Demons families and kids especially. They are not worried about our 57 years barren flag drought only that we are winners now and of course they know that we have the most watchable players in full flight in the competition. They put their jumper on and Mum and Dad bring them to the game which after all is lots of fun.

Not yet in front of Hibbo IMHO until he plays with the ferocity and tackling and pressure that Hibbo contributes. But he is on the improve and his ability is evident and if produced for the team role each week he will be under discussion by selectors for roles during 2022.

Gross exaggeration He is finally starting to look like a AFL defender. Yes he was solid and marked and disposed well but that's what he needs to do every time like Bowey Hibberd Rivers May Tommo and Lever and Petty and Hunt did last year . He will gain great confidence as a result as will all the other parts of our defence that was brilliantly cobbled together ( Tmac and Gus both very good) . Trac and Clarry and others all did their part to nullify the Dogs in the "championship quarter" which we were the best in season 2021. All our players would have gained confidence from last night and our newer ones stood up manfully.

Maybe!!

I do not sink as low as make a post or potentially make mischief about a deceased person when they have publicly stated the opposite, then admit I don't know any facts to back up my comment. And amazingly Making Civil War admits it is wrong but defends the making of an apology as to good to be true as many before make incorrect or statements lacking in fact or evidence but don't express their regret when called out. This is a case of the person caught typecasting by their own opinion and missing the target by miles and not being decent enough to really admit that it was an inappropriate posting under all considerations and in view of the public interest and feelings in this matter.

Not as funny as you MCW. You obviously don't understand the reference from DD about " taking stuff " is as I indicated an inaccurate assertion on Shane's social habits. It has been reinforced universally by Shane ( and friends) that He did not do drugs so To completely clear the air DD should write a retraction of his assertion about "taking stuff ". That's all I asked. If you find that funny I am dumbfounded.

Your continued under valuing of Fritta in comparison to our champion defenders is very strange. He has now started to average more than 2 goals a game in the best AFL competition in the land. And he keeps oN improving. His bags over 2 per game including a stellar Finsls Series in the last half of the season were a sure sign of Bsyley being at the top of his game. 6 in the GF was nearly Norm Smith Medal standard. You are also still one of the very few that have not recognised the skills and improvement inc. tackling and pressure in Bayleys game. Time to admit you are wrong and give credit where credit is due.

Your comparing local footy last century and training habits of local Clubs is irrelevant with AFL requirements for success in the 2020's! As was proven ( even only for a year or two) by Burgess You train as you play.

More like the Saints!

Trac's 7 years is at a completely different stage of his career than Ben King extending by 2 years It's not even logical to compare.

A retraction would be the best DD I would have thought .

The curse originates from Norm Smiths statement that Melbourne would have a very long period of lack of success. Not as you are interpreting it Tiers.

Lions were murdered by the Umps especially in the last half. This was not he Prelim Dante. Lions would still have had to beat Port at Adelaide Oval to play us again Dogs played good Prelim Final but no pressure from Port. Kenny H is on his last chance in 2022!

DD What are you referring to when you say "taking stuff"". Warnie completely denies taking drugs most emphatically in a number of occasions backed up by a number of friends . Perhaps you need to let us into your interpretation of your statement please.!

Why don't we change this title to "The no longer embarrassing records Melbourne have changed or have performed since 2014 or 2015. We could at the top of the post just list the very small few we need to address and mark them off when they occur. BTW we must be near the GF record for scoring in the last quarter 9.1 . I think Essendon may have that with 9.6 in 1984 but a check or D/L with the record Would tidy that one up. Surely our 16.4 is a last half record if not even a record for any half of GF footy!?

Most of the Tayla Harris credit can be shared between our excellent player management ( credit to Coaches snd players also Daisy) and to Tayla herself. She is totally team committed this year and does not seem to have the distractions of previous Carlton campaigns such as boxing and social media. Oh and let's not forget Tayla starts with one huge advantage. She is such a hugely talented player with great feel for the situations of the game. Similar in a way to Stephen May and we all know how good that has turned out!!