TheWiz

Great start to the weekend. Just need a Dees win!

For anyone interested there was a good article in The Age which looks at Sydney’s high press effectiveness as a blueprint against Collingwood: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/high-press-high-reward-did-the-swans-give-the-footy-world-a-blueprint-for-beating-collingwood-20240318-p5fda1.html?btis

Now THAT is a stat to love!

Nearly best on ground! The focus of the game was great to listen to. Much less dribble.

What a game from Clarry. After I thought he wasn’t fit last week he destroyed it today. Rapt and hope this is a start of a great new journey for him. Billings was extraordinary. A few Saints mates said he could play and he showed it today. Was hoping BBB and TMac could etch out one more year and this was a great start. Great game, go Dees.

Committed until the end of 2025 so wouldn’t be impossible, and agree that he should be getting more games there. Don’t know why Beveridge is persisting with Lobb.

Here I are excerpts of the article below. The Scoop has since learned that eyebrows were raised at the Demons’ season launch at the MCG two weeks ago when president Kate Roffey declared Melbourne wanted “to be more like Collingwood”. … This column approached Roffey to provide further context. And the president did exactly that. “Collingwood members set the benchmark when it comes to achieving huge – and let’s be honest – noisy crowd attendances; and that is a benchmark we want to chase,” Roffey told this masthead. “I believe Melbourne can and should be a big club on and off the field. We have seen our membership grow to record numbers over the last few years and are on our way to reaching 75-80 thousand members, and I want to see that number keep growing. We have always had a great rivalry with the Pies on the field. Let’s add the membership-number challenge to that great rivalry off the field.” Roffey went on to explain that her remarks should be interpreted as a call to arms for Melbourne supporters. In 2023, the Demons had 70,785 members to Collingwood’s 106,470, while the two clubs’ average crowds, including finals, were 43,860 for Melbourne and 64,429 for Collingwood. “The crowd at a game makes a huge difference - especially a noisy crowd giving their team 100 per cent support. I’m not sure supporters realise how much difference it does make to players on the field - but it matters a lot to them. When the MCG is full and our members are making lots of noise it gives the players a massive lift out on the field. “I will keep encouraging every Melbourne supporter to play their part by getting to games, by being louder in the stands - and getting behind their players whether the team is five goals up or five goals down - because it does matter. Roffey admitted, “I may well go down in history as the only Melbourne president who has ever said anything positive about Collingwood - but in the context of the conversation I was having around the size of the club and crowd attendances I don’t think there is any confusion for supporters. …

Sydney’s dare and skill execution is very impressive

What on earth is in the water in Sydney. Playing out of their skin. Fantastic footy to watch, and couldn’t be against a better team.

Thoughts on Tex?…

It was at the 7:50 mark of his post match press conference: https://www.afl.com.au/video/1086632 That's a great point about attacking early to create a buffer. I was taken aback when he said they have been planning this since November… it’s some serious forethought and strategy.

Interesting to read Voss’ comments this morning about their heavy loading over the past 4 weeks, and that their strategy has been to effectively use the early bye as their season starter. Wonder what our strategy is?

Quite contradictory… this year Kate is asking us to be loud like Collingwood, but last year asked us not to boo Baker at the Bulldogs R1 game - that’s the most Collingwood thing I can think of!! “Roffey went on to explain that her remarks should be interpreted as a call to arms for Melbourne supporters. In 2023, the Demons had 70,785 members to Collingwood’s 106,470, while the two clubs’ average crowds, including finals, were 43,860 for Melbourne and 64,429 for Collingwood.” On the above numbers, Melbourne has an average crowd turnout to membership ratio of 61.96% and Collingwood has 60.51%. We’re actually slightly ahead of Collingwood. So the club wants more if you want more bums on seats then grow your membership base. Maybe improve your media department, preserve brand image (particularly for families), and - I can’t stress this one enough - stay out of negative media headlines… “She prefaced the comment by stating that she didn’t “want this ending up in the newspapers”, which usually means it will end up in the newspapers.”

It’s a very fair question, and reflecting on it I deleted my original post. I agree, he was a solid contributor. I should have recalibrated my expectations from his previous elite performances, but nonetheless this was good enough. Cheers

Come on. 3Q thoughts: - McVee you little rippa. Silky smooth. - Windsor looks comfortable at this level. Cheeky little side step shows his confidence but bought time on a nice kick which shows his footy smarts. - Chandler has the yips continued from the Carlton practice match. - Gawn hasn’t had the best, but appreciate it’s against someone he’s worked with for the past year who is also an AA. Fair game. - Grundy to Rivers to another turnover… I sculled my beer. - Our bottom 3 players (excl subs) and are Spargo, Schache and JVR. JVR needs to lift. - I haven’t really had an opinion on ANB, but he and Viney are the only ones lifting this game. Good on him.

Too many passengers. 2Q thoughts: - Thank goodness for Windsor - Oliver looks undercooked - Gawn doing well - ANB, Salem and Howes playing well - Laurie and Schache having a mare

Settle Dees. 1Q thoughts: - Viney, great as always - Sparrow, inspired - ANB, good 1% ers - Spargo, would rather Billings - Schache, don’t know if he is AFL quality

And then when we win…

Congratulations Tom and great job on extending. I honestly think he can be the future Viney engine room, and can’t wait to see him take the next step this year… and hopefully add another 🏆 Go Dees

Hmmm that’s really interesting… particularly for my SuperCoach team 😬

Venue: Sydney home ground advantage. No rain forecasted and good weather. Midfield: With Parker and Mills out, it will be interesting to see the results of Adam’s knee scans and if they have to rest him. Gulden and Warners are absolute jets, but I’d say we have the midfield advantage with more consistent structure. Ruck: Was also interesting to see Grundy and Ladhams share the ruck in the practice match. Even draw here given G&G’s history. Defence & Forwards: About even. I’d say we have an advantage with our defensive structure but I don’t think we have a clear solution to Papley and Heeney. In terms of our forwards I think if we can continue with the great forward entries against Carlton we can run over them. Absolutely cannot wait. Dees by 36 points.

Final score CAR 10.3.63 MEL 15.11.101

Really well said and great point about workplace health and safety

If the AFL and Players Association are serious about creating an environment that puts players safety and welfare at the forefront, then for a medically retired player the balance of the contract should be treated outside of a club salary cap. If not, what would this mean for future contracts for players with concussion histories and would clubs be prioritising medical observation?

Great idea WCW, like other posters have commented, is it possible to include on a banner?