Bring-Back-Powell

Can people stop saying 2023 was the premiership that got away? We had the opportunity to make something of the 2023 finals with a week 1 MCG final but we weren’t up to the standard. Collingwood jumped us in the qualifying final and lead 33-6 in the second quarter and held a 25 point lead at 3 qtr time. No club is coming back from a 4 goal deficit at 3 qtr time, in a low scoring final. (sorry to derail the Goodwin discussion)

Yeah I’d say he nudges out all of Mitchell, Longmire, Fagan, Bevo and Longmuir for that honour.

Langdon probably gets a week for that but English dominates the last quarter. Bedford and Cameron put their opponents into next week and somehow play the next week. Try explaining that to someone new to the game.

Yep. I appreciate and look forward to Joeboy’s analysis each week but the “woe against me” towards the umpiring that has permeated Demonland this year has been unbearable to be honest.

Hopefully Bont is the other 🤞

The last time Essendon played Freo at the MCG they got 35,000. (admittedly that was in 1999)

As long as that's not the goal tally.

Haven't seem him at VFL level aside from ANZAC eve, but I'd imagine he's checked out and looking to call it a day. Tomlinson would also be struggling for motivation these days. Can see him on another list next year.

Yeah I don't think the MFC turnout tonight will be particularly amazing. I find it funny that people (mostly the media so they can clock off earlier) have been campaigning for early Friday night starts such as 7:00pm, but fail to realise that not everybody works in the city, and may not make the game in time. A 7:15pm start is too early IMO. 7:40 is about right.

Hoping a 42-15 scoreline isn't a portent of things to come.

Always found it odd that a Geelong man through and through was on the GWS board.

True. But I wouldn't be surprised if they come out a bit flat after being up for 3 weeks. I could be wrong and they've blown us out of the water by quarter time.

Reckon we’ll have a comfortable half time lead of around 4 goals as the Dogs might be a bit flat off a 5 day break. Then they’ll run all over us in the second half for a 5 goal Dogs win, due to our inability to put together 4 quarters against good sides. On paper our midfield just doesn’t stack up against theirs.

Agreed. I get absolutely no satisfaction or enjoyment watching Luke Jackson in a Freo jumper. He’s the type of ruck/forward we wanted Grundy to be, and we now have a painfully obvious void in that position this year. If Freo are playing a Carlton on GF day, I’d prefer them to win, but they’re certainly not high on my preferences.

Laurie was told that he’ll be in for just the one week in replacement of Sparrow. Not sure you can rationalise it any other way after a career best game. Not doing his confidence any good.

For 16 weeks I was adamant Carlton would take it out. I’m pleased to report I’m less adamant.

Wouldn't mind seeing Howes and Hore back for this one. Howes showed a lot of promise in his first handful of games but got progressively got worse. Any chance he could be trialled on the wing? There is an opening with Windsor out. Hore played well in the earlier game against the Dogs. With Windsor out and Billings not performing last week, it probably opens the door for Hunter to return for his 200th.

Is there any feasible chance we can make finals with 13 wins and the assumption that out percentage would increase somewhat with a 3-1 record to close the season? If yes, then I’ll start getting interested in the run home once again.

All points taken, and I was aware that Essendon had a VfL side running around in the AFL that year. And I agree with your last point that the crowd was a disgrace last Saturday night. Too many physically abled people probably preferred the lounge room fire and a glass of red as opposed to seeing their boys live at the G which is the best part of AFL footy.

Remind your Essendon mate that his team drew 14,463 against GWS in 2016. Under a closed roof as opposed to the arctic conditions we had to put up with.

I think it's the average age we've fielded for the year rather than the list in totality. As @titan_uranus explained, we fielded an older side in the earlier rounds which is consistent to what you are saying. Still think our side is adequately stocked with veterans to see us to the finish line - Melksham, May, Lever, Gawn, Oliver, Viney, ANB, Langdon, T Mac, Fritta etc...

I was so close to going to this one but for a 1st birthday party I felt obliged to attend. Massive Bullet dodged.

And I also thought they were coached well. They responded really well to a good old fashioned cook at quarter time, and refused to allow May to take on Hogan. They somehow manipulated the defensive battles such that May would take Riccardi and T Mac would be on Hogan, and we know the rest of the story in the last quarter.

On reflection, can you genuinely think of one MFC player that was in the best 5 players on the night? Meanwhile how did Hogan not get a vote? Tore the game apart in the first half of the last quarter.

For those that think we're a young team and that's one of the reasons why we're struggling, then this article suggests otherwise. https://www.afl.com.au/news/1184405/the-young-and-the-marvellous-youth-spurring-hawthorn-hawks-hot-charge 8th oldest on average and 5th oldest on average for games played. I think our fitness hasn't been as strong this year and/or lacking hunger compared to other clubs such as Freo, Hawthorn, Bulldogs, GWS who haven't tasted success in a while or ever.