Wodja

But Sydee, unfortunately I am with you on this, highly unlikely Johnson will want to leave…. but you never know

Exact same question could have been asked of Jackson wanting to leave Melbourne last year.

Thinking about things you cannot realistically change will just do your head in. The trick is to think of something else. Did you know that since Carlscum’s inception in 1897 that we have never beaten them in a Friday night game? (I sourced this from what another poster put on another thread). So…… be angry, rock up the the G, make some noise and see the boys rectify this embarrassing record. It will make you feel better. GO DEES! (And I don’t want to be outnumbered by their fans!)

I was feeling edgy about this Friday’s game and would have been happy to get the four points. Now I’m angry and just want us to smash Carlscum.

I must admit it has no longer been any fun trawling through the ‘deathriding Freo’ forum comments in the past few weeks

The guy that sits next to me on level 2A was at quarter time involving in trying to kick a football into a tin can to try and win money for his local footy team. We sit on level 2A and from our vantage point the G looked miserably empty. The positive however while standing on the ground he reckoned the G looked a lot fuller and it seemed more noisy than sitting in the stands. How is that for desperate optimism for our players - that at the very least, they feel there are lots of footy fans there to support them who are also making some noise! All is not lost. GO DEES!

Had we got over the line against Port and Fremantle I just wonder how different the discussion would have been on this forum. Nearly half way through the season, fourth on the ladder with the highest percentage. Big three games coming up. GO DEES!

Somewhat ashamed I would have to say that Melbourne was advantaged by playing the finals in Perth. Absolute fact is that WA hopped on board with the Demons and they were LOUD. Totally agree that the Pies supporters have in the recent past (particularly last time we played them last year) helped get their team over the line. Going forward, yes I do feel our lack of crowd support is bit of an issue. It certainly doesn’t help us. Perhaps it’s not all doom and gloom. We could rely on neutrals to hop on board come finals when we play teams that most of us collectively hate- Collingwood, Geelong, Carlton, Essendon… the list goes on. Of course I’m somewhat desperately taking some hopeful liberties here. On a more serious note I do wonder (without having any evidence whatsoever) about how many neutrals hopped on board the Hawthorn and Geelong hate train with us in the 2018 finals series - hence the noise, if that makes sense.

Agree, can’t compare it to the 2018 finals ( I unfortunately wasn’t there) but can to the 2021 series :). It felt like I was attending another home and away game. Shame really.

I can’t categorically say yes but to me it seems like a real obvious. Home ground advantage to me means more than playing on familiar turf, it is having the majority of crowd on your side. (Look at last night, Adelaide v Brisbane). Huge crowds add atmosphere. Huge one sided crowds can only be an advantage. Perhaps I’m selectively listening but I always hear Goody and players encouraging our fans to turn up and support our boys. I don’t think they are saying that just to try and raise more revenue for the club. I also have heard the players and coach from Collingwood on a number of occasions say how they love the crowd support they get and how it feels like they have a 19th man on the ground. It certainly works to their advantage. Why do all teams dread playing an interstate team on their home turf in the finals? I think the crowd factor rather than the shape of the ground is the greater concern. In contrast, it was interesting to note how pretty much most players from all teams in the Covid lockdown games said it felt flat and missed the crowd support. I could go on but I won’t….. who knows, I could be wrong….again.

I’m bringing up an old one here. People still talk about the crowd and noise when we made the finals in 2018. I unfortunately couldn’t make it. I keep hearing the impact it made was like having an extra player on the field. I however was fortunate enough to see both finals in 2021 and the crowd noise was electric and in my mind there is no doubt, our boys were spurred on by it. It was because a whole swag of West Coast and Freo supporters came on board with us. It was a pleasure to experience real loud passionate support- even if was being generated by neutrals. In contrast the GF rematch the following year the crowd felt very flat to me, very Melbourne like if that makes sense. If I could pick up on the difference, I’m certain the players would have also. Again in contrast, how was the noise the Ferals made in our last game against them in 2022. In my opinion, their ‘19th man’ got them over the line in that game. Geez I hope our supporters turn up next week. We need both the home ground and home crowd advantage. Even more so for the Collingwood game. I would love it if the majority of our ‘one off’ supporters that turn up are the same ones that rocked up in the 2018 finals series.

Better finish off on a positive. 11 rounds in, 4th on the ladder with the highest percentage. All we need now is a win or three in a row. GO DEES! (And as many supporters as possible to turn up to our home games at the very least)

Been mentioned by others that our home ground advantage does not equate to a home crowd advantage. To me that is a real concern and embarrassment at times. And sure I get the pros and cons of whether it was appropriate or not to boo Jackson (each to their own), but then to actually listen to the applauds he got from some of our fans!!! Seriously? I reckon this would be the only AFL team forum where if someone suggested it was more polite to clap than to cheer that there would be serious debate. Finished venting, feeling a lot better, thanks

The actual issue for me is the team’s ‘attitude’, ‘mindset’ or ‘confidence. They seemed to have lost their self belief. It needs to change. Feel like a winner, play like a winner. It needs to infect all the players. This contamination needs to occur next Friday.

Yep, I had been geared up to boo my head off at him ……. I just couldn’t. Shame.

I’m an optimist so I still trust this team (and football department). But the realistic side of me would acknowledge that right now things aren’t going quite to plan. I really think we have the cattle, it is the collective mindset of the team that worries me. We must become the hunters and not be the team that is being hunted. I want (need) to maintain faith. Best thing we can do as supporters is to turn up and support the lads (those of us who can). They need us (19th man concept). The next 3 games are BIG and perhaps season defining. Want to win the next three and at very worst two. A win against Carlscum is a non negotiable. One game at a time. Life is too short so I’d rather spend much as I possibly can living in hope. It’s a lot more fun.

It’s been a shocker of a weekend thus far. Went to the G for starters and just realised I’ve only picked one winner in the tipping comp to date (Essendon). I’m going to bed

For Melbourne’s sake. Go Adelaide and Richmond tomorrow

Weightman and Ginnivan, two floppy peas in the same pod.

Umpires incredible. 50 metres for nothing, cCouple non frees to Weightman. What’s going on?

Team - Must win clearances!

Goody, he is still my man

Fremantle’s pressure all game was commendable. We rarely got any easy kicks. Sad but true

Be a nice change to win a few clearances for a change. That would make a huge difference.

Either one of their forwards and send them to the Choco William’s kicking academy