Wodjathefirst

Well I think ‘gliders’ is a far more environmentally appropriate name than ‘bombers’

The ‘preparation’ from what I recall was there was covid and no crowds - negated the home crowd advantage

Sounds like Groundhog Day

Don’t reckon Danger will a concern this time round. Such is.

I had the pleasure of being at the OS game where Max got 5 or 6 goals (too lazy to fact check). Not sure if it could be picked up in the televised game, but mid way through the game the crowd started chanting ‘Gawny’. It was a real party atmosphere. Loved it.

Credit also to the size of the crowd that turned up taking into consideration the weather

If you do Uluru definitely go on to do Kings Canyon. All 2wd. Google it. Closer to Alice is the Alice Springs Desert Park. I thought it would be too touristy… I was wrong, it was very good. Have fun

The likes of Collingwood not being happy? Beginning to sound like a good idea to me.

I rank Port higher than Collingwood as a contender.

That is interesting. After Geelong won by a record 119 points in the GF against Port the first game of the following year was a GF rematch over in Adelaide. I recall a Geelong spectator walking into the ground wearing a Geelong guernsey with 119 on his back. I always wondered if he lived to see another day.

Losing margin against Geelong in a GF (by Port)

In 2021 it may sound strange, but I feel our team had a fairy tale run of sorts. It appeared that they were not fazed by not having crowds attending games for a lot of the home and away games that season (due to Covid lockdowns etc). This did not seem to phase them. They were galvanised and on a mission. Got the minor premiership, can’t ask for much more. Come finals time, particularly those held in Perth, they got the best rent a crowd support you could hope for. A significant majority of the football loving state adopted Melbourne as their team in the finals. The crowds were electric and loud! Make no mistake, that really lifted our boys untold. They certainly got the job done and did it with style. I was so proud. 2022 was such a struggle year on so many levels. Premiership hangover, the draw, being the hunted, injuries etc. In the scheme of things we did well but it wasn’t a great year if that makes sense. In my opinion although our crowd numbers were reasonable, for the most part lacked real passion. Lesser opposition crowds at times were louder than us! That’s how I saw it. This year we seem to be disregarded as serious contenders by media, opposition fans. I get it, we lost a few close games and didn’t have too many big scalps. Such is. That was until the Collingwood game. The boys lifted and our crowd got behind our lads (eg. cheering matching the boos Grundy received - I was so proud). Not only did our players step up, so did our supporters. I know it was a big crowd but it was different. Although we were outnumbered, our supporters stood up and showed real passion. I have no doubt our players would have noted this also. I am optimistically thinking this is a turning point of sorts for the rest of the season and hopefully for many years to come. I like it how the media are critical of us. I actually love feeling the hate other supporters from some clubs seem to have for us. The doggies, Hawthorn, Collingwood and Geelong supporters come to mind. I hope there are others. Most people only seem to think that Collingwood, Brisbane and Port are the only serious contenders. We are disregarded by a lot of people. Again, I love this. I hope the crowd reaction for the Collingwood game was not a one off. I want our mob to galvanise, I want us to feel as if it is us versus the world. I want our passionate supporters to turn up and back in our boys for the rest of the season. Goody at his press conference pretty much said words to this effect. It is the least we can do to help our boys. I am looking forward to see the ‘disregarded’ demons become the team that everyone fears. Same for our supporters. Rather than being ridiculed, I want people to be amazed at our size and more importantly our passion. For over half a century we by and large were on struggle street. It is time for us to morph into being a football powerhouse, players, support staff and supporter base. I want us to be feared, hated and respected all at the same time. Life is too short. I hope we smash Geelong next game, although a close win will do. GO DEES!

On the way home on the train I could really feel the hate from one Collingwood supporter. I loved it!

Week keeps getting better and better. I’m beginning to feel like I was in mid season 2021….. something that I unfortunately didn’t achieve in 2022 (even after winning 10 in a row). GO DEES!

I like your thinking but……Sort of wanting Geelong to beat Port and then for us to beat Geelong. My logic is I want us to secure second spot on the ladder (from Port) by the end of the home and away season.

Isn’t it great having both Smith and Tomlinson both up and about! This with all the ‘mids’ it now gives us a depth of talent (as well as flexibility) across the field. Hope everyone holds / improves their form. This will allow us to test / rest / manage players over the coming weeks. Also an opportunity to refine / test our systems….and keep the opposition guessing. Ultimately, come finals selectors will pick players in best form as well as ‘best fit’ depending on who we play. It’s a tough gig if you don’t make the final 23. In my mind it is the squad that wins a premiership, not just the final 23.

I’ll take a punt that the answer to the question will in part include strategic considerations being given to resting / rotating players as well as refining / testing systems over the next few rounds. Can’t wait to see the team they choose for the Geelong game. Come September the 66 million dollar question will be selecting the starting 22 hopefully from a full, fit list. I’m guessing this will also be influenced by whom we are fronting up against.

We ‘will’ win at the Cattery… (Just fixed a typo, cheers)

Apparently information will only be given out on a ‘knees’ to know basis.

I am so glad I read your response. It was beginning to do my head in. Can’t work out if people are trying to get a lend of us or not. Bizarre!

It is interesting to hear what coaches say at press conferences. Typically you would not expect them to give too much away for obvious reasons. Having said that, McRae certainly seemed to mean it when he said in his Melbourne loss press conference he would rather see Collingwood take risks and take the game on when they are behind in the last quarter to try and win and would not be disappointed if they then lost by 10 goals. Not that it is any sort of secret, that is their general game plan. However, if you are the opposition coach it must be a very nice to know likely strategy of Collingwood if you are going to play them and are in front at the final break. Knowing that, I’ve been shocked about how many teams that tried to go into defensive mode when they were leading against the Pies at 3/4 time and lost (eg Essendon). Sure, you must defend but surely launch counter attacks wherever possible. (Like we did bar the last couple of minutes- we will learn from that)

Oh dear, who do I despise more, Cox or Ginnivan? I think I’ll have to toss a coin.

I have come to the conclusion that some people just see things differently. I would not at all be surprised if there were people out there that would find fault or perhaps an opportunity for improvement with say a couple having sex who manage to pull it off (excuse the pun) and come at the exact same time. Ladies first?

If both Tomlinson and Smith stay in the side that is to play against Geelong and put In extremely good games again, it will give the selectors plenty to think about how to fit Petty back in the following week (if he is fit). I wouldn’t even consider putting forward a suggested scenario of who comes in / goes out. I presume (hope) that the selectors take the opportunity to look at the long game and rest / rotate players in order to make sure we have the fittest list available at year end to choose from. Even if unfortunately we lose a ‘star’ to an injury come finals we should then be able to cover them with a player that is blooded and understands our processes and can play their role in our system. I like our selectors having big headaches. It gives them opportunity to maximise the strength and depth of the squad. I feel bad for the players who miss out.

To be honest I have no idea who will be the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ for the Geelong game. What I do know is that the football department has a tough job coming up and I as always will trust their judgment. For the first time since we beat Geelong and then Richmond (or the other way around) in 2021, I can put my hand on my heart and say that we are once again ‘serious’ contenders. (In 2022 even after winning the first 10 games the best I could think is that we were contenders) GO DEES!!