Wodja

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

My wife reckons I am part Neanderthal so it is all strangely beginning to make sense. My justification is that we are going to the football and not to the opera. There is a difference. (I like your disclaimer) GO DEES!

Yes of course. He was one of us, chose to leave when we wanted him to stay (misled the MFC during the process) so he is now the ‘enemy’. Simple as that (Only for the first couple of games at best) To give some perspective I also tend to boo umpires when they stuff things up, opposition players that purposely hurt one of our players, etc etc. It’s footy, it’s me. To give further perspective, I wouldn’t boo Horne Francis (he didn’t stuff us around), nor would I boo say Hunt who went to WC, or Weidman who went to Essendon -(both the players and club were above board in discussions / outcomes). Bit like religion really. I respect whatever you choose to believe or not believe in, just don’t try and convert me. Same for booing and not booing.

Be positive, that forecast is a long way ahead. Even forecasts a week ahead can be a bit dicey. I reckon you can only rely going out about three days at most.

When you think about it, it wouldn’t be hard to implement (I think). The MFC would know which specific seats become vacant the moment the member goes down the path of getting guest passes (and therefore being relocated to another section) This would then give the opportunity for the club to reallocate the seat to say GA members that want to be given an opportunity to get a prime seat for a big game such as the KB game. (Could have a waiting list and allocate on fifo basis). Result would be happy member and more money in the coffers. Even in the less popular games the club should consider offering seats to loyal GA members. Again, happy member and the prime seating areas get filled with more Melbourne fans (I hate it when level 2 and 2A are only half full- no atmosphere).

What confuses me is that if a member with a reserved seat invited a guest (who pays etc etc) to the KB game my understanding is that both the member and the guest are given seats together but in another section of the ground. If that is the case the ‘original’ reserved seat is left vacant. If many members take up this option this would leave plenty of prime viewing seats vacant. I’m guessing that these are not somehow sold on. Be good if general admission members were somehow given the opportunity to pay some sort of ‘premium’ and get a seat for the KB game. (Particularly so because from what I have read above quite a few GA members who have not reserved a seat won’t be able to attend) This way we would get more genuine demon supporters to watch the game and the club could financially benefit. Chances of this happening? I’m not holding my breath (but there’s plenty of time to do this is the club wanted to do this)

Breed like rabbits….what we need is a plague of demons

Just saw tv vision of him grabbing his hammy. Not what I call a good look. What is also interesting is that I don’t recall any mention made by commentators at the time. Guessing it was a very tense / exciting moment in play at the time.