DeelightfulPlay

A few of the boys finished with practicising goal kicking, some nice shots by Viney. Grundy hung back to sign balls and chat with fans - that seems like investment to me!

Yep, the trainer in front of me said Harmes would be focusing on strength today

Ooops I lied, there's a third group on the other side of the ground from where I am. Similar forward sim, but too far to see who exactly involved. They've now consolidated the two forward groups and are debriefing. The defence team is also debriefing with Chaplin. Max walking around perimeter and signing things - assume things will wrap soon and the rest of the boys will do the same.

Lots of families out watching the training, which is nice to see. They were doing some kick pass drills when I arrived but stopped before I noticed anything (or anyone) interesting. They've split into two groups. One is running a light defence and forward entry sim (all the usual defenders involved, split in to reds and white bibs). The smaller group seems to be practising crumbing and kicking for goal (from the right pocket). Grundy and Jordon are in this pocket, with Kyah Farris White also kind of just shadowing. Sestan is doing resistance training.

Yep, I'll be heading over a bit late to training since I have a prior engagement, so I'll catch the final half hour probably

Ryan, what a legend!! I'm wearing a 2021 premiership top to the G, to be subbed out for the Possessed top on arrival 😄

Big mood - just got a call from the boss because a client is asking for something urgently and yet my brain is completely devoted to waiting nervously for the game!

Simply stunning this morning going through the Vic countryside to arrive for our big day! But I did pack the raincoat... BOM saying a 25% chance of 1 to 2 mm, fingers crossed!

The wonky column widths are really something

Stupid capitalism 😔😂

It's now a running joke with my coworkers how AFL mad I am - but the one other Melbournian in the Sydney office with me, he sees it as completely normal! 10 hour train ride down on Wednesday night, this whole week feels like wading through treacle for the good part.

Agreed, from memory all of our wet games were very very close games. The only wet game outside of a goal or so was the Essendon game (which also was our largest losing margin for the season, at 27 points). Like you said, there were other reasons for why we fell over in that game. We've been tested again and again during the season and I think that puts us in a good position to play in any weather at this pointy end of the year!

Chicken salt is a salt and herb blend made to marinade chickens, invented in the 80s! The original didn't have chicken in it but later variations have chicken stock. Source (sauce 😛): my friend two weeks ago when we were all drinking and had the same question!

Made a nice pork and fennel pizza for a late lunch and watched the second half of our AFLW match while eating it!

This whole thread was so nice to read. Especially everyone being so negative about the first half, just like always for Demonland! Feels like things being taken seriously. Also really happy to see people respecting Paxy!! Great start to the season ❤💙 unfortunately this week has been a lot of work so I didn't make it to Melbourne, but have caught up after finally wrapping up some client work. So nice to see the girls flying along early in the season and being responsive to momentum during the game!

Thank you for solving this mystery for me, It's Time for Another!!! I have often walked past and wondered about it. That's my kind of fanaticism!

And included in that you can choose between a tote bag or water bottle! 😁

There's a church (of all things?!) in Surry Hills, Sydney which has a fence painted in red and blue for our guernsey!

I trust in WCW's intel. Mitch Cleary ain't best friends with Momma Fritsch!

I recommend having your phone and your laptop going on the website, since the queue is not actually a queue. It is randomised acceptance of devices to give the opportunity to purchase a ticket within a 10 min window or something like that! (As in the 10 mins (or whatever number of minutes) starts from when you're randomly accepted and given the opportunity to purchase.)

Watched Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe last night since one of the main actors, Broden Kelly, is a real Dees nuffie Not bad, some of the absurdism really hits the funny bone but other times is an absolute miss

Although the airport train is pretty handy! Especially for avoiding peak time traffic

Here's an update ahead of game day! Strangely, there was a lot of talk about potato cakes vs potato scallops ??? The honking continues...! Nothing would send a shudder throughout the AFL finals teams more than us delivering a comprehensive win against the top 4 demons. It will give us a great mental edge. We are like the Average Joes team in Dodgeball where the team lost but because someone on the other team got tested positive we were in the final tournament by default. Has a feeling of that sort of a season. Fairytale ending please. Response: and the team starts training most nights with longmire throwing wrenches at them! Last week confirmed we are the feel-good story this season, we've already been pencilled in to win the flag. 😍 Has there ever been less interest in a game thread that could bring us a home final? Bless you poppet - but NO - a win will not stop people saying we shouldn't be in the finals. Response: It’ll give us a counter argument at least lol Awful news. The AFL has responded to the Adelaide goal post embarrassment by giving us: Meredith (2016 GF), Gianfagna (corrupt), and Chamberlain (😡). Thereby ensuring we will be absolutely reamed, presumably to appease the Crows and frothing media pack. Response: Razor Ray gonna give us the make up frees after we cop some from Gianfagna and Meredith 😹😹😹 Further response: TBH i don't think the umps love Melbourne that much. Probably one of the strongest sides we have fielded this year, great test against a good side prior to finals. Keen to see how it plays out. A South Melbourne supporter we can respect Screw it. Decided I'm booking flights to go watch buddy's farewell and a good old shellacking of the dees. Should be a ripping game. Much like us, there are plenty of arguments about resting and form So we go in resting 4 players and get flogged by 10 goals. How does that help anyone's confidence going into a final. We've won 6 in a row so as Barry says, "don't flirt with form". I feel like some of you forget that this is not a dead rubber for us. It's a home final on the line. 6th would be useful. Not a time to be resting players. My favourite (from a discussion about Papley's injury) Buddy retired just so they wouldn't play him injured

Guys, Sydee clearly means it is fine... which incidentally is a long way off good or even great 😁 (As a Melbournian relocated to Sydney... you really do have to go out of your way for a proper cup of joe)

Reckon they're trying to make it accessible for city slickers, especially as we have the opener. 7.30 pm on. Friday in Casey probably wouldn't get a crowd (given working commitments etc) Not ideal from a home ground perspective but hopefully it does mean a big crowd to celebrate our girls!