Skuit

I write about the business consulting world for a crust, which is really far removed from my personal interests but does cover such a wide range of topics that it keeps me engaged. My own personal writing is in the little-known genre of fictocriticism, which blends fictive with academic writing and draws from numerous disciplines such as anthropology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, literary theory and microbiology etc.

Turns out flights are insanely cheap. Just need to find some accommodation. There's a few posters on here who I am sure would vouch in the other direction.

Also, I'm a writer by trade. Maybe I can be an on-the-day roving reporter for Demonland?

I have a gut-wrenching feeling every time someone on here reports their pain in not being able to attend the finals, and especially our older supporters in what might be a historic year after so many decades of heart-break. I meanwhile have a lot of relative freedom living in the tropics - but not so sure if I want to attend, concerned that I can't keep my cool in public, in what looks likely to be 5,000 kms from home. No TVs to smash live. Yet, I'm starting to feel however that it's my duty to attend, to carry the flag for all of us. I'm not well-off by any means, and the flights would be a major hit, but if someone has a grand final guarantee that they won't be able to use, then I'm open to discussions in how I might be able to honour that. Maybe I can take a specific banner on your behalf, or live-stream from the ground? Anyways, pm me if you have any ideas. I don't want to come across as cheap. Go Dees!

Any qualifiers here? Do some umpires tend to officiate more often at certain venues, such that an existing home-ground advantage is already in play? I note that most of the clubs mentioned are non-Melbourne based.

My fridge exploded just a couple days ago. I couldn't put out the flames pouring from the freezer (I live in a wooden Queenslander as well) and was expecting an even bigger explosion any second, and ended up having one of those hysterical strength episodes - picked the whole thing up with flames licking around my head, ran to the backdoor through thick clouds of black smoke, and threw it down the steps as far as I could into the patio before diving for cover (the impact actually snuffed out the fire). Crazy intense. A few singed hairs and my shoulder muscles are stuffed, but both me and the house were incredibly lucky. Anyway, Brian Taylor, lol.

After signing up to Demonland in 2009, TasJohnsonFanClub's twelve-year data harvesting and identity theft plan targeted at the misty-eyed senior citizens of this site finally comes to fruition . . .

Should change thread title to Clarry Awards Season . . .

Had considered adding something to that effect. Brisbane knocked Adelaide out of the finals in consecutive years in 2002 and 2003. But I don't recall any on-field stuff between the pair, and there doesn't seem to be any animosity at least.

One point. My memory fails - that first missed Max shot against Geelong in 2018, I vaguely recall that it wasn't technically after the siren? And can anyone recall how much time was left on the clock for the Tomlinson miss last year?

When he was lining up after the siren against Geelong in 2018, I went and locked myself in the bathroom and cupped my ears (the flying Billy Stretch shot against North in Tasmania was even worse, I flew off my couch, ran down the hall, out the front door, and half way down the street). Last night I calmly watched as he slotted it through, and reacted with a grin alone (until the exuberant celebration of the boys). That stuff had destiny written all over it. Never ever in doubt - you could even see it on Max's face.

My favourite thing was athletic Jackson getting all those plaudits throughout the week, with Max throughout most of the year happy to take a small back seat to our young ruck prince. Final quarter of the season with a minor premiership on the line, and big Max goes into hold my beer mode, collecting three clearances and running through the centre as if he's a link-up mid.

There have been various tactics used this year in an attempt to negate the influence of Lever and May, but I thought early on against Brisbane that Fagan's was the best - with Brisbane's attacking thrusts going to around the 60m mark initially and then a quick chip in. We overran them (and it's great that we have another opponent that we have successfully fought back against before), but it was effective and I wonder if they will attempt it again. The interesting factor - I had forgotten that that game was played at the SCG. Brisbane is the team I fear the most in this year's finals, particularly in a qualifying fixture.

Take a bow Jason Taylor and Simon Goodwin (and probably Josh Mahoney, - would take a brave poster to still complain that we paid too much). Step one - identify and draft elite midfield talent. Step two, bring in two defensive lynchpins to provide the foundations for your structure.

It doesn't feel like we have built up a particular rivalry with the Cats, but the Goodwin-Scott era between the clubs has been epic. And may still have another chapter to play out this year . . . Three after-the-siren shots in seven encounters and close to a fourth. A couple huge comebacks, momentum swings, bursts of goals, and some seriously tight affairs. The same on-field protagonists popping up in various ways. Here's a brief summary: (please add your own bits to the story-line, the players and subplots etc.) Recent background 2011 (Kardinia) Geelong propel us into our darkest of dark ages with a 186-point drubbing. At that point of the season we were still in the hunt for the finals. 2015 (Kardinia) A gutsy away win at the Cat’s fortress, in a game that marked the emergence of Max Gawn and the biggest scalp to date of a reemerging MFC. 2016 (Kardinia) The Cats close out our season of renewed hope by sending Paul Roos off with a 111-point thrashing. Goodwin vs Scott era 2017 (Docklands) A young, buoyant and attacking Melbourne outfit newly coached by Simon Goodwin runs with the Cats all day, opening up a 15-point lead at the 30-min mark of the 3rd – before the Cats’ class simply steamrolls us, piling on five goals in about as many minutes either side of the break 2018 Rnd 1 (MCG) A ripping season opener, with 70 points kicked in the first term and numerous momentum swings throughout the day. A Hogan goal at the midway point of the last puts us within a goal, after which neither team can manage to goal. Max hooks left from around 20 out in front at the siren. Rnd 18 (Kardinia) A tight, tense affair, with continuously less than a goal separating the teams until mid-way through the 3rd, when a late flourish sees Melbourne open up a 30-point lead early in the last – a lead which is wiped away in the space of about five minutes heading toward the half-way mark. The tension mounts again, before ultimately a sting of possessions from deep in defence with 25 seconds to go sees Tuohy kick the winner after the siren. The loss knocks Melbourne from the top 8 with five rounds to go. Elimination Final (MCG) A young Melbourne team, mostly on finals debut, brutally bullies the experienced Cats into submission, with a 5 to 0 goal opening term putting an end to Geelong’s season. Jones kicks the sealer. 2019 (Kardinia) An 80-point thrashing, including a 14 goal to 3 second-half, lets Demon fans know that something has gone horribly, horribly wrong in the off-season. 2020 (MCG) Coming off an unexpected bye, the Demons trail all day in an uninspiring, low-scoring encounter, as affairs in Melbourne are starting to look grim. Nevertheless, a late pick-up in intensity sees Melbourne edge to within a goal toward the end, before new recruit Tomlinson misses a challenging set-shot at the death. 2021 (Kardinia) Following a stirring 44-point comeback, the now captain of the footy club Max Gawn caps an epic final term with a goal after the siren to hand the MFC its first minor premiership in 57 years.

Umm . . .

Absolute proof positive that we live in some sort of scripted matrix.

We completely dominated Port in Adelaide only a handful of weeks back. Off the top my head, Goody has maybe a 5-2 record at Adelaide Oval (with those two narrow losses absolute robberies by the umps - which I know is counter to my pep-talk, but still). I'm not sure why some you folk have the fear. I reckon the boys would relish playing in front of a crowd again.

This is of course all uniformed speculation off recorded footage, but so odd in appearance. Daw has his eyes totally on the ball at the bounce, and doesn't look particularly aggrieved. The rucks don't aggressively crash into each other or even really make contact. After he flies past it, Cox is searching for the fall of the ball and doesn't seem to utter a word. Yet, as the play breaks from the pack, Majak turns toward him and gives an arm around the neck followed by a shove. He does this right in front of the umpire (who doesn't award a free), while Mason looks honestly confused and upset as to what has happened, but doesn't physically respond. They exchange a few, not particularly heated words but neither go on with it. If someone had said anything upsetting enough to me that I would clobber them from behind, I'd probably be likely to go on with it a bit. At least grab them by the jumper and shout a few choice words back. Impossible to tell, but Daw didn't look upset prior to the incident, and it doesn't seem like Cox had the time or care to issue a sledge during the bounce and next half-contest. The only two possible explanations I can come up with are that, with the ball being on the blind-side of the pack, daw thought Cox was receiving and charged in with a clumsy tackle, with the shove just a secondary reaction after finding himself in an unanticipated 'stoush'. He does sort of go on with two arms, but with the stiff arm tackling technique I was taught as a kid. Otherwise, there's a brief moment where as Cox turns toward the pack after the bounce, his arm flays back in the direction of Daw's head. It's possible Daw thought Cox was taking a minor swing, or was at least being clumsy with loose arms. The sort of response that occurred afterwards, if intentional, is more fitting in this scenario.

You're right - I can't accurately judge anything from the couch at home. I don't however agree with the second part of your post. Coaches have rested top-line players for a freshen up for decades now, I assume for a reason. Also, almost all players a carrying something by this stage in the season.

Just floating around avoiding lockdowns until I can go back overseas but have lived here and in Port Douglas and the Daintree for a number of years since my teens. Indeed, not just Australia - one of the most beautiful spots in the world.

Did you watch the first quarter yesterday? Clarry isn't immune to slow starts but looked cooked.

I believe that Clarry needs a rest - has played 106 consecutive games after all, not including pre-season fixtures. Noticed he was uncharacteristically jogging to a lot of contests yesterday and not chasing (never mind what the commentators were saying). He may have been granted an in-season rest, and told not to go hard. Still, I think he's one player who could come back positively after a week off. I can't remember the last time he wasn't in the votes.

The 2020 one would barely impact the aesthetic at all, and can make a permanent statement. Designed by Nev. Add new boys as they come. Someone should email the club. Or 2019. We've definitely won the indigenous guernsey premiership.

Hey Faulty - I'll be honest, when I saw that you responded to my comment I was prepping for an online stoush. Your response gives me greater insight to your character. We obviously don't agree on most things political, but let's share a beverage next time you're up north in Cairns, if you fancy. Ronnie.