Everything posted by Deeoldfart
- GAMEDAY: Rd 16 vs Brisbane
- GAMEDAY: Rd 16 vs Brisbane
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PODCAST: Rd 15 vs North Melbourne
Thanks for another great Pod @Demonland, @george_on_the_outer, and @binman! The work you guys put in for us supporters, 'win, lose, draw, or even wins that feel like a loss', is outstanding and greatly appreciated! I must confess, before this week's Pod, I was 'down in the dumps' about our prospects vs Brisbane. Thanks for 'opening my eyes' Binners!
- VOTES: Rd 15 vs North Melbourne
- GAMEDAY: Rd 15 vs North Melbourne
- PREGAME: Rd 15 vs North Melbourne
- PODCAST: Rd 13 vs Collingwood
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VOTES: Rd 13 vs Collingwood
Unfortunately, this was another underwhelming performance by the Dees, where too much was left to too few. I hate trying to vote in these circumstances, but this is my crack at it: 6. ANB - the coaches gave him one of the toughest assignments in football, and he excelled, in his usual âtrademarkâ, no fuss way. His outstanding season continues! 5. Gawn - a typical Max game, both in the ruck, and especially in the back half. Worked his butt off all day, but he canât do it all on his own. 4. JVR - our only forward to provide a legitimate target, and convert more often than not. Only a kid, but based on todayâs performance, heâs coming of age quickly. 3. Pickett - a âlive wireâ, both running through the centre and up forward. We always looked better when he had the ball, but his missed shots at goal at crucial times, were costly. 2. Rivers - worked tirelessly trying to hold back the âavalancheâ, but was sometimes overwhelmed by their numbers. Watching on TV, I thought he was trying to combine his usual running HB role, with that of Rick Lever the interceptor, which is a very big ask! 1. Salem - another who battled hard against the pace and precision of Câwoodâs forward entries, and one of very few Dees who didnât regularly fluff disposals under pressure. TMac probably warrants mention for his steady game under pressure.
- GAMEDAY: Rd 13 vs Collingwood
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PODCAST: Rd 12 vs Fremantle
I was in a remote area with spasmodic internet coverage on Monday, so couldnât listen live as I usually do. Instead I tuned in yesterday on my drive back to civilisation, and I wasnât disappointed. Even though the topic was âgrimâ, I thoroughly enjoyed the analysis, which speaks a lot about the great quality of the show. Thanks a lot for sitting in the âhot seatâ after that awful performance by our Dees, and providing a comprehensive and balanced synopsis, as always!
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VOTES: Rd 12 vs Fremantle
In a game which we will all want to forget, finding four quarter winners wearing red and blue was impossible. My votes are more directed at players who can hold their head up, notwithstanding an extraordinarily poor team performance. 6. Gawn - tried his guts out for the full 100 minutes, despite being bashed from pillar to post. Probably broke even in the ruck despite the odds, and was solid(ish) around the ground. 5. Salem - worked hard and probably came close to breaking even, despite the onslaught of ball coming into our backline. Disposal under pressure was good, and there was certainly lots of pressure. 4. McVee - reliable under pressure for most of the game, and along with Salo, he was one of few who could make sound decisions, and hit targets out of defence. 3. Tomlinson - caught out of position a few occasions (which was understandable given the number of times the ball was coming in), but he seemed reasonably âcool in the crisisâ, and used it pretty well. Our best tall defender. 2. Langdon - another âworkhorseâ Langdon effort. 1. Viney - showed pride in the jumper, and never dropped his head. Iâm now turning to a bottle of Shiraz, in the hope that it will help me find a skerrick of solace in that dreadful performance.
- GAMEDAY: Rd 12 vs Fremantle
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Vale John Beckwith
Itâs with great sadness that I learn of Johnnyâs passing. For those of us who are old enough, and were lucky enough to see Johnny play, we will never forget the key part he played the âgolden eraâ of our great Club. A childhood hero of mine, who is no longer with us, but whose memory will live forever in my red and blue heart, and in the history of the Melbourne Football Club. Vale Johnny. RIP.
- PODCAST: Rd 11 vs St. Kilda
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VOTES: Rd 11 vs St. Kilda
We responded in the best way possible. Great team effort, with most contributing! My votes: 6. Gawn - supreme and undeniable in every sense. Ruck and leadership masterclass! 5. Tomlinson - welcome back Tommo. Best game since 2021. Canât help but love his perseverance. 4. Viney - back to early season form, which is pretty damn good. 3. TMac - the renaissance resumes, after a hiccup last week. 2. Nibbler - continuing great form in his best ever season. Consistency personified! 1. Salem. - great to have him back, and back in form. His impeccable disposal adds a huge amount! Lots of others to commend, including Tracc, Lingers, Knuckles, Maysie and Clarrie.
- GAMEDAY: Rd 11 vs St. Kilda
- PODCAST: Rd 10 vs West Coast
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VOTES: Rd 10 vs West Coast
Itâs been a very long time since Iâve cast votes after a loss like that one, but Iâll have a crack: 6. ANB - continued his excellent season. Busted his gut all game, and imo, was our best by a fair margin. Won plenty of the ball, and used it constructively. 5. Viney - canât question his endeavour, but disposal was questionable under pressure. 4. Fritsch - our only forward. Thank goodness for his set shot kicking 3. Pickett - always looked dangerous around the ball, but often tried to be too âcuteâ when he had it. 2. Oliver - got plenty of the ball, but not damaging with it. 1. Salem - nice return after injury. Good second half, and used it well. No wonder we were soundly beaten!!
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POSTGAME: Rd 10 vs West Coast
Our present ladder position is an accurate reflection of our season so far âŚâŚ ie. part of a pack of teams in a race to fill positions in the bottom half of the final eight. Can we improve sufficiently to become a top four contender? I think / hope so, but maybe thatâs just blind faith. Itâs a fair way back, so we need to turn the ship around quickly.
- GAMEDAY: Rd 10 vs West Coast
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CASEY: Rd 08 vs Brisbane
I donât think there was a Casey winner on the day, and certainly not after quarter time. Mitch White maybe broke even.
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Umpiring (Demonland in meltdown)
Absolutely brilliant! The delightful Mrs. Deeoldfart is still (censored) herself, 5 minutes after reading this treaitise.
- PODCAST: Rd 09 vs Carlton
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PODCAST: Rd 09 vs Carlton
Love the pods guys. Always an important part of my week! Not really a question, but a comment: Our start vs Carlton was obviously deplorable (not helped by the free kicks against), but I was very impressed by the âtickerâ and âbeliefâ we showed in working our way back into the game, and then ultimately running it down to the wire. IMO this ânever say dieâ attitude, combined with a full list, can take us a long way in 2024. It probably sounds like heresy, but this was the first time in many years that I havenât felt totally âguttedâ after a loss.
- VOTES: Rd 09 vs Carlton