Deeoldfart

A week ago we played the second top team, in a hostile environment, and convincingly won a high pressure / high stakes ‘finals type' game. If we produce the same form, composure and ‘never-say-die’ attitude at the G today, we will win again. I think we will do exactly that, and step into September in top form and with the self-belief to play all-comers anywhere. Get it done Dees!!

Goosebumps ......... absobloodylutely! But imagine how it will feel in the lead up to our first final, especially if we beat GWS this week and go into September with momentum. And the week after, and the one after that and beyond! Demonland will be rockin' like never beforeI A pipe dream maybe, but I'm developing some very real belief in our team in 2018!

Different sort of tears that day DJ.

I agree Wise. In fact, if there was one thing that really struck me on the weekend, it was our composure in tight / pressure plays. I thought it was as good as I have seen from our team in a very long time. I was particularly impressed that it didn't fall apart in the last quarter when things got really tight. Hopefully it's a sign that we are maturing as a group, and it will increasingly become the norm. It makes a huge difference.

Yep, I'm guilty as charged Uncle. The whole nation is laughing about the seat of Government, and the current goings on in the House on the Hill. Canberra is a laughing stock akin to the Demons in the Neeld era. (ps. I hope I haven't broken any thread protocols by mentioning that particular former coach in this post)

(Much to my detriment) I rarely visit this thread, but I've called in today in an attempt to restore some sanity to my life and well-being. You see, I live in Canberra, and I don't think I need to say any more than that. Sincere apologies if I have derailed the thread.

Thanks 000. Really appreciated!

Thanks for your training reports over the last little while 000. They are both well written and very informative. Given that you have become 'a regular' in this role, I was wondering whether you could provide us with an assessment as to how you have viewed the overall quality of training over the last (say) 4 to 6 weeks. For example, have you seen improvements (or otherwise) in specific areas such as skill execution, intensity, voice / leadership over that period(?); and have there been any significant changes to the focus of the drills over that period? I know I'm asking an awful lot, and I recognise there are a number of variables that can impact on quality (such as the weather, and the individual form of the players, etc), so I'll understand fully if you ignore this post. In short, I guess I'm asking you to put yourself in the shoes of our Match Committee, and tell us whether, iyo, the overall quality of training has recently trended up, down or 'steady as she goes'. Thanks again.

I have no doubt that we will win, and win well, if we can bring our best football to the 'G'. Our win over the Eagles was outstanding, and despite our disappointing form against some of the better sides at our home ground this year, I can see no reason why we can't reproduce our best on Sunday. If we do that, we will go into September well rested and brimming with form and confidence. In those circumstances, it would be a brave pundit to predict our early demise. Just do it boys .......... one step at a time!

Loved how up-beat everybody was. Thanks everyone!

Thanks for showing us that Queanbeyan Dee. Good for a laugh and to read the odd 'humble in defeat' post. Let's rvisit next week if they tumble out of second spot. That could be hilarious, but only if we win, of course.

I didn't watch all of all games on the weekend, but from the 80% I did see, the thought process underpins some of these selections seems awry. Most notably, they seem to lack a sense of the impact that various players had on their respective games / results. But who really cares anyway? What the absence of Melbourne players does demonstrate, is what a fantastic team performance it was to get us the four points. I'm far more proud of that fact, than I would be if we had 3 or 4 players in this gimmicky 'team'. I'm sure that our players and Match Committee would feel the same way.

The word "rigged" in the header.

My three word rating of the opening post. joeboy: complete absolute nonsense.

Brilliant! I wonder how many Demonlander lounge rooms were like that on Sunday evening. I know mine was.

I very much doubt that Hibbo will be an out. If he had any sign of a hammy niggle, there's no way they would have risked sending him back out yesterday. Besides, I'm sure Goody said in his presser that it was cramp, caused by playing his first game for a month in a pretty warm temperature.

Bugger. Ten into six doesn't go! 22 contributors but here's my best effort: 6. Gawn 5. Harmes 4. Melksham 3. Brayshaw 2. Oliver 1. Salem Very special mention for Nev. Couldn't quite fit him in my votes, but he just keeps backing up, week, after week. after .....

That free was a guess at best, and a very bad one at that!

Unashamedly so ........ just like I did at the Western oval in 1987. I live in Canberra where it's bitterly cold tonight, and after making one post on the Post-match thread, I announced that I was going for a walk. When I returned the tears were streaming. I blamed the cold. Mrs Deeoldfart didn't believe me for a minute!

Who cares about choking and head-space and all that crap. Today it was all about what was inside the chest cavities of our 22 warriors that counted the most when it was required. You bloody beauty!!

No late changes to either side Final Interchanges: Melbourne: Spargo, Brayshaw, Weideman, Fritsch WC: Ryan, Sheed, Venables, Cole

One for the oldies among us: "Wishin' and Hopin'" by Dusty Springfield. An interesting fact is that it was released in 1964, but this has pros and cons. Obviously we won our last Flag in '64, but the hit song only reached the Top 10. Interpret that as you will.

Goodwin Recall: 'As emotional as I've been'

There's been loads of advice all week about what the Dees should, and should not do to win these games, but I reckon Whispering Jack hit the nail on the head in his post above, where he said it's got a great deal to do with "self-belief and ability to win against the odds". We unquestionably have the team, the talent and the game to win if we bring that mind-set today. The stakes are high. Now is the time to prove it! I think we will.

That's what it seems like after today's performance for Casey. Seemed disinterested and played without any heart whatsoever. Doubt we would get the Twisties if rival clubs saw that DV8.