H_T

Taj reasonably quiet for the statistician. He’s had plenty of game time. Scoreboard platters SA, WA should be a few goals at least in front. Very inaccurate. SA has a sniff.

Last night I watched the Grand Final with SEN commentary with Huddo, Whateley, with *some special comments from Lewis, Healy. It had its pros and cons. Huddo and Whateley were exceptional, so too Lewis. You couldn’t hear the umps which was ok. Best of all, was you didn’t have to listen to BT and Brayshaw. I’ll leave it at that. However, I missed Daisy but certainly not Carey. *The one negative was Healy for mine. Critical of a Bulldog player for not crunching Oliver in the back with a knee when there was an opportunity early. Saying that it was ok to do it in a Grand Final. What a spud for special comments. Overall a much better alternative of commentary than Seven.

Another example of the good work implemented by Darren Burgess and medicos. Was keen on Ben Brown as far back as when he was at Werribee early days, before being picked up by North. Kudos to Brown for turning around his form, having strengthened his knee. Was so close to a Coleman Medal at North - “snatched” by Jeremy Cameron in a day out in the last round a few years ago. A premiership player, and now a big part of history at the Melbourne Football Club.

Thanks Rogue, We are Premiers!! 💪🏼❤️💙🏆 You were there!? So so jealous. What a season. They performed well and consistently throughout, but really instilled belief when coming back from 44pts down and winning that game at Geelong in Round 23. Minor Premiers and it help set up a successful finals campaign. Darren Burgess was very important and the medical team - just hope his understudy has everything in hand for the off season. Congratulations to all Demonlanders - too many to mention. However well done to the mods, Nasher, Demonland - Thankyou! went through some tough tough times - wouldn’t wish it on any supporter what we’ve put up with. The premiership does a lot for the club and fans, they say MFC is about feast or famine when it comes to premierships and drought. Let’s hope it’s real feast time!

91’ team was a good team, speaking to past players the consensus was that 1990 was the year they felt got away in terms of the Premiership. This was a great game for Demon fans and one the league took great notice of one A.Jakovich. Undoubtedly his best game for the Dees.

Let’s split it. Two picks in the 100’s.....the possibilities are unreal.

I think it’s due to the confidence in the team that play for each other, the consistency observed - knowing that the boys “have got this” to get the job done. Still excruciating seeing howler turnovers like we saw in the first half. But just buoyed by the support for the team - our 23rd man. Loving the MFC wave of momentum.

Mr.September - short priced favourite for the Gary Ayres Medal

Jack Viney was huge last week and this week. He gives his all. Can’t believe how calm I was throughout the game. Must be a sign of a great side developing maturity before my eyes.

Hold tight and when the time comes - if it comes - perhaps one day if we beat the Pies or go further and win a Premiership - send a selfie with your jumper with the caption ‘Premiership Team’

1st Elimination Final 2018 - Melbourne v Geelong. Follows 12 years of misery .... In 1987 - Melbourne played North Melbourne, 4th v 5th in the Elimination Final. Then 23 years of misery of no finals ... back then a young Todd Viney (in his first final) snaps goal of the day - the first goal of the game - and the roar that reverberated around the ‘G was heard far and wide, sending shivers down the spine of those at Arden St, every Melbourne supporter and put all other competitors on notice; the sleeping giant had awoken - for what followed was a tsunami of momentum. Fast forward 31 years later and Todd’s son Jack Viney returns to a team firing in recent weeks having created some momentum of its own. In ‘87 the support and noise together with inspired, pressure footy created momentum which propelled the team forward. Today this team ranked one for contested ball, pressure, high scoring is already tuned for finals footy. Mix in the support & noise from the fans and watch the magic happen on the field. Go Demons!

By all means point them out.

Including the media experts. And yet they’ll chew you up and spit you out, when things don’t go the way they think they should.

I mean mindset, knowing your role at every stoppage, every play. They were roving off Gawn,. Giving opponents too much room to be dangerous. (Ref: Papleys goal). Being alert and mindful, being the hunter, proactive and not reactive. obviously execution of skills is everything, decision making - not kicking to Garlett above his head whilst on two defenders ready to pounce. (Ref: Jones) Kicking for goal (obvious), but i50s kicking to advantage, lowering the eyes instead of bombing to packs for interception (Ref, Aliir, Heeney etc). They all add up. And the side tightens as a result.

Seven unanswered goals speaks volumes. I’m not going to pick out examples, but there is plenty to be shown the players what Sydney did, and what the players didn’t do and what they could have done - and have done this season at times - to be sitting on 13+ wins

Bathwater. Falling for the media’s perception that they’ve made it. Not being accountable on the field - picking and choosing when to be accountable and not - doesn’t cut a top 8 spot unfortunately. You have to be the hunter at every preparation, every contest. Complacency is the evil of consistency. And inconsistency is not Premiership quality material.

There’s that clichè again...: “MFC and it’s supporters drinking their own bathwater.” “Have not beaten any team in the top 8.” (Even though Adelaide and North were in the 8 both times the Dees won). Even if we beat Sydney, “still haven’t beaten anyone in the top 8...” They won’t stop. So.. Time to break the shackles in these next 3 weeks Demons - arguably the toughest run home of all in contention. Win all three and top 2 is within grasp (Port over Eagles at home!) and a home final. Aim high Dees! It’s time.

27,150

So it is!

By that reckoning, he’s due to kick 12 this week. I’ll take that!

There’s a lot of noise. I’m hoping they block it out and generate more wins by just following the processes and knowing their roles. That is all they can control.

Congratulations on a fantastic career to date and 300 games this weekend. Still another chapter to write to a decorated career! To think many here queried the 3 years contract, and frankly still do. Shame. He hasn’t really disappointed in nearly 2 years - not just on the field - but the impact off the field for the Club among players and coaching group.

So insightful. As always.

Vandenberg, Bugg, JKH or Tyson for a young defender (21-23yo) - have a look at Brisbane, Freo, Carlton, Dogs needs and their defenders. Plus Gaff.

Really....