layzie

It's the classic annoying big Victorian club going over there and doing it against the odds story. Sod off!

This is where coaches are going to earn their money. They will see what we did with Daniel last night and unfortunately aren’t stupid. They will look for ways they can combat hard tags and then it’s up to us to go to yet another level tactically.

Rivers - Rising star nomination

The umpiring has been, good..

UEFA to scrap the away goals rule in European comps. Thoughts?

Think it’s a tough selection this week. Do you bring in Baker for the run and gun ability or Sparrow for toughness or someone else? Don’t know yet, I’ll think about it. Ground makes a difference too, was not too impressed with Weid last night but he is getting to the right spots and maybe just maybe those last two grabs got the confidence up. I’d just lean to keeping him in at this stage. Whatever we do it needs to benefit our structure behind the ball first. With guys like Rich and Lyons and more it will be coming out from their back half quick and effectively.

He’s put himself firmly in the spotlight. Always a smart thing to do when you play a certain way..

I did not know about these ones! My radio listening has gone down quite a bit and much more of a tv and podcast consumer these days but I do miss that feeling of switching on the wireless and having the good background morning game day chat. I might have to pursue this one.

Would be gobsmacked if Rivers didn’t get it.

No question a lot of the credit this season has to go to the coaching. Simon has developed in an amazing way and his support staff makes this a much more close knit unit that seems to trust each other and push for new ideas. A lot of us did finish the season last year wondering if he was the right man but a lot of us are happy to give credit where it’s due as well.

Yep, very good point. With it so fresh it the mind we could have felt slighted and putting in the 110% effort required may not have come as naturally but we did what every good team you’d expect in that situation to do. Put the head down, work hard through the week, not go out on the town and get into punch ups, not let the news during the week put us off and come out with a single focus on the job and a relentless will to work hard until the final siren. Have to give the boys a lot of credit for their mental resolve.

Sort of made out like that performance was as good as it gets for us. there was plenty we could have done better in terms of execution and making the most of inside 50s.

I’ll have a think about it.

I don’t know enough about how ABC’s journalistic processes but it would be nice if there was some accountability. Pretty outraged by it and need a better explanation.

Just goes to show if you work your butt off it pays off. Don’t have to be a star kicking 3 goals a game. Role players are required and he’s doing a great job.

Think it was Weightman from memory.

Nibbler on Fox Footy countdown or whatever that show is called.

Great Mark, point proven.

Plenty of stuff to work on, the block was pretty lacklustre gotta be stronger than that. Was a bit unlucky with a bobbling English mark but yeah still room for improvement on the defensive side. All in all I’m more than happy to back him in based on his performance last night, plenty to work with there.

Can we talk about Petty for a second? Real impressive, all he needed was a decent run for it to come together and I think that was his most complete performance to date. Good job mate, tracking beautifully.

Can we get Kade Simpson on a 1-game contract?

What’s that? Yes I am watching it again!

We’re a team for the big stage now, no doubt about it. The real deal. Oh mate I’m so proud right now, this is a bloody stern and rugged football team. It’s not about sis toughest, it’s about who’s toughest the longest. Could have easily been a shoot out, hell the Dogs could have easily kicked the first of the second half and made it a game but we just juice extracted the early parts of these quarters and frustrated the heck out of them. Beware of the Dogs? I think not, beware of the guy guarding the gate with a big demon pitchfork! No dogs allowed Where do you start with the performances? I think you have to start in the coaches box. Yze saying we weren’t going to tag anyone? Mwah, absolute brilliance in theatre. Harmes to Libba when we could have easily sent him to Bont, we really did our homework there. Spargo’s run with role was excellent as well. It’s not all about the possession number it’s where they happen. Heck Bont had 30 of them, does anyone remember Bont actually doing anything? Clayton Oliver take a bow young man, this guy could win a contested ball in Antarctica, even if he had to get there first. The way this guy is playing right now, do not change. His excellent handballing is still there, kicks when he should. Don’t even change the hair right now friend, seeing the Pat flowing front as he gathers a tough ball is a sight of beauty. James Harmes, you started it all with that great goal and his game for the next 120 was just workman extraordinaire. Had his knockers, thought he’d find it hard getting back in but I think he’s back to stay now. Gut running midfielders are still in season and he played a game tonight like James McDonald would do every week back in the day keeping his opponent down but getting a lot of ball for himself. Best game in years. How about Gus Brayshaw? 50-50 balls in the air that could have gone either way on that wing and he won nearly all of them. Huge part of the win. Trent Rivers you gun. Never wastes the footy, brilliant in one on ones. I’m actually getting sick of how this guy manages to spoil the ball in contests he looks like he has to right to be in (Just kidding, I’m not sick of this at all). Jake Lever played but also played with rage! His holding the ball tackle I saw a look in his eyes I hadn’t seen before. It was a ‘You’re dead meat’ look. Man it’s so good to have the player we thought we were getting and then some. And how about disco Plugger Macdonald? Key marks in the game, his leads were to complex for the cruddy Bulldogs defenders which are just not up to it. G.Lyon made a great point a few weeks ago how they are balding at the crown but the party at the front can be combed back. Man I’m tired and drunk, need to finish this so I can drop the tablet and flop. ANB, Pickett, Jordan, Fritsch, Spargo just immense. Forward pressure was back tonight and we smoked it. Even Clint Bartram played well tonight, whenever he is. We worked so hard tonight, no passengers. And after the week we’ve had as Victorians we deserve it. Can just sit back and enjoy the weekend filled with activities localised to my backyard. And everyone else including the ladder can get stuffed. Very very proud. I’m tired, bed.

The aesthetics of the game get a great run in the media. Attractive football and all that jazz. Do you want to be a team that scores freely or a team that is hard to score against. Answer: Just win baby.