praha

A horses head should do the trick.

I know. Idiots.

I won't lie I use Demonland as a punching bag. When we lose it's comforting to realise I'm not the only bipolar football supporter out there. You should look back at my comments on Grand Final day. I don't have anywhere else to vent like that. My wife's interests are mostly Instagram influencers and buying stuff for our daughter. I need *somewhere* to talk about how bad a season we've had...

Who wouldn't want to play the toughest and most gruelling position on the ground, especially when you're already dominating at AA level across half-back? Duh!

For all this talk about us being terrible, 18th for pressure, yada yads, the bookies and punters still love us. Favourites against Freo in Perth. Comfortable favourites so far against Collingwood. There's still a lot of faith out there for the Dees.

I struggle to find a way to articulate this feeling. I have "enjoyed" it but found it to be mostly uninspiring. As it turns out, being at the top, being hunted, being hated really isn't that fun. Remember when merely making finals was a huge win for us? Now it's top 4 or bust. I do remember at this *exact* moment last year convincing myself we weren't going to finish top 4. The remaining 7-8 weeks are such a blur. This year has felt like a real grind. Every game has seemed *tough*. And the losses have really stung. Especially the Sydney, Collingwood and Bulldogs games. I lost sleep over them. Which sounds weird I know. I don't feel like we've really had any stiring, passionate wins this year. Whereas every single one of our losses seems to have been the opposition's biggest win of the year. That really pisses me off. Teams really love beating us. I thought I'd enjoy being hated but it's made me hate losing even more. I just can't handle the way people carry on when they beat Melbourne. It makes me reallllllly want to burt the living daylights out of Freo and Collingwood. Really put them to the sword. I just thinking objectively across the whole year and the stars just aren't aligning. Weirdly this year has 2020 vibes for me. Not bad, mostly forgettable, frustrating in parts, fun others. The next 4 weeks might change things for me but something seems off. I haven't been able to put my finger on it.

lol Geelong gifted another dream run. Every [censored] year.

They've also lost a few close ones. Wining one or two close ones is fair game. Reality is they consistently hold on and find ways to win. They shouldn't be taken lightly.

If that interview comes off the back of his management meeting the club... they are at loggerheads. How quickly things can change... what a train wreck this season is becoming.

That's a big hit. The way people are talking though you'd think we're getting absolutely spanked every week. 18th for pressure acts and still lead the league in time in front. If they can turn it around, seriously, who beats us? Lots of upside atm but Stokes's comments ring true. Especially when you think of May's comments to Melksham and co., and the way certain players go about it. I hope they can turn it around quickly.

haha I worded it poorly. A win is a win, you're right, it sounds ridiculous. I meant we should win, and if we do I reckon it'll be by 4-5 goals.

This has been the case for a while mate. The "science" is just now better understood by the common man. Loading has been common practice in basketball and baseball in the US where there are extremely long seasons, you often see the best teams separate from the pack after the all-star breaks (equivalent to probably rounds 15-17 in AFL). Risky as you comprimise momentum.

Weird because I told Jackson "Please don't go" and he now appears more likely to leave than he did before the weekend.

In all seriousness if we can't win this week by 4-5 goals then it's time to be genuinely concerned and write off the season. Nothing at all against Freo but they are starting to show their inexperience and the season is falling away from them -- we are miles ahead of them and should win comfortably. Win this week and only one more win should net us top 4.

Martin didn't re-sign with the Tigers until 1 September in 2017.

In all seriousness though why would any Victorian team ever recruit a WA talent? I get that *we* got a premiership of which he was a significant contributor but flags are rarer than unobtainium, and losing a top tier draft after only three seasons... well holistically from a broad perspective you just don't take that risk. Seriously, the whole "go home" factor for WA is a little pathetic. These are grown men and they act like they're teenagers coming back from war. If it were a once off or happening towards the end of someone's career then fair enough but after three [censored] seasons? Every single non-WA team is going to look at this and seriously question the risk. We got VERY lucky and it paid off hugely for us. I don't care what anyone says, moves like this aren't good for the industry or talent pool. Let's seriously think about this. He's in the home of football, playing at the MCG, in one of the best cities in the world, for one of the best teams in the league, for the reigning Premier, and you're telling me that the "allure" of "going home" is greater than staying on for another 3-4 years? After only three years? PLEASSSSSE! If he does leave I just cannot avoid to question one of either Jackson's own personality and mentality, or the team culture. The entire situation just seems incredibly bizarre to me. I really don't get it.

Almost led by 40 points...lost by 40 points. Freo was quite impressive that day but we were a deer in headlights. Structural breakdown. I really hope we pound them this weekend. They're gettable.

One of the Bulldogs Saints or Tigers have to win all 4 matches, make up % and also we have to lose all 4.

Hi.

They are a legit chance. Winning makes all the difference. Win last night and we are a game clear in top 4. Lose and we are deflated and on the verge of missing top 4 all together. Winning is huge in this game and especially when you're on the verge of finals. Reality is they are pressured and pushed to the brink almost every week, and almost every week they have found a way to win. Good teams do that. Time they are respected for it. I am willing to bet that they have a big loss on the horizon, hopefully against us, but if they make the top 4 I'd say it would be a good cheeky bet for them to make the Grand Final.

Honestly the way Collingwood looks atm they're probably my second tip for the flag after Geelong. Well coached and lots of experience with good skills. Add in ridiculous talent and they have the recipe for a flag. Carlton are flakey and it's a 50/50 contest against them. Can't see us beating Freo, Brisbane I can't say now, but I'm probably most confident of all games because we match up well against them. We seem destined for an elimination final not so much because of how WE are playing, moreso because of how others are playing.

Interesting read to see how everyone was thinking at the exact same point this time last year.

Just like 2016, this is the exact type of year where a team outside the top 4 can win it. The Dogs were only two games and % off 1st. Last year it was a SIX game difference between 1st and 7th. This year could well see only a 2-3 game difference and maybe only 10-15% difference which in the 110%+ range is not much. Our best is imo still miles ahead of everyone. If I were a betting man I'd actually tip a Geelong vs Collingwood GF but any teams still in past the first week of finals are a chance. If finals were today, and any one of Sydney, Collingwood, Carlton or Bulldogs win their Elimination final, they are ALL a legit chance against one of Geelong, Melbourne, Freo and Brisbane in the second week. Ditto for Prelim. Compare that to last year. Essendon, GWS were making up the numbers. Brisbane was never a legit threat and Port were always pretenders. I could genuinely see any team within the top 8 steal a flag this year. The ONE thing in our favour atm is that even with us not playing well, we are still in with a chance to win games where we've lost. The competition is incredibly tight from 1st to 8th. It's no one's to lose and everybody's to win.

Didn't you watch the North and WCE games? We WERE resting.

I can't see us finishing top 4 on form, fixture and the fixture of those around us. An elimination final vs either Collingwood or Carlton is on the cards. Bookmark it.