praha

Backline and forward lines both struggling massively. Crowd transition out of defense is putting us under huge pressure. They always have 2-3 players waiting to rush it out. We also are badly missing Salem.

They're not really.

Jackson is killing it.

They run out to a Nigella Lawson podcast.

Grant Thomas, 2006.

The Dogs have silky class across the ground, and a lot of pace. At Marvel it's going to be our toughest assignment by a far margin. We can't go into the game with both Brown and Weed playing.

VKCrow isn't wrong. They don't seem to be "playing for draft picks", they are punching a bit above their weight already the Crows, and like Carlton, Gold Coast, Freo, they'll claim a few scalps this year as has already occured, albeit earlier in the year. They lack experience and polish around the ground but if they can straighten up and play direct they are dangerous. Fast and hard into Tex and even May can't stop him. He's a big boy. Make no mistake this will be won based on defensive accountability across the middle, which we've been superb at doing all year. But if the likes of Oliver, Trac, Brayshaw and Gawn drop off a bit in defensive accountability the Crows can still score quickly. Not a massive scoring team but if Tex kicks 4+ then it could be in danger of being our first loss.

I thought Carlton would be because they score well but Adelaide is a terrible defensive team and also doesn't score all that heavily. I'm trusting our team more and more, we're going to have to have breakdowns in all areas of the game to drop a game like this.

What was the crowd for those at the game?

This commentary is nauseating.

Nice one Kozzie.

18k at Marvel last night. Has to be the worst Richmond crowd in Melbourne for a long time.

Carlton 2021 is Melbourne 2016. A good average team. We beat a 1st placed Hawthorn in 2016 deep into the season. We have had three bruising encounters and Carlton can look quite good when they're switched on. They lack defensive awareness as a team but they're no easy beats and will be going for blood after folding against the Dogs. Lots of pressure and talk on them this week. I think we are much better than them but anything can happen. Tbh wouldn't be surprised if we lose this week.

Basing the club out of Casey would be a disaster. You also have to consider that a club's base is the primary working location for staff and players. It's not where we play our home games. Getting talent out to Casey would be a challenge. It is not a desirable option and a members vote would put a stop to it once and for all.

How do you know it's closed? Isn't it ultimately dictated by sale rates? ie. once a cap is reached on lower levels they open up level 4? Normally you can still select level 4 but it says "can't find tickets". I just got tickets: you couldn't select level 4 at all and it says "allocation exhausted". Same as other sections. Level 1 open has seats but I couldn't get 5 together. Had to split them by 2 and 3.

Predicting football crowds may be scrapped for this weekend. Shame because AFL members is pretty much allocation exhausted which generally leads to a crowd of 50k+. Gonna be a million dollar hit to the club I reckon.

Based on our wins against Sydney, Richmond and yes even North, I'd suggest we're comfortably top 6 and probably top 4. We were challenged. Suspect we may lose a few in the row but as long as we finish the season strong that's all that matters. Tbh Carlton and Adelaide are more a threat than the Doggies atm. Wouldn't be surprised if we lose one or even both. Not because "we're Melbourne" but because both teams are flaky af and unpredictable but also capable, and we're coming off three incredibly bruising encounters. Just need to make sure we do away with two of the Eagles, Power and Cats and we'll be on our way.

Could see May, Level or Salem getting it

Once. In 1990 https://afltables.com/afl/teams/melbourne/allgames_tm.html#14

Beat Sydney on the MCG. Almost 11 years. Last win was in August 2010 when we beat them by 70 points. I think it was 8 losses and 1 draw dating back to 2011.

Very harsh. My thoughts: Gawn - Battled not beaten McDonald - Exceptional core strength Brown - Had strong presence Petracca - In and out Spargo - Played above height Melksham - Hard to commend Fritsch - Clearly not right Pickett - Quiet yet pressuring May - Not Buddy's buddy Salem - Career best form Harmes - Proved Demonlanders wrong Jackson - Stemmed Swans Clearances Lever - Couldn't establish position (On Lever - Swans were clearly dragging him up the ground so he was out of position. Longmire coached against us well here but restricting our aerial dominance in defence. Thankfully Jordon, Rivers, Jackson, Langdon and Melksham all came back to contest) Brayshaw - Was well beaten Oliver - Back to best Hibberd - Pig in mud Langdon - Reliable and everywhere Jordon - Plays with confidence Rivers - Battled but bruised Hunt - Often good run Neal- Bullen - Did he play Petty - Came into it

My local has turned off commentary and even had a note up for a while saying, "Upon popular request -- no commentary!" They have music on low playing in the background now. Much better.

I feel a lot of people are really understating the significance of last night's win. Sydney were magnificent. They had 40 tackles inside their forward 50 and they threw everything at us. That was a mostly mature and patient performance. The very definition of "trusting the process". Also check out the Sydney Facebook page. Aside from the occasional winge about the umpires, more supporters are praising of the Swans. In a loss. That says a lot about the oppo. We'll be very battered and bruised after last night. I expect us to really struggle to maintain this level for the next 3 weeks against Carlton, Adelaide and Bulldogs. But last night was as good a win I've seen perhaps ever.

We won the game at the stoppage and throw-ins. They stayed in the game from the centre. But we won where it counted and that's in and under. Thus a very important win.

That waw as good a win as I've witnessed from this club.