Adam The God

If Merrett is happy to take less here than at Essendon, then sure, but I can't see Essendon not matching it. Would love Merrett though. Would compliment Oliver, Petracca and Viney beautifully. His ball use and spread from contest is elite. I'd say we'll look elsewhere to add to our.midfield, unless something/someone comes out of nowhere.

He did it in the 2017 game. Put his knees into one of our guys right on the MCC wing in front of us and our guy bit back (can't remember who), Cotchin got the free kick, the momentum turned and they ran all over us. He's become a good leader, but he's very Selwood. Little [censored].

I was very disappointed with the crowd too...

We were certainly favourites against Hawthorn and we got the job done by 8+ goals. I think we're now seeing a different maturity to this team.

We do, because they're keeping the pressure on the guys in the 1sts. You always need pressure coming from the 2nds.

King was all over us back in 2018. We burnt him, so it may take a while to get him back. He was a big champion of ours for a while though. Yep, that's at least a 4 goal loss in the past. Now we can create scores from the back half and strangle teams when they try to move the ball quickly. Great post. That is the other aspect that was so impressive tonight and spoke volumes about our system: we managed to repel attacks and constant forays forward in slippery, wet conditions. This has decidedly not been our strong suit for many years. Particularly, against a surge team like Richmond. Again, our team defence was incredible.

We actually stopped tagging him at centre stoppages by the third.

Agreed, but it's not just about the list now. It's clearly the coaching and the structures too. JJ is really growing into this team. Really liking his work.

I said after the game, we ought to get a bigger crowd to the QB game, weather and COVID permitting.

Tom was magnificent.

I am almost 34 years old. I've gone week in, week out for 27 or 28 of those years. This might sound a bit ridiculous, but I think that was the best win I've ever seen. Not only were we 5-0 going into it, it was a massive game, against a side that has won 3 flags in 4 years, and they were almost at full strength (minus Prestia), and we stood up. So very un-Melbourne like in my life time. I went to Perth for the prelim in 2018 and midway through the first quarter it felt very reminiscent. Their pressure was excellent and they were all over us. We really took a long time to get going, but our incredible structure behind the ball kept us in it. Then by the start of the second quarter we had the game on our terms. Their stars had less than 10 possessions to half way through the third. Martin included. We simply strangled them defensively and made them pay when we went forward. Salem was extraordinary when we were slow early and I had him second behind Petracca by the end of the night. But Oliver was brilliant, Viney played his best game for the season, Tomlinson, Lever, May, Hibberd, Rivers, our whole back six really was immense. Our forward pressure was finals like and certainly elite for much of the game. Max played a great game too and I felt he comfortably beat Nankervis. There was a passage in the last minute or so of the game where Richmond looked for all money like they'd score, but we laid repeat tackles and then saw the ball out of play. The game was won, but this play typified our night and to be honest our season thus far. We simply weren't prepared to allow them a score, even in the dying minutes when the game was over. That speaks of a focus and a mental maturity, now six weeks running, that I've never seen in a Melbourne side before. It was a complete team performance. Melksham potentially the only one whose position might be in trouble, but he was handy on a few occasions too. So proud of my football side tonight. Keep playing like this and my boy will grow up watching a really good football team. Oh yeah. And he's six and zip!!

I'm pretty sure Robbo failed to mention Gus' 100th at the top of the game. Is that right or did I miss it?

Gee, those highlights remind you what a good goal kicking midfielder he is. Well done, Gussy. Loving the sacrifice you're making playing on a wing for us. The way he's been getting back defensively, but then getting into space on the outside to provide offensive drive has been really impressive.

I said in another thread that I thought Melbourne supporters would be humble if we went on a Richmond-like run. Well, I was probably a bit naive looking at the arrogance of a few of these posts. FFS, after where we've been, you'd think we'd always respect every opposition we play. Apparently not.

Be interesting to see how our defensive system holds up if it is wet. Richmond will be very dangerous in the rain in their forward half. It also means whoever can be cleaner off half back might just win it.

Great mixture of intercept marking and ability to line break. Even though he struggled at times last week, Rivers is usually an excellent decision maker to go with Salem and May's kicking. There's great balance back there. The forwardline looks pretty balanced to me too. It's all about work rate, bringing the tackle pressure and nailing our chances when they come. Do that and we're a chance.

Interesting. He goes on fair walks then. My sister regularly sees him walking the streets near Central Park. I guess he's a fit guy, so loves a reasonable walk.

You're probably right. And fatherhood is going well mate. I might appear a bit cranky on this thread, but the boy is sleeping well and his Demons have won 5 in 5. Chef's kiss. ?

If this is directed at me, I've never said he's no good 1v1, just that I don't expect him to win it every time. Whereas, I expect Petracca or Oliver to win it every time. I think most would admit he's improved his 1v1 work this year. I've never said he hasn't done it this year. My point was we've played 5 games, it's not like we've played a season. He does look strong 1v1 this year, particularly so against St Kilda. The Salem winner with a minute to go was at the G. That picture is from Etihad.

Great interview. Love what he says here. Win a flag, win finals. Obvious, but I like the frame.

At half forward/wing in Jones' role... has a great tank, can hit the scoreboard and has better defensive accountability than we've had until this year.

Yes. I'm fine with it. You have absolutely no idea of the terms of Harmes' deal except for the length. James will bounce back and I doubt he's on big money anyway.

I said "his 1v1 game has improved, but I don't have the same confidence in him to win those that others do just yet, but hope I'll soon be on board." I also said "having met Salem before, he seems like a really genuine guy". Just because I don't have the same confidence in him as you to win 1v1s does not mean I don't like Christian or that I don't watch him properly. I also said "Salem is an important role player and ball user for us though." So next time you want to interpret my posts, actually read what I'm writing or don't bother responding, because what you've written here is nonsense. Again. As for him signing for 5 years, I'm very happy.

Yoko has runs on the board in this department...

I would suggest it might rain too, so having a more mobile forward set up will likely cause greater headaches for Richmond's defence. I'm happy with this selection decision.