Adam The God

It was very Bulldogs-like as I was saying in a thread the previous night... He was superb when he went forward. I don't think he won a contest or didn't not turn it over before moving there. Hence the 'even'. I loved that they gave him a run in the middle and he did okay. We're demanding versatility. It's so very Bulldogs.

I wonder what Jake Lever thought of that performance. Probably, "how do I get a game in that backline?"

It was interesting hearing Roos talk about Jeremy Cameron's improvement in 2017 today. He said he'd started to lead up at the ball carrier and he is a much better player for it. I suspect Hogan will do the same. It's a bit of a mentality thing I think. He was doing it earlier in his career. That game against Richmond in the wet was a really good example of it. I think this will come with a little more experience and a bit more of a clearer head. I hope Jesse has some good support around him. It's great that we continue to show we can win without him, as I'm sure that takes some pressure off him. Particularly, in his time of need. And no. Terrible idea. He is a forward and will work his way through this issue with the help of his coaches and team mates. [censored]. This win shows what it takes. We'll still have our ups and downs this season though, but now we have a benchmark. And mixed feelings? Really? Maybe football's not for you then?

Love that necessity is the mother of invention and with Hogan out we've actually added a new string to our bow. Love it. Completely agree. I reckon, Tommy stays forward from now on. He can play swing man if we're struggling, but as a forward he could be a good version of Harry Taylor. On another matter, I only hope I have enough "likes" to keep liking all the clearly shocked and stoked Demonlanders. Great stuff!

I called it all week that we were a chance to win this. In fact, I said we would win it. And what do you know? That tackling pressure shows us what is possible from this team. What a magnificent effort. I was out at a 30th birthday tonight. Avoided my phone, the TV and any conversation about the game. Taped it on FOXTEL IQ and came home and watched it without knowing anything. My oh my! This team is going to be bloody special. The midfield just willed us to win. No. That’s not fair. It was more than that. That doesn’t do it justice. Our midfield crushed the opposition. Absolutely mauled them. Staggering and extremely exciting given Jacobs’ hit out dominance. Aside from the tackling, the ball use, the dare, the run and carry, it was our leadership that was so pleasing tonight. When the margin was out to 4 goals in the second term, it was Lewis who came crashing in off the back of the centre square, took possession and was tackled. But, we got a reset and it said everything about our desire to turn things our way. Lewis started the game poorly (ball use wise), but grew into the game. He is so dangerous across half forward. Meanwhile, Viney and Jones played real captain’s games. One or two strange errors from Jones (what was he thinking with that torp that landed in the centre square in a Crows’ lap?), but otherwise he really lead the way. Gut running, tackling and organisation. Fantastic. Even Tom McDonald, after really struggling early in defence, his move forward was genius and he looked bizarrely comfortable. He doesn't make those same errors up forward. In fact, he actually showed how clever he can be with his ball use. Staggering! Get him out of the defence and keep him forward! How about our young mids though? Oliver, Viney, Salem, Petracca and Tyson all lifted in that second half. Salem’s ball use is a delight, as is Oliver’s. Petracca’s bullocking through packs and penetrating kick from midfield is something I haven’t seen at Melbourne in my lifetime (30 years). And how was Oliver’s goal? What a freak and what a [censored] clutch goal! At the time, we were only a goal up and it was an arm wrestle. He kicks that and all of a sudden, there’s scoreboard pressure on the opposition. We didn't look back after that. The kid has already surpassed Cripps. He is an absolute star and has the ability to be a 250 game leader. Frost and Jetta were brilliant down back and Hibberd’s ball use has become vital in the past month. What a brilliant acquisition he’s been. Really interesting too as I don’t think he’s laid a tackle all month and didn’t again tonight. Staggering, given Goodwin’s emphasis on tackling. I guess, he knows his role as that outside outlet. Oscar did a couple of nice things, as did Wagner, but both have to use the ball better. Wagner in particular. His ball use has been close to terrible since he’s come back. He is getting to really good spots to provide outside run and carry, but I can’t recall him hitting a target tonight. Felt we carried Kent at times too. He can play some really dumb footy and doesn’t lay bloody tackles! Will need to play a lot better next week. Was really pleased with Weideman's game though. He wasn't perfect (that run down near the end was horrible), but his tackling and his ability to bring the ball to ground was brilliant for a second year, skinny KPF. Anyway, other than a few things here and there (Watts’ marking was ordinary, but competed well in the ruck), that is one of the best wins I can recall. The media might write that Adelaide were off their game, but that was all our pressure and as the game wore on, there was implied pressure and they started to lose confidence. Some really interesting moves by our coaches too. We clearly identified Atkins as a weaker ball user (in that he doesn't hurt you with his possessions like Smith or Crouch or Laird do) and let him sit out the back of a lot of packs, instead his opponent would outnumber the Crows at the stoppages. It was the sort of move we've had done to us for years, but quite brilliant. It backed our mids to win the clearance and it paid off handsomely. As did the Petracca move into the midfield and Tom McDonald's move forward. There were positives everywhere. And finally, I hope this will shut up a few wingers and hand wringers on Demonland this week. Yeah, we have to back it up next week, but this shows those people that this is how Melbourne can play. And since some of you need wins before there can be any discernible improvement, well, here's a bloody win! Goodwin has said since he started that we are building from the contest out. Tonight, we started by winning the contest, spreading hard, playing bold, attacking footy and we smashed the top side on their own patch; one of the hardest places to play in the entire league. Get up and about. This could be season defining! Go you mighty [censored] redlegs!!! EDIT. Forgot Bernie's great game on Sloane. We got the tagging match up that we wanted and he didn't disappoint.

Very early in the season to be saying this, mate. St Kilda may well have been saying similar things after Round 2. Long way to go yet and anything could happen.

If St Kilda get some injuries, they'll be in big trouble. They still rely on too few IMO.

And St Kilda are being shown up today too. If I was a St Kilda supporter I'd be livid. Carlton have controlled large portions of the game and if Cripps doesn't have a brainfade there, they take the lead at half time. Gee, Cripps is slow, a gun, but as slow as a wet week.

Their foot skills appear more reliable because most of their kicks are 25-30 metres. Whenever they go longer than this distance they turn it over. You watch.

The Carlton game plan is very, very obvious and clever in a way. They're a short chipping team. They don't need to move it particularly quickly. They don't have great kickers either, so the short chipping game suits them. Bring manic pressure, break even or win the midfield battle and they have some tall marking options. If you make Carlton kick long though, they'll be in trouble and if you move it quickly and efficiently you account for them easily. This game is being played on Carlton's terms though. They're pretty good at getting the game played on their terms at the moment. I'm currently loving it, because my St Kilda mate was very smug during the week. I said we'd finish above them still and he said they'd beat Carlton easily. That may still happen, but Murphy is playing a blinder. They have to stop him.

Wasn't sure where to put this, but if we're not in Weitering's ear, I'd be annoyed. Have no idea what he'd cost, but imagine Weitering at CHB? Love it.

Haha, fair enough, mate. Might be struggling this weekend it seems.

Surely, the only game that should be billed as country vs city is Melbourne v Geelong... [censored] off Essendon.

Reeling back a few goals doesn't scare me and I believe we could do this, but I think it'll say a lot about both teams if we can get a lead at quarter time. It'll say Adelaide either haven't responded after last week or that we're a lot better than people give us credit for.

I still think we're a chance. A shoot out scares me, but if we can move the ball quickly and decisively, we're in with a real shot. But we need to be in the game at quarter time. We can't be playing catch up. We need real self-belief at quarter time. Just to be ahead will be massive. We'll show tonight even without arguably our two most important players in Max and Jesse, that we're a better team than the likes of Richmond and Geelong.

Just on this though. What happened to this beer or alcohol company? Did we lose them to Carlton? Surely, the iSelect deal could have been done much earlier given our already established relationship?

I had a call from iSelect a couple of days ago and they gave me solid discounts off my gas and electricity bills, as well as giving me a voucher to pick up a brand new guernsey from the Demon Shop. I asked them if they were calling to placate members after the Hawthorn loss. The lady laughed. It appears she knew what was up. This is great though. Well done PJ and co.

Yeah, I think the FD rate Kent's ceiling higher than JKH, but it's all about mental application. It was about giving JKH possibly his last chance vs ensuring a player who has played 54 games has the right habits to play in this team. Let's hope he lays a bunch of tackles tonight and shows he's learnt what it takes to play in our forwardline. If he does this, I've no doubt he'll get involved offensively and on the scoreboard as well.

I agree with all of this except I'd say Petracca's x factor is what will scare defenders and he's already one of the best contested marks in our team.

What are you talking about? We've been level or leading in every final quarter this year. That's consistently competitive. And this has absolutely nothing to do with the similarity in game style...

The game styles are very similar. Our guys are just less familiar with it, while the Dogs have been doing it for two and a bit years now. The lack of miles in the legs and the fact our guys are still cementing the trust with team mates that is required to play this way is what is delaying results.

Fair enough, mate.

Interesting that GAWN in 60 Seconds is back this week. Maybe they have been listening to Demonland?

How clean is Caleb Daniel below his knees? That low centre of gravity.

This game is interestingly poised. The Bulldogs remind me very much of Melbourne tonight. They haven't really looked like it all night. They've stuck around though and now that the Eagles have missed a few easy ones, they're giving themselves a chance with bold ball movement. The difference between the Bulldogs and Melbourne at the moment is that they know how to win these types of games, as we will in time too.