Dr. Gonzo

Yeah I was thinking Matthews and Bartlett the only two who came to mind. I'm sure there's probably more, but it's a hell of an achievement. Betts is more so considering players don't top the ton anymore.

Yep that's how I see it too. We beat bombers at the G and Windy Hill, Eagles at the G and at Subi, Hawks in back to back weeks to knock them out of the finals. The Pies creamed us earlier in the year but as you say we had the wood on them in Finals. I agree, 1990 the one that got away and was probably the one that was up for grabs competition wide. Yeah the team wasn't star studded but then the Pies won with Starcevich at CHF and no big name Full forward. 1990 is one of the reasons I really hate West Coast, knocked us out in 90, 91, 94 and then in 2018. Can't stand the arrogant [censored]. Hated Hawthorn too for 87 and 88 but I admire what they've achieved despite my hate for them. West coast? Nup

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/victorian-premier-daniel-andrews-feels-afl-still-some-time-off-resuming-20200412-p54j5u.html Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has quashed any talk of the AFL following the lead of the NRL and restarting its competition any time soon. Andrews announced on Sunday the state of emergency in Victoria will be extended until at least May 11, meaning strict enforcement of social distancing and isolation measures remain in place to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Hasn't WA shut their borders? I think it's pie in the sky stuff, I will be shocked if there is a 2020 season.

Yeah we were 2nd or 3rd after round 16 1988 after smashing the Pies off the G and then lost 5 in a row. Had to beat Carlton in round 22 to sneak into the 5, had we lost the Bombers would've played finals. We lost to some average teams in 88 too, Saints at Moorabbin (wooden spooners), Richmond late in the season, Bulldogs and Swans at the G. I reckon we did the same thing throughout the Northey years too, there was always a run of games mid-late season that cost us a double chance. Actually a similar thing happened in 94 too under Balme, can't remember about 98.

We beat Hawks in round 18 2004 to go top of the ladder. The only time barracking for the Demons I can recall being top of the ladder that late in the season. Only other times I can recall were early in the season in 1990 (round 5) and 1994 (round 6) maybe.

As far as the poll goes Farmer by a mile. The most consistently explosive player I've seen in the red and blue next to Jakovich. His 98 finals series (including round 22 against the Tigers) and 2000 season were something to behold. 76 goals would have to be one of the best returns for a small forward in the modern era, if not ever.

Lovett another of those mid-90s perennially injured players that cost us the chance at a flag. Schwarz, Lyon, Tingay, Lovett, Prymke, Charles - I'm sure there's more. With Lovett it was back-related hamstring issues from memory?

Stuffed his foot in round 1 2007 against the Saints on Friday night and was never the same.

Yeah it is I reckon, has the same head cocked to the side thing that he does. Mustve been early 20s back then.

I used to think that but the Bailey/Neeld years broke me. Now I leave whenever I feel like it. Funny thing, when I was a kid at the footy with my dad and uncle they'd always want to leave at the 20 minute mark of the last quarter to beat the traffic, even when we were winning! I couldn't comprehend it as a kid and it still doesn't make sense to me now

Strawbs had a fantastic 88, I've been rewatching a lot of games from that year and he was one of our best. In fact after round 22 when he got reported, Scotty Palmer told Morphett or Landy (can't remember which) that Melbourne insiders thought he was our best chance for the Brownlow that year.

Well with the VFL Park scoreboard egging people on they had to! Remember at the start of the game the scoreboard would introduce who the umpires were with a cartoon of an umpire having rotten produce thrown at him, would never get away with that these days with everyone having to "respect" the umpires

That goal by Johnson just before 3/4 time was a ripper. Picks it up from a pack, blind turn, bang from outside 50

"He shoots, he goals - Melbourne are in front!"

2006 we lost twice to Carlton who only won 3 games for the season. Win those two and we finish top 4 and dont have to travel to Perth for the semi final.

The whole game is a mile above what we have to put up with now. It's almost a different sport. So much more enjoyable to watch the old stuff and you get to see the skills and individual brilliance that made me fall in love with the game as a kid. You still get to see some of it these days but it's few and far between compared to what we used to get back then.

I was watching this this morning! First half was a shocker, kicked into gear midway through the third with the help of Sean Wight and Ricky Jackson.

I remember he looked like a very old school footballer. Short back and sides, socks always pulled up, just had that manner about him. Wore number 15 from memory, possibly trading down from 42?

I've been rewatching all the replays I have from season 1988. Just finished the home and away season last night, our two wins over the Pies in home and away were great particularly the one at the G late in the season, we steamrolled them. We then got belted by the Hawks at Waverley and lost another 4 in a row after that (to the Eagles in Perth, Richmond!, Footscray at the G and the Bombers at Windy Hill) before cementing a finals spot in the last round beating Carlton in a game that went down to the last 10 minutes or so. We're top 2 or 3 for a lot of the season and threw it away with that run of losses. We also got belted by the Swans at the G in round 15 a week after beating Geelong in Geelong. 2 or 3 losses there that should've been wins and cost us a double chance during the finals. Now to get on and watch the 3 finals wins - do I dare watch the Grand Final? I've only seen it once since watching live as a 6 year old and I reckon I didn't even watch the 2nd half that day. I think I'll have to for completeness sake but it will be a bitter watch.

Brian Wilson pretty stiff too

Those three for longevity, Farmer, Schwarz and Jakovich for brilliance

Fantastic Andy! Great work

I can't see a 2020 season happening. Round 1 will sit in the history books as an anomaly

Link?