spalding

Last night my 2 sons (both of them MCC provisional and MFC full members) and I (full members of both), were unable to book tickets to sit together in the MCC members for our game this weekend - so that bodes well for a decent crowd. Apparently the MCG members are not taking anymore bookings for 3 seats together (provisional MCC members have to pay $45 as visitors as it is a tier 1 game) because its basically full. That bodes well for a good crowd. Hoping that more space might be made available in GA parts of the ground for MCC members - as I would prefer this than the 3 of us having to pay GA and make a donation to Peggy and the great unwashed.

Tigers versus GWS hit 28,813 on a nice sunny afternoon on Sunday 27th March 2022, given they have 100k members, It probably puts a bit more context around last nights “disappointing” crowd.

I remember hearing this every week last year from my friends about us!

I just love how we have developed young players with specific roles so they fit seemlessly into the team. I thought Salem was irreplaceable in 2021 and then along comes Bowey. JJ now a fully fledged member of the wingers club, who can play in the mid if needed. Allows Brayshaw to go to the “mens department” or possibly into the midfield if clarry or trac weren’t there. bedford looked ok in Rd1 in the Spargo/ANB/Kozzie role weid went ok in the Brown and Tmac role. Petty covers the key defensive role, and I think could be good enough overhead to play other roles (fwd, or intercept defender if required) Sparrow has started a bit slow this year (a bit fumbly and second guessing himself) but fits into the Viney/Harmes role. haven’t even mentioned Dogga, but his development has meant that Max’s relatively slow start (although I thought last night was a step in right direction for Max, I think he thinks he is Stevie J after the 3rd Qtr of the Preliminary final!) is a non issue for us.

I hope Sam has a great game and gets some reward for sticking around and challenging himself by having to fight for each game for the reigning premiers (gee I like using that phrase in a MFC thread). I know some on this site who have little time for him will say he took the new contract because no-one would take him - but just as likely he may have knocked back better offers to stay. None of us really know and I’m happy to give him the benefit of the doubt - and would be really happy for him if he has a good game.

How?

Glad King and Rankine were non-starters. next !

[censored] we’re good what parallel universe am I living in

It’s a spoodle (yes, living the stereotype!) not a bulldog, so he’s happy to watch (just not at 4.30am)

4.30am and can’t sleep Like an addict, I’ll just watch it again on my phone More tears. Dog wakes up and looks up from the end of the bed, with a look of “seriously?” only a Demon tragic can understand

Getting goosebumps from an ad!

I’m not so sure that Gus would be suited in the midfield the way the game trending. he’s neither the explosive away from the contest mid (Oliver and Petracca) or the big bodied bull (Viney and Sparrow- the way he is “growing”). You need these types of mids, and this is why we blew the doggies off the park - despite the fact that they probably have more top-end midfield depth. With rucks like Gawn and Dogga as well, we can put teams away in 15 minutes, and I don’t think anyone can really match this. No surprise kozzie getting a bit of midfield time as he can pinch hit for one of the explosive mids. Gus really doesn’t fit into this mix, but his game sense and gut run means he is suited on the wing despite a lack of pace. no doubt one of the lower teams will offer him more money and midfield time. I suspect this contract delay is more about seeing what is left in the tin at the end of the year and whether there is better visability about future salary cap limits etc Given the team culture we have, it wouldnt surprise me if some of the high paid stars took a small cut if it meant keeping one of their best mates - if it came down to this.

Obviously it’s just us demon fans who can see what a jet Tom Sparrow will become in the midfield

I really don’t see the threat from Sydney and GWS. Sydney too dependent on (very) ageing players such as Franklin, Kennedy, Parker and even Rampke - and now have lost a couple of good younger players in trades. GWS should concern me more if they still had Cameron. t

does anyone know if Dogga is back yet?

Not sure whether this was just about forwards, but one of Tomlinson and Petty will probably miss most weeks, and I do like the look of Turner as well. Daw is as good a back-up for ruck/2nd ruck-fwd as anyone else has playing in their two's as well.

same - one of my 7 guests (family) has already received an SMS with the ticket but the rest of us haven't. If you have the ticketek app on your phone, click on the movie ticket icon on the bottom right and all 8 of mine all showed up there.

was shocked how easy it seemed - front row level 2 for 8 tickets in MCC. For next year's celebration (which might be more muted given we will be winning it at the mcg) I will know to be ready with all the mobile phone numbers I needed!😀

i dont think their midfield is prepared to work as hard defensively as ours, and although its a legitimate argument that they have more depth, that depth ends up on the wings and flanks - where the two way running of our specialists such ANB, Positivelingers, Gus and Salem provides more for us than they get from the extra midfielders (which, as someone pointed out before, are not particularly quick).

our percentage in the second half of each 2021 final (combined) was 348.2% (PF 195 vs 56)

Reckon we will play cats and doggies twice, due to the league seeing Dees v dogs as a bit of a marquee match up for the next couple of years, and cause we always play at KP. I actually want the flag unfurling to be a Saturday afternoon home game vs Freo. Think we would get 50+K to a game we normally get 25k if we are lucky. Games v bombers and blues will get 60k to whenever they are played as I think both those teams will be pushing for 5-8th. in the last demonland interview with Pert I gig the vibe they feel they owe NT - so I reckon we could play a couple of games there. Ideally one home game and perhaps an away one vs GC could be an option given its now their recruiting zone.

Stairway to Heaven

Everyone was better even Jack Vineys improvement from the GC game to the rest of the season was massive. Wonder if he was told that if he kept trying to break tackles instead of setting clarry or Trak loose he would lose his spot (no matter how much Goody loves him). Only mistake I can remember from him in a fantastic finals series was his kick deep inside 50 in the second quarter of the GF to no Dees and 3 dogs.

I think Guru Bob has a much better grasp than Guru Gary

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/demons-sold-three-years-worth-of-merchandise-before-grand-final-glory-20210928-p58vi7.html it just keeps getting better. relevant > premiers> powerhouse ? I really hope we can get Daisy over the line next.