I’m giving Luci a break (reportedly hungover) . So I waded through the paper baggers pre game “analysis”. [censored] boring [censored] really, mostly just droning on about team selection. What a dull mob.
The optimists
If we make the GF, you could put out the AFL Team of the 20th century against us and we wouldn’t lose.
We’ve won every close game this year, plus the draw in round 1.
Book your flights to Brisbane.
we beat the Dees without Harry, Silvagni, Cerra, Walsh and McGovern
This time around we have them all back except for Harry and Martin
They are missing JVR and Melksham
I am fairly confident
I think Cripps will have a huge game this week, heavily tag for 3qtrs against a quality opponent in mills and still had a decent match. Melbourne won’t tag him and will go head to head which should suit us heaps. 30 touches 8 clearences 6 plus tackles and 16 contested possessions coming up!!!
Very solid - think we will spank them in the middle this time.
Our Defence gets back so well after turnover - they don’t worry us in transition.
I don’t get this! We are playing like Melbourne for a chance in the pre-lim, both sides have everything to lose. Absolutely agree, but psychologically speaking, there is more pressure on Melbourne. Which in my opinion, can only be an advantage to us.
Prelim hear we come. ( note the spelling FMD )
The crowd will go absolutely nuts. The noise from Blues supporters will certainly out weigh the Dees
Some views on the Dees
Last time we played Melbourne Charlie wasn't really double teamed that much, he was just played really close by May and probably beaten on the night.
You cannot underestimate the quality defender that May is, very strong very capable. Charlie just needs to try and get separation more often because body on body he's got not much hope.
Melbourne should have beaten Collingwood. We will need the 22 at its best and focused. This will be the biggest challenge this year.
Would love for them to throw Petracca up forward, would be a massive win for us. Would be the easiest possible way for us to nullify his influence- starve the forward line by repeat centre clearance wins.We would absolutely smack them in the middle & be 6-7 goals up in the 1st quarter & would be game over by the time they tried to fix it.
But Cincotta beat Kozi last time we played them did he not? Kozi so dangerous.
Sounds like Gawn is hurt so odds shortening that Grundy will play if that's accurate. Still doesn't mean Goodwin will manage them in the team's best interests.
Lever intercepting and then lacing out the wingers and midfielders will cost us dearly. Charlie will have may under control.
Brayshaw will be their biggest out. He had 31 touches and 9 tackles and 6 clearances (2nd most for them after Oliver).Petracca is the one to try to nullify as best we can - had 24 touches and kick 2.2. Gawn only had 11 touches, but 47 hitouts and didn't bother the goal umpire.
Some boring waffle about their own players
Crippa is nowhere near fit, his out put shows that. Bloke is a monster & plays thru the pain but we need to be smart & manage it. Playing forward will stretch Melbourne & hopefully reduce further damage. Viney & Petracca are hard AF, even Oliver is tough.
We need to be smart, we need Crippa at 100% (or as close to as possible) for Brisbane.
Cripps doesnt have the forward craft of a player like Dusty/Petracca and we need him at the coalface, if we are sacrificing a mid to send them forward I would go with Docherty.
Midfield matchups will be interesting and a number of options are viable throughout the game Hewett will try and shutdown the most active clearance player at any point in time, but at the start of the game. Hewett v Viney, Oliver v Cripps, Cerra v Petracca
And finally ……
I blame the climate. Poor snow season has meant Dees supporters are staying home for the school holidays…
Goodwin will milk the absolute s**t out of the tribunal decision. They’ll be looking for any motivation.
??????????
It is an alien chimpanzee who had crossed 3 alternate dimensions to watch the very beginning of what would become the ultimate scandal and greatest attempt to cheat in the history of the AFL!!!!! It sat knowingly in the background at what would become known throughout the multiverse as the “whatever it takes” game!!!