DEE fence

My first live game since Carlton 2018, flew in Friday morning after a 31hr trip from West Africa arriving at 5.30am, (must admit was hoping for a replay of that game), so anyway I’m officially not a jinx. Rewatched the game at 5am this morning as still jet lagged and a few things stood out. Goodwin is not wrong about getting our contested game back, there was a small period in the middle of the first where Carlton had a run on, but apart from that our structure held up well, and some areas of the defense where we had been lacking this year had clearly been addressed. Carlton was forced into kick/mark because our defense was set and was kept well all game. Extraordinary fitness to keep our zone going a whole game, the running efforts of the team are much more apparent live, and it takes a truckload of work, we didn’t win this because Carlton was bad, but because our guys played a perfect Melbourne game. For sure I would have loved better accuracy, but we owned the game. I think Goodwin deserves some praise for selection integrity and game plan. My take aways: That was a massive game from May, really rejoiced to see him play so well. Hard to split him and Trac for BOG. Really good time for he and Lever to find form together. Petracca was tagging/standing Cripps in the 1st, Carlton tried to break this, putting a 2nd on Trac to try and give Cripps space (didn’t work) but while Cripps was Trac’s mark, he remained dedicated to the task, that clearly demonstrated a team first attitude and willingness to set a standard that I think had a positive affect across the group. Trac’s defensive presence in the first stopped Carlton’s early midfield drive into their forward 50, and over all that was a very Melbourne defensive game from him. McVee is a jet and deserves a rising star, clinical in some big moments. Poorest 1st half have seen from Gawn since 2014, loved that he kept fighting and he did exactly what I wanted with his bomb from 50, instead of laying it off. Huge heart to keep trying when clearly he is hampered by something ATM. Best Captain in the league right now. My voice is just recovering. Hunter’s best game this year, very promising for me was his connection to team mates, it’s getting better each week. His value over Gus, is the speed of his decision making, it is elite and he seems to be able to create a sliver more of time for the receiving player than Gus does. That said Gus, is crazy brave and good at getting the ball out and heroic defensive efforts. Best game so far from JVR, didn’t kick a bag of goals but played a nice hybrid role CHF and showed great decision making with his connection to others, loved his game. Have been able to observe growth in his games already, seems willing to learn. Bailey did some great things and laid a couple of good tackles. He is a leopard in the f50, runs into space so well, so he didn’t shoot the lights out, not really worried, was happy with his improved defensive efforts. Gus worked really bloody hard, Likewise Viney, thought he was a bit subdued compared to the last few weeks but then watching replay realized he was playing a role. Smith, initially underwhelmed but then realized how mobile he was and definitely contributed to forward half defensive pressure, and upon reflection would keep him over TMac al least until Petty returns as a forward. Tomlinson fought hard, wasn’t disgraced, played his role on an absolute Gorilla in McKay. I would say 4 goals from Curnow/McKay was par, if not a small win for us. Rivers played his usual gut busting game, was sad he didn’t convert as been hoping he could be more of a defensive forward but didn’t seem likely on the day. Grundy was running hard and definitely connects better with our midfielders than Max ATM. Umpiring was evenly bad they maybe got 4 that were not there, but neither was Spargo’s free in front of goal. Comedy gold was Pickett facing off against Jacob Weitering (have changed my love to Sam Taylor from Jacob) But most exciting for me is Salem’s game, he’s back in a big way, has found his step inside traffic and our second half of the season will be much better with him in the side, really very happy he is back. Spargo has come back well, no lingering concussion effects observable. Got to see Kozzie live, so special I think he will light Collingwood up next week. The Melbourne defensive wall will be back in full force, bring on Collingwood.

People like watching Carlton lose, must be a ratings winner.

No thanks, Choco might fix the kicking but he's not a heart surgeon. Harry looks like he's playing to preserve himself.

Sort of like Jayden Hunt (but and with apologies to JH), better decision making. I also like his use of hips to slip tackles,

Blakey's composure to bounce the ball while going full tilt, speaks volumes. Buddy doing the team thing squaring the ball up was also good to see. Obviously invested in team over self.

Weitering and their Lawyers. Otherwise very bruisable footballers.

No Rivers re drafted on form would be a first round pick. I'd want a signed letter from God that pick 1 was going to be Chris Judd or Garry Jr.

Hi there, in the family we have plenty of memberships, but hadn't stocked up on tickets (TBH I don't even know how it works having been away so long, last time I went a membership got you in the gate)- anyway a hail mary request. As you know I'm based in Sudan but left after the war started, before I go back I have decided for a quick refresh in Australia to see family and will be going to KB, brother sorted me. I just had news that a US Marine, and good friend and very nice guy is coming to visit Australia ( he evacuated from Sudan as well) for a couple of weeks before his next mission. I would love to be able to buy a ticket that I could use with a membership somehow to take him to the game. I have been teaching him and his marines how to kick a Sherrin for the last couple of years and preaching Melbourne and showing videos to them all. If anyone has anything spare let me know, will of course reimburse as is appropriate. DM if you have any ideas. He arrives too late to goto the Carlton game.

Table needs amending Melbourne 1 Kill, Round 17, 2010 MFC killed Paul Roos…. (22.10.142 d 10.9.69) just joking

Old is when your kid is approaching AFL retirement age... or you have actually worn a real woollen jumper.

My bad mood continues after Fridays loss, and more so that it was Gawn getting done over by Port again, that I have been bleating about since 2019. Anyway Salem was an amazingly good return, am thinking he can really help after a successful return. I am keen to see where we go with this. Tmac has the same problem as Melks, lack of forward defensive pressure, don’t want him in the side, even if he brings ball to ground we’re still getting opened up. No BBB either thanks. Gawn and JVR as sole big forwards, till Petty is back, Gawn instructed to kick for goal if 40/50 out he’s been doubting himself, I remember in 2022 when he had 3 weeks in a row of outside 50m goals. I was a bit dark with how many shots he has been laying off. Pickett will come good, not worried about him, likewise ANB, a bad week, has been having an excellent season. Brayshaw to the middle or wing. Hibbered and Salem in the side no need for Brayshaw back. Am feeling like Hunter will get off. I also think with Oliver out there is space for Brayshaw and he is smarter than Sparrow. Not sure about Bowey, I am worried needs to put some speed(flatten) on his kicks, folks are too much under pressure when they receive from him I want Rivers floating as a high half forward. I think he’s better having a ping at goal than Brayshaw. Question - How did Tomlinson play, does he have his lateral mobility back yet?

On 360 really impressed at how healthy Jetta is looking, he'd be half a chance at WCE to get a senior game (which eddie joked about). Can't wait for him to come back to the club.

Very much so.

Yeah I suppose the sanction is warranted, I love that he's invested though.

Went and did some research, the State Library online is an excellent service. Anyway as a slight addendum to NBODemon's suggestion Narrm Biik (for ground/land in Wurundjeri language)

Two threads nearly same topic on Petty, Rivers to go forward, reckon he’d go well on Alir. Loved how positive Goody has been on Salem coming back. Sad it’s not this week, Salem would solve some PA questions.

Please not Melks, Alir will carve us up on defensive rebound. With Smith I have not seen enough to know his forward 50 defensive pressure? Last time he was in defense I don’t think it went well IIRC. I do like the idea of speed. My take is Jordan for Sparrow and Laurie in, Hames as sub. Laurie is showing signs i think now is the time to step up. Defensive forward pressure is required. I appreciate what BBB and Tmac have done for the club but truly believe we will get torched out of defense by Port Adelaide if we don’t have speed. Also Gawn and Grundy have been playing in the same half and it has looked great. Left field idea, how about Rivers as a forward doing the Petty role and takes Alir. No Dixon helps us. I think Rivers is becoming a beautiful utility player.

Not my usual long rant, but I re-watched the game, Rivers is so enjoyable to watch. Viney having a great year, was worried at some of the knocks he took but have decided to call him Achilles, because unless he hurts his feet he seems unstoppable and the greatest warrior going around. Apart from the fact that he is injured, can people finally see why Petty is a good idea forward?

Me too

Frosty was a liability no doubt, but loved the way he flew the flag for team mates.

Melbourne Demons forward Jacob van Rooyen’s controversial two-match ban upheld after appeal [censored] West Australian, I have been hitting search every so often waiting for a result, and this was the headline, thought we had lost. Well done to the club!

Round 20, 2016, is what I wanted to post to my 2014 myself, Gawn and Viney were sensational. That was the end of the Hawks 9 game winning streak, icing was of course 2018 final, lets not talk about 2017.

Was about to post something similar, after watching many, many times it looks like after he has gone for the spoil he was simultaneously trying to jump and roll his arm and shoulder over the top of Ballard's head to avoid contact but was unable to get enough height/clearance. The fact that he has avoided contact with his body on Ballard's body is also significant, as he can demonstrate duty of care by not electing to bump.

All sound points, but for me this stood out, the long camera shot shows JvR moving like a missile towards the fall of the ball, (loved how he was motoring), looked like it was going to be a Jordan/Harbrow traincrash. JvR did a lot to minimise the effect. It is the clumsy look of it (and not being Hawkins) that has him cited. But I think an appeal has a good chance.

Watched it twice, plenty of credit for Melbourne was given, yes they were barracking for the underdog but so what, it’s what you do. And the underdog played really well. On 1st Crack King et al all said he would get off on appeal. I am more concerned with they are slow to commentate with speed of play, lots of good touches and efforts get missed all around. In ‘21 King got on board Melbourne early, now we are expected to be good, get used to it. I am over the fact that for season now any analysis of Melbourne has been 40 seconds worth at max. We had so much more airtime previously. I’d settle for 20% of the airtime Nick Daicos gets, for the whole team. Although they did acknowledge that Grawndy will be a weapon in the finals.