DEE fence

@david_neitz_is_my_dad Fully awesome pics, made my day.

Rome, Italy, willing to host for the game or negotiate with a pub - any takers let me know.

We win obviously

This preview from a WCE supporter is not unreasonable reading. I liked this bit For Melbourne, a team more used to playing in front of 22,000 Stockholm syndrome sufferers in the middle of a Melbourne winter, running out on a warm September afternoon to that reception will be as foreign as operating the Ticketmaster finals menu. But this isn’t the Melbourne of old- the Melbourne of old was the team that coughed up a certain finals spot to us last year. The Melbourne of old lost whenever the heat was really put on. The Melbourne of old was brittle, flashy but with a soft underbelly. If you haven’t watched Melbourne in the last month and think this is going to be a walk in the park because we’ve got a few players back…. You haven’t been paying attention. Preamble With no West Coast playing this weekend, there was room to sit back, relax and enjoy some good quality football. It’s all been on the up and up since the trapezoid goalsquare came in, so kudos to the Shape of the Game Committee. As I sat back and watched the blue and red army swarm, I realised what a remarkable comeback story this is. The club was down and out not too long ago, and now I was watching them power through for a huge finals win. Their opponents had beaten them handsomely in the previous matchup, so that just makes it even more special. You could feel some real energy and spirit in the team song, and as ‘The Grand Old Flag’ was belted out and the players started excitedly looking towards next weekend at the new stadium, a tear rolled down my cheek and one thought crossed my mind- isn’t it great to see West Perth in the Grand Final again? A picture I took of Nathan Jones for my boudoir photography class (picture 45/714) Amble It is said that the effects of being an opposition player at Perth Stadium is like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped around a large gold brick- the cascading wall of noise, the cacophony of verbal barbs and the musical harmonies of the almighty boo. They all work together to create uncertainty, disharmony, and an uneasy sense that you may have left the gas on at home. For Melbourne, a team more used to playing in front of 22,000 Stockholm syndrome sufferers in the middle of a Melbourne winter, running out on a warm September afternoon to that reception will be as foreign as operating the Ticketmaster finals menu. But this isn’t the Melbourne of old- the Melbourne of old was the team that coughed up a certain finals spot to us last year. The Melbourne of old lost whenever the heat was really put on. The Melbourne of old was brittle, flashy but with a soft underbelly. If you haven’t watched Melbourne in the last month and think this is going to be a walk in the park because we’ve got a few players back…. You haven’t been paying attention. Melbourne was always meant to take the next step this year. They were meant to do it last year. But this time it feels real, there’s an energy and momentum about the team that you couldn’t quite believe in until they finally got back into the top 8. The fact that they’ve done it without Lever and without Hogan for a lot of the season is a huge credit to Paul Roos and pretty much no one else. The Eagles have found themselves in the odd position of hosting a Preliminary final almost behind everyone’s back. After a season that included a 10-game winning streak, they stumbled after the bye when they had to play a cobbled together forward line of Cripps, Waterman, McInnes, Sumich, Ted Tyson and the statue of John Gerovich. While that was good enough to beat no-hopers like GWS, it couldn’t handle the injection of pace and pep of a side like Essendon, or the brilliant collective minds in the Adelaide coaches’ box. However, in a match that both cemented the Eagles top 2 credentials and simultaneously almost doomed their premiership ones, the victory over Collingwood at the MCG was the very definition of bittersweet. This was the victory that the doubters wanted to see, and promptly pretended didn’t happen. In the absence of a game-changing megastar, the Eagles had to resort to two game-continuing human jumping pads. The results were mixed but managed to lift the team to second thanks to wins over some poor sides, and an after the siren victory over Port in boring, foreseeable fashion. The most predictable and dull sequel since the direct to VHS movie The Return of Jafar. And then came the finals, after the week off filled with award ceremonies, trade talk and rule committee discussion. I never make brash statements, but if that interests you when we’re on the precipice of finals, your alternative lifestyle needs to be kept away from others. Collingwood had the 22 best players on the ground but were overcome by poor umpiring and an uncouth crowd that helped whoever they were playing into the prelims. Can I make a brash statement? No team has ever been so clearly the second best in the competition, earned two home finals, played such good football under duress, and been spoken about as little as this team. Part of that is the loss of our best players. Part of that is the perception of our MCG form. Part of that is the fairy tale of Collingwood and Melbourne, while we play the Big Bad Wolf. But mostly I think it’s because we’re just too nice. And so here we are. At the new stadium, in prelim final week, against Melbourne. Up The Bloody Coasters Media perception of Melbourne vs West Coast Quick Questions What’s changed since the recent meeting in Round 22? Likely to be Ah Chee and Sheppard out for Schofield and Kennedy. Darling with a full game hopefully. Jack Viney in for Dean Kent for the Demons. Both teams will be stronger than last time What are the critical matchups? Tons of potential good ones in this game. Melksham taking McGovern away from the play. Barrass v McDonald in the Battle of the Tommes, Gawn v Two Ruckmen that aren’t Nicnat, and the brilliant Neville Jetta v Willie Rioli. In the middle Viney, Brayshaw and Jones head to head with Redden, Shuey and Yeo. Cole and Schofield on the dangerous Weiderman and Petracca, the taggers in Hutchings and Harmes will have big jobs on probably Oliver and Yeo. Seriously, there’s great battles galore here in what should be an awesome game. How will it be played? Like most finals, fierce and fast. Melbourne are chaotic with their movement going forward, but give you chances to score the other way. This could be a high scoring game if both teams forward lines get going. 91 to 108 in the last match. Who has the X factor to turn the match? Jack Viney and Elliot Yeo are my go-to guys for consistent brilliance in this one, but for turning a game in a moment Christian Petracca and Liam Ryan. If those two show some magic we’re in for a special game. What needs to go right for each team? Eagles need to draw the midfield battle like they did against the Pies and let the forward line go to work. They lifted at the crucial stage after being outworked for two quarters. The Demons need to capitalise on momentum because they’ve had periods of dominance in both finals that didn’t show on the scoreboard, and they will hurt away from home. Who takes more out of Round 22? Probably the Demons. That game showed they could match it with the best teams, in a hostile environment. They’ve got the wood over the Eagles in recent matches. What’s the feel-good storyline? Melbourne in their first finals series since 2006, chasing their first flag since 1964. West Coast defying pre-season doomsayers to compete for another flag, after losing several key players during the year. They only had one logo on file to be fair Expected Line-Ups B: Jetta O.McDonald Lewis F: Rioli Kennedy LeCras HB: Salem Frost Hibberd HF: Cripps Darling Ryan ? Jones Brayshaw Harmes ? Hutchings Yeo Masten HF: Melksham T.McDonald Hannan HB: Duggan McGovern Jetta F: Weiderman VandenBerg Petracca B: Hurn Barrass Schofield R: Gawn Viney Oliver R: Lycett Shuey Redden IC: Spargo Fritsch Tyson Neal-Bullen IC: Cole Sheed Venables Vardy Headlines you Probably Won’t Read -Brave Eagles overcome obstacles to book well-earned Grand Final berth -Eddie McGuire complains that his team gets extra break for Grand Final over higher finishing side -Andrew Gaff signs for the Baldivis Brumbies on 7-year, multi-million-dollar contract -Channel 7 praised for even handed commentary amidst crowd barbarity -Early finish allows losing Demons to get to bars before they shut in backwards hick town Gil and journos combing for stories from 2006 to bring back up Predictions Nothing more to add really. We’re the underdogs in our own home final. How have we slipped so far? Sack Simpson. Eagles by 199. Make some god damn noise you hooligans.

Hiya, what is TWSNBN? anyway Leon is in the gun next year, coach under most pressure i reckon?

For a laugh I bought a fine French cheese platter after each of the finals wins so far, quaffed with some Bordeaux. My brother went skiing R23 though and we had a really good laugh about it. And there a Demons stickers on the cars, which are European. We draw the line at voting Liberal though (-; Embrace the cliches I say.

So far have shared barcodes twice, and everything has been fine. Really happy to help fellow Demons in Perth too, as well as family. Being in Rome this finals season is way too frustrating though.

Therefore more important than everything bar your partner and your kids, and that is assuming they are good kids.

@dl4e I would liken Lord Nev to George Gregan (especially the tackle on All black Jeff Wilson). And yes I have also been thinking about comparisons to Wrecker (who was also a good ball user if I remember correctly.) The heart in both of these men is just enormous. I am in awe.

Write GWS off at your peril, they were massively stuffed with injuries this year. I am glad we are making hay this season because they could be a bloody big road block next year. Reading about the new talent they have coming in kills me.

Is affordable via Hobart - just checked - get a one way ticket to hobart, and just get off at melb on the return 2:20 pm ‐ 4:50 pm Virgin Australia nonstop 4h 30m HBA ‐ PER 12:35 pm ‐ 8:35 pm Qantas Airways 1 stop MEL 6h 00m PER ‐ HBA Operated by Virgin Australia $872

Gold - Chortle

I want another Hawks supporter to tell me how how we voted to merge, my reply, you keep focusing on history, I have a game next week.

Brayshaw - Brave beyond belief ANB - Human hunting dog Lord Nev - Shall not pass

So no change - I have to say VDB disposal gives me nightmares, but his pressure is huge, am feeling very sorry for some of our fringe players right now.

Can anyone tell me different but I thought Tyson was off the ball playing a defensive role, I didn't see him roll through the middle for any bounce. And we shut down quite a few Hawks players. Burgoyne was exploited tonight, Smith was MIA except for one great cameo that didn't mean anything.

Tell me WCE are not $hitting themselves, best travelling team is coming to them with nothing to lose and that loves their shape of ground. Perth will be quiet after 2 x 90k crowds.

I need a bigger bath... Still angry about the umpires. Huge love for the team, nothing was given for free, those blokes have earned it. Votes are super hard. Loved Nev/Hibbered/Frost/Omac, our defence tonight was huge. and Tmac/Weid ice water in their veins.

Hey WJ, long time since NY, why not give the radio producer a call, they are great at that sort of thing.

I believe (I also hope like hell Collingwood wins week one)

Now more than ever, and I thought this after trying to rate 1-22, it truly is about playing your role, I know that sounds like a terrible cliche made for TV, but every name you think of, you think of some 'mission critical' function you want the player to perform, and the consequence of that not happening. It makes the idea of top 6 and bottom 6 a little redundant from how the team will go overall, because if the bottom 6 do the role designed for them (I don't think anyone is being gifted a game) then we will win, but we also need the top 6 and middle 6 to do their bit as well. The days of a few individuals putting 'the team on the back' I think, while still possible are far less likely. Therefore @Pennant St Dee and @layzie are not so far from it, the idea of ANB with his hard running pressure (team role) breaking the game open. @Yung Blood I based it on current season, with a feel for recent form, as much as Petracca has improved the last few weeks, I am probably marking him a little harder after rating him on potential for so long. Re Jones, yes an argument could be made for 10-15, I am personally finding it hard to rate him correctly. I think he is a senior player and does provide leadership, however a few have gone past him and calculating the intangibles is hard. I also rate his ability very highly to kick Captains goals, more than one his running has put him in position to slot a high pressure kick and the way it lifts the team is a pleasure to behold. Out of the other players you mention, Garlett, Hunt could be best 22 if they wanted to be (over Hannan/JKH), their form drop off is the disappointment of 2018. Lever is top 10 (VDB would give way) and Stretch (after that teasing cameo before injury) could have an argument for knocking Spargo out (I think 2019 will see even more heat for places) I can only see Vince getting back in with serious injuries that I do not wish to happen. are depth, ranking 25 to 29i.e. Wagner, Kent, Joel Smith, Pederson, Bugg (had hoped he'd get back).

Hi Dees2014 (not our most auspicious year btw...) Interesting subject, sure to provoke some discussion. FWIW IMHO ? 1. Gawn 2. Oliver 3. Brayshaw 4 TMac 5.Viney 6. Jones 7. Salem 8. Lewis 9. Melksham 10.Jetta 11. Hibberd 12. Harmes 13. Tyson 14. Fritsch 15. Pettraca 16.Neal-Bullen 17. Omac 18. Frost 19. Vandenberg 20. Weideman 21. Spargo 22. Kennedy-Harris Our bottom six have not hit their respective ceilings yet, that really excites me.

Yes a repeat of the QBD match is my nightmare, but in daylight with a half dry track and we will torch them by 6+ goals, our best footy is better than their best footy. Kick a little straighter and with Hibberd and Frost in the back half, we are alot more settled. Only wildcard is Ablett, he will care about this game, he won't be hiding in his shell trying to preserve himself, I think we should give him more respect. Chris Scott is also a pretty good coach with an excellent staff, I hope Goody doesn't try anything smart and just backs our contested ball ability. I don't hate Geelong but want to beat them badly, will still be a failure of a year if we don't win.

Sorry but I disagree, Tmac is best just kicking at the sticks, anything else makes me nervous as he kicks floaters more often than not. Yes he has the tank, and can/could mind a running gorilla, but those kicks are best suited for goal kicking - keep him 45m from goal at all times I reckon.

We've done this dance before BB, you are the merchant banker of supporters and I'm more into the pathos of the club. In the movie the Castle I'd be speaking about vibe, and perhaps I'm simple (I feel simple, arguing for respect on an internet forum).