Demon17

My point was Cripps lack of major game exposure and not playing with experienced successful players around him has, IMO, contributed to his performanaces w.r.t winning tight games. He was just about BOG in our game, but yes he should have missed both games for sure. maybe I'm just a sympathetic type unless the Dees are involved.

Incorrect. According to AFL website, Loser of our game plays winner of Tiges vs Lions

Because Dangerfield is next to useless in the PA leadership role on any meaningful issue. Has nothing to say that involves having an opinion.

So was I but gee I feel sorry fro Cripps. He's a great player but no Clarrie in that yesterday just showed his lack of success and what he's yet to learn, never played finals etc really puts a player at a disadvantage. Just look at how Pendlebury plays and leads in difficult circumstances. Not at the expense of the Dees but I hope Cripps sees some success in rest of career.

I didn't realise just how critcial the Blues bad kicking was until looking at the match scores in detail. 1 goal 5 to 6 goals. As you say game over.

I suspect the Blues don't have what all good teams do - an elite decision making coach. if they do I'd be amazed. Cats have had one since Bombers days - David Wheadon for example. We have in Yze. The Blues decison making up close and live in the past two weeks tells me they don't or they footballers with zero Footy I.Q. We are blessed with Lever, Oliver, Max , Trac, May, Salem etc. And jake Bowey who was drafted according to Jason taylor becasue he was rated at draft camp as elite in both kicking and decision making.

Harmes in. Don't get beaten by what you know. Says david king. Nailed the key issue. Well done MCttee

Sort of. We still make top 4 but only if our losing % drop is less than the Swans. And we overtake them on % at 60 points each. Only a couple of goals either way will be enough for this.

Much has been made of the LIons record at home , won 16 or their last 18 , yadda, yadda, yadda...... as per AFL 360 last night. Classic Leigh Montagna skim over data, with no in-depth. Lets look at that record for this season. Beat only 2 teams in top 8 at home. Their 9 wins this season were all teams like north, suns, eagles, bombers for gawd's sake. etc. Their 2 losses were April 14 against the Pies who would have overrun them with 2 more minutes to play And the Blues 2 weeks ago, and we all know what that means. Their Gabba advantage is an illusion . I'm not worried now and i like this thread. . We're interstate champions with 12 straight wins on the road to now.

I had the voice of McGoo in my brain when posting this topic. Good Call. But I am dissappointed at some comments on Lever. The issue for me was that he DID make this kick in a calculated manner. It wasn't luck, he bee-lined the ball, he had already done the set up instructions to others. The analysis on Kayo was very, very similiar to that a year ago re: the kick to Max. No fluke, this bloke thinks about it. hence my memory was jogged. I also acknowledged , in my words, 'the heroics of Jayden Hunt and the others that turned what Jake initiated into a sublime football experience. Iv'e never seen the MCC area go nuts like they did in this moment. (and that includes Flower's first final triumph in 1987.

Just trying to help out here W, but We've won our last 12 interstate games. The last being Freo in Perth a few weeks ago. They travel well for sure. That won't be an issue IMO

Is jake Lever one of our most intelligent and calm-in-a-crisis footy players wev'e had for some time (I'm sure he's a smart boy but I'm talking footy I.Q.)? Casting my mind back to Round 23 2021, Jake was the player that provided the perfect pass to Max, admittedly he and Max were on the same page, so credit to Max also. Gets the Dees the minor premiership. Last Saturday, final 30 seconds Lever puts the last play inboard after setting up the directions. Dees win thanks to heroics of Hunt, Brwon, Melk and Pickett. But it starts with Jake. Again. What can he do for the team this week I wonder?

Yes .Heard this at the ground. It was very half hearted and amusing compared to the loud booing to cripps right through the game. But now I'm glad he beat the wrap so he can deal with the pies on sunday

David king says don't get beaten by what you know. Harmes must come in to tag neale.

Podcast on AFL website this morning from Damien Barrett. "Ed was right", with Barrett noting Ed Langdon was right about the Pies being 'one trick" - which he was and many in the media agreed supporting him at the time. Hopefully it brings a smile to Ed's face this morning after a rock climbing effort probably.

Excellent in- the - moment action by Melksham in restraining Pickett in his actions to Newnes (well-deserved btw) and others. Showed great maturity by Kozzies team mates to dampen his understandable reaction after he won us the match.

In what universe is this going to happen? I rate Sydney as our biggest threat and most worried about at any ground.

He contested THAT final ball into the forward line and forced it to ground to Melkshams feet. Kozzie did the rest. Must stay in but gee there were times last night we wished Weid was playing. That's how bad the situation is up there.

Courageuos was my thought in Hunt. In that he took on the game with dare at absolutely critical stages.

Harsh but fair.

NOW we do. Cripps was unfairly booed last night. It's not his fault a QC got him off. The AFL is to blame here. So we got through last night and now Cripps is free to play against the Pies. What a great outcome for us. Go Dees

The defence mentioned 'natural justice' Well now its up to the Dees, and also our enemies the Pies, to become partners in crime by beating the Blues tomorrow and next Sunday to eliminate Carlton and Cripps from finals this year. That will be justice for the rest of us AFL supporters and for the good of the game. We beat the Blues tomorrow and next week will be the first time I shall be willing on the Pies for a win. Gil's legacy just expanded last night, - Goodes, Umpiring, Betts, Cripps.......

Do you seriously reckon Jason Taylor will be outplayed on this? I don't. The one thing I'm certain of the deal will suit us. I love the idea of the Pies paying us to have an AA standard player they no longer want. Due diligence needed of course to minimise our risk of further health issues.

ACtually it shows how short -term thinkers the media are and they need fresh meat daily. LJ put on hold so that story now dead. Up pops now Grundy, Dunkley this morning, Buddy, any GWS player Clarko, Degoey (still has some legs on it this story), Oliver Henry, McStay,.......... Just needed to starve the LJ issue of oxygen and it dies.

Agreed. Malcolm Blight's view was that a team needed to peak at Prelim time, the trick being to get there first. He used a ' minutes to midnight ' clock as an illustration to the Crows teams under him. 1998 was a good example, did not much in finals till PF day and the rest is history. The clue was however that even though Crows finished 5th, they had the highest % by a long way of the Eight in 123%, and way ahead of any other finalsist which then showed out in later finals. with big wins. I agree with Goody that the signs are there of substantial improvement over the past mongth despite the flaws and win /loss record. I would fear the Dees in a final as an oppo supporter for the reasons above that you note about the capacity of Trac and Oliver and gang knowing what's needed on the day.