Demon17

2 hours ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

The MCC's email during the week (5 July '21) seemed to imply, pending government directives, that there will be no walk up seats for MCC members to this year's GF. This means that if MCC members (I'm a MCC/MFC member) miss out on tickets in the usual GF seating ballot, lining up prior to the game will not be an option. (In 2000, I arrived in the line Friday afternoon.) It seems to me that GF attendance for MCC members is now 'luck of the draw' rather than guaranteed (if one is happy to line up). Is that the take of others on the situation? 

Imo the gf is for theatre goers these days. And whilst i would love to be there the one to get to is the prelim.

Best atmosphere and full of rusted on fans. Will be more dissappointed if i miss that by a mile.

9 hours ago, Boots and all said:

[censored], yes!!! I wasn't sure if they had increased the capacity enough with works over the years. Brisbane losing to St Kilda is a godsend. Thanks, Jaded!

Still only 35k capacity.

1 hour ago, Boots and all said:

Assuming we finish third and Geelong finish second, would that mean a final at Kardinia Park or still at the MCG?

75K crowd demand, or even 90K like 2018, will see it at the G.

8 hours ago, John Crow Batty said:

Middle of the road sides picking up the pace to win a finals spot. Essendon, GWS, Saints and Freo all looking solid. And we still can’t write off Richmond or WC. All will be competitive against the top sides for remainder of the season. No slacking off by us I hope. Swans will be pumped to beat the dogs. They don’t want to be battling with the hunting pack.

Last week Fox Footy statistical analysis had Dees finishing 2nd.  They argued that although we have a hard run home, its is likely one or more of our key opposition in Top 4, Cats, Dogs and Lions, will drop a game against unexpected lower teams. 

At the time I thought  - really?

It came to pass last night, and I see its now possibly Freo could do some damage in Perth and the saints again in Melb.

Feeling better about at least 3rd, and amyabe ahead of Lions hopefully.

11 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

A bit unlucky if we’re being honest.

We’ll have a likely 6 day break into the Bulldogs Friday night game the following round, and we don’t get the luxury of the NT home gate.

(Plus I and many other Dee supporters would’ve already booked airfares to GC, where this game was originally scheduled)

 

Lions Power game could be fascinating for the make up of the 5th to 8 th positions and could snag the Friday night spot if the AFL had a mind to be fair with the fixture.  To give Dees the Saturday night game time?

49 minutes ago, In Harmes Way said:

Maybe give Rivers/other 1-3 Yr players a rest for the Darwin game. Essentially remove 2 long haul flights from the accumulating fatigue on younger bodies on the eve of a finals series. It’s also a good chance to reward those at Casey on the cusp of a game.

Tricky.  Gold coast is winnable for sure and we shouldn't fool around and lock it away.  But the Darwin flight is an hour longer than perth and the heat will at least be bearable but the humidity will be sappingr. So a rest might be good.

But rest against Eagles also has advantages and trip home is quicker than darwin by an hour at least.,  timing-wise , but not as beneficial. And next 2 games in Victoria.

If resting anybody I would avoid Darwin, mainly because Dogs is the next game, and optimises team conditioning maybe???

In Burgess I trust. Over to you.

14 hours ago, binman said:

Wayne carey to daisy:

Daise, keays has a glove on. Has he had it on before

Daisy

Yes

Carey:

Is it injury related?

Daisy

Get me the [censored] out of here (she thought)

Gold post about sums it up. Thanks

10 hours ago, faultydet said:

Brian Taylor is God's gift to this thread.

I'm watching the game now and Daisy is just embarrassing BT and Carey with her special comments.

CH 7 have always been a lowest denominator -type coverage, assuming the viewing audience is 15 years old, and hence attract those low level analytical types (Daisy excepted).

But over on Fox last nigth David King commented onBen Brown being good mates with Alir ALir from their old north days, confusing him with Majak Daw.  Really poor research and disrespectful by King.

15 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

Now's probably not the time for it but if anyone's in the gun IMO it's Harmes.

he's our proven lockdown tagger. He stays.  Just stop him trying to be creative beyond his ability.

In effect helped win the doggies game(along with many others as part of a system) and will do so again this year.

50 minutes ago, nacnud said:

I don’t know if this has been brought up but I wouldn’t be surprised if the club played just Brown and Tmac as key talls for the rest of the season.
 

They could / will probably keep Weideman in the 2’s for the rest of the year to further his development and finally get some real consistency in how he plays, and then get a complete preseason into him with the view that he can breakout next year and/or in future years, as McDonald and Brown start to age. This could perhaps be the ideal plan in terms of finding a consistent forward structure.

Last proved to me that they can both compliment each other and stay out of the way fro each other.

Tall forwards now the solution - see cats for another  example.

5 hours ago, Arrow said:

Two things for me:

- he was much better when the ball hit the ground then I gave him credit for. He isn’t Luke Jackson but he isn’t hopeless. Much better than anything Weid has showed this year once the ball hits the deck

- he was fantastic with palms and touches when he felt he couldn’t mark the ball. I’m going to say at least 5 times when out of position he did either punch or deflect the ball to the crumbers to a dangerous spot. 
 

he did get out marked a few times but a number of times our mids simply put it on his head and he was nudged under it. If you’ve ever watched BBB his strength is running and jumping at the ball, not sitting under the high one. I thought he was much much better then his stats and so glad to see he made us a better side 

4 Tackles, score involvements and enabled small forwards opportunities.

Plus Tmac has someone near goal to target from up the ground.

Last night is pretty close now to best 22 and finals lineup.

11 hours ago, Seraph said:

Port haven't beaten a side in the 8 and they sure looked like it tonight. Challenged us once to get within 10 points but we responded appropriately after that. After the last month that's a very handy win away from home.

Kane Cornes view correctly IMO this morning is that Port have a habit of making other teams look good.  There's something in that, but last night's win was first class and would have stood up against any side.

Just need to temper expectations till we see the next round performanace againsts a lower hawks side to confirm the mojo is back.

4 . 10 after 1/2 time the only concern.

The 22 last night will be the finals mix into the finals and I have full faith in coaching staff.

1 hour ago, forever demons said:

Koochie used to be a fun on tv,then the big money took over now he is a self opinionated bore,love to beat em by 10 goals and watch him bleed through the eyes

Just another AFL boys club type with a huge ego and a second rate breakfast TV show where the cash cow is the most interesting and informative part of the show - so Iv'e been told.

5 hours ago, Sydee said:

It couldn't be bigger for us 

Lose and its likely we fall out of top 4 - with a really tough run of games to go 

If we are serious about winning a flag - we must retain top 4

If we are serious about winning a flag - we must beat teams like Port that want to replace us in Top 4 

Who really wants it more - tonight will indicate a lot about this team. If we are extremely competitive and lose by a small margin then that's a possible pass mark. If we lose easily and never look like it then that is a huge concern 

Our form has dropped off which is not that unexpected - it is almost impossible to go through the season without some sort of form dip

Personally I am concerned that are starts have been a weakness - if we let them get off to a fast start the big pro Port crowd will get them flying - hard to see a way back from there 

Fully agree with all your comments about the Dees.

IF we lose by a small margin it will say something about some improvement that we can recover from.  Esp if BBB kicks a few and it looks like we have a forward solution. and the record against top 8 side (tiges, cats, esp Lions and Dogs) retains some credibility.

If we cop a thumping its a huge deal.

But Power can't win here. They should win, and if they lose they are officially making up the numbers big time and Kochie won't be happy. 

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

Why do people keep saying this match is season defining?

It is - but in my opinion for Port Power.

If they lose they will be fully discounted as contenders , more like pretenders.

Dees have some significant runs on the board  and know how to get the job done. Brown will help.

2 hours ago, Clintosaurus said:

Question for those at the game - did any of our forwards hold position? Or were they all up the ground most of the time?

Your last sentence. obvious all game.

8 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

Not necessarily DD.  When LJ is in the ruck Gawny can rest on the bench allowing a mid like Tracc (or even JJ, Harmes or Viney.... if only he was match fit) to play some minutes at HF in place of LJ.

Rusults in two talls, two mediums and two smalls up forward.  That's a genuinely balanced line up.  You can also play Gawn for miner minutes in BB's role when BB is resting and maintain LJ in the ruck for the same balanced line up.

Many ways to skin a cat.

I like your thinking.

Gawn is not a natural forward and should either ruck all day, defend down back if needed or rest. LJ still has a some way to go to be effective as a resting forward also, maybe playing up the ground a bit.

Tmac plays closer to goals but has different leading patterns to Ben Brown and should work.

In regard to Tmac geeting further away from goals lately, Kevein Sheedy once said that when the bombers played St Kilda, he didn't mind Robert harvey getting 35 possessions as most were upfield and not necessarily damaging.  This was said by an oppo player this week of Tmac.

The fix is hard here IMO.

There are other issues than I am sure YZE is working on mid-field -wise.

1 hour ago, Lord Nev said:

For anyone still doubting the Ben Brown playing time stuff:

Both the AFL and VFL-listed Demons face a five-day break before the trip to tackle the Power, with a handful of players including midfielder – and unused medical sub – Aaron vandenBerg also managed in the reserves.

Brown finished goalless with three disposals after a directive to play less than 50 per cent game time ahead of the Power clash.

Ben's back? The big indication key tall could return

 

Thanks for this background LN.  If they were trying to play him into form etc he does 100% or close to it.

I suspect he's passed his 6 weeks mini preseason and is ready to go  and a lock for this Thursday.  May turn out to be smart strategy by match cttee and Burgess.?

39 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

People have suggested Petty and Hunt forward.

We won't fix our problems by creating more.

Hunt's most consistent football in years has been in the backline this year. He's a game removed from one of his better performances on AMT. He stays right where he's been all year.

Ditto Petty, for whom we don't have a good replacement anyway (don't tell me Majak Daw can play his role, he hasn't played FB for Casey all year).

Great post TU.

. I would be mortified to move Hunt from defence. he's a key and helps with Langdon's running patterns. I forgive the brain fades this last game. Its just not his forte to dodge and weave.  He has been a big improver IMO

1 hour ago, Hannibal Inc. said:

Are Geelong who lost to Adelaide and Brisbane by 10 goals pretenders ?

Are the Dogs, who lost to an undermanned Richmond as well as your ''pretenders'' ?

Are Port, who've lost to Geelong, Brisbane, West Coast and the Dogs, i.e. nearly every top 8 team they've played ?

This year is very close and there's no super team.  Anyone who finishes top 4 can win it and anyone who finishes top 4 will have queries against them.  Melbourne are no super team and there are queries.  We have 6-7 weeks to start playing better football and finish top 4.  If we finish 5th we're cooked.

Timely post H I.

I really rate the GWS and they are back in the 8 where they belong with a top class midfield and the best mid sized forward in the League. Phil Davis still has it too.

We lost to them by 9 points and all of our own doing.  Thursday will nedd to be top notch competitive or else the dogs will be barking a slide is on.

18 hours ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

In: Brown

Out: Sparrow (but Pickett and Hunt are vulnerable too), Melbourne Match Committee huffing spray paint fumes from a paper bag.

Hunt should never have been moved from defence. Its revitalised his career.

Dealt with Tipenwutti last week, and others.

It was a desperate roll of the dice yesterday and he's never been a quality forward at any stage - doesn't have the evasive tricks  as shown in last 1/4.

back to defence if theres amatch up

53 minutes ago, Altona-demon said:

A couple of observations - and apologies if these have been raised earlier in the thread - i haven't gone through all pages. 

1. Jack Viney is a very limited disposer of the footy. High floating dump kicks - which lack penetration.  These kicks are either turned over, or inevitably formed another contest which we lost. He also burnt Petracca very badly at the top of the goal square. I am not convinced his "grunt" makes up for these incessant turnovers on our half forward line (which rebound very quickly). I'm not against Sparrow playing through the midfield - he has a cleaner disposal, more penetrating kick and is a midfielder playing out of position at half-forward at the moment.

2. Clayton and Christian both ball watching and not running two ways - happened at a number of stoppages. The outnumber at the stoppage really hurt us and you could see GWS plan to sit behind our players at stoppage and push players into contests and then hold the outside space for the spread when the ball came out.  Kelly in particular carved us up on this tactic. 

3. Our ball movement is so predictable it has now become a weakness.  The one time we actually used tempo kicking to direct the ball slowly into the forward 50 it was effective because the other team just sets up now for a contest and creates unmarkable balls for TMac (or any other forward for that matter).  Let's use some measured entries to reduce our predictability.  This includes the short kick across our half-forward line and penetrating into the 30 m out space.  Rather than simply relying on crumbing or miracle marks all the time.....

4. Pickett was so quiet it wasn't even funny, I don't even remember him getting it our touching the ball.  What is the structural reason for this? Why isn't Pickett getting played through the middle at centre bounce any more? I found this was an effective way to "get him into the game" - he is the sort of player one feels who needs to TOUCH the ball to get into a game.  Surprised he isnt getting some minutes through the middle - he is the sort of player we want touching the ball in the middle / half forward area -which leads me to my final point.

5. Is it time for Salo to play through the middle and do what he does off halfback (distribute hit up targets etc) through the middle into the halfforwad/full forward space.  No other midfielder has been able to lower their eyes and hit targets in this way.  Can we bring in another distributor (is Bowey ready) to play that role for the team, or even shift Sparrow or Rivers into that role?

Agree with all your points except the last. 

We move Salem and tinker with defence at our peril.

its the maon/now only reason we are still competitive.

3 minutes ago, Jaded said:

GWS may be 10th but they are a good side and they played very very well. Their midfield is absolutely elite and destroyed us inside and on the outside. Absolute credit to them. 

Sensible summary jaded. They are certainly worthy finalists and were grand finalists only 20 months ago.

Upside is the reality check for match cttee. And weaknesses that need addressing. 

19 minutes ago, BrisbaneDemon said:

Another ugly win would have covered the cracks again, you cannot pick and choose when to go in this league.

personnel changes is required, our midget forward line isn’t working, our star midfield aren’t hard enough when required.

 

changes next week and a brutal [censored] review Goodwin

[censored] I’m annoyed!! At that pathetic effort.

Your first sentence nails it. Last week papered over cracks but were there for all to see today.

Disconnect into forward line.

Defence brilliant again but couldn't do any more.

Small forwards ineffective with spargo the only one with football I Q

Oliver going backwards in effectiveness 

Viney couldn't play out game. 

Poor conversion rate costs games. Single most important kpi.

No more domination of the corridor 

11 minutes ago, dees189227 said:

Just leave gawn FF. Jackson can ruck

Gawn is not a natural forward. Experiment over. Let's bring in a real forward. Say  ....ben brown . Mitch brown....?