Pates

It’s a general comment but our chasing and pressure in general has been immense. Oliver’s chase after being fended off, Viney chasing to keep the pressure on Gunston, Melksham staying in the contest which lead to the goal, those are just a few of examples where the players stayed with their man to keep the pressure on and force errors or tackle them. In the past we would’ve given up on those moments.

I don’t think it should’ve been a free kick but at the same time he didn’t dive, he just wasn’t braced for it and it was heavy enough to knock him to the ground. Umpires justneed to get in there and say to all players straight away, next person who does something stupid will have a free kick paid against. I kinda like that we have a bit of hatred towards us though, for so long people kept patting us on our back and saying “good for you” if we won a game. It was nauseating. I like hearing opposition fans say, “wow they’re actually really hard at it and kinda dirty”, no more bruise free footy!

Should’ve been a replayed match, only fair and logical outcome as reversing a match result is a very dangerous precedent to set. SANFL have embarrassed themselves during this whole saga, putting it on one person to make a ruling with only limited power. Surely they will have change the rules of interchange after this fiasco.

David King is a frustrating commentator as times, analytically he can actually be quite insightful but every now and then you wonder whether he’s just saying stuff purely to justify his pay check and his responsibility to sell papers. He’s very much using alternative facts as the man with a bronze tan likes to say. We dominated the first quarter but didn’t take our opportunities, with the quarter feeling like we we should’ve been a couple of goals ahead. The second quarter was definitely Hawthorn and they cocked up some really simple chances, we took ours some i would say at half time the time of dominance meant it should be even money or maybe the Hawks marginally ahead. The second half was mostly us, save for a few bursts by the Hawks with them in particular getting close in the final quarter we were on top for the most part. We were clearly the better team on the night, in fact I would say our style of pressure and chaos suits finals footy and could catch the Eagles out. But to say we’ll get belted on the back of beating a top 4 side by 30+ points is just ridiculous and headline grabbing.

Fed square could be quite symbolic as it is in the heart of Melbourne right next to iconic images such as Flinders St Station and St Paul’s Cathedral. The lack of beer will be a deterrent with Fed Square but I hope lots of Dees fans still turn out. Nothing stopping people from going to some pubs in the area for some cheeky pre-drinks! The only other option I could’ve seen them doing is out the front of AAMI Park in the shadows of the MCG. But that would present the exact same (alcohol related) problem.

I might start looking at flights from London! ?

By the way, I’m unsure if they will show this one as it will be a lot earlier but if people are looking for somewhere in London I have watched the last two finals at Belushi’s in Shepherds Bush. Nothing special but it’s a memorable place for me now!

I did consider that, so I guess they place them as separate to the usual invitees then.

Given Brayshaw’s played more games than Viney I’d imagine he’ll poll better. I was about to say if it’s maximum 5 per team then fair enough but Geelong get seven (most of any team). Someone wanna explain that to me?

Jack was massive for us on Friday, coming back from that foot injury and having an impact almost immediately in both finals shows how important he is to us.

I hope Dees fans pack out Fed square, would really be something to behold. As where to watch questions go mine’s pretty random, will be in Birmingham UK for work Friday/Saturday. Planning on streaming it on my laptop but if there’s a few others around town where we can gather that would be amazing!

We’ve been the beneficiaries of two MASSIVE moments in our last two games down to players from the opposition doing two inexplicably bad things and us then taking full advantage. In the cats game it was Selwoods behind the ball brainfart while Hawkins was lining up for a very likely goal. This weekend the moment I felt like it was “our night” (despite the scare in the 4th quarter) was when Gunston smashed the ball into the post going for the sexy snap rather than a simple drop punt. From the kick out Gawn beat 3 Hawks players (that got lost by a lot of commentators) and we went Coast to Coast. It defined the whole night, it was an arrogant effort from Gunston and we took full advantage. I also had a good feeling when just after the pre-game huddle the Hawks players were laughing. Loved that we wiped those smiles away!

I can’t see there being any change but if someone where looking shaky in the team I would say it’s Tyson, he just doesn’t seem to handle the heat of finals footy and either turns it over or gets caught very easily. His inside grunt work has been good though and he did some important second efforts. He didn’t disgrace himself by any means but if I was looking at a player potentially to be dropped it would be him. In terms of who comes in, it’s not like for like but Vince could come in if the club were satisfied he was good to go with the rigours of finals footy. Very tough either way.

It’s just stereotype banter, just like the toothless Pies fans, feral grog squad Tigers, handbagger Cats, non existent North fans (though there’s something to that). Use it to light a fire under you and stick it up them when we win!

Viney on Ablett?

They finished top 4 so have every right to feel confident and be favourites, but we’re very far from the team they faced the first time around. I feel like a dry day favours us as we just don’t seem to play wet weather footy well and Al Clarkson has drilled them very well, despite being completely outplayed by Richmond he is still a masterful tactitioner and he looked downright [censored] off at the press conference.

If we do keep her in it’ll have to be a preggers pic of her! ? As for who makes the banner, good luck Demonland on deciding that!

Very likely no change, though Tyson butchered the ball as per normal and Spargo although not having a mare was for me not very influential. If Kent were to cleared fit I would potentially look at bringing him in for one of them. It is interesting to consider who would come out if Lever and Hogan were fit to play. Tough call!

Haha how far has this thread come from the start of the year me asking why I hadn’t heard much about him over pre-season! He’s definitely not the forgotten man now! What a way to have a break out game and announce yourself!

Looking back one of the things I love the most (apart from simply winning) is the unlike the last time we didn’t take our chances against them the players didn’t drop their heads one bit. They backed themselves, they backed each other, they supported one another, and didn’t give Geelong a chance to breathe. We literally suffocated them and gave them nothing. We should’ve won by more but I couldn’t care less!

Watched it in a pub in London with my brother and a small bunch of other Dees fans. I’m still trying to decide if it was all a dream. I didn’t get many chances to sing the song after before I moved here, and I can’t remember the last win I have witnessed live. But singing the song with a group of Dees faithful, and my brother after winning our first final in 12 years.....it actually felt a little surreal. You can’t wipe the smile off my face!

Sweet vengeance!!!!

Pumped yet?

Tyson is a better player to have in the team than JKH, it’s a credit to him that he’s managed to get up for the game. JKH is unlucky but that’s the way to cookie crumbles. Has he earned a one year extension? Watching the Tigers v Hawks game has definitely got me pumped for tomorrow, massive day for the club. Pound for pound I feel we are a better team than the cats, I’m expecting the cats to try some tactics early in the game to unsettle us. The last big stage we were on (QB) we started poorly and never got our mojo going, we need scoreboard pressure early to settle us. Biggest question mark for me is how we play Viney? He’s our unknown X factor, could be massive or could go unsighted for a bit.

I agree with this in principle but Clarry, Brayshaw, and Petracca, three guys that are vital to the engin room of our team are all top 5 picks. You definitely need to get your house in order first, we are proof of that, but there’s no doubt for tangible improvement you also need access to top and then (most importantly) the ability to develop them properly. We had all the picks in the world for a long time but catastrophically bad development (and poor recruiting) mixed with messy club management.