Pates

I'm more than surprised at the reason this thread was created. He was extremely important to our win and has become the standard at the club when it comes to forward pressure acts. He's a bottom tier player in the context of our team but he's doing his job for the most part quite well.

Jesse looked really off this weekend, I know he was crook through the week and he copped it on the knee and ankle at one point. If we’re confident enough in TMac to hold down the forward line and that Pedders can fill the role strongly enough I think we should rest him. I know it’s a dangerous precedent to do especially given our history of stuff things up vs lowly teams but if he isn’t right than give him that extra time to get right.

JKH definitely played a lot more confidently last night, kicking that goal was big for him and when you saw the boys get around him they knew how important it was for not only him but the team. He should’ve had a goal assist but Jones shanked a shot he should be nailing 99% of the time (and he is usually a very good set shot). His workrate is good and it’s why he’s kept his spot. I don’t see him being dropped next week.

I said before the game I would take the ugliest win ever, well it wasn’t pretty but we got there. The footy we played in the 3rd quarter (just like last week) was as good a footy as we’ve played all year. Max and the mids absolutely destroyed an Adelaide midfield that are hardly easy beats. Melksham has become one of our most important players (who would’ve said that when we first got him?) he is our best distributor going inside 50 and he’s rarely completely beat one on one. Finally though I feel like we got away with one though, Adelaide should have been further in front at half time and they missed some very getable chances in the final quarter. If Betts kicks that goal with about 40 seconds left we would’ve been in a lot of trouble. Ultimately we got the win we needed, we face the Gold Coast next week and I can only hope they treat them as if we’re playing the reigning premiers. Big last few rounds left!

His game yesterday was exactly type of game we got him for, he was calm and used the ball well, and he kicked two huge clutch goals right when they were needed. I called for him to be dropped a couple of weeks ago after a pair of bad acts of discipline but if we make finals he will be extremely important to our team. Congrats on 300!

Oh and Oliver is a freak of nature.

1) that was never a free kick to Hogan (but that makes up for the Frost free) 2) why did Hogan stay out there are after his goal. He is clearly not right.

Finally JKH kicks the goal!!!

Jeez we made a meal of that but got the goal. Hogan having a mare, is he still crook?

3 Melbourne players go up, ball falls to to Adelaide for a goal. ?‍♂️

Great two goals from Lewis.

Tyson....

They are down a man for the second half, we need to try to make the most of the extra rotations. Try to run them off their feet.

I feel like we were on top for most of that quarter, Adelaide got gifted a couple of goals from the umps and we missed some very getable opportunities (JKH, Harmes, Garlett). But certainly Max came into the game more, as did Brayshaw, Clarry, and Petracca (although he wasted it a couple of times). We’re well and truly in it, but we’ve got to start taking our chances. Kicking goals is how you silence the crowd.

Jeffy had to kick that.

Maxxy and the middle starting to win the clearances. Finally got reward for effort.

Petracca has the choice of two players to go to and picked the Adelaide player.

We are playing some dumb AF football.

Maggots have just gifted them a goal. ?

Rare example of where we’ve been completely outplayed and should be further behind behind but the other teams failed to make us pay. We started to come back into the game at the end but we’ve been sloppy, very sloppy. Side note, as soon as the commentators started talking up TMac’s set shot ratio I knew he was going to miss it, I just kept saying “shut up!!!”

I actually think they’ve got that and more inside them, it’s all mental barriers now. Whether they can break through those barriers this year remains to be seen. I think they are haunted by past demons (no pun intended) dating back to times they weren’t even alive. Because they shoulder the hopes and dreams of a club thats been struggling in the wilderness for so long and laughed at by the competition (and continues to be laughed at) they have to overcome those issues as well as their own. But Richmond did it last year, and I honestly feel like we can do it this year (though not to their achievements).

Obviously we’re going to keep a close eye on the competition but the club internally should only focus on themselves. It’s laid out in front of us and it’s uo to us to make the most of the opportunities available to us. Every game is winnable, just as every game is losable (GC beating Sydney proved that).

I know it’s probably an obvious thing to say but I really feel like we are one big win away from this team kicking into the next gear. And I don’t mean big win in terms of margin against a lower team I mean getting a win against a contender that will give the players the confidence in themselves and each other. I’ve still become pragmatic about this season (I guess it’s MFCSS) but it does still keep that little spark in my heart alive!

I don’t care if it’s the ugliest game ever we just have to find a way to win this week. After suffering the heartbreak of an after the siren loss we have to focus on getting back to winning ways. I feel like if we get the victory this week finals is close to a lock. We shouldn’t be in this position, but we are. I think at least one of the boys that were sick/injured will miss out. It’s a big risk to play three players with question marks on their fitness. The fact that Oliver is traveling is a very good sign, they wouldn’t risk an interstate trip with him if they weren’t confident he would be fine. C’mon Dees, please do this for us! ?

This just sums up theirs arrogance and why I hate them so much. They aren’t even in the 8 and their already requesting a home final. I hope they pull a Melbourne, choke and finish 9th. God I hate them.