Pates

I share your feelings, 5-6 months ago (when my planning started) I started the process to get myself and my fiancée to Australia so that we could get married here as it appeared it would provide us the best opportunity at a ceremony that matched what we would like. Now I’m 3 weeks out from the date we’re meant to be getting hitched and it seems like so much of our hard work, planning, and stresses will be all undone. We will get married, and we’ll be happy with whatever happens but it just seems like a sick joke that we’ve left the UK and they’re open for business while here there just seems to be no real end in sight. That’s not even mentioning the frustration that I won’t be able to see my team play live in the finals (possibly the big dance).

Can’t agree more. If AZ is available to you, speak to your doctor and get yourself jabbed. To be fair though I think that’s the general feeling now amongst people, isn’t it interesting that as COVID cases have gone up and and up (particularly in NSW) and so has AZ vaccinations, that we aren’t hearing much about any blood clot issues? Could it be that suddenly the media/government aren’t as interested in reporting it so closely?

Might be general soreness 🤔.

You’ve lost all credibility by stating that (not that you really had any). Baker is not even close to Gus as a player, but ultimately you are not listening to what the arguments for him are. He protects critical zones to prevent the opposition from getting easy balls out, the fact we are not easily scored against is in no small part to his running patterns. He has had some higher number days with involvements, last week wasn’t one of them and yeah I’d like to see him get more of the ball. But don’t expect Brayshaw to be going anywhere soon, he is essential to our system and is playing a hugely sacrificial team role to allow Langers to do what he want on the other wing.

Agreed CB, it makes it sound like those guys have done something wrong. But we’ve actually replaced 2 “veterans” and one young bloke for 3 very experienced players (one that you’d also consider a veteran). More accurate title would be “Three star Dees return”. Will be interesting to see how Viney returns, he was not in good form before his suspension so hopefully this time off will have given him a chance to reload. It will also be interesting to see Goody’s moves on Saturday if the dogs get the win. Sounds like we want the win and are almost treating this as a dress rehearsal, but I would have no issue with us resting anyone that might have some soreness.

It’s funny you say that because aside from our really strong system that has shown it to be solid against all the best teams in the competition, our fitness and our lower injury list is something that really sets us apart. Pound for pound I don’t think our players are better or worse than the other top teams, but we’ve had the best access to our best 22 for most of the year and aside from TMac and May, they don’t seem to be carrying too many niggles. It’s certainly reason enough that should Port beat the Dogs on Friday night (I don’t think they will) we should seriously consider resting any players that are carrying niggles.

I’ll join others in saying that if that little corner ends up being the answer to a problems that we’ve had for decades I will be incredibly disappointed. I really hope that it’s the other car park that we are going to have access to and the facilities will be much more sizeable. I’m not going to get up in arms over something that is still only conjecture, but if that does end up being our final “home” the club should very rightfully expect some backlash from fans. Particularly when you hear about the practically ever other club getting incredible (and mammoth) facilities built at the expense of the taxpayers. It’s our bloody turn, we have earned it.

Lose to us if Port win on Friday and by all means you can have your wish.

Wouldn’t be against this. Hehe send him out as an assassin 🤔.

I totally agree, the first time our team is in position to finish top and earn the right to a home final and it’s being taken away from us. I understand a lot in this world is unfair, but it’s just another kick to the groin in a difficult year.

CNN/CNNi very often has pictures from AFL or AFLW as it is a uniquely Australian game and got attention during the pandemic while other sports were halted. I remember seeing a pic of Trac in full flight doing a fend off on there not too long ago.

Betts is definitely a player I've always admired, played fair and played with a skill that basically nobody else had. To score goals from those tight angles a few times people can say it's flukey, but at his best he was doing it just about every week. One of the consistently most intriguing battles was Jetta vs Betts and I don't feel like Eddie got the best of him too many times but occasionally Jetta would have him for 3.5 quarters, but a 10min burst from Eddie would get 3 goals and a few assists. So hearing Betts praise Kozzie at such an early stage is high praise.

Obviously we have to get there first but jeez I feel for Hunt, he’s really in a race against time (and his body) to get to fitness. He’s had a really solid season and it would be gutting to see him miss playing finals (possibly a GF). The question also comes if he has no lead in games would he come straight into the team for the big dance? If Port win on Friday no way should we risk TMac, play Weid and see if he can recall his 2018 finals form vs the Cats.

I would love this but NT are as twitchy as WA. But how awesome would that be for Alice Springs to host and AFL final. Us CHOOSING them as well would surely boost the local community’s support for us. It’s unlikely but put it to the AFL (publicly as well at the same time).

That’s it, dogs win on Friday I wouldn’t be surprised if Scott and Goody have a “gentleman’s agreement” to not go as hard at the ball. I would definitely prefer us playing Port at a stadium of our choice but none of the top 4 send shivers down my spine so I’d prefer fit players over getting the Dogs.

Lol do you get a choice but not the choice you want 🙄. Call me a party pooper but I’ll take us playing at the G with no crowds over a neutral venue with crowds. If this is the case then I would choose us playing at Adelaide Oval for a “home final” against WB or Geelong. Against Port….GABBA or Western Sydney. Either way I think that’s bulltish and makes me wonder why the F we should bother playing our best team this weekend.

I’m not saying what Daw has done is fine but if someone wants be super critical and throw the book at him then where’s the criticism of Selwood what his blatant high bump? Is this yet again media personal wanting “optics” to dictate the MRO? Smells like an agenda to me.

It would be really interesting to see what happens is the bulldogs win on Friday night, would we suddenly be struck down with a lot of "soreness"? Would be an incredibly luxurious position for us to be in! I feel dirty saying it, but c'mon doggies!

I must say I agree with Hutchie in this instance, I understand that plans must begin to take shape but WA have taken a zero COVID approach in the harshest sense of the word this entire pandemic. While I don't agree with their tactics or methods, it is their choice to do it so why risk the showpiece event of the AFL going ahead with no crowds in WA when options are on the table. Call it selfish but I think that the AFL and Victoria should hold onto the plan A of a GF at the MCG until the latest possible moment, and I would call that 2 weeks before the original date in place. Optus stadium is a fantastic venue, but WA shouldn't be trusted with this.

I think back to the Hell and Back doco last year where they discussed the draft, when they were talking about Dogga they acknowledge that he’s be a pick that might raise some eyebrows but they also saw what he could be. An upside that is unlike any player I think we’ve seen come through this club. It was an inspired pick, and LJ has rewarded that faith in spades so far.

Oh whoops, asking what I’d do FOR THE CLUB? Honestly I don’t think I’d do much for them except get as much Melbourne garb out the front of the house to let everyone know how proud I am. And honestly if people wanted to take stuff I probably wouldn’t be upset with that!

If you’re assuming that currently lockdown conditions exist (really hope it doesn’t) I will run to just about every corner of my 5km radium wearing red and blue head to toe screaming like a lunatic. If I get stopped I’ll say I’m doing exercise. FWIW I’m hoping that should we get to that final day in September by that stage there will be restrictions that have eased for outdoor gatherings and that the club maybe be able to organise outdoor viewing locations in parts of Melbourne such as Casey, next to AAMI, and maybe fed square. If the AFL were really fair they would make if free but ticketed and available to members of the two teams playing first.

All you have to do is listen to players and coaches talk about his role to know he’s doing what’s asked of him. If that’s not good enough for you then I don’t know what is. Not saying he had a good game on the weekend but there are deeper things than statistics that define whether they’ve done their job. Goody and co say he’s doing what’s required, that’s good(y) enough for me.

Love the nickname Bowser! Love this kid, looks a damn good pick up.

I think that nails it. That said I think he still played his role in getting to the space as the defensive winger. He ain’t going nowhere, he’s played a massive role for us this season.