Maldonboy38

Tim Watson was a superstar, often undervalued when people talk of the greats. And that is very encouraging to compare Sparrow to him. If he can have a career half like Tim Watson I will be very, very happy.

Massive fan of this kid. Up until just before the finals series, I thought he was well below Jordon, and would take a couple of years to emerge. But his strength, game play and kicking give him a real presence for being so young. 100% agree with Spalding above: I wouldn't be wasting money or picks on Cerra with Sparrow showing his wares in the finals. Watch his space - his 2022 will be something special.

I am close to reaching saturation point from all the replays, commentary, video footage and opinion that I have absorbed over the last 4 days. Loving it! I hope I drown in it. But as I sat back in a moment of glowing self-satisfied we-are-the-Premiers smugness, 2 things stand out for me from all the words and tributes I have heard. Max - after 57 years of pain, it's coming home. This is the best thing said over the entire weekend. MFC is football, everyone else is an afterthought. The cup will return to the MCG where the Dees fans can revel in the knowledge it is in it right place. At Dees HQ. Home James Brayshaw's commentary as Clarrie kicked THAT goal late in the third quarter (struggling to believe how well he called that moment but it was epic): Bang.... Bang. Bang. Bang. Gives me chills each time I watch and listen. What are your favourite words/quotes from across the last 4 days?

Half way through 2021, I thought Jordon and Sparrow would pass him. It turned out they all excelled. Viney's footy went through the roof. His kicking finally became effective, his bullocking work was done with intelligence not just brute thoughtlessness, and his game-play awareness evolved into something close to perfection. Have a look at that 3rd quarter burst. The issue for the Doggies was that Jackson, Oliver, Petracca and Viney were all sprinting in the same direction in a kind of overpowering wave. None of them were fumbling, choosing the wrong option, missing targets by hand or foot, or getting in each others' way. Jack's final series has been outstanding and I reckon most Dees people are giving him all the love he deserves.

Yep me too.

Definitely the best I have seen. I actually rated the 1994 team as the best until now, but this eclipses that easily. No comparison any more. There might be another cup or two in this list, and I certainly hope so. But even as a single season premiership team, I always rated 1995 Carlton and (unfortunately) 2000 Essendon as the 2 standout single season teams. But this Dees 2021 wipes those 2 off the table. The end of that 3rd quarter - the best thing I have ever seen in footy, bar nothing. Midfield perfection. But the clinching factor is the TEAM element. These 22 played as a single unit. That is what I love most.

Seriously, how brutal is footy at this highest level!? Really feel for these blokes as they watch Gawn & Co swing the Premiership Cup all over Perth. All the de-listings look fair enough to me. Vanders might get another gig, but personally I think he is just below AFL standard. Nev has always been a fave of mine, after a long conversation with him at a club family day when he was coming off shoulder surgery. It is difficult to quantify what he has brought to the Dees considering all his off-field stuff. But I LOVED his footy. Tough as old boots, more skilful than many people gave him credit for, a real team player, and played on all the annoying little mosquito forwards trying to do fancy stuff.

It could be a meaningful award but it needs to be more than just stats or subjective opinion. Then the best player would be clearly displayed. They need to sort this out: for the sake of Gary Ayres who must cringe at its irrelevance, but also because it should genuinely be a prestigious award. Finals showcase the best of our game.

I would love to know the stats after half time of the Bulldogs forward line. I can't think of one of them who did anything of significance. Their goal kickers were Bont, JJ and Treloar - all midfielders. Or did Naughton get 1? But my point is, that apart from Salem as a standout, none of our defenders had blinders. They simply worked as a unit and nullified the Bulldogs forward line. Hats off to our defence who found a way without Lever, May and Petty taking intercept marks. With all the focus on our amazing midfield I hope this does not go unnoticed.

That patch in the 3rd quarter. Go back and look at it again and again. Jackson, Viney, Oliver and Petracca all bullocking, following up, fiercely ball hunting, and sprinting away once we had clear possession. All 4 of them. That is the best midfield footy I have ever seen: BREATHTAKING!! But I have to keep coming back to Brayshaw. He remains my favourite player. His endless gut running, taking body hit after body hit, and THAT mark and goal, and for the first time in a long time we clearly saw his skill.

When I was born, in 1965, my dad's first words to me were "G'day Barass"! He was actually a Swans supporter born in South Melbourne but my mum and her entire family tree were Dees people, and Barassi WAS Melbourne in those days (shortly to depart to Carlton) Mum died 2 years ago after neglect in a nursing home, but she LOVED the Dees, was my greatest supporter when I played, and watched every Dees game she could. She would be gushing and glowing tonight.

I don't give a fig about dynasties, power-clubs, curses, MFCSS, how great Bontempelli is, 186, Neeld, "the benefits of losing", game analysis, mark of the year, goal of the year, recruiting, the trade period, the cricket, Covid, vaccinations, the rise of China, the decline of the US, renewable energy, or any other subject matter. I am sitting in a quiet lounge room drinking scotch knowing this one simple thing. MFC are 2021 Premiers. And to all those Essendon supporters after the 2000 Grand Final - eat my shorts! You are carp and we are the best. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!

Just had this conversation with my daughter when she asked "what do we do next year? No curse, no "haven't won a 1st round"? I said "the narrative has changed. Everyone is now chasing us. We are the best." MFCSS is dead and buried.

6. Petracca 5. Fritsch 4. Brayshaw 3. Oliver 2. Salem 1. Jackson

I haven't cried yet, but I reckon when the noise dies down and the family goes to bed, a few tears might fall over a wee Glenfiddich. I have waited so long and feel so calm and happy.

Luke Jackson into the middle. Trac turning beast mode up to 11. Angus Brayshaw (still my favourite player) was simply gob-smackingly brilliant.

56 years I have been following. Today, vindication. We are the Premiers, we are the Best. Everyone else can go cry in a corner. I am numb with happiness.

Luke Jackson into the middle = masterstroke. But seriously, after 56 years of this (my age) I'm not sure I can take the last quarter unless we romp home.

We have been able to reset all season. time to hit the reset button now.

Petty can't do all the aerial stuff. Start winning the ground ball at stoppages. And stop fumbling. And Fritsch, your howler was a momentum killer.

First Goal: Tom McDonald Norm Smith: Jack Viney Most goals: Bailey Fritsch Winning Margin: 26 points OK Demonlanders, go for it. We can't just watch/listen to channel 7 for 5 hours!

I am surprised how meaningful that was for me. Steve Smith and Peter Giles - players I have forgotten about for too long. Today means so much for so many. Bring it home Dees.

G' morning, fellow Demonlanders, welcome to IT! Congratulations to all those up just after midnight to start this thread. Was very close to also jumping onto the laptop and getting started then, but Billy Brownless' "little man in my head" spoke up, wisdom prevailed, and trundled to bed. Actually slept well. Having a late brekkie now with coffee in my Robbie Flower mug (reserved for VERY special occasions). Feeling OK until I realise I have to wait until 7 ($@%^&%$@$) pm! So, activated my GF day emergency plan: Coodabeen champions at 10am Water some plants Watch the U19's WA v SA final at 1pm. Then annoy the carp out my entire family, pacing and whinging with some Canadian Club until the game starts. GO YOU MIGHTY REDLEGS!!

My wife has sown 10 supporters scarves into a a rug.

I was born the same month, same year. His angst is my angst.