Maldonboy38

Coleman and Acres killing it.

That's the best the Blues have, and the worst the Lions have. If the Lions begin to play their game, no way do the Blues continue in the same manner.

Regardless of age division, sex, or any other line of delineation, the Dees AFLW are simply playing great footy that is good to watch. I look forward to grabbing some Arnott's shapes and a cider, and sitting to watch them play. Paxman, Hore, Hanks. Harris, all in great form, and all very skilfull. Loving to watch the Mackin sisters play. Their transition to AFL can't be underestimated. But it is Bannon and Mithen who I watch. Bannon for her jet speed, and Mithen for her workrate and defensive pressure. I know our men's team petered out, but honestly to see our mens, womens and Casey teams all playing finals reminds me to acknowledge the rare air of these days - it is good to be a Dees supporter right now.

My strongest/best MCG memories: I went to a Dees training day in 1974, taking an autograph book to be signed by the players. Flower, Fowler, Biffin, Callery, and many more. I lost the book about 10 years ago. Mum took me to an Ashes test and I remember Fred Titmus from England played with toes missing because of a bizarre accident. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see Lillie and Thompson bowl. Caught the train down from the country with my brother in 1980 (I think). There were 58,000 people and the Dees lost by 8 points. For a country boy, it was frightening. Brawls in the crowd, oceans of beer, beer cans being thrown, sitting on the long wooden benches... and the urinals... wow. A friend's brother in law played in the Dees team under Carl Ditterich, and I got to go into the rooms before and after the game after we beat the Bombers. 1981 I think. I saw Dees v Swans final in 1987. The sound of "Robbie" as Flower ran onto the ground for the first time remains one of my greatest football memories. My first Ashes test as an adult (Aust v England), I wore my great grandfathers MCC blazer, and had some amazing conversations with other MCC members. I later donated the blazer to the museum. I sat right next to the camera and had a wicket to wicket view of play. I saw the West Indies bruise the Australians in 1991 under the savagery of Curtly Ambrose I saw an amazing test of Aust v India where 220 runs were scored but 14 wickets fell. The crowd entertainment this day was brilliant, funny, vulgar and magnetic which made the day even better. Hayden and Ponting dismantling south Africa in a Boxing Day Test. Best batting I have ever seen. I was there the day Matty Whelan flattened Hird, and although I hate footy thuggery with a passion, I really enjoyed that and still do. Strange that! Many QB / KB games - too many to separate. The 2018 final v Geelong. Biggest Dees noise I have ever heard. The 2021 Premiership celebration round 1 2022. The way the Dees people yelled out "Bang, Bang, Bang" when Clarry kicked that third quick goal sent chills up my spine. Love the place. Now, to see a Dees premiership played there in my life time...

Bannon, Hanks and Hore. Wow. Bannon looks like she should be playing in a higher league (which doesn't exist!). But Lily Mithen is the heart-and-soul player. Tiny, tough, resolute, skilful. And has a little bit of angry ant about her.

Loved what he brought to us. No nonsense, fair, tough, a little bit understated in many respects. I had the great joy of explaining the "Hibbo run" after the 21 flag, when he grabbed the cup and sprinted away from his team mates, laughing, as he took it over to his family.

Apart from Hipwood in the 1st quarter, the Lions are looking mediocre so far. Very little zip, with the occasional freak play for a lucky goal. Port looking very sharp and starting to kick straight.

He's at his peak now, and his forward craft is as good as it gets. Him and Toby Green are amazing together.

There is a lot to think about, and a lot of decisions to make for our game versus the Blues. Collingwood were average after quarter time, and we played well except for F50 entries/scoring and allowing the Pies too much run past our last backman. We are well and truly alive and I hope the confidence within the squad remains high. Our best is b****y good footy and we are mentally tough, being able to win a game from in front, behind or evens. Carlton lose McKay and Martin - Dees lose Brayshaw and JVR. No advantage to either, but Gus's role in our team is not easily covered by another player. Carlton will match us at the contest. Weitering is a star so play TMac on him because neither of them are quick. The rest of the Blues backline are B graders or less so their is a strong advantage here for us. Silvagni can take a mark but May, Lever and co should counter him. May to Curnow who was soundly beaten by McCartin last night. Acres is dangerous, in great form, and a key to their transition, but Langdon and Hunter are too small to counter his body strength. Maybe get Jordon to run with him. Most of us bemoan our F50 entry plan of long bomb to the pocket. I do believe it is PART of our system, but it is not helped by our forwards who rarely lead, which I reckon is our biggest error. Fritsch tries to, and JVR occasionally, but for the most part the player with ball in hand has no option but to long bomb because of so little movement. Have a look at the Lions forwards movement - wow. Kozzie into the middle, Petracca back to 70% forward. Jordon in for Brayshaw Schache in for JVR (and also F50 ruck work). I am NOT a fan of Schache, but the cupboard is bare. He is a very good shot at goal (he just rarely wins the ball at AFL level). I would actually prefer Grundy but cannot see that happening. Woewodin in for Laurie My number one emphasis versus the Blues is movement in our forward line. Chandler, ANB, Petracca, Kozzie when he is there: all need to be active, constant movement, don't allow too many long bombs to stationary players. Weitering and Marchbank will absorb it fairly quickly. My brother-in-law is a mad Blues man, and he sent a photo of him watching the game in his jumper. I replied saying "it must smell like mothballs it has been so long since it has seen a final". He got annoyed and told me off for being a joy killer. Long may it continue. I grew up in central Vic in the Carlton recruiting zone when they were constantly winning flags while we were getting spoons. My loathing is deep and atrociously irrational. I cannot fathom losing to them in a final. Go Dees.

We get done by the inbred filth, and now the Blues dominate and will probably win. What a carp start to a weekend of footy. I wonder if re-runs of Blackadder are on the TV somewhere.

24 hours later, and I am still annoyed. However, we lost by 7 points and totally outplayed the Pies in the 2nd half. Are we ever that bad in front of goal 2 weeks in a row? I reckon we can turn it around. I still believe. And I would love us to meet the Pies again in the GF.

Deever, I thought Lever had some OK moments in the 1st half when everyone else was asleep, but Salem was... wow... grass watching. If he cannot play his role due to health issues, we can't play him because of what his best looks like. With Rivers, Bowey and Hibbo doing OK, I would consider Tomlinson for Salem if we play Carlton.

6. Gawn The distance between Earth and Mars to the next player 5. Oliver (but please don't kick a 55 metre drop punt to the same place EVERY time you kick inside F50) 4. Petracca (I rated him a bit lower due to ineffective 1st half) 3. Bowey 2. May 1. Sparrow I do not understand people voting for Kozzie. He was appalling for much of the night with little intensity, looking disinterested, or more interesting in tackling and bumping after the event, rather than getting the ball. He is a real worry in finals for some reason.

Finally made it home after a long and sad evening at the MCG watching the Dees. I haven't read this entire thread, but I can only imagine how disappointed we all are. Here is my 2 bobs worth. The first quarter was inexcusable. A simple lack of hunting the ball. From 1/2 way through the 2nd quarter to the end of the game, we were the better team, but we were SO unclean by hand and foot, especially compared to the (I hate to say it) brilliant kicking of the Pies. Daicos, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Hoskin- Elliot and others. Thank goodness for our back 6. The Pies run and carry through the middle of the ground cut us apart all night, but our backline repelled it time and time again (1st quarter aside when they were asleep) I don't think we can wait to draft a monster forward, or wait for Jefferson who isn't big enough. We need an aerial beast who has forward craft, contested marking ability, and who can make the play. We also need an elite kick who can deliver inside F50. We also need a different perspective in our forward line. Apart from Fritsch, very few players lead. We kick to stationary targets (and this appears deliberate, an intentional set up) Those 3 missed goals in the last quarter were vomit-inducing misses when we had so much momentum. Max Gawn is outstanding. Apart from a few flashes here and there, Kozzie was atrocious. Actually, he was a dead set liability at times. Lack of effort and intensity. Collingwood will not win the flag on that effort. We still can. Maynard, the faux tough guy, is everything I hate about d**k head footballers. 4 weeks suspension please, but he will probably get off. Get well Gus. I hate Collingwood.

TMac and Hibbo in = very good news. Noble out for Pies appears a huge mistake to me. Don't understand it at all. Their whole game is built on run-and-carry and he has been a central pillar of that all season. If Ginnivan can't get a regular game at the Pies, I would be happy to have him at the Dees. I know he is a bit of a w-anchor, but a natural footballer with wonderful game sense.

6. Hore 5. Hanks 4. Bannon 3. Harris 2. Macklin 1. Heath couldn't squeeze Paxman into it.

Most of those names were good players, but Dean Terlich!!! He was seriously one of the least game aware players you have ever seen. But Col Sylvia is the sad one. Apart from his early passing, he had every football attribute you could ask for. Possibly the most wasted talent ever at MFC. Absolute gun who couldn't give everything he had to training and playing. O for what could have been!

Shelley Heath was so important, and did a LOT of hard work, especially considering how tiny she is. All while kicking a quiet 2 goals and keeping Davey ineffectual.

I thought moving Hore and West into the middle made a huge difference, even though West was a bit off her best. The skill level of Harris, Hanks and McNamara is really high, and I love watching them play. But individuals aside, that was a cracking game of team footy. Only 2 years ago I couldn't watch AFLW due to its low standard - not any more. That was great to watch. Our pressure, spread from stoppages, and running for each other in the 2nd half was brilliant. Great win - go Dees!

Hanks and Harris - wow. And a huge shout out to the 2 rucks - Pearce and Watt - there has been some great tap work.

We are all over them now. And our tackles ae sticking.

We have a great system and a strong team. Hore, Paxman, Harris and Macklin (the red headed defender) and Mithen doing well. The Pies gut running to the next contest is impressive. Our tackling is 2nd rate (maybe even 3rd rate). Our field kicking has been atrocious. And can the commentators stop going on about the Collingwood captain - please! She is a great player and looks a cut above everyone else on the field, but the commentator-love is vomit inducing.

If a coach could get Chol to release some inner aggression and play more physically, he could be anything. His skills are really good and he can kick straight. But like Binman said above, Hardwick and Goodwin favour intense, contested ball players so I can't see us being interested in him.

I wonder if it possible (or even beneficial) if, in the future, for the Melbourne Football CLUB to have a membership that fully covers its three teams - Men, Women and Casey? And from a central pool of membership funds, the club administration distributes the required funds appropriately to each of these teams. It feels logical and reasonable from my moderately informed position, but perhaps there are others who could explain why it couldn't work.

This is a significant moment. I was watching some clips from the 1990s of Shwartz and Neitz the other day, lucky to be 20,000 people at the ground let alone 20,000 members. And then the whole "benefits of losing" and Mark Neeld eras. We are a large, successful, financially stable, long term sponsors-keeping, attractional club with exceptional personnel in the Board and Executive, and great staff & volunteers behind the scenes. We have a dogged, resilient, brilliant coach who the players love, and a team full of talent and marketable personalities. Top 4 - 3 years running. Best jumper in the game, our home is THE home of the game, we ARE the history of the game. I have waited a b****y long time for this and I am going to revel in it, and brag about it. Loving it.