Maldonboy38

Essendon dominating, about 65% time ball in hand = 1 goal 4 behinds. Dogs looking pretty much all at sea for most of it = 2 goals 1 behind. If Dogs get their game going (no guarantees) they will romp home. Bombers re sprinting and kicking and doing all the stuff but look unable to captalise.

TMac had a poor game, but we won a Qualifying final by 33 points, and the forward line as a unit looked as potent as it has all year. No way he gets dropped.

Re Ross Lyon - "I doubt you're getting traded to Carlton any time soon". That gave me a good chuckle.

Have to edit my opinion about TMac. For most of the night I thought he was with Harris Andrews, trying to keep him from intercepting. Having re-watched a lot of the game, it turns out that Andrews was on Brown, and he simply had a shocker. Brown had his measure in almost every contest, and Andrews was struggling to figure out where to stand or what to guard. This also means that simply put, TMac had a shocker. No way do we drop him though.

1. Robbie Flower coming onto the ground in his first final v Swans 1987. This is still the loudest moment I have witnessed as a Dees supporter. "Robbiiiieeee!". It was my first time seeing the Dees in a final, and my ears are still ringing. 2. Mitch Hannan goal 2018 Elimination Final. I couldn't talk for 2 days. 3. 2000 Qualifying final versus Carlton. 4. Gawn's goal after the siren round 22 2021. Epic.

Now THERE'S a reference to the past that was unexpected. Dean Terlich! One of Paul Roos' first decisions was to delist him, from memory. Boy, have we come a fair way since those days.

Viney talked about role-playing being at the heart of the 2021 Dees gameplan, giving specific praise to Brayshaw. TMac was being manned by Harris Andrews, who is the Jake Lever of the Lions, and he had zero impact. I'm not sure Andrews took 1 intercept mark. He didn't come across once in front of B Brown, Fritsch etc... So as far as role playing goes, that is a win. I admit, TMac is looking a bit like a spoon pouring treacle and might lose his spot if we meet GWS. But for me, we have settled on a Brown /TMac / Jackson rotation of tall forwards and we won a final. Can't see it needing to be changed.

Not yet, no. Win the Grand Final - yes.

6. Gawn 5. Oliver 4. Neal Bullen 3. Brayshaw 2. Petracca 1. Langdon Many others could have received votes

Loved Sparrow's game. Can see him becoming something quite special, which I wouldn't have said 10 weeks ago.

Rivers recovered well. Bowey got better and better. Langdon and Brayshaw were HUGE. TMac was unsighted, but so was Harris Andrews. That is a win.

Lions came at us hard and quick. Once again, we reset, our big players stood up and we win. PRELIMINARY FINAL BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After all that, we are still 19 points up. Reset boys.

Langdon has been brilliant.

Brilliant Joel Smith - very well done.

Just figured out what Tmac's job is - to keep Harris Andrews out of intercepting. And doing it very well too.

If not for some atrocious goal kicking, that was great to watch. Well on top. Great footy to watch.

Missing gettable goals - just stop it!

Come on boys, pedal to the floor now.

Langdon and Brayshaw doing a bundle of hard work.

We are in front, showing up the Lions defence. Getting beaten around the stoppages, and groundball in defensive 50 is a huge worry so far. Great to see Bowey step in for last 5 mins at ground level. Cover Cameron, we win.

Rivers having a shocker. Three handballs have gone to opposition, and led to shots on goal.

Backline starting to settle. Need Oliver to fire up.

Joel Smith on Cameron looking good... NOT.

Now THAT is a footy final. Great game. Had everything.