Winners at last

Captain Obvious here ...

Reigning premiers, undefeated after 10 rounds. Going out in straight sets would represent a fail.

Reaching a Prelim would be a pass ...

One difference between 2021 and 2022 is our record against top teams.

Thank you ...

15 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Anyone need motivation to attend the game?

Imagine next year we are playing Geelong away in a final. We have a recent history of only getting 45K to a final.

Suddenly we find ourselves playing a final at Kardinia Park!

GET TO THE GAME!

Well, i'm going!!!

11 minutes ago, Mr Steve said:

Least he shouldn't  get 50 for Ump abuse.

Not verbal abuse ... but gestures ??

What were the crowd numbers like? 

36 minutes ago, buck_nekkid said:

Accidentally bought double the tix I need.  Damned Ticketek.  In premium location, 3 tix.  Pm if you want heavily discounted tickets.

I did that once (senior's moment). I sent a msg to Ticketek asking to return some of the tickets. They agree, and gave me a refund. Not sure whether you've left it too late though.

2 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

What does this mean, with respect to this thread? That we're better to play Petracca than not?

(Also, I'm not sure I agree with the literal meaning, anyway.) 

I take the opposite view. Playing Petracca and parking him in the forward line is almost the 'safe' option. Take the punt ... don't play Trac (his well being surely paramount) and play Dunstan instead.  

And otherwise be brave with selections .. JVR in, Bowey in ... Melksham/ANB out.

13 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Who cares? It does your head in when you're playing them but you need a rabid crowd to intimidate the opposition and get the "noise of affirmation" happening. Look at Geelong, were on the back foot from the first bounce due to the hostile atmosphere created by the Collingwood supporters.

Me.

West Coast & Port Power supporters are apparently as bad.

Better to die on your feet than live on your knees.

I tipped off a mate re not taking cr#p seats, try again and you may get better seats. He thanks me for that advice, got much better seats on the fourth attempt!!!!

Ridiculous system.. surely the best seats should be available to those who log on first.  The system simply allocates seats bay by bay .... so if you get offered bad seats,, don't take them. Keep trying until you get OK seats.

The filth crowd are diabolical. I went to the Pies/cats game, which was fantastic. However the constant calls of "ball" and booing did my head in. FFS!!

10 minutes ago, Demon3 said:

Got on 8 mins after they went on sale at 9am.. couldn't get a level 2, and am stuck up the back of Level 4. Absolute nonsense.

Hey dude, sorry to tell you but the ticketing system is totally f@@ked.

I logged on at abou 9.05 am for MCC seats. Was allocated up the back of Level 4 like you. However I read somewhere that new batches of seats are released periodically. I thought I'm not taking those seats. Kept trying then timed out. I logged in again ... and got second row seats!!! 

13 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

The forward line needs better balance.  One genuine tall just doesn't cut it at this level, especially if your smalls go missing.

T-Mac in if he's pulled up from his match against the Swans without any issues for Melk.

If Macca aint ready i would roll the die on JVR.  He's in VG form & ready to go and couldn't do any worse than Melk last night.

Regardless of whether it's Macca or JVR...

BBB needs to play a high role more often if we're to win.  Did so on a few occasions in the 2nd half and we looked alot better but robbing Peter to pay Paul as there's then no tall genuine forward option on offer.

Same balance issue in the middle.  Too many dour plodders.  I'd be getting Bedford in for ANB.  Sharing a mid/HF role with Kozzy.  Why Goody did not move Kozzy in to the middle when he was clearly getting beaten by his opponent all night, even for 10 minutes, is beyond me.  Kozzy's willingness to run / chase down last night was also missing.  That's a mindset issue for the youngster but unacceptable at this level, let alone a final.

One of the key strengths / weakness differentials last night was the Swan's pressure and hustle inside 50 vs ours.  There's no way you're winning a final against a top four opponent with such a stark difference between the two teams inside 50.  In fact i doubt we'd beat many top 8 teams bringing that unless they were also relatively poor here.

If you want one major/key reason (and no it isn't solely this but it's pretty bloody significant) as to why we're slightly off this season vs 2021 ...this is it.  If we can't / don't bring the heat in this area from here we'll be out in straight sets.  Clarry (not a designated forward) and Fritta about the only two that were bringing decent heat here last night.

Bowey a must in for Salem as stated earlier.

Kozzy should have got a brief run on the ball, at least at a centre bounce or 2 to mix it up a bit and/or get him into the game.

18 minutes ago, Deesprate said:

To those saying where an ordinary team and were lucky to finish second get a grip. We got second because we won clutch games Blues; Freo and Lions. Our game plan looked ordinary because the opposition outplayed us. It can happen. The upside is we now have three weeks to put it together. In my eyes the Swans playing one game in four week is a massive risk. This side has a lot of pride and I am sure we will bounce back. I would not make wholesale changes but definitely bring in one of TMac; Weed or JVR. Melksham sorry your out. Get separation of our key forwards poor BBB is being set up to fail and for god sake put Max in the rush to lead the troops.

Don't you mean 'one week' ?

Hmm .... Can't see a huge crowd v Lions as being likely on the back of that performance. Low - mid 60s perhaps?

FWIW I'll be there.

Wow ... what a disappointment.

Other than a few that were ok, most of the team played very poorly. So many dropped marks/fumbles/missed targets.

Credit to Sydney ... very disciplined side.

3 hours ago, forever demons said:

please nobody go there

I'm about to have a slice of carrot cake, and a noice cuppa tea. Then a short pre match nap. (Yep, I'm letting loose!)

I've got my thermals laid out, ready to head off in a few hours.

Where was the Dees' light training run this morning?

8 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

Sydney eliminated in first final last year. 

It will happen again.

Also finals experience and number played in, really helps.

We have much more finals experience than Sydney.

Their nerves will be sky high first ten minutes so I hope we put on 5 in that time.

No it won't. The loser tonight gets a second chance. (Will play Brisbane.)

Mrs Hardwick must be delighted.

11 minutes ago, DEE fence said:

It's a cultural respect thing re the passing of M.R. Snr., WCFC had a press release saying that he should be referred to as such.

Thanks for the explanation. Much more helpful than the smart ar#e response of another poster.

Why do the commentators keep calling Maurice Rioli Maurice Jnr.

There was only one Maurice playing! Maurice Snr wasn't playing ... he's dead! 

Hipwood has disappeared. Matheson, Robinson, Berry doing nothing.

FMD ... Daniher goal ... what a match!!!

5 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

They're really great photos, thank you for sharing.

+1