Josh

Carlton remind me of a 2018 Melbourne. Alot of hype, and deservedly so but the pressure will mount as the performances stack up. They have the star power in a similar way that we did but it will take time IMHO

14 minutes ago, Hopeful Demon said:

Another very professional win. We were challenged throughout most of the game but we've developed an outstanding ability to grind out wins when we're not at our absolute best. 

Oliver played one of his usual brilliant games. Brayshaw just keeps getting better every week. He and Langdon have become a killer wing duo. Weideman's earned himself another game. Good on him.

I think this is spot on and can't be understated. I think back to the 3peat hawks. They were always missing key players early and weren't playing their best but just found wins.

The old Melbourne coughs this one up.

This Melbourne believe. No they understand.

Game day. [censored] yes. Early start early finish for this pig farmer. Aus kick tonight. Unfortunately no smoker until tomorrow... Hopefully listening to the Saturday rub discussing Melbourne's 188 point deemolition of Essendon

3 minutes ago, sisso said:

Some talk on twitter Tomo on standby for Level who is under an injury cloud....

JB mentioned as well. Apparently Hawks and Pies heavily covid affected...

Guess it's gonna be like this all year 

1 minute ago, DeeSpencer said:

I have no issues with Max being excluded. Jackson should take time from him, and Darcy is a beast.

The biggest problem with King’s team is he’s named 5 defenders, a ruck and 2 forwards and flooded the rest of the side with on ballers. Even Amon isn’t a full time winger anymore.

If you wanted to pick the best 14 midfielders just write a list of them. Don’t hide it in a team.

Sad part is that's normally how the AA team goes. Big blokes who look like Tarzan play like Jane, a token small forward, best 2 full backs for the year and midfielders 

For the record I think David King can have whomever he wants in he's PREDICTED AA team. The top 50 players list are blowing my mind. Dusty Martin and Nat Fyfe are shadows of their former selves and are constantly rated top 10 players, players like Walsh, Touk Miller and Parish destroy games all year and are ignored 🤷🏽‍♂️

Better than Campbell Browns top 10 🤦‍♂️

"Then once he started watching the free kick replay on the scoreboard, he started laughing in my face and it was like, 'You're belittling me a bit! So then I paid the 50 for that."

Gee wiz. Not sure I agree with this

1 hour ago, Lord Nev said:

I agree, there definitely should be 50s for genuine abuse. IMO they set the bar too low for it in our game though.

It's a hard one because the rule is subjective. Running across the mark 50m is the most objective I can think of but what's "umpire abuse?" How do you clearly and without any misjudgment define "umpire abuse" 

What I find offensive, you may not. Calling someone a f**ing cheating c*** is obviously offensive but what about "turn it up"?

I hope the umpires use common sense. I would imagine some people are very polite most of the time so you might give them a warning, other players might be horrible.

Ironically by trying get people to respect umpires more your forcing them to make tougher and tougher calls, therefore increasing frustration amongst fans and causing more umpire abuse 🤦‍♂️

6 hours ago, Lord Nev said:

Actually thought the delay ones were fair tbh. Lingers has been taking the [censored] with that for a fair while and I hate it when players do that fake pointing thing to delay the game. The Oliver one has been an automatic 50 for as long as I can remember, honest mistake or not. I'm keen on cracking down on the delay of game ones.

The 'abuse' ones in our game tho.... sheeesh... Hopefully the backlash and attention from our game will mean it will settle in before round 1. Always happens with new rules, I remember tons of 50s the start of last year when players standing the mark lost their balance, moved a foot slightly or sneezed, but that settled in after a while.

I agree. The James Jordon one happens all the time. "Who him" yes him, aka the only other opposition player within 20m. I think the umpires can tell the difference between genuine confusion and time wasting.

The abuse one is a no brainer as well IMHO. Yes it's a high pressure, high paced environment and again there's a difference between a once off sly comment and flat out abuse.

No excuse, just don't so it

My new favorite song.

Freed from desire?

More like "Petracca's on fire... na na na na na naa na, na naa na, na naa na"

10 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

I’m a Nank fan, I think he’s exactly the kind of ruck you’d want if you can’t have a superstar. But he’s just not an A grade ruck like Gawn, Goldstein, Nic Nat, Grundy.

He’s a very capable B grade type, and below Lynch, Riewoldt, Cotchin, Edwards, Houli, Vlastuin, Grimes from the best Richmond sides.

I’d argue Gawn is the first A grade ruck to win a flag since Brad Ottens at the Cats a decade ago. 

 

Was Ottens A grade? I think people don't rate ruckmen because the true a grades are so few and far between. Especially a grade for more than a year or 2 yet every side has genuine a grade midfielders. 

I certainly subscribed to the theory you didn't need an a grade ruck. The Brisbane/Hawthorn 3 peats didn't have them. 

How ironic though that the lingering question mark over Geelong, and now Western Bulldogs is their ruck department where ours is the best in the league.

I guess it comes down to what else the ruckman does. Not many of them get around and take marks on defensive 50 and now go forward as well as Gawn

2 big steaks for the smoker. A box of cans and Churchill should get me through the afternoon in style.

Can't wait.

2 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

To help manage your nerves and anxiety on the day, I have compiled a timetable of activities for you to follow.

 

Fri 24 Sep
11pm
Go to bed, sleep serenely in knowledge that demons are sure things and cannot lose.

Sat 25 sep
6am
Wake up in cold sweat knowing deep in soul that we will suffer either a drubbing or a close heartbreaking loss.

6:00 - 6:10
Lie in bed staring at ceiling trying to calm self down.

6:11
Put on radio. Listen to experts pronouncing Doggies as sure things.

6:15 - 6:30
Lie in bed staring at ceiling trying to calm self down.

6:35
Go to kitchen, make soothing coffee.

6:36
While waiting, check demonland for words of solace.

7:15
Cheer up reading words of encouragement. Go back to kitchen. Discover cold coffee. Put in microwave.

7:16
Check demonland. Read single post that puts chills of fear into soul.

7:20
Shower to warm up.

7:25
Continue shower to contemplate horror of after-match celebrations of Doggies.

7:45
Run out of hot water. Get out and get dressed. Suffer crippling paralysis at thought of Bailey Smith winning the Norm Smith.

8:05
Finish getting dressed.

8:06
Go to kitchen, get cold coffee out of microwave. Pour into sink, start again.

8:07
Check mail. Nothing.

8:08
Check messages on phone. Note some good luck messages, become utterly psychically eradicated by one mocking taunt from close friend.

8:10
Go to bathroom. Wet towel is evidence of already having showered. Leave bathroom.

8:15
Go for walk to calm nerves.

8:20
A fat lot of good that did. Go back home.

8:25
Meditate to sooth jangled nerves.

8:26
Stupid meditation. Remember coffee. Put in microwave.

8:27
Go outside.

8:28
Go back inside.

8:29
Go outside.

8:30
Wave to Collingwood supporting neighbour. Return wave. Take no comfort from encouraging words from neighbour. Suffer wave of nausea imagining neighbour's post-match taunts.

8:31
Go back inside.

8:32
Check demonland.

9:00
Watch television. It's all crap.

9:15
Check demonland.

10:45
Drag self out of depression. Get cold coffee from microwave. Throw out. Put on kettle for new coffee.

10:50
Check demonland.

11:00
Shake self out of torpor and anxiety. Go outside to do some gardening.

11:05
Spray weedkiller on plants. Get hose and wash off. Get water everywhere. Pull up weeds by design, plants by accident. Dump weeds, plants, weedkiller, fertlizer, gloves, in bin. Go inside and change clothes.

11:20
Check demonland.

11:40
Go outside.

11:41
Go back inside.

11:42
Go on walking inspection of house interior.

11:43
Inspection complete. Check demonland. Feel nagging anxiety increase.

12:05
Check phone. Fail to cheer up over cheering messages, hit maximum anxiety over jeering messages.

12:10
Check demonland.

12:40
Go outside.

12:41
Go back inside.

12:42
Watch  television. It's all crap.

13:00
Go for walk to calm nerves.

13:05
A fat lot of good that did. Go back home.

13:10
Meditate to sooth jangled nerves.

13:11
Stupid meditation. Remember cold coffee. Put in microwave.

13:12
Make lunch in spite of no appetite.

13:30
Sit down for lunch.

13:40
Throw uneaten lunch in bin. Put kettle on for coffee.

13:45
Check Bunnings web site. Order seeds, potting mix, gardening gloves and stanley knife.

14:00
Check demonland.

14:30
Go outside.

14:31
Go back inside.

14:32
Meditate to sooth jangled nerves.

14:33
Stupid meditation. Re-boil kettle.

14:44
Search for old footy to have a kick to settle nerves.

14:55
Find footy. Discover laces old and broken. Search for pump.

15:10
Find pump. Pump up footy. Bladder bulges out where laces disintegrated. Throw footy in bin.

15:15
Check demonland.

15:45
Re-boil kettle.

15:46
Remember the sun is over the yardarm. Check supply of spirits. Whiskey!

15:47
Fret that whiskey supply is low. Check web site for nearest Dan's or BWS.

15:55
Drive to bottle shop. Pick up whiskey.

16:25
Re-boil kettle.

16:30
Get message from Bunnings that order is ready for collection.

16:32
Get in car, drive to Bunnings, pick up order. Note number of cars with Doggies scarves. Anxiety level to 90%.

17:15
Re-boil kettle. Turn on tv for pre-match warmup shows. They're all crap.

18:00
Re-boil kettle, make coffee. Add whiskey. Ahhhhh.

18:10
Discover nerves are at 100% fever pitch despite whiskey. Go outside.

18:11
Go back inside.

18:12
Meditate to sooth jangled nerves.

18:13
Stupid meditation. Check demonland.

18:45
Nearly game time. Panic attack. Boil kettle for coffee. Take shot of whiskey straight while waiting.

18:50
Make coffee. Trembling hands spill it everywhere. Re-boil kettle. Take shot of whiskey straight while waiting.

19:00
Watch players warm up. Sooth jangled nerves by cheering demons and booing dogs. Desperately try to ascertain clues to performance by how the players jog sideways, roll the ball on the ground, etc. Anxiety increase to 150%.

19:10
Anthem and other frippery. Rage at universe for making you wait.

19:15
Game on! Watch as demons tear the dogs a new one. Race around living room with each goal as Demons pile on a record score. Catharsis, and all emotion is replaced by a joyful high.

10:00
Rejoice as the demons hoist the cup. Laugh, cry, text friends, take straight shot of whiskey. Take another straight shot of whiskey.

10:30
Check demonland.

Sunday 26 sep
03:00
Go to bed. Fail to sleep.

Glad it's not just me that boils the kettle 6 times before remembering to make a cup of tea and then forget about it anyway 😂😂😂

I literally can't believe there is a changes for the GF thread

Pinch yourselves people

22 minutes ago, Jaded said:

I’m a lot calmer now after a few wines 

Our local (small country town) opened up today so it was only right to support local business... I also feel calmer hahah

12 hours ago, Fanatique Demon said:

Like this?

B:        AC/DC.                   KILLERS.               ALICE COOPER

HB:    WOLFMOTHER.     FOO FIGHTERS.          BOWIE 

C:       SILVERCHAIR        BEATLES.            BLACK SABBATH

HF:     NIRVANA.           PEARL JAM.                 OASIS

F:       INXS.                  THE STONES               SPIDERBAIT

R:     DADDY COOL,  KISS,  MEN AT WORK

BILLY IDOL,   AEROSMITH,    GREEN DAY,    BLUR

MED SUB: QUEEN

 

That's a strong spine, AA ruck and hasn't Sabbath just filled a hole on the wing nicely.

Hopefully we don't get drug tested this week though 🤷🏽‍♂️

I don't know what the hell I'm gonna do if we make it. 2 weeks of build up is enormous. 

The last 4 matches have been decided by a kick in the last 60 odd seconds and the one before that was a final. Take about modern day rivalry.

I'm so pumped I could run through a brick wall. I can only imagine how the players feel.

On an unrelated topic I have some chicken thighs, skin on and bone in, brining in a hot sauce and Italian dressing mix to go on the smoker this afternoon. Chicken and salad for dinner sounds divine, beautiful weather up here in north east Victoria and we are out of lockdown so I might to to duck in for a sneaky schooie 

Always felt this was fitting. They kicked us around for long enough and now they have woken the demon...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fHaVJIhTFK8

Edit: Slight language warning. If you think young people listen to "head banging crap" and use sayings like "you can't understand what they're saying" don't bother... It's head banging crap and you can't understand what they're saying

TMac?

7 minutes ago, Chook said:

I hope so. He has become a sidekick to Oliver over the past 12 weeks. Time to just reassert your dominance my man.

I don't think there's any egos left in our side. Sometimes I wish Trac and sometimes Kozzy would be more selfish because they are such rare talents but they are playing a selfless game all of them, and that's obviously what it takes to finish on top...

Hopefully it's enough to go all the way?

On 8/23/2021 at 5:30 PM, D Rev said:

Who is the second tall then?  Fritch is mid sized. 

Melksham stopped playing 4 quarter footy last year (at least) - he won't cut it in finals. Even injured, McDonald is better than Jake. He has kicked 30 goals this year and his fitness (when fit) has been the sort of thing you need to win finals.

McDonald is obviously suffering from the back injury related to flying up and down the east coast of Australia before the Suns game.  Probably not the time for an aerial tour of Australia, but who am I to judge?

I've almost gained faith in selectors this year.  If they pick McDonald, then he is right to play and part of our best 22.

Brown and Jackson... Although I like your argument, think I'll retract my comment 🤝

2 minutes ago, monoccular said:

I tend to agree, though he does sometimes pull something out of the bag.  Who would replace him - Weed?

 

I'd go smaller. Melksham or Jordan (I prefer Melksham) 

I think we've played out best footy with 2 talls

Umpiring decisions across the board have been disgusting this year. And there's nothing to hold them publicly accountable. Players and players can't say much and any media personality that wants that almighty AFL to throw them a bone knows to keep their trap shut.

When it's a player/coach underperforming they are crucified, it's not fair.

I have had to start pointing out all the obvious non frees/frees that go in our favour otherwise I'd go insane.

11 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I am not ok with 2 weeks, for all the reasons you have mentioned above. The AFL Tribunal is an absolute dog’s breakfast. 
Why did Franklin get off? Sydney would have lost last week without him playing. 
I hope the MFC make Enquiries about this Clown ? School 

Couldn't agree more. I meant I'm ok with it being 2 weeks, same as Franklin, Ablett (twice) Cotchin, Mitchell bla BLA BLA what does it matter they make it up as they go along. 

As someone said, he was better of punching him

10 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yes I find it amazing that Franklin got off his charge. The ramifications of a flying elbow could be enormous. But that seems to be irrelevant 

Viney was stupid. But it didn’t warrant 2 weeks

 

I'm ok with the 2 weeks, it's ridiculous and has no place, as long as that becomes the standard to witch all else are measured. It's the blatant double standards that needs to be held accountable.

This isn't a mistake, or a miss interpretation/classification. They sent him straight in, to be made an example, while other get off free. 

Ill never forget Tom Mitchell running back the the center after a North Melbourne goal, jumping 2ft off the ground to elbow Goldstein in the back of the head, while he's not looking, in-between play, he had to run 25m to catch up and premeditate his actions...

And he goes in to win a brownlow...

Farcical.