Lucifers Hero

Other than Libba (and faux tough guy Daniels) they don't have anyone who shows much aggro. We have May, Salem, Viney, Spargo, Picket who tackle with intent and to inflict some damage.

Not a lot of posting happening, maybe more as the game gets closer. There is a bit of talk about not going to the game, arriving after the flag is unfurled or retreating to the bar so they don't see it. And a it of reflection on the GF result. Overall they have been fairly tame. Some selections from bf and 'woof': I want to see a more defensively-minded midfield. Someone tag Petracca or Oliver for the whole game. I don’t care who. Q: What bay is our cheersquad in? I bought a couple tickets in M3 but I think that might be with the Dees’ fans…. ?? A: I think you are smack bang in the middle of the Melbourne cheer squad We had and still have multiple deficiencies/weaknesses in our team especially in our key position roles, had to travel to 4 states, had to win 3 finals in a row to get to the GF, had a third of our team sh*t the bed in the GF from the start of the first quarter, yet we were still up by 3 goals at one point in the third quarter. Another year of development and fixing key weaknesses goes a long way. We are still the second best team in it even with these apparent faults. How about we stop discussing how we have little chance against this "juggernaut" and start discussing tactics to actually win. The pessimism is ridiculous. I don't blame the tactics\coaching instructions so much as the players' over zealous reaction to those instructions. The road to ruin is always paved with good intentions. Moving forward we need to back ourselves to adjust to the opportunities that Melbourne's defence will give us on the ground rather than focus too much on the ones that we think they will prior to the match. I'm pretty fatigued still from last year, and watching on tv again with all the pitfalls that brings does not excite me. Also don't like the idea of getting done by Melbourne first up. I'm excited for round 2. I just want round 1 to be over. Some trepidation. And the fact that we STILL don't have a ruckman continues to concern me. But I'll probably have the lid off at first bounce. I'm looking forward to having a different game to dwell/celebrate over. *!*!*!*! that GF memory off. Let us make a Round 1 statement and rain on Melbourne's parade. Yeah, I reckon our blokes hate those Demons flogs. Would love to see us start some biff next Wednesday. Besides Libba who do you expect to take it up to Melb from a physical stand point? I can't think of many as we have a quite a few 'nice boys' in our team... and not many with any mongrel. Would love Libba to lead the way and the nice boys to drop the halo and take a stand. Nothing stupid or over the line but I want to let those flogs to know we’re coming for them. I think my favourites the last few looking for some mongrel from their palers. It wasn't that long ago that we were the ones that played nice bruise-free footy. Now we have Salem, May, Viney, Picket, Spargo etc who know how to hurt without hurting themselves or getting reported. WB were soft in the GF, May, Salem and Viney knocked the stuffing out of a few key players in the first 10 minutes. They may tinker with their game plan but I don't think they are going to find 'mongrel' overnight. Its not in their DNA.

I wonder what Beveridge will change with their ball movement and defensive play. They were badly caught out on those in the GF so I am expecting some surprises. If there is any threat to us that is probably it. We will 'play our way' so will be relatively predictable to them for planning and tactics. Whereas changes in their style will make them less predictable to us. Nonetheless, it is hard to see how they can become an all-ground defensive team in one preseason as it isn't their natural game. And with a bit of luck any changes they have made aren't yet embedded and will come unstuck during the game. Under pressure they revert to what they know best. Demons by 21 points.

The latter!

That sure makes it confusing. I'm pretty sure this bit: You will no longer need to redeem a ticket via Ticketek refers to last year when covid rules applied to ticketing and venue access. As far as I can tell, a barcode (ie on an electronic ticket from Ticketek or MFC app for members) is needed to get into the MCG. No paper ticket or plastic member card entry will be allowed. Edit: Don't know what happens for 'tickets' sold at the gate or if walk-up are allowed.

Let it go, mate. Who cares about Bell. It backfired spectacularly on him. We got May and a premiership.

The club's email to members says GA entry is available in designated area. I assume that means areas that haven't been reserved for premium memberships and Ticketek sales. I'd guess non-reserved GA seating is in the not so good areas. Ticket sales for reserved seats are currently available via the Ticketek website. I've taken the liberty of outlining the ticket process for anyone reading this who isn't familiar with Ticketek. A Ticketek account is required. Open an account if not yet have one. https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Membership/Login.aspx?returnId=02291b9f-24d0-4c51-80ae-dfa64c689e30 This is the link to purchase next week's tickets https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=MELBO0122 In the 'Select' box chose the 'Club Members and Public Reserve' option'. Seating options will appear (currently there are still level 1 tickets available) Choose seats and continue thru to payment. Confirmation of order will arrive and an electronic ticket showing reserved seat details and bar code for entry. As an aside, @WalkingCivilWarmay like to add to this process as she purchased tickets from Ticketek earlier this week.

SWYL, that was written last trade period when there was talk that Freo wanted Jackson for Cerra. But I get your sentiment and I'm sure we all share it.

Its rather odd that Queensland authorities are facing a 'roadblock' in contacting his legal team. One would think Smith would want it sorted asap as the season is about to start.

Not ok with sharing facilities to justify the project. Partly because it wouldn't be easy to sell sponsor 'naming rights' if there was no clear identity with the demons. Nor would we be able to put up The Home of the Demons type signage without including the other sports. There is a revenue impact of sharing. I would prefer we include a cause(s) the club has had a genuine or long association with eg Reach, Breast Cancer, MND (but they have been given space in the Southern Stand) and link up with entities connected to the selected cause. Then invest resources in that cause.

So you will be sleeping under a bridge or a park bench? You may even stumble across @special robertand bunk with him! 😉🙃🙂

Yes, it was. I think that was part of changing the momentum play Goodwin referred to: Jack intercepted the ball, got it to Harmes whose kick to Fritsch Max said was one of his best ever. Fritsch did what Fritsch does and slotted it. That play inspired the team. Not long after it we had the Brayshaw heroics/goal, Kozzie's brilliant block of Dunkley to enable Petracca's dribble kick to goal. We never looked back after that 5-10 minutes. The brilliant last three goals of the 3rd were 'the nail in the (bulldogs) coffin'. Their spirit was broken.

Interesting that Jack was the only player to remonstrate with Daniels for flipping Max over the boundary line. Again, its the little things that make big moments. Anyone else get the feeling that Petracca was about to refer to Daniels as a 'midget' but hesitated long enough to say a '5'6" player' instead.

He was in beast mode. Wide, wild eyes. Sniffing like a bear eyeing its prey. He had the sort of look that says: Over my dead body do we lose this game. 10 out of 10 from each coach in the BnF. Unanimous 5 votes from 5 judges for the NSM. Its not the first time we have won on the back of his efforts and I'm sure it won't be the last. He has found his 'beast mode'. Jack Viney was the momentum changer, Petracca kept the momentum going. He was involved in everything after Jack's intercept.

We have all commented on the point the game changed. Few if any picked that stoppage. It was not long after Bontempelli's 3rd goal when he was on the bench. Had he not been on the bench who knows if that stoppage went our way. He stayed on the bench for two more goals by which time the momentum was with us and we went: Bang! Bang, Bang, Bang! All credit to Jack Viney. Its the little things that make big moments. As an aside this is more like the doco many DL's were hoping for from the 'Every Heart Beats True' Fox doco the other evening. The latter was an enjoyable puff piece. The above 16 minutes gives real insight into how our season changed and what was happening inside the team during the grand final. And we get to see the best part of the 3rd qtr again! Very powerful viewing.

Not sure where to put this question. The club has AFLW 'add on' memberships and part of the package is a 'Hell Yeah' T shirt. Does anyone have an image of what it looks like as I couldn't see it in the 'shop'.? Cheers

Is this Beveridge saying his team thought they had the GF won: "I delved into the reasons why the season ended so dramatically, and probably traumatically, a little bit," Beveridge told Melbourne radio station SEN. "I think you can dream a little bit, and think you're on the dais when you're up by 19 points in a Grand Final, I don't know whether that happened (to the players)." did-dogs-dream-they-were-on-the-dais It looked like the coaches also relaxed. They took Bontempelli off and he didn't come back on until after our 3rd goal in a row. By then the momentum was with us and we went Bang! Bang, Bang, Bang! Game over in a flash.

Tribunal stands firm. Maynard to miss two games.

First test for AFL resolve on head high contact coming up. Colllingwood have appealed Maynard's 2 week suspension. If they want any cred on desire to eliminate head injuries they have to hold their ground.

Premier: Melbourne Runner-up: Brisbane Wooden spoon: Eagles Moving up: Richmond Set to fall: Eagles Brownlow Medal: Oliver Coleman Medal: Fritsch NAB AFL Rising Star: Daicos Best new Demon: Howes Demon All Australian: Oliver, Petracca, Fritsch, May, Lever, Salem Demon B&F: Oliver/Petracca Big Call: Need to think about it... Ladder prediction: 1. Melbourne 2. Brisbane 3. Sydney 4. GWS 5. Port 6. Bulldogs 7. Richmond 8. Geelong Edit: NSM: Petracca

Might I add the NSM?

How many 'elementary 30mt set shots' has he missed? As I mentioned above 22 of his 29 in 2021 were within 30m. Are there comparisons of his set shot kicking with the other players named? Petracca also had 19 goal assists in 2021 and given that most of his time is spent fwd of centre I would say he is honouring up field work as a link player. Bettered only by TommyMc who had 22 goal assists, also a link player. Sometimes I wonder if people are looking for 'faults' in a player just to support pre-conceived/outdated ideas. Not just referring to Petracca there, it seems to happen regularly on DL.

Toohey was also let off the hook GCS thrashed the cats in the middle. Very easy centre clearances. Witts was placing the ball perfectly. Among their other issues Geelong will suffer from not having an excellent ruckman. They were defensively woeful near GCS goals. And not so great around the ground. They were like witches hats at time. Can't read to much into practice games but it didn't look like they had fixed some weaknesses.

He kicked 29/19 in 2021 with 22 within 30 mt of goal; mostly snaps in a pack with some set shots. The other 7 were set shots further out. That suggests that his role is to play close to goal and scout the packs like an opportunistic small forward. His field kicking is very good considering he usually has 2 or 3 players hanging off him. Only a handful of our players are better kicks. imv its time to debunk the 'Petracca can't kick myth'.

I'm not sure I get the fascination of comparing Oliver and Petracca. They are trained for and play different roles so they display different attributes and excel in different abilities. They both have faults but they play roles that make the most of their respective strengths. If their roles were reversed how would they fare? Could Petracca excel at 'getting his own ball' and have an elite level of possessions etc. Could Oliver have the goal kicking record of Petracca. Is Oliver's field kicking better than Petracca's. etc We will never know so comparisons don't mean much and choosing one as better than the other seems to reinforce people's pre-conceptions rather than based on something tangible. And as for saying Petracca gets the PR gigs because of his looks and the way he speaks, well how superficial is that!! Oliver has his own qualities that are publicly endearing: an impish grin, is a bit of a larrikin, humble and a champion in his own right. So very easily lovable by not just Dees fans. And there is no reason why he couldn't work on his public speaking. I recall he was very articulate in his early BnF speeches so not sure what has happened to that talent. And tbh imv we have better looking and more articulate and coherent speakers than either of them. Maybe, just maybe Oliver doesn't want the limelight. Or maybe it is a contractual thing. Who knows. But assuming PR gigs are based on looks and speaking ability. WOW! As others have said it is a joy to have them both and I love them both for who they are and what they bring to our club.