Lucifers Hero

This might be their achilles heel: easy wins so may take a while to wind up to high pressure football in a GF.

Just noticed this in The Age: “There is no doubt that it comes down to execution, but sometimes there are some benefits in not knowing what is in front of you, not having some of the scars that are associated with prelim finals,” Goodwin said. Goodwin now playing mind games! Very subtle. Adding to their mental pressure. Not usually his style. But, love it!! Dees by 3-4 goals!!

Not sure where I picked up the tactical change as I don't watch First Crack. I recall mentioning it somewhere on DL but it didn't take off in the discussion - so many other exciting things to talk about. Agree, Geelong would be acutely aware of what happened. It isn't easy to out coach Scott but Goodwin and co did. I would say that could be a little bit of why Scott sounds rattled, clutching at straws, deriding the good doctor Larkin etc.

Their tagger is Connor and usually goes to Oliver. But by the end of the game he is moved off him. I agree they won't try too hard to tag us, after all who can they use. It will be like robbing Peter to pay Paul for them. They have only a few fully fit mids and will need them to attack. Petracca and Oliver will destroy an unfit player who tries to tag or go with them. Talking of tagging. In the Brisbane game whenever there was a secondary ball up in the middle Zorka guarded Oliver and Viney would stand right behind Zorko. Literally breathing down his neck. Sometimes Viney did it as soon as the ump went to bounce the ball. Zorko had no chance to impacting the game from the middle. I like all these subtle moves (structure/positioning) we ae making during games.

I think we can deal with those challenges and the likes of May and Brown will keep their young charges calm. And, Geelong comments this week make them sound rattled. The round 23 commentary is interesting. Geelong say it was one bad qtr. We know it was a 20 min bitz. iirc we were tried something new in the first half: an extra at stoppages and one less in defence. They walked straight thru our defences. Late in the 2nd qtr or at 3/4 time we reverted back to our normal structure: extra behind the ball, even numbers at stoppages. They weren't ready for the switch and we ran them down. Their scoring dried up and we went on a scoring spree. Scott was out coached but no one will say it publicly.

Agreed. They tried to start fast vs GWS by playing Selwood for 91% of the first quarter in the hope they would get a good lead. But they kicked 2.5. They got an unassailable lead but GWS were easy prey on that day. Selwood's TOG dwindled during the game. In the last 2 games he has been voted among the very worst on the ground. After Danger and Selwood will themselves in the first half I don't know they will have enough spark in the team to keep the momentum going.

They are looking like a team of the walking wounded. Miers, Tuohy didn't train Henderson and Stanley on light duties. The first 3 have not long ago returned from late season injuries. Dangerfield has broken fingers. Rohan and Cameron came back not long ago from hamstring issues. Work them over early, on the bigger Optus Stadium and see how fit they are or are not.

They have picks 10, 29 plus future 1st (likely to be 8 - 12 range). However, they are opting for the draft rather than trade in players. They need to rejuvenate their list. My point was that Freo is the only party potentially interested.

I had heard it was a life sentence. Good to hear you are up to no good again! What about your mate @MoonshadowIs he still locked up?

GFG is priority 1 so holders will get first option. Then p2, p3 and then public. When you buy the tickets you can choose seats or have the system suggest seats. The earlier you get in the more options there will be. To speed things up make sure you have an account set up with Ticketmaster beforehand. Then all you need is the barcodes. If you want to sit with someone buy the tickets on the same transaction so you will need all their barcodes ready.

So is this parole or permanent release...🙃

Silly of Scott to get so wound up about someone's opinion - just ignore it or take a 'straight bat' approach. The pressure is getting to him.

Maybe it is the REAL Mazer and he has already figured it out and if he is true to form on these puzzles, his most recent post is really a cryptic clue...

I know but most things about him annoy me so I was just venting, with a bit of hyperbole.

Strange messaging from Geelong. Scott claims Optus oval helps their game style? Hmmm. Trying to convince the players? Isaac Smith says Lever and May made them look like fools in round 23they-made-us-look-like-fools-cats Guthrie doesn't quite agree: "They are pretty strong comments. I'm surprised Isaac does feel that way. In the end it was a quarter of footy that cost us," Guthrie said. "Personally for me reflecting on the game, those kind of comments, I don't know if I necessarily agree with. "They're quality players and they're going to give us a tough night. Not sure that 'team' are all on the same page. Whereas our messaging is really in sync be it about Jones' opportunity, our readiness, respect for opps etc. Has anyone at Geelong even once spoken of respect for their Ops. I may have missed it. I just see arrogance and smugness from the coach and captain and just about anyone else from there that gets air time.

Leaking of this really annoys me. It gives Geelong intel several days before selecting their team. Would it make a lot of difference? Maybe if they thought we would select 4 tall defenders and Smith to most likely play on Ratugalea. Every little bit of advantage counts in finals. Morris should turn in his MFC membership (if he even has one).

afl-team-news-preliminary-finals-2021-melbourne-vs-geelong-lineups Tom Morris reporting that: "Hibberd’s elevation is bad news for veteran Nathan Jones, who was banking on an injury or late change of heart from Goodwin to keep his dreams of a fairytale premiership alive. The veteran will likely fly home to Melbourne on Saturday if he is not selected this week for the birth of his and his wife’s twins." It will be sad for Jones but it will be a good family decision.

Whoever is the mfc person(s) that regularly gives Morris inside information should stop it! It happens too often. It doesn't help the club especially around this time of year. Just stop it!

You were very quick. I realised my error and have edited out my post. Yes, Queenslanders should be included.

Wrong answer...

Goodwin said something similar on AFL360 last night - see my post above from this morning. So in a way, Max was towing the company line but went a bit further. In a way I think the club is trying to dampen the external expectations/distractions. Jones would know where he stands and that is the main thing..

No one is mentioning the Eagles? Probably because they are going to the draft so not interested in another mature age player who is starting to have injuries.. Apparently, the only suitor is Freo. How much do they want him, especially after he walked out on them? He was their reigning 2 time b n f winner. And at what cost? He is hardly a good role model for a young team. It would be difficult for him to talk of loyalty, commitment, sacrifice, comradeship, integrity etc. All the things that bind. Neale may have to stay at the Lions. By the sound of it he will have bridges to mend if he does.

Max: “There’s no sugarcoating this. He is the 24th player currently right now. Obviously the 23rd [medical sub] on the weekend was Jimmy Jordon, and the 22 that played. [Jones] is probably sitting 24, I mean [Jake] Melksham, Michael Hibberd and Jayden Hunt are all there as well, so there’s probably four guys that are trying to get into this team, and Goody’s [coach Simon Goodwin is] going to have a long discussion,” Gawn said. “We were a team that won on the weekend by 40 points in a qualifying final with no injuries. It’s a massive call to make a change. Will Nathan be able to stand up in a hot prelim final more than James Jordon if called on as sub? James Jordon has put in a great body of work, 23 weeks, that’s been a great body of work that definitely deserves his chance, and Jake Melksham did a great job...four weeks ago on Jeremy McGovern. “I don’t envy what Goody’s got to do, but there’s no sugar on this situation. There [are] five guys fighting for a spot in this side... Not a ringing endorsement from the captain. Don't like Jones' chances.

Yep. Lions burnt twice. Surprised they took the risk. Clubs should have a 'golden handshake' type clause for expensive interstate player to be paid at the end of the contract. I suspect the AFLPA would kick up a fuss.

Maybe it won't all go Port's way: "Fantasia and fellow goalsneak Robbie Gray were placed on light duties at Alberton Oval ahead of Port's preliminary final against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night. The pair didn't join Port's main group, instead doing skills work on the side lines". Red herrings or genuine issues?