Lucifers Hero

It seems Eddie's rant last week about a missed free to Cox has paid dividends: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/a-number-of-touchy-free-kicks-against-gws-prove-costly-early-in-semifinal-against-collingwood/news-story/c8f3688c1ee1a1a1ff2b9e84aee8bfd1 "Collingwood received eight free kicks to the Giants’ two in the opening term. Those included a number of contentious, “soft” calls — while the Giants appeared unlucky to miss out on some calls of their own... The most controversial fell on the stroke of quarter-time". No wonder they raced to a 3.6.24 to 0.2.2 lead. At the end of they day they deserved to win but that sort of umpiring can give the momentum to one team and can be energy sapping to the other.

Is this a bit of a side swipe to the Dees from Eddie: “It all turned last year in Round 23 against Melbourne...That was the moment it all changed. We got going, backed ourselves in, cleared our heads and away we went..." https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/collingwoods-2018-resurgence-dates-back-to-round-23-win-over-melbourne-last-year-says-eddie-mcguire/news-story/fadfbe5715e88082e13ddb00d1adbfd2 Really? One game? He has started the mind games in case we meet in the GF! There are two Eddies: 1) Commentator/Showman 2) President of a ghastly club. His 'gushing' and 'enthusiasm' for the dees that Picket refers to was all show. He doesn't 'love' Melbourne any more than any of us 'love' Collingwood.

Thanks Fifty-5. Very helpful. On a different note, there is a comment in the link that says: Based on their priority group, members are allocated a window during which they can register for the ballot via Ticketek. But it also says Members wishing to sit together must register their group in one transaction using the one credit card. Does anyone know how/when to register if friends with different membership categories (which will have different priority groups) want to sit together? Edit: I just notice in that link there is a detailed guide on what to do/costs etc https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL Tenant/Melbourne/PDF/Grand Final Ballot Guide.pdf I think it answers my earlier question - If people want to sit with friends in different priority groups they need to register together in the priority group of the lowest ranked member

FYI - this is being discussed in the What If? Thread.

Sorry if it read like I was having a go at you - it was meant to support your 'glory days' comment. Hence the to go with my cheeky ' Not quite ready to dream of the glory days again but happy to shift from 'one week at a time' to 'one flag at a time' comment. I'll word things a bit more carefully in future. Like you I feel totally nonplussed. Such a weird and foreign feeling to be this close to the Holy Grail. Surreal.

Lewis starts the mind games with WCE: "Wily Melbourne veteran Jordan Lewis has thrown a barb at the West Coast camp ahead of the preliminary final by suggesting the Eagles are “more predictable’’ with key forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling in the team". https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/more-predictable-lewis-starts-mind-games-with-eagles-early-20180915-p5040g.html

WD you will enjoy this excellent article by Jack Niall https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/demons-in-sweet-spot-for-long-term-success-20180915-p50417.html He says: In the giddy afterglow of Melbourne’s romping win over Hawthorn, I asked a former Melbourne official when the Demons had last been so well-positioned. ‘‘1954,’’ he replied. He wasn’t kidding. The Melbourne Football Club – out of the finals for a dozen years in a draft system – has the best platform for sustained success of any club in the competition. What If? Not quite ready to dream of the glory days again but happy to shift from 'one week at a time' to 'one flag at a time'

@PerthDeesFan I'm happy to send my barcode. No need to give anything in return, I feel the more dees there the better! I don't have it right now. Perhaps pm me in the morning to confirm you still want it and I will pm it back to you. However, you may need more than one barcode if the rules are 1 ticket per membership. Hope your family enjoys the game and that you and your little girl also get to the game. The team is awesome to watch live. I have no doubt of your honesty so this message is for those who are worried about a barcode being misused re GF tickets - a person receiving a barcode doesn't know what type of membership it is so will not know which category of GF ballot to go into safeguarding the barcode owner against it being misused. Nonetheless, I understand why folks are cautious on social media.

For the last two games we were allowed 2 tickets per membership barcode. It may or may not be the same in Perth. We will receive an email tomorrow on buying tickets so your mate will know if he can get 1 or 2 tickets.

Don't worry about it. There was a big outcry in the media https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-finals-2018-hawthorn-v-melbourne-contact-below-the-knees-sliding-rule-slammed/news-story/aad4610d15ccf7bddff3e09c92445e83 No need for us to add to the noise. We won regardless of the umpires. Our leaders are being humble and contained. They know bagging umpires gets you nowhere. Let the football do the talking! Edit: This probably belongs in the Post Game or the Umpires thread.

Is the 20th, the 1958 Grand Final, when they stopped us winning 5 flags in a row? Sam's grandad, Murray Weideman was their captain and kicked the winning goal. Our 1964 Premiership players are still filthy about missing that flag. Then we beat them in the our last flag in 1964. With that rich history and young Sam Weideman in our team there would be much symbolism if the old rivalry was relit in a GF of Dees vs Pies - Would love to beat them again.

There was a game early in 2014 (rnd 2 I think) vs WCE. Frawley barely jogged after his forward. Put in no effort at all. He stamped his own papers that day. Thereafter, Roos rarely played him in defence and started rebuilding our backline with players in it for the long term. Frawley has the comfort of his medal. Jones has the comfort of the esteem in which he is held by everyone past and present at mfc.

Don't have HS access but think this was it - McDonald: "I was getting a bit nervous. A few of the Hawthorn players were telling us, 'don't choke now', but luckily we kicked the next couple to shut them up pretty quick," Great response from the Dees!! Actions speak louder than words! http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-09-15/last-trip-west-a-turning-point-mcdonald

How good was the banner? Our Town. Our turf. Our Team. Our Time! Folks, I think we have reclaimed The 'G' as 'Our Turf'! And no-one but the Demons can call this city 'Our Town'. What a great time to be a Dee fan!

Changing of the guard time: :...for the first time since 2002 next week's preliminary finals will be played without either Hawthorn, Geelong or the Sydney Swans participating". Isn't that a bl00dy good thing!! Time for the young pups to take over! Like us, yeah! For all the heartache we have been through to have had a successful rebuild and be in the position we are now to take on the newcomers is awesome.

Sorry, can't share this love for Eddie. In 2010 when they made finals he said something like: "if you jump on the Pies bandwagon now, you are not a supporter. We don't need you". Well same to you Eddie. We don't need you on our Demon bandwagon. He will quickly turn tail if we play the Pies in a few weeks. He is a phoney.

2018: Yes, definitely for weeks 1 to 3. Assume so for the GF. Club is sending emails on Monday on how members pre-register for GF tickets. 2019: Check membership package details when released. If you want to track what is happening with 'Finals Tickets' keep an eye on that thread. Hope that helps.

Back to this week: GWS vs Coll. Would prefer GWS to beat our arch enemy and I reckon they have a better chance of knocking off the Tigers in their Prelim!

Shame the Tigers aren't playing this weekend. Injury concerns: Dusty has a corked thigh from last week. Rioli sent off for scans after hurting his finger at training. Lambert left training early and limped off. They all seem fairly minor and will be ok for their Prelim. Damn it! They have been blessed with injuries to first and second string players. Surely, lady luck needs to go elsewhere now. She has helped the Tigers enough!

Importantly, Gaff's dad is rehab and recovering. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-14/stuff-to-think-about-gaff-confirms-roos-interest Gaff has been back in Perth for the last few weeks and it looks like he is planning to stay at the Eagles. The 26-year-old has had plenty to consider since his season-ending suspension and father Paul's recent heart scare, but hoped to remain an Eagle beyond 2018. "Yeah, I hope so. It's still something we're working through with my management and the club," Gaff told radio station Mix 94.5. If he does, good on him for spurning the North $.

Updated for Vince's retirement ?, Oscar's contract renewal? and Bradtke joining us in November. Have also updated the format to show player status and to track list changes, vacancies, ins/outs, draft picks. In terms of list changes - we have eight listed players and three 'A' Rookies out of contract. We must take 3 players in the draft (which could be a rookie conversion to senior list). Based on performace in recent weeks a contract for Vandenberg to be a no-brainer. And given other recent selections JKH and T Smith appear likely to be contracted. We don't have a strong draft hand and with the AFL's largesse in dispensing priority picks and favourable FA compensation picks plus Academy and Father/Son picks our first pick is likely around pick 40! No mail, but I am expecting some contracted players to be traded out if the right opportunity comes up. However, I doubt there will be many (or any) that will want to go.

May will get to his club of choice this year even if traded while in contract. He doesn't need to be declared an FA. That deal is dressed up to help GCS but is really being brokered to help the receiving club (Collingwood in the box seat with Hawthorn next in line) as they get May free. The AFL should just give GCS a priority pick and make Collingwood/Hawthorn trade for May. This benefits GCS a lot more (with picks 2, 3, 4 and the May 1st round pick) and maintains some semblance of integrity (yes, an oxymoron word in the AFL) around the FA rules. If the AFL agree to that suggestion, the slippery slope just got slipperier! What do they do the next time a player wants to break a contract to become an FA so he can go to his preferred club which he can do via a trade anyway. This is really not the time for AFL expediency. The sooner they make receiving FA clubs 'pay' in draft picks or draft points the better. Edit: Posted below by Redleg that AFL have rejected the scheme. A relief!

Forecast for the rest of Friday Max 22 Sunny. Chance of any rain: 5% Melbourne area: Sunny. Winds northerly 25 to 35 km/h. @ 8pm: Temp- 18, 5% rain, 16km/h wind. Stays like that for the whole game. Rain forecast to bucket down shortly after midnight! Perfect weather for a night game! Go Dees!

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2018-09-14/neale-daniher-visits-melbourne Neale talking to the lads. Sad to watch but great that he is part of this campaign. His basic message: Actions speak louder than words. I like that he calls on the boys to go another notch; they know they have another notch.

Saints are also puzzling. They have picks 3, 57, 61, 63 and somehow they are planning to trade in Hannebery! Their list is going to be a mess next year. While Freo have a few stars and a few in the making both will be on the bottom rungs of the ladder for quite a while. Both Freo and Saints traded are very good examples of future pick trading gone badly wrong.