Lucifers Hero

Petracca has had a bit of flak thrown his way on DL this year. This caught my eye in the article: "Only Brownlow medallists Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield averaged at least 25 disposals, one goal and 1.5 score assists per game in the home and away season. Petracca's respective numbers this year are 20.4, 0.9 and 1.4, which are bumped up to 21.1, one and 2.1 since round 16". He is pretty good company! With Brayshaw and Oliver starring they have taken the limelight off Petracca a bit allowing him to put together a string of games in the second half of 2017 without too much fanfare. I can't help but think our youthful Holy Trinity (average age 21) will quash their aging trio with average age of 31!

A somewhat small thing - we need to be switched on to their 'tricks'. In the last game, I have little doubt the Dangerfield ruck nomination then staging for a free by pushing Brayshaw forward was determined before the game, to be played out for a ball up within 20m of their goal. There is a reason no other Geelong player nominated for the ruck and why J Selwood clapped the free kick - it was a total ambush. Cost us the game. Doesn't matter now as there is no other team I would rather play - I want payback for 186, for 111pt loss rnd 23 2016, for their two lucky wins this year, for their cheating, free kick staging players. I could go on but you get the drift. A win by just a point will do! Except my anxiety will be through the roof if the game is that close...

So easily won over... ?

An amazing turnaround really. From basket case to finals in just 5 years. Many have had a hand in this but Roos' delivered the midfield he promised by recruiting Brayshaw, Oliver, Salem, Harmes, Tyson and Petracca. He also turned Gawn into an AA ruckman and Jones into a better leader and team player. That midfield will carry us for a long time to come. He also did the heavy lifting and made the tough calls on many players in particular two captains. For that and everything else. Thank you . Love it that you are now a Demon supporter! Edit: And he delivered a successful succession by selecting Goodwin as our coach!

I'm only hearing happiness for us. Even relative strangers are pleased to see us come good and be in finals. Yes, even Collingwood supporters of which sadly I know quite a few. We are the Cinderella of the AFL. We finally get to go the Ball! Any neutrals at our finals will be barracking for us. Wait and hear the roar!!

The AFLPA tried for 6 years instead of 8 as part of last years CBA. They failed. Case was closed. It is still 8 years. Jesse will be an UFA in 2021

Headlines like this were predictable: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/divisive-demons-days-in-afl-are-revisited-20180905-p501vt.html Mike could have waited till our finals campaign was over before broadcasting it. After all he is a Demon fan. We really don't need ancient history to be dredged up. If ex players and demon media folk really love the club they should just pipe down for a few weeks. Give the team some clear air to do their thing.

Not sure where that idea comes from. Jesse won't be a free agent until the END of 2021!!!! He was pre-listed for 2013. Joined the AFL list for 2014. After 8 years on AFL list, player becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent. Other than media musings there is no indication at all that he wants to leave the Dees. Only if he wants to go will he get traded. There is no reason for the club to push him into a trade.

I have a ticket for sale: Olympic Stand. Level 1. M53. Row W. @ cost price of $82 It is for sale as I was able to get a seat on Level 2.

I have a ticket for sale: Olympic Stand. Level 1. M53. Row W. @ cost price of $82 It is for sale as I was able to get a seat on Level 2.

I wasn't suggesting leave him out, altho I do agree our midfield is purring along just nicely. I suspect that is why Goodwin is going to play him fwd/mid. Scott will use every bit of tactical nouse so being one-sided is a weakness for Viney and ripe for the taking. I'm just hoping he has practiced his right side - turn the tables and catch the cats by surprise.

This is the beauty of the ANZAC Eve match. When it started Roos said it was great preparation for when we play finals: Under lights, Big Crowd, Lots of fanfare. Lots of noise. So not too worried.

Collingwood seriously exposed Viney not having a 'right side'. Wherever Viney went they plonked a player on his left so he struggled getting the ball out or if he did it wasn't cleanly (DE 60.9%) which led to many turnovers. Would it be too much to hope that Viney has learnt to play a bit with his right side while out of action? If not, hopefully he is awake to that tactic and figured out a way to counter it.

Thanks DS. That is just as emotional as watching the video. We have a great club. Kudos that you have engendered such love of the Demons in young Sam from interstate and through all the heartache in his whole lifetime. What a great reward and experience for him to meet the players and coaches!

From the Bernie Vince video: "We have this spirit at Melbourne. It embraces loyalty to the team, to the coach and to teammates. It is the spirit essential for success". Norm Smith. I assume that is behind the hs article. I can't get behind the paywall but reports I've heard include: - past players invited back to the club to tell current players of their experiences. eg Bluey Adams tells the story of Norm Smith remembering player's families names. - this 'esprit de corps' is reminiscent of Paul Roos resurrecting the South Melbourne 'Bloods' name and culture at Sydney. If anyone can post more about the article it would be much appreciated. We do have a proud history. We have quite a few of the '64 premiership players still with us so there is a rich personal memory bank to draw on. I really, really like that Goodwin is embracing our successful past. That players of our golden years are participating. What a terrific way to help rid the baggage since then that the current team has been burned with.

The article says McLardy returns from overseas this week. I wouldn't read too much into it. Journo looking for 'sound bites'. Unfortunately, it is the headline that gives a biased slant. If the headline was 'McLardy remembers Stynes and Flower', I suggest the article would be interpreted differently. It sounds like McLardy is simply reflecting on our journey. It is true that we were all excited when Jimmy took over. It is true that it takes a long time to build/rebuild a club. He has credited everyone since Jimmy (eg Jackson, Bartlett) and especially recognised those who have stuck with the club through the hard times (eg supporters, Jones, Gawn, Mahoney, T. Viney). My take is McLardy is musing on how special this week would be for Stynes and Flower, how special it is for those that endured the hard times and how much it means to Neale Daniher with whom he will watch the game. I have no problem with them being included in this week's excitement and sentiments.

Kudos @Dr.Dfor being a good sport and accepting that avatar. Unlike another poster who reneged on a similar deal to accept an Oscar Mc avatar when Oscar came good and said poster praised Oscar last year. I won't out said poster (others might) but he knows who he is...

No wonder they lost the grand final: "... it does go back to around about this time last year were they ostracizied the man who was going to play centre half back in a Grand Final team to the point where, as Sam Newman revealed on the Footy Show, he wasn’t even sitting with teammates in the airport coming to Melbourne for the grand final..." (Extract from that article). But Tex gives his buddy, Dangerfield hi5's! Hypocrite. First Lever then the camp, Tex is almost singlehandedly bringing that club to its knees. I wonder how long it will take bookmakers to take odds on his departure as Captain...

I'm happy with Clarrie on the bench. Just as happy that media darlings Crotchin, and De Goey aren't in the team. Yeo and Macrae unlucky to miss.

I'm guessing 70k max. They are fickle folk down the highway - They don't like traveling up the road for Friday night games - Last year they didn't turn out for Friday night finals vs Richmond and Sydney. About 30,000 tickets were sold today to mfc/gfc members so about 5-10k to still be sold to general public. And the MCC will probably be quite full. BUT, AFL members, Corporates and 'Finals Series Package' holders have rights to the rest of the G and I wouldn't be surprised if those areas are relatively empty. I can imagine there will be more Demon fans than Cats fans - a good thing really!

His dad's health issues may have been know and stressing Gaff when he had the rare brain snap. So his dad and family may be the clincher to bring him back. Then Dees vs North? Surely, its a no-brainer: play for Goodwin or Mr Sourpuss Scott!!

Lewis may not be tossing the coin over the next week(s) but he will be leading from the front. We know he sent player emaisl after WCE win to say: 'we play to win finals, not just to make the finals'. Then it was reported that players asked coaches and staff to leave the meeting room after the GWS win. Unsurprisingly it was Lewis who drove that. Michael Hibberd today said: '...(Lewis)... is a good guy to ask about the situation we’re in. He spoke to us in the rooms about the week coming up, [telling us] to prepare well.” I've also heard Viney, Oliver and Gawn say something like he is the one they are turn to and are listening to. When he says something seriously, players know to take it seriously. Lewis is fast-tracking their finals experience and development that may otherwise have taken several years to learn/experience. It would be more trial and error than a clear road map on what to do. We might just get to the big dance earlier than many expect!!. What a great right-hand man for Goodwin particularly in September. And role model for players.

After much ado I got tickets - Bay M53!! Rocked up to local Ticketek outlet. Just had a look at Ticketek MCG availability map. Still a few seats in M Bays in Olympic Stand and some in various nosebleed sections. Reckon it will be sold out long before the general public (and non-member supporters) log in tomorrow afternoon. A good reason to become a member!

From Ticketek twitter: The last one is important as I saw this on a Richmond fan site: "... if you have the Ticketek mobile app open and other browsers open with you logged into your account multiple times it can determine you are scalping and block the app..." Following on from that quote it could be those who 'bought' tickets yesterday but didn't finish the process and if the tickets are still allocated to you it may reject the same barcodes today. So if that happens check 'My Order' tab. Good luck folks!

The AFL has enough skin in this game to demand staggered start times. But they didn't think it through. Two games at the MCG with huge memberships should have set red lights flashing at AFL House. No one had the foresight to see that 340,000 people on multiple devices would bring the system down. But that is as obvious as the day is long. All parties need to share responsibility. No buck passing. In many businesses this crippling experience for huge numbers of Ticketek customers would be enough to justify cancelling their contract. But we have a duopoly. Fix the human incompetence and it may not be such a big problem. Then fix the Ticketek technology and it should be a breeze.