Diamond_Jim

that second quarter was one of the best I have seen the team play all season. For it to result in six behinds in no way did it justice. The third quarter was pretty good as well. Watching the replay the game reminded me of the one in Alice Springs against Adelaide except of course we were not hitting the score board.

AFL members showing level 4 front with ability to buy two guest passes. At this time last week it was only showing level 4 rear.

Out of interest I came across this extract on the AFL site re how they allocate GF tickets for 2018: TICKET ALLOCATION The capacity of the MCG will be approximately 100,000 on Grand Final Day. In answer to guidelines (a), (b) an (c) the AFL proposes that tickets to the 2018 AFL Grand Final be allocated in approximately the following manner: 1.Competing Club Members16000-40,000 2.AFL Clubs (18) 0-7,000 3.MCC Reserve16,000-26,000 4.AFL Members13,000-23,000 5.AFL/Medallion Club Members 3,000-5,000 6.AFL Entitlements/Contractual Obligations 5,000-30,000 7. Competing Clubs 0-5,000. Total 100,000 Approx However we note that: (a)the configuration of the ground may change which could affect the split of tickets between AFL Members, MCC Reserve and Competing Club Members; (b)the number of standing room tickets to be made available will vary depending upon a variety of issues; (c)if at any time the AFL deems it appropriate to sell tickets to the general public they may do so at anytime;and (d)there will be a substantial number of “walk ups” (50%) in the MCC Reserve.

Our one weakness is the same as Richmond's... three to four key players that provide the engine... injury to two of them and the truck will splutter. Tom Mac could have won us the game off his own boot in that first half last week... 1:3 and one that did not quite reach and was credited as rushed. There is no doubt that Hawthorn will crowd our forward 50 and deny us space. On the other hand we will get plenty of opportunities. Looking forward to a decent win but have the usual nerves. Go Dees

now predicted to be a top of 15 and rain... grrr Melbourne area Cloudy. Very high (90%) chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Snow falling above 700 metres in the evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Possible hail in the afternoon and evening. Winds northerly 25 to 35 km/h turning westerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then increasing to 25 to 35 km/h during the day.

that will entitle you to participate in the club allocation. Presumably there are certain categories that are guaranteed tickets and then it goes to all club members such as yourself. I am in the same position as an AFL member with club support. I have no idea what the club allocation is but I could not imagine it being less than 10k. Now realistically how many members will go to Perth. I think it will be the travel difficulties that knock out most of us. Of course you have to pay for the match ticket but given airfares north of $1k it's not the ticket costs that will hurt.

Marvellous... congratulations A couple of suggestions: if I recall he was injured in his final year and he slipped in the draft. As a young man (studying I presume) how did his inability to show his wares in that draft year impact his belief in himself and his future. He obviously has an outstanding ball sense (being in the right place). Did he always have that skill?

hard to see Hunt playing the Lewis role but who knows. He just looks lost at VFL level. The days of the running player are gone... it's the player with the 10 metre burst who is now the line breaker (or more correctly zone breaker). No use going for a big run and then having to stop because all your team mates are behind you.

Boy and some called us gutsy for looking to the game after the Hawks... what are the best spots for the GF parade by the way

His ability to retain a winning combination notwithstanding significant turnover of playing personnel in the last few rounds speaks volumes of his ability.

could make for a warm day to say the least.... wish the Pies had got over the line last week.

Lightning doesn't strike twice... 1 goal 10 for a half .. nah won't happen again he says Watched that second quarter on replay... amazing our domination... more than the first ... yet they outscored us. That bunch can certainly play.... as to the snaps... the rule of averages says you are going to miss a few even as high as 50% but to shoot at 9% including set shots was amazingly bad luck

Sounds familiar ....

Bought AFL members tickets for the Giants v Pies game as well. Looking forward to a feast of football including Casey at Port over the weekend. Hope it starts well on Friday night or the next day could be a bit of a downer

It will become the new buzz phase... perhaps on the next run through PS: Success ... level 4 front

have queued for world cup tickets... leaves this system for dead.. 1. You log in and thus one device per person and then it tells you within 5 minutes your waiting time and off you go for a coffee. Why put both games on sale at once...

the Haj finished a couple of weeks back so I suspect they are "free". They could fly via Bali thus making them international flights and get around the local regs... I think we may have something!! Do you reckon we could get them painted in Demon Colours?

Malaysian airlines have a couple of A380's that have been sitting mainly unused for the last few years. They tried to sell them but no takers as well as trying to lease them out. They are now used for the Haj pilgrimage once a year until the lease runs out. Perhaps we could get them over for the finals week and seriously move a few people around. The airfares asked by Qantas etc are ridiculous .. you can fly return to London for the price they ask.

Big call and well argued.... would you consider Fritsch to replace Hannan thus freeing up a spot for Smith

An excellent post.... will be interested to see the response of those who are more tactically minded. The intercepting backman is an important player as is negating that player.

Interesting contrast between the approach of the AFL and the MCC to selling finals tickets in their respective membership reserves. Both roughly the same size: AFL sells as many as it can as pre-reserved and then allows walk up for what is left. MCC seems to sell around one third as pre-reserved and then has walk up for the rest. (Not sure how many they allot by ballot for the GF.) I know its traditional for MCC members to walk up but one wonders if it is the future.

recall Collingwood supporters saying the Perth return fare went to $1500 or thereabouts when their game was confirmed

The Perth trip does require a little planning so I don't think it's inappropriate to discuss the logistics now. On form we should dispose of the Hawks but we all have a healthy dose of MFCSS which ties us very securely to mother earth. And of course we could not play as badly as round 4 which really was a disgrace.

definitely go now .. because they won't be there come Friday night... the real problem will be the match tickets.. as the last game in Perth it will be a very very hot ticket PS Think like a Hawthorn supporter... they are probably booking next years GF as well as this one !!

Assuming a win on Friday night... (fingers crossed) it will be a marvellous day down at Port Melbourne on Saturday. Burra Burgers and 19 degrees .. what more can one ask for !!