Preview Geelong vs Demons (literal and figurative)- Elim Final Fri 7th Sept MCG @750 pm

[PatrickBateman]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-06/eight-quirky-stats-about-this-years-finalists

"Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett, Mitch Duncan, Tim Kelly. The star names reel off the tongue. Another is warranted in that discussion: Sam Menegola. He was ranked No.2 over the final month of the home and away season and was the No.14 player in the AFL this season."

Anyone out there still doubt this guy?

No room in our midfield for those who don't to the fundamentals right, Menegola does. Maybe not always flashy, not the most popular player, but damn effective and unquestionably underrated.

Our mids are great. It's the 'lesser' performers we will need a lift from in order to win tomorrow night.

 

[Ricky Vaughn]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-06/eight-quirky-stats-about-this-years-finalists

"Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett, Mitch Duncan, Tim Kelly. The star names reel off the tongue. Another is warranted in that discussion: Sam Menegola. He was ranked No.2 over the final month of the home and away season and was the No.14 player in the AFL this season."

Anyone out there still doubt this guy?

Ask me again in 32 hours.

 

[BotsMaster]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-06/eight-quirky-stats-about-this-years-finalists

"Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett, Mitch Duncan, Tim Kelly. The star names reel off the tongue. Another is warranted in that discussion: Sam Menegola. He was ranked No.2 over the final month of the home and away season and was the No.14 player in the AFL this season."

Anyone out there still doubt this guy?

No room in our midfield for those who don't to the fundamentals right, Menegola does. Maybe not always flashy, not the most popular player, but damn effective and unquestionably underrated.

Our mids are great. It's the 'lesser' performers we will need a lift from in order to win tomorrow night.

I wouldn't put Sam Menacegola in the same sentence as those others. He is yet to perform well under pressure.

 

[Max Milburn]

I wouldn't put Sam Menacegola in the same sentence as those others. He is yet to perform well under pressure.

Not true. Was one of our best against Sydney in last year's semi. 26 possessions, 8 tackles. Seven kicks and a goal in the first term, when the tone for game was set. And don't say there was no pressure, because there's no such thing as a semi final without pressure.

 

[PatrickBateman]

I wouldn't put Sam Menacegola in the same sentence as those others. He is yet to perform well under pressure.

The 'last month of the home and away season' where Menegola was ranked 4th overall, included 2 GFC losses. The Richmond game was THE highest pressure game of 2018, Champion data rated Richmond's pressure rating at 206 (from memory). I don't believe any other side has topped it. He can't perform well?

Menegola was our 3rd ranked player in that game, he was very, very good. He was also ranked 3rd in our loss to the Hawks.

Duncan is hardly a big time player, Kelly has gone missing in high pressure games, though inexperienced in finals so hard to classify at this point.

Whether Menegola has a good game tomorrow night or not, he's had a very good season and is severely underrated - FACT.

We need a lift from the softies, the ones who are in it for the ride... It's THEIR turn to stand up and do the hard stuff, not for the same guys to be relied upon.

 

[strauchnyy]

If we rock up and give away the first 6 goals only to then come back and fall short in the last quarter (i.e. the Scott finals script) I really hope the full weight of fans and the media fall on our club, especially the coaching staff and Scott. It's about time the pressure on him builds and justifiably so if it falls to script.

It already happened with the VFL boys.

Melbourne will come out firing, they will have the full support of the media no doubt (much like the dogs and tigs before them) due to them playing their first final. They are in great form.

We must flex our muscles and put them away with our finals experience. If we lose, it's just about the death of our winning culture we created in 07'.

 

[Munich]

If we rock up and give away the first 6 goals only to then come back and fall short in the last quarter (i.e. the Scott finals script) I really hope the full weight of fans and the media fall on our club, especially the coaching staff and Scott. It's about time the pressure on him builds and justifiably so if it falls to script.

It already happened with the VFL boys.

Melbourne will come out firing, they will have the full support of the media no doubt (much like the dogs and tigs before them) due to them playing their first final. They are in great form.

We must flex our muscles and put them away with our finals experience. If we lose, it's just about the death of our winning culture we created in 07'.

Agreed.

Nothing much more to add!

 

[cats_09]

Ha! Enjoy that folks...

I was talking to a vline guy just before (topping up my Myki ahead of tomorrow), and he believes that the days of Geelong football trains to Richmond are over - so it's been fun but time for exercise before & after matches now

 

[Down at K Park]

Not true. Was one of our best against Sydney in last year's semi. 26 possessions, 8 tackles. Seven kicks and a goal in the first term, when the tone for game was set. And don't say there was no pressure, because there's no such thing as a semi final without pressure.

In a game where it was all going out way? Did he stand up in any final when things weren't going our way?

He has played well but he really needs to stand up in a hot arm wrestle. But you can also add another 7-8 of our blokes in that too.

 

[Max Milburn]

In a game where it was all going out way? Did he stand up in any final when things weren't going our way?

He has played well but he really needs to stand up in a hot arm wrestle. But you can also add another 7-8 of our blokes in that too.

When the first ball was bounced, how was it going all our way? He was largely responsible for the lead we had in that first quarter. Not denying he has had some bad games, but he has stood up under pressure.

 

[catters_28]

My one wish is for no ridiculous selection decisions tonight. Please. If I see out Ablett in Parsons I am going to melt. Heck, even if I see out Murdoch in Parsons I’ll melt.

 

[Max Milburn]

My one wish is for no ridiculous selection decisions tonight. Please. If I see out Ablett in Parsons I am going to melt. Heck, even if I see out Murdoch in Parsons I’ll melt.

Pass on Parsons?

 

[TEDDY24INC]

Happy with no change, but wouldn't be adverse to: In: McCarthy, Narkle Out: Murdoch, O'Connor

 

[Grimoz]

Yep righto Bob, jesus people have really jumped on Melbourne i really hope we flog them.

https://www.zerohanger.com/bob-murphy-makes-bold-finals-prediction-23524

 

[Ratcat]

I wouldn't put Sam Menacegola in the same sentence as those others. He is yet to perform well under pressure.

Check out the AFL for ranking stats and be amazed.
It's a level playing field, better believe it Sam goes ok.

 

[Ratcat]

Happy with no change, but wouldn't be adverse to: In: McCarthy, Narkle Out: Murdoch, O'Connor

That would weaken our defence and underpower our forwardline.
No thanks.

 

[Tony Barber]

Yep righto Bob, jesus people have really jumped on Melbourne i really hope we flog them.

https://www.zerohanger.com/bob-murphy-makes-bold-finals-prediction-23524

That entire segment was about gut feels. Not what you think will happen.
Bobs gut feel has been Melbourne all year and therefor he's sticking with it.

And let's face it, a journo / specialist / tipster doesn't set our destiny.
Gee people can read way too much into things.

 

[frggr]

Predictions:

If we win, there'll be a deathly silence among opposition fans.

If we lose, there'll be a chorus of opposition fans gloating over our "failure" - with special attention given to Gazza.

So, let's win then

 

[Whiskers]

Yep righto Bob, jesus people have really jumped on Melbourne i really hope we flog them.

https://www.zerohanger.com/bob-murphy-makes-bold-finals-prediction-23524

Good to read this, although you most certainly should never need extra motivation in a final like this, footballers are funny creatures, they react to this sort of stuff.
Absolutely smashed? That’s zero respect right there, but if they read this it can only have a positive impact.

This Melbourne love in is ridiculous though, I’ve got no time to feel sorry for tankers who get handed things.

 

[romeohwho]

In a game where it was all going out way? Did he stand up in any final when things weren't going our way?

He has played well but he really needs to stand up in a hot arm wrestle. But you can also add another 7-8 of our blokes in that too.

If my memory serves me, he was pretty good in the hawk final in 2016 which was tight the whole game and he had a strong final quarter and did important stuff when we needed it. So hopefully he plays well and gets reward for a good year.

 

[Whiskers]

If we rock up and give away the first 6 goals only to then come back and fall short in the last quarter (i.e. the Scott finals script) I really hope the full weight of fans and the media fall on our club, especially the coaching staff and Scott. It's about time the pressure on him builds and justifiably so if it falls to script.

It already happened with the VFL boys.

Melbourne will come out firing, they will have the full support of the media no doubt (much like the dogs and tigs before them) due to them playing their first final. They are in great form.

We must flex our muscles and put them away with our finals experience. If we lose, it's just about the death of our winning culture we created in 07'.

Not much I disagree with here.
Problem is making Scott feel the pressure at the start of a new contract is a complete waste of time and it will be the equivalent of yelling at a cloud.

I want to win but even more so because the Scott bashing is going to be endless and completely draining.

 

[MacStradbroke]

Thanks for posting the Mongrel Punt's article on Gaz's 2018.

Gaz out performed Higgins in all areas except Clearances.

If Gaz hadn't been injured, he'd have again averaged more than 30 touches per game this Season. Pretty good effort! What other 34 y.o. is/has performed so consistently, for so long?

His dad.

 

[Grimoz]

That entire segment was about gut feels. Not what you think will happen.
Bobs gut feel has been Melbourne all year and therefor he's sticking with it.

And let's face it, a journo / specialist / tipster doesn't set our destiny.
Gee people can read way too much into things.

I dont care where it came from or if its a gut feel it's just disrespectful bullshit as usual especially saying we will get smashed.

 

[you pick one]

Happy with no change, but wouldn't be adverse to: In: McCarthy, Narkle Out: Murdoch, O'Connor

Absolute travesty if they drop Murdoch and keep the leak goals Wookie.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

If Parsons is named in the side for tomorrow night I might just blow a fuse.