Melbourne: what do we make of them

[the hypnotoad]

I was just kidding, I dont expect or even want to go 22-0. Don’t think it improves your chances of winning a flag.

nah, i understand ... just making the point, i think, if you happen to go 22-0 you would still probably have critics (even though you'd like to think not), but if you got to that point it'd be good to look back and think 'fck yeah!' ... make finals at 22-0 or 13-9 and it starts again ...
true, you probably won't go 22-0, and that does help regards a certain pressure (mostly among fans) but as long as you hold onto the top two ...
as for dangers, an earlier poster listed richmond, geelong, brisbane, port and west coast as likely to beat you in finals but i think this melbourne team right now would clearly beat geelong, port and west coast (if they make finals) ... richmond, coz they're richmond, and brisbane, coz they're closing in on richmond ... they're the two i think you'll have to beat in finals (of course, i'm quietly hoping the swans keep surprising everyone, but they're a season or two off, i think)

 

[Demonic Ascent]

Will tell you after Rd 21 at Optus.

Need to see if they recovered enough from the 2018 pizzling to at least point to that area on the doll where we hurt them; or if they fail miserably (again).

I don't think Perth holds any great fear for us. We were spent in 2018 PF, played our GF against the Hawks in the Semi. We beat you there in 2017 and 2018, lost by a kick in 2016 and were in the game in 2019.

 

[wagstaff]

Jeez a doggies dees sh*tfight! This is what BF would have been like if it existed in 1954!

After the 1954 GF Dogs fans would have started a thread mocking Melbourne and Norm Smith for wilting under finals pressure and Demons fans would have been bringing that thread up gleefully for the next decade.

 

[Topkent]

Will tell you after Rd 21 at Optus.

Need to see if they recovered enough from the 2018 pizzling to at least point to that area on the doll where we hurt them; or if they fail miserably (again).

It's honestly strange how desperately some weagles fans cling to this like it means anything

 

[LBJ6]

It's honestly strange how desperately some weagles fans cling to this like it means anything

Pounding a team with Oscar McDonald and Sam Frost as the two key defenders ... so brave

 

[mrmonkey]

I don't think Perth holds any great fear for us. We were spent in 2018 PF, played our GF against the Hawks in the Semi. We beat you there in 2017 and 2018, lost by a kick in 2016 and were in the game in 2019.

That 2019 game we were 12 points up 1 goal 6 to be precise at 3 quarter time. That year we couldn't run out games but shows we weren't just in it we were the better team for 3 quarters.

 

[Demonic Ascent]

That 2019 game we were 12 points up 1 goal 6 to be precise at 3 quarter time. That year we couldn't run out games but shows we weren't just in it we were the better team for 3 quarters.

Yeah that's right and I didn't want to bring up any dodgy umpiring decisions either because in Perth that's a given

 

[Demonic Ascent]

Pounding a team with Oscar McDonald and Sam Frost as the two key defenders ... so brave

Lets not forget they overcame the second coming of Plugger, Joel Smith, in the forward line as well as midfield maestro Dom Tyson.

 

[99cents]

Doing well- top 4 locked.

Flag chances depend on injury run in Sept, and luck of the draw as to the opposition/ venue in prelim.

 

[SloppyJoe]

It's honestly strange how desperately some weagles fans cling to this like it means anything

3 years on and a serviceable performance at Optus since would indicate it doesn't mean much. But we know what the media will do to pump up the match and no doubt it will be in the backs of some players' minds who played in the PF. It's only a mental hurdle.

As for the Dees generally, it's not often that a side finishes 17th, 9th and then rockets into a top 2 finish. But we do see a lot of sides with similar previous finishes making top 4. I think that if they finish top 2 then you can't really have any doubts and they are a real chance to win the flag so long as they hold their nerve in the big finals. If they finish top 4 then I think they are probably more likely to bow out in a PF, which is usually the case when sides come from nowhere in previous seasons. They won't miss top 4 from here unless they have a nightmare injury run, touch wood.

 

[Topkent]

3 years on and a serviceable performance at Optus since would indicate it doesn't mean much. But we know what the media will do to pump up the match and no doubt it will be in the backs of some players' minds who played in the PF. It's only a mental hurdle.

As for the Dees generally, it's not often that a side finishes 17th, 9th and then rockets into a top 2 finish. But we do see a lot of sides with similar previous finishes making top 4. I think that if they finish top 2 then you can't really have any doubts and they are a real chance to win the flag so long as they hold their nerve in the big finals. If they finish top 4 then I think they are probably more likely to bow out in a PF, which is usually the case when sides come from nowhere in previous seasons. They won't miss top 4 from here unless they have a nightmare injury run, touch wood.

Half our side already didn't play in that prelim though, I'm sure the media will have some fun with it but it really doesn't mean shit. It's about as relevant as you guys being the best side in the comp because you won the flag in 18.

Im still not confident on top 4 yet, I'd be surprised if any real Melbourne fan was

 

[LeverPuller]

Half our side already didn't play in that prelim though, I'm sure the media will have some fun with it but it really doesn't mean sh*t. It's about as relevant as you guys being the best side in the comp because you won the flag in 18.

Im still not confident on top 4 yet, I'd be surprised if any real Melbourne fan was

I’m running what I’m calling the hurdles.
Hurdle 1: 13 wins (guaranteed finals)
Hurdle 2: 16 wins (guaranteed top 4)
Hurdle 3: Top 2 (min 16 wins but ideally 18-19).

That’s based on a quick and dirty stats run with the 18 team comp.

 

[afterburner]

Half our side already didn't play in that prelim though, I'm sure the media will have some fun with it but it really doesn't mean sh*t. It's about as relevant as you guys being the best side in the comp because you won the flag in 18.

I'm sure our defensive core of Oscar McDonald, Sam Frost, Joel Smith and Jordan Lewis will need some time with the sports psyc's before making the trek back to the West...

 

[Topkent]

I'm sure our defensive core of Oscar McDonald, Sam Frost, Joel Smith and Jordan Lewis will need some time with the sports psyc's before making the trek back to the West...

No wonder we sucked. Bloody hell

 

[Demonic Ascent]

I'm sure our defensive core of Oscar McDonald, Sam Frost, Joel Smith and Jordan Lewis will need some time with the sports psyc's before making the trek back to the West...

To be fair, I'm pretty sure Joel Smith played forward that day - we brought him in at the expense of Fritsch!

 

[afterburner]

To be fair, I'm pretty sure Joel Smith played forward that day - we brought him in at the expense of Fritsch!

To be fair, Joel Smith’s contribution roughly matched Fritsch’s that day.

 

[mrmonkey]

I think the whole preliminary final spooked thing is a myth Collingwood got pumped in 09 by Geelong. The very next year Collingwood pumped Geelong in the preliminary final. The West Coast preliminary final was 3 years ago, completely different teams.

 

[SloppyJoe]

I'm sure our defensive core of Oscar McDonald, Sam Frost, Joel Smith and Jordan Lewis will need some time with the sports psyc's before making the trek back to the West...

I haven't watched the game in years but to my memory it was your mids and fowards, moreso than your defence, that let you down.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

I haven't watched the game in years but to my memory it was your mids and fowards, moreso than your defence, that let you down.

Trust me it was every single line that let us down that day.
We were an absolute disgrace that day.

 

[mrmonkey]

To memory I thought we started off well but couldn't score because West Coast defence kept cutting off our poor entries. Then Jordan Lewis handed them an easy goal and the wheels completely fell off from there. We just couldn't settle and it was done by quarter time.

 

[Trav 20]

To memory I thought we started off well but couldn't score because West Coast defence kept cutting off our poor entries. Then Jordan Lewis handed them an easy goal and the wheels completely fell off from there. We just couldn't settle and it was done by quarter time.

The mids were smashed from the outset.

 

[Sttew]

For me, Demons have stars on all lines. They have the class and potential to go all the way.... but

 

[Rotayjay]

Like others, to Demons fans, I say enjoy the ride. It'll be a rough ride emotionally - prepare.

But there is nothing quite like the feeling of your side sitting on top of the ladder. Most of my fondest footy memories have been those emotional roller coaster rides in years when we've been good. Hasn't netted us a flag for 22 years, but it's still a fun ride.

I would be very happy to see you win the flag if your side proves worthy of it in four months' time. We've had our chances and ****ed it up - now it's your chance. Six decades is long enough to wait.

 

[Drewie11]

First loss coming up tomorrow arvo. Won’t derail their season though

 

[wobblypunt]

Why is it so hard to believe they are the real deal? Just feels like they came out of nowhere and have such a poor AFL history that it feels like they can’t be favourites even if they go 10-0 in a few weeks...