Back in my broadcasting days, we used to love playing 'We Are The Champions' because when you were cueing it up -- back in those days it was vinyl on felt -- you'd get, "I paid..." then backwards it sounded like, "Get F*cked". Yes, amused by the simple things in life then...
LR... there is something seriously disturbing about your avatar, on many levels
When Brock, interviewed after the game, commented that this was about the best WIN of the season... that told me a lot about the group, and the Senior Coach.
...and about the decision to make 5 changes. In the words of Goethe... 'boldness has genius, magic and power in it'... understand, MM? Your '2nd string' midfield and kids delivered an unlikely win... an impressive win. You can be a stubborn 60 (this is what has always worked) or be an OF who dares to dream of wise, but bold change.
Whilst not in any way trying to take the gloss off what was a terrific win, I feel that this has only served to paper over the cracks and lull us into a false sense of security once again.
For the past month, we have been served up a heap of tripe from the team with many people on this forum being scathing of individual efforts and the like.
They can't be complete spuds when we lose and superstars when we win, it's one or the other regardless of the result and for that reason alone, we still have a long way to go before our list is ready to challenge for a flag.
Understand where you are coming from... 11 years of abject failure breeds cynicism. But, for me, today said something.
Today we won when we should have lost. Why?
In fact we were gone at qtr time. Many of us and commentators were predicting a 100 pt + blowout. But we pulled back the deficit and won... how come? We've not be able to do that for a very long time. Well, you gotta see the glimmer... could it be the newbies and at last, boldness from the MC...
Meat is a far better forward/ruck option than Rowey. He may have been the difference (so encouraging when a forward marks and kicks goals!!!!!!!!)
Menzel must play out the season. As must Dinger, Meat, the Nick and McInnes. I really believe it was the belief, enthusiasm and raw ability of these blokes that helped lift the older blokes in that last qtr.
On the subject of the kids...
...although Menzel fades in and out, when he fades in he really does do damage. And I implore you to watch replays of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc efforts of Menzel... this kid, when in the contest, does not want to surrender. (Yazz could learn much from this bloke).
Dinger: yep he got caught and it looked really pathetic, but where were his team mates letting him know he was 'hot'... dam introverts! We should not underestimate his endeavour when the real win/lose heat was on and how his crunch on Cotchin lifted his team mates.
Nick Graham: slotted in nicely. Picked up around 10 disposals in a qtr and a bit of footy. This, with having to wait as the sub, says something about the kids temperament. Remember, this fella was the Skipper of Gippy... leadership potential. Also remember that MM says he is about the last to leave after training... wants to improve himself and commits big time.
McInnes: gotta understand that this bloke has not had a proper pre season and has only just gotten back, yet shows the attitude you want in a defender. Love his dash of mongrel.
Meat: So frustrating that he starts slowly. Sort of bloke who needs to ruck from the get-go. Gets all cylinders firing. And when they're firing his marking ability is second to none. As mentioned above, he is a far better option than Rowey. Remember... he's only played 13 games - these big blokes do take longer.
Scotto must play next year.
Sorry, Ye Sheikness, but today we got a glimpse. We looked like a side that was determined to win( without Juddy, Carrots, Kreuz...etc).
Apart from Betts, Warnock and Yarran... all the other blokes on the paddock absorbed the heat and withstood the pressure to prevail... even though we were fading (fitness) at the end.
Proud to be a BlueBagger today... but we have a long, long way to go.
Gee we learned a lot about our blokes today... a lot. We also learned about our coaching.
No matter which way you bend it, positive or negative, today's win showed character... and some good moves and faith from the coaching panel.
Moves & Faith - not to panic and move Hendo into defence. Whoever chose Waite to defence and not Hendo should be given a medal. Everything was right about Waite into defence.
Curnow to kurb Cotchin... in fact he took him to the cleaners.
Armfield to Ellils... goodnight Ellis.
Zackery to Martin... Martin's contract negotiations now in Tiggers favour.
In my summary of the VFL game last week I commented that I thought Robbo was among the best (though not so according the 'official' best). I did so because I watched closely how he would respond to be demoted and then play. His attitude was great and I thought his 'discipline' in terms of 'role' was so much better than for a long while. He brought that to the MCG today and I am thrilled for him that he is learning how to channel his considerable energy and passion (and developing skills).
(a few of us on here have always thought that Waite is better in defence, but understood that due to slim pickings up forward he was heavily relied upon to present himself up there... the pickins aint so slim now... please keep Waitey in defence to support Jammo - who (Jammo), regardless of what other may thing, is doing a sensational job.)
Heath Scotland must play on.
We responded and then played so well without Juddy, Kreuz, Carrots, Gartlett...
On the negative side... We were better when Meat was in the ruck (206 has poor 2nd, 3rd etc efforts).
Yaz was good only in a few bursts off half back. Is not a forward. If he is to stay, it will be as a half back.
Whoever decided to play Boots (regardless of opponent) is dreaming. This kid can only chase, spoil and negate. He has no offensive skills. Send him back home to his family, please.
Eddie, to me, is about the first bloke we should trade.
The Tiggers will come out focussed and start the 3rd like they did the 1st... Hopefully this time we won't gift the Tiggers by putting our string bean on their Coleman Medalist
Can't seem to get excited with this game, only thing that will be getting me to watch it is 40+ plus years of support and to have a look at Graham & Menzal in the same team. Oh, and hope that maybe the Boult doesn't go to water in front of goals
Tigers will win again margin doesn't matter anymore.
Meat's been slotting them nicely in the NBs... gotten over the yips, well, at VFL level ...the big test will be on the big stage.
The Graham kid sounds like he has the talent but can someone confirm whether or not he gets the hard ball as this is a glaring deficiency with our side. Give me hope, someone?
I haven't seen him shirk an issue. Goes hard. Gets the inside aggot and can link up on the outside and deliver effectively. As I mentioned previously, he's got a footy brain hence makes good decisions quickly and acts.
What can you tell us about him baggers? Clearly a ball magnet, but who, if anyone does he remind you of ?
Reminds me of Luke Blackwell but miles faster and with much better disposal skills
Good comparison RR, Young Fella. I'm a big fan of his disposal - often hits the best target by foot or hand and has a footy brain. Really pleasing to see that one of our blokes actually has a footy brain!
I just hope we haven't put the mozz on him with this tyre pumping. But I am sure everyone is realistic enough to know he won't come in and dominate... but just watch for potential.
