Finals Week 3. Once upon a time, I actually quite liked the Bulldogs.

[KTigers]

Great win by Medvedev in the US Open. The Djoker is hard to love but I was kinda hoping he'd win and get the grand Slam.

[Roadrunner]

I’m trying to put memories of 2016 behind- the current Doggies team doesn’t seem to have any weaknesses. They have assembled a very skilful group of players: just look at Bailey Smith! Full credit to the recruiters and coaching staff.

They and the Dees are clearly the 2 best teams this year and it’s a comfort to know we can beat them both when on our game.

Both teams have excellent midfielders but the pups look a bit stronger up front. I was impressed by the pressure they applied to Port and always had more players wherever the ball went and teamed well. The same can be said about the Dees against the veterans. So this should be a great and hopefully close GF- slightly leaning to the pups if as expected they receive a bit of help from the usual suspects. Dees sentimental favs, so you never know!

[barry]

Dogs still have the weaknesses they had 4 weeks ago. A ruck problem. Stephan Martin is very unlikely to be able to back up his performance 2nd week back. And Max Gawn is the ultimate ruckman.
Lack of multiple key forward targets. Its still Aaron Norton or bust. Lever and May should have a field day.
And lack of key defenders.

Melbounre seem the more rounded team with players of size and skill in every area.

[mcs]

Dogs still have the weaknesses they had 4 weeks ago. A ruck problem. Stephan Martin is very unlikely to be able to back up his performance 2nd week back. And Max Gawn is the ultimate ruckman.
Lack of multiple key forward targets. Its still Aaron Norton or bust. Lever and May should have a field day.
And lack of key defenders.

Melbounre seem the more rounded team with players of size and skill in every area.

I think Gawn if he plays anywhere near his best will smash the Fairypuppies ruck brigade and can make the difference on the day. I agree with your comment barry around their forward line - Melbourne will put some serious work into Naughton, and you have to wonder if the Dogs will have enough avenues to goal if they keep him under control.

Going to be an interesting grand final. There is only one team I want to win it - preferably with some dodgy umpiring helping to get them rolled.

[Rod_]

Melbourne should based on match up have the win.

* presuming Gawn and others play to nearly their best.

If the dogs bring serious heat and it is a wet track, flip the coin.

Good luck as my preferred options are in the GF if the Swans aren't for this year. (Cat and Port both out - whoo hoo for 2021)

[Nico]

Melbourne will bring a heap more pressure around the footy than Port did, plus they are much quicker than Port.

[stevoswan]

I don't know if I can handle 2 weeks of the "all Melbourne Grand Final " narrative. It's already becoming nauseating.

And I'm sick of hearing how the poor Bulldogs have had to travel all over Australia.

I'm also over Beveridge whining during every press conference.

Sorry for being negative!

It's totally fine to be negative about the Fairypups....

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Great win by Medvedev in the US Open. The Djoker is hard to love but I was kinda hoping he'd win and get the grand Slam.

I wasn't! It was a beautiful result....as was Danny Ric winning the F1 Grand Prix!!!

[rb4x]

The week off before the GF will benefit the fairy puppies more than the Demons. Playing only one one sided game in three weeks will leave the Demons lacking match conditioning. Hate these weeks off that Gill has introduced as teams and supporters lose momentum and interest.

[Blood Fever]

Dogs still have the weaknesses they had 4 weeks ago. A ruck problem. Stephan Martin is very unlikely to be able to back up his performance 2nd week back. And Max Gawn is the ultimate ruckman.
Lack of multiple key forward targets. Its still Aaron Norton or bust. Lever and May should have a field day.
And lack of key defenders.

Melbounre seem the more rounded team with players of size and skill in every area.

Reckon it's a fifty fifty game. Bulldogs run teams ragged if they get their tail up

[mcs]

The week off before the GF will benefit the fairy puppies more than the Demons. Playing only one one sided game in three weeks will leave the Demons lacking match conditioning. Hate these weeks off that Gill has introduced as teams and supporters lose momentum and interest.

While I understand why it is there this year, I really do not hope it becomes a permanent thing before the GF. While marginally better than a bye directly before finals, I still think it is unnecessary at this point as well, and would much prefer a 2nd in season bye be introduced. I know the AFL will never do it, but why not have one bye spread out over a few weeks (say Rd 8-11) and then a proper general bye after say Rd 15 or 16, which then can be a week off where a focus is placed on local/grass roots footy, or whatever else they want to put in there. A much better option in my opinion.

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Reckon it's a fifty fifty game. Bulldogs run teams ragged if they get their tail up

Need those umpires to stay away early from dragging the Dogs into it if the Dees get the jump

[barry]

Why are we having a week off before the grand final?

[dejavoodoo44]

Why are we having a week off before the grand final?

My understanding is, that the gap week was thrown in, to cover for the possibility of missing a week through covid flare ups.

[RogueSwan]

Why are we having a week off before the grand final?

So all the AFL can make sure all the "important" people have enough time to quarantine for the GF?

[i'm-uninformed2]

Hey, wouldn't it be funny if one of the Dogs players crashed into Easton Wood's knee at training over the next fortnight!

[barry]

So all the AFL can make sure all the "important" people have enough time to quarantine for the GF?

Thats what I would think is the real reason.

Its the same reason those "important" people want to keep the grand final at the MCG. Its more important for them (read Eddie McGuire) to keep his continuous grand final attendance record at (30?) rather than give an opportunity for some poor west australian to attend their first one.