A Doig medal, an All Australian, a Simpson medal and lead DJ at Covid Club 150. Time to Restump Podcast Lukey Ryan’s 150th in the demolition of the Dees.

The defensively versatile Luke Ryan has put together a remarkable 150 games and played them at a ridiculously consistent high-end level. He’s been the mainstay, showing incredible durability, playing 150 of a possible 160 games since his debut in 2017, and at 28 years of age, there’s another 100+ games in him yet.

His services were barely required Sunday as we tore a hapless Melbourne Demons team apart in the middle, softening the reliance on the defensive unit. Without a Max Gawn and a Christian Petracca, there was little to no resistance in the midfield and around the ground at stoppages.

While without any doubt we performed superbly, producing a connectivity enabling chains of play we have only dreamt of and been striving for, our lack of an opponent had some say in it.

There is something that is just not cricket at Melbourne. We took 21 marks inside 50 and our average prior to the game was 12. A total of 24%, nearly one in every four of our marks were inside 50! That is an insane stat. We usually go around the 12%, or one in 8 or 9 marks inside 50.

We went +31 in the clearances when we average +7 all year. Centre clearances we were +9 and we usually go around +2.4 mark.

The Dees had a Jack Viney and a Clayton Oliver in there. They rolled Trent Rivers and Tom Sparrow through there. These are far from fringe players so there is plenty of merit in our performance. But you don’t put up numbers like we did against these types if there aren’t additional underlying issues. Max Gawn and Christian Petracca are influential greats but they weren’t that big of a difference. Something is a tad off at Demon land.

But we got to play our game and hone our drills. We banked another four points and added 3% which may or may not end up vital. Top 4 is ours if we want it.

It was magnificent to see what is now the full-blown arrival of Josh Treacy. Lets remember, while the Dees were off in the middle they still had a Steven May and a Jake Lever. Neither of them caused Treacy any grief.

Message sending Sonny Walters was back causing havoc and putting in a complete and well-rounded game. Never write off champions! 

I’m willing to bet right now that Andy Brayshaw is a shoe-in for next captain. He’s back to his 2022 best, with big moment and game influential acts. If anyone wants that bet, get in touch with me!

It was one of those one in all in, same page, individual role playing performances that produces stunning results. The Dees may not have put the pressure on us but its still a win we should take great confidence out of.

The injury to the captain is a devastating one and hasn’t arrived at the ideal time. He was in scintillating form and leaves shoes impossible to fill. Lets hope the time frame is good news.

While we sit in the top 4, we are only a game and a half out of 9th. So, the words 'No Complacency' should be put in bold on the white board down at Cockburn this week, as we head towards the derby!

We ran into a few time hurdles so the Mi Casa Property Boutique Metres Gained competition didn’t get up last weekend. It’ll return for the Derby.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable game to watch but it’s an interesting game to assess. Ross Lyon’s “never as good or as bad” line seems highly appropriate.

Anyway, let’s get into a bit more depth on the pod and see what noisy nonsense eventuates.

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