Post Match Discussion - Round 12 (never in doubt)

[SaberFang 7,151]

The two best mates getting in on the action:

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-06-21/rd-12-nealbullen-and-stretch-postmatch

ANB: Definitely the best day of my life so far.

[Akum 2,660]

Oscar McDonald 19

Liam Jurrah 26

Max King 16

[hardtack 10,971]

lazy [censored] bastards. we should have beat the [censored] by 10 goals

Finally, the voice of reason! ;-)

[Young Dee 1,303]

Think the club should try and give each new draftee a senior mentor. Who's petracca's? (trengove?)

Omac can have his brother or Dunn.

Stretch/ANB - Vince

King - Jamar/Gawn

[Dr. Gonzo 24,457]

One of the best parts of the game (other than the consistent pressure, tackling and four quarter effort) was the fact that we started with some of the same panicked handballs and stupid turnovers as the last few weeks but after settling into the game we basically eliminated them and reversed the trend so the Cats were the ones making those mistakes.

Hopefully this game gives them real confidence and belief by showing them what it takes to win and what is possible when they provide consistent effort and implement the team structures.

[Adam The God 30,640]

It wasn't as evident at the ground for me, but watching the replay before, Dunn's game was massive. I'd say just about his best game for the club. We didn't have any passengers today. Everyone played their role and we minimised the stupid little errors that had been creeping into our game over the last couple of weeks. That is the benchmark, Melbourne. That is the benchmark. You do that every week and we'll make the 8 next year.

[Longsufferingnomore 1,672]

I can't f-ing wait to play Carlton if we keep this brand of footy up. Nothing bruise free about it. I hope when we play the lions that Viney and co hammer that [censored] Mitch Robinson.

We are finally a hard at it team!

Sunday August 23 MCG

[Je Roos Salem 661]

A lot of internal praise for Howe. Could suggest that he's staying or just that the club really wants him to

[SaberFang 7,151]

Loving the Brayshaw/Jones bromance. More senior players to take our youth under their wings, please!

[DeeSpencer 26,470]

It wasn't as evident at the ground for me, but watching the replay before, Dunn's game was massive. I'd say just about his best game for the club. We didn't have any passengers today. Everyone played their role and we minimised the stupid little errors that had been creeping into our game over the last couple of weeks. That is the benchmark, Melbourne. That is the benchmark. You do that every week and we'll make the 8 next year.

The only thing I don't get with Dunn is how he lets forwards mark the ball a good 5-10m ahead of him. Yeah I get that he's been out bodied or blocked and the forward has got the break but would it kill him to then charge out to catch up and at least get in camera. You never know when a forward will double grab one and what seemed like a pointless effort just became a worthwhile one. Footsteps etc. I don't know, maybe it's just me. But it seems he either wins the contest or if he's well beaten he gives up a little.

[Young Dee 1,303]

A lot of internal praise for Howe. Could suggest that he's staying or just that the club really wants him to

He brought the ball to ground something which we have really struggled with (especially against Collingwood)

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

Vince would have to be polling ok in the Brownlow so far? Guess Hogan might take a few off him......

[bing181 9,436]

???

On a day like this, we can all dream a little.

[DeeSpencer 26,470]

A lot of internal praise for Howe. Could suggest that he's staying or just that the club really wants him to

Staying or going he needs to play well for the next 11 weeks. Sometimes I think guys in contract years let the media speculation get to them and then their form dips and the pressure builds and it all gets hard. Coming off an interrupted preseason and being swapped back to the forward line there's probably a bit of pressure on Howe. There's nothing lost in trying to support him a bit. 2 goals and a direct score assist from the tap down, if he's going to have a super quite game then this was a good type of one to have.

[Adam The God 30,640]

wonder if we would have one that if we didnt play Gawn and Spencer

Could be a good combo for us. Should be able to expose Essendope

My old man and I were talking about this as we were leaving the ground. That combo works against a slow side, which Geelong are these days. That doesn't work against a GWS. Still, whacko that it worked today.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

Staying or going he needs to play well for the next 11 weeks. Sometimes I think guys in contract years let the media speculation get to them and then their form dips and the pressure builds and it all gets hard. Coming off an interrupted preseason and being swapped back to the forward line there's probably a bit of pressure on Howe. There's nothing lost in trying to support him a bit. 2 goals and a direct score assist from the tap down, if he's going to have a super quite game then this was a good type of one to have.

Today certainly reaffirmed that he's a forward. You'd take 4 possessions, 2 goals and some nice teamwork over 15-20 average possessions out of defence. He's kicked 2 important goals from the boundary in the past two weeks too

[Adam The God 30,640]

Really loved at the end when Roos ran out on the ground, rounded up the players and led them to form a guard of honour for Enright.

Fabulous moment! He made sure we showed our respected to a great of the game.

Great leadership from Roos.

We showed humility in victory...it was an incredibly proud moment.

Well done Roos and our 22 fabulous players on the victory and on the respect shown.

At last the 186 voodoo is dead! Hooray!

Gave a very subdued thumbs up to us at the race too when we were singing his praises as they left the field. Love him. Want him to keep coaching us past 2016.

Jeez, what a ripper of a day you've had, AF!!!!!

One of the best days I can remember at the footy. And I go just about every week.

And now I've reached my daily quota for likes.

[Young Dee 1,303]

Gave a very subdued thumbs up to us at the race too when we were singing his praises as they left the field. Love him. Want him to keep coaching us past 2016.

One of the best days I can remember at the footy. And I go just about every week.

And now I've reached my daily quota for likes.

Just reset actually

[Adam The God 30,640]

Surely Angus is favourite for the Rising Star now. That intercept mark and charge through the middle was magnificent.

Cripps was pretty damn good yesterday. It's a rubbish award that means very little. Happy to have Gus keep incrementally improving without that spotlight, although I'm sure he'd have no problems dealing with it. Already probably my favourite player.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

The first 9 rounds of this season are now haunted by the ghost of Gawn

[RalphiusMaximus 6,110]

I went to create the "Changes for Next Week" thread and couldn't do it. Need to let this one settle a bit before I start thinking about which 1-3 players will be very stiff (depending on Garland and vandenBerg with Hogan a given).

I can pretty much guarantee that we won't be beaten next week.

[Adam The God 30,640]

ANB =. The other small forward we needed.

What is so impressive about ANB is his game sense. He knows where the goals are and he knows when to get it on the boot. He's going to be a beauty, I think.

[DeeSpencer 26,470]

Today certainly reaffirmed that he's a forward. You'd take 4 possessions, 2 goals and some nice teamwork over 15-20 average possessions out of defence. He's kicked 2 important goals from the boundary in the past two weeks too

Nope. Today reaffirmed why he's not a regular forward. Doesn't get the ball enough, probably doesn't read the play well as a forward, isn't creative or hard working enough with his leading and running when forward of the ball.

Intercept possessions aren't as good as goals but they are super valuable and he can bring them down back whilst also stopping his opponent. The reality is that when in form of course he's a forward. Anyone who can take a grab and slot a goal should be as near to the sticks as possible. But if he doesn't work to find the ball or defensively then he needs to be trained up to do that. For some players that means the backline and for some that switch is permanent. That's what happened for Andrew Mackie who was a very similar forward to Howe back in his day and thrived at half back.

He's far from the complete package as a footballer but I'd rather the players pump him up and we stay positive than focus on what we can't change in regard to his contract negotiations and/or desire for a trade.

[Adam The God 30,640]

Haven't read the whole thread but Jeffy deserves another mention. 4 goals in a performance we're almost coming to expect from him. Love your work Jeffy.

Love him. Only needs 5 or 6 kicks and he either kicks goals or sets them up. Really enjoying his goals out the back this year too.

[SaberFang 7,151]

Cripps was pretty damn good yesterday. It's a rubbish award that means very little. Happy to have Gus keep incrementally improving without that spotlight, although I'm sure he'd have no problems dealing with it. Already probably my favourite player.

Still staggers me that Bontempelli lost the thing last year. Lewis Taylor hasn't shown much at all this year, but the Bont is carrying his team to wins.