From THE AGE this morning. 

OK  put up your dukes!

"It's hard to think of a starker contrast between a few games which weren't supposed to mean anything than we witnessed over the weekend.

At the MCG on Saturday, Essendon made a mockery of naive suggestions they would be better served losing to Carlton and ensuring the No.1 draft pick with their most spirited performance of the season.

The post-game scenes were no less significant, the Bombers not only giving fitting farewells to the top-up players who'd helped out this season, but gathering in front of their fans at the Punt Road end to thank them for sticking by the club these past four nightmarish years.

But while Essendon were giving it everything, down the highway at Geelong, Melbourne, now without a top eight spot to play for, were effectively waving the white flag, sending off Paul Roos with the heaviest defeat of his 268-game coaching career.

---// snip/:

Two weekends ago, Melbourne were playing for a potential finals spot, Demon fans with more hope in the hearts than they'd had for a decade. Instead, they'll go into a six-month hibernation once again wondering just how much has changed.

Richmond supporters were already at a low ebb. The complete lack of competitiveness of their team in their final chance to show something was without doubt the final rubbing of their collective noses in the you-know-what.

That's not to suggest either the Melbourne or Richmond players weren't hurting after their humiliations. There's every chance they'll recover a fair bit quicker, though. An eight-week holiday looms. Overseas trips. And when they return to their club, the slate will have been wiped clean, the embarrassment forgotten as they throw themselves into the business of preparing for 2017.

 

 

 

How dare he!? That's OUR job!

 

 

No coincidence that he's laying in the boots on the same weekend the EFC won. It's the duffle coat talking.

Hard to argue with him, however maybe next time to keep some credibility he could use an example that doesn't involve his team.

After all Essendon played against a bottom 5 team at the MCG, both Melbourne & Richmond played away to top 2 teams.  I would have thought the obvious comparison would have been Collingwood yesterday.

Nothing like gutter journalism!

21 minutes ago, AngryAtCasey said:

Hard to argue with him, however maybe next time to keep some credibility he could use an example that doesn't involve his team.

After all Essendon played against a bottom 5 team at the MCG, both Melbourne & Richmond played away to top 2 teams.  I would have thought the obvious comparison would have been Collingwood yesterday.

Nothing like gutter journalism!

We lost to Carlton 8 days ago.

Hard to fault Essendon (outside of the obvious). They won more games with a top up side that didn't even do a full pre-season together than we did under our last season with Neeld.

3 minutes ago, praha said:

We lost to Carlton 8 days ago.

Remind me where I said we beat them?

But he's right?

Regardless of who he supports, nothing he said is wrong.

All of those who would excuse in any way, a 100+ point loss, regardless of youth/lastgameofseason/no top 8 spot on the line/insert excuse, only serve to make us weaker, by giving the soft underbelly of our club some wiggle room.

Utter disgust is the only way my feelings about that game can be summed up, and it's still us (this time joined by the tigs), who are a laughing stock.

 

4 minutes ago, The Song Formerly Known As said:

But he's right?

 

41 minutes ago, AngryAtCasey said:

Hard to argue with him, however maybe next time to keep some credibility he could use an example that doesn't involve his team.

After all Essendon played against a bottom 5 team at the MCG, both Melbourne & Richmond played away to top 2 teams.  I would have thought the obvious comparison would have been Collingwood yesterday.

Nothing like gutter journalism!

 

Since when did gutter journalism tell the truth? Unless we get rid of the softcoque mentality we will become the new Richmond. 

25 minutes ago, america de cali said:

Since when did gutter journalism tell the truth? Unless we get rid of the softcoque mentality we will become the new Richmond. 

We're already there, or worse. At least they used to come 9th.

The audacity of the man!  Doesn't he know that we still have Casey to follow in September, and following that, the cut and thrust of the free agency, trade and draft periods, and then another outstanding pre-season campaign?

It may not read pretty but Conolly is right

3 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

It may not read pretty but Conolly is right

Not in my view.  Typical example of Monday 48 hour syndrome.  If MFC supporters are so stupid as to let one very poor performance colour their view of the future I wish them a long and miserable summer.

Anyone with half a brain could see we were cooked for the last two games and were probably cooked from the midway through the 2nd quarter against Port.  Young team, huge efforts against West Coast, Suns, Hawks and another away trip to PA and they were clearly exhausted. Couldn't run. It's pretty easy sitting in our chairs to be critical of effort but I doubt any of us have any idea of the mental and physical toll 6 months or so of competitive AFL footy has on the body - unless of course you've done it. Roos has said time and time again how young we are.  Does anyone really think that playing older teams with games and preseasons under their belt isn't a significant disadvantage?  Give me a break.

Connolly of course wants to be "hard hitting" but his analysis covers 48 hours and not the progress we've made this season.  So the irrational naysayers can slit their wrists for all I care.  I'll watch the Hawks replay and think of another year under the belt of numerous talented youngsters, the added strength and experience of two former Bombers (how that must niggle the Ivory Tower brigade especially since our Coach was "first in line for the good stuff) and the promise that next year holds.

Crap article by Connolly.  Rubbish, garbage, junk and sadly misguided.

1 minute ago, Vogon Poetry said:

Not in my view.  Typical example of Monday 48 hour syndrome.  If MFC supporters are so stupid as to let one very poor performance colour their view of the future I wish them a long and miserable summer.

Anyone with half a brain could see we were cooked for the last two games and were probably cooked from the midway through the 2nd quarter against Port.  Young team, huge efforts against West Coast, Suns, Hawks and another away trip to PA and they were clearly exhausted. Couldn't run. It's pretty easy sitting in our chairs to be critical of effort but I doubt any of us have any idea of the mental and physical toll 6 months or so of competitive AFL footy has on the body - unless of course you've done it. Roos has said time and time again how young we are.  Does anyone really think that playing older teams with games and preseasons under their belt isn't a significant disadvantage?  Give me a break.

Connolly of course wants to be "hard hitting" but his analysis covers 48 hours and not the progress we've made this season.  So the irrational naysayers can slit their wrists for all I care.  I'll watch the Hawks replay and think of another year under the belt of numerous talented youngsters, the added strength and experience of two former Bombers (how that must niggle the Ivory Tower brigade especially since our Coach was "first in line for the good stuff) and the promise that next year holds.

Crap article by Connolly.  Rubbish, garbage, junk and sadly misguided.

Well said.

Connolly wasn't on his own with a lack of insight.  Patrick Smith named 6 teams that "flunked" the year and he included Melbourne, albeit in 6th place.  Ridiculous.

3 minutes ago, Vogon Poetry said:

Not in my view.  Typical example of Monday 48 hour syndrome.  If MFC supporters are so stupid as to let one very poor performance colour their view of the future I wish them a long and miserable summer.

Anyone with half a brain could see we were cooked for the last two games and were probably cooked from the midway through the 2nd quarter against Port.  Young team, huge efforts against West Coast, Suns, Hawks and another away trip to PA and they were clearly exhausted. Couldn't run. It's pretty easy sitting in our chairs to be critical of effort but I doubt any of us have any idea of the mental and physical toll 6 months or so of competitive AFL footy has on the body - unless of course you've done it. Roos has said time and time again how young we are.  Does anyone really think that playing older teams with games and preseasons under their belt isn't a significant disadvantage?  Give me a break.

Connolly of course wants to be "hard hitting" but his analysis covers 48 hours and not the progress we've made this season.  So the irrational naysayers can slit their wrists for all I care.  I'll watch the Hawks replay and think of another year under the belt of numerous talented youngsters, the added strength and experience of two former Bombers (how that must niggle the Ivory Tower brigade especially since our Coach was "first in line for the good stuff) and the promise that next year holds.

Crap article by Connolly.  Rubbish, garbage, junk and sadly misguided.

Losing to Geelong i can cop

Losing to Carlscum when a real chance was still alive i will not...

22 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

It may not read pretty but Conolly is right

Very much so.

Just happens that Essendon provided the contrast.  Not his or their fault.

8 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Losing to Geelong i can cop

Losing to Carlscum when a real chance was still alive i will not...

Over the past three seasons, I thought we should have won 2 to 3 more games than we did per season. Early season good progress sabotaged by late season inertia and lack of focus playing peer clubs. These guys are supposed to be professionals and should be able to finish off a season. The problem is not their bodies but a feeble mind set. 

1 minute ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Losing to Geelong i can cop

Losing to Carlscum when a real chance was still alive i will not...

I wont cop a 111 point loss, to anyone, regardless of the round and what's on the line.

People keep going on about improvement, and of course we have improved, but 18 goal losses are much more than a "reality check" for a "cooked" team.

I still see finals for us next year, based on what we saw in our better games (injury permitting). But I also see no end to the humiliations, and that's the part that makes my blood boil. 

 

3 minutes ago, faultydet said:

I wont cop a 111 point loss

Explain what this means?  It happened.  You either support us or you don't.  It's not a matter of "copping it", that's meaningless rhetoric.

 

17 minutes ago, Vogon Poetry said:

Not in my view.  Typical example of Monday 48 hour syndrome.  If MFC supporters are so stupid as to let one very poor performance colour their view of the future I wish them a long and miserable summer.

Anyone with half a brain could see we were cooked for the last two games and were probably cooked from the midway through the 2nd quarter against Port.  Young team, huge efforts against West Coast, Suns, Hawks and another away trip to PA and they were clearly exhausted. Couldn't run. It's pretty easy sitting in our chairs to be critical of effort but I doubt any of us have any idea of the mental and physical toll 6 months or so of competitive AFL footy has on the body - unless of course you've done it. Roos has said time and time again how young we are.  Does anyone really think that playing older teams with games and preseasons under their belt isn't a significant disadvantage?  Give me a break.

Connolly of course wants to be "hard hitting" but his analysis covers 48 hours and not the progress we've made this season.  So the irrational naysayers can slit their wrists for all I care.  I'll watch the Hawks replay and think of another year under the belt of numerous talented youngsters, the added strength and experience of two former Bombers (how that must niggle the Ivory Tower brigade especially since our Coach was "first in line for the good stuff) and the promise that next year holds.

Crap article by Connolly.  Rubbish, garbage, junk and sadly misguided.

You can't argue with Connolly, we had everything to play for over the past 2 weeks and just showed how mentally fragile we are.  V Carlton we expected it would just happen amd V Geelong no body wanted to make it happen.  Our players jump into exit interviews this week then get to disappear for 2 months where us supporters hang on every bit of trade and draft news that will hopefully see us finally over come this mentally soft tag we have had for many years

The last two weeks of the season sucked the joy (and there is little) out of being a Melbourne Supporter. It wasn't the loss against Geelong but rather two less than insipid performances when the supporter base had every right to expect better.

As Jaded pointed out on another thread the last two weeks will probably cost around 3000 members for next year.

The article is spot on and moreover it shows how we are perceived. 

5 minutes ago, faultydet said:

I wont cop a 111 point loss, to anyone, regardless of the round and what's on the line.

People keep going on about improvement, and of course we have improved, but 18 goal losses are much more than a "reality check" for a "cooked" team.

I still see finals for us next year, based on what we saw in our better games (injury permitting). But I also see no end to the humiliations, and that's the part that makes my blood boil. 

 

Yes losing by 111 points was unacceptable. Losing at Geelong, well you know what i mean

losing to Carltank at The MCG from the first Bounce i will not cop.

mental fragility still exists

1 minute ago, drdrake said:

You can't argue with Connolly, 

Yes I can.  Yes I did.  You can side with Connolly all you like for all I care but it's just a junk article.

 

1 minute ago, Diamond_Jim said:

The last two weeks of the season sucked the joy (and there is little) out of being a Melbourne Supporter. It wasn't the loss against Geelong but rather two less than insipid performances when the supporter base had every right to expect better.

As Jaded pointed out on another thread the last two weeks will probably cost around 3000 members for next year.

The article is spot on and moreover it shows how we are perceived. 

It is not a perception but a reality we share with Richmond.