A Letter to Goodwin

[Sir Why You Little 36,954]

14 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

So the youngest team in the AFL , that also doesn't have a Ruckman cannot be trusted??

Yeah right.

The bulldogs lost players almost every week last year. 

They found a way to beat adversity. We have to do the same if we ever want to be respected and feared again. 

[pinkshark 950]

On 09/05/2017 at 6:43 PM, Jaded said:

Fancy living through the last 8 years and losing your [censored] after a 3 point loss to Hawthorn... bit late to the crazy party mate  

funny funny comment

[DeeZee 7,361]

I don't see why we have to constantly be compared to the Bulldogs, they still have played more games than us and are about a year ahead of us, in development, something McCartney stated himself last season.

We could still make a run similar to them once we get a few more games into us. We've been pretty close.

 

But it's also the type of player that is missing, The all Australian Gawn is just as important to us as a Bontempelli is to them.

Edited May 10, 2017 by DeeZee

[pinkshark 950]

On 09/05/2017 at 7:17 PM, Bobby McKenzie said:

Also not factual, Jack Reiwoldt hardly got a touch in our previous three encounters with the tigers. Due to have one good game. 

No respect? Rubbish! All 7 teams who have played us this year know they have been playing! Have a look at the relieved faces of the teams that scraped home against us.  Richmond players were ecstatic to have won against an injury hit team with only two players on the bench. No doubt because they had not beaten us for three years.

Sad that the writer saw fit to criticise Goodwin after just 7 games. Already, Simon has instilled hardness and a strong never give up attitude. We are certainly not a bruise free football team anymore. 

Simon just now has to develop that all important facet of our game CONSISTENCY! He will I am sure. Our best quarters are blindingly brilliant. Wait till we put four of them together and feel pity for the opposition. It's going to happen oh faithful ones. Go Melbourne!

Come on!!!

[Dr. Mubutu 827]

1 hour ago, Soidee said:

When I turn up to the MCG to watch the demons I have no idea if they will win or not.  That is a trust issue.

At least we're not turning up knowing they won't, so that's some improvement over recent seasons.

[dpositive 1,663]

24 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

I don't see why we have to constantly be compared to the Bulldogs, they still have played more games than us and are about a year ahead of us, in development, something McCartney stated himself last season.

We could still make a run similar to them once we get a few more games into us. We've been pretty close.

 

But it's also the type of player that is missing, The all Australian Gawn is just as important to us as a Bontempelli is to them.

If a year ahead...What was Doggies record after 7/8 rounds last year

The dogs seem to know how to win now

[DeeZee 7,361]

3 minutes ago, dpositive said:

If a year ahead...What was Doggies record after 7/8 rounds last year

The dogs seem to know how to win now

I'd say they'd still be ahead, but it's naive to think that we are going to follow their path precisely.

There's always other factors, player development, player mix, the draw, injuries etc..

[Sir Why You Little 36,954]

10 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

I'd say they'd still be ahead, but it's naive to think that we are going to follow their path precisely.

There's always other factors, player development, player mix, the draw, injuries etc..

Aern't they just excuses?

the Dogs list was decimated last year and they kept winning. 

They found a way...as we should have on Anzac Eve...

[Satyriconhome 10,680]

9 hours ago, DemonOX said:

Sorry saty we all don't have our rose coloured glasses on like ur good self when it comes to the MFC on field performances. 

Btw I won't lose any sleep if u don't read my posts. 

Nah chap was bitterly disappointed with the 1st half, but it's just footy, got a nice photo of my grandchildren that night, puts it all in perspective 

[Radar Detector 1,347]

1 hour ago, DeeZee said:

So the youngest team in the AFL , that also doesn't have a Ruckman cannot be trusted??

Yeah right.

I'd be very surprised if the team we fielded last week was close to the youngest in the AFL. The ruck is an issue.

 

[Adam The God 30,110]

16 hours ago, mo64 said:

Are you describing the MFC in 2010 or 2017? Here in lies the problem for many. We've been hearing the same excuse for 11 years. 

Shows a real lack of understanding, if you're comparing what we have now with what we had then. Coaches, wider FD, facilities, administration - world's apart.

[Radar Detector 1,347]

6 hours ago, A F said:

Shows a real lack of understanding, if you're comparing what we have now with what we had then. Coaches, wider FD, facilities, administration - world's apart.

This is all true AF, however until it actually results in game day results, it's lip service. We are still losing to bog ordinary teams in circumstances where we absolutely should be winning.

Hawthorn are no longer a good side. They didn't play amazingly well against us and they were a man down for 3/4. 

We're making strides and we'll get there eventually but it tests the patience.

[DeeZee 7,361]

8 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Aern't they just excuses?

the Dogs list was decimated last year and they kept winning. 

They found a way...as we should have on Anzac Eve...

There's no denying the Dogs are a very special team, they have an amazing coach and real intestinal fortitude but their style of play is a real taxing kamikaze style hammer and tongs style.

We have a different game plan that just may take a little longer to gel, I think we are being set up for more a longer more sustained period of success

[Wiseblood 24,637]

1 hour ago, Radar Detector said:

This is all true AF, however until it actually results in game day results, it's lip service. We are still losing to bog ordinary teams in circumstances where we absolutely should be winning.

Hawthorn are no longer a good side. They didn't play amazingly well against us and they were a man down for 3/4. 

We're making strides and we'll get there eventually but it tests the patience.

You could argue that everyone has lost to some bog ordinary teams this year.  The Swans were 0-6 before last weekend.  It begs the question - are there really any bog ordinary sides this year?  Brisbane are the only one who spring to mind.  The Hawks and the Swans started very slowly but they are both still choc full of premiership talent, something most sides can't fall back on.

I'm not using this as an excuse for our losses, more that we certainly aren't the only ones doing it.  You could argue pretty much every side has at some stage this year. 

Edited May 10, 2017 by Wiseblood

[AzzKikA 2,371]

27 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

You could argue that everyone has lost to some bog ordinary teams this year.  The Swans are 0-6 so far.  It begs the question - are there really any bog ordinary sides this year?  Brisbane are the only one who spring to mind.  The Hawks and the Swans started very slowly but they are both still choc full of premiership talent, something most sides can't fall back on.

I'm not using this as an excuse for our losses, more that we certainly aren't the only ones doing it.  You could argue pretty much every side has at some stage this year. 

1-6, unlike you to have incorrect facts.

[jackaub 1,402]

11 hours ago, Soidee said:

I will put it simply for all those supporters who dream of success.  The Melbourne Football Club onfield cannot be trusted, it cannot be trusted to get the job done when it is capable of doing so.  This is this clubs biggest challenge for its supporters and the wider football community.  Until the team realise this they will not be trusted.  I have supported the club for over 40 years, I do not trust this club to do what is must.  I want to trust them but I can't.  When I turn up to the MCG to watch the demons I have no idea if they will win or not.  That is a trust issue.

That is so true Soidee. I said as much to my friends at the G before Sunday 

Welded on Hawks supporters basically thought we would smash them and wouldn't believe me when I said I thought it was a danger game and we could lose

I used the trust word then and it still holds true. You cannot trust the team to win when they should. Why it is and what you do about it is for others to ponder. It must be mental I suppose. All I know is that I show up each week with no expectations of a win and it makes the experience so much less. My passion has been worn away by this team over the years. So be it!~

 

[Wiseblood 24,637]

6 minutes ago, AzzKikA said:

1-6, unlike you to have incorrect facts.

Yes, you're right.  Should have put 'they were' 0-6, which is what I was trying to say.  I'll edit it now.

[old dee 23,747]

1 minute ago, Wiseblood said:

Yes, you're right.  Should have put 'they were' 0-6, which is what I was trying to say.  I'll edit it now.

Small error wise that does not lessen your overall comment which does hold water IMO

[mo64 5,853]

41 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

There's no denying the Dogs are a very special team, they have an amazing coach and real intestinal fortitude but their style of play is a real taxing kamikaze style hammer and tongs style.

We have a different game plan that just may take a little longer to gel, I think we are being set up for more a longer more sustained period of success

Mental toughness and effort will always achieve sustained success regardless of gameplan. The Dogs have it. Unless we show that week in week out, we will never achieve sustained success. 

And if a publicly leaked letter to the coach from a disgruntled supporter impacts the players and FD, it just demonstrates how mentally fragile we are as a club. The same applies to any criticisms from past players.

[old55 23,352]

The jumper is the same, the club history is the same, we supporters are the same, but as Goodwin has pointed out - this is a new group -  Board, Admin, FD and almost all the players - writing their own history.

We've had some a couple of frustrating losses by less than a kick, a couple of very brave efforts which would have been wins, a couple of decent wins and one great win. IMO this season cannot be characterised as the disaster many here are painting - we're having a good year.  

This group is not responsible for what happened in decades before - supporters will benefit if they can separate this in their mind.

A flag is what matters to me.  Learning is more important than winning right now, even though that is painful and difficult to accept.  I'd prefer we win too, but the close losses we have had provide great learning opportunities - possibly greater than if they had been narrow wins.

I think we're on track.

[Bossdog 2,002]

17 hours ago, Fifty-5 said:

David Schwarz is not very smart and it shows - The Run Home with Mark Allen and Schwarz - unlistenable.

Garry Lyon never stood up to be counted in coaching when he had the opportunity - no credibility.

I don't know why you would say that G Lyon didn't stand up to be counted.   Coaching is not for everybody.     Great footballers don't automaticly make great coaches.

He didn't want to coach.   Tim Watson, a great footballer was a terrible coach.    Ox and Garry are paid for opinions and are entiltled to express them.

There are a lot worse things said about other players than was expressed against JKH

I think everybody is too thin skinned.

[Sir Why You Little 36,954]

1 hour ago, DeeZee said:

There's no denying the Dogs are a very special team, they have an amazing coach and real intestinal fortitude but their style of play is a real taxing kamikaze style hammer and tongs style.

We have a different game plan that just may take a little longer to gel, I think we are being set up for more a longer more sustained period of success

Certainly hope you are right. 

[DeeZee 7,361]

Definitely one of the more interesting threads

[Demons1858 1,742]

13 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Exactly. Better to identify a major problem than just accept it. 

I am sure Goodwin is aware of the mental attitude, but my alarm bells first kicked in last year at Round 22 when we were a good sniff to make finals, if we were tough enough. 

Nope. They had switched off. It was too hard

and we are still seeing it happen. 

When they do switch on they can they can beat anyone. 

I will be watching Jones very carefully next weekend, he has to step up and lead or give the job to someone who can do it

Not sure about the Jones comment. He was pretty good last week. A few other more established players probably need to have a think about when they play their best footy.

[Macca 16,902]

33 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

The jumper is the same, the club history is the same, we supporters are the same, but as Goodwin has pointed out - this is a new group -  Board, Admin, FD and almost all the players - writing their own history.

We've had some a couple of frustrating losses by less than a kick, a couple of very brave efforts which would have been wins, a couple of decent wins and one great win. IMO this season cannot be characterised as the disaster many here are painting - we're having a good year.  

This group is not responsible for what happened in decades before - supporters will benefit if they can separate this in their mind.

A flag is what matters to me.  Learning is more important than winning right now, even though that is painful and difficult to accept.  I'd prefer we win too, but the close losses we have had provide great learning opportunities - possibly greater than if they had been narrow wins.

I think we're on track.

We are on track ... we just need a ruckman.  We're not a 4 quarter team yet and nor should we be expected to be a 4 quarter team yet either.  If we were we'd be premiership material (and we're not - not yet anyway) 

We've gone from having the best 'taps-to-advantage' ruckman in the league to having the worst 'taps to advantage' ruckman.  Consquently, the teams we are playing against have ruckman who are dominating us like Gawn does against others.  A double-whammy effect. 

And that is no slight on Pedersen either ... he is battling against extreme odds and is obviously doing his best.  I'm happy for Cam to remain in the team once we do get Spencer/Gawn back.

Without a ruckman of note, we are/were always going to find it difficult to win games.  And that is a reason, not an excuse.  Jacobs this week will be more than a handful. 

Those who don't rate ruckman won't agree .... perhaps they'd be open to trading out Gawn once he gets fit. 

And before anyone wants to point to the clearance numbers against Hawthorn ... those numbers aren't real and are a misnomer. In terms of clean clearances, our numbers were woeful. Again, the Gawn/Spencer factor at play.