MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM SELECTION - ROUND 21

[buck_nekkid 6,046]

13 minutes ago, McQueen said:

If we win it will be a terrific decision by Goodwin.

 

If we lose it'll be the worst decision ever by Goodwin

 

Sometimes you just can't win whether you're the player or the coach.

Regardless if we win or lose, it is a great decision by Goodwin.  He is setting positive expectations and minimum standards.  Watts has been terrific, then injured, then sub-par.  It sends a great cultural signal to the group.  I hope he smashes it at Casey and kicks the door down to get back in.

[hardtack 10,627]

https://twitter.com/melbournefc/status/895825154583875584

MFC has also tweeted that Goodwin stated that Gus will definitely play.

Edited August 11, 2017 by hardtack

[hardtack 10,627]

How does one embed a tweet?

 

Edited August 11, 2017 by hardtack

[Robot Devil 1,895]

1 minute ago, hardtack said:

How does one embed a tweet?

 

You've got to at least take it out to dinner first. 

[Guest]

 

[hardtack 10,627]

10 minutes ago, Scythe said:

 

Show off   Now tell me the secret.

 

[BigMacjnr 283]

good to hear Jeffy is just visiting WA and not out of the side. Sad reason why (taking a guess off personal reasons), hopefully the team get around him and pump us up for a big win against the Saints to keep the dream alive. 

[DeeZee 7,445]

Strange that we drop our best two ball users in Watts and Salem.

They must have a plan to use brute force, an all out attack very physical game,more goals from mids  etc.

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, hardtack said:

Show off   Now tell me the secret.

 

When you're on Twitter (mobile) click the three vertical circles and select 'copy link to tweet', then just paste the link in your comment on Demonland. Should embed automatically ?

[jackaub 1,402]

44 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

150 games in and we are still having this conversation.

I felt that last year was a good start for Jack. But really? A 150 game player being dropped to the two's for non performance? This is getting tiresome.

Something must have happened in the last 24 hours to get Goody's nose out of joint. If not, why was he not included in the initial set of omissions?

Maybe he wasnt just watching the band?

[Dee Zephyr 19,268]

18 minutes ago, BigMacjnr said:

good to hear Jeffy is just visiting WA and not out of the side. Sad reason why (taking a guess off personal reasons), hopefully the team get around him and pump us up for a big win against the Saints to keep the dream alive. 

Have I missed something?

[Copuchas 763]

15 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

Strange that we drop our best two ball users in Watts and Salem.

They must have a plan to use brute force, an all out attack very physical game,more goals from mids  etc.

I'm really quite surprised that so many on here are missing the cues from Goodwin.   His agenda and that of his coaching panel is to win a premiership for the MFC.  There are non-negotiables in how you go about that in the eyes of the FD.  Defensive and pressure acts are clearly key.   The game against St Kilda and a finals appearance this year are secondary considerations because the coaching panel knows that all is for nothing if the fundamental building blocks aren't in place.  

[hardtack 10,627]

15 minutes ago, Scythe said:

When you're on Twitter (mobile) click the three vertical circles and select 'copy link to tweet', then just paste the link in your comment on Demonland. Should embed automatically ?

Yes, I did that on my PC as you can see in my post above... unfortunately it just shows the link.  Thanks anyway.

 

[Nasher 33,617]

2 hours ago, DemonOX said:

If that's the case then why the hell play him ffs.

Let him rest he is too important to the club to risk him. 

My understanding of bulging discs is that the only remedy is surgery and that rest won't help. It's also not painful in isolation as there are no nerves in the discs, it only becomes an issue late in the condition if/when the vertebrae either side of the disc pinch the nerves in the spine. It's a condition that takes years and years to develop but only becomes painful when it comes to a head, but when it does it goes from painless to crippling.

I could be talking total bollocks, though, it's just what I remember from a session I did on it once at work. @Webber?

[PaulRB 6,411]

1 minute ago, Copuchas said:

I'm really quite surprised that so many on here are missing the cues from Goodwin.   His agenda and that of his coaching panel is to win a premiership for the MFC.  There are non-negotiables in how you go about that in the eyes of the FD.  Defensive and pressure acts are clearly key.   The game against St Kilda and a finals appearance this year are secondary considerations because the coaching panel knows that all is for nothing if the fundamental building blocks aren't in place.  

Totally agree. And for Watts as an experienced player to not be "playing at the level he or we expect" in August with finals on the line shows how badly he's diminished his value to this team and currency going forward* as we need to trust the 22 each week will perform if we're ever going to have a serious shot at a flag. Unless Jack has a revelation at Casey and finds his mojo, I'd not be surprised to see him traded at years end.

*Assuming not some injury management thing as some have speculated.

[Lord Travis 10,763]

Shame to see Watts dropped. He's obviously struggled for form since coming back from injury, but to lose a key scoring option is bad no matter how you look at it. To lose our two best ball users in Watts and Salem in a team struggling with its ball use is frustrating and dumb. It's going to be a struggle to win this game. It's sucks to be in such a poor position with our season on the line.

Petracca will need a massive game up forward if we are to be any chance. He's the only one left who has great vision and kicking skills going into the 50. He's one of the few scoring options we have left too.

Jeez it's gonna be a tense game!

Edited August 11, 2017 by Lord Travis

[Lucifers Hero 40,364]

15 minutes ago, Copuchas said:

I'm really quite surprised that so many on here are missing the cues from Goodwin.   His agenda and that of his coaching panel is to win a premiership for the MFC.  There are non-negotiables in how you go about that in the eyes of the FD.  Defensive and pressure acts are clearly key.   The game against St Kilda and a finals appearance this year are secondary considerations because the coaching panel knows that all is for nothing if the fundamental building blocks aren't in place.  

Choked on reading this!!!!

If that is true they have no understanding of what finals means to supporters after so long in the wilderness and ridicule.  We have a chance this year.  Lets take it!

And the impact on the rest of the club:  memberships, sponsors, prime TV slots, fixture benefits, merchandising etc etc. ?

[Copuchas 763]

11 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Choked on reading this!!!!

If that is true they have no understanding of what finals means to supporters after so long in the wilderness and ridicule.  We have a chance this year.  Lets take it!

And the impact on the rest of the club:  memberships, sponsors, prime TV slots, fixture benefits, merchandising etc etc. ?

I was born 5 months after our last premiership, I think I understand the dynamics.  I have seen many false dawns.  I happen to concur with Goodwin and McCartney on the brand of football that wins finals - replay the 2000 GF if in any doubt.   The ultimate driver of memberships, sponsors, prime TV slots etc etc is sustained success.    That will only come from a club culture and brand of football that holds up.  Read the Neitz comments on where the club is headed if still uncertain.  

Edited August 11, 2017 by Copuchas

[DemonOX 8,800]

41 minutes ago, Nasher said:

My understanding of bulging discs is that the only remedy is surgery and that rest won't help. It's also not painful in isolation as there are no nerves in the discs, it only becomes an issue late in the condition if/when the vertebrae either side of the disc pinch the nerves in the spine. It's a condition that takes years and years to develop but only becomes painful when it comes to a head, but when it does it goes from painless to crippling.

I could be talking total bollocks, though, it's just what I remember from a session I did on it once at work. @Webber?

Thanks Nasher but to me he doesnt look right which has clearly affected his return imo. 

[binman 43,779]

2 hours ago, watchtheeyes said:

Confirmed:

Melbourne FC‏Verified account @melbournefc

Follow

More

Goodwin: Jack Watts will play in the VFL this week. He hasn't been playing at the level we or he expects. He understands that #MFCMedia

6:50 PM - 10 Aug 2017

If this doesn't flush Prodee out nothing will

[binman 43,779]

On Jack. At lease t i can say i predicted it! 

 

Sadly.

[—coach— 3,496]

59 minutes ago, Copuchas said:

I'm really quite surprised that so many on here are missing the cues from Goodwin.   His agenda and that of his coaching panel is to win a premiership for the MFC.  There are non-negotiables in how you go about that in the eyes of the FD.  Defensive and pressure acts are clearly key.   The game against St Kilda and a finals appearance this year are secondary considerations because the coaching panel knows that all is for nothing if the fundamental building blocks aren't in place.  

 

30 minutes ago, Copuchas said:

I was born 5 months after our last premiership, I think I understand the dynamics.  I have seen many false dawns.  I happen to concur with Goodwin and McCartney on the brand of football that wins finals - replay the 2000 GF if in any doubt.   The ultimate driver of memberships, sponsors, prime TV slots etc etc is sustained success.    That will only come from a club culture and brand of football that holds up.  Read the Neitz comments on where the club is headed if still uncertain.  

Very well said Copuchas ?

As much as I also want us to make finals this year, you are 100% spot on with everything you have said.

Ive been coaching elite swimming for 18 years and the mistake most rookie coaches make in the early days of coaching is going for short term success at the detriment of future success. This is no different in any sport. Goodwin is an exceptional coach and our FD are top notch and I trust them (as frustrating as waiting for that success can be).

if we stuff it up now going for short term success we might as well start rebuilding again.

[DemonOX 8,800]

1 hour ago, Copuchas said:

I'm really quite surprised that so many on here are missing the cues from Goodwin.   His agenda and that of his coaching panel is to win a premiership for the MFC.  There are non-negotiables in how you go about that in the eyes of the FD.  Defensive and pressure acts are clearly key.   The game against St Kilda and a finals appearance this year are secondary considerations because the coaching panel knows that all is for nothing if the fundamental building blocks aren't in place.  

After hearing a snippet of goodies pressor I had exactly the same thought. 

Personally I'd like to make the finals this yr but understand goodies long term veiw however it has been a LONG TERM veiw for the last 11 yrs which is wearing really thin. 

[gregdemon 624]

4 hours ago, poita said:

can't believe what I am reading here. We need to win the next three games to play finals, and people would rather have Weideman in the side than Watts?

Unless Jack is injured (which i think is the real reason for last 3 weeks)  I agree.    I have seen him put in great efforts I refuse to believed he cannot be bothered !!!      If fit play him   if not say he is injured and manage him.    I believe in Jack !!

[watchtheeyes 1,422]

I needed to find solace after convincing myself that Goodwin was making a massive mistake, so I went away, looked back on some results, and reminded myself of what we achieved earlier this year while undermanned and have managed to restore a little confidence/sanity.

Copuchas made some good points in my mind, and they did occur to me. What good is finals if we don’t have the required intensity to compete once we get there? And that’s the key issue. Goody wants 100% intensity, 100% of the time. It’s also something that Salem seems to switch in and out of.

Fair enough. Can’t really disagree.

I’m sure the other factor with Jack is that as much as we all recognise he’s a great distributor, he’s also playing either full forward or centre half forward, every week. He needs to be able to take a contested market, let alone an uncontested mark. And he’s not doing that.

Fair enough.

(Took all my strength to write this as an unabashed Watts defender).