16 minutes ago, Jibroni said:

Of this list we need one of these to become a big star of the league (ie Danger/Martin type of player).

We also need a big body ruckman to support Maxi (Like Nankervis from Richmond) that wont cost the earth. I want to keep our 1st round pick and find a mid who can KICK THE BALL with some mongrel.

I also think Jack Watts should be moved on for his and the club sake's. He has been through hell at times and his mentally is starting to show this. Port or Adelaide would be a great fit for him.

Swap for ac chee and a second round pick

We will be better in 2018 if:

We do not lose Gawn, Spencer and Hogan, or their equivalents in 2019, for several weeks at the same time;

We develop cohesion and system in our backline. This year we have had individual stars such as Jetta, Hibberd and OMac who have played consistently in the backline but I cannot recall any repetitive, cohesive defensive play that used to be a characteristic of recent power teams. Invariably we depended on the individual players to win contests rather than a team approach.

We do not mess with TMac's mind. Given that he is a structural pin of our back line, mixing up back line, ruck and forward line play in each match has a deleterious effect on the team. Can y6ou imagine Grundy, Rance, Lonergan or Thompson being played as "swingmen" and not losing effectiveness and adversely affecting the team structure. If we need a swing man, develop someone else and let the back line settle. The great Dean Bailey used to say 70 games together as a unit.

We let Hogan roam the forward line and not become a static target. He is much too valuable to be competing against three opponents for every mark and he has an incredible football brain (watch him when he has the ball up the ground) so that he can be effective not only as a goal scorer but also as a leader, ball winner and distributor in the forward line.

The coaching staff work out how to use Oliver's unmatched ball winning ability and sublime distribution skills by hand to create opportunities. At the moment, Oliver's work is being wasted by player's getting too close to allow him to deliver to advantage. When his handballs travel 5-10 m longer than now he will be a sensation. As for his kicking, he is a monster kick but is undisciplined. Deft, 30-40m passes will be more beneficial than 50-60m bombs. But as always, his team mates must present. Over to the coaching staff.

Jack Viney stops trying too hard. His aggression and effort are welcomed but his skills and judgement need to catch up quickly.

Gawn remembers that, for his height, he is also athletic and should spend less effort wrestling and more effort at ball ups and boundary throw ins approaching the contest alone and jumping over/into his opponent. Ryder has shown the way this year with his taps to Gray what a free jumping ruckman can bring.

The selection panel work to stabilise and settle the best 22 and eschew the constant chopping and changing. The fringe players from 2017 like Kent, Hannan, Smith, Maynard, Stretch, Pedersen and others should be picked to fill a role,  not just because they have shown good form at VFL, and given time to develop those roles. 35 possessions as a midfielder in the VFL mean little if the role at AFL is different.

We develop a plan for the forward line when we start 2 down at the centre bounces. Too many times we win the ball, kick long and watch it come straght back. The name of the game with two extras at the back is the both win the ball in the centre and retain it in the forward line. So far, no good.

We learn to hold the ball in the forward line. Some times the ball comes out quicker than it goes in. Has to stop.

I will conclude because it is becoming too depressing. Even with all the deficiencies that I believe we had this year, we missed the finals by only 2 goals so something must be working. I believe that we have as good a group of players as any other team but we are behind in their development as a structurally cohesive team playing a consistent style of footy.

It's all up to you Goody. Only 50 more games as a group to go. Use them wisely.

 

 

 

.

 

1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Here's a few reasons

Hogan surely would be blessed with a clear year. 

Brayshaw back on a permanent basis.

Gawn fit and firing. 

Oliver will learn to kick and not handball back into trouble. 

Trac into midfield mix more and impose himself.

Weideman will be in the gym all summer.

No retirements planned.

The hurt from 2017 will remain.

 

F$#K hope not, hope Vince goes. He's cooked

43 minutes ago, KingDingAling said:

Petracca - Should improve immensely with another pre-season under his best. Should be an elite midfielder next year. Needs to drop weight and should come back with an improved tank.

Oliver - Given his rate of improvement since we drafted him. I think Oliver becomes a top 5 midfielder in the game. Currently he is a top 15 midfielder in the game (and is underrated).

Gawn - Providing Gawn can stay on the park. He should be the leagues best ruck man. Another pre-season working with our midfield should hopefully see us use Gawn to our advantage.

Hogan - Clearly had a bad year, and much of it not his fault. At the very least he will be better next year. Hopefully Weideman comes on and can make Hogan's job a little easier.

Viney - Should be ready. It is Jack's time now. He is at that age where he should be dominating. He should pass Jones and become the benchmark as what players have to pass in order to become elite. If any midfielder passes Viney they will be a top 5 mid. Petracca and Oliver will surpass Viney. And that will be no disgrace to Viney.

Hunt - Needs to continue to improve. He had another fantastic year. So impressed with this kid. If he can improve further, then he can take our game to another level.

All in all, I think we have the makings of a very good football side. I believe we have a dynasty side, and we will rule the league for years to come. It will all start in 2018. As supporters we are very blessed to support such a talented list. The key for the football department now is to ensure that talent is developed and utilized. If so we should see many flags ahead. We should finish top 4 next year.

 

 

I'm not sure if my expectations are unreasonable, but I felt that Hunt dropped off massively after he was knocked out in the Adelaide game. Didn't seem to want to take the game on as much when he had the ball. But as I said, I might be harsh on him. I was so impressed with his year last year.

With the possible exception of Jetta, all of the top 10 from last year's B&F went backwards this year. Hogan is excused for obvious reasons. I would argue that both Viney & Jones were down before they got injured, and never recovered when they came back. Vince & Kent are both lost causes. Gawn is the big concern - is he a one year wonder who wants to be a personality rather than a footballer, or will he work his butt off to get back to his best?

If we can get most of these guys back to their best football, plus continued improvement from the likes of Oliver, Petracca & Hunt, we can move up the ladder. Of course, other teams will improve around us and we will lose players to injury at various stages, so there are no guarantees. That is why this year was such a missed opportunity.

We need a couple more quality midfielders. Draft one at pick 10, trade for another, and we'll give ourselves a good chance of fixing this problem. I genuinely hope we clear 7-8 players off the list this year, and give ourselves a chance to find a few hidden gems late in the draft.

I expect Melbourne to be in the top 4 next yeaar. If this year doesn't hurt like hell and give them the burning desire to be the best then what is this all about.

We will have to trade carefully and wisely.

The team may well improve in 2018. But so will most of the other teams.

Next year is not a given based on the second half of this season. 

We still have players with poor skill, players who are not quite tall enough or fast enough. We still overuse the ball and turn it over. We are still too slow and indirect going forward. Hogan and other forwards are swamped by the time the ball goes forward. We have not established a settled forward line, settled defence or dominant midfield. We have a major problem relying on Gawn all season. 

We need to make some tough decisions on existing players and draft in some top-line players.  We need to go after the best. You can see the difference that stars make to a team. Franklin, Dangerfield, Selwood, Martin. You can understand why North are going so hard on Martin.  

We need to be desperate in going after the best otherwise success is going to be difficult to achieve.  

I'm not sure why people are so gutted. Sure we missed out by a fraction of % but the disappointment accumulates throughout the year, when we lost to freo, roos, pies etc. It was in all of those losses that I realised we werent any threat to the premiership and probably not deserving of finals. 

all in all, we didnt deserve finals and we wouldn't have done anything in them should we made it anyway. 

 

1 hour ago, dl4e said:

I expect Melbourne to be in the top 4 next yeaar. If this year doesn't hurt like hell and give them the burning desire to be the best then what is this all about.

We will have to trade carefully and wisely.

Hope the embarrassment and failure stings right to the bone 

If our game plan is built around contested ball (which it is) I would scour Australia for the top ranked contested ball players and add 3-4 to our mix. This gives the depth to take us into the back half of the year. The problem with the game plan is it works, but it is taxing as f&ck. 

We then remove our 3 worst contested/tackling players like J Watts, Salem & Garlett. This shores us up with consistent hard players across the ground. 

Our weakness is also contested marking, so I'd go for 1-2 Levi Casboult types to be a link-up Tom Lynch type player so we can get the ball out of defense & into the forward line.

Goody is a smart bloke. He'll analyse the top teams style of play (Sydney/Adelaide) and look to bring some elements of both into our game plan. 

Edited August 28, 20177 yr by billyblanks29

We won't be better, watch the likes of Collingwood StKilda & Hawthorn go straight passed us.

MFC players are week above the shoulders

No 1 recruit should be a top psychiatrist 

Only if we get Alastair Clarkson as coach.. Hawthorn will win another Flag before Melbourne do.

13 hours ago, poita said:

With the possible exception of Jetta, all of the top 10 from last year's B&F went backwards this year. Hogan is excused for obvious reasons. I would argue that both Viney & Jones were down before they got injured, and never recovered when they came back. Vince & Kent are both lost causes. Gawn is the big concern - is he a one year wonder who wants to be a personality rather than a footballer, or will he work his butt off to get back to his best?

 

I think you have hit the proverbial nail on the head.

Too easy to say it was injuries because as you say it was almost all of them.

Could not agree more about Gawn but perhaps last season was the anomaly as you say. I hope not.

22 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Here's a few reasons

Hogan surely would be blessed with a clear year. 

Brayshaw back on a permanent basis.

Gawn fit and firing. 

Oliver will learn to kick and not handball back into trouble. 

Trac into midfield mix more and impose himself.

Weideman will be in the gym all summer.

No retirements planned.

The hurt from 2017 will remain.

 

Yes so many positives to look forward to, none more then Hogan signing a contract extension before the season starts. If not he and the club will be back under that media pressure of "is he isn't he" staying or going back to Perth? If he is committed and wants to have a clear run in 2018 then he needs to get rid of this distraction/pressure asap.

23 hours ago, Deestar9 said:

So many reasons why....another preseason into our younger players especially Trac

hogan..Viney fit & also tmac ..Gawn &

others getting over injuries they carried a lot of the year

seeing more of the two smiths ..Joel & tim ...vanders & garlo back...adds more depth & flexibility 

declan keilty...weideman...jkh etc

who we bring in from the draft

even though it may not seem like it at the moment...there is so much too look forward to in 2018

this team played with enormous adversity all year and has learnt many valuable lessons. I'm just praying the footy gods treat us a bit more kindly next year 

 

Absolutely having a fit and healthy full list from which to choose would have made a huge difference.  And in several games early game ending injuries to key players probably cost wins. And as it turns out any one of those wins would see us still in the contest. 

22 hours ago, KingDingAling said:

Petracca - Should improve immensely with another pre-season under his best. Should be an elite midfielder next year. Needs to drop weight and should come back with an improved tank.

Oliver - Given his rate of improvement since we drafted him. I think Oliver becomes a top 5 midfielder in the game. Currently he is a top 15 midfielder in the game (and is underrated).

Gawn - Providing Gawn can stay on the park. He should be the leagues best ruck man. Another pre-season working with our midfield should hopefully see us use Gawn to our advantage.

Hogan - Clearly had a bad year, and much of it not his fault. At the very least he will be better next year. Hopefully Weideman comes on and can make Hogan's job a little easier.

Viney - Should be ready. It is Jack's time now. He is at that age where he should be dominating. He should pass Jones and become the benchmark as what players have to pass in order to become elite. If any midfielder passes Viney they will be a top 5 mid. Petracca and Oliver will surpass Viney. And that will be no disgrace to Viney.

Hunt - Needs to continue to improve. He had another fantastic year. So impressed with this kid. If he can improve further, then he can take our game to another level.

All in all, I think we have the makings of a very good football side. I believe we have a dynasty side, and we will rule the league for years to come. It will all start in 2018. As supporters we are very blessed to support such a talented list. The key for the football department now is to ensure that talent is developed and utilized. If so we should see many flags ahead. We should finish top 4 next year.

 

 

These are our core, and what they need to do us perform at their peaks consistently 

22 hours ago, america de cali said:

KIller instict and hunger in. Arrogance and hubris out. Non negotiable.

Good points - but big question, can killer instinct  be instilled or taught, or is it innate as in Viney? 

And can (inappropriate*) arrogance and hubris be taken out without lessening performance  

On this, does the team need a psychologist to help get the very best from every player?  I believe we did have one a long time ago but ND thought the idea was crap - "I am the psychologist and motivator" - and sacked them.  Not sure of the details or if there is one now. 

 

* inappropriate arrogance can harm....not referring to players like Frankenstein (and Carey the football player not the civilian) who can get away with it because they are just so good, and curbing their arrogance would be detrimental. 

Edited August 28, 20177 yr by monoccular

Fraser Carson was the psychologist during the Bailey era. Left early on in the Neeld era. Ironically just at the moment when several squad members started to suffer from PTMND.

Forget the psychologist we need a hypnotist before each game.

"Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently." - Henry Ford