2 hours ago, McQueen said:

Apart from the result that was the best game of the season by a mile.

Hocking and Dill should leave the game alone.

They should try and fixture Melbourne v Geelong for every Friday night game, is what they should do. If you look at the night games we've played this year against Port and Geelong in the prime time, we are bankable for a good, hard, close game. We won't win any of them of course, but it'll be close.

25 minutes ago, Rogue said:

I've literally started and then deleted this reply a handful of times already, and am still not sure what to say.

Obviously you're a passionate Melbourne fan, which is great - but there's something very wrong with footy having this degree of impact on your mental health.

I’m sure 99.9% of mfc supporters knows his/her pain .. 

6 minutes ago, A F said:

Yep. We did. Fritsch. Who was terrible all night and cost us 2+ goals and almost another on the stroke of half time. Problem was, the spare played the goalkeeper role. Probably the right move given its importance in the modern game, but it was never going to trouble Hawkins. I think Frost simply should have been moved to Hawkins earlier, but from memory, he didn't kick another goal once Frost went to him.

4 goal lead, but I agree. The bloke doesn't understand football, I'm afraid.

Cheers - the spare had to be in the gaping hole that Hawkins was getting fed from.

Disgusting. Disgusting by the player’s to let the cats virtually waltz into their forward 50 with only 20 seconds to go.

Disgusted by the level Goodwin’s ignorance and stubbornness has reached. The bloke is clearly in la la land.

why invest any time in this club, as it ends in agony and anger (or is that hatred)?

3 hours ago, layzie said:

I am absolutely [censored] done with this. How much crueler does it have to get? How much lower to the pits of despair do we have to plunder? The best thing this club has taught me is to never be content with any lead. You lead my 23 points going into the last quarter? Doesn't matter, treat it like its level and try to kick the first goal, then try to kick the next goal, and the goal after that and the goal after that. That is the only way I know how to follow this football club. There is never any room for 'comfort'. You can't be 23 points up and be content when the opposition kicks a goal. No, there is never any God damn room for comfort with this club ever until the friggin full time siren goes and even then you have to hope some a'se wipe didn't take a mark. Seriously, how much more of this dog excrement bullcrap do we have to put up with? I was told repeatedly after Round 23 in 2017 that it would 'burn in the bellies' of these young men. Where the hell was that in the last minute? I don't want to hear any more stupid stories about no pain no gain and 'this is the loss they need to become better' seriously pull the other one. This football club has had enough of those losses and lessons to last a lifetime, it is time for some darn action. 

At half time in the game day thread I wrote that it had a feel about it similar to many of those games that we had the edge in and lost. The port game. I even referenced a game from [censored] 16 years ago where Farmer killed us on the siren at Subi. Seriously enough is enough. I and many others are completely at their wits end with this kind of thing happening over and over again. It's been 12 years and this Mt Everest of a task that teams seemingly make year after year of making the finals is getting beyond a joke.

Melbourne, you will always find the way won't you? You won't snatch it from St Kilda but you'll always find the way when it matters most. I haven't given up hope. Mate, when you're out of it for 12 years you'll take what chance you can get buf I can not back this team to deliver the goods when it counts.

I am sorry, I know a lot of you have other things in life aside from football like your families and partners. I'm in my early 30s, single and put a lot of my energy into this football club. It really damn hurts just that bit more when you feel you have little else. Criticise me if you want I don't give a toss right now.

Hope you're okay, mate. Know that there are plenty of us hurting tonight and that you're not the only one.

None of us would be on here if we didn't see the football club as a central part of our lives. I gave up another Saturday evening to head on down to Geelong, only to get kicked in the teeth again by our club.

Let's hope it stops soon otherwise there won't be any supporters left to kick in the teeth.

Edited July 21, 20186 yr by A F

Bernie Vince lost the game for us with that ridiculous spoil from the point kick in.  Unopposed, no Geelong players in the marking contest and he spikes the ball out of his teammates hands. Beggars belief really, from our most experienced campaigner, pfft!

We almost got arrested for waving a dees flag, copping [censored] off cats fans at auskick in greater Geelong area, losing by 180 points or something: all this and we still can let these [censored] wits do us in. If that Hobart dees fan that was there tonight is on here I feel your tears. Literally making grown men cry since we were born in 1990.

2 hours ago, Nasher said:

[censored] football.

I am not coping well with this at all.

Mate I almost cried when he kicked that goal. Gutted. We fought well, but it wasn't to be.

lazy footballer  who doesn't chase and plays for free kicks (hogan)

Edited July 21, 20186 yr by Grapeviney
Thread merge

Just now, Drunkn167 said:

Mate I almost cried when he kicked that goal. Gutted. We fought well, but it wasn't to be.

tell your bro to get practicing as he will be playing fb against Jenkins next week 

2 hours ago, DeezNuts said:

Don’t hate me for saying anything this but:

1. Frost really improved

2. Oliver’s hands are amazing

3. Fritch tried all night (enjoy your 2 week holiday Hawkins)

4. Melk, ANB and believe it or not - Trac really stood up all night - well done Trac

5. Goody failed to call junk time 1:30 out from the siren to hold the lead...

FMD’s, the boys did well, the coach failed.

Agree with all of those but 3. Fritsch was terrible. His first true stinker of a game. Re-watch the tape.

2 hours ago, Roost It said:

I’d hate to be relying on any of you in a pressure situation. You go to water much like your team 

Wow. I find that pretty offensive. I've been to just about every game in Victoria for 30 years and was there again tonight.

I'd say I'm usually pretty balanced about how our team is going. But look at the fixture. We needed to win that game to make finals. It's very hard from here.

We had them on toast. Smashed them all night really, but still managed to bungle it in offensive 50 and leak in our defensive 50.

The only thing not good at withstanding pressure is our system, team and coaching. It's really that simple.

1 hour ago, Roost It said:

It’s a game dude. I’ll bet money we win 4 of the last 5

But that's the thing mate. It's so much more than a game to say many of us.

2 minutes ago, A F said:

Agree with all of those but 3. Fritsch was terrible. His first true stinker of a game. Re-watch the tape.

Correct.

And ANB fumbled all night.

1 hour ago, binman said:

OMac will be mainstay of our defence for another 10 years. I hope you (and STMJ) enjoy the journey

I hope not how many more games is he going to cost us?

As Junior said a poor man's Zac Dawson

2 hours ago, Macbush said:

Selwood talking like they won the game by 10 goals on the ABC. Get [censored]

Didn’t hear the interview but this sounds right. There isn’t a more arrogant little [censored] in the entire league.

1 hour ago, Hell Bent said:

He seemed to be hurting more than anyone. Was Touhy his opponent?? 

And some people think our boys dont care if they win or lose. That video says it all. They not only suffered a gut wrenching defeat but worked their backsides off and would have been physically exhausted. Let's be realistic, how many would have predicted getting beaten after the siren at Geelong?  

I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep soon so I might as well write something.

I went down to Geelong for the game and I can't remember being that shattered after a H&A game. Even though I fully expected Geelong to come back and probably even snatch it near the end (we've seen this script too many times before), nothing could have prepared me for losing like that. Lead the whole second half, 5 goals up in the last, missed shots, unfavourable umpiring, Cats not missing a shot at goal, ball in our forward line with 40 seconds left, we can't hold up their final surge and then let them have a one-on-one inside 50...it's just the most heartbreaking way to lose a game of footy (and with so much on the line).

3 seconds away from what could have shaped our season, being 2 games plus % ahead of Geelong and sitting in 4th spot. 3 seconds the difference between final 8 consolidation and now being at risk of missing out.

And from a selfish point of view, 3 seconds away from what would have been one of my great footy memories - going down to Geelong on a Saturday night, without key players, sitting amongst the Melbourne fans right near the players' race and holding on to win a thriller - I can imagine the scenes would have been incredible after the game and it would have been one of the great walk backs to the car and drive home. 3 bloody seconds. Instead, I don't want to watch the replay, I don't want to see the paper, I don't want to see a footy show, I don't want to hear the radio. What a fine line between one of the great footy nights and gut-wrenching emptiness.

It was probably as close as I've got to shedding a tear at the end of the game (as an adult).

I was only 4 when we lost the 87 prelim but my parents always spoke of the pain Melbourne fans felt after that game. This wasn't a prelim, but I think I now understand what that feels like.

9 minutes ago, A F said:

Agree with all of those but 3. Fritsch was terrible. His first true stinker of a game. Re-watch the tape.

 

Fritsch still had some excellent marks, a lovely run down tackle and a handful of beautiful corridor kicks.

That said, clearly his most error prone game. Fumbles, missed tackles, dropped marks. Given it was probably the highest intensity game he's played in, with a hostile crowd, skinny wings and some top quality mids on the other side that's not a huge surprise. Just a disappointment. 

I don't like him used as the spare back. It's a huge job for a young and inexperienced player. And the spare back as the goalie is just a bad move as well. Unfortunately not a lot of great options in the side. Fritsch can pinch hit on a half back flank and Hibberd or Lever free in the hole is the dream. Without them in the side, Vince? Melksham? Joel Smith loose? Lewis loose who will at least find the ball but won't offer much as an extra in a marking contest?

He's also a kid who's played 1 year of VFL as a forward and is now clearly an above average AFL wingman. Arrgh, so frustrating because I want him to be great and he's already doing so well.

4 minutes ago, Scoop Junior said:

I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep soon so I might as well write something.

I went down to Geelong for the game and I can't remember being that shattered after a H&A game. Even though I fully expected Geelong to come back and probably even snatch it near the end (we've seen this script too many times before), nothing could have prepared me for losing like that. Lead the whole second half, 5 goals up in the last, missed shots, unfavourable umpiring, Cats not missing a shot at goal, ball in our forward line with 40 seconds left, we can't hold up their final surge and then let them have a one-on-one inside 50...it's just the most heartbreaking way to lose a game of footy (and with so much on the line).

3 seconds away from what could have shaped our season, being 2 games plus % ahead of Geelong and sitting in 4th spot. 3 seconds the difference between final 8 consolidation and now being at risk of missing out.

And from a selfish point of view, 3 seconds away from what would have been one of my great footy memories - going down to Geelong on a Saturday night, without key players, sitting amongst the Melbourne fans right near the players' race and holding on to win a thriller - I can imagine the scenes would have been incredible after the game and it would have been one of the great walk backs to the car and drive home. 3 bloody seconds. Instead, I don't want to watch the replay, I don't want to see the paper, I don't want to see a footy show, I don't want to hear the radio. What a fine line between one of the great footy nights and gut-wrenching emptiness.

It was probably as close as I've got to shedding a tear at the end of the game (as an adult).

I was only 4 when we lost the 87 prelim but my parents always spoke of the pain Melbourne fans felt after that game. This wasn't a prelim, but I think I now understand what that feels like.

I cried as an 18 year old that day. Whilst I didn't cry yesterday,  I'd say this is the 2nd most shattered I've felt after a loss. 

Poor Max has been involved in three incidents that have "indirectly" cost us the last three wins against Geelong. Having to go off last night with about a Minute to go. Missing that shot at goal in the final minute in the first game and doing his hammy when we had them cooked last year. He is must be starting to hate playing them.

2 hours ago, Jaded said:

Oh please, it would have made no difference to his match. He was nowhere to be seen when the pressure was on. Had Hogan stood up, it would have allowed us to clear more numbers out and load up the backline. Just as Geelong with Hawkins. But sadly he isn’t a big game player. Not yet anyway. 

He certainly didn't keep his feet enough tonight. Constantly went to ground. And does weekly, too often.

2 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

the game style doesn't work. MIdfield elements do work but not all. As for the Offence and Defence - forget it!

This doesn't explain enough though. Midfield elements work because of the offence/defence. Adding extra numbers off the back of centre square for instance means we're a good chance of joining in at the clearance, but if the opposition win the ball, it goes straight back over these extras' heads.

2 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Your wasting your time 

Goodwin makes the move at halftime of Harmes to Danger and the game turns big time in our favour but he can't coach apparently.

FMD Hawkins got absolute silver service for 3 goals for those goals in the last. Goody moves Frost and we reset and do what we need.

14.14 is not the coaches fault

Some strange umpires decisions especially Ablett getting a free at the top of the centre square for holding when he actually dropped the ball

Gawny with the blood rule, shocking luck

Tracs bomb bad mistake but in fairness he held the ball as long as he could 

JKH panicking when he had more time

So easy to think with a clear head as opposed to ranting like a lunatic 

And I didn't mind Goodys presser pretty honest assessment 

I must have missed this. I watched Harmes tag Selwood for at least the first half. I presumed, given Selwood's low possession count, that his tag continued in the second half. Whereas, Dangerfield had 30 and 2 goals.

Edited July 21, 20186 yr by A F

54 minutes ago, A F said:

Yep. We did. Fritsch. Who was terrible all night and cost us 2+ goals and almost another on the stroke of half time. Problem was, the spare played the goalkeeper role. Probably the right move given its importance in the modern game, but it was never going to trouble Hawkins. I think Frost simply should have been moved to Hawkins earlier, but from memory, he didn't kick another goal once Frost went to him.

4 goal lead, but I agree. The bloke doesn't understand football, I'm afraid.

Disagree with you AF on Fritsch being poor all night. Thought he was a bit off early but got into the game more as it went on. Took some decent intercept marks and used the ball well.

Then again I was only watching on tv

5 minutes ago, A F said:

He certainly didn't keep his feet enough tonight. Constantly went to ground. And does weekly, too often.

This doesn't explain enough though. Midfield elements work because of the offence/defence. Adding extra numbers off the back of centre square for instance means we're a good chance of joining in at the clearance, but if the opposition win the ball, it goes straight back over these extras' heads.

I must have missed this. I watched Harmes tag Selwood for at least the first half. I presumed, given Selwood's low possession count that his tag continued in the second half. Whereas, Dang had 30 and 2 goals.

Yep He definitely went to Danger in the second half. I might ne mistaken but Danger had around 19/20 possessions to half time and kicked at least 1 in the first half, from the ruck infringement 

Edited July 21, 20186 yr by Pennant St Dee

2 hours ago, david_neitz_is_my_dad said:

 

 

 

Isn't that [censored] sickening? I'm so glad I was at the game and didn't have to listen to that [censored] Ling make out with Jesus.

8 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Disagree with you AF on Fritsch being poor all night. Thought he was a bit off early but got into the game more as it went on. Took some decent intercept marks and used the ball well.

Then again I was only watching on tv

TV much more guide than being at the game. Gets you in nice and close to the action..