Must admit the crowd was really well behaved, well where I was sitting anyway  

I was there with my kids and this dees supporter in frustration said F$&@ and the man next to him said no need to use that language there are kids around. 

I understand his frustration but it was really refreshing to hear someone pull him up on his language. It’s still something you don’t hear much of in this day and age. 

Edited May 12, 20195 yr by DemonOX

Woke up this morning feeling something tickling my shoulder. Brushed it away. Came back. I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was an iPad shoved in my face with the last two minutes playing. All me and my brother talked about was what a thrilling end it was. When his wife and kids came to pick him up the first thing they asked was if I watched the game.

A enjoyable result. Must have watched the last two minute 8 times already. Glad for once it was us who snatched the win, not the opponent. I’m pretty sure this will be ranked game of the round. It will go down as a highlight in an otherwise forgettable season.

Edited May 12, 20195 yr by Cassiew

While at the game I watched Omac fairly closely and geez for his size he doesn’t play it. He just seem really low on confidence and gets pushed aside easily. He hardly ever gets front position and when he does seems to get pushed out easily. He needs to go back the the seconds and stay there until he improves. 

He will be eaten alive against west coast if he isn’t dropped. 

1 hour ago, buck_nekkid said:

Looking at the game again this morning, some thoughts:

A win is a win.  It was a poor one, but we needed it.  Sometimes this can be the making of a team, and their emotion after was a clear sign that it meant something to them.

Hore and Lockhart were really composed and are showing up as great additions to the team.

Our back 6 is now non-existent.  Teams can waltz into 50 and score almost at will.  The suns were something like 3 goals for 5 entries at one point in the last quarter.  Our systems are rubbish and our personnel down there second rate.  Without the first-choice defence, and without the ability to structure up in a meaningful way, our D50 is awful.  Oscar MacDonald is not a spud, but he is struggling to understand his role (when does he leave an opponent, when does he stay?  Is he a sweeper, or is he a zone defender?)  He has no confidence, and too much is expected of him when there is nothing but pain regardless of what he does.  Frost seems to have turned the corner - he still makes headless chook moves, but seems to at least have some confidence in what he is trying to do.

We are doing really well to make contests, especially between the arcs.  Our skill level from contests and general play is appalling.  The number of bad skill errors and bad choices when in possession was off the charts.  If we could only think we had 120 ‘last minutes’ of the game, we would get over 700 points per game!  When Gawn was caught on the pine, we were at a disadvantage and this speaks to Preuss coming back in fairly quickly.

We were particularly poor at contested marking.  This was evident in both arcs.

Jones was in really good form and used well.  In the middle he still has grunt in bursts.

Viney was actually pretty good.  Worked hard at the coalface and justified his inclusion.  Oliver was prolific, and he is so fast sometimes that I think he catches people out. He made a few glaring bloopers, too, but certainly was not alone.

Our delivery into 50 and our inside 50 setups are simply appalling.  We have no speed through the middle of the ground, allowing opposition teams to set up behind the ball and make it so hard for us to score.  When we don’t take contested marks, and our disposal is terrible, all the work up the field is wasted.  We stop and prop, we turn it over.  All we seem to want to do is to make a contest.

I worry for Kielty, Stretch, OMac (confidence), Garlett (maybe the conditions didn’t suit him?), Lewis.

We will miss Hibbard, who looked like he rediscovered some form.  Melksham will be missed - he wasn’t very accurate by foot, but he was really getting involved.  He provides something up forward.

We turned a few corners last night, and TMAC started to show progress.  

Without much depth at Casey, we are really going to have to slug things out for the next few weeks.  

We might have re-established the ‘brand’ of contested footy, but this has to be built on to actually mean anything.  We have so much that is not going right at the moment, that we can scrape through.  Against better sides, we will be torn apart (like the Cats game where we got pantsed by 80 points), unless we rapidly improve.

However, I love the fact that we won a tough one, one we would have given up so easily in the past.  Go Dees.

 

Really good summation of the current circumstance and shallow-depth springs of hopes eternal. It seems as if the basics of run, carry, kicking and marking for reliable outcomes are not key criteria; we have few 'utilities' with size and mobility who can create connectivity across the ground.

Anticipation in space is not an ingredient of the game plan yet we can move the ball in purple patches as quickly and effectively as any team in the competition. This indicates our reliance on a mere handful of players to carry it through. Ideally, more need to be part of that initiative, and its critical mobility. However, once or twice per game is not enough. We rarely see double-pronged options and preparations. There is heaps of work to do across the rest of this year. 

54 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I agree with what you are saying in a sense, but my reflection on that last play of the game isn't quite so negative.

Some have criticized Harmes for not making the distance, but I actually think he was trying to be unselfish by hitting T Mac at the top of the square in enough space that he could have marke, gone back from 15m out and absolutely sealed the game.  Harmes execution was perfect and T Mac should have absolutely gobbled up that mark every other day of the week, then could have taken up another 30 seconds before slotting through a goal.

As disappointing as it was that T Mac dropped the mark, his decision making and realitive composure having dropped the mark was perfect and literally won us the game.  In seasons gone by, maybe someone tries to pick up the ball it gets held up, siren sounds and we tie the game instead of getting the full 4 points and us MFC supporters are left spewing about another win that got away.  In another season when we are in a more compeditive win/loss position, maybe that win gets us a ladder position 2 - 4 instead of 5 - 8.

I'm not suggesting there are not major problems with how we are presently playing, but let's take those victories when they come.

I agree,  i think Harmes had his sites set on TMc.  

TMc would have marked it last year, but his confidence is lower, atmo.

17 hours ago, rjay said:

Not with that dropped mark he's not, it was an absolute soda. Harmes put it right down his throat, no defender on him & Tommy dropped it like a hot spud. Lucky he got a boot to it.

When/if Tommy starts holding his grabs he will start to show some form.

When he starts leading at the ball carrier, he'll show some form. He ruined so many of our forays forward, because he simply stands in the same place.

4 minutes ago, DV8 said:

I agree,  i think Harmes had his sites set on TMc.  

TMc would have marked it last year, but his confidence is lower, atmo.

Disagree. He went for goal but miskicked it and it tumbled in the air.

He was 40 out and a point would win it. He went for goal.

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

Disagree. He went for goal but miskicked it and it tumbled in the air.

He was 40 out and a point would win it. He went for goal.

I've slept til 2.30pm,  after falling asleep on the couch, until 5.30 am.

 

You've convinced me to go back and look for that replay of the last 2 minutes again,  in the Twilight of  day.

David King said something we should look at. He said if we want to win, stop kicking it to the other side.

That simply put is what we need to do. Problem is we can't, because most of the players are poorly skilled and under pressure or even without it, our poor disposal just leads to turnovers and ultimately easy goals, as we struggle to run back the other way.

If we did that yesterday we would have won by a minimum of 5 goals.

6 hours ago, Deesprate said:

Tough call on Hore kick the winning goal yet he not good enough. Thought he showed plenty and coolness to convert magic.

It was a very good goal.

He's decent as an interceptor, but his field kicking is terrible (Clarry saying he's a beautiful kick is bewildering) and he's 50/50 1v1.

He'd be justifiable as a back up interceptor, but he turns it over almost every time in the defensive half, which we just can't afford.

6 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Not seen a lot of love for Fritsch.  Thought he played his best game of the year.  A way to go to get back to his best but a really consistent game.  Cut off a lot of offensive efforts.  Was clean in marking and disposal.  Will only get better from here.

He was certainly better this week. He halved and won some contests, which he hasn't done since the middle of last season.

6 hours ago, loges said:

Hore has played 5 games and has shown a bit IMO.

Each to their own, mate.

17 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Disagree. He went for goal but miskicked it and it tumbled in the air.

He was 40 out and a point would win it. He went for goal.

Pardon me your honour.  You were right.

Harmes hips were pointing towards goal.. and it slewed off.

I did not notice that detail last night.  I didn't scrutinise it closely,  as it won us the game anyway.

55 minutes ago, DemonOX said:

While at the game I watched Omac fairly closely and geez for his size he doesn’t play it. He just seem really low on confidence and gets pushed aside easily. He hardly ever gets front position and when he does seems to get pushed out easily. He needs to go back the the seconds and stay there until he improves. 

He will be eaten alive against west coast if he isn’t dropped. 

Cannot believe he is getting games.. and thats all I'll say on that just to be kind.

I would have had him dropped at the start of the year and started getting games into Petty who by reports is starring down at Casey.

2 hours ago, buck_nekkid said:

I worry for Kielty, Stretch, OMac (confidence), Garlett (maybe the conditions didn’t suit him?), Lewis.

Garlett has the forward craft and the crumbing patterns down pat, and i think he's doing all of the team things in hitting up the 10-20m range with a short pass instead of a snap from the boundary and applying pressure on the rebound. While that's fine, he does look as though he has had all the joy and naturalness of his game sapped out of him at the same time and is a little restrained or tentative probably because he doesn't want to get a baking or be dropped. I also noticed him running to the pack of celebrating players with the faintest of smiles last night, so he perhaps is a little on the outer. One can only speculate though, i'm sure by doing this, a particular poster will chime in and tell me it's all nonsense.

I wish the coaches would give him a little license to play a bit more selfishly in terms of having a few shots, because I think he's a few goals away from re-capturing some joyful footy and making the forward 50 his hunting ground, failure to give that license and balance to his game may just result in a couple of bad games that result in him losing his career at the Dees. Which would be a massive mistake.

Edited May 12, 20195 yr by John Demonic

20 hours ago, President Dee Trump said:

Dean Kent is starring for the Saints tonight.

13 disposals and 1 tackle?

Surely you jest.

13 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Cannot believe he is getting games.. and thats all I'll say on that just to be kind.

I would have had him dropped at the start of the year and started getting games into Petty who by reports is starring down at Casey.

Yep I would rather see Petty in and give him a good go at it like Omac has got and see what he can do. Put it this way Petty ain’t gonna be any worse that omac. 

5 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Said it last week and yesterday during the game. This side will click soon and get back its Mojo

we won’t be 3-9 at the bye

next week in Perth will be close. Redemption time i hope, if this club has any inner strength

I hope you’re right SWYL but I can’t see it happening. I worry about two things. 

1. Our scoring power and connection with our forwards

2. This is the major issue at the moment. Our defensive transition. We get scored so easily on transition because our mids don’t work hard enough the other way. One example of this was Holmans last goal. He got got his first possession from that free kick, passed it off, ran straight passed Omac, received it again, handballed it over the top of Oliver, who should’ve blocked his path or stopped him from running past, instead runs straight past only to receive the ball again and kick the goal. This is simple stuff that can be fixed but it’s happened all year. 

43 minutes ago, Redleg said:

David King said something we should look at. He said if we want to win, stop kicking it to the other side.

That simply put is what we need to do. Problem is we can't, because most of the players are poorly skilled and under pressure or even without it, our poor disposal just leads to turnovers and ultimately easy goals, as we struggle to run back the other way.

If we did that yesterday we would have won by a minimum of 5 goals.

That's because we aren't good enough, Yet...  Our list isn't good enough yet.

We are just changing the culture,  to hard work and contested stuff.

 

When that is ingrained,  will will start adding more layers of skilled and more outside types,  ontop of those of our best hardened players.

IMO, We started to do this last draft.  With quickish small forwards,  after Bringing in 'May',  to take the load off OMc.   And oBaker from the 2017 season. 

 

We're on our way.  I don't think the club ever said we were there already,  and just need some icing ontop... we are not to that point, Yet.

In our own minds we all know we're not ready.  We are still building to the great list,  we're hoping for.

 

I don't think you would get good odds,  on which type of player we will be looking for, this year.

57 minutes ago, Megatron said:

I hope you’re right SWYL but I can’t see it happening. I worry about two things. 

1. Our scoring power and connection with our forwards

2. This is the major issue at the moment. Our defensive transition. We get scored so easily on transition because our mids don’t work hard enough the other way. One example of this was Holmans last goal. He got got his first possession from that free kick, passed it off, ran straight passed Omac, received it again, handballed it over the top of Oliver, who should’ve blocked his path or stopped him from running past, instead runs straight past only to receive the ball again and kick the goal. This is simple stuff that can be fixed but it’s happened all year. 

The Coaches have got a long serious week. This is when they earn their big pay packets. The team is “close” to getting it right. We possess the ball so much. That is the hard part. 

“Connection” is actually the right word. We have a dodgy connection at present. It’s there but not reliable. It can be fixed, but it will be a long and intense week if it is. 

Winning next week over there would be huge. 

I've said this so much I can't possibly believe the coaching staff are allowing it to continue without trying to fix it, but the kicking for goal from Petracca is so,e of the worst I've seen at the club. He kicked that fantastic goal from outside 50 while completely shanking one from 30m out on a slight angle. 

Devote one day of training to him just kicking for goal, get repetition and muscle memory into his kicking action because right now it is pathetically bad. And worst of all it's becoming a liability to the team. 

2 hours ago, DV8 said:

Pardon me your honour.  You were right.

Harmes hips were pointing towards goal.. and it slewed off.

I did not notice that detail last night.  I didn't scrutinise it closely,  as it won us the game anyway.

You are welcome .

Just finished watching replay. Some observations:

The Suns are going to be a very good side. They have players with wonderful skills.

I liked the efforts of Wagner, Stretch, Fritsch, Hore and Harmes.

Garlett was nowhere near as bad as the people who hate Garlett on this site make out. He put in all day. I'd like to see how his rabid critics would fare given the atrocious delivery he and his forwards were fed. He played committed.The ball didn't bounce his way ...

Tom looks on the way back.He still isn't clunking the marks he grabbed so cleanly last year. Confidence....

Oscar looks way down on confidence. I understand why the Melbourne Coaching hierarchy persists. People who knock him forget how confidently he played towards the last half of last year, how effective he was. Okay, he bombed in Perth, so did the rest of the team.

I love Viney's attack. If he ever gets fit again we will observe what an inspiration his style of play is.

Oliver endeavor was great. Sometimes his skills were way too fast for our boys to take advantage...

Brayshaw kept trying. His day wasn't the cleanest, but he put in.

Jones and Lewis were good. Forget about dropping them, they are essential even more now the injury list is in mammoth land.

Though it looks like Lewis is a victim.

Gawn is a giant of the game.

Hibberd and Melksham will be missed.

Keilty was a liability. He tried, full marks, give me Preuss.

Salem is a very hard nut.

Hore and Lockhart were good. 

Another day, another dollar, less tax.

 

 

 

7 minutes ago, Pates said:

I've said this so much I can't possibly believe the coaching staff are allowing it to continue without trying to fix it, but the kicking for goal from Petracca is so,e of the worst I've seen at the club. He kicked that fantastic goal from outside 50 while completely shanking one from 30m out on a slight angle. 

Devote one day of training to him just kicking for goal, get repetition and muscle memory into his kicking action because right now it is pathetically bad. And worst of all it's becoming a liability to the team. 

Agreed. I hope training is completely different this week. 

Ball skills (moving and stand still) and goal kicking, every player involved. 

1 hour ago, John Demonic said:

Garlett has the forward craft and the crumbing patterns down pat, and i think he's doing all of the team things in hitting up the 10-20m range with a short pass instead of a snap from the boundary and applying pressure on the rebound. While that's fine, he does look as though he has had all the joy and naturalness of his game sapped out of him at the same time and is a little restrained or tentative probably because he doesn't want to get a baking or be dropped. I also noticed him running to the pack of celebrating players with the faintest of smiles last night, so he perhaps is a little on the outer. One can only speculate though, i'm sure by doing this, a particular poster will chime in and tell me it's all nonsense.

I wish the coaches would give him a little license to play a bit more selfishly in terms of having a few shots, because I think he's a few goals away from re-capturing some joyful footy and making the forward 50 his hunting ground, failure to give that license and balance to his game may just result in a couple of bad games that result in him losing his career at the Dees. Which would be a massive mistake.

It would take a heap of pressure off T Mac and our other forwards if Jeffy becomes truely dangerous again.  Footy is a team sport and it certainly helps when those around you are playing well, not just it being a one or two man show.

7 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Wagner was good. I noted a few desperation acts that that helpeenour way going forward.

Thought his run, disposal and ball use in the first quarter in particular was pretty good.

36 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

The Coaches have got a long serious week. This is when they earn their big pay packets. The team is “close” to getting it right. We possess the ball so much. That is the hard part. 

“Connection” is actually the right word. We have a dodgy connection at present. It’s there but not reliable. It can be fixed, but it will be a long and intense week if it is. 

Winning next week over there would be huge. 

Indeed it would. We seem to like getting away from Melbourne and playing games on the road. Over the last couple of years we’d have to be just about the best traveling team in the game. I’d like to see our recent record if anyone has that handy?

Maybe this week is one of those times where we get away, get a result and change the rest of our season. 

Mill have my nuts crossed that’s for sure.