16 hours ago, DV8 said:

I just don't know what Petracca's role should be,  with his weight to speed/endurance balance.   He hasn't contested enough contests over his AFL career to benefit the team

Hes a 1970's - 80's build... probably 70's,  to my mind.

 

I cannot believe Tracca can be 96Kgs...  as he appears to be,  as well.  How can his body manintain that weight...  IF he's doing all the training and Klms of an AFL player ?   Unless he is over-loading on carb's/sugars.!?

 

He strength imv,  is his hands...  and his feeding out the ball,  as we saw in at least one play,  to Hunt in the goal square.   He should be plying that skill in the centre.  But his weight is a detriment to that role of covering the ground.

 

My suspicion/worry,  is he is not as committed to the game as needs be,  to control his weight to that which suits a midfielder.

Hit the nail on the head DV8

Reckon we are getting only 80% of the real Trac. (Contrast with Clarry 100%)

He is/has such talent he has been able to be good without that extra 20% that is needed to star consistently (or be a superstar) in the AFL.

He needs to build his tank (to be an elite midfielder ) and change his ball drop when kicking set shots for (to make the most of forward chances).

Get those things right and his confidence is sky high and he will lose his nervous occasional dropping of mark/s and fumbling. Ie not so much pressure on him as he is more relaxed.

Melnourne coach/Ed need to demand and expedite this get Trac on board via another player with fitness and the other faults with the forward coach ( who needs changing BTW).

Happy Trac days and he will be the star we all can see but don't get the value of watching and performing.

He also does not handle criticism well and is hard on himself but AFL is the hardest of gigs so he needs every little advantage to get that 20% extra to take us to the next level and be the best version of ourselves!

15 hours ago, frankie_d said:

I get it that Frosty is limited, but how about playing him up on the wing when May/Lever get back?

Val Perovic - 6'4" in the old money - went from the Saint to Carlton - and the other way (from wing to defense).

We need the speed...

 

15 hours ago, binman said:

I wondered if they might do that Friday night. Not the craziest idea, in part because playing him higher mitigates somewhat his biggest weakness - his kicking ie turnovers are not in such a dangerous spot.

If we blow finals it wouldn't hurt to trial this once Lever and May return.  The weird thing is he is in the top 10 for ground ball gets (i hate that term) inside 50!

Edited May 19, 20195 yr by Rusty Nails

13 hours ago, DV8 said:

I agree , but I think Frosty has recently been used sweeping defence

 I don't know where he starts,  but if he plays sweeper,  then others must be manning they're forwards ?

 

Oh, I think Perovic played CHB with the Saints.

As far as i have seen it he starts in a HB position and plays that area until we push forward or there's a kick in by the Opp then he slots in as sweeper usually giving the opp a plus one in their defence.

Once May returns they might switch Frosty onto a wing for a stint..but who knows.

Edited May 19, 20195 yr by Rusty Nails

11 hours ago, Dame Gaga said:

Well, it is Sunday night and I am still seething about this loss. Against all the odds, it was a game Melbourne should have won. Injuries are crippling this team, and suffered more in the game. The cupboard is getting bare. Frustrating for everyone.

I read Gawn's article in the Herald Sun. He wanted to point out the fact he said nothing to Vardy the whole game until the incident when Vardy thought he would be brave and have a go at Gawn when he was lying on the ground and bleeding from the mouth after getting kicked in the face. Some people must have been inferring Gawn had been mouthing off at Vardy during the game, and that is why Vardy did what he did. 

No, Vardy is an arrogant sook who was beaten on the night by a better player and didn't like it. A##*hole.

Not just inferred, Simpson directly said it:  "I think when he saw him on the ground, he took an opportunity to give him some feedback which I think 'Vards' was getting most of the night" Simpson on Vardy act

Some posters have praised Simpson for calling Vardy's act not a 'good look'.  Does anyone really think Simpson told Vardy off when he 'talked to him'? 

Simpson's comments  were not a good look!  He virtually said it is ok to shove/man handle someone on the ground who looked dazed, for giving some lip.   Simpson should have condemned Vardy outright with no justification.

That Max is saying he didn't give Vardy any lip makes Simpson's version worse.  Max isn't the type to lie about not giving Vardy lip, he is more likely to have a laugh about it as typical on-field chat if it was true.

Edited May 20, 20195 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Monday is here and still gutted by the result. Effort was fantastic all night, it really is frustrating when no reward comes with that type of effort. 

Reflecting on Max’s game, what a star of the comp. He had less than 8 minutes resting on bench for the entire game and tore shreds through two of them. Pity everyone will remember Ryan jumping on his face rather than talking about the competition’s best ruckman and his Herculean effort on Friday night. 

13 hours ago, Macca said:

If we play to our best and kick straight we're quite capable of beating any team ... the talent is there despite Lever,  May,  Hibberd,  Melksham & Lewis being out injured. 

Gawn,  Brayshaw,  Oliver,  Petracca,  T-Mac,  Salem,  Jones,  Hunt & Harmes can all be very good whilst Frost,  Garlett,  Hore,  Oscar,  Fritsch and a few others can all play their part.

Friday was encouraging despite our poor conversion rate ... I'd say most didn't give us much of a chance but I'm convinced that we kicked ourselves out of it.  And that's a damn side better than not being good enough.

Top comments, Macca.

2 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Top comments, Macca.

ditto.   Some seem to be forgetting that before the match most of us were expecting we'd be thumped because we were out of form, hit badly by injuries and playing in WA. (I omit reference to fear of the umpiring in WA because I know that will set people off).

This was mentioned somewhere else but I can’t find it.

Apparently the WCE players, when singing the celebratory song after the game, added a line....”Melbourne are s..t”.

I couldn’t bear to watch them celebrating, but would like to know if it’s true. I somehow doubt it.

Can anyone put footage of the song on this forum?

2 minutes ago, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

This was mentioned somewhere else but I can’t find it.

Apparently the WCE players, when singing the celebratory song after the game, added a line....”Melbourne are s..t”.

I couldn’t bear to watch them celebrating, but would like to know if it’s true. I somehow doubt it.

Can anyone put footage of the song on this forum?

Arrogant tosses can sing what they like.  6 goals to 1 in the final term give them bragging rights.  Best response is to beat them on the park.  They are the reigning premiers and still a capable footy side.  We are neither ATM.

1 hour ago, sue said:

ditto.   Some seem to be forgetting that before the match most of us were expecting we'd be thumped because we were out of form, hit badly by injuries and playing in WA. (I omit reference to fear of the umpiring in WA because I know that will set people off).

There is nothing wrong with being fearful of WA umpiring impacting on results Sue. It's a fact and has been that way for over a decade.

A minimum 3 to 4 goal advantage needs to be added to their result and work out if you are good enough to win from there for as long as the AFL are happy for it to continue as is.

It's no accident that they have such a solid winning record at home vs on the road.  Almost impossible to miss finals unless you are fielding a pretty ordinary team.

7 hours ago, 58er said:

He also does not handle criticism well and is hard on himself but AFL is the hardest of gigs so he needs every little advantage to get that 20% extra to take us to the next level and be the best version of ourselves!

I've grown up with Greek-Australian and Itailan-Australan mates.  and many of them are mummies boys and have to have tyres pumped up constantly.  They mostly all fear criticism, and get defencive around home truths.

... and get their backs up, in a sort of spite...   Hold they're breaths IF you will.    Pardon this PUN.

 

(respectfully)  I wonder if Tracca's cultural connections keep him maintaining excess bulk on board...  also maybe his own insecurities almost make him want to stay heavier for his size.  If this was true, it doesn't work...  because the opposition simply play bigger opponents against him, who invariably are 3 or 4 inches taller.   Bigger better defenders.  So from this he lacks the freedom he would have imv,  from playing in the centre.

 

3 hours ago, sue said:

ditto.   Some seem to be forgetting that before the match most of us were expecting we'd be thumped because we were out of form, hit badly by injuries and playing in WA. (I omit reference to fear of the umpiring in WA because I know that will set people off).

The truth (standard of unbiased umpiring) will set you free. :-)

1 hour ago, DV8 said:

I've grown up with Greek-Australian and Itailan-Australan mates.  and many of them are mummies boys and have to have tyres pumped up constantly.  They mostly all fear criticism, and get defencive around home truths.

... and get their backs up, in a sort of spite...   Hold they're breaths IF you will.    Pardon this PUN.

 

(respectfully)  I wonder if Tracca's cultural connections keep him maintaining excess bulk on board...  also maybe his own insecurities almost make him want to stay heavier for his size.  If this was true, it doesn't work...  because the opposition simply play bigger opponents against him, who invariably are 3 or 4 inches taller.   Bigger better defenders.  So from this he lacks the freedom he would have imv,  from playing in the centre.

 

A contribution from Tracca in the centre is well overdue in a sustained manner.

It will require of him increased total fitness and endurance but should increase his footballing acumen, his ability to see ball/get ball/use ball effectively - and it will require of him an improved kicking/passing response from the foot x2. I guess that means 'both feet' with good ball drops, not too high.

He has a tendency to turn sideways, partially or fully, to kick rather glamorous hooking benders - both at goal and in passing. This is an elaboration of his playing style that does little for the quality of his accuracy and teamwork after what is now a few years in the big time. A basketballer with fancy hands doing a transfer onfield to fancy feet. Right-angled approaches to targets is also an error in his case that could be addressed. 

Tracca still remains one of our better exponents of bullocking pick-ups and opponent evasion/steamrolling. These are very useful in the midfield. He is evasive, he does have his head up and he does look for team support in what he does. A strong candidate for a midfield role, in my opinion, just needing some footballing guidance. 

 

Got a message saying my email to the AFL had been forwarded to the Integrity and Umpires Dept. I made it clear that I want professional umpires and neutrals.

7 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Not just inferred, Simpson directly said it:  "I think when he saw him on the ground, he took an opportunity to give him some feedback which I think 'Vards' was getting most of the night" Simpson on Vardy act

Some posters have praised Simpson for calling Vardy's act not a 'good look'.  Does anyone really think Simpson told Vardy off when he 'talked to him'? 

Simpson's comments  were not a good look!  He virtually said it is ok to shove/man handle someone on the ground who looked dazed, for giving some lip.   Simpson should have condemned Vardy outright with no justification.

That Max is saying he didn't give Vardy any lip makes Simpson's version worse.  Max isn't the type to lie about not giving Vardy lip, he is more likely to have a laugh about it as typical on-field chat if it was true.

I missed Simpson's comment on the incident completely. Of course this makes it worse! How dare he justify what Vardy did with some made up tale of what Max had been doing all night. No wonder Max wanted to point it out in his article. He is not the type of person to even do such things. In fact he is probably too nice. To do what Vardy did to Max when he was spitting out blood lying on the ground after being kicked in the face is a despicable act. I won't even call it a dog act, because that is an insult to dogs, who are gentle, loyal souls who don't deserve to be denigrated. West Coast are arrogant, smug a*#**#*#s.

8 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Monday is here and still gutted by the result. Effort was fantastic all night, it really is frustrating when no reward comes with that type of effort. 

Reflecting on Max’s game, what a star of the comp. He had less than 8 minutes resting on bench for the entire game and tore shreds through two of them. Pity everyone will remember Ryan jumping on his face rather than talking about the competition’s best ruckman and his Herculean effort on Friday night. 

You get used to it after 4-5 decades DZ.

Coaches' votes tell a tale:

Hurn and Yeo both 9, Gawn 6, but no serious votes for anyone else from Melbourne. OK, could speak of a team-wide effort which is obviously a plus, but we need a few more of our players to have a bit more impact/be more damaging.

 

18 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Coaches' votes tell a tale:

Hurn and Yeo both 9, Gawn 6, but no serious votes for anyone else from Melbourne. OK, could speak of a team-wide effort which is obviously a plus, but we need a few more of our players to have a bit more impact/be more damaging.

I was surprised by Hurn's 9.  He had an excellent final term but thought he was relatively quiet before that.  Yeo was outstanding.  They received 4/5 from each coach and Max 3/3 from each coach.  As you say it tells the story. 

9 Shannon Hurn (WCE)
9 Elliot Yeo (WCE)
6 Max Gawn (MELB)
2 Jeremy McGovern (WCE)
2 Jayden Hunt (MELB)
1 James Harmes (MELB)
1 Andrew Gaff (WCE)

I was really pleased to see Hunt get 2 votes (both from one coach).  He has been very good in many games this year and the votes are worthy recognition. 

Edited May 20, 20195 yr by Lucifer's Hero

2 hours ago, Thehardtackler said:

Got a message saying my email to the AFL had been forwarded to the Integrity and Umpires Dept. I made it clear that I want professional umpires and neutrals.

The pattern is that after the game, petracca is worth dropping. By Wednesday everyone forgets how bad he is.

he is shitful. get rid of his stupid doofus, irresponsible dumb [censored].

3 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I was surprised by Hurn's 9.  He had an excellent final term but thought he was relatively quiet before that.  Yeo was outstanding.  They received 4/5 from each coach and Max 3/3 from each coach.  As you say it tells the story. 

9 Shannon Hurn (WCE)
9 Elliot Yeo (WCE)
6 Max Gawn (MELB)
2 Jeremy McGovern (WCE)
2 Jayden Hunt (MELB)
1 James Harmes (MELB)
1 Andrew Gaff (WCE)

I was really pleased to see Hunt get 2 votes (both from one coach).  He has been very good in many games this year and the votes are worthy recognition. 

Hurn was good in the first quarter, didn't think Mcgovern's game was anything special till Smith went down