That’s how this article describes Melbourne’s 2019 season - 

AFL 2019 season reviews: What bottom 10 clubs must do to bounce back next season

 

Very accurate on all counts.

Interesting they have us at 9 o'clock to 'bounce back'.  I assume in context of the title that means to make finals which most would agree with.

Last year we had 14 H&A wins, two finals wins and end up 4th.  People are claiming that was an aberration and our club is being overhauled as a result of 2019.

To put to bed the '2018 was an aberration' claim we must make finals with 12/13 wins and win one final.  If we don't, the review, coaching and other staff changes will be spoken of as a failure.  

We can't underestimate the repercussions of not getting back near our 2018 achievements for sponsors, memberships, FTA exposure, prime time slots and stand-alone facilities.

Everyone is prepared to wait to see how 2020 pans out but fall too far short of 2018 then the fall out will be severe. 

I remember the joy and excitement of last September of getting finals tickets.  The excitement at the G.  The trip home after beating Geelong and Hawks.  I want that again for me, for us and for our club. 

Edited August 25, 20195 yr by Lucifer's Hero

BANG!!

Not even the happy clappers can save that review. 

We are at 9 o’clock only when we learn basic football skills again. How does an AFL Football team lose basic skills??

Interesting word counts for "What Went Wrong"

Hawthorn - 66 words
Port Adelaide - 159 words
Adelaide - 106 words
North Melbourne - 133 words
Fremantle - 208 words
St Kilda - 105 words
Sydney - 95 words
Carlton - 86 words
Melbourne - 420 words
Gold Coast - 83 words

9 minutes ago, roy11 said:

Interesting word counts for "What Went Wrong"

Hawthorn - 66 words
Port Adelaide - 159 words
Adelaide - 106 words
North Melbourne - 133 words
Fremantle - 208 words
St Kilda - 105 words
Sydney - 95 words
Carlton - 86 words
Melbourne - 420 words
Gold Coast - 83 words

I found these 17 words the most amusing.

‘And trying to decipher what went right in 2019 is like finding a needle in a haystack.’

Pretty spot on, could've included additional injuries to guys like Jetta, AVB etc that hamstrung the list and selection all year

So there you have it. An outsider perspective to fit with what many Demonlanders have been saying all season.I await the rearguard action reply from the Company men on here.

I read this article this morning and agreed with most of it. I'm fairly optimistic for next year as I believe it was a perfect storm of bad luck and poor preparation that landed us here. 

Personally speaking I take heart from this.

After one horror game in 2013, a journo in the Herald Sun described us as  ' A soulless rabble, nothing more , nothing less.

This season after another meek capitulation we were described simply  as 'A rabble '

Surely that's an improvement isn't it ???

4 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

That’s how this article describes Melbourne’s 2019 season - 

AFL 2019 season reviews: What bottom 10 clubs must do to bounce back next season

 

How do we get to read this article? I keep getting 'generator' tabs but the document does not load. 

1 hour ago, Deemania since 56 said:

How do we get to read this article? I keep getting 'generator' tabs but the document does not load. 

17. MELBOURNE (5-17, 78.6%)

Three word analysis

Unacceptably, unbelievably abhorrent

What went right

Very little. Max Gawn had a good year, while Christian Petracca can hold his head up high. If there is a bounce-back in 2020, this season will be reflected upon as a great learning experience. If not, it will be the beginning of the end for the senior coach. The narrative over the summer will predictably revolve around learning from mistakes, the need to take one step back to move two steps forward and all of that jazz. But none of this cuts the mustard. Words are cheap. No club will be more harshly judged in 2020 than the Dees. And trying to decipher what went right in 2019 is like finding a needle in a haystack.

What went wrong

Pretty much everything went wrong — and that’s putting it politely. In chronological order, Melbourne had 15 off-season surgeries – one-third of the list – which put the club on the back foot from the outset. Then star recruit Steve May turned up to pre-season running unfit. Then they neglected team defence for offence and ball movement across the summer. Then Port Adelaide and Geelong embarrassed the Demons in the first two rounds. Then May was caught drinking while injured. Then former player Shaun Smith publicly critiqued the club’s handling of his son Joel’s injury. Then Gary Pert and Josh Mahoney flipped the football department on its head when it became apparent the structure underneath Simon Goodwin wasn’t working. It made no difference in the wins and losses column, but at least it was proactive. Then Tom McDonald, Mitch Hannan, Jeff Garlett, Kade Kolodjashnij and several other suffered season-ending injuries. May was also one of these players, limping off the field with a recurrence of a hamstring strain in Round 21.
Players who were influential in 2019 such as Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw, Jack Viney and Jayden Hunt struggled for consistency, while veterans Nathan Jones and Jordan Lewis appeared to show their respective ages. And then, precisely when a winnable game presented itself against 15th placed Sydney at the MCG, just 23,000 fans turned up on a Friday night. Those who missed it wouldn’t have regretted it as the Demons booted just five goals in a Round 22 encounter that epitomised the club’s sorry plight. If you’re not out of breath yet, here’s more: Simon Goodwin’s public messaging became tired as he desperately searched for answers, former coach Paul Roos declared the team he helped build had no identity, and captain Jones’ contract stand-off frustrated player, club, management and fans, all for different reasons.

From third in 2019 after finals to second last in 2020, Melbourne endured a horrid season. Even the club’s most cynical fans would not have foreseen this campaign in their nightmares. If not for last-ditch wins over the Blues and Suns, it could have been even worse. When players returned for training in late 2018 Melbourne decided not to review its preliminary final loss to West Coast. It was a conscious call from the coaches, who believed the performance was so rare - and such an anomaly - that they’d be best to forget it and move on. But when players report for duty in late 2019, an extensive and brutal review of this five-win season is absolutely necessary.

What they need

A fit list, a fresh approach from new assistants (including Alan Richardson) and highly rated fitness chief Darren Burgess, and a plan to bring the administration and football wings of the club under the one roof. From a recruiting perspective, the Demons should poach any outside runners that are available. Fremantle’s Ed Langdon could help, while Brad Hill is more likely to end up at St Kilda but would be an ideal fit in the red and blue. For most of the season Melbourne’s players were like bees to a honey pot. As soon as the Sherrin was released free, they appeared slow, cumbersome and frankly second rate. A couple of wingers who have pace would assist in fixing this problem. Another forward to partner Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman in the Josh Jenkins mould would be a smart acquisition. But Jenkins’ asking price might be too hefty, in which case they will need to look elsewhere. Above all else, they need to get some confidence and belief back. And the only way to create this dynamic in an organic rather than manufactured way is to win games of footy.

What time is it on the premiership clock

9 o’clock — It may sound crazy after this season, but there’s still time to get it right. The talent that propelled them to a preliminary final last year can’t be all gone.

Season grade

F

If last year was the aberration, then what were the 10 and 12 win seasons prior to that?

Edited August 26, 20195 yr by Clintosaurus

Another failure to make finals punctuated with a trademark choke in rd23.

 

Edited August 26, 20195 yr by Fork 'em

Totally judgmental, but if you lined up the pure footy talent of the Tigers defenders yesterday  (so exclude Rance) against Melbourne’s defenders, I don’t think there’s much of a difference. But Richmond’s defence in terms of organisation, desperation, teamwork, tackling and pressure makes their performance look light years ahead of where Melbourne’s currently sits.

That gap has to be largely attributed to the difference in coaching and development. There is something seriously wrong for this to go so far off the rails in one season and Goodwin must be held accountable.  If there’s little improvement by pre bye round next season surely the Board has to act. 

5 hours ago, Sorry kids said:

So there you have it. An outsider perspective to fit with what many Demonlanders have been saying all season.I await the rearguard action reply from the Company men on here.

I doubt anyone will disagree with anything in that article. No one denies this season was shithouse and unacceptable. Those you refer to as the "company men" of which I assume I am one simply think it is worth seeing what the response is next year before burning the place down and rebuilding from scratch again. We did finish top 4 last year after all after 5 years of linear improvement.

Of course that kind of rational thought can't compete with "but I've been following this club for 55 years I demand success" etc

25 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I doubt anyone will disagree with anything in that article. No one denies this season was shithouse and unacceptable. Those you refer to as the "company men" of which I assume I am one simply think it is worth seeing what the response is next year before burning the place down and rebuilding from scratch again. We did finish top 4 last year after all after 5 years of linear improvement.

Of course that kind of rational thought can't compete with "but I've been following this club for 55 years I demand success" etc

Rational. maybe start with showing where I have said burn the place down? And then when I have demanded success after 55 years? You are the one with hyperbole and for the record I did not refer to you are a company man. Response, ok, lets see how Goody responds to Richardson. We are led to believe it didn't work with Macka.  

Speaking of unnacceptable and unbelievable:

The Blues had to sack their coach after poor performances in the first-half of the year, with the club reaching the amount of wins many expected by the end season. But with just two wins from xxx rounds, the writing was on the wall for Bolton who had to be shown the door.

Someone got paid to write this. The first sentence makes no sense. The second forgot to actually include the only fact in it, which just highlights that the rest of it is just two cliches run together.

Yes, people make mistakes when writing. In an email to a friend, or even a post on a hallowed footy forum, but to spit this out when it is supposed to be your job is just an insult to the thousands of us who would very enthusiastically take the job and do it properly.

Actually, I've read back over the whole Carlton section and it is just packed full of high-school level errors. Unncessarily repeating terms twice in a sentence, wacky mixed use of past & present tense, some near-random punctuation.

It even misses some key football observations about the Blues, like the younger Curnow having very mixed form and then being injured Tom McDonald style just as he had his one superb game for the season.

Carlton will be desperate for improvement from their young very-high draft picks like Petrevski-Seton (pick 6) Lochie O'Brien (10) and Dow (3) who are all still just ok, because the Blues have a surprising number of important players close to 30.

Carlton only won one game of the 7 they played without Kruezer, and with Casblout and Phillips, there's no ruck alternative under 28. Murphy, Simpson, and Thomas provided priceless class in a team which struggled for efficency, and Ed Curnow remains the Blues No.2 for tackles, clearances and contested posessions.

There you go, a spontaneous five minute typing-speed rant just provided more insight into Carlton's prospects than whichever of the 'Staff Writers' banged that together for Foxfooty. Give me the job.

 

Rant Over.

2 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

17. MELBOURNE (5-17, 78.6%)

Three word analysis

Unacceptably, unbelievably abhorrent

What went right

Very little. Max Gawn had a good year, while Christian Petracca can hold his head up high. If there is a bounce-back in 2020, this season will be reflected upon as a great learning experience. If not, it will be the beginning of the end for the senior coach. The narrative over the summer will predictably revolve around learning from mistakes, the need to take one step back to move two steps forward and all of that jazz. But none of this cuts the mustard. Words are cheap. No club will be more harshly judged in 2020 than the Dees. And trying to decipher what went right in 2019 is like finding a needle in a haystack.

What went wrong

Pretty much everything went wrong — and that’s putting it politely. In chronological order, Melbourne had 15 off-season surgeries – one-third of the list – which put the club on the back foot from the outset. Then star recruit Steve May turned up to pre-season running unfit. Then they neglected team defence for offence and ball movement across the summer. Then Port Adelaide and Geelong embarrassed the Demons in the first two rounds. Then May was caught drinking while injured. Then former player Shaun Smith publicly critiqued the club’s handling of his son Joel’s injury. Then Gary Pert and Josh Mahoney flipped the football department on its head when it became apparent the structure underneath Simon Goodwin wasn’t working. It made no difference in the wins and losses column, but at least it was proactive. Then Tom McDonald, Mitch Hannan, Jeff Garlett, Kade Kolodjashnij and several other suffered season-ending injuries. May was also one of these players, limping off the field with a recurrence of a hamstring strain in Round 21.
Players who were influential in 2019 such as Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw, Jack Viney and Jayden Hunt struggled for consistency, while veterans Nathan Jones and Jordan Lewis appeared to show their respective ages. And then, precisely when a winnable game presented itself against 15th placed Sydney at the MCG, just 23,000 fans turned up on a Friday night. Those who missed it wouldn’t have regretted it as the Demons booted just five goals in a Round 22 encounter that epitomised the club’s sorry plight. If you’re not out of breath yet, here’s more: Simon Goodwin’s public messaging became tired as he desperately searched for answers, former coach Paul Roos declared the team he helped build had no identity, and captain Jones’ contract stand-off frustrated player, club, management and fans, all for different reasons.

From third in 2019 after finals to second last in 2020, Melbourne endured a horrid season. Even the club’s most cynical fans would not have foreseen this campaign in their nightmares. If not for last-ditch wins over the Blues and Suns, it could have been even worse. When players returned for training in late 2018 Melbourne decided not to review its preliminary final loss to West Coast. It was a conscious call from the coaches, who believed the performance was so rare - and such an anomaly - that they’d be best to forget it and move on. But when players report for duty in late 2019, an extensive and brutal review of this five-win season is absolutely necessary.

What they need

A fit list, a fresh approach from new assistants (including Alan Richardson) and highly rated fitness chief Darren Burgess, and a plan to bring the administration and football wings of the club under the one roof. From a recruiting perspective, the Demons should poach any outside runners that are available. Fremantle’s Ed Langdon could help, while Brad Hill is more likely to end up at St Kilda but would be an ideal fit in the red and blue. For most of the season Melbourne’s players were like bees to a honey pot. As soon as the Sherrin was released free, they appeared slow, cumbersome and frankly second rate. A couple of wingers who have pace would assist in fixing this problem. Another forward to partner Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman in the Josh Jenkins mould would be a smart acquisition. But Jenkins’ asking price might be too hefty, in which case they will need to look elsewhere. Above all else, they need to get some confidence and belief back. And the only way to create this dynamic in an organic rather than manufactured way is to win games of footy.

What time is it on the premiership clock

9 o’clock — It may sound crazy after this season, but there’s still time to get it right. The talent that propelled them to a preliminary final last year can’t be all gone.

Season grade

F

Thanks Fork'em!

In terms of whether this year or last year were the aberrations, people seem to have forgotten the wide variations in finishing positions in the 10 years that Neale Daniher was a coach (1998-2007). They were like up and down escalators.

1998 4th
1999 14th
2000 3rd
2001 11th
2002 6th
2003 14th
2004 5th
2005 7th
2006 6th
2007 14th

(Remember there were only 16 teams in the comp.)
 

Edited August 26, 20195 yr by mauriesy

19 minutes ago, mauriesy said:

In terms of whether this year or last year were the aberrations, people seem to have forgotten the wide variations in finishing positions in the 10 years that Neale Daniher was a coach (1998-2007). They were like up and down escalators.

1998 4th
1999 14th
2000 3rd
2001 11th
2002 6th
2003 14th
2004 5th
2005 7th
2006 6th
2007 14th

(Remember there were only 16 teams in the comp.)
 

And I was just as disgusted then.
Even in the good years we'd get on a roll, win 4-5 games and look unstoppable.
Then lose the next 4-5 and look like spuds.
Often we'd solidify a spot in the finals 3-4 games out, then get lazy and lose the rest going in with no momentum.
One year being on top rd18 and losing to bottom placed Carlton for the 2nd time that year.
Unacceptable then, unacceptable now.

Edited August 26, 20195 yr by Fork 'em

9 hours ago, pineapple dee said:

Personally speaking I take heart from this.

After one horror game in 2013, a journo in the Herald Sun described us as  ' A soulless rabble, nothing more , nothing less.

This season after another meek capitulation we were described simply  as 'A rabble '

Surely that's an improvement isn't it ???

We did our best to claim the soulless rabble title but the Suns thwarted us at every turn.