GAMEDAY: Rd 16 vs Fremantle

[Little Richard 6,262]

7 hours ago, Stevienic23 said:

No one is good enough to go to Fyfe and blanket him so that's a write off. Who goes to Walters?

Harmes would have had a good crack IF he wasn't being played out position (and injured).

[old dee 23,792]

16 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

It's pretty much an elimination final tonight.

Win and we're still alive.

Lose and we're pretty much done for.

I like the changes - it doesn't give me the impression of desperation as such.  It's our third game in less than two weeks, we have injuries to deal with a players out of form.  It's a different season so, to me, seven changes makes some sense when you consider what is going on.  

I'm backing us in for win (when don't I), but I'm doing so without any real confidence.  Bedford and Pickett to kick five between them.

This must be your most desperate prediction Wise. Kossi has averaged 0.5 goals per match and Bedford has never kicked one. 

[Wiseblood 24,637]

2 minutes ago, old dee said:

This must be your most desperate prediction Wise. Kossi has averaged 0.5 goals per match and Bedford has never kicked one. 

You're no fun, OD.

[Rob Mac...... 638]

7 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

It's been put to me that tonight's game is all about whether Melbourne’s players can positively put into effect the learnings that have been pumped into them since they bowed out of season 2018.

 

Funny and appropriate song by Greg Champion. 

    So is it worth staying up to watch this game starting at 2.10am over here?  

      The answer is "Nooo", but pleeeease, why will I probably do it any way?

[binman 42,989]

Us dees fans are a hardy lot. Who have developed all sort of coping strategies to deal with the sort of routine gut punch we got in the last game.

Some get angry. Some fatalistic. Some vow never to care again. Some get depressed. Well all really. And some pretend it's just a game.

Me I give it some time, try to process my frustration,  then pretend it never happened and by game day and full of optimism, can't see how we can possibly lose and am trying to convince my mate we should back the dees over 39. 

I developed this coping mechanism during the long dark days of the 70s. And have been honing it ever since.

A key design element is a seven day break between games. Six day break stress tests the model. But it cannot cope with a four day break.

Freo will be desperate to beat our Casey ones and we have decided to help their cause by changing a third of our side.

And having refused to use two rucks suddenly decided to do so.

And despite making seven changes [censored] Melksham is not one of them.

And despite lack of foot skills being our biggest glaring issue we don't bring in our best kick. 

And after picking the slowest dees side since Spud Dullard and Ray Biffen graced the team, and 90& of supports wondering why against young swans team who our skipper said in the lead up like to play fast footy, we have suddenly picked the fastest, against a team that moves the ball at turtle speed.. 

And the coach knows the problem. And is working on fixing it. Make no mistake the players want to win. And know that effort was not acceptable. This is not the Melbourne way (yes goody, it [censored] well is). We have an identifiable brand (that at least is true, but it ain't what you think). We will look to play our best team each week, cos we are super burgess fit. Until we don't. We will pick a side that want to win. 

[censored]. [censored] [censored]. Another [censored] wasted [censored] season. [censored]. [censored]. 

 

Edited September 6, 2020 by binman

[bobby1554 1,244]

1 hour ago, —coach— said:

Well this is quite a situation, I’m torn. I’m supposed to be gouging my eyes out with a blunt stick tonight but the Demons are playing......... what to do?

If you do the eyes first Coach, you can save yourself the second!

[chook fowler 19,459]

time to euthanase this season.

[old dee 23,792]

8 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

You're no fun, OD.

Yes, I think the Dees and lock down has me lower than a snakes belly in a wagon rut.

i actually think we can win this one , reason? It’s just think we do. Well occasionally. 

[Wells 11 5,406]

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Anyone else get the impression from Goodwin yesterday that the club doesn't think it will play finals?  Three things I noticed:

1. He started talking of the condensed fixture, travel, Alice, late arrival at Gazaly and conditions.  It was like excuses are in the pipeline.

2. When asked about focusing at this intense time he talked about the opportunity for the club to grow, to develop, to continue to evolve, to be consistent and that is our aim.  Lots of teams vying for finals and we want to use it as an opportunity to get better.  No sense of expectation to play in finals.  Hardly filled me with confidence. 

3. When asked about the list he talked 'this year is about building ourselves up' and play in some games that will define us 'whether we play finals or not'

4. Selections.

Have very little confidence in a win tonight.

Id WAY rather he say this stuff to be honest. Imo this is him bringing the focus to whats needed in terms of mind set and execution. Just wanting to be somewhere is never a way forward. 

[old dee 23,792]

5 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

time to euthanase this season.

It maybe just a few hours away chook.

[old dee 23,792]

Just now, Wells 11 said:

Id WAY rather he say this stuff to be honest. Imo this is him bringing the focus to whats needed in terms of mind set and execution. Just wanting to be somewhere is never a way forward. 

Looks like someone trying to secure their job for next year to me.

[NeveroddoreveN 1,034]

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Anyone else get the impression from Goodwin yesterday that the club doesn't think it will play finals?  Three things I noticed:

1. He started talking of the condensed fixture, travel, Alice, late arrival at Gazaly and conditions.  It was like excuses are in the pipeline.

2. When asked about focusing at this intense time he talked about the opportunity for the club to grow, to develop, to continue to evolve, to be consistent and that is our aim.  Lots of teams vying for finals and we want to use it as an opportunity to get better.  No sense of expectation to play in finals.  Hardly filled me with confidence. 

3. When asked about the list he talked 'this year is about building ourselves up' and play in some games that will define us 'whether we play finals or not'

4. Selections.

Have very little confidence in a win tonight.

The excuses were there and pretty much have been throughout.  It is like it just gets too hard for us at times, dealing with adversity is not our thing! I feel he has put it back on the players with comments like if they are good enough to compete for finals they will.

Personally i like the selections this week!  Bedford should have been given many opportunities this year....came 2nd to ANB in time trials and was obviously a bolter this year. Has skills, determined to make it, one of fittest at club.  He would have gelled nicely with Kozzie and we may have had some pressure up forward.  Baker has been tearing it up for last month in the praccy games, has a few tricks and is quick. Hunt i am never sure, athletic, fast, can mark, can kick, not a natural football player i think is the issue, similar to Harmes/Smith.  

Play Max 80% of game forward, let Preuss take the ruck and lets see what he has got...

We have way too many favourites of Goody who just get rewarded for sub standard games for way too long.  There are fringe players busting their guts to get there.  When players are not getting rewarded for effort, or adversely others are getting rewarded for lack of effort, you have to wonder what is the selection criteria?  It is not rewarding hard work, nor are there consequences for having bad games/seasons...Melksham/Mcdonalds of the world.  If i was fringe player i would be pulling my hair out.  As it is i am just a balding supporter scratching my head once again.  

[Lucifers Hero 39,826]

20 minutes ago, Wells 11 said:

Id WAY rather he say this stuff to be honest. Imo this is him bringing the focus to whats needed in terms of mind set and execution. Just wanting to be somewhere is never a way forward. 

True, but I didn't get the impression there is much action behind the words.   I heard no words or actions that showed a will to win.

I shook my head when he kept saying we 'understand' what happened in the Sydney game.  There was no reference that we have taken corrective action (he doesn't need to say what it is).   Sure he said we have 'planned for' the Freo game; words which scare me given that so many times this year he or senior players have said those words after the game then excused the loss with words like 'the opp played differently to what we expected or we didn't adjust etc'.  Great planning, not!

Words are just words and tbh I don't want to hear the same hollow words anymore.

Edited September 6, 2020 by Lucifer's Hero

[Beetle 4,660]

Greg Champion lives two doors from me.

I’ll have a word with him and see what the true meaning behind the lyrics are. Seems they are a metaphor for something.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Last chance saloon. Must win tonight if we want to make finals.

There's not likely to be a lot to learn from a win tonight. If we do win, it will probably mean either some top shelf performances from our A-graders, or some surprising performances from our additions. Getting fired up after a pathetic loss happens frequently enough, so I don't think there will be anything long-term to take away from a win.

A loss tells us a lot though. If we've packed it in, if we've given up, if we can't turn around our form against another bottom 6 club, if we look lifeless, skill-less, no lessons learnt, if Melksham and Fritsch don't tackle, if vandenBerg gives away free kicks and doesn't get the ball - a loss has the potential to tell us a lot.

Win tonight and I'll care a lot more about the GWS game on Saturday.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

45 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

We will win tonight. If for nothing more than it keeps 5 teams playing for 3 spots in the 8 instead of 4. Gil wants the 8 decided on the last day.

What, so you think Gil has gone to Fremantle and told them to lose?

In a year of wild conspiracy theories, this is right up there.

[Lucifers Hero 39,826]

8 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

It's been put to me that tonight's game is all about whether Melbourne’s players can positively put into effect the learnings that have been pumped into them since they bowed out of season 2018.

 

Learnings, even if we're losing.  Learning is what we play for.  Learning to handball, learning to kick straight.  Like at auskick we're learning...

That is so painful to listen to.

We know other fans see us as 'losers' and media just make 'noise' but gee that cut pretty close to the bone. 

Someone should make Goodwin listen to it to realise how empty and trite his press conf are.  No-one is fooled by his 'learnings' narrative; it is long past its used by date.  

 

[old dee 23,792]

31 minutes ago, binman said:

Us dees fans are a hardy lot. Who have developed all sort of coping strategies to deal with the sort of rotine gut punch we got in the last game.

Some get angry. Some fatalistic. Some vow never to care again. Some get depressed. Well all really. And some pretend it's just a game.

Me I give it some time, try to process my frustration,  then pretend it never and by game day and full of optimism can't see how we can lose and am trying to convince my mate we should back rhe dees over 39. 

I developed this coping mechanism during the long dark days of the 70s. And have been honing it ever since.

A key design element is a seven day break between games. Six day break stress test the model. But it cannot cope with a four day break.

Freo will be desperate to beat our Casey ones and we have decided to help their cause by changing a third of our side.

And having refused to use two rucks suddenly decided to do so.

And despite making seven changes [censored] melksham is not one of them.

And despite lack of foot skills being our biggest glaring issue we don't bring in our best kick. 

And after picking the slowest dees side since spud dullard and Ray Biffen graced the team we have picked rhe fastest. 

And the coach knows the problem. And us working on fixing it. Make no mistake tbe players want to win. This is not the Melbourne way (yes goody, it [censored] well is). We have an identifiable brand (that at least is true, but it ain't what you think). We will look to play our best team each week, cos we are super burgess fit. Until we dont. We will pick a side that want to win. 

[censored]. [censored] [censored]. Another [censored] wasted [censored] season. [censored]. [censored]. 

 

You have captured me wonderful in that Binman. Great work.

[sue 9,107]

1 minute ago, titan_uranus said:

What, so you think Gil has gone to Fremantle and told them to lose?

In a year of wild conspiracy theories, this is right up there.

Sorry, while I think that Gil theory is rubbish, it doesn't hold a candle to a lot of the nonsense that floats around on Facebook.  And is a lot less dangerous.

[Knuckles 73]

Winning is clearly the only option tonight and any other result should see massive changes to our coaching staff and footy department in general. Having said that there are a few things I wan to see. With the number of coaching and support staff on our books I hope they are working on these or similar things. 

I want to see Kossie use his obvious talents to get the basics right. None of the of the hollywood tap on's or trying to make too much out of nothing. Just use his pace to hunt, tackle and harass the Dockers defence. Then use his speed to balnance himself before kicking at goal or dishing off.

Our tall forwards need to be smarter. Too often they were spoiling each other last week. Whether that is Preuss or Gawn deep with Weideman floating around the top half of the 50 or a variation on that. Weideman also needs to get back to crashing packs with intensity. He has been reverting back to his timid self the last two rounds. 

Viney is the other issue from my perspective. He obviously give his all, but I have never seen a player get tackled so much. He needs to take a leaf out of Oliver's book and use his power to stay taller in traffic, and keep his hands free. He continually drives low through packs, and now that it seems OK  to tackle people by the neck and head,  that strategy doesn't work. He will get pinged every time. 

[old dee 23,792]

2 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Learnings, even if we're losing.  Learning is what we play for.  Learning to handball, learning to kick straight.  Like at auskick we're learning...

That is so painful to listen to.

We know other fans see us as 'losers' and media just make 'noise' but gee that cut pretty close to the bone. 

Someone should make Goodwin listen to it to realise how empty and trite his press conf are.  No-one is fooled by his 'learnings' narrative; it is long past its used by date.  

 

Nothing against you LH but if I hear “learnings “ one more time I will microwave my membership card. 

[Damo 3,356]

I honestly believe the players are being treated softly and given mixed messages.

Get the ball inside 35 from goal. It may not be pretty but Take marks that you should.

Handball accurately. Kick to the spread position not to a pack.

One in, two out in packs. Handball outside the pack.

At last training,  kick a goal from 35 metres, then go to the rooms.

If not go to the back of the line. Once someone has missed 3 in a row, 6AM swim for the whole team. Do it every day till no one misses easy goals.

We need Clarkson or my preference, Dean Cox. The man is super intense, you could see it when he played and "rested' on the bench. Always in the game, barking instructions. We need a big change. 

 

 

 

 

[Lucifers Hero 39,826]

1 minute ago, old dee said:

Nothing against you LH but if I hear “learnings “ one more time I will microwave my membership card. 

Don't listen to the coodabeens video then od.  And don't listen to any coach or player interviews.

I'll just say that the 'L' word grates on me too.

[NeveroddoreveN 1,034]

22 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

True, but I didn't get the impression there is much action behind the words.   I heard no words or actions that showed a will to win.

I shook my head when he kept saying we 'understand' what happened in the Sydney game.  There was no reference that we have taken corrective action (he doesn't need to say what it is).   Sure he said we have 'planned for' the Freo game; words which scare me given that so many times this year he or senior players have said those words after the game then excused the loss with words like 'the opp played differently to what we expected or we didn't adjust etc'.  Great planning, not!

Words are just words and tbh I don't want to hear the same hollow words anymore.

This lays squarely on on our coaches.  We had no game plan at all.  We believed our list was better than Sydneys and just expected to win with talent on paper.  Could count on one hand the times this year we had a game plan.  We don't seem to respect opposition, always just play our way.   The players are following a gameplan, or lack there of and we reap the rewards.  All clubs prepare and have opposition analysis, i actually wonder whether we do!?

[binman 42,989]

The dogs will win their last two games as unlike us they can be trusted to to so. That means that that if we lose tonight we are out of finals contention.

So tonight is an elimination final.

And if we win this game the GWS game will also bean elimination final.

And if we happen to win the next two the Bombers game will bean elimination final . 

And if we win that game we will be playing in an elimination final.

Possibly against West Coast. In Perth.