Tbf we had pretty much no injuries last year.

This year we've had Lever, Gawn, Mcdonald, Salem, Petty all miss significant chunks or play through injury.

We had nothing like that last year.

We could be twice as fit as last year and wouldn’t matter. Basic execution of skills are vital in this game, but more importantly - execution inside 50. The aim of the game is to hammer those goals through the big sticks. We got a former ruck as our forward coach, and we’re selling our hopes on Gawn and/or Grundy being forwards next year when their previous history says otherwise. I don’t understand why anyone would get on the back of Griffith. We’re being outplayed due to a rigid game plan. If we are made look like witches hats in the last quarter it’s because opposing teams take risks and play with flair, and last year that wasn’t the case. Teams have worked us out. I think Griffith is doing a tremendous job. On the injury front we’ve once again been blessed. A result largely attributed to Griffith. Fantastic effort.

On 9/3/2022 at 11:57 AM, dazzledavey36 said:

Me and @Gorgoroth have banging on about this like a broken record since the 2nd half of the year.

Goody's refusal to reward blokes in the 2's had been the biggest frustration and disappointment of this year.

Seeing guys like Chandler, JVR, Laurie, Baker and Dunstan continue to put in consistent form at VFL level for little to zero reward is disappointing. 

To stay contending for the next few years you have to find ways to regenerate your list and team structure along the way. Find and trial players that can come into the team and add a different element or X factor to give us a different look. Look at the enthusiasm Bowey added to our team last year 

We've tried absolutely nothing new this year with team selection and Goody's stubbornness in continuing to play the same names over and over who have been out of form has been a big concern.

 

We are about to play a semi final after finishing 2nd on the ladder. We won the premiership last year.

If ever there was a time not to play kids its right now. It's not like we haven't played kids anyway. Pickett, Jackson, Rivers and Bowey are all more or less regulars. They are 2nd and 3rd year players.

Bedford got a decent taste and we debuted Turner.

I would have liked to have seen more of Turner. JVR should have been given 2 games to taste the big time.

Next year is where our second wave of recruits will come through. Personally I'm hoping for a revamped forward line.

9 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

Reporter reads Demonland and writes an article about it.

The far more interesting part of this story was what Sanderson said about defensive transition, and the sides that do it well blocking lanes for us.

45 minutes ago, The heart beats true said:

The far more interesting part of this story was what Sanderson said about defensive transition, and the sides that do it well blocking lanes for us.

Yep and we let it happen by moving slow and playing the wings 100% of the time. 

Hopefully Selwyn is gee'd up today. He's the only thing that can win it for us. 

iirc Burgess sat on the bench with Goodwin.

Can't say that I would recognise Griffith but curious if he sits on the bench?

Not making any implications, just curious if our game day off-field structure has changed.

47 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

iirc Burgess sat on the bench with Goodwin.

Can't say that I would recognise Griffith but curious if he sits on the bench?

Not making any implications, just curious if our game day off-field structure has changed.

Hopefully the media can ask the question and get the answer to this important question. It is good to see the DL'ers are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to our performance. Next time Gary Pert or Alan Richardson are on here we should ask whether Selwyn should be on the bench or somewhere else.

Yes, SG sits on the bench during the match. 

That some don't know what he looks like is not his problem nor a reflection upon the job he is doing

1 minute ago, Stiff Arm said:

Yes, SG sits on the bench during the match. 

That some don't know what he looks like is not his problem nor a reflection upon the job he is doing

Accept not knowing what he looks like is on me but it was a genuine question without any ill intent and thanks for answering.

4 hours ago, chookrat said:

It is good to see the DL'ers are leaving no stone unturned

If we win the flag this year, you better believe I'll be leaving no turn unstoned.

15 hours ago, chookrat said:

Reporter reads Demonland and writes an article about it.

Nothing wrong with that, we are an impeccable source of cutting-edge insight and peer-reviewed information.

Faded out again. 

Apologies if it has been mentioned, but isn't Selwyn Griffith just such a typical Melbourne Football Club name? Talk about nailing stereotypes.

Not sure how much was Griffith's fault, but we were clearly less fit than last year. I wonder if stagnant selection ended up hurting us. So many players looked done by the end of the year

10 minutes ago, Doggas front teeth said:

Not sure how much was Griffith's fault, but we were clearly less fit than last year. I wonder if stagnant selection ended up hurting us. So many players looked done by the end of the year

For all we know our fitness regime enabled players to push through and play with obvious niggles. Might have costs us ultimately or maybe we don't finish second if not for our ability to push through. Went out in straight sets either way so I am sure everything will be reviewed 

On 9/3/2022 at 1:11 PM, dazzledavey36 said:

It's not just that.

Look at Collingwood, they play such a exciting brand of footy and a small part has been the enthusiasm and energy some of their young kids have brought to the team.

Collingwood have had 6 debutants this year, we've had 1 who lasted for 2 quarters. Seeing the like of Nick Daicos and Ash Johnson and what they've added to Collingwood has been enormous. 

I see the doggies brought in Sam Darcy the last 3 weeks into the senior team and watched him make a sudden impact down back and then up forward against Hawthorn when he was clucking some big contested marks.

He's given the dogs a whole different mix to their line up and teams have had to now put time into him.

Even Chris Fagan having the balls to play a first gamer in Darcy Willmot on Friday night against a 3 time premiership team. Young Willmot looked right at home and even showed great composure to kick his first AFL.

Goody has had no innovation this year in changing our team selection. He plays it far too safe and it's bland and boring. It's no wonder we have looked so stagnated this year.

Goodwins stubbornness has gotten the better of him this year.

I think Goodwin carries the load for decisions made by a selection committee. He’s one of many. The main one, but still one of many.

47 minutes ago, Doggas front teeth said:

Not sure how much was Griffith's fault, but we were clearly less fit than last year. I wonder if stagnant selection ended up hurting us. So many players looked done by the end of the year

I don't think we were as fit, but I don't know if it's as simple as that either.

Not sure how to pull up the stats, but I am pretty sure that all but 3 or 4 games this year, we held a lead of 20 or more points. Yet only West Coast and Nth Melbourne conceded more points in the 4Q than us. Considering how few points we actually conceded for the year, it's truly bizarre.

Goodwin thinks it's connection with the forward line, the commentary and media say it's also our forward line and not being prepared to try new players.

I don't know the answer but I can't think it's only Selwynn Griffiths fault, but equally I think we are only just realising how much we are missing Darren Burgess.

It might not be all his fault but fitness was a key issue and that’s his area. We looked smashed. 

Can we ask burgo to come back and review the 2022 program for us. Point out where he thinks we went wrong. Probably not the done thing seeing as he’s a full time crow now. 

Talk is from players that since Burgess left there was a 10% drop off in fitness standards.

If true this would explain the 7 fadeouts  in the second half & should be held responsible for the failed season!

 

6 minutes ago, Demonsone said:

Talk is from players that since Burgess left there was a 10% drop off in fitness standards.

If true this would explain the 7 fadeouts  in the second half & should be held responsible for the failed season!

 

What players have said this?

19 minutes ago, Demonsone said:

Talk is from players that since Burgess left there was a 10% drop off in fitness standards.

If true this would explain the 7 fadeouts  in the second half & should be held responsible for the failed season!

 

 

11 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

What players have said this?

Interesting...I heard that it had gone up a notch from Burgess, so there you go.

Who would really know?

The FD and I'm sure they have been analysing the drop off in games and will have a good handle on it.

49 minutes ago, Demonsone said:

Talk is from players that since Burgess left there was a 10% drop off in fitness standards.

If true this would explain the 7 fadeouts  in the second half & should be held responsible for the failed season!

 

I heard it was a 9.3% drop off.