2023 Best and Fairest

[Rhino 56]

3 hours ago, Rust said:

Went along last night. A few notes:

•    Melksham gave a fantastic tribute to Hibberd. Said Hibberd was a man who would always “find a way”, despite not looking like the quintessential AFL footballer. Whether that was on the field as a desperate defender, or when the energy among the boys was dwindling during wacky Wednesday celebrations, he would “always find a way”. This led to his nickname for Hibberd being “the human loophole.”

•    Hibberd also gave a wonderful speech. He thanked Goody for convincing him to come to MFC as the best decision he’s made. Goody pitched him to come and help start our “new competitive culture”. Credited his father for never letting him get ahead of himself. Even when he kicked 10 goals in juniors, his dad said “what about the 2 points you missed, I would’ve kicked 12.” His dad refused to say Michael was a better player… Hibberd said it only took an all-Australian, premiership, and 197 AFL games to finally admit it. 

•    Mark Williams presented best young player awards to McVee and JVR. Choco said when we played Brisbane, Charlie Cameron came up to him before the game and said, “I suppose you’ll have McVee on me.” Highlighted how the competition was starting to take notice of McVee’s talents.

•    During the video tribute for Ron Barassi, they had a great quote from Hassa Mann. It might have been shown in other Barassi tributes, as there are many, so others may have seen it. I’m paraphrasing here, but essentially Hassa said he remembers coming to the MFC as an 18-year-old, by which time Barassi was already a giant of the AFL (3 flags). They were running out onto the field one game when Barassi tapped him on the shoulder, looked him square in the eyes, and told him: “Don’t worry. I won’t let you down, son.” Talk about leadership! RIP Ron Barassi. Man amongst men.

Obviously, people can watch the speeches from the award winners, President and coach on the MFC website but a couple of notes:

•    I agree with what Older Demon said re Goody. My impression after last night was that his position is one of leadership, not just coaching. He drives standards, culture, and creates the environment for players to become elite. I recall Roosy used to say he wanted to coach Melbourne for the leadership challenge as much as anything, and I can see this mindset in Goody. I also recall Peter Jackson saying Goody’s job interview for the succession plan was different from other candidates, who all talked about game plans, whereas Goody talked about culture, values, behaviours, and habits. To Jackson, that was like hearing Paul Roos speak, and that’s when he knew they had the right man – our 57-year drought-breaking premiership coach and a real leader of the club.

•    I would also like to add that we are privileged to have Christian Petracca don the red and blue. Goody said he’s never met a player who wants to be great as much as Petracca. Trac thanked the club psychologist in his speech and spoke of his passion for performance mindset, always finding a way to get better. He has flaws in his game like all players, but he is elite in everything he does to prepare… from the mental to the physical to the work he puts in on his skills, even on days off. Our next captain imo. Pencil him in. Bloody legend.

Go dees in 2024.
 

Didn’t address elephant in the room Goal Kicking !!!!!What stopped us beating Pies and Blues Ok to say we have finished top 4 last 3 years But failed to execute when it mattered Pies have more elite kicks and can finish Agree with May we are a better team than Collingwood

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

3 hours ago, Rust said:

Went along last night. A few notes:

•    Melksham gave a fantastic tribute to Hibberd. Said Hibberd was a man who would always “find a way”, despite not looking like the quintessential AFL footballer. Whether that was on the field as a desperate defender, or when the energy among the boys was dwindling during wacky Wednesday celebrations, he would “always find a way”. This led to his nickname for Hibberd being “the human loophole.”

•    Hibberd also gave a wonderful speech. He thanked Goody for convincing him to come to MFC as the best decision he’s made. Goody pitched him to come and help start our “new competitive culture”. Credited his father for never letting him get ahead of himself. Even when he kicked 10 goals in juniors, his dad said “what about the 2 points you missed, I would’ve kicked 12.” His dad refused to say Michael was a better player… Hibberd said it only took an all-Australian, premiership, and 197 AFL games to finally admit it. 

•    Mark Williams presented best young player awards to McVee and JVR. Choco said when we played Brisbane, Charlie Cameron came up to him before the game and said, “I suppose you’ll have McVee on me.” Highlighted how the competition was starting to take notice of McVee’s talents.

•    During the video tribute for Ron Barassi, they had a great quote from Hassa Mann. It might have been shown in other Barassi tributes, as there are many, so others may have seen it. I’m paraphrasing here, but essentially Hassa said he remembers coming to the MFC as an 18-year-old, by which time Barassi was already a giant of the AFL (3 flags). They were running out onto the field one game when Barassi tapped him on the shoulder, looked him square in the eyes, and told him: “Don’t worry. I won’t let you down, son.” Talk about leadership! RIP Ron Barassi. Man amongst men.

Obviously, people can watch the speeches from the award winners, President and coach on the MFC website but a couple of notes:

•    I agree with what Older Demon said re Goody. My impression after last night was that his position is one of leadership, not just coaching. He drives standards, culture, and creates the environment for players to become elite. I recall Roosy used to say he wanted to coach Melbourne for the leadership challenge as much as anything, and I can see this mindset in Goody. I also recall Peter Jackson saying Goody’s job interview for the succession plan was different from other candidates, who all talked about game plans, whereas Goody talked about culture, values, behaviours, and habits. To Jackson, that was like hearing Paul Roos speak, and that’s when he knew they had the right man – our 57-year drought-breaking premiership coach and a real leader of the club.

•    I would also like to add that we are privileged to have Christian Petracca don the red and blue. Goody said he’s never met a player who wants to be great as much as Petracca. Trac thanked the club psychologist in his speech and spoke of his passion for performance mindset, always finding a way to get better. He has flaws in his game like all players, but he is elite in everything he does to prepare… from the mental to the physical to the work he puts in on his skills, even on days off. Our next captain imo. Pencil him in. Bloody legend.

Go dees in 2024.
 

Great summary Jane.  I saw most of it but nice to hear about the atmosphere etc from those who were there.

Great little background on the Goody selection side.

Did you happen to spot Clarry at all and who he was sitting with?

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

28 minutes ago, Rhino said:

Didn’t address elephant in the room Goal Kicking !!!!!What stopped us beating Pies and Blues Ok to say we have finished top 4 last 3 years But failed to execute when it mattered Pies have more elite kicks and can finish Agree with May we are a better team than Collingwood

It's obvious to most where our flaws lie.

We have to remember, May's looking at it from his subjective POV behind the ball.  Things must look pretty good from where he's positioned and also the calibre / cohesion of players he has in the back 6.

Trouble is once it goes forward of center he probably isn't seeing a hell of alot close up and therefore assumes rightly or wrongly that things will fix themselves if we just up the ante a little.

Maybe with Petty back and a fit Brown, as Katrina aluded to, they might.  Plus an injection or two from outside eg;  McAdam.

But there's still the manner in which we bring the ball in and the methods the forwards use etc that are of concern and will hopefully be addressed / significantly corrected in the off.

After two seasons one would hope so anyway.

Small (small - medium) forward roles need substantial adjustment as well imv.

They can't all be defensive beasts.  We need at least one to be a specialist attacking forward who focuses on getting to the drop with only a minor focus on full on team defending.

More time spent front & square and also isolating them when possible a la the Pies with Bobby.

If we come out bringing more of the same as per 22/23 in the first 5 - 6 rounds of 2024 that would be quite worrying.

Fingers crossed Simon and crew ring the changes in the off including at the draft/trade table.

An outside or inside/outside mid with pace/skills also critical.

Edited October 7, 2023 by Demon Dynasty

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,939]

Do people genuinely believe we’re a better side than Collingwood?

Like honestly believe that 7 times out of 10 we’d beat them, right here, right now.

[david_neitz_is_my_dad 4,084]

Just now, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Do people genuinely believe we’re a better side than Collingwood?

Like honestly believe that 7 times out of 10 we’d beat them, right here, right now.

I do if we kick straight, we genuinely lost both finals on the back of having no composure and being inaccurate in front of goals.

[spirit of norm smith 16,588]

@david_neitz_is_my_dad👏👏👏agree. Summing up 2023 finals … “we genuinely lost both finals on the back of having no composure and being inaccurate in front of goals.

[The Chief 697]

Truely believe if Petty played in the final series we would have won the GF - easily. 

[deanox 9,989]

35 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Do people genuinely believe we’re a better side than Collingwood?

Like honestly believe that 7 times out of 10 we’d beat them, right here, right now.

Yes.

We beat them during the year.

And we should have beat them in the first final. I think we win that game more than half the time as well.

[DEE fence 5,039]

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Do people genuinely believe we’re a better side than Collingwood?

Like honestly believe that 7 times out of 10 we’d beat them, right here, right now.

That is why I am soooooooo frustrated the furniture is still in danger....

[Redleg 41,427]

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Do people genuinely believe we’re a better side than Collingwood?

Like honestly believe that 7 times out of 10 we’d beat them, right here, right now.

Well with no forward line, our 4th in the B & F unconscious at the 3 minute mark of the game, replaced by a newbie who did nothing and Petracca being forced to play more midfield as a result and still with 32 more inside F50 entries, which were totally wasted and having beaten them earlier in the season, you could argue we are a better team than Collingwood, right here, right now.

[Lord Travis 10,763]

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Do people genuinely believe we’re a better side than Collingwood?

Like honestly believe that 7 times out of 10 we’d beat them, right here, right now.

Yes. Comfortably. Despite winning the premiership, Collingwood were lucky to finish top of the ladder and lucky to have won the flag. They will rightly be remembered as a weak and lucky premier, just like the Bulldogs of 2016. That’s why 2023 hurts so much. We missed an opportunity to win a flag against a weak field due to injuries and inaccuracy, and the eventual premier was inferior to us and multiple other teams.

[jnrmac 20,185]

10 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Not sure a guy that ticked off on the drug supplements would be high on anyone's list.

Err and he's dead... other than that..

[BW511 2,688]

2 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Do people genuinely believe we’re a better side than Collingwood?

Like honestly believe that 7 times out of 10 we’d beat them, right here, right now.

Despite our best efforts not to be, I think we are. Collingwood ride the wave of their supporters very well and their discipline is excellent.

If we went at them with Petty at full fitness, I think they would struggle.

I also think we have serious flaws, like everyone else does, so that doesn’t say a lot for them.

[picket fence 17,498]

3 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Do people genuinely believe we’re a better side than Collingwood?

Like honestly believe that 7 times out of 10 we’d beat them, right here, right now.

Except in Crunch finals

[Roost it far 8,582]

3 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Do people genuinely believe we’re a better side than Collingwood?

Like honestly believe that 7 times out of 10 we’d beat them, right here, right now.

100% of the time we'd win 7 out of 10 times.

Edited October 7, 2023 by Roost it far

[Older demon 2,779]

4 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Do people genuinely believe we’re a better side than Collingwood?

Like honestly believe that 7 times out of 10 we’d beat them, right here, right now.

It was mentioned that luck and score reviews played a role and we did not get the rub of the green. The score review against Carlton shaped the flag. We win we hold top spot and I believe play Collingwood in the grand final and win.

 

[Macca 17,032]

Well said Steven May!

A straight shooter who walks the walk.  Pressure is a good thing if harnessed the right way.  Goodwin, Gawn & co would have loved what May had to say

I hope we play them twice in the H & A next season.  The rivalry is back and they're the villain.  Bring it on! 

[dazzledavey36 55,318]

Was Grundy there?

[Nascent 9,283]

Does anyone have the vote count for the rest of the team outside the top 10?

[Gouga 570]

4 hours ago, The Chief said:

Truely believe if Petty played in the final series we would have won the GF - easily. 

Carlton beat us without mckay and only 1 goal from curnow. We should have won even without petty, but we blew it. 

[Jaded No More 68,973]

Just now, Gouga said:

Carlton beat us without mckay and only 1 goal from curnow. We should have won even without petty, but we blew it. 

Yep. 17 times we blew it. 
We should have won both finals with a smidge of luck. But we had absolutely no luck this season. 

[Gouga 570]

11 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Yep. 17 times we blew it. 
We should have won both finals with a smidge of luck. But we had absolutely no luck this season. 

We definitely had bad luck... BUT we didnt do enough to overcome it.

Collingwood lost mcstay heading into the gf and murphy to concussion in the first quarter. If they lost they could also say they had no luck. But they didn't lose...

Suprised how many here think we were the best team in it. We finished 6th and thats all we deserved. 

Edited October 7, 2023 by Gouga

[DemonOX 8,800]

Posted this in the Clarrie thread too. 

New someone who went to the BnF and the after party and said Clarrie was there and very friendly with all the players and staff, so he’s going to be fine which is great to hear. 

I expect a massive season from Clarrie next yr. 

[chookrat 4,268]

4 hours ago, Lord Travis said:

Yes. Comfortably. Despite winning the premiership, Collingwood were lucky to finish top of the ladder and lucky to have won the flag. They will rightly be remembered as a weak and lucky premier, just like the Bulldogs of 2016. That’s why 2023 hurts so much. We missed an opportunity to win a flag against a weak field due to injuries and inaccuracy, and the eventual premier was inferior to us and multiple other teams.

I don't agree that Collingwood were lucky to win the GF. For two years they have consistently won close games through winning critical contests and plays, or as Goody puts it 'moments'.

This year I think there were 5 sides that could genuinely have won it being Collingwood, Brisbane, Melbourne, Carlton and GWS. Many of the games were genuine 50 / 50 matches separated by a couple of missed shots at goal, critical contests, or a bit of luck, and if the finals series were played in a simulation 10 times over each if these 5 teams would probably win at least once.

Where it hurts is that we had two chances and despite some excellent football we fell short both times. Losing Melksham on the eve of finals and Brayshaw in the qualifying were costly given their importance to our structure and delivery in our forward half.

[Great Northern Summer 708]

15 hours ago, monoccular said:

Of course you have to be in it to win it.  

Seriously?   IMO very lucky not to have been put through the wringer by AHPRA (medical board successor) for breaching one of the basic ethical requirements, putting his patients health paramount over the orders of the payer, in this case EFC. 

Yes, I'm being serious. That man bent over backwards for me personally with my sporting injuries. I fully believe he was not involved in the Essendon drugs saga. He's one of the most creditable people I've ever met. You wouldn't find anyone that knows him that would say otherwise.