Jump to content

Featured Replies

Just now, dazzledavey36 said:

Geelong are well known for taking unders and Hawthorn in their glory days as well took unders to keep all their stars.

We on the other hand just give out these long term contracts on ridiculous money like its hot cakes.

We manage our list like its the first one in the league to ever win a flag.

 

2028? 2028?? I wish there was an ALLCAPS equivalent for numbers so I could demonstrate how much I am SHOUTING

Edited by Undeeterred

On 16/08/2024 at 10:36, Jaded No More said:

There is also a very real possibility that we contend for a flag again and North remain a bottom 4 side.

Jack is contracted. He is going nowhere.

Unfortunate but true coz he is going nowhere but by Carrryst he is bog ordinary and will get worse with age. What were we thinking signing him on such a long deal!

Edited by picket fence

 

It happened, it can't unhappen.

So the real question is what do we do. The options I see are:

  • Persist in the midfield and hope he's just out of form and can turn it around

  • Turn him into a tagger (that should terrify oppo players, and speed is not as important (your often grappling / haranguing them) plus he can still win some hardball

  • Get him to play a Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchel type role (back flank) at the back end of their career

  • Try him in a forward pressure and crumbing role (like Parker, Coningilo, etc) - pocket though not flanker where he'll get exposed for speed

  • Sub - where he can come on fresh as fatigue hits the opposition

I'd go with tagger as his experience would be invaluable for the next generation, and more importantly his presence - should our younger players get targeted or bullied.

Edited by Ungarieboy

5 minutes ago, Ungarieboy said:

It happened, it can't unhappen.

So the real question is what do we do. The options I see are:

  • Persist in the midfield and hope he's just out of form and can turn it around

  • Turn him into a tagger (that should terrify oppo players, and speed is not as important (your often grappling / haranguing them) plus he can still win some hardball

  • Get him to play a Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchel type role (back flank) at the back end of their career

  • Try him in a forward pressure and crumbing role (like Parker, Coningilo, etc) - pocket though not flanker where he'll get exposed for speed

  • Sub - where he can come on fresh as fatigue hits the opposition

I'd go with tagger as his experience would be invaluable for the next generation, and more importantly his presence - should our younger players get targeted or bullied.

Agree with the above, utilise him as a tagger, backline defensive stopper or as a pressure forward.


15 minutes ago, Ungarieboy said:

It happened, it can't unhappen.

So the real question is what do we do. The options I see are:

  • Persist in the midfield and hope he's just out of form and can turn it around

  • Turn him into a tagger (that should terrify oppo players, and speed is not as important (your often grappling / haranguing them) plus he can still win some hardball

  • Get him to play a Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchel type role (back flank) at the back end of their career

  • Try him in a forward pressure and crumbing role (like Parker, Coningilo, etc) - pocket though not flanker where he'll get exposed for speed

  • Sub - where he can come on fresh as fatigue hits the opposition

I'd go with tagger as his experience would be invaluable for the next generation, and more importantly his presence - should our younger players get targeted or bullied.

Agree something needs to change but I disagree about pace not being an issue as the tagger.

He'd have got nowhere near Rowell today and he's not super quick. I shudder to think of the damage a Warner or Holmes would do in the middle of Viney was tagging someone with genuine speed.

Can someone please remind me who won the 2024 b&f??????

Agree that a 4 year contract is way to long, should’ve been 2

But give the guy some credit, he carried the team on his shoulders last year, when plenty weren’t interested

Jack continually kicks to the opposition i50. That is far more dangerous if it was from HB especially when our players have started to move forward of the ball to get an overlap chain going. Easy goals for opp.

His fwd would play off him all the time. Again easy goals for opp.

And who would he be better than: McVee, Bowey, Salem, Windsor, Rivers?

The suggestions are like trying to 'hide' him where he does least damage. That is very sad.

 
15 minutes ago, Hellaintabadplacetobe said:

Agree something needs to change but I disagree about pace not being an issue as the tagger.

He'd have got nowhere near Rowell today and he's not super quick. I shudder to think of the damage a Warner or Holmes would do in the middle of Viney was tagging someone with genuine speed.

Perhaps but Ling wasn't known for speed, nor Kirk, I can't recall Dee's supporters raving about Jordan's speed.

A hard tag is more about starting with them shoulder to shoulder (ideally with your shoulder behind theirs forcing them to the inside of a contest/ congestion); physical pressure is constant particularly before or as the ball gets near them. They should never get the time to use that speed as an advantage. Of course if you start a metre away from someone like Rowel, Warner, even Trac then it doesn't matter how quick you are as they have the advantage of initiating when "to go" (accelerate).

Even if the tagger gave away a couple of free kicks doing this (I.e restraining them before getting the ball) then that slows down play and forces then to kick over the mark a far better outcome than running out the front of a pack. Alternatively it could force these quicker midfielders to play more outside to take advantage of their speed, but then they have to rely on someone else to win the inside ball and get it to them (and with them not doing it, Oliver Langford Trac have a far greater chance of getting it)

If it was a "run with" role however then I most definitely agree with your point.

Edited by Ungarieboy

7 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Jack continually kicks to the opposition i50. That is far more dangerous if it was from HB especially when our players have started to move forward of the ball to get an overlap chain going. Easy goals for opp.

His fwd would play off him all the time. Again easy goals for opp.

And who would he be better than: McVee, Bowey, Salem, Windsor, Rivers?

The suggestions are like trying to 'hide' him where he does least damage. That is very sad.

Yes. Sometimes I think he’s not best 18, which is so hard on a club champion. Then he plays out of the box and we and commentators have him as a star.

My memory of his Dad was the same, invaluable but his kicking let him down.

That said, I think he has a few years left as a valuable player. If he went in certain his role at a top club would be much more nuanced.


20 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Jack continually kicks to the opposition i50. That is far more dangerous if it was from HB especially when our players have started to move forward of the ball to get an overlap chain going. Easy goals for opp.

His fwd would play off him all the time. Again easy goals for opp.

And who would he be better than: McVee, Bowey, Salem, Windsor, Rivers?

The suggestions are like trying to 'hide' him where he does least damage. That is very sad.

20 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

“The suggestions are like trying to 'hide' him where he does least damage. That is very sad.”

Just like the club did with Nathan Jones to get him an extra couple of seasons and to 300 games. Ironic how he we became a much more potent team after he was put out to pasture.

As with Viney it’s hard to forget his clanger in the dying seconds of the semi final against Carlton when he in the clear he kicks the ball straight to an unmarked Weitering which led to Carlton’s winning goal. despite his positives he’s always been a liability with his disposal in a clutch situation.

I think he’s got an important role to play, twice this year and at least once a year until 2028.

Jack, it doesn’t matter how many weeks you cop, every time we play Collingwood (or Norf, if he takes the coin, but preferably whilst he’s still with Collingwood), I want you to put Maynard in hospital.

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Unfortunate but true coz he is going nowhere but by Carrryst he is bog ordinary and will get worse with age. What were we thinking signing him on such a long deal!

[censored] our pants?

7 minutes ago, napster said:

I think he’s got an important role to play, twice this year and at least once a year until 2028.

Jack, it doesn’t matter how many weeks you cop, every time we play Collingwood (or Norf, if he takes the coin, but preferably whilst he’s still with Collingwood), I want you to put Maynard in hospital.

For Gods sake get over it!

This is what’s wrong with this club & our supporters, the club has been in a downward spiral since Gus’s incident

Other clubs get over it and move on

There’s been a lack of professionalism since the premiership by the club & players & now we look like a basket case 4 years later

Edited by Billy
Swearing

Has had a terrible fortnight. Absolutely so far below his standards it's not even funny.

His ball use is rock bottom and has had 3 clearances in 2 games. For reference he had 9 clearances in round 23 last year V GC when he played a near career best game.

Needs to step up as a leader of this club.


On 30/03/2025 at 09:17, Billy said:

Can someone please remind me who won the 2024 b&f??????

Agree that a 4 year contract is way to long, should’ve been 2

But give the guy some credit, he carried the team on his shoulders last year, when plenty weren’t interested

Gawn was robbed.

On 30/03/2025 at 08:47, Ungarieboy said:

It happened, it can't unhappen.

So the real question is what do we do. The options I see are:

  • Persist in the midfield and hope he's just out of form and can turn it around

  • Turn him into a tagger (that should terrify oppo players, and speed is not as important (your often grappling / haranguing them) plus he can still win some hardball

  • Get him to play a Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchel type role (back flank) at the back end of their career

  • Try him in a forward pressure and crumbing role (like Parker, Coningilo, etc) - pocket though not flanker where he'll get exposed for speed

  • Sub - where he can come on fresh as fatigue hits the opposition

I'd go with tagger as his experience would be invaluable for the next generation, and more importantly his presence - should our younger players get targeted or bullied.

He’s a very good footballer who’s out of form, it happens. 4 years was reactionary from the club. He can play all those roles. I’d have him switch between tagger as his main role and forward pocket/sub/midfield the rest of the time.

Edited by Roost it far

The time has come for JV7 to be played in the forward line can apply pressure and has an eye for goal with bursts in the middle.

Can no longer be in the coalface for 80 percent of the time, he is too slow and getting pushed off the ball way to easily.

Only one of Tracc, Clarry and Viney can be in the guts at one time Pickett must become a 70-80 percent Midfielder .

The pile-on is horrifying.

Reminds me of my readings on ant social organisation.

One ant finds a carcass, comes back to the nest, gives excited signals. Bunch of other ants go out to the indicated site. Come back with excited signals, in an accelerating recruitment cycle.

The difference is that when eusocial insects do this, there is an equilibrium reached where ants coming back with disappointed signals (they weren't able to access the food source because there were too many other ants already on it) will discourage more ants from going to that site. It's a clever process, really, that creates a highly efficient balance.

But when your target is an abstraction, there is not limit to the surface area to chew on.

It's like a lynching where every single person in the mob is able to land punches at the same time.

Jack (at the moment) is like the park cricketer who can't field for the life of him, so you stick him at fine leg and hope he won't leak too many runs or drop any catches. Difference is there's really nowhere to hide on a football ground where a mistake isnt costly.

He's in awful form, but form which we all know he can play himself out of, definitely agree that a tagging style role could be beneficial to help regain some confidence but also beneficial from the standpoint that it suits the proverbial toolkit he has available to him.

Not sure he ever really has had the disposal to be the last kick going inside f50 and without ANB to be the link man, I would be much happier with a plethora of others in that role. (not asserting that is his role but his delivery going inside 50 is among the worst in the team and so a more defensively minded midfield role could avoid it)

I love jack and i'm sure he'll have a 30 disposal two goal, 10 tackle game soon and be back to his best. just a matter of time.

Edited by Tom Dyson


I love Jack and am hopeful he recaptures form. But he is so out of form and agree with most he cannot be afforded midfielder minutes. I’d go one step further to suggest on current form he needs time in the VFL. Laurie to replace him for now.

Could be good for Jack to spend a couple of weeks at VFL to work on some things and will help the younger players with his leadership

42 minutes ago, Tom Dyson said:

I love jack and i'm sure he'll have a 30 disposal two goal, 10 tackle game soon and be back to his best. just a matter of time.

And the moment this happens we'll probably hand him another 3 years..

Edited by layzie

On 29/03/2025 at 19:33, Redleg_Knowledge said:

We've never seen Goody drop underporming senior players. So I'm expecting more chair shuffling on a sinking ship. The problem is, if senior players continue to underperform whilst playing senior footy, Goody will be kissing his contract goodbye.

Sad but true.

Who and when was an underperforming ‘big name’ player dropped? Can’t remember myself.

 

The club has always ignored his terrible disposal because he is so brave, passionate and an accumulator of disposals. The result is when he drops his disposal numbers he looks ordinary as he can’t rely on finding a man with the few disposals he gets. He has been poorly coached for much of his time at the Club.

26 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Sad but true.

Who and when was an underperforming ‘big name’ player dropped? Can’t remember myself.

Was thinking this earlier. Last year we had so many injuries I guess it was a bit harder, but can't be a continued excuse.

We don't drop senior players. In fact I'm not sure there is an example of any tough/ruthless decisions within the club.


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Featured Content

  • NON-MFC: Round 12

    Round 12 kicks off with the Brisbane hosting Essendon at the Gabba as the Lions aim to solidify their top-two position against an injury-hit Bombers side seeking to maintain momentum after a win over Richmond. On Friday night it's a blockbuster at the G as the Magpies look to extend their top of the table winning streak while the Hawks strive to bounce back from a couple of recent defeats and stay in contention for the Top 4. On Saturday the Suns, buoyed by 3 wins on the trot, face the Dockers in a clash crucial for both teams' aspirations this season. The Suns want to solidify their Top 4 standing whilst the Dockers will be desperate to break into the 8.

      • Clap
      • Like
    • 44 replies
  • PREVIEW: St. Kilda

    The media has performed a complete reversal in its coverage of the Melbourne Football Club over the past month and a half. Having endured intense criticism from all quarters in the press, which continually identified new avenues for scrutiny of every aspect, both on and off the field, and prematurely speculated about the departures of coaches, players, officials, and various employees from a club that lost its first five matches and appeared out of finals contention, the narrative has suddenly shifted to one of unbridled optimism.  The Demons have won five of their last six matches, positioning themselves just one game (and a considerable amount of percentage) outside the top eight at the halfway mark of the season. They still trail the primary contenders and remain far from assured of a finals berth.

      • Sad
      • Like
    • 12 replies
  • REPORT: Sydney

    A few weeks ago, I visited a fellow Melbourne Football Club supporter in hospital, and our conversation inevitably shifted from his health diagnosis to the well-being of our football team. Like him, Melbourne had faced challenges in recent months, but an intervention - in his case, surgery, and in the team's case, a change in game style - had brought about much improvement.  The team's professionals had altered its game style from a pedestrian and slow-moving approach, which yielded an average of merely 60 points for five winless games, to a faster and more direct style. This shift led to three consecutive wins and a strong competitive effort in the fourth game, albeit with a tired finish against Hawthorn, a strong premiership contender.  As we discussed our team's recent health improvement, I shared my observations on the changes within the team, including the refreshed style, the introduction of new young talent, such as rising stars Caleb Windsor, Harvey Langford, and Xavier Lindsay, and the rebranding of Kozzy Pickett from a small forward to a midfield machine who can still get among the goals. I also highlighted the dominance of captain Max Gawn in the ruck and the resurgence in form in a big way of midfield superstars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. 

      • Clap
      • Love
      • Like
    • 9 replies
  • PODCAST: Sydney

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 26th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse a crushing victory by the Demons over the Swans at the G. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.

      • Haha
    • 51 replies
  • POSTGAME: Sydney

    The Demons controlled the contest from the outset, though inaccurate kicking kept the Swans in the game until half time. But after the break, Melbourne put on the jets and blew Sydney away and the demolition job was complete.

      • Clap
      • Love
      • Like
    • 428 replies
  • VOTES: Sydney

    Max Gawn still has an almost unassailable lead in the Demonland Player of the Year award. Jake Bowey, Christian Petracca, Harvey Langford, Kade Chandler & Ed Langdon round out the Top 5. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 46 replies