2 hours ago, Adam The God said:

It's a re-set, because it involves, I would say, a reasonably significant shift in game style, but it will hopefully also be a progression on 2024's first half. An emphasis on faster attack and slingshot. I hope we look to move the ball inside 50 more centrally like we did in '18 too.

Having said all this, you could make an argument that we're rebuilding on the run, but still relying on our mature stars to play important roles, whilst giving the merging group more responsibility.

JVR, Jefferson, Turner, McVee, Bowey, AMW, Kolt, Howes, Windsor, Langford and Lindsay are all going to be important pieces of our 2025-2027 puzzle. Jefferson, Howes and AMW may not make it, but I'm hopeful they will, particularly the latter two.

I'm quite happy for the football world to have little faith in Melbourne until the halfway mark of the season, just as was the case in 2021. Hopefully the players use this as fire to get themselves going next year and show everyone that we're still a serious football team and club.

Think Jeffo is more likely to be a star than either Howes or AMW who I both believe will make it one at HB and other at HFF. 

2 hours ago, Adam The God said:

It's a re-set, because it involves, I would say, a reasonably significant shift in game style, but it will hopefully also be a progression on 2024's first half. An emphasis on faster attack and slingshot. I hope we look to move the ball inside 50 more centrally like we did in '18 too.

Having said all this, you could make an argument that we're rebuilding on the run, but still relying on our mature stars to play important roles, whilst giving the merging group more responsibility.

JVR, Jefferson, Turner, McVee, Bowey, AMW, Kolt, Howes, Windsor, Langford and Lindsay are all going to be important pieces of our 2025-2027 puzzle. Jefferson, Howes and AMW may not make it, but I'm hopeful they will, particularly the latter two.

I'm quite happy for the football world to have little faith in Melbourne until the halfway mark of the season, just as was the case in 2021. Hopefully the players use this as fire to get themselves going next year and show everyone that we're still a serious football team and club.

Think Jeffo is more likely to be a star than either Howes or AMW who I both believe will make it one at HB and other at HFF. 

Jeffo has the talent to lock down a best 22 spot not sure either Howes or AMW do

14 hours ago, adonski said:

Aidan Johnson ahead of Disco

Might be time to bring back public executions for the author

 

It's a big punt on Johnson I agree.  But if we do run with the angle that as he's mature enough and offers that physical edge and can receive JVR from pinch hitting in the ruck, I could accept that.

Personally, I haven't seen quite enough out of the Kolt yet to suggest that he should have a place in the side ahead of Disco, who can and does play very mobile for his size.  I'd have Disco in as well, as I think he could be about to really hit his straps next year, take his game that bit further and give us some real potency up forward.  Was definitely one of our best forwards last season.

Edited December 28, 2024Dec 28 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

1 hour ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

It's a big punt on Johnson I agree.  But if we do run with the angle that as he's mature enough and offers that physical edge and can receive JVR from pinch hitting in the ruck, I could accept that.

Personally, I haven't seen quite enough out of the Kolt yet to suggest that he should have a place in the side ahead of Disco, who can and does play very mobile for his size.  I'd have Disco in as well, as I think he could be about to really hit his straps next year, take his game that bit further and give us some real potency up forward.  Was definitely one of our best forwards last season.

I don’t think Kolt is competing with disco for a spot. I think it’s very possible we play JVR, Turner and Johnson in the one side. The other option will be JVR, Turner and Jeffo and then JVR will ruck. I think Kolt will be best 22 and will be in a half forward role. 

I think Kolt has a good season next year

17 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

The difference being we couldn’t score, and it was the same problem over and over

Also Pies and Cats have a history of rebounding after poor seasons while we have a history of being in the wilderness for years (decades!) at a time.

Edited December 29, 2024Dec 29 by Dr. Gonzo

15 hours ago, Adam The God said:

It's a re-set, because it involves, I would say, a reasonably significant shift in game style, but it will hopefully also be a progression on 2024's first half. An emphasis on faster attack and slingshot. I hope we look to move the ball inside 50 more centrally like we did in '18 too.

Having said all this, you could make an argument that we're rebuilding on the run, but still relying on our mature stars to play important roles, whilst giving the merging group more responsibility.

JVR, Jefferson, Turner, McVee, Bowey, AMW, Kolt, Howes, Windsor, Langford and Lindsay are all going to be important pieces of our 2025-2027 puzzle. Jefferson, Howes and AMW may not make it, but I'm hopeful they will, particularly the latter two.

I'm quite happy for the football world to have little faith in Melbourne until the halfway mark of the season, just as was the case in 2021. Hopefully the players use this as fire to get themselves going next year and show everyone that we're still a serious football team and club.

It's the Geelong model although we've gone through the draft more than trading in players. Building underneath while still relying on your ageing stars to be the match winners.

I see no reason why we can't rebound and challenge again but I'm hopeful more than I am optimistic.

Provided we have a season where the best 25 players don't have any long term injuries then I see no reason to believe we can make the finals and maybe even the top 4.

The 2022 and 2023 season was marred by losing players which were not replaced by likes and 2024 was marred by injuries to some of the best players.

Clayton Oliver's 2024 where he carried injuries did not help his output, Angus Brayshaw's retirement and Christian Petracca's injury meant that we were down 3 top players from 2023 effecting our use of the ball from the midfield.

This season we lost Alex Neal-Bullen but we gained 2 good young players who will fill some of the holes and Harry Sharp an unknown quantity may be our best recruit or a bust.

Overall we have used 2024 to rebuild some of the losses, only time will tell whether it was a good recruiting campaign or not.

I remember in the 1970's were the training staff looked at the list and tried to make prediction how we will go, I on the other hand told them they were dreaming like in the movie The Castle.

15 minutes ago, durango said:

Provided we have a season where the best 25 players don't have any long term injuries then I see no reason to believe we can make the finals and maybe even the top 4.

The 2022 and 2023 season was marred by losing players which were not replaced by likes and 2024 was marred by injuries to some of the best players.

Clayton Oliver's 2024 where he carried injuries did not help his output, Angus Brayshaw's retirement and Christian Petracca's injury meant that we were down 3 top players from 2023 effecting our use of the ball from the midfield.

This season we lost Alex Neal-Bullen but we gained 2 good young players who will fill some of the holes and Harry Sharp an unknown quantity may be our best recruit or a bust.

Overall we have used 2024 to rebuild some of the losses, only time will tell whether it was a good recruiting campaign or not.

I remember in the 1970's were the training staff looked at the list and tried to make prediction how we will go, I on the other hand told them they were dreaming like in the movie The Castle.

Hopefully you left a word out of that “bolded” sentence Durango! 

I think well do better than the 24 season, but we are far off it with our gameplan and personnel perspective. Our current mix of onballers are unlikely to take us to the promised land. I think (hope really) we will experiment more with a different mix of onballers. 

Trac has to stay in a HF or forward of stoppage / link player role. He is wasted somewhat in the middle.  

If Oliver can get back to his best and dominate clearances (big if) and have some defensive accountability, big win. 

Its the post stoppage area we lack in. Can Windsor, Harvey, Lindsay be the answer? Maybe, but i wouldn't expect much in '25. Maybe from 2026/27 though. 

Our HB rebound also needs lots of speed and skill. Windsor moving back there is good. Playing him ala Blakey would be a formidable weapon for us. 

Question marks on Sparrow, Viney remain for mine. 

For mine, we are still rebuilding. The real hope is that things do click at some stage next year and can we generate some real momentum. 

4 hours ago, GS_1905 said:

Trac has to stay in a HF or forward of stoppage / link player role. He is wasted somewhat in the middle.  

If Oliver can get back to his best and dominate clearances (big if) and have some defensive accountability, big win. 

 

I am genuinely bullish about the Dee's for next year. I too would love for Trac to play predominantly forward. It gives our forward line a certified A grader (& Kozzie) which I think would trouble opposition clubs. The question would be how Trac feels about this and whether this is factored in given the off season turmoil. 

I also think JVR & Turner are first picked key position forwards. If Jeffo plays - JVR rucks, if Johnson plays - JVR does not ruck. 

A revitalized Clarry & a combination of Rivers, McVee, Kolt & Langdon help refresh our midfield. 

1 minute ago, Great Sage said:

I am genuinely bullish about the Dee's for next year. I too would love for Trac to play predominantly forward. It gives our forward line a certified A grader (& Kozzie) which I think would trouble opposition clubs. The question would be how Trac feels about this and whether this is factored in given the off season turmoil. 

I also think JVR & Turner are first picked key position forwards. If Jeffo plays - JVR rucks, if Johnson plays - JVR does not ruck. 

A revitalized Clarry & a combination of Rivers, McVee, Kolt & Langdon help refresh our midfield. 

The Fritsch disrespekt

No disrespect intended. 

I see Fritta as a medium rather than a KPF and would definitely have him starting on field. I admit that I don't see him as an A grader though.

9 minutes ago, Great Sage said:

No disrespect intended. 

I see Fritta as a medium rather than a KPF and would definitely have him starting on field. I admit that I don't see him as an A grader though.

His goal kicking stats as a medium fwd are up there with the greats of the last many decades. 
 

6 goals in a GF is up there and above 99% of AFL fwd’s in the history of the game too. 
 

I grade him as elite in his role. 

3 minutes ago, Nietaphart said:

His goal kicking stats as a medium fwd are up there with the greats of the last many decades. 
 

6 goals in a GF is up there and above 99% of AFL fwd’s in the history of the game too. 
 

I grade him as elite in his role. 

Great first post Dave

Rebound or rebuild?

Reload is my answer.