20 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

 

Also, call for his head all you like but be careful what you wish for. If Goody is sacked we may need to prepare for the absence of Clarrie and Kozzie coz make no mistake: he is like a father to them both. For those who will predictably say that’s not what coaching’s all about… you may be right. But what I’m telling you is right or wrong it will happen. 

Not sure that keeping a coach because a couple of players might leave if he is replaced is a very rational or logical decision.

22 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

Not sure that keeping a coach because a couple of players might leave if he is replaced is a very rational or logical decision.

You’re right, it’s not a rational or logical decision. I made that point in reply to someone saying Goody has lost the players. 

2 hours ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

Shoot! I’m glad this is only the second time I’ve ventured into this thread—what a fact-free zone, filled with noise but no signal… It’s like watching a pub argument between nuffies who skipped the game, skimmed the stats, and still reckon they’ve cracked the code.

Demonland is, by its own nature, a place for nuffies (feel free to call me one if you wish).

We are not here to offer solutions to the club, just to vent our frustrations and disappointments. 

I suppose you are OK with people having an opinion? As much as you feel like belittling them for being "uninformed".

9 minutes ago, ElDiablo14 said:

Demonland is, by its own nature, a place for nuffies (feel free to call me one if you wish).

We are not here to offer solutions to the club, just to vent our frustrations and disappointments. 

I suppose you are OK with people having an opinion? As much as you feel like belittling them for being "uninformed".

Mistake #1 taking anything QD says seriously.

😂

Loveya QD 😘

21 hours ago, DubDee said:

New coaches can sometimes make an instant impact like Kingsley, Macrae, Mitchell.  So who knows?

Not from Rd 2 they don’t 

25 minutes ago, ElDiablo14 said:

Demonland is, by its own nature, a place for nuffies (feel free to call me one if you wish).

We are not here to offer solutions to the club, just to vent our frustrations and disappointments. 

I suppose you are OK with people having an opinion? As much as you feel like belittling them for being "uninformed".

As a general rule, if people are puffing their chest out and announcing how great their uninformed opinion is, I'm going to belittle them.

I've got very little time for people who think they're too good to do the work.

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

You’ve clearly missed the point. The “5-minute logic” has nothing to do with having played at the highest level, or any level. It has nothing to do with the poster’s opinion, either. It has everything to do with former posters who’ve been banned, for example, and have returned under a new name. In this instance, the poster’s phrasing and syntax seem familiar to me. Please re-read my post and you’ll understand.

Speaking of people returning under anew name. While it wasn’t a ban it’s a self enforced lay off with a similar return under a different name and the same autocratic style. 

Nothing has changed at all but the title !!! 

42 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

You’re right, it’s not a rational or logical decision. I made that point in reply to someone saying Goody has lost the players. 

I said that for a number of reasons and I'll describe them here.   It's not a personal affront because I know you and others love Goody, but apart from the flag I don't think he's infallible and above reproach.  

 

1. Disconnect Between Training and Game Day.

Simon keeps saying we didn't play the way we trained. That’s a worrying admission. Either the players aren’t implementing his instructions, or the coaching isn’t working. Both are red flags.

---

2. Lack of Tactical Response.

There’s been minimal in-game adjustment—like failing to respond to repeated marks by Comben or our centre clearance losses. If Max is under siege, coaches need to intervene. The lack of visible action on obvious problems must leave players feeling unsupported.

---

3. Forward Connection & Scoring Issues

Our midfield-to-forward connection has been poor for a long time. We dominate territory but don’t convert, constantly bombing it in and hoping to lock it in. It’s like playing rugby in their 22 but never scoring tries. Meanwhile, we get cut open going the other way by interceptors running into space.

---

4. Player Body Language & Usage.

Watch the players—Trac looked miserable on Sunday (and maybe unwell). Fritsch looks checked out. Petty seemed lost last year. Kozzy is a weapon we're not using effectively, and JVR hasn’t looked like he’s enjoying his footy. Even Max, our captain, looked exhausted again this week, and in games last year he was trying to carry the team.

---

5. Player Departures & Rumours.

We’ve seen a steady stream of premiership players leave. Some may be unhappy. There are persistent rumours about others wanting out. It’s easy to cite homesickness or family to exit gracefully, but it still points to cultural cracks.

---

6. Impact of Underperformance.

Losing corrodes morale. After the drama of last season, players probably just want to enjoy their football again. Playing dour, defensive, grinding football isn’t enjoyable—especially when we’re slipping behind the likes of North, Hawthorn, and even being embarrassed by West Coast or Freo.

I've played on teams where a coach could politely be described as deficient.  Often a good captain can partially compensate but still they can't see and decide or direct everything.  I think Simon's good at many aspects (morale, defence, interpersonal) but tactically and offensively I think he is deficient.  I think a number of the team believe that too and that must be demoralising.

---

From the outside and for the reasons above, it looks like at least some players have a disconnect with the coach. 

I just want us to win flags, or at the  very least be proud and competitive.  Lately I'm getting more sympathy than abuse from friends and rival fans about the Dees and that's embarrassing.

I've held this opinion of SG since before 2021 so I would love him to turn around our fortunes but he's failed repeatedly and this season might get uglier. 

Based on all this I would prefer a change of coach.

Thanks for reading and debating this.  

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

You’re right, it’s not a rational or logical decision. I made that point in reply to someone saying Goody has lost the players. 

He sure has.

16 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

For those that think Goodwin isn’t the problem can you please share your thoughts on how we turn this all around? The answer is more than just our injuries, see the Bulldogs. Can you tell us how our gameplan stacks up against other sides, stating that we played finals in 22/23 means little as years later Goodwin still hasn’t fixed our delivery inside fwd 50 or our ability to convert once it’s in there. We’ve gone down the path of new assistants so where to now? 

Of course Goodwin is the problem and to salvage the season he should be removed ASAP. 
 

Everything he has tried to do/ said he will do has failed or not eventuated. He is stuck in his ways. It only took to round 2 to coach form the boundary ffs.

Spargo on his day is a gun but it is not fair to play him when he is not 100%  against north we were too slow, too small, unskilled, unstructured and couldn’t land a tackle. Our positional moves both assistant coaches and players have not worked, with a number of players regressing in last years output. That is 100% on the coach. 
 

The only positives I saw from the game was Chandler and Lindsay’s performance and we 1 game closer to sacking Goodwin who has destroyed the premiership list he inherited. 
 

Please ghostwriter, do not respond to this post as I am allowed to have a different view to yourself. 

 

18 hours ago, Flowergirl said:

"I know of a premiership player". It's pretty easy to guess who you might be referring to. If you don't want to name them, don't allude. There aren't many ex Melbourne premiership players around. 

No-one is saying everything is hunky dory. But people need to take a step back and remember that the players are human, and everyone has off days, off seasons etc. 

sorry Flowergirl but anyone who has played footy at any level knows when players give up in a game. As a player you know it yourself. Less than 20 per cent of the players were trying to capacity in the last quarter. 
 

 

18 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

I'm prepared to see Clarry go. I think he's peaked and will never get back to his best from a couple of years ago. Kossie I would like to keep but if his hearts not in it he can go. We can't afford to keep players that don't want to be there. Why wouldn't they want to play under Longmire one of the most repected coaches in the comp?

While I don’t agree Werridee with your comment re Clarry you can’t say with any confidence that Clarry won’t get back to his best. He was not a match winner on Sunday but clearly stood out as most competitive and tried hardest. 
Kossie should be asked to cut out the Frie socials [censored] and concentrate on his footy. 

I have no doubts we would have won Round 1 and it is quite conceivable we would have been level at 3/4 time on Sunday if he was playing. 

I know I challenged BBP on Kossie being missing being crucial in the results but we have not had or selected half forwards that have played well or are up to the task. 

Leaving Langford out of the 23  was another strange decision IMO. We are now really under the pump on Saturday and ALL will need to torn their attitude and form around to provide a stop to being 0-3.  

Kossie is a liability due to his temperament. 
Petracca will never be the same due to mental damage from the disgusting injury he suffered. I don’t blame him. 
Oliver, wont stay if those two go and we are in rebuild. 
 

Maybe all three go at seasons end.
 

 

Edited March 25Mar 25 by 48 Year Now

55 minutes ago, 48 Year Now said:

Kossie is a liability due to his temperament. 
Petracca will never be the same due to mental damage from the disgusting injury he suffered. I don’t blame him. 
Oliver, wont stay if those two go and we are in rebuild. 
 

Maybe all three go at seasons end.
 

 

I would not be surprised if Claz returns to somewhere near his best this season.   That's not to say he won't have a few ups and downs early.

No g'tees but Sunday's output was a great sign that he may be back to somewhere near his best anyway.

Kozzy will be back week after next vs Puddy Cats.  Whether he stays or not we just want to see him hit full throttle and not take his foot off in any match / quarter he plays for rest of the season without further indiscretions.

If he leaves at year's end, and i suspect that's already in train and many of the boys know / suspect it as being so, so be it.

Reckon you might be underestimating Tracc's competitive spirit and professionalism.  Is he under done after not training fully (contact wise) with the main group for most of the pre-season and may not hit his straps in most quarters / matches as a result?  Early days but he was off his 2024 levels by about 27% last week and about 52% on Sunday which does not augur well.

Can he turn that around?  If im Simon looking at those numbers and his two results so far, i'd be pulling him aside and having a chat over a coffee and asking him realistically where he feels he's at.  Can he get back as he stands now or do we cut him a bit of slack for a few weeks, get a mini pre-season into him on the track over the next 4 weeks or so with a view to bringing him back once his KPI's, GPS numbers and track form / fitness warrant?

Of course if he's playing you could and probably should assume the FD are fully across this side and he's right to go.  I'm probably way off the mark there.  No harm in pontificating though.

We also have another problem and have since last season's drama and that's who are our designated extractors?

Our one wood prior to last season was extraction / clearance which was, in the main, left to Viney, Claz and Maxy in that order.

Viney to me looks to be a tad burnt out after last season where he pretty much carried the entire extraction load himself.

Is Clarry back and supporting him again here or just mostly skirting on the outside for the give and go?

For us to get back to our best footy (old Goodwin version crash / bash / chaos style) or even get things going under any new style that Simon & the boys are trying to implement, we're going to have to correct this at some stage.  Maybe it's a Langford but that feels a mile away in terms of seriously competitive / effective.

Who else could we bring in to CBs / stoppages as an extractor right now?  Is there anyone else?  Is Chin and option?  Too small and his pressure needed inside 50 and forward half yes?

For as long as that situation is not resolved and / or Viney / Clazz combined are no longer cutting it up here, we are pretty much gonna get pummelled by oppo that is better at extracting and first use as we witnessed on Sunday.

A younger Viney would and probably did take this on to great effect in the past.  In short bursts now...sure he is probably still 'ok' without being at the peak of his powers a few years back.  But can't expect this from him for as long as we once may have.  He needs back up and that used to be Claz, Maxy  pre 2024.  And in 2021 it was also LJ a little.

At this point, we don't have the speed by foot or experience from some of our rookies to sit on the outside and close down our opponents when they're winning more extractions and first use at CB and around ground stoppages.

Edited March 25Mar 25 by Demon Dynasty

43 minutes ago, 58er said:

Speaking of people returning under anew name. While it wasn’t a ban it’s a self enforced lay off with a similar return under a different name and the same autocratic style. 

Nothing has changed at all but the title !!! 

Exactly right… only the name has changed.
 

But I make no secret of the fact that I used to post under a different name. I wasn’t able to keep my old account with a new username for reasons that aren’t yours nor anyone else’s business, otherwise I would’ve.

 

1 hour ago, sydneydee said:

Of course Goodwin is the problem and to salvage the season he should be removed ASAP. 
 

Everything he has tried to do/ said he will do has failed or not eventuated. He is stuck in his ways. It only took to round 2 to coach form the boundary ffs.

Spargo on his day is a gun but it is not fair to play him when he is not 100%  against north we were too slow, too small, unskilled, unstructured and couldn’t land a tackle. Our positional moves both assistant coaches and players have not worked, with a number of players regressing in last years output. That is 100% on the coach. 
 

The only positives I saw from the game was Chandler and Lindsay’s performance and we 1 game closer to sacking Goodwin who has destroyed the premiership list he inherited. 
 

Please ghostwriter, do not respond to this post as I am allowed to have a different view to yourself. 

 

Oh, bugger, I responded to your post. I guess that means you're still being oppressed. Oh well.

Funnily enough, that's the only thing I can be bothered responding to, just for the laugh.

On 23/03/2025 at 16:40, Demon Disciple said:

Not too sure, but Goodwin has got to go.

Feel like we need a coach that is not all about “lovey dovey” relationships and can give the group a good bake.

Trac will probably again want out, so too Kozzie. Clarry not too sure, none of May, Gawn, Lever or Viney are getting any younger either.

Time to face reality and recognise our time at the top is well and truly over. 
 

What a positive post that is?

Full of good Thai food suggestions.

1 hour ago, Hellfire Dub said:

I said that for a number of reasons and I'll describe them here.   It's not a personal affront because I know you and others love Goody, but apart from the flag I don't think he's infallible and above reproach.  

 

1. Disconnect Between Training and Game Day.

Simon keeps saying we didn't play the way we trained. That’s a worrying admission. Either the players aren’t implementing his instructions, or the coaching isn’t working. Both are red flags.

---

2. Lack of Tactical Response.

There’s been minimal in-game adjustment—like failing to respond to repeated marks by Comben or our centre clearance losses. If Max is under siege, coaches need to intervene. The lack of visible action on obvious problems must leave players feeling unsupported.

---

3. Forward Connection & Scoring Issues

Our midfield-to-forward connection has been poor for a long time. We dominate territory but don’t convert, constantly bombing it in and hoping to lock it in. It’s like playing rugby in their 22 but never scoring tries. Meanwhile, we get cut open going the other way by interceptors running into space.

---

4. Player Body Language & Usage.

Watch the players—Trac looked miserable on Sunday (and maybe unwell). Fritsch looks checked out. Petty seemed lost last year. Kozzy is a weapon we're not using effectively, and JVR hasn’t looked like he’s enjoying his footy. Even Max, our captain, looked exhausted again this week, and in games last year he was trying to carry the team.

---

5. Player Departures & Rumours.

We’ve seen a steady stream of premiership players leave. Some may be unhappy. There are persistent rumours about others wanting out. It’s easy to cite homesickness or family to exit gracefully, but it still points to cultural cracks.

---

6. Impact of Underperformance.

Losing corrodes morale. After the drama of last season, players probably just want to enjoy their football again. Playing dour, defensive, grinding football isn’t enjoyable—especially when we’re slipping behind the likes of North, Hawthorn, and even being embarrassed by West Coast or Freo.

I've played on teams where a coach could politely be described as deficient.  Often a good captain can partially compensate but still they can't see and decide or direct everything.  I think Simon's good at many aspects (morale, defence, interpersonal) but tactically and offensively I think he is deficient.  I think a number of the team believe that too and that must be demoralising.

---

From the outside and for the reasons above, it looks like at least some players have a disconnect with the coach. 

I just want us to win flags, or at the  very least be proud and competitive.  Lately I'm getting more sympathy than abuse from friends and rival fans about the Dees and that's embarrassing.

I've held this opinion of SG since before 2021 so I would love him to turn around our fortunes but he's failed repeatedly and this season might get uglier. 

Based on all this I would prefer a change of coach.

Thanks for reading and debating this.  

Brilliant summary of last Sunday and the overall state of play.

1 hour ago, 48 Year Now said:

sorry Flowergirl but anyone who has played footy at any level knows when players give up in a game. As a player you know it yourself. Less than 20 per cent of the players were trying to capacity in the last quarter. 
 

 

I'm sure you have days where you feel sub par at work. These people are human beings. They are not your playthings. Be annoyed and disappointed at the loss, but good to take a step back and have some perspective. 

35 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Exactly right… only the name has changed.
 

But I make no secret of the fact that I used to post under a different name. I wasn’t able to keep my old account with a new username for reasons that aren’t yours nor anyone else’s business, otherwise I would’ve.

 

I love that you're back on here Ghostwriter. Ignore the haters. 

God I thought we won a flag within the last FOUR years . 

WHICH IS MORE THAN WHAT FOURTEEN OTHER TEAMS HAVE DONE.

And half the reason was because of how close the TEAM AND COACH is.

9 minutes ago, Willmoy1947 said:

God I thought we won a flag within the last FOUR years . 

WHICH IS MORE THAN WHAT FOURTEEN OTHER TEAMS HAVE DONE.

And half the reason was because of how close the TEAM AND COACH is.

Maybe the love affair is over. 

Still have to adapt to the game as it evolves...are we doing that?

27 minutes ago, Young Angus said:

Still have to adapt to the game as it evolves...are we doing that?

I agree but i don't see this as 100% on Simon.

It is on the club, Simon and the FD as a whole though.  And the players to try and execute of course.

If we still think Simon's the answer then we surely have to look at all options to improve / assist.  And whether he's willing to change things up and adapt and take on board / implement / address areas of concern from an experienced assistant or strategist.

That assistant is presently Richo.

Is there a significant analyst / strategist looking at the oppo and having a say also?

I'd consider the option of replacing Richo with a great ex footballer and thinker of the game at this point to add a new perspective and keep us on the cusp.

And with a view as a potential successor to Simon.

Luke Hodge would be someone i'd consider but i'm sure there's other options out there as well.  And no i'm not saying he is 'the one' or that he's even ready or willing.  Probably not.

The boys may need a fresh voice though.  Someone new who they will respect and take note of.

Hodge would be a great addition. 

Or someone of similar calibre / pedigree anyway.

Either way, I think it's time to break up the two amigos and bring in at least one fresh face / voice and viewpoint.

And if it's a new assistant, that can probably happen in-season.

Edited March 25Mar 25 by Demon Dynasty

3 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

What a positive post that is?

Full of good Thai food suggestions.

Well we can all sit around in a circle singing kumbaya, or we can be realistic.