This Geelong midfield on paper is the antithesis of what we have in terms of speed, but I’m not ready to call the season completely shot just yet.

We are clearly trying to move the ball, but for a variety of reason (mainly personnel), we have been toothless.

Just look at Hawthorn last year, they started off the season playing boring chip defensive footy, but out of necessity developed an aggressive forward half game style essentially on the run. The change in approach with applying consistent pressure on opponents, forcing turnovers & capitalizing on scoring chances reinforced what is required to compete, let alone win games and confidence boost.

We have been trying to play fast transition footy since pre season, so it may need time to gel. Winning would be great, but if we can be competitive and keep the margin to 4-5 goals and then take the positivity into the * gather round match and beat them, then who knows from there especially with the not so convincing Fremantle, Richmond and West Coast to come after that.

Have a funny feeling the season ain’t done..

Edited March 31Mar 31 by VNightCityLegend

49 minutes ago, roy11 said:

The old gameplan had balls yeeted into the F50 and even if we didn't have the mark, we'd bring the ball down to ground for the small forwards.

But last few weeks we've just been kicking to 2 on 1s and giving them intercept marks. Will improve with Turner in the team knocking it down to Kozzie.

Pity we can't put AJs aggression into Fullarton.

Those 2v1 kicks have been doing my [censored] head in.

On 30/03/2025 at 11:17, Lucifers Hero said:

I just want to get our method right and get our confidence back. Do that and we avoid a 10 goal loss.

Then we can go into the following month of 4 very winnable games: Ess, Freo, Tigers, Eagles before we are tested again vs Hawks, Lions, Swans.

We just have to use those 4 games to get our method and basics right. Then que sera sera,.

Let us just beat Essendon and Richmond. If we cannot muster those 2W's then I'm afraid we are truly staring at a winless season.

3 hours ago, Adina88 said:

Also worth noting that the train has a replacement coach service coming back to Melbourne - be prepared to leave just after 9pm or wait until after 11pm to get back to Southern Cross by 2am. Thanks VLine.

The way the tide is going out on Demonland. I'd expect this initiative by the Victorian Railways would be heavily subscribed.

Goodwin says in his presser that our skills aren’t where they need to be and then has them playing soccer at training.

Trips down the highway are never easy and coming off three losses it's not surprising we are rated about a 2% chance of pulling off an upset. And as someone who has found the non-selection of one of our top three pre-season performers in Tom Campbell unfathomable, I find it really disappointing that the big fella is not available after injuring himself in the VFL.

But the good news is that at least Goody won't be trying out five first gamers plus Sharp this week like he did in Rd 1. Which is a slight dig at Goody's love of his new toys, although I have got to say that I have been mega impressed with Goody's interviews this year - he is so much more forthcoming than previous years - it reminds me of how Neale Daniher, up against it after a poor 1997, became the Reverend in 1998 and we grew to love him and his side did too. It's funny but I actually am enjoying Goody's openness this season - just wish he'd spent more time thinking about whether rushing first-gamers along was wise.

Goody will need close to a miracle this Friday down at the Cattery. Assuming Windsor and Lever pass fitness tests, then he has to bite the bullet and make at least five changes - one less than what he would have had to if Tom Campbell been healthy.

The five inclusions are clear - Pickett, Windsor, Lever and our two form VFL players - Turner and Lawrie.

The five omissions are also pretty clear. Geelong is not playing quite as many bigs these days with just the three-prongs up forward of Cameron, Neale (who may yet be dropped) and Henry, who Rivers could easily play on if required.

The five out for us should be - Lindsay (inj), Johnson, Howes, either Petty or Van Rooyen and Henderson. Sorry I know a lot of you want Billings gone but with our other left-foot winger Lindsay out, then we need him to play there and whilst we all know he has the yips in front of goal and is a tad soft, I hope people realise the run and precise kicking he provides. It is also his last season, so he deserves a decent shot at finishing his career on a good note.

Of our six newbies in Rd 1, only Langford and Sharp remain and the latter is because of his run, and those two are the best suited to our run and gun style that has flopped so miserably so far with our turnovers through the roof. But hopefully Goody sticks with the style now that he gets some pace back and I hope we keep taking the game on like we did against Fremantle pre-season. I also hope he reverts to going with experience - I mean if we lose the next two then our season is over anyway and the kids can play.

Even without Campbell to help him, Gawny should be able to get the ascendancy in the ruck against SDK and Blicavs, but it will be up to our midfield to lower their eyes and try to find leading targets which won't be easy.

And I'd also start both Viney and Trac forward given they are our two most experienced underperforming mids but I'd certainly be looking to get them involved in the middle after halftime. But I'm not sure that our club does mid-game switches these days. It should though!

B: Windsor (Stengle) May (O.Henry) T.Mac (Neale/Blicavs)

HB: Bowey (Close) Lever (Cameron) Salem (Miers) - plus Rivers (Dempsey/Danger)

C: Langdon (Dempsey) Oliver (Bowes) Billings (Smith)

HF: Petracca (Humphries) Petty or JVR (O'Sullivan) Chandler (O'Connor)

F: Viney (Guthrie) Turner (J.Henry) Melksham (Stewart)

Ru: Gawn (SDK) Sparrow (Holmes) Pickett (Atkins)

Int: Rivers (def), Langford (mid), Sharp (wing/fwd), Lawrie (mid/fwd)

Sub: Fritsch (to fire him up)

28 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Goodwin says in his presser that our skills aren’t where they need to be and then has them playing soccer at training.

Feel a bit speechless in response to a comment like this. What next, no exercise bikes because they're footballers not cyclists?

It was a recovery session and you have no idea what else they're doing in the 30 - 40 hours they spend at the club each week. But apart from anything else, the players seem to enjoy it. Lord forbid they should feel positive about coming into the club.

4 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Feel a bit speechless in response to a comment like this. What next, no exercise bikes because they're footballers not cyclists?

It was a recovery session and you have no idea what else they're doing in the 30 - 40 hours they spend at the club each week. But apart from anything else, the players seem to enjoy it. Lord forbid they should feel positive about coming into the club.

Can I help here

We spent a training session not using hands.

Paid dividends ;)

Assuming the probables are playing here's my thoughts

I know folks are super keen to drop Fritsch but its not going to happen yet sorry guys. I think he had four scoring shots on the weekend, they'll be hoping he converts this week (Don't shoot me!)

Another one many on here are keen for is Tom Campbell to come in. Again I like the idea but not this week against two highly athletic rucks in Blitz and De Koning. TC is just not mobile enough to battle these guys around the ground. I thought AJ was possibly one of our worst on the weekend but they'll give him another go for his mongrel and ability to compete hopefully with their agile stalls.

Will be interesting to see what they do with Melk this week. Had to play a full game after XL went down which I'm sure was not the plan. Can see them sticking with him as sub.

IN: Koz, Windsor, Lever, Turner

Out: Lindsay, Henderson, Howes, Billings

Hopefully these guys are all fit and back in because it creates a few positives around the ground:

Windsor - Comes back to hopefully free up Rivers to play more midfield but Leb can also play some wing with Lindsay going down (Langdon better stick on that wing and forget about the inside mid [censored])

Lever - Gives Tmac a spell and you get a key leader back to manage the troops and moral.

Turner - Unless they drop another tall forward he'll come in and Trac (if fit enough) can play more midfield minutes than the last two weeks

Edited March 31Mar 31 by Young Blood

17 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Feel a bit speechless in response to a comment like this. What next, no exercise bikes because they're footballers not cyclists?

It was a recovery session and you have no idea what else they're doing in the 30 - 40 hours they spend at the club each week. But apart from anything else, the players seem to enjoy it. Lord forbid they should feel positive about coming into the club.

We play football and our skills need improvement.

Playing in the Bush if the coach brought out a soccer ball I’d ask if it was ok to run a few laps

Always treated a soccer ball as poison

I think RDB did as well

7 minutes ago, Young Blood said:

Will be interesting to see what they do with Melk this week. Had to play a full game after XL went down which I'm sure was not the plan. Can see them sticking with him as sub.

Think twice we've been burnt by early injuries possibly messing up plans for returning players.

Round 2 - Jeffo injury in first quarter meant Woey came on and Spargo had to play a full game
Round 3 - XL injury after 2 minutes meant Melksham had to come on and basically play a full game

It seems the MFC way is getting minutes into players in the first team, but it's sort of backfired a little the last 2 weeks - especially games where we've run out of legs in the final quarter.

24 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

We play football and our skills need improvement.

There's no basis to your assumption that we're not working on skills. They can have a 20 minute hit-around with a soccer ball AND work on skills at other moments of the day. (Remembering that they also train inside.)

2 hours ago, VNightCityLegend said:

Have a funny feeling the season ain’t done..

I want some of what you’re on

1 hour ago, Deespicable said:

Trips down the highway are never easy and coming off three losses it's not surprising we are rated about a 2% chance of pulling off an upset. And as someone who has found the non-selection of one of our top three pre-season performers in Tom Campbell unfathomable, I find it really disappointing that the big fella is not available after injuring himself in the VFL.

But the good news is that at least Goody won't be trying out five first gamers plus Sharp this week like he did in Rd 1. Which is a slight dig at Goody's love of his new toys, although I have got to say that I have been mega impressed with Goody's interviews this year - he is so much more forthcoming than previous years - it reminds me of how Neale Daniher, up against it after a poor 1997, became the Reverend in 1998 and we grew to love him and his side did too. It's funny but I actually am enjoying Goody's openness this season - just wish he'd spent more time thinking about whether rushing first-gamers along was wise.

Goody will need close to a miracle this Friday down at the Cattery. Assuming Windsor and Lever pass fitness tests, then he has to bite the bullet and make at least five changes - one less than what he would have had to if Tom Campbell been healthy.

The five inclusions are clear - Pickett, Windsor, Lever and our two form VFL players - Turner and Lawrie.

The five omissions are also pretty clear. Geelong is not playing quite as many bigs these days with just the three-prongs up forward of Cameron, Neale (who may yet be dropped) and Henry, who Rivers could easily play on if required.

The five out for us should be - Lindsay (inj), Johnson, Howes, either Petty or Van Rooyen and Henderson. Sorry I know a lot of you want Billings gone but with our other left-foot winger Lindsay out, then we need him to play there and whilst we all know he has the yips in front of goal and is a tad soft, I hope people realise the run and precise kicking he provides. It is also his last season, so he deserves a decent shot at finishing his career on a good note.

Of our six newbies in Rd 1, only Langford and Sharp remain and the latter is because of his run, and those two are the best suited to our run and gun style that has flopped so miserably so far with our turnovers through the roof. But hopefully Goody sticks with the style now that he gets some pace back and I hope we keep taking the game on like we did against Fremantle pre-season. I also hope he reverts to going with experience - I mean if we lose the next two then our season is over anyway and the kids can play.

Even without Campbell to help him, Gawny should be able to get the ascendancy in the ruck against SDK and Blicavs, but it will be up to our midfield to lower their eyes and try to find leading targets which won't be easy.

And I'd also start both Viney and Trac forward given they are our two most experienced underperforming mids but I'd certainly be looking to get them involved in the middle after halftime. But I'm not sure that our club does mid-game switches these days. It should though!

B: Windsor (Stengle) May (O.Henry) T.Mac (Neale/Blicavs)

HB: Bowey (Close) Lever (Cameron) Salem (Miers) - plus Rivers (Dempsey/Danger)

C: Langdon (Dempsey) Oliver (Bowes) Billings (Smith)

HF: Petracca (Humphries) Petty or JVR (O'Sullivan) Chandler (O'Connor)

F: Viney (Guthrie) Turner (J.Henry) Melksham (Stewart)

Ru: Gawn (SDK) Sparrow (Holmes) Pickett (Atkins)

Int: Rivers (def), Langford (mid), Sharp (wing/fwd), Lawrie (mid/fwd)

Sub: Fritsch (to fire him up)

I don’t share your confidence Gawn can beat the two younger and faster Geelong ruckman on his own.

10 hours ago, picket fence said:

Yep, another recruiting blunder!

Yep pick 68 or thereabouts.

Should have drafted the next Bont.

1 hour ago, Deespicable said:

Trips down the highway are never easy and coming off three losses it's not surprising we are rated about a 2% chance of pulling off an upset. And as someone who has found the non-selection of one of our top three pre-season performers in Tom Campbell unfathomable, I find it really disappointing that the big fella is not available after injuring himself in the VFL.

But the good news is that at least Goody won't be trying out five first gamers plus Sharp this week like he did in Rd 1. Which is a slight dig at Goody's love of his new toys, although I have got to say that I have been mega impressed with Goody's interviews this year - he is so much more forthcoming than previous years - it reminds me of how Neale Daniher, up against it after a poor 1997, became the Reverend in 1998 and we grew to love him and his side did too. It's funny but I actually am enjoying Goody's openness this season - just wish he'd spent more time thinking about whether rushing first-gamers along was wise.

Goody will need close to a miracle this Friday down at the Cattery. Assuming Windsor and Lever pass fitness tests, then he has to bite the bullet and make at least five changes - one less than what he would have had to if Tom Campbell been healthy.

The five inclusions are clear - Pickett, Windsor, Lever and our two form VFL players - Turner and Lawrie.

The five omissions are also pretty clear. Geelong is not playing quite as many bigs these days with just the three-prongs up forward of Cameron, Neale (who may yet be dropped) and Henry, who Rivers could easily play on if required.

The five out for us should be - Lindsay (inj), Johnson, Howes, either Petty or Van Rooyen and Henderson. Sorry I know a lot of you want Billings gone but with our other left-foot winger Lindsay out, then we need him to play there and whilst we all know he has the yips in front of goal and is a tad soft, I hope people realise the run and precise kicking he provides. It is also his last season, so he deserves a decent shot at finishing his career on a good note.

Of our six newbies in Rd 1, only Langford and Sharp remain and the latter is because of his run, and those two are the best suited to our run and gun style that has flopped so miserably so far with our turnovers through the roof. But hopefully Goody sticks with the style now that he gets some pace back and I hope we keep taking the game on like we did against Fremantle pre-season. I also hope he reverts to going with experience - I mean if we lose the next two then our season is over anyway and the kids can play.

Even without Campbell to help him, Gawny should be able to get the ascendancy in the ruck against SDK and Blicavs, but it will be up to our midfield to lower their eyes and try to find leading targets which won't be easy.

And I'd also start both Viney and Trac forward given they are our two most experienced underperforming mids but I'd certainly be looking to get them involved in the middle after halftime. But I'm not sure that our club does mid-game switches these days. It should though!

B: Windsor (Stengle) May (O.Henry) T.Mac (Neale/Blicavs)

HB: Bowey (Close) Lever (Cameron) Salem (Miers) - plus Rivers (Dempsey/Danger)

C: Langdon (Dempsey) Oliver (Bowes) Billings (Smith)

HF: Petracca (Humphries) Petty or JVR (O'Sullivan) Chandler (O'Connor)

F: Viney (Guthrie) Turner (J.Henry) Melksham (Stewart)

Ru: Gawn (SDK) Sparrow (Holmes) Pickett (Atkins)

Int: Rivers (def), Langford (mid), Sharp (wing/fwd), Lawrie (mid/fwd)

Sub: Fritsch (to fire him up)

Is Jeffo fit??

Might be a bit old school but Goodwin needs to send message by dropping a senior player or 2 to show they aren’t safe from the repercussions, think Trac, Oliver and Viney all need a rocket after last week so one of them should be sacrificed

1 hour ago, 48 Year Now said:

I don’t share your confidence Gawn can beat the two younger and faster Geelong ruckman on his own.

Me neither. If anything, the first three weeks have shown that the big fella is in desperate need of a significant chop out when up against two substantial oppo rucks.

I have not given up on the season even though after 3 rounds I had us penciled in for a win or two. I lot of water to flow under the bridge in 25...... and starting this game some of the water will be fresh back from suspension and injury.

Here is my take on the team for this week for Friday night at the Litter Tray.

B: Lever/Tmac, May, Bowey

HB: Rivers, Petty, Salem

C: Langdon, Oliver, Windsor

HF: Sparrow, Turner, Henderson

F: Pickett, AJ, Fristch/JVR

Fol: Gawn, Petracca, Langford

IC: Viney, Chandler, Spargo, Campbell, Melksham

In defence I would have Tmac in the team if lever does not get up. 7th Defender may see Windsor rotate back there Or even Langdon playing deeper behind the ball.

Langdon and Windsor on the wings. Oliver, Petracca, Langford, Viney, Sparrow, Rivers and Pickett to get time in the center and on the ball at times. I used to love to see Max walk to the center with Petracca, Viney and Oliver for the bounce but I really hope that we mix it up a bit more. P,V & O look a bit one paced and predictable. I would not mind seeing Henderson at a bounce or two.

In the forwards, Turner and Pickett come back. I would retain AJ as I like his attack on the ball and even his rough edges. For me, I would drop JVR back to Casey to ease the game pressure on him a bit and to see if he can get a bit of confidence back into his game. Chandler and Spargo on the bench to rotate through the forwards as required to allow for others to rotate into mid roles.

Campbell on the bench as rotation for Gawn if he is fit. He could also slot into the resting role forward to free up AJ and/or Turner if required. A few possibilities for sub... Spargo, Campbell and Melksham.

I want see us run out the game right through the 4 quarters.

Time for our on field leadership to lead from the front.

This is not just a season defining match for this club: it is truly club defining.

And wouldn't it just be typical that after three straight losses to start the season in Melbourne, our one win would come in Geelong of all places where maybe 10 of us might actually be able to snag a ticket.

4 hours ago, Deespicable said:

Trips down the highway are never easy and coming off three losses it's not surprising we are rated about a 2% chance of pulling off an upset. And as someone who has found the non-selection of one of our top three pre-season performers in Tom Campbell unfathomable, I find it really disappointing that the big fella is not available after injuring himself in the VFL.

But the good news is that at least Goody won't be trying out five first gamers plus Sharp this week like he did in Rd 1. Which is a slight dig at Goody's love of his new toys, although I have got to say that I have been mega impressed with Goody's interviews this year - he is so much more forthcoming than previous years - it reminds me of how Neale Daniher, up against it after a poor 1997, became the Reverend in 1998 and we grew to love him and his side did too. It's funny but I actually am enjoying Goody's openness this season - just wish he'd spent more time thinking about whether rushing first-gamers along was wise.

Goody will need close to a miracle this Friday down at the Cattery. Assuming Windsor and Lever pass fitness tests, then he has to bite the bullet and make at least five changes - one less than what he would have had to if Tom Campbell been healthy.

The five inclusions are clear - Pickett, Windsor, Lever and our two form VFL players - Turner and Lawrie.

The five omissions are also pretty clear. Geelong is not playing quite as many bigs these days with just the three-prongs up forward of Cameron, Neale (who may yet be dropped) and Henry, who Rivers could easily play on if required.

The five out for us should be - Lindsay (inj), Johnson, Howes, either Petty or Van Rooyen and Henderson. Sorry I know a lot of you want Billings gone but with our other left-foot winger Lindsay out, then we need him to play there and whilst we all know he has the yips in front of goal and is a tad soft, I hope people realise the run and precise kicking he provides. It is also his last season, so he deserves a decent shot at finishing his career on a good note.

Of our six newbies in Rd 1, only Langford and Sharp remain and the latter is because of his run, and those two are the best suited to our run and gun style that has flopped so miserably so far with our turnovers through the roof. But hopefully Goody sticks with the style now that he gets some pace back and I hope we keep taking the game on like we did against Fremantle pre-season. I also hope he reverts to going with experience - I mean if we lose the next two then our season is over anyway and the kids can play.

Even without Campbell to help him, Gawny should be able to get the ascendancy in the ruck against SDK and Blicavs, but it will be up to our midfield to lower their eyes and try to find leading targets which won't be easy.

And I'd also start both Viney and Trac forward given they are our two most experienced underperforming mids but I'd certainly be looking to get them involved in the middle after halftime. But I'm not sure that our club does mid-game switches these days. It should though!

B: Windsor (Stengle) May (O.Henry) T.Mac (Neale/Blicavs)

HB: Bowey (Close) Lever (Cameron) Salem (Miers) - plus Rivers (Dempsey/Danger)

C: Langdon (Dempsey) Oliver (Bowes) Billings (Smith)

HF: Petracca (Humphries) Petty or JVR (O'Sullivan) Chandler (O'Connor)

F: Viney (Guthrie) Turner (J.Henry) Melksham (Stewart)

Ru: Gawn (SDK) Sparrow (Holmes) Pickett (Atkins)

Int: Rivers (def), Langford (mid), Sharp (wing/fwd), Lawrie (mid/fwd)

Sub: Fritsch (to fire him up)

Your making out that Melbourne man up,defence is not in there DNA

On 29/03/2025 at 18:20, Ethan Tremblay said:

If Viney can’t be dropped, plonk him in a forward pocket.

Turner for Fritz.

Howes out. Lever in.

Windsor in, Billing’s out.

JVR and AJ can’t be in the same team.

We just need players with heart, fight and fitness.

Therin lies the problem ..... if Viney cant be dropped?? WHY??

Here we go. This is what I'd like to see this week. I know, a lot of changes, so unlikely.

In. Sestan, Lever, Windsor, Spargo, Turner and Kozzy

Out. Hendo, TMac, AJ, Lindsay, Sparrow and Billings

Sestan May Petty

Bowey Lever Windsor

Sharp Oliver Langdon

Chandler JVR Spargo

Trac Fritta Turner

Max Langford Kozzy

Salem Viney Rivers Howes

Sub. Melksham

Our reserves players are not up to scratch however we must send a message to our seniors guys that if you continue to underperform you get dropped. Fritsch must get dropped.

I would give Fullarton,Sestan and Pup ago in the seniors. Perhaps the club treats the reserves as reserves..... no future. I think AJ and Henderson will become regular seniors players, a stint for Casey will be good for them. Viney in the forward is a good idea, nothing to lose.