I take some heart in Josh Treacy coming of age at Freo and hope for JVR. Virtually a carbon copy for JVR in the way he plays. It took him until his 4th season to become a regular player. The difference is Freo had the luxury of playing him in the WAFL during his first three seasons when his form was inconsistent. JVR is getting regular games without performing because we have no other option.

Edited April 13Apr 13 by John Crow Batty

5 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

I'll also be there, Jane.

As will I, Luci. ❤️💙

20 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Chicken, lettuce and mayo please.

Curried egg please. I apologize in advance for the smell

5 hours ago, dees189227 said:

I'll attend. Back in the neeld days we'd go & go out for lunch or dinner beforehand so at least make something good about the day.

Then I'd sit at the game with no stress because most likely we'd lose.

I'll go and see the young kids & support them.

Hopefully the hugh trumble cafe won't be to busy.

They should close the whole top deck of the G because it's going to be a tiny crowd. Throw in its a long weekend, it's Easter and our form.

i dreaded those days where id be stoked for a win..it was like a PF victory for us.

I also dread that we are fast approaching a similar crisis, despite being assured that we wouldnt let it happen.

Still what i cannot fathom is bar a few players we are in prime age and having 15 premiership players in the 22. How on earth is this happening right now. it is beyond believable.

10 hours ago, BoBo said:

JVR has to go back to Casey to find form and have a breather. His confidence is in the toilet and frankly continuing to play him is neglectful. He isn’t going to improve in a team that is struggling across the board.

We are asking a 45 game player to be our number 1 FF, take the best defender each week and also play ruck.

WTF are we doing?

Go to https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=12&playerStatus2=A&tid2=8&type=A&pid1=6962&pid2=6946&fid1=C&fid2=C

Comparing JVR with Sam Darcy - almost the same age and the latter has played less games.

The difference in performance is significant and there has been no improvement (the opposite) in the MFC forward since his debut.

Sure WB have Naughton to help Darcy. But then we have Fritsch and Petty was there last season.

When you have studied that comparison, do another with JVR and Sam Weideman - very similar at the same stage of their careers.

We all know how this goes by now...

No changes. Or absolute bare minimum.

His untouchables stay in. Expect the usual deckchair shuffling maybe we see Hendo dropped for Laurie to come in as sub or some [censored] who cares 😂

21 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Chicken, lettuce and mayo please.

Ditto, and 5 flasks of top shelf Armagnac please.

17 minutes ago, William said:

Go to https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=12&playerStatus2=A&tid2=8&type=A&pid1=6962&pid2=6946&fid1=C&fid2=C

Comparing JVR with Sam Darcy - almost the same age and the latter has played less games.

The difference in performance is significant and there has been no improvement (the opposite) in the MFC forward since his debut.

Sure WB have Naughton to help Darcy. But then we have Fritsch and Petty was there last season.

When you have studied that comparison, do another with JVR and Sam Weideman - very similar at the same stage of their careers.

I understand your point, JVR not doing well right now and Sam Darcy is looking a once in a generation player.

After 45 games:

JVR 62 goals

Weideman had 48

Tom Hawkins had 51 (came in when Geelong were basically invincible)

Darcy Fogarty had 52

62 goals in 45 games in a hopelessly dysfunctional forward line like ours, is quite good.

He’s gone backwards at an alarming rate for sure. Essentially a couple players are maybe moderately better since 2022, a lot have stagnated and probably most have regressed.

So it appears to be a systemic/cultural issue within the club.

5 minutes ago, BoBo said:

I understand your point, JVR not doing well right now and Sam Darcy is looking a once in a generation player.

After 45 games:

JVR 62 goals

Weideman had 48

Tom Hawkins had 51 (came in when Geelong were basically invincible)

Darcy Fogarty had 52

62 goals in 45 games in a hopelessly dysfunctional forward line like ours, is quite good.

He’s gone backwards at an alarming rate for sure. Essentially a couple players are maybe moderately better since 2022, a lot have stagnated and probably most have regressed.

So it appears to be a systemic/cultural issue within the club.

I agree. The mental / cultural side is where the magic is. System and gameplan is important, and for the players to believe in, but without the trust in each other and joy, it’s a slog.

that 15 mins in the third quarter we saw it, just briefly. Melky’s mark, Bay running to the 50 and dobbing it, Petty getting on the end of a great chain.

but then Essendon slowed it up and we reverted to the ‘system’ again.

I mean, none of this is straight forward, but the players have definitely lost the heart and team spirit.

10 minutes ago, Spargonicus said:

I agree. The mental / cultural side is where the magic is. System and gameplan is important, and for the players to believe in, but without the trust in each other and joy, it’s a slog.

that 15 mins in the third quarter we saw it, just briefly. Melky’s mark, Bay running to the 50 and dobbing it, Petty getting on the end of a great chain.

but then Essendon slowed it up and we reverted to the ‘system’ again.

I mean, none of this is straight forward, but the players have definitely lost the heart and team spirit.

Yep. Weird vibes even in round 1.

26 minutes ago, dice said:

And only 2 contested, one of which was a blatant push in the back by him on Guthrie.

He must be dropped

Or moved back. Perty or May forward.

4 hours ago, BoBo said:

I understand your point, JVR not doing well right now and Sam Darcy is looking a once in a generation player.

After 45 games:

JVR 62 goals

Weideman had 48

Tom Hawkins had 51 (came in when Geelong were basically invincible)

Darcy Fogarty had 52

62 goals in 45 games in a hopelessly dysfunctional forward line like ours, is quite good.

He’s gone backwards at an alarming rate for sure. Essentially a couple players are maybe moderately better since 2022, a lot have stagnated and probably most have regressed.

So it appears to be a systemic/cultural issue within the club.

4 hours ago, BoBo said:

I understand your point, JVR not doing well right now and Sam Darcy is looking a once in a generation player.

After 45 games:

JVR 62 goals

Weideman had 48

Tom Hawkins had 51 (came in when Geelong were basically invincible)

Darcy Fogarty had 52

62 goals in 45 games in a hopelessly dysfunctional forward line like ours, is quite good.

He’s gone backwards at an alarming rate for sure. Essentially a couple players are maybe moderately better since 2022, a lot have stagnated and probably most have regressed.

So it appears to be a systemic/cultural issue within the club.

So what everyone gets wrong abot KPF is its not goals per game but marks per game that matters. Find me a handful of players that average less that 4 -5 marks per games that were elite or those above that who were duds.

If you can't meet this minimum by your 3 rd or 4th season you're not going to make it as a KPF.

Edited April 13Apr 13 by Jjrogan

16 hours ago, bing181 said:

We've lost Gus, ANB and for the moment, Lever. And as if that in itself isn't a body blow, we then have the remaining leaders struggling on field - May, Viney, Gawn, to some extent Petracca.

It shouldn't be for players like Langdon and Bowey to carry the load, but there we are.

Increasingly seems like losing Gus Brayshaw cut the heart of the club.

I actually think winning the flag made us get ahead of ourselves a bit. Our complacency in establishing a new & better forward structure & plan has now really come back to bite us. The 'defense and contest' approach is well and truly dead and we are being overtaken.

Yes, losing Gus was awful, but every team loses senior players. We shouldn't be reliant on one bloke to hold us together. If we are, that's just another example of lazy planning.

I don't think anyone could see how much Viney (in particular) as well as Clarry and Trac would drop off this season, but again, blind Freddy knew it would happen and the only way to deal with it would be to get some aggressive trades in.

Similarly, every team has injury issues, but not every team is completely listless as we are.

On a positive note a lot of Melbourne supporters finally have a legitimate reason not to turn up and watch us play.

I don’t know how we’ve managed to be the worst or equal worst team in the comp at the moment it’s quite staggering….but I shall be there as usual hoping for a better effort

Fullarton just has to play this weekend. I know he isn't anything special, but we are crying out for a 200cm forward who can at least bring the ball to ground!

I also think if we aren't going to drop JVR, throw him back for a while as a bit of education playing on other key forwards and keep Petty forward.

B: Bowey May van Rooyen

HB: Salem McDonald Lindsay

C: Windsor Oliver Langdon

HF: Chandler Petty Pickett

F: Fristch Fullarton Viney

R: Gawn Petracca Rivers

Int: Langford Sparrow Spargo Melksham

Sub: Tholstrup

Ins: Fullarton & Tholstrup

Outs: Henderson & Sharp

On 13/04/2025 at 08:38, dice said:

And only 2 contested, one of which was a blatant push in the back by him on Guthrie.

He must be dropped

He's so down on confidence it's a worry.

Hes clearly better than this but what does one do to help him?

I’m convinced Fullarton will never get a game until Demonland posters can spell his name correctly!

5 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Fullarton just has to play this weekend. I know he isn't anything special, but we are crying out for a 200cm forward who can at least bring the ball to ground!

I also think if we aren't going to drop JVR, throw him back for a while as a bit of education playing on other key forwards and keep Petty forward.

B: Bowey May van Rooyen

HB: Salem McDonald Lindsay

C: Windsor Oliver Langdon

HF: Chandler Petty Pickett

F: Fristch Fullarton Viney

R: Gawn Petracca Rivers

Int: Langford Sparrow Spargo Melksham

Sub: Tholstrup

Ins: Fullarton & Tholstrup

Outs: Henderson & Sharp

Might possibly worth a try with Jvr in defence.

But Petty fwd hasn't worked at all. And he was there for a while last year averaging less than a goal a game and getting moved too easily out of position.

Could we try Tmac there again?

I'm surprised we have a team to field. I thought Demonland had sacked everyone.

9 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

Might possibly worth a try with Jvr in defence.

But Petty fwd hasn't worked at all. And he was there for a while last year averaging less than a goal a game and getting moved too easily out of position.

Could we try Tmac there again?

I'd prefer Petty there over TMac personally.

He actually had an impact after half time when he went down there and kicked a goal.

Last year he was still recovering from his foot injury which I think impacted him badly.

Edited April 14Apr 14 by DistrACTION Jackson

14 hours ago, GS_1905 said:

i dreaded those days where id be stoked for a win..it was like a PF victory for us.

I also dread that we are fast approaching a similar crisis, despite being assured that we wouldnt let it happen.

Still what i cannot fathom is bar a few players we are in prime age and having 15 premiership players in the 22. How on earth is this happening right now. it is beyond believable.

It's staggering to think that 15 of them are premiership players.

And your right many of them are still in their prime or close to prime age. Especially Tracca and Oliver and Salo.

Max and May are getting on in years and it's starting to show.

But to be five and zip is mind numbing. Wth?

And despite the pain of loosing out in straight sets twice how great was footy each week, with the expectation of winning?

And as much as I'd love it to return, I'd be content just not to have the expectation of losing.

2 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

I'm surprised we have a team to field. I thought Demonland had sacked everyone.

THIS 🤣

That constant 'drop A, B, C, D, E and F' and replace with G, H, I, J, K and L

...nek week, G to L are not great, because they are largely still developing/depth (true), so A to F return.

Not saying we shouldn't try guys out. When they're ready. But the constant clamouring for guys, many of whom are our stars who are actually performing (not at their best - along with pretty much everyone else right now) to be dropped is ridiculous. I read someone here dropping Maxxy? lol.

1 minute ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

I'd prefer Petty there over TMac personally.

He actually had an impact after half time when he went down there and kicked a goal.

I was going on last year's effort

I couldn't bring myself to watch last week's game.

So on that I'll give you the green light since I'm not up to speed.

Mind you as mentioned in another thread, a garden gnome could do a better job than some of these blokes.

Keep up the great support DJ, it's fans like you that keep this club going and will ultimately see us through these current dark ages.

Your a better supporter than me.

14 hours ago, Mouseymoo said:

We all know how this goes by now...No changes. Or absolute bare minimum.

His untouchables stay in. Expect the usual deckchair shuffling maybe we see Hendo dropped for Laurie to come in as sub or some [censored] who cares 😂

You took the time to post about the “his untouchables” so clearly you do.

33 minutes ago, D Rev said:

I actually think winning the flag made us get ahead of ourselves a bit. Our complacency in establishing a new & better forward structure & plan has now really come back to bite us. The 'defense and contest' approach is well and truly dead and we are being overtaken.

Yes, losing Gus was awful, but every team loses senior players. We shouldn't be reliant on one bloke to hold us together. If we are, that's just another example of lazy planning.

I don't think anyone could see how much Viney (in particular) as well as Clarry and Trac would drop off this season, but again, blind Freddy knew it would happen and the only way to deal with it would be to get some aggressive trades in.

Similarly, every team has injury issues, but not every team is completely listless as we are.

I agree with this, particularly the bit about Brayshaw and "it's injuries" excuses. (ANB is a massive loss, as well, and I think Joel Smith would be extremely handy at the moment given we keep blasting it high into the forward line, but there's no point lamenting the loss of either of them. Every team has unexpected or 'unfortunate' list upheavals.)

Some of the talk after 2021 was well-intentioned but a bit silly, while some of it was just plain arrogant.

I actually think Petracca is going OK. Oliver and Viney have been genuinely shocking to me. It's happened to Viney before and he's come back - I'm not sure if he can do it this time. But Oliver is an eye-opener. I knew there was a very good chance he wouldn't ever reach his best again, but he's an absolute mile from where he once was.