Here's a great article on the physical damage Dermot Brereton did to his body playing football. Can't help but think what we are doing to Max allowing him to play with limited support.

Hawthorn great and media commentator Dermott Brereton has graphically described how he cannot put his shoes and socks on, and struggles to walk down stairs or shake hands on some days, due to the severe physical toll of playing football.

In a powerful speech at the Melbourne Cricket Club, Brereton, who played in a famously combative style, detailed how his present life was impacted by injuries, how he struggled to sleep due to shoulder pain and that he was still feeling the impact of taking anti-inflammatory medications for four decades.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/i-just-can-t-put-on-shoes-and-socks-dermott-brereton-s-crippling-legacy-20250606-p5m5ig.html

27 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

In a powerful speech at the Melbourne Cricket Club, Brereton, who played in a famously combative style, detailed how his present life was impacted by injuries, how he struggled to sleep due to shoulder pain and that he was still feeling the impact of taking anti-inflammatory medications for four decades.

He was a thug.

1 hour ago, Jjrogan said:

Not going to disagree with the basic premise that pressure is important but if you want a deep dive...

First 7 games of the years, yes pressure wins (losses) were correlated with results. However, against wc, hawks, brisbane and sydney (tie) the results were actually inversely correlated with pressure. No question if you have a significant drop off you leave yourself very open to be scored. But if its 50/50 which a lot games are its actually only mildly significant based on our results. (Lets call it a 66 percent hit rate)

As a comparison, some old fashion metrics, inside 50s and marks inside 50s.

For us inside 50s we have only lost the inside 50s twice all year (hawks and gc). Inside 50s mean nothing for us sadly.

Marks inside 50, we have won 5 times resulting in 4 wins. Lost 7 times for 6 losses So 10 out 12 games 'hit' rate.

No doubt one can argue pressure will help win the marks inside 50. Imo our real deficiency relative to the rest of the comp is catching the darn thing near goal and putting it thru the middle. Anyway those are the numbers.

What about results based on tackles inside 50?

11 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

He was a thug.

Yes, also one of the all time greats.

9 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

He was a thug.

While I do feel for him like anyone suffering that way, in reading his list of how his hand was broken, it did require me to overcome my natural reaction to ask why not also list punching people as a cause.

1 minute ago, sue said:

While I do feel for him like anyone suffering that way, in reading his list of how his hand was broken, it did require me to overcome my natural reaction to ask why not also list punching people as a cause.

Yeah hard to feel sorry for the guy who stomped on Rayden Tallis's head

1 hour ago, old dee said:

That form is the last two games against Preston and Sydney both at the bottom VFL. It is big step up against Collingwood. Having said that let's play Jefferson for the next month and see once and for all if he is an AFL level talent or not. JVR does not seem to have improved on his first year. If Jefferson comes in who does the back up Ruck? I have no idea. But please no JVR.

JVR will be fine.

We know he can play, he is just having a poor season.

Windsor is having a poor season too, should we dump him?

10 hours ago, Roost it far said:

On form Jefferson gets a game but we need a back up ruckman so I think JVR will get the nod. I’d be surprised if they are both bought in. Personally I’d be bringing in TMac for Lever but that’s unlikely.

Hoyney did some great stats last week on SEN re backup ruckman. Message was don’t bother, pick the best forward.

Back up rucks avg 4 centre bounce a week; 15 ball ups and one goal for and against, so basically a nil all draw.

Pick Jeff if he’s in best form.

13 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Yeah hard to feel sorry for the guy who stomped on Rayden Tallis's head

When I wrote my post above, I didn't realize that readers who do not have access to the Age wouldn't be aware of the context. He said:

".....broken bones in my hands from defenders’ spoils and from when [an opponent] jumped on my hand deliberately"

I knew at 25 it was time. Everything was hard enough then, including the abuse and the rewards. So I retired upon my choice and a future family.

27 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Yes, also one of the all time greats.

So was Leigh Matthews, and he was also a thug.

14 minutes ago, 1964nowMORE said:

Hoyney did some great stats last week on SEN re backup ruckman. Message was don’t bother, pick the best forward.

Back up rucks avg 4 centre bounce a week; 15 ball ups and one goal for and against, so basically a nil all draw.

Pick Jeff if he’s in best form.

You’ve still got to have a body that can go up. Imagine Gawn gets injured and there’s no coverage.

Edited June 6Jun 6 by Roost it far

Have we got a team yet?

5 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Have we got a team yet?

Apparently not until Sunday.

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

What about results based on tackles inside 50?

Similar to pressure. 2 out 3 weeks its relevant but then you get games like north and essendon when we won that stat comfortably and lost the game comfortably. Its def still important but the stats say you'd sacrifice a tackle for a mark inside 50 all day long.

Fwiw we are the best in the comp for this stat head to head . (Average difference)

11 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Apparently not until Sunday.

Oh that’s sad.

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

He was a thug.

Poor Dermott!

45 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

So was Leigh Matthews, and he was also a thug.

Common denominator Hawthorn

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

He was a thug.

He had mates ...

Brereton wasn’t a thug like Matthews. Matthews was a cowardly thug.

7 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Brereton wasn’t a thug like Matthews. Matthews was a cowardly thug.

Every club had them back then, oppo supporters would say the same about Grinter

Based on team selection announced for Casey’s game tomorrow, I expect the initial squad for the Melbourne Kings Birthday game to read ~

IN J. Culley, B. Howes, M. Jefferson, K. Tholstrup, J. Van Rooyen

OUT A. Johnson (suspended), B. Laurie

Three of the named “ins” to be the emergencies.

5 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Every club had them back then, oppo supporters would say the same about Grinter

Grinter was a massive thug but universally loved by Melbourne fans.

As you say, every club had at least one in their team back then.

On 04/06/2025 at 10:26, Bring-Back-Powell said:

In fairness Collingwood had as many players out as we did in round 24.

One team wanted to end the season with some pride, and the other team just wanted the season to end.

But yes, our accuracy has been disgusting against Collingwood recently.

Our accuracy has been disgusting against many teams

3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Grinter was a massive thug but universally loved by Melbourne fans.

As you say, every club had at least one in their team back then.

I’d like one now thanks

Who could it be , now ?