14 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

What do you mean “accepted”?

We don’t get a choice.

We also get what we deserve when we had sub-20,000 crowds in the last 2 months of last year.

If our crowds drop off further in the last 2 months of this year, expect more of the same for our 2026 fixture.

I believe we sold the Alice game, so it’s our problem, the club is a disgrace, a complete shambles.

11 hours ago, The Cult of Disco Turner said:

Isn’t that kind of what St. Kilda have been doing and everyone is criticising them for it?

I’m not aware of what St Kilda is doing nor who is criticising them so couldn’t comment. I’m outside Vic so don’t follow all the apparently constant media/shows about footy

9 hours ago, bluey said:

I believe we sold the Alice game, so it’s our problem, the club is a disgrace, a complete shambles.

The Alice game has nothing to do with us being given the Port, GC and Adelaide games in a row.

3 road games in 4 weeks? Sure, not ideal. 6 of the first 7 games in VIC wasn't too bad though.

And remember when we hated our mid-year bye being a 10 day break? Here's a 13 day break now but oh too much travel!

It's not invalid but really this has probably been the toughest part of our draw all season, with mostly a full list to choose from.

Say it out loud.

I think we took a gamble with playing not many talls and it backfired miserably with our injuries, but this is football and sometimes you get that.

We had Rivers playing on Ethan Read ffs, Rivers is 188cm and Read is 202cm.

Lever should have been replaced by TMac, or if they have given up on him then play Adams and give him a crack.

We went in with only Petty and Jefferson and lost Petty early so expected a 4th gamer to hold down a key forward spot and ruck.... idiotic.

We are not skilled enough to play the 'undersized' gameplan like a Collingwood or Hawks do.

20 minutes ago, layzie said:

3 road games in 4 weeks? Sure, not ideal. 6 of the first 7 games in VIC wasn't too bad though.

After this week we don't leave Melbourne again for the rest of the year. If we were competitive, we'd be excited about the opportunity.

Our fixture last year was unfair with 5 games in 28 days and back-to-back Adelaide games against Adelaide sides. Our fixture this year has been fine.

The push to play kids grows as we now know finals won't be happening this year, but against that is the fact that all clubs and coaches go into games wanting to win - the Kruzer Cup excepted.

With Petty and Howes out, I am hoping the Dees make a couple of tactical adjustments in order to have a chance of winning.

Firstly one of the Crows strengths (and they have many at the moment) is that they have three strong tall forwards - Thilthorpe (who is a very decent back-up second ruck as well), Walker and Fogarty. To again go into a game with only two tall defenders and no back up talls is lunacy. So Lever (assuming he moved better) has to come back but T.Mac may well be a better option for Tex because of his extra height. Turner has to play on Fogarty, who is the more mobile, while May gets Thilthorpe and switches to Fogarty when Thilthorp's rucking.

Secondly our own tall forward set-up has to change a bit because without Petty we lose our lead-up forward to contest the down the line work. JVR has been tried, but is still not dominating VFL games, so it would be nice if he was played down back in the VFL to get form and confidence back. We seem committed to trying Jeffo and I must admit the access to higher-level games has seen him improve marginally - so it's worth giving him another game or two before the season is out, even if he's well below AFL standard. But Jeffo body-shape means he is more a lead-up player, he's not a realistic down-the-liner option, so someone has to play that role with Melky.

We could throw Turner forward but it's a little unfair to expect him to battle all the Crows big bods, so it would be nice if we thought laterally and brought in Tom Campbell to share the down the line man work with Gawny - to be honest Gawny is the only player on our team that has looked like taking a pack mark up forward all season, but Campbell is also big enough to not be pushed off an aerial contest so easily. And the advantage off having TC is that when we rest Gawny, there's no mismatch with Thilthorpe.

And the following week we need TC again to take on the best push-and-shove tap man in the game in Xerri (Grundy is close), allowing Gawny a bit more rest time so that he can expose him around the ground.

I don't really see any other changes this week although Billings and Laurie both deserve games (and not one's as subs). Culley is getting close but it would be nice if he had a 30-plus possession VFL game.

11 hours ago, Deespicable said:

The push to play kids grows as we now know finals won't be happening this year, but against that is the fact that all clubs and coaches go into games wanting to win - the Kruzer Cup excepted.

With Petty and Howes out, I am hoping the Dees make a couple of tactical adjustments in order to have a chance of winning.

Firstly one of the Crows strengths (and they have many at the moment) is that they have three strong tall forwards - Thilthorpe (who is a very decent back-up second ruck as well), Walker and Fogarty. To again go into a game with only two tall defenders and no back up talls is lunacy. So Lever (assuming he moved better) has to come back but T.Mac may well be a better option for Tex because of his extra height. Turner has to play on Fogarty, who is the more mobile, while May gets Thilthorpe and switches to Fogarty when Thilthorp's rucking.

Secondly our own tall forward set-up has to change a bit because without Petty we lose our lead-up forward to contest the down the line work. JVR has been tried, but is still not dominating VFL games, so it would be nice if he was played down back in the VFL to get form and confidence back. We seem committed to trying Jeffo and I must admit the access to higher-level games has seen him improve marginally - so it's worth giving him another game or two before the season is out, even if he's well below AFL standard. But Jeffo body-shape means he is more a lead-up player, he's not a realistic down-the-liner option, so someone has to play that role with Melky.

We could throw Turner forward but it's a little unfair to expect him to battle all the Crows big bods, so it would be nice if we thought laterally and brought in Tom Campbell to share the down the line man work with Gawny - to be honest Gawny is the only player on our team that has looked like taking a pack mark up forward all season, but Campbell is also big enough to not be pushed off an aerial contest so easily. And the advantage off having TC is that when we rest Gawny, there's no mismatch with Thilthorpe.

And the following week we need TC again to take on the best push-and-shove tap man in the game in Xerri (Grundy is close), allowing Gawny a bit more rest time so that he can expose him around the ground.

I don't really see any other changes this week although Billings and Laurie both deserve games (and not one's as subs). Culley is getting close but it would be nice if he had a 30-plus possession VFL game.

Generally agree with this.

One of Lever or TMac has to come back, but can Lever really go one-on-one with Walker (or Fogarty, or Thilthorpe)? I'm not sure. Might have to be TMac who gets that spot. Wouldn't bother me - whilst TMac doesn't appear to be the future, Lever didn't do much at Casey and whilst Lever finds himself down there due to form, TMac's down there due to a very tough selection call. At least TMac's recent AFL form was good.

Up forward, we are really in dire straits. I expect JVR to return, and I subsequently expect Adelaide's tall defenders to set some records for intercept marking. We really need someone else who can take a mark down the line. Your argument for Campbell to come in is a good one but I just don't see it happening.

We can make room for Billings, Laurie or Culley if we want. Is Salem playing well enough to hold his spot? Does Sparrow live off his 5 tackles and 17 pressure acts, given he otherwise struggles to get involved (10 touches, 135 metres gained, and no CBAs)? Is Sharp that much better than those three you mentioned?

The club’s photos from today’s training on Instagram show some in blue and some in white, with Chandler, Salem, Tholstrup and Pickett in blue and Windsor, TMac, Laurie, Woewodin and Spargo in white.

Not sure if that’s reflective of upcoming selection, or just last week’s teams. Or anything at all, really.

Cue Goodwin bringing Spargo straight back in.

On 30/06/2025 at 14:20, titan_uranus said:

Wouldn't bother me - whilst TMac doesn't appear to be the future, Lever didn't do much at Casey

TMac either. I think I'd take Lever's 17 disposals and 13 (!) marks over Tom's 13 disposals and 3 marks. Equally, can't hurt bringing him in against his old side.

But has been ill?

glad others get that Windsor is a winger.

all i want to see in the loss this week is no melodramatic expressions when goals are kicked against or when we stuff up plays.

just get tf on with it please (trac, may, chandler are the most culpable of extraneous melodrama in the facial region).

Trac because he's weighed down by his stardom,

May because he knows that he could have done better,

and Chandler because he is insecure against good teams and plays like an imposter in the team (no supporters agree with me i'm aware they love Chin idk why) at the best of times...gesticulating to his teammates and even remonstrating them as if he knows better, while he himself just isn't relevant for 80% game. Chandler is no 'leader', sorry to break it to those who think he should be up there in the B and F.

No more melodrama. Play to your ability please and keep the facial expressions to a minimum.

Bowey is not melodrama, Bowey is appropriate level drama because he cares, with honesty and selflessness.

On 28/06/2025 at 22:07, titan_uranus said:

Petty and Howes miss with concussion.

I really want to see get back into the side are AWM, McAdam and Sestan, who are the only actually injured players we have.

I was at the practise match where AMW did his knee. It was sickening and happened right in front of me. It wasn't a turn of direction ACL his leg was twisted and it popped. Before that he was probably best on ground. Absolute walk up start for round 1 and Windsor could have perhaps played on a wing where he belongs

Lever back in? Surely not. Unfortunately his (ankle) injuries have seen him have a lack of lateral movement. It showed even at Casey level. At times he looks slow to get to the contest.

On 29/06/2025 at 09:58, 48 Year Now said:

Realistically the games not winnable. I had us between 8-14 this year.

Time to try and lock down position going forward.

Windsor is a wingman

Jefferson stays for at least 5 more games

Laurie at least 4 games in the middle.

Play Thorstrup , Langford and Lindsay for remainder of the year but monitor their bodies and give breaks based on fitness, energy , not so much week to week performance.

Jeffo unfortunately is terrible

Last night on SEN Hoyne commented on a few of our players, including Salem. Mentioned that Salem is rated 257th in the league on Champion Data’s rankings (take your grain of salt if you want) and is outside the top 300 over the last six weeks. Then added that he takes the 11th easiest kicks of anyone in the comp. No idea how that’s measured but it’s data which confirms a view I’ve had for a while. He’s just going and we need way more from our half backs than what he actually produces. We get seduced by the concept of him being a good kick but he doesn’t actually impact games with his kicking to the standard we should expect.

I think he should be seriously considered for a spell at Casey.

22 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Last night on SEN Hoyne commented on a few of our players, including Salem. Mentioned that Salem is rated 257th in the league on Champion Data’s rankings (take your grain of salt if you want) and is outside the top 300 over the last six weeks. Then added that he takes the 11th easiest kicks of anyone in the comp. No idea how that’s measured but it’s data which confirms a view I’ve had for a while. He’s just going and we need way more from our half backs than what he actually produces. We get seduced by the concept of him being a good kick but he doesn’t actually impact games with his kicking to the standard we should expect.

I think he should be seriously considered for a spell at Casey.

This is not at all surprising. He plays safe footy in every meaning of the word safe. Its a real shame Sestan got injured when he did as I am very keen to see him trialled back half of the year in half back place of Salem and/or Rivers. He is a high quality kick at varied distances who takes chances that open the field.

Edited July 1Jul 1 by Lil_red_fire_engine

21 minutes ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

This is not at all surprising. He plays safe footy in every meaning of the word safe. Its a real shame Sestan got injured when he did as I am very keen to see him trialled back half of the year in half back place of Salem and/or Rivers. He is a high quality kick at varied distances who takes chances that open the field.

Our injury list is not something we can complain about…but I’d really love to see Sestan, AMW and McAdam in our side right now.

52 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Last night on SEN Hoyne commented on a few of our players, including Salem. Mentioned that Salem is rated 257th in the league on Champion Data’s rankings (take your grain of salt if you want) and is outside the top 300 over the last six weeks. Then added that he takes the 11th easiest kicks of anyone in the comp. No idea how that’s measured but it’s data which confirms a view I’ve had for a while. He’s just going and we need way more from our half backs than what he actually produces. We get seduced by the concept of him being a good kick but he doesn’t actually impact games with his kicking to the standard we should expect.

I think he should be seriously considered for a spell at Casey.

Been saying it for years in my view a good kick yes but rarely hurts the opposition

time to go rebound footy at speed from the back line is the formula He hasn't got it unfortunately

11 minutes ago, jackaub said:

Been saying it for years in my view a good kick yes but rarely hurts the opposition

time to go rebound footy at speed from the back line is the formula He hasn't got it unfortunately

For many a year Salem was a more than competent and clever Marshall in the backline. Something has changed. Has he simply mellowed or has his role been redefined. Either way the zest and verve of his game has gone. Very meat and 3 veg now.

12 hours ago, nextskipclaz said:

glad others get that Windsor is a winger.

all i want to see in the loss this week is no melodramatic expressions when goals are kicked against or when we stuff up plays.

just get tf on with it please (trac, may, chandler are the most culpable of extraneous melodrama in the facial region).

Trac because he's weighed down by his stardom,

May because he knows that he could have done better,

and Chandler because he is insecure against good teams and plays like an imposter in the team (no supporters agree with me i'm aware they love Chin idk why) at the best of times...gesticulating to his teammates and even remonstrating them as if he knows better, while he himself just isn't relevant for 80% game. Chandler is no 'leader', sorry to break it to those who think he should be up there in the B and F.

No more melodrama. Play to your ability please and keep the facial expressions to a minimum.

Bowey is not melodrama, Bowey is appropriate level drama because he cares, with honesty and selflessness.

Troll

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

Troll

mate, i'm gonna start a thread on why Chandler has been detrimental for team balance - it is basically summarised in the following: He came in three years ago after the premiership and started remonstrating and commanding players in the forward line but the bottom line of his football is panicky and hungry for 'approval' rather than hungry for 'acceptance', subtle but major difference.

It is my contention that his attitude of seeking approval and at the same time remonstrating and ordering teammates on-field and being a self-appointed mainstay of this melbourne team (which Goody and supporters have bought because we don't really have another option there unless we reshuffle players which takes creativity - which Goodwin is not really capable of), this attitude of Chandler brought our '21 mindset down to a more average level. Footy team synergy is like dominoes/chinese whispers and Chandler has been a total bug in the system. Yes he has improved, but his manner is still kind of repulsive in that it is clear, unlike a Bowey or a Mcvee, that he is in the caper of 'disguising' his averageness on gameday by finding someone and something to point at.

Look closer and you will figure it out. He is an imposter that has messed with this groups honesty.

I'm allowed to have a [censored] opinion. I'm a philosophy major and I read books on behavioural psychology like Chase Hughes.

It only takes one average attitude player elevated to a level of 'leadership' to really bug the whole team (it's a game of inches, barely perceptible, unless you can read energetics).

oh and [censored] U

1 hour ago, nextskipclaz said:

mate, i'm gonna start a thread on why Chandler has been detrimental for team balance - it is basically summarised in the following: He came in three years ago after the premiership and started remonstrating and commanding players in the forward line but the bottom line of his football is panicky and hungry for 'approval' rather than hungry for 'acceptance', subtle but major difference.

It is my contention that his attitude of seeking approval and at the same time remonstrating and ordering teammates on-field and being a self-appointed mainstay of this melbourne team (which Goody and supporters have bought because we don't really have another option there unless we reshuffle players which takes creativity - which Goodwin is not really capable of), this attitude of Chandler brought our '21 mindset down to a more average level. Footy team synergy is like dominoes/chinese whispers and Chandler has been a total bug in the system. Yes he has improved, but his manner is still kind of repulsive in that it is clear, unlike a Bowey or a Mcvee, that he is in the caper of 'disguising' his averageness on gameday by finding someone and something to point at.

Look closer and you will figure it out. He is an imposter that has messed with this groups honesty.

I'm allowed to have a [censored] opinion. I'm a philosophy major and I read books on behavioural psychology like Chase Hughes.

It only takes one average attitude player elevated to a level of 'leadership' to really bug the whole team (it's a game of inches, barely perceptible, unless you can read energetics).

oh and [censored] U

You have an unhealthy obsession with Chin and what you see as his faults. You use words like “repulsive” and “imposter” to describe him. Seems rather savage. I’m thinking there’s more to it than a dislike for a certain player. Maybe you know him personally, maybe you have a history with him 🤷‍♀️

16 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

You have an unhealthy obsession with Chin and what you see as his faults. You use words like “repulsive” and “imposter” to describe him. Seems rather savage. I’m thinking there’s more to it than a dislike for a certain player. Maybe you know him personally, maybe you have a history with him 🤷‍♀️

I don’t know him personally.

But when I first called out the issue with Chandler as this ‘commander’ while being a player of average ability and panic tendency in big games, no one listened to me. My frustration comes from zero people listening to me. Because I look at football as energetics. For example if max setting a bad example or playing for free kicks that kind of attitude gets imitated by other players and brings the standard down. Thats why if Chandler is in this team I am adamant that he needs to shut up and focus on his game rather than communicate excessively or make melodramatic facial expressions (which is a sign of a volatile player anyway). We need an honest and solid player in that position. I don’t know where melbourne gets these average Carlton like players with melodrama in their expression but it is way more detrimental to a game than people like to think. Energy is everything.

We were not far off it this year. Not far at all.

And that’s what pisses me off. Because while everyone is calling out our best players, I say no it’s our lower tier who need to be bringing the goods because it takes the attention off the best players who can then elevate their level without so much pressure.

I just see the game differently. I think we carry Chandler through games and I think the player in his position needs to be carrying the team. They don’t have to be brilliant like petracca, but they have to know humility and consistency and when to shut their mouth and do something.

You would have noticed a lot of our season has been all talk. Chandler doesn’t help that cause by any means. He makes it chatty out there in the field. You might think he has a calming effect but I think it’s both distracting and deflating. He’s the only player in the team who has assumed a role of seniority from almost the day he started without ever proving himself to be really integral , he faked his way there by kicking a few nice goals that fans gobble up. We have enough nice goal kickers. The ‘Chandler position’ IS a key reason we’ve lost so many games this year. He is a deer in the headlights, he can’t stick a tackle, and now he’s being absent minded in zoning and leaving free players . It’s all because he plays with a fabricated belief in his ability to be there, he has disguised it well. But he simple doesn’t belong if we’re going to go further up the ladder.

But you know what, as I’m saying this , I actually know that it’s too late and I should have provided this intel to the club 2 years ago because he has been a serial non-contributor bar the 2 or 3 games (which all happen to occur when the rest of the team is down - it’s like he makes his case somehow when he can be sen by the coach because the team is down.. but when we’re humming he has had very little to do with it and he has actually bugged a lot of plays).

Edited July 2Jul 2 by nextskipclaz

18 hours ago, Doug Reemer said:

Cue Goodwin bringing Spargo straight back in.

BLOODY HELL NO! the last thing we need is a slow, plodding 35 m max distance kick with no goal sense!