1 hour ago, Heart Beats True said:

I wonder what Kalani White’s take would be on yesterday’s game. I know Jeff was there and assume Kalani would also have been present.

Would he like the huge opportunity to play for the Dees as they transition their list and FD, or would he like the fast paced winning appeal of a side with a great list who are about to become a force? Will be an interesting call.

I’m hoping Kalani sees one team who have many big key position men (GC) and the thought of fighting his way into the Suns team as a daunting prospect.

The Dee’s provide more opportunities to play at AFL level. Team success can turn around quickly when you are that young.

If I was a draft prospect the only way I'd want to play for us was if I was a Melbourne supporter as a kid, had no other options, or if it looked likely I'd be heading to GWS, GC to play in even emptier stadiums.
Norf and the Aints would be low on my list also.
Have no idea if White was or wasn't a Melbourne supporter, how invested he was or what his options are.
I don't even know if he's any good.
Is he the next Sam Darcy?

According to the Footy Show Melks is our only 'natural' forward. Of course Kosi a a 'natural' small forward who can excel as a mid. Think Melks will seet another 2 years. The game has changed and players can play longer than in the past.

The others just have to work really hard. Eg JVR and Petty.

Jury out on Jeffo. Pretty natural as a junior, now looking comfortable at VFL level. I think we should play him for a few more consecutive games. He needs to be exposed at the top level.

5 hours ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

Yes!

In the Dean Bailey days, almost every week he talked after losses about winning small parts of the game - halves, quarters or even parts of quarters. He was working with a truly awful inherited list and so had to find positivity somewhere, but I still found it frustrating. Mainly because it ignored the fact that these good patches rarely troubled the opposition. We weren't often wresting back control but merely (usually narrowly) outscoring a team in cruise mode. And apart from anything else, it was so unambitious. The expectations must have been so low.

Goodwin saying he was proud of the final three quarters was too reminiscent of this for my liking. And as you said, JJJ, it bizarrely ignored the third quarter, which I think was almost as bad as the first. And even if the third was somehow passable (six goals to two?!), the game was over after the first quarter. We only looked vaguely damaging at the very end of the game when Gold Coast had slowed to a walk. Our team's own non-celebration after goals showed we knew there was no life left in the game.

Yes, it's difficult to win with two players down. But it doesn't guarantee massacres. And teams have beaten us with players down far more than I care to remember in the last 20 years. I reckon GWS, on their own, have done it two or three times.

I don't like our list. But Goodwin does. (He's said it numerous times over the past few years.) And whatever you say about it, it's a list that still has a large number of battle-hardened, very experienced footballers - many with a Premiership medallion. You can't on the one hand say "I fully believe in this group" and then on the other say "I'm proud we broke even after conceding twelve scores to one in the first quarter".

To me, that's not putting a positive spin on a shocker of a game; that's conceding we're back to holding ultra-low expectations.

Spot on.

Probably Simon doesn't want to hurt the feeling of his favourite sons.

Was there yesterday and agree with all that 1st quarter was unacceptable and really took us to start playing when GC relaxed a bit and we came home in the last. Couple of easy misses which if we had of converted could have pinched it but GC deserved the win. We currently have to many VFL standard players, but we need to keep playing the kids in this back end of the season and see if they improve and look like being decent AFL players in 26. Likewise, Jeffo and JVR need to play the last games together.

One thing yesterday that disturbed me was the lack of effort by Fritta. I watched him closely when he was over the outer side where we sat and he did not impose himself on the game at all. I know he kicked a couple but when Petty went down, I expected him to exert himself into the game leading up etc. however all he did was point to the players up field who had the ball to kick it over his head to Jeffo or Melks. He stayed about 30 meters from the kicker on wing and did not lead or run back to give an option and help out the others. He looked like a player that did not want to get involved or hurt.

2 minutes ago, Docs Demons said:

Was there yesterday and agree with all that 1st quarter was unacceptable and really took us to start playing when GC relaxed a bit and we came home in the last. Couple of easy misses which if we had of converted could have pinched it but GC deserved the win. We currently have to many VFL standard players, but we need to keep playing the kids in this back end of the season and see if they improve and look like being decent AFL players in 26. Likewise, Jeffo and JVR need to play the last games together.

One thing yesterday that disturbed me was the lack of effort by Fritta. I watched him closely when he was over the outer side where we sat and he did not impose himself on the game at all. I know he kicked a couple but when Petty went down, I expected him to exert himself into the game leading up etc. however all he did was point to the players up field who had the ball to kick it over his head to Jeffo or Melks. He stayed about 30 meters from the kicker on wing and did not lead or run back to give an option and help out the others. He looked like a player that did not want to get involved or hurt.

Yes, or is playing to a ridiculous game plan. I’m thinking is weighing up offers from a few clubs.

4 minutes ago, 48 Year Now said:

Yes, or is playing to a ridiculous game plan. I’m thinking is weighing up offers from a few clubs.

Not particularly fussed if he takes one..

8 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Not particularly fussed if he takes one..

What do you think we would get for him.

9 minutes ago, 48 Year Now said:

What do you think we would get for him.

Mid 2nd round .

But maybe value in a trade.

We move the ball quickly forward on the back of the long kicks (bombs) forward

For instance, a 50 metre kick travels a lot quicker than a strong of handpasses or short kicks

Ironically, we'd be far better off sharing the ball around and maintaining possession but of course, that effectively takes more time (than the long bombs)

Edited Sunday at 06:252 days by Macca

7 hours ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

Yes!

In the Dean Bailey days, almost every week he talked after losses about winning small parts of the game - halves, quarters or even parts of quarters. He was working with a truly awful inherited list and so had to find positivity somewhere, but I still found it frustrating. Mainly because it ignored the fact that these good patches rarely troubled the opposition. We weren't often wresting back control but merely (usually narrowly) outscoring a team in cruise mode. And apart from anything else, it was so unambitious. The expectations must have been so low.

Goodwin saying he was proud of the final three quarters was too reminiscent of this for my liking. And as you said, JJJ, it bizarrely ignored the third quarter, which I think was almost as bad as the first. And even if the third was somehow passable (six goals to two?!), the game was over after the first quarter. We only looked vaguely damaging at the very end of the game when Gold Coast had slowed to a walk. Our team's own non-celebration after goals showed we knew there was no life left in the game.

Yes, it's difficult to win with two players down. But it doesn't guarantee massacres. And teams have beaten us with players down far more than I care to remember in the last 20 years. I reckon GWS, on their own, have done it two or three times.

I don't like our list. But Goodwin does. (He's said it numerous times over the past few years.) And whatever you say about it, it's a list that still has a large number of battle-hardened, very experienced footballers - many with a Premiership medallion. You can't on the one hand say "I fully believe in this group" and then on the other say "I'm proud we broke even after conceding twelve scores to one in the first quarter".

To me, that's not putting a positive spin on a shocker of a game; that's conceding we're back to holding ultra-low expectations.

The 3rd quarter would have baffled me if it wasn't a regular occurrence now. To start with that ripping Kozzie goal and then GC proceeding to kick the next 4 was checkmate. Not all parts of the game are created equal and when you find yourself 46 points down at 3QT, the contest is over and the life is sucked from it.

The stats can get spun any way people want to take positives out. And I won't ignore them totally, but when that football game was on the line we were found wanting.

I found there was a similar division on this board after the Carlton game last year. Half the people slamming our no goal to 6 first quarter and saying that they mostly had answers for us until the last quarter and others praising the comeback and accepting whatever came before it. Almost an identical game really.

2 hours ago, Docs Demons said:

Was there yesterday and agree with all that 1st quarter was unacceptable and really took us to start playing when GC relaxed a bit and we came home in the last. Couple of easy misses which if we had of converted could have pinched it but GC deserved the win. We currently have to many VFL standard players, but we need to keep playing the kids in this back end of the season and see if they improve and look like being decent AFL players in 26. Likewise, Jeffo and JVR need to play the last games together.

One thing yesterday that disturbed me was the lack of effort by Fritta. I watched him closely when he was over the outer side where we sat and he did not impose himself on the game at all. I know he kicked a couple but when Petty went down, I expected him to exert himself into the game leading up etc. however all he did was point to the players up field who had the ball to kick it over his head to Jeffo or Melks. He stayed about 30 meters from the kicker on wing and did not lead or run back to give an option and help out the others. He looked like a player that did not want to get involved or hurt.

I've watched him closely for the past 2 seasons. He's the laziest footballer on our list. Can't run from drinking bathfulls of water

I'd trade him in a heartbeat.

14 hours ago, bing181 said:

Not even close.

Mercifully, those in charge understand that with the list the way it is and our game the way it is, changing coaches would be the worst thing we could do - if you think we're bad at the moment, watch what happens with a new coach and starting all over again. Wilderness.

I'm convinced your Simon Goodwin. A joke.

'the way the list is' is laughable. Almost our strongest possible side.

And by the way Simon if you hadn't noticed already we are in the wilderness. Totally irrelevant to the rest of the AFL

Edited Sunday at 07:462 days by jnrmac

3 hours ago, 48 Year Now said:

Yes, or is playing to a ridiculous game plan. I’m thinking is weighing up offers from a few clubs.

He’s not weighing up offers, nor would he. He has zero desire to leave the club. That won’t ever change.

11 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

The May-Ainsworth incident was an issue. Dees were still in the contest. Sure it was poor by May but King started the all in !!

99/100 that would be a reversal. Commentators called it as a reversal.

AFL umps protected the nepo babies.

Ainsworth runs 35 metres to the line to kick the goal. No bounce. 35 metres. It was called as smart play. Smart??? 35 metres. That’s the umps having no idea.

Suns got the 50/50 calls. Miller free in the first quarter was ridiculous. There was no arm chop. No grabbing. Oliver competes and marks it. Clarry was fuming. It was a sign of the umps “instructions” !!!

I was thinking about this today

in the old days - 100 magical moments of vfl footy - the umps would have been amongst it splitting it up and then out comes the book and just reporting players

They’ve become this feckless group of flouro bystanders

Hopeless

Brad green as president should be screaming for someone to be sent to a gulag in Siberia for this

It’s a multi multi million dollar franchise

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

I've watched him closely for the past 2 seasons. He's the laziest footballer on our list. Can't run from drinking bathfulls of water

I'd trade him in a heartbeat.

Exactly, prime reason and his selfishness and half efforts hurt..trade for mid second in a heartbeat.

Edited Sunday at 09:141 day by picket fence

11 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

The May-Ainsworth incident was an issue. Dees were still in the contest. Sure it was poor by May but King started the all in !!

99/100 that would be a reversal. Commentators called it as a reversal.

AFL umps protected the nepo babies.

Ainsworth runs 35 metres to the line to kick the goal. No bounce. 35 metres. It was called as smart play. Smart??? 35 metres. That’s the umps having no idea.

Suns got the 50/50 calls. Miller free in the first quarter was ridiculous. There was no arm chop. No grabbing. Oliver competes and marks it. Clarry was fuming. It was a sign of the umps “instructions” !!!

How does May get fined for being in a mellee??

He was jumped on FFS

4 hours ago, manny100 said:

According to the Footy Show Melks is our only 'natural' forward. Of course Kosi a a 'natural' small forward who can excel as a mid. Think Melks will seet another 2 years. The game has changed and players can play longer than in the past.

The others just have to work really hard. Eg JVR and Petty.

Jury out on Jeffo. Pretty natural as a junior, now looking comfortable at VFL level. I think we should play him for a few more consecutive games. He needs to be exposed at the top level.

Agree with this view of Jeffo. He looks really comfortable at VFL - now play him for rest of season and see if he can become same at AFL.

On 28/06/2025 at 16:41, Sir Why You Little said:

Pack up your stuff Simon, your Gameplan is not up to it & the Team is not Fit enough

The Longer you stay on, the more damage will occur

That covers it SWYL. I don't think fitness is the problem. The coach has now been in charge too long, the players don't believe any longer. It's time for change this week. Otherwise 2026 will be more of the same.

23 minutes ago, old dee said:

That covers it SWYL. I don't think fitness is the problem. The coach has now been in charge too long, the players don't believe any longer. It's time for change this week. Otherwise 2026 will be more of the same.

Fitness is also above the shoulders

I'm sure @Ghostwriter enjoyed that game and first quarter performance as those of us who actually care about the direction of the club were disgusted at what we saw in that first quarter, but seeing as losing every week now makes him happy - must've been a great weekend for him

43 minutes ago, Deez21 said:

I'm sure @Ghostwriter enjoyed that game and first quarter performance as those of us who actually care about the direction of the club were disgusted at what we saw in that first quarter, but seeing as losing every week now makes him happy - must've been a great weekend for him

Missed by ... that.... much ... 😉

2 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Fitness is also above the shoulders

It certainly is and i can only wonder about what goes on in some.

Reckon some have got far too cozy at the Dees.

1 hour ago, beelzebub said:

It certainly is and i can only wonder about what goes on in some.

Reckon some have got far too cozy at the Dees.

I always find it amazing when the whole team is not switched on.

I am not blaming Coaches, because they have probably been pumping up the whole side for at least 90 minutes, but like Sunday in the first quarter, the whole 22 gave such a small response. Not 1 or 2 players, i can understand that, but when the whole side is flat. How does that occur?

It has to be psychological, we need to improve massively in this area

Jeeelong & the Filth have been doing it for decades, it’s expected, as it should be. But for the MFC it’s always been very sporadic.

The Whole Club needs a line in the sand. After 2021 i thought this had been sorted, but too many went into party mode and now the Mojo has gone

Losing Gus Brayshaw was a massive hit, but it should never have taken the whole Club down….

There has to be some serious fight shown in these last 8 weeks or else the MFC will be irrelevant once again…..

We are teetering on the edge right now

6 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I always find it amazing when the whole team is not switched on.

I am not blaming Coaches, because they have probably been pumping up the whole side for at least 90 minutes, but like Sunday in the first quarter, the whole 22 gave such a small response. Not 1 or 2 players, i can understand that, but when the whole side is flat. How does that occur?

It has to be psychological, we need to improve massively in this area

Jeeelong & the Filth have been doing it for decades, it’s expected, as it should be. But for the MFC it’s always been very sporadic.

The Whole Club needs a line in the sand. After 2021 i thought this had been sorted, but too many went into party mode and now the Mojo has gone

Losing Gus Brayshaw was a massive hit, but it should never have taken the whole Club down….

There has to be some serious fight shown in these last 8 weeks or else the MFC will be irrelevant once again…..

We are teetering on the edge right now

Its totally unprofessional. No one holding them to high standards. Leadership is badly wanting.