19 minutes ago, Vineytime said:

Can someone please summarise?

HAWTHORN V MELBOURNE

MCG, 4.15pm

•Hawthorn’s form has returned at the right time of year, looking up and about and energised in its last two games. Despite the absence of Will Day and Josh Weddle, they look to be imposing a game style that could challenge other contenders. Hawthorn’s pressure game has been competition best across the season and when they can speed up off turnovers they look at their best.

•Melbourne brought energy and workrate to their strong performance against the Dogs last week. In the game all the way until the end, they were able to match their midfield and bounce off halfback consistently to provide supply to their front six. With two more big games to come against Hawthorn and Collingwood, it gives the players a focus to test themselves and shape the finals in 2025 while taking some key lessons into next year.

Since Round 19, Hawthorn has conceded more points from intercept possessions than any side – over 30 per game. The Demons’ ability to transition quickly, especially off kick-ins where they’re ranked No.1 for scoring, could expose that vulnerability if the Hawks’ forward pressure drops for even a moment.

•Jake Melksham’s seven goals from beyond 50 metres this season – more than any player in the AFL – is a threat Hawthorn must plan for, especially given its 21.5% one-on-one loss rate in defence. Conversely, when Nick Watson kicks multiple goals, Hawthorn is 8-2 – making his influence a strong barometer of its winning chances.

5 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

HAWTHORN V MELBOURNE

MCG, 4.15pm

•Hawthorn’s form has returned at the right time of year, looking up and about and energised in its last two games. Despite the absence of Will Day and Josh Weddle, they look to be imposing a game style that could challenge other contenders. Hawthorn’s pressure game has been competition best across the season and when they can speed up off turnovers they look at their best.

•Melbourne brought energy and workrate to their strong performance against the Dogs last week. In the game all the way until the end, they were able to match their midfield and bounce off halfback consistently to provide supply to their front six. With two more big games to come against Hawthorn and Collingwood, it gives the players a focus to test themselves and shape the finals in 2025 while taking some key lessons into next year.

Since Round 19, Hawthorn has conceded more points from intercept possessions than any side – over 30 per game. The Demons’ ability to transition quickly, especially off kick-ins where they’re ranked No.1 for scoring, could expose that vulnerability if the Hawks’ forward pressure drops for even a moment.

•Jake Melksham’s seven goals from beyond 50 metres this season – more than any player in the AFL – is a threat Hawthorn must plan for, especially given its 21.5% one-on-one loss rate in defence. Conversely, when Nick Watson kicks multiple goals, Hawthorn is 8-2 – making his influence a strong barometer of its winning chances.

So it's clickbait haha.

4 hours ago, thirty-one said:

After reading through most of this thread, every time I read "Bucks", I wonder what Gary Buckenara has to do with things.... then I remember that we are talking about someone a bit more recent. 🙄

This gives me PTSD symptoms.... uncontrollable shaking, cold sweats. 1987 really doesn't feel that long ago.....

28 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

He (Jobe) was a Captain, an absolute star and a Brownlow medalist and had multiple coaches

Only a defrocked Downlow medalist

3 hours ago, adonski said:

Elite level click bait

It's actually very possible that Freo could sack JL if they miss out on finals. Melb might not be the only club looking for a coach in 2 weeks time.

4 hours ago, DiscoStu17 said:

All good. But is it Callaghan or Callahan?

Doesn't matter if your first name is Harry and you have a 44 Magnum

Edited Friday at 14:412 days by picket fence

7 hours ago, At the break of Gawn said:

It's actually very possible that Freo could sack JL if they miss out on finals. Melb might not be the only club looking for a coach in 2 weeks time.

I can’t see JL getting the flick. That would be a weird and harsh decision given they actually aren’t far away From the top of the ladder (like the entire top 9)

10 hours ago, DiscoStu17 said:

No, “lessons”, from the old French leçon, as opposed to proto–Germanic“ learnings”.

Totally different.

mean the same :period of learning or acquisition of knowledge both nouns

I guess no one knows who is second in the one man race.

Paid gigs for the panel externals?

'All care and no responsibility', as they say.

And, dare I say it, 'money for (fig)jam'?

8 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Paid gigs for the panel externals?

'All care and no responsibility', as they say.

And, dare I say it, 'money for (fig)jam'?

Certainly a nice little earner.

Hope they make a better fist of this than our last review 🤔🙄

I'll have a regular Cappo thanks ...

On 14/08/2025 at 14:35, whatwhat say what said:

she's not really a journalist anymore; more an opinionist

You’re absolutely correct, but this also goes to the larger point that people are inherently unable to discern the difference between articles of fact cf. opinion pieces.

30 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Dees Selection Panel ?

( bucket load of points if you get the joke )

Ugh Tom morris pretending as though this isn’t normal. Every coaching race the club has 2-3 targets they’d love. For us Simpson, Longmire, Buckley and if one of them wants it it’s theirs. Happened with the saints and Ross Lyon. And if they rule themselves out they then move to the best untried assistant.

Melbourne aren’t running a boat race, Melbourne are a stronger and more appealing prospect than a typical rebuilding club like Richmond were and west coast are and as such we are a chance to sign one of our preferred candidates and we are prioritising that.

it’s good governance to canvas the market to make sure it’s still the best decision even if we initially like one of the options and will very likely Lean that way

33 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

You’re absolutely correct, but this also goes to the larger point that people are inherently unable to discern the difference between articles of fact cf. opinion pieces.

And those that pedal such rubbish rely on that blur.

STD media ops 101

I' been thinking that MFC is an appealing option for a coach eyeing the long term. Regardless of what happens before then, completion of the Caulfield base will give us upward momentum. Won another by then? Boost for another. Won nothing before then? Renewal. Also, solid existing list that a few key signings will complete.

I can see daylight....

4 hours ago, The Jackson FIX said:

I can’t see JL getting the flick. That would be a weird and harsh decision given they actually aren’t far away From the top of the ladder (like the entire top 9)

They were 12-7 last year, then lost their last 4 games to miss finals.

If they then back that up by missing again this year, that is a level of mediocrity/failure that would have Demonlanders rioting with pitchforks if it were us.

This is a club with a stacked list (Serong, Brayshaw, Jackson, Young and Bolton in the middle, Treacy, Voss and Amiss up forward with Frederick and Switkowski (edit: and Reid!), and a very well drilled backline with Pearce, Cox, Ryan, Chapman and Clark).

Plus they had an extra home game with North selling one to Perth.

If they lose to the Dogs next week, and if GWS, GC and Hawthorn all win once, they’re out.

They should be ensconced in the top 4, not battling for finals.

Longmuir should absolutely be in danger if they miss.

Edited Saturday at 01:462 days by titan_uranus

15 hours ago, Sideshow Bob said:

This gives me PTSD symptoms.... uncontrollable shaking, cold sweats. 1987 really doesn't feel that long ago.....

Not only did we have to deal with the devastation of that loss, it then took us over an hour to get out of the car park.... If we'd been two rows over, we would've gotten straight out but we were directed halfway around VFL Park.

On 15/08/2025 at 11:33, KozzyCan said:

Club website says Meahan but I'm not sure how much I trust our media team to get that right lol.

I thought the same so looked her up on LinkedIn—it’s Meahan. I’m weird with what I perceive as typos or bad grammar and have to figure it out or can’t read the article 😂

15 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Longmuir should absolutely be in danger if they miss.

Agree.

Freo have won 15 matches. That would be top 4 last year. In most seasons it's at least a finals finish. Carlton won 13 last year and made finals.

I don't care what they do, but I don't think they will sack the coach.

How would Tom Morris know that the job is Buckley's if he wants it? Would someone of leaked it to him? He just seems very confident.

Edited Saturday at 02:212 days by lorn

23 minutes ago, Jack Vineys Anger Manager said:

Freo have won 15 matches. That would be top 4 last year. In most seasons it's at least a finals finish. Carlton won 13 last year and made finals.

I don't care what they do, but I don't think they will sack the coach.

Is a bit of an unusual year. Top 8 not that spread. 15 games ( at least ) for finals ... not common.

40 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Is a bit of an unusual year. Top 8 not that spread. 15 games ( at least ) for finals ... not common.

The bottom 2 teams have skewed the 8. West Coast 1 win is almost unheard of. In 2021 for example, 17th finished with 6 wins and 18th with 4.