14 hours ago, bing181 said:

In reality, we haven't changed the way we play as much as people are making out.

Amongst the commentary on our win on the weekend, a number of pundits highlighted how strong our contested footy game was: clearances, stoppage wins, tackles etc etc

Which is one of the reason we've been able to turn it around so quickly, the basic building blocks were already in place.

"Contested footy" is the bottom line and essential part of every team. Not negotiable. Not sure it even warrants mentioning.

We excelled in contested footy in 2021 but started to lose our way in 2022/2023 and were relatively poor in 2024/2025 so much so that we lost most games as a result.

So, I would contend the building blocks were crumbling.

Our contested footy assets impacting this year are new players (Steele, L. Pickett for implied pressure, Mihocek) or players getting more opportunities/roles (Sparrow, Culley, Sharpe, Howes etc),

As to the question of whether we've changed the way we play, I'll let the coach answer that:

"We're game three into a new game plan and new system so for us, we're just chasing constant improvement," King said. 

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1980845/press-conference-focuses

On that note I exit this conversation!

Edited April 9Apr 9 by Lucifers Hero

36 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

"Contested footy" is the bottom line and essential part of every team. Not negotiable. Not sure it even warrants mentioning.

We excelled in contested footy in 2021 but started to lose our way in 2022/2023 and were relatively poor in 2024/2025 so much so that we lost most games as a result.

So, I would contend the building blocks were crumbling.

Our contested footy assets impacting this year are new players (Steele, L. Pickett for implied pressure, Mihocek) or players getting more opportunities/roles (Sparrow, Culley, Sharpe, Howes etc),

As to the question of whether we've changed the way we play, I'll let the coach answer that:

"We're game three into a new game plan and new system so for us, we're just chasing constant improvement," King said. 

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1980845/press-conference-focuses

On that note I exit this conversation!

19 hours ago, MrFreeze said:

According to Fox Footy, we are ranked 5th for mark retention inside 50, a stark contrast from last year.

While we are aiming to get forward half territory with these kicks, they are not 'bombs'. Our players clearly have way more clear instruction on how and where to move the ball.

Yes, we may not be hitting our forwards lace out like the Hawks do. But we are certainly not bombing in willy nilly like last year.

Agree with what you say. We are also playing surge football getting the ball forward quickly by any means necessary eg soccer kicks. We are set up ahead of the ball really well with our forward entries, we are proactively looking to score.

With Goodwin our forward entries were based around being set up behind the ball defensively. I always believed that this method didn’t suit our forwards.

I love the current approach and it is quite apparent that the players do as well. Credit to everyone involved that has been able to make the appropriate changes so quickly.

7 hours ago, nedleg said:

I had a dream about Clarry last night, no real details, we were just hanging, but it was all good, he was doin’ fine.

Just so no one’s worried.

7 hours ago, nedleg said:

I had a dream about Clarry last night, no real details, we were just hanging, but it was all good, he was doin’ fine.

Just so no one’s worried.

I know a good therapist!

16 hours ago, bing181 said:

In reality, we haven't changed the way we play as much as people are making out. As both King and numerous players have commented, the starting point is still contest

No doubt, but winning contests is a fundamental part of the sport. In many ways, a non-negotiable. To not do so means a team can't win big

As for the rest of it, although it's only been a month, from what we've seen, we've gone from butchering the ball on a contest basis to not butchering the ball anywhere near as much

The thing that stands out are our footskills & teamwork (and the rare long bombs down the line)

And our long kicks forward are no longer time-consuming bombs. They're quite often rapid and low-flying to 1 on 1's

And it should be pointed out that Goodwin didn't leave the club in bad shape, it's more about the game plan & game style that's way different. Players personnel wise, we're in decent shape

Compare that to say when Roos took over (when we lacked basic talent)

As previously stated, Goodwin did try and change our style in 2024 & 2025 but his message fell on deaf ears. Needed a new voice

8 hours ago, picket fence said:

I know a good therapist!

Don’t be silly it was just a dream, I don’t actually know how to pass on that sort of information.

On 09/04/2026 at 15:37, Neil Crompton said:

To be fair picket, it’s probably been your infinite posts on what a champion he IS and what a disgrace the MFC are for forcing him out, that has led many posters to seize any opportunity to show why he is not a champion any more.

Got to hand it to Oliver. 37 possessions last night and GWS's best player. On his way to winning another B&F. Only not with us.

6 minutes ago, Redlagged said:

Got to hand it to Oliver. 37 possessions last night and GWS's best player. On his way to winning another B&F. Only not with us.

He’s fit and focused therefore his performances are much better. Trading him out was the wake up call he needed to sort himself out. I hope fir his sake he can keep it up

He is also demonstrating, contrary to what so many people said on this site, that his style of play still has huge value. He is actually exactly what we are missing at the moment – a powerful midfielder who goes right into the heart of things and gets the ball out to others.

22 minutes ago, Ollie fan said:

He is also demonstrating, contrary to what so many people said on this site, that his style of play still has huge value. He is actually exactly what we are missing at the moment – a powerful midfielder who goes right into the heart of things and gets the ball out to others.

they're 2 wins from 6 games

he's getting a lot of footy but isn't helping them win - same as his performances at the mfc over the previous two years

he's gone from one of the greatest midfielders i've ever seen at his peak from 2018-2023 to a serviceable player

41 minutes ago, Ollie fan said:

He is also demonstrating, contrary to what so many people said on this site, that his style of play still has huge value. He is actually exactly what we are missing at the moment – a powerful midfielder who goes right into the heart of things and gets the ball out to others.

Steele has been doing exactly that and we got him much cheaper.

He's a significantly better person to have around the club than Oliver too.

Yes he had 37 possessions but 24 of them were handpasses. I mean we have seen from previous seasons some of his handpasses were just out of a pack to no one. He also had only 5 tackles.

Also his team got beaten by 41 points.

Don't get me wrong we know his talent, but he's not the 2021,22 or 23 player anymore.

At this point I'd take Langfords possessions because he barely wastes one & can snag a goal or Steele's tackling dominance & what he's bought to the club.

I must admit I don't sit there at the footy & wish we had him

2 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

they're 2 wins from 6 games

he's getting a lot of footy but isn't helping them win - same as his performances at the mfc over the previous two years

he's gone from one of the greatest midfielders i've ever seen at his peak from 2018-2023 to a serviceable player

Sericeable??? Well with 19 coaches votes so far and more to come after last night he will move into the top 10. Not bad for a "serviceable" player

1 hour ago, dees189227 said:

Yes he had 37 possessions but 24 of them were handpasses. I mean we have seen from previous seasons some of his handpasses were just out of a pack to no one. He also had only 5 tackles.

And 9 clearances...

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Sericeable??? Well with 19 coaches votes so far and more to come after last night he will move into the top 10. Not bad for a "serviceable" player

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Sericeable??? Well with 19 coaches votes so far and more to come after last night he will move into the top 10. Not bad for a "serviceable" player

Spot on.

The way Clarry & Trac are playing this season says a lot Goodwin in the last couple of seasons

18 minutes ago, Billy said:

The way Clarry & Trac are playing this season says a lot Goodwin in the last couple of seasons

Really? Surely it says more about the players themselves? Clearly they weren’t that invested

2 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Really? Surely it says more about the players themselves? Clearly they weren’t that invested

2 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Really? Surely it says more about the players themselves? Clearly they weren’t that invested

2 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Really? Surely it says more about the players themselves? Clearly they weren’t that invested

Petracca a strong second in the B and F last year, coming off a terrible injury. Was he not 'invested'? Some of the commentary around him is crazy.

24 minutes ago, Billy said:

The way Clarry & Trac are playing this season says a lot Goodwin in the last couple of seasons

goody wanted them traded after the 24 season

44 minutes ago, Billy said:

The way Clarry & Trac are playing this season says a lot Goodwin in the last couple of seasons

Doesn't it??

On 09/04/2026 at 21:52, picket fence said:

Except for 21 Goodwins coaching was very very ordinary! Cost us at least another 1 perhaps 2 Premierships!

Add to that some shocking selection decisions

1 hour ago, Redlagged said:

Petracca a strong second in the B and F last year, coming off a terrible injury. Was he not 'invested'? Some of the commentary around him is crazy.

Yeah finished second to drive up his price in a trade that’s why. Had an ordinary year.

Reading updates to this thread each round is almost as good as visiting BomberBlitz after another thrashing.

45 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Yeah finished second to drive up his price in a trade that’s why. Had an ordinary year.

45 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Yeah finished second to drive up his price in a trade that’s why. Had an ordinary year.

Interesting allegation. Weird.

51 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Yeah finished second to drive up his price in a trade that’s why. Had an ordinary year.

That was a good thing. Meant we got good value for him