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I got down to today's training session a bit late to find the boys running in four groups around the ground, doing 300/400 meter runs at 3/4 pace, then resting, before going again. I noted Trengove was off with McCarthy doing contested ball work drills with another coach. The running groups then moved to different parts of the ground to do some kicking, hand balling drills across the length of the oval, first with the right foot, then with the left. At this point I noted there was no rehab group doing laps, so none of the injured list players were in attendance and I did not sight Hogan. No Maynard either, still recovering. They broke up into smaller groups where they practiced doing a lot of quick contested ball movement to set up a player who would take a snap at goal. There were 2 groups at my end doing this, a group in the middle doing more centre clearance contested drills and in amongst all this there were selective players and line coaches working on technique Rawlings was doing a lot of body work drills with Frost then Hibberd, not using a ball but just being really physical imitating a big forward trying to out position you. A lot of goal kicking practice, one lot practicing set shots from the boundary using the Stevie J set up, others having shots from 50 on an angle. Neville was doing a defensive drill with Bugg, Hannan and JKH where the ball was kicked high to them and they went body on body trying to mark or knock the ball to a player's advantage nearby. Toward the end Stafford had the ruck division, what's left of it doing centre bounce work, he acting as the opposing ruck with big pad, Cross throwing the ball up inside a marked out centre circle. Keilty, Filopovic and Mitch King taking it in turns jumping against him. I think his main message was for them to take the space under the ball forcing the opposing ruck to have to reach over your shoulders to contact the ball and thus struggle to get an effective tap. King looks to be moving well to me so he may get a shot at some stage before the big boys are back. Trengove was doing individual running drills with 2 coaches, doing 20 meter sprints with ball in hand. They were filming with their phones then showing him the vision, they may have some app that analyses technique. They were emphasising the need for him to stay low on the push off, almost like a sprinter starting from the blocks, replicating in a match when he picks the ball up he has to push off with a lowered centre of gravity. I watched Trenners in the contested centre drill and he looked OK for speed but then that all done in a confined area. i watched Gus in a few drills, he just looks like he is going through the motions, not much energy there at all, I haven't been to training much this year but I thought he was more animated in the past. the session finished early, it was supposed to go through till 12.00 but when I left about 11.00 there only a few still going, Stretch and Kennedy were doing some contested ball drills I think. As I rode off I am sure I went past Saty talking to Neville about something!

Adelaide are way too tall, for us. Jacobs will have a bath as will their forwards. Backs will shut us down easily. Melbourne by 2 goals.

Looking forward to this. Accept there's a good chance we will be outclassed, but I'm hoping to see a big response. Goodwin's press conference after last week was the first time I've seen him palpably disappointed and frustrated. The difference between his response and that after the Richmond game was stark. The effort to address our poor starts will have intensified for sure. I think we're on the verge of really hitting our straps. Hopefully this is where it starts.

Melbourne on the rebound after last weeks loss will be a difficult proposition for Adelaide...

Spoke to Gus today at training, he reckons his head is a magnet, but learning how to duck Has had every scan and test known to man, got the all clear and is having a run this weekend

I compare Brayshaws first couple of years to Scott Thompson. In four years with the Dees Thompson careers was just littered with injuries and form and could barely get on the park. He played 39 games in 4 years. After he got traded to the crows Thommo had a break out year in his 5th year and played the whole season. Brayshaw is in the exact same spot and currently on 31 games who's also had his career filled with injuries and form. I can see him coming back in the AFL over the next couple of weeks and playing a good stretch of games. I too also think Brayshaw will make huge strides next year and we'll show the AFL world why we took him high in the draft. The trade talk is just plain silly and ridiculous.

Only when playing the Demons

The letters isn't a big deal. Supporters and 'past player' commentators bag players all the time - its usually a little more constructive is all. Its just in writing that makes it interesting. My reading of history tells me a couple of things about teams on the rise and on the way down (although there are some rare exceptions including impact of free agency).. Teams like Hawthorn on their transition down typically find a way to win close games because of their experience and composure but have to do it more often until eventually the group ages and tires, and the belief goes with it. Young talented teams on the way up typically lose to sides like Hawthorn who still have elite composure and the know how to win games. Eventually the pendulum swings and as the young team chips away at its belief long enough. The critical thing is that Melbourne need to have high effort even if they are losing as eventually (if they do) luck will fall their way more and more in close games and belief will lift naturally. That didn't happen on the weekend I think its healthy for the playing group to feel the expectation we have as supporters and not be apologetic. Who cares if one supporter expresses their passion more than another. Everyone is different. It's what supporters of successful teams do all the time. We have seen enough in the playing style and list to know that if they can compete for longer than 3 quarters their time will come. It's definitely mental but not unusual for emerging young teams. It needs to stop at some point however otherwise their is the risk the players accept they are unlucky and shy away from expectation and hard work. Its probably time that started to happen for the MFC soon. If we are to be successful, at some point this year the drive and hunger to win (or not lose) and play finals will need to overshadow the fear of expectation and the hard work that is needed. Hopefully that comes sooner than later. For me this has been a good week as the acid is on MFC players to overcome their fears. Their next main test will be against North as they have nothing to lose against Adel this week

He won't be traded, so I'd say it's irrelevant just needs a good run of games and he'll be fine

Good lord how can we keep Stretch out yet keep Tom Bugg in? And Weideman as Emergency on the back of what exactly? I like Kent in as common sense prevails but again another week where i shake my head at selections.

Let's have a look at him on the big stage again ,then after about 3 or 4 games, make a judgement . Everything is pure speculation as we had only one game to look at him since the foot injury,which he carried undiagnosed prior to that.

I aiways have a chat with Gus, knocked out myself half a dozen times when playing, he understands everybody's concern these days The last knock frustrated him as it was behind play, hence the joke about the magnet He has no issue with putting his head in harms way again, just wants to play

I need to come to young Gus' defence. If those comments are based on 2016/2017 its rather harsh...he played only 12 games of the possible 29, The 10 in 2016 were interrupted by injury. Roos said later they brought him back too quickly after injury early in 2016. In 2017 he took a hit in the 2nd game, dropped, then injured. The valid body of work is 2015 when he played 21 of 22 games and touted as a gun. From what I recall he was often in the thick of the contest and a very good kick. He is a much better kick than the likes of Viney, Jones, Tyson etc He is also a smarter player than those guys...how often in 2015 did he perfectly place the ball for Jeffy to run onto, race in to kick a goal... @Grand New Flag reported a few weeks ago (paraphrasing) that Gus was physically ok but needed to get his head space right regarding putting his head over the ball. I think we can all understand that. Regarding the concussions, Salem has had a few and he has bounced back and I think Gus can too, then he will recover his 2015 form and be the gun some of us think he will be. Give him time to recover, DA.

The jumper is the same, the club history is the same, we supporters are the same, but as Goodwin has pointed out - this is a new group - Board, Admin, FD and almost all the players - writing their own history. We've had some a couple of frustrating losses by less than a kick, a couple of very brave efforts which would have been wins, a couple of decent wins and one great win. IMO this season cannot be characterised as the disaster many here are painting - we're having a good year. This group is not responsible for what happened in decades before - supporters will benefit if they can separate this in their mind. A flag is what matters to me. Learning is more important than winning right now, even though that is painful and difficult to accept. I'd prefer we win too, but the close losses we have had provide great learning opportunities - possibly greater than if they had been narrow wins. I think we're on track.

Why anyone in this thread thinks they have a better idea than Clarry on how Clarry should dispose of it is beyond me. The kid is a one in a million. He knows what the best disposal method is for each situation, and we have no bloody idea. That's the best part of having a player like this guy. We just get to sit back and think "wow, that's how the good players play". It's what makes them good.

Not sure what you pair above put in your coffee this morning but is obvious strong.

I will put it simply for all those supporters who dream of success. The Melbourne Football Club onfield cannot be trusted, it cannot be trusted to get the job done when it is capable of doing so. This is this clubs biggest challenge for its supporters and the wider football community. Until the team realise this they will not be trusted. I have supported the club for over 40 years, I do not trust this club to do what is must. I want to trust them but I can't. When I turn up to the MCG to watch the demons I have no idea if they will win or not. That is a trust issue.

We just have to play smarter, for longer. Look at last week; when we allowed the Hawks to slow it down and kick it long to a contest, they had one of their talls float across and mark unopposed. They knew we didn't have strength in the air and they used it to their advantage. When we moved the ball quickly in the third term, we took away that advantage and we were able to dominate. We just didn't do it for long enough. The Crows are strong in the air, but if we can take them on and try and run them off their legs then we give ourselves a chance.

I seriously think we are a good chance of winning or at least losing another close one.

I don't mind some blow back to be honest. That performance last week, ESPECIALLY THE FIRST HALF, was an utter disgrace from the whole club. How can you not have a team mentally up and about to win a very winnable game that you are expected to and should win that would have put us in a pretty solid position and looking at finals?? Not once, but over and over and over across so many seasons. My angst is that he only directed fire at Goody alone and missed a big opportunity to target the whole club. Don't agree with the membership aspect But.... The question the entire club, including Goody, needs to answer but wasn't asked in that letter is the most important question in the club's mostly horrid record since 64 going forward. Which is..... What are we doing differently this week, to the past 52 years that will see us rectify the mental fragility of this team on the field? That is, whenever we are faced with the expectation of winning and going into a match as strong favourites we generally lose!!?? You could eliminate all the hanger on players you want and have a very very special starting 22. Without the correct frame of mind, competitive edge and killer instinct to find a way to win.....we won't shake this tag nor will we start winning matches we should be winning, like last week, often enough to ever threaten for a premiership. And it won't matter who the coach is or which era of players take the field. Ignore last week's match at your peril guys for unless what happened there is sorted we will forever be irrelevant to the competition. Last week needs to become our line in the sand. Sort it MFC.

Trengove is smarter, a much better on field leader and a MUCH better ball user than Harmes, considering a lot of our issues against the hawks seemed to be based around lack of organisation/ on field leadership i think you could make a great case for Trengove if it were as simple as Harmes vs Trenners, unforunately i can't see him playing unless one of our other inside mids is under a cloud

I'd like to see Stretch for Bugg too. I hope we persist with Hannan and Wagner. I think it's possible ANB could come straight back in if he was "rested" last week.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-05-10/vfl-player-review-round-four Kent for JKH the obvious and maybe only change Plapp: Dean Kent: Dean had 18 possessions, seven tackles and kicked 1.1. It wasn’t the type of game where Kenty wasn’t able to show all of his strengths, because of the conditions. But the one pleasing thing out of Kenty’s game – that we were most pleased about – was his forward pressure. His ability to impact ground balls and put the opposition under pressure created opportunities for us. It’s been two weeks now that Kenty has played the way we want him to. He certainly puts his name up for AFL selection this week.

Mental toughness and effort will always achieve sustained success regardless of gameplan. The Dogs have it. Unless we show that week in week out, we will never achieve sustained success. And if a publicly leaked letter to the coach from a disgruntled supporter impacts the players and FD, it just demonstrates how mentally fragile we are as a club. The same applies to any criticisms from past players.

How could you even think that LH!!!!!!

This is an excellent post, because I haven't seen such an illuminating breakdown of turnovers and goals kicked by the opposition. It's also why I was so disappointed in Jones' game. This is the guy that's meant to be the captain of our football club and the younger players see him causing error after error and handing the opposition crucial early momentum. Just a shocking first half. It was as obvious as day that we needed to put our foot on their collective throat in the first period of the game. When people talk about our lack of leadership, it's these sort of unforced errors that should not be coming from our senior players and leaders. We should expect our younger players to make a few of these. We don't excuse them, but they have more leeway when it comes to skill errors. But we shouldn't excuse 200+ game veterans. I'm sure some won't agree (for his years of loyal service), but I reckon Jones owes us one.

JKH is much quicker than JT. His skills atm are poorer and decision making not great. I felt sorry for Trenners when he played last year and couldn't keep up with the game. Only a few mids like Sam Mitchell can get away without foot speed because his skills and decision making are so quick and sublime. I don't see that with Trenners, as much as I'd like it to be.

The Roar is a great site with some really good articles.

He had me at the opening line : "Melbourne fans have the worst job in football" great read!

Was stated on Triple M by James Brayshaw today we have something happening in regards to a BOJ sponsor.

I'm not sure what the rules are for posting articles but i found this one a particularly insightful and thorough one with a few surprises from an outside perspective. http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/05/10/the-shoulda-coulda-woulda-melbourne-demons-could-be-the-afls-2017-what-if/

Agreed and I found this encouraging Billy Stretch: Billy had 25 possessions, five marks and four tackles. After being left out of the senior team, he started the game really well. The thing I was most happy about with his game was his ability to take the game on and send us forward. He continues to build his game around his contest and flexibility of roles. He contributed well.

I'll go the early call and say Trengove may be in

Not sure you're looking quite in the right place. The likes of Hogan, Gawn & Spencer would bump up our total marks but their biggest impact is on winning contested marks. High uncontested marks are more a reflection on the side's ability to spread from the contest and to run hard to good positions to receive. We'd have had a lot more uncontested marks on the weekend had we not burnt the ball so often.

Apart from Max's obvious talents, he has strong self belief and appears to relish tough challenges which I suspect gives confidence to those around him

I think the year was destined to be a waste the moment we lost our two ruckmen. We can manage generally but when arguably your best player, and reigning AA ruckman, goes down for a large part of the season and your back up quickly follows suit then you are always going to be in trouble. And I agree that we've had some serious lapses in concentration that we need to quickly get rid of out of our game. I don't think any sane person would argue that. But you could also argue most sides have done the same things we have due to how even the competition is. Sides will make you pay for it now. We have the cattle, we just need to add the composure under pressure and the ability to put sides away. We haven't had a list capable of doing this in a decade so we still need to learn how to do it, which is hopefully not far away.

There's a big around the ground effect too. Hawthorn (and O'Brien) doesn't take those contested marks if Gawn is playing. We have another path down the line out of defence and we have another tall path in the forward line because they are not rucking so much.

I think that's rubbish. It's not lip service. Surely you're capable of making a judgement on the clear improvement of our team without seeing us win every week. It's irrelevant whether you think the Hawks are past it or not. IMO they are, but that doesn't mean they can't turn it on from time to time. And one thing we know Hawthorn will always be is well drilled. The fact remains that we've been in every game this year. That's not 2 or 3 rounds at this stage. That's 7 rounds we've been ahead in last quarters or level in last quarters. If you can't see the clear improvement in that then I can't help you.

We are on track ... we just need a ruckman. We're not a 4 quarter team yet and nor should we be expected to be a 4 quarter team yet either. If we were we'd be premiership material (and we're not - not yet anyway) We've gone from having the best 'taps-to-advantage' ruckman in the league to having the worst 'taps to advantage' ruckman. Consquently, the teams we are playing against have ruckman who are dominating us like Gawn does against others. A double-whammy effect. And that is no slight on Pedersen either ... he is battling against extreme odds and is obviously doing his best. I'm happy for Cam to remain in the team once we do get Spencer/Gawn back. Without a ruckman of note, we are/were always going to find it difficult to win games. And that is a reason, not an excuse. Jacobs this week will be more than a handful. Those who don't rate ruckman won't agree .... perhaps they'd be open to trading out Gawn once he gets fit. And before anyone wants to point to the clearance numbers against Hawthorn ... those numbers aren't real and are a misnomer. In terms of clean clearances, our numbers were woeful. Again, the Gawn/Spencer factor at play.

He has been cleared to play this weekend.

This must be the best problem the MFC has had in a decade. We have a player who gets the ball so often we are worried about the method of disposal he uses. I would rather be his coach trying to change that than be trying to work out how 20 others can get the ball.

Nah, we've got this!

Plapp says Trenners is doing everything right, everything the coaches ask of him. Goodwin says Trenners is working on 'things' and he's close to selection. The bloke has it on a string every bloody weekend. FIIK.

This is actually a really good idea, mate. This is the last chance I reckon. He and JKH have about the same speed, except Jack is a good decision maker and clean with his ball use. Would like to see him get a chance in the next few weeks and leave him in for 3 weeks.

Just watched the highlights. Do you know what pisses me off the most about this game? Hawthorn has bullied us for a decade. They were down on form, last on the ladder, and were a man down for most of the match. And they absolutely smashed us. We made what I like to call the "loser comeback" (come back from a huge deficit but lose the match), but beyond that, they pushed us around AGAIN, and without even trying that hard. It's one thing to lose. That first half was just....urghhhhh. It's more than just "not having the cattle" these days. We're still stuck in the 2010s were we *expect* that good will happen. You need to make a stand and turn a corner, otherwise you're just making up the numbers. Ox is an idiot and showpony who by releasing that letter, has trivialised the entire issue. The Hawks had Brereton go into the lockers in 2004 and rev up the team to make a stand. The club changed that day and went on to play a spectacular decade. Because we've been a loser club for so long, it's so hard for someone to go in and actually convince people the jumper means something. Last Sunday really epitomised the Melbourne Football Club. I know that sounds hyperbolic but look into your heart. You know it to be true. It's really not even worth spending the energy to predict how they'll perform.

Good article, but certainly don't agree with some of it. The following bit almost debunks the rest of the article: "if you can’t make good, calm decisions and execute long kicks to the advantage of your opponent, you’re not playing in Goodwin’s backline". He then proceeds to name Frost and McDonald. Now while Frost's decision making is improving every week and at times he is calm in order to take the game on at the right moment, I wouldn't necessarily refer to him as a calm decision maker who can execute long kicks to the advantage of his team mate. It's almost as if the author hasn't watched these two play before. There is one thing you would never associate with Tom McDonald and that's good decision making. But it was interesting to read the compliments on our ability to play what he calls 'stop-start football'. @Dr. Gonzo mentioned Hawthorn's ability to control the tempo against us early, which he says upset our structures and tempo. That may well be backed up by this article. Anyway, the biggest thing I took from it was that we're a better side than our ladder position or W/L record would suggest and also that it's only a matter of time before it all clicks. The author is almost certainly a Melbourne supporter too.

As we all know, the damage was done in the first quarter and given the heat that's been applied to our defence here, it's interesting to see how the Hawks got their five first quarter goals Ist quarter Goal – O’Brien. approx 15 min remaining. Salem spoils an Oliver uncontested mark at half back. Unforced error – lack of talk / awareness. Turnover Goal – Roughead. 10 min remaining. Rioli from stoppage to Gunston to Roughead who “outmuscled” Frost (in the back for mine). Good passage from Hawks Goal – Gunston 9.30 remaining. Frost flies for a mark uncontested. Straight through his hands to Gunston who goals off a step. Skill error Goal – Bruest. 6.30 remaining. Jones shocking turnover on the left foot after marking kick-in. No pressure. Ball to top of goal square. All our blokes up & ball spills to Puopolo who handballs to Bruest. Comedy of errors but started with Jones Goal – McEvoy after siren. With 20 seconds remaining Hibberd kicks OOtF under no pressure. Resulting I50 kick sets up McEvoy’s mark (aided by a massive block from Roughead which took out OMac & Hunt – questionable legality as he wasn’t contesting) Four of the five came from us shooting ourselves in the foot in uncontested situations. In each of those four cases the footy should have been on our side of the centre instead of sailing through their sticks Furthermore, any chance we had to hit the scoreboard ourselves was derailed in the same fashion. Here's just a few of the momentum killers : 7.30 remaining. Jeffy misses set shot after patient build up 3.40 remaining. Jones marks at high half forward & misses pass to Vince just on 50. Hardwick marks uncontested 1.40 remaining. Jones marks in space & passes directly to Langford who marks uncontested in our F50 There were other midfield turnovers that had Hawthorn streaming forwards that thankfully didn't hurt us on the scoreboard. Unforced errors as opposed to turnovers from pressure are killing us. If we can improve this area then perhaps we'll a) win more games and b) be able to more fairly assess our defence

Or a clever way of finding out if he was going to have a full-on tag or not and therefore getting immediate intel on it!

Fancy living through the last 8 years and losing your [censored] after a 3 point loss to Hawthorn... bit late to the crazy party mate