Leaderboard

Whateley isn't the moron here.

That was Hunt’s best game this year and he gets dropped, while ANB to me is just plain terrible. He offers nothing but pressure, with shocking disposal, no contest ed marking, no great pace and an inability to make ground for us. I am stunned.

"What did you say about my son?"

Well, that proves it. ANB has photos of the coach in a compromising position with a farm animal.

Whatley is one of the best commentators going around and possesses a very football brain. He certainly knows his stuff and has the ability to communicate this without ego or fanfare. He and SEN aren’t a great fit though imho. Commercial drive-time radio calls upon a different skill set. ABC grandstand and the Offsiders haven’t been the same without him.

Angus' mum just spoke to SEN, key takeaways: Mum is going to GABBA to watch Angus and spend time with Will before he flies back to Afghanistan. Angus to stay in Brisbane with family for mothers day Both parents and extended family are from Perth and born there, Perth is their second home Mum thrilled that two brothers are playing in WA Parents Left 3/4 time at MCG to go watch Angus at Etihad Angus talks a lot when hes happy, has been happy last two weeks, sounded like he wasn't happy about not playing earlier in year (my opinion). Mum is hoping his form continues and so to Melbourne's so we make finals Nathan Burke has been mentoring Angus re helmet and concussion and had a family talk with his mum. No mention of contract or future whereabouts.

Yeah, when I was there near the end he was training with Joel Smith who was beating him in one on ones. I think he is limited in the number of positions he can play, with run off half back being his main weapon. I just think they want to improve his defensive game so he isn't a one trick pony and although we might think he has gone backwards a bit his aim is to add more strings to his bow. It's a good way for him to develop by moving between the ones and twos and as you say his desire to improve is obvious to see so he doesn't drop his head when sent back. (that is if he is in fact dropped this week) We have a fair depth at the moment. Van den Berg was working with Crossy, Mitch King and Kent were doing run throughs at a fair pace. The only one missing was McKenna. Everyone else (I think) is available and the seconds have plenty of AFL quality running around. Plapp was doing a lot of work with the mids which was new for me to see. Very hands on and vocal. I think we are building quite nicely.

Is anyone else looking forward to their weekly team announcement fix? If so, get a life.

Last seen busily banning people from his Facebook group

Our aggressive press makes it easy for opp to get the ball wide on the wing, flick it over or around our press and run it forward. Our lack of leg speed makes it hard to catch the ball carrier. Richmond have a press but they defend 'in formation' as do Hawthorn and keep some players around their back 50 arc. Sydney play the MCG well but they have a more traditional man on man defence and always keep a sweeper deep (McVeigh). Those teams don't follow the opp forwards up the ground so when there is a turnover, they pick up their man or move their defence back 'in formation'. As our defenders are so high (around or forward of the centre) we loose our defensive structure so even if we have a 'formation' it falls apart. Simply put, the G is too wide for our current game style especially against the better sides. That Goodwin says Etihad suits our game style means he is also aware (I hope) why it doesn't succeed on the G. He has changed a few things since the Hawthorn game (eg more mileage from Max's clearances, fewer players in the packs and putting players in their 'best' position eg Brayshaw). If we are ever to get a 'Home Ground' advantage and go deep into the finals we need a game plan that succeeds it. So, I'm looking forward to see what changes are made to 'Conquer The G'.

bigotry is always in the eye of the receiver... and I would have no idea about receiving bigotry, as I am white middle class and that has given my life and my son's life on a silver platter, and given me privilege, the privilege not to be worried about comments that I can make sense of as throw a way lines. but [censored], coming from SW Victoria in the 80's... myself using coon, wogs, niggers, as it was a societal norm, at the school yard, football field, pub parlance on reflection is disgraceful...thank god most of us are more evolved and sensitive to the fact that the receiver is entitled to feel, what the feel, and that its not because people are precious, its because they've been harrassed for arbitrary genes (female, non white), by MOSTLY white, middle class males all their life be it overtly or otherwise. A forum is exactly that, a place to share your thoughts, right or wrong. but as mentioned on here, you will be severely judged for your views.

Major concerns regarding our game style and MCG. Our high contested possession game plan works at etihad because it’s a smaller ground and less reliant on good kicking. As the grounds get bigger, not only do you need to be good at contested possession but also a good kicking game which we are woefull at. Clarkson and his protege hardwick have perfected this. Goodwin needs to start implementing a better kicking game for us to improve.

Give him the keys to the place! We’ll even sign-up his big brother just to keep him happy...

@Demons11: you must be new around here. We don’t try and look for reasons why the unpopular player might retain his spot and explore what the coaches see that we don’t. What we do here is conclude that the hopeless coach doesn’t know what he’s doing and the player must have compromising photos of said coach. Don’t you know that’s the only logical conclusion?

Trouble is he’s running to where the ball aint.

Last week I may have imagined this but I believed we saw the first good signs of Lever and OMac playing very complimentary sides to their games on Sunday, along with Hibberd being their go - to player in a tight situation. Time will tell but quietly confident the team has close to a finals standard defence now in the making.

That would be Tom ..... nothing in the song about Young McDonald.

Simple you just have to work harder st the G Hard run both ways The team needs great fitness but also absolute commitment to the running for 4 quarters So far we haven't been able or fit enough to do that or make the commitment at the G No magic required to win just bloody hard work and desire

You only need to look at some of the posts here to get an inkling as to why that might be.

Well, your’re a well adjusted, resilient individual, congratulations. You did leave black c*** off the list of things you’ve been called over the years though. Have you ever been called a black c****?? I’m a 35yo, 6’3”, straight, white male; I don’t profess to tell minorities how they should be reacting in situations I couldn’t possibly have any understanding of.

Hmmm did Hunt train with the seconds? He was training with the ones and really berating himself for struggling with some one on one contested marking duels with Harmes/Melch/Neville. Later he was doing a drill with Stretch and a coach it seemed on body positioning to get a contested ball. This was after the firsts left. Not sure how to read it. He was really [censored] off with his efforts for the contested mark drills so he may have requested further advice from the coaches. Just an observation on my part. I got the impression we have a kid who really wants to be the best he can be and that is good news.

This bloke loves horses more than is quite appropriate for a human being in my humble opinion.

ANB and Harmes are not in our best 22 Hunt and Garlett are!!

I like Hunt, but he's down on his 2017 output. He'll get another chance and hopefully takes it. They like Neal-Bullen's pressure and by playing the talls, even though they're not often in the F50 together, Neal-Bullen's pressure is being rewarded with selection. I get the decision even though he's butchering it.

Not that it has stopped us in the past but it appears we are debating and forming opinions on a situation where there is absolutely no clarity about the issues involved in the case. There are no specifics to discuss and there may never be... People seem to be holding an entrenched position before any facts have come out. Interesting...

We seem to be dropping defenders further back since the Hawks game (mainly OMac but also Hibberd and Jetta) so hopefully that will help prevent teams get out the back so easily.

These kind of threads always bring out the ignorant.

If he was racially and sexually vilified, he has every right to demand compensation. It doesn’t matter how long has passed. I’m sick of this “grow a pair” mentality in AFL. Harassing someone over race or sexuality is ILLEGAL.

Will be a huge loss if the stepladder is not available this week. No obvious replacement...!

There'd be a fair few of them around..

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-05-09/mcdonald-brothers-keen-to-stay- Oscar: “We’ve had talks [going] back and forth, and at the moment we’re still talking,” he said...“I’m pretty confident that can happen". Glad his contract is getting sorted. Oscar is rapt with his game and with Goodwin: “In saying that he trusts me to do that role, and he’s identified me as the reliable guy to do that, I take a lot of confidence from that,” Oscar said...I love it.” With Gus, Tom and Oscar in contract talks it leaves only Nev as the 'must sign'. Suspect discussions with him are also underway. EDIT (13/9):

I I know Mick Malthouse doesn't command universal admiration but I think some of commentary warrants attention. On Sunday, after the match he assessed our list. He believes a decent Finals aspirant needs at least 26 players of top quality. ( I think we have, or will have, that number) But he also said that it was critical that the very best players get a break. In this context I thought it interesting that in the Hawthorn/ Essendon match the two best players according to radio commentary, were Sicily and Bellchambers. In his post match interview Sicily referred to the fact that for reasons we all know, he had missed several games! And Bellchambers was rested for the precious match v Dees ( a gutsy decision considering the zgawn factor) Malthouse expressed concern about the lack of a replacement for Gawn and I must say I agree. If we win a decent number of matches, surely we could play a game with a combination of Pedersen, Weideman and TMac carrying out ruck duties. its easier to replace our other" stars". I would definitely give Oliver a break and perhaps Hogan who is doing so much more work than the average key forward . Whilst not a star, in my view ANB simply needs a rest, I wouldn't play him at Casey if we leave him out

Most boring presenter ever employed on SEN. Talks way too much cricket in football season & should be sent back to the ABC. Hutchy ruined morning radio when he put a Tobin Brother in charge of a prime time sports show.

Jeff’s in the best - when he’s in the mood.

! Unbelievable! Would've preferred Hunt stay in but what would I know!

Agree he drills them; I love it and don't think he needs to change.

I know, that bit still really gets under my skin even now. Also Watson handed back his brownlow. Except he didnt actually hand the thing back...never wanted to and only did so under pressure. Just so the AFL didnt have to "take" it off him. Which they should have done every day of the week. It all looked so different when were being hounded for the apparantly much more grevious sin of "tanking" I often wonder what would have happened , if instead of Essendon that club had been us, A club so many see as unimportant and without all the media chums that the druggies had. Neeld invited that idiot into our club also ...so we dodged a fatal bullet there by a few cm's only.

He is far better than ok, but agree not brilliant. I think he has beaten every opponent this year and very few goals have been scored directly on him.

There were many doubters who have admitted that they were wrong. There are those that still have some doubts or concerns about aspects of Oscar's game and that is probably fair enough. However, for the minority who repeatedly criticized or were unduly negative about Oscar (the word Spud comes to mind), I doubt that there will be any embarrassment. That is the nature of the beast. Just like the workplace there are the whingers and critics who have little capacity for self reflection or humility. I think there are a lot of our guys at the moment, who are beginning to emerge and silence their critics.

I think it is magnificent that he is making a stand...

It’s not about Viney as much as about the team. If there is any problem, at VFL he can be put on ice and there are enough warm bodies and the stakes are not so high. If he plays 60, 70% and kills it, all good. But to get match touch after 6 months out of the game and allow him to be held back if he pulls up sore is both great risk management and in the interests of the team. It also means no travel, and sets a benchmark about team first thinking. If It was only about Viney, we would rush him back before he is ready and open him up to a poor first game, and the potential of reinjury. Remember that?

dworship I think in your case they may have used telling the truth as a defence. I have been vilified in this place and it is hard to talk about it but for the benefit of society at large here goes. I was called a, "schoolteacher type" I am surprised that that was not auto-censored. Prepare for my legal team, you know who you are.

One man will solve all our problems and that's the beast Viney. We were flying until he got injured.

Wow, so many of you have missed the point, I've been called a white c more than once by people including some residents of the Framlingham Forrest whom I was trying to assist at the time. My point was, I never took any of that personally. A lot of the vilification that occurs is reactive, often associated with personal experiences where there has been an aggressor and a victim, sometimes even of the same colour. Unfortunately people being people that gets generalised into black and white, sometimes when it's just people and agendas. As an aside, I chose Nev as my membership player when given the choice this year and I count myself fortunate that I've had the pleasure to speak to a number of fabulous indigenous players to wear our jumper and although I've called them indigenous I don't see them as anything else but people. I think when some get too righteous it sometimes makes it look too forced and most minorities want to be treated as equals and not singled out as being different and deserving of special treatment.

Writing off a young key position player after a handful of games is the dumbest thing you can do in footy. A lot of people will eat their words about Weideman too.

Pretty much single-handedly saved the club, with help from Roosy. Should end up in the club's Hall of Fame.

Another article on Clarry https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/clayton-olivers-sensational-skill-shows-why-the-demons-arent-fazed-by-his-high-handball-numbers/news-story/41f7546b5f45374e26f18d22db0c98d8 I often wonder if the umps get pulled up every time they call him for throwing, then look at the tape and realise he's just too quick for them.

Thought you posted that to highlight that rare AFL commodity of a Newnes tackle ?

Honestly SFebey, I'm desperate for someone to abuse me in the workplace. Anything will do; fat honky, middle aged, Melbourne supporter. Anything. You won't even know you've done it until the court summons appears.

We live in a grievance culture where everyone holds the right not to be 'offended' and many actually go out of their way to look for offence. Don't know the speciific circumstances of this player (have never heard of him before now) but it seems like as long as people take offence (for offence is always taken and never given) then we will continue to have these issues. Check out this pathetic example of a woman professor (of gender studies no less) that claims she was offended when pushing the buttons in a lift and a man made a lame joke saying "ladies' lingerie". I am not kidding. https://www.chronicle.com/article/He-Makes-a-Joke-She-Isn-t/243350