Leaderboard

Was at the game on Friday and we had them on the ropes for most of the game. Our defensive pressure was forcing West Coke to kick sideways most of the night. The last quarter we seemed to lose the defensive structures that was a mark of the game until then. It was disappointing to watch. Then realised that we had lost ANB, Salem and Smith in between halfway through the third and into the final siren with concussions. Some things I noticed about the game 1. We have improved, the loss aside, when West Coke had the ball we held up their run and pushed them sideways for most of the game it was awesome to watch. 2. When we connected through the corridor we were slicing through like butter, it reminded me of how we were playing late last season and we just need to see more. 3. Tom Mac's competitiveness and form can sometimes be a detriment. He would be better if he was less selfish and bring others into the game. 4. O Mac's spoiling is great I also love how he often flops down and squashes opposition players after a spoil don't know if it is intentional or just a happy byproduct. 5. Frosty has only one mode and that is fast and furious (I like it) he is some great form. 6. Hunt is becoming a good link up player 7. I have no idea what is going on with Gus it seems he is up and down in games, I have noticed this in other games its like he has lost his passion for the game. 8. Fritsch needs to be dropped he is out of form and needs to find some in the magoos 9. Oskar Baker played well for his debut 10. Marty Hore is a great pick up 11. Our back 6 are performing better then expected considering we have Jetta, Lever, May and Lewis out. 12. West Coke fans still suck and are the worst fans in the West and our boys kept them quiet for most of the game. I guess until they got enough alcohol in them to find their voice. 13. God I hate West Coast please oh please Melbourne based supporters in Rd 21 make sure you give them hell when they come to the MCG. Others will have different takes but that was mine.

Lucifer, you've made the mistake (I do the same) of thinking the competition is fair. Honestly, the Ablett decisions suggest to me that it may as well be headed up by Vince McMahon. The AFL has a vested interest in GWS doing well and when you consider what Preuss was rubbed out for, it's a real cause for concern imo.

For some time I have been ending my posts with 2020 Go dees. I explained in an earlier post that 2020 was the year when the core of our best team will have played about 70 games together as a group (Oliver, Harmes, Gawn, Tracca, Brayshaw, Hunt, TMac, OMac, Jones, Salem Jetta, and some others) and fulfill the late Dean Bailey's prediction that it takes 70 games together as a group to blend as a team. Further, 2020 is the year when most of the above will have been in the AFL system for at least 5 years thereby fulfilling Brendan MacCartney's comment (made to me at a family day) that it takes 5 years to create an AFL footballer. Cats and Tiges experience is instructive and may work for us as well but the development of our team rates higher. So I continue to say 2020 Go dees.

Well, it is Sunday night and I am still seething about this loss. Against all the odds, it was a game Melbourne should have won. Injuries are crippling this team, and suffered more in the game. The cupboard is getting bare. Frustrating for everyone. I read Gawn's article in the Herald Sun. He wanted to point out the fact he said nothing to Vardy the whole game until the incident when Vardy thought he would be brave and have a go at Gawn when he was lying on the ground and bleeding from the mouth after getting kicked in the face. Some people must have been inferring Gawn had been mouthing off at Vardy during the game, and that is why Vardy did what he did. No, Vardy is an arrogant sook who was beaten on the night by a better player and didn't like it. A##*hole.

Mumford gets off for a malicious knee into the torso of a defenceless player but Daisy gets sent straight to the Tribunal for giving a Boundary Umpire a spray! Daisy Directly to Tribunal Christian has completely lost the plot! Last week the AFL gives Rampe a $10,000 fine for telling an umpire he speaks quietly. I get they want to protect umpires but this is the AFL gone mad!

What bits are you unsure about @DemonLad5? He's a pretty good kick on the run and set shot, has pretty high tackle pressure - and even the inferred pressure of his speed is there... I personally rate him up forward. Hore is rock solid - brave - happy to cop a hit, just needs to get depth in his kicking (although his 50m goal against GCS semi disproves that)....

I personally believe that season 2019 is over in terms of making the finals & threatening to win a premiership as the season started out. Some may believe that there is still hope but realistically it is over. For some positivity I thought we could have a thread which focuses on what people are looking forward to for the rest of 2019 & then into 2020.. I will start off with my list: 1. Hunts development as a forward 2. Marty Hores continual improvement 3. Return of Jake Lever 4. Addition of Steven May 5. Getting games into Baker 6. More games into Preuss 7. How Goodwin & the players tackle the remainder of the season, whether they wilt or stand up & respond to the poor start As for 2020 really looking forward to how our backline will look with Jetta, Lever, May, Hibberd, Hore, Salem & Petty. The potential addition of a top draft pick. Hoping for a Conor Rozee type from Port. There is a lot to look forward too, the side & list is still so young. I honestly believe this is just a small blimp on the radar towards a successful period for the Dees.

Not thugish stuff just real good Bryon Pickett like hip and shoulder. Not a BUGG hit Give him back some of his own medicine just saying. (ie live by the sword die by the sword) More important of course to get a win. PS still have not and will not forgive LONG for that disgraceful act in 2000 grand final. PS I am not classy.

For goodness sake. Let's give some of this virulent May bashing a break. Yeah, he's to blame for our current woes and won't provide anything down the track.

Thanks to the Australian voters a number of clubs won't get their 'promised' $15-$20 million Federal funding. eg Hawks, Cats, Bulldogs.

needs a Preuss suppository

Maybe if Goodwin actually played him in his natural position as a high half forward/wing we wouldnt be having this debate. Fritsch is so badly put of his depth down back due to his poor one on one work and lack of awarness. I counted at least 4 of his turn overs which resulted in direct goals to West Coast. Watch his game last year against St Kilda where he played as the floating half forward role and played it extremely well.

I guess that's why he was appointed captain at the Suns... Like their entire list, he was permitted to be (so-called) lazy at Gold Coast. He'll turn it around. Looking forward to seeing May and Lever playing together in the 2nd half of the season May, Lever, Frost, Jetta, Hibberd and Hore. That's a good back 6.

And he leads for the ball!

Love to see a forward line of Mitch Hannan and Jayden Hunt zipping around.

I don’t think we should be so hard on Stretch. He is really only playing because we have so many injuries. He has played 40 odd games at AFL level which is an achievement not too many on here have done, and despite his limitations he always gives 110% and is noted as a very professional footballer, attitude wise. To call him a “hopeless AFL footballer” is just disrespectful IMO.

I wonder what will happen to Mr Margetts this week for clearly missing the Tim Smith dangerous tackle and subsequent play on fiasco. Or to the officiating umpire(s) - in or out of the zone, who missed the blatant throw that gifted the Eagles another goal in that final quarter. Or to Mr Western Austn Umpire No 7 who paid Cripps in the back when the ball fell free in the tackle - which led to another goal. We talk about Melbourne’s poor converting (no dispute) however this unadulterated maggotry occured in that 15 minute window in the last quarter when the game was there. Gifted Eagles back into the game, then snuffed any chance we had of coming back. 4 days on, I clearly haven’t moved on. The 3 officiating clowns will no doubt be fronting up again, probably in Perth again for homegrown boys No 6 and No 7.

At last, we're keeping up with the big dogs of the competition

Yep let's soley focus on targeting one player only.. not forgetting the likes of Kelly, Tarranto, Cameron, Greene will completely run a muk because we'll be too busy trying to "Byron Pickett" him too sleep. FMD

Wow. Mumford got off? Completely? Not even a 'reckless'? Yep, for the sake of the game, he needs to be pummeled back into retirement. And I'm sure any regulars on here know I'm no fan of any unnecessary roughness. It was a clearly deliberate hit, by a known repeat offender, with no approach to or eyes on the ball, against the exposed flank/torso of a 30cm shorter player who was already low to the ground and facing the other way, which sent the target to hospital with broken ribs. If the AFL is going to let that wash, then I really think the players have a responsibility to step in. At best Mumford spends the game sore, distracted and limited, at worst it slows Mumford from his own sniping. I think everyone -except- Gawn should be taking opportunities to casually bump Mumford at every chance they get. Gawn should be 100% focused on beating him in a purely football sense. Team instruction: bump, harass, sledge Mumford any time the moment comes up. Line in the sand, for us and for the game.

I initially didn't see the damage done to Smith in the tackle, but I immediately complained bitterly about Jetta being able to play on from in front of the mark (point where initial free was paid against Smith for holding the ball). I concur with comments focused on Margetts' bias... its been obvious for several seasons. It was gutless umpiring to let Jetta run free after a dubious free and illegal tackle. This sequence of events, more than any other incident, is clear evidence of his willingness to assist West Coast in getting out of a sticky situation. Otherwise, it was evidence of massive incompetence and ignorance of what we commonly refer to as 'spirit of the game'.

How very Melbourne..... "There's always next year".

I'm an optimist and will never go into a match thinking that we can't win, but realistically, finals aren't going to happen this year. With that said, I am very optimistic about next year in a similar vain to Geelong 2006/07 and Richmond 2016/17. Our best football is very good and our best 22 is outstanding; this year has proven that neither of those things are a 'given' and are far easier said than done. Plenty to keep me interested in the next two-thirds of the season though. Liking the look of Lockhart, Hore, Baker and Petty, and am very happy to see Hunt back in the team and playing with confidence. Excited by the hopeful return of Lever, Hannan Kolodjashnij and May. AVB is a favourite of mine and we were a much better team with him in it last year; praying for a miracle for his foot/ankle/leg/lower-body. If we can get a few continuous games into our best 22 before then end of the year, that should be a good springboard into 2020.

This group of players won’t be doing much until they learn to kick for goal i cannot believe by Round 9 they are still kicking so badly. Last friday should have been over at 3/4 time, but for horrendous kicking for goal

I reckon you're pulling the trigger early @Deehumanizing on May. However I am sure you've made your mind up and the bloke has only played 1 game. I personally think he will compliment the back 6 really well due to his skills sets... and I think with the pace of the game - Goodwin and the FD are wanting the zone, rather than the man on man - but OMAC ((as @binman) has stoutly defended) and May will be more of the one on one player that OMAC - anchor's if you will - whilst the others get to rebound.

Agreed. My knock on Hunt as a defender was his poor decision making and long bombs, which come less into play as a forward. He has straight line speed, good hands and is generally a solid set shot on goal: all required traits to have as a forward. Hunt's been a revelation and our best forward by far this year. We need good thinkers with elite foot delivery down back. May, Lever, Hibb, Jetta, Frost, Petty, Omac and Hore/Salem are our future back options.

Agree with the post. I have also conceded this year and want to build now for the next year and snag some good talent at the draft to complement the list. Minimal off season surgeries..

Top comments, Macca.

Monday is here and still gutted by the result. Effort was fantastic all night, it really is frustrating when no reward comes with that type of effort. Reflecting on Max’s game, what a star of the comp. He had less than 8 minutes resting on bench for the entire game and tore shreds through two of them. Pity everyone will remember Ryan jumping on his face rather than talking about the competition’s best ruckman and his Herculean effort on Friday night.

Not just inferred, Simpson directly said it: "I think when he saw him on the ground, he took an opportunity to give him some feedback which I think 'Vards' was getting most of the night" Simpson on Vardy act Some posters have praised Simpson for calling Vardy's act not a 'good look'. Does anyone really think Simpson told Vardy off when he 'talked to him'? Simpson's comments were not a good look! He virtually said it is ok to shove/man handle someone on the ground who looked dazed, for giving some lip. Simpson should have condemned Vardy outright with no justification. That Max is saying he didn't give Vardy any lip makes Simpson's version worse. Max isn't the type to lie about not giving Vardy lip, he is more likely to have a laugh about it as typical on-field chat if it was true.

Agree BB. I was also proud of our boys in their moral win ( won everywhere but the scoreboard) with a severely depleted side, in Perth against a stronger premier than the GF (Barrass out and Gaff and Shepperd in ) after 2 consecutive interstate trips and a short break. Unbelievable really. Was nearly the 2 nd miracle result of the weekend. I was angry at Trac, Jeffy and Tom for their inaccuracy, but then sad for Trac, as you can see in his face he is panic stricken when shooting for goal. It is not the yips, it is a mental doubt in his ability to convert and I hope he is seeing someone, be it professionally, or a past player to get over this. There is fear in his eyes and I feel sorry for him, he is over trying. Back to the match, Robbo said if we won it could be the best win if any club in the last 20 years. That is a big statement and guess what, we kick straight and had better umpiring and it may have happened.

Having sat through up close the horrific GWS-Carlton game, I can say there are a couple of things to be sure of in team selection. Whitfield can never be left alone. I have never seen someone be so effective at knowing where to be to give teammates an option or to just be in the right spot when the opposition stuffs up. Our vulnerability to the fast counterattack is like providing a swimming pool full of children to a Whitfield-shaped shark. He just can't even be left alone. Similarly, though Heath Shaw isn't the Supercoach machine of the past, he is still a potent rebounder and has easily the most running bounces in the game. Put a forward on him to really lock him down and hope for the occasional lucky turnover, otherwise just accept this is an effective way to 'spend' the effort of a young player Also shockingly, horribly visible was that Carlton were allowing GWS to swap the ball around, switch play, take their time, wait until the disorganised and depleted Carlton defence got out of position and a hole opened up. Six GWS players had more than 10 marks (18 for Whitfield) on their way to 154 total, just mind-boggling. This actually speaks in favour of keeping that 'press' going a bit, not giving them quite so much time to wait and see, maybe forcing a few errors. If they are given time, they can find one of their top users/runners in just a little space and CRACK they gain a clean 70m and your whole team is out of position. Better to hunt them than wait to be picked off. Fact is, the final scores greatly flattered Carlton, as Carlton supporters around me fully acknowledged with deep sighs. If GWS had kicked better at goal (including three out-on-full or falling short just int he last quarter) and kept their foot on the pedal, it really would have been 186+ territory. This is hard to reconcile with the GWS of the previous week, struggling to kick a meaningful score. But the main thing I'd argue is that Carlton let GWS feel comfortable and play at their own pace and make their own choices, while Hawthorn got up in their faces and forced them to move without getting all nicely set up. We should expect to have a burst or two of rapid scoring against us, any time our pressure efforts drop off. But we should also expect to gradually grind ahead any time we do have the psychological initiative - they are far from invincible. Ont he bright side, Carlton somehow managed to kick 7 goals despite only having a grand total of 4 marks inside 50 and most of their 35 entries being true rubbish. Harry McKay kicked 3 of them, suggesting that GWS don't quite have a gorilla-keeper on hand. So Preuss might be a worthwhile addition. So, my ins would be Preuss and whoever the hell we think can stay with Whitfield, and anyone prepared to work hard all day on pressure, even if they aren't super-brilliant once they have the ball in hand.

Was at the game just around from the points - Nathan Jones did make the trip in to have a go at Vardy. Unfortunately nowadays the first priority is for players to worry about their next move and not get caught up in a rabble; esp now with the 666 reset. Loose heads lose games. I did think at the time there could have been a more passionate response overall _ I felt like jumping out of my seat and running down there myself. Marty

The mark was taken in the goal square so he’s going to kick it regardless. This is the time to a stand and give away a 50, as the 50 makes no difference. If only Lewis was there to belt someone. The players response was weak and disappointing. Felt so sorry for Max who’d copped a boot in the face and then abused. What are his mates doing?! Fritsch should be dropped for his pathetic game last night. His work rate and turn overs are momentum killing. That mark and goal is on him. His kicking was beautiful last year. This year it’s been amongst the worst in the league. Massive drop off in form from someone I was hoping would be a real weapon for us this year and beyond.

Billy Stretch is infuriating. When he has the ball he is so slow to make a decision that he allows the opposition to set up and a turnover results.

This post is not going to be well received and I'm putting it here because if this thread is representative I'm going nowhere near the post match discussion. Apologies if others have tried to fight the good fight. And I'm responding to this post as it seems representative of the views I'm reading on here today - I'm not having a go at Elegt alone. I was really proud of the boys last night. Gee did they have a red hot go! Playing the current Premiers on their own patch with 5 players with 22 games experience going into last night (Smith, Hore, Lockhart, Petty and Baker) and another group who give their all but are probably short of ALF standard (Stretch, ANB, Garlett and Wagner) we did not disgrace the jumper and I'll look any other club supporter in the eye today will pride. And with a bit of luck we'd have won. Petty on the line, Frost with a cruel fumble, Shuey with a freak goal, Ryan with a sensational mark and some weird umpiring decisions all went against us. Yes, our goal kicking was terrible and it wasn't just Petracca. Garlett, McDonald, Baker, Brayshaw, Stretch and others missed easy goals. But guess what, we created the chances and won everywhere but on the scoreboard. I like Joeboys three worder's but this one doesn't give credit where credit is due. Just look at OMac - "not our worst". No Joeboy, it should have been something like "played really well". And he's just an example of the poor evaluation of many of the player's performances by so many today. A bit sad really many don't have the balance to what a game performance that was.

You’re off the mark here. You know what I liked, his teammates weeent concerned about punching on, they were concerned about picking the big fella up. That’s being a team. It’s not the 70s or 80s. They pushed the dumb [censored] Vardy away and helped Max up.

I seem to remember when we made our breakout first finals appearance in 1987 after 23 years in the wilderness, we just scraped into the final 5 in spite of winning something like 8 of our last ten games (l stand corrected as to the precise details). Could this be a repeat? With something like 17 of our senior list on the sidelines ATM, the performance in Perth was really quite remarkable, especially considering we beat them inside 50s, and it was only because of our deplorable kicking that we lost. As we get our list back over the remainder of the season, we will get stronger. The next two games are more than winnable, then Collingwood awaits on Queen’s Birthday. By that stage we may well have half a dozen of our 1st 18 back, and then ripe for a crack after the bye. All is not lost. I must say l was heartened by Harmes comments after the game: something like “winning is not our only focus now, we want to play our game style, winning will come”. If this means they relax a little more and play their natural style, who knows what might happen?

No change if possible. But I'd expect to see Lewis come in if fit. Maybe for ANB given he seems to be the 22nd player this year Given Friday was Gawns best game of the year and if Mumford is rubbed our he will get a full game at a NEAFL ruckman this week I don't see why we'd stress about bringing Pruess in for Smith. Of course if concussion forces him out there's not much we can do about it. But idk if it's just me but Smith doesn't seem to be getting the credit he deserves for his job on McGovern. There's no coincidence half McGovern's touches came in the last qtr when Smith was concussed.

Steven May would not have put up with that.

Second that Margetts is biased. Hear about it every game he umpires in the West for Weagles. It really is the elephant in the room : AFL has no accountability.

I reckon more like 1999, of an amazing 1998 making a prelim 1999 we won 6 games, injuries and a changing of the guard with a few old blokes coming to an end. 12 months later we played of in a grand final.

Hit the nail on the head DV8 Reckon we are getting only 80% of the real Trac. (Contrast with Clarry 100%) He is/has such talent he has been able to be good without that extra 20% that is needed to star consistently (or be a superstar) in the AFL. He needs to build his tank (to be an elite midfielder ) and change his ball drop when kicking set shots for (to make the most of forward chances). Get those things right and his confidence is sky high and he will lose his nervous occasional dropping of mark/s and fumbling. Ie not so much pressure on him as he is more relaxed. Melnourne coach/Ed need to demand and expedite this get Trac on board via another player with fitness and the other faults with the forward coach ( who needs changing BTW). Happy Trac days and he will be the star we all can see but don't get the value of watching and performing. He also does not handle criticism well and is hard on himself but AFL is the hardest of gigs so he needs every little advantage to get that 20% extra to take us to the next level and be the best version of ourselves!

There was nothing to defend in the goal square, and if a push and shove happened in the goal square, the kick could not be taken.. . The umpires would have rushed in to sort things. The Perfect time to stand up with a show of Force. It didn't happen, mores the pity.

It was that day.

It was in 1987..

If we play to our best and kick straight we're quite capable of beating any team ... the talent is there despite Lever, May, Hibberd, Melksham & Lewis being out injured. Gawn, Brayshaw, Oliver, Petracca, T-Mac, Salem, Jones, Hunt & Harmes can all be very good whilst Frost, Garlett, Hore, Oscar, Fritsch and a few others can all play their part. Friday was encouraging despite our poor conversion rate ... I'd say most didn't give us much of a chance but I'm convinced that we kicked ourselves out of it. And that's a damn side better than not being good enough.

Mumford should be retired, suspended or both permanently before he kills someone.

I want Angus in the engine room, not out on the wing. It's where he played his best football toward the end of last year.

I would rather go in 2 short that play both Wagners.