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We'll always remember him coaching us to an AFLX flag

It started to get “ very worrying” when we almost doubled Geelong i50’s and lost by 80 points back in (was it round 2?) ... and bar a win or two it hasn’t gotten less worrying since. Richmond replaced almost all of Hardwick assistants before he won the flag. You can’t sit on your hands while a year like this unfolds. It would be more worrying for me if they weren’t taking any action.

Goodwin hand picked Macca and Jennings - worked with both at Essendon. That both are going suggests Goodwin has been told. I suspect by Pert and Bartlett. The coaching changes mid year and now says he failed to put together a coaching team that can bring success. imv, now more than ever, we critically need a senior football person to mentor and hold Goodwin accountable. Not fussed on the title but someone with authority that Goodwin reports to rather than the person report to Goodwin as Macca did. Someone who isn't his mate. That person is not Mahoney - he has endorsed Goodwin's coaching appointments, game plans etc. imv he is part of the problem: an excellent administrator but a poor manager with poor football nouse. I eagerly await the new coaching appointments. Hopefully, some successful line coaches instead of Plapp and Chaplin. Most of all we need a forward coach. Most of our assistant and development coaches were primarily backmen. So is it any wonder our our midfield to fwd connection is poor and our fwds are like Brown's cows. Big cleanout required.

Plenty of posters on this site have been calling for Jennings to go at years end and when it surfaces that he is going, all of a sudden it becomes a problem.

I could believe it. We have seen it all year. Dumb lazy footballers who look totally lost It's a coaching and leadership issue full stop.

Jennings wants to be a senior coach some day... The word has been he would leave at the end of this year. It makes sense for him career wise to take on a senior VFL job. I wouldn't read any more into it than this. Of course with the year we're having many will read too much into his departure.

When all combinations of shuffling deck chairs are exhausted, its time to throw a few overboard.

It's funny. Experts point this stuff out with vision to match. Some of it has been trending for two years as they stated. Yet we still have the demonlander cushies talking about Garry slurring. I guess it's all just wrist slashing hey crew?

If someone could compile it, it would be the best highlight & blooper package ever.

We keep hearing that the AFL Coach is really a Manager of people and the public face of the FD. He has fitness people, medical people, recruiting people, list management people and assistant coaches, working with him to achieve the optimum result for his club. The tactics seem to come from others, be it the Assistant Coaches, the Tactical Coach or group think. Even if a side is losing, the Coach could be going ok, but at the same time his assistants might not be. Therefore, it is fully understandable, that a club could be happy with its Coach, but be unhappy with his Assistants and require changes in that group.

Interestingly, have been thinking about this and can draw one main conclusion. The main protagonists - Oliver, Harmes, Brayshaw, Viney and, to a lesser extent, Jones all had interrupted pre seasons in varying degrees. They also represent the few in the squad that have pretty much been untouched by injury 'in season'. I am of the belief that they have shouldered a very heavy load whilst being under prepared. They all look weary and the end of the season can't come quickly enough. Viney, in particular, looks shot. Harmes not far behind. Don't think Brayshaw's been right at any time. Oliver still very good but struggling a little atm. Gven a longer break, a full pre season, some luck, midfield additions through the draft and trade and things can turn around

The 'Macca not getting on with coaches' rumours earlier this year was to do with Jennings. That article certainly dispels the recent (umprompted) commentary from Goodwin about how unified they all are! The article makes it clear Jennings was pushed. The talk of him going as he wants to be a senior coach, while perhaps true, is a smoke screen in this case - we have a vacancy at Casey he could have been appointed to if we thought he was up to the task or wanted to keep him around. Clearly, we didn't.

Because you want to be a good footballer? Because you're a competitor that hates to lose? Because you have integrity? Because you respect your coach? Because your leaders demand it? I dunno, there's a bunch of reasons why OTHER clubs would do it, not sure about us though.

Ben King was someone I rated extremely high last year. He's perfect prototype forward in the same vein as Tom Lynch. 202cm tall who has played 12 games this year for 13 goals as an 18 year old. Sam Weideman this year has played 11 games for 11 goals... I know I was anti trade pick 2 or 3, but for this kid I would.

You’re being obtuse.

Wasn't there a regular track watcher who was telling us over the summer period that there was no such thing as uninterrupted Pre Season??

If the guy wasn’t recognised as one of the best assistant coaches in the league I wouldn’t raise the issue at all. As for whether a return to the club would excite or depress him, I’m not sure that’s for you or any of us to comment on with any real authority. He’d have his reasons either way. But the things you name as deterrents didn’t faze Ron Barrassi nor a helluva lot of other people, and the game and it’s sense of tradition and lore are all the better for it. Perhaps it’s as simple as “finish what you started”. As for the no “old boys” stuff, I get it. But when I think of Adem Yze - a guy of Albanian descent, raised in a Muslim family in the west of Melbourne - I don’t get that particular MFC “old boy” vibe that I assume people take issue with .

I challenge your assertion that Goodwin is stubborn and out of his depth. Unless you are in the club you have no idea what he is like.

Who do you get to do an external review? There's not many qualified experienced football people around. A former football director Jason Dunstall, maybe? Former coaches? If the club are happy with Mahoney's work over a period of time then you trust him - along with guidance from the CEO and Board and input from the other leaders of the footy department - to make the changes as required. An external review would probably only find the same problems that we can all see. Then it may or may not propose a solution of sacking Mahoney or Goodwin, both of which seem unlikely. So skip that step and get on with Mahoney and Goodwin getting in people they think will help.

The changes are excellent and needed .The club also needs to reassess to some degree and taking nothing for granted. Having said that, no amount of change will insulate any team from failure given the horrendous pre season and subsequent multiple number and long term injuries that have occurred throughout. To think a any coaching staff etc will make a difference should this repeat is delusional. For better or for worse followed this club for over 50 years and I can't recall a,season this injury ravaged.It would be foolhardy to think this was the only reason for failure, however, far and away the the main factor. For some to 'blame' injuries at all for some folk is unpalatable, weak and unacceptable. That mentality leaves me gobsmacked. One of Ron Barassi's favouite line was "We are offering reasons not excuses".

I find this the most interesting part of the story... "Josh Mahoney is conducting a review, sources linked to Melbourne confident the highly regarded football manager is sufficiently independent to identify the issues and make tough decisions." How can he be sufficiently independent, he runs the department he's reviewing? What if he's the issue? Anyway, I sure hope we get this right...couldn't stand another season of irrelevance finishing early again.

good god @stevethemanjordan - anyone would think you're engaging in shameless self promotion like Craig Jennings.

So now we're taking Tom Browne's word as gospel with all his "suggested", "unclear", "questions", "sources", "understood" weasel words style of journalism? I thought the consensus on Demonland was that Tom Browne was useless and unreliable, but those who can't wait to stick the boots in whenever possible are happy to take his latest effort as the truth.

Only name I've heard rumoured so far has been Cam Bruce. Could potentially replace Jenning's role, but also could depend on what happens with the senior job at the Blues though. Has been a little bit of buzz about Bolton due to the Demons-Hawks coaching connections, but haven't heard anything yet as to if he's being interviewed etc.

when is Troy Chaplin leaving? That;s all i want to know.

Spot on buck. As you correctly note football departments have cycles and all have a shelf life, in the particular assistanct coaches and roles like Jennings. The changes at the tigers are a good example. Have a season like we have and changes are inevitable. Just as inevitable as the cackling from the henny penny collective.

Easy to potshot Gus here, but if you look closely at the vision as the ball is in dispute, there's 5 Dees players vs 3 Pies players contesting the ball. At that point, Gus is moving away from Pendlebury in anticipation of the ball coming out to our advantage. We should be potting others that lost the ball, and who let the ball get to Sidebottom before we have a go at Gus.

Where does Josh Mahoney sit with all this? This guy has been at the club since 2008 when he came over with Dean Bailey as an assistant coach. He has managed to survive just about the worst period in the clubs history and has outlasted everyone to rise to senior leadership. Just wondering if anyone knows how it is that he has survived so long? I heard Roos once describe him as a potentially great footy administrator (that was about 2014). Any ideas?

Pride in performance

“I think they’re paying massive money to Lever and May and Frost is their best defender,” Riewoldt told SEN. “I’m more confident in Frost at the moment than the other two to beat a man. “If I was playing tomorrow and the three of them lined up I reckon I’d find it harder to get a kick on Frost than the other two. “I know Frost can stuff it up from time to time, but he gives great effort.” (https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2019-nick-riewoldt-garry-lyon-unpack-issues-at-melbourne/news-story/c4d626fff76702fe3ad9cb27ffc7ad87) 100% effort and speed. No wonder most of you wanted him delisted from the club earlier this year. Like the club, it's in our DNA not to value what we lack. David King was too smart for his own good with the kryptonite comment. As far as our supporters go, probably the other end of the spectrum. Stick it up them Frosty.

Frost > Rance

Sounds credible. I wish I had "good mates" who described me in that manner.

So proud of the club for winning AFL X#1 Sure T Mac played in it, hurt his ankle and missed the first 6 rounds, but I wouldn't take it back for the world.

Absolutely bizarre

Interesting link to the fallout of Jennings. Apparently didn't get on with Brendan McCartney. https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/the-inside-word-on-how-melbourne-demons-craig-jennings-fell-out-of-favour-c-396886.amp?__twitter_impression=true

the son of Charlie?

1) Well versed in the dark arts of Machiavellian techniques! 2) As noted in my post above: Mahoney is an excellent administrator but imv a poor manager with poor football nouse. 3) Roos was right but at some point PJ promoted Mahoney from Football Manager (which had a football administration focus eg trading, contracts, sal cap management, personnel matters etc etc) to GM Football ie administration and coaching, fitness, medical, list managment, development, recruiting. My take is that Mahoney stayed focused on the football admin, leaving the rest up to the area chiefs. Delegation is a good thing if the right protocols are in place to have those areas work together, achieve results, manage outcomes and take corrective action as soon as needed. The extent of changes in our Fitness, Coaching so far and those to come in Medical, and Player List says Mahoney has taken a 'hands-off' approach for several years and failed to develop those protcols and form a cohesive Football Department. When the mid year coaches were announced Pert said 'Mahoney will own the outcomes'. He is clearly being held responsible, as he should be, for the all the Football Department (not just admin) and how we perform next year. I reckon Mahoney is also on notice.

“The issue is going to be Jack. Now I think they elevated Jack too early, I said, that at the time. “He was terrific last year but he’s in a bit of a hole now “And until you’re in control, complete control of your game, I think it’s a pitfall to name him captain. But where do they go now with Jack … I think they’ve got to back him in. “I questioned at the time when they made him co-captain. “I didn’t think it was necessary and I didn’t think he was in control of his game and until you’re mature enough to be in control, adding the burden of captaincy I think is unfair.” Healy on Viney

No one gives up when there’s nothing to play for like our Dee’s.

Because you have two more Senior AFL games to develop yourself and the team. Like the Brisbane Lions in the second half of last year. Anyone with any footy nous could see they were going to climb up the ladder this year with their attitude and hard work right to the end of the year.

"Jennings is part of the AFL's exclusive Level Four coaching program, which has produced senior coaches Simon Goodwin, Stuart Dew and Brendon Bolton, Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd and a series of highly touted assistants." Perhaps the level 4 coaching program isn't churning out quality coaches like they hoped. Goody continues to captain the SS. Sinking Ship, Dew is currently working wonders at GC ?, Bolton has been given the flick after failing to cultivate grass, and Simon Lloyd (whilst highly credentialed in the back of house) hasn't been able to land a senior gig for some time. They might as well call it 'Business 101' if it's headed by the AFL. Clarko didn't need no level 4 induction, nor has Fagan or Simpson. When it comes to coaching, the good one's (as it always has been) naturally just know how to coach. Unfortunately it's looking more and more clear that Goodwin doesn't.

Are we sure we're leaving him and it's not him leaving us? Interesting that he and Goodwin could share the coaching box for so long right next to each other and not be on the same page. I'm not against changes but we better be bringing in some good names. Goodwin losing the guy we thought was his mentor (Macca) and the guy we thought was his closest colleague at the same time worries me.

I always thought the idea of Roos’ succession plan was to pick someone who wouldn’t throw out everything he’d put in place within a couple of years of taking over. Really makes his tenure seem pointless now.

It's just injuries but...

Another sign that those who believe the failure of this season is primarily due to injuries and off season surgeries are incredibly off the mark. Keep ringing the changes. I would also hope/suggest Josh Mahoney & Jason Taylor need to have a very strong Trade & Draft to secure their immediate futures.

Compare these clips. The difference is stark.

From an ancient (2014) article at Hawthorn " Yze played a key role in harnessing the Hawthorn players' elite kicking skills as they developed into the AFL's deadliest team in front of goal over the past two seasons. Since 2010, the team's accuracy has soared from 48 per cent to 57.1 per cent. " Of course, that could just be because Buddy left at the end of 2013 Ooh, actually, I stand corrected, even Franklin had dramatically improved his accuracy by the time he left. Oh, we've just got to get Yze in.

He’s probably still of more value IN the forward line right now.

No we are this bad.

As a ruck, Gawn has had a far superior year than Grundy. Its not even close. Gawn is a pure ruckman, Grundy is just a fourth midfielder who competes in the ruck. Big difference. If the AA was done seriously then Gawn is the only choice.