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Speaks Volumes of our 2 Captains. They should just walk now. Nobody took any notice of what Max said at the B&F ”You cannot win the Flag in the off Season, but you can certainly lose it...” Of Course we plummeted

“Players may not have come back with the right attitude and the sense that finals was just going to roll around again." “They’ve been dealt a harsh lesson this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the attitude was changed coming back to the pre-season.” Lewis questions Demons attitude in year from hell Some truth starting to leak out of the MFC now...

My two cents worth. Could be the problem of the modern organisation? Working hard, ambition, entitlement, desire, aspiration are not the same as skill. For me the naturally skilled will always come through as superior. Being lazy does not mean you get the lower hanging fruit, though the ambitious expect it to be so. As soon as motivation falls off so does the outcome. Skills create the magic. Alex Neal-Bullen is a prime example, always working hard at it. Compared to Clayton Oliver who is quite often lazy and going through the motions. Clayton will take a game apart whereas Alex can become a liability when his energy is depleted. Organisations are always failing us unless the insider have a vested interest in serving. I don't trust the ambitious, I trust those with heart and altruism. Those that care about the other more than themselves. I believe it is more about group cohesion and sharing than the avarice getting to the apple tree first, controlling the distribution and then saying how they are unsatisfied. A whip merely causes separation. George Orwells book animal farm, “we are equal, but some are more equal than others”. I don't trust our education system (hierarchical utilitarianism) and class system in creating a functioning society. I see hard-working students unable to live up to their resume. So the majority barely get any fruit as the power waste what is there and the society fails through a dysfunctional dystopia. Two billion hungry, 70 million displaced, 40 million enslaved, the majority have no access to medical help, 5% own more than 60% of the assets, etcetera, etcetera. Base the collective around the skilled and those with high emotional intelligence and not the ambitious. That way we get caring, sharing and commitment. The hard workers will always overestimate their abilities. I find them the unhappiest people and that effects the group. Players need connection and the support of each other and only then will we get close to the holy grail.

For [censored] sake - I don't get how supporters expect players to train or play harder because we haven't been successful for 55 years. Players want to play well, be part of a successful team and earn accolades. What happened before they were born might mean something to supporters but is not relevent nor should it be to the players.

Max Gawn has had another great personal season and his performance is a highlight in an otherwise very disappointing year. He deserves great credit for his preparation, the work on his game and his consistent effort from week to week. He is the premier tap ruckman. No doubt Max has a great personality and is a great leader around the club - he will probably be co-captain next year. Who killed Bambi? The problem is I think having Max Gawn play this way is a big part of our problems this year because he makes us too predictable. Last year this had the bonus of surprise when Oliver, Brayshaw and Harmes all made significant improvement, this year it's a liability. I've never rated tap outs and have mixed views about taps to advantage - both the lynch pins of Max's game. A contest in the ruck is vital because one-off matches with tap outs to advantage are very damaging, but consistent tap outs to advantage are very predictable and the opposition simply sweats on our first possession and tackles our inside midfield. No surprise that we are 17th for tackle differential - that's the key tactic applied against our contest based game. I rate around the ground marking and providing a marking target much more highly and I think this is where Max provides us with the most value currently. But his kicking remains a liability and this is an issue when he drifts forward. Quite frankly Grundy is a far more valuable player because he is an extra mid-fielder, can kick and can ruck and mark nearly as well as Max. There's no way we would even consider trading Max but we need to give some thought to about how to use him effectively next year.

It’s a complete beat up. Read the last line of the article, where it says every club that receives funding from the AFL presents to the commission on a rotating basis. I assume we are just there to plead our case to retain pick 2

That's what Barassi was saying way back in 81 or 82. The more things change ... We were in the front group in the marathon for once, and we were so pleased with ourselves we decided to enjoy a little nap. Woke up to find everyone km's down the road. Surprise!! But what does it take to get back to the front group? Is it automatic that we get back there just by running hard? Everyone else is running hard too. We may have set ourselves back more than one year.

Goody and Plapp talking and waiting in the middle for the players to turn up. A bit windy, otherwise good conditions. Rehab out first, Aaron Nietschke doing a bit of ball work, Tom Sparrow getting time tested, Jeff Garlett running laps, Tim Smith walking laps. The light duties had Max Gawn and Nathan Jones in the rehab for a while, both joining the main squad after warm-ups. Also on light duties was Christian Salem and Michael Hibberd who both stayed in the rehab group, but we're running laps strongly together. Out with the rehab was Jordan Lewis, when the squad came out he joined them. He was thanking everyone and being congratulated. After warm-ups, they were straight into drills; blocking, handballs and hit ups by foot. They had two groups drilling a game of keepings off with handball and tackling. Very slick with good skills on show. The simulations were done with some solid tackling and pressure, they were hard at it. Bayley Fritsch cleaning up James Jordan leaving him with a corked hip. Plenty of spoils, one on one contest, blocking, with forwards switching on the opponent and midfield structuring to create overlap. Jack Viney and Nathan Jones leading by example. Goody was looking for the players to create isolation. After the hard hit out they went into their line groups. Backline had Sam Frost, James Harmes and Charlie Spargo in it. Forwards included Austin Bradke, Billy Stretch and Corey Wagner. Max did minimal ruck work but did some leading in the forward area. Most of the ruck craft drills were done by Braydon Preuss with Clayton Oliver the recipient Jay Kennedy-Harris and Oskar Baker with the mids, as well as Clayton Oliver, Christian Pettraca and Angus Brayshaw who were training well. One of the drills was slotting passes at a target. Training ended with the entire squad goal kicking and then they broke off into small group and individual practice. Last on the track Alex Neal-Bullen and Billy Stretch kicking running goals, Braydon marking and a few taking high marks off the bag (including Clayton Oliver and James Harmes ) Tom Mcdonald out on the field wearing a coaches vest and later walking laps with Steven May. No Petty Harrison, Oscar Mcdonald or Kade Chandler. Also, haven't seen Satyricon for some time. The team was boisterous, supportive and generally up and about.

At least next year we'll be hosting the Queens Birthday and Anzac Eve.

Premiers, of course. Lose 3 of the first 4 games, backs against the wall, coach on the chopping block, Anzac Eve beat Richmond in a nail-biter and start a huge 10+ game winning streak, finish the season on top 17-5. Beat West Coast by 60+ at the G in the qualifying final followed by a close but comfortable 20 point win over Collingwood in the prelim, before finally beating Brisbane by just 2 goals on the last Saturday in September. Gawn to take a huge mark and kick the sealer from straight in front with a minute to go. Norm Smith: Lever B&F: May Leading Goal Kicker: Pettraca AA: Gawn, Lever, May, Pettraca Demonlanders: We paid overs in the trades for Lever and May Ahhhh, what it is to dream.

Buck I suspect Brendan McCartney picked up on it early. He said as much to me while I was watching training a day before it the coaching revamp after the bye. As I relayed in a training report he said to me (unsolicited which surprised me) after a training drill that the kids have to learn to not take short cuts, how you train is how you play but they will learn. My take at the time was that they weren’t putting in 100% at training. The next day Macca was shafted in the coaching reshuffle and rumours from DLand were he had clashed with some senior players. We know now he is gone at years end after telling me at the time he wanted another 2 years to get that elusive flag! Lewis’s comments align with Macca’s I think. Yes we have had injuries but the intensity of 2018 has been missing all year and now the group’s confidence is absolutely shot.

it should absolutely be relevant. they are wearing the jumper and our history is so important. We should be the most hungry club in the AFL, and we are the least. stunning level of sh1tness.

I suspect the underlying purpose is to obtain finance from the AFL to assist our search for a definitive home base

It’s staggering that the players would come back in that condition and have that attitude, especially in 2018-19. IMO, the coaches and staff are just as much to blame. It’s unacceptable.

Suns will imo get a pick at end of first round. I suspect we're pleading our case to NOT have GC get picks 1 and 2.

Imagine getting rid of the only player who knows what it takes and is willing to do everything he possibly can to be successful. I wouldn’t mind trading any player, if the deal was right, but we aren’t a Hawthorn or West Coast, we only have one real leader and that is Gawn.

Like St Kilda did with McEvoy... Stupid move and left them devoid of leadership and ruck talent.

Our hit out dominance together with what follows it has had me scratching my head for a while, with my thoughts being along the lines of 55 and DJ. Re Bradtke: I think one of his qualities is his capacity below his knees, for one who is so giraffe-like, given his young age. As is well appreciated, he's some years away from being a fully formed unit, but if the other elements of strength and ambition come together, there is something to work with apart from mere height.

not expecting finals, expecting marginal improvement to be somewhere btw 10-14 out of the bottom four will be a 'win' ugh...i hate football

At a recent game I sat next to someone, not in the club but close to our fitness department. Apparently, the club was very disappointed with the (lack of) condition of players after the off-season. Even the players who had surgery could have done more on their rehab in the off-season to be ready for pre-season. It is second hand but consistent with Lewis' comments. At a guess, the players who have stepped up this year are the ones more likely to have done all the off-season work. I recall Roos saying players need to be in tip top condition at the start of pre-season; pre-season is not to get fit; it is to develop skills and learn game plans. It is time the players felt the blowtorch so I'm glad Lewis has as no-one else in the club could publicly say it. It is what the players do in the off-season (and skills and game plan learning in the pre-season) that will best place them and the club for a successful 2020.

After a disastrous set of predictions for 2019, I’m predicting that I won’t make any 2020 predictions.

It's disappointing that the more we are told of change...the more it stays the same. This is culture driven...and imho...it starts at the top and trickles down. Take a bow Melbourne ..excelling at irrelevant since 1964

PATHETIC Coaches didn’t move with the times. Players didn’t have the right attitude. This just amazes me and they wonder why this season was crap. Its ALL STILL BETWEEN THE EARS for our club and has been for the past 15 seasons. Until this changes, nothing will change at our club. What an indictment on the coaches, players and club. PATHETIC. I think I might align my membership with the way they perform. If they have a good year and are switched on then I will pay my membership but if they are switched off I won’t. If the players can do it then I don’t see why us supporters can’t do it either. What a joke of a club.

Good on Lewis for going “Whack”. I am concerned that these attitudes were not spotted early, and dealt with. When you add this to the way the last pre-season was so poorly managed, I hope they come back from this year with a burning desire to turn this all around. There is no room for any hubris. The team was poor, the setup was poor and the results were poor. This has and will cost people their jobs. Any of them that come back other than 100% focused on doing everything that needs to be done should be sanctioned, and enjoy the windswept fields of Casey.

I would love to know if Lewis actually said anything to the playing group in the pre season or has he just saved some home truths for the way out.

Any chance we can put this on the agenda ...

I’ve been told Gold Coast didn’t support the merger as they don’t want to be associated with the Melbourne rabble.

I would imagine the AFL are issuing a please explain.."we gave you everything. ..and you still [censored] it all up !! What gives??"

I wonder if this means that Jaguar have decided to not sponsor us again; it was a one year deal. Hence our need for more AFL funding. Interesting to note that Gil said in an Age podcast that St Kilda is being financially supported to the same level as the two franchise clubs. Coincidence? Doubt it.

I would think the case to not give GC pick 2 will come from all clubs as all will be disadvantaged. We are there to 'outline financial and business plans'. Sounds like we are asking for money again. So much for the mfc that was financially solid and stable just 12 months ago. Sad.

Easy to read too much into comments quoted from on air interviews but this line caught my eye: “The boys who are around next year and come back to pre-season, I’ve got no doubt their attitude … compared to last pre-season, will be completely different,” Lewis said. Could be serious cull about to happen

It beggars belief that the whole football department took their eye off the ball and just thought the good times would simply roll around again. For those that thought: "It is the pre-season stupid". We now know from a number of sources that it wasn't. The primary issue was the Off-Season! To me the article talks to the lack of experience of our leaders, coaches and managers. I've talked many times on DL of their respective lack of experience in their given roles. Lewis' comments just reinforce for me that Goodwin needs a coaching mentor/director to help him avoid such rookie errors. Like Lewis said 'you don't know, what you don't know'. That is what a coach mentor/director is for.

Trade Max Gawn? For any sharks reading, consider yourself jumped.

You volunteering, KoD? Would at least add spice to the pre-season training reports! I can see the headline now: "Kiss of Death needs the Kiss of Life after his first 50 metre sprint waddle."

As far as i'm concerned the entire playing group should be on notice. everyone come back in peak condition, anyone who doesn't won't play the first 3 rounds and cops a fine. we have a number of players capable of having All Australian years. if Goody and his team can't motivate them to come back in great shape and turn this club around, we need to get someone in who can.

let him roll thru into the psd, get him with pick #2 for nada

Correct Maze - this very thought has concerned me for some time. We didn't just "enjoy a little nap" we clearly went backwards this season. With the exception of GC everyone else appears to have moved forward. We have a lot of catching up to do!

Just hurry up and get to round 1 next season, what a blood waste of time and $$$$$ this season has been for everyone associated with this organisation and mainly for the fans. The entire footy dept down to the players has to hang its head in shame. Arrogance and hubris from the moment the siren went in Perth to end that game. One thing that stands out for me, even more than the lack of application to your craft, is the arrogance you hear about Melb players. From hearing the West Coast player after the Perth game saying Melb are chit to posters on here and people I’ve spoken to who has been told by other AFL players the Dees players are some of the most arrogant, chirpy when they have done nothing and self congratulating in the league. Its hard to like this club let alone love it. Ive really gone into an Ice Hockey rabbit hole over the last 2 years after vaguely following it for some time. NHL clubs are ruthless, trading captains mid season, sacking coaches/GMs in early seasons, offering older/loved players base wages when the organisation thinks they can be replaced by a younger cheaper piece. The Dees need to be ruthless this offseason. Jones take minimum wage, you haven’t earned more than that and you’re in serious decline. Gawn for some captain, back luck Jack you haven’t earned that title on or off field, focus on footy. ps: this goes back to the question ET raised, will you buy a membership next season? I thought yea of course but these kinds of things make it really hard to give up my hard earned to these players. Pps: i don’t think the supporter base has ever been so angry in the time I’ve been a supporter and rightly so.

As with any organisation or group with a collection of people, there will always be different characters. This includes people with different ambition and attitudes. Those that are driven and won't stop at anything to reach their lofty goals and those that are more lazy and aim for the low hanging fruit. Group activities tends to work better the more driven people there are. Particularly with a strong core that lead the way and know what they are doing. They can drag along the less motivated and give them tasks that work to their strengths and contribute to the group effort. When things are slowing down the leaders whip everyone into shape. Apply these principles to a football team and you get the gist.

As long as it’s not clangers langers

Many are happy being AFL players.

Lewy already diving headfirst into his media career.

I think Goody has covered for the playing group in press conferences and the media. The players will learn from this year and with Burgess on board I'd expect they will come back fit and hungry.

Genuinely don’t understand. The club hasn’t won flag in 55 years. How is it possible that this playing group wasn’t hungry for success. Only MFC...

In that case Earl, with Macca gone, I hope we're looking to also exit the senior players involved as well. The cancer can't be allowed to grow, it must be cut out until the culture is up to standard. Cannot have the tail wagging the dog.

How funny is this... Lewy..love ya's all.. Then ...ya's all got some growing up to do...bye. Hilarious

We really are just an amateur club in a professional organisation.

Did you just quote yourself to argue a point... to your self?? ?