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Maybe if they had of awarded Trac the mark, he could have roosted it home in a manner that no one could get their hands near it. ?

I honestly can’t see the controversy. If it was touched it was clearly after it crossed the goal line. Clear goal, move on.

I’m not sure if it’s been mentioned but I think some of Mitch Browns efforts in the last qtr were exceptional

GOTY. 1 on 3 clutch goal at crucial time.

Was clearly touched over the line. Should have been paid a mark..

Don't be surprised if Corey Wagner gets a call up for Kozzy. Has apparently been dominating in the lower level and could slot in to give Koz a rest. I know Spargo only had 7 disposals but he made some crucial tackles and I thought his pressure was better then most forwards.

Thst courage shown by Brown was HUGE. After being collected to take another contested mark (altoygh a soft reversal from Max) was my hughlight of the night. Rare courage

There's been a fair bit of air time about whether Petracca's kick was touched before or after the line. Why no talk about why he wasn't paid the mark?

What's everyone's hang up with 300? It's just a number, there have been many Melbourne players who have played far better careers than Jones with about half to two-thirds of the games he has played. He has been a warrior but he is no more deserving of being nursed to 300 than any other player. This should rightfully be his last season. He risks significant reputational damage by playing a season too long - some would argue that is already happening. If at the end of the year he finishes with 297 games and 3 Bluey's, that's a career to be genuinely proud of.

they're pretty good Our most pathetic performance of the season. Steele only one who can hold his head high. If King isn't ready for AFL football do not play him. Useless again. I swear to go the next person who says they'd still rather have picked Paddy over Petracca after he won the game off his own boot is braindead. Will rue that decision for another decade still. Reply: No one says that. We get enough Petracca circle jerk on the TV, stop. Wheels well and truely off the wagon. Goodbye finals. That’s finals finished, no chance we can beat GWS or Eagles. Did billings and Clark play? That’s life. It was an even money game so one wins an one loses. We couldn’t stop may. And it’s friggin August. When ever there is any expectation on this group and we start gearing up to make a play for finals they absolutely sh*t them selves. This senior group of membrey ross billings and geary are taking this club no where. They are no different to newnes and bruce etc. We have to churn them. Its the generation below that which will improve this club. Hill i thought was excellent. Also Jones disposal is a massive concern. Petracca single handedly beat us with his 4 goals.

Gutsy win! It's the games like this that change the narrative slowly, I sat there at the start of the 4th quarter feeling like last week and just resigned to being trodded all over. Enter the missing pieces we never had before and one of them was that man May! This guy was the best player on the ground by the length of the Sturt Highway, Flemington Straight, Bass Straight (who cares I've had a few whiskys). Apart from Trac of course. He had his quiet moments but when he was called upon he delivered in style every single time. Even before the 'controversial' goal at the end it seemed like he could have easily had 1 or even 2 marks paid. There is nothing stopping this kid right now and if you want to get in his way make sure you're prepared for the nice view of the beautiful Alice night sky while lying on the ground with boot marks all over you. I thought Rivers played a massive part, when we needed to just hit targets out of the backline he did it, no questions asked. Salem was at his silkiest and I love seeing him running through the middle. Melksham had some nice kicks early but then stunk up the joint a little. Langdon has really come into his own and is almost like a wing sweeper just mopping it all up. Kicked very well tonight too! Oliver was average for 3 quarters but my word did he step up in the last. 10 possessions and 6 contested in the last quarter. There will be times when players like Clarry will be well held, but that ability to break through and play the penultimate quarter like your life depends on it. Amazing stuff. Some guys weren't at their best but cbf discussing that right now. I'll say it again, an important win for this footy club going forward. Go get em! I'm too tired now, see you all later and much love, not even gonna make it to watching the Community Shield at 1:30, gonna be a replay job tomorrow morning. Bye!

We won that game by turning around our huge deficiency against the dogs, which was our ability to block space and shut down their transition, so hats off to Goodwin for that. TBH, my favourite thing about that win was that we won it on structure around the ground, rather than just relying on the same old faces in the middle battering it forward 30 more times than the opposition.

I can see Rivers becoming an absolute star of the competition. He can defend and use it very well. But the thing that stands out for me, and goes way back even to pre-season games. The now 5 game veteran has made some kicking errors, but in no way shape or form does he let that get in his head. He'll turn around and go in just as hard, and again bite off another hard kick, this time to perfection. Can't remember which preseason game it was. He kicked a howler. Next kick, within a minute, pinpoint perfection. Got ourselves a goodun

That must be Jones last game in the Senior Side. His reactions are too slow now. he has already been carried for 2 Seasons ENOUGH.

Even if it was judged a point there is no guarantee they would have got the next goal. It would have been a kick-in instead of a centre bounce. We defended the kick-ins very well. They spent a lot of the game switching back and forth in our i50 so there is every chance we would have locked it in or kicked a goal ourselves and we still would have won. There was six minutes to go with any number of outcomes if it had been a point. It wasn't. We won. End of story! Commentators saying we escaped with a lucky goal are being disingenuous.

Steven May completely shut Max King out of the game. As we all know he played a blinder. Not only did he keep King to 3 possessions but May was so filthy on himself for letting King kick a goal on him. That is how determined he is at the moment. Well done Maysie you are having a great season so far and there is no stopping you.

The only touched controversy with this goal should be whether it was touched before Trac marked the ball. Clear mark in my book. Goes back and kicks a regular goal. The fact that Saints supporters and others like Cornes are upset only makes me hope it was touched before the line. Pay back for all the other crappy decisions and non decisions that have not gone our way in my Footy lifetime.

Clearly touched after the line. Umpire in perfect position. Let the bitter flogs cry themselves to sleep.

Kozzie plenty of enthusiasm but needs some instruction. Spargo Worries me. Bennell Get him in.

Always grateful for an opportunity for mounting my hobby horse: Something that would lessen ugly packs forming is paying a free against a player who just jumps of 2 or more players on the ground and either: tackles one of the tacklers - clearly a free against for tackling a player without the ball OR attempts to pull the ball of his teammate - not a legal disposal if he suceeds, so if he does suceed, free for ilegal disposal

Controversial goal? The umpire could not have been in a better position and called it a goal.

Oh, by the way, Goodwin looked very animated and passionate after the game ? Unlike those that criticised his 'statuesque' demeanor in the box or at press conf, I think he cares!

Interesting that Trac was pretty quiet in the doggies game. He excelled in the 3 games before it. Last night he didnt totally dominate (15 Disposals v average of 25 in the previous 3 wins) but he was lethal with his disposal with 4 great goals. He really is becoming elite and a big factor of our wins. One commentator expressed joy in his new ascendency. We have all been waiting for it. To be honest he hasnt been a great player in the past (above average) but I feel he will continue to be more and more like Dangerfield and be a major part of future success. Apologies to the poster I corrected in calling for Trac to spend more time up forward (my suggestion was Oliver for this as he is a or was a more accurate kick). You were correct. Full credit to Trac for fixing this part of his footy. That first goal was a beauty only to be surpassed by his last. I also sense he cares about the club and not just the $. Thanks Christian.

Still getting over Mays game..... Been watching this club for a long time and its hard to remember a more complete game from a defender

I want Oscar McDonald out and never picked again. Sydney aren't tall, and I thought he was terrible. His turnover kick, inboard from half-back/wing with no pressure on him + my subsequent reaction, abruptly ended the life of my Sony Bravia television.

Please excuse totally self indulgent post. was meant to get married yesterday, but as we’ve seen 2020 is the ever changing year. Me and the missus went full, Gil-style agility and postponed it all in March. So instead we took ourselves off to the only forest in the Netherlands for some wet-weather camping (play at ground level, keep moving it forward) and I deliberately ignored the game, probably for the first time since 2009 or so. It was blissful... ...until the old man msged me and gave me the good news. Petracca a raging bull, May so solid you could build a political platform on putting him at a border, Clarrie down but lifted hugely in the last and, shock horror, Goodwin knows how to coach. In the year of constant change, I am so stoked we have changed from full-pelt ballistic chaos to structured tempo. For what it’s worth I think this game showed the player development that has come from Goodwin’s long term coaching. What has often looked frustratingly like stubbornness and inaction to us, I am hoping, has actually been Goody testing and demanding the players to respond themselves to the game being played. They did that. It was not pretty but it feels solid. Speaking of solid, can’t believe the rumour mill around Jack Viney going for a poo. It was certainly an over scrutinised play in the guts and I’m sure he was singing along the team song as he sat atop his throne. (Not the most analysed sporting poo in recent times though, was at Pune when Matty Renshaw had to run off with the runs in the middle of a year innings. Anyway, Go Dees

I think you're letting Oliver off the hook with that second one. I remember at the time being really disappointed in his effort to take that mark - he was in the right position, but was almost expecting some contact so he didn't go hard enough to take it. Had he marked it we were away through the middle of the ground.

or over the shoulder. or chopping the arm.

Vote it goal of the year and really upset him.

Goodwin had everything to do with this win. We overcame some poor foot skills and gifted turnovers to win a game through fantastic defensive structure and planning - a massive tick for Goody.

I love listening to Steven May talk. He's honest, to the point, gives praise to his team mates and opponents. Wears his heart on his sleeve. Will be interested to see what he does post career Good questions by Ben as well. He's a good find by the MFC media dept

You're kidding, right? May was apart of the team was he not? He's part of our defensive set up. Our defensive system completely smothered their only game - run and gun off half back. That's Goodwin's plan to beat Ratten's one dimensional plan. The players executed, as they did against Collingwood.

Go you bloody Redlegs! Stick that one up you, half of Demonland! We totally took away their game and they had no answers. Everyone bangs on about how good Ratten is, made no moves at all on May, stuck to his plan (as most modern coaches do) and King wasn't good enough on May, who was utterly dominant bar two moments where he was outmuscled. Our defenders and defensives systems totally bossed them. Utterly choked them. Take a bow, Steven May. The best game he's played for the club, by some way. He's had a really great season. I'm happy for him. Lever was a handy support player. Oscar... vulnerable. Oliver did some important running early in the game, but didn't come into the game until the last. Showed what a competitor he is. Loved that moment in the last where he burst away from the contest and hit the next target. Petracca was incredible in the 1v1s and 1v4s(!), let them score one easy goal from the centre stoppage with poor defensive marking, otherwise he and May were the difference. That match winning goal was Dustin Martinesque. For all the talk about Butler, did a couple of nice things, but our systems didn't let him do it often enough and he only got it 11 times. Some really important stopping from Viney in midfield. Didn't get it a lot but his defensive role around the stoppage was vital. I was wrong there. Glad we played him midfield tonight. If he's going to play midfield, I reckon he needs to play the defensive role, unless Oliver is quiet. Langdon's run was great as usual, as was Hibberd's, before injuring himself. Rivers is a really impressive young player. Great poise, toughness and good ball use. Well done, Jason Taylor. Another Taylor Special. After a slow start, Wagner worked into the game and was well positioned a number of times, and ended up being a handy contributor. I think one of Salem's best games for the club. Really solid in defence. Good ball use. Spargo laid a couple of really important tackles at key moments. That last tackle near the final siren to ensure we got the stoppage and it didn't ping back the other way was massive. I thought Hannan and Kozzie really struggled, although Kozzie at least laid some tackles. Still, we didn't let their half backs zip off half back. I disagree with the sentiment that we had a lot of passengers. Hannan didn't do enough and Kozzie tries to be too fancy instead of taking the game on, but other than that we put in a really solid 3.5 quarter effort. I also disagree with what Jordan Lewis said after the game, about neither side really getting their game going. What we delivered tonight is our game. Our mids weren't on the top of their game, but they defended really well in tandem with our defenders and our forwards. We're developing ways of winning when our stoppage game is taken away from us. And that's team defence. And we beat another side who beat us in the clearances and inside 50s. Exactly as we did to Collingwood and very similar to what we did to Brisbane. The tackle count is a really interesting stat too. They beat us in that 36-47, so it was all about the defensive zones and how well set up we were. Every time they looked up, they wanted to go off half back, but couldn't. Every time they tried to switch, the zone migrated quickly across the ground. The players need to bring this every week. The game style wins finals. It's now up to this group to bring the effort consistently.

I thought Charlie's tackling was fantastic. Isn't that what we want our players to do? We are always yelling 'tackle them!' If Martin or Dangerfield do it they are praised no end. What is going on. Does Melbourne play in some sort of AFL parallel universe?

A lot of praise for May and Trac and rightly so as our clear best two on the ground. But I thought there were a few that really contributed to gutting out that win. Langdon was again terrific. Covers ground with pace and along that far non broadcasting side wing he was busy all night creating opportunities with run and ball use. We've been screaming for this type of player and he's slotted in perfectly. His attack on the ball has been a nice surprise as well as his improved kicking. I thought he was pretty clean all night especially when others weren't. Clayton really stepped up in the second half and like we saw in the Adelaide game he used short bursts of run when he gained possession in the contest to break open. You can see it throws off the opposition who are so used to him giving the quick first handball option. Loving the added element to his game. I hope and think he's taking advantage of Trac taking the extra attention to advantage and quietly adding strings to his bow. Viney although not effective with possession was in every contest all night. They gave him no space or time but he still put his body on the line and was able to get repeat stoppages constantly across the ground. He will be very sore today being crunched a lot last night. His diving handball late to Clayton in the dying seconds to give us out last rebound out of defence was outstanding. The improvement in his fitness is obvious and he's been a key catalyst in us grinding out games late with his ability to just keep going and going and going. Salem is definitely in our top 5 most important players and I thought he was key again last night with his class, composure and ball use. Didn't get a whole lot of it but thought it was maybe the best or most important performance from Tomlinson. Seemed to have a clear role playing on Membry but taking advantage of Membry dropping back from contests to push up as an option. Maybe a risky move but I liked his attack and confidence with the ball last night. Seems to be getting more comfortable back there playing off his man at times ie. the mark late. Used it well too with some damaging kicks. PS. much prefer Browns mobility across the ground to robot Tmac. Gave us a different look. Not sure how well he'll fit with Bayley back with both having similar game styles. Both being second/third options who like to lead into space and push up HF. Will be interesting.

Yes. Although how many times did we attempt to kick it to Weid (eat your heart out Eddie) and he was tag teamed by 3-4 opponants in the marking contest. Need to find a way around that, hes on other teams radar now.

no, we would have taken brayshaw and lever

I just watched it too and it was clearly 15 metres. Umpired called it almost the second it came off the boot. Could have cost us the game. Watching that clip though is another example of how absolutely incredible Langdon is. His gut running at that stage of the game is enormous. Repeatedly available in the back pocket, back flank and wing to make options and help out.

Post game . . . what they are saying about us. Trak There was people during the week defending the decision to take paddy over petracca. Don't tell me it doesn't happen I've seen it more times than I can count. Petracca believes in himself more than any player I've seen in a long time, and that belief that he is can be great and can be the difference between winning and losing makes up for rather significant deficiencies in his skillset. Petracca’s final goal turned like Warnie’s ball to Mike Gatting. May and Pettraca won them the game. Petracca was just an average player up until this year, don't think many saw him exploding into the player he is this season. Saints got it wrong and everyone knew he was going to be the better footballer but they drafted the player they thought would be our full forward for 15 years. As a caterey member of the western bulldogs who is dating a saints supporter. I promised her I would ask her why the hell our CEO Ameet Baines decided on drafting McCartin > Petracca. Can’t believe it. They weren't sure who to take because of our key forward situation and were then spooked by the Tom Boyd deal. Looks horrible in hindsight but still stand by it being the right call for St Kilda at the time. Everything else Melbourne played a very poor man's version of the geelong keepings off/block the corridor style. I hate losing to Melbourne more than any team. And that loss last night was more than losing to that borderline rabble but confirmation that we haven't improved and continue to crumble as soon as the prospect of us taking that step forwards arrises. If melbourne do a typically Melbourne and get ahead of themselves then thats great for us. Dees while hard at it, were not quality tonight. The majority of our goals were from Melbourne mistakes not our own ball movement. I can't believe we lost to f*n melbourne. Disaster. Considering how sh*t we played, it’s funny we were still the better team and lost. Thank god we’re not Melbourne supporters and have to watch that sh*t every week. May is 143 game 28 year old who should be in the prime of his career age wise so you would expect him to win that battle every day of the week. Melbourne set themselves for this game. If they hadn't of got Gawn right physically we scrape home I think. A very ordinary player in Mitch Brown slotting one from 50 on a tight angle. Melbourne deserve some credit for clogging the game up and not allowing us to run and gun. Now the boys have to get on the same flight as melb let that fu** that. Good hope they sing their song all the way back. Hope Oliver kicks the backs of their seats the whole way and Max Gawn puts his seat back on their legs. We've got a bloke named Carlisle. He's kicked a few goals in his time. He is bigger than May, perhaps he could have stood his ground and taken a bit of the focus off King? Melbourne. Trash team dragging us down to their level. We made May look like Rance. Our list is still well below even Melbourne and is a patchwork of crap coving serious structural issues. May with 22 disposals and 9 marks. Gave us an absolute bath. King deserves a rest. It's his first year at AFL level, so he deserves some slack, but he needs a rest. He's been poor for a few weeks, poor decision making and poor marking. He'll get better, but we don't need to try and burn him out like when Melbourne ruined Jack Watts. Gawn not called once for tackling the Saints ruckman all night, thought 2 arms around was a big indicator. King will have nightmares about May. We needed to do something about that match up a lot earlier, pretty much lost us the game. Well done to Melbourne, totally burnt us on the rebound and had our number. Melbourne are sh*t Kents good luck to them. Melbourne have no game plan and beat us.

Again, Tomlinson was better than you're ever prepared to give him credit for. Defended his part of the ground well, and then gave us options coming out of defence. Also thought he put his head over the ball more than in other weeks. Brown I thought was just OK. Can't see how he was any worse than TMac so I'd be keeping him in. You're joking re: Fritsch, right?

Riccardi turned 20 in November so despite having played a season in the VFL last year, he qualifies and would be a certainty this week. Rivers is next in line on ability and in alphabetical order.

Mitch Brown beautiful set shot from 50 on the angle, ran back with the flight of the ball and got crunched, presented well, doesn't move like a statue. Thats an upgrade on T Mac.

They had Max King but we had King Max !

So pleasing to win a game like that. Toughed it out and stuck to the plan May awesome. So pleased for him. Rivers will be a gun Nice goal by Weid in the 3rd. Liking what I am seeing from him Salem was clean tonight Also big shout out to Dougal Howard. Hold onto the ball as long as you like champ. Thanks mate

Saw this quote tonight which I thought you would all enjoy: If you want to measure an angle, use a protractor. If you want to win a game, use a Petracca.

May and Trac won that

The media haven’t picked up on the fact that he’s been an outstanding recruit and has completely filled a need we were crying out for - competitive winger that stays involved the entire game. If Richmond or Geelong recruited him the media would be all over him.