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Franklin is originally from Perth. I'd be worried about the go home factor if we recruited him.

Your wish has been granted.

Nick Smith is still 4-6. Normal programming resumed!

He doesn’t deserves anywhere near 750k, heck, the Swans offer of 500k is generous imo.

Ah yes, completely change everything weeks out from finals, have a game plan that is a weekly proposition, stop defending kick ins and yell some abuse at them... All when we're 2nd on the ladder (by percentage). Seems reasonably well thought out and not an emotional reaction at all.

This year's indigenous jumper isn't my favourite of all the art works/designs we've adopted, but I do like certain aspects of the design that I hope we will retain: Mindi the devil snake in particular! From a design perspective, the white and black Bunjil (wedge tailed eagle) is what I think throws the balance off a bit. And I think that if that image was in red and blue people would get around it much more. Here is all of the designs we've had if anyone is interested: http://www.footyjumpers.com/melbourneindig.htm We've stated in our RAP that "our vision for reconciliation is to unite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with non-Indigenous people through the game of AFL". This doesn't just mean once a year. If wearing an indigenous art designed jumper 4 times is a method of helping bring those groups of people together, then that's a good thing. If non-indigenous people think "it's too much" or "I just want our old jumper back" then perhaps they are the people who the club are patiently leading, by taking them on the journey they have identified with the indigenous community in development of the RAP. It's also possible they'll never be convinced, but the representation and visibility matters, and it will have a positive impact on the next generation coming along regardless of some people holding out. So, everyone is free to dislike the particular artistic design (although as something we have commissioned and chosen and has meaning this is lightyears away from the forced clash jumpers of the past). But the concept and frequency? In a week where NSW announced it was taking it's flag off the harbour bridge, and a year where the VicGov is progressing a treaty and the federal government is making strides too, this isn't going anywhere.

I really hope the club makes the decision to wear our normal home strip this weekend. I have no any issues whatsoever wearing an indigenous strip once a year like years gone by, but four times in a season is overkill. Particularly this one, which is probably the least striking strip we’ve had and just doesn’t look like a football jumper. Mates of mine reckon it looks like a pyjama top and it’s hard to disagree with that sadly. I know there’s more important things to worry about, but it’s worth making this point.

Biggest downside to losing is the trolls come out to play, that and Essendon/Carlton supporters being up and about...Personally I think an 8th forum called 'Troll-land' should be created on Demonland wedged between General Discussion and Forum Help. Anyone condemned by the mods as a consistent mouth-breather should be locked in there, and we can visit them and poke them with sticks etc.

There are performance trends that correlate very strongly with last year. It’s a matter of when we play teams not who we play. We’ve hit contenders in our mid season run this time with other factors such as injury also playing a part. We looked just as sluggish last year but the stats will be different because we are playing different teams in different positions. Stats don’t tell the whole story. Injuries tell a lot of the story too. Teams trying different methods against us are also part of it. I’m not sure why losses to contenders are worse than the losses last year to bottom dwellers by the way. When I say what will happen once will happen again that doesn’t translate to a result, it translates to our ability to perform at an optimal level. This doesn’t guarantee a win. I go to all our home games and without question there is a difference from us against the saints or tigers or whoever else from early in the year in the way we cover the ground, get off the mark and get to the contest etc. I didn’t have the luxury of being at the ground v Geelong but we were slow off the mark, which is all I could see on tv. That to me says sluggish. Even without loading as a factor, the 5 day break and a tough, hard game in Adelaide against a 5 day break and a training run against a team that rivals us at our worst could explain the difference there. I’d also throw in kardinia park being no good for us. I was tearing my hair out at times last year during winter. The gws game in particular, after the Adelaide and Collingwood losses really worried me. I wrote us off. Things changed and I think they will again but you are right it is speculative. All of it is. The running in mud look is awfully familiar and doesn’t last forever. That’s where my hope lies. I think everyone is trying to be objective when they talk about our performance. We are all doing various versions of guessing though. The loading argument is speculative but it isn’t without merit. It’s been admitted to this year by Geelong and us last year. There are signs of it across premiership teams of years past when seasons are looked back at. The only real difference I see between your analysis and the loading is the loaders are trying to view things over a longer time scale. Im Sure some of our short terms stats worry the coaching group week to week, no doubt. But there are layers of perspective to look at them through. I just think wait off a few weeks before the doom and gloom kicks in too hard based on last year, and I don’t think that is a ridiculous stance.

If you mean Laurie to be an emergency, fine. If you mean Laurie to be the sub, no way. It's disrespectful to any player to play his inaugural game as the sub. And I seem to recall the club has already said that it won't select a first-gamer as the sub.

Seriously, a loss really brings out the worst in Demonland. Wearing the jumper in Sir Doug Nicholls Round, NAIDOC week and a game in the NT all make sense. If you want to complain, complain about our NT game not being scheduled in Sir Doug Nicholls Round or NAIDOC week. But remember of course that the jumper we wear has literally zero impact on our performance. Literally zero.

We are in the second best position we've been in my lifetime at this stage of the year. I'm genuinely excited about the next 2-3 months.

Bigfooty. Not a lot to say. They seem a bit fixated on ruckmen. On one hand, Gawn and Jackson could dominate us without a proper ruckman. On the other hand, Gawn and Jackson dominated us earlier in the year with a proper ruckman. Not sure how I feel on that… …...and we didn't kick a goal for almost three quarters. The point about the game earlier this year is Finlayson and Dixon did not play so when Lycett was injured we were forced to use Todd Marshall on Max Gawn for the second half and it was a match up made in hell as far as we were concerned. I think Charlie Dixon might offer more serious opposition. I also think our midfield is a lot sharper these days and our forward structure more productive so go with what we have. …We exist to play teams back into form, we've done it for years. On that basis I wouldn't read anything into any of the above. if we double team Fritsch do we get a Fritsch sandwich? 🙄 Oliver had surgery on a fractured thumb, but is still a chance to play. Same injury would have Fantasia on the sidelines for 12 weeks. More than zero goals in the first half, pls. This game has typical Ken Hinkley Port Adelaide written all over it. A close loss and a chance squandered against a legitimate contender. The players either man up & win or they do the usual and nothing changes coming into next week. Undefeated at Traeger Park. Reckon we make it 4-0. My favourite: This is a bit cruel but made me laugh: Holy s**t Jarrad redden is still playing SANFL? Fat ruckmen & forwards do well at SANFL level. I love seeing the fat blokes out there in the sanfl, it highlights what an elite sporting comp it is

Short memory. Do you remember the middle part of last year at all and how ordinary we looked? If you’re going to bag everyone who isn’t a doomy gloomy such and such at least be accurate. Most loaders have discussed how we looked just as poor during this period last year. Which is accurate. Yes injuries play a part as well. Also no one thinks oh it’s fine we will still win the flag. They think we will show a lot more before the season is done. That’s never been a guarantee of a flag.

My take on the season & how it is unfolding 1. Injuries…the type of player we have lost & also injuries in games have hurt us badly this season …didn’t have that issue last season . That has meant players in different positions or playing in different structures which brings a lot of different pressures. Players missing big chunks of the season will take quite a few weeks to pick up their game form & there are no easy games to do it in. You can’t change your whole game plan because we lost TMac so it’s figuring out in season the best options. Also VFL this season is def below par & so to me it makes sense to play Gawn & Jacko into form in the AFL. I watch the VFL closely and am a tad reluctant to get too carried away with players form in that comp 2. Every team has had 6 months to study us & work out a plan to beat us. We are the Premiers & the Hunted & nearly every team we have played this season has played out of their skins. So the players have to learn a different type of mental resilience & pressure along with getting themselves up every week. I don’t think it’s a surprise that our younger players are often in our bottom 6 or so. 3. Of course there is loading etc which is just another factor and would contribute in some way to our current form. I absolutely believe we are a ” work in progress” and don’t doubt the belief and talent of our coaches and fitness staff …they gave us probably the hardest premiership to win & deserve our support. It’s a really tough year and will things turn …I hope so. Have no doubt that when MFC is on we are still the team to beat . Our form in the last 4 games of the season will give us the answers.

Note to future self. Avoid threads with subjects in all caps. They are full of nonsense.

Trying to be constructive here for the guys on the pod; but a few thoughts. I simply have trouble listening to this curse/loading stuff for over a third of the year as the pivot of all our ills. And the way it is delivered is almost gaslighting which I think is what Andy is reacting to - it simply isn’t the solution to all our issues. Every team of note does it and it may play a part in form issues across the league amongst OTHER things that can be discussed without the constant retort being about loading being the reason for whatever issue is seen. I enjoy listening to the thoughts on the pod to challenge my own and I find the pod more enjoyable than the Deebrief where you can go 20 mins with only hyena-like laughter, in jokes, nicknames of players, and pure nonsense. So well done, but … pls…pls

Panic stations for you, it is poster's like you who would gladly see the club derail the work it has done over the last 6 years. I can see your tears from here.

This is almost the zenith of MFCSS.

I am really enjoying this year. Great drama and entertainment as we rack up the wins then fall off the pedestal, then steady again. We haven't hit our straps yet as we struggle with connection, cohesion, ruthlessness, and hunt. Our defensive structures are strong, the mids are nearly the best going around, we can pressure when we want. I can see us getting back to scoring over 100 points and/or piling on heavy scores in a short time. In the past, we would make bad decisions throughout the game, be fumbley, overuse the ball, miss the simple. Now, being more mature and confident, our failures can be remedied within the game and are less existent. The opposition have to play hard and bring their best to compete with us. It is no longer us struggling to stay in touch or be competitive, it seems to be we are always within striking range to win it. Again, an enjoyable place to be, given where we have been in the past. Even a loss is a bit, nah and not as it used to be, where the next ones become must wins, just to be in finals. Good entertainment, hoping we keep growing, learning, and getting stronger. Go Dees.

Wouldn't waste my breath mate - there are so many on here who know what they see but are in denial, clinging to last year's dip and just assuming history will repeat itself Beggars belief how any honest, reality-entrenched supporter could watch us over the last 6 weeks and think we'll go anywhere close unless something changes forward of the ball. In case it isn't clear: -our 3 starting small forwards are collectively averaging 1.9 goals a game. Spargo has 6 for the year. ANB 4. A commentator in the GC game on the weekend commented that Nick Holman has 'only' 12 goals for the year in a half forward role. That's how low the bar is - and they're 50% away from reaching it. -Fritsch is consistently taking the best medium/tall defender whilst we insist on dumping it on his head in the pocket. He's done well to kick as many as he has and he's well justified imo in getting selfish when he gets the opportunity, given the scoring woes of his colleagues and his ability to Fluke goals when within range -Ben Brown is consistently playing against 3 tall defenders and/or a floating ruckman on the wing. He doesn't spend much time near goal which is bizarre given his underrated creative ability and ability to draw a free kick -the last two weeks Trac has kicked 20-30% of our score. Resting forward perhaps but we then miss our most game breaking mid. Robbing P to pay P. -more generally, harmes and Gawn having productive goalkicking years has spared the forward line's blushes. In my view if we're relying on midfield and ruckman goals in finals we'll be in trouble -Tom Mac last year averaged more goal assists than anyone else in the side. Including petracca. People have always slept on Tom's ability to mark on the wing, find a target, or ride a tackle deep 50 to dish off a handball as a big senior body. He also kicked 33 for the season in 2021. We've no one who can replace this output and this is compounding, contributing to and combining with the issues above. -think very clearly about the shots at goal we had and conceded In the Freo and Geelong games in particular. We have had an absolute dearth of easy shots within 35m in the middle section of the field. Geelong had by my count >6 on the weekend and we were lucky they missed so many. At the same time, we were only close through trac hitting running goals, brown slotting unlikely goals from the pocket, and a Fritsch shot from 55. The system is not generating the shots we want or restricting it in others. If we're honest with ourselves, it's pretty inarguable. But many can't bear to admit it so they reach for ridiculous explanations - loading, extenuating circumstances, mirroring last year, faith in the coaches, the fact we won in a canter last year, the general vibe of things, the shape of the ground, the weather, the short break, the fact we're everyone's grand final, 'keeping our powder dry' (takes the cake, my favourite), Lloyd hating Melbourne, the colour of the sky and generally anything that can conceivably have a negative connotation. We can all follow footy in our own way - I choose not to be deluded. I'm not saying things can't change, but I really don't see where it's going to come from. Debuting JVR/Laurie etc might be nice and I could foresee JVR playing Tom's role as he's all heart, but expecting Tom's level of output from him at the pointy end is a big ask.

In theory we could still finish on top more likely 4th and that's a tad optimistic on current form. We have pretended they have been loading for the last 8 games( I mean seriously?), took a while to get going early because they started late (Premiers after all) and recently lost to Geelong because we tricked them into showing everything and we showed nothing ( it keeps gets better and better). My theory is that injuries have been an important problem and lack of professionalism crucial. What to do? I reckon they are good enough..look at the stats over the season and the challenge is really in the hands in the coaches...Goodwin especially. Plan B ?????( at long last)????perhaps restructure game day plans that no one will see coming according to the opposition. It won't be Petty up forward; in case you haven't noticed he's patching up a backline that needs help and doing it admirably..why would you move him ? Stop wasting Kossie "defending " kick ins..he's not an AAA+ battery robot ffs. Suggest a move that includes May kicking in occasionally to the right hand side..NO ONE will see that coming@ If someone is sore..give him a rest NOW. Try one , just one, left field promotion from the " twos". Read the riot act.....then get Choco to do one one commentary where there are pieces to pick up. You guys are obviously experts (especially Bluey) let's hear some common sense and no mention of Weideman

Yeah, after all, he’s only 11th on the Coleman award ladder and the Swans’ best, with 34; compared to our best, Ben Brown, on 21. Buddy’s not worth much at all 🙄

That would be the same simple simon who has coached the club to 35 wins out of the last 43 games including the premiership, okay Einstein. Now there are areas of the game that most likely do require a bit of the tweak, but there is no need to bag him.

He's not a free agent based on the list released by the AFL, meaning we'd have to trade for him. Plus, the story is just Franklin's camp postering, and are clearly trying to get a better deal from the Swans. He wants it public that he's been lowballed and has threatened to play elsewhere so that the Swans up their offer from $500k, to his desired $700k-800k. The Heraldsun is happy to go with the story for clicks and advertising cash.

Good to get back to superstition and mysticism 16 games after a flag.

I’m quite confident going into this week. Not expecting a smashing, but hoping for a return to a grinding Melbourne win.

65,756

Don't have the answers to your questions @Spargonicus but it will be a very different game to that early this year. Earlier they had no Dixon. Wines was subbed out at half time. Lycett hurt his shoulder but played on. Somehow they kept Oliver to a low of 19 possessions and he had little impact. So it is anyone's guess how this game will play out. But we have Home ground advantage but not sure we will have Home crowd advantage. Hopefully, the fans get on board the Dee premiership train and barrack for us. I hope the club takes The Cup to Alice and let people there enjoy it, like we did. Ever the optimist: Dees by 3-5 goals. Just enough to keep our % above 130!!

This thread sounds like the guy who says “I’m not being negative, sometimes a realist comes across as negative because others can’t handle reality” or something along those lines. But in reality they are indeed a negative Nelly

Never heard so much garbage on here before, fmd.

Maybe but blind hope still trumps MFCSS

I'd be completely shocked if were not wearing the indigenous design this week. Playing in Alice seems like a very appropriate move. The jumper has no effect on the result. Continuing to wear the indigenous design as/when appropriate shows that our clubs commitment to reconciliation is league leading - the majority make a token gesture for 1 round only.

Was that back when we had a single red line running down the middle of the jumper? Or when we had just a red collar? Maybe it was when we had the horizontal stripe? Oh wait, you probably mean the royal blue one? Wish game day would hurry up.

[censored] it IRW, I like your hustle..! Just on kozzie I'd like to see him spend more doing at centre bounces. I reckon it adds a whole new dynamic to our midfield rotation. And just on rewarding players in the twos, I also dont mind the idea. Some fresh faces can sometimes give the team some energy and life just like Bowey did last year. Could it be Laurie? Chandler? JVR? Time to start actually rewarding form and not rolling in the same names that we have this year.

🤣🤦🏼‍♂️cmon mate you have to be kidding. Spargo was instrumental in us winning a flag and has more forward craft in his little toe than what Hunt has.

I wasn't sure if this was done due to it being colder in July, but you're right - should have been in the Sir Douglas Nicholls round.

We should definitely read the riot act. Purely because it sounds cool.

100x this. We all knew it was a blight on the game and went against everything the AFL claimed to be doing to protect the head when Selwood started doing. Now kids have grown up practicing and perfecting the “art”. Gutless by the AFL. Unfortunately no one is surprised.

The AFL messed up the fixture badly. We played Freo in Melb during the Sir Douglas Nicholls fortnight. That game should have been in Alice. It should have been a prime time fixture not a Sunday afternoon. It was the best and most respectful time to wear the jumper and also at a more sensible time re the season

I'm not worried. Max has always said (privately) we'll win two in a row. It's a long season. We'll need to win three finals. We are capable of that. There's no perfect model. Every team has issues.

Anyone wanting a splash more confidence and belief? https://www.afl.com.au/video/798583/who-s-your-premiership-tip-?videoId=798583&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1657656000001 Twomey and Riley Beveridge still backing us on the AFL Exchange. Sara Olle too. They're far less reactionary and clickbait than the channel nine commentators, and follow trends/stats more closely.

I see the things you and others are seeing and discussing. Poor inside 50 entries, forwards out of form, small brigade struggling to kick goals and get more than 5-10 possessions (Spargo, Kosy, ANB) etc etc. But I ask myself why are Goody, Yze and co sticking to the plan, and largely backing in the personnel? Is it because, after spending their full week analysing things, and putting plans together they can’t see the “obvious” things that people on Demonland can? Or is it because they feel like they have a good handle on the reasons why we are playing the way we currently are, and where we will get to? Just 2 weeks ago, after the Lions victory, the assessment was we can’t and won’t be beaten by anyone when playing in that manner. Now suddenly the world has come to an end, because apparently you need to be able to beat the cats in Geel to win the flag. The swings are reflective of a severe case of Bipolar. PS. You forgot to add, carrying 2 ruckman clearly not recovered from injury in the list of excuses above.

This is a more pertinent topic. Post-bye we only play consecutive games in the same STATE, let alone venue, once (Rounds 21-22 at the G). Geelong, meanwhile, play more games in Geelong in the last 8 games than they do in their first 14. It feels like this happens every year. Our back half/third is loaded with travel and movement, whilst other clubs seem to get runs of games at home.

Geez this is some pure tripe.

IF and when, poor guy. So many opportunities this year - defence, attack - but never available. Feel so sad for the guy.

If wearing different jumpers makes even the slightest difference in performance, then the club has a big problem.

I recommend the melkshake and a knuckle sandwich

One of the more interesting things for me is that people keep saying, “We aren’t at our best. We will flick the switch. We were like this last year. Our best is still the best.” For me, I think our best last year was the best. But I don’t think we will get to that level. We pretty much have had a full list most of the year, a few injuries but not like 5 missing from our best, we have a game plan that’s been countered and I haven’t seen our counter to theirs. Or a new play. the run home will be determined by is playing above what we are now, but unless we have a new tweak to the game plan and imo some much needed positional changes we will not suddenly rise to the absolute heights we did last year. still means we are a chance to win it all, but it won’t be a demolition like last year, this run home will determine how well we hit September.

This is what the run home looks like: Many 8pt games among the top 8 (red and blue) and a fair smattering of their games vs teams 9 to 12 (green). Even the teams in 13 to 18 can do damage. We are 1 game and significant % above 5th. % is difficult to move at this time of year so that % gap is virtually another game. By my reckoning: The top 8 is set 15 wins needed for top 4. So we need three wins. Our % is an extra buffer. I don't know which three we will win but I am certain we will win three. 17 wins or even 16 +% needed for top 2. Any team on 11 wins or less needs to win at least 5 of the last 6 to make top 2. Given that Freo, Lions, Blues and Pies also have a very difficult run home, our chances of top 2 are excellent! So never fear, dear DL's. The question isn't which games we will win, it is who is in a position to dislodge us from top 4 or top 2? So for mine, top 4 it is and top 2 is ours for the keeping! Anyway, I think we can win it from anywhere in the 8.