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It's to confuse the opposition. Horethorn: probably think 195cm is $195,000 they're paying Clarkson per month to stay home. Carltank: the height they thought they were getting with Brock McLean. Jeelong: 195 is the amount of times Duckwood cheats per season. Meth Coke: transfer fee they're paying for Glen Bartlett. Essendrugs: the amount of mils. in each injection. Gold Coast: the amount of priority picks they take. St. Kilda: the amount of 'rain' that used to fall at Linton Street on the Friday night before home games in the 1970's. Colinwood: can't count which ever way you present numbers.

Is it just me or is anyone else disproportionately excited about next Sunday?! My son told me he’s gonna bring his new girlfriend to meet me sometime before xmas. I says, cool… pretty much any day other than December 5th. Last weekend my sister invited me to her work xmas do. I says, it’s not on December 5th is it? Coz if so, I can’t make it. Then this morning a friend asked me to her husband’s birthday bbq which is on December 5th. I says, I can’t go, remember? I’m going to the Premiership event at the MCG. She says, Really??! Because of that footy thing? 😳 that “footy thing.” Henceforth, she is dead to me. 😁 Soooo excited for it!!!! ❤️💙💕❤️💙

Not sure if it's been mentioned on here but the RSN interview with Goodwin last Friday was magnificent. He opened up & let a few things out, the one that stuck with me was this; During the pre season the coaches were down the beach together having a few beers when one of them said they could sing their own version of "This Is Me" from The Greatest Showman, Goodwin said as funny as it was he saw a deeper meaning to it & used that as our theme during the year. So much so they played the song during the warm up of the prelim final & all the players & coaches broke out signing the song together.. Great insight to him & the playing group, I recommend having a listen! https://player.whooshkaa.com/shows/rsn-breakfast-club

Max said much the same re analysis in his article today in the age. He bemoaned the lack of understanding the media have of the modern game and how he can’t watch afl because of it. I think Goody is different to the intellectually curious coaches and managers you allude to. I may be mistaken. In my view, Goody is more a “manager” type. I don’t see it in Hardwick either. But they both stuck with a sound basic strategy, built lists to execute it, and got the culture right to perform. It’s such a lesson for other clubs that it usually takes time for a list to develop to execute a strategy. What strategy works for list A won’t for list B. Burgo talks about this a lot in soccer on his podcasts where the difference between the physicality of the press strategy requires completely different players to the possession based strategy’s. There are similarities in AFL but not as pronounced. As Goody has the right people around him now it doesn’t matter if he is brilliant or not. His limitations showed when he stuck to some flawed tactics for long periods of time that other coaches could easily exploit, especially when the pressure was on, and he clearly didn’t have the right people around him to point out the issues. The entire thread about whether he was the right guy was after his experimental strategy was ripped apart by Clarko and Hawthorn. Richo was the master of exploiting the holes on Goodys gameplan and was a great addition for us, Yze fixed Goody’s “win contested ball at all cost” stoppage strategy, and Choco in my view likely kept coaches and players on their toes in a way that didn’t seem to happen from 2017-2020 when we always seemed to get ahead of ourselves or not handle expectations. 2021 was all about Goody managing all of these people and the players and making it work. I really don’t think Beveridge should be mentioned in that elite coaching group either. His “genius” to handball out of stoppages and hit form for 4 weeks in September 2016 has resulted in a 5 year leave pass and in him being credited as tactically brilliant whenever the dogs have success, but never criticised for their failures. And some of their failures are all on him, like their lack of midfield defensive running, flawed defensive work at stoppages, a defence that is terrible 1 on 1, and the result being a flawed strategy where they can leak goals (like 16 in 28 minutes of playing time in a GF). His strategy is flawed yet he is credited with being a genius. That makes no sense. The really elite coaches all have been first with a new point of strategic difference, and built unbelievable cultures and lists to execute it and created sustained success for long periods. Roos turned the game on its head tactically and won a flag that no one believed was possible, using systems imported from US basketball that even the AFL CEO didn’t understand. He broke a longer drought than ours, and put in place a bloods culture that still remains. Clarko moneyballed the AFL with elite kicks and got 4 flags from it in 8 years. But it wouldn’t have worked without the culture. Leigh Matthews was different in that it was more about culture and psychology. But he’s a 4 times premiership coach, and if you listen to him on dynasties it is no less impressive than what clarko did. Goody will be seen alongside these revered coaches if the culture and success is sustained. Worsfold built the Eagles from a rabble in 2000 and 2001 to a flag in 5 years, but their culture sucked and he didn’t get what he could of out of that list. I don’t think we will be a one hit wonder but only time will tell. If we only have 1 flag to show by 2025 Goody will always be respected for 2021 but seen more like a Worsfold or Chris Scott than Matthews or Clarko. I’d prefer he is a future AFL Hall of Fame legend alongside Norm Smith.

Media still confused about whether 2021 was Melbourne's anomaly, and feel 2019/2020 is the better predictor.

Non-premiership-winning coaches to experiment with old fashioned wingers who run up and down the flanks all day. Same coaches to experiment with new fangled ruckmen who are skilled enough to double as athletic ballhandling midfielders in the same contests in which they are beanpoles winning tapouts. Same coaches to try out players on their lists who are too tall to be small forwards and too short and light to be KPF, to find one who is fast on the lead, with good hands overhead and quick reflexes. Lists will be exhaustively turned over trying to find this player.

Only one outcome/prediction I care for 22 🏆

Just name them "gawns". It could become a measure of football grounds, like "sydharbs" is to water capacity. For large distances, like between grounds, you might need megagawns or gigagawns.

On a related note, I loved reading the Melbourne bit in the below article: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2022-round-1-teams-afl-draft-2021-recruits-most-likely-to-debut-in-round-1-at-every-club/news-story/5c63c76358ba821c57a2ba5437d54ee1 Round 1 verdict: The draftees most likely to debut immediately at every AFL club MELBOURNE Three great national draft selections for the Dees, but it’s going to be a tough task for all of them to break into the reigning premiers’ senior team early. Perhaps the best chance would be first-round selection Jacob Van Rooyen. The 193cm and 91kg utility, who played a few games at WAFL league level for Claremont this year, will walk into the Demons with a strong frame and the ability to play inside either 50m arc. The biggest obstacle, though, is there’ll be a few gun players – at either end of the field – in front of Van Rooyen. But a strong pre-season from the WA product should still put him in the mix. Honestly I could have predicted this would be written up as the prediction for us, both from my own analysis and also because of the cookie cutter script Fox Sports use for these articles. But I still just liked reading the parts about us being premiers and how all these experts are fawning over our list all of a sudden.

Not sure if this topic already covered, but it was a heart-warming experience. I was in my local Warragul sports store the other day and was disgusted - but not surprised - to see all this merch from the big clubs but typically nothing for Melbourne. Went back a few days later to pick something up and told the sales guys I was disgusted there were lots of AFL jumpers but no Melbourne jumpers. His answer was that all Melbourne stuff was sold out.

Would be fitting having another NT boy to don the number 45.

Jeelong are stuffed and will be extremely lucky to make the 8 and if they do it will only be that of there 20something games at Moggie park they play all the bottom 8 teams twice! God I hate Jeelong😠

Let’s cut to the chase. One prediction for 2022. Back to Back!

Interesting when they were speaking about grown men brought to tears, this is me. When I was in the queue to meet the cup yesterday and turned the corner and there it was. When I gave it a hug. Every time I watch the replay (even the third quarter of the prelim). When I hear our coach talk about getting some feedback from champions of different industries on what it takes to back it up and win again. Bang. Bang bang bang. I'm a bloody mess, but a happy one.

22 degrees... cloudy and medium winds forecast for next Sunday. Sounds good !

Don’t forget #32 in our previous premiership Barrie Vagg. And why move a successful Tom Sparrow from 32 to 2 ? I always remember that Liam Jurrah was only half the player at 24 than he was at 48.

I don't know about anyone else but I will be booing at the top of my voice when Gawny's goal is called a point.

I think Howes will play games next year, maybe wing H/F, he looks like a very accomplished player to me. Nice to see he was stoked to be at Melbourne, it wasn't that long ago that recruits would have been praying that we didn't pick them up. I'm proud of what this club has finally achieved, destination club, Hell Yeah.

birthdays! pfffffttt, you get one every year, common as muck now a premiership 🏆 you waited 57 years (well some of us)......that's really something special

Rosman to be the BIG Improver next Season on what I saw at Training and at Casey!

Omicron

My favorite character shared the same surname as jumper number two. As for our new recruits, I can honestly say I believe the club can do no wrong with the selections they make these days. We have winners on and off the field in this club.

From an AFL article: IN A DRAFT pool that is dominated by midfielders, Jacob van Rooyen stands out. Then you throw in his 195cm frame, the strong marking, hard running and batch of blond hair and it is easy to see why the West Australian has caught the eye of scouts.

Yeah, that struck me also. I have now seen him variously reported as 193,194 and 195cm. Let’s make sure we get the tape measure out when he starts preseason.

A pretty revolutionary concept duzza. I’m sure you’d find JT would know where the coaches are planning on developing him.

I’ve got too much time now that I’ve overloaded on GF replays. You have contributed some great stuff on here. The stuff on loadings was gold. Burgos latest podcast with Choco is worth a listen as well https://brukieandburgo.podbean.com/e/brukie-and-burgo-with-choco-williams/

These different strains could go on for ever, I, for one are not going to worry about it , in Australia covid is about the 38th reason you could die. If I was to spend my time worrying about dying I reckon I may be concerned about the top 5 reasons.

Geelong to defy gravity yet again, finish top 4 and exit the finals in straight sets.

Jordan De Goey (nor any other Collingwood player) will NOT be in the headlines for all the wrong reas… sorry, I can’t keep a straight face. My real prediction is Carlton to make the top four. And the rest of us will finally ‘know they are coming’ albeit 13 years late. 😁

Ratten sacked Geelong name a successor Famous Carlton identity seen wearing a tin foil hat The Weid has a break out game, again The Pies ask mr and Mrs Daicos to pop a couple more out Daisy Pearce voted Aussie of the Year Dogs report on GF result is just 2 words : What happened? I forgive Tom Scully (there goes the credibility of this post)

“The Demons handed over picks No.22, 79 and a future second-round selection for the 23-year-old, while the Dockers gave up Langdon, pick No.26 and a future fourth-round selection”. So to get Langdon we paid a future second rounder (pick 38 2020 - James Rowe?) and dropped 4 spots from 22 to 26 which got us Rivers (after dropping back a few more spots) In summary we got an out and out bargain

I absolutely believe it's a genuine story and I guess that says "This is me!" just about as much a your post @Skuitalso says "This is me!"

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-advice-that-supercharged-melbourne-captain-max-gawn-and-the-advice-he-d-give-20211109-p59777.html

I thought that JVR was 194cm (Swarta size) for a start and possibly with some growth in the tank. Surely they can get the minor details right.

I doubt it. If that was the case, another club would have made us pay something for him. He is what the scoreboard says he is. A late selection. Good luck to him.

BAILEY DALE??? WHAT ABOUT CLAYTON OLIVER??

GWS to make top four Back to back Dees flags BBB Coleman Medalist Bailey Dale- Brownlow Wooden Spoon- West Coast

been sent down a mad dad's army left turn as a result of this thread...loved watching that with my mad demon grandpa to bring the topic back to howes, we looks like a membrey-type to me more than mackie be interesting to see how they develop him cos his marking, decision-making, and his disposal all look good in that 2-min clip

I smiled through that whole article. A great read.

In 1986 I managed a Sydney-based wine company in Melbourne. One of my clients was the Marquis of Lorne. I was attracted to a woman who worked there. I asked her out, the venue, The Melbourne Concert Hall, the occasion, a Leeuwin Estate sponsored visit by the Staatskapelle Berlin. She agreed, specified she would pay for her own ticket, then she suggested we have dinner afterwards. We went to a Bistro in Bourke Street. I ordered Clos De Tart, 1980. It was $125 on the list. Halfway through the dinner a waitress who had been a friend who she hadn't seen in years walked past. She asked the waitress to sit with us and because it was her last shift there she said why not? She then ordered another glass - one of those huge balloony things which held half a bottle - and she poured the rest of the Clos De Tart for her friend, yes, half the bottle. After I had paid the bill - this was after she had insisted she would pay half - she asked me if I could drop her off at her boyfriend's house. I mention this in light of this great article about our Capitano Max who at the end of festivities after the GF sat with our Angus on the roof of their hotel and drank a decanted bottle of Clos De Tart. Apparently it costs $1500 these days. It's a Monopole, you see, and that ain't a Polish thing...

Howler have done a premiership beer, no idea how this tastes but the label looks good. https://www.howlerbrewing.com.au/shop/melbourne-fc-premiership-beer

Melbourne will win the flag in 2022😊

Spoke to two people in different AFL footy departments today and both said to me unprompted that they where looking at Blake seriously for picks they had before we got him. One ended up drafting based on "needs" he was filthy as he wanted him but got overruled. Said he was a beauty and would've gone higher if he played more this year.

I think the writer got Neil Daniher's saying the wrong way round. Wasn't it "when all is said and done, more is said than done"

Ill still be waiting fulfilment from the demon shop

Adelaide will make the 8 after a pre season under Burgess

I just want to refute this narrative that Paul Roos developed young talent, and changed the club culture. I suggest you listen to a podcast by Dylan Buckley with James Harmes, which was recorded in the week leading up to the GF. Harmes said that when he started at the club, which was the same time as Roos, the young players weren't given any guidance as to how and where they would fit into the senior team. They would just play for Casey and hope they could break in. Now all the young players are given clear guidance as to where they'll fit into the team, and what they need to do to achieve that. Case in point is Jason Taylor coming out and saying Van Rooyan will be developed as a forward. I'd also suggest you listen to Dylan Buckley's podcast with Max Gawn. It goes for over an hour, and covers a lot about the club. When asked who changed the culture of the club, Max said one word, "Goody". When talking about Roos, Max laughs and says that the players loved it when Roos arrived. After training 9-5 under Neeld, Max says that Roos was a family man, so would leave training at 1PM. So the players would leave after him. And listening to a recent interview with Goody, the only compliment he gave Roos was to say that he delegated authority. This narrative that Roos changed the culture, and was a big factor in our flag win, has to stop.

Tipped this 😀

One last one for the road, here's Big Benny Brown! And that's a wrap! Thanks for tuning in!