nrc73

I wonder if he was referring to himself or other supporting MFC coaches.

I agree it's hard for majority of supporters to determine who really needed a rest, but sure the fitness department would have a bit more data at their disposal, to have some sort of idea about players' thresholds, endurance, etc. Isn't that what they spend all pre-season assessing?

I think the story is as much as Wagner's "pretty good" decision making, composure and reliable delivery .. as it is about the difference between that level of performance and the person he replaced. The back line of 4-5 years ago has almost been fully replaced. There were sections of the game you knew we were going to have to absorb it defensively, but I never felt really nervous about it. I think Frost had some good moments - it's a great for the coaching staff to see what his talents are and where he might fit in, but I think he was very lucky we weren't punished on some of his fundamental errors, as we might have been in a closer game. Whoever sorted out Hogan's game plan deserves recognition. Had a massive impact up the field and it didn't leave us reliant on some of our fringe talls.

Where's the dislike button? Agree or disagree, the OP was streets ahead of the effort being put into posts in the main post game thread.It resulted in those screen shots which were very insightful. The OP didn't mask anything, he called a spade a spade. Instead of making generalised statements like, why not dare to be more specific? I haven't looked at Dunn lately, but Garland & H have worried me for some time, but Saty is quite right - who do you replace them with? Salem has been tried (with a lot of success), but from NJ to BV rotating through the back, it's pretty obvious the coaching team are worried about what's happening in the backline. The midfield is an incredibly complex area now with all the rotations they have, particularly with the new rotation cap. It can't be helping to have so many different people trying to run it out of half back.

Dunn didn't look comfortable with the VC mantle from early on. Surely other saw that too. Very happy with leadership choices, but seems like a lot of changes - did they get last year's group very wrong? I thought Lamumba, Dawes, etc were brought in for that purpose. What does that say? The only query I have about the group is Tom McDonald. He might really take the next step on field this year (and hope he does), but probably would have waited another year, let him show consistency like Viney. No forwards in the LG?

I think we're going to see over the next several years that the AFL are already in a lot of trouble, much like Cricket was in the wilderness for approx last 5-7 years, before it pulled itself out of it.

The comment I (think) heard on Channel 7 last night was that one of the judges believed that 7 of the 32 players shouldn't receive the same sanctions. WADA code apparently doesn't accommodate separate outcomes. If that is true, I have a problem with that. Been scouring the CAS findings here http://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Arbitral_Award_WADA_ESSENDON.pdf .. might have to wait until I retire to read it all, lol.

Of course

Refreshing to read something so positive on here.

And silence in response. Bit over ppl in this thread saying this person and that person rubbish but not coming up with their own preferred draft sources.

If there's anyonevhe needs to model himself on it's Jake Neede. Otherwise agree with Poita

Thought Daisy's speech was the best of the lot by far - to be honest a little less than impressed by the clearly inebriated state of some of the guys. And lol, posters really do line up to pay out on Picket.

Not impressed and likewise doubt if he's really in the best 22, but I'm reserving judgement until MFC learns to run and spread (like Freo do).. I think one of the biggest issues (after leadership) is lack of system/run/anything coming out of defense. Likewise, can't see how H's match day leadership qualities keep him in the leadership group.

As much as the game was a preview into the future, can't help but think we do at least OK without Dawes and Hertier. Would like to see win/loss or outcomes of games this year with/without those 2. Would have been a much different game with Mummy in the ruck for GWS, but was good to see a bit of confidence about the guys today. Harmes is young is often finds himself running into traffic, but even before the GWS game, I could see he was taking the game on.

I predict it'll go like this - AFL will bring in some new rule I.e. limit number you can sub last round. The clubs will follow that rule but only play half a game unless there's something at stake. Then it'll take the AFL about 10 years to take the hint and actually set a bye before finals.

When the new TV rights deals was signed, the AFL were all too eager to state that they still maintained control over the fixture. The finals are the show case for the game. September is what most of hang out to watch all year. The AFL ought to be protecting that by allowing a weeks' break between home & away and finals - another reason to have a 17 round season.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-09-04/media-conference-roos-on-cross Really happy with Roos transparency of the process, that the club would have liked to have waited for trade period to see where they stood, but that Cross was seeking an immediate resolution. See both sides of it, more comfortable with it.

We've seen this year we have some real ability and dash at times. Can't help but feel that the only way we'll take the next step up is if there's a massive change in the quality of leadership. You may laugh, but I think by and large the guys bring plenty of effort each week, but not belief and it takes a lot more than just the captain to drive this. If anything he should almost sit in his own tier above a (strong) leadership group. I actually think the leadership changes/improvements are far more important than who they recruit in the off season.

How about not hand balling to s stationary person. Ever. Makes it a bit harder for the opposition to come from and sack you in less than half a second. How about shepherding drills up and down the whole ground. Make it real. One ball carrier, Two ppl attacking the ball carrier. One person doing the shepherding, using the full length of the ground. And a little less of Tammy's meditation classes, more Octagon action.

I watched the whole game and it was clear to me that Freo took the edge off their intensity, did enough once they had a 10 goal lead. You didn't need to watch the game to know that Freo (who have finals in a few weeks) were absolutely conserving energy. Check our last 4 results and it would have been closer to 100 points.

Just watched 'Roos Views' for this week, noted how he wants his players to 'get angry' and how he'll address this in the off season. I think we have a match made in heaven. If these players need an injection of angry, maybe it's time we put a few players in the boxing ring with some of our angriest supporters every time there's a 10+ goal loss, see what comes of it.

Breath test before you can post

I watched the game against the Bullies with a lot more objectivity than I normally do. I'm sure I'll get shot down for this, but it wasn't the lack of effort that I really noticed - I think for the most part it was there. We're going from a team of no structure or clue, to a team that has a limited number of patterns & structures which are entirely predictable for any team that does a modicum of homework against us. Nate Jones is a very good player, but I'm not so sure he does the run and spread like Vince, Brayshaw (and to a lesser extent Garlett) have done around the centre this year. And I agree about this stop and prop business. We've been doing it for 20 years and it's killed us the whole time. The other thing I noticed was the amount of shepherding the Bullies did for each other to usher the ball out into the wide open and the almost complete lack of it our players did in comparison. There's so little protecting of the space for team mates compared to the other successful teams. So frustrating to watch. Almost like the players behave as robots, only following instructions to the letter and not taking it upon themselves to go 'right 4 goals to zip down during 1st quarter, make changes now or the game will be over'. Who was it not obvious to that the Bullies came out red hot?

Lol on Pederson.. that's what you get for typing on a tablet.

Just watched the entire game, came to following conclusions: - Grimes no longer has a future in the side. He was asked by the coaches to work on run out of the back line but does not have this skill and agree he lacks the awareness. His mistakes are morale destroying. - Noticed Dawes being overlooked as a lead a number of times. His team mates no longer trust him and its the body language and way team mates interact with him that make it obvious his team mate don't rate him. - Missed too many shots (maybe half a dozen) and were lucky Collingwood did the same.. In a closer game this would have created a lot of pressure - Agree Jetta possibly the most important of the back line based on his ability intercept and mobility. - The back line did well, but Collingwood were running with the youngest, most inexperienced forward line seen in many years - Desperately need Frost or Peterson or backup ruck. Gawn most improved player but a long way off having the tank for a full game with this new intensity. - A less predictable forward line crucial. Very clear that Watts team mates look to him for good delivery into forward lines but its very clear that Vince and Brayshaw are the best at delivering to the forwards - Viney just doesn't let up all day long. A gem.