Farmer

Don’t think we would have beaten Blues with the injuries suffered in the Prelim. Not that it matters much but the 1987 GF was played in extraordinary heat

Didn’t we win the night Grand Final in April 87? Brett Bailey kicked the winning goal

You are quite right! That happened after the Dees had won . But a few minutes before our win Dunstall kicked the second last goal at Geelong. We were all grouped around transistors and such a roar went up that the Footscray/ Melbourne players believed that their siren had gone off. Play stopped for a short while . Best football day ever in my memory even though I saw all the 1950s and 60s flags . And it must be said that watching the GF in 21, albeit on TV was pretty damned good

Not often the last three pages of the leading Melbourne paper ( The Age) are devoted to US. And they all present a positive outlook! Perhaps a response to Max’s stated views about the coverage of Michael Warner in The Hun “ I don’t read anything Michael Warner writes”!

I think he CAN play. Several very good periods for Casey especially as a ruck/ forward . Was ok in the one full match he played in the seniors early this year. When he came on as sub v Hawks he was right alongside JVR and it was hard to see room for both , but I concede that I was disappointed that day

Played well in second half IMV

Agree entirely. He was good in the first half when very few were

Hold on. He had most of his best players out! In my opinion, a very mediocre win by the Dees

I think that is a very important issue. Many of our fellows looked buggered

Oliver? My godfather !

It’s a fair point. I watched him closely on replay and was much more impressed than I was at the match

Having watched the replay he was very serviceable. Got it a lot under extreme pressure. Yes he missed a couple of goals , but IMV at present he is better value than Woewoden who missed many tackles

You are correct and I have been a detractor . On another note I’ve read criticism of ANB and Jordon. IMV , for this match anyway, the criticisms are unfair. Both got it, a lot, in v tough circumstances . The odd disposal error but they were good value. Interesting that Jordon was preferred on the ground, in the last 10 minutes to Sparrow

I would have thought so. But he was ordinary for Casey and Schache pretty good . I would play the latter

I’ve seen Schache in some very good ruck work, so I prefer him.. in the long term JVR will be a v good player, but for reasons I’ve set out I would like our two great rucks to be given a real chop out

Largely agree with this . Melksham kicked two great goals but that’s all, and history shows he is unlikely to repeat. At the end last week, Max was completely cooked, yet he and Grundy were on the field last night for a long time, filling in as the extra tall on forward line. And neither took a grab . Woewodin was just ok, but what is his role in the team? I think we must play Schache for a few games. Let him ruck in the forward line, giving Max and Grundy to have shorter time on the ground and refresh . Josh is a lovely kick , if he gets a shot anywhere inside 50, he is likely to convert. And if not Josh, some other tall must play .

That is just fantastic. Thanks so much. Every time one watches it that Bulldogs fan with the cap looks even more depressed!

I think that’s absolutely correct. Can’t understand how anyone could overlook the contribution of Jackson.

Radio commentators today pointed out that everyone seems to need a week or two after coming back from injury. Stick with him

Because of quite appalling coaching. He decides not to play Stef Martin or Schache, plays a novice, Young as first ruck, and leaves English forward almost all night . Got smashed in the middle, hardly any inside 50s and it was a disastrous result for Melbourne . If we lose tomorrow night our season could be over on Saturday fortnight, if Footscray had won we would have finished first or second and had an easy run

When Kosi kicked his last goal we were 35 points in front. Port were dispirited and buggered, there were 7 minutes to play. I’ve known some Melbourne teams not as good as this one, who would have Won by 50 . Even the last goal by Dixon was quite costly. If we miss a top 2 position on percentage, we will think about a few passive last quarters when we haven’t poured on the gas

Zero

I disagree that he was poor v Swans in difficult slippery conditions. From memory he kicked three out of not many

We need to try something else. Play him at CHB in the twos . It worked with both G Lyon and Neitz. They both returned as much better forwards

A few of us discussing the turnaround on Friday night and trying to remember a better one by MFC. have a look at R8 of 2017 v Adelaide at Adelaide. 28 points down half way through Q2 , then we kicked the next 9 goals against the top team who lead the comp all year before losing in GF. Ended up winning easily. Goodwin moved Tom McD forward for the first time ever I think and he kicked goals. But the unexpected spark came from Tomas Bugg! And Pedersen rucked most of the night with some help from Jack Watts . And a gorgeous part of the video is a v loud ho ho ho from a Dees supporter whenever we goaled .