deespicable me

I strongly dislike (hate) how we say things like "that wasn't the Melbourne way" and "we need to get the game on our terms". Goody says this sort of thing all the time , the players say it and we the supporters say it. It's most parts rubbish. Do you think Scott goes into the rooms after the game and says "gee how lucky were we, Melbourne didn't play the Melbourne way tonight." True pressure came on and we crumbled. Is ANB fumbling the "Melbourne way?" It certainly seems to be the ANB way. ANB is now a player who doesn't really want the ball anymore. He'd rather wait till his opponent picks it up and then tackle them. His 1 wood is tackling. Forward line pressure. All very well but how about we create goals rather than stoppages. He needs to be a player in his own right, not just some bit part player deferring to the "stars" of our side. Playing a role. Bad coaching. He could be so much better. Some of these "role" players need to be given more responsibilty. You be the man. Stop relying on others. We are going nowhere.

Thats it. We're done. People will laugh and carry on about negativity but this is the first time this year I've posted such negativity because I wasn't sure until now where we stood. But once again Scott has shown us up as absolute pretenders. As an example Spargo comes on and plays fake tough man and gives away 50 metres. He should have spoiled. How many times did Geelong spoil the ball. Thats tough. Not what Spargo did. But no-one will tell him off. If he spoils that ball like he should have, everyone gets around him and is energised. Instead he'll get dropped. Look at Rohan. He was about as quarter as good as when he came across from Sydney and their coaches turned him into a good footballer. Tanner Bruhn in his 11th game for the Cats starred out of the middle. We'll win enough to play finals and may even look dangerous as we head into finals but make no mistake. We are pretenders.

Yes it was one of Scotts strategies to be very physical with Bowie and not give him any time with ball in hand. Really unsettled him and he had problems for the rest of the year. They will more than likely try something similar with McVee. I'm not sure this is a good game for Bowie to return.

The thing is this game is one of the very modern great rivalries. And the AFL are disrespecting our standing in the game and the rivalry by playing the game at KP. 2021 we showed them up and it was one of the reasons for Geelong's change of game plan and man-management systems. Chris Scott hates losing and although I dislike him and half the Geelong team, he plotted and planned to take us down in 2022. We were soundly beaten, looked like we didn't even see what was coming and were totally out coached. It was a cornerstone game for Geelong's assault on the flag and our meek finish to the year. So ...1. Why are the two past premiers only playing once this year and 2. Why down at the cattery? The AFL are totally disrespectful to our club and should be asked to explain. Don't think this won't be a cracking game of football. If we don't understand how important it is to get the ascendancy over Geelong we don't understand the gang mentality of footy. If we are to win the flag this is a must win game. If we enter the game like last year just thinking we'll win, even though they are down this year, they will have plans and be super switched on. We have to beat them and kill off their 2023 campaign. This is nothing to do with whos out there but the attitude of every player to win. If we don't we are kidding ourselves.

To highlight how random umpiring can be remember last week when Grundy in a ruck duel out bodied the North ruck who then scragged Grundy as he lost his balance and fell to the ground. Razor came in to give a free to Grundy who didn't wait for Razor to award him the free but just grabbed the ball and ran back getting ready to go. Razor more or less in a show of petulant power one-up-manship awarded the free to the North ruck for Grundy slinging him to the ground. Max then followed Razor down the ground chirping at him. I would love to hear what he said. Anyway I'm sure Razor changed his mind to teach Grundy a lesson. But what is much worse is that the frees nowadays in over 50% of occasions can go either way. They are just random. Virtually every other sport on the planet has upped their game to improve the spectacle, reduce bad umpiring mistakes and let the players decide the outcome of matches. The AFL meantime think the problem lies with us.

I agree. First it was a hospital ball. Second Van Rooyen had every right to try to spoil as he was within distance if he ran at top pace. Third. The only reason he missed the ball was because he was trying not to collect the Suns player as best he could. If he just went to hit the ball with no regard for Ballard he would have connected but it would have been worse for Ballard. You can see by the way he sort of reaches down JVR was actually trying to hit the ball but not collect the player. He wasn't quite successful but there was clearly no malice and a part of the play. It was a hospital ball.

We got the better of the umpires in the fourth quarter but the Suns were well favored in the third by getting 4 frees in front of goal for 3 goals 1. The only time the commentators made reference to the umpires in the third was when Fritsch arm slapped the Suns defender to stop him marking (which was probably a free) and Kozzie ran in to goal. The commentators were openly barracking for the Suns. They're professionalism was pathetic. MFC should complain. They were the main instigators of people saying how lucky we were.

I say NO to this prospective deal, but I said NO to Grundy, NO to Elliot from pies, NO to getting rid of Hogan, definitely NO to Jack Watts going and was even upset when we passed on Gysberts. So I've had a crack and got a pretty terrible strike rate, so unfortunately I am banned from having an opinion "in this space"

I'm heading over without a ticket as well. Seems a bit sad to go all that way to watch it on the tele but my own fault. I completely missed the urgency. Would also appreciate any help. Happy to put in for a box or whatever. Thanks

Hopefully Taj Woewodin can get back from injury soon. I think he's got a lot of potential but if he doesn't get a bit of luck and get on the park he won't have a career any more.

Terrible coach. St Kilda and Gold Coast were about equal at the end of last year in potential and most would have had Gold Coast ahead of Saints in pre-season prognostications. I had both outside top eight. St Kilda only have about 28 players to pick from yet they have desire, structure and purpose in spades. I don't think I've seen a better example of coaching making a difference. He's a weird bloke Ross Lyon but he can certainly coach. A couple of those players are going to be stars of the competition. To name a couple Owens and Caminiti. And just a note of sobriety to all our frothing at Freos failures (myself included) that Caminiti was last player on a list in 2023, overlooked by everyone. Draft picks don't win premierships.

Totally agree. I thought it was his best game for the club. He looks to have fined down a bit and has been coached to keep movement on the ball. Super fit and looked the 3rd best midfielder in our team. Went straight past Harmes in one game. Reminded me of McRae from the Dogs. Really hope we keep playing him and find a way to keep him on our list.

Okay. If we need to look at resting a player who is our most important player over the next 5 weeks who would that be?...............waiting.........waiting. Okay I'll give you a clue. No I'll just tell you. Grundy. Shoey's out so we will just win the clearances anyway. BB and Grundy out. Pickett and someone else in. And stop trying to figure out which in form and hungry player to drop. Job done.

They look like they are really struggling to kick a winning score. 52 points then 72. Every game is losable if your average for column is going to average under 70.

Seeing a lot more kids barracking for the Dees now.

I always wonder how finals work. Do the players get their weekly equivalent, do they get bonus's for winning finals and does the Afl pay for all that and is it seperate from the TPP? Apart from the glory and players natural competitiveness is it worth playing in finals or getting the extra 4 weeks off?

Yeah fair enough, I shouldn't be knocking someone with that motive, that drive show on SEN with Andy Maher is really bad though.

It's sad really. I think he's given up. He's lost sight of himself. Everyone thinks he's a fool so he plays the fool. The whole industry is sad really. So many ex footballers out there who think they're comedians. My pet hate is (obviously not an ex footballer) Andrew Gaze. Had a very decorated career and now has created a terrible caricature of himself as this over enthusiastic fool who thinks he's funny. Just too sad.

Death Taxes and Anamoe

This is a real problem for Luke. He had trouble passing the concussion test when he was at full fitness. He'll have to study hard if he's going to pass that test. Could take years.

No-one here has gone much above $1.50. He's 23. The next 3 years he should be able to continue to improve. He's now got the body to tackle and he's as fit as anyone in the side. He just needs confidence, which will come as he becomes a mainstay in the side. I'm buying for sure. $2.50.

I have been to a few pre-season training sessions and here are my thoughts. Forwards JVR to debut round 1 alongside TMac and Fritta. Ben Brown looks really well at training but I am guessing they are holding him back and his aim will be 10-12 games and be one of the fit ones come finals if we make it. I think they may rotate them a bit. Schache is the injury back-up. He can't hold a mark but is an option to "create a contest" if one of the other 3 go down. Chandler is being set up for Kozzies role in the forward line. They may revert to Kossie at some stage but I think Kossie might be played almost as a wild card through the middle and forward of centre. Chandler has had an excellent pre-season. He is almost a lock to come in. Spargo has had an excellent pre-season as well and is a lock in his position. His work in Match sims has been very good. This leaves a few headaches with ANB who should hold his spot. Harmes and Melksham are candidates to miss. So the main 6 in my mind will be Chandler, Spargo and ANB as the smalls and JVR, TMac and Fritta as the main targets. Harmes or Melksham may get a go as the 7th forward off the bench, especially if they take the teams to 23 and no sub. Lawrie is a long shot but should move to the midfield for Casey and if he goes past Dunstan who is an injury back up at best then he may get a go in the second half of the season, and those that think Sestan is a chance in my humble are kidding themselves. He is strong and he will take his chances near goal but his weaknesses are glaring. He gets caught with the ball a lot and his disposal is poor. Has a lot to work on. Jefferson in one pre-season has been impressive. He is a natural footballer and has a lot of upside. Saw him on Wednesday after one play completely exhausted and unable to chase or compete even so clearly isn't AFL ready. An ideal youngster to take through the VFL system and should be a ripper in a year or two. Not sure about Howes. I like him but I'm not sure where he goes. He is the player that I don't know about. Mids Apart from the obvious we have Jordan, Sparrow, Hunter, Kossie and Grundy to fit in. It is probable the mids take 8 spots of the 22/23. Gawn, Trac, Oliver, Viney and Langdon are locks. Only injuries or inexplicable poor form would rule those 5 out. Jordan has been excellent in pre-season and looks ready to be given a full time crack. Having said that I'm not sure where but he and indeed Sparrow should make up the mid rotations. This still leaves Hunter, Grundy and Kossie without spots. I'm getting into trouble here. I think Woey is a mid as well but must be behind these players. I'm hoping he tears it apart at VFL level and pushes up for a second half year debut. Backs May, Lever and Petty and I think Brayshaw are locks. Brayshaw has done all pre-season off half back. Hibberd was flying in pre-season before getting injured. He may be over-looked for early rounds. I talked to Salem who said the thyroid issue shows up in blood tests. His reading is low I think. You can take pills to control high but only rest helps low. (I'm not sure what blood read out they test for and I'm clearly no doctor but he has to go through a pre-season build up again and keep his blood levels even.) I suggested mid -season and he was pretty sure if all goes well it will be early season. Either way 2 players who are mostly best 22 probably won't be there in round one. So we have only 2 players to go or 3 if one extra goes to the bench. Choosing from Rivers, Bowey and Turner as the main candidates, with McVee and Deakin Smith as others well in the mix as most here have indicated. Both McVee and Smith have had good pre-seasons with McVee being used with intent. He and Turner, depending on size of opposition forward lines may share that role. I hope Rivers and Bowey are the two who make up the six backmen. Tomlinson will be a great full back at Casey and could walk into lesser teams, but I think has gone behind Turner. Joel Smith will probably get his body finally right in time to move on at the end of the year. Farris Wite should be someone to watch at VFL level. He is really quite good. I think. He needs to not get injured and play 18 odd games at VFL level. With the talent he has around himself and the obvious progress he has made in just one pre-season, he is an exciting prospect for the future. Adams looks good and will hopefully play 10-15 games at VFL level, hard to do taking on guys older and stronger so we wish him well. Plenty of depth and a lot of fun ahead. Hopefully we see the team develop further as they need to.

Talk about premiership hangover!!!!

Yeah again I mainly agree with you, lists do change quite a lot, and surprisingly quickly, I was just putting forward an opposing view. I think they are both worthwhile views and quite opposite to one another. The other thing to take into account is money. Every list needs balance whereby the wages of your bottom paid players, depth and developing players, can be just as important as your stars. I will be surprised though if our 2022 recruits get much of a show in their first 2 years. But hopefully it makes them hungry.

I agree but the opposing argument is also valid. That being that we have a team that is already hard to break into with Bowey, JVR and maybe Turner, Woewodin and Howes etc wanting their chances, to pick up a kid who's upside is fringe at best seems like a waste of resources. Given our draft position it will be very hard for the 'class of 22' to have any impact on our AFL team in the next two to three years. If Taylor and co. get an AFL talent into our side in the next two years from this years draft they will have done a very good job.