dazzledavey36

Was having this conversation with the old man yesterday and we were discussing the best Melbourne teams for the last 20 years in competing for the flag. I started supporting the dees back in 1998 and to this day think that year was the missed opportunity of a flag. More so then 2000 even though we played off in the grand final. In 1998 we had a great blend of experience and youth and our forward line imo was the best in the business. We had Lyon, Ox, Farmer, Neitz and Robertson who were incredibly hard to stop in the back end of 98. Our backline was solid enough with Shanahan and Ingerson. We had a champion ruckman in Jim Stynes who was happy playing second fiddle to a young Jeff White. Todd Viney was our elder statesman in the midfield surrounding by youth once again. Unfortunately the finals campaign back then really [censored] us over. We thumped Adelaide in the first week in the final and they go on to win the flag.. In 2000 we were a young team who copped a much fierce and combative Essendon, and looking back they completely bullied us. We weren't built with tough nuts except Ox and Neitz who would play the flag, but other then that it dropped right off. We had a great forward line, and our midfield was build on run and carry instead of contested. Our backline was still sound, but a bit like 2018 we leaked goals far too easily. I honestly thought after that year we were in for sustain success with the likes of Bruce, Green, Wheatland, Whelan and Powell who all came in and contributed straight away. 2018 was a bit like 2000. We timed our run perfectly towards the back end of the year but exposed once again for our immaturity and leaky defence. We looked amazing attacking teams and playing on our terms, but again lapse in games cost us (Geelong and St Kilda come to mind). Looking back, going I to the prelim with Oscar McDonald and Sam Frost alongside Joel Smith as your main pillars in defence was a recipe for disaster. Hence why we immediately targeted Steven May. Our forward line was pretty potent with Hogan and McDonald and our midfield was certainly right up as one of the best in the comp when on song, but it lacked maturity. Which brings me to 2021. I'm taking into account that we are only half way through the season and a lot can happen still. But stats will point us to being a serious flag contender. Our midfield and defence have been the absolute key pillars for me in being in the position that we find ourselves and I think come down to the team buy I defensive mindset and mantra. It's honestly the best defensive structure and backline I've ever seen in my time supporting the dees and certainly the most potent midfield as well. We are still tinkering with how our forward line looks, and I think that's probably what's been the biggest positive for me, is that we've won games where our forward line hasn't really hit its straps as we liked. For me our best forward structure is when Ben Brown is in there.

He took 1 contested mark for the night?

No because May can play on a small like Elliot or DeGoey.

Sheesh.. Far worse [censored] going in the world then worrying about a couple of giant cardboard heads at a football game.

Pot kettle black here. Maybe ring Mark Williams and Greg Stafford and offer your expertise. Save yourself the embarrassment tiger.

This is a completely poor logic. You have no idea how it works, so I'll leave it at that.

Of course every player has a small role to play. But how can you say he played his role when the coach clearly says otherwise. When Goodwin says he wasn't given a specific role and was in fact quiet, then the coaching staff feel he wasn't up to the required standard they expected on the night.

No mate you've had a shocker with that post.. Blaming the club for Weidemans development? Spare me seriously.. It's not Jack's Watts/Cam Schwab era you know.

There you go. He's an absolute passenger. I honestly rather Jones then if we want an experienced campaigner. At least he loves the physical and defensive side. The sooner he's out of the team the better.

Get that up ya..

SEN interview this morning. He had no role last night and was simply quiet.

But Melksham didn't play a role last night. Goodwin has confirmed this and stated that he simply had a quiet game.

Not only that Sparrows adds great forward pressure in our front half. Melksham is non existent. In fact he didn't lay a single tackle for the past 3 games in a row. Let that sink in.

But Melksham was playing wing and half forward last night? Whereas Sparrow played inside Mid/half forward. So technically going off your theory Melksham is the obvious out for Langdon as he was playing wing at stages of the game.

Sparrow? Exactly he contributed and added another element to our midfield rotations.. Played 58% game and laid 6 tackles for 19 disposals and a goal. Justify how Melksham stays in the side on the back of that performance?

I'm guessing he's named purely that he might battle to get up with his shoulder injury.

Please don't drop Sparrow again. He along with Jordon just add a different element to our midfield mix. Super tough and courageous.

Mate he was phenomenal. Dead set channelling Jack Viney with his hardness and clearence work. He was absolutely superb.

Exactly my changes. Is Sparrow in trouble? He was bloody brilliant.

I'm speechless.. To the point of tears..this is what it's like to support a genuine top team of the competition. Simon Goodwin you are the man. The boys run through walls for you and you deserve every ounce of credit coming your way. Went through a family separation and all the talk was he was next on the chopping block. Kudos Mr Goodwin.

Omfg!! ?❤?❤?

C'mon boys!

Your goal Weideman.

Sam Weideman 1 disposal, Melksham 2 disposals and Hunt 2 disposals in a half of footy. Absolute disgrace. I'm off Weideman. He's [censored] useless.

Pickett keep your bloody feet!