At the break of Gawn

2 hours ago, Nasher said:

Lots of theories around why Goodwin and Burgess didn’t mention the injury when given the opportunity, but isn’t the simplest and most likely explanation just that they didn’t know about it at the time of the reports? it seems like the type of injury that a player could probably attempt to conceal and not alert the club staff until a few days later when it didn’t seem to be getting better?

I think @goodwindees mentioned that surgery was already booked by the time the players finished up on Sunday night.

My best guess is that Burgo/Goody didn’t release the news because they wanted to see how the surgery went and what the surgeon’s advice was on a return to play. That way they can give one update such as “had surgery out for 2 weeks” rather the news being fragmented over a couple of days.

1 hour ago, Nasher said:

Beat me to the punch, I just came to post this. Great question from Gibson, who obviously reads Demonland (hi Ben) and great explanation from Goodwin about the need for calm and clarity in the box.

It’s these types of answers from the coach that convinces me Goodwin is a high quality leader. Stuffs me why supporters would prefer a coach who loses his cool and cracks in high pressure situations.

I’ve been watching all the video content the club has put out lately, and Ben has been doing a really good job. His questions are well thought out and often asks similar questions to what a supporter may ask. This is another great example.

1 hour ago, A F said:

I find this bit really strange:

He found his way back into the team in the middle of the 2015 season, and soon made a breakthrough. From there, Gawn hasn't looked back.

"It was purely just marking the football in a game against St Kilda. I took maybe two or three marks and all of a sudden, I felt like I belonged," he said.

We decided to play two rucks against Geelong in 2015. It was Corey Enright's 300th. I was at the game and high fived Gus and Jetts after the game. Max hadn't been in the team and was brought in for this game. He took 2 or 3 really strong contested marks and to my eye, hasn't looked back since. 

It could have been that we played St Kilda after this and that's when he felt really at home, but to me, he exuded a confidence in that Geelong game.

He played the week before against the Saints and took a few grabs (just checked 2015 round 11 via AFL app). That was the game where they won by a kick right before the siren after Toumpas left Montagna unchecked. It was this loss that caused some soul searching and helped us with that big win against the Cats. 

I thought Brayshaw was actually pretty good. His kicking was a bit off, but still a good game.

Also seriously impressed with OMac, I’ve been a big critic, like many others on here, but he’s put on good size over the preseason and looks quite reliable now.

I can’t think of anyone who had a poor game today, it was one of the most balanced team performances since the ‘18 finals series. 

He'll get there if he deserves his spot. The club can't gift games so that individuals can reach personal milestones. Jarryd Roughead was close (283) but didn't get to 300 either. 

So glad we got the win. At one stage in the last qtr I had the thought that a first gamer is single handedly ending Neville Jetta’s career.

For once I think I can say that we won it at selection. All 4 ins fired.

6 - Viney. Almost gave it to Gawn but Viney was unbelievable with his attack on the footy from half time. He did everything possible to make sure we didn’t lose.

5 - Gawn. Immense game and has been in awesome form. 

4 - Salem. Awesome first half and really set the tone with some aggression and clean entries.

3 - Petracca. Would have probably been BoG if he didn’t kick at like 40% efficiency. Clutch goal though at the end.

2 - Langdon. I felt some of his hard running really helped us get into great position.

1 - AvB. His second half was huge and won a heap of crucial contests.

Apologies to Hibbo who continued his excellent form.

1 minute ago, Luther said:

Strangely optimistic, I think something might click tonight.

Feeling the same way. Think all the media heat and the hub will galvanise the group.

3 hours ago, Redleg said:

Melksham has to be on his last chance this week.

His game was pathetic against the Tigers and worse against the Cats, where he cost us several goals.

He is in on reputation and not form.

He's a mate of Goody's since Essendon days "Citing his friendship with incoming coach, Simon Goodwin, as the key reason for his move to Melbourne" (source wikipedia)

Hibbo is also close mates with Goody. Hibbo took his dropping on the chin and has come back to reward Goody with some fantastic efforts so far.

Melksham, on the other hand, is taking advantage of this friendship and putting in some [censored] poor efforts. Goody needs to drop him and make him earn his spot. 

Thought I'd revive this tread... Do we have a full-time forward coach yet? Or is it Justin Plapp performing it a long with his role as midfield coach? Seems awfully ironic that the worst i-50 converting team in the AFL doesn't have a forwards coach. 

2 hours ago, PaulRB said:

No Changes.

Build continuity.

This site would probably crash if "no changes" are announced again. 

24 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

This is taking the [censored] now.

Goodwin was stubborn and arrogant is not willingly let Frost stay at the club. He put all his eggs in the Lever and May basket and that's now looking like a blunder and a half. Meanwhile we have 700k defender who doesn't even actually defend and rather skirt packs and point the finger at someone else for his own [censored] up (see On The Couch vision) 

One of the greatest coach in the modern era saw something in Frosty and took him on board. That says something and that's enough for me.

I'll take Clarko's opinion on Frost over yours.

Hard not to agree on this.

I don’t think Lever would be in the Hawks best 22 at the moment while Frost seems to have won Clarko over at this stage.

10 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Blame can't be solely on mods here mate. It's the same personal of midfielder's that were running around back in 2018.

I blame the turn overs. The mids run forward, as they should when your team mate has ball in hand, then someone does an inexplicable turn over that catches everyone unawares and the other team streams forward and our defenders have no assistance.

Again, this is attributed to the fast paced style that Goody demands the team to play which has a high risk of turn overs. It’s a high risk game plan and we simply do not have the skills to handle it. Goody needs to drop it ASAP.

The guys spent about 15 minutes discussing Melbourne. Gerard even said in the opening that he thought this was team was the best on paper in the last 25 years. Lyon disagreed with this, due to the fact that too many of the players lack basic fundamentals (e.g. kicking). He pointed to the fact Melbourne persisting with this “red zone” play on at all costs footy, and that we don’t have the skills that can sustain at this frenetic pace leading to some of these horrible skill errors.

Melbourne has persisted with the play on at all costs game style (no.1 play on team in the AFL) which certainly is coach driven and can be backed up by interviews with players such as Gawn.

I think it’s time Goodwin drops the “play-on at all costs” game style as this list clearly doesn’t have the skills to execute it.

Edit: They also dismissed the notion of that the players aren’t playing for the jumper and that Schwartz’s comments were too simplistic (and I agree). The effort is evident with most. The only vision to disagree with this was Lever’s horrible “meltdown”’ (Lyon’s words) where he didn’t even fly for it and then looked to blame others.

As David King put it, he just gets junk possessions. He's not damaging at all with ball in hand. I'd rank him at the same level as an Adam Treloar at the minute.

45 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Clarkson is the main one and if you look at his protoges they have largely done very well....

The only protege, excluding Bolton for obvious reasons. who's not already a senior coach is John Barker. He might be a good consideration. [Edit: There's also Yze who might be a good option].

Voss could turn out to be a disaster or could be a master stroke. Lots of risk attached with that. 

Astounds me how far this team has fallen. We’ve played one good qtr for 2020.  

23 minutes ago, Pipefitter said:

I ordered a whole bunch of stuff which all shrunk In the wash. I’m glad our sponsors are in as poor form as we are. The only difference is new balance actually gave me a refund.

Haha I also made the same mistake, but only shrunk a little bit so I’ll just put up with it. I only do a cold wash for them now.

3 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

And as the lowest scoring team in the AFL that’s working very well.

And it’ll be another dour affair this Sunday with us kicking about 5 goals in total due to our lack of real targets/goal kickers.

A bit harsh on Brayshaw, thought he was one of our best and kicked 2.

Salem should be everyone’s biggest worry. That jog after the 50 was a disgrace. He should be dominating now yet he’s just an average half backer. He’s gotta be up for trade at this years end you’d think. 

Just now, Vineytime said:

He has bulked up considerably through his torso - chest & back but it has cost him his agility...

To go with that he couldn’t keep his feet, if he is to be our main focal point up forward we are in strife. 

He looks like he has concrete in his boots at times.

I wonder if the biggest issue is that he can’t handle the no.1 defender? He was great in 2018 playing the 2nd best but since Hogan has left he just can’t beat his opponent.

6. Gawn

5. Trac

4. Oliver

3. Rivers

2. Hunt

1. Langdon

2 minutes ago, W I S E said:

Unpopular opinion. In round 1, Weitering kept Tom Lynch to no goals, no marks and 9 touches in a Richmond win.
 

Maybe the narrative should be a little more about how good Weitering’s start to the season is, rather than how poor TMac was.

This comment is spot on. Weitering is a star and could possibly be AA this year. He gave Tmac a bath and I reckon he’ll give a few other gun forwards some more.

I’d like to see how Tmac goes next week but he’ll have either Hooker or Hurley on him.

Just saw this too. Anyone here got any idea who it may be?

Did Lever train today?