qwerty7

Just wanted to take a moment and share how special last night’s win was for one particular reason - Charlie. I am involved with the charity Challenge who reached out to Melbourne to help organise this. Charlie met the team earlier in the year in the lead up to Ben Brown’s shave and his whole family are diehard demon fans. Charlie's family has been facing considerable challenges and receiving less-than-ideal news, so Challenge reached out to Melbourne, hoping they could arrange something special for the family. The whole MFC went above and beyond to make it happen for Charlie. They were phenomenal. Charlie also got to attend the training session in the lead up to the game, and it was funny because he said, "I'm really worried." When we asked why, he said, "I'm worried we won't win this Friday!" Well, Charlie, the boys got the four points for you and gave you and your family a memory they can cherish forever. I always want us to win every week. But last night, it felt like a Grand Final, and all I wanted was for them to win it for Charlie. I'm so glad they pulled it off. Sure, we weren't perfect, but that doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that the night was perfect for Charlie. Well done, Melbourne Football Club. Proud supporter.

No May? Laughable really. He - or Trac - will win our B&F.

Good point - I didn’t think of it like that. But I guess rules are rules, and if you break them, even if no real damage was caused, you’re punished. Really sad listening to this. Sounds like Harley is not in a good place at all and I am glad the Melbourne FC is trying to reach out despite all that’s happened. Very, very sad.

I noticed this too. Was very short with the journos and dismissive of their questions. But I liked it! Also loved seeing the passion from Goody on the boundary line in the dying seconds of the last quarter. Even though his normally rehearsed speeches don’t show it, the bloke does really care about the club and the players love him too. May said post-match that they all felt for Goody this week and wanted to perform for him tonight. A good sign as it shows the players are still buying the system and have belief in their coach. The pressure isn’t off Goodwin yet, but promising signs tonight. I don’t know if I’ll survive next week, but today’s win was great. After two really poor performances, it was really important we bounced back tonight - finals or not. Go Dees!

Totally agree. People forget he is a first year player, but what he has already shown is super exciting. Yes he has had quiet games, but that’s expected. With a few more years under his belt, I can see this kid becoming a star of the competition. In my opinion, we nailed the draft. Jackson, Pickett and Rivers are all going to be guns.

I also wouldn't dismiss the Hawks either... they are due for a win. Had a shocking loss to Adelaide, but nearly beat Saints, Essendon, and Port. Their last win was in Round 9 against Carlton. Could be another upset looming!

I didn’t think it could get worse than the Sydney game. How wrong I was...

Agree, and I think he will turn it around too. I always thought he would have a slow start at Freo given his circumstances. He is a supremely talented footballer, so I expect we will see him soon (at least I hope we do!).

I agree with you that Jesse has been through more adversity than most in his life, but what is he to do if Freo aren't playing him? He is reportedly training and fit, but Freo are overlooking him at the selection table and apparently trialling him as a defender. If he doesn't get a game this week or the next couple of weeks, you have to wonder what Freo are doing... He is too good to be playing in the reserves. Obviously all rumour and speculation right now, but if there is disharmony between Hogan and Freo, and Peter Bell decides to trade him at season's end, not wholly implausible to suggest he may make a return to Melbourne FC. The only other possibility which would preclude Melbourne would be if he were to go to West Coast. Total speculation and all of the above probably won't happen. I don't see Freo trading Hogan at the end of the year, but if it were to eventuate, Melbourne surely has a chance.

Plausible. If he doesn't get a game at Freo over the next few weeks, will be interesting to see what happens. https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/08/21/watch-this-space-does-hogan-have-a-future-at-fremantle/

He’s on SEN now for those interested.

It’s odd they have split Rowell and Anderson - maybe we have made an agreement to give them pick 2 for King?

was quoted as a sprained ankle i believe in the press conference

I strongly agree with this, but that is not to say I think our game plan is perfect. Of course it can be improved, but I think if our players were fitter and we had some key personnel in the side we would not be sitting at 2 wins and 5 losses. It really is as simple as what Goodwin says in press conferences, the players aren't connecting due to lack of fitness and key personnel missing (May, Joel Smith, Hannan, Lewis, Lever, Jetta, Vandenberg, Viney). Obviously some of the injuries are new and some happened in preseason, but how can you get a strong and functional game plan when you are missing key players like Smith and May, with whom you trialled structures and so on in the preseason. All teams go through injuries but this in conjunction with individual player's like TMac's terrible form is why we suck atm... We came in seriously underdone and we will pay for it, but finals is still a slim possibility. I am not getting my hopes up but as long we keep the effort there and eventually get into form, we will be great. Collingwood started patchy this year - though not as bad as us - but they exploded Friday night. We will get there too, just a matter of whether it is too late or not. We as supporters and the players cannot get carried away though, Gold Coast won't be easy and the boys need to come out with the same ferocity if they want to win. Go Dees!

Unfortunately it seems that this season is done and dusted, but I still haven't lost hope in the club. We have a great list (though it still can be improved) and I believe in Goodwin. He is learning too through all of this, and there is a pattern with these new coaches. Look at Buckley's first couple of years and Hardwick's as well. Goodwin's first two seasons as coach have been great, and though the start to this season isn't fantastic, it is not a cause for panic. I know some people don't like looking on the bright side, but this season could be a blessing in disguise. It often happens - happened in 2016 with Richmond and they went on to win the premiership the following year. It happened with Collingwood and then last year they turned it around. Even Geelong back in 2006, the year before their premiership, they missed finals after a promising season in 2005. It happens and sometimes it works out to be the best. Of course there are scenarios where it doesn't, but I feel our list is too good for us to continue on this negative trajectory. I think teams - especially young ones - always need a dip down the ladder to achieve great success because it shows that no amount of talent can take you all the way without relentless and unwavering hard work. It kills me that this is likely another season down the drain, but long-term, I reckon it could work out for the best and show us the flaws of our game plan, what we need to do and recruit over the offseason, to ultimately give us a genuine shot at the premiership. Yes, we have been rebuilding for years, but this isn't a rebuild - it is the refining phase and if Goodwin is a good coach, he will know what needs to be done (and his track record over previous preseasons has been pretty good, so I am backing him in). Personally, I think we need to recruit new coaching staff; add some speed to our best 22; and maybe, depending on how the rest of the season progress and we get players back, find a key forward. Maybe we are bottom of the ladder, but we all know that we are better than that.