In Harmes Way

You're better than this Smokey, just walk past if you don't like it (or ignore, which I found worked wonders with Matsuo).

I'd have expected the message to sound like: We've averaged 91 points against since the break, we'll be working hard on defensive running in the midfield to stem the bleeding We don't have a forward line that can kick 90 points - we'll be going back to a 2014 Roosy approach where we embed defence first. Especially in the wet. We will win this game by limiting opposition scoring opportunities. Speaking of the wet, we saw again last week after half time that we're still too cute with a slippery ball and over possess, as we have been since I started as coach. We saw first hand from a good wet weather team how to play in those conditions and we'll be drilling the players to implement the same this week. Our quality of disposal on a turnover isn't great - we're not going to go flat out at every opportunity because we've seen that we just give the ball back far too often. I'm frustrated, and I know our supporters are frustrated. We were good for half a game last week. Yes - there's something to work with, but you don't win games of footy being good for a half. I understand why our supporters might question our leadership/captaincy when we are consistently beaten week in week out and our leaders are not demonstrably leading (eg laying tackles).

You can get locked up for that. Someone had to go there...

In Harmes Way - Wet and Cold

I'll just mark up last week's review from the AFL on the Dees v Tigers. Where and when: MCG, Saturday August 10, 1.45pm AEST What it means for Melbourne: With the pressure increasing on both Simon Goodwin and Melbourne's playing list, a top-eight scalp would open the valve somewhat. It would also be only the Demons' third win in their past 12 games. What it means for Collingwood: The Pies' percentage took a battering since the two sides met back on Queen's Birthday but improved on the back of a strong result against the Suns. Saturday could be a chance to boost it further. The stat: Final term fade-outs have been a big issue for the Dees recently. Over its past five matches, Melbourne has conceded an average of 26.4 points in the final quarter, while managing an average of just 13.4 itself. The match-up: Max Gawn v Brodie Grundy The stats for the two ruckmen are extremely close again in 2019, with Grundy shading Gawn averaging 41.5 hitouts to 39.3 across 2019. Grundy also gets the better of Gawn for disposals (contested and uncontested), although Gawn is stronger on intercept marks and overall metres gained. Melbourne, as a team across 2019, have incurred an average 4 more turnovers a game and 5 more clangers than the Pies. Collingwood, with their high possession game, coupled with Melbourne being ranked 14th in the league for tackles, should win fairly easily. Pies by 42.

Oscar can't currently keep up with the leading forwards, so I'm not sure why we'd play him in the forward line, except to "bring the ball to ground" which isn't working out so well for us. I'd like to see the club make a statement of one (or more) of the several players that didn't lay a tackle all game. I can't fathom that.

More probable you went to bed drunk

I thought it would go to the Saints - perhaps we'll get pick 4 on this basis?

You've overestimated me, Jaded.

We do only have one problem- #PoorCultureNoDepthToomanyInjuriesNoGameplanMentallySoftUnfitPoorlydrilledScaredtotakeashotBadlycoachedOverhandballingSlowTurnovermerchants I think that about covers it

I'm in the "I couldn't give a Fxxx anymore" phase.

This antique is symptomatic if our season this year - in need of substantial restoration. Ironically we didn’t win a game in 1919 when this hat was made.

They scored 82 points from turnovers. How do you win games of footy giving them 14 goals?

You could just see that coming all night really. gee we have a crop of spuds. At least there’s some snow at Buller

It’s so bad this year @Hot as Hell that I went and bought some skis to join the cliche.

This is what I’ve been musing on binman- if you change the rules to achieve a goal, and don’t get the desired result (kick ins, 666), do you persist? Or do you go back three spaces to what you had being pretty good already?

Something must have changed this year though - Freo and WC are only +4 differential which is my takeaway from the OP

2020 starts now

Line in the sand game. Gawn can’t win these games by himself, god knows he’s tried. Get it done.

You're not Sun Yang are you Wise? I seem to recall him saying something very close indeed to your post to the pom who wouldn't get up on the podium....

As an Arsenal supporter, I sure as hell hope it wasn't a straight swap Misson for Burgess.

Knowing MFC like we do, it's entirely possible Super that they've done a linkedin search and hired Darren Burgess the chef of Masterchef by mistake.

I'm wondering what level of science goes into analysing somebody like Steven May - mature, big bodied defender joins the club after 6 seasons consistent 17-19 games per season (missed more games through suspension than injury) and skin folds around 60. Minute he arrives at Melbourne - need skin folds at 50 and he's had nothing but leg injuries ever since. If we didn't like the player he was, why did we pick him up? MFC just like my wife - I love you just the way you are. Then we got married and I've suddenly got a bunch of flaws.

If he’s as expensive as some think, can we get him to kick 45 goals a year on the weekend as part of his role?