SFebes

Naughton signed until 2032

AFL trade radio is for children IMO

Anyone seen Jake Riccardi? I haven't. Decent first year and performing in finals, accurate kick.

I'm sure there isn't much more I can that hasn't been said, this one really hits hard. Injuries at the wrong time again however we are our own worst enemy and play dumb football regardless. I've been banging on for a couple of years that we need a couple of KPF's. Yes Petty kicked a bag but I think he's just so valuable down back and super underrated down there, May will need all the help he can get next year, I don't think Petty is the answer forward. As for JVR, we put way too much pressure on him and a good development but he needs to lift instead of trying to take school yard speccies every contest, I think he's more a 3rd forward than a KPF, his ground work did improve a lot during the year, I think a link role up the ground and pushing forward may suit him. I want 2 x KPF's who have forward craft/proven nous and leading ability. Many disagreed with me on my criticism of our two wingers Hunter and Langdon mid year, but they have really let us down IMO. Unsure what has happened to Langdon, not the player he was and for all of Hunter racking up the stats, he is slow and fumbly. Quite often he'll be in the clear only to fumble and somehow get tackled, do a tricky underground handball or blast a kick away, which isn't the Hunter of old either. Gawn/Grundy situation, well blind Freddy and all. I think there is more to this than we know, mind boggling he didn't even make the sub over Schache. Just unbelievable. Goodwin - I do think he grew as a coach this year, however still unsure about his team selections and game day nous. I mean, we have been having the same issues for years. When it clicks, it covers it up. I don't like this repeat i50 game style, it just seems like its "bomb it in and lock it in". With a lot of these entries wide and boundary side, low percentage to goal. Anyone whos played knows that if you bomb it in, it has to be direct and deep, but a lot of ours are 40-45m out and quickly rebounded. I can't remember the stats but we had something like +223 i50's v opponents for the year, or +20% more i50's per game. We just don't have enough forwards with forward craft. Another thing is this meat and potato game-style just doesn't encourage enough freedom and flare, it's a very defence mindset and when we switch off we struggle to stop teams getting a run on, even Carlton scored 5 goals in a row in a final, not good enough for an experienced team. Our opposition also averaged nearly twice as much for running bounces, which shows our lack of dare. I don't know these stats but I'm going to assume a high percentage of i50's are from Petracca, Viney, ANB, Hunter and Langdon....there is a major problem, they can't be trusted for delivery. Can't knock their endeavour, but poor disposers IMO. You can say if we kicked straight yada yada we win but there is deeper issues that need fixing. Like all of you, I'm pretty devastated as I think this was our best chance at a flag, it's wide open. Things I want to see: Experienced back up ruckmen, 1-2 proven KPF's, HF flankers and wingmen with upgraded disposal by foot, a KPD and Salem to the wing/HFF to utilise his kicking as I think he's done his time down back. And a fresh group of assistants to surround Goodwin, we also don't want him feeling comfortable either. Bizarre to extend his contract when we did. Speaking of contracts, do we always seem to sign on players for one year longer than we should, seems a habit. The kids under 22 were a saviour this year. Anyway all the best guys, taking some time off, be kind to each other and lets see some changed in 2024. Odd and over analysis of stats mean jack [censored]. Much love, Febes.

If we lose, it's been well and truly lost in the midfield....very sorry for the forwards actually. Backs are working overtime because of the mids too. Just odd.

Laughing at everyone blaming the forward line, even Dunstall or Plugger would've struggled with these awful entries, take a look at the mids first and foremost.

Thats what I'd do. IN: TMAC, Hibberd OUT: Laurie, Melksham SUB: Smith

Not really sure why Howe has a hatred or comments on the Dee's for. We gave him a wildcard shot basically at an AFL career, yes it wouldn't have been easy but you never bite the hand that feeds you. IIRC, he left Melbourne as he wanted to play forward and win a flag. He's gone to Pies and got neither, so it's a reflection of his own bitterness perhaps. Dee's winning another flag would add lots more salt hehe

Must admit, I haven't watched Jackson all year and was quite shocked he made the AA squad. What has he done this year to justify that?

He’s the man without 4 exclamation marks in a row…

I don't think we have celebrated the Cats' missing finals enough! "We are the Danger" - said their coach, only a few weeks ago. Just glorious I tell ya' @Jaded No More

Yes I know all that Jaded. The fact of the matter is, it means bugger all, just like when we won in 21' which we hadn't done since 64' Champion Data, banners (joking), betting odds, media hype all mean diddly squat. It all comes down to form and injuries mostly. FWIW, I think it will be a Melbourne v Brisbane GF - even though, heaven forbid I don't think we are humming along as well as some think, yet. This match will be a good test. I do hope TMAC gives us a solid few weeks and takes the pressure off JVR. However, I'm not expecting miracles from TMAC or Fritsch and they'll be rusty as you'd think. Anyway, I'm off overseas for a week so I'll miss this game. Go Dee's.

There's only been 3 flags this decade so far so hardly a big call. 2020, 2021 and last year. Bulldogs was obviously last decade, 2016 and they should beat the Cats and make it. Interestingly Sydney have made 4 GF's in the last 10-11yrs. Certainly anyones flag.

First time in a while Grundy hasn’t at least been named on the extended bench….?

Looking at all the selected teams, apart from us and the Blues, seems everyone else is taking the [censored] with selections.

If we rest anyone this week they would've had the best part of 3wks off, not 2 and thats where it is treading a line.

Funny you mention that as I was going to bring it up the other day, but when the camera showed Petracca on the bench on gameday I thought to myself his eyes look shot and wondered whether he was sick at the time, especially given he was a bit off.

Pretty sure it was the other way around mate. Anyway, doesn't matter now really, we have a flag to win with this list :-)

Did others see the article on afl.com.au about the veterans list being reintroduced, could be handy for us going forward....

Add in the McKay compo as well haha

I agree with you don't worry, however all of this was Max's idea from the start don't forget.

Well, IIRC, the AFL can appeal this decision can't they? So lets see how serious they are...... TBH, I've lost complete faith in all things from AFL house in recent years and am very sceptical of the whole joint. Thank goodness the Dees bring me joy.

With our draft hand and some players on decent money exiting you'd think, we could really set this list up for 10yrs here. This draft is a big one for the Melbourne Footy Club, exciting times.

So why didn't he trade and draft accordingly and have a big clean out and go again? He was offered this job long ago, hence him quitting Richmond.

Unfortunately Grundy has done NO wrong, it's Max not being able to let go of that number one ruck spot. The intention was Max would spend time predominately forward and Grundy to ruck. So Max and the club have got Max's ambitions and capabilities all wrong. Blind Freddy could see it wasn't going to work.