Wiseblood

Probably because you're just assuming there are fractures. No doubt that last night was the worst we have played in a very, very long time, and there were some concerning aspects of our overall play, but you're just making assumptions here. No idea why that may be censored by the mods, but everything you wrote above is nothing more than conjecture.

You might be right about that last part, but too many more performances like tonight means he may not get the chance.

Spot on. The one piece of play that stuck out to me was in the first term. Viney got the ball at half forward. He looked across to the other flank, saw Salem, and ignored him. He faked kicking it there, got past his opponent... and then ignored Gawn on the lead, who had a few steps on Ladhams and would have beaten him in the air with a half decent kick. Instead, he kicks to the square where his kick puts Trac off balance, allowing Westhoff to out mark him. He had two clear options and didn't take them, before going to the wrong one. It's just dumb, dumb footy. And who is to blame? Is Viney being arrogant with his decisions? Or are they instructed to hit the top of the square as often as they can? Either way, it summed up our efforts tonight.

There are a few others who are in that same boat too. We've got a fit list - give others a run and show some of these guys that they need to perform to keep their spot.

I don't want to be one of those people who jumps the gun, as there are still plenty of games to be played, but if the club had some courage they would make some tough decisions at years end. Where is Tom at? Is he worth sticking with or moving on? What about those who are just 'going'? Harmes, Salem, Brayshaw... are they up to it or do they need a fresh start elsewhere, while we look at others or pocket a draft pick or two? Do we nicely send Jones and Jetta off in to the sunset and look to the kids? And, depending on how 2020 finishes, do we need to look very, very closely at Goodwin's job? Who knows what next week will bring, but I'd wager that some tough decisions are coming.

Good. He is probably saying everything we wish we could be saying if a microphone got shoved in front of our face right now. Garry annoys me sometimes, but he still loves the club, and that would have hurt to watch.

I wasn't saying were are a good side. I'm just saying the good sides know exactly how we will play and counter it with ease.

I thought May and Lever won their positions tonight. Dixon couldn't get near it, and May showed why we recruited him. When you consider the ease with which the ball went in there tonight, they fought on admirably. You could possibly throw Lockhart in there too. The rest got pantsed.

I'm not one for going over the top. I like to think I'm relatively measured in my responses. But there was something deeply, deeply concerning about tonight's game. It was almost like a car crash that you couldn't look away from. Every time I went to turn it off I couldn't bring myself to do it. I had to keep watching. Just what in the world was going on here? While we can blame the players and their skills and decision making, this one was lost in the box more than anything. Goody is a very stubborn bugger and tonight it showed. Example one - why, in such slippery conditions, would you play three tall forwards? What was he hoping to achieve? Was he trying to keep Tom happy by playing him? Did he just think our bombing tactics would work no matter what? By playing three talls, two of which are awful at ground level, he took away our pressure game somewhat and we got smashed when the ball hit the deck. Too often Port waltzed it out and made us look silly going the other way. It was a dumb, dumb decision. Example two - favourtism. While I think some players get a run over others sometimes based on their skills and what they can bring to the side, he has stuck by too many for too long and I can't work out why. Melksham stunk it up again. Brayshaw had just 11 touches. Hannan had no influence again. Jones looks absolutely cooked. By playing a few of these guys our team is totally out of whack. He is happy to cut someone like Tomlinson, who was no worse than those mentioned above, but he sticks by others who are in the same boat or worse. Why? What does he have to gain from it? It sends a horrible message. Example three - the gameplan. Now, our players can take some responsibility here. Their skills and decision making under pressure can be catastrophic. But good sides work us out and we have no comeback for it. For not the first time in Goodwin's time as coach, we went goalless in a quarter while having an absolute bucket load of inside 50s. We had heaps and didn't look like scoring from one. We kick to the wrong places, our forwards don't lead enough and we don't get enough numbers around the ball to keep it in there. He might have changed the personnel a little, but the game plan remains the same. It looks poor and we are our own worst enemy. I'm hurting, like you all are, tonight. I'm not going to call for Goodwin to be sacked, or to fling [censored] everywhere, but tonight was one of the worst performances we have put in for a long time. Some might say the four day break hurt, but Port had one extra day plus travel and they had to deal with injuries. We had to do neither. I'm really worried right now about the direction of the club under Goodwin, and for the first time under his coaching, I'm not sure he can get us out of it.

To those who are at the ground - I'd leave now if I were you.

That is a horrible, horrible decision.

I cannot understand how Lever can do that. That's not gameplan, that's just stupid football. We were clearly leading on the flank and he kicked it in the opposite direction of where they were leading to. So they had to stop, turn and not have enough time to make a contest. It's rubbish stuff from our players. We can blame Goodwin all we like but that's all on the players there.

Time being frustrated - Melbourne fans - 50 years Port fans - 1 week

Jump on board, Andy. Ignorance is bliss.

Goody was sick of listening to us cry out for two tall forwards. His revenge is sticking three down there. Good move.

Dees will be in front at half time. Watch it happen.

Screw you negative bastards. Jay Lockhart sticking it up the detractors. Great first term from him. That's all I've got...

Ah yes. I remember this Melbourne. It was good to miss them for a few weeks.

It looks that way as we are putting zero pressure on when the ball hits the deck in our forward half. For the zone to work, the pressure needs to be up down the ground. It's non-existant at present.

Dixon = soft.

C'mon, fire up big fella! A pumped up dazzle = wins!

Great points mate. Our fitness has been a highlight so far. While we still have issues in converting our forward 50 chances, we are running out games really well. Sunday is evidence of that. It would have been easy to fall in a hole but we kept pushing and pushing right to the end. The boys are fit and you can see that each and every week.

Clearly channeling the ghost of Nathan Carroll with his new look.

Anyone else feeling quietly confident about tonight's game? I know that's not a normal feeling for Melbourne supporters as we probably have a closer relation to the feeling of dread, but I think we can knock these guys off. That's not to say they aren't a good side but it feels like we match up pretty well on paper. Dixon has been in red hot form, but we brought Steven May to the club for this very purpose. He is the perfect match up and I can see him continuing his excellent form tonight in keeping him relatively quiet. And while they've only had a few days to work on it, I'm hoping we have a few different plans up our sleeve for the centre square and how we rove to Gawn's taps. Brisbane planned very well for it on Sunday and with Lycett out of the side, we need to take full advantage. If we can at least break even then we win. It's as simple as that.