Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Regards Brad coaching at AFL level again, I think he probably could and very well might one day. When you look at North's failures it's more about list management than coaching derived and there is only so much responsibility that can be leveled at the coach for list management, probably also aided by the fact that North were not handed any freebies recruiting wise by the AFL and without the ability to land big name players like the power clubs and the interstate teams. I'd fully expect that Brad sits it out from senior coaching of any form for 12-18 months though due to the personal toll that being a senior coach must have on their life.

Would love the boys to sing it in Woiwurrung in the rooms after a win against GWS as well !!

So long as Maxy doesn't have a Jimmy moment and run over/though the mark. My old man recons we would have beaten Carlton in the GF. I'm in favor of '87 with at twist' !!

I think you are taking my comments way too far. As I stated in my post, far from hang it on a pepetual whipping boy I have significantly defended Oscar over the years and if you were to go back over my posts, I think you would see that. I do believe Oscar has shown some good footballing traits and potential over the journey thus far. I honestly didn't notice Oscar do all the brave things you mentioned against West Coast (neither denying or agreeing), but my observation was based more on the way he has played over the course of this year and that feeble push off was emblematic. The game he was dropped after, he looked totally bereif of confidence and yes he has been slightly better since he was dropped. But physicality and intimidation does count for somewhat of a physiological edge or weakness against opponents and I recon that it's an area that Oscar is significantly lacking right now. That "line in the sand" match for Hawthorn represented a turning point in their self beleif as a team and were respected by their opposition. Oscar isn't the fresh 19 yo any more and thus I have higher expections and I'm really wanting him to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and become a solid dependable part of our defense.

The push back from Oscar McDonald was as many here have expressed it - meek and is typical of how he is playing. Struth, he didn't need to knock him out, but push him with a bit more vigor or put a shoulder into him. I've defended Oscar McDonald in his performances pre this season, but this kind of physical softness has got to stop. He is 23 years old and 100kg now, so should be more than capable of making his physical presence felt. You might say how does a bit of push and shove prove to everyone what a big man he is, but as others have said, it's a symptom of a broader issue, because this shying away from being as fully physical in a remonstrative way infects the whole way he plays during game time. He is unprepared to hold his ground physically and gets brushed out of the contest all the time. Sam Frost is 5kg lighter than Omac, but plays with twice the physical presence and some actual aggression in his game. Tommy doesn't cop the rubbish that Oscar does. When AVB came back late last year, the physical presence he bought really lifted our game and was a big part of the reason the whole team had a swagger in their step in the lead up and during our finals campaign. Someone needs to get the boxing gloves on at training and lay right into Oscar (and probably a few others) until he gets angry, actually starts fighting back, repeat the exercise before every game until he starts playing with some moungral in his game, because his present meekness just won't hack it anymore and particularly not in finals.

You and I are the same sort of classy Greg - I like it. ...and I hope Mumford likes soup.

Please start writing off more of our players if it results in them having similar form reversals.

Or try bringing the interchange numbers back to what they were in the 80s/90s.

A number of great points. I particularly agree with the comments made Re Gawn. Perhaps it was because I was at the game and was able to notice it more clearly, perhaps it particularly bad against GC for some reason or possibly just coincidence, but I noticed exactly the same thing against GC last year in our game against them at the Gabba. Until we broke open the game against them last year, practically every time Gawn went off, we would loose control of general play and they would get a few goals back on us and stay in the game.

It would be a good 10 degrees warmer than the players are use to down south this time of year. I wounder if there was heaps of sweat getting on the ball or players hands during the game. I remember walking off being drenched in sweat training up here at night in Queensland.

Thought his run, disposal and ball use in the first quarter in particular was pretty good.

It would take a heap of pressure off T Mac and our other forwards if Jeffy becomes truely dangerous again. Footy is a team sport and it certainly helps when those around you are playing well, not just it being a one or two man show.

I'm still having difficulty understanding why we didn't pick a fit Preuss against the Suns.

I agree with what you are saying in a sense, but my reflection on that last play of the game isn't quite so negative. Some have criticized Harmes for not making the distance, but I actually think he was trying to be unselfish by hitting T Mac at the top of the square in enough space that he could have marke, gone back from 15m out and absolutely sealed the game. Harmes execution was perfect and T Mac should have absolutely gobbled up that mark every other day of the week, then could have taken up another 30 seconds before slotting through a goal. As disappointing as it was that T Mac dropped the mark, his decision making and realitive composure having dropped the mark was perfect and literally won us the game. In seasons gone by, maybe someone tries to pick up the ball it gets held up, siren sounds and we tie the game instead of getting the full 4 points and us MFC supporters are left spewing about another win that got away. In another season when we are in a more compeditive win/loss position, maybe that win gets us a ladder position 2 - 4 instead of 5 - 8. I'm not suggesting there are not major problems with how we are presently playing, but let's take those victories when they come.

Sign her up for the Red and Blue. She will probably hate you for it, but one closer to 50K

Great to hear that Hannan is in good form, since he isn't playing at the moment. We desperately need him back though. I never thought he was such an important part of our forward line, but with him gone, I realise he is most things we are missing up forward: Leads at the ball carrier with pace; Gets to the fall of the ball and mops up the crumbs; Can take a pack mark; Has pace out on the flanks and delivers well inside 50; Good at kicking that mercurial goal out of nowhere.

28 tunovers

6. Salem 5. T Mac 4. Hore 3. Jones 2. Harmes 1. Frost

Totally stoked to get the win in the circumstances. That last 49 seconds was the inverse of the Leigh Montagna loss to St Kilda to me. To those criticizing the coaches - please. The coaching team are actually human beings, not robots and their reaction well understandable. Talking about some focusing on the negatives. I thought we dominated the general play for about the first time this year, but just couldn't convert that, with the entries inside 50 and lack of holding a mark our biggest problems. Should have won that game by 6 goals. I can't believe just how jinxed we are with injuries. Hibbo was just starting to play some great footy again.

In Preuss, Smith. Out Hibbard, Lewis, Keilty.

Whilst it's clear that he is no longer at the peak of his game performance wise, I think Jonesy is still making an important contribution in games. He was one of the key instigators that dragged us back into the game against Sydney and I felt he was also one of our good players against Hawthorn last week. One thing is for sure is that he never gives up trying. It's almost like the worse the team plays, the more he lifts at times. That goal against Geelong in the final last year was a great moment and I'm hoping there is still one or two moments for him to top that before his playing days are over. Love Jonesy being a part of the teams success after so many years of squander. Robby never quite made it to that illusive grand final, but maybe, just maybe the story could play out differently for the MFC this time for once?

Agree with your first statement, but not the second. I don't think the team has 'chosen' small forwards the way you have phrased it - Jeffy and Hunt playing two for most of last year is evidence of that. ANB can and will make his way back into the side if he can produce the required form. I'm more and more convinced all the time that a forward we have really missed is Hannan.

For us to be back with the pack vying for finals, I recon we need to win 4 out of 5 or so of our games coming up, which isn't impossible, but is a tough ask when you look at some of the teams we are playing and the form we have been in for most of the season. If we can get our form confidence and a few more key players back soon, I think anything is possible. One thing is for sure though - if we do make finals this year, it will be off the back of having beaten the better teams in the competition as well as beating up on the easy beats and also rans. Wins by bottom of the ladder teams like Sydney, North, Carlton, GC etc against the teams currently sitting in spots 4 - 12 is both quite feasible and would definitely help out cause should we be able to keep winning. Was great to see Sydney beat Essendrug last night for this reason. I think I will be supporting these underdog teams quietly on the side for the rest year.

Congratulations to Nathan Jones on the accomplishment of becoming the equal second games record holder at the MFC today against the GC. Somewhat fitting that he shares jumper No.2 with the late Robert Flower, as although they are somewhat different styles, they will go down as great captains and players for the MFC that loyally stuck with the club through some hard times for the team. I actually wounder if playing this match with Jonesy was something which factored in Jack Viney declaring himself fit? Anyway go forth and get the job done for the skipper today lads. Great captain Great clubman Great player Well done Jonesy GO THE MIGHTY DEMONS

I'm also less concerned given my recollection that the reason he missed against Hawthorn was the hit he took to his shoulder against Richmond, not his reoccurring foot issues. I'm hoping that Viney is sufficiently fit, plays and plays well. Whether we are a realistic chance to play finals or not, we need to start stringing some confidence and form together to build beleif back up within the side and a fit Jack Viney helps that. We are a much better side than we have been playing like for most of this season.