Rodney (Balls) Grinter

... if we're going to get all technical, it was a Ben Cotton article (if you can even call it that) quoting Jon Ralph 😉

I wouldn't worry too much. The general media scuttlebutt surrounding the club is not great (and part of what contributed to Goodwin's demise IMHO), but I recon Carro would be one of the last people someone like Bucks, Horse or any other aspiring coach would take seriously.

How is that harsh? Did you read the Fox article / story line I was referring to? “Simon Goodwin presented to that board on Monday night, it was all about how this club would compete for a premiership next year: ‘We’re so close, we can sniff it’. That board was diametrically opposed to that view. They were crystal clear this was a club that needed some kind of step or two backwards before it pushed forward,” Ralph told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Tuesday night. ... Ralph said Melbourne’s decision to move into a new direction ultimately came down to the club not seeing him as its next “premiership coach,” believing the list needs a “significant revamp”. The options I gave for the possibilities were Either the board has a different appraisal than Roos, Ralph has his story up shiit creek or something in between that maybe they're more aligned with Roos, but do think a fresh approach is needed. If you read the rest, it has much of the same tine. Seems to me that Ralph has overreached on the part about the boards appraisal of the list from what you are suggesting.

That also pricked my ears up a bit. Does anyone on this forum know with any great authority where our cap space is or isn't? Know we've got some stars tided up on long term contracts, but is it possible that we've actually been able to shift stuff around a bit TPP wise, particularly with that bit of relief we were given for Gus (i.e. did it allow us to bring any back ended payments forward? etc)

I did see that too. Buckley has also similarly praised our list, though, not quite as emphatically as Roos. Kind of makes a mockery of the story line that the MFC board didn't see the team being as close to competing again as Goodwin. Fox Sports‘Diametrically opposed’: Inside story of Goodwin’s axing...‘Was he deluded?’ Inside story of $1.2m Demons axe... and trade watch set to re-ignite Either the board has a different appraisal than Roos, Ralph has his story up shiit creek or something in between that maybe they're more aligned with Roos, but do think a fresh approach is needed. Time will tell I guess and hopefully the truth does come out down the track.

I wish it was. His for the taking if he wanted it I recon.

I think they are quite different players. Personally, I think Hendo has better skills and footy IQ, but Culley has impressive athletisim for a huge body and a bit of X factor about him. I thought Hendo looked good for his first few games, then seemed to fizzel. Might be one of thoses player that's a gun at VFL level, but not quite good enough for AFL.

I do think Rivers is a player for the future, but I also see him butcher the ball way more than he should. Fixes that and he could be a real weapon.

It was a baptism of fire, but I'm glad we gave him the opportunity. Winning doesn't help our cause as much as developing these guys for the future. Also agree that May's suspension probably hurt us today. I thought Naughton was really damaging for them for most of the game.

Gawn Oliver T Mac Langford Bowey Melksham

Enjoying this game much more than I expected. Keep it up Demons, I want to sing our song loud today

I don't know why - kicking out in front in space like that isn't rocket science and doesn't take great acts of skill. Imagine how many goals Kossie would kick if we put it out in front of him in a free 50m arc like that.

About time we had some luck roll our way

To be fair, I think he was actually decent for us, but struggled to get a go amoung a glut of great and in for mids

Playing free from desire on the MCG speakers now - I love it

Roo looks on today

Tyrrells should put out a Melksham vintage. Just keeps getting better with age.

I've got a lot of love for Disco, but his kicking in the back line is a liabilty at times

Crowds disappear into the MCG. Chill out people, there is a reasonable crowd here. At least Gate 3 was open today.

If you can't trade for them, the draft is the spot you get them. I think we've done well with our recent selections at the draft, but as good as those kids are, it takes a few years to develop them into reliable AFL level performers.

My 6 word summary I'd rather eat my own vomit.

I think two things can be true at once. I'm actually glad that the players came out in defence of Goody, which shows the level of respect and loyalty they had for their coach and mentor for he past 10 odd years. But I also don't sense a mass player dissatisfaction and revolt against the board. I'm personally not expecting the players to sulk. I think Max set the tone well, when he said words to the effect that he was originally shocked and hurt, but that he's moved on. I think it's also possible the playing group will also be thankful for a fresh start and some clean air without the conjecture of having calls to axe the coach hanging over them after every loss.

For the love of god, I hope we give big Jed a full game. Really don't see the value in him sitting on the bench as sub for 3/4 in the position we're currently in. Start him in the 22, get him on early and give him maximum game time and experience to build on for 2026.

Last week, I came out before the game and said to my mate ans girlfriend that we'd probably smash West Coast by 80 points after the St Kilda debacle. That's just the kind of side we are at the moment, capable of putting in a good performance when you don't expect it. I've got no real sense of how we will play today though. Everyone is expecting a sacked coach rebound, but I'm not confident we will. I have a feeling that we spent alot of mental energy in responding to the St Kilda game and wouldn't surprise me if we put in a flat mediocre performance and loose by 30 - 50 points. Really hope I'm wrong. I'd also rather we have plenty of fire in the belly for Hawthorn and Collingwood.

Exactly. If Buckley is the guy, the he has nothing holding him to another club as far as I understand. Assistant coaches might be another story, but then some of them may not even be able to properly fall into play until after finals. Just get on with it and start building for 2026 ASAP. If we can be getting into the ears of any potential trade targets and potential assistant coaches during the finals period, then let's do it. I think that was the whole point of dismissing Goodwin when they did.