Rodney (Balls) Grinter

1. Kent's long goal against West Coast to practically seal the game; 2. Belting Carlton by 109 points; 3. The two Adelaide wins. First one for the way we absolutely smacked them into submission (to the point of that 3 quarter time coach stare down). Second one, because we nailed a close one on their home deck, with our backs to the wall following loss No.2 at the Cattery; 4. The entire period from virtually opening bounce Vs GWS to the siren in the Geelong final, finally dominating reconised top 8 sides. Definite low lights were the two Geelong home and away games and the Sydney game after quarter time (before quarter time was semi enjoyable apart from not putting another 4 or 5 goals between us that we could have). Was more anoyed about the Hawks home and away loss than actually concerned and likewise, I thought we had shown enough intent against the Tigers to show we have what it takes to beat good sides when we put it all together. Collingwood loss was probably as bad as the prelim loss when I think about it, in the sense that it was probably over before half time in reality. Other notable highlights for me were 1st Gold Coast game (was the first big margin win we had of the season and I was there to watch it live) and also that 3rd quarter domination of the Doggies the second time around led by some sublime ruckwork from Max at the centre bounces. Overall the season went about as well if not a fraction better than I had realistically hoped at the start of the season, which was to convincingly make finals and then put in a credible finals performance (which I think we did bar the prelim, i.e. not getting bundled out without a win). Not sure that extent of summary really supports your theory @buck_nekkid.

Just look at the great influence that Bernie has been on the young brigade.

Will always remember the great game he played in that breakthrough win we had against the Hawks in 2016, when they were still regarded as being in their prime. The way we won that day, we shattered that illusion of them being unbeatable, at the same time building huge beleif in the side. After beating West Coast in Rd 22 this year, that Hawks win was a huge building block in the beleif of the team and Pedo provided a great focal point and contest in the forward line in the absence of Jessy that day was a big part of us winning that game. As mentioned his ability to fill in for Max last year was also so valuable. Really liked the big strong pack marks he took and the hard physical presence he provided at ground level as well. Was also a pretty decient set shot on goal. I think there would be few frindge players as well loved as Pedo and I would love to see him get a regular gig at a club like Gold Coast, Brisbane or someone similar if the opportunity arose and he was so motivated. All the best for the future Cameron.

Does make you wounder if Max rubs too many of the umpires up the wrong way. Coincidentally it was against St Kilda last year that the umps awarded free after free against Max for trivial ruck infringements that were only explained post game.

One group are focused on who is impacting and determining the game, the other on just who is infringing. How the votes should be awarded are 80% by the coaches for the best player aspect and then give the umps an ability to moderate it according to who they thought played fairly and in the right spirt.

WTF

Wow, fare result for Gus. Guess the helmet is a bit of a vote magnet, but he certainly did have a good back half of the year and was also a big benificary from Max's hitouts.

G Ablett Jnr has certainly been worthy in the past, but recon he got a heap of cheap votes this year.

So how much did you have placed?

Keep the coaches votes secret, find a popular ex coach to name it after (not Sheedy), hype it up in the media and let it take over from the Brownlow.

If Max doesn't get 3 votes against the Dog second time around, would be more evidence.

The Richo and Cooney thing cracked me up. When asked how he felt about Cooney getting booed when he received votes - Richo: "I didn't notice, I was just happy getting all the adulation", lol.

Thought Oliver did?

I did like Daisy putting Sidebottom on the spot and asking him if West Coast should tag him in the GF.

All Nev could say was to thank other people for being flexible enough to let him help, to the values from his parents and for his wife and kids for letting him contribute his time. Really shows the total humility of the guy.

Watching the red carpet part, waiting for the vote count proper to start reminded me how footballers can be such C grade celebrities and what a complete w@#ker Patrick Dangerfield is.

Since we would not have made September without winning the West Coast game in Rd 22 and Rd 23 set up home finals, I'm including those games within the considerations and excluding the prelim, since that was generally a team wide debacle for the first half. 3. Harmes his well documented key tagging jobs taking out the oppositions key ball movers and providing so much of his own drive; 2. Jetta - set the tone with some big physical contests, generally stepped up a few notches and was hardly beaten one on one the entire time; 1. Viney & Melksham - Viney for his intensity and attack on the ball/man and Melksham because I thought he made our forward line and front 50 entries click to provide a scoring efficiency we had lacked in the lead-up. Notable mentions to Salem, T Mac, Brayshaw, Hibbard and Frost

Agree. I've also found it much easier to deal with the ups and downs now that you can see that we have the nucleus of a successful team in place, which I think has been evident for at least 12-18 months. The whole thing about being the only team not to score a goal in the first half since 1920 whatever is just statistical trivia to an extent. One of those numerous behinds goes through and it's probably a non stat and as pointed out, blow-outs in big finals are hardly nonexistent. In some ways it is also a symptom of a problem we have with our game style, mental approach and maturity of the team, but non of those things are not fixable. If we do blow this window of opportunity we have over the next 3-5 years, be it something within or out of our control (like another horror run of injuries) I will be pretty disappointed however. What does give me some faith though is that Goodwin seems to have a good ballance of a burning desire for sucess, professionalisim, trust and respect of the playing group as well as a calm, steady, measured and methodical approach.

Just thinking about things a bit further, the other thing I think we need to develop and learn is how to better play different game styles at different times and circumstances. The chaos, attacking style we play can be devastating for our opposition when we get it right and get on top, but as I think we whitenessed yesterday and at other times throughout the season, it can be equally devastating for us. I hope we don't give it away altogether as it is so exciting to watch when it comes off, but we just need to learn a few more strings to our bow and when to play the right ones. Seeing how we have evolved our game style in this respects within this season, I'm sure it's something that is well within the capability of our coaching staff as I think they have already demonstrated themselves to be quite agile and not wedded to any one particular tactic.

Like most here, I was pretty circumspect about yesterday's loss. Was pretty much over the loss before the game was finished in the end and in a way it was better for my own sanity that we got thrashed the way we did than loosing by a more winnable margin. Not sure that I could handle loosing another 2 prelims along the way, but at the same time, I realize that could well pan out to be the reality. We have built the core of a very good team, but having followed us through the 90s I also well realize that in itself doesn't garentee success from here on. Preliminary final results asides, what I really don't want to repeat are the embarrassing GF performances of 1988 and 2000 - the club cannot erase it's history and I know dwelling on it like I am doesn't help in a way, but we simply must put those type of GF performances behind us. That all said, getting back to the original topic, I am very reassured by Goodwin and Viney. It took me a while to warm to Goody, as he was not quite as articulate as Roosy, but he makes up for that by being very direct, focused and calm. The connection that he has with his players is also a huge benifit. I think the next round of growth will come from younger players like Oliver, Brayshaw, Patraca, Hogan, O Mac, Frost, Harmes stepping up their understanding and leadership to the same level of maturity as Viney.

Thanks, but I've gone kinda old school now. Listening via the wireless on my phone streaming SEN and loving it so far. GO DEMONS!

No wonder Ch7 lost the rights to the AFL. Pretty pathetic when they can not play the VFL GF on 7mate and 7flix on Brisbane ahead of "Beverley Hills Porn" and "The AMAZING Race".

Agree. Particulaly when we somewhat lack leg speed and Garlett is such an absolute jet. I'm not one for throwing the baby out with the bath water though and I distinctly remember him being a big part of the reason for us beating Brisbane at the Gabba early in the season. Garlett has proven X factor and goal kicking ability. Seemed like his head wasn't in it for parts this season and perhaps there are family issues, self doubt, game style, personality clashes or something that's preventing him from playing his best football. My real preferance is that we can invest in him personally, get him back on track and reap the rewards. However if his issues are seen as totally irratreavable, then I wouldn't begrudge trading him either as it would be great to see him happy and playing good footy again (so long as he doesn't hurt us by doing it for another good team). If he was to be traded, I'd hope that we would get more for him than the loose change we got him for, but perhaps that's unrealistic. I do like the look of Spargo, but I think he needs to develop much more to be a real weapon. I thought there were games this year that he played only because we lacked another in-form player of his type. Similar to Garlett, I'd love to see Dean Kent get a really good crack at it next year. Thought he was really good when he played this year, but as was the case last season, he was crueled by injury.

It's hard to work out isn't it. Even the first time we played the Eagles over there a month ago we bought a heap more agression and intensity. I think a big part of it is that we played too loose with them on the outside and gave them too much opertunity to get it out in the open where we couldn’t apply that physical pressure.

Cool, happy to move on. Like I said in my original response to your post, as a long term supporter of the MFC, I can agree with alot of the sentiments regarding yesterday's game, you picked the wrong thread to post them in though. Simmilaly, if we continue capitulating like we did yesterday over the next 3 - 5 years without bringing home a flag and/or we had lost a home preliminary final in the same way as yesterday after comming off a weeks break, I don't think your original post would be out of place. But looking at where this present team is at in their development cycle there is still plenty of room for improvement to become a truly elite, premiership team and time for that to happen. It's a marathon, not a sprint.