Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Enjoying this game much more than I expected.

Keep it up Demons, I want to sing our song loud today

2 minutes ago, BDA said:

Melks is a class act. brilliant kick to tracs advantage

1 minute ago, BoBo said:

He’s almost the only player in our team that I’d back most times to be able to do this.

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

23 minutes ago, Sideshow Bob said:

Oskar Baker really has become a far far better footballer tham what he was at the Dees

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

2 minutes ago, frankie_d said:

the crowd is, um…,modest

Crowds disappear into the MCG. Chill out people, there is a reasonable crowd here.

At least Gate 3 was open today.

Just now, At the break of Gawn said:

Effort hasn't really been the problem apart from a couple of starts. List management needs to take some responsibility, there's been no injection of slick ball users and good runners apart from some kids via the draft.

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.

2 minutes ago, Sydee said:

My three-word summary of that chance meeting

Hird, please no

My 6 word summary

I'd rather eat my own vomit.

52 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

It is certainly not in the player’s best interest to sulk and put up an average performance. Their future coach will undoubtedly be watching today.

I heard Paul Roos say that he watched the last few games of the season before he took over as coach, and was so impressed with Nev Jetta he saved him from a certain delisting.

Opportunity aplenty for players to show their next coach what they’re made of.

As Gawny said, footy waits for nobody.

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.

4 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Why ??

Not being pedantic . What harm to announce when able ?

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.

Great effort of Ed to get to 200. It's somewhat disappointing that it's been overshadowed by Goodwin's sacking. I actually think his performance at the presser was good. He spoke genuinely of the players perspective and love for Goody, but was also clear that he respected the boards decision.

Ed was one of the early quality young up and coming players to join a rising MFC. He made a great impact when he arrived and continues to make a great contribution to the team week in week out. He does have the occasional quite game and I think he's played one fairly average season for us back 2023 or something, but by in large, he's been incredibly consistent and reliable high performer over the journey.

Congratulations on 200 Ed and thanks for making the MFC your football home.

1 minute ago, praha said:

Watch them get pumped next week and need to beat us to make top 4. We all know how that story goes. But if the roles were reversed...

If they get pumped next week, they could very well be playing for just a spot in the 8 if all the chips fall the right way. Even if they win next week, I suspect they might still need to beat us top 4.

As a bit of an asides, one of our few losses in 2021 was to Collingwood, the week after or something Buckley resigned, so we owe them beating them in the last Rd this year for that as well as Gus and everything else. Would be great if all the cards fell right and we knocked them out of finals - a bit of 2017 karma about that as well.

7 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Have been , as no doubt are most of us , having a bit of a think about this .

I can only sense that the club will go forcan experienced operator, but that may NOT rule out a very capable senior assistant. Only time will unveil.

I would only want someone with the enthusiasm and energy to take the reigns. They could be there for a few years so I'm not looking for a temporary solution.

I note, well it's my gut feeling ( could just be the farts 🤷‍♂️ ) that not everyone mentioned is there by their own impetus. Horse is high on lists but is HE really that interested or keen to uproot. I wonder. I've moved away from Simpson. I just don't think he is THAT fit for us. He's capable but is he our best option ? Then there's Bucks. My first gut reaction was very nearly a gut reaction... lol But in thinking I've considered the qualities required.

You need to thoroughly understand Football. He does. A very good head for it. He knows where this game is. Also where it might head. Tactically I think hes shown nouse. Can he coach ? I'd have to deduce he can. His time at Collingwood. I think he was on a bit of a hiding to nothing ...and white ants were apparent. He seems keen. Thats good in my book . I don't want someone there who you had to drag there.

Something that is a trademark of Bucks in footy. He took games on !! Both as a player, and i thought a very very good player, a match turner-winner kind of player and in his coaching. He would try to win games. Im not a fan of trying to protect a win ( too early ) .

Horse likes to move magnets. Im not a fan of Simpson footy.

I hope we are not too blinkered in our search.

I want someone to relight the fire in the players.

Any which way 26 will be , imho , a sorting come discovery year. Need to become super relevant in 27.

Who ever comes needs to wrangle together assistants who can impart skills and craft.

Im a little buoyed, excited and at the same time nervous . Simon certainly didn't get everything wrong. Far from it. But we'd stalled... and like a plane that's not good. If someone can fire up those jets and wrestle control back so we can lift well, dare I say the sky's the limit.

Im warming to Bucks , but I'm not sold. Horse is the Horse of course , of course.. and not one talks like the Horse of course.... Just not feeling it for Simpson. Might be a better fit elsewhere.

So who else ??

Interesting fortnight ahead.

Meanwhile.... good luck Troy 👍

I'm actually distinctly warming to Buckley for all the reasons you mention.

Think he has a good mix of approachable mate coach, but also able to set high expectations and give the team a good rev-up when they need it. I think he was set up to fail the way the transition worked at Collingwood under Malthouse and with Eddy in the background. His closeness to some in the playing group probably didn't help either.

I initially defended Horse's initial reaction, but the more I reflect it seems he really doesn't want the job. I'm also somewhat turned off by his shocking GF record. Asides from the one premiership he actually won with them, Sydney were pretty much trounced in every other GF they played under him, which isn’t a good sign for me.

As a real left field thing - could we coax Roosy back?

Congrats to Jed.

Haven't seen alot of his VFL form, but unless he plays an absolute mare on Sunday (which I don't think he will), I hope we find a way to play him until the end of the season.

16 minutes ago, Random Task said:

Will be the first time #26 is seen at AFL level since the Weid last played in 2022.

Fun fact, the previous owner of #26 was non other than Petracca. He sported #26 in his first season at the club, however didn't play a game in it due to his pre-season ACL injury.

Other notable owners in my time were Greg Doyle and Jack's uncle Jay.

2 hours ago, The heart beats true said:

Those are great points Bobo. A logical organisation would concur. 😂

I see the incident is different just because Howe contributes to the clash more actively than Evans did. Howe leaves the ground, and that is enough of a variable for the AFL.

I also agree with you that it seems insane that the AFL tries to argue about what a reasonable player would do. Both incidents were insanely quick.

I just would temper anyone’s expectations about there being any relationship between these incidents and an expected outcome. There’s enough variables that the AFL can concoct whatever they want as an outcome. This is by design. 👍

Good lord "Howe contributed to this himself more than Evans" It's pretty much pot luck how these incidents turn out in both those circumstances. May could have just as easily copped a slightly erant elbow to the head, would Evans have been suspended then?

Honestly think they need to have some of these AFL muppets role play all of this out at full pace to show how the players should act and maybe get an actual appreciation of what's reasonable.

Read in interesting article quoting Paul Roos earlier this week how seeing Nev Jetta play one of the final games of the season before he took over as coach gave Roosy enough of an impression that Nev was worth persevering with and keeping a list spot (probably just a rookie lost one from memory). But Laurie has shown nothing like what Nev did up to that point.

Laurie was given numerous opportunities last season and in previous seasons. Pretty much every time he plays, he doesn't have the composure to execute basic football skills at AFL level.

Given Laurie had the somewhat unjustified luxury of another preseason and year on our list, I'd be against him being given opportunities to prove he's got what it takes at the top level for the remainder of this season. Give those to Adams, Taj and Pup instead as I think they have shown themselves to be far closer to AFL standard when given opportunities than Laurie. Glad that Culley is being given a decent crack. Would even prefer guys like Henderson and Sestan be given opportunities ahead of Laurie.

If Laurie has an outstanding pre-season, then he should get some good gametime during practice matches etc. Honestly though, personally, if we could I'd rather trade him as maybe a change of scenery might do him good; perhaps a change of senior coach might have the same effect for us. I doubt anyone else will be interested though and think he'll end up playing out his career as a solid VFL player.

On a related topic, it was reported by the MFC that Steve May only just came out of concussion protocols this week, so the 3 week suspension was probably somewhat inconsequential in that respect.

I guess De Koning "only gave him a concussion" and everyone loves a good specky, so we should just move on. The other thing that I take away from that is that next time players realise that they need to enter a foot race in which they might arrive at the ball at the same time, they should just try to take a specky on them and knee them in the head instead, because that's a football act that provides total immunity from suspension.