Engorged Onion

That’s a really shallow read on Langford. To chalk up his strong finish to “being 19, not 18” dismisses both his development and the reality of the modern AFL. First, age doesn’t determine performance. We’ve seen 18-year-olds excel from day one — Sam Walsh averaged 25 disposals in his debut season, Nick Daicos was All-Australian by his second, and Harry Sheezel won a best and fairest in year one. On the flip side, plenty of 19- and even 20-year-olds take years to find their feet. The difference is opportunity, role, and adaptabilit. Langford earned his impact by adjusting to the speed and physicality across the season. Second, comparing him to Marcus Bontempelli’s debut is misleading. Bont wasn’t a “normal” 18-year-old — he averaged 16 disposals and a goal a game in 2014, and by 2016 (at 20) he was already All-Australian. He’s a generational outlier, not the benchmark. And let’s not forget: when Bont was a first-year player, the game was slower and less physically taxing. In 2014, average game speed was significantly lower, rotations per team were 131 on average, and congestion hadn’t peaked. Now? Interchange caps have dropped to 75, ball-in-play time has increased, and GPS data shows players covering more ground at higher intensity than ever before. Simply put, it’s a much tougher environment for first- and second-year players to “run out” a season. So to say Langford finished strongly “because he was 19” ignores the bigger picture: he adapted, built resilience, and performed in a competition that’s never been more physically and mentally demanding. That’s not a calendar advantage — that’s development and talent. THE BONT Drafted: Pick 4, 2013 draft. Debut season (2014, aged 18): Played 16 games. Averaged 15.7 disposals, 3.7 marks, 3.1 tackles, and 1.0 goals per game. Won the AFL Rising Star nomination in Round 13 and finished runner-up overall. Second season (2015, aged 19–20): Played 20 games. Averaged 21 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, and 0.7 goals. Third season (2016, aged 20–21): Played 22 games. Averaged 23.7 disposals, 6.5 tackles. Named All-Australian at just 20 years old.

YKYWT...

Ha! Me to, that would be a bit weird given the esteem that he is held in, I probably didn't explain myself - I wouldn't do it during the interview process. I am an unhinged supporter and personalise EVERYTHING and forget nothing...

Ahhh finals 2025 - Mostly just excited about not spiraling into an existential crisis over the Melbourne Demons failing to meet the completely arbitrary standards I’ve set in my own head about how they should play.

On this - people do mature... but if hired, I'd ask him directly about that and get him to reflect upon the optics....

Oooh sexy language from the probable incumbent. Already towing the MFC line of thorough diligent process and preaching it to the masses. We ARE an upstanding organisation, full of great governance and culture.

I thought media folks loved to compare against Cox in the AFL era - and then the convo harks back to Madden....

This to me is quite easy. As a psychologist working in smaller communities there is often a cross over of folk we work with, it’s part of it. If it comes up during therapy and we are aware of a dual relationships or likelihood of it, we address it, and often/always terminate the professional relationship of the person who has ‘come second’ - without disclosing specifically why beyond a dual relationship and certainly whom (due to confidentiality) to this individual / this of course can be confusing to the individual. This is one way of managing, the scenario, rather than publicly shaming the player who is in a workplace. Based on repeated evidence, I do strongly agree with the sentiment around integrity/favourtism however. But we do forget that this isnt just football, it is the entertainment industry.

. If self defence - it would still be toxic masculinity - just perpetuated by the 6... 😇 so if true, then the entire circumstance was TM. (didn't think it needed to be continued in the thread). hope all is well with you - love your posting! alas you can't receive private messages.... but, who gives a [censored] if someone can throw punches in a scene reminiscent from a Chuck Norris film, where one combatant at a time steps in... does that make them a better fit for coaching, or teaching? or leading? Maybe he could have defused the situation, and with 6 people, that is something that I would consider heroic.

Sounds like toxic masculinity to me...

Love a link to lyrics/music. My life is a litany of moments to a fantastic ‘subjective’ soundtrack. Anyway this is a favorite topic of mine… On the subject of ‘fear’ as a way to motivate. There’s a popular belief that fear drives performance – that if people are a little scared, they’ll focus more, push harder, and deliver. And yes, in the short term, fear can create movement. It fires up the stress system, releasing adrenaline and cortisol, sharpening the senses for immediate action. But fear has a cost. Those same stress hormones also narrow thinking, limit creativity, and, over time, exhaust the very systems we need for consistent performance. It’s a short burst, not a long game. Essentially, fear is the best motivator in the world...........................................short term. When the brain is on alert, it’s less able to adapt, solve problems, or recover from mistakes – exactly the skills a footballer, or any performer. Of course each game, each athlete is under immense scrutiny and pressure When athletes feel supported and challenged at the same time, different systems switch on – dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin – which broaden focus, improve resilience, and unlock better decision-making. The research is clear: people perform best when they feel safe enough to take risks and confident enough to stretch. Fear in terms of selection and career Is ever present… they don’t need an angry parent as a coach - It’s 2025 and a professional work place. So while fear might spark effort, connection sustains it. Teams that trust each other, and their coach, don’t just work harder – they think clearer, adapt faster, and stay together longer. For Melbourne (or any club), fear may win moments. But connection builds seasons. And, you can do accountability WITH empathy, it's not an either/or proposition.

Happy to be out of the industry. Thanks for validating me Mum 😘 Anyway. Glad the season is over and I’m sure all and sundry are. Time to reset, refresh and refine.

I get what you’re saying – it can really look like he’s “in his head” compared to his younger days. But technically, you can’t really “overthink” – the brain is wired to think all the time. What can happen, though, is that athletes sometimes try to push away uncomfortable feelings or doubts instead of staying connected to the moment. That’s often called experiential avoidance – trying to block or control internal stuff – and it can make things feel tight or forced. That said, we can’t know for sure what’s happening for him. Some players are actually taught to close their eyes or visualise as part of a set routine, especially in goal-kicking, so what looks like hesitation might just be technique (helpful or not) Either way, your observation is spot on: the difference between instinctive play and when things start to feel effortful is huge, and finding that balance is one of the hardest things in sport

Classic Goodwin eh… Never one to risk, always protecting his mates and playing favourites 🤷‍♂️

Thanks mum x

Richmond absolutely ran interviews during our finals campaign in 2023, and yes, there were murmurs that Yze was distracted prepping for them. Having spent time in this industry, I think it’s important to put some context around what’s actually happening. Clubs are constantly balancing short-term performance with long-term succession planning. When a coach is under pressure, or when an assistant shows genuine potential, interviews in-season—even during finals—are unfortunately part of the landscape. They’re rarely ideal, but they are a known and accepted part of how clubs operate. Every club will publicly speak about fostering assistants into future head coaches. “We value their talent. We want the best for them. They can go learn elsewhere. Maybe even come back.” It’s a narrative that looks good and, in most cases, reflects genuine intent. So to tar Adem Yze with the brush of “distraction” feels both unfair and disingenuous. He was doing exactly what the industry expects and what any ambitious assistant would naturally consider. Yet when a coach is sacked, interviews happen all the time—in-season, in finals—formal, informal. It’s literally how the industry works. Everyone knows it. And then, lo and behold, in 2025 MELBOURNE does exactly that during a finals campaign, holding interviews, both formal and informal and suddenly it’s a “distraction”? A scandal? A breach of trust? Classic AFL bubble logic: perfectly fine for me, morally catastrophic for you.

Sorry, but I just had to... - apologies @The Jackson FIX (just saw yours). Slide 1 — Title SlideHeadline: "Uncompromising Excellence: A Five-Year Blueprint for Sustained AFL Success" Visual: Hero image of AFL premiership cup with team colours subtly in the background. Subtext: “Prepared for [Club Name] Board – [Date]” Tagline: "Two Flags. One Club. Lasting Legacy." Slide 2 — Vision StatementHeadline: "One Club. One Purpose." Core Vision: Deliver an elite high-performance program on-field and off-field Two premierships within five years Build a sustainable dynasty through culture, development, and recruitment Visual: Image of team in a huddle, words overlayed like a motivational AFL locker room wall. Slide 3 — 5-Year Performance Roadmap (Overview)Visual: Horizontal timeline, each year as a pillar Year 1: Build foundations — elite standards, culture, game plan buy-in Year 2: Finals contention — top 6 finish, emerging leaders stepping up Year 3: First Flag — grand final appearance + win Year 4: Consolidate — maintain top 4, regenerate list Year 5: Second Flag — dynasty status, sustained success Slide 4 — Key Performance DriversFour Core Areas: Game Plan Evolution — Fast, relentless, defensively accountable Talent Pipeline — Draft, trade, and develop with precision Leadership & Culture — Standards, accountability, connection High Performance & Sports Science — Recovery, injury prevention, peak match conditioning Visual: Split into four quadrants with action photos. Slide 5 — Culture & LeadershipEstablish "No Excuses" accountability system Player leadership group reset — aligned with club vision Cross-department integration: football, medical, welfare, analytics Community and fan engagement as part of player DNA Visual: Locker room shot with “Culture eats strategy for breakfast” quote. Slide 6 — Recruitment & List Management PlanShort Term (1–2 yrs): Target 2–3 ready-made impact players Develop 5–6 emerging talents into AFL-level starters Long Term (3–5 yrs): Maintain list age profile to avoid rebuild cycles Trade capital strategy for sustained contention Visual: Depth chart graphic showing current vs. projected best 22. Slide 7 — High Performance EdgeGPS & performance analytics to tailor player load Injury prevention & resilience protocols Benchmark against AFL's top 4 fitness & speed standards Mental performance program for clutch execution under finals pressure Visual: Graph comparing key metrics vs. top 4 teams. Slide 8 — Success MetricsYear 1: > 90% player availability, top 6 defensive efficiency Year 2: Finals appearance, 2+ wins vs. top 4 teams Year 3: Premiership Win #1 Year 4: Top 4 finish, > 60% win rate Year 5: Premiership Win #2 Visual: Two large AFL Premiership cups side-by-side with years underneath. Slide 9 — Call to ActionHeadline: “Let’s Make History” Subtext: A shared commitment to elite performance Courage to make bold decisions United in purpose: Two Flags. One Legacy. Visual: Club logo, cup, and a bold final image of players celebrating.

Recall 15-20 years ago when 'tapping up' (ie: having early conversations) was seen as unethical/problematic, and now it's de rigueur and just a normal part of everyday society in terms of gathering data, understanding peoples positions and their current landscape, so you can make an informed decision. It began with players, and the collective AFL fandom base shock at how on earth NRL players could sign contracts with alternate clubs and still play out the season fully invested in their current team. It has now understandably, shifted to the wider FD. To paraphrase Brene Brown - 'being clear, is being kind'. And that works well in a business sense, when the industry is effectively closed off and in a bubble. SG would have understood this having been in the industry for 3 decades, and not suprised that other coaches have been spoken to our sounded out..

Probably has something to do with the fact that’s it’s an even completion and that all clubs give up leads. St Kilda is one of those outliers that make It seems worse than it actually is. 🤷‍♂️😎 How’s the mythology around Collingwood coming back from any position going these days… these runs of things, are always always temporary.

Having worked with someone in a not dissimilar scenario to CP5 - and went on to win a couple of premierships, the energy and effort expended each match was huge to manage his anxiety of re-injury and the potential cost of that, whilst being in a culture of - it's happened...just harden up. Coming back from a life-threatening injury isn’t just about healing tissue; it’s about re-wiring the brain’s threat systems. From a neurobiological point of view, those systems are designed to keep you alive, not get you back into contested footy. Even when the body is “ready,” the brain often keeps running protective patterns – subtle hesitation, altered decision-making, or a shift in how risk is assessed – and that can permanently change a player’s game. To me, that all looks pretty clear in how he plays now post injury. If Christian was 22, then maybe it would be different - the holistic view is, presuming he wants/has (IDK) a family, other interests, then mortality (be it philosophical or literal) would be consistently front of mind, be it game day, or training in terms of having to protect himself, subtly sometimes, and more pronounced at others. The challenge isn’t forcing the old version of yourself back, but learning to operate within the new reality. And that’s not failure; it’s the natural adaptation of someone who’s survived something most people never have to face

Oh the cognitive dissonance! Heaven forbid a coach outwardly praise the MFC with respect!

I was enraptured with the 😎

I’d be staggered if the club wasn’t running a proper process here — it’s not like Nathan Buckley is some obscure prospect dragged out of the Managatang Thirds. Recruiting a senior AFL coach isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; the groundwork starts months, sometimes years, in advance. That means background calls to people who’ll never be quoted, scenario interviews that test how you think under oddly specific pressure, leadership profiling that borders on personality anthropology, and a clear internal document about what the next phase of the club actually demands. But you know, he has been in the system for close to 3 and a half decades. A genuine process is about “how does this person integrate into the machinery we’ve built?” What are the tangible gaps in performance? Who can close them without simply inheriting the previous problems? If they choose Buckley over an untried assistant, the rationale is obvious: he’s survived the media furnace, proven himself in live-fire tactical situations, and knows how to turn a list into a cohesive, disciplined organism rather than a set of loosely connected talents. Our current list is crying out for a tighter connection between midfield acumen and forward efficiency, whilst we transition game plan, plus the ability to adjust tactics mid-game without looking like we’re improvising survival. That’s usually something you only learn by running the whole show before. If he’s the best candidate, great — appoint him. But the search has to be deliberate, multi-layered, and unflinchingly honest about what’s missing. Otherwise, you’re just hoping that charisma and confidence will fix structural problems — and history suggests that hope, while great for movie endings, is terrible at football clubs Ps: Sitting in the sunshine at a summer sailing regatta on Sweden’s west coast, you realise that Swedes are tall and hot — but not as hot as the Melbourne coaching job. And like both of them, I’ll never get near one… unless they both suddenly start recruiting from the “mildly competent but overly optimistic” pool.