Engorged Onion

I don't normally quote myself -but when I do, I do it with smugness... ....and relief.

Personally I think it is useful to temper expectations. We’ve won our games by an average of circa 5 goals. Irrespective of today’s opposition, if we win by a similar margin - or even 2 goals, I’d be satisfied. If someone has said to me ‘before the first round - you can win your first 7 matches by an average of 5 goals’ I’d be taking it.

Hail to the chief analyst - well well well done. Brilliant insight @Axis of Bob.

Nice to hear. Was there a distinction made between his technique and tactical awareness on his attacks vs his desire for body contact (or lack thereof), which is more of a default setting....

Yes........and then after a lot of consideration a solid 'no' as well. We brought Ben Brown in for a purpose. The players know this also. If he wasn't injured round 1 - he would have been in as a default. Time to develop synergy as a team with Ben in it....(and personally Sam at some stage also.) I'm hoping Ben has been drinking this stuff

Not as well as Clayton does 'week in- week out' mate...bloody marvel.

No different to us as Oliver, Petracca, Viney et al matured... but I guess the concern would be they are only 23-25 - not a further 2-4 years further along a career path. To me it speaks of a lack of trust - trust in the game plan as well as trust in other players to commit to their own roles, which then lends itself to self-preservation and behaviours which are not beneficial to the team (fight, flight or freeze)... (move towards ball, not running defensively, ball watching) respectively. Ultimately - not playing their role.

Is it a stretch to say if Sam is not included in next week, it would be prudent for him to be looking elsewhere, as he is not valued enough? (perhaps this is a rhetorical question?) (perhaps that is a rhetorical question also?) I think Sam is all class when he gets the ball in hand... I look at him and wonder about his urgency at the same time though. If he is not a pressure forward, then what would be the metrics he needs to be hitting? So many questions about Sam...

I'm still uncertain about Oliver, he just does these dinky little handballs, a la, cheap stats like Tom Mitchell.

Or John...

I don't normally drink on a school night... but when I do, I say things like. SO. F*CKING. DESERVED! I was quite shocked we didn't get one in this block... Well done you bloody beautiful Deeeeeemons!

wrong thread.

Your memory is astounding @Bring-Back-Powell

I disagree with your premise @Deemania since 56. We know that fantastic players, and fantastic teams will always be feted on or given more leniency from the media, or umpires. Actually, it happens in all walks of life. It's not just, or right, and it happens. Thus, as we improve with our consistency in winning - it will come our way as well.

Great strategic analysis here, re: Richmond game Thanks @Clintosaurus https://www.rsn.net.au/podcast-2/ and will be in the top left box - Monday Footy Review with Jimmy Bartel. what it speaks to me about our ability to change game plans AND execute it with aplomb. we’ve always had plan b and c, and now we are reaping the rewards

Clint (or anyone) would you be able to post a link to the interview?? Many thanks

Deliberate spelling?? I love it and will now only refer to him in this manner.

Yep me too...

"Before others love you, you need to love yourself" The MFC is in a great space with itself... All the rest if Fugazi, and it's fugazi for a point. What gets people talking? It is commentary in the media that is divisive and deliberately adversarial. I'm not talking left and right politics here of course, I'm talking about something far more emotional to people..it's football! Anyway - anyone's opinion in the media is about as useful as the bloke you vaguely know 3 doors down, who kind of [censored] you because he has a Tigers flag in the window.

Not quite @Demonland - he did say that he asked the question, and he acknowledge it wasn't actually a problem. It was more he was incredulous/surprised that they kept missing targets.

Watching drinking light beers last night - where Max took a mark and for the 5th time Nankervis was all pre-mediated tumbling on top of him and his back and neck - to make him earn it... I seriously had a moment where I worried for his future mental/physical health. It beggars belief that there is no genuine protection for certain players who mark the ball...

can you forgive a typo?

Some bloke -and I paraphrase said - if you look real closely, overnight success is years of hard work @leave it to deever The core players are now 25-27 not 19-23 - physically, tactically, technically superior to where they were 2-3 years ago. Well done to Goodwin and the football department for staying true to the philosophy of 'winning from the contest out'. Because that was in evidence last night, in why we won the game, and why we are 6-0. Now its the contest out, flourishing - with additional add ons to the suite of services, like 1) constant pressure and 2) outside spread. With the added recruits that we didnt have 2-4 years ago, which help the spread, and the outside game.

Did I mention he is only 19 ?- his spatial awareness is fan bloody tastic

You think the players are thinking about North??