tiers

If only he bounced the ball with his left hand, then.................

+1. His loss was almost unbearable as he could fill any hole and play any style. Forever grateful for 2021.

Watching or even listening to the count is mind numbingly awful and I gave up bothering as soon as it became a tv event. Watching players get drunk is boring and the only upside is goggling at the wags. Too much inane commentary and pretend analysis. Nobody has a clue. I am old enough to remember Bob Skilton and Ian Stewart win three brownlows each. Skilton won his playing in a poorly performing side where he was a standout for his skill, courage and determination. Stewart was silky smooth in teams that were at their respective peaks so he outdid some top competition. He won his second medal playing just 12 games out of 18. That's class. Sadly modern football does not allow for such players to excel. It's all about numbers of possessions but not about the qualities of Skilton and Stewart. The player most like them is Neale who wins his own ball and disposes with skill and flair. The other favoured players do not. Should he win, will he be considered the equivalent of Skilton and Stewart? Not quite but still deserving.

I was there with two filth supporters. What a relief after Gabbos run. Froggy's goal was the sweetest of all especially as I watched it coming towards me. What joy. And after we had beaten them by 89 points in the second semi two weeks earlier. Kept me going for 57 long years.

Don't we all want the very best for Tracca? Let him go with our best wishes and hopes for a full recovery so that we get our beloved Tracca back in his best condition for 2025. He can watch the votes on streaming video and the media will miss out on its frenzy. GO TRACCA. GO DEES.

No.

Today's Age has a further "fizzed" up story about CP5. As much as I admire CP5, his response was two weeks too late for my comfort and belief. I had almost (but not quite) resolved in my mind that his behaviour was rapidly becoming a distraction and a liability. He owes us big time in 2025. But why do the media love picking on us? Is it because for 57 years we were not much good or is it because in the 50s and 60s we were so good? Or is it because we were part of the MCC or that we played on the MCG? Or is it because it doesn't hurt sales when picking on the dees? I don't know but it is surely some sort of envy and lack of respect for us.

More than a little bit. His movement and kicking style on the run brings back memories.

For some obscure reason, Woey was prevented from playing his on ball role after the Brownlow and was forced to play a fixed back pocket or hbf in 2001. No wonder he lost form. By the end of 2002, he had been wasted by MFC. He, AMac and Powell formed a strong front of ball trio of left footers who could run and kick goals. Still can't understand how the coaching team allowed this to be wasted.

Just publish a list of every teams "wishlist". Most would start with our list, but they can't have them. Tell them all to go and get >>>>>. And yes, there are far too many so called footy journos. What a waste of electrons and paper.

Been watching our dees since the 50s. For pure, footy skill (able to do what no other player can/could do), no one comes close to Robbie. Next in this category comes Jacovich, Jurrah, Schwarz, Oliver. For commitment, skill, determination and leadership (able to swing a match or carry a team to victory by individual effort) no one comes close to RDB. Next in this category comes Gawn, Petracca, Lyon and Neitz. Apologies to all the other greats but the memories of 60+ years is too hard to sort through.

Watched it. Just because he spoke about his/our club, and not footy in general, does not make it "emotional". A more definite response to the deliberately malevolent rumours would have been appreciated, but only if he knew for sure. His put down of Clarkson was sharp and destructive. Otherwise it might have been better to shut up and let the club and players do the talking.

Before Nibbles leaves he should be requested to sign an undertaking to come back as a coach when his family has grown up a bit. I have commented previously on his maturity during the last quarter in 2021 GF where he was calling in the forwards after each goal for a pep talk and a reminder to keep going, just like a real on field coach. I have seen this at other times but the GF is the best example. He has always shown himself to be a thoughtful and mature player and will eventually be a good resource for our club. He will eventually continue the line of successful coaches whose playing careers were best defined as reliable, "hard at it", above scrubber standard but below champion level eg. Jeans, Hafey, Parkin, Northey, Pagan, Clarkson, Scott x 2, Choco, etc.

How often does a Maxie hitout lead to a Melbourne clearance? I suspect not often. It seems to me that all other teams are better at winning the footy from packs. Not just ball ups and boundary throw ins but when the ball is brought to ground in marking contests and a pack forms. Very disheartening.

He has the slightly hunched running style reminiscent of the greatest ever, Robbie. He is fast and direct and makes good decisions. If only he could bounce the ball with his left hand. That would be too much to ask of the footy gods.

His engine just keeps on running. I noticed many times how he was on the last line next to May in defence, then deep in the forward line to at least have two shots and some score assists and then attend multiple ball ups all over the ground. Much of our success in 2021 was due to the constant 2-way running of Langdon. Caleb does the same and with his sublime handling and disposal, we have gained a beauty. Let's look after him and not burn him out.

I was there that day when RDB and Melbourne were cheated out of a flag. I was standing on the Punt Rd side at HFF directly opposite the contest and clearly saw RDB trying to punch the ball down and miss Dean's head. It was the "stage" of a lifetime but in those days the VFL and the tribunal were ning nongs and couldn't cope with the furore. I have lived for 60 years with this memory and hope Clarry's puncher getting minimum 2 weeks for a dog act will help assuage my misery over RDB.

In Yiddish, to be known as a "mensch" is the highest praise possible - it covers integrity, compassion, decency and many other virtues. Applying it to Clarry in this instance is appropriate. He deserved it.

Does anyone else believe that the hit on Clarry was a dog act? Approached from behind and completely unaware. It's not a case of two players facing each other but a coward punch from behind. Should get at least 2 weeks for the offence.

If they review every goal, then do they review goals that go through the high-diddle-diddle at the height of the top of the posts? Maybe a seagull touched it. And, by the way, how did the more senior goal umpires from earlier times in their white coats and hats manage to get is so right without the benefit of modern technology. It must have been good eyesight and good positioning as well as cooperation with the field umpires. Who would have guessed?

Robbie was the incomparable package - grace, style, speed, lightness, skill and every other attribute that can be bestowed on the greatest ever. But, and this was only for a fleeting moment, the way Windsor stood and held his arms after a play, reminded me of Robbie. Just that sweet memory, even if never repeated, was enough to bring me joy. Let's give him time to develop in his own way and not expect too much too soon or make comparisons with the incomparable.

There are now four boundary umpires at each game and it seems to me that there are more than four different throw in styles. Throw ins are too high, too slow, too short, too low, too (pick a word). In other words they are hopelessly inconsistent and the ruckmen can very rarely set up in a position where there is a fair contest. How often is it a speed contest to reach a short ball at hip level while at the same time grappling and wrestling in a manner that would be penalised in a marking contest. A blot on our great game. Surely the AFL can coach and then select boundary umpires who are consistent with their throw ins and can produce a fair contest. GO MAXIE

In 2021 Ed had the luxury of being the only hard running winger and at times played both wings to advantage. With Hunter (who could only play left wing) and now Windsor, Ed seems to be restricted in his territory. It might be time to rethink his role and let him roam over a wider area.

As I recall, Neale had instructed the rucks to Not punch the ball clear. Schwartz ignored Neale's instruction and won us the game.

One of my most abiding memories of Jack was how he was seemingly ignored and wasted when leading from the forward line. Jack was able to read the play and position himself to best advantage but time and again he was ignored. Whether this was deliberate team plan or just plain lack of awareness by his team mates is unclear but it definitely wasted his enormous talent. As for field kicking, Trapper was better. Trapper had that rare and unique ability to draw players to the ball in an advantageous position like no other.